Platform dolly system

• US 8,919,476 B2
• Filed: 07/10/2012
• Issued: 12/30/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 07/11/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Holland Moving & Rigging Supplies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Holland Moving & Rigging Supplies, Inc.
• Inventors: Holland, Christopher M., Marmaras, Constantine, Oulman, Paul B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Shriver, II, J. Allen
• Assistant Examiner(s): MEYER, JACOB B
• Application Number:
  US13/545,138
• Publication Number:
  US 20130015631A1
• Time in Patent Office: 903 Days
• Field of Search: 180/167, 180/168, 280/79.11, 280/79.6, 187/224, 187/233, 187/242, 187/243, 187/244, 414/234, 414/389, 414/373, 414/572, 414/809
• US Class Current: 180/167
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 3/40 for carrying long loads, e.g. with separate wheeled load supporting elements E04G21/14 takes precedence; signal devices to be attached to overhanging load B60Q7/02
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 1/00 Steering controls, i.e. means for initiating a change of direction of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 12/02 for vehicles operating in tandem

Abstract

A platform dolly system that has first and second dolly devices. Each of the dolly devices has a power unit, a frame, a suspension and a wheel rotatably secured to an axle. A control unit remote to the first and second dolly devices is presented that is in over the air electronic communication with the power unit of each of the first and second dolly devices in order to either simultaneously or independently control the first and second dolly devices depending upon the mode of the control unit.

Claims

1. A platform dolly system comprising:

a first dolly device having a power unit, a frame, at least one knuckle suspension pivotally connected to the frame and fluidly connected to a first hydraulic pump and a second hydraulic pump of the power unit, and at least one wheel secured to the knuckle suspension;

the knuckle suspension having a first leg and a second leg, the first leg is connected to the frame at one end and at the opposite end to one end of the second leg at a pivot point to raise and lower the frame of the first dolly device, wherein the opposite end of the second leg is connected to the wheel;

a second dolly device having a power unit, a frame, a suspension secured to the frame of the second dolly, and a wheel rotatably secured to the suspension of the second dolly; and

a control unit remote from the first and second dolly devices and in electronic communication with the power unit of the first dolly and the power unit of the second dolly to independently operate the first and second dolly devices to move a load;

wherein, when the first dolly is operated by the power unit, the first and second hydraulic pumps are operable to steer the at least one wheel via rotation of the at least one knuckle suspension to move transverse, forward, and reverse.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the frame of the first dolly is T-shaped.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the suspension of the second dolly is a knuckle suspension that has first and second legs that are pivotally connected at a pivot point to raise and lower the frame of the second dolly device.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the first dolly device has a removable saddle secured to the frame of the first dolly that is arcuate in shape to receive an industrial pipe.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein a cylinder fluidly connected to the power unit of the first dolly is secured under the saddle to provide lift to that saddle.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the first dolly has four spaced apart cylinders connected to the power unit of the first dolly and secured to the frame of the first dolly to provide three zones of lift when lifting a load.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the control unit has a joystick.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the control unit allows for both independent control of the first and second dolly devices and simultaneous control of the first and second dolly devices.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the control unit in a first mode operates the first and second dolly devices simultaneously.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein the control unit in a second mode provides a movement to the first dolly device while the second dolly device does not propel.

11. The system of claim 4 wherein the saddle is lined with rubber and has nylon tie down straps.

12. The system of claim 1 wherein the first dolly has three suspensions arranged in a T-shape.

13. A platform dolly system comprising:

a first dolly device having a power unit, a frame, at least one knuckle suspension pivotally connected to the frame and fluidly connected to a first hydraulic pump and a second hydraulic pump of the power unit, and at least one wheel secured to the knuckle suspension;

the knuckle suspension having a first leg and a second leg connected at a pivot point to raise and lower the frame of the first dolly device, wherein the second leg is connected to the wheel at one end;

a second dolly device having a power unit, a frame, a knuckle suspension pivotally connected to the frame of the second dolly and fluidly connected to a first hydraulic pump and a second hydraulic pump of the power unit of the second dolly, and at least one wheel secured to the suspension of the second dolly; and

a control unit remote from the first and second dolly devices and in electronic communication with the power unit of the first dolly and the power unit of the second dolly to independently operate the first and second dolly devices to move a load;

wherein, when the first dolly and second dolly are operated by the respective power units, the respective first and second hydraulic pumps are operable to steer the respective at least one wheel via rotation of the respective at least one knuckle suspension to move the first dolly and second dolly forward, reverse, and transverse.