WO2001076929A1

WO2001076929A1 - Load carrying device

Info

Publication number: WO2001076929A1
Application number: PCT/CA2001/000483
Authority: WO
Inventors: Douglas Richard Gatecliffe
Original assignee: Douglas Richard Gatecliffe
Priority date: 2000-04-06
Filing date: 2001-04-06
Publication date: 2001-10-18
Also published as: AU5020001A

Abstract

This invention relates to a lift for use in carrying a load of an object, and a method of carrying the load of an object using at least two lifts (12) of this invention. In particular a device is disclosed comprising at least two lifts with each lift capable of supporting at least a portion of the load of the object (14). The lifts are spaced about the object to support the object. Further, a tie (16) is provided to couple the lifts to one another. With the lifts so coupled they cooperate to enable the device to carry the object. In the disclosed embodiment of the invention the tie is a flexible band. Moreover, at least one of the lifts has a retractable mechanism (18) to which the tie is secured. In the case where the tie is a flexible band the retractable mechanism can wind the flexible band up. The retractable mechanism can comprise a ratchet to retract the flexible band. By using a ratchet the flexible band can be secured against further displacement at various positions of retraction, and extended only upon release of the ratchet. The retractable mechanism can further comprise a biasing system which tends to retract the flexible band.

Description

LOAD CARRYING DEVICE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a lift for use in carrying a load of an object, and a method of carrying the load of an object using at least two lifts of this invention.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION There are a number of dollies and carts used to carry heavy objects, such as, for example, vending machines, soft drink machines, refrigeration equipment, office furniture, safes, computer equipment, food service equipment, pianos, and hospital equipment. Many of these dollies and carts have a load bearing surface that is placed under at least a portion of one side of the object. Once the load bearing surface is under the object the dolly or cart is tilted about a pivot axis generally presented by a forward or rearward wheel axle of the dolly or cart to balance the object over the pivot axis. Heavy objects require some effort by a user when tilting the loaded dolly or cart. Moreover, effort is required by a user when moving the object with the dolly or cart to maintain the balance over the pivot axis, particularly when negotiating corners or curbs. It can be appreciated that injury can occur to a user of such a dolly or cart, particularly in the regions of the back (both lower and upper), knees, forearms, and hands.

There is a need for a dolly or cart that can effectively carry a heavy object. There is also a need for a dolly or cart that can lift a heavy object for transport without requiring much effort by a user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a load carrying device for carrying the load of an object, and particularly a heavy object, such as, for example, but not limited to, vending machines, soft drink machines, refrigeration equipment, office furniture, safes, computer equipment, food service equipment, pianos, and hospital equipment.

In particular the device of this invention is comprised of at least two lifts with each lift capable of supporting at least a portion of the load of the object. The lifts are spaced about the object to support the object. Further, a tie is provided to couple the lifts to. one another. With the lifts so coupled they cooperate to enable the device to carry the object. In the disclosed embodiment of the invention the tie is a flexible band. Moreover, at least one of the lifts has a retractable mechanism to which the tie is secured. In the case where the tie is a flexible band the retractable mechanism winds the flexible band up so that, for example, it can be fully retracted for storage. In the embodiment disclosed the retractable mechanism comprises a ratchet to retract the flexible band. By using a ratchet the flexible band can be secured against further displacement at various positions of retraction, and extended only upon release of the ratchet. In the embodiment of the invention disclosed the retractable mechanism can further comprise a biasing system which tends to retract the flexible band. Moreover, wherein one of the lifts comprise a retractable mechanism, the other of the lifts can comprise a fastener to releasably secure the flexible band to that lift.

If can be appreciated that the biasing system tends to retract the flexible band drawing the lifts towards one another. The ratchet also operates to retract the flexible band and, when operated by a user, can serve to further draw the lifts towards one another and in a snug relationship with the object.

The lifts comprise a load bearing surface so that each lift can support at least a portion of the load of the object. In the disclosed embodiment the load bearing surface comprises a first portion to support the object from below, and a second portion extending transversely to the first portion.

Further, the lifts can comprise wheels that enable the device to be rolled over a surface. The wheels in the embodiment disclosed are located on the lifts in such a way as to form a pivot axis about which the lifts rotate. The location of the pivot axis is defined by the wheels such that when the load bearing surface supports at least a portion of the load of the object the lift rotates towards the object. In the embodiment disclosed the second portion of the load bearing surface also rotates with the lift. The second portion is provided with at a stop that abuts against a complementary surface to prevent further rotation of the lift towards the object. In the embodiment disclosed, the stop abuts a side of the object to prevent further rotation of the lift.

In order for the device to lift a heavy object for transport without requiring much effort by a user the lift of the device as disclosed comprises a first part having the load bearing surface, and a second part displaceably linked to the first part in a direction of the load of the object. A drive mechanism is provided to displace the first part with respect to the second part in the direction of the load. When the drive mechanism is activated the first part of the lift having the load bearing surface is displaced with respect to the second part thereby lifting the object. In the embodiment disclosed the drive mechanism comprises a jack.

The method of carrying an object using a lift of this invention comprised of at least two like lifts spaced apart about the object and coupled to one another by a tie comprises: spacing the lifts above the object so that the load bearing surfaces of the lifts support the load of the object; coupling the lifts to one another using the ties; and retracting the ties using the retractable mechanism to draw the lifts towards one another.

By undertaking these steps the lifts cooperate when coupled by the tie as described so that the device can carry the object.

- PREFERRED FEATURES OF THE INVENTION The following clauses define some of the preferred features of the invention.

1. A load carrying device, comprising: at least two lifts spaced about the load, each lift having a load bearing surface to support at least a portion of the load; and a tie extending between adjacent lifts to couple the lifts to one another, whereby the lifts cooperate when coupled to support the load.

2. A load carrying device according to clause 1 further comprising a retractible mechanism provided by at least one of the lifts, wherein said retractible mechanism is secured to the tie and is adapted to retract the tie.

3. A load carrying device according to clause 2 wherein the retractible mechanism comprises a ratchet to retract the tie. 4. A load carrying device according to clause 3 wherein the retractible mechanism further comprises a biasing system tending to retract the tie.

5. A load carrying device according to clause 2 further comprising a fastener provided on the other lifts to releasably secure the tie.

6. A load carrying device according to any one of clauses 1 to 5 wherein the tie comprises a flexible band.

7. A load carrying device according to any one of clauses 1 to 6 wherein the load bearing surface comprises a first portion to support the load from below.

8. A load carrying device according to clause 7 wherein the load bearing surface further comprises a second portion extending transversely to the first portion to abut a side of the load.

9. A load carrying device according to any one of clauses 1 to 8 wherein the lifts comprise a pivot axis about which the lifts rotate, so that when the load bearing surface supports the load the lift rotates towards the object.

10. A load carrying device according to clause 9 further comprising wheels provided by the lifts to support the device, and at least one of the wheels defines the pivot axis.

11. A load carrying device according to clause 10 wherein the load bearing surface further comprises a second portion extending transversely to the first portion, and the second portion includes a stop to prevent rotation of the lift about the pivot axis beyond a predefined limit.

12. A load carrying device according to any one of clauses 1 to 11 further comprising a drive mechanism provided by the lifts to displace the first portion with respect to the second portion. 13. A load carrying device according to clause 12 wherein the drive mechanism comprises a jack.

14. A lift for use in a load carrying device comprised of at least two lifts spaced about the load and coupled to one another by a tie, the lift comprising: a load bearing surface to support at least a portion of the load; and a fastening mechanism to receive the tie.

15. A lift according to clause 14 wherein the fastening mechanism is a retractible mechanism to retract the tie.

16. A lift according to clause 15 wherein the retractible mechanism comprises a ratchet.

17. A lift according to clauses 15 or 16 wherein the retractible mechanism comprises a biasing system tending to retract the tie.

18. A lift according to any one of clauses 14 to 17 wherein the load bearing surface comprises a first portion to support the load from below.

19. A lift according to clause 18 wherein the load bearing surface further comprises a second portion extending transversely to the first portion to abut a side of the load.

20. A lift according to clause 19 further comprising wheels to allow the lift to be rollable over a surface, the wheels forming a pivot axis about which the lift rotates, so that when the load bearing surface supports the load the lift with load bearing surface rotates toward the load.

21. A lift according to any one of clauses 14 to 20 further comprising a first part to carry the load bearing surface, and a second part displaceably linked to the first part in a direction of the load. 22. A lift according to clause 21 further comprising a drive mechanism to displace the first part with respect to the second part.

23. A lift according to clause 22 wherein the drive mechanism comprises a jack.

24. A method of carrying a load using a device comprised of at least two like lifts spaced about the object and coupled to one another by a tie, each lift comprising a load bearing surface to support at least a portion of the load, and at least one of the lifts comprising a retractible mechanism to retract the tie, the method comprising: spacing the lifts about the load so that the load bearing surfaces of the lifts support the load; coupling the lifts to one another using the tie; and retracting the tie using the retractible mechanism to draw the lifts towards one another, whereby the lifts cooperate when coupled to carry the load.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES For a better understanding of the present invention and to show more clearly how it would be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings that show preferred embodiments of the present invention, and in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the device of this invention showing two lifts spaced at either end of an object;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of one end of the device of this invention;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a lift of this invention; Figure 4 is a side elevational view of the lift of Figure 3; and Figure 5 is partial rear perspective view of the lift of Figure 3.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A load carrying device 10 for this invention is illustrated in Figure 1. Device 10 comprises at least two lifts 12 with each lift capable of supporting at least a portion of a load of an object 14. The device of this invention is particularly designed for carrying heavy objects, such as, for example, but not limited to, vending machines, soft drink machines, refrigeration equipment, office furniture, safes, computer equipment, food service equipment, pianos, and hospital equipment.

As illustrated in the Figure 1 lifts 12 are spaced apart about the object 14 to aid in supporting object 14, and, in the preferred embodiment, fully supporting object 14. Further, device 10 of this invention comprises a tie 16 that couples lifts 12 to one another. With lifts 12 so coupled they cooperate with one another to carry object 14 in a similar fashion as a dolly or cart, as will hereinafter be explained.

In the embodiment disclosed at least one of the lifts 12 includes a retractable mechanism 18 to which the tie is secured. In the preferred embodiment tie 16 is a flexible band so that the retractable mechanism can wind up the band thereby fully retracting the band for, for example, storage.

In the embodiment disclosed retractable mechanism 18 comprises a ratchet permitting retraction of the tie in one direction only. This allows tie 16 to be secured against further displacement of various positions of retraction, and, as well known to those in the art, can only be extended upon release of, for example, a pawl (not illustrated) from the teeth (not illustrated) of the ratchet mechanism.

The retractable mechanism can also comprise a biasing system 20 which also tends to retract the tie. Biasing system 20 can comprise a recoil system that acts to automatically retract tie 16 to fully wind up tie 16, in absence of any outward pull or displacement of tie 16. It can be appreciated that both the biasing system and the ratchet operate to retract the tie, so that, when the tie couples lifts 12 together the tie acts to draw the lifts towards one another. In the embodiment disclosed, the biasing system and ratchet are used to draw the lifts together to snugly sandwich object 14 between the lifts 12.

In order to support object 14 each lift comprises a load bearing surface 22 so that each lift can support at least a portion of the load of object 14. In the embodiment disclosed the load bearing surfaces comprise a first portion 24 to support object 14 from below, and a second portion 26 that extends transversely to first portion 24. In the embodiment disclosed second portion 26 extends generally perpendicular to first portion 24.

It can be appreciated that two lifts with such a load bearing surface can support object 14 therebetween. This is particularly useful when the object is inflexible in a direction perpendicular to its load; here the object with lifts spaced at either end act like a dolly for transporting the object.

The lifts are particularly designed to pivot about a pivot axis 28 when the lifts support the object. In the embodiment disclosed pivot axis 28 is defined by the axle 30 of wheels 32. When the load bearing surface of lifts 12 support at least a portion of a load of an object 14 lifts 12 rotate about pivot axis 28 toward object 14. Second portion 26 of load bearing surface 22 generally also rotates with lifts 12. Second portion 26 is provided with a stop 34 designed to abut against a complimentary surface to prevent rotation of the lift further towards object 14. In the embodiment disclosed stop 34 abuts a side 36 of object 14 to prevent further rotation of the lifts.

In order that lifts 12 can raise a heavy object above a ground surface for transport without requiring much effort by a user lift 12 is comprised of a first part 38 having the load bearing surface thereon, and a second part 40 displaceably linked to the first part in a direction of the load of the object. A drive mechanism 42 is provided to displace the first part with respect to the second part so that, upon activation of drive mechanism 42 first part 38 of lift 12 is displaced with respect to a second part and object 14 can thus be raised above the surface for transport. In the embodiment disclosed drive mechanism 42 is comprised of a jack 44, and particularly a screw jack having a handle 46 as is known to those in the art. Other drive mechanisms can be provided, however, such as, for example, pneumatic presses, hydraulic lifts, or other geared mechanisms.

In addition lifts 12 comprise handles 48 secured to lifts 12, and preferably the second part to enable a user to roll lifts 12 over a floor surface.

It can be appreciated that variations to this invention would be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and this invention is intended to include those alternatives.

Claims

I CLAIM:

2. A load carrying device according to claim 1 further comprising a retractible mechanism provided by at least one of the lifts, wherein said retractible mechanism is secured to the tie and is adapted to retract the tie.

3. A load carrying device according to claim 2 wherein the retractible mechanism comprises a ratchet to retract the tie.

4. A load carrying device according to claim 3 wherein the retractible mechanism further comprises a biasing system tending to retract the tie.

5. A load carrying device according to claim 2 further comprising a fastener provided on the other lifts to releasably secure the tie.

6. A load carrying device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the tie comprises a flexible band.

7. A load carrying device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the load bearing surface comprises a first portion to support the load from below.

8. A load carrying device according to claim 7 wherein the load bearing surface further comprises a second portion extending transversely to the first portion to abut a side of the load.

9. A load carrying device according to any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein the lifts comprise a pivot axis about which the lifts rotate, so that when the load bearing surface supports the load the lift rotates towards the object.

10. A load carrying device according to claim 9 further comprising wheels provided by the lifts to support the device, and at least one of the wheels defines the pivot axis.

11. A load carrying device according to claim 10 wherein the load bearing surface further comprises a second portion extending transversely to the first portion, and the second portion includes a stop to prevent rotation of the lift about the pivot axis beyond a predefined limit.

12. A load carrying device according to any one of claims 1 to 11 further comprising a drive mechanism provided by the lifts to displace the first portion with respect to the second portion.

13. A load carrying device according to claim 12 wherein the drive mechanism comprises a jack.

15. A lift according to claim 14 wherein the fastening mechanism is a retractible mechanism to retract the tie.

16. A lift according to claim 15 wherein the retractible mechanism comprises a ratchet.

17. A lift according to claims 15 or 16 wherein the retractible mechanism comprises a biasing system tending to retract the tie.

18. A lift according to any one of claims 14 to 17 wherein the load bearing surface comprises a first portion to support the load from below.

19. A lift according to claim 18 wherein the load bearing surface further comprises a second portion extending transversely to the first portion to abut a side of the load.

20. A lift according to claim 19 further comprising wheels to allow the lift to be rollable over a surface, the wheels forming a pivot axis about which the lift rotates, so that when the load bearing surface supports the load the lift with load bearing surface rotates toward the load.

21. A lift according to any one of claims 14 to 20 further comprising a first part to carry the load bearing surface, and a second part displaceably linked to the first part in a direction of the load.

22. A lift according to claim 21 further comprising a drive mechanism to displace the first part with respect to the second part.

23. A lift according to claim 22 wherein the drive mechanism comprises a jack.