U.S. patent application number 10/243728 was filed with the patent office on 2003-01-30 for dolly having multiple supports hingedly joined together.
This patent application is currently assigned to RUBBERMAID COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS LLC. Invention is credited to Demko, Craig J., Perelli, Thomas.
Application Number | 20030020261 10/243728 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25151068 |
Filed Date | 2003-01-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030020261 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Perelli, Thomas ; et
al. |
January 30, 2003 |
Dolly having multiple supports hingedly joined together
Abstract
A dolly for transporting multiple containers. The dolly is
provided with a plurality of casters which allow it to spin on its
footprint. Supports, each of which can carry a container, are
hinged together allowing the dolly to flex when encountering
alterations in flooring level. Also provided are large side wheels
which reduce the force necessary to push the dolly over a bump or
onto a floor which is at a higher elevation. When one support is
not carrying a container, the support can be rotated with the hinge
to a point at which it is approximately perpendicular to the
adjacent support and thereby approximately vertical to the floor.
Rotating one support to an approximately vertical position shortens
the dolly footprint and aids in storage. Moreover, a support which
is rotated to an approximately vertical position can be temporarily
maintained in that position by a lock.
Inventors: |
Perelli, Thomas;
(Winchester, VA) ; Demko, Craig J.; (Winchester,
VA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FOLEY AND LARDNER
SUITE 500
3000 K STREET NW
WASHINGTON
DC
20007
US
|
Assignee: |
RUBBERMAID COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS
LLC
|
Family ID: |
25151068 |
Appl. No.: |
10/243728 |
Filed: |
September 16, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10243728 |
Sep 16, 2002 |
|
|
|
09790560 |
Feb 23, 2001 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
280/651 ;
280/79.5 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B62B 3/02 20130101; B62B
2202/02 20130101; B62B 5/0083 20130101; Y10T 16/5408 20150115; B65F
1/1473 20130101; B62B 2301/08 20130101; B65F 1/1468 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
280/651 ;
280/79.5 |
International
Class: |
B62B 001/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A dolly for transporting multiple containers comprising: at
least two supports each having a top surface and an underside; at
least one wheel mounted to each of said at least two supports and
extending below the underside of each of said at least two
supports; at least two support mechanisms for supporting containers
positioned on the top surfaces of said at least two supports; and a
hinge, wherein a first of said at least two supports is attached to
a second of said at least two supports by said hinge.
2. The dolly according to claim 1, wherein the at least one wheel
mounted to each of the at least two supports and extending below
the underside of each of said at least two supports are
casters.
3. The dolly according to claim 1, wherein said hinge defines a
pivot line, and wherein at least one wheel is mounted along the
pivot line.
4. The dolly according to claim 3, wherein said wheels mounted to
each of the at least two supports and extending below the underside
of each of said at least two supports are casters, and wherein an
axis of rotation of said at least one wheel mounted along the pivot
line of the hinge is fixed with respect to the supports.
5 The dolly according to claim 4, wherein the dolly can rotate
360.degree. within a circle the diameter of which is the distance
between an end of the first of said at least two supports and an
end of the second of said at least two supports.
6. The dolly according to claim 1, further comprising: a locking
mechanism, that allows the first support to be maintained at an
angle with respect to the second support.
7. The dolly according to claim 1, wherein a first of said at least
two support mechanisms includes a first cylindrical boss which
extends perpendicularly upward from the top surface of the first of
said at least two supports, wherein first screw threads extend
outwardly from said first cylindrical boss, wherein a second of
said at least two support mechanisms includes a second cylindrical
boss which extends perpendicularly upward from the top surface of
the second of said at least two supports, and wherein second screw
threads extend outwardly from said second cylindrical boss.
8. The dolly according to claim 1, further comprising: a step
point, wherein a user can place a foot on the step point to hold
the dolly in a first fixed position when affixing a first of said
at least two containers to the dolly, and wherein the user can
place the foot on the step point to hold the dolly in a second
fixed position when removing the first of said at least two
containers from the dolly.
9. A dolly for transporting multiple containers comprising: at
least two supports each having a top surface configured to receive
a container and an underside, a first and a second of the supports
being connected so as to be pivotable relative to one another about
a pivot axis; a plurality of wheels, some of the wheels being
connected to a first of the at least two supports and extending
below the underside of the first of the at least two supports, some
of the wheels being connected to a second of the at least two
supports and extending below the underside of the second of the at
least two supports, and at least one of the wheels being
approximately coaxial with the pivot axis.
10. The dolly according to claim 9, wherein the first and the
second supports are connected by a hinge which defines the pivot
axis.
11. The dolly according to claim 10, wherein the second support
bends toward the first support by means of being hingedly connected
to the first support.
12. The dolly according to claim 11, further comprising: a locking
mechanism, that allows the first support to be maintained at an
angle with respect to the second support.
13. The dolly according to claim 9, wherein the wheels attached to
the at least two supports and extending below the undersides of the
at least two supports are casters.
14 The dolly according to claim 13, wherein the dolly can rotate
360.degree. within a circle the diameter of which is the distance
between an end of the first support and an end of the second
support.
15. The dolly according to claim 9, further comprising: at least
two support mechanisms for supporting at least two containers to
the top surfaces of the at least two supports.
16. The dolly according to claim 15, wherein a first of said at
least two support mechanisms includes a first cylindrical boss
which extends perpendicularly upward from the top surface of the
first of the at least two supports, wherein first screw threads
extend outwardly from said first cylindrical boss, wherein a second
of said at least two support mechanisms includes a second
cylindrical boss which extends perpendicularly upward from the top
surface of the second of the at least two support, and wherein
second screw threads extend outwardly from said second cylindrical
boss.
17. The dolly according to claim 9, further comprising: a step
point, wherein a user can place a foot on the step point to hold
the dolly in a first fixed position when affixing one of the
containers to the dolly, and wherein the user can place the foot on
the step point to hold the dolly in a second fixed position when
removing one of the containers from the dolly.
18. A method for storing multiple containers, said method
comprising the steps of: removing a first container from a dolly
which supports at least two containers; nesting the first container
in a second container supported by the dolly; rotating a portion of
the dolly which supported the first container toward a sidewall of
second container; and storing the dolly.
19. The method for storing multiple containers according to claim
18, further comprising: locking the portion of the dolly which
supported the first container in a position which defines an angle
with respect to a second portion of the dolly which supports the
second container.
20. The method for storing multiple containers according to claim
19, wherein the angle is between 75.degree. and 105.degree..
21. A locking mechanism for use on a dolly which carries multiple
containers, said locking mechanism comprising: a first hinge
portion having a plurality of first fingers, each having at least
one top beam and at least one bottom beam defining a first
plurality of spaces, and a plurality of first posts between each of
the first fingers; a second hinge portion having a plurality of
second fingers, each having at least one top beam and at least one
bottom beam defining a second plurality of spaces, and a plurality
of second posts between each of the second fingers; a block
attached to one of said first posts; and a bar journalled through
the plurality of first fingers and through the plurality of second
fingers thereby joining the first hinge portion and the second
hinge portion, wherein the first fingers are fixedly engaged with
the second posts and the second fingers are engaged with the first
posts when the block is positioned in one of the said plurality of
spaces.
22. The locking mechanism according to claim 21, wherein the first
post to which the block is attached is at an end of the first hinge
portion.
23. The locking mechanism according to claim 22, wherein when the
first hinge portion is rotated with respect to the second hinge
portion, the block becomes frictionally engaged with one of said
second fingers.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention relates to dollies having multiple supports
and, in particular, to dollies with supports that are hingedly
joined.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Typically, dollies carrying a container comprise a wheeled
platform to which a container is fixedly secured. For example, U.S.
Pat. No. 5,074,572, which is incorporated herein by reference,
issued to Delmerico et al. discloses a dolly which supports a
single refuse container.
[0005] While dollies of this nature work well for their intended
purpose, they have shortcomings. Often a user of such a dolly, such
as a maintenance technician, is compelled to use multiple
containers in performing his or her duties. For example, the
technician may need one container to transport refuse and another
container to transport recyclable goods. In addition, for those
involved solely in recycling, different containers may be needed to
transport each type of recyclable good (e.g., paper, plastic,
glass, etc.). A single dolly transporting one container thus fails
to satisfy the needs of these technicians.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 3,031,207 proposed a system in which two
dollies could be connect by means of a pair of linking members.
However, a rigid structure such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
3,031,207 lacks the ability to flex between the containers when one
container is pulled (or pushed) onto a flooring which is at a
different altitude (e.g., a threshold) whereas the other container
remains on the previous flooring. U.S. Pat. No. 4,313,612 proposed
a dolly system which inherently possesses the ability to flex
slightly between containers. However, the system proposed in the
U.S. Pat. No. 4,313,612 lacks the ability to temporarily rotate one
support to an angle which is vertical approximately vertical with
respect to the other horizontal support for purposes of storage. Of
greater concern in the design of the system proposed in the U.S.
Pat. No. 4,313,612 is the potential for the system to be disengaged
when one container is pulled onto a flooring which is at higher
altitude than the altitude of the flooring on which trailing
containers (attached to the container being pulled) rest. This
concern is warranted because the coupling therein may become
disengaged when the leading container is lifted.
[0007] Some technicians have opted to string together multiple
containers each of which is supported by a separate dolly. In
stringing together the containers, the technicians often tie a
handle of one container and to a handle on another container. The
shortcomings with this solution are immediately apparent. First,
the overall stability of the arrangement is poor. When pulling on a
lead container, a trailing container may be prone to tipping when
rounding a corner. Second, issues of sanitation are inherently
present. For instance, when emptying the contents of a trash can
into one of the containers, fluids and refuse may become trapped in
whatever instrument is used to tie the containers together.
[0008] Accordingly, there is a need for a dolly transport system
which is: (a) capable of transporting multiple containers; (b)
capable of flexing between the containers when pulling one
container onto a flooring with a different altitude; (c) stable and
more maneuverable when rounding corners; (d) which provides the
ability to rotate one platform with respect to an adjacent platform
for storage purposes; and/or (e) which reduces or eliminates
sanitation concerns.
SUMMARY
[0009] A solution to one or more of the aforementioned deficiencies
in the art can be obtained by the dolly herein described.
[0010] One embodiment of the invention contemplates a dolly for
transporting multiple containers having at least two supports each
of which has a top surface and an underside, at least one wheel
mounted to of each of said at least two supports and extending
below the underside of each of said at least two supports, at least
two support mechanisms for supporting containers to the top
surfaces of said at least two supports, and a hinge. In this
embodiment a first of the at least two supports is attached to a
second of the at least two supports by the hinge. Moreover, the
wheels mounted to extend below the undersides of the at least two
supports are preferably casters. In this embodiment the hinge
defines a pivot line along which at least one wheel is mounted; the
axis of rotation of this wheel is preferably fixed with respect to
the supports. A dolly according to the first embodiment can rotate
360.degree. within a circle the diameter of which is the distance
between an end of the first of said at least two supports and an
end of the second of said at least two supports.
[0011] This embodiment contemplates adding a locking mechanism that
allows the first support to be maintained at an angle with respect
to the second support. Moreover, the support mechanisms include a
first cylindrical boss which extends perpendicularly upward from
the top surface of the first supports and has screw threads
extending outwardly from the cylindrical boss. This embodiment may
further incorporate a step point on which a user can place a foot
to hold the dolly in a first fixed position when affixing a
container to the dolly, and on which the user can place the foot to
hold the dolly in a second fixed position when removing a container
from the dolly.
[0012] A second embodiment of a dolly has at least two supports
each having a top surface configured to receive a container and an
underside, a first and a second of the supports being connected so
as to be pivotable relative to one another about a pivot axis, a
plurality of wheels, some of the wheels being connected to a first
of the at least two supports and extending below the underside of
the first of the at least two supports, some of the wheels being
connected to a second of the at least two supports and extending
below the underside of the second of the at least two supports, and
at least one of the wheels being approximately coaxial with the
pivot axis. In this embodiment, the first and the second supports
are connected by a hinge which defines the pivot axis. Moreover,
the second support bends toward the first support by means of being
hingedly connected to the first support. This embodiment also
contemplates adding a locking mechanism that allows the first
support to be maintained at an angle with respect to the second
support. In addition, and also similar to the first embodiment, the
wheels mounted to extend below the undersides of the at least two
supports are preferably casters allowing the dolly to rotate
360.degree. within a circle the diameter of which is the distance
between an end of the first support and an end of the second
support.
[0013] The second embodiment may also include at least two support
mechanisms for supporting at least two containers to the top
surfaces of the at least two supports. The support mechanisms
include a cylindrical boss which extends perpendicularly upward
from the top surface of the supports and have screw threads
extending outwardly from the cylindrical boss.
[0014] Finally, the second embodiment may include a step point on
which a user can place a foot to hold the dolly in a first fixed
position when affixing a container to the dolly, and on which the
user can place a foot to hold the dolly in a second fixed position
when removing a container from the dolly.
[0015] The invention also contemplates a method for storing
multiple containers which includes removing a first container from
a dolly which supports at least two containers, nesting the first
container in a second container supported by the dolly, rotating a
portion of the dolly which supported the first container toward a
sidewall of second container, and storing the dolly. The method may
also include locking the portion of the dolly which supported the
first container in a position which defines an angle with respect
to a second portion of the dolly which supports the second
container. The angle is preferably between 75.degree. and
105.degree..
[0016] Another invention of the present application includes a
locking mechanism for use on a dolly which carries multiple
containers. A locking mechanism of this nature includes a first
hinge portion having a plurality of first fingers, each having at
least one top beam and at least one bottom beam defining a first
plurality of spaces, and a plurality of first posts between each of
the first fingers, a second hinge portion having a plurality of
second fingers, each having at least one top beam and at least one
bottom beam defining a second plurality of spaces, and a plurality
of second posts between each of the second fingers, a block
attached to one of said first posts, and a bar journalled through
the plurality of first fingers and through the plurality of second
fingers thereby joining the first hinge portion and the second
hinge portion. In this locking mechanism, the first fingers are
fixedly engaged with the second posts and the second fingers are
engaged with the first posts when the block is positioned in one of
the said plurality of spaces. In addition, the first post to which
the block is attached is preferably at an end of the first hinge
portion. Finally, in the the locked position, the block is
frictionally engaged with one of said second fingers.
[0017] A structural understanding of the aforementioned dolly will
be easier to appreciate when considering the detailed description
in light of the figures hereafter described.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] The accompanying figures, which are incorporated in and
constitute a part of the specification, illustrate presently
preferred embodiments of the invention. Together with the above
general description and the following detailed description, the
figures serve to explain the principles of the invention.
[0019] FIG. 1 is a topside perspective view of a dolly according to
the present invention without containers affixed thereto;
[0020] FIG. 2 is a topside perspective view of a dolly according to
the present invention showing two containers affixed thereto;
[0021] FIG. 3 is an underside perspective view of a dolly according
to the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 4A is a side view of the dolly as one platform is
pushed over a threshold and FIG. 4B is a side view of the dolly
when the center wheels are pushed over the threshold;
[0023] FIG. 5A is a topside perspective view of a dolly according
to the present invention showing how one support platform can be
rotated to an angle which is approximately vertical with respect to
the other horizontal support platform and FIG. 5B shows how one
container can be nested in another container which is attached to
the dolly for storage purposes;
[0024] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the dolly showing the hinge
lock;
[0025] FIG. 7 is an end view of the dolly showing the support
mechanism of one of the supports; and
[0026] FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing an underside of a
container designed to engage an support mechanism on the dolly.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0027] FIG. 1 shows a dolly 1 according to a preferred embodiment
of the present invention. The dolly 1 has two identical supports 2,
3 each of which supports a container 20, 21 (as shown in FIG. 2).
Supports 2, 3 are interconnected by a hinge 4 through which a bar 9
is slotted. Each support 2, 3 has an support mechanism 5, 6 which
is described in detail, infra, with respect to FIGS. 7-9. In
between the support mechanisms exists numerous step points 13 on
which a user can rest one of his feet when affixing a container 20,
21 to (or removing a container 20, 21 from) an support mechanism 5,
6.
[0028] Positioned on an underside of the supports 2, 3 are a
plurality of wheels 7 (shown best in FIG. 3) which are preferably
casters. In addition, center wheels 8 are joined to the dolly 1 and
are formed to rotate on a fixed axis of rotation defined by the bar
9. Essentially, the bar 9 serves as an axle for the wheels 8.
Center wheels 8 provide support to the dolly 1 preventing it from
sagging in a central portion thereof when one container 20, 21 is
placed on one support 2, 3. In a preferred arrangement, the casters
7 are positioned so that the dolly 1 can rotate within a circle the
diameter of which is the overall length of the dolly 1; such a
rotation is possible by means of the casters 7 and center wheels 8.
A rotation of this nature aids a user when maneuvering the dolly 1
in tight quarters.
[0029] As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the radius of the center wheels
8 is preferably larger than the radius of the wheels 7 formed into
the undersides of the supports 2, 3. By ensuring that the radius of
the center wheels 8 is larger than the radius of the wheels 7, a
user is better able to push the dolly 1 over a threshold 15 and
thereby onto a flooring 16 having a higher altitude than a second
flooring 17 on which a user stands and from which the user pushes
the dolly 1. This benefit is generated because the greater the
radius of a wheel (while keeping mass constant), the less the
torque required to rotate the wheel over a bump. Moreover, a
reduction in torque, in turn, reduces the force which a user must
apply to the dolly 1 to push it over a threshold 15.
[0030] As greater wheel radii reduce the torque necessary to push
the dolly 1, the easier it is for users of small stature to fully
use the dolly 1 and thereby perform their duties. However, an
increase in wheel radius is not the only way in which the currently
described dolly 1 serves to reduce the force necessary to push the
dolly 1 over a threshold.
[0031] The dolly 1 also has the ability to flex or pivot along the
axis of rotation defined by the bar 9. The flexing nature of the
dolly 1 is generated by the hinge 4. Accordingly, because the dolly
1 flexes along the hinge 4, the user must only provide enough force
to push the one support (carrying a container) over the threshold
15 at a time. In another words, when a user encounters a threshold
15, the force which must be applied is time dependent. The force
immediately necessary corresponds mainly to the weight supported by
the support 2 nearest the threshold 15. As shown in FIG. 4A, after
a support 2 and its container 20 are pushed over a threshold 15,
the weight contained in that container 20 is then fully supported
by the flooring 16 at the higher altitude. This is so because the
hinge 4 bends (in an angle shown at A) toward the flooring 17 on
which the user stands so that the wheels 7 of the leading support 2
fully contact the flooring 16 while the wheels 7 of the trailing
support 3, along with the center wheels 8, remain in contact with
the flooring 17.
[0032] As the user continues to push the dolly 1, the center wheels
8 easily roll over the threshold 15 due to their large radius. As
shown in FIG. 4B, at this point, the hinge 4 is bent in the
opposite direction so that the trailing support 3 remains in
contact with the flooring 17 on which it rests. The magnitude to
which the hinge bends in FIG. 4B (as shown as angle A) is the same
as the magnitude to which the hinge bends in FIG. 4A but it is in
the opposite direction. In addition, when the user pushes the
second support 3 over the threshold 15, the force necessary
corresponds mainly to the weight in the container 21 supported by
that second support 3.
[0033] As shown in FIG. 5A, the hinge 4 is also capable of bending
so that the support mechanism 6 of one support 3 moves closer to
the support mechanism 5 of the other support 2. In a preferred
embodiment, one support 3 can be rotated toward the other support 2
(by means of the hinge 4) to the point at which the support 3 being
rotated is at an angle between 75.degree. and 105.degree. with
respect to the support 2 which remains on the ground. As shown in
FIG. 5B, a user may chose to remove a container 21 which is
attached to a support 3 and nest it in the container 20 attached to
the other support 2. With the containers 20, 21 nested, the user
can rotate the support 3 which lacks a container to an angle
between 75.degree. and 105.degree. with respect to the other
support 2 and then roll the dolly 1 into a closet or other storage
location. Accordingly, the floor space necessary to store the dolly
1 is reduced by almost 50%.
[0034] It is also possible, and indeed is preferable, to
temporarily lock the support 3 rotated to the angle between
75.degree. and 105.degree.. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, a hinge
locking mechanism can be incorporated along the hinge 4. The hinge
4 is preferably defined by a plurality of fingers 31; ideally, each
support 2, 3 has three fingers 31. Each finger 31 comprises two top
beams 36 and one bottom beam 37 which circumscribe the bar 9; in
other words, the bar 9 is journalled through the top and bottom
beams. Between the top beams 36, and above the bar 9, is formed is
space 38 the functionality of which is hereafter described. Between
each finger 31 is a post 32.
[0035] When the supports 2, 3 are hinged together each finger 31 on
one support 2, 3 is aligned with a post 32 on the other support.
The hinge locking mechanism incorporates a block 33 which is formed
onto the post 32 closest to one side 35 of a support 2, 3; the
block is attached to the post in the direction of the bar 9. When
one support 3 is rotated toward the other support 2, the block 33
on the support 3 being rotated rides up on the corresponding finger
31 of the other support 2 and then falls into the space 38 formed
in that finger 31. As the block 33 rides up on the finger 31, the
support 3 being rotated is slightly tilted with respect to the bar
9 (as shown in FIG. 6). In other words, the side 34 of the support
3 away from the block 33 is titled close to the corresponding
center wheel 8 whereas the other side 35 of the support 3 is pushed
away from its corresponding center wheel 8 by the block 33.
[0036] Tilting the rotated support 3 in this fashion provides the
contact area necessary to provide sufficient friction to prevent
the support 3 from falling naturally, under the force of gravity,
back to the ground. To return the support 3 (which was rotated and
temporarily locked at an angle between 75.degree. and 105.degree.)
to the ground, the user need only to slightly lift the support 3 so
that the block 33 leaves the space 38; lifting the support 3 in
this fashion eliminates the contact between the block 33 of the
support 3 and the corresponding space 38 of the other support 2.
When the contact area is eliminated, pushing the support 3 toward
the ground will cause the support 3 to fall naturally (under the
force of gravity) to the ground.
[0037] Containers of various sizes can be attached to the supports
2, 3 by a number of different support mechanisms. A preferred
support mechanism 5, 6 is shown in FIGS. 1 and 7. As shown in FIG.
7, a cylindrical boss 51 extends upwardly from the top surface 12
of the dolly 1, and is provided with external (i.e., male) screw
threads 52.
[0038] The support mechanisms 5, 6 are ideally designed to engage
containers 20, 21 hereafter described. Although the following
describes the relationship between one container 20 and one support
mechanism 5 of the dolly 1, it is to be understood that the second
container 21 engages the second support mechanism 6 in the same
fashion. The upstanding walls 23 of a container 20 are preferably
circular in shape. The bottom surface 60 of the container 20 has a
central region which is circular in shape. In addition, the bottom
surface 60 preferably has a pair of opposing grip recesses 22
formed therein to allow a user to lift a the container 20 easily
when it is not attached to the dolly 1. A centrally disposed
cylindrical socket 61 extends into the bottom surface 60 as shown
in FIG. 8. The socket 61 includes internal (i.e., female) screw
threads 62 integrally formed from socket side walls 63. The socket
side walls 63 have a top edge which is generally coplanar with the
bottom surface 60 of the container 20.
[0039] Engagement of the container 20 to the support mechanism 5 is
as follows. As will be appreciated from FIGS. 8 and 9, the dolly 1
is attached by screwing external screw threads 52 into the internal
screw threads 62 of the socket 61 of the container 20. The
cylindrical boss 51 of the support mechanism 5 is inserted into the
socket 61 and a rotation of the container 20 relative to the dolly
1 initiates the screw threaded support. At this point, rotational
movement between the dolly 1 and the container 20 is terminated,
and the dolly 1 is rigidly affixed to the underside of the
container 20 by screw threaded support.
[0040] Many obvious alterations can be made to the invention herein
described. For example, the hinge can be formed to allow one
support to bend 180.degree. onto the other support to reduce
shipping costs or to make it easier for a user to carry the dolly
when no containers are attached thereto. In addition, although the
dolly has been described as having two casters under each support,
the number of casters (and their location) is largely a matter of
user preference. Moreover, casters could be used as center wheels.
It is also possible to provide a different: (a) support mechanism
for engaging containers to the support; (b) lock for temporarily
maintaining one support at an angle between 75.degree. and
105.degree. with respect to the other; or (c) step lock brake
mechanism by which movement of the dolly may be temporarily
prevented.
[0041] Although the aforementioned described a preferred embodiment
of the invention, the invention is not so restricted. The foregoing
description is for exemplary purposes only and is not intended to
be limiting. Accordingly, alternatives which would be obvious to
one of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the teachings herein
disclosed, are hereby within the scope of this invention. The
invention is limited only as defined in the following claims and
equivalents thereof.
* * * * *