Abstract:
A barrel dolly ( 10 ) includes a main frame ( 12 ) that has members ( 16, 18, 20, 22 ) for supporting a barrel ( 42 ) and a roller frame ( 14 ) detachable from the main frame for loading the barrel through an open end ( 22 ) of the main frame. The main frame includes bridge hooks ( 30 ) that mate with receiver notches ( 34 ) on the roller frame for attaching the roller frame to the main frame. The roller frame includes a sliding handle ( 38 ) that a user grasps to rotate the roller frame for releasing and securing the roller frame and the main frame. An optional lifting handle ( 54 ) enables the user to safely and easily load heavy barrels on the barrel dolly.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]    This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/347,395, filed Jan. 10, 2002. 
     
    
     
       FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
         [0002]    Not Applicable  
         TECHNICAL FIELD  
         [0003]    The present invention is directed to an apparatus for moving large containers and, in particular, for moving cylindrical barrels containing automotive liquids or other hazardous materials.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0004]    In the automotive industry, it is common to use large barrels or barrels containing liquids such as, for example, various types of automotive oil or other liquids such as antifreeze. Typically the barrels are moved from a storage area to a working area in which the liquid is pumped from the barrel while it is in the upright position. Some substances contained in such barrels are hazardous and can cause health and/or environmental problems. Therefore, care must be taken during storage and while transporting the barrels to avoid spilling any liquids.  
           [0005]    The barrels are very heavy and difficult to move, especially when full. It is not practical or safe to move the full barrels from a storage area to a working area without some form of transporting device. One method of transporting such barrels is to use a forklift. However, transporting vehicles such as forklifts are costly and require a great deal of space within which to operate. Hand trucks have also been used to move such barrels from one location to another. Such hand trucks typically require the barrel lifted by one person while another person positions a bottom support of the hand truck underneath the barrel. The hand truck with the barrel is then pivoted to a tilted position during transport. The user must maintain balance while transporting the barrel. This can be difficult when transporting a typical  550  pound barrel containing liquids across uneven surfaces. Other transporting devices are known but are complicated in design and function. For example, some devices require the barrel to be lifted into place by hydraulic or pneumatic lifts.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0006]    It is an object of this invention to provide a transporting device for barrels that provides safe and easy loading of barrels by a single user.  
           [0007]    Another object of this invention is to provide a transporting device that allows the barrel to be moved and stored in a vertical position.  
           [0008]    Yet another object of this invention is to provide a transporting device that is simple in design and easy to use.  
           [0009]    A wheeled barrel dolly is provided that includes a main frame having bottom supports to support the bottom of the barrel and a separable roller frame that is detachable for loading the barrel onto the main frame. The main frame has an open side that includes bridge hooks that cooperate with receiver notches on the roller frame so that the bridge hooks lie flat within the receiver notches when the roller frame is attached to the main frame. The roller frame includes a sliding handle for a user to grasp and rotate the roller frame for releasing and securing the roller frame and the main frame. An optional lifting handle enables a single diminutive user to safely and easily load a heavy barrel on the barrel dolly.  
           [0010]    Additional aspects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments thereof, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]    [0011]FIG. 1 is an isometric view representing a barrel dolly of this invention including a main frame and a detachable roller frame.  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the barrel dolly of FIG. 1 showing the roller frame detached from the main frame.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 3 is a top view of one end of the main frame and the detachable roller frame detached from the main frame.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 4 is an isometric view of a barrel being tilted for receiving the main frame of FIG. 3.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 5 is an isometric view of the barrel loaded onto the main frame.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 6 is an isometric view of the detachable roller frame being placed in alignment with the main frame.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 7 is an isometric view of the roller frame being rotated by a handle into the barrel loaded position.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 8 is an isometric view of the roller frame in its final position.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 9 is an isometric view similar to FIG. 8 with the handle being moved into a stowed and locked position.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 10 is an isometric view of the barrel dolly of this invention with a barrel loaded thereon and ready for transporting.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 11 is a side elevation view showing a first fulcrum point that is operable when the bridge hooks initially contact with receiver notches on the roller frame.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 12 is a side elevation view showing the roller frame being rotated to lift the main frame utilizing a second fulcrum point located under the detachable roller frame.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 13 is a side elevation view showing the roller frame further lifting the main frame using the bottom leg of the roller frame as a third fulcrum point.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 14 is a side elevation view of the roller frame rotated to a final position with the handle in an unlocked position.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 15 is an isometric view of a lifting handle and sling employed to ease tilting the barrel as represented in FIG. 4.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 16 is an isometric view of the lifting handle stowed in a storage bracket located on the barrel dolly. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0027]    [0027]FIGS. 1 and 2 show a barrel dolly  10  of this invention including a main frame  12  and a detachable roller frame  14 . Main frame  12  further includes opposed side members  16  and  18  and a back support member  20  connecting side members  16  and  18  at one end to form in main frame  12  an open end  22  through which a barrel (not shown) can be loaded onto main frame  12 . Side members  16  and  18  and back support member  20  are preferably made of 4.76 millimeter (“mm”) (0.1875 inch) thick 7.62-by 7.62 centimeter (“cm”) (3- by 3-inch) angled steel sections forming bottom and side supports for the barrel. Back support member  20  forms a closed end  24  of main frame  12 . A flat bottom support member  26  is located between side members  16  and  18  adjacent to open end  22  of main frame  12 . A pair of swiveling caster wheels  28  are mounted at opposed sides of closed end  24  of main frame  12 . Alternatively, a single wheel, multiple wheels, or a roller may be employed to form a wheel set. A pair of bridge hooks  30  protrude from side members  16  and  18  at open end  22  of main frame  12  for engagement with detachable roller frame  14 . Flat bottom support member  26  is preferably formed from a 4.76 mm (0.1875 inch) thick by 7.62 cm (3 inch) wide steel plate.  
         [0028]    Referring also to FIG. 3, detachable roller frame  14  is preferably made from a 4.76 mm (0.1875 inch) thick 7.62-by 7.62 cm (3- by 3-inch) angled steel section having non-swiveling wheels  32  mounted at its opposed ends. Alternatively a wheel set may-be employed. Opposed ends of detachable roller frame  14  include receiver notches  34  that are aligned with bridge hooks  30  when attaching detachable roller frame  14  to main frame  12 . One end of detachable roller frame  14  further includes a collar  36  for securing a sliding handle  38 .  
         [0029]    As shown in FIG. 1, when detachable roller frame  14  is attached to main frame  12 , one end of sliding handle  38  is positioned in the direction of swiveling caster wheel  28  and stowed in a stowing bracket  40 , which effectively locks together detachable roller frame  14  and main frame  12 .  
         [0030]    Loading a barrel onto barrel dolly  10  is carried out as described below.  
         [0031]    Starting with assembled barrel dolly  10 , detachable roller frame  14  is detached from main frame  12  by moving sliding handle  38  away from stowing bracket  40  and rotating detachable roller frame  14  with handle  38  to uncouple receiver notches  34  from bridge hooks  30  on main frame  12 .  
         [0032]    As shown in FIG. 4, a barrel  42  supported by a surface  44  is tilted so that open end  22  (FIG. 2) of main frame  12  can be slid under barrel  42  such that the bottom of barrel  42  is supported and constrained by opposed side members  16  and  18  (FIG. 2), back support member  20  (FIG. 2), and flat bottom support member  26  (FIG. 2).  
         [0033]    As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, detachable roller frame  14  is moved into position such that receiver notches  34  are aligned with bridge hooks  30 .  
         [0034]    As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, sliding handle  38  is rotated to engage receiver notches  34  and bridge hooks  30 .  
         [0035]    As shown in FIG. 7, sliding handle  38  is further rotated such that detachable roller frame  14  lifts open end  22  (FIG. 2) of main frame  12  off surface  44 . Detachable roller frame  14  includes fulcrum points that ease the lifting effort required. The fulcrum points are described below with reference to FIGS.  11 - 14 .  
         [0036]    As shown in FIG. 8, sliding handle  38  is rotated parallel to surface  44  such that non-swiveling wheels  32  on detachable roller frame  14  engage surface  44 .  
         [0037]    As shown in FIG. 9, detachable roller frame  14  is in its final position, and sliding handle  38  is moved to engage stowing bracket  40 , locking detachable roller frame  14  to main frame  12 .  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 10 shows barrel dolly  10  with barrel  42  loaded thereon ready for transporting on surface  44 .  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 11 shows a first fulcrum point  46  that contacts surface  44  when bridge hooks  30  initially contact receiver notches  34  on detachable roller frame  14 . At this time, opposed side members  16  and  18  of main frame  12  are still in contact with surface  44 . First fulcrum point  46  is formed by the apex of the angled steel section forming detachable roller frame  14 .  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 12 shows a second fulcrum point  48  that contacts surface  44  when detachable roller frame  14  is rotated through a medial range of angles to lift opposed side members  16  and  18  off of surface  44 . Second fulcrum point  48  is preferably formed by two 15.875 mm (0.625 inch) diameter, 12.7 mm (0.5 inch) tall steel buttons (only one is shown) that are welded to and distributed along the outer surface of the angled steel member forming detachable roller frame  14 . Without second fulcrum point  48 , the flat outer surface of the member would contact surface  44 , making lifting difficult through the medial range of angles.  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 13 shows a third fulcrum point  50  that contacts surface  44  when detachable roller frame  14  is rotated through a final range of angles for lifting opposed side members  16  and  18  (member  16  not shown) off of surface  44 . Third fulcrum point  50  is formed by the bottom leg of the angled steel section forming detachable roller frame  14 . Note that downward force is applied to detachable roller frame  14  at the intersection of bridge hooks  30  and receiver notches  34 . At this point in the range of lifting angles, the intersection is “over-centered” from third fulcrum point  50 , which urges detachable roller frame  14  toward its final position. Skilled workers will recognize that non-swiveling wheels  32  form yet another fulcrum point as detachable roller frame  14  rotates to its final position.  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 14 shows detachable roller frame  14  rotated to its final position with non-swiveling wheels  32  contacting surface  44 . The final position of detachable roller frame  14  is stable, but moving sliding handle in a direction  52  such that it engages stowing bracket  40  (not shown), safely locks detachable roller frame  14  in the final position. In the final position, opposed side members  16  and  18  and, therefore, main frame  12  are elevated about 3.175 cm (1.25 inches) above surface  44 .  
         [0043]    [0043]FIG. 15 shows a lifting handle  54  that eases the tilting of barrel  42  for initial loading on main frame  12  as shown in FIG. 4. The distal end of lifting handle  54  includes a barrel support member  58  for firmly gripping barrel  42 . Near the midpoint of lifting handle  54  is attached a jack stay  60  that pivots between a lifting position (shown in FIG. 15) and a storage position (shown in FIG. 16.). A sling  62  is captivated at the pivoting end of jack stay  60  and is of a length sufficient to encircle barrel  42 . Sling  62  is preferably made from nylon webbing. Raising lifting handle  54  transfers a lifting force to barrel support member  58  and a countering force to sling  62 , thereby making it possible for a single diminutive user to safely and easily load a 600 pound barrel on barrel dolly  10 . Using lifting handle  54  also moves the user a distance  56  away from barrel  42  to provide space for the user to push main frame  12  under tilted barrel  42  as shown in FIG. 4.  
         [0044]    [0044]FIG. 16 shows lifting handle  54  stowed in a storage bracket  64  that is preferably attached to a corner of back support member  20  where it joins one of wheel boxes  66 . This location for storage bracket  64  prevents interference with barrels loaded on barrel dolly  10 . Storage bracket  64  is sized to allow a sliding fit to lifting handle  54 .  
         [0045]    Wheel boxes  66  are formed from right angle bent 4.76 mm (0.1875 inch) thick steel plates. Two of wheel boxes  66  are welded at the corner junctions of back support member  20  and opposed side members  16  and  18 . The other two wheel boxes  66  are welded to the opposed ends of detachable roller frame  14 . Wheel mounting plates  68  formed from 4.76 mm (0.1875 inch) thick steel are welded to the top of each of wheel boxes  66 . Gussets  70  formed from 6.35 mm (0.25 inch) thick steel provide shear-strength support for wheel boxes  66 , to which associated wheels  28  and  32  are attached.  
         [0046]    Wheels  28  and  32  are preferably 7.62 cm (3.0 inches) in diameter and formed from polypropylene to resist deterioration from petroleum products and solvents. Each of wheels  28  and  32  have a 195 kilogram (430 pound) capacity giving barrel dolly  10  a maximum 600 kilogram (1,320 pound) capacity.  
         [0047]    The inside dimensions of barrel dolly  10  are about 59.2 by 59.2 cm (23.3125 by 23.3125 inches) to allow clearance for barrel  42 , which is preferably a 55 gallon drum. The widest dimension of barrel dolly  10  is about 66.36 cm (26.125 inches), which is the distance between the outer edges of wheel mounting plates  68  attached at each end of back support member  20 .  
         [0048]    Skilled workers will recognize that portions of this invention may be implemented differently from the implementations described above for a preferred embodiments. For example, barrel dolly  10  may be adapted for loading, supporting, and transporting a variety of containers and goods including barrels, petroleum and chemical and drums, and other-shaped containers and goods of various sizes and weights. Of course the fulcrum points may be implemented as one or more arcuate members attached to detachable roller frame  14 .  
         [0049]    It will be obvious to those having skill in the art that many changes may be made to the details of the above-described embodiments without departing from the underlying principles of the invention. The scope of the present invention should, therefore, be determined only by the following claims.