Abstract:
A transport truck that can be used to safely move various articles of furniture, including heavy stacks of differently configured chairs from one location to another. The transport truck includes specially configured article support members and assemblies that can be affixed to the base of the transport truck to safely transport various kinds of furniture from auditoriums, conference rooms and like to storage areas.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]    This is a Divisional application of co-pending application U. S. application Ser. No. 09/372,393 filed Aug. 10, 1999.  
     
    
     
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The present invention relates generally to transport vehicles for transporting furniture. More particularly the invention concerns a wheeled truck having a novel supporting structure that is connected to the base of the truck. Alternate forms of supporting structures are provided so that a particular supporting structure can be selected and affixed to the base to transport table tops, chairs of various configurations and like articles.  
         DISCUSSION OF THE PRIOR ART  
         [0003]    Wheeled transport carts or trucks are old in the art and a wide variety of carts of various designs have been suggested in the past. Typically these transport carts comprise a flat platform to which a plurality of wheels or castors are rotatably connected. A handle of some type is connected to the platform to enable the cart to be pulled or pushed from place to place. While the prior art wheeled transport trucks are well-suited for carrying regularly shaped articles such as boxes, drums and like bulky articles, they are not well suited for transporting irregularly shaped articles such as chairs.  
           [0004]    The extensive use of removable tables and chairs in a variety of public gathering places has presented a problem, namely how-to quickly and efficiently transfer the tables and chairs from auditoriums, meeting halls, large conference rooms and the like to remote storage areas. Attempts have been made in the past to use the prior art flat platform transport trucks for this purpose, but these trucks are not well suited because chairs and like irregularly shaped articles have a tendency to slide off the flat platform. Modifications to the prior art wheeled trucks are, therefore, needed to accomplish the transport of articles of furniture, such as chairs of various configurations. The thrust of the present invention is to provide such modifications to thereby provide a wheeled transport truck that is ideally suited for the safe transport of a variety of differently configured types of furniture.  
           [0005]    The prior art chairs have taken on the number of different configurations, including conventional tubular frame chairs having four, ground-engaging legs and folding chairs of various designs. Special provisions must be made to safely and efficiently transport these types of chairs as well as folding chairs of various configurations. One of the objectives of the present invention is to provide a wheeled truck having a number of different types of carrying attachments for safely transporting chairs of various configurations, including conventional chairs as well as folding chairs.  
           [0006]    As will be better understood from the discussion that follows, the unique design of the transport trucks of the present invention permits the safe and easy transport of differently configured tables and chairs from the auditorium or other place of use to the storage area. More particularly, one form of the novel transport cart of the invention comprises a base assembly to which variously configured support assemblies can be affixed. The variously configured support assemblies are specially designed to safely support table tops as well as chairs having conventional ground engaging legs and folding chairs of various designs.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0007]    It is an object of the present invention to provide an easy to use transport truck that can be safely used to move table tops, differently configured chairs in stacked arrays and other articles from one location to another.  
           [0008]    It is another object of the invention to provide a transport truck of the character described which includes specially configured chair support track assemblies that are affixed to the base of the transport truck and can be readily interchanged as required.  
           [0009]    Another object of the invention is to a provide transport truck of the character described in the preceding paragraphs which, by selecting one of several differently configured support assemblies, enables a truck of relatively standard design to be used to safely transport differently configured chairs.  
           [0010]    Another object of the invention is to provide the transport truck for use in transporting table tops, chairs and like articles which is highly versatile, is of a sturdy, compact and light weight configuration and can be safely operated by a single workman.  
           [0011]    Another object of the invention is to provide a transport truck of the class described that is durable, rugged in use, requires minimum maintenance and can be relatively inexpensively manufactured.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]    [0012]FIG. 1 is a generally perspective view of one form of the chair transport truck of the present invention for carrying table tops of a first width.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 2 is a generally perspective of view of the chair transport truck shown in FIG. 1 with the table tops removed.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the transport truck shown in FIG. 2.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the transport truck shown in FIG. 2.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 5 is an end view of the transport truck shown in FIG. 2.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 6 is a generally perspective view of an alternative form of the transport truck of the present invention for carrying table tops of a second width.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 7 is a generally perspective of view of the chair transport truck shown in FIG. 6 with the table tops removed.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of the transport truck shown in FIG. 7.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 9 is a bottom plan view of the transport truck shown in figure 7.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 10 is an end view of the transport truck shown in FIG. 7.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 11 is a generally perspective view of still another form of the transport truck of the present invention for carrying chairs of a conventional non-foldable configuration.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 12 is a side elevational view of the transport truck shown in FIG. 11.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 13 is a bottom plan view of the transport truck shown in FIG. 11.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 14 is an end view of the transport truck shown in FIG. 11.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 15 is a generally perspective view of yet another form of the transport truck of the present invention for carrying folding chairs.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 16 is a top plan view of the transport truck shown in FIG. 15.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 17 is bottom plan view of the transport truck shown in FIG. 15.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 18 is a side elevational view of the transport truck shown in FIG. 15.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 19 is an end view of the transport truck shown in FIG. 15.  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0031]    Referring to the drawings and particularly to FIGS. 1 through 5, one form of the transport truck of the present invention is there illustrated and generally designated by the numeral  24 . Transport truck  24  is specially designed for transporting table tops of differing configurations which are disposed in a stacked relationship in a manner shown in FIG. 1. In this first embodiment of the invention, the transport truck comprises a base assembly  26  having transversely spaced-apart sides  28  and  30  and longitudinally spaced-apart ends  32  and  34  connected to and spanning sides  28  and  30 . As best seen by referring to FIG. 2, base assembly  26  includes a longitudinally extending central support  35  and a plurality of spaced apart article support members  37 . Ground engaging roller means, shown here as a plurality of ground engaging wheels  38 , are connected to base assembly  26  in the manner shown in FIG. 4.  
         [0032]    Provided at either end of the base assembly  26  is a generally vertically extending end support assembly  40 . Each end support assembly  40  comprises a pair of generally vertically extending support members  42  which are connected proximate their lower ends to base assembly  26 . To push or pull the transport truck along the ground, a push bar or handle assembly  44  is affixed to and spans support members  42  in the manner best seen in FIG. 1. Each handle assembly  44  includes a pair of generally cylindrically shaped hand grip portions  44   a.  Also forming a part of each end support assembly  40  is a transversely extending top member  45 . Provided at each corner of the transport truck is a curved plate like article retaining member  47 .  
         [0033]    Connected to and spanning support assemblies  40  is a top assembly  46 . Top assembly  46  includes a pair of transversely spaced apart, longitudinally extending beams  48 . Connected to and spanning beams  48  are three cross members  50 ,  52  and  54 . An angularly extending cross the brace  56  extends between cross members  52  and  54  and an angularly extending support brace  58  extends between cross members  52  and  54  so as to form a generally planar top support of the configuration best seen in FIG. 2.  
         [0034]    Referring next to FIGS. 6 through 10, an alternate form of the transport truck of the present invention is there illustrated and generally designated by the numeral  64 . Transport truck  64  is similar in construction to that shown in FIGS. 1 through 5 and like numerals are used to identify like components in FIGS. 6 through 10. Transport truck  64  is specially designed for transporting table tops of a lesser width than those shown in FIG. 1.  
         [0035]    In this second embodiment of the invention, the transport truck comprises a base assembly  66 , which is similar construction to base assembly  26  and includes transversely spaced-apart sides  28  and  30  and longitudinally spaced-apart ends  32  and  34  connected to and spanning sides  28  and  30 . As best seen by referring to FIG. 7, base assembly  66  also includes a longitudinally extending central support  35  and a plurality of spaced apart article support members. However, these article support members, which are generally identified by the numeral  68 , extend angularly downward from the sides of the base assembly toward central support  35 . More specifically, each article support member or  68  includes a downwardly sloping central portion  68   a  and a generally vertically extending leg portion  68   b  which interconnects central portion  68   a  with a selected one of the side members  28  and  30 . With this construction, when the more narrow table tops are disposed in a stacked relationship on the base assembly in the manner shown in FIG. 6 they tend to safely slope inwardly toward a central divider the character of which will put presently be described. Ground engaging wheels  38  are connected to base assembly  66  in the manner shown in FIG. 9.  
         [0036]    Provided at either end of the base assembly  66  is a generally vertically extending end support assembly  40 . Each end support assembly  40  comprises a pair of generally vertically extending support members  42  which are connected proximate their lower ends to base assembly  66 . To push or pull the transport truck along the ground, a push bar or handle assembly  44  is affixed to and spans support members  42  in the manner best seen in FIG. 6. As before, each handle assembly  44  includes a pair of generally cylindrically shaped hand grip portions  44   a.  Also forming a part of each end support assembly  40  is a transversely extending top member  45 . As in the earlier described embodiment of the invention, the transport truck is provided proximate each corner with a curved article retaining member  47 .  
         [0037]    Connected to and spanning support assemblies  40  is a top assembly  70 . Top assembly  70  includes a single longitudinally extending beam  72  and a pair of angularly extending braces  74  disposed proximate either end of beam  72 . Depending downwardly from beam  72  is the previously mentioned central divider assembly  76  which includes a central, generally vertically extending support  78  and a pair angularly extending support braces  80  and  82 .(see FIG. 8).  
         [0038]    Referring next to FIGS. 11 through 14, still another form of the transport truck of the present invention is there illustrated and generally designated by the numeral  94 . Transport truck  94  is also similar and construction to that shown in FIGS. 1 through 5 and like numerals are used to identify like components in FIGS. 11 through 14. Transport truck  94  is specially designed for transporting conventional chairs of the character shown in FIG. 11, that is non-folding chairs having four spaced apart, ground engaging legs.  
         [0039]    In this third embodiment of the invention, the transport truck comprises a base assembly  96 , which is similar construction to base assembly  26  and includes transversely spaced-apart sides  98  and  100  and longitudinally spaced-apart ends  32  and  34  connected to and spanning sides  98  and  100 . As best seen by referring to FIG. 11, base assembly  96  also includes a longitudinally extending central support  102  and a plurality of spaced apart article support members. However, these article support members, which are generally identified by the numeral  104 , extend longitudinally of the base assembly and are generally parallel to central support  102 . These uniquely configured article support members comprise a part of the first and second chair support assemblies of the apparatus of this latest of form of the present invention which span and are connected to longitudinally spaced apart ends  32  and  34 . More specifically, each article support member  102  of the first and second chair support assemblies here comprises a supporting track which is constructed and arranged to receive a pair of the ground engaging legs of a conventional chair with an. In this latest form of the invention side members  98  and  100  are generally channel and the shaped and are adapted to receive a pair of the ground engaging legs of the lowest most chair of the array of stacked chairs “C”. Support members  102 , as well as side members  98  and  100  are generally channel shaped so as to limit transverse movement of the stack of chairs relative to the base. Ground engaging wheels  38  are connected to base assembly  66  in the manner shown in FIG. 11.  
         [0040]    Provided at either end of the base assembly  96  is a generally vertically extending end support assembly  106 . Each end support assembly  106  is of similar construction to end support assemblies  40  and comprises a pair of generally vertically extending support members  108  which are connected proximate their lower ends to base assembly  66 . To push or pull the transport truck along the ground, a push bar or handle assembly  44  is affixed to and spans support members  108  in the manner best seen in FIG. 11. As before, each handle assembly  44  includes a pair of generally cylindrically shaped hand grip portions  44   a.  Also forming a part of each end support assembly  106  is a transversely extending top member  108 . Unlike end support assemblies  40  each end support assembly  106  includes a pair of angularly extending support braces  110 . As in the earlier described embodiments of the invention, the transport truck is provided proximate each corner with a curved article retaining member  47 .  
         [0041]    Connected to and spanning support assemblies  106  is a longitudinally extending beam  112 . Depending downwardly from beam  112  is a central divider assembly  114  which includes a pair of centrally disposed, generally vertically extending supports  116  and a pair of spaced apart, a generally vertically extending supports  118 . An angularly extending support brace  120  interconnects one pair to supports  116  and a  118  and second angularly extending support brace  122  interconnects the other pair of supports  116  and  118 . (see FIG. 12). In the manner best seen in FIG. 11, the first support assembly that supports the array of stacked chairs “C” is disposed on one side of central divider assembly  114  and in the second chair support assembly is disposed on the opposite side of central divider assembly  114 . More specifically, the first support assembly comprises side member  98  and a one of the track members  104 , while the second support assembly comprises side member  100  and in the other of the track members  104 .  
         [0042]    Turning now to FIGS. 15 through 19, still another form of the transport truck of the present invention is there illustrated and generally designated by the numeral  124 . Transport truck  124  is also similar in construction to that shown in FIGS. 11 through 14 and like numerals are used to identify like components in FIGS. 15 through 19. Transport truck  124  is specially designed for transporting folding chairs in a folded configuration in the manner shown and FIG. 15.  
         [0043]    In this fourth embodiment of the invention, the transport truck comprises a base assembly  126 , which is similar construction to base assembly  96  and includes transversely spaced-apart sides  130  and  132  and longitudinally spaced-apart ends  32  and  34  connected to and spanning sides  130  and  132 . As best seen by referring to FIG. 16, base assembly  126  also includes a longitudinally extending central support  134  and a plurality of spaced apart article support members. These article support members, which are generally identified by the numeral  136 , extend longitudinally of the base assembly and are generally parallel to central support  134 . As in the previously described embodiment of the invention, each article support member  136  comprises a supporting track which is constructed and arranged to receive a pair of the ground engaging legs of the chairs to be transported on the transport track. In this latest form of the invention side members  130  and  132  are also track shaped and are adapted to receive the ground engaging legs of the folding chairs positioned along the track in the manner shown and FIG. 15. Support members  136  as well as side members  130  and  132  are uniquely shaped so as to limit longitudinal movement of the chairs. More particular, as best seen in FIGS. 15 and 16, each of the legs supporting tracks, as well as side members  98  and  100 , provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart protuberances  140 . The valleys  140   a  which are disposed between each of the protuberances  140  receive the legs of the folded chairs and restrain them from moving longitudinally along the tracks. To maintain a particular group of folding chairs in the correct orientation along the tracks, a frame like assembly  141  is provided. Frame assembly  141  includes an upper frame portion  141   a,  which engages the group of folding chairs and a curved, track engaging portion  141   b  the legs of which are receivable within the valleys  140   a  formed between protuberances  140 .(FIG. 15). As before, ground engaging wheels  38  are connected to base assembly  126  in the manner shown in FIG. 17.  
         [0044]    Provided at either end of the base assembly  126  is a generally vertically extending end support assembly  40 . Each end support assembly  40  comprises a pair of generally vertically extending support members  42  which are connected proximate their lower ends to base assembly  126 . To push or pull the transport truck along the ground, a push bar or handle assembly  44  is affixed to and spans support members  108  in the manner best seen in FIG. 11. Also forming a part of each end support assembly  40  is a transversely extending top member  45 . As in the earlier described embodiments of the invention, the transport truck is provided proximate each corner with a curved article retaining member  47 .  
         [0045]    Connected to and spanning support assemblies  40  is a longitudinally extending beam  72 . Depending downwardly from beam  72  is a central divider assembly  76  which is substantially identical to central divider  76  shown in FIG. 6, and includes a generally vertical support  78  and a pair of angularly extending support braces  80  and  82 . As was the case in the previously described embodiment of the invention, the first chair support assembly of the apparatus is disposed on one side of central divider assembly  76  and the other, or second chair support assembly is disposed on the opposite side of central divider assembly  76 . In this latest form of the invention the first chair support assembly comprises side member  126  and a one of the support members  136 , while the second chair support assembly comprises side member  132  and the other of the support members  136 .  
         [0046]    Having now described the invention in detail in accordance with the requirements of the patent statutes, those skilled in this art will have no difficulty in making changes and modifications in the individual parts or their relative assembly in order to meet specific requirements or conditions. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention, as set forth in the following claims.