Carrying Device for Heavy Objects

Abstract

A carrying device for objects is provided, comprising a frame, preferably constructed from aluminum bar stock, having a first end and a second end. Each of the first and second ends includes an end handle. One or more straps are removably attached to one or more strap mounts positioned on the frame. The strap mounts may comprise a clamp mounted on the frame, wherein the position of the strap can be adjusted. A number of strap slots are also formed into the frame to allow the straps to be suspended from the frame for carrying a heavy or bulky object. The straps can be mounted on the strap mounts and adjusted in length to suit the weight and shape of the objects.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This nonprovisional patent application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/256,181, filed on Oct. 29, 2009.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not applicable.

INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON COMPACT DISC

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to devices used to carry heavy, bulky, or unwieldy objects by one or more persons, and more particularly to such devices to carry industrial equipment such as valves, fittings, manifolds, flanges, and similar objects.

2. Description of Related Art

In most industrial fields, there are a wide range of bulky, heavy, or odd-shaped objects which must be manually transported from one place to another. Specifically, in the oil industry, exploration and production activities require numerous valves, fittings, manifolds, flanges, and similar equipment to be offloaded from ships and trucks to their desired locations, or simply moved in the normal course of the day's operations.

Such objects are typically heavy, irregularly balanced, often greasy, and may not have readily available points to firmly grip or support the object during movement. Attempts to carry such objects by one or more persons can be quite dangerous due to the hazards of dropping the object or from excessive arm, leg, or back strain. Even if such objects can be carried, the typical industrial environment may render walking with the object difficult or dangerous due to cramped spaces, stairways, slippery platforms, or other reasons. On many occasions, the only alternative to moving such objects is by crane, which adds to the complexity of the process, because it introduces unwanted delays and costs.

Over the years, a number of other devices have been developed which address the lifting and carrying of various specific objects, including injured persons (U.S. Pat. No. 6,908,131), water bottles (U.S. Pat. No. 4,834,438), firewood (U.S. Pat. No. 4,487,443), and furniture (U.S. Pat. No. 7,077,447). While these devices are well suited to carrying their specific objects, they are not versatile enough to handle the wide variety of objects often seen in industrial equipment.

What is generally needed is a device having a lightweight, but strong, carrying member from which heavy or bulky objects can be suspended by straps. The device should enable one or more persons to safely secure the object with the straps, and then lift and carry the object to the desired location. The device would be beneficial to prevent or reduce the risk of injury to the persons doing the lifting as well as risk of damage to the object being carried.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A carrying device for objects is provided, comprising a frame, preferably constructed from aluminum bar stock, having a first end and a second end. Each of the first and second ends includes an end handle.

One or more straps are removably attached to one or more strap mounts positioned on the frame. The strap mounts may comprise a clamp mounted on the frame, wherein the position of the strap can be adjusted.

A number of strap slots are also formed into the frame to allow the straps to be suspended from the frame for carrying a heavy or bulky object.

The straps can be mounted on the strap mounts and adjusted in length to suit the weight and shape of the objects being carried.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a further understanding of the nature, objects, and advantages of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description, read in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements.

FIG. 1 shows a side view of a carrying device in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, wherein a bulky and heavy object is suspended therefrom.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows a partial perspective view of the strap mount with the strap adjustably positioned therein.

FIG. 4 shows an alternate embodiment of the invention for carrying long objects, such as pipes.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Before the subject invention is further described, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the particular embodiments of the invention described below, as variations of the particular embodiments may be made and still fall within the scope of the appended claims. It is also to be understood that the terminology employed is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments, and is not intended to be limiting. Instead, the scope of the present invention will be established by the appended claims.

In this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs.

Turning now to FIGS. 1 and 2, a carrying device 1 for manually transporting heavy objects is shown to comprise a frame 2 having a first end 3 and a second end 4. The frame 2 is preferably constructed from aluminum channel stock to ensure strength, rigidity, and reduced weight. Each of the first and second ends 3, 4 includes a handle 5 attached to the frame 2, preferably by bolting or welding. In a preferred embodiment, each of the handles 5 includes an ergonomic grip 6 as illustrated in FIG. 2. Such an ergonomic grip 6 permits more comfortable use, but is particularly helpful when using gloves.

The frame 2 includes a plurality of strap mounts 7 positioned on the frame 2. In the preferred embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, there are two strap mounts 7 positioned apart from one another. Generally, the distance between the strap mounts 7 should be such that a minimum of swinging of the suspended object 20 will occur. Thus, more effective results would be achieved by positioning the strap mounts 7 closer to the first and second ends 3, 4. When positioned in this manner, objects 20 or other loads suspended beneath the frame 2 can be properly balanced and stabilized, as shown in FIG. 1.

In a preferred embodiment, and as best shown in FIG. 3, each of the strap mounts 7 comprises a clamp 8 mounted on the frame 2, wherein the position of the strap 17 can be adjusted. The clamp 8 is a spring-loaded strap clamp commonly available through industrial supply vendors. The clamp 8 is seated securely within a pair of support members 9, 10, such that protruding pin ends on the clamp 8 slide between a pair of slots 11 formed in each of the support members 9, 10. The clamp 8 is further retained between the support member 9, 10 by a pin 12 removably inserted through holes in the clamp 8 and in the support members 9, 10.

The device 1 includes one or more straps 17, wherein each of the straps 17 is removably attached to one of the strap mounts 7. For example, with reference to FIGS. 1-3, it can be understood that one end of each strap 17 can be positioned within its respective clamp 8 such that its length is adjusted to suit the weight and shape of the object 20 to be carried.

Each of the straps 17 are passed through their respective strap slot 18 formed into the frame 2 adjacent to each strap mount 7, such that the straps 17 reside below the frame 2. Thus, the suspended portions of the straps 17 can be attached to an object 20. Optionally, various attachments, loops, and other devices known in the art may be used with straps 17 to secure the object 20 to the straps 17.

In operation of the device 1, the user will decide how best to attach the straps 17 to the object 20 in a manner known to those in the field. Next, the user will decide based upon the dimensions and weight of the object 20 how close the object 20 should be carried to the frame 2, as well as the relative lengths and positions of the straps 17. For an object of the type shown in FIG. 1, such as a large valve or fitting, the straps 17 might be of differing lengths if the object 20 has an irregular shape. Also, depending on the desired stability, the user may determine that the object 20 should be suspended at the maximum available strap length. Alternatively, if it is desired to suspend the object 20 close beneath the frame 2, then the straps 17 can be adjusted accordingly by the clamps 8.

The versatility of the invention can be realized by varying the lengths for the straps 17 as determined in the discretion of the user based on the shape and size of the object 20. When the invention is employed as described, the safety of the user is increased and risk of damage to the object 20 is minimized, because the users have much greater control over the object. Advantageously, the invention permits the user to grip the handle 5 with one hand, while allowing the free hand to use a railing or other external support or for balance.

Finally, an alternative embodiment 30 of the invention is depicted in FIG. 4 for use with elongated objects, such as pipes 21. In this embodiment, the invention includes a frame 22 having a handle 23, and a strap mount 24 positioned on the frame 22. The strap mount 24 is identical in structure and function as the strap mount 7 described above. The device includes a first strap 25 removably attached to the strap mount 24, wherein the length of the first strap 25 can be adjusted as described previously. However, this embodiment 30 further includes a second strap 26 having a first end 27 and a second end 28, wherein the first end 27 is connected to the first strap 25 by a loop or similar arrangement, and wherein the second end 28 includes a hook device 29 adapted to engage the object 21. Thus, two persons can each use one of the devices 30 on each end of a long object 21. The hook device 29 ensures that when suitable tension is applied between the users, the first strap 25 is prevented from undesirably sliding along the object 21 and causing instability or imbalance.

All references cited in this specification are herein incorporated by reference as though each reference was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

The citation of any reference is for its disclosure prior to the filing date and should not be construed as an admission that the present invention is not entitled to antedate such reference by virtue of prior invention.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together may also find a useful application in other types of methods differing from the type described above. Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention set forth in the appended claims. The foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only; the scope of the present invention is to be limited only by the following claims.

Claims

1. A carrying device for objects, comprising:

(a) a frame having a first end and a second end, wherein each of the first and second ends includes an end handle;

(b) a plurality of strap mounts positioned on the frame; and

(c) one or more straps, wherein each of the straps is removably attached to one of the strap mounts.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein each of the strap mounts comprises a clamp mounted on the frame, wherein the position of the strap can be adjusted.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the clamp is retained in the frame by one or more pins removably inserted through holes in the frame.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein each of the end handles includes an ergonomic grip.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the frame includes a plurality of strap slots formed therethrough.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein each of the strap slots is positioned adjacent to one of the strap mounts.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the straps are adapted to support objects suspended from the frame.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the frame includes at least two strap mounts and two strap slots.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the frame is constructed from aluminum channel stock.

10. A carrying device for objects, comprising:

(a) a frame having a handle;

(b) a strap mount positioned on the frame;

(c) a first strap removably attached to the strap mount; and

(d) a second strap having a first and a second end, wherein the first end is connected to the first strap, and wherein the second end includes a hook device adapted to engage an object.