Patent ID: 8579304
Filing Date: 2013-11-12
Classification: B66F

Abstract:
1. A method of using a portable device comprising powered lifting features for manually transporting items, said method comprising the steps of: providing a handle defining a first handle end and an opposing second handle end; providing a first vertically extending support column defining an upper portion and a lower portion, said first vertically extending support column housing a first motion facilitator; providing a second vertically extending support column defining an upper portion and a lower portion, said second vertically extending support column housing a second motion facilitator; providing a lower member defining a first end and an opposing second end; mechanically associating the first handle end with the upper portion of said first vertically extending support column; mechanically associating the second handle end with the upper portion of said second vertically extending support column; mechanically associating the first end of said lower member with the lower portion of said first vertically extending support column; mechanically associating the second end of said lower member with the lower portion of said second vertically extending support column; associating a first wheel with the lower portion of said first vertically extending support column so that said first wheel is carried adjacent to the lower portion of said first vertically extending support column; associating a second wheel with the lower portion of said second vertically extending support column so that said second wheel is carried adjacent to the lower portion of said second vertically extending support column; providing a first motion facilitator interface movably associated with said first motion facilitator; providing a second motion facilitator interface movably associated with said second motion facilitator; associating a tray with said first motion facilitator interface and said second motion facilitator interface so that said tray extends transversely from said vertically extending support columns; providing a force-to-movement converter mechanically associated with said first motion facilitator and said second motion facilitator, said force-to-movement converter configured for activating said first motion facilitator and said second motion facilitator; providing a power source electrically associated with said force-to-movement converter; providing a controller comprising a processing device electrically associated with a memory wherein said memory stores weight data values thereby defining stored-weight-data; electrically associating said controller with said force-to-movement converter and said power source so that said controller is configured for selectively activating said force-to-movement converter thereby activating said first motion facilitator and said second motion facilitator to move said tray in one of a plurality of directions; mechanically associating a scale with said tray and electrically associated said scale with said controller; configuring said scale to determine item weight data of an item placed on said scale and transfer said item weight data to said controller; and configuring said controller to compare the received item weight data and with at least one stored-weight-data value before activating the force-to-movement converter.