Back to results
US 12,076,635 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.
Claims18
An apparatus, comprising:
- a base portion;
- a back support structure secured to the base portion, wherein the back support structure comprises:
- a base with a brace member secured to a first arm of a frame of the base portion at a first end of the brace member and to a second arm of the frame at a second end of the brace member, 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 first leg with a top end and a bottom end, the bottom end coupled to the second end of the first support arm;
- a second leg with a top end and a bottom end, the bottom end coupled to the second end of the second support arm;
- and
- a crossbar secured to the top end of the first leg at a first end and to the top end of the second leg at a second end;
- and
- a glass adjustment system moveably coupled to the back support structure;
- wherein the base portion further comprises:
- a first plate coupled to a top surface of the frame in a first corner;
- a second plate coupled to a top surface of the frame in a second corner;
- a first wheel assembly coupled to a bottom surface of the first plate;
- a second wheel assembly coupled to a bottom surface of the second plate;
- a first rear wheel coupled to the frame by a first axle;
- and
- a second rear wheel coupled to the frame by a second axle;
- wherein the frame comprises:
- a first support member;
- a second support member;
- a third support member;
- and
- a fourth support member, wherein the first support member is secured at a first end to a first end of the second support member and at a second end to a first end of the third support member and the fourth support member is secured at a first end to a second end of the second support member and at a second end to a second end of the third support member.
24 more elements
A method of installing a glass panel, the method comprising:
- obtaining an apparatus, the apparatus comprising:
- a base portion;
- a back support structure secured to the base portion, wherein the back support structure comprises:
- a base with a brace member secured to a first arm of a frame of the base portion at a first end of the brace member and to
- a second arm of the frame at a second end of the brace member,
- 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 first leg with a top end and a bottom end, the bottom end coupled to the second end of the first support arm;
- a second leg with a top end and a bottom end, the bottom end coupled to the second end of the second support arm;
- and
- a crossbar secured to the top end of the first leg at a first end and to the top end of the second leg at a second end;
- and
- a glass adjustment system moveably coupled to the back support structure;
- wherein the base portion further comprises:
- a first plate coupled to a top surface of the frame in a first corner;
- a second plate coupled to a top surface of the frame in a second corner;
- a first wheel assembly coupled to a bottom surface of the first plate;
- a second wheel assembly coupled to a bottom surface of the second plate;
- a first rear wheel coupled to the frame by a first axle;
- and
- a second rear wheel coupled to the frame by a second axle;
- wherein the frame comprises:
- a first support member;
- a second support member;
- a third support member;
- and
- a fourth support member, wherein the first support member is secured at a first end to a first end of the second support member and at a second end to a first end of the third support member and the fourth support member is secured at a first end to a second end of the second support member and at a second end to a second end of the third support member;
- 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.
34 more elements
A method of removing a glass panel, the method comprising:
- obtaining an apparatus, the apparatus comprising:
- a base portion;
- a back support structure secured to the base portion, wherein the back support structure comprises:
- a base with a brace member secured to a first arm of a frame of the base portion at a first end of the brace member and to a second arm of the frame at a second end of the brace member,
- 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 first leg with a top end and a bottom end, the bottom end coupled to the second end of the first support arm;
- a second leg with a top end and a bottom end, the bottom end coupled to the second end of the second support arm;
- and
- a crossbar secured to the top end of the first leg at a first end and to the top end of the second leg at a second end;
- and
- a glass adjustment system moveably coupled to the back support structure;
- wherein the base portion further comprises:
- a first plate coupled to a top surface of the frame in a first corner;
- a second plate coupled to a top surface of the frame in a second corner;
- a first wheel assembly coupled to a bottom surface of the first plate;
- a second wheel assembly coupled to a bottom surface of the second plate;
- a first rear wheel coupled to the frame by a first axle;
- and
- a second rear wheel coupled to the frame by a second axle;
- wherein the frame comprises:
- a first support member;
- a second support member;
- a third support member;
- and
- a fourth support member, wherein the first support member is secured at a first end to a first end of the second support member and at a second end to a first end of the third support member and the fourth support member is secured at a first end to a second end of the second support member and at a second end to a second end of the third support member;
- 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.
33 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.