US3913763A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Collapsible dolly moving system
Assignee: Lee Inventions Inc
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Filing: 1974-04-16
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Granted: 1975-10-21
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Expires: 1994-04-16
Abstract
Abstract A stair climber moving system (FIGS. 1-2) for moving a load up flights of stairs (FIGS. 9A-9H) which includes a basic tractor unit, a load mounting platform attached to the tractor which allows the load to be shifted longitudinally with respect to the tractor during use (FIGS. 5A, 5B, 9F), an intergrated winch system for changing the position of the load with respect to the tractor unit (FIGS. 7-7A), and a collapsible dolly (FIGS. 6A-6D) permitting load changes from horizontal (6B) and inclined (6D) positions. The collapsible dolly is the subject of this application and includes a fixed horizontal bottom platform supported by five sets of caster wheels. A collapsible load bearing platform is mounted and supported on the fixed bottom platform by a fixed center vertical strut member through a hinge connection. At opposed ends of the collapsible load bearing platform are auxiliary, end, support members, one fixed and the other collapsible, the latter of which is spring biased in a normally vertical, supporting disposition. The load bearing platform is collapsible, i.e. put in an inclined disposition by means of moving said collapsible auxiliary end support out against the force of the spring, allowing the load bearing platform to rotate about its hinged connection. Having the dolly change from an inclined to a horizontal disposition minimizes the total horizontal, longitudinal dimension of the system which is particularly useful in very tight quarters such as occur on stair landings (cf. FIGS. 9G and 9H). Having a load-shifting capability during use permits precise balancing of the system as needed throughout the movement of the load up the stairs.
Inventors
- 👤 William Smith Lee
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 09:21
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G7/00; B65G7/02; B65G7/04; B62; B62B; B62B5/00; B62B5/02; B62B2301/00; B62B2301/25; B62B2301/256
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
202 words
A collapsible dolly for transporting loads comprising: a first, bottom platform structure; a number of caster wheels upon which said first platform structure is mounted, said caster wheels being disposed across the bottom thereof; a central support member mounted on said first platform structure and extending upwardly therefrom; and a second upper, load platform structure pivotally mounted on said central support member above and removed from said bottom platform structure; a first end support means located on one side of said central support member for supporting one end of said upper load platform structure on said bottom platform structure; and a second end support means located on the other side of said central support member for supporting the other end of said upper, load platform structure on said bottom platform structure; at least one of said end support means being moveably affixed to one of said platform structures allowing the end support means to be moved from an at least generally vertical, supporting disposition to a non-supporting position; whereby a load mounted on the dolly can be easily changed from an at least generally horizontal to an inclined disposition or vice versa by rotating the load platform structure about the central support.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
202 words
A collapsible dolly for transporting loads comprising: a first, bottom platform structure; a number of caster wheels upon which said first platform structure is mounted, said caster wheels being disposed across the bottom thereof; a central support member mounted on said first platform structure and extending upwardly therefrom; and a second upper, load platform structure pivotally mounted on said central support member above and removed from said bottom platform structure; a first end support means located on one side of said central support member for supporting one end of said upper load platform structure on said bottom platform structure; and a second end support means located on the other side of said central support member for supporting the other end of said upper, load platform structure on said bottom platform structure; at least one of said end support means being moveably affixed to one of said platform structures allowing the end support means to be moved from an at least generally vertical, supporting disposition to a non-supporting position; whereby a load mounted on the dolly can be easily changed from an at least generally horizontal to an inclined disposition or vice versa by rotating the load platform structure about the central support.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The dolly of claim 1 wherein the moveably affixed end support means is hingedly attached to said upper, load platform and extends downwardly therefrom to said bottom platform structure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
71 words
The dolly of claim 2 wherein there is further included: an abutment stop on the upper side of said bottom platform structure positioned on the central side of said moveably affixed end support means; and elastic means attached to said moveably affixed end support means for biasing it toward said stop and against said stop when said moveably affixed end support means is in its at least generally vertical supporting position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
The dolly of claim 2 wherein said moveably affixed end support means extends down below and against the edge of said bottom platform structure in juxtaposition to the surface upon which said caster wheels rest when said moveably affixed end support means is in its non-supporting position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
65 words
The dolly of claim 1 wherein there is further included: at least one moveable locking and support member located at least towards the ends of said platform structures on one side of said central support member, said locking aNd support member being positionable in at least a generally vertical direction in supporting engagement between said platform structures when the dolly is in its inclined disposition.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
92 words
The dolly of claim 1 wherein there is further included: locking member means at least temporarily attachable to said, upper, load platform structure for locking said dolly in its inclined disposition; and separable bridge member means attachable at one end to and supportable by said upper, load platform structure at least near the end structure of said upper, load platform structure for supporting a load to be transferred from said upper load platform structure to another surface, for example stairs, removed from the upper, support surface of said upper, load platform structure.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
54 words
The dolly of claim 6 wherein said end structure of said upper, load platform structure includes a horizontal, laterally disposed bar and said end of said bridge member means includes inverted trough means for interlocking with said bar for attaching and supporting said bridge member means to and on said upper, load platform structure.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
289 words
The method of changing the angular disposition of a load when desired during a move, such as for example when it is desired to change the effective horizontal dimension of the load, comprising the following steps: a. providing a collapsible dolly for transporting the load comprising: a first, bottom platform structure; a number of caster wheels upon which said first platform structure is mounted, said caster wheels being disposed across the bottom thereof; a central support member mounted on said first platform structure and extending upwardly therefrom; and a second upper, load platform structure pivotally mounted on said central support member above and removed from said bottom platform structure; a first end support means located on one side of said central support member for supporting one end of said upper load platform structure on said bottom platform structure; and a second end support means located on the other side of said central support member for supporting the other end of said upper, load platform structure on said bottom platform structure; at least one of said end support means being moveably affixed to one of said platform structures allowing the end support means to be moved from an at least generally vertical, supporting disposition to a non-supporting position; whereby a load mounted on the dolly can be easily changed from an at least generally horizontal to an inclined disposition or vice versa by rotating the load platform structure about the central support. b. mounting the load on said load platform of said dolly; and c. moving the moveably affixed end support means from one disposition or position to the other; and d. rotating said load platform structure about said central support to thereby change the angular disposition of the load.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
289 words
The method of changing the angular disposition of a load when desired during a move, such as for example when it is desired to change the effective horizontal dimension of the load, comprising the following steps: a. providing a collapsible dolly for transporting the load comprising: a first, bottom platform structure; a number of caster wheels upon which said first platform structure is mounted, said caster wheels being disposed across the bottom thereof; a central support member mounted on said first platform structure and extending upwardly therefrom; and a second upper, load platform structure pivotally mounted on said central support member above and removed from said bottom platform structure; a first end support means located on one side of said central support member for supporting one end of said upper load platform structure on said bottom platform structure; and a second end support means located on the other side of said central support member for supporting the other end of said upper, load platform structure on said bottom platform structure; at least one of said end support means being moveably affixed to one of said platform structures allowing the end support means to be moved from an at least generally vertical, supporting disposition to a non-supporting position; whereby a load mounted on the dolly can be easily changed from an at least generally horizontal to an inclined disposition or vice versa by rotating the load platform structure about the central support. b. mounting the load on said load platform of said dolly; and c. moving the moveably affixed end support means from one disposition or position to the other; and d. rotating said load platform structure about said central support to thereby change the angular disposition of the load.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 8 wherein in step a said moveably affixed end support means is hingedly attached; and in step c said moveably affixed end support means is moved about its hinge attachment.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
92 words
The method of claim 9 wherein in step a an abutment stop is provided on the upper side of said bottom platform structure on the central side of said moveably affixed end support means, and elastic means are provided in association with said moveably affixed end support means for biasing it toward said stop; and wherein in step c, in moving said moveably affixed end support means from its non-supporting position to its support disposition, said elastic means pulls it toward and against said support to at least a generally vertical disposition.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-10-20 | 1979-04-21 | 1979-10-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-10-20 | 1983-04-21 | 1983-10-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-10-20 | 1987-04-21 | 1987-10-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |