Door transporting and positioning system

Description

CROSS REFERENCE

This application claims priority to U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 61/562,900 filed Nov. 22, 2011, the specification of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The installation and removal of a door can be a cumbersome operation due to the size and weight of the door. It can be relatively heavy for a single person to manipulate, requiring both hands to lift, carry, or hold into position. This can be especially challenging when the person attempts to position the door during installation or removal while simultaneously installing or removing the screws or the pins in the hinges. The present invention features a door transporting and positioning system for enabling a single user to safely transport or position a door for installation or removal.

SUMMARY

The present invention features a door transporting and positioning system for enabling a single user to safely transport or position a door for installation or removal. In some embodiments, the system comprises a door. In some embodiments, the system comprises a door cradle. In some embodiments, a cradle floor comprises a general shape of a “U”.

In some embodiments, the door cradle comprises a generally planar first side surface interface component. In some embodiments, the first side surface interface component is removable and replaceable. In some embodiments, the first side surface interface component is constructed from compressible, non-marring material. In some embodiments, the door cradle comprises a generally planar second side surface interface component. In some embodiments, the second side surface interface component is removable and replaceable. In some embodiments, the second side surface interface component is constructed from compressible, non-marring material. In some embodiments, the door cradle comprises a floor surface interface component. In some embodiments, the floor surface interface component is constructed from compressible, non-marring material.

In some embodiments, the system comprises a clamping device located close to a cradle anterior end on a cradle bottom. In some embodiments, the clamping device comprises a spanning bar. In some embodiments, a spanning bar first end comprises a first side clamping member having a threaded first side clamping rod inside a threaded inner cavity. In some embodiments, the first side clamping rod comprises a first side clamping handle. In some embodiments, a spanning bar second end comprises a second side clamping member having a threaded second side clamping rod inside a threaded inner cavity. In some embodiments, the second side clamping rod comprises a second side clamping handle.

In some embodiments, the system comprises a first axle perpendicularly located on the cradle first side comprising a first wheel. In some embodiments, the system comprises a second axle perpendicularly located on the cradle second side comprising a second wheel.

Any feature or combination of features described herein are included within the scope of the present invention provided that the features included in any such combination are not mutually inconsistent as will be apparent from the context, this specification, and the knowledge of one of ordinary skill in the art. Additional advantages and aspects of the present invention are apparent in the following detailed description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the top of the door cradle of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the bottom of the door cradle of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the door cradle of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the door of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the size insert of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Following is a list of elements corresponding to a particular element referred to herein

• • 100 Door transporting and positioning system
  • 200 Door
  • 210 Door first edge
  • 220 Door strike edge
  • 230 Door top
  • 240 Door bottom
  • 250 Door first surface
  • 260 Door second surface
  • 300 Door cradle
  • 310 Cradle first side
  • 312 Cradle first side interior surface
  • 314 Cradle first side exterior surface
  • 320 Cradle second side
  • 322 Cradle second side interior surface
  • 324 Cradle second side exterior surface
  • 330 Cradle anterior end
  • 340 Cradle posterior end
  • 350 Cradle top
  • 360 Cradle bottom
  • 370 Cradle floor
  • 371 Floor first side
  • 372 Floor second side
  • 373 Floor anterior end
  • 374 Floor posterior end
  • 375 Floor top surface
  • 376 Floor bottom surface
  • 377 Floor middle
  • 378 Floor interior surface
  • 380 Slot
  • 382 Slot open end
  • 390 First side surface interface component
  • 391 First side surface interface component interior interface
  • 395 Second side surface interface component
  • 396 Second side surface interface component interior interface
  • 400 Floor surface interface component
  • 401 Floor surface interface component interior interface
  • 500 Clamping device
  • 502 Strap
  • 510 Spanning bar
  • 512 Spanning bar first end
  • 514 Spanning bar second end
  • 520 First side camping member
  • 530 First side clamping rod
  • 534 First side clamping rod first end
  • 536 First side clamping rod second end
  • 540 First side clamping handle
  • 550 First side clamping interface
  • 551 First side clamping interface guiding aperture
  • 555 Threaded inner cavity
  • 560 Second side clamping member
  • 570 Second side clamping rod
  • 574 Second side clamping rod first end
  • 576 Second side clamping rod second end
  • 580 Second side clamping handle
  • 590 Second side clamping interface
  • 591 Second side clamping interface guiding aperture
  • 600 First axle
  • 602 First axle centerline
  • 610 First wheel
  • 620 Second axle
  • 622 Second axle centerline
  • 630 Second wheel
  • 700 First distance
  • 710 Second distance
  • 720 Size insert
  • 800 Third distance
  • 810 Fourth distance

Referring now to FIG. 1-6, the present invention features a door transporting and positioning system (100) for enabling a single user to safely transport or position a door (200) for installation. In some embodiments, the system (100) comprises a door (200) having a door first edge (210), a door strike edge (220), a door top (230), a door bottom (240), a door first surface (250), and a door second surface (260). In some embodiments, the strike edge (220) of the door is located opposite the hinges (which are mounted on the door first edge (210).

In some embodiments, the system (100) comprises a door cradle (300) having a cradle first side (310), a cradle second side (320), an open cradle anterior end (330), an open cradle posterior end (340), a cradle top (350), and a cradle bottom (360). In some embodiments, the cradle bottom (360) comprises a cradle floor (370) disposed thereon having a floor first side (371) perpendicularly disposed on the cradle first side (310), a floor second side (372) perpendicularly disposed on the cradle second side (320), a terminating floor anterior end (373), a terminating floor posterior end (374), a floor top surface (375) and a floor bottom surface (376). In some embodiments, the cradle bottom (380) is the cradle floor (370). In some embodiments, the cradle floor (370) comprises a slot (380) fluidly disposed therein from the floor top surface (375) to the floor bottom surface (376). In some embodiments, a slot open end (382) originates at a floor middle (377) (between the floor first side (371) and the floor second side (372)) of the floor anterior end (373). In some embodiments, the cradle floor (370) comprises a general shape of a “U” in a transverse plane when the floor top surface (375) and the floor bottom surface (376) are parallel to a level plane.

In some embodiments, the door cradle (300) comprises a generally planar first side surface interface component (390) disposed on a cradle first side interior surface (312). In some embodiments, the first side surface interface component (390) traverses the cradle first side (310) and extends out and away from the cradle anterior end (330). In some embodiments, a first side surface interface component interior interface (391) is generally parallel with the cradle first side interior surface (312). In some embodiments, the first side surface interface component (390) is removable and replaceable. In some embodiments, the first side surface interface component (390) is constructed from compressible, non-marring material with respect to a standard finished or unfinished door (200).

In some embodiments, the door cradle (300) comprises a generally planar second side surface interface component (395) disposed on a cradle second side interior surface (322). In some embodiments, the second side surface interface component (395) traverses the cradle second side (320) and extends out and away from the cradle anterior end (330). In some embodiments, a second side surface interface component interior interface (396) is generally parallel with the cradle second side interior surface (322). In some embodiments, the second side surface interface component (395) is removable and replaceable. In some embodiments, the second side surface interface component (395) is constructed from compressible, non-marring material with respect to a standard finished or unfinished door (200).

In some embodiments, the door cradle (300) comprises a floor surface interface component (400) disposed on the floor top surface (375). In some embodiments, the floor surface interface component (400) traverses the cradle floor (370). In some embodiments, a floor surface interface component interior interface (401) is generally parallel with the cradle floor interior surface (378). In some embodiments, the floor surface interface component (400) is constructed from compressible, non-marring material, with respect to a standard finished or unfinished door (200).

In some embodiments, the system comprises a clamping device (500) disposed proximal to the cradle anterior end (330) on the cradle bottom (360) via a plurality of straps (502). In some embodiments, the clamping device (500) comprises a cylindrical linear spanning bar (510) having a spanning bar first end (512) and a spanning bar second end (514).

In some embodiments, the spanning bar first end (512) comprises a first side clamping member (520) affixed thereto. In some embodiments, the first side clamping member (520) comprises a threaded first side clamping rod (530) rotatably disposed though a threaded inner cavity (555) therein. In some embodiments, the first side clamping rod (530) comprises a first side clamping handle (540) operatively disposed perpendicularly on a first side clamping rod first end (534) thereon. In some embodiments, upon rotation of the first side clamping rod (530) via the first side clamping handle (540), a first side clamping interface (550) disposed on a first side clamping rod second end (536) contacts and compresses against a cradle first side exterior surface (314) for clamping the door (200).

In some embodiments, the spanning bar second end (514) comprises a second side clamping member (560) affixed thereto, in some embodiments, the second side clamping member (560) comprises a threaded second side clamping rod (570) rotatably disposed though a threaded inner cavity (555) therein. In some embodiments, the second side clamping rod (570) comprises a second side clamping handle (580) operatively disposed perpendicularly on a second side clamping rod first end (574) thereon. In some embodiments, upon rotation of the second side clamping rod (570) via the second side clamping handle (580), a second side clamping interface (590) disposed on a second side clamping rod second end (576) contacts and compresses against a cradle second side exterior surface (324) for clamping the door (200).

In some embodiments, the first side clamping interface (550) is affixed to the cradle first side exterior surface (314). In some embodiments, the second side clamping interface (590) is affixed to the cradle second side exterior surface (324).

In some embodiments, the first side clamping interface (550) comprises a first side clamping interface guiding aperture (551) disposed therein. In some embodiments, the spanning bar (510) is slidably disposed through the first side clamping interface guiding aperture (551). In some embodiments, the second side clamping interface (590) comprises a second side clamping interface guiding aperture (591) disposed therein. In some embodiments, the spanning bar (510) is slidably disposed through the second side clamping interface guiding aperture (591).

In some embodiments, the system (100) comprises a first axle (600) perpendicularly disposed between the cradle top (350) and the cradle bottom (360) on the cradle first side (310) proximal to the cradle posterior end (340) comprising a first wheel (610) rotatably disposed thereon. In some embodiments, the system (100) comprises a second axle (620) perpendicularly disposed between the cradle top (350) and the cradle bottom (360) on the cradle second side (320) proximal to the cradle posterior end (340) comprising a second wheel (630) rotatably disposed thereon.

In some embodiments, a first distance (700) from a first axle centerline (602) to a farthest tip of the cradle posterior end (340) of the cradle first side (310) is smaller than a radius of the first wheel (610). In some embodiments, a second distance (710) from a second axle centerline (822) to a farthest tip of the cradle posterior end (340) of the cradle second side (320) is smaller than a radius of the second wheel (630).

In some embodiments, in a first released mode, a door cradle (300) is adapted to be slidably inserted over a door strike edge (220). In some embodiments, the floor top surface (375) is adapted to interface with the door strike edge (220). In some embodiments, a third distance (800) comprises a distance between the first side surface interface component interior interface (391) and the second side surface interface component interior interface (396). In some embodiments, a fourth distance (810) comprises a distance between the door first surface (250) and the door second surface (260). In some embodiments, the third distance (800) is greater than the fourth distance (810). In some embodiments, the third distance (800) is no more than 2 inches greater than the fourth distance (810). In some embodiments, the third distance (800) is no more than 1 inch greater than the fourth distance (810). In some embodiments, the third distance (800) is no more than ½ inch greater than the fourth distance (810). In some embodiments, the door cradle (300) is adapted to fit over the door (200) via the floor surface interface component interior interface (401) interfacing with the door strike edge (220), the first side surface interface component interior interface (391) interfacing with the door first surface (250) or the door second surface (260), and the second side surface interface component interior interface (396) interfacing with the door first surface (250) or the door second surface (260).

In some embodiments, in a second clamped mode, the first side clamping handle (540) is rotated to compress the first side clamping interface (550) against a cradle first side (310) thereby compressing the first side surface interface component (390) against the door first surface (250). In some embodiments, the second side clamping handle (580) is rotated to compress the second side clamping interface (590) against a cradle second side (320) thereby compressing the second side surface interface component (395) against the door second surface (260).

In some embodiments, the door (200) can be safely moved and positioned in the system (100).

In some embodiments, a size insert (720) is disposed in the door cradle (300). In some embodiments, the size insert (720) is adapted to be accommodate a “Door transporting and positioning device” door (200) having a specific thickness. In some embodiments, the size insert (720) comprises a cross-section of a “U” in a coronal plane. In some embodiments, the size insert (720) is constructed from compressible, non-marring material. In some embodiments, the size insert (720) traverses the door cradle (300) from the cradle anterior end (330) to the cradle posterior end (340). In some embodiments, the size insert (720) covers the first side surface interface component interior interface (391), the second side surface interface component interior interface (396) and the floor surface interface component interior interface (401).

In some embodiments, the first side surface interface component (390) or the second side surface interface component (395) is constructed from wood. In some embodiments, the first side surface interface component (390) or the second side surface interface component (395) is constructed from plastic. In some embodiments, the first side surface interface component (390) or the second side surface interface component (395) is constructed from metal. In some embodiments, the first side surface interface component (390) or the second side surface interface component (395) is constructed from rubber. In some embodiments, the floor surface interface component (400) is constructed from a carpet. In some embodiments, the floor surface interface component (400) is constructed from a wood. In some embodiments, the floor surface interface component (400) is constructed from a plastic. In some embodiments, the floor surface interface component (400) is constructed from a metal. In some embodiments, the floor surface interface component (400) is constructed from a rubber.

In some embodiments, the clamping device (500) is a pipe clamp. In some embodiments, the clamping device (500) is a bar clamp.

As used herein, the term “about” refers to plus or minus 10% of the referenced number. For example, an embodiment wherein the door cradle is about 10 inches in length includes a door cradle that is between 9 and 11 inches in length.

Various modifications of the invention, in addition to those described herein, will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing description. Such modifications are also intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims. Each reference cited in the present application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Although there has been shown and described the preferred embodiment of the present invention, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made thereto which do not exceed the scope of the appended claims. Therefore, the scope of the invention is only to be limited by the following claims.

The reference numbers recited in the below claims are solely for ease of examination of this patent application, and are exemplary, and are not intended in any way to limit the scope of the claims to the particular features having the corresponding reference numbers in the drawings.