Material or article handling – Wheel and wheel-type article handler and transporter – Vertically swinging article engager
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-15
2001-01-30
Werner, Frank E. (Department: 3652)
Material or article handling
Wheel and wheel-type article handler and transporter
Vertically swinging article engager
C414S430000, C414S427000, C414S476000, C414S800000, C280S043200, C280S079400
Reexamination Certificate
active
06179542
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to dollies, and in particular to a kneeling dolly with ramp brake.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Dollies have long been used to transport heavy vehicles. They are especially useful where a vehicle such as a car or an aircraft must be translated sideways in a restricted space such as a garage or hangar. In such cases, the vehicle's wheels are placed upon dollies having swiveling castors, and the vehicle may then be pushed in any direction.
EXISTING DESIGNS
One dolly design used for this purpose incorporated four swiveling wheels and a wheel platform. The vehicle to be placed upon the dolly was then jacked up, one wheel at a time, and each vehicle wheel lowered onto a corresponding dolly, one by one. This method was slow and cumbersome, and required the use of an independent jack. Another solution was a dolly which incorporated a two-tanged horizontal fork, which was attached to a vertical jack. The vertical jack was of the ratchet variety, similar to an automobile tire-changing jack. The two tangs were spaced at a distance less than the vehicle wheel diameter. In practice, the two tangs were slipped under a vehicle wheel, and then the vertical jack was actuated to lift the vehicle wheel out of contact with the garage or hangar surface. These steps were repeated for all the vehicle wheels, and then the dollies with swivel wheels could be used to move the vehicle in any direction desired. One problem that this arrangement suffered from was the difficulty in raising and lowering heavy vehicles. In the case of an aircraft, it was not unusual for several individuals to have to push upwards on the wings of the aircraft in order to be able to ratchet the associated main gear up and down, because the ratchet mechanism of the jack required excessive force to actuate. Another drawback of this apparatus was that the tires were only supported by the two tangs. After a while, wheel deformation could occur.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a kneeling dolly with ramp brake which is capable of supporting a vehicle and moving it in any desired direction across a surface. Design features allowing this object to be accomplished include a plurality of kneeling dollies comprising several swiveling wheels attached to a body having a wheel well. Advantages associated with the accomplishment of this object include enhanced garage/hangar utility and increased convenience.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a kneeling dolly with ramp brake which is easily driven up onto. Design features allowing this object to be accomplished include retractable front wheels and a ramp. Benefits associated with the accomplishment of this object include increased convenience and simplicity.
It is still another object of this invention to provide a kneeling dolly with ramp brake which automatically immobilizes when its front wheels are retracted. Design features enabling the accomplishment of this object include retractable front wheels and a body comprising a ramp which is in contact with a surface upon which the kneeling dolly with ramp brake rests when the front wheels are retracted, thus providing a frictional brake to the kneeling dolly with ramp brake. Advantages associated with the realization of this object include ease of operation and operator safety.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a kneeling dolly with ramp brake whose front wheels are extended or retracted with the turning of a single threaded rod. Design features allowing this object to be accomplished include a pair of retractable front wheels attached at opposite ends of a connecting rod, and a linkage connecting the threaded rod to the connecting rod. Benefits associated with the accomplishment of this object include simplicity and ease of operation, along with the associated time and money savings.
It is still another object of this invention to provide a pair of kneeling dolly with ramp brakes, one left-handed and one right-handed. Design features enabling the accomplishment of this object include a first kneeling dolly with ramp brake with its threaded rod, thrust bearing housing and actuator arm disposed on its left side, and a second kneeling dolly with ramp brake with its threaded rod, thrust bearing housing and actuator arm disposed on its right side. Advantages associated with the realization of this object include flexibility and ease of use, because the pair of kneeling dollies with ramp brake is set up to be used opposite sides of a vehicle, along with the associated time and cost savings.
It is yet another object of this invention to provide a kneeling dolly with ramp brake which is affordable. Design features allowing this object to be achieved include the use of off-the-shelf components and the use of readily available materials. Benefits associated with reaching this objective include reduced cost, and hence increased availability.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1343650 (1920-06-01), Snyder
patent: 2502309 (1950-03-01), Byrd
patent: 2971769 (1961-02-01), Gaddis
patent: 3033398 (1962-05-01), Carroll
patent: 3224611 (1965-12-01), Smuck
patent: 4045041 (1977-08-01), Risser et al.
patent: 4664398 (1987-05-01), Mozer
patent: 5248235 (1993-09-01), Poten et al.
Rooy Paul S.
Werner Frank E.
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