Abstract:
The apparatus for transporting construction material described herein includes four primary components, an exterior, a liner for the exterior, a single wheel affixed to the bottom of the exterior and a handle coupled to the exterior. The handle is configured to be embedded within the interior space of the liner. The material to be transported is placed in the apparatus, contacting the liner, and wheeled to its destination. The handle may optionally be provided as a telescoping handle. Additionally, the apparatus may also include a coupling mechanism used to couple the apparatus to the operator&#39;s belt or to otherwise store the apparatus during times of non-operation.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Technical Field  
         [0002]     The present invention relates generally to the construction industry and more particularly to the transportation of large planar material, such as drywall, plywood and the like.  
         [0003]     2. Background Art  
         [0004]     Devices of various shapes and sizes have been designed and constructed for the purpose of transporting material that, due to the material&#39;s shape, weight, or dimensions, would otherwise be inconvenient to transport by less suitable means. Many such devices are specifically intended to transport large, planar material, typically produced in standard dimensions of 8′×10′ or larger. Of these devices, many comprise a platform supported by multiple wheels with side restraints for supporting the construction material in transit.  
         [0005]     Many of these larger multi-wheeled devices include multiple wheels specifically to provide stability and support for balancing the construction material during transport. Yet, as a result of the relatively large size and significant amount of material used to construct such a device, the device itself is often heavy, bulky, awkward to maneuver, and difficult to transport. Accordingly, these larger devices are suitable for construction jobs that require the transport of large quantities of material over a longer period of time.  
         [0006]     Conversely many single-wheeled devices, while relatively lightweight and maneuverable, provide less support for the construction material and minimal stability for larger loads. Additionally, operation of these smaller devices may prove to be awkward, primarily due the inherent lack of stability. In general, the smaller the device the smaller the amount of construction material that can be transported. This is especially important when transporting materials such as sheetrock due the very real possibility of inadvertently damaging the material during transport. Damage to the materials during transport is undesirable due to replacement costs and delays in procuring additional materials.  
         [0007]     Regardless of the size or wheel configuration, many of the known devices presently provided for transporting construction materials are fabricated exclusively from metal or other similar material, providing a hard surface for supporting the construction material during transport. While providing a desired structural stability, the hard surface can potentially damage certain construction materials such as sheetrock.  
         [0008]     Accordingly, among other characteristics, the optimal device for transporting large planar construction materials will be lightweight and maneuverable, and yet will also afford an adequate level of support and stability. While many of the known devices for transporting construction materials exhibit some of these characteristics, without further improvement, performance of these devices will continue to be suboptimal.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0009]     The present invention embodies the optimal characteristics of a large planar-material, transporting device as outlined above. According to the most preferred embodiments of the present invention, the subject device resembles an extruded “u-shape” and incorporates a centrically-positioned wheel to support the material being transported. The present invention is relatively small in size and is composed of moderately lightweight, yet highly durable, materials.  
         [0010]     In the most preferred embodiments of the present invention, the interior portion of the transporting device is a liner fabricated from a high density plastic, polymer, foam, carpet, or similar material intended to contact the surface of the material to be transported without scratching, denting, or otherwise damaging the transported material. The liner is substantially surrounded by and attached to a rigid exterior surface that is designed to provide structural support for the liner and the material to be transported. In the most preferred embodiments of the present invention, the exterior is fabricated from a durable material such as a lightweight metal. The resulting configuration provides sufficient support for the intended applications, namely the transportation of drywall, plywood, or similar construction materials.  
         [0011]     As a measure to ensure device stability during operation, an optional handle may be mounted or fixed to the apparatus. According to the most preferred embodiments of the present invention, the handle is a telescoping handle and is housed within the center of one side of the liner. Prior to operation, the grip portion of the telescoping handle is extended vertically upward and away from the apparatus. During operation, the user of the apparatus places one hand on the extended telescoping handle while directing and pushing the material with the other hand. Operating the apparatus in this manner allows the user to quickly and easily maneuver the apparatus and the construction material to the desired location while maintaining stability and maneuverability.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
       [0012]     The preferred embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements, and:  
         [0013]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an apparatus for transporting construction material in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0014]      FIG. 2  is a bottom view of an apparatus for transporting construction material in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0015]      FIG. 3  is a fragmentary front view of an apparatus for transporting construction material illustrating the attachment of a telescoping handle in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0016]      FIG. 4  is a side view of an apparatus for transporting construction material further illustrating the attachment of a telescoping handle in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and  
         [0017]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an apparatus for transporting construction material in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the telescoping handle in the extended position.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0018]     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , an apparatus for transporting construction material  100  in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention most preferably comprises a liner  120 , an exterior  110 , a wheel support bracket  140 , a single wheel  150 , and an optional handle  130 . The specific configuration of apparatus  100  is optimized for the transport of large planar objects such as construction material  170 .  
         [0019]     Liner  120  and exterior  110  are both substantially extruded u-shaped devices with two flat sides and a flat bottom. Liner  120  “nests” inside of exterior  110  and is affixed to exterior  110  so as to form a single unit or body. In the most preferred embodiments of the present invention, exterior  110  and liner  120  are fabricated from different materials with exterior  110  being substantially harder than liner  120  and liner  120  being substantially more resilient than exterior  110 .  
         [0020]     Liner  120  is most preferably fabricated from a durable plastic or polymer, high-density durable foam, or similar resilient material and is intended to uniformly support construction material  170  without scratching, denting, or otherwise damaging construction material  170 . In one of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, liner  120  is comprised of three pieces; the first piece sized to cover the bottom interior face of exterior  110  and the remaining two pieces sized to cover the front and back interior faces of exterior  110 . In another most preferred embodiment of the present invention, liner  120  is comprised of a single piece of material that coats or covers the entire interior surface of exterior  110 . In at least one preferred embodiment of the present invention, liner  120  is a spray-on liner material affixed in a manner similar to the fabrication of spray-in bed liners for pickup trucks.  
         [0021]     Exterior  110  is most preferably fabricated from a rigid, metallic material intended to provide structural support while transporting device  100  is in operation. In accordance with one of the most preferred embodiments of the present invention, exterior  110  is formed from treaded aluminum or steel and is affixed to liner  120  by a series of screws  115 . The length of screws  115  is selected so that when screws  115  are inserted through the surface of exterior  110  and into the body of liner  120 , the pointed ends of screws  115  will not entirely penetrate the body of liner  120 .  
         [0022]     Wheel support bracket  140  is affixed to the bottom of apparatus  100  and is used to attach wheel  150  to apparatus  100 . Exterior  110  is sized and proportioned such that material  170  may be easily transported in a vertical fashion, easily removed and inserted into apparatus  100 , and easily retained within apparatus  100  during operation. By using a single wheel as both a pivot point and a rolling mechanism, the required ability to transport construction material  170  is provided while offering the maximum amount of maneuverability. In operation, once construction material  170  has been placed in liner  120 , the operator of apparatus  100  can grasp construction material  170  and use it to guide both apparatus  100  and the transported construction material  170  to the desired location.  
         [0023]     Additionally, for the most preferred embodiments of the present invention, as shown in  FIG. 1  where construction material  170  represents a standard 4′ by 8′ piece of sheetrock, the overall height of apparatus  100  is less than ½ the height of construction material  170  and the overall width of apparatus  100  is less then ½ the width of construction material  170 . This small size also contributes to making apparatus  100  very lightweight, maneuverable and easy to operate.  
         [0024]     Handle  130  is provided for several different purposes. In the first instance, handle  130  may be used to lift and carry apparatus  100  to and from the job site where it is to be utilized. Additionally, handle  130  may be used to hang apparatus  100  from a hook on the wall or in the ceiling for storage purposes. Finally, handle  130  may be used by the operator of apparatus  100  to maneuver apparatus  100  when transporting construction material  170  to the desired location. In the most preferred embodiments of the present invention, handle  130  is fabricated from a lightweight yet durable metal and is provided as a telescoping handle. In this embodiment, handle  130  can be selectively extended or retracted into or out of the body of liner  120  as desired by the operator of apparatus  100 . Telescoping handle  130  is similar to the type of handle used in airline baggage. For those embodiments of the present invention where handle  130  is not provided as a telescoping handle, the legs of handle  130  are simply fixed to apparatus  100  by screws, welding, or some other suitable attachment mechanism.  
         [0025]     According to one of the most preferred embodiments of the present invention, apparatus  100  further comprises a coupling mechanism  160  which is used to couple transporting device  100  to the operator&#39;s work belt or toolbox. Coupling mechanism  160  may be a clip, hook, button, toggle, snap, or any similar mechanism known to those skilled in the art. Coupling mechanism  160  is most preferably securely affixed to the exterior surface of exterior  110  via screws or some other mounting process known to those skilled in the art.  
         [0026]     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a bottom view of apparatus  100  from  FIG. 1  is shown. As previously mentioned, wheel support bracket  140  is affixed to the bottom exterior surface of apparatus  100 . In this specific embodiment, wheel support bracket  140  is affixed to apparatus  100  using one or more attachment screws  205 . According to the most preferred embodiments of the present invention, wheel support bracket  140  is formed from a metal such as a steel alloy that is capable of structurally supporting a weight greater than the maximum load intended to be born by wheel support bracket  140  and apparatus  100 .  
         [0027]     Additionally, apparatus  100  has a width W 1  and a length L 1 . Similarly, wheel  150  had a length L 2  and a width W 2 . In the most preferred embodiments of the present invention, length L 2  is approximately ⅓ of L 1  and width W 2  is approximately ½ of W 1 . This proportionality provides a stable transport platform while maintaining a relatively small size for apparatus  100 .  
         [0028]     Referring now to  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 , one method of attachment for securing telescoping handle  130  to apparatus  100  of  FIG. 1  is presented in greater detail. As shown in  FIG. 3 , at least a portion of telescoping handle  130  passes through the interior space or body of liner  120  and is attached to the bottom of apparatus  100 . In this fashion, the legs of telescoping handle  130  can be collapsed and substantially contained within the body of liner  120 . By housing at least a portion of the extendable legs of telescoping handle  130  within liner  120 , liner  120  additionally serves to provide structural support for the extendable legs of telescoping handle  130  to the extent that they pass through liner  120 . The legs of telescoping handle  130  initially enter liner  120  through two liner apertures  300  and may be positioned at the center of either front or back side of liner  120 . As shown in  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 , attachment of the legs of telescoping handle  130  to liner  120  may be accomplished by securing a threaded portion of telescoping handle  130  to the underside of liner  120  with nuts  310  and washers  320 .  
         [0029]     In accordance with at least one alternative preferred embodiment of the present invention, telescoping handle  130  may be attached to liner  120  by welding the distal ends of the legs of telescoping handle  130  to the underside of apparatus  100 . Those skilled in the art will recognize that the attachment method shown in  FIG. 3  and other methods described herein (nuts, bolts, etc.) are only representative and many possible ways for attaching telescoping handle  130  exist. All such methods of attachment known to those skilled in the art are contemplated by and encompassed by the various preferred embodiments of the present invention.  
         [0030]     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , apparatus  100  is depicted with optional telescoping handle  130  fully extended. In the most preferred embodiments of the present invention, telescoping handle  130  may be extended to any of several intermediate lengths, depending on the size of the material to be transported and may be stowed substantially within the body of apparatus  100  when not extended.  
         [0031]     From the foregoing description, it should be appreciated that apparatus disclosed herein presents significant benefits over the known transport devices that would be apparent to one skilled in the art. Furthermore, while multiple embodiments have been presented in the foregoing description, it should be appreciated that a vast number of variations in the embodiments exist. Lastly, it should be appreciated that these embodiments set forth herein are preferred exemplary embodiments only, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description provides those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing one or more preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention. It should be understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements described in the exemplary preferred embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.