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US 11,666,818 B2Granted
Apparatus and method for installing and removing panels
OwnerBarry Collinsinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus for installing and removing glass panels and methods of using the apparatus are disclosed. The apparatus includes a base portion, a back support structure secured to the base portion, and a glass adjustment system moveably coupled to the back support structure. Methods for using the apparatus to install and remove glass panels from, for example, ice rink boards, are also disclosed.
Claims19
An apparatus, comprising:
- a base portion comprising:
- a frame, comprising:
- a first arm coupled to the frame near a first end of the frame;
- and
- a second arm coupled to the frame near the first end and spaced apart from the first arm;
- a first bracket coupled to a top surface of a first support member above a first axle;
- a second bracket coupled to the top surface of the first support member above a second axle;
- and
- a counter weight secured directly to the first bracket at a first end and to the second bracket at a second end;
- a back support structure secured to the base portion, wherein the back support structure comprises:
- a base with a brace member secured to the first arm of the frame at a first end and to the second arm of the frame at a second end, wherein the base further comprises:
- a first support arm with a first end and a second end, the first end of the first support arm coupled to a first end of the brace member;
- and
- a second support arm with a first end and a second end, the first end of the second support arm coupled to a second end of the brace member;
- and
- a glass adjustment system moveably coupled to the back support structure.
13 more elements
A method of installing a glass panel, comprising:
- obtaining an apparatus, the apparatus comprising:
- a base portion, the base portion comprising:
- a frame, comprising:
- a first arm coupled to the frame near a first end of the frame;
- and
- a second arm coupled to the frame near the first end and spaced apart from the first arm;
- a first bracket coupled to a top surface of a first support member above a first axle;
- a second bracket coupled to the top surface of the first support member above a second axle;
- and
- a counter weight secured directly to the first bracket at a first end and to the second bracket at a second end;
- a back support structure secured to the base portion, wherein the back support structure comprises:
- a base comprising:
- a brace member secured to the first arm of the frame at a first end and to the second arm of the frame at a second end:
- a first support arm with a first end and a second end, the first end of the first support arm coupled to a first end of the brace member;
- and
- a second support arm with a first end and a second end, the first end of the second support arm coupled to a second end of the brace member;
- and
- a glass adjustment system moveably coupled to the back support structure;
- positioning the apparatus adjacent to the glass panel for installation;
- coupling the glass adjustment system to the glass panel;
- raising the glass panel into the air using the glass adjustment system;
- positioning the apparatus and attached glass panel for insertion into an ice rink board;
- inserting the glass panel into the ice rink board;
- and
- removing the glass adjustment system from the glass panel.
22 more elements
A method of removing a glass panel, comprising:
- obtaining an apparatus, the apparatus comprising:
- a base portion, the base portion comprising:
- a frame, comprising:
- a first arm coupled to the frame near a first end of the frame;
- and
- a second arm coupled to the frame near the first end and spaced apart from the first arm;
- a first bracket coupled to a top surface of a first support member above a first axle;
- a second bracket coupled to the top surface of the first support member above a second axle;
- and
- a counter weight secured directly to the first bracket at a first end and to the second bracket at a second end;
- a back support structure secured to the base portion, wherein the back support structure comprises:
- a base comprising:
- a brace member secured to the first arm of the frame at a first end and to the second arm of the frame at a second end:
- a first support arm with a first end and a second end, the first end of the first support arm coupled to a first end of the brace member;
- and
- a second support arm with a first end and a second end, the first end of the second support arm coupled to a second end of the brace member;
- and
- a glass adjustment system moveably coupled to the back support structure;
- positioning the apparatus adjacent to the glass panel for removal;
- coupling the glass adjustment system to the glass panel;
- raising the glass panel out of an ice rink board using the glass adjustment system;
- moving the apparatus and attached glass panel away from the ice rink board;
- performing maintenance to at least one of the glass panel and the ice rink board;
- and
- reinserting the glass panel into the ice rink board.
22 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.