Patent Publication Number: US-2018050715-A1

Title: Lifting and Moving System for Gondolas and Storage Racks

Description:
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/203,331 filed on Aug. 10, 2015, which is incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference thereto. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to storage racks and display racks for merchandise sold in stores, also well known as gondolas, pallet racks, and storage racks. More particularly, it relates to a system for engaging and elevating fully loaded gondolas, pallet racks, and display racks, to allow moving of such racks using wheeled dollies while fully loaded with merchandise. 
     2. Prior Art 
     Display structures which feature a plurality of horizontal shelves which are also known as gondolas are employed throughout the world for both the storage and the presentation of products to consumers visiting retailers. Such gondola structures and shelving units display the retail products which consumers buy, as well as food products and the like. It should be noted that gondola as used herein is for convenience of the description and is inclusive of any rack structure having shelves supported by vertical members extending from horizontal supports at the base. Such may include gondolas in stores, pallet racks, storage racks, display racks and other such display and storage components. 
     Such display structures which can be many feet long and have multiple elevated shelves are incredibly heavy when loaded with merchandise. Conventionally, such shelving is arranged in stores as well as warehouses, in lines of adjacent shelves which form an array of aisles therebetween. In commercial and retail settings, customers will walk along aisles formed in between the adjacently positioned shelves. 
     Due to the limited amount of floor space at such retail centers and stores, the display units often consist of multiples of shelves supported by a central structure. These shelves are positioned in a vertical array to increase the number of items of displayed merchandise per square foot of floor space. The shelves themselves are generally packed with merchandise to thereby serve as both a display and storage unit for the merchandise. 
     However, frequently, there arises a need to rearrange and move the heavily loaded gondola or display structures. Such a need arises where maintenance is required, or a store is remodeling, or a retailer wishes to move products held by the shelving to another location in the store. 
     Because the shelving functions as both a merchandise display, as well as a storage structure for large amounts of the displayed merchandise, it is very time consuming to load and unload the many shelves with the thousands of different products which may be on display at a given location. Unloading and then reloading stacked shelving is also extremely labor intensive and costly to employers. It is thus desirable to be able to move the entire gondola or display structures while fully loaded. This saves the time and cost of unloading the products from shelves, storing them elsewhere, and reloading the products once the display structure has been repositioned. 
     However, conventional gondola type display structures are many feet long, and six to eight feet tall or more. Because of the many tiered shelves, such gondolas, pallet racks and display structures tend to be top-heavy. As a consequence, the loaded shelves are easily toppled if they are elevated above the supporting floor surface for moving. They are thus very hard to move and maintain upright, without removing the products they contain. 
     There are a good number of gondola and pallet rack storage structure lifting and moving devices available. Such devices and systems generally include some form of a dolly on which an elevated display structure is placed, thereby allowing it to be rolled on dolly wheels to a new location. Conventionally, some type of jack may be employed to elevate the gondola or storage structure onto the elevated surface of a wheeled dolly. 
     Often, such conventional moving systems require multiple people to operate when positioning a gondola atop multiple dollies. They are also complex and difficult to operate. Many conventional display case lifting and moving devices are also limited in their use with heavily loaded display units, because the display unit may require tilting to be placed atop a dolly. As noted, because gondolas, pallet racks and product display structures have elevated shelving loaded with products, they tend to be easily toppled as they are top-heavy. Thus any tilting can be particularly hazardous due to the constant potential for the gondolas and pallet racks to fall over and thereby become damaged. Further there is a significant risk of injury to personnel as well as loss of value to the retailer for toppled products. 
     As such, there is a continuing unmet need for an improved device and system for secure lifting and relocation of such heavily loaded gondolas, pallet racks, and other elevated product display and storage structures. Such a system should include engageable components strong enough to handle the substantial weight load of a fully stocked gondola, pallet rack or display shelving unit. Further, such a system should be configured for easy engagement and subsequent easy removal. In addition, such a device and system should be able to mate with a variety of complimentary gondola and pallet rack geometries without modification. Further, because the jack and wheels for such systems generally are more expensive than the interface between the gondola or pallet rack or other shelving being lifted, such a system ideally should allow multiple gondolas or shelves to be engaged with the interface components and then remain so engaged. Such will thereby allow the operatively engaged wheeled lifting component to be engaged to the lifting member easily when needed and subsequently disengaged. Finally, such a device and system should also be configured to eliminate or significantly minimize tilting of the gondola, display rack or pallet rack when lifting, to minimize the risk of tipping and potential injury to operating personnel, as well as damage to displayed goods. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The system and method herein disclosed and described achieves the above-mentioned goals through the provision of a lifting and relocating system for product shelving such as gondolas, pallet racks and display racks. The system employs lifting members to engage and lift gondolas and pallet racks to an elevated position above the support surface. It should be noted that the term gondola is used herein for convenience and is not intended to be limiting in any fashion. Gondola is intended to include gondolas for products and storage, pallet racks, storage racks for product sales and storage, and any rack with horizontally disposed shelves which are in elevated positions supported by vertical supports extending from underlying horizontal support members which may be engaged and lifted by the system herein. 
     The lifting members are each configured for easy secure engagement to, and disengagement from, wheeled lifting components such as dollies having screw jack or hydraulic jack or similar lifting component thereon. The lifting members are adapted for easy engagement and disengagement to opposing wheeled lifting components. The lifting members are also adapted for easy engagement to the support structure of product shelving such as gondolas, display racks, or pallet racks to which the lifting members are operatively engaged. 
     Each wheeled lifting component is securely engageable to one of the opposing ends of each lifting member in a manner allowing a screw-jack or other jacking or lifting means, positioned on each wheeled lifting component, to subsequently lift the engaged lifting members. The elevation of the lifting members which are operatively engaged to the support structure of the gondola, display rack or pallet rack, raise it to an elevated position above the underlying support surface. Once so elevated, the gondola, display rack or pallet rack is securely supported in the elevated position by the plurality of operatively engaged lifting members which are removably engaged to the wheeled lifting components. 
     Conventional gondolas and pallet racks and similar product display and storage structures, generally employ a plurality of horizontal supports to carry the load on the overhead vertically disposed shelves. The plurality of horizontal supports are positioned between both ends of the gondola or pallet rack. 
     The load from the horizontally disposed shelves on the gondola or pallet rack is supported by a plurality of vertical supports. To support the load communicated to the vertical supports from the shelving and products thereon, each vertical support extends from one of the horizontal supports and extends substantially perpendicular to the underlying support surface. 
     Horizontal shelves located on such a gondola, or display rack or pallet rack, conventionally have horizontally disposed support struts, each of which is engaged with at least two of the vertical support members extending from the support upon a horizontal support member. These shelves extend horizontally away from the centrally located vertical supports to respective distal ends. The shelves are usually adjustable to differing elevational positions of engagement upon the vertical support members above the horizontal support members. The shelves can thus be positioned in a tiered arrangement to accommodate merchandise of differing heights between spaced shelves. 
     The lowest shelf of such gondolas, display racks and pallet racks, is conventionally elevated above the support surface or floor. This elevated position is a distance above the floor determined by the width of the underlying horizontal support members, or base brackets, plus the length of protrusion of adjustable feet or base shoes extending between a bottom surface of the horizontal support members, and the underlying floor. 
     These feet are adjustable for length and a plurality of such feet extend from each aligned pair of horizontal support members, which are also known as base brackets or base shoes. The feet so engaged hold these horizontal support members spaced from the underlying floor or support surface. This spacing may be adjusted by adjusting the length the feet project from the underside fo the horizontal support members to thereby level the shelves of the gondola or pallet rack or other display or storage rack. 
     Because floors or support surfaces tend to have divots and recesses and uneven areas which form over time, the employment of these adjustable feet has become a standard manner with which to elevate the horizontal support members underlying lowest shelf above the floor. Adjustment of the length of protrusion of the feet also allows for leveling of the shelves of the gondola or pallet rack, by adjusting the length of the projection of these feet to accommodate uneven floor surfaces. 
     The system herein employs a lifting member which is adapted to easily engage and form a cradle with these horizontal support members which extend from opposite sides of each upright or vertical support member supporting the engaged shelves. The lifting member features a pair of connecting members which are configured to engage with each other and form a cradle in a sandwiched engagement around the horizontal support members of the gondola, display rack or similar shelving. Each lifting member in this sandwiched engagement with each horizontal support member, is also configured to achieve a registered positioning relative to the feet projecting from the underside of each horizontal support member. 
     Each connecting member is configured to removably engage with the other of the two connecting members using projecting members or tongues extending therefrom. These tongues or projections are in registered positions configured to engage with mating openings formed upon the other of the two connecting members being paired. Preferably each connecting member is formed identical to the others and in a manner where any two connecting members chosen to form a lifting member will form this engagement between the projections or tongues on one connecting member with the openings positioned on the other. 
     Additionally, where feet project from the horizontal support members of a gondola or pallet rack, the projections or tongues may be positioned such that a slot is formed and positioned between pairs of projecting tongues. When the tongues of two paired connecting members are mated to form a lifting member sandwiched around the horizontal support member, their engagement with respective openings is positioned to form a slot which surrounds each one or more of the feet projecting from the underside of the horizontal support member. This registered positioning of the slots between projecting tongues to surround projecting feet is a preferred mode in that it registers each formed lifting member in a similarly situated position as others engaged to lift the gondola or pallet rack, making the lift more balanced and secure. It also gives workers a means to determine the connecting members are properly positioned to form the lifting member on the gondola or pallet rack which is important. 
     Each connecting member in each pair forming a lifting member, has end portions which may be telescopically engaged with one side of a central portion of each connecting member. This engagement while not crucial is preferred as it provides utility in that a translation of the end portions upon the central portion provides a means for adjustment of the length of each connecting member. Further, such a translation of the end portions upon the central portion of each such connecting member, provides a means for length adjustment to position the gap between the engaged tongues adjacent the distal end of each end portion, in a registered position with a foot projecting therethrough, and thereby adjust for the differing spacing of projecting feet from differing gondolas or pallet racks. 
     The central portion of each connecting member is preferably configured with projecting engaged tongue portions located in registered positions adapted to engage respective openings positioned on the other central portion of a mating connecting member forming a lifting member. The projecting tongue portions of the two central portions when engaged with respective openings, are preferably positioned in-between two centrally located feet projecting from the horizontal supports. 
     Engagement of the respective tongue portion of one connecting member in each pair with the other in forming a lifting member, holds the two connecting members in each lifting member, in registered positions while in a sandwiched engagement surrounding a horizontal support member of the gondola and frictionally engaged therewith. Upon an elevating of the formed connecting member by an engaged wheeled lifting component such as a dolly with a jack, the horizontal support member is raised by contact with the tongues running underneath the horizontal support member, and provides support for the weight of the gondola or pallet rack communicated to each elevated horizontal support. 
     The endpiece of each connecting member of a pair forming a lifting member, is configured for positioning within a yoke engaged with wheeled lifting component such as a dolly having a jack operatively positioned thereon. A translating lock on a faceplate positioned upon the dolly is positionable to engage a recess in each of the endpieces of each connecting member forming a lifting member, to lock it in engagement with a yoke. 
     Each faceplate of each dolly is operatively engaged with a jack positioned upon the dolly such that operation of the jack will cause a translation of the faceplate toward or away from the underlying support surface. Translation of the faceplate away from the support surface in turn elevates the lifting member engaged with the yoke, which in turn elevates the horizontal support members engaged with the lifting member resulting in elevation of the gondola or pallet rack above the support surface. 
     In this fashion, using a plurality of lifting members, each operatively engaged with one of the horizontal support members of a gondola, and a plurality of operatively engaged dollies, the entire gondola is elevated and supported by the wheeled dollies once the jacks on each dolly are operated to translate and raise the faceplate and yoke engaged with one end of each lifting member. 
     In a particularly preferred mode of the system, allowing for gondolas and pallet racks to be pre configured for lifting, the connecting members can be engaged to form connected lifting members on each of multiple gondolas or pallet racks. Subsequently, the dollies may be engaged and removed from their engagement with the lifting members, and the lifting members left engaged with the gondola if desired, when the gondola is lowered to the ground or support surface. The dollies thus may be engaged to another set of lifting members on another gondola, and also may be easily re-engaged to the ends of the lifting members they were removed. This is preferable because it allows the system herein to operate more effectively allowing for pre configuring of gondolas and pallet racks with lifting members for subsequent lifting and moving. Such helps minimize worker time and resulting costs. 
     It is thus an object of this invention to provide an easily engageable lifting system for gondolas and display racks. 
     It is a further object of this invention to provide such a gondola lifting system which includes lifting members which are easily and securely engageable to a gondola and are also removably engageable with dollies having lifting ability as needed. 
     It is yet another object of this invention to provide interchangeable yokes and lifting members which are universally adaptable to engage and lift pallet racks and gondolas having any horizontal support member configuration. 
     These together with other objects and advantages which become subsequently apparent reside in the details of the construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout. 
     With respect to the above summary, before explaining at least one preferred embodiment of the herein disclosed gondola lifting and mobilization invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangement of the components in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention herein described is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways which will be obvious to those skilled in the art. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present disclosed device. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent construction and methodology insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING FIGURES 
         FIG. 1  depicts a perspective view of a conventional gondola or display rack and showing lifting members herein formed of mated of paired connecting members in sandwiched engagement with three horizontal support members, and with dollies engaged with yokes upon opposing sides of one lifting member. 
         FIG. 2  depicts a perspective view of a merchandise-loaded gondola such as in  FIG. 1 , and showing a second view of the lifting members formed of connecting members in a sandwiched engagement with horizontal support members and with dollies engaged to opposite sides of one lifting member. 
         FIG. 3  depicts a perspective, underside view of a lifting member formed of two connecting members in a sandwiched engagement with a horizontal support member of a gondola, and showing the engagements between projections or tongues and openings on each connecting member engaged adjacent gondola feet forming a cradled engagement for the support member of the gondola. 
         FIG. 4  depicts a perspective view of one connecting member of a pair forming a lifting member and showing the tongues and openings formed in positions to accept engagement from the second in the pair forming the lifting member to form a cradle for the horizontal support of the gondola or pallet rack. 
         FIG. 5  depicts a perspective view of the second of a pair of connecting members which forms a lifting member when engaged by respective tongues with respective openings. 
         FIG. 6  depicts a lifting member formed of the two connecting members showing the tongues of each engaging respective openings of the other and showing the telescopic engagement of end portions to a center portion of each connecting member. 
         FIG. 7  depicts a perspective view a lifting member of  FIG. 6  operatively engaged with a horizontal support member of a gondola with the feet registered in position between tongues of the end portions and on opposing sides thereof in the center portion. 
         FIG. 8  depicts a lifting member such as in  FIG. 7  operatively engaged with a horizontal support member of a gondola, and having dollies operatively engaged on opposite ends thereof. 
         FIG. 9  depicts the engagement of endpieces of each connecting member forming a lifting member, inserted within a yoke and showing a translating lock in a locked position. 
         FIG. 10  depicts the endpieces of the two connecting members forming a lifting member in locked engagement with the dolly, and having the yoke which is normally present, removed from the depiction for clarity. 
         FIG. 10 a    shows the locking members translated to an engagement in recesses formed into the endpieces of each of the pair of connecting members forming a lifting member. 
         FIG. 11  shows a jack such as a screw jack positioned upon the wheeled dolly and operatively engaged to translate a faceplate having a latch engaging a yoke wherein translating the faceplate away from the support surface will lift the yoke and the engaged lifting member and gondola. 
         FIG. 12  depicts a connecting member used to form the lifting members herein, showing the central portion having elongated sections extending axially into an axial cavity of the end portions of the connecting member for a translating engagement. 
         FIG. 13  shows the connecting member of  FIG. 12  having been elongated by a sliding of the two end portions in opposite directions, showing the length adjustment of each connecting member. 
         FIG. 14  depicts the yoke which provides the interface between the dolly with onboard jack, and the ends of the engaged lifting members formed of paired connecting members. 
         FIG. 15  is a rear view of the yoke of  FIG. 13  showing the overhang and opening configured to engage the latch on the dolly for lifting. 
         FIG. 16  depicts a front view of a dolly preferred for employment with the system having a latch configured to engage an opening in the yoke, which can be translated adjacent to the support surface. 
         FIG. 17  depicts a mode of the yoke showing that the endpieces configured to engage the ends of the connecting members forming a lifting member, can either be engaged with the connecting members or may be engaged with the yoke and inserted into the connecting members for use. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to the drawings of  FIGS. 1-17  there is shown in  FIG. 1 , a perspective view of the system  10  herein engaged to lift a typical or conventional gondola  12  or a pallet rack employed in stores and warehouses to display or store products. 
     As noted, conventional gondolas  12  and pallet racks and product display racks, have a plurality of spaced shelves held elevated in spaced configurations using brackets  16  which engage with a plurality of vertical supports  18 . Each vertical support  18  conventionally extends substantially perpendicular from a horizontal support  20 . The horizontal support  20  is held elevated above the underlying support surface by a plurality of translatably adjustable feet  22  which may be adjusted to level the shelves of the gondola  12 . The system  10  as described and shown herein, is configured to engage with and lift the gondola  12  and thereafter move it using engaged wheeled dollies  42 . 
     A similar arrangement to  FIG. 1  is shown in  FIG. 2  depicts a perspective view of a merchandise  24  loaded gondola  12  such as in  FIG. 1 . Also shown in  FIG. 2 , are the lifting members  26 , each formed of a pair of connecting members  30  positioned in a sandwiched engagement with each horizontal support member  20 . As shown one formed lifting member  26  is depicted with a dolly  28  operatively engaged to both of two ends, and the other lifting members  26  formed of connecting members  30  in a sandwiched engagement with respective horizontal supports  20  are shown ready for such engagement with a dolly  28  and described herein. 
     In  FIG. 3  there is shown a perspective view depicting an underside view of a lifting member  26  formed of a mating pair of connecting members  30  positioned in a sandwiched engagement on both sides of a horizontal support  20  of the gondola  12  and forming a cradled engagement of the support member  20  of the gondola  12 . 
     Each lifting member  26  is formed of a pair of connecting members  30  which can be removably engaged to each using mating connectors, each of which form a cradled engagement underneath and supporting the horizontal support  20 . A plurality of such cradled engagements are formed by the mating connectors which are positioned upon each adjacent connecting members  30 . When engaged, the mating connectors which will communicate under the surface of the horizontal support  20  and bear its weight during lifting, and position side surfaces opposing connecting members  30  adjacent sides of the support member  20 . 
     A currently preferred mating connector on each connecting member  30  will form a cradled support to hold the weight of the horizontal support  20  for the gondola  12  during lifting. This formed cradled support is essentially U-shaped and formed by the sidewalls of opposing connecting members  30  and the engaged mating connectors such as the tongue  32  and openings  34 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , projections or tongues  32  on one connecting member  30 , removably engage with openings  34 , positioned on the opposing connecting member  30 , in the pair of adjacent connecting members  30  forming a lifting member  26 . The engagement of the plurality of the mating connectors will thus contact the underside of the horizontal support  20  during lifting. This as noted forms a cradled support with each such connection where the support member  20 , is supported by contact of the mating connector with the underside of the lifting member  26  and which is supported on both ends, as well as contact of side surfaces of the opposing connecting members  30  forming the lifting member  26 . 
     The tongues  32  and openings  34  or other mating connector extending under the horizontal support  20  with the two connecting members  30  in sandwiched engagement with the horizontal support  20 , forms a plurality of mating connections each of which cradle the support member  20  of the gondola  12 , are also sufficient to hold the formed lifting member  26  together and engaged upon and under a respective horizontal support  20 . As shown, if the tongues  32  and openings  34  are positioned to surround projecting feet, the engagement of the mating connectors also forms a block or barrier preventing lateral translation of the two connecting members  30  during engagement and support of the horizontal support member  20 . 
     Such an engagement is depicted in the enlarged portions of  FIG. 3 , showing the registered positioning of the mating connectors depicted as engaged tongues  32  with openings  34 , at positions adjacent to an distal end  21  of the horizontal support  20 , such that the stem  23  of the foot  22  engaged to the horizontal support  20 , extends through a formed gap  36 . This positioning is as noted, particularly preferred because it places tongues  32  on either side of the foot  22  used to support the weight of the gondola  12 . By placing the tongues  32  underneath the horizontal support  20 , adjacent to the foot  22  engagement therewith, the weight of the gondola  12  is transmitted from the same area of the horizontal support  20  as the foot  22  and to the tongues  32 . 
     This positioning of the mating connectors formed by the tongue  32  engaged at a first end to a first connecting member  30  and engaged at a distal end by insertion into openings  34 , both forms a cradle to support the weight of horizontal support  20  and maintains the weight transfer to the formed lifting member  26  from the same area of the horizontal support  20  as would normally transfer weight to the feet and floor, thereby maintaining communication of the weight through any structural reinforcements or the like which might be provided to transfer weight to a foot  22 . As noted, other mating connectors engaged between the opposing connecting members  30  which form a U-shaped cradle with support under and on the sides of the horizontal support  20  may be employed so long as they engage to support the lower surface of the support  20  and maintain the sides of each connecting member  30  adjacent opposite sides of the support member  20 . 
     Depending on the manufacturer, the feet  22  adjacent to the distal ends  21  of the horizontal support  20 , can vary in position slightly. In a preferred mode of the system  10  herein is accommodated in the formation of the lifting members  26 . Each connecting member  30 , includes two end portions  38  of each connector member  30  which is in a telescopic translating engagement with a central portion  40  of the formed connecting member  30  ( FIGS. 12 and 13 ). This translating engagement allows the end portions  38  to be translated in their engagement to extensions of the central portion  40 , to position the mating connectors shown as tongues  32  and openings  34 , to position the foot  22  in a central portion of the gap  36  between the tongues  32  which are engaged in the connections with openings  34  and running between each of the two connecting members  30  forming a lifting member  26 . This as noted positions the support provided to the horizontal support  20  by the tongues  32  immediately adjacent to the foot  22  in a position to support the weight on a support surface as designed originally. 
     Shown in  FIG. 4  is a perspective view of one connecting member  30  which is included in the pair of connecting members  30  which engage to form a lifting member  26  such as in  FIG. 6 .  FIG. 5  shows the mating connector member  30  in the pair forming the lifting member  26  of  FIGS. 6 and 7 . 
     Depicted in  FIGS. 4-6 , the mating connectors are tongues  32  and openings  34  formed upon both of the connecting members  30 , in positions to engage the mating tongue  32  with an opening  34  on the other of the pair of connecting members  30  forming a lifting member  26 . 
     As can also be seen in  FIGS. 4-7 , each connecting member  30  is formed of two end portions  38  which are translatably engaged in an axial passage at one end, with the central portion  40  of the formed connecting member  30 . This translating engagement as noted allows the user to slide the two end portions toward and away from each other to change the length of the formed lifting member, and to align the gap  36  between tongues  32 , with the stem  23  of the foot  22 . In this position, when the lifting member  26  is lifted by the engaged dollies  42 , the tongues  32  contact and lift the underside of the horizontal support  20  immediately adjacent to the stem  23 , and thereby lift the gondola  12  with the weight thereof communicated to the same area as the feet  22  insuring the structure performs as designed to carry the weight of the gondola  12 . 
     In  FIG. 7 , a perspective view a lifting member  26  formed of two connecting members  30  shown in  FIGS. 4-5 , is depicted in an operative sandwiched engagement with a horizontal support  20  of a gondola  12 . Each of the horizontal supports  20  of a gondola  12  or pallet rack or display structure, will be so engaged with a lifting member  26 . Also shown in  FIG. 7 , is a yoke  44  which has slots  45  for positioning the endpieces  46  of each lifting member  26  therein as noted herein below. 
       FIG. 8  depicts a gondola  12  pallet rack, or similar structure, in an elevated position above a support surface  13 . As shown in  FIG. 8  the lifting member  26 , such as in  FIG. 7 , once operatively engaged with a horizontal support member  20 , of a gondola  12 , can then be engaged to a pair of wheeled dollies  42  by engagement of the endpieces  46  of each connecting member  30  forming the lifting member  26  within the slot  45  of the yoke  44 . The yoke  44  may be attached to the wheeled dolly  42  before engagement to a lifting member  26 , or it may be attached to a wheeled dolly  42  after it has been operatively engaged to the endpieces  46  of a lifting member  26 . 
     Once the endpieces  46  of the lifting member  26  are engaged with the yoke  44 , a sliding lock  48  as shown in  FIG. 9 , may be engaged to lock the endpieces  46  within their engagement in the slots  45  of the yoke  44 . By locking the endpieces  46  to the yoke  44 , the wheeled dolly  42  attached to the yoke  44  is maintained in engagement with the lifting member  26  during elevation and moving of a gondola  12 . Until the lock  48  is translated to release the locked engagement with the endpieces  46  of the lifting member  26 , the yoke  44  and connected wheeled dolly  42  will remain in fixed engagement to the endpieces  46  of each lifting member  26 . 
       FIGS. 10 and 10   a  show the engagement of the endpieces  46  of each of the connecting members  30  forming the lifting member  26 , in the locked engagement with the lock  48 , but with the yoke  44  removed from the illustration for clarity. As can be seen in the enlarged segment of  FIG. 10 a   , the lock  48  when translated toward the support surface  13 , engages locking members  50  within recesses  52  formed into the endpieces  46  of each formed lifting member  26 . 
     Once in this locked engagement as noted, the yoke  44  will remain in operative engagement with the endpieces  46  which engage between the yoke  44  and the lifting member  26  until the lock  48  is released. Other locks may be employed as would occur to those skilled in the art, but the depicted lock  48  into the slots  52  as shown herein works particularly well and allows the endpieces  46  engaged with the lifting members  26 , to be disengaged from the yoke  44 , or maintained in engagement with the yoke  44 , where the endpieces are removable from the connecting members  30 . Further, using the lock  48  engaged with the endpieces  46  which are engaged with the connecting members  30 , the yoke  44  can be disengaged from the latch on the dolly  42  and left in place for later re engagement. 
     Elevation of the lifting member  26  operatively engaged with a yoke  44  is accomplished by a jack  54  positioned upon the wheeled dolly  42 . As shown in  FIG. 10 , the jack  54  may be a screw jack which with geared engagement between a drive  58  and a rotating screw  55  running axially through the housing and engaged with a latch  49  attached to a faceplate  56  ( FIGS. 13-15 ) which is engaged upon the screw  55  operated by the drive  58 . 
     In this configuration, rotation of the drive  58  will rotate the screw  55  and cause the latch  49  to rise. With the yoke  44  engaged with the latch  49  inserted under the overhang  51  of the opening  47  ( FIGS. 13-15 ), the yoke  44  will rise above the support surface  13  and elevate the lifting member  26  which is engaged to the horizontal support  20  of the gondola  12 . 
     Using opposing jacks on wheeled dollies  42  on both sides of the lifting member  26  in this fashion, will cause the elevation of the gondola  12  above the support surface supported by the formed cradled supports. The gondola  12  may be held in the elevated position and may be rolled upon the wheels  59  of the dolly  42 . The jack  54  may also be hydraulic or translated by other means of mechanical advantage however the screw jack shown works well and is simple to operate and maintain and is preferable. 
     As this operation elevates the engaged lifting members  26  while in cradled contact with the support members  20  and lifts the gondola  12  out of contact by its feet  22  with the support surface  13 , it will remain supported in an elevated position by the wheeled dollies  42  until the jack is rotated in reverse to translate the latch  49  and engaged yoke  44  downward. So elevated, the gondola  12  may be rolled upon the wheels  59  of the dollies  42  to a new position. Of course it should be noted that jacks  54  other than the depicted screw jack can be employed so long as the jack  54  is engaged to the wheeled dolly  42  in a manner to allow it to engage and lift the yoke  44  while the yoke is operatively engaged to the lifting member  26 . 
       FIG. 12  depicts a connecting member  30  used to form the lifting members  26  herein, showing the central portion  40  having elongated sections extending axially into an axial cavity of the end portions  38  of the connecting member  30  for a translating engagement. As noted this allows for length adjustment of the connecting member  30  and formed lifting member  26  to accommodate differing configurations of gondolas  12 . 
       FIG. 13  shows the connecting member  30  of  FIG. 12  having been elongated by a sliding of the two end portions  38  in opposite directions, showing the length adjustment of each connecting member  30 . 
       FIG. 14  is a depiction of the yoke  44  which provides the lifting interface between the wheeled dolly  42  having an onboard jack  54  such as in  FIG. 16 , endpieces  46  which engage within the interior of both connecting members  20  which form the lifting member  26 . As noted herein, the endpieces  46  can be engaged and extend from the ends of each connecting member  30 , or they can be engaged to extend from openings  39  in the yoke  44  such as in  FIG. 17 . In some cases where smaller gondolas  12  of display cases are being lifted, it may be beneficial to have the endpieces  46  extend from the yoke  44  and be slid into engagement with the connecting members  30  once they are engaged to the gondola  12  to form a cradled lifting member  26 . 
       FIG. 15  is a rear view of the yoke  44  of  FIG. 13  and other figures herein, showing the opening  47  having an overhang  51  which is configured engage upon the latch  49  ( FIG. 16 ) which is operatively engaged for translation using the jack  54  on the dolly  28 . This engagement is maintained by gravity acting on the yoke  44  and the weight of the gondola  12  once raised. 
     In  FIG. 16  is shown a front view of a preferred dolly  42  with wheels, for employment with the system  10  herein. The dolly  42  as shown as an onboard jack  54  which operates as noted to translate a having screw-engaged faceplate  56  engaged to the latch  49 . A latched engagement between the yoke  44  and the faceplate is formed by a latch  49  that projects upward and is shaped to engage the overhang  51  of the opening  48  in the yoke  44 . This configuration of the dolly  42  with the latch  49  which descends to a point within an inch or less of the support surface  13 , allows for easy engagement of the endpieces  46  with the yoke  44  or the yoke  44  with endpieces  46  to the open ends of each connecting member  30 , with the gondola  12  situated on the support surface  13 . Of course other latched engagements of the yoke  44  with the faceplate  56  of the jack can be employed so long as they are preferably removably engageable to allow the yoke  44  to disconnect and remain engaged with the endpieces  46 . 
     Also shown in  FIG. 16  are ledges  71  positioned on the dolly  42  which are configured to engage ledge openings  73  ( FIG. 14 ) on the yoke  44 . This allows the yoke  44  to be hung from the ledges  71  on the dolly  42  when not in use and is particularly preferred since it helps maintain the yoke  44  proximate to the dolly  42  for operative engagement with the lifting member  26  when needed. 
     Shown in  FIG. 17  is a mode of the yoke  44  showing that the endpieces  46  configured to engage the recess in both ends of the connecting members  30  forming a lifting member  26 , can either be engaged with the connecting members  30  as in  FIGS. 4-7 , or may be engaged to project from the yoke  44  and then inserted into the connecting members  30  while engaged to the yoke  44 . As shown the endpieces  46  in  FIG. 17  would both insert into the open ends of connecting members  30  forming a lifting member  26 , and the notches would engage a spring loaded latch or some other means to removably lock the endpieces  46  into the open ends of the connecting members  30 . 
     While all of the fundamental characteristics and features of the invention have been shown and described herein, with reference to particular embodiments thereof, a latitude of modification, various changes and substitutions are intended in the foregoing disclosure and it will be apparent that in some instances, some features of the invention may be employed without a corresponding use of other features without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth. It should also be understood that various substitutions, modifications, and variations may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Consequently, all such modifications and variations and substitutions are considered included within the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.