Locking Wheeled Skates for Moving Leveled Display Cases
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional systems fail to provide a unified method for safely and efficiently lifting, moving, and repositioning large, heavily loaded display cases and gondolas without damaging the leveling system, as they are often top-heavy and have extending feet that hinder traditional lifting devices.
Innovation Solution
The use of wheeled skates with onboard lifting components and a worm gear system that automatically locks onto the leveling feet of the shelves, allowing for secure engagement and adjustment to lift and move the shelves without manual locking, and additional support members to maintain skates in a registered position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If conventional jacks and forklifts are used to lift and move shelves, then lifting capability is provided, but the leveling feet are damaged and shelving is damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a specialized dolly as an intermediary device between the conventional lifting equipment and the shelving system. This dolly features a fork that engages with the bottom frame of the shelf, positioned above the leveling feet, thereby protecting the feet from damage while still enabling lifting and movement operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The lifting system is segmented into distinct functional components: the dolly with its fork engages the bottom frame at specific points, while the leveling feet remain engaged with the floor. This segmentation allows the lifting force to be applied at the bottom frame without transmitting damaging forces to the leveling feet.
2Productivity
If shelves are moved using conventional methods, then relocation is achieved, but manual locking is required which is time-consuming and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The dolly incorporates an automatic locking mechanism that engages the fork with the bottom frame of the shelf. When the fork is inserted and the shelf weight is applied, the locking gates automatically engage and lock the fork in place, eliminating the need for manual locking operations and reducing the time required for secure engagement.
3Area of stationary object
If shelves are elevated on multiple horizontal shelves, then floor space is conserved, but the shelves become top-heavy and difficult to move
Solution Approach 1:
The dolly design incorporates a fork that replicates the engagement geometry of the leveling feet interface, but positioned at the bottom frame. This allows the dolly to engage the shelf in a manner similar to how the leveling feet engage the floor, providing stable support and control during movement while maintaining the elevated shelf configuration.
4Ease of operation
If leveling feet extend from the bottom end of support legs, then shelves can be leveled, but the feet hinder engagement with traditional lifting devices
Solution Approach 1:
The dolly fork serves as an intermediary engagement point that bypasses the leveling feet entirely. By engaging the bottom frame of the shelf at a location above the feet, the dolly eliminates the interference problem while still providing effective lifting and movement capability.
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
Enables safe, quick, and efficient movement of heavy shelves and gondolas by ensuring secure engagement and preventing accidental disengagement, reducing the risk of damage to the leveling system and improving maneuverability in tight spaces.
Implementation Method 1
Rotation of the worm gear causes translation of a fork upward, within a flat form in the frame of the wheeled support skate.
Implementation Method 2
The locking system serves to lock the support member engaged to the shelf or gondola, to the wheeled skate. This locking system engages automatically as the user rotates the geared worm member engaged between the frame of the skate and the translating fork used to lift the shelf.
Data Source
AI summary
A device for engagement to and moving of a display case supported by leveling posts extending from the bottom of a support member. The device features a wheeled skate having a fork engageable around the support member and against the frame of the display case. The fork is translatable to an elevated position to elevate the frame of the display case wherein a plurality of the skates, so engaged, will support the display case and allow a rolling thereof. Support members are engageable between each adjacent skate engaged to the display case.