System and method for moving shelf units

A system for moving a shelf unit, said shelf unit including first and second opposing vertical feet for supporting said shelf unit on a ground surface, said system comprising:

• first and second prying arms each including a pushable member and a lifting member joined to each other, said first prying arm lifting said first vertical foot at least partially off said ground surface in response to engaging first vertical foot with the lifting member of said first prying arm and pushing downward on the pushable member of said first prying arm, said second prying arm lifting said second vertical foot at least partially off said ground surface in response to engaging said second vertical foot with the lifting member of said second prying arm and pushing downward on the pushable member of said second prying arm;
• and a rolling device including first and second opposing end supports and an intermediate cross bar extending between said first and second end supports, said rolling device including a pair of casters mounted to an underside of said cross bar for allowing said rolling device to be rolled along said ground surface, said first and second end supports being located closer than said cross bar to said ground surface when said rolling device is positioned with its casters contacting said ground surface, said first and second end supports supporting said respective first and second vertical feet in response to said vertical feet being lifted at least partially off said ground surface with said first and second prying arms, said rolling device being rolled beneath said shelf unit to position said first and second end supports beneath said respective first and second vertical feet, and said first and second vertical feet being lowered onto said respective first and second end supports;
• wherein said lifting member includes alternative means for engaging said respective vertical foot, said alternative means including an end lip and a transverse member proximate to said end lip, said end lip being substantially smaller in thickness than a remainder of said lifting member, said end lip adapted to engage said respective vertical foot by being placed beneath said respective vertical foot, said transverse member adapted to engage said respective vertical foot by being inserted into a hole formed in said respective vertical foot.

A method for moving a shelf unit, said shelf unit including first and second opposing vertical feet for supporting said shelf unit on a ground surface, said method comprising the steps of:

• providing first and second prying arms each including a pushable member and a lifting member, said first and second prying arms not being mechanically connected to each other;
• providing a rolling device including first and second opposing end supports and an intermediate cross bar extending between said first and second end supports, said rolling device including a pair of casters mounted to an underside of said cross bar for allowing said rolling device to be rolled along said ground surface, said first and second end supports being located closer than said cross bar to said ground surface when said rolling device is positioned with its casters contacting said ground surface;
• using said first and second prying arms to lift said respective first and vertical feet at least partially off said ground surface;
• rolling said rolling device beneath said shelf unit to position said first and second end supports beneath said respective first and second vertical feet;
• using said first and second prying arms to lower said respective first and second vertical feet onto said respective first and second end supports;
• and
• rolling said rolling device while said first and second vertical feet of said shelf unit are supported by said respective first and second end supports.

A method for moving a shelf unit, said shelf unit including first and second opposing vertical feet for supporting said shelf unit on a ground surface, said method comprising the steps of:

• providing first and second prying arms each including a pushable member and a lifting member, said lifting member including an end lip and a transverse member proximate to said end lip, said end lip being substantially smaller in thickness than a remainder of said lifting member, said end lip engaging said respective vertical foot by being placed beneath said respective vertical foot, said transverse member engaging said respective vertical foot by being inserted into a hole formed in said respective vertical foot;
• providing a rolling device including first and second opposing end supports and an intermediate cross bar extending between said first and second end supports, said rolling device including a pair of casters mounted to an underside of said cross bar for allowing said rolling device to be rolled along said ground surface, said first and second end supports being located closer than said cross bar to said ground surface when said rolling device is positioned with its casters contacting said ground surface;
• using said first and second prying arms to lift said respective first and vertical feet at least partially off said ground surface by engaging said first and second vertical feet with the lifting members of said respective first and second prying arms and pushing downward on the pushable members of said respective first and second prying arms;
• rolling said rolling device beneath said shelf unit to position said first and second end supports beneath said respective first and second vertical feet;
• using said first and second prying arms to lower said respective first and second vertical feet onto said respective first and second end supports;
• and
• rolling said rolling device while said first and second vertical feet of said shelf unit are supported by said respective first and second end supports.

A combination of a shelf unit and a shelf moving system comprising:

• a shelf unit including first and second opposing vertical feet for supporting said shelf unit on a ground surface;
• a rolling device including first and second opposing end supports and an intermediate cross bar extending between said first and second end supports, said rolling device including a pair of casters mounted to an underside of said cross bar for allowing said rolling device to be rolled along said ground surface, said first and second end supports being located closer than said cross bar to said ground surface when said rolling device is positioned with its casters contacting said ground surface;
• and
• first and second prying arms for engaging and lifting said first and second vertical feet at least partially off said ground surface so that said rolling device can be rolled beneath said shelf unit to position said first and second end supports beneath said respective first and second vertical feet and so that said first and second vertical feet can subsequently be lowered onto said respective first and second end supports, said first and second prying arms not being mechanically connected to each other and not being mechanically connected to said rolling device.