Methods and Apparatus for Transport of Objects

Abstract

A apparatus and method for transporting oversized objects, particularly substantially flat or planar objects. In certain embodiments the object is a material in sheet form, such as a wood sheet, metal sheet, dry wall, and the like, or a narrow object such as bed mattresses, tabletops, mirrors and plate glass, doors and the like. Preferably the object is capable of being transported by a single person. In certain embodiments the apparatus is structured to be capable of transporting a mattress through an open doorway without unloading the object.

Description

[0001]This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 881,170, filed Jul. 25, 2007, which is specifically incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention concerns the transport of objects, particularly, though not exclusively, objects that are large or unwieldy for a single person to carry unaided. Thus, the present invention includes a transport mechanism for transporting such large and unwieldy objects. The transport mechanism or apparatus may enable many objects that formerly required the participation of more than one person to be carried or transported to me moved by a single user. In addition, the present invention includes methods for making the transport apparatus as well as methods for transporting objects, particularly large or unwieldy objects.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Mechanical aids for the transport of objects are among the oldest examples of human innovation. The Pyramids of...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The dolly provides stable lateral support and adjustable features to securely transport objects of different sizes and shapes, allowing single-person operation and easy navigation through narrow spaces, effectively addressing the limitations of traditional hand trucks.

Problems solved by technology

However, this device does have limitations.

However, straps generally only hold the object solidly against the vertical portion; they typically do not provide substantial lateral support unless the object is wide and rigid enough to fit and be supported by the fastener straps.

Of course, if the object is too large, the straps may not be sufficiently long to retain or support the object.

The hand truck lacks sufficient lateral support to prevent the narrow object from sliding off the hand truck or flopping from side to side during transport.

Additionally, proper and secure alignment of an object on a hand truck during transport is far more difficult when the object is long and / or narrow as compared to an object that is, for example, wide and short.

In extreme cases the hand truck is ineffective because the lever advantage of the system is reversed when the length of the lever arm of the load exceeds that of the vertical portion.

Oddly sized objects that lack sufficient rigidity (such as a mattress) are also difficult to transport using a hand truck.

However, if the object cannot be strapped tightly without bending, folding or deforming the object, the straps or other retaining means may not be able to provide sufficient resistance against such a shift.

In particular, objects such as materials in sheet form, for example wood sheets, metal sheets, dry wall, and the like cannot easily be transported using a hand truck.

Similarly, objects including bed mattresses, tabletops, mirrors and plate glass are not generally amenable to easy transport using a hand truck, particularly if parts of the transport route are narrow (such as doorways and halls) and cannot accommodate such objects being loaded “sideways” on the hand truck.

This system appears to require substantial work to prepare the mattress for transport and does not readily address the problem, seen with many mattresses, that the mattress droops or sags when stood on an edge without adequate lateral support.

However, at least two persons (one on each side of the mattress) are required to use this device, and the full weight of the load is borne by the movers.

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