Combination of carpet-cleaning machine and platform for transporting the machine
First Claim
1. In a combination, a carpet-cleaning machine and a platform for transporting the machine, the machine having first and second side panels, the platform including (a) a machine-supporting base having upper and lower surfaces extending between an open entry-end and a closed back-end, the upper surface having a stowing portion extending from the closed back-end to an entry portion, (b) first and second sidewalls extending upwardly from the base on either side thereof, (c) a back wall extending from the base back-end between the first and second sidewalls, and (d) a pair of wheels mounted with respect to the base for rolling the machine on the platform across a floor, the improvement comprising the first and second platform sidewalls having inner surfaces both shaped with sidewall-portion protrusions frictionally engaging the machine side panels and configured to sandwich the machine therebetween to prevent lateral movement of the machine on the platform.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
In a platform-carried carpet-cleaning machine for facilitating transport of the machine, the platform including a machine-supporting base having upper surface extending between an open entry-end and a closed back-end, the upper surface having an entry portion sloping at no more than about 5° with respect to horizontal such that the machine can be driven on and off the platform with application of about the same amount of user force as during carpet-cleaning operations. Inner surfaces of first and second platform sidewalls both include protrusions frictionally engaging the machine side panels and configured to sandwich the machine therebetween to prevent lateral movement of the machine on the platform. A pair of wheels is mounted with respect to the base for rolling the machine on the platform across a floor, each wheel being secured to its corresponding sidewall by an axle which extends therethrough and is molded in place through the sidewalls to facilitate assembly of the platform. At least one skid-resisting projection extends from the lower surface to hold the platform from unintended backward rolling when the machine is driven onto the platform.
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Citations
29 Claims
- 1. In a combination, a carpet-cleaning machine and a platform for transporting the machine, the machine having first and second side panels, the platform including (a) a machine-supporting base having upper and lower surfaces extending between an open entry-end and a closed back-end, the upper surface having a stowing portion extending from the closed back-end to an entry portion, (b) first and second sidewalls extending upwardly from the base on either side thereof, (c) a back wall extending from the base back-end between the first and second sidewalls, and (d) a pair of wheels mounted with respect to the base for rolling the machine on the platform across a floor, the improvement comprising the first and second platform sidewalls having inner surfaces both shaped with sidewall-portion protrusions frictionally engaging the machine side panels and configured to sandwich the machine therebetween to prevent lateral movement of the machine on the platform.
- 8. In a combination, a carpet-cleaning machine and a platform for transporting the machine, the platform including (i) an integrally-molded single piece having (a) a machine-supporting base with upper and lower surfaces extending between an open entry-end and a closed back-end, (b) first and second sidewalls extending upwardly from the base on either side thereof and (c) a back wall extending from the base back-end between the first and second sidewalls, and (ii) a pair of wheels mounted with respect to the base for rolling the machine on the platform across a floor, the improvement comprising an axle permanently embedded within the walls and extending is through and beyond the sidewalls to support the wheels with respect to the sidewalls and the base.
- 13. In a combination, a carpet-cleaning machine and a platform for transporting the machine, the platform including (a) a machine-supporting base having upper and lower surfaces extending between an open entry-end and a closed back-end, (b) first and second sidewalls extending upwardly from the base on either side thereof, (c) a back wall extending from the base back-end between the first and second sidewalls, and (d) a pair of wheels mounted with respect to the base for rolling the machine on the platform across a floor, the improvement comprising the lower surface of the base including at least one skid-resisting projection of higher friction than the lower surface of the base to facilitate holding of the platform from unintended backward rolling during driving of the machine onto the platform.
Specification