Abstract:
An all-direction transport includes a triangular wheeled platform for stable movement over a surface such as a factory, business or gymnasium floor, pathway or roadway. A load support is pivotally attached to the wheeled platform, and can pivot from a horizontal position parallel to the platform to a vertical position perpendicular to the platform. An extensible brace extends from the platform to load support when in an operative position. A pin passes through one part of the brace, which allows the load support to pick up a load from vertical position, while preventing the load support from moving beyond a predetermined limit towards horizontal. The brace is additionally removably pinned on one end to either the platform in an operative position or to the load support in a storage position, to allow the transport to be folded relatively flat. The load support additionally may be extensible in either horizontal direction, vertical direction or both. Other alternative embodiments are also described.

Description:
PRIORITY 
   This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/208,808, the contents which are incorporated by reference in entirety. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   This invention pertains to land vehicles generally, and more particularly to wheeled vehicles which are stable when loading and traveling, and which are propelled by an attendant. More particularly, the present invention pertains to vehicles that are sufficiently stable and safe for a single person to load and transport a wide variety of otherwise oversized or awkward cargo. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   Transport of large or oversized loads has typically presented challenges for people in many diverse industries. In schools and businesses, large tables and blackboards must occasionally be transported, either at the time of purchase and placement, or to accommodate various special events. This has typically required a large number of persons to each lift a part of the load. Unfortunately, if a person should accidentally trip, one or more of the persons may be seriously injured and the load may also be damaged. 
   In manufacturing, large or oversize sheets, panels, plates and the like must be moved about. In construction, various sheets, panels and construction modules need moved. Even in the furniture industry, mattresses must be moved about. Regardless of the industry, the handling of these large, typically very awkward, and sometimes heavy loads has been difficult. The use of more people to move these loads is generally unsafe, as aforementioned, and other approaches have long been desired. 
   In some industries, such as manufacturing, a forklift may be available to assist a person with the transport of a large load. The forklift is designed to support relatively large and heavy loads. Unfortunately, a forklift also requires special operator training, a substantial amount of space to move about, provides no cushioning for the load being transported, no tactile feedback for the operator in the event an obstacle or hindrance is encountered, and the lift is very expensive to purchase and operate. Consequently, the operation of a forklift generally is limited to those situations where cargo is delivered in shipping packages or the like or is durable enough to withstand heavy handling, and also where the cargo is being moved frequently enough to justify the cost of the machine and trained operator. 
   Where a forklift is not appropriate or available, hand trucks, rolling carts or the like have been used. The two-wheel hand truck or “dolly” is well known for transporting loads, and has been provided with various features to assist with particular loads. While the two-wheel hand truck is of tremendous help in transporting objects which are close in size to the hand truck, loads which are much larger are very difficult and often unsafe to carry. This stems from several limitations of the hand truck. First, the hand truck is balanced upon only two wheels. When a load is much larger than the toe of the hand truck, it is difficult for an operator to exactly balance at the midpoint of the load. Consequently, the load will all too often be slightly off-balance, which causes the hand truck to tend to wander or veer off course when being moved. Furthermore, the hand truck may also be relatively difficult to balance in a transport position, since the distance between the hand truck toe and operator hand may be relatively small compared to the overall height of the load. In this case, a great deal of operator strength may be required just to balance the hand truck about the axle of the two wheels. 
   The use of various carts and tables has also been proposed, and proves effective for the transport of relatively smaller loads, particularly where the load is comprised of many smaller packages. A single operator can then stack the smaller packages onto the cart or table, and then roll the table with load to a new location. The table or cart has the distinct advantage of not requiring an operator to balance the load. Once the load is placed upon the cart, the cart may be left stationary with no operator even present. Unfortunately, with a table or cart, the load most generally must be supported in a horizontal plane. Large planar or sheet-type material such as the aforementioned building sheets, mattresses or the like are often large enough to be difficult to load and handle when transported horizontally. Other carts have been constructed that enable large loads to be transported in a vertical plane. Unfortunately, there is no mechanism provided for loading the cart, and so the placement of the load upon the cart still requires the assistance of either more persons or forklifts or the like. Consequently, there has long been a need for a transport which overcomes the limitations of the prior art. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In a first manifestation, the invention is a wheeled transport for assisting with the safe and effortless transporting of large or awkward loads over a pathway surface. A platform forms a generally horizontal support surface. Wheels are attached to the platform upon which the platform is supported during use and storage. A load support is pivotally attached to the platform. An adjustable length brace is pivotally attached to the platform at a location distal to the load support pivotal attachment. The brace is also pivotally attached to the load support at a location distal to where the load support attaches to the platform. A means is provided for maintaining a minimum length within said adjustable length brace between load support and platform, while still allowing the adjustable length brace to extend without resistance beyond the minimum length. 
   In a second manifestation, the invention is a method of lifting and transporting a load upon a transport having a transport platform and a load support pivotally attached to said transport platform. The steps include positioning the load support relative to transport platform at a location within an operative range of relative rotation; activating an extensible brace between load support and transport platform to limit operative range of rotary motion therebetween; supporting the load upon load support; pivoting the load support relative to transport platform about the pivotal attachment; and moving the transport platform across a surface to thereby transport the load. 
   OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
   A primary object of the present invention is the provision of a transport which may be used by a single, untrained operator to easily and safely move loads that would otherwise be difficult or unsafe for a single person to carry. A second object of the invention is to enable transport of diverse loads having different weights, sizes and geometries. A third object of the invention is to enable the operator to release the transport and have the load be retained entirely by the transport. A further object of the invention is to enable the operator to safely and simply lift the load from the ground into transport position without additional assistance. Another object of the invention is to provide a transport with takes up a minimum amount of space both during use, to enable easier maneuvering and operation in tight spaces, and also which may be compactly stored during periods of non-use or shipping. These and other object of the invention are accomplished in the preferred and alternative embodiments, which may be best understood when considered in association with the text hereinbelow and appended drawing figures. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a first preferred embodiment all-directional transport from a projected view. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates the transport of  FIG. 1  from a rear, operator view. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates the transport of  FIG. 1  in a storage or shipping position. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates the pivotal linkage between load support and platform from a projected view. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   Preferred embodiment all-direction transport  100  includes three major assemblies. Platform  110 , load support  140  and brace  170  are assembled in use position, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , to form a vertical, generally triangular prism configuration. Platform  110 , which forms the base of the triangular prism in  FIG. 1 , forms a stable wheel-base upon which the rest of all-direction transport  100  is assembled. Platform  110  in the preferred embodiment includes a triangular framework comprising tubes  112 ,  114  and  116 . While a triangular platform is illustrated in the preferred embodiment, it will be apparent that other shapes and geometries may be used as well, depending upon the particular demands and design criteria selected. 
   At the junctions of each of tubes  112 ,  114 ,  116  wheels  122 ,  124  and  126  are mounted. Most preferably, these wheels are swivel mounted, which allows the transport  100  to be moved or turned in any direction relatively effortlessly. Wheels  122 ,  124 ,  126  may be of any size and type suited for the application, including pneumatic, semi-pneumatic, solid or foamed, or any other variant that carries the intended loads satisfactorily. For example, where irregular surfaces are likely to be encountered, larger wheels will normally be preferred. Similarly, where some cushioning of the load is desirable, pneumatic or foamed tires may be preferred. 
   To provide a place where an operator may step to exert force on all-direction transport  100  during use, as will be described hereinbelow, and incidentally providing additional support for wheel  124 , two additional smaller triangular steps  118 ,  120  are provided. At the juncture of steps  118 ,  120  and tubes  112 ,  114 , a receiver  128  is provided, along with pin  129 . 
   Load support  140  forms one of the vertically extending faces of the generally triangular prism shape of all-direction transport  100 , when in the use position illustrated in FIG.  1 . The shape and features illustrated in the preferred embodiment load support  140  resemble those of a common hand truck. While this configuration is preferred, and as will be explained hereinbelow, there are a wide variety of shapes, configurations, and even materials that may be used satisfactorily for load support  140 . In the event transport  100  will be used with only a single type of cargo, load support  140  will then most preferably be custom shaped for specific loads. Nevertheless, in the preferred embodiment transport  100 , load support  140  is shown in a more generic configuration which is adapted to a wide variety of diverse cargo. 
   Central frame  142  will frequently serve as the vertical support for a load or cargo that is carried upon transport  100 . Two small handles  144 ,  146  protrude from frame  142 , most preferably at a height convenient to an operator to grasp. The location, geometry, and even the actual existence of handles  144 ,  146  is not critical to the invention. However, in the preferred embodiment, these handles provide additional leverage and improved handling during the use of transport  100 . They enable the operator to grasp and control load support  140  while very large, oversized loads are supported upon load support  140 . In an alternative, one u-shaped bar maybe provided centrally on frame  142 , or several such bars may be provided as an alternative to handles  144 ,  146 . 
   Extension  150  is provided in the preferred embodiment as a telescopic extension from frame  142 . Extension  150  is used for transporting loads which are substantially taller than frame  142 , and which therefore require support beyond the end of frame  142 . Spring pins  152 ,  154  are provided which engage in cooperating holes  156  formed in extension  150  to prevent extension  150  from unintentionally collapsing during use. However, in the preferred embodiment, these pins are released to not interfere with movement of extension  150  until extension  150  is set to the desired relative position. Then pins  152 ,  154  are released and pass into holes  156 , thereby securing extension  150 . While extension  150  is contemplated in the preferred embodiment, the present invention is extendible not only in the vertical direction but also in the horizontal direction, either in addition to vertical extension or instead of vertical extension  150 . The same general principles apply to the extension, whether in the vertical or horizontal direction. In addition, while pins  152 ,  154  and holes  156  are illustrated, and extension  150  is illustrated as being telescopic, it will be apparent that other techniques and methods maybe provided for extending frame  142 . Additionally, the open framework illustrated in  FIG. 2 , including retaining straps  141  which retain extension  150  within an otherwise three-sided cavity, is preferred, although solid and fully enclosed tubes forming the support for extension  150  are also an alternative. 
   Opposite of extension  150  is toe  160 . Toe  160 , which in the preferred embodiment again resembles the ordinary hand truck toe, may once again assume any appropriate geometry for a particular load. In recognition of this fact, in the preferred embodiment toe  160  may be attached to frame  142  through tubes  162 ,  164  that pass into frame  142 , and which are retained therein through pins or bolts  163  or the like. This allows toes of different geometries to be added or installed at will by an operator. Toe  160  may alternatively be hinged to raise and become parallel to or coplanar with frame  142 , if appropriate for a given load. 
   At the top center of frame  142 , adjacent extension  150  is a receiver  148  that will most preferably comprise two parallel, planar surfaces that are spaced sufficiently to allow brace  170  to be inserted therein and pivot on pin  149 . A second receiver  168  is provided on cross member  143  of frame  142 , adjacent toe  160 . Receiver  168  may be configured similarly to receiver  148 , though in the preferred embodiment receiver  168  is only used during storage, as will be explained herein below, and will not require the use of any pins. 
   The third major assembly, brace  170 , forms the other of the vertically extending faces of the generally triangular prism shape of all-direction transport  100  when in the use position illustrated in FIG.  1 . Brace  170  is illustrated in the preferred embodiment as a single telescopic tube. However, and while this is the most preferred embodiment owing to small size and weight, minimal interference with the other components of transport  100 , and relatively low cost to manufacture, other braces known in the mechanical arts may also be used. Brace  170  includes an outer tube  172  having at a first end adjacent platform  110  (as shown in  FIG. 1 ) a hole through which pin  129  may pass to secure brace  170  to platform  110 . Brace  170  also includes a smaller tube  174  designed to extend telescopically from tube  172  to load support  140 , where smaller tube  174  attaches at pin  149 . Most preferably, smaller tube  174  will have one or more holes along the tube length through which a hasp pin, bolt or the like may be passed. Pin  176  will most preferably be sufficiently large to prevent smaller tube  174  from passing completely into outer tube  172 . Pin  176  is then used to limit the minimum length of brace  170 , while still allowing brace  170  to be extended to a greater length. 
   As aforementioned,  FIG. 1  is a use position. From this position, most loads will be supported upon load support  140 . The angle of frame  142 , which is somewhere between horizontal and vertical, uses the force of gravity to hold a load or cargo against frame  142 . However, at the time of loading, toe  160  will most preferably be down against a floor, the ground or the like, and be parallel thereto. In this position, frame  142  will extend in a vertical direction, and brace  170  will be extended substantially longer than shown in FIG.  1 . Toe  160  will then be slid under a load until frame  142  is adjacent the load. Next, if not already done, the minimum length for brace  170  is determined and set by placing pin  176  in the appropriate hole in smaller tube  174 . Depending upon the size of the load vertically, the operator will either use the top of extension  150  or handles  144 ,  146  to pull the top of load support  140  from vertical towards the transport position of FIG.  1 . The operator may also use steps  118 ,  120  at this time to prevent the platform from moving towards the operator. While this motion is similar to that of a standard hand truck, a large load could easily get away from an operator if the standard hand truck were being used at this point. However, the use of brace  170  and platform  110  ensures that load support  140  does not rotate too far and topple or crash to the ground. The load is simply rotated until preset pin  176  engages against outer tube  172 . The load may then be rolled upon wheels  122 ,  124 ,  126  from and to any desired location. Furthermore, the load does not require constant operator support. Transport  100  is entirely self-supporting of the load during use. Unloading is equally as simple, where the operator may, for example, step onto steps  118  or  120  and then force the top of load support  140  forward. When toe  160  touches the ground, transport  100  is backed away from the load, to slide toe  160  out from under the load. 
   The operation of the pivot between load support  140  and platform  110  is shown in greater detail in  FIG. 4 , where one of the two pivots is illustrated. The illustration of  FIG. 4  shows the pivot in the loading position, with toe  160  parallel to the ground and frame  142  extending vertically. In this position, bar  132 , which is rigidly attached perpendicular to frame  142  and cross member  143 , extends parallel to the ground and the general surface of platform  110 . The end of bar  132  distal to frame  142  has a hole through which pin  134  passes. Pin  134  is supported on bar  130 , which extends in a vertical direction normal to platform  110 . As load support  140  is tilted back, the positioning of the pivot above and behind tube  116  ensures the load is lifted up off of the ground and is drawn towards the operator. In this way, tilting alone is sufficient to lift the load for transport. 
     FIG. 3  illustrates transport  100  in a storage position. The conversion from  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 3  simply requires the operator to remove pin  129  from receiver  128  and pivot brace  170  into engagement with receiver  168 . Next, load support  140  is rotated into a horizontal position on top of platform  110 , and pin  129  is passed through receiver  128  and brace  170 . This secures platform  110 , brace  170  and load support  110  all in generally parallel, planar relationship, consuming a minimum of space for non-use or storage, or for transporting from an entirely horizontal position. Conversion from horizontal position back to the triangular prism configuration of  FIG. 1  is simply a reversal of the aforementioned steps. Consequently, the use and configuration of the preferred embodiment all direction transport  100  is simple enough to not require any special training, while still ensuring safe use and operation for all types of cargo and without requiring extra storage space when not in use. 
   While the foregoing details what is felt to be the preferred embodiment of the invention, no material limitations to the scope of the claimed invention are intended. Further, features and design alternatives that would be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art are considered to be incorporated herein. For example, various materials of construction and geometries of components are contemplated herein. Similarly, various wheels, wheel types and wheel directions or orientations are contemplated. Alternative all-direction transports have been designed to have two fixed wheels pointing forward, as in a standard “dolly” type hand truck, or in other alternatives sideways for movement in a single direction. These and other variations, whether specifically described herein or not but which will be apparent to those of skill in the field after reviewing the present specification, will be understood to be incorporated herein. The scope of the invention is set forth and particularly described in the claims hereinbelow.