Adjustable Jaw Dolly for Secure Handling of Heavy Building Materials
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Solution Overview
Problem
Construction sites face challenges in material handling due to the weight and shape of materials like large timber and steel beams, structural insulated panels, and heavy framed glass windows, which are difficult to maneuver on uneven terrain without specialized equipment or additional labor.
Innovation Solution
A dolly with a caster/jaw support member, upper and lower jaw assemblies, and casters, featuring a selectively engageable threading structure that allows for adjustable jaw positioning and secure load handling, enabling efficient movement of heavy and unevenly shaped loads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional vacuum cups with handles are used to carry heavy glass windows, then workers can grab and carry the windows, but the cups easily slide on the material when lifting beyond weight capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanical gripping system with adjustable jaws that interface between the worker and the load. The dolly's jaw assemblies act as a mediator that distributes force through mechanical advantage rather than direct hand contact, eliminating the sliding problem of vacuum cups while maintaining ease of operation through leveraged force application
2Productivity
If specialized equipment like cranes or all-terrain forklifts are rented to move heavy timber and steel beams, then the materials can be transported, but the cost of equipment rental increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dolly is designed as a universal material handling device that can accommodate various loads including timber, steel beams, glass windows, and SIP panels through its adjustable jaw assemblies. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for specialized equipment rentals for different material types, reducing overall equipment costs while maintaining high productivity across diverse construction materials
3Productivity
If more workers are hired to carry heavy beams to the back of the house, then the beams can be moved, but the labor cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dolly enables self-service material handling by allowing a single worker to independently position and transport heavy loads without requiring additional laborers. The adjustable jaws self-adjust to accommodate different material dimensions, and the mechanical advantage provided by the dolly structure allows one person to perform work that would traditionally require multiple workers, thereby reducing labor costs while maintaining transport capability
4Manufacturing precision
If the dolly uses a threaded shaft connected to an adjustment knob to position the jaw, then the jaw can be precisely positioned, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex electronic or hydraulic positioning systems with a simple mechanical threaded shaft and adjustment knob mechanism. This mechanical substitution achieves precise jaw positioning through basic screw threading principles, avoiding the need for motors, sensors, or control systems, thereby maintaining manufacturing precision while minimizing device complexity
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The dolly provides a versatile solution for safely and efficiently transporting heavy and awkwardly shaped materials by allowing adjustable jaw positioning and secure engagement, reducing the need for specialized equipment and labor, and improving safety on construction sites.
Implementation Method 1
The selectively engageable threading structure may include a spring and a partially-threaded slide block
Implementation Method 2
A threaded shaft connected to an adjustment knob can be engaged and disengaged by the selectively engageable threading structure
Implementation Method 3
A set of casters is connected to and extends away from the caster/jaw support member
Data Source
AI summary
A dolly is disclosed that includes a caster/jaw support member, an upper jaw assembly, a lower jaw assembly, and casters. The upper jaw assembly includes a jaw slidably mounted to the caster/jaw support member and a selectively engageable threading structure with a partially-threaded hole, wherein the threading structure extends from the upper jaw assembly to the lower jaw assembly. The lower jaw assembly includes a lower jaw carriage slidably mounted to the caster/jaw support member, and the selectively engageable threading structure is disposed in the lower jaw carriage. A threaded shaft connected to an adjustment knob can be engaged and disengaged by the selectively engageable threading structure. A set of casters is connected to and extends away from the caster/jaw support member. Multiple dollies can be connected together by a crossmember to form a larger cart.