Hauling device

• US 8,955,892 B1
• Filed: 07/30/2013
• Issued: 02/17/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 07/30/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Stephen D. Shumate
• Original Assignee: Stephen D. Shumate
• Inventors: Shumate, Stephen D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Walters, John
• Assistant Examiner(s): TRIGGS, JAMES J
• Application Number:
  US13/954,678
• Time in Patent Office: 567 Days
• Field of Search: 280 19- 20, 280/28.17, 294/1.1, 294/152, 294/1.5, 294/137, 152/571, 141/390, 248/95, 248/99
• US Class Current: 294/1.3
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 15/007 Towed sledges
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 2202/50 Cleaning or gardening articles

Abstract

A mat for gathering and hauling materials is herein disclosed. The mat has handles on either end for a user to easily grab and pull or carry. Additionally, the edges of the mat may be raised by securing dowels in the corners of the mat and raising the dowels perpendicular to the ground, as by pulling the dowel upward into a standing position.

Claims

1. A device for hauling materials over ground, the device comprising:

a. a non-rigid mat constructed of durable waterproof material and having a front edge, two side edges, and a back edge;

b. a handle attached to the front edge;

c. two sleeves, each sleeve in a corner opposite from the first edge, the sleeve adapted to receive a dowel;

d. two dowels, each dowel adapted to be inserted into a sleeve, such that when the dowels are set substantially perpendicular to the ground, adjacent edges of the mat are raised to form a wall;

e. a band attached to the corner of the mat, such that when the band is pulled taut, the dowel is raised to a position substantially perpendicular to the ground; and

f. a plurality of fasteners adapted to secure the mat to the ground.

2. A device for hauling materials over ground, the device comprising:

a. a mat;

b. a handle attached to the front edge of the mat;

c. a dowel coupled to a corner of the mat; and

d. a band attached to the corner of the mat,

such that when the band is pulled taut, the dowel is raised to a position substantially perpendicular to the ground and side edges of the mat are raised.

3. The device of claim 2 further comprising a sleeve set in a corner of the mat and adapted to receive a dowel.

4. The device of claim 2, wherein the dowel is detachable from the mat.

5. The device of claim 2, wherein the front edge is not raised when the plurality of dowels are set substantially perpendicular to the ground.

6. The device of claim 2, further comprising a plurality of grommets positioned about the perimeter of the mat, and a plurality of fasteners adapted to secure the grommets to the ground.

7. The device of claim 2, where the mat is formed of a non-rigid material.

8. A method for utilizing a hauling device, the method comprising:

a. spreading a mat over the ground, the mat comprising

i. a front edge,

ii. a handle attached to the front edge,

iii. a plurality of corners,

iv. a plurality of sleeves, each sleeve positioned in a corner and adapted to receive a dowel, and

v. a plurality of bands, each band attached to a corner having a sleeve;

b. inserting a dowel into a sleeve;

c. pulling the band corresponding to a sleeve having a dowel taut, such that the dowel is substantially perpendicular to the ground; and

d. fastening the band to the ground with a fastener.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the mat further comprises a plurality of grommets on the perimeter of the mat.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising the steps of:

a. inserting a fastener through at least one grommet; and

b. securing the fastener in the ground.