Dolly

A dolly includes a first skate, a second skate, and a rod connected to the skates. The first skate is connected to a plurality of wheels and has a receiving region. The second skate is connected to a plurality of wheels and has a receiving region. The second skate includes an outer lateral surface having an aperture. The rod is connected to the first skate and the second skate via the respective receiving regions of the respective skates. The rod is configured to extend through the aperture such that a portion of the rod extends outwardly from the outer lateral surface of the second skate.

BACKGROUND

Generally, this application relates to dollies for moving relatively heavy or bulky objects, such as appliances (e.g., refrigerators, washing machines, etc.), furniture, or the like.

SUMMARY

According to certain embodiments described herein, a dolly includes a first skate, a second skate, and at least one rod (e.g., two rods) connected to the skates. The first skate is connected to a plurality of wheels and has at least one receiving region (e.g., two receiving regions). The second skate is connected to a plurality of wheels and has at least one receiving region. The second skate includes an outer lateral surface and at least one receiving region (e.g., two receiving regions) having a corresponding at least one aperture (e.g., two apertures) through the outer lateral surface. The at least one rod is connected to the first skate and the second skate to couple the first skate with the second skate. The at least one rod may have a length greater than that of the first or second skates. The at least one rod may have an adjustable length (e.g., the at least one rod may be telescoping). The at least one rod is connected to the first skate via a corresponding one of the at least one receiving region of the first skate. The at least one rod may be secured to the first skate, such that the relative positions of the at least one rod and the first skate do not change. The at least one rod is further connected to the second skate via a corresponding one of the at least one receiving region of the second skate. The at least one rod may be perpendicular to the first skate and the second skate. The at least one rod is further configured to extend through a corresponding one of the at least one aperture through the outer lateral surface of the second skate by a variable amount. the at least one rod is configured to be selectively disconnected from the first skate and the second skate.

The first skate may have a horizontally-oriented surface configured to receive a load and a wall extending upwardly above the horizontally-oriented surface in a vertical dimension. The wall is configured to prevent the load from extending past an outer lateral extent of the first skate. The second skate may have a horizontally-oriented surface configured to receive the load and a wall extending upwardly above the horizontally-oriented surface in a vertical dimension. The wall is configured to prevent the load from extending past an outer lateral extent of the second skate.

The dolly may further include at least one end cap (e.g., two end caps) connected to a corresponding one of the at least one rod, wherein the at least one end cap prevents the second skate from disconnecting from the at least one rod.

According to certain embodiments described herein, a dolly includes a first skate, a second skate, a first rod, and a second rod. The lengths of each of the rods may be greater than the lengths of each of the skates. The first skate is connected to a plurality of wheels (e.g., in-line wheels) and includes a first and second receiving region. The second skate is connected to a plurality of wheels (e.g., in-line wheels) and includes a first and second receiving region. The second skate also includes a first aperture and a second aperture, each of which extends through an outer lateral surface of the second skate. The first rod (e.g., one with a variable length, such as a telescoping rod) maintained in a perpendicular orientation to the first skate via the first receiving region of the first skate. The first rod may be securable to the first skate, such that when the first rod is secured to the first skate, the relative positions of the first rod and the first skate do not change. The first rod is also maintained in a perpendicular orientation to the second skate via the first receiving region of the second skate. The first rod is extendible by a variable length through the first aperture through the outer lateral surface of the second skate. The first rod may be selectively disconnected from the first skate and the second skate. The second rod (e.g., one with a variable length, such as a telescoping rod) is maintained in a perpendicular orientation to the first skate via the second receiving region of the first skate. The second rod may be securable to the first skate, such that when the second rod is secured to the first skate, the relative positions of the second rod and the first skate do not change. The second rod is also maintained in a perpendicular orientation to the second skate via the second receiving region of the second skate. The second rod is extendible by a variable length through the second aperture through the outer lateral surface of the second skate. The second rod may be selectively disconnected from the first skate and the second skate.

The first skate may have a horizontally-oriented surface configured to receive a load and a wall extending upwardly above the horizontally-oriented surface in a vertical dimension. The wall is configured to prevent the load from extending past an outer lateral extent of the first skate. The second skate may have a horizontally-oriented surface configured to receive the load and a wall extending upwardly above the horizontally-oriented surface in a vertical dimension. The wall is configured to prevent the load from extending past an outer lateral extent of the second skate.

The dolly may further include two end caps connected to the respective rods, wherein the end caps prevent the second skate from disconnecting from the rods. The end caps may be selectively disconnected from the rods.

According to certain embodiments described herein, a dolly includes: a first skate including a first plurality of wheel-accepting regions; a second skate including a second plurality of wheel-accepting regions, wherein the second skate is substantially parallel to the first skate; a first rod substantially perpendicular to the first skate and the second skate, wherein the first rod connects to the first skate and connects to the second skate; a second rod substantially perpendicular to the first skate and the second skate, and substantially parallel to the first rod, wherein the first rod connects to the first skate and connects to the second skate; a first plurality of wheels (e.g., four in-line wheels) configured to be received by corresponding ones of the first plurality of wheel-accepting regions; a second plurality of wheels (e.g., four in-line wheels) configured to be received by corresponding ones of the second plurality of wheel-accepting regions; a plurality of first axles extending through corresponding holes in the first plurality of wheels; and a plurality of second axles extending through corresponding holes in the second plurality of wheels. The plurality of first axles are each configured to snap into the first skate, and the plurality of second axles are each configured to snap into the second skate. The first skate may comprise a first plurality of springs configured to allow corresponding ones of the plurality of first axles to snap into the first skate, and the second skate may comprise a second plurality of springs configured to allow corresponding ones of the plurality of second axles to snap into the second skate. The first skate may further comprise a third plurality of springs that, in combination with the first plurality of springs, are configured to allow corresponding ones of the plurality of first axles to snap into the first skate. The second skate may further comprise a fourth plurality of springs that, in combination with the second plurality of springs, are configured to allow corresponding ones of the plurality of second axles to snap into the second skate.

According to certain embodiments described herein, a dolly includes: a first skate and a first plurality of wheels maintained in a fixed position with the first skate via a corresponding first plurality of axles, wherein the first plurality of axles extend through the first plurality of wheels and connect to the first skate; a second skate and a second plurality of wheels maintained in a fixed position with the second skate via a corresponding second plurality of axles, wherein the second plurality of axles extend through the second plurality of wheels and connect to the second skate; a first rod substantially perpendicular to the first skate and the second skate, wherein the first rod connects to the first skate and the second skate; and a second rod substantially perpendicular to the first skate and the second skate, wherein the second rod connects to the first skate and the second skate. The first and second rods connect to the first and second skates via corresponding receiving portions in the skates. Each receiving portion comprises a deflecting region on a bottom surface of the respective skate, and the deflecting regions are shaped to promote travel of the dolly by gradually pushing the dolly up over objects in the path of travel of the dolly. The radius of each deflecting region may be approximately between 0.5″ and 1″ (e.g., 0.75″).

According to certain embodiments described herein, a dolly includes: a first skate and a first plurality of wheels maintained in a fixed position with the first skate via a corresponding first plurality of axles, wherein the first plurality of axles extend through the first plurality of wheels and connect to the first skate; a second skate and a second plurality of wheels maintained in a fixed position with the second skate via a corresponding second plurality of axles, wherein the second plurality of axles extend through the second plurality of wheels and connect to the second skate; a first rod substantially perpendicular to the first skate and the second skate, wherein the first rod connects to the first skate and the second skate; and a second rod substantially perpendicular to the first skate and the second skate, wherein the second rod connects to the first skate and the second skate. When the dolly is in a substantially upright position, the dolly is configured to be tilted to a maximum angle such that the first stopping portion, the second stopping portion, only one of the plurality of first wheels, and only one of the plurality of second wheels maintain contact on a resting surface. When fully tilted, the angle between the resting surface and loading surfaces on the skates may be approximately 30 degrees. The two stopping portions may be located on trailing edge of the first skate and on a trailing edge of the second skate, respectively.

According to certain embodiments disclosed herein, a dolly includes: a first skate connected to a first plurality of wheels; a second skate connected to a second plurality of wheels; a first rod substantially perpendicular to the first skate and the second skate, wherein the first rod connects to the first skate and the second skate; and a second rod substantially perpendicular to the first skate and the second skate, wherein the second rod connects to the first skate and the second skate, wherein the first and second rods connect to the first and second skates via two corresponding receiving regions in the first skate and two corresponding receiving regions in the second skate, wherein each receiving region comprises an outer aperture, and wherein the first rod is configured to pass through the first outer aperture, and wherein the second rod is configured to pass through the second outer aperture. A first endcap is connected to the first rod to prevent the first rod from coming out of the first outer aperture. A second endcap is connected to the second rod to prevent the second rod from coming out of the second outer aperture. The first endcap may include a flange configured to extend outside of an outer perimeter of the first rod. The second endcap may include a flange configured to extend outside of the outer perimeter of the second rod. The first endcap flange may prevent the first rod from coming out of the first outer aperture. The second endcap flange may be configured to prevent the second rod from coming out of the second outer aperture.

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of certain techniques of the present application, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purposes of illustration, certain techniques are shown in the drawings. It should be understood, however, that the claims are not limited to the arrangements and instrumentality shown in the attached drawings. Furthermore, the appearance shown in the drawings is one of many ornamental appearances that can be employed to achieve the stated functions of the system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments of a dolly are disclosed herein. The dolly has an adjustable width to securely and efficiently support loads having different widths. For example, the dolly can be expanded to a wider width to accommodate a load such as a washing machine. Then the dolly can be collapsed to stably support a narrower load such as a television. The dolly can have adjustable rods that space two skates apart from each other by a varying distance. Furthermore, the rods can extend through one of the skates, thereby allowing the skates to be brought even closer together.

Various additional innovations are disclosed herein. For example, a deflector design that facilitates movement of the dolly over interfering objects in the path of travel is disclosed. As another example, a design for snapping in wheel axles into the skates of the dolly is described and depicted. As another example, a design that allows for stable and predictable tilting of the dolly is disclosed. These are but a few examples of the features and embodiments of the dolly disclosed herein.

As shown inFIGS.1,2,3A,4A, and4B, a dolly100may include two skates110(right and left) connected by two rods130(front and back). The skates110may be identical or substantially identical to each other. The skates110may be formed of a material such as aluminum or other metals and/or resins such as polypropylene. The skates110may be inverted and/or parallel with respect to each other, as assembled in the dolly100. As can be seen inFIGS.2,3A, and5, each of the skates110is connected to wheels141. Each wheel141is part of a wheel assembly, as shown inFIGS.3A and6. In addition to the wheel141itself, each wheel assembly includes two bearings142(e.g., ball bearings) connected on each lateral side of the wheel and an axle143that passes through the bearings142and the wheel141. As shown, each skate110is connected to four wheels141via corresponding axles143, but more or fewer wheels141could be used. The wheels141can be in-line wheels, such as those found on in-line skates. The wheels141can maintain a fixed relationship with the skate110to which they are attached, such that the wheels141do not rotate in any dimension aside from rotation around respective axles143(e.g., the wheels141do not swivel).

The rods130may be identical or substantially identical to each other. The rods130may be parallel to each other. The length of the rods130may be greater than the length of the skates110. A given rod130could be solid or hollow, or a combination thereof. A rod130could have a circular cross-sectional profile or some other geometric shape. A rod130may, but need not, have a length that is greater than its width, as depicted. The rods130may each be of adjustable length, thereby providing adjustability of the width of the dolly100. Such adjustability of the width of the dolly100due to the adjustable length of the rods130can be seen by comparingFIG.1withFIG.4B. More particularly, the separation between the skates110is adjustable. This allows the dolly100to accommodate loads of different widths in a stable and efficient manner. InFIG.4B, the rods130have a maximized length, thereby resulting in the dolly100being extended its maximum width. InFIG.1, the rods130are at their minimum length. When the rods130are at their minimum length, the dolly100may or may not be at its minimum width. According to certain embodiments that will be described in more detail below, the rods130can extend through one of the skates110via apertures117by a variable amount, thereby allowing the skates110to be positioned closer to each other, as shown inFIG.4A. As shown inFIGS.4A and7, the minimum separation of the skates110is determined by the locking mechanisms138on the rods130, which can have an outer radius greater than the inner radius of the innermost part of the receiving regions of the skates110. However, in other designs, the skates110could be brought into contact with each other or maintain separation based on some other feature. Thus, the width of the dolly100is continuously adjustable over a wide range (e.g., 6″-48″).

The components of the dolly100are shown inFIGS.3A and3B. This depiction of the dolly100includes some, but not all, of the embodiments disclosed herein. Each rod130can be telescoping. As depicted and further shown inFIG.7, a telescoping rod130includes an inner tube136that slides into an outer tube137, which has an inner diameter greater than the outer diameter of the inner tube136. The tubes136,137can be secured in a stable position with respect to each other by a lock138, thereby maintaining a selected length. As shown, the lock138is a twist-style compression lock. The lock138is secured to the outer tube137and can be tightened around the inner tube136to selectively allow the inner tube136to move or be locked into a stable position with respect to the outer tube137. The lock138can be easy to manipulate manually.

Each rod130is removably secured to one of the skates110via a spring135and pin134. When secured, the pin134extends through at least a portion of the wall of the inner tube136and through a hole114in the skate110. The spring135maintains the pin134in this secured position. To unsecure the rod130from the skate110, the pin134is pushed back through the hole114(e.g., by hand) such that the pin134can then slide over an outer contour of the skate110to remove the inner tube136from the skate110. The spring135and pin134may only be employed on one side of the rod130so as to secure the rod130to one skate110only. Optionally, another locking mechanism (e.g., spring135and pin134) may be provided to secure or removably secure the rod130to the other skate110(e.g., the pin134passes through the outer wall of the outer tube137and through a hole114in the other skate110, and is maintained in place via the spring135) or by other methods.

As shown inFIGS.1,4A,4B, and6, each skate110includes a horizontally-oriented surface125on an upper surface of the skate110. The horizontally-oriented surface125receives the load and may be approximately 18″ long and 4.75″ wide, for example. The horizontally-oriented surface125may be substantially flat and may have holes or recesses. Such holes or recesses may reduce the amount of material needed to form the skate110, thereby reducing weight and cost. Proximate the front and back of each skate110are ingress/egress regions. As shown inFIGS.1,4A, and4B, these regions can have a sloped or rounded region extending between leading/trailing edges of the skate110and the horizontally-oriented surface125. By virtue of the sloped or rounded design, the ingress/egress regions can promote transitioning the load onto the skate. For example, the ingress/egress regions can facilitate loading of the load onto the horizontally-oriented surface125without possibly having to substantially tilt the load first.

As shown inFIG.3B, the underside and outer lateral side of the skate110include various features that will be further described in the context of other figures. The skate110includes trailing and/or leading edges111, which may be used as stopping portions as will be described with respect toFIG.9. The skate110further includes deflecting regions113, which may deflect the skate110over objects along the path of travel of the dolly100as will be described with respect toFIG.8.

As shown inFIGS.2,3A,3B, and7, the skate110includes spaces which serve as receiving regions for the rods130. Each rod130passes through a space defined at least partially by the portions of the skate110that include the deflecting regions113. Other configurations of a receiving region are possible, such as a receiving region surrounded by one or more rings or tubes. In any event, it is understood that a given receiving region of the skate110receives a corresponding rod130to connect the rod130to the skate110.

As shown inFIGS.3A and7, the dolly100can further include two sleeves133. Each sleeve133assists in creating a tighter fit for the rod130into one of the skates110. For example, the rod130can be asymmetric, with one side being narrower than the other (e.g., the inner tube136is narrower than the outer tube137). At the same time, the skates110on each side of the dolly100can be identical. A receiving region on the skate110for the rod130must be large enough to accommodate the wider outer tube137. Thus, the narrower inner tube136will fit more loosely into an identical receiving region. A sleeve133can be positioned between a portion of the rod130(e.g., the inner tube136) and the outer extent of the receiving region to better stabilize the position of the rod130in the receiving region of the skate110(e.g., the sleeve133could reduce wiggling).

The skate110further includes holes114, which receive the pins134, as described above and shown inFIG.7. The exterior of the hole114may allow easy access for a user to press the pin134through the hole114to disengage the rod130from the skate110. As shown inFIG.6and other figures, a wall115prevents the load from extending past an outer lateral extent of the skate110. The wall115may also guide the load onto the horizontally-oriented surface125. The wall115may extend along the entire length of the skate110(length-wise). The wall may be at least 1.5″ high, as measured from the elevation of the horizontally-oriented surface125to the elevation of the top of the wall115. Apertures116are provided through the outer lateral surface of the skate110(e.g., through the wall115) to accommodate ropes, straps, bungee cords, ratchet straps or the like to secure the load to the dolly100.

The skate110includes apertures117through the outer lateral surface of the skate110. A given aperture117allows one end of a respective rod130to pass entirely across the width of the skate110, such that the rod130further extends outwardly from the outer lateral surface of the skate110by an adjustable distance as shown inFIG.4A. In order to allow the rod130to continuously move through the respective aperture117, the rod130cannot be locked or immovably secured to the skate110such that their relative positions cannot change. Without the rod130being immovably secured to the skate110, the rod130could be inadvertently removed from the skate110altogether. To prevent such inadvertent removal, an additional feature or component can be provided. As shown inFIGS.3A and7, an endcap132is attached to one end of the rod130—as depicted, the wider end, or the outer tube137. The endcap132is shown to include a flange that has a diameter larger than that of the aperture117. Part of the endcap132(for example the flange) can prevent the rod130from being removed from the skate110by preventing the rod130from being removed from the aperture117. A portion of the endcap132may be inserted into or onto the rod130(e.g., the outer tube137) and be secured due to friction between the endcap132and the rod130. The endcap132may be selectively removable from the rod130to allow the rod130to be removed from the aperture117and from the skate110altogether. For example, when the load is not present, the skate110can be rapidly or forcefully moved along the rods130towards the endcaps132, such that the outer lateral surface of the skate110engages with the flanges and forces the endcaps132off of the rods130by overcoming the frictional force holding the endcaps132to the rods130. While the endcap132is shown as being a cap that fits on the end of a rod130, that need not be the case. An endcap132need not fit precisely at the end of a rod130. Instead, an endcap132could be a collar around the rod130or some other design feature or component that prevents the rod130from being removed from a skate110.

When the rods130are selectively removed from the skates110(for example, via spring-loaded pins and/or removable endcaps132), the dolly100can be easily assembled and disassembled, thereby improving the portability of the dolly100from site to site. Disassembly also allows the skates110of the dolly100to be uncoupled from each other altogether. Once uncoupled, the skates110can be individually placed under a very wide load that could not otherwise be accommodated with the rods130secured to each skate110.

Referring toFIG.3B, a skirt119provides some level of protection of the wheels141from interference with foreign objects. Springs120allow the wheel axles143to snap into place in the skate110, as will be further described with respect toFIG.6. Spring guards121provide some level of protection for the springs120impact with foreign objects, as will be further described with respect toFIG.5. Spring guards121can be positioned in front of and behind the springs120. As shown, the springs120and spring guards121are formed as part of the skirt119, but that need not be the case. The skate110further includes a plurality of recesses122that receive the axles143. The recesses122can be formed in the skirt119. One recess122for each side of a given axel143is provided. A plurality of recesses124receive the wheels141. The recesses124, or wheel-receiving regions, are shown as defined in part by the skirt119.

FIG.5depicts a side elevation view of the dolly100, and provides a different perspective of some of the features already described, including the relationship of the wheels141with respect to the skate110. Also shown is the relationship of the endcap132with respect to the skate110. Further shown is the relationship between the spring120and the spring guards121. The spring120(further depicted inFIG.6) is a flexing feature that may be prone to damage. While the spring120is designed to flex inwardly and outwardly along the width of the skate110, the spring120may not be designed to substantially flex along the length of the skate110(i.e., a dimension along the line of travel of the dolly100). Consequently, an undue force along the length-wise dimension in which the spring120is more rigid may damage the spring120. To reduce the possibility of foreign objects causing such an undue force, spring guards121can be positioned ahead of and behind the spring120along the direction of travel. As shown inFIG.3B, the spring guards121protrude outwardly along an outer lateral surface the skate110. Furthermore, as shown inFIG.5, the bottom of the spring guards121extend to a lower elevation than the elevation of the bottom of the spring120. By extending the spring guards121farther down than the spring120in this way, the spring120can be better protected from a potentially damaging impact with a foreign object.

FIG.6is a cross-sectional view of the dolly100taken along the line6-6shown inFIG.5, and shows a different perspective of previously-described features. The skate110includes a horizontally-oriented surface125upon which the load rests. The wall115extends upwardly above the horizontally-oriented surface125in a vertical dimension, although the wall115does not necessarily extend directly over the horizontally-oriented surface125. Nor must the wall115abut, directly connect to, or be contiguous with the horizontally-oriented surface125. Nor must the wall115have a constant height, constant thickness, or be contiguous. Instead, the wall115is configured to prevent the load from extending past an outer lateral extent of the skate110. The wall115can guide placement of the load and keep it secured within the width of the dolly100.

FIG.6further illustrates the relationship between a given axle143and opposing springs120(one spring120on each side of the axle143), which secure the axle143to the skate110(and particularly secure the axle143in the recesses122of the skate110. The recesses are also depicted and referenced inFIG.3B. InFIG.6, the springs120(especially the lower region of the springs120) are shown as being flexible along the general direction of the curved broken lines having double arrowheads. As shown, the springs120are integral with the respective skates110. The springs120can be formed of the same material as the skates110, such as aluminum or other metals and/or resins such as polypropylene. Each spring120has an angled surface at a lower interior region of the spring120, thereby creating a tapering cross-sectional thickness at the lower region of the spring120. Moving from the bottom of the spring120towards the top, the lateral thickness of the spring120gradually increases and subsequently decreases (shown as an abrupt decrease forming a nearly horizontal surface inFIG.6). To attach the wheel assembly (including the wheel141, bearings142, and axle143) to the skate110, the axle143is forced towards the horizontally-oriented surface125, as depicted by the broken lines having a single arrowhead pointing upwardly. As the axle143is forced into the skate110, the springs120are deflected outwardly away from the axle143as the thickness of the springs120widens, thereby compressing the springs120. Once the axle143is moved to an elevation at which the thicknesses of the springs120decreases, the springs120decompress towards their natural resting positions, such that they flex inwardly towards the wheel141(again, along the general direction indicated by the curved broken lines with two arrowheads). The combination of the pressure applied by the springs120and their thickness profiles causes the axle143to be secured to the skate110(e.g., the axle143snaps into corresponding recesses122of the skate110). To remove the wheel assembly (for example, to replace a wheel141), the springs120can be manually compressed such that the axle143can be pulled out of the skate110.

FIG.7is a cross-sectional view of the dolly100taken along the line7-7shown inFIG.5, and it shows a different perspective of previously-described features. The rod130and related components are depicted, including inner tube136, outer tube137, lock138, spring135, pin134, endcap132, and sleeve133. Also shown are the skates110, including the horizontally-oriented surfaces125, walls115, deflecting regions113, and an aperture117in the left skate110. Further, the receiving regions in the skates110that receive the rod130are indicated by the surfaces where the left skate110abuts the outer tube137and where the right skate110abuts the sleeve133.

FIG.8depicts a side elevation view of the dolly100, as the dolly100is deflected upwardly over an interfering object along the line of travel, which is indicated by the broken horizontal line going from right to left. The interfering object is shown as a rock, but interference could be caused by any non-horizontal surface such as another type of object or a contour on the ground. When the deflecting region113encounters such a contour, the front portion of the skate(s)110(and therefore a corresponding portion of the dolly100) is pushed upwardly as indicated by the vertical broken line. The deflecting region113as depicted has a curved profile that promotes deflection. For example, a deflecting region may include an arced surface having a radius between 0.5″ and 1″ (e.g., 0.75″). Alternatively, the deflecting region113may have a straightly-sloped profile, or a combination of curved and straight contours. As the deflecting region113is deflected upwardly, so too are the forward wheels141. The raised wheels141facilitate travel of the wheels141over the interfering feature.

FIG.9depicts a side elevation view of the dolly100at its maximum tilt angle, which is indicated by the curved broken line. Tilting can be advantageous when loading or unloading the load onto or off of the dolly100. The dolly100can be tilted either from the front or back. When tilted, only one wheel141on each skate110maintains contact on the resting surface (e.g., the ground). The maximum tilting angle is determined by the orientation of a stopping portion111. As shown, the stopping portion111is the trailing (or leading) edge of a skate110, but the stopping portion111could be located elsewhere. The arrangement of the forward-most (or rearward-most) wheel141and the stopping portion111can determine the maximum tilting angle for the dolly100. Such an angle could be one selected from the range between 1-45 degrees, such as about 30 degrees. In one exemplary dolly100, the following dimensions result in a maximum tilting angle of 30 degrees.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the scope of the novel techniques disclosed in this application. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the novel techniques without departing from its scope. Therefore, it is intended that the novel techniques not be limited to the particular techniques disclosed, but that they will include all techniques falling within the scope of the appended claims.