초록 ▼

The dolly-pallet of the present invention includes a load bearing deck that may be alternately supported by the retractable support skid or the wheel elements. Initial displacement of the skid during the retraction process is along an upward substantially vertical path. Once the retractable support

The dolly-pallet of the present invention includes a load bearing deck that may be alternately supported by the retractable support skid or the wheel elements. Initial displacement of the skid during the retraction process is along an upward substantially vertical path. Once the retractable support skid is retracted such that the dolly-pallet is being supported by the wheel elements, the retractable support skid may be further displaced along an upward substantially arcuate path so as to move it away form the wheel elements, allowing them to swivel if they are so configured. In this way, the center of mass of the load is lowered vertically, thereby reducing stress on the displacement mechanism until the load is supported by the wheel elements.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A dolly-pallet device convertible between a pallet condition in which the device is usable as a pallet and a dolly condition in which the device is usable as a dolly, the dolly-pallet device comprising: (a) a deck having a length and a width; (b) at least two skids attached t

What is claimed is: 1. A dolly-pallet device convertible between a pallet condition in which the device is usable as a pallet and a dolly condition in which the device is usable as a dolly, the dolly-pallet device comprising: (a) a deck having a length and a width; (b) at least two skids attached to said deck for contacting a ground surface to support said deck on the ground surface when the device is in the pallet condition, each of said skids extending along substantially the entirety of one of said length and said width; and (c) a set of wheels attached to said deck for supporting said deck on the ground surface when the device is in the dolly condition, wherein said skids are movable relative to said deck to convert the dolly-pallet device between the pallet condition and the dolly condition, and wherein said skids are formed with openings through which said wheels extend when the device is in the dolly condition. 2. The dolly-pallet device of claim 1, wherein said length is greater than said width, and wherein said skids extend parallel to said width. 3. The dolly-pallet device of claim 1, wherein said skids are attached to said deck by at least one displacement mechanism. 4. The dolly-pallet device of claim 3, wherein said displacement mechanism is configured to provide geometrical locking of said skid in the pallet condition, and to be operable to release said geometrical locking and raise said skid to provide the dolly condition. 5. The dolly-pallet device of claim 1, wherein: (a) each of said skids is attached to said deck by a corresponding displacement mechanism; and (b) said displacement mechanisms are mechanically linked so as to be substantially simultaneously operable by a common actuation linkage. 6. The dolly-pallet device of claim 1, wherein at least one of said wheels is a caster. 7. The dolly-pallet device of claim 6, wherein said skids are movable to a position in which said caster is free to swivel. 8. The dolly-pallet device of claim 7, wherein, when the device is in the dolly condition, said skids are further displaceable along a substantially arcuate path to a further retracted position. 9. The dolly-pallet device of claim 1, wherein said skids are configured such that, when the device is supported on the ground surface in the pallet condition, said wheels are clear of the ground surface. 10. The dolly-pallet device of claim 1, wherein said wheels are attached to said deck in a fixed relation. 11. A method of transporting a load, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a dolly-pallet device comprising; (i) a deck having a length and a width, (ii) at least two skids attached to said deck for contacting a ground surface to support said deck on the ground surface when the device is in the pallet condition, each of said skids extending along substantially the entire of one of said length and said width, and (iii) a set of wheels attached to said deck for supporting said deck on the ground surface when the device is in the dolly condition, wherein said skids are movable relative to said deck to convert the dolly-pallet device between the pallet condition and the doll condition, and wherein said skids are formed with openings through which said wheels extend when the device is in the dolly condition; (b) with the loaded dolly-pallet device standing on the ground surface in its pallet condition, moving said skids toward said deck so as to convert the dolly-pallet device to the dolly condition; and (c) transporting the dolly-pallet and the load across the ground surface by rolling on the wheels. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein, prior to said moving, the dolly-pallet device and the load are wholly supported by the skids and the wheels are clear of the ground surface, and wherein, during said moving, the deck and the load are lowered relative to the ground surface. 13. The method of claim 11, wherein, in said moving, the skids move in a direction perpendicular to the ground surface. 14. The method of claim 11, wherein, after said moving, the skids are further retracted along an arcuate path relative to the deck.