BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The following detailed description of the present invention can be best understood when read in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein like structures are indicated with like reference numerals and in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dolly embodying the features of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the lower surface of the dolly illustrated in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is an elevational view thereof;
FIG. 4 is a top view thereof;
FIG. 5 is a bottom view thereof;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view an alternative embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the lower surface of the dolly illustrated in FIG. 6;
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of still another embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of still another embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a dolly and an attached receptacle embodying the features of the present invention; and
FIG. 12 is a sectional view of FIG. 11 taken along line A-A.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring now to the drawings and particularly to FIGS. 1 through 5 the preferred embodiment of a dolly is illustrated embodying the features of the present invention. The dolly, generally indicated by reference numeral 10, is disk shaped and includes an upper planar surface 12 and a spaced apart generally coextensive lower surface 14. It is understood that the dolly 10 could be of different shapes without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The upper surface 12 and lower surface 14 are superposed and have a common outer periphery. The upper surface 12 is typically planar and includes a centrally disposed upwardly extending cylindrical boss 16 having an upper planar surface 18.
An outer radial skirt 20 depends downwardly from the upper surface 18 connecting the surfaces 12 and 18 of the dolly 10. Annually spaced apart threads 22 are formed integral with and extend radially outwardly from the surface 20. There are slots 23 through surface 12 that are superposed and coextensive with the respective threads 22. An annular array of radially outwardly extending locking tabs 24 are formed on the lower portion of surface 20 and the adjacent surface 12. The threads 20 and locking tabs 24 are adapted to selectively engage cooperating means on the bottom surface of an associated receptacle.
The illustrations make it clear that the upper surface 12 does not include any apertures formed therein. An aperture is a collection point for debris. The absence of such apertures results in a dolly 10 that stays clean for a longer period of time and is easily swept or wiped clean when it becomes necessary to do so.
The lower surface 14, as is clearly illustrated in FIG. 2, includes a plurality of radially extending structural reinforcing ribs 26 which depend from the lower surface 14. Spaced apart attachment means 28 are formed to depend downwardly from the lower surface 14 and are adapted to receive respective ground engaging caster wheels 30 which depend from the outer periphery of the dolly 10. A skirt 32 depends downwardly from the lower surface 14 and is provided with outward extensions 34 adjacent each of the wheels 30.
The remaining FIGS. 6-12, inclusive, illustrate embodiments of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1-5. Where similar components are utilized, prime reference numerals will indicate such components.
In FIGS. 6 and 7 an alternative embodiment of the structure is illustrated, wherein the skirt 32′ is provided with spaced apart outward extensions 36 located adjacent each of the respective wheels 30′. The outward extension 36 is caused to extend downwardly in the area adjacent the respective wheels 30″.
The skirt 32 and associated outward extensions 34, 36 illustrated in FIGS. 1-5 and FIGS. 6-7 respectively protect the user of the dolly from injury. The point of contact between the ground and wheels 30 is a pinch point for the feet and toes of the user. The skirt 32 and extensions 34, 36 form a shield around the respective wheels 30 and reduce the likelihood that a foot or toe will come in contact with the pinch point.
In FIG. 8 another alternative embodiment of the structure is illustrated, wherein the skirt 32′ is provided with a plurality of spaced apart ribs 38. The ribs 38 provide areas of high coefficient of friction which function to assist in holding the dolly 10′ stationary when the shoe of the user is forced against the ribs 38.
In FIGS. 9-10 still another alternative embodiment of the structure is illustrated, wherein the upper surface 12′ is provided with a plurality of spaced apart high coefficient of friction surfaces 39 adjacent the outer periphery of the dolly 10. The high coefficient of friction surfaces 39 function to assist in holding the dolly stationary when the shoe of the user is forced against the friction surfaces 39.
The shape, spacing, and extent of the ribs 38 and friction surfaces 39 show in FIGS. 8-10 illustrate a sample of the infinite number of rib and frictional surface configurations that could be used. The ribs 38 could be expanded to cover a greater portion or even all of the skirt 32′. Likewise, the frictional surfaces 39 could be expanded to cover a greater portion or even the entire upper surface 12′ of the dolly 10′. Further, the ribs 38 and frictional surfaces 39 could be combined on the same dolly 10′. Such an arrangement would allow the frictional surfaces 39 to be engaged when smaller receptacles are attached to the dolly 10′ which leave the outer periphery of the upper surface 12′ accessible and allow the ribs 38 to be engaged when larger receptacles are attached that completely cover the upper surface 12′.
Additionally, the outward extension 36 illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7 could be combined with the ribs 38 and frictional surfaces 39 illustrated in FIGS. 8-10. Such a dolly would both protects the feet and toes of the user from injury and facilitate maintaining the dolly stationary by the user.
In FIGS. 11 and 12 the dolly 10′ is illustrated with an attached receptacle 42, generally referred to as a container assembly 40. The receptacle 42 has a bottom surface 44 provided with a centrally disposed internally threaded attachment means 46 on the underside thereof. Sidewalls 48 of the receptacle 42 extend upwardly from the bottom surface 44 and terminate in an upper rim (not shown). The internally threaded attachment means 46 is adapted to receive and engage the respective threads 22′ of the boss 16′. It is obvious that the boss 16′ and attachment means 46 could be provided with other shapes and engagement means.
In FIGS. 11 and 12 the friction surfaces 39 on the upper surface 12′ of the dolly 10′ are in contact with the bottom surface 44 of the receptacle 42. The contact friction between the two surfaces 39′, 44 militates against relative rotational movement between the dolly 10′ and the receptacle 42 which assists in maintaining the receptacle 42 securely attached to the dolly 10′ during normal use of the container assembly 40.
It will be noted that the dolly 10′ is wider than the bottom surface 44 of the receptacle 42. Also, the wheels 30′ are positioned outwardly of the bottom surface 44. The disposition of the wheels 30′ with respect to the attached receptacle 42 provide a wide secure base to facilitate the maintenance of the container assembly 40 upright during use.
From the foregoing description, one ordinarily skilled in the art can easily ascertain the essential characteristics of the invention, and can make various changes and modifications to the invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.
Patent Application
20080084041
