Transport Dolly Segmented Base and Removable Posts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional transport dollies are cumbersome, difficult to load, and lack maneuverability due to high platforms and fixed vertical posts, making them inefficient for moving large or heavy objects and vulnerable to damage from obstructions.
Innovation Solution
A transport dolly with a low-profile, modular design featuring a rectangular base with removable vertical and horizontal posts that serve as handles and supports, and swivel casters protected by the sides to facilitate easy loading and maneuverability, allowing for versatile object support and storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the platform is positioned high off the ground, then the dolly can support larger objects, but it becomes difficult to load heavy objects onto the dolly
Solution Approach 1:
The dolly is divided into a base structure and removable vertical posts. The posts can be detached and repositioned to create different loading configurations, allowing the platform to be effectively lowered or raised depending on the loading requirements while maintaining the ability to support large objects.
Solution Approach 2:
The vertical posts are made removable and repositionable rather than fixed. This dynamic configuration allows users to adjust the posts to provide support during loading operations, making it easier to load heavy objects while still maintaining the capacity to support large objects when the posts are in position.
2Ease of operation
If the dolly has fixed vertical posts, then it can support and push the dolly, but it precludes the dolly from being used to transport objects that do not fit between the posts
Solution Approach 1:
The vertical posts are segmented from the base and made removable. Users can remove posts that are not needed for a particular load configuration, allowing the dolly to accommodate objects of various sizes and shapes while retaining the support and pushing functionality when posts are installed.
Solution Approach 2:
The posts transition from a fixed configuration to a dynamic, adjustable configuration. They can be installed or removed based on the specific transport needs, enabling the dolly to adapt to different object dimensions while maintaining its structural support capabilities.
3Ease of operation
If the wheels are exposed, then the dolly can move easily, but they are vulnerable to damage from running into obstructions
Solution Approach 1:
The base structure is designed with sides that extend downward to protect the wheels before damage can occur. This preliminary protective structure prevents obstructions from directly contacting the wheels, reducing vulnerability to damage while maintaining the mobility provided by the wheel configuration.
4Force
If the dolly is large and heavy, then it can support heavy objects, but it becomes difficult to maneuver and store
Solution Approach 1:
The dolly is segmented into a base and removable posts. The posts can be detached to reduce the overall size and weight of the dolly when full support capacity is not needed, improving maneuverability and storage efficiency while maintaining the ability to support heavy objects when the posts are attached.
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a transport dolly includes a base having a generally horizontal platform adapted to support an object to be moved and generally vertical side walls that extend downward from edges of the platform toward a floor or ground surface, and casters mounted to a bottom surface of the platform between the side walls, the casters being dimensioned such that bottom edges of the side walls nearly touch the floor or ground surface such that the casters are enclosed and protected by the side walls.