Adjustable Dolly with Tilting Skates for Load Adaptability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing dollies are inefficient in accommodating loads of varying widths and do not provide stable support, especially when encountering obstacles during movement.

Innovation Solution

A dolly with adjustable rods and skates that allow for varying widths and include features like deflecting regions and tilting capabilities to navigate obstacles, ensuring stable support and efficient movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the dolly uses a fixed-width platform, then the structure is simple, but it cannot accommodate loads of varying widths

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccommodation of loads of varying widthsVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The dolly employs telescoping rods that can extend or retract to adjust the width of the platform dynamically. This allows the same structure to accommodate both narrow and wide loads without requiring multiple fixed platforms, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The platform width is segmented into adjustable sections using telescoping rods that can be extended or retracted. This segmentation allows the platform to be configured for different widths while using a single unified structure, maintaining simplicity while achieving versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If the dolly has a rigid structure, then manufacturing is easier, but it cannot navigate obstacles effectively

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to navigate obstaclesVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The dolly incorporates tilting mechanisms that allow the platform to rotate relative to the wheel axle, enabling the structure to adapt dynamically to obstacles. This dynamic capability improves obstacle navigation while maintaining a relatively simple rigid framework that is easy to manufacture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The dolly changes its operational parameters by allowing the platform to tilt at different angles relative to the horizontal plane. This parameter change enables the same rigid structure to navigate obstacles of varying heights and shapes, improving ease of operation without complicating manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If the dolly uses fixed-position wheels, then the structure is stable, but it cannot adapt to different ground conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptation to different ground conditionsVSAvoidstructural stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The dolly employs wheels that can rotate independently on the axle rather than being fixed in position. This dynamic wheel configuration allows each wheel to adapt to different ground conditions while maintaining overall structural stability through the connected platform and frame.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3904181B1dolly
Publication Date: 2025.12.24 MIDWEST INNOVATIVE PRODUCTS LLC
  • EP3904181B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3904181B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3904181B1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

A dolly includes a first skate, a second skate, and a rod connected to the skates. The first skate is connected to a plurality of wheels and has a receiving region. The second skate is connected to a plurality of wheels and has a receiving region. The second skate includes an outer lateral surface having an aperture. The rod is connected to the first skate and the second skate via the respective receiving regions of the respective skates. The rod is configured to extend through the aperture such that a portion of the rod extends outwardly from the outer lateral surface of the second skate.