Abstract:
A toilet dolly is a “U”-shaped frame that slide around either side of the toilet bowl. The frame comprises two arms that are adjustable to fit any size bowl or any difficult installation and are connected to a cross-arm. Padded lifting arms are provided to lock in place around the bowl. The two toilet mounting nuts removed, a series of three jack screws are raised in an alternating fashion to allow the bowl assembly to clear the floor-mounted fastening bolts. Once clear, the bowl can be rolled out of the bathroom. The bowl can be reinstalled by a similar but reverse process. The actually raising of the jack screw can be accomplished with an electrical drill, including cordless drills, and/or a ratchet.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention was first described in Disclosure Document Registration 488,437 filed on Feb. 9, 2001 under 35 U.S.C. §122, 37 C.F.R. §1.14 and MPEP §1706. There are no previously filed, nor currently any co-pending applications, anywhere in the world. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to transportation hand carts and, more particularly, to an adjustable transportation hand cart specifically adapted for raising, maneuvering and reinstalling a toilet. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     As anyone who performs a lot of physical work will attest, nothing beats having the proper tool for a job. The proper tool can save time, save money, produce a higher quality job, reduce damage to equipment, and provide for the increased safety of the worker. A prime example of this philosophy is evident in the task of removing and reinstalling toilets when a new floor covering is to be installed. The usual procedure is to disconnect the water supply and remove the bolts from the floor, and then lifting the toilet bowl up and out of the way. Next each individual piece must be manhandled to remove it. This of course takes extra time, places undue stress on strain on one&#39;s muscles and back, and may lead to possible damage to the fixture itself should it be dropped. 
     A search of the prior art did not disclose any patents that read directly on the claims of the instant invention; however, the following references were considered related. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,262,590, issued in the name of Lynn, discloses a lifting device for raising and lowering plumbing fixtures, said device comprising spaced legs straddling the plumbing fixture and a suspended jack mechanism for aiding in lifting and suspension of the plumbing fixture; 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,391,905, issued in the name of Burns, discloses a toilet bowl handling and transporting apparatus comprising a U-shaped base frame with casters, an elevating jack mounted to the frame, a releasable connection between the base frame and jack, a carrying boom, a clamping assembly and a movable clamping assembly adjustably mounted to slide along the carrying boom; 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,722,511, issued in the name of Chitwood, discloses a toilet lift truck comprising a wheeled frame with a pair of moveable lifting bars attached thereto; 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,184,653, issued in the name of Lacy, discloses a toilet dolly comprising a hollow body containing a water reservoir, the body having a top panel with a toilet mount, a bottom panel with locking casters, a carrying handle and a drain; 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,203,065, issued in the name of Peters, discloses a toilet fixture installation apparatus comprising a three-wheeled base structure having a pair of lower frame members connected by a crossmember and defining a base plane, a fixed vertical mast carrying a sliding mast elevated by a jack member, a fixed horizontal boom, a fixed shoe and an adjustable shoe; 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,373,593, issued in the name of Decky et al., discloses a hand cart for lifting and transporting toilets comprising a whelled base and frame designed to straddle a toilet and a hand operated a jack and ball engaging grapples; 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,556,076, issued in the name of Jacquay, discloses a toilet lifting and transporting device comprising hollow steel tubing bent to define a U-shaped base frame and having a pair of support legs extending upwardly from the base frame and a cross member interconnecting the top ends of the support legs; and 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,015,137, issued in the name of Guevara et al., discloses an apparatus for suspending and transporting toilets with a wheeled C-shape assembly that has a hoist assembly mounted thereto. 
     Consequently, there exists a need for a means by which toilets can be easily removed and reinstalled without the inherent disadvantages as described above. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved transportation hand cart. 
     It is a feature of the present invention to provide an improved adjustable transportation hand cart specifically adapted for maneuvering a toilet. 
     Briefly described according to one embodiment of the present invention, a toilet dolly is a “U”-shaped frame that slide around either side of the toilet bowl. The frame comprises two arms that are adjustable to fit any size bowl or any difficult installation and are connected to a cross-arm. Padded lifting arms are provided to lock in place around the bowl. The two toilet mounting nuts removed, a series of three jack screws are raised in an alternating fashion to allow the bowl assembly to clear the floor-mounted fastening bolts. Once clear, the bowl can be rolled out of the bathroom. The bowl can be reinstalled by a similar but reverse process. The actually raising of the jack screw can be accomplished with an electrical drill, including cordless drills, and/or a ratchet. 
     The use of the adjustable toilet dolly allows for the quick removal and reinstallation of just about any type of toilet bowl in a manner which is not only quick, easy and effective, but safe for both the user and the toilet bowl as well. 
     An advantage of the present invention is that it aid in lifting the toilet bowl and tank together from the underside of the rim of the stool. 
     Another advantage of the present invention is that it does not rely on physical strength of the user, thereby being safer, eliminating muscle strain and preventing back injuries. 
     Further, use of the present invention is less likely chance of damage to fixture, helping reduce the potential expense of the removal and reinstallation project. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the adjustable toilet dolly viewed from the right side of the closed end of the apparatus; 
     FIG. 2 is a partial tear-away view of a cross arm member detached from an adjustable arm member, illustrating the central arm opening of the adjustable arm member; 
     FIG. 3 is a side view of an adjustable mechanical screw jack assembly; 
     FIG. 4 is a top view of an adjustable mechanical screw jack assembly; 
     FIG. 5 is a side view of an adjustable lifting arm assembly; 
     FIG. 6 is a top view of an adjustable lifting arm assembly taken through the line  5 — 5 ; 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 positioned to transport a toilet to another area; and 
     FIG. 8 is a side view illustrating one of the padded members and the insertion and threadable hand adjustment of a stem into a stem housing at the end of a panel. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within the FIGS. 1-8. 
     Detailed Description of the Figures 
     Referring now to FIG. 1, an adjustable toilet dolly  10  is shown, according to the present invention, from an exploded perspective view comprising a linearly elongated cross-arm member  12  and two oppositely positioned and linearly elongated adjustable arm members  14  and  16  slidably affixed or attached to the cross-arm member  12 . The respective arm members  12 ,  14  and  16  form a substantially U-shaped apparatus, as is evident from FIG.  1 . The cross-arm member  12  includes a mechanical screw jack cavity  46  (not shown here, see FIG.  3  and FIG. 4) and receives an adjustable mechanical screw jack  20 . The mechanical screw jack  20  is envisioned as having an exterior cylinder and an interior cylinder, said exterior cylinder and said interior cylinder telescoping about one another when the mechanical screw jack  20  is manipulated for raising and lowering of said dolly. The cross-arm member  12  also includes two sliding and adjustable lifting arm assemblies  22  positioned on either side of the adjustable mechanical screw jack  20  and capable of adjustment by a threadable machine bolt  24  (so as to permit adjustment of bolt  24  via a mechanical socket). The adjustable mechanical screw jack  20  rests on a flat cylinder tray  26  and is supported by a caster wheel  28 . 
     The adjustable arm members  14  and  16  each include a cross-arm opening  30  (see FIG.  2 ), a mechanical cylinder jack cavity  46  (see FIG.  3  and FIG.  4 ), and a sliding and adjustable lifting arm assembly  22  (see FIG. 1, FIG.  5  and FIG.  6 ). The mechanical cylinder jack cavity  46  receives an adjustable mechanical screw jack  20  and sets on a flat cylinder tray  26  supported by a caster wheel  28 . The sliding and adjustable lifting arm assembly  22 ′ are adjusted along the arm members  14  or  16  by a threadable machine bolt  24 . The cross arm opening  30  is slidably attached to the cross-arm member  12  and is set in a fixed position by a threadable machine bolt  24 . The threaded machine bolt  24  may insert through a nut welded  24 ′ to the outside of the aperture that receives the machine bolt  24 , or through a threaded aperture intended to receive the machine bolt  24 . 
     Referring now to FIG.  3  and FIG. 4, a side view and a top view, respectively, illustrate an adjustable mechanical cylinder jack assembly  32  comprising a clamp means opening  44 , with a threadable machine bolt  24 . A top wall  36  positioned opposite to a lower wall  38  and a front wall  40  positioned opposite a rear wall  42 , in which said top wall  36  perpendicularly depends from the front and rear walls  40  and  42  on one end, and in which said lower wall  38  perpendicularly depends from the front and rear walls  40  and  42  on the opposite end, form a clamp means opening  44  which is capable of receiving the cross arm member  12  or an adjustable arm member  14  or  16 . A threadable machine bolt  24  allows a user to tighten or loosen the positioning of the clamping means  34  and slidably adjust the mechanical jack clamping means  34  along a specified length of the respective arm members  12  or  14  or  16 , the specified length generally including from the end terminating with the cross-arm opening  30  on either of the pair of adjustable arm members  14  or  16  and along a length to the positioning of an lifting arm assembly  22 . 
     A mechanical screw jack cavity  46 , formed by a bracing member  48  extending from a contact point  50  to another contact point  52  of the rear wall  42 . The mechanical screw jack cavity  46  receives a mechanical screw jack  20 , with the mechanical screw jack  20  setting on a cylinder tray  26  and further supported by a caster wheel  28 . It is also envisioned that the bracing member  48  may be welded directly to the screw jack  20 , and the screw jack  20  may be welded directly to the jack assembly  32  to eliminate the number of independently moveable parts. 
     Referring now to FIG.  5  and FIG. 6, a side view and partial sectional view, respectively, illustrates a sliding and adjustable lifting arm assembly  22  or  22 ′ comprising a rectangular assembly clamping means  54 , with a threadable machine bolt  24 , fixedly attached to the lower portion of a rear brace  56  . The upper portion of the rear brace  56  houses an elongated opening  58  through which a carriage bolt  60  may be inserted to couple the rear brace  56  to an adjustable bracket  62 , the adjustable bracket  62  having a corresponding elongated slot through which the carriage bolt  60  may be inserted, and in which the adjustable bracket  62  may be positioned along the angle A or slidably adjusted along the line B to C. At one end of the adjustable bracket  62  a pair of vertically opposed padded members  64  and  66  are attached to the adjustable bracket  62  by a hinging means  68  which may be adjusted to position the vertically opposed and rotatably adjustable padded members  64  and  66  along the angle D. The rotatable adjustability of the members  64  and  66  is further discussed below. The hanging means  68  is envisioned as a bolt having dual threads, one set of threads about one end and another set of threads about the opposite end. The hanging means  68  (bolt) is envisioned as being welded to the bracket  62  so that each threaded end is exposed but secured in a rigid and stationary position. The dual threaded bolt permits the pair of padded members  64  and  66  to be independently adjusted, with a nut securing each of the members  64  and  66  to the hanging means  68  (bolt). 
     A top wall  70  positioned opposite to a lower wall  72  and a front wall  74  positioned opposite a rear wall  76 , in which said top wall  70  is perpendicularly attached to the front and rear walls  74  and  76  on one end, and in which said lower wall  72  is perpendicularly attached to the front and rear walls  74  and  76  on the other end, form a clamp means opening  78  which is capable of receiving the cross-arm member  12  or an adjustable arm member  14  or  16 . A threadable machine bolt  24  allows a user to tighten or loosen the positioning of the assembly clamping means  54  and slidably adjust the assembly clamping means  54  along a specified length of the respective arm members  12  or  14  or  16 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 7, the adjustable toilet dolly  10  is shown in relation to a toilet. The adjustable arms  14  (not shown here) and  16  are adjusted to fit along the side of the toilet  100 . The adjustable lifting arm assemblies  22  or  22 ′ are positioned so that the padded members  64  and  66  are against the outside of the toilet  100  to provide stability as the toilet  100  is lifted or transported from its current location. A cylinder-jack nut  80  is turned, by wrench, drill or other suitable means, to raise or lower the mechanical screw jack  20 . Once the toilet  100  is lifted sufficiently high enough from the ground, the caster wheels  28  provide a means for conveniently transporting the toilet  100 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 8, one of the padded members  64  or  66  is illustrated in an exploded view to expose the components of the members  64  or  66 . The actual padded feet  64   a  or  66   a  are affixed at the end of a linearly elongated and threaded stem  64   b  or  66   b , wherein the padded feet  64   a  and  66   a  are pivotal about the stems  64   b  or  66   b . The stem  64   b  or  66   b  is threadably inserted into a stem housing  64   c  or  66   c , wherein the stem housing  64   c  or  66   c  is integral or affixed to a planar panel  64   d  or  66   d . The planar panel  64   d  or  66   d  includes an aperture through which the hanging means  68  (bolt) is inserted. 
     The caster wheels  28  may have a variety of configurations, including the bushing-style of bearing most commonly known used in caster wheels. However, it is envisioned that the caster wheels  28  of the present invention may include ball-bearings, which will provide a smoother transportability of the dolly  10 , and may extend the life of the caster wheels  28 . Also, the caster wheels  28  may be equipped with a locking mechanism that prevents unnecessary rolling or swiveling of the wheels  28 . The locking mechanism is envisioned as being of the finger-operated type that is easily and efficiently locked and unlocked by a user. 
     Operation of the Preferred Embodiment 
     An assembled adjustable toilet dolly  10  is placed into a position such that the adjustable arms  14  and  16  lie substantially parallel to the side of the toilet  100 . The adjustable arms  14  and  16  are slidably positioned facilitated by the caster wheels  28 . If the width of the adjustable arms  14  and  16  must be adjusted, a user can loosen the respective threaded machine bolt  24 ′ of the adjustable arms  14  and  16 , which are then capable of sliding horizontally along the cross-arm member  12 . When the adjustable arms  14  and  16  are in the desired position, the user will tighten the respective threaded machine bolt  24 ′. 
     Once the adjustable arms  14  and  16  are in the desired position, the sliding and adjustable lifting arm assemblies  22  and  22 ′ of the adjustable arms  14  and  16  and of the cross-arm member  12  are adjusted to firmly position the padded members  64  and  66  against the outside of the toilet  100 , so positioned to forcibly impinge and suspend the toilet  100  between the positioned lifting arm assemblies  22  and  22 ′ as the toilet dolly  10  is vertically raised by the screw jacks  20 . The entire sliding and adjustable lifting arm assembly(ies)  22  or  22 ′ may be slidably adjusted by loosening the corresponding threaded machine bolt  24  and sliding the sliding and adjustable lifting arm assembly  22  or  22 ′ horizontally along the corresponding adjustable arm  14  or  16 . Additionally, the length or angle of the adjustable bracket  62  may be adjusted by loosening the carriage bolt  60  that couples the adjustable bracket  62  to the rear brace  56  and placing the adjustable bracket  62  in the desired position. Further flexibility is provided by the adjustable padded members  64  and  66 , which may be adjusted by loosening the nut  68  that couples the vertically opposed padded members  64  and  66 . 
     After the sliding and adjustable lifting arm assemblies  22  and  22 ′ are in the desired position, a wrench or other suitable device is used to turn the corresponding cylinder-jack nut  80  to raise or lower the corresponding mechanical screw jack  20 . After the three mechanical screw jacks  20  are raised to a sufficient floor height, the user may push the adjustable toilet dolly  10  to another desired location, facilitated by the caster wheels  28 . 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the Claims appended hereto and their equivalents. Therefore, the scope of the invention is to be limited only by the following claims.