GB2433488A - Tray Load Mover - Google Patents

Abstract

A low profile tray designed to be inserted under heavy domestic loads e.g. washing machine, to allow easy movement of the load from its normal working position, such that access for inspections or servicing is available to normally inaccessible areas. The tray has a fixed base (1, Fig 1) with wheels (3, Fig 1) and a top plate (2, Fig 1) which can move a fixed distance vertically while being attached to the base tray with flexible skirting (4, Fig 1). A pneumatic action is provided, such that when air is forced into the attachment (6, Fig 1) using a standard bicycle pump, the top plate is forced upwards to make contact with the load. When good contact is made, the top plate transfers the weight of the load onto the base tray's four wheels. The load may then be more easily moved as required.

Description

<p>1 2433488</p>

<p>TRAY LOAD MOVER</p>

<p>[his invention relates to the difficulty of moving heavy domestic loads, such as washing machines, where the existing feet do not allow free movement of the load, or where the load is in ati awkward place to move e.g. in a corner or under kitchen work surfaces.</p>

<p>l'he object of this invention is to allow easy movement of the load so thai inspection or servicing is possible from otherwise inaccessible areas; the invention is not intended to he used for moving the load across ridges such as door thresholds.</p>

<p>Accordingly, this invention provides a low profile tray that can he inserted under the load and a pneumatic action that allows the tray to expand upwards to take the load's weight. The load may then move freely using the trays wheels.</p>

<p>A prelerred embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying dra ing in which FIGIJRE 1 shows that low profile wheels (3) are fixed to a base tray (I). The top plate (2) is free to move a fixed distance vertically while being connected by two flexible skirts (4) to the base tray.</p>

<p>A connector (6) for pumping air into the invention using a standard bicycle pump is accessahie.</p>

<p>FIG 1.iRF 2 shows a plan view through section A to aid understanding of the invention.</p>

<p>Inside the tray is a rubber tube (5), such as an inner tube from a bicycle, which is held loosely in place while normally deflated by the tray itself and four place holders (7).</p>

<p>When the inner tube is pumped up through connector (6), it expands and pushes the top plate upwards.</p>

<p>Ihis action provides an upwards force which is distributed across the top plate and on contact with the load, transfers the weight to the tray's four wheels.</p>

<p>It is intended that the tray is at first inserted under the load unexpanded. Where there is not enough ground clearance to achieve this, the load may be tilted backward from the front top and the tray inserted as far as possible under the load; the load may now be gently lowered back onto the tray.</p>

<p>In this case, the effect of movement of the load on the tray is achieved without any pneumatic action.</p>

Claims (1)

1. <p>CLAIMS</p>

   <p>I. A low profile tray that can be inserted under a heavy load such as a washing machine and a pneumatic action that allows the tray to expand upwards and take the load's weight 011 its own wheels.</p>

   <p>2. A tray as claimed in I where the wheels are recessed into the base of the tray to allow the minimum overall tray height possible.</p>

   <p>3. A tray as claimed in I where the upward force required to take the loads weight is provided by a pneumatic action, such as a bicycle inner tube.</p>

   <p>4. A pneumatic action as claimed in 3 where the air forced inwards is provided using a standard bicycle pump, external to the tray, which is connected to an accessable point on an edge of the tray.</p>

   <p>5. A tray as claimed in any proceeding claim which is made from metal or formed plastics material, or from a combination of these materials 6. A tray substantially as herein described above and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.</p>