Abstract:
A wheeled tool bucket dolly system (Tool Bucket Transport Device) for easily wheel-transporting tools or similar articles from a first location to a second location for use. The system comprises a dolly frame having a handle, a horizontal bucket support, a bucket holder ring, a wheel assembly, and a 5 gallon bucket. The bucket is lowered through the bucket holder ring to rest on a traverse member which is welded to the upper side of the horizontal bucket support. Tools are placed inside the bucket and a user inclines the wheeled tool bucket dolly system via the handle resting all weight on the wheel assembly, and transports tools to a second location for using.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present applications are related to and claims priority from prior provisional application Ser. Nos. 61/478,146 filed Apr. 22, 2011 which applications are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     COPYRIGHT NOTICE 
     A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. 37 CFR 1.71(d). 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention(s). It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art, or material, to the presently described or claimed inventions, or that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art. 
     1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to the field of dollies and more specifically relates to a wheeled tool bucket dolly system for transporting tools or other similar loads. 
     2. DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART 
     Hand trucks or dollies may be used to move heavy loads and bulky objects. The advantage of using a dolly is that a person can transport larger or heavier objects that may not be normally feasible or safe to be carried by one person thereby saving time while reducing the risk of a back injury. A hand truck or dolly is typically an L-shaped handcart with handles at the top end, wheels at the base, and a small flat ledge in front of the wheels to set objects on and transport manually to a second location. The objects to be moved may be tilted forward, the ledge inserted underneath the object, and the objects are then tilted backward to rest on the ledge and dolly frame until the weight is balanced over the wheels, making otherwise bulky and heavy objects easier to move. A dolly is traditionally a first-class lever. 
     In our modern society, dollies are often adapted to carry specific shapes of loads. A general use dolly may be designed to carry square objects such as boxes or may be specifically designed to carry large, heavy rectangular objects such as refrigerators or other household furniture. Industrial plants have adapted dollies to carry round, heavy objects such as 55 gallon drums containing liquids. The design of a drum dolly has a shape that maximizes leverage and prevents rounded objects from rolling to one side and unbalancing the dolly as might happen if using a general use dolly for carrying drums. 
     Since hand trucks or dollies are constructed to carry relatively large loads and as such, the dolly itself may be large, heavy, or bulky. Because of this condition, a dolly will almost always only be readily available if one is specifically needed. If an item is small and heavy enough to be inconvenient but has to be carried frequently, most dollies would be ‘overkill’ and would only add to the burden and inconvenience. In many industrial plants and similar environments, industrial employees have large tool boxes in one area of the plant and frequently have to carry several tools to a different portion of the plant to make repairs to perform maintenance. A common practice is to use 5 gallon buckets to throw tools in to carry to that portion of the plant. With the open top, the tools are easy to see and select as needed. Even though carrying the bucket when it is full of tools can be heavy, a standard dolly would only be an inconvenience due to its bulkiness. Many dollies are easily tipped over. A much smaller, light weight solution to the problem is needed. 
     Various attempts have been made to solve the above-mentioned problems such as those found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,053,516; 6,454,281; 5,860,659; 6,315,310; 6,419,246; and 5,806,867. This prior art is representative of dollies. None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the invention as claimed. 
     Ideally, a wheeled tool bucket dolly system should be light weight, and yet, would operate reliably and be manufactured at a modest expense. Thus, a need exists for a reliable wheeled tool bucket dolly system to transport tools or other similar loads and to avoid the above-mentioned problems. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known dolly art, the present invention provides a novel wheeled tool bucket dolly system. The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a small, light weight wheeled tool bucket dolly system that is easy to use, balanced in use and convenient to store. 
     A wheeled tool bucket dolly system is disclosed herein, in a preferred embodiment comprising a dolly frame having a handle, a vertical column having a top portion and a bottom portion, at least one bucket holder ring, a wheel assembly having an axle, and a horizontal bucket support having a transverse member. The handle is preferably a continuation of the top portion of the vertical column (acting to enhance leverage) and is angled away from a vertical centerline of the vertical column preferably about a 45 degree upward angle away from the vertical centerline of the vertical column. The vertical column is a single uncut cylindrical pipe forming the handle, the vertical column, and the horizontal bucket support using rounded bends to form an S-contour, the S-contour forming a lever. Other contour and materials may be used in alternate embodiments. 
     The dolly frame preferably has a cross-section diameter of about ¾ of an inch with the handle further comprising a rubber grip. The bucket holder ring comprises flat strap metal and is non-removably and perpendicularly affixed to the vertical column above the horizontal bucket support, and oppositely facing from the handle. The flat strap metal of the bucket holder ring is rolled to form a circle and is rigidly and non-removably mounted to the dolly frame via a spacer between the dolly frame and the bucket holder ring such that the bucket holder ring does not directly contact the dolly frame and provides a space between an inserted bucket and the dolly frame. The feature minimizes stress and undue wear on the bucket and the present invention promoting longevity in both. 
     The horizontal bucket support is a continuation of the bottom portion of the vertical column, preferably angled about 90 degrees away from the vertical centerline of the vertical column, and oppositely facing from the handle. The transverse member is preferably non-removably and perpendicularly affixed to the horizontal bucket support such that the bottom recess of a bucket, when placed, nestably envelopes within the bucket holder ring and rests upon the transverse member. The transverse member of the horizontal bucket support may be a rigid flat strap having a length such that it nests inside of an inner circumference of a bottom ridge that forms the bottom recess of the bucket and prevents lateral movement. This feature and the fact that the device comprises a bucket holder ring (non-adjustable) that is a through hole receiver able to receive the bucket a suitable distance from the ground serves to prevent tip-overs, breaking of the bucket due to stress, and increases stability of the present invention as it is moved. This increased stability makes the device work well on and over rough terrain. 
     The dolly frame comprises ferrous metal in preferred embodiments and is of a solid welded construction. The axle of the wheel assembly is perpendicularly inserted through a through-hole in an apex formed by the vertical column and the horizontal bucket support such that the axle is horizontal to a ground planar surface and the wheel assembly is able to hold a load created by the dolly frame and a loaded bucket in coupled combination. The axle is a shaft with at least one wheel removably coupled to each end of the axle which forms the wheel assembly and is positioned to allow the bottom portion to sit level when in the non-traveling condition. The wheel assembly with the horizontal bucket support forms at least a 3-point stand when the wheeled tool bucket dolly system is in an upright non-travel condition. The bucket is removably insertable through the bucket holder ring such that it rests upon the horizontal bucket support and upon the transverse member and tools may be placed in the bucket for access and transport. 
     The inner circumference of the bucket holder ring is about the same diameter as the outer circumference of the bucket creating a loose-friction-fit so that the bucket can slide into the ring from the top and stop when the ring contacts the enlarged portion of the bucket near the top, and the bottom of the bucket contacts the traverse member. The bucket holder ring encircles an upper portion of an outer circumference of the bucket (making it stable on the top) and the transverse member supports the bucket within the bottom recess of the bucket (making the bottom portion stable) such that the bucket is only removed from the dolly frame with a vertical lift of about the height of the bucket. A user is able to incline the dolly frame via the handle to rest the weight of the wheeled tool bucket dolly system on the wheel assembly to pull-transport the tools to a second location for use. 
     The wheeled tool bucket dolly system may comprise a kit having a dolly frame with a handle, a wheel assembly; at least one bucket, and a set of user instructions. 
     A method of use for a wheeled tool bucket dolly system may comprise the steps of inserting a bucket in a bucket holder ring of a wheeled tool bucket dolly system, placing user-preferred tools in the bucket, gripping the handle of the wheeled tool bucket dolly system on the dolly frame, levering the dolly frame to move the wheeled tool bucket dolly system, rolling the wheeled tool bucket dolly system to a second location, using the user-preferred tools, rolling the wheeled tool bucket dolly system with the user-preferred tools to a first location, removing the user-preferred tools, and storing the wheeled tool bucket dolly system for a future use. 
     The present invention holds significant improvements and serves as a wheeled tool bucket dolly system. For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and method(s) of use for the present invention, wheeled tool bucket dolly system, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present invention. 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective view illustrating an in-use condition of a wheeled tool bucket dolly system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view illustrating a side view of the wheeled tool bucket dolly system according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view illustrating a front view of the wheeled tool bucket dolly system according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIGS. 4A and 4B  are perspective views illustrating a wheeled tool bucket dolly system with a bucket inserted (received through a bucket holder ring) according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is a flowchart illustrating a method of use of the wheeled tool bucket dolly system according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIGS. 1-4 . 
     
    
    
     The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As discussed above, embodiments of the present invention relate to a dolly apparatus and more particularly to a wheeled tool bucket dolly system as used to improve the ease and convenience of transporting tools to a second location for using. 
     Referring to the drawings by numerals of reference there is shown in  FIG. 1 , a perspective view illustrating an in-use condition of wheeled tool bucket dolly system  100  according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     Wheeled tool bucket dolly system  100  entitled Tool Bucket Transport Device comprises dolly frame  102  having handle  110 , vertical column  120  having top portion  122  and bottom portion  124 , at least one bucket holder ring  130 , wheel assembly  140  (having axle  150 ), and horizontal bucket support  160  comprising transverse member  165 . Handle  110  is a continuation of top portion  122  of vertical column  120  and is preferably angled away from vertical centerline  126  (as shown in  FIG. 2 ) of vertical column  120 . Handle  110  may be offset for left-handed or right-handed users in alternate embodiments and may comprise different orientations. 
     Bucket holder ring  130  is preferably non-removably and perpendicularly affixed to vertical column  120  above horizontal bucket support  160  and oppositely facing from handle  110 . Bucket holder ring  130  is located a suitable height above horizontal bucket support  160  such that bucket  180  is held just below the rim, as shown, thereby providing maximum stability. Bucket holder ring  130  is reasonably wide, thick and rigid such that it provides longevity in-use. Horizontal bucket support  160  is a continuation of bottom portion  124  of vertical column  120 , angled about 90 degrees away from vertical centerline  126  of vertical column  120  and oppositely facing from handle  110 . This particular design is favorable since it is lightweight, strong and durable however other designs are possible. 
     Transverse member  165  is preferably non-removably and perpendicularly affixed to horizontal bucket support  160  such that a bottom recess  170  of bucket  180  nestably envelopes horizontal bucket support  160  and rests upon transverse member  165 . In this manner bucket  180  is stabilized, further the bottom of bucket  180  is supported such that the weight of tools doesn&#39;t become damaged from the weight. Axle  150  of wheel assembly  140  is perpendicularly inserted through a through-hole  190  in an apex  199  formed by vertical column  120  and horizontal bucket support  160  such that axle  150  is horizontal to a ground planar surface and wheel assembly  140  is able to hold a load created by dolly frame  102  and bucket  180  in coupled combination. At least one wheel  142  is removably coupled to each end of axle  150  forming wheel assembly  140 . Wheel  142  is in combination with axle  150  such that a slight leverage distance is provided making the device easy to lever-tip, yet remain stable when at rest. 
     Bucket  180  is removably insertable through bucket holder ring  130  such that it rests upon horizontal bucket support  160  and upon transverse member  165  and tools may be placed in bucket  180  for access and transport and a user is able to incline dolly frame  102  via handle  110  to rest a weight of wheeled tool bucket dolly system  100  with tools inserted into bucket  180  onto wheel assembly  140  to pull-transport tools to a second location for use, as shown in the present figure. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a perspective view illustrating a side view of wheeled tool bucket dolly system  100  (dolly assembly) according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 1 . 
     Vertical column  120  may comprise a single uncut cylindrical pipe  200  forming handle  110 , vertical column  120 , and horizontal bucket support  160  using rounded bends in a single uncut cylindrical pipe  200  to form an S-contour, S-contour forming a lever. This is preferable since it is relatively inexpensive to manufacture, yet rigid in construction and provides no sharp corners. Handle  110  further comprises rubber grip  112  such that the device is comfortable to pull/manipulate. Horizontal bucket support  160  comprises a stand such that wheeled tool bucket dolly system  100  rests upon horizontal bucket support  160 , holding wheeled tool bucket dolly system  100  in an upright position when in a non-traveling condition. Wheel assembly  140  with horizontal bucket support  160  forms at least a 3-point stand when wheeled tool bucket dolly system  100  is in an upright non-travel condition. Handle  110  is preferably angled at about a 45 degree upward angle away from vertical centerline  126  of vertical column  120 . Bucket holder ring  130  comprises spacer  210  between dolly frame  102  and bucket holder ring  130  such that bucket holder ring  130  does not directly contact dolly frame  102  and provides a space between an inserted bucket  180  and dolly frame  102 . This particular feature allows bucket  180  to be removed with relative ease and that tools can extend at an angle out of the top of bucket  180  but not easily contact the present invention, thus avoiding impact damage. This feature also serves to minimize shock transference through vertical column  120  by creating a isolation member. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a perspective view illustrating a front view of wheeled tool bucket dolly system  100  according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 1 . 
     Transverse member  165  of horizontal bucket support  160  preferably comprises rigid flat strap  220  having a length such that it nests inside of inner circumference  230  of bottom ridge  172  that forms bottom recess  170  of bucket  180 . Dolly frame  102  comprises a cross-section diameter of about ¾ of an inch. Bucket holder ring  130  comprises flat strap metal  240 . Flat strap metal  240  of bucket holder ring  130  is rolled to form a circle in preferred embodiments. Spacer  210  is rigidly and non-removably affixed to dolly frame  102  and bucket holder ring  130 . Dolly frame  102  is of welded construction and comprises ferrous metal or other materials in alternate embodiments. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 4A and 4B , perspective views illustrating wheeled tool bucket dolly system  100  with a bucket  180  inserted according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 1 . 
     Bucket holder ring  130  encircles an upper portion of an outer circumference  250  of bucket  180  and transverse member  165  supports bucket  180  within bottom recess  170  of bucket  180  such that bucket  180  is only removed from dolly frame  102  with a vertical lift of about a height of bucket  180 . An inner circumference  230  of bucket holder ring  130  is about a same diameter as outer circumference  250  of bucket  180  creating a loose-friction-fit, such that bucket  180  can be removed with relative ease, yet is held in place when in transport and/or at rest. Axle  150  comprises shaft  152  positioned to allow bottom portion  124  to sit reasonably level when in non-traveling condition. PVC pipe container (as shown) may be for use in containing/storing documents or holding items such as welding rods. PVC pipe container may be removably held on via straps or other suitable fastening means. Items stored within may be kept from absorbing humidity in ambient environment. 
     Wheeled tool bucket dolly system  100  according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIGS. 1-4 , may be sold as kit  450  comprising the following parts: at least one dolly frame  102  having handle  110 ; at least one wheel assembly  140 ; at least one bucket  180 ; and at least one set of user instructions. Wheeled tool bucket dolly system  100  may be manufactured and provided for sale in a wide variety of sizes and shapes for a wide assortment of applications. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other kit contents or arrangements such as, for example, including more or less components, customized parts, different handle and wheel combinations, parts may be sold separately, etc., may be sufficient. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , showing a flowchart illustrating method of use  500  for wheeled tool bucket dolly system  100  according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIGS. 1-4 . 
     A method of use  500  for wheeled tool bucket dolly system  100  may comprise the steps of: step one  501  inserting bucket  180  in bucket holder ring  130  of wheeled tool bucket dolly system  100 ; step two  502  placing user-preferred tools in bucket  180 ; step three  503  gripping handle  110  of wheeled tool bucket dolly system  100  on dolly frame  102 ; step four  504  levering dolly frame  102  to move wheeled tool bucket dolly system  100 ; step five  505  rolling wheeled tool bucket dolly system  100  to a second location; step six  506  using user-preferred tools; step seven  507  rolling wheeled tool bucket dolly system  100  with user-preferred tools to a first location; step eight  508  removing user-preferred tools; and step nine  509  storing wheeled tool bucket dolly system  100 . 
     It should be noted that steps  506 - 509  are optional steps and may not be implemented in all cases. Optional steps of method  500  are illustrated using dotted lines in  FIG. 5  so as to distinguish them from the other steps of method  500 . 
     It should be noted that the steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods of use arrangements such as, for example, different orders within above-mentioned list, elimination or addition of certain steps, including or excluding certain maintenance steps, etc., may be sufficient. 
     The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application.