Trolley for transporting materials on seamed roofs

Abstract

Trolley for transporting materials that traverses seams and stepped sections of a roof includes a bed mounted on aligned frames that house wheels. Once positioned on the roof seams, roofing materials are hoisted onto the trolley for positioning where the materials are needed. The trolley may include a brake.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Typical panel roofing consists of successive metallic sheets of paneling laid side-by-side to form a roofing cover. Each roofing panel is formed by a panel producing machine from metal sheet stock, typically fed from a roll of sheet metal. Forming each panel can include molding ribs down the panel length and forming both lengthwise edges of each panel to enable a mating fit between the abutting lengthwise edges of adjacent panels. Clips interleaved between the adjacent panel edges affix the panels to the roof surface.

Some panel roofs are constructed with panels spanning the width of the roof to eliminate perpendicular seams that have compromised weather-tight integrity. However, with the advent of the Butler MR-24® Roof System, a seaming machine called a Roof Runner®, shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,120,828, issued Feb. 11, 1964, to S. O. Grönlund, for Roof Seaming Machine, can seam the panels with water-tight integrity. This relieves roofers from having to produce and manipulate large, unwieldy panels on-site to provide a weather-impervious roofing cover.

Prior to installation of panel roofing, the panels must be hoisted to roof level for installation. Once on the roof, the panels then must be transported to a desired position on the roof. If the roof is large, roofers may need to transport the individual panels over substantial distances, including stepped up sections, as described below.

Some current roofing material carriers rely on extraneous guides or rails. See, for example: U.S. Pat. No. 4,700,526, issued Oct. 20, 1987, to M. F. McGuinness, for Roofing Shingle Separating and Laying Machine; U.S. Pat. No. 4,785,606, issued Nov. 22, 1988, to R. P. Burton, for Mechanized Roof Laying System; U.S. Pat. No. 5,197,257, issued Mar. 30, 1993, to R. J. Nietling, for Apparatus for Applying Shingles to a Roof; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,205,103, issued Apr. 27, 1993, to R. P. Burton, for Shingle Laying Apparatus. However, installing the extraneous guides or rails adds more tasks to an already laborious process.

Particularly large surfaces ordinarily are not roofed in a generally continuous, or single-level, surface to avoid the deleterious effects of thermal expansion naturally occurring in the individual roofing panels. That is, over large surfaces, individual roofing panels expand or contract, depending on weather and sun conditions, which may weaken inter-panel seams or even create gaps and expose the building and occupants thereof. Stepping roof sections, or elevating one section relative to an adjacent section by several inches, eliminates this exposure potential. However, stepping a roof renders material transport more problematic because roofers need to lift the heavy, elongated roofing materials over the step between adjacent sections in a coordinated fashion.

Conventional stackable trolleys are well known. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,523,694, issued Aug. 11, 1970, to E. J. Oliver, for Dismantleable Merchandising Rack; U.S. Pat. No. 3,608,921, issued Sep. 28, 1971, to J. D. Wilson, for Dolly; U.S. Pat. No. 5,711,540, issued Jan. 27, 1998, to E. M. G. Nesting, for Roller Carriage Having Swingable Wheels; U.S. Pat. No. 6,079,720, issued Jun. 27, 2000, to K. J. Spear et al., for Portable Stackable Wagon Assembly; U.S. Pat. No. 6,257,152, issued Jul. 10, 2001, to C. Liu, for Structure of Pallet for Stacking Pallets with Wheels. However, known stackable trolleys are designed to maintain relative positioning among stacked trolleys, not allow for movement of superposed trolleys.

What is needed, and not taught or suggested in the art, is a trolley for transporting materials that traverses seams and stepped sections of a roof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is described in detail below with reference to the following figures, throughout which similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an environmental perspective view of an embodiment of a trolley for transporting materials constructed according to principles of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a bottom front right perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an is an environmental perspective view of another embodiment of a trolley for transporting materials constructed according to principles of the invention on the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an environmental perspective view of another embodiment of a trolley for transporting materials constructed according to principles of the invention;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged environmental perspective view of a portion of the embodiment of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an environmental perspective view of another embodiment of a trolley for transporting materials constructed according to principles of the invention;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged environmental front view of a portion of the embodiment of FIG. 6; and

FIG. 8 is an enlarged environmental side view of the portion of FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1, an embodiment constructed according to principles of the invention is a trolley 100 for transporting materials that traverses seams S of a roof R. Trolley 100 has a bed 105 mounted on aligned frames 110 that house wheels 115. Once trolley 100 is positioned on seams S, roofing materials (not shown) are hoisted onto trolley 100 for transportation to where the materials are needed.

As viewed along direction A, bed 105 defines a box section 120. Box section 120 provides lateral structural integrity while minimizing weight. This lightweight construction allows roofers to move trolley 100 readily to and among seams S of roof R and, once located on roof R, hoist significant amounts of roofing material thereon. To aid in moving trolley 100 to roof R and/or among seams S thereof, bed 105 has a handhold 117 configured to receive a roofer's hand for lifting and moving trolley 100. Referring also to FIG. 2, the underside of box section 120 may include one or more ribs 125 to enhance structural integrity. Bed 105 has horizontal flanges 123 for mating with frames 110.

Each frame 110 includes symmetrically disposed L-shaped brackets 130, each having a horizontal flange 135 and a vertical flange 140. Horizontal flanges 135 mate with and may be welded or otherwise fixed to horizontal flanges 123 of bed 120. Vertical flanges 140a and 140b each have a plurality of throughbores (not shown) that are in registry for receiving a like number of axles 145. A nut 150 retains each axle 145 in each bracket 130.

Referring to FIG. 2, wheels 115 are rotatingly disposed on each axle 145. Each wheel 115 has a peripheral groove 155. Groove 155 is configured to receive and readily roll on roof, guided by seam S, as shown in FIG. 1. Each wheel 115 also may have a peripheral traction element 160, such as a tread, knurling or the like.

Frames 110a and 110b are arranged so that the lateral spacing 165 between grooves 155a and 155b corresponds to the spacing between seams S, known as seam-to-seam pitch. When constructing standing seam roofs from prefabricated roof panels, this seam-to-seam pitch is fixed or consistent everywhere on the roof, except for unintended minor localized variations. Lateral spacing 165 of wheels 115 allows trolley 100 to ride along seams S along an entire roof width.

Referring to FIG. 3, in addition to accessing the entire width of a single-level roof R, that is, a section of roof R defining a substantially continuous surface, another embodiment constructed according to principles of the invention is a trolley 600 that provides for moving materials to roof sections of different levels to access stepped-up sections of roof R. Trolley 600 is largely identical to trolley 100, except that trolley 600 includes a deck 603 mounted on frames 610 with threaded fasteners 613 or in any conventional manner. Deck 603 is constructed from heavy gauge or enhanced-strength material to support, for example, trolley 100 and materials loaded thereon.

On top of deck 603 are two simulated seams 617, which are configured, positioned and aligned similar to seams in a seamed roof. The height 670 of deck 603, vertical spacing 675 between flange 635 and axle 645, and the size of wheel 615, which determines the clearance 680 between roof Rb and frame 610, are configured to provide an overall trolley height 685, as shown in FIG. 1, corresponding to the step up 190 between stepped adjacent roofing sections Ra, Rb. Trolley 600 may include a mechanism for adjusting height 685.

In practice, when moving materials between stepped sections Ra, Rb of roof R, a trolley 100 is positioned on a trolley 600. Trolley 100 may be pinned or otherwise impermanently fixed to trolley 600 prior to receiving materials thereon. Once loaded with materials, roofers may roll trolley 600 along seam Sb with trolley 100 and materials firmly secured thereon. Upon reaching the step U between section Ra and section Rb, trolley 100 is disconnected from trolley 600. Trolley 100 then may be rolled onto seam Sa along with the materials.

Referring to FIG. 4, another embodiment constructed according to principles of the invention is a trolley 400 that is largely identical to trolley 100, except that trolley 400 includes a brake 500. Brake 500 includes two handles 505 interconnected with a rod 510. Referring also to FIG. 5, rod 510 is fixed to an arm 515 to which is removeably attached a brake pad 520. Rod 510 is normally biased to urge arm 515 and brake pad 520 against roof R with enough friction to produce sufficient braking force to slow or prevent trolley motion, as shown in FIG. 4. This safety feature significantly reduces job site accidents and injuries.

Referring to FIG. 5, rod 510 is received through registered throughbores 443 in each vertical flange 440 of frame 410. A shouldered bushing 447 may be employed in outer flanges 440a for closer tolerances between rod 510 and outer flanges 440a. Arm 515 has an adjustable collar 453 for frictionally engaging rod 510. A coil spring 560 has one end (not shown) fixed relative to rod 510 with an adjustable collar 565 and another end (not shown) fixed relative to frame 410.

A knuckle 570 is fixed at an orientation on rod 510 so that when handle 505 is generally vertical, knuckle 570 contacts frame 410 for transferring force exerted against handle 505 to frame 410, hence against trolley 400, and thereby provide motive force to move trolley 400 as desired. Thus, to move trolley 400, a roofer first must rotate either or both handle(s) 505 to distance brake pad 520 from roof R, allowing trolley 400 to move. The roofer then may use handle(s) 505 to push trolley 400 along roof R.

Referring to FIG. 6, another embodiment constructed according to principles of the invention is a trolley 200 that is largely identical to trolley 100, except that trolley 200 includes a brake 300. Preferably, brake 300 is mounted on one of the frames 210 to which the wheels 215 are mounted. Referring also to FIGS. 7 and 8, brake 300 includes a handle 305 for rotating a rod 310 to drive a pin 315 and brake pads 320 mounted thereon against roof R. As with brake 500, brake 300 is normally biased into a brake position, whereby pin 315 urges brake pads 320 against roof R with enough friction to produce sufficient braking force to slow or prevent trolley motion, as shown in FIG. 6.

Handle 305 is rotatingly mounted on trolley 200 about a pivot pin 325, while handle 307 is mounted on frame 210. Handle 305 drives rod 310 via a lever 317 extending from rod 310. Rod 310 is rotatingly connected to trolley 200 via journals 333, 335 and 340. Rod 310 is drivingly connected to pin 315 via a yoke-and-pin cantilever 330.

Pin 315 is slidingly mounted on trolley 200 via a spring-loaded cylinder 350, which is comparable to a conventional shock absorber. Pin 315 engages a coil spring (not shown) that abuts an end of cylinder 350 and normally urges pin 315 toward roof R. When pin 315 is drawn away from roof R, spring force increases, either in tension or compression, urging pin 315 to return to the normally-braked position. Pin 315 has a pad holder 345 welded or otherwise fixed thereto onto which pads 320 are mounted in a conventional manner.

The invention is not limited to the particular embodiments described herein, rather only to the appended claims.

Claims

1. A trolley for transporting materials on a roof having standing seams comprising:

a bed; and

a wheel fixed relative to said bed configured to roll on the roof guided by a seam therein.

2. The trolley of claim 1, wherein said bed has a box-shaped cross-section.

3. The trolley of claim 1, further comprising a rib mounted on said bed.

4. The trolley of claim 1, further comprising a deck fixed relative to said wheel;

wherein: the roof comprises: a first section; and a second section; and when said trolley is disposed on the second section, said deck is alignable with the first section.

5. The trolley of claim 4, further comprising a simulated roof seam mounted on said deck.

6. The trolley of claim 5, wherein:

the first section includes a first seam therein; and

when said trolley is disposed on the second section, said simulated roof seam is alignable with the first seam.

7. The trolley of claim 1, further comprising a frame interposed between said bed and said wheel.

8. The trolley of claim 1, wherein said wheel has an annular recess for receiving the seam.

9. The trolley of claim 1, further comprising a second wheel fixed relative to said bed configured to roll on the roof guided by the seam.

10. The trolley of claim 9, wherein said wheel and said second wheel are oriented to be guided by a single seam.

11. The trolley of claim 9, wherein said wheel and said second wheel are oriented to be guided by aligned seams.

12. A trolley for transporting materials on a roof comprising:

a bed;

a wheel fixed relative to said bed configured to roll on the roof; and

a brake fixed relative to said bed configured to frictionally engage the roof.

13. The trolley of claim 12, further comprising a deck fixed relative to said wheel;

wherein: the roof comprises: a first section; and a second section; and when said trolley is disposed on the second section, said deck is alignable with the first section.

14. The trolley of claim 13, further comprising a simulated roof seam mounted on said deck.

15. The trolley of claim 14, wherein:

the first section includes a first seam therein; and

when said trolley is disposed on the second section, said simulated roof seam is alignable with the first seam.

16. The trolley of claim 12, further comprising a frame interposed among said bed, said wheel and said brake.

17. The trolley of claim 12, wherein said wheel is configured to be guided by a seam in the roof.

18. The trolley of claim 12, wherein said wheel has an annular recess for receiving a seam in the roof.

19. The trolley of claim 12, wherein said brake is biased toward contacting the roof.

20. The trolley of claim 12, wherein said brake is configured to contact the roof proximate to more than one seam in the roof.

21. The trolley of claim 12, further comprising a handle for releasing said brake.

22. The trolley of claim 21, wherein said handle may be articulated into a position for moving said trolley relative to the roof.

23. The trolley of claim 21, wherein said brake comprises:

a rod operably connected to said handle;

a pin operably connected to said rod; and

a brake pad fixed relative to said pin;

whereby articulating said handle rotates said rod and moves said pin and said brake pad relative to the roof.

24. The trolley of claim 23, said brake further comprising a knuckle fixed relative to said rod;

whereby said handle may be articulated to drive said knuckle against said trolley to move said trolley relative to the roof.

25. The trolley of claim 21, further comprising a second handle fixed relative to said handle.

26. The trolley of claim 21, further comprising a second handle fixed relative to said trolley.