Appliance stand and dolly
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Heavy appliances like washers and dryers are difficult to move due to their weight and standard adjustable threaded leveling feet, which make sliding on flooring surfaces challenging, and rolling casters are not feasible due to dynamic loading, leading to instability during operation.
Innovation Solution
A portable, planar, rectangular platform with independently adjustable front and rear foot assemblies and caster systems that allow for secure support and easy mobility, featuring rotating and fixed caster assemblies with non-marring surfaces and threaded shafts for height adjustment, enabling stable operation and easy access for maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If standard adjustable threaded leveling feet are used on heavy appliances, then the appliances can be firmly supported on floor surfaces, but the appliances become very difficult to slide and move
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by using adjustable threaded shafts that can transition between extended and retracted positions. During moving, the shafts are retracted to minimize contact with the floor, reducing friction. During operation, the shafts are extended to provide firm support and stability, resolving the contradiction between mobility and firm support.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of foot contact height by extending or retracting the threaded shafts. This parameter change allows the system to adapt between two states: low friction contact for moving and high friction contact for stable support, effectively resolving the contradiction between ease of movement and firm support.
2Ease of operation
If rolling casters are attached to heavy appliances, then mobility is improved, but the appliances become unstable and move about during operation due to dynamic loading
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses adjustable threaded shafts that dynamically change their contact with the floor based on operational needs. During moving, the shafts are retracted to enable easy mobility. During operation, the shafts are extended to provide stable, fixed support points, preventing the appliance from moving about during dynamic loading.
Solution Approach 2:
The threaded shafts act as intermediaries between the appliance and the floor. Unlike direct caster contact, the shafts can be adjusted to provide controlled, stable contact points that mediate between the need for mobility and the need for stability during operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If appliances are moved frequently for access to cleaning, repair, and mechanical equipment, then maintenance access is improved, but the effort and difficulty of moving increases due to weight and leveling feet
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable threaded shafts allow the appliance to be easily moved by retracting the shafts to minimize floor contact and friction. When maintenance access is needed, the appliance can be moved with reduced effort. When in position, the shafts are extended to provide stable support, enabling frequent maintenance access without excessive moving effort.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the platform is designed with adjustable foot assemblies for leveling on uneven flooring, then adaptability to different floor surfaces is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the support system into separate adjustable foot assemblies at each corner of the platform. Each assembly with its threaded shaft can be independently adjusted, allowing the platform to adapt to uneven flooring. This segmentation provides leveling capability while keeping each individual assembly relatively simple in structure.
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 platform provides stable support for washers and dryers during use while allowing for easy movement, accommodating uneven flooring and ensuring the appliances remain secure and accessible for maintenance and utility hookups.
Implementation Method 1
a pair of front caster assemblies that are rotatably attached to the bottom wall at the front of the platform and a pair of caster assemblies that are fixedly attached to the bottom wall at the rear
Implementation Method 2
each of the pair of front foot assemblies has a first foot base, and a first shaft adjustably attached to the base platform, having a first shaft first end affixed to the first foot base
Data Source
AI summary
An appliance dolly has a platform with a caster wheel and a height adjustable stand disposed at each under side corner. At each upper side corner are a plurality of adjustable stays. The stays are configurable to retain the stands of an appliance which rests upon the stand and dolly.