# US 7,406,746 B2 · Slider for heavy loads > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,406,746 B2 - Document ID: US7406746B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/214,283 - Filed: 2005-08-29 - Published: 2006-03-02 - Granted: 2008-08-05 - Earliest claimed: 2004-08-31 - Inventors: Richard D. Bushey - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7406746B2 ## CPC - B65G 7/02: Devices adapted to be interposed between loads and the ground or floor, e.g. crowbars with means for assisting conveyance of loads - F16N 7/12: with feed by capillary action, e.g. by wicks - B65G: TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS (packaging B65B; handling thin or filamentary materials, e.g. paper sheets or thread, B65H; cranes B66C; portable mobile or lifting or hauling appliances, e.g. hoists, B66D; devices for lifting or lowering goods for loading or unloading purposes, e.g. fork-lift trucks, B66F9/00; emptying bottles, jars, casks, barrels or similar containers, not otherwise provided for, B67C9/00; delivering or transferring liquids B67D; filling or discharging vessels for liquefied, solidified or compressed gases F17C; pipe-line systems for fluids F17D) - F16N: LUBRICATING ## Abstract A slider and method of using the same is provided for facilitating the sliding of a load on a supporting surface. The slider includes a support platform having an upper surface for receiving the load thereon and a lower surface. A plurality of slider elements depend from the lower surface of the support platform. Each slider element has an outer surface engageable with the supporting surface. A lubricating pad extends from the support platform and is engageable with the supporting surface for lubricating the supporting surface during movement of the slider. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A slider for facilitating the sliding of a load on a supporting surface, comprising: a base having an upper surface for supporting the load and a lower surface; a plurality of slider elements extending from the lower surface of the base, each slider element having a generally arcuate outer surface engageable with the supporting surface; a pad having an upper surface for engagement with the load and a lower surface directed towards the base; and an elongated, rigid wire positioned between the upper surface of the base and the lower surface of the pad, the wire passing over each of the plurality of slider elements. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The slider of claim 1 further comprising a support having an upper surface and a lower surface interconnected to the upper surface of the base. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The slider of claim 2 wherein the lower surface of the pad is interconnected to the upper surface of the support, and wherein the upper surface of the pad has a high co-efficient of friction. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The slider of claim 3 wherein the rigid wire is positioned between the upper surface of the support and the lower surface of the pad. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The slider of claim 1 wherein each of the slider elements terminates at a generally flat apex. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The slider of claim 1 further comprising a lubricating pad depending from the lower surface of the base and engageable with the supporting surface for lubricating the supporting surface. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The slider of claim 1 wherein a first slider of the plurality of sliders has a predetermined radius and a second slider of the plurality of sliders has a predetermined radius, wherein the predetermined radius of the first slider is great than the predetermined radius of the second slider. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The slider of claim 1 further comprising a generally flat mat having an opening therethough, the base receivable in the opening of the mat. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The slider of claim 8 wherein the mat has an upper surface, a lower surface and on outer edge, and wherein the slider further comprises a ramp operatively connected to the outer edge of the mat, the ramp having an upper edge lying in a generally common plane with the upper surface of the mat and a lower edge adjacent the supporting surface. ### Claim 10 A slider for facilitating the sliding of a load on a supporting surface, comprising: a support platform having an upper surface for receiving the load thereon and a lower surface; the support platform includes: an upper layer having an upper surface defining the upper surface of the support platform and a lower surface; an intermediate layer having an upper surface bonded to the lower surface of the upper layer and a lower surface; and a lower layer having an upper surface bonded to the lower surface of the intermediate layer and a lower surface defining the lower surface of the support platform; a plurality of slider elements extending from the lower surface of the support platform, each slider element having an outer surface engageable with the supporting surface; and a rigid wire positioned between the upper layer of the support platform and the intermediate layer of the support platform, the rigid wire passing over each of the plurality of slider elements. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The slider of claim 10 wherein the upper layer is formed from a resilient pad such that the upper surface of the upper layer has a high co-efficient of friction. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The slider of claim 10 wherein each of the slider elements terminates at a generally flat apex. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The slider of claim 12 wherein a first slider of the plurality of sliders has a predetermined radius and a second slider of the plurality of sliders has a predetermined radius, wherein the predetermined radius of the first slider is great than the predetermined radius of the second slider. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The slider of claim 10 further comprising a generally flat mat having an opening therethough, the support platform receivable in the opening of the mat. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The slider of claim 14 wherein the mat has an upper surface, a lower surface and on outer edge, and wherein the slider further comprises a ramp operatively connected to the outer edge of the mat, the ramp having an upper edge lying in a generally common plane with the upper surface of the mat and a lower edge adjacent the supporting surface. ### Claim 16 A method of sliding a load over a supporting surface, comprising the steps of: providing a slider having a first side for receiving the load thereon and a second side engageable with the supporting surface, the slider including: a support platform having an upper surface for receiving the load thereon and a lower surface; the support platform including: a resilient pad having an upper surface defining the upper surface of the support platform and a lower surface; a base having an upper surface affixed to the lower surface of the pad and a lower surface defining the lower surface of the support platform; and a plurality of slider elements extending from the lower surface of the support platform, each slider element having an outer surface engageable with the supporting surface; and positioning a wire between the resilient pad and the base, the wire passing over the plurality of slider elements; depositing the load on the upper surface of the support platform; and sliding the load on the slider over the supporting surface. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16 comprising the additional step of depositing the slider within an opening in a mat, the mat having upper and lower surfaces. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17 comprising the additional step of providing advertising indicia on the upper surface of the mat.