Dolly for handling doors and the like

June 23, 1964

C. M. HANSEN

3,138,265

DOLLY FOR HANDLING DOORS AND THE LIKE

Filed Feb. 14, 1962

Sheets-Sheet 1

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INVENTOR.

Clifford m. Ha-nsen

BY

ATTORNEY

June 23, 1964 q. m. hansen 3,138,265

DOLLY FOR HANDLING DOORS AND THE LIKE

Filed Feb. 14, 1962

Sheets-Sheet 2

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<img file="US3138265A_D0003.tif" />

INVENTOR.

C/ifford /71. Ha-nj-en

BY

ATTORNEY

June 23, 1964 c. m. hansen 3,138,265

DOLLY FOR HANDLING DOORS AND THE LIKE

Filed Feb. 14, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 3

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<img file="US3138265A_D0005.tif" />

ATTORNEY

3,138,265

Patented June 23, 1964

United States Patent Office horizontal flanges 9, 10 and 11, coextensive with the rear and side flanges 6, 7 and 8. The angle member forming the base frame may be a continuous member, with the intoned flanges cut on miters and the upstanding flanges bent as at 12 to bring the miters together, so that they may be suitably welded to make a rigid structure.

Fixed to the under side of the flanges 10 and 11 at the forward ends of the arms 4 and 5 are casters 13 and 14. Similarly mounted at the midpoint of the horizontally disposed rear flange 9 is a similar caster 15, cooperating with the casters 13 and 14 to provide a tripoint rolling support for the base frame 2. The rear portions of the arms 4 and 5 are also provided with rockers 16 and 17, which may be formed from rods 18 bent to the shape of the rocker and having flattened ends 19 and 2® secured to the side flanges 7 and 8 of the arms 4 and 5 by fastening devices 21. The rockers are of a size relatively to the casters so that they clear the floor when the casters are rolling thereon. However, the rockers are so positioned that they will engage and rock upon the floor when the base frame is turned backwardly, as later described.

Fixed to the outer ends of the arms on the outer sides of the side flanges 7 and 8 near the forward ends of the arms 4 and 5 are plates 22 and 23 having outwardly set forward ends 24 and 25 to cooperate with the ends of the flanges 7 and 8 in forming yokes 26 and 27. The offset portions 24 and 25 of the plates and the flanges 7 and § have registering openings 28 for pivotally attaching a door-carrying frame 30 by pins 29.

If desired, the rods which form the rockers may have sheaths 31 and the wheels 32 of the casters may be of a material that does not mark the floor.

The frame 30 includes laterally spaced upright angle members 33 and 34 positioned with one of the flanges. 35 and 36 thereof facing rearwardly to engage within , the forks of the yokes 26 and 27, while the other flanges 37 and 38 extend inwardly to provide backing for longitudinalstiles 39 and 40 that are suitably attached thereto by fastening devices 41. The forward faces of the stiles 39 and 40 are covered with a. fabric ar like facing 42 for contacting a door, as later described. The lower ends of the flanges 37-38 are turned outwardly to provide foot or ledge portions 43 and 44 for engaging the under edge of a door, as later described. The angle members are spaced apart in parallel relation by diagonal braces 45 and 46 having their upper ends fixed to the intoned flange 37 of one of the members 33 and 34 and their lower ends attached, to the lower portions of the inturned flanges 37 of the opposite member by fastening devices 47. Fixed to the upper ends of the angle members 33 and 34 is a transverse member 48 cooperating with the diagonal brace members 45 and 46 for maintaining lateral stability of .the angle members 33 and 34.

Fixed to. the underside of the transverse member 48 and extending outwardly and downwardly, of the angle; members.33 and '34 are stay braces or props 49 and 50. The stay braces',49 and 50 may also be formed of angle iron having side flanges 51 and .52 lapping the upper ends of the side flanges. 35 and 36 and having intomed flanges 53 and 54 interconnected by upper and lower transverse members 55 and 56. The stay braces may also be connected by diagonal braces 57 and 58 having their respective ends attached to the ujpper portion of one stay brace adjacent the upper transverse member 57 and their lower ends fixed to the inturned flanges of the opposite-stay brace at points adjacent the ends of the lower transverse member 56. The side flanges. 51 and 52;of the props 49 and 50 project downwardly below the ends of the transverse member 56 to provide guides 59 and 60 for ’ overlapping the Vertical side flanges ·7 and 8 of the base, frame 2, as. later described. The lower transverse member 56 may also comprise an angle having one flange 61

3,138,265

DOLLY FOR HANDLING DOORS AND THE LIKE Clifiord M. Hansen, 100 N. 14th St., Clear Lake, Iowa, assignor oi one-half to Cart J. Fox, Clear Lake, Iowa

Filed Feb. 14, 1962, Ser. No. 173,181 ⁵

Claims. (CI. 214—1)

The present invention relates to a dolly for assisting carpenters or other workers in fitting and/or hanging and removing doors. 10

For example, the doors used in commercial buildings, institutions, and the like, are too heavy for one person to handle safely, and one or more assistants are required to lift such doors into and out of a doorway as when fitting a door to the frame, applying the hinges, removing or in- 15 serting the hinge pins, or performing other operations. In fact, some doors such as the lead covered doors in hospital or clinical X-ray rooms may weigh as much as six hundred pounds. Also, most fire doors and doors used in public buildings are too heavy for one man to handle 20 without assistance.

It is, therefore, the principal object of the present invention to provide a dolly for handling such doors, so that a single mechanic can quickly and easily handle such doors without other assistance. 25

Other objects of the invention are to provide a dolly of relatively simple and light weight but strong construction; to provide a dolly with a tiltable door carrier that can be moved from a tilted position with the center of gravity over the dolly to and from a vertical position 30 within a door opening, as when fitting a door into a frame or when removing a door for transportation to an out of way position; to provide a dolly that may be used as a bench in combination with a sawhorse, as when working on. parts of the door; to provide a dolly capable of han- 35 dling a door without marring thereof; to provide a dolly with means for supporting the hinge pins in convenient position when they are removed from the hinges of the door; and to provide a dolly whereby a door may be easily raised or lowered to register or match the hinge ele- 40 ments for insertion of the hinge pins.

In accomplishing these and other objects of the invention as hereinafter described, I have provided improved structure, the preferred form of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

. FIG. 1 is a perspective view: of the two main portions of the dolly, shown in disassembled, spaced relation to better illustrate the construction thereof.

FIG· 2 is a perspective view of the assembled dolly.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the dolly carrying a. 50 door thereon, and showing how. the door can be carried through a door opening.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the dolly showing support of a door in position for inserting the hinge pins.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the dolly when carrying 55 a door in horizontal position in combination with a sawhorse to facilitate work to be performed on parts, of the door.

. FIG. 6 is -a vertical section through the dolly and door supported thereby, with the door in tilted position ready 60 for transportation by the dolly.

FIG. 7 is a horizontal section on the line 7-—7 of FIG. 6.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

designates a dolly for handling heavy doors and. the like and which includes a. mobile base frame 2 comprising a transverse. member. 3 provided at the ends thereof with forwardly extending arms 4 and 5 that are suitably spaced apart to balance the weight of a door thereon. The frame 2 may be constructed of angle iron to provide an upstanding rear, flange 6 and. forwardly, extending side flanges 7 and 8, . and also to provide inwardly disposed ⁶⁵

3,138,265 extending rearwardly to seat upon the side flanges 7 and 8. The stay braces or props 49 and 50 are also connected near their lower ends with the uprights 33 and 34 by stays 62 and 63 which are preferably secured by fastening devices such as bolts 64. 5

Fixed to and extending rearwardly from the stay braces 49 and 50 at a point adjacent the transverse member 55 are handle bars 65 and 66, carrying hand grips 67.

The transverse member 48 that connects the upper ends of the upright members 33 and 34 is provided with a row χθ of openings 68 for placing the pins 69 of door hinges, as later described, so that they are readily available.

With the dolly constructed as described, it is easily pushed over the floor from one place to another, as may be required. Now assuming that a door 70 is to be fitted 15 within a door opening 71: With the door leaning against a wall, the dolly is wheeled up to the door and the operator places one foot upon the base frame at the rear of the caster wheels 13 and 14 to prevent tilting of the base frame on the caster wheels. The pivoted frame 30 is 20 swung forwardly on the pivots 29 a sufficient amount for the padded faces of the stiles 39 and 40 to be brought into face contact with a face side of the door. Now with the feet or ledges 43 and 44 engaging under the lower edge of the door, a downward pressure is applied to one 25 of the handle bars 65 or 66 to pivot the door carrying frame 30 rearwardly. At the same time the operator with his other hand assures that the door follows the pivotal frame carrying through a vertical position to an inclined position where the flange 61 of the cross member 56 again 30 seats upon the flanges 7 and 8 of the arms 4 and 5. In this position the door rests flatly upon the padded stiles 39 and 40 and the center of gravity of the door is disposed over the mobile frame 2 so that the entire weight thereof is carried upon the caster wheels 13, 14 and 15. 35 The dolly, with the door thereon, can now be easily rolled over the floor by grasping the grips 67 of the handle bars 65 and 66 and applying pressure thereon to steer the dolly as desired. The dolly readily responds to the steering pressure because the casters easily swivel and 40 roll in the desired direction. If the door is to be moved through a door opening the mobile frame is turned sidewise, as shown in FIG. 3, whereupon the dolly, carrying the door, may be pushed through the door opening. In this way the door may be easily transported from one room to another where the door is to be fitted or installed in a door frame.

When the door is in juxtaposition with the door frame in which it is to be installed, the operator again places his foot on the base frame to assure that it cannot tilt and by simply lifting on the handle bars, the upper frame 30 is pivoted forwardly to bring the door into a vertical plane with the door frame. The door may then be marked, if it is to be shortened or the sides planed to provide a proper fit in the door opening. The door can ₅₅then be returned to an inclined position on the mobile frame simply by holding the frame with the foot and pushing down on the handle bars until the flange 61 again seats upon the flanges 7 and 8. This movement of the upper frame 30 lifts the door so that there is ample clear- _6Qance above the floor as the dolly with the door thereon is transported to a location where the required work on the door may be performed.

If the door has already been fitted to the opening and the parts of the hinges 72 have been applied to the edge _6gof the door and to the jamb of the door frame, and it is only necessary to hang the door that is carried on the dolly, the dolly is maneuvered to a position where the door can be brought to a vertical position by holding the base frame with the foot and lifting on one of the handle bars to pivot the upper frame 30 with the door thereon until the hinge parts on the door are in close relation with the hinge parts on the frame. The hinge parts may then be matched vertically so that they will slide into engagement with each other. If the hinge parts 75 on the door are too high relatively to the hinge parts on the frame, the foot pressure on the base frame will be slightly released to allow some forward tilting of the base frame under weight of the door. This tilting movement of the base frame lowers the door until the hinge parts are in registry. If the hinge parts on the door are too low relatively to the parts on the frame, the door can be raised until the parts are in registry. This can be easily accomplished by placing the foot on the corner of the frame 2 opposite the hinged side of the door and pressing downwardly until the hinge parts are in registry, whereupon they are slid into engagement. When the door is thus raised and the hinge parts on the door interengage the hinge parts on the door frame, the door will hold its position through interengagement of the hinge parts while the hinge pins 69 are removed from the transverse member 48 and placed within the hinges. After hinging of the door is completed, the dolly may be withdrawn therefrom by pulling on the handle bars 65 and 66 and wheeling it away from the door.

To remove the door from its frame, the empty dolly is pushed up to the door and the stiles come into contact with the door so that the foot portions 43 and 44 are in position to engage under the door, after which the hinge pins are removed and placed in the holes 33. The foot is again placed upon the base frame to hold it steady and the frame 30 is then pivoted on the pivot pins 29 until the stiles 39 and 40 make contact with the face side of the door. With the foot still pressing upon the base frame, the door, together with the frame 30, is pivoted backwardly until the flange 60 again contacts the flanges 7 and 8 of the mobile frame, whereupon the door is inclined on the dolly and ready for movement away from the door opening.

If work is to be done on the door, the dolly, with the door thereon, may be withdrawn from the opening and rocked on the rockers 16 and 17 to a horizontal position where the upper end of the door is supported on a sawhorse 73 while the bottom portion of the door is supported on the rocked-over dolly, as shown in FIG. 5.

While I have particularly described the dolly for handling doors, it may be used for handling any slablike objects that are too heavy to be manipulated by hand.

It is also obvious that the dolly may be used for transporting factory assembled door units where the doors are already hung in their frames and fitted with locks, so that the assembly may be placed on the dolly, wheeled to the door opening in the wall, and the frame set therein.

From the foregoing it is obvious that I have provided a dolly whereby a single workman may readily handle heavy doors such as used in public buildings, hospitals and the like, and hang them in position without other assistance.