Start-assist pedal for transport dolly

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9446778-B2
Application number	US-201414463802-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 20, 2014
Priority date	Aug 20, 2014
Publication date	Sep 20, 2016
Grant date	Sep 20, 2016

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a design for a start-assist pedal assembly typically used for a cart or dolly that includes a pedal mounted to a support arm. An arched foot arm is pivotally attached to the support arm and a roller is supported by the arched foot arm.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A start-assist pedal assembly for a dolly, comprising:
a support arm;
a pedal mounted to said support arm; and
an arched foot arm pivotally attached to said support arm for a scissors action therewith, said arched foot arm including:
an arched footpad, said arched footpad arching away from said support arm, and configured for reaction upon the ground with a roll thru motion with scissors action of said arched foot arm with said support arm, and
a roller rotationally mounted within an end section of said arched footpad.

2. The assembly as recited in claim 1 , further comprising a mount to which said support arm is pivotally attached.

3. The assembly as recited in claim 2 , wherein said support arm includes a first portion that extends on one side of said mount, and a second portion that extends on the other side of said mount to which said pedal is mounted and said arched foot arm is pivotally attached.

4. The assembly as recited in claim 3 , wherein said first portion is generally L shaped.

5. The assembly as recited in claim 3 , further comprising a counterbalance weight mounted to said first portion.

6. The assembly as recited in claim 1 , wherein said support arm is manufactured of square tubing.

7. The assembly as recited in claim 1 , further comprising a magnet mounted to said arched foot arm to retain said arched foot arm to said support arm in a home position.

8. The assembly as recited in claim 7 , wherein said arched foot arm is at least partially received into said support arm in said home position.

9. The assembly as recited in claim 8 , wherein said roller rolls upon the ground in said home position.

10. The assembly as recited in claim 7 , further comprising a kick post that extends from said arched foot arm.

11. A dolly, comprising:
a body;
a multiple of casters mounted to said body;
a support arm pivotally mounted to said body;
a pedal mounted to said support arm; and
an arched foot arm pivotally attached to said support arm for scissors action therewith, said arched foot arm including:
an arched footpad, said arched footpad arching away from said support arm, and configured for reaction upon the ground with a roll thru motion with scissors action of said arched foot arm with said support arm, and
a roller rotationally mounted within an end section of said arched footpad.

12. The dolly as recited in claim 11 , further comprising a handle mounted to said body, said pedal located on a side of said body common to said handle.

13. The dolly as recited in claim 11 , wherein a force applied to said pedal generates scissors action of said arched foot arm with said support arm, and is translated into a push force upon said body as said arched footpad reacts upon the ground.

14. The dolly as recited in claim 13 , wherein said arched foot arm is magnetically retained to said support arm upon full depression of said pedal.

15. The dolly as recited in claim 14 , wherein said roller rolls upon the ground upon full depression of said pedal.

Assignees

• Toyota Motor Eng & Mfg North America Inc

Inventors

• Groat Ross
• Panton Wade
• Simpson Judy
• Simpson Bradley

Classifications

• B62B5/0026 Primary

  Propulsion aids · CPC title

• B62B3/008

  having more than two axes · CPC title

• B62B3/005

  Details of storage means, e.g. drawers, bins or racks · CPC title

• B62B2301/12

  comprising counterbalancing means to increase stability · CPC title