Abstract: A dolly includes a first platform that has a central longitudinal axis and monolithically formed outer and inner side portions extending outwardly and at an oblique angle therefrom. The side portions further extend along a length of the axis for retaining a motorcycle upon the first platform. Rectilinear arms have opposed ends wherein one end of each arm is conjoined to the first platform, and converges outwardly therefrom. A trapezoidal shaped second platform is spaced from the first platform and has a surface area less than a surface area of the first platform. The second platform is conjoined to another end of the arms such that the first and second platforms maintain a fixed spatial relationship. Coextensive casters are conjoined to the first and second platforms respectively. Mechanism is included for locking selected casters, preventing the dolly from freely articulating about a predetermined arcuate path.

Abstract: During recovery of a disabled motor vehicle, a towing dolly cradle assembly can be used to raise and carry an end of the vehicle. The towing dolly cradle assembly comprises two towing dolly assemblies spaced apart parallel to one another and with each dolly assembly having a horizontal main tube and each dolly assembly attached respectively along one of its longitudinal sides to an end of each of the two dolly axle assemblies interposed perpendicularly between the two dolly assemblies. The attachment of the two dolly assemblies to the two axle assemblies forms a generally rectangular towing dolly cradle assembly. In each dolly assembly, two pivot mounting assemblies are attached to the main tube with one mounting assembly at or near each end of the tube. Each mounting assembly has a spindle and a wheel assembly mounted to the spindle on the longitudinal side of the tube away from the interposed and attached dolly axle assemblies.

Abstract: A portable beverage cooler comprises an automobile tire and a bottom membrane attached thereto. Optionally, a drain valve may be inserted in the side wall of the tire to facilitate draining liquid from inside the beverage cooler. Additionally, a pair of handles may be attached to the cooler to enhance its portability. Also, a base may be attached to the tire and/or rollers may be attached to the base or to the tire to increase the portability and point-of-sale functionality of the cooler.

Abstract: A wheel-dolly for use in off-road or on road applications that can be secured to and carry a damaged or immobile wheel affixed to a vehicle over curbs and other obstacles when pulled by a tow truck or its winch. Wheel-dolly can be used singly, in pairs, or in sets for loading immobilized vehicles onto carriers, or for dollying vehicles on a roadway when pulled behind a tow truck.

Abstract: An accessory cart that is adapted to hold any one of a plurality of conventional buckets. The cart includes a base and a handle that is releasably secured to the base. The base includes a stand portion and a frame portion. The stand portion includes a lower end that engages a floor surface and an upper end that serves as a handle-receiving receptacle. The frame portion is integrally secured to the stand portion and includes first and second arm sections. The arm sections extend away from the stand portion and include a generally horizontally-oriented base section and an upstanding section. The base sections support a bucket, while the upstanding sections define notches that receive a handle of the bucket to securely mount the bucket to the cart.

Abstract: A motorcycle towing device (12) for flat bed tow trucks (6) and wheel lift tow trucks (8) has a front wheel support plate (44) having a front wheel lateral support member (48), and a rear wheel support plate (100) having rear wheel lateral support members (124, 126). Tie down straps 24 secure a motorcycle (10) to the front wheel support plate (44) and to the front wheel lateral support member (48), and to the rear wheel support plate (100) and between the rear wheel lateral support members (124, 126). In one embodiment, the front wheel support plate (44) and the rear wheel support plate (100) are mounted to casters (84) for loading the motorcycle (10) onto the flat bed tow truck (6). In another embodiment, the front wheel support plate (44) and the rear wheel support plate (100) are mounted to a wheel lift tow truck (8).

Abstract: A skate for a wheel assembly of a motor vehicle is used to maneuver the vehicle in confined spaces. The wheel skate has a U-shaped frame fitted to the wheel assembly by adjusting the width of the expandable/contractible frame until the unit is wide enough to position a plurality of rollers in engagement with opposing sides of the tire of the wheel assembly. A foot pedal lever is operated to contract the frame assembly and raise the tire clear of the garage floor. A locking knob drops into a hole in the frame assembly to lock the position of the frame assembly. A fork drives the frame assembly together. The locking knob does not move into the following hole until the fork is moved into another hole. The device is used in pairs which are attached to either the front or back wheels in order to swing one end of the vehicle around.

Abstract: A trailer (10) for the recovery of vehicles has a drawbar (12) having first and second sections (14,16) hinged together at adjacent ends, about a horizontal transverse axis; the first section (14) of the drawbar (12) has a ball cup (24) by which it may be secured to a towing hitch (100) of a recovery vehicle, the second section (16) of the drawbar (12) has a pair of arms (30) pivotally mounted adjacent the end thereof remote from the end hinged to the first section (14), the arms (30) are pivotal between a stowed position in which they are disposed parallel to the drawbar (12) and a deployed position in which they are disposed coaxially of one another on an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of the drawbar (12); a pair of wheel pans (50) are mounted and able to slide, one on each of the arms (30), the wheel pans (50) are interconnected to the second section (16) of the drawbar (12) by a linkage mechanism (60, 62), so that when the arms (30) are in the stowed position, the wheel pans (50) are slid inward

Abstract: A low profile cart and conveyance system is disclosed. The cart includes a frame with a longitudinal axis that extends from its front to back. A plurality of wheels are mounted so as to permit movement of the cart in a direction generally along the longitudinal axis. A plurality of rollers are mounted between at least two crossbars such that the rollers' axes of rotation are substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis. The cart is preferably used as part of a conveyance system. The system also includes an ejection mechanism which is mounted at a removal station. The ejection mechanism includes a pusher assembly and a housing. The pusher assembly is adapted to extend toward the cart and push items that are on the cart along the rollers.

Abstract: A foldable dolly for moving and positioning a vehicle tire assembly is formed with a rectangular base member mounted on a plurality of casters. Two wings are hinged to opposite ends of the rectangular member and have adjustable positioning members having one end attached to the base member and the other end attached to one of the wings. A plurality of bearings at least one bearing being mounted on each wing and one on the rectangular base member allow rotation of the tire assembly on the dolly and easy withdrawal of the dolly when the tire is mounted on a vehicle.

Abstract: An improved dolly system including at least three dollies adjustably interconnected as a system to allow a trailer or other vehicle to be loaded therein. The dollies are adjusted for the width and the length of the trailer to mate the dollies with the wheels of the trailer. Four dollies can be adjustably connected in a system to provide a vehicle dolly system. The system can include one or more brakes and once loaded the system can be moved in any direction to facilitate the maximum use of available parking space.

Abstract: An improved dolly system including at least three dollies adjustably interconnected as a system to allow a trailer or other vehicle to be loaded therein. The dollies are adjusted for the width and the length of the trailer to mate the dollies with the wheels of the trailer. Four dollies can be adjustably connected in a system to provide a vehicle dolly system. The system can include one or more brakes and once loaded the system can be moved in any direction to facilitate the maximum use of available parking space.

Abstract: A portable device which can be carried in a saddlebag or storage compartment that provides a motorcycle or other vehicle with a reverse drive capability. To use the devise, the rider need only place the device in front of the drive wheel. When the motorcycle is driven onto the invention, the clockwise rotation of the motorcycle's rear wheel imparts an opposite rotation on the rollers in contact with the roadway surface, which causes the motorcycle to move backward. After backing into the desired location, the rider disengages the clutch and can then roll off the device.

Abstract: An apparatus particularly designed to receive, support, transport and/or position tire and wheel assemblies of vehicles, particularly large vehicles, is described. One embodiment of the apparatus comprised a lower frame, an upright support coupled to the lower frame, a vertical positioning device, and a tire and wheel assembly support operably coupled to the vertical positioning device. Working embodiments included a lower U-shaped frame, generally having plural casters attached thereto, for easy positioning about tires attached to vehicles. A method for receiving, supporting, transporting and positioning tire and wheel assemblies also is described. The method comprises first providing a suitable apparatus. The apparatus is positioned adjacent a tire and wheel assembly of a vehicle. The vertical position of the tire and wheel support assembly is adjusted to engage the tire and wheel assembly. The tire and wheel assembly is then placed on the apparatus, which supports the tire and wheel assembly.

Abstract: A dolly is provided for facilitating removal and installation of brake drums on vehicles. The dolly includes a frame having a cradle portion for supporting a brake drum. Wheels are rotatably mounted on the frame for moving the frame over a support surface into position beneath a brake drum. A handle projects from the frame for manually manipulating the frame into and out of position relative to the brake drum. An elevating linkage is provided for raising and lowering the frame relative to the wheels to lift and lower the brake drum relative to the vehicle.

Abstract: A system for manipulating and transporting relatively large, flat, heavy tabular articles such as portable folding conference tables and construction materials such as plywood or plasterboard sheets comprises a leveraging dolly for lifting an article from a horizontally oriented position at a first location to a vertically oriented position in which the article may be rolled on the dolly to a second location, and a racking cart for receiving and transporting a plurality of articles individually loadable from and onto the leveraging dolly which includes a base rollaby supported by a pair of laterally spaced apart casters, one having a horizontally disposed axle fixed with respect to the base, and the other having a horizontally disposed axle rotatable in a horizontal plane on a vertically disposed swivel attached to the base.

Abstract: A kneeling dolly with ramp brake and method of use. Each kneeling dolly with ramp brake comprises a body having a ramp adjacent a wheel well, two front wheels swivellably and retractably attached to the body, and at least one rear wheel. Devices for extending and retracting the front wheels are provided. The instant kneeling dolly with ramp brake may be used singly, in pairs, or in whatever grouping(s) desired. In operation, a vehicle is rolled onto kneeling dollies with ramp brake, until one vehicle wheel is disposed on a respective kneeling dolly with ramp brake. Due to the swivellable attachment of the front and rear wheels, each kneeling dolly with ramp brake is free to travel in any desired direction, and thus the vehicle supported by the kneeling dollies with ramp brake may be pushed in any direction. This flexibility in movement helps relieve congestion and maximize floor space in garages, hangars, etc.