Abstract:
A heavy panel transport system and method. The system includes a load-bearing horizontal bar for supporting a substantially planar panel placed upon the horizontal bar. The system also includes a lateral support bar attached to the horizontal bar to provide sideways support to the substantially planar panel. The system also includes a wheel system operable without gears. The wheel system includes a wheel disposed between a fork. Here, the horizontal bar and lateral support bar are then mounted over the wheel system for steering and propelling the system in a desired direction.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to material or article handling systems and methods and more specifically to material or article handling systems and methods for carrying 
     The stone fabrication industry has been experiencing tremendous growth for some time. The industry provides stone fabrication of heavy paneled materials including butcher blocks, granite, marble, drywall, doors, etc. for the construction or other relevant industries and for the consumer markets such bathroom and kitchen remodeling. 
     It is not unusual for a typical slab to weigh over 400 lbs (181 kg) and to extend over 10 ft (3.04 m) in length. A fabricator wishing to transport a slab from the street into a home or business typically employs another individual to assist with delivery. Here, the fabricator supports the slab on one end while the assistant supports the other end. The slab is then carefully carried by hand into the home or business. 
     Sometimes, a slab might fall down and break or develop a crack during delivery. If so, another stone must be picked up from the warehouse and then redelivered to the home or business. Thereafter, the slab can be installed for use by the homeowner. 
     When the next stone fabrication order is received, the fabricator assisted by the assistant must repeat the carrying process for delivery. In some instances, the fabricators carry slabs over flights of stairs; in other instances, slabs are carried over uneven terrain. In any event, subsequently, the slab is then delivered to the home or business for installation. 
     When the next stone fabrication order is received, the aforementioned hand delivery process is again repeated. The process is repeated for every order, day in and day out, year after year. In fact, some fabricators are known to have been involved with this delivery practice for many years. 
     The above-described context is also applicable to delivery of non-stone materials. Persons delivering drywall, heavy-panel wood doors and other similar materials must repeat the above-mentioned hand-delivery over extended periods of time. 
     There is a need to address one or more of the foregoing disadvantages of conventional systems and methods, and the present invention meets this need. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Various aspects of a panel transport system and method can be found in exemplary embodiments of the present invention. 
     In a first embodiment, the panel transport system includes a load-bearing horizontal bar upon which a marble or granite slab, sheetrock or other similar type substantially planar panels can be placed. A lateral support bar running upwardly is attached preferably to a midpoint of the horizontal support bar to provide lateral support and prevent the slab from falling off the horizontal panel. Clamps are then employed to secure the slab onto the lateral support bar as well as the horizontal bar. 
     The panel transport system also includes a wheel system operable without gears. This wheel system includes a wheel disposed between an inverted U-shaped fork. The horizontal and lateral support bar is mounted on the fork and wheel so that a plane formed by said horizontal bar is substantially aligned and parallel with a plane formed by the wheel. Once secured on the panel transport system, the slap can be propelled and steered by one or more users causing the wheel and load to move in a desired direction. 
     In this manner and unlike conventional systems, fabricators need not manually carry slabs day in and day out, and order after order for many years. The tremendous stress and fatigue on the body caused by carrying such heavy loads for extended periods of time can be avoided. The present invention transports heavy panels over stairs and uneven terrain from the street into a business or home where the heavy panels can be installed. 
     A further understanding of the nature and advantages of the present invention herein may be realized by reference to the remaining portions of the specification and the attached drawings. Further features and advantages of the present invention, as well as the structure and operation of various embodiments of the present invention, are described in detail below with respect to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numbers indicate identical or functionally similar elements. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a side view of a transport system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a front view of the transport system of  FIG. 1  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  shows a side view of a transport system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a front view of the transport system of  FIG. 3  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates operation of a transport system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates operation of a transport system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates operation of a transport system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates storage of a transport system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While the invention will be described in conjunction with the preferred embodiments, it will be understood that they are not intended to limit the invention to these embodiments. On the contrary, the invention is intended to cover alternatives, modifications and equivalents, which may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Furthermore, in the following detailed description of the present invention, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, and circuits have not been described in detail as to not unnecessarily obscure aspects of the present invention. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a side view of transport system  100  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     In  FIG. 1 , among other components, transport system  100  comprises three main sub-systems namely load-bearing system  27 , attachment system  28  and wheel system  29 . As shown, attachment system  28  secures load-bearing system  27  to wheel system  29 . 
     Load-bearing system  27  itself comprises vertically oriented mast  15  fixedly attached to horizontal support  9 . The fixed attachment can be by fastening such as welding, screws, dowels and pins or other comparable fasteners. 
     As implied by its name, horizontal support  9  is a substantially horizontal and planar panel that is load-bearing. Specifically, horizontal support  9  can carry slabs, granite and other type heavy loads for transportation from one location to the other. Horizontal support  9  is substantially lengthy since it must support materials that are lengthy relative to their height. 
     Horizontal support  9  is also sufficiently rigid and thick in order to support heavy loads. In one embodiment, horizontal support  9  is 1.75 inches (4.445 cm) thick. An exemplary length of horizontal support  9  is 36 inches (91.44 cm) having a width of 7.5 inches (19.05 cm). Horizontal support  9  is also about 24 inches (60.96 cm) from a flooring surface. Preferably, horizontal support  9  is constructed of steel with a powder coat finish although other suitable materials such as wood, aluminum can be utilized. 
     Mast  15  is a flat-surfaced bar perpendicularly disposed to horizontal support  9 , attaching to horizontal support  9  at a point that bisects the length L of horizontal support  9  into substantially two equal halves. For example, if L is 36 inches (91.44 cm), mast  15  extends radially and outwardly at a midpoint 16 inches (45.72 cm) from horizontal support  9 . The flat surface of mast  15  enables materials to rest flush on the surface and to provide lateral support to such materials received by horizontal support  9 . 
     Mast  15  also provides a vertical clamping point  20 A to stabilize materials that are received by horizontal support  9 . Specifically, since materials such as slabs possess a high center of gravity (they are substantially higher relative to their thickness), vertical clamping point  20 A works cooperatively with mast  15  to hold materials that are being transported. 
     In one embodiment, mast  15  might have a height of 50.6625 inches (128.682 cm). Mast  15  itself is such that it forms an inverted T configuration with horizontal support  9 , the leg of said T configuration being aligned with mast  15  while the cross bar of said T configuration is aligned with horizontal support  9 . Note that the provided height of mast  15  is exemplary and can be as high as necessary to support the slabs that are transported. As noted, mast  15  is also substantially flat to provide a surface on which materials being transported can rest and on which such materials can be clamped for transportation. As shown, clamps  20 A,  20 B and  20 C are utilized substantially near the top of mast  15  as well as at both ends of horizontal support  9 , respectively. 
     In an alternate embodiment, horizontal support  9  is at a height of 34 inches (86.36 cm) from a flooring surface. Horizontal support  9  also has a slip guard  16  formed upon the surface of horizontal support  9 , said surface being the surface that receives materials to be transported. As implied by its name, slip guard  16  provides proper friction and prevents materials from slipping off of the surface of horizontal support  9 . Slip guard  16  can be made of rubber, silicone or other polymeric materials. 
     The cross-section of horizontal support  9  is L shaped or has an L shaped configuration having a lower portion  6  and an upper portion  7  (see also  FIG. 2 ). The lower portion  6  and the upper portion  7  are normal to each other and are attached along one edge to form a corner. The upper portion  7  radiates radially from a longitudinal axis of the lower portion  6  forming a back that is attached to mast  15 . In this manner, lower portion  6  and lower portion  7  form a corner into which the perpendicular corners of materials such as slabs and granites can securely fit. This corner also allows a material to be held upright against mast  15  for clamping by clamps  20 A,  20 B and  20 C. 
     Transport system  100  further comprises wheel system  29 . It is on wheel system  29  that the inverted T configuration of mast  15  and horizontal support  9  is mounted. Wheel system  29  comprises fork  14 , tire  12 , ring  11  and axle  10  all of which are further illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , fork  14  has an inverted U shaped configuration with one leg  30  and the other leg  31  fixedly attached to a cross bar or upper portion  32 . Axle  10  which supports ring  11  and tire  12  is mounted between leg  30  and leg  31 . Specifically, one end of axle  10  is rotatably coupled to leg  31  while the other end is rotatably coupled to leg  30 . 
     Load-bearing system  27  and its inverted T configuration is mounted on wheel system  29  by attaching a proximal end of mast  15  to a midpoint of upper portion  32 . Here, the plane of horizontal support  9  is substantially aligned and parallel with the plane of tire  12 . The diameter of axle  10  is preferably ¾ inches (1.905 cm). Axle  10  is secured by two ¼ inch (0.635 cm) button head bolts (not shown). 
     In  FIG. 1 , attachment system  28  secures load-bearing system  27  and wheel system  29 . Among other components, attachment system  28  uses conjoiner  18 , gusset  13 A, gusset  13 B and gusset  13 C ( FIG. 2 ) to secure load-bearing system  27  onto wheel system  29 . Conjoiner  18  is preferably a metal piece placed along and aligned with mast  15  and below horizontal support  9  in order to attach horizontal support  9  to fork  14 . Conjoiner  18  also attaches mast  15  to fork  14 . 
     Gussets  13 A and  13 B are corner pieces, that is, each is triangularly shaped for each of the two corners formed by horizontal support  9  and mast  15 . When gusset  13 A is placed as shown in  FIG. 1 , its upper (horizontal) surface attaches to the lower surface of horizontal support  9 . Its lateral or vertical surface then attaches to conjoiner  18  and cross bar  32 . Similarly, when gusset  13 B is placed as depicted in  FIG. 1 , the upper (horizontal) surface attaches to the lower surface of horizontal support  9  while the lateral or vertical surface attaches to conjoiner  18  and cross bar  32 . Gusset  13 C of  FIG. 2  attaches to mast  15  on one side and attaches to fork  14  on the other side. 
     In this regard, additional gussets may be employed to strengthen fork  14 . For example, the corner between leg  39  and upper portion  31  is strengthened by gusset  13 D. Gussets are preferably attached by welding although other fastening means can be utilized. The corner between leg  30  and upper portion  31  is also strengthened by gusset  13 E which can also be fastened by welding although other comparable means can be used as well. 
       FIG. 3  shows a side view transport system  300  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     In  FIG. 3 , transport system  300  includes wheel system  329 . Wheel system  329  includes tire  312 . Unlike the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , tire  312  comprises a plurality of spokes  311  without a rim. In this embodiment, there are 32 spokes, each spoke having a length of 26 inches (66.04 cm). 
     Transport system  300  further comprises horizontal support  309  that is about 34 inches (86.36 cm) from the surface of the ground, such height being that of a standard cabinet from ground level. This height and wheel configuration makes transport system  300  particularly suitable for slabs and other such materials intended for kitchen countertops. In  FIG. 3 , various lengths and heights of components are also shown. One skilled in the art will realize that the provided lengths and heights are exemplary. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a front view of transport system  300  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     In  FIG. 4 , transport system  300  has wheel system  329  with fork  314  having a U-shaped configuration. The L-shaped configuration of the cross-section of horizontal support  309  is also more clearly illustrated. Operation of the present invention is now described below with reference to  FIGS. 5 ,  6 ,  7  and  8 . 
       FIGS. 5 ,  6 ,  8  and  9  illustrate operation of transport system  100  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     In  FIG. 5 , user  502  and user  504  wish to employ transport system  100  for transporting granite slab  506 . Here, granite slab  506  is a relatively heavy panel weighing about 420 Ibs (190.68 kg). Although not shown, slab  506  can be other panel types namely arry heavy paneled materials including slabs, butcher blocks, drywall, plywood, marble, stone, Durarock, doors, Gluams, etc. 
     Initially, transport system  100  is retained in an upright position with tire  12  on the ground and mast  15  aligned along a vertical axis. At this point, clamp  20 A, clamp  20 B and clamp  20 C are off or open. Thereupon, user  502  grasps one end of granite slab  506  while the other end is grasped by user  504 . Granite slab  506  is then lifted onto horizontal support  9 . Granite slab  506  is positioned so that its weight is evenly distributed onto horizontal support  9 . It also ensured that the bottom edge of the granite slab interfaces and sits flush with the corner of the L-shaped horizontal support  9 . 
     Thereafter, clamp  20 A is applied to secure granite slab  506  to mast  15  while clamp  20 B and clamp  20 C are applied to secure opposite ends of granite slab  506  to horizontal support  9 . Once granite slab  506  is properly secured, user  502  grasps one end while user  504  supports the opposite end of granite slab  506 . At this point, pushing or pulling granite slab  506  (now secure on transport system  100 ) propels transport system  100  in a forward or backward direction whereupon tire  12  begins to rotate on the ground in the desired direction. 
     In this manner, granite slab  506  is transported from the street, for example, into a home or business where the granite is installed for use. Transport system  100  finds use in kitchen remodeling wherein the embodiment of  FIG. 3  can be utilized for transporting granite or marble slabs for kitchen countertops as shown in  FIG. 6 . In fact, user transport system  100  can be used to move slabs up and down stairs as illustrated in  FIG. 7 . Transport system  100  also finds use in moving slabs and other materials over uneven terrain as shown in  FIG. 7 . In fact, transport system  100  can be employed by a single user  502  for relatively light loads (e.g., 125 Ibs (56.625 kg)). 
     After granite slab  506  arrives at the installation point, clamps  20 A,  20 B and  20 C are removed, and granite slab  506  is lifted by users  502  and  504  from transport system  100  onto the installation surface. Upon completion, transport system  100  is light and compact and easily stowed in storage area  510  ( FIG. 8 ). 
     In this manner, the present invention can prevent the stress and strain associated with carrying heavy paneled materials, particularly year after year. Back sprain and other injuries associated with manually carrying heavy panels can be avoided. Time and money can also be saved as the present invention reduces damage to stones, slabs and other heavy panel material being transported. 
     While the above is a complete description of exemplary specific embodiments of the invention, additional embodiments are also possible. Thus, the above description should not be taken as limiting the scope of the invention, which is defined by the appended claims along with their full scope of equivalents.