Patent ID: 8100419
Filing Date: 2012-01-24
Classification: B62B

Abstract:
1. An adjustable panel dolly apparatus comprising: an adjustable gripping cradle for receiving at least one planar object having an edge of the planar object resting in the cradle, the cradle comprising a bottom receiving platform riding on a means for rolling the cradle to transport the planar object, a pair of outer walls attached to the platform, a pair of side gripping panels extending upwardly perpendicular to the to the platform, means for moving the panels together to grip the at least one planar object to retain the at least one planar object resting on the platform and for moving the panels apart for releasing and installing the at least one planar object; the means for moving the panels together and for moving the panel apart comprising a pair of double nested cylinders comprising a first hollow cylindrical drum attached to each of the outer walls, a second cylindrical drum fitting slidably within the first cylindrical drum and attached to each one of the gripping panels, each first cylindrical drum having a series of spaced parallel grooves through the first cylindrical drum around the outer surface of the drum, the second cylindrical drum having a series of protrusions around the outer surface of the second cylindrical drum, each of the protrusions fitting within one of the parallel grooves of the first cylindrical drum so that turning the first cylindrical drum clockwise and counterclockwise causes the spiral grooves to move the protrusions of the second cylindrical drum causing the second cylindrical drum to advance to contact a planar object on the platform and retract to release the planar object; a single cable loop wrapped around both of the double nested cylinders and under the platform, the cable attached at one point to each of the first cylindrical drums so that both of the first cylindrical drums move simultaneously by turning one of the drums; a control lever communicating with a first cylindrical drum on a first panel to turn the drum clockwise and counterclockwise, the control lever positioned on an outside face of the first panel, thereby forming an adjustable panel dolly with the gripping panels moving simultaneously with a single control.