Patent Application
20060273602
1. Field of the Invention
This invention deals with apparatus to enable an individual to carry a roll of vinyl material with no damage to the vinyl.
2. Description of the Related Art
A problem arises when an individual attempts to transport a roll of sheet vinyl or plastic for flooring. Sheet plastic is very susceptible to damage when being transported because even the slightest bending will cause it to crack, break, buckle or deform. It is difficult to avoid buckling and deformation which can cause the sheet vinyl to change color. Any of these events will result in having to replace the entire roll of vinyl or plastic at considerable cost.
Vinyl plastic is particularly vulnerable to these problems. Installers must be very careful when lifting and carrying a roll of any plastic. Currently the problem has been addressed in two ways. One way is to have a number of individuals support the roll at several locations while lifting and transporting the roll. Another way is to retain the roll with the cardboard tube used for shipment for transport retained internally. Both approaches require additional manpower. The first requires multiple individuals, and the second delays opening the carton containing the roll until at the installation site where removal is more difficult because specialized equipment normally used to open a carton is not available.
It would be desirable if a roll of sheet plastic material could be lifted and moved on site by only one person while the roll is supported at a number of locations along its length to prevent any damage. It would also be desirable if the transport apparatus could be placed upon the floor before loading the roll and the relative location of supports adjusted with respect to the roll to minimize the possibility of damage to the roll during loading and transporting. Since a roll of flooring material is often quite long, it would be desirable if apparatus used to support the roll could be folded for storage to minimize the required storage space.
The transport apparatus for transporting a roll of sheet plastic material utilizes a plurality of roll supports (optimally three), each having an upwardly oriented U-shape. One roll support is centered along the apparatus, and the other two roll supports are located near opposite ends of the roll. A base mounts the center roll support. The end roll supports are spaced apart from the center roll support and are carried by two telescoping connectors extending outwardly in opposite directions from the base. The telescoping connectors permit adjusting the spacing between the center and end roll supports to accommodate different length rolls. The telescoping connectors can have spring locks to secure the connectors at a plurality of spacings for different length rolls.
The base has a generally planar surface beneath the center roll support covered by a soft material such as carpeting to protect a supporting surface. When the base planar surface is placed upon a horizontal surface, the apparatus is oriented such that the U-shaped roll supports face upward.
The base support has adjusting apparatus to change the amount that the center roll support extends toward the roll. This adjustment permits changing the center roll support vertical extension toward the roll as compared to the end roll supports before loading the roll. Spring loaded lock apparatus secures the center roll support adjusting apparatus at a number of locations to provide a number of different center roll positions. This eliminates a potential problem of the roll bending or buckling while being loaded upon the transport apparatus.
The objects and features of the present invention will become more manifest to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the following descriptions, taken in connection and wherein:
Roll support 14 has downward directed parallel roll support extensions 14A and 14B welded to the outer surface. Base extensions 20C1 and 20C2 are spaced apart and slidably adjacent within and between roll support extensions 14A and 14B. U-shaped spring 20D is deployed between base extensions 20C1 and 20C2.
Spring 20D presses outwardly against attached locking pin 20E which holds the pin in place.
Locking pin 20E slidably mates with a single hole 20F through base extension 20C1 and one of a number of aligned, vertical, equally spaced and equally sized holes 14C through vertical roll support extension 14A. This permits moving center roll support 14 and providing a locking arrangement between the center roll support and base 20 at a number of locations determined by the location of holes 14C. Since pin 20E has a rounded outer head 20E1 this will cause it to retract from hole 20E1 in extension 14A and permit moving the center roll support 14 relative to base 20 when sufficient force is exerted between center roll support 14 and base 20 permitting the center roll support to be moved with respect to base 20. When pin 20E is opposite the next adjacent hole 14C in extension 14A it will extend outward through hole 14C and again lock center roll support 14 to base 20. This permits adjusting the relative extension of center roll support 14 with respect to end roll supports 16 and 18. This process can be repeated until the desired extension is obtained. This adjustment is made before roll 12 is loaded to ensure that loading the roll will not buckle or otherwise deform the roll.
The essence of this invention is allowing a single individual to load and transport a roll of relatively fragile plastic material without damage. The ability to adjust the supports prior to loading provides additional protection. The carrying belt can readily be placed upon a shoulder to provide hands free sturdy support. The ability to fold the telescoping extensions together greatly reduces the storage requirements. This is particularly important when transporting the apparatus. The particular means used to accomplish the roll support, to change the distance between the supports and lock the distances, the particular means used to change the relative locations of the center roll support and the end supports and the use of a carrying belt are merely illustrative of a variety of similar means that could accomplish the same result. As an example, a rod could be substituted for the carrying belt with similar results. The true scope of this invention therefore is defined by the appended claims.
It will be understood that this disclosure, in many respects, is only illustrative. Changes may be made in details, particularly in matters of shape, size, material, and arrangement of parts without exceeding the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is as defined in the language of the appended claims.
