Patent Application
20230081484
The present invention relates to a dolly system useable for transporting garbage cans, trash bins, bulk food ingredient bins, or the like, and more particularly, to a dolly system that is constructed to cooperate with respective bulk material bins in a manner that mitigates inadvertent or unintended separation between discrete bins and a respective underlying dolly, can include an optional brake system that allows more forceful interaction with the respective bin and dolly assembly without effectuating translation the bin and dolly relative to a floor surface, and is constructed to accommodate securing of the dolly assembly to additional dolly assemblies and/or other structures, such as janitorial carts or the like, to improve transportation of one or more dolly assemblies and associated bulk material bins through tight quarters.
A number of environments require the periodic conveyance of bulk materials or trash or refuse storage or transport containers to various areas associated with remote collection of such materials. For purposes of this disclosure, and for ease of reference, transport of bulk materials or garbage or trash bins will be used by way of example. However, this is not meant to limit the application of the present invention to trash or any other particular bulk collection or transport container or storage or transport therefor.
Commonly, commercial food and beverage, hospitality, and educational environments require the periodic collection of trash or other refuse from more rigidly fixed trash collection structures. Janitorial staff commonly travel about the respective environments and collect trash or other refuse collected in common areas such as food courts, class or hotel rooms, concession areas or the like and transport the collected refuse to disposal sites such as dumpsters or the like. Transportation of the waste collection containers requires transport of the bulk containers in a manner that limits or reduces unintended spills or separation of the containers from an underlying dolly, and conveying the containers in a convenient manner to limit the physical requirements or efforts of staff responsible for collecting and disposing of the trash. The movement of bulk trash collection containers in such environments also commonly requires consideration as to the storage and movement of the containers and dollies throughout the respective environments due to the limited space available in behind-the-scenes areas, such doorways as well as janitorial closets or the like, associated with many such environments. Considerations similar to those above also relate to the transport of bulk ingredients in multiple environments wherein manual carried transport of larger volumes of cooking and/or baking materials can be arduous or difficult for service or staff personnel.
Most commonly, bulk material transport, such as trash collection operations, are effectuated by the transporting of the discrete collection bins throughout the environment by staff personnel who repeatedly travel to and from between bulk trash sources or storage areas and the vicinity of the trash generation. The size of the trash bins, the physical capability of staff, spatial tolerances along the available route(s), and the rate of trash generation all contribute to the number of trips as well as staff required to adequately effectuate the trash removal and cleaning activities. Such considerations are equally germane to the transport of bulk dry and/or wet food stuff materials between storage locations and cooking or baking locations and/or subsequent cooking, baking, and storing operations.
In an effort to expedite transportation throughout the respective environments and mitigate or reduce the physical capabilities required to effectuate such activities, others provide wheeled carts or dollies that are configured to transport multiple bins per trip. While such systems allow a single staff person to transport greater quantities of materials than can commonly by carried by the same staff person, such systems are not without their respective drawbacks. One such system includes a wheeled platform that is shaped to cooperate with a plurality of discrete containers or carts but such methodologies commonly only allow transport of a single bulk container are/or have been found to be somewhat unwieldable as the janitorial and/or kitchen staff personal traverse the respective environments. That is, such systems are susceptible to tipping and/or undesired and unanticipated separation between the bins and the underlying rolling transport device due to the various manipulations of the device assembly during transit throughout the working environment and user interaction therewith during the respective collection and/or transport operations.
Still further, such systems are susceptible to non-assisted translation of the transport devices during user inaction therewith. That is, personnel interacting with the bulk transport devices tend to move during loading and/or dumping operations which can result in the undesired spillage of the contents associated with the bulk material bins to areas surrounding the bulk transport device. To resolve such shortcomings, others provide bulk material transport devices that are provided in relatively large footprint assemblies thereby rendering the dolly and associated bin ill-suited or even unusable for use in the somewhat cramped quarters or passages associated with many behind the scenes areas, such as doorways of janitorial spaces, kitchen areas, or the like, associated with such environments. Still further, when used for cleaning operations, such operations commonly require the transport of both a bulk trash collection device as well as cleaning supplies attenuate to the cleaning operations. Concurrent transportation of multiple discrete and independently movable rollable devices detracts from efficient utilization of the time and energy of personnel during discrete service events.
In view of the variety of shortcomings discussed above, there is a need for a bulk material bin transport device that provides a robust and secure, but readily manually severable, connection methodology between the discrete bins and the underlying transport dolly. In certain circumstances, there is also a need for a bulk material bin transport assembly that can be quickly and expeditiously converted between freely moveable operation and a generally non-movable operation when desired. There is a further need for a bulk material bin transport assembly that allows for the selective concurrent transport of multiple rolling devices to improve the efficiency, sanitation, and safety with which staff or other personnel can convey respective bulk material bin assemblies throughout a respective environment.
The present invention discloses a bulk material bin dolly system or dolly assembly that overcomes one or more of the drawbacks mentioned above. The dolly system is constructed to removeably cooperate with a bulk material bin to facilitate convenient rolling transport of the bin associated therewith. The dolly system includes a base having a plurality of caster wheels connected thereto. A bin facing side of the base includes a boss and one or more threads that are shaped to index a respective bulk material bin relative to the base and, when engaged with one another, restrict axial translation between the bin and the base, respectively. A moveable catch is provided between the base and the bin associated therewith and is operable to resist inadvertent opposite rotational translation between the bin and the base. In a preferred aspect, an optional actuator or brake assembly is connected to the base and is moveable between a stowed position and an engaged position. When in the engaged position, the optional actuator assembly resists translation and/or tipping of the assembly relative to a floor surface. In a preferred aspect, the dolly assembly includes an optional bracket or connector rod that is constructed to secure multiple dollies to one another to facilitate convenient concurrent transport of multiple bins.
Another aspect of the present application disclosed a bulk material bin dolly system having a base that includes an upward facing surface and a floor facing surface. A plurality of caster wheels are engaged with the base and extend away from the floor facing surface of the base. A boss extends from the upward facing surface of the base and at least one thread section extends in a radial direction from a sidewall of the boss. The thread section is constructed to cooperate with a thread section defined by a bulk material bin and configured to resist axial translation between the base and the bin when the bin is engaged with the base. At least one catch is defined by the base and is offset in a radial direction from the boss. The at least one catch is constructed to engage a toothed interface defined by the bin when the boss is engaged therewith so that cooperation of the at least catch and the toothed interface resists inadvertent or unintended rotation of the respective bin relative to the base when the bin is engaged therewith.
A further aspect of the application discloses a material bin dolly assembly that includes a base having a plurality of caster wheels attached to a floor facing side of the base. A hub extends in an upward direction from a bin facing side of the base. At least one ridge extends in an outward radial direction from the hub such that a first end of the at least one ridge is nearer a top surface of the hub than a second end of the at least one ridge. The assembly includes a connector bracket that removeably cooperates with the base and extends in an outward direction therefrom beyond a perimeter of the base when connected to the base such that a free end of the connector bracket can be selectively secured to another base. In a further aspect, the material bin dolly assembly includes an optional brake bracket that extends in a downward direction from the base and an actuator or support that is connected to a downwardly extending end of the brake bracket and is movably connected thereto such that the support can move between a first position wherein the support engages a floor, and/or is oriented to be stepped upon by a user, and a second position wherein the support extends along a portion of the bracket that is offset from the floor surface.
Another aspect of the present application discloses a method of forming a bulk material bin dolly assembly that includes providing a base and forming a hub on a bin facing side of the base. A partial thread is formed on a radially outward facing side of the hub so that a bin can be removeably engaged with the base and partially rotated in a first direction relative to the base to engage the partial thread to restrict axial movement of the bin relative to the base. A catch is also formed between the base and the bin so that the catch can deflect in an axial direction during rotation of the bin relative to the base and is operable to resist rotation of the bin in a second direction opposite the first direction.
Various other aspects, objects, features, and advantages of the applkication will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the present invention, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the present invention without departing from the spirit thereof, and the invention includes all such modifications. Other features, objects, aspects, and advantages of the invention made apparent from the following description taken together with the drawings. It is further appreciated that the various features, aspects, objects, and advantages disclosed above are not mutually exclusive to the specific aspects of the invention such that the various discrete features, aspects, objects, and advantages are usable and/or combinable with other another.
The drawings illustrate the best mode presently contemplated of carrying out the invention.
In the drawings:
Bulk material bin 22 is defined by a body 26 that extends between an upper end 28 and a lower end 30 that is constructed to removably cooperate with a respective underlying dolly assembly 24, 24′. Depending upon the shape, size, and commodity intended to be contained therein, body 26 of bin 22 preferably includes one or more handles 32, 34 positioned proximate upper end 28 and one or more grip sites 36 disposed proximate a lower or dolly facing end 30. It is further appreciated that bin 22 may include a selectively openable lid or cover and/or a removable lid or cover associated with selectively closing the opening associated with the upper end 28 thereof depending upon the intended use and/or the contents intended to be disposed within bin 22. The relative orientation and construction of optional handles 32, 34 and/or optional grip sites 36 facilitates convenient ergonomic user interaction with bin 22 during association and/or disassociation of bin 22 relative to an underlying dolly assembly 24 as well as during transport and/or dumping operations thereof. As disclosed further below with respect to
Referring to
As shown in
A plurality of caster bosses 100 are defined by each of respective bases 46, 46′ of each of dolly assemblies 24, 24′. Caster bosses 100 are disposed radially inboard and circumferentially dispersed about a perimeter 56 of each of bases 46, 46′. Respective caster wheel assemblies 102 preferably snap-fittingly cooperate with respective caster bosses 100 such that the wheels associated with each caster assembly extends from the respective floor facing surface 50, 50′ defined by the corresponding base 46, 46′ and engage the underlying floor 104. Each caster wheel assembly 102 is preferably 360° rotational relative to discrete axis that are aligned with axis 42 when the discrete wheels are engaged with floor surface 104 to facilitate convenient transport of the respective dolly assemblies 24, 24′ and the bin or bins 22 associated therewith. It is however appreciated that one or more of caster wheel assemblies 102 may be provided in a fixed rotational orientation so as to define a generally linear direction of travel of respective dolly assemblies 24, 24′ when desired. It is further appreciated that one or more of caster wheel assemblies 102 may be provided with a lockable/unlockable functionality for those applications wherein it is desired to periodically fix the relative position of the respective bases 46, 46′ relative to a floor surface.
Referring to
Each connection arm 130, 132 includes a respective opening 134 that is disposed proximate the respective longitudinal or free ends thereof. Each of openings 134 are constructed to cooperate with a respective post 112, 112′, 114, 114′ associated with adjacent dolly assemblies 24, 24′ to provide a secure but removable connection between at least two adjacent bases 46, 46′. Each connection arm 130, 132 selectively removeably cooperates with at least two respective projections, channels, or posts 112, 112′, 114, 114′ associated with adjacent dolly assemblies 24, 24′ so as to effectuate the convenient connection of multiple bases 46, 46′ and/or the connection of discrete bases 46, 46′ to adjacent structures, such as a janitorial or ancillary food service carts or the like, to effectuate the convenient and concurrent transport of multiple wheeled devices and/or dolly assemblies 24, 24′ when desired as shown in
It is further appreciated that other connection methodologies between arms 130, 132 and discrete bases can be employed. For instance, it is appreciated that one or more of the connections between arms 130, 132 and discrete bases 46, 46′ could be provided in a limited slideable or movable methodology such as a pin and pocket or channel association. Such a construction would maintain the desired secure and concurrently moveable interaction between the discrete bases but provide for limited translation therebetween. Such a consideration would improve the ability of the multiple dolly system to tolerate uneven floor surfaces, ramps, and/or thresholds associated with the operating environment without allowing separation between the connected dolly assemblies. Although shown as extending between a pair of discrete bases 46, 46′, it is further appreciated that connection arms 130, 132 could be constructed to cooperate with discrete bases 46, 46′ so as to extend in crossing or opposite directions from a respective discrete base such that multiple bases in excess of two bases could be operatively selectively secured to one another when such a configuration is desired.
Referring to
A pair of posts 150, 152 extend from opposite lateral sides of downwardly depending portion 148 of optional bracket 142 and are constructed to receive an optional brake or support body 154 thereat. A pair of projections 156, 158 extend from the upwardly directed surface of support body 154 and define respective channels 159, 161 shaped to snap fittingly or otherwise tool-lessly cooperate with respective posts 150, 152 of optional bracket 142 in a manner that allows rotation of support body 154 relative to bracket 142. Said in another way, optional support body 154 is constructed to engage optional bracket 142 so as to be rotatable between a first or stowed position (as shown in
When in the deployed orientation, optional support body 154 is disposed radially outward relative to a footprint defined by operation of caster wheels 102 and is oriented to be stepped upon by the user so as to thereby secure respective dolly assemblies 24, 24′ relative to the underlying floor surface 104 to mitigate translation of one or more of dolly assemblies 24, 24′ during user interaction with bin 22 and/or removal or placement of discrete bins relative to the one or more underlying dolly assemblies. That is, when stepped upon, optional support body 154 renders one or more respective dolly assemblies 24, 24′ incapable of translation relative to floor surface 104. The radially outward orientation of optional support body 154 relative to the footprint defined by caster wheel assemblies 102 further provides greater tipping resistance associated with user interaction with the transport system 20 and/or the bin 22 associated therewith. As shown in
Referring to
During association of a respective bin 22 with an underlying dolly assembly 24, 24′ thread portions 164, 166, 168, 170 are aligned with respective gaps 175 defined in sidewalls 54 of respective bosses 52, 52′ and disposed between adjacent thread portions 62, 64, 66, 68 such that the respective thread portions 62, 64, 66, 68 defined by respective dolly assemblies 24, 24′ can be oriented axially above the respective planes defined by thread portions 164, 166, 168, 170 defined by respective bin 22 and such that teeth 180 defined by respective rail or toothed interfaces 176, 178 associated with bin 22 interferingly cooperate with teeth 90 of respective catches 80, 82, 84, 86 of the underlying dolly assembly 24, 24′. User rotation of bin 22 in direction 38 (
The interfering cooperation between thread portion 62, 64, 66, 68 and thread portions 164, 166, 168, 170 of an overlying bin 22 restrict axial translation of bin 22 in an upward direction, indicated by arrow 186, relative to the underlying dolly assembly 24, 24′ when bin 22 is engaged therewith. When necessary or desired to separate bin 22 from an underlying dolly assembly 24, 24′, user interaction with discrete bases 46, 46′, one or more of the discrete caster assemblies associated therewith, and/or with the optional brake assembly 144 and/or stepped upon engagement with optional support body 154, when provided, allows the introduction of a counterclockwise rotational force in direction 40 (
That is, the construction of the generally centrally oriented structures of bases 46, 46′ are the same as of those same structures associated with bases 202, 202′. The body or base 202, 202′ of each dolly assembly 200, 200′ defines an upper or bin facing surface 194, 194′ and a lower or floor facing surface 196, 196′ that each extend along the opposite sides thereof. Bin facing surface 194, 194′ includes a projection or a boss 52, 52′ that is generally centrally disposed relative to bin facing surface 194, 194′. Boss 52, 52′ includes an upstanding wall 54, 54′ formed between a perimeter 232, 232′ of bin facing surface 194, 194′ and a perimeter 58, 58′ associated with a top surface 60, 60′ of projection 52, 52′. One or more projections or thread portions 62, 64, 66, 68 extend in an outward radial direction from the upstanding wall 54, 54′ associated with each respective boss 52, 52′. Although four thread sections or portions are shown, it is appreciated that bosses 52, 52′ could be provided with other numbers of thread portions. As disclosed further above with respect to
As shown in
A bin facing side 218, 218′ of each base 202, 202′ includes a first groove or channel 220, 220′ and a second groove or channel 222, 222′ that extend along an imaginary secant, indicated by lines 224, 226, that is radially outboard of the respective boss 52, 52′ and catches 80, 82, 84, 86; 80′, 82′, 84′, 86′ of the respective base 202, 202′ so as to not interfere with the selective cooperation of a discrete bin 22 therewith when desired. Each of channels 220, 220′, 222, 222′ extend from a respective closed end 228 to a respective open end 230 that extends through a perimeter 232, 232′ of the respective base 202, 202′. Although generally parallel to one another and oriented such that the respective open ends 230 face in a common direction relative to each discrete base 202, 202′, it is appreciated that channels 220, 220′, 222, 222′ could be oriented to extend in crossing directions relative to one another and/or be constructed to extend between a pair of open ends associated with the perimeter of the discrete base 202, 202′ so as facilitate the concurrent connection of more than two bases 202, 202′ relative to another and in either of an aligned train-like orientation and/or an orientation wherein the discrete connected bases 202, 202′ are oriented at offset relative angles relative to one another.
As shown in
Like connector brackets 130, 132, when respective portions of connector brackets 204, 206 are disposed in respective channels 220, 220′, 222, 222′, and posts 234 are engaged with respective openings 214, 216 of a respective connector bracket 204, 206, connector brackets 204, 206 extend a distance beyond perimeter 232, 232′ of respective bases 202, 202′ so as to allow the opposing or respective free end of the respective connector bracket 204, 206 to engage the respective channel 220, 220′, 222, 222′ and post 234 of an adjacent base 202, 202′ and at a distance sufficient to allow discrete bins 22 to be associated and dissociated from either of the respective bases 202, 202′ when desired.
Unlike when connector brackets 130, 132 are engaged with bases 46, 46′, when connector brackets 204, 206 are engaged with discrete bases 202, 202′, and discrete bins 22 are associated therewith, connector brackets 130, 132 are captured in respective portions of channels 220, 220′, 222, 222′ between the respective base 202, 202′ and the underside of the overlying bin 22 associated therewith and prevent inadvertent or unintended disengagement of respective connection brackets 204, 206 from the respective posts 234 and respective channels 220, 220′, 222, 222′ thereby preventing inadvertent dissociation of connected bases 202, 202′. When dissociating previously connected bases 202, 202′, upon removal of an associated bin 22, respective connector brackets 130, 132 can be dissociated from the respective groove 220, 220′, 222, 222′ such that the respective bases 202, 202′ can be independently freely translated relative to one another. It is further appreciated that the generally T-shaped cross section shape of connection brackets 204, 206, the horizontal orientation of the larger cross section dimension associated therewith, and the elongate engagement between connections brackets 204, 206 with the respective opposing upstanding walls defined by respective channels 220, 220′, 222, 222′ each contribute to providing a robust connection methodology associated with the connection of discrete bases 202, 202′ to effectuate concurrent motion thereof via user interaction with a single base 202, 202′ and/or a discrete bin 22 associated therewith.
Dolly assemblies 24, 24′, 200, 200′ each provide a convenient methodology with which respective bulk material bin dollies can be associated and secured to one another and/or secured to other ancillary janitorial equipment, such as kitchen and/or janitorial carts or the like, so that one or more bins 22 can be conveniently and expeditiously associated and dissociated from an underlying dolly assembly 24, 24′, 200, 200′ when not desired or necessary, provide a bin transport assembly 20, 198 that resists inadvertent, unintended, or unanticipated separation between the respective bin 22 and an underlying dolly assembly 24, 24′, 200, 200′ and a transport assembly 20, 198 which resists inadvertent, unintended, or unanticipated translation of the respective dolly assemblies 24, 24′, 200, 200′ and associated bin 22 during user interaction therewith.
Therefore, one embodiment of the invention includes a bulk material bin dolly system or bin dolly assembly that is constructed to removeably cooperate with a bulk material bin to facilitate convenient rolling transport of the bin associated therewith. The dolly system includes a base having a plurality of caster wheels connected thereto. A bin facing side of the base includes a boss and one or more threads that are shaped to index a respective bin relative to the base and, when engaged with one another, restrict axial translation between the bin and the base, respectively. A catch is defined by the base and engages the bin to resist opposite rotational translation between the bin and the base. An optional actuator, pedal, or brake assembly can be connected to the base and is moveable between a stowed position and an engaged position. When in the engaged position, the optional brake assembly resists translation and/or tipping of the assembly relative to a floor surface. In another aspect, the dolly assembly can include a bracket or connector rod that is constructed to secure multiple dollies to one another to facilitate convenient transport of multiple bins.
Another embodiment of the application that is usable or combinable with one or more aspects or features of the above embodiment includes a bulk material bin dolly system having a base that includes an upward facing surface and a floor facing surface. A plurality of caster wheels are engaged with the base and extend away from the floor facing surface of the base. A boss extends from the upward facing surface of the base and at least one thread section extends in a radial direction from a sidewall of the boss. The thread section is constructed to cooperate with a thread section defined by a bin and configured to resist axial translation between the base and the bin when the bin is engaged with the base. At least one catch is defined by the base and is offset in a radial direction from the boss. The at least one catch is constructed to engage a toothed interface defined by the bin when the boss is engaged therewith so that cooperation of the at least catch and the toothed interface resists rotation of the trash bin relative to the base when the bin is engaged therewith.
A further embodiment of the invention that is useable or combinable with one or more of the features or aspects of the above embodiments includes a bin dolly assembly that includes a base having a plurality of caster wheels attached to a floor facing side of the base. A hub extends in an upward direction from a bin facing side of the base. At least one ridge extends in an outward radial direction from the hub such that a first end of the at least one ridge is nearer a top surface of the hub than a second end of the at least one ridge. In one aspect, an optional bracket is secured to a radial edge of the base and extends in a downward direction therefrom and an optional support is connected to a downwardly extending end of the bracket and movably connected thereto such that the optional support can move between a first position wherein the optional support engages a floor and a second position wherein the optional support extends along a portion of the optional bracket that is offset from the floor surface.
Another embodiment of the invention that is usable or combinable with the above embodiments is a method of forming a bulk material bin dolly assembly that includes providing a base and forming a hub on a bin facing side of the base. A partial thread is formed on a radially outward facing side of the hub so that a bin can be removeably engaged with the base and partially rotated in a first direction relative to the base to engage the partial thread to restrict axial movement of the bin relative to the base. A catch is also formed on the base so that the catch can deflect in an axial direction during rotation of the bin relative to the base and resists rotation of the bin in a second direction opposite the second direction.
Various aspects of the invention are described in detail with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals, including use of the “______′” numeral designations, represent like parts and assemblies throughout the several views. Reference to one embodiment does not limit the scope of the claims attached hereto. Additionally, any examples set forth in this specification are not intended to be limiting and merely set forth some of the many possible embodiments for the appended claims.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/261,172 filed on Sep. 14, 2021 titled “TRASH BIN DOLLY SYSTEM” the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated herein.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63261172 | Sep 2021 | US |
