GB2514146A

GB2514146A - Mobility device

Info

Publication number: GB2514146A
Application number: GB1308713.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Oswald Hare
Original assignee: PRECISE AIR LIFTING SYSTEMS Ltd
Current assignee: PRECISE AIR LIFTING SYSTEMS Ltd
Priority date: 2013-05-15
Filing date: 2013-05-15
Publication date: 2014-11-19
Also published as: GB201308713D0

Abstract

A wheel free mobility device 1, or furniture slider, has a lowermost surface (7,fig.1), arranged to be located between an article 11 and a support surface, to reduce the friction between the article 11 and the support surface. Common embodiments of the device 1, include a plastic sheet 2 with a handle (3,fig.1) and a reduced friction underside 7, so that when placed under an article 11, which is tilted up so that the sheet 2 can be placed beneath it, the article 11 can manually be pulled across a floor surface without further lifting of the article 11 being required.

Description

MOBILITY DEVICE

DESCRIPTION

S This invention relates to a nobility device for facilitating the manoeuvrability of an article on a surface: It is especially, but not exclusively, related to such a device for facilitating the rnanoeuvrability of a free-standing appliance, such as a domestic washing machine or dishwasher, on the to surface of a floor. -Domestic appliances, such as frSé-standing washing machines and dishwashers, are comparatively heavy and cumbersome articles and, in many instances, are difficult to manoeuvre 1% across floor surfaces upon which they stand. This is due mainly to the friction between the legs, or other supports, of the appliances and the floor surfaces. Indeed, if they can be manoeuvred, then the legs, or other supports, of the appliances tend to damage the floor surfaces across which they QO are moved.

Various devices have been used in an attempt to overcome the above-discussed disadvantages associated with the manoeuvring of heavy and cumbersome articles, such as domestic appliances, 2 on floor or other support surfaces.

Many of such known devices employ the-use of at least one wheel for facilitating manoeuvrability of the articles on floor surfaces but are disadvantaged, in that they are 3° generally curithersonie and difficult to locate beneath the articles when used, particularly when their thicknesses are greater than the clearance between the appliances' bottom surfaces, such as the lower edges of the appliances' outer -2.- casings, and the floor or -other support surfaces upon which -they stand.

Thus,-an object of the present inventioi is to provide a S mobility device and corresponding method which overcome, or at least substantially reduce, the disadvantages associated with the known mobility devices discussed above.

--Accotdingly, a first aspect of the iñventión provides a wheel-Ia free mobility device for facilitating the manoeuvrability of an article upon a support surface, the device having a lowermost surface, preferably of low or reduced friction, and being arranged, such as shaped and dimensioned, to be located between an article and a support surface upon which-the IS article stands and on which the article is to be manoeuvred, the device, when so-located, having its lowermost surface in contact with the surface to reauce friction between the article and surface, thereby facilitating manoeuvrability of the article thereon.

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Throughout this specification, the term "wheel", or any derivative thereof, embraces not only regular types of wheel but also any other types of weight-bearing, rotatable support element, such as, castors, bearings or the like.

Thus, the term "wheel-free", when used in relation to a mobility device in accordance to the invention, means th&t -such device does not include or employ a "wheel".

So A wheel-free mobility device in accordance with -the first aspect of the invention defined above may comprise a sheet of material, such as a low or reduced friction sheet material, preferably a high density polyethylene material, which sheet may be shaped and dimensioned to correspond generally with the footprint of an article, such as a domestic appliance, whose manoeuvrability on a surface, such as a floor surface, is to be enhanced or facilitated by the device when its lowermost surface is in contact with the surface.

S

Any such sheet is preferably dontinuous atid/or flexible, although it may be rigid or semi-rigid, depending upon its application, arid its thickness is advantageously no greater, and preferably less, than the clearance between the article, io such as the lowest portion of at least the outer periphery of the article, and a floor or other support surface upon which the article is to be manoeuvred. Where the article is a domestic appliance, such as a washing machine or dishwasher, then such clearance is usually the distance between the lower edge of the outer casing thereof and the floor or other support surface, The uppermost surface of the device's sheet may preferably be rougher than the smoother lowermost sheet surface and may 2. include at least one depression or recess which is preferably shaped and dimensioned to receive, say, a leg of a domestic or other appliance but which is sufficiently shallow to avoid, in use, deformirig or interfering with the friction-reducing characteristic of the lowermost surface of the sheet, which, 9 might otherwise have a deleterious effect upon the manoeuvrability_faciljtating properties of the device.

The device may also comprise means, such as straps, adhesive pads or the like, for attaching it to the article whose So manoeuvrability upon a support surface is to be facilitated by the device, although it has been found that the weight of, say, a domestic appliance, may be sufficient to maintain the article upon the device during use and without the need for such attachment means.

Alternatively, the mobility device may comprise a discrete piece(s) of material attachable to one or more of the lower parts, such as a leg(s), of the article which bear its weight upon the floor or other support surface.

Again, such a discrete piece(s) of the mobility device has a friction-reducing lowermost surface and may be of a low or reduced friction material, for example, a high density polyethylene material. to

Similar to the sheet embodiment of device discussed above., the or each discrete mobility device may include on its ñppermost surface a depression or recess arranged to receive, say, a leg of an appliance. 16. .

A second aspect of the invention resides in a method of facilitating the manoeuvrability of an article, such as a domestic appliance, across a floor or other support surface, which method comprises: 2o providing a wheel-free mobility device according to the first aspect of the invention, as defined above; and locating the device between and in contact 2C with the article and the floor or other support surface, such that the friction-reducing lowermost surface of the device is in contact with the floor or support surface.

A third aspect of the invention resides in a method of readily So manoeuvring an article on a support surface, which method comprises: providing a wheel-free mobility device arranged to be located between the article and the support surface upon which the article stands, the device having a lowermost -.5-surface, preferably of low or reduced friction, and being arranged, s.uch as shaped and dimensioned, to be located between the article and the support surface: locating the mobility device between and in f contact with the article and support surface with the lowermost surface of the device in contact with the surface to reduce friction between the article and surfacer to facilitate the manoeuvrability of the article on the support surface; and readily manoeuvring the article upon the support SO surface: The mobility device may be provided as a sheet of material, such as a low friction sheet material, which is preferably shaped and dimensioned to correspond generally with the iS footprint of the article being manoeuvred.

Such sheet may be continuous and/or flexible, although it may be rigid or semi-rigid, depending upon its application.

Advantageously, the thickness of the sheet is no greater than the clearance between the lowest portion of at least the outer periphery of the article and the floor or other surface upon which the article is manoeuvred. Thus, when the article is a domestic appliance, such as a washing machine or dishwasher, then such clearance is the vertical distance between the lower edge of the outer casing thereof and floor or other support surface.

The uppermost surface of the device's sheet, which might be rougher than the lowermost surface thereof, may include at least one depression or recess which is preferably shaped and dimensioned to receive, say, a leg of a domestic or other appliance but which is sufficiently shallow to avoid, in use, deforming or interfering with the friction-reducing characteristic of the lowermost sheet surface, which might

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otherwise have a deleterious effect upon the rnanoeuvrability properties of the device.

The mobility device may be attached to the article during use £ by any suitable means, such as straps, adhesive pads or the 1ike * Alternatively, the mobility device may be provided as a discrete piece(s) of material which is securable to one or Jo more, but preferably all, of the lowermost parts of the article which bear(s) its weight. Such discrete piece(s) may be of a low or reduced friction material, for example, a high density polyethylene material.

tS Again the or each discrete mobility device may include, on its uppermost surface, a dépressidnor reèeths which is preferably shaped and dimensioned to receive, say, a leg of an appliance but which is sufficiently shal].ow to aYoid! in use, deforming or interfering with the friction-reducing characteristic of .o the lowermost surface of the device.

A fourth aspect of the invention resides in the use of a mobility device in accordance with the first aspect of the invention defined above, in facilitating the manoeuvrability 2$ of an article upon a support surface.

A fifth aspect of the invention provides the use of a piece of sheet material, preferably a piece of plastics sheet material and having a lowermost surface of low or reduced friction, in facilitating the manoeuvrability of an article upon a support surface.

A sixth aspect of the invention resides in the use of a mobility device in accordance with the first aspect of the invention defined above, in the manoeuvring of an article upon a support surface.

A seventh aspect of the invention provides the use of a piece of sheet material, preferably a plastics sheet material and having a lowermost surface of low or reduced friction, in the manoeuvrabilityof an afticle upon a support surface. -In order that the invention may be more fully understood, Ic embodiments of wheel-free mobility device and associated methods in accordance therewith will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figures 1A and lB are respective plan and side elevational views of a first embodiment of wheel-free mobility device; Figures 2A to 2E illustrate the steps for locating the device shown in Figure 1 with respect to a domestic washing machine; So Figure 3A is a perspective view of the device shown in Figure 1 located with respect to and attached to the washing machine in an arrangement of a second embodiment; 2$ Figure 33 is a perspective view of the device located with respect to and attached to the washing machine in an arrangement of a third embodiment; Figures 4A and 43 are respective plan and side elevational 3o views of a fourth embodiment of wheel-free mobility device; Figure 5 is a perspective view of four devices, similar to the devices shown in Figures 4A and 45 but in accordance with a fifth embodiment, located with respect to and attached to -S.

the cbrresponding support legs of a domestic washing machine: and Figures GA to GD illustrate the steps for locating the device 3 shown in Figures 4A and 4B or Figure 5 with respect to the washing machine.

Referring firstly to Figures 111 and lB of the accompanying drawings, a first embodiment of wheel-free mobility device in PC accordance with the invention is provided as a so-called "sledge" indicated generally at 1 and comprising a continuous sheet 2 of low or reduced friction material, such as, a high density polyethylene material. The uppermost surface 6 of the sheet 2 is rougher.. than the lowermost surface 7 thereof.

s Also, the sheet 2 is substantially square and is shaped and dimensioned to correspond generally with the fóotptint of *a domestic appliance, such as a washing machine.

An elliptical aperture 3 is provided at one side of the sledge to sheet 2, to provide a portion of a handle. One part of the aperture 3 extends within the main area of the sheet 2, whilst the other part of the aperture 3 extends within a rectangular extension 4 of the sheet 2. Alternatively, however, the aperture 3 may be located wholly within the main area of the sheet 2, in which case, the extension 4 can be omitted.

As indicated above, the lowermost surface 7 of the sheet 2, namely, that side of the sheet 2 which contacts a floor or other support surface in use, is smoother than the uppermost 3o surface S of the sledge sheet 2 upon which the appliance 1 stands in use, thereby enhancing sliding movement and facilitating Thanoeuvrability of the machine 11 across and upon the floor or other support surface.

In use of the sledge 1 and as shown in Figures 2A to 2E and Figures 3A and 3B, a domestic washing machine, indicated generally at 11, is positioned beneath a kitchen worktop 20.

In order to locate the sledge 1 with* respect to the washing machine 11, the front of the latter is lifted upwardly in the direction of the arrow A, so that the machine 11 is tilted backwards upon its pair of back legs 12 (only one shown), as shown in Figure 21k. This permits the sledge 1 to be slid, in the direction of the arrow B, partially beneath the machine 11 Ic and the front legs 13 thereof, as shown in Figure 2E until the rear edge 5 of the sledge 1 engages the back legs 12 of the machine 11.

Then, the machine 11 and sledge 1 are slid forwardly in unison «= in the dirSctioñ of the arrow C until the machine 11 and sledge 1 are clear of the worktop 20. Subsequently, the machine 11 is lifted fully on to the sledge, so that they are aligned in registration with each other, the shape and dimensions of the sledge 1 corresponding generally to the o footprint of the machine 11.

In a second embodiment and once the machine 11 and sledge 1 have been brought into registration with each other, the right side of the machine 11 is tilted upwardly, as shown in Figure iS 2C, and a double-sided adhesive pad 21 (Figure 31k) is affixed to each of the front and rear right legs 13,12 of the machine 11 which is then lowered, so that the pads 21 become affixed to the rougher uppermost surface 6 of the sledge 1.

Similarly, and as shown in Figure 2D, the left hand side of so the machine 11 is tilted upwardly and a double-sided adhesive pad 21 (Figure 3A) is affixed to each of the front and rear left legs 13,12 of the machine 11 which is then lowered, so that the pads 21 become affixed to the rougher uppermost surface 6 of the sledge 1, with the machine 11 and sledge 1 in 1D-registration with each other, as shown in Figure 3A. In this manner, thefl washing. machine 11 is affixed to the uppermost surface 6 of the sledge 1.

ç It is to be appreciated that once the four legs 12,13 of the machine 11 have been attached to the sledge 1 using the double-sided adhesive pads 21, vertical screw adjustment of one or mOre of the legs 12,13 for levelling thmáchine 11 is very difficult, if not impossible. Therefore, only one, but IC preferably the two rear legs 12, can be so-attached to the sledge 1, so that levelling of the mãdhine 11 can be carried out with one or both of the front legs 13 of the machine 11 which are not attached to the sledge 1.

J Other means may be employed to attach the machine 11 to the sledge. For example, in a third embodiment straps 31 (Figure 38) are secured, possibly detachably, to the sledge sheet 2 and are co-operable with the legs 12,13 of the machine 11. In this case, levelling of the machine 11 by rotatable adjustment 2.0 of one or more of the so-attachedlegs 12,13, is possible.

Alternatively, it has been found that just the weight of the machine 11 is sometimes sufficient to maintain the machine 11 in position upon the sledge 1, thereby eliminating the use of 2.5 the adhesive pads 21, straps 31 or, indeed, any other form of suitable attachment means.

Subsequently, the machine ii can be slid, and thus manoeuvred, readily across the floor upon the sledge 1 into position So beneath the worktop 20, as shown in Figure 2E.

Thereafter, and possibly for repair, maintenance and/or cleaning purposes, manoeuvrability of the washing machine.11 (-I-.

f beneath the worktop 20 across the floor IS facilitated by using the associated sledge 1.

The smoother, reduced friction lowermost surface 7 of the S sledge 1 facilitates sliding manoeuvrability of the machine 11 over the floor. It has been found that such manoeuvrability is achievable over many types of floor surface, such as, ceramic tiles, thermoplastic tiles, wood, laminate, carpet tiles and even fitted carpet. . to The clearance between the lower edge of the outer casing of the machine ii is usually quite small, in some cases as small as 3.0 millimetres, in which case, the thickness of the sledge.

1 is preferably less than that. . . . Is The sledge 1 may be made from any suitable material, depending upon its application, which might be rigid, flexible or partially flexible.

2o As indicated above, the upper surface of the sledge 1 is rougher than the smoother lower surface thereof. Also, when the machine 11 and associated sledge 1 have been slid into position beneath the worktop 20, the extension 4 of the sledge sheet 2 may be folded away beneath or above, but preferably t( the former, the front edge of the sheet 2, to render jt unobtrusive -It is to be noted that the extension 4 and aperture 3 of the sledge sheet 2, which effectively constitute a handle for the Sø sledge 1, are not shown in Figures 2C to 2E and Figure 3, as the extension 4 has been folded out of sight beneath the front edge of the sheet 2.

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Turning now to Figures 4A and 48 of the accompanying drawings, a fourth embodiment of wheel-free mobility device 41 in accordance with the invention comprises a discrete pad 42 having a low or reduced friction lowermost surface 43. The S pad 42 is square with truncated corners which ease manoeuvrability of the device 41, and hence the machine 11, across a floor surface. The uppermost surface 44 of the pad 42 has secured thereto a square adhesive pad 45 which is provided with a protective peel-off cover (not shown).

In use, a discrete mobility device 51 is provided for each of the four adjustable support legs 12,13 of the domestic washing machine 11, as shown. in Figure 5. Here,. the pad 52 of each device 51 is circular, rather than the generally square pad 41 of Figures 4A and 48, thus constituting a fifth embodiment.

The actual size and shape of the discrete devices 41,51 is dependent upon their application, particularly the texture of the floor or other surface upon which the machine 11 is to be 2o manoeuvred. However, in the majority of cases the area of the or each discrete device 41,51 is greater than the areS of contact between the device 41,51 and the machine 11, such as the area of the free end of the leg 12,13 of the machine 11 or other article.

After the washing machine 11 has been positioned adjacent a gap beneath a worktop 20 into which it is to be eventually manoeuvred, as shown in Figures 6A and 6D, the right side of the machine 11 is lifted upwardly, as shown in Figure 63, and a mobility device (not shown) is attached to the free end of each of the right hand front and rear legs 13,12 of the machine 11, once the respective peel-off cover has been removed from each adhesive pad 45. -.3-

* Similarly, and as shown. in Figure 6C, the left side of the machine 11 is lifted upwardly to enable a device 41,51 to be * .* attached to the free end of the left front and rear legs 13, 12 of the machine 11.

S

Once each leg 12,13 of the washing machine 11 has been provided with a discrete mobility device 41,51, as discussed above with reference to Figures 5 and Figures 6A to 6C, the washing machine 11 can be manoeuvred readily by a sliding movement over the floor, into the gap beneath the worktop 20, as shown in Figure 6D.

In this manner, manoeuvrability of the washing machine 11 across the floor is facilitated by use of the discrete ( mobility devices 41,51.

For the discrete wheel-free mobility devices 41,51 discussed * above, It has been found that the corresponding facilitated manoeuvrability of the washing machine 11 is possible on comparatively smooth and/or hard floor surfaces, such as ceramic and thermoplastic tile surfaces and wood and laminate * floor surfaces. However, sliding manoeuvrability on softer surfaces, such as, piled carpet surfaces and some carpet tiles, is limited and often riot possible, due to the excessive pressures exerted thereon by the support legs 12,13 of the washing machine 11 or other heavy appliance, in which case, use of the sledge 1 is preferred.

Also, it is to be understood that whether or not the wheel- 3 free mobility device 1,41,51 described above has means 21,31 by which an article, such asa domestic washing machine 11 or other similar legged article, can be attached thereto, the sheet 2 may be provided with at least one depression or recess arranged, for example, shaped and dimensioned, to receive therein the free end of a leg 12,13 of the article 11 but may -be sufficiently shallow to avoid having a deleterious effect upbn the enhanced mánoeuvrabUity provided by the device, particularly the lowermost surface thereof. S.

Further, it is to be appreciated that use of the discrete mobility deyices 41,51 permits adjustment of the support legs 12,13, and usually the front support legs 13, of the washing machine 11 or other domestic appliance. Ic -"-

Claims

CLAIMS1. A wheel-free mobility device for facilitating the manoeuvrability of an article upon a support surface, the S device having a lowermost surface and being arranged to be located between an article and a support surface upon which the article stands and on which the article is to be manoeuvred, the device, when so-located, having its -lowermost surface in contact with the surface to reduce So friction between the article and surface, thereby facilitating manoeuvrability of the article thereon.
2. A wheel-free mobility device according to claim 1, wherein the lowermost surface of the device is of low or reduced friction.
3. A wheel-free mobility device according to claim 1 or 2, comprising a sheet of material.
4. A wheel-free mobility device according to claim 3, wherein the sheet of material is continuous.
5. A wheel-free mobility device according to claim 3 or 4, 2* wherein the sheet of material comprises a low or reduced friction sheet material.
6. A wheel-free mobility device according to claim 4, wherein said low or reduced, friction sheet material comprises a-plastics material, such as a high density polyethylene material.
7. A wheel-free mobility device according to any of claims 3 to 6, wherein the sheet of material is flexible, rigid or semi-rigid.
8. A wheel-free mobility device according to any preceding SO claim, having a thickness which is no greater, preferably less, than the clearance between the lowest portion of at least the outer periphery of an article and a support surface upon which the article is to be manoeuvred. -I'-
9. A wheel-free mobility device according to any preceding claim, which is shaped and dimensioned to correspond generally with the footprint of an article whose manoeuvrability upon a surface is to be facilitated thereby.
10. A wheel-free mobility device according to claim 3 or any of claims 4 to 9 when dependent upon claim 3, wherein the upper surface of the sheet includes at least one depression or recess.
11. A t'theel-frèe mobility device according to any precedin Ic claim, wherein the device is attached or attachable to an article whose manoeuvrability is to be facilitated thereby.
12. A wheel-free mobility device according to claim 11, wherein the device is attached or attachable to the article by means of at least one strap or an adhesive; preferàblyat least one double-sided adhesive pad.
13. A wheel-free mobility device according to claim 1 or 2 comprising a discrete piece of material attachable to a lower surface of the or each part of an article, said part bearing the weight of the article on the surface upon which the manoeuvrability of the article is to be facilitated.
14. A wheel-free mobility device according to claim 13, wherein the discrete piece of material comprises a low or reduced friction material.
15. A wheel-free mobility device according to claim 14, 2% wherein the low or reduced friction material comprises a plastics material, such as a high density polyethylene material.
16. A wheel-free mobility device according to claim 13, 14 or including means arranged to attach the device to an 3D article whose manoeuvrability is to be facilitated.
17. A wheel-free mobility device according to claim 16, wherein the device is adhesively attached to the article.
18. A wheel-free mobility device according to any preceding claim, wherein, the area of the device is greater than the area of contact between the device and article, when the device is in use.
19. A wheel-free mobility device substantially as hereiribefore described with reference to the accompanying S drawings.
20. A method of facilitating the rnanoeuvrability of an article on a floor or other support surface, which method comprises: providing a wheel-free mobility device according to any Io preceding claim; and locating the device between and in contact with the article and the floor or other support surface, such that the friction-reducing lowermost surface of the device is in contact with the floor or other support.iS
21. A method of readily rnanoeuvri.ng an article on a support surface, which method comprises: providing a wheel-free mobility device arranged to be located between the article and the support surface upon which the article stands, the device having a lowermost 2.9 surface and being arranged to be located between the article and the support surface; locating the mobility device between and in contact with the article and the support surface with the lowermost surface of the device in contact with the surface to reduce friction between the article and surface, to facilitate the manoeuvrabflity of the article on the support surface; and readily manoeuvring the article upon the support surface.
22. A method according to claim 20 or 21, wherein the mobility device is provided as a sheet of material.3o
23. A method according to claim 22, wherein the sheet of material is continuous.
24. A method according to claim 22 or 23, wherein the sheet of material comprises a low or reduced friction material. -lt-25. A method according to claim 24, wherein the sheet material is a plastics material, such as a high density polyethylene material.26. A. method according to any of. claims 20 to 25, wherein the S sheet of material is flexible, semi-rigid or rigid.27. A method according to any of claims 20 to 26, wherein the thickness of the mobility device is no greater, preferably less, than the clearance between the lowest portion of at least the, outer periphery of the article and the support surface, upon which the article is manoeuvrable or manoeuvred, as the case may be.28. A method according to any of claims 20 to 27, wherein the mobility device is shaped and dimensioned to correspond generally with the footprint of the article.c 29. A method according to claim 20 or 21, wherein the mobility device comprises a discrete piece of material attached to the lower surface of the or each weight-bearing part of the article.30. A method according to claim 29, wherein the discrete 2.0 piece of material comprises a low or reduced friction material.31. A method according to claim 30, wherein the low or reduced friction material comprises a high density polyethylene material.32. A method according to any of claims 20 to 31, wherein the mobility device is provided with means attaching the device to the article.33. A method according to claim 32, wherein said attaching means comprises an adhesive.° 34. A method according to any of claims 20 to 33, wherein the lowermost surface of the device is of low or reduced friction. . -I, - 35. A method according to any of claims 20 to 34, wherein the area of the mobility device is arranged t be greater than the area of contact between the device and the article.36. A method of facilitating the manoeuvrabiljty or of rnanoeuvring an article upon a floor or other support surface, substantially as hereinbefore described.37. A wheel-free mobility device according to any of claims 1 to 19 in combination with a domestic appliance, such as a domestic washing machine or dishwasher.VP 38. In facilitating the manoeuvrability of an article upon a support surface, the use of a wheel-free mobility device according to any of claims 1 to 19.39. Tn facilitating the rnanoeuvrability of an article upon a support surface, the use of a piece of sheet material, ic preferably being a piece of plastics sheet material and preferably having a lowermost surface of low or reduced friction.40. In the manoeuvrij-jg of an article upon a support surface, the use of a wheel-free mobility device according to any of © claims 1 to 19.41. In the manoeuvring of an article upon a support surface, the use of a piece of sheet material, preferably being a piece of plastics material and preferably having a lowermost surface of low or reduced friction.2$ 42. In facilitating the manoeuvrability of an article upon a support surface, the use of a method according to claim 20 or any of claims 22 to 36 when dependent upon claim 20.43. In manoeuvrirjg an article upon a support surface, the use of a method according to claim 21 or any of claims 22 to 36 O when dependent upon claim 21.