US3011668A - Transport dollies - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 5.1961 L. H. BEST 3,011,668

TRANSPORT DOLLIES Filed Nov. 6, 1958 3 sheets-Sheet 1 FIGI INVENTOR. LEON H. BEST z /lzzww/fw ATTORNEYS Dec. 5, 1961 L. H. BEST TRANSPORT DOLLIES 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 6, 1958 LEON H. BEST Meow/M ATTORNEYS Dec. 5, 1961 H. BEST TRANSPORT DOLLIES 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Nov. 6, 1958 INVENTOR. LEON H. BEST (Za v ATTORNEYS United States 3,011,668 TRANSPORT DOLLIES Leon H. Best, Galva, 111., assignor to John H. Best & Sons, Inc, Galva, 111., a corporation of Illinois Filed Nov. 6, 1958, Ser. No. 772,338 4 Claims. (Cl. 214-370) This invention relates to carriage and supporting dollies and particularly to dollies for handling heavy rolls of material exemplified by elongated rolls of linoleum.

Elongated rolls of material, such as linoleum rolls pose a special handling problem. These rolls are quite bulky and heavy and are oftentimes stacked close to one another. In many situations one man may be required to handle a single roll by himself in which case the handling problem is quite difficult. It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to construct a carriage and supporting dolly for elongated heavy rolls of material in such wise that a single man may easily load one of these rolls onto the dolly and easily trmsport the same.

A further object of the present invention is to construct a dolly in such fashion that a heavy roll of material may be easily lifted from a supporting surface and transported in a direction lengthwise of the roll.

Another object of the present invention is to construct a supporting and carriage dolly for elongated rolls of material in an efiicient and economical fashion and in a manner facilitating storage of the dolly in a small space.

Other and further objects of the present invention will be apparent from the following description and claims and are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which, by way of illustration, show a preferred embodiment of the present invention and the principle thereof and what I now consider to be the best mode in which I have contemplated applying that principle. Other embodiments of the invention embodying the same or equivalent principles may be used and structural changes may be made as desired by those skilled in the art without departing from the present invention and the purview of the appended claims.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the dolly constituting the present invention as associated with a number of vertical extending rolls of material;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the dolly illustrated in FIG. 1, but illustrating a different operative position of the elements comprising the dolly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a transverse sectional view of the dolly illus trated in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a front view of the portion of the dolly illustrated in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a front view of the dolly of FIG. 4, but illustrating another operative position of the pick-up arm illustrated in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a detail view of certain cooperating elements associated with the pick-up arm illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the elements illustrated in FIG. 6 and taken on the section lines 77 of FIG. 6; and

FIG. 8 is an enlarged sectional view of the elements of FIG. 6 taken on the section lines S--8 of FIG. 6.

The dolly of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 1 in operative position ready to pick up a roll of material such as represented by the rolls of linoleum LR in FIG. 1. The dolly is particularly adapted to be moved adjacent to such a roll which in most instances will be lying on its side rather than upright as illustrated in FIG. 1, and the dolly is used to pick up such roll and transport it to any desired location.

The frame of the dolly is generally designated at 10. Associated with the frame are a pair of spaced pick-up 3,911,668 Patented Dec. 5, 1961 arms 11 and 12 at opposite ends of the frame. The side of the dolly opposite to the arms 11 and 12 carries handles 13 and 14 for ease in manipulating the dolly in a manner which will be pointed out more fully hereinafter. The frame of the dolly includes elongated supporting rollers 15, 16 and 17 which are so positioned on the frame as to define an upwardly open cradle for the reception of a roll of material thereon with the longitudinal axis of the roll being generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the rollers.

The frame 10 of the dolly includes end castings 18 which are spaced apart and held in the spaced relation illustrated in the drawings by spacer rods 19. The opposite ends of the spacer rods 19 have nuts 20 secured thereto therein so that bolts 19B (FIG. 2) may be passed through the outer sides of the end castings and threaded into the nuts to hold the end castings and the ends of the spacer rods in secure abutting relation, thus defining a generally rigid frame. It should be noted that the spacer rods 19 extend generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the frame and are spaced inwardly from the outer and opposite sides of the frame as is illustrated in FIG. 3. Each end casting 18 includes depending ears 22 formed integrally therewith and at the opposite sides thereof. Supporting wheels 23 are journalled for rotation in the ears with their axes extending generally transverse of the longitudinal axis of the frame.

Each of the end castings has an upper surface ofwidely divergent, generally U-shaped form so that the roll of material as LR, as is seen in FIG. 3, may rest on the rollers 15 and 17 and have the lower peripheral surface thereof beneath the upper surface of these rollers. The rollers 15 and 17 are journalled for rotation on supporting rods 24 that extend parallel to the longitudinal axis of the frame and which are connected at opposite sides of the end castings at the upper portions thereof. The medial roller 16 is similarly journalled for rotation on a rod 24 which is positioned between the rods 24 supporting the rollers 15 and 17 and at a lower level near the bottom of the U-shaped upper surface of the end casting. Suitable lock nuts 25 and 26 may be threaded onto the outer ends of the rods 24 on opposite sides of the end castings so as to hold the rods in fixed position.

The spacer rods 19 may have plates 27 welded thereto to aid in holding the rods in properly spaced relation.

A pair of pivot wheels 28 are journalled for rotation on an axle 29 which is fixed to and supported by the spacer rods 19 in transverse relation thereto. The pivot wheels 28 are so positioned that their lower surfaces are positioned below a plane passed through the lower surfaces of the supporting wheels 23 carried by the end castings so that the frame will be supported, when in the carrying position, by the pivot wheels 28 and one or the other of the wheels 23 supporting one end casting.

In order to provide ease in manipulating the dolly when the pick-up arms are to be used in a way to be explained, each end casting has a sleeve 30 formed unitarily therewith on the side thereof opposite the side which carries the pick-up arms, and the handles 13 and 14 are simply inserted into the bores of the sleeves in the manner illustrated in FIG. 1 so that the frame of the dolly may be tilted upwardly and downward about the wheels 23 on the opposite side of the frame. It should be noted that the pivot wheels 28 are spaced quite close to the longitudinal axis of the supporting wheels 23 so that as the frame is tilted about the left hand set of wheels 23, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the pivot wheels 28 come away from the supporting surface for the dolly. Vertically spaced flanges 30a and 30b, FIGS. 1 and 3, are joined to and project inward from the sleeves so as to define storage compartments in which the ends of the handles =13 and 14 may rest, as seen in FIG. 3, when the handles are not needed for tilting the dolly.

Each of the pick-up arms 11 and 12 is mounted on an end casting 18 for swinging movement about an axis extending transversely to the longitudinal axis of the dolly. Each arm is slidably and rotatably positioned on a rod 31 which extends outwardly from the related end casting and which is held in fixed position by means of a pair of supporting ears 32 and 33, FIG. 3, which are formed integrally with the end casting at a point above the supporting wheel 23.

In order to securely hold each pick-up arm in either the operative or extended position illustrated in FIG. 3 or in an inwardly folded or released position illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 5, interengageable locking elements are provided on each arm and on the end casting. The

which is carried by the pick-up arm and which projects 'from a flat surface portion 35, FIGS. 6 and 8, of the pick-up arm. The pin 34, as is seen best in FIG. 8, is

positioned in a bore 36 in the pick-up arm and is held in position by a set screw 37. The projecting pin is adapted to be received in one of two spaced recesses 37 and 38 which are formed in a locking plate 39, as is seen best in FIG. 7. The locking plate 39 is fixed with relation to the supporting ear 32 and abuts thereagainst. Each locking plate 39 has an inwardly extending flange 40 that fits against the underside of the ear 32 so as to preclude rotation of the plate 39 on the rod 31.

The locking means is yieldingly held in engagement by means of a spring 41, FIG. 3, which surrounds the outer end of the rod 31 and abuts at one end against a washer 42 carried by the extreme outer end of the rod 31, and at the opposite end against a portion of the arm 11 in a manner such as to force the surface 35 of the arm against the outer facing surface of the locking plate 39. The recesses 37 and 38 are positioned 90 apart with relation to the axis of the rod 31, as is seen best in FIG. 7. These recesses 37 and 33 and the pin 34 are so positioned that the pin will be aligned with one recess when the arm is at a position extending upwardly with relation to the frame, FIGS. 3 and 4, while the pin 34 will be aligned with the other recess when the arm is inthe inwardly folded position illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 5.

Each arm may be selectively moved between these.

two positions by pulling outwardly on the arm against the bias of the resilient spring'41 so as to pull the proje'cting pin 34 away from the walls of the recess with which it is engaged. The arm may then be swung to the other position and by releasing the outward pull on the arm, the spring will force the locking elements into engagement with one another.

Each of the arms 11 and 12 is particularly formed to enhance the handling of the roll of material. Thus, each arm, as will be noted in FIG. 3, includes an outwardly convex surface portion 43 which. extends through a distance from a point below the rod 31 to a point past the end of the rod. The pick-up arm also includes an outwardly facing surface 44 that is generally fiat and which is inclined upwardly and inwardly when the arm is in the upwardly extended position or inclined towards the longitudinal axis of the frame when the arm is inin- Wardly folded position.

The opposite or inner surface of the arm includes an outer portion 45 which is inclined to the surface 44 so as to define therewith a wedge at the outer end of the arm. The surface 45 leads to a concave surface 46 which faces upwardly when the arms are in the extended position and the dolly is tilted to the position of FIG. 1.

When the dolly is so tilted, it may be disposed adjacent to a roll of material lying on its side, and the'roll is then rolled up the inclined surfaces 45 to a position of rest on the concave surfaces 46.

By swingably mounting the arms about axes extending transverse to the longitudinal axis of the frame and at one side of the frame, the arms are easily folded inwardly to a position alongside the frame, as is illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 5, Where they present a minimum of obstruction. This is especially important when it is realized that these dollies must oftentimes be moved about a sales room where there are other items on display or down a relatively narrow corridor. Thus, when the arms are in the inwardly folded position, the curvilinear surfaces 43 are less likely to cause damage, and the pick-up arms are in a position where there is practically no hazard presented.

In using the dolly, the operator may wheel it to a position alongside the roll to be transported as by any suitable handle 47 formed on one end casting. When alongside a roll, the operator may then pull outwardly on the arms 11 and 12 and rotate them from the inwardly folded released or safe position illustrated in FIG. 2 to the upwardly extended operative position illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. In this position, the springs on the arms 11 and 12 snap the pins 34 into locking engagement in the upstanding roll-receiving or pick-up position. After insertion of the handles 13 and 14 in the sleeves 30, the operator then tilts the frame upwardly by lifting upwardly on the handles so that the frame becomes supported on the set of rollers 23 adjacent to the pick-up arms 11 and 12. As this tilting motion continues, the lower curvilinear surfaces 43 of the arms come in contact with the floor or supporting surface, and the curvilinear surfaces 43 of these arms provide a smooth rolling motion as the weight of the frame is transferred to the arms. Such upward tilting movement of the frame continues until the dolly is disposed in the position illustrated in FIG. 1 with the fiat surfaces 44 of the arms resting firmly on the supporting floor or surface. It should be noted that the center of gravity of the frame, as defined generally by the rod 24, is so positioned that it overlies the flat surface 44 when the dolly rests on the fiat surfaces 44. Thus, the frame becomes firmly positioned on the fiat surfaces without danger of it tilting over. The user can tilt a roll of linoleumLR about its bottom edge if it is upstanding andbring it to rest on the curvilinear surfaces of the arm, or in the event that the roll is resting or has been made to repose on the floor, he may simply roll it up onto the upwardly facing concave surfaces of the arms 11 and 12. After the roll is so positioned, the operator may then, by pulling rearwardly on the handles 13 and 14, easily lift the roll and rock it about the lower curvilinear surfaces of the arms until the roll moves onto the supporting'rollers 15 and 17, as is illustrated in FIG. 3. The operator may then remove the handles 13 and 14, fold the pick-up arms 11 and 12 inwardly, and transport the roll on the dolly to any desired location. The load, of course, will be quite heavy, but the dolly can be steered pretty easily by using the pivot wheels 28.

It should be noted that the supporting rollers 15, 16 and 17 are so related that they may easily accommodate either large or small rolls of material. When the dolly is used for large rolls, only the rollers 15 and 17 may be contacted by the rolls, whereas in the case of smaller rolls, the roll may come to rest between the roller 16 and one of the outer rollers 15 and 17.

it should also be noted that the curvilinear surface 46 of the arms is so related to the roller 17 that a roll of material being lifted by the arm progresses downwardly from the curvilinear surface and onto the roller 17 in a. relatively smooth rolling motion. This rolling motion will, of course, commence before the arm reaches the position illustrated in FIG. 3. V v

The dolly is easily formed by simply providing the end castings of the shape illustrated and by theri assemblying the relatively inexpensive spacer rods and supporting wheels. The supporting rollers 15, 16 and 17 are easily positioned on these end castings. The pick-up arms may be cast and are easily assembled with the end castings by simply sliding them onto the rods 31 along with the locking plates 39.

From the foregoing it will be seen that I have afiorded a novel pick-up and carriage dolly which enables a single person to easily handle a relatively heavy roll of material and which may be readily and economically produced commercially. The dolly can be easily steered, the pick-up arms can be easily moved into or out of operative position, and the handle can be stored in an out-of-the-way position on the dolly itself.

Thus, while I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that this is capable of variation and modification, and I therefore do not wish to be limited to the precise details set forth, but desire to avail myself of such changes and alterations as fall within the purview of the following claims.

1 claim:

1. A lifting and carriage dolly for elongated rolls including an elongated frame having roller means extending longitudinally thereof for supporting an elongated roll of material thereon, said frame having depending supportin wheels journalled for rotation about axes transverse to the longitudinal axis of said frame, spaced pick-up arms pivotally mounted on said frame for movement between an inoperative folded position and an operative roll-receiving position and adapted to extend, when one side of said frame is tilted upwardly, to points adjacent the supporting wheels for said frame so that a roll of material may be positioned thereon for delivery to said roller means when said side of said frame is moved downwardly, each pick-up arm having an outwardly convex surface and an outwardly facing flat surface inclined at an acute angle with respect to a plane passed through the axes of said supporting wheels, said dolly being stably balanced on the flat surface of the pick-up arms when said one side of the frame is tilted upwardly to place the dolly in roll-receiving position, pivot wheels disposed laterally inwardly of said roller means and journalled for rotation intermediate the length of said dolly and having the lower surfaces thereof projecting below a plane passed through the lower surfaces of said supporting wheels when said frame is in a generally horizontal position, and handle means associated with said side of said frame for moving said dolly to and from said tilted roll-receiving position.

2. A lifting and carriage dolly for elongated rolls including an elongated frame having roller means extending longitudinally thereof for supporting an elongated roll of material thereon, said frame having depending supporting wheels journalled for rotation about axes transverse to the longitudinal axis of said frame, spaced pick-up arms pivotally mounted on said frame, said arms being movable between an inoperative folded position and an operative roll-receiving position and adapted to extend, when one side of said frame is tilted upwardly, to points adjacent a supporting surface for said frame so that a roll of material may be positioned thereon for delivery to said roller means when said side of said frame is moved downwardly, each pick-up arm having an out wardly convex surface and an outwardly facing flat surface inclined at an acute angle with respect to a plane passed through the axes of said supporting wheels, said dolly being stably balanced on the flat surface of the pickup arms when said one side of the frame is tilted upwardly to place the dolly in roll-receiving position, and handle means associated with said side of said frame for moving said dolly to and from said tilted roll-receiving position.

3. A lifting and carriage dolly for elongated rolls including an elongated frame having cast-end members and roller means extending longitudinally between said eastend members for supporting an elongated roll of material thereon, said frame having depending supporting wheels journalled for rotation about axes transverse to the longitudinal axis of said frame, spaced pick-up arms pivotally mounted on said frame for movement between an inoperative folded position and an operative roll-receiving position and adapted to extend, when one side of said frame is tilted upwardly, to points adjacent a supporting surface for said frame so that a roll of material may be positioned thereon for delivery to said roller means when said side of said frame is moved downwardly, each pickup arm having an outwardly convex surface and an outwardly facing flat surface inclined at an acute angle with respect to a plane passed through the axes of said supporting wheels, said dolly being stably balanced on the flat surface of the pick-up arms when said one side of the frame is tilted upwardly to place the dolly in roll-receiving position, means for holding each arm in both the folded and roll-receiving positions comprising pin means carried by said arms, recessed locking plates mounted on the end castings, and spring means for biasing the pin means inwardly of the recesses in the locking plates, and handle means associated with said side of said frame for moving said dolly to and from said tilted roll-receiving position.

4. A lifting and carriage dolly for elongated rolls including an elongated frame having roller means extending longitudinally thereof for supporting an elongated roll of material thereon, said frame having depending supporting wheels journalled for rotation about axes transverse to the longitudinal axis of said frame, spaced pick-up arms pivotally mounted on said frame for movement between an inoperative folded position and an operative roll-receiving position and adapted to extend, when one side of said frame is tilted upwardly, to points adjacent a supporting surface for said frame so that a roll of material may be positioned thereon for delivery to said roller means when said frame is moved downwardly, each pick-up arm having an outwardly convex surface and an outwardly facing fiat surface inclined at an acute angle with respect to a plane passed through the axes of said supporting wheels, said dolly being stably balanced on the fiat surface of the pick-up arms when said one side of the frame is tilted upwardly to place thedolly in roll-receiving position, and handle means associated with said side of said frame for moving said dolly to and from said tilted roll-receiving position, said handle means including sleeve members having flanged elements and handle members insertable in the sleeve members for tilting said dolly and otherwise insertable between the flanged elements for storage.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 644,229 Heblethwaite Feb. 27, 1900 711,895 Hill Oct. 21, 1902 783,241 Bisset Feb. 21, 1905 878,751 Schreiber Feb. 11, 1908 1,153,476 Anthony Sept. 14, 1915 1,193,729 Stebler Aug. 8, 1916 1,515,824 Best Nov. 18, 1924 1,856,069 Dina May 3, 1932 2,251,731 Daniels Aug. 5, 1941 2,417,553 Jensen Mar. 18, 1947 2,477,278 Williams July 26, 1949 2,703,656 Banks Mar. 8, 1955

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