U.S. patent application number 11/086244 was filed with the patent office on 2006-08-31 for car dolly apparatus and method.
Invention is credited to Eric Adamson, Rodd Joos, Scott Opsahl.
Application Number | 20060192060 11/086244 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36931196 |
Filed Date | 2006-08-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060192060 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Opsahl; Scott ; et
al. |
August 31, 2006 |
Car dolly apparatus and method
Abstract
An apparatus and method for supporting a vehicle by
accommodating large loads and a variety of floor gradients while
preventing shifting and slippage during use. The apparatus
comprises a main frame assembly, a height adjustment mechanism
disposed in the main frame assembly, and a plurality of casters
mounted on the main frame assembly to provide mobility. The
apparatus may also comprise a clamping feature to secure a pinch
weld section of a vehicle.
Inventors: |
Opsahl; Scott; (Lakeville,
MN) ; Joos; Rodd; (Lauderdale, MN) ; Adamson;
Eric; (Owantonna, MN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BAKER & HOSTETLER LLP
WASHINGTON SQUARE, SUITE 1100
1050 CONNECTICUT AVE. N.W.
WASHINGTON
DC
20036-5304
US
|
Family ID: |
36931196 |
Appl. No.: |
11/086244 |
Filed: |
March 23, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60655910 |
Feb 25, 2005 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
248/128 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B62B 5/0083 20130101;
B62B 2202/90 20130101; B60S 13/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
248/128 |
International
Class: |
A47K 1/04 20060101
A47K001/04 |
Claims
1-37. (canceled)
38. An apparatus for supporting a vehicle comprising: a main frame
assembly having a tubular mounting structure, a plurality of
tubular extensions rigidly attached to and extending from the
tubular mounting structure, and a plurality of caster mounting
plates rigidly coupled to the plurality of tubular extensions; a
height adjustment mechanism having a portion disposed within the
tubular mounting structure and a first vehicle mounting support
coupled thereto; and a plurality of casters mounted on the
plurality of caster mounting plates.
39. The apparatus of claim 38, further comprising: a vehicle
support mounting plate support rigidly coupled between the height
adjustment mechanism and the first vehicle mounting support,
wherein a second vehicle mounting support is coupled to the vehicle
support mounting plate.
40. The apparatus of claim 39, wherein the first vehicle mounting
support further comprises a plurality of orifices for accommodating
a device to facilitate translational movement.
41. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the second vehicle mounting
support is adjustably coupled to the vehicle support mounting plate
and the first vehicle mounting support.
42. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein the second vehicle mounting
support further comprises a plurality of orifices corresponding to
a respective plurality of orifices of the first vehicle mounting
support for accommodating the device to facilitate translational
movement.
43. The apparatus of claim 42, wherein a portion of the device to
facilitate translational movement is inserted through the plurality
of orifices of the first vehicle mounting support and through a
corresponding plurality of orifices of the second vehicle mounting
support, such that the distance between the first vehicle mounting
support and the second vehicle mounting support is adjustable.
44. The apparatus of claim 43, wherein the device to facilitate
translational movement comprises a nut and bolt assembly.
45. The apparatus of claim 38, wherein the first vehicle mounting
support further comprises a top surface, wherein a cushion material
is attached to the top surface to protect the supported surface of
the vehicle.
46. The apparatus of claim 45, wherein the first vehicle mounting
support further comprises an inner surface, wherein the cushion
material is attached to the inner surface to protect the supported
surface of the vehicle.
47. The apparatus of claim 39, wherein the second vehicle mounting
support further comprises a top surface and an inner surface,
wherein a cushion material is attached to the top surface and the
inner surface to protect the supported surface of the vehicle.
48. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein the cushion material is a
neoprene pad.
49. The apparatus of claim 38, further comprising: a plurality of
height adjustment insertion holes disposed in the tubular mounting
structure; a corresponding plurality of height adjustment insertion
holes disposed in the height adjustment mechanism; and an insertion
pin capable of inserting through one of the plurality of height
adjustment insertion holes of the tubular mounting structure and
one of the corresponding plurality of height adjustment insertion
holes of the height adjustment mechanism.
50. The apparatus of claim 38, wherein a pivoting vehicle support
mounting plate is pivotably coupled between the height adjustment
mechanism and the first vehicle mounting support, wherein a second
vehicle mounting support is coupled to the pivoting vehicle support
mounting plate.
51. The apparatus of claim 50, further comprising: an insertion
hole disposed on the pivoting vehicle support mounting plate; and
an insertion pin capable of inserting through the insertion hole of
the pivoting vehicle support mounting plate and a hole in the
height adjustment mechanism, such that the pivoting vehicle support
mounting plate is capable of pivoting about an axis of the height
adjustment mechanism.
52. The apparatus of claim 50, wherein the first vehicle mounting
support further comprises a plurality of orifices for accommodating
a device to facilitate translational movement.
53. The apparatus of claim 52, wherein the second vehicle mounting
support is adjustably coupled to the vehicle support mounting plate
and the first vehicle mounting support.
54. The apparatus of claim 53, wherein the second vehicle mounting
support further comprises a plurality of orifices corresponding to
a respective plurality of orifices of the first vehicle mounting
support for accommodating the device to facilitate translational
movement.
55. The apparatus of claim 54, wherein a portion of the device to
facilitate translational movement is inserted through the plurality
of orifices of the first vehicle mounting support and through a
corresponding plurality of orifices of the second vehicle mounting
support, such that the distance between the first vehicle mounting
support and the second vehicle mounting support is adjustable.
56. The apparatus of claim 55, wherein the device to facilitate
translational movement comprises a nut and bolt assembly.
57. The apparatus of claim 50, wherein the first vehicle mounting
support further comprises a top surface, wherein a cushion material
is attached to the top surface to protect the supported surface of
the vehicle.
58. The apparatus of claim 57, wherein the second vehicle mounting
support further comprises a top surface and an inner surface,
wherein the cushion material is attached to the top surface and the
inner surface to protect the supported surface of the vehicle.
59. The apparatus of claim 38, wherein the casters are made from a
hard plastic or steel.
60. The apparatus of claim 38, wherein the main frame assembly
having three tubular extensions.
61. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein the three tubular extensions
are mounted equidistance from each other on the tubular mounting
structure.
62. A system for supporting a vehicle comprising: means for
adjusting a height of the support system having a first means for
mounting a vehicle, wherein the mounting means is coupled to the
adjusting means; a frame means for supporting the adjusting means
having a plurality of tubular extensions rigidly attached to and
extending from the frame means and a plurality of rolling mounting
means rigidly attached to the tubular extensions, wherein a portion
of the adjusting means is disposed in the frame means; and means
for rolling mounted on the rolling mounting means.
63. The system of claim 62, further comprising: means for
supporting the mounting means, wherein the support means is rigidly
coupled between the height adjusting means and the mounting
means
64. The system of claim 62, further comprising a clamping means
coupled to the support means.
65. The system of claim 64, wherein the clamping means comprises:
the first mounting means rigidly attached to the supporting means,
the first mounting means having a plurality of orifices for
accommodating a device to facilitate translational movement; and a
second mounting means coupled to the supporting means and the first
mounting means, the second mounting means having a plurality of
orifices corresponding to a respective plurality of orifices of the
first mounting means for accommodating the device to facilitate
translational movement.
66. The system of claim 65, wherein a portion of the device to
facilitate translational movement is inserted through the plurality
of orifices of the first mounting means and through a corresponding
plurality of orifices of the second mounting means, such that the
distance between the first mounting means and the second mounting
means is adjustable.
67. The system of claim 66, wherein the device to facilitate
translational movement means comprises a nut and bolt assembly.
68. The system of claim 65, wherein the first mounting means
further comprises a top surface and an inner surface, wherein a
cushion material is attached to the top surface and the inner
surface to protect the supported surface of the vehicle.
69. The system of claim 68, wherein the second mounting means
further comprises a top surface and an inner surface, wherein a
cushion material is attached to the top surface and the inner
surface to protect the supported surface of the vehicle.
70. The system of claim 62, wherein a pivotable supporting means is
pivotably coupled to the height adjusting means and the support
means.
71. A method of supporting a vehicle comprising: providing a main
frame assembly having a tubular mounting structure, a plurality of
tubular extensions rigidly attached to and extending from the
tubular mounting structure, a plurality of caster mounting plates
rigidly attached to the plurality of tubular extensions, a
plurality of casters mounted thereto, wherein a height adjustment
mechanism having at least a portion of the height adjustment
mechanism disposed in the main frame assembly and a first vehicle
mounting support coupled thereto; adjusting a vehicle to a
preferred height; adjusting the height adjustment mechanism to the
preferred height to support the body of the vehicle; rolling the
main frame assembly under a body of the vehicle; and lowering the
vehicle onto the main frame assembly.
72. The method of claim 71, further comprising: adjusting a
clamping mechanism of the height adjustment mechanism; inserting a
portion of the body of the vehicle within the clamping mechanism;
and adjusting the clamping mechanism to secure the inserted body
portion.
73. An apparatus for supporting a vehicle comprising: a main frame
assembly having a tubular mounting structure, three tubular
extensions rigidly attached to and extending from the tubular
mounting structure, and three caster mounting plates rigidly
attached to each of the tubular extensions; a height adjustment
mechanism having a portion disposed within the tubular mounting
structure, a vehicle support mounting plate pivotably coupled to
the height adjustment mechanism, a first vehicle support rigidly
coupled to the vehicle support mounting plate, and a second vehicle
support adjustably coupled to the vehicle support mounting plate
and next to the first vehicle support, such that the distance
between the first vehicle support and the second vehicle support is
adjustable; and three casters mounted on each of the three caster
mounting plates of the main frame assembly.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to provisional U.S. Patent
Application entitled, CAR DOLLY APPARATUS AND METHOD filed Feb. 22,
2005, having a Ser. No. 60/655,910, now pending, the disclosure of
which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to an apparatus and
method for servicing vehicles. More particularly, the present
invention relates to a car dolly for servicing vehicles.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Within the automobile industry, it is sometimes necessary to
service vehicles for repair and/or maintenance. Such repair and/or
maintenance may require a vehicle to be positioned or stationed at
a particular location. Additionally, it may be necessary to
maneuver the vehicle to various locations and/or positions such as
within a repair bay of a vehicle repair facility.
[0004] One method of maneuvering the vehicle may employ the use of
a kind of car dolly system which could, for example, be utilized
for manipulating a vehicle into various locations and/or positions
(for example, in order for a worker to access the vehicle from a
preferred position).
[0005] Existing car dollies tend to incorporate rigid members which
are generally tied together and connected across and to the
undercarriage of a vehicle. Such connection may typically include
bolting the rigid members to the undercarriage at various
connection points. In some embodiments, a caster may also be
provided at each comer of the vehicle and connected to the
aforementioned rigid members at predetermined connection points.
Thus, the aforementioned car dolly would tend to support the weight
of the vehicle. The casters would provide a degree of mobility to
the aforementioned car dolly such that when the vehicle was
supported on the rigid members of the aforementioned car dolly, the
vehicle would be maneuverable by urging the vehicle on top of the
aforementioned car dolly as it is rolled along the casters.
[0006] A degree of maneuverability may be necessary in order to
manipulate a vehicle for several reasons. In one instance, a
vehicle may not be able to be started and consequently driven to a
preferred location. In another example, a vehicle may lack one or
more wheels and, hence, could not otherwise be maneuvered without
assistance from a car dolly such as the one described above.
Furthermore, it may be impractical to start a vehicle in a
repair/maintenance bay because of safety reasons. For instance,
potential fumes from car exhaust, ignition sparks, additional
noise, for examples, may be undesirable within a repair/maintenance
bay facility. Thus, use of a car dolly system can be important when
it would otherwise be impractical to drive or tow a vehicle into a
preferred position and/or location, for example, within a car
maintenance or repair bay facility.
[0007] However, due to implementation of heavier vehicles, the
design of the aforementioned car dolly setup may tend to shift or
slip on top of the aforementioned car dolly while urging the
vehicle into a preferred position and/or location. Because the
rigid members may be tied directly to the undercarriage of the
vehicle, it may be possible for damage to occur to the vehicle
should a shift or slip occur. A similar result may occur if the
aforementioned car dolly setup suddenly becomes immobile due to an
uneven floor surface. In this instance, the momentum of the vehicle
could also cause a shift or slip which may result in damage to the
vehicle. The extent of damage may be varied, for instance, should a
rigid member be coupled to a crumple zone of the car body and shift
or slip occur. Accordingly, it is desirable to provide an apparatus
and method that can accommodate the weight of a variety of
vehicles. It is also desirable to provide an apparatus and method
for servicing vehicles in an environment of potential varied
flooring conditions. It is also desirable to provide an apparatus
and method that prevents shifting and/or slipping, at least to some
extent, while maneuvering a vehicle into a desired location and/or
position.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The foregoing needs are met, to a great extent, by the
present invention, wherein in one aspect an apparatus is provided
that in some embodiments comprises a main frame assembly, a height
adjustment mechanism wherein a portion of the height adjustment
mechanism is disposed in the main frame assembly, and a plurality
of casters mounted on the main frame assembly for providing
mobility to the apparatus.
[0009] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention,
a method is provided that in some embodiments provides a main frame
assembly having a plurality of casters mounted thereto and a height
adjustment mechanism having at least a portion of the height
adjustment mechanism disposed in the main frame assembly. The
method may also include determining a preferred height of a
vehicle, adjusting the vehicle to a preferred height, rolling the
main frame assembly under a body of the vehicle and adjusting the
height adjustment mechanism to the preferred height to support the
body of the vehicle.
[0010] In accordance with yet another aspect of the present
invention, a system is provided that in some embodiments a means
for adjusting a height of a vehicle, a means for housing the
adjusting means wherein a portion of the adjusting means is
disposed in the housing means, and a means for rolling mounted on
the housing means.
[0011] There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, certain
embodiments of the invention in order that the detailed description
thereof herein may be better understood, and in order that the
present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There
are, of course, additional embodiments of the invention that will
be described below and which will form the subject matter of the
claims appended hereto.
[0012] In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment
of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the
invention is not limited in its application to the details of
construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in
the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The
invention is capable of embodiments in addition to those described
and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is
to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed
herein, as well as the abstract, are for the purpose of description
and should not be regarded as limiting.
[0013] As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the
conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be
utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods
and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present
invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded
as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not
depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a car dolly
apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.
[0015] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a component of the car dolly
apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0016] FIG. 3 is a side view of the component illustrated in FIG.
2.
[0017] FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a height
adjustment mechanism according to a preferred embodiment of the
invention.
[0018] FIG. 5 is a side view of the height adjustment mechanism
illustrated in FIG. 4.
[0019] FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating an alternative
height adjustment mechanism design.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] An embodiment in accordance with the present invention
provides an apparatus and method for servicing vehicles. A car
dolly apparatus is provided to service vehicles by supporting the
vehicle at various points underneath the body of the vehicle. The
car dolly apparatus in accordance with the present invention is
preferably designed to accommodate the weight of a variety of
vehicles. The car dolly apparatus in accordance with the present
invention is also preferably capable of maneuvering vehicles over a
variety of even or uneven floor surfaces. The car dolly apparatus
and method in accordance with the present invention preferably
prevents shifting and slipping, at least to some extent, during
use. Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described
with reference to the drawing figures, in which like reference
numerals refer to like parts throughout.
[0021] Referring initially to FIG. 1, there is shown a car dolly
apparatus 10 for servicing vehicles. The car dolly apparatus 10 is
preferably designed to be utilized in applications for servicing
vehicles such as automobiles and/or trucks. The car dolly apparatus
10 can be configured to join the underbody of the vehicle.
Alternatively, the car dolly apparatus 10 can also accommodate the
weight of the vehicle such as by allowing the body of the vehicle
to rest upon a mounting surface 12 of the car dolly apparatus 10.
Each car dolly apparatus 10 is design to operate independently or
may be utilized with an additional car dolly apparatus 10 or sets
of car dolly apparatus 10.
[0022] In one embodiment, the car dolly apparatus 10 comprises a
main frame assembly 14 which accommodates a height adjustment
mechanism 16 through a tubular mounting structure 18 of the main
frame assembly 14. The tubular mounting structure 18 comprises a
plurality of height adjustment holes 19. A plurality of tubular
extensions 20, 22, 24 extend from the tubular mounting structure 18
and may be suitably secured thereto, for example, by welding means.
A plurality of mounting plates 26, 28, 30 maybe suitably secured to
a respective tubular extension 20, 22, 24, for example, also by
welding means. Thus, the assembly of the tubular mounting structure
18, the plurality of tubular extensions 20, 22, 24, and the
plurality of mounting plates 26, 28, 30 form a rigid assembly of
the main frame assembly 14. In a preferred embodiment, the
materials of the main frame assembly 14 comprise steel
components.
[0023] In order to provide mobility to the car dolly apparatus 10,
a plurality of casters 32, 34, 36 are provided and can be
respectively attached to the mounting plates 26, 28, 30 of the main
frame assembly 14. In a preferred embodiment, an odd number of
casters 32, 34, 36 attached to respective mounting plates 26, 28,
30 are utilized in order to accommodate a variety of floor
gradients. This feature is designed to provide continuous support
at a point where the car dolly apparatus 10 is implemented to the
body of the vehicle. Thus, if one or more wheels becomes
unsupported by an uneven floor surface, for example, at least one
wheel will tend to continuously support the car dolly apparatus 10.
An attachment means 38, such as nut and bolt assembly, may be
utilized to secure the plurality of casters 32, 34, 36 to
respective mounting plates 26, 28, 30. Thus, the bolts may be
inserted through a plurality of holes 40 provided on the mounting
plates 26, 28, 30 through corresponding holes on the casters 32,
34, 36 and secured via the nuts in order to form a rigid
assembly.
[0024] In a preferred embodiment, each caster is designed to
support at least a 400 lb load. Thus, for three casters, the car
dolly apparatus 10 is preferably designed to support a 1200 lb load
capacity. The caster material may employ a hard plastic such as
polyolefin or alternatively, for example, utilize a steel wheel
design.
[0025] Referring to FIG. 4, a height adjustment mechanism 16 is
shown having a plurality of height adjustment insertion holes 42
disposed therein. A vehicle support mounting plate 44 is attached
to the height adjustment mechanism 16 at one end thereof. In one
embodiment, the vehicle support mounting plate 44 may be attached
via welding means. The vehicle support mounting plate 44 is
utilized to provide support and/or stability to a vehicle
undercarriage.
[0026] A first vehicle mounting means 46 may be rigidly attached to
the vehicle support mounting plate 44 such as by welding means, for
example. The first vehicle mounting means 46 can be utilized to
support the undercarriage of a vehicle. In a preferred embodiment,
a cushion material 50, 52 is attached to a top surface and an inner
surface of the first vehicle mounting means 46 to protect a surface
of the supported vehicle body from damage, such as indentations or
scratches. The cushion material may consist of any suitable
material for providing protection including, for instance, a rubber
material (such as a neopreme pad) or, alternatively, a plastic
material.
[0027] The car dolly apparatus 10 may further incorporate a pinch
weld clamp to facilitate preventing shifting or slipping during
usage, such as manipulating a position of a vehicle. The first
vehicle mounting means 46 may comprise a plurality of orifices 54,
56 for accommodating a means to facilitate translational movement
(such as a nut and bolt assembly 58).
[0028] In a preferred embodiment, the car dolly apparatus 10 also
incorporates a height adjustment design to accommodate an
adjustment between ten and fourteen inches. In order to provide for
height adjustment, the height adjustment mechanism 16 is disposed
within the tubular mounting structure 18 of the main frame assembly
14. The preferred height adjustment insertion hole 42 of the height
adjustment mechanism 16 may be aligned with a height adjustment
hole 19 of the tubular mounting structure 18. A securing device,
such as a hitch pin 70, may be inserted through the aligned
insertion hold 42 and the adjustment hole 19 in order to retain a
preferred height adjustment.
[0029] In an alternative embodiment, another vehicle support
mounting plate design may be utilized such as a pivoting vehicle
support mounting plate 72. The pivoting vehicle support mounting
plate 72 is not rigidly attached to the height adjustment mechanism
16 (as with the vehicle support mounting plate 44). Instead, the
pivoting vehicle support mounting plate 72 incorporates a flanged
area 74 which comprises an insertion hole 76 to accommodate a
securing device, such as a hitch pin 70. When the insertion hole 76
of the pivoting vehicle support mounting plate 72 is aligned with a
height adjustment insertion hole 42 of the height adjustment
mechanism 16, the hitch pin 70 may be inserted therethrough to
secure the assembly. Thus, the pivoting vehicle support mounting
plate 72 may be allowed to pivot about an axis of the height
adjustment mechanism 16 to accommodate various angles of a
undercarriage design of a vehicle to order to provide additionally
stability and/or support.
[0030] A pinch weld clamp feature may also be utilized in
combination with the pivoting vehicle support mounting plate 72. As
with the vehicle support mounting plate 44, the first vehicle
mounting means 46 may be rigidly connected to the pivoting vehicle
support mounting plate 72. Again, the first vehicle mounting means
46 may comprise a plurality of orifices 54, 56 for accommodating a
means to facilitate translational movement (such as a nut and bolt
assembly 58). Additionally, the second vehicle mounting means 60
may rest upon the pivoting vehicle support mounting plate 72. Thus,
in cooperation with the second vehicle mounting means 60 having a
plurality of orifices 62, 64 generally aligned with respective
orifices 54, 56 of the first vehicle mounting means 46, the means
to facilitate translational movement (such as a nut and bolt
assembly 58) may be inserted therethrough and retained therein.
[0031] Again, the first vehicle mounting means 46 is rigidly
connected to the pivoting vehicle support mounting plate 72. The
second vehicle mounting means 60 merely rests upon the pivoting
vehicle support mounting plate 72. Thus, as the nut of the nut and
bolt assembly 58 is turned, translational movement may occur to
adjust the second vehicle mounting means 60 with respect to the
first vehicle mounting means 46 accordingly. In operation, the
vehicle undercarriage, such as a pinch weld section of a vehicle,
may be clamped and retained between the first vehicle mounting
means 46 and the second vehicle mounting means 60. The second
vehicle mounting means 60 may also contain a cushion material 66,
68 attached to a top surface and an inner surface thereof in order
to protect a surface of the supported vehicle body from damage,
such as indentations or scratches.
[0032] The many features and advantages of the invention are
apparent from the detailed specification, and thus, it is intended
by the appended claims to cover all such features and advantages of
the invention which fall within the true spirit and scope of the
invention. Further, since numerous modifications and variations
will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired
to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation
illustrated and described, and accordingly, all suitable
modifications and equivalents maybe resorted to, falling within the
scope of the invention.
* * * * *