Patent ID: 6234496
Filing Date: 2001-05-22
Classification: B62B

Abstract:
A dolly apparatus with directional braking comprising, in combination:a frame including a substantially planar rectangular bottom plate, a pair of handle posts coupled to a rear edge of the plate adjacent to opposite side edges thereof and extending upwardly therefrom in perpendicular relationship therewith, an axle perpendicularly coupled between lower portions of the posts of the frame adjacent to and spaced from the bottom plate, wherein ends of the axle extend past the handle posts; anda pair of wheel assemblies each including:a fixed housing having a substantially planar circular inner plate fixedly coupled to the axle between one of the posts and one of the ends of the axle, an annular peripheral lip coupled to a periphery of the inner plate and extending outwardly therefrom for defining an interior space, and a rectangular cut out formed in the peripheral lip adjacent to and to the rear of an apex thereof,a wheel including a substantially planar circular outer plate with a diameter equal to that of the inner plate of the housing and rotatably coupled to one of the ends of the axle, a side wall coupled to a periphery of the outer plate and extending inwardly therefrom for rotatably engaging the peripheral lip of the housing, a tire coupled to an outer surface of the side wall with a diameter greater than that of the housing, and a plurality of teeth formed in an inner surface of the side wall, anda pawl assembly including a lever with a substantially planar rectangular inboard portion hingably coupled at a central extent thereof about a horizontal axis within the cut out formed in the peripheral lip of the housing and a substantially planar rectangular outboard portion extending outwardly and downwardly with respect to the inboard portion for defining an obtuse angle therewith, an arm coupled at a first end thereof to an inboard end of the inboard portion of the lever and extending into the wheel in parallel relationship with the axle of the frame, and a pawl coupled at a central extent thereof to a second end of the arm, the pawl having a pair of beveled ends for engaging the teeth of the wheel when the lever is in a first orientation to allow only forward movement of the wheel of the wheel assembly, engaging the teeth of the wheel when the lever is in a second orientation to allow only rearward movement of the wheel of the wheel assembly, and disengaging the teeth of the wheel when the lever is in an intermediate third orientation to allow both forward and rearward movement of the wheel of the wheel assembly.