Heater dolly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Outdoor patio heaters are difficult and dangerous to move due to their instability and lack of secure support, which can lead to accidents and make deck cleaning challenging.
Innovation Solution
A heater dolly with a platform assembly and retention assembly that provides additional support and stability, featuring a central support platform with lockable caster wheels and an anchoring system with arcuate anchoring members and straps to securely attach the heater, enhancing stability and ease of movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If outdoor patio heaters are moved manually, then they can be repositioned, but they are difficult and dangerous to move due to instability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a dolly as an intermediary device between the heater and the ground. The dolly includes a platform that receives the heater base and casters that enable movement, serving as a mediator that provides both mobility and stability. The retention assembly acts as another intermediary that securely connects the heater to the dolly platform, preventing accidental displacement while allowing controlled movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is segmented into distinct functional components: the heater unit, the dolly platform, the retention assembly, and the casters. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function - the heater provides heat, the platform provides support, the retention assembly provides security, and the casters provide mobility - while working together to resolve the contradiction between stability and ease of movement.
2Productivity
If outdoor patio heaters are kept stationary for stability, then they are safe, but deck cleaning becomes challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The dolly system transforms the heater from a stationary object to a dynamic one that can be easily moved when needed. The casters enable the heater to be rolled to different positions, allowing deck cleaning personnel to move the heater out of the way efficiently. The retention assembly ensures that when the heater is stationary during operation, it remains securely fixed, thus maintaining safety while enabling productivity during cleaning operations.
3Ease of operation
If manual handling of heavy heaters is attempted, then movement is possible, but safety risks increase due to difficulty and danger
Solution Approach 1:
The dolly serves as a mechanical intermediary that bears the weight of the heater, eliminating the need for manual lifting and carrying. The platform supports the heater base, and the casters handle the movement, transferring the physical burden from human operators to the dolly system. This intermediary mechanism dramatically reduces safety hazards associated with manual handling of heavy equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The dolly platform and caster assembly effectively counterbalance the weight of the heater, providing a stable base that supports the full weight during movement and operation. The retention assembly further counteracts any lateral forces or tipping moments that might occur during movement, enhancing safety by preventing accidental displacement or tipping of the heavy heater unit.
Data Source
AI summary
A heater dolly for use with an outdoor patio heater includes a platform assembly and a retention assembly constructed to extend between the platform assembly and the outdoor patio heater in a manner providing additional support and ensuring that the outdoor patio heater and platform assembly are securely connected to enhance stability of the outdoor patio heater as it sits upon the heater dolly.