Dolly and method of use

• US 6,347,907 B1
• Filed: 05/31/2000
• Issued: 02/19/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 01/06/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Halstead, David
• Original Assignee: Halstead, David
• Inventors: Halstead, David
• Primary Examiner(s): Will, Thomas B.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Pechhold, Alexandra K
• Application Number:
  US09/584,841
• Time in Patent Office: 629 Days
• Field of Search: 404/25, 404/85, 404/112, 301/111, 301/121, 451/353, 280/43.1, 280/43.21, 280/47.17, 280/47.15, 280/47.24, 280/47.28, 280/47.27, 280/47.131
• US Class Current: 404/85
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 51/06 Uniaxle walk-type tractors

Abstract

A dolly for transporting a heavy object has a frame, a lifting element, and a pair of wheels. The lifting element engages a lifting point of the heavy object to enable the dolly to support the heavy object for wheeled movement. The frame is shaped to fit around the heavy object when the lifting element is removably attached to the lifting point of the heavy object. The lifting element is preferably rotatably connected to the frame to facilitate lifting the heavy object onto the dolly. Each of the pair of wheels is operably attached to the frame and aligned along an axis to support the heavy object between the pair of wheels such that the center of gravity of the heavy object is located approximately on the axis when the lifting element is attached to the lifting point of the heavy object.

Claims

1. A combination power trowel and dolly, the combination comprising:

a power trowel having an engine operably engaged to a plurality of trowel blades, the engine providing a lifting point, an upwardly extending handle, and supporting a blade guard, the power trowel further having a center of gravity;

a dolly having a frame and a lifting element, the frame having two ends and being generally U-shaped to fit around the power trowel when the lifting element is removably attached to the lifting point of the power trowel; and

a pair of wheels, each of the pair of wheels being operably attached adjacent to one of the two ends of the frame and aligned along an axis to support the power trowel between the pair of wheels such that the center of gravity is located approximately on the axis when the lifting element is attached to the lifting point of the power trowel.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein the lifting bar is pivotally connected to the frame of the dolly.

3. The combination of claim 2 wherein the lifting bar is pivotally connected to the frame of the dolly with a sleeve positioned around the frame, the sleeve allowing the lifting bar to pivot between a lowered position to a raised position, the sleeve further having a means for restricting the lifting bar from returning to the lowered position once the lifting bar has been raised to the raised position.

4. The combination of claim 2 wherein the lifting bar is pivotally connected to the frame of the dolly with a sleeve positioned around the frame, the sleeve allowing the lifting bar to pivot between a lowered position to a raised position, the sleeve further having a hand grip extending radially outward from the sleeve opposite the lifting bar, the hand grip having a pawl that cooperates with a ratchet on the frame to restrict the lifting bar from returning to the lowered position once the lifting bar has been raised to the raised position.

5. The combination of claim 1 further comprising a locking pin, and wherein the lifting point is a lifting bore shaped to receive the lifting bar, the lifting bore having a bore aperture and the lifting bar having a bar aperture, the locking pin being shaped to removably engage both the bar aperture and the bore aperture to lock the lifting bar within the lifting bore.

6. A combination dolly and heavy object, the combination comprising:

a heavy object having a lifting bore and a center of gravity;

a dolly having a frame and a lifting bar, the frame having two ends and being generally U-shaped to fit around the heavy object when the lifting bar is inserted into the lifting bore; and

a pair of wheels, each of the pair of wheels being operably attached adjacent to one of the two ends of the frame and aligned along an axis to support the heavy object between the pair of wheels such that the center of gravity is located approximately on the axis when the lifting bar is inserted into the lifting bore of the heavy object.

7. The combination of claim 6 further comprising a locking pin, a bore aperture in the lifting bore, and a bar aperture in the lifting bar, the locking pin being shaped to removably engage both the bar aperture and the bore aperture to lock the lifting bar within the lifting bore.

8. The combination of claim 7 wherein the lifting bar is pivotally connected to the frame of the dolly.

9. The combination of claim 8 wherein the lifting bar is pivotally connected to the frame of the dolly with a sleeve positioned around the frame, the sleeve allowing the lifting bar to pivot between a lowered position to a raised position, the sleeve further having a means for restricting the lifting bar from returning to the lowered position once the lifting bar has been raised to the raised position.

10. The combination of claim 8 wherein the lifting bar is pivotally connected to the frame of the dolly with a sleeve positioned around the frame, the sleeve allowing the lifting bar to pivot between a lowered position to a raised position, the sleeve further having a hand grip extending radially outward from the sleeve opposite the lifting bar, the hand grip having a pawl that cooperates with a ratchet on the frame to restrict the lifting bar from returning to the lowered position once the lifting bar has been raised to the raised position.

11. The combination of claim 6 wherein the heavy object includes an upwardly extending handle.

12. A method for using a dolly to transport a heavy object, the method comprising the steps of:

a) providing a dolly having a frame, a lifting bar, and a pair of wheels, the lifting bar being pivotally connected to the frame such that the lifting bar can be pivoted from a lowered position to a raised position, and each of the pair of wheels being operably connected to the frame;

b) providing a lifting bore;

c) attaching the lifting bore to the heavy object;

d) positioning the dolly such that the heavy object is between the pair of wheels;

e) inserting the lifting bar into the lifting bore;

f) lifting the frame of the dolly, thereby partially lifting the heavy object and causing the lifting bar to pivot from the lowered position to the raised position; and

g) lowering the frame, thereby levering the heavy object onto the pair of wheels.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising the following steps:

h) providing an upwardly extending handle;

i) attaching the upwardly extending handle to the heavy object; and

j) moving the upwardly extending handle to manipulate the heavy object.