Container dolly with multi-purpose handle

#The present invention relates to a dolly for moving containers and more specifically to a multi-purpose dolly.

#In general, a typical facility or warehouse may have a variety of different cylindrical containers which must be transported from one location to another. Accordingly, a variety of conventional, single size dollies must be available to accommodate movement of these various sized containers. Common cylindrical containers include 55-gallon drums, 30-gallon drums, 5-gallon buckets, and standard propane tanks of varying capacity. In order to move each of these various sized containers, it is desirable to obtain multiple drum dollies, each having a diameter corresponding to a specific container size. It may further be desirable to have multiple dollies of each size to enable movement of more than one container at a time by multiple workers.

#The drum dollies used for transporting or moving cylindrical drums of material include a cylindrical outer ring and interior members which extend diametrically between the outer ring. The cylindrical ring is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the container or drum to be moved by the dolly. The interior members allow larger sized dollies to be used to transport smaller drums by preventing these drums from falling through the outer ring. These types of dollies are generally provided with wheels or casters mounted below the outer ring to allow movement thereof.

#The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention itself will be better understood by reference to the following description of an embodiment of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the dolly carrying a material container in accordance with the present invention;

#FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the dolly handle assembled to the dolly base;

#Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplification set out herein illustrates an embodiment of the invention, in one form, and such exemplification is not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner.

#Referring to FIG. 1, a dolly 20 for transporting containers 21 within a facility or a warehouse generally comprises a base 22 having handle 24 removably secured thereto. The base 22 comprises a U-shaped dolly support platform 26, a handle support 28, and rollers in the form of wheels 30 and a caster 32.

#With reference now to FIGS. 3 and 4, the base 22 will be described in greater detail. As shown best in FIG. 3, the dolly platform 26 comprises a semicylindrical strap 34 having ends 36, and a front strap 38 comprising a diametrical portion 40, including a lead-in surface, and upstanding end sections 42. The dolly platform further comprises straps 44, 46 including a radial strap section 44a, 46a, together with a vertical portion 44b, 46b (FIG. 4). Axles 48 extend through apertures (not shown) in ends 36, 42, where the axles 48 include a transverse hole at 50, as described in greater detail herein.