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US 9,283,980 B2Granted
Methods and devices for transporting articles
OwnerKaren Elaine Rogierinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A slideable transport device that can be used to move articles across or over horizontal and, in particular, inclined or angled structure or surfaces. More specifically, the subject invention provides one or more embodiments of a cushioned slider, or similar device, capable of moving articles up and down an incline, such as stairs or a hill, and also across more horizontal surfaces, such as floors or ground. Embodiments of the invention include a method by which articles can be transported by dragging up or down stairs or other inclined ground.
Claims34
A device for transporting one or more articles, comprising:
- a body having a proximal end, a distal end, a top side, and a bottom side, wherein the top side has a top outer surface, wherein the bottom side has a bottom outer surface,
- wherein at least a portion of the top side is a top loading region, wherein at least a portion of the bottom side is a bottom contact region,
- wherein the bottom outer surface of the bottom contact region is flexible, wherein at least a portion of the body proximate the bottom outer surface of the bottom contact region is resilient, and
- wherein the body is configured such that when the device is positioned on a stairs having at least two stair edges, with a plurality of portions of the bottom contact region in contact with a corresponding plurality of stair edges of the at least two stair edges, and one or more articles are positioned on the top loading region such that a weight of the one or more articles is supported by the top loading region, the weight of the one or more articles causes increased pressure on at least one of the plurality of portions of the bottom contact region in contact with a corresponding at least one of the plurality of stair edges, and the bottom outer surface of the at least one of the plurality of portions of the bottom contact region at least partially conforms to a corresponding at least one shape of the corresponding at least one of the plurality of stair edges.
1 more element
A method for transporting one or more articles, comprising:
- providing a device, wherein the device comprises:
- a body having a proximal end, a distal end, a top side, and a bottom side, wherein the top side has a top outer surface, wherein the bottom side has a bottom outer surface,
- wherein at least a portion of the top side is a top loading region, wherein at least a portion of the bottom side is a bottom contact region,
- wherein the bottom outer surface of the bottom contact region is flexible, wherein at least a portion of the body proximate the bottom outer surface of the bottom contact region is resilient, and
- wherein the body is configured such that when the device is positioned on a stairs having at least two stair edges, with a plurality of portions of the bottom contact region in contact with a corresponding plurality of stair edges of the at least two stair edges, and one or more articles are positioned on the top loading region such that a weight of the one or more articles is supported by the top loading region, the weight of the one or more articles causes increased pressure on at least one of the plurality of portions of the bottom contact region in contact with a corresponding at least one of the plurality of stair edges, and the bottom outer surface of the at least one of the plurality of portions of the bottom contact region at least partially conforms to a corresponding at least one shape of the corresponding at least one of the plurality of stair edges;
- positioning the device on the stairs having at least two stair edges with a plurality of portions of the bottom contact region in contact with a corresponding plurality of stair edges of the at least two stair edges;
- positioning one or more articles on the top loading region of the device such that the weight of the one or more articles is supported by the top loading region, so that the weight of the one or more articles causes increased pressure on at least one of the plurality of portions of the bottom contact region in contact with a corresponding at least one of the plurality of stair edges, and the bottom outer surface of the at least one of the plurality of portions of the bottom contact region at least partially conforms to a corresponding at least one shape of the corresponding at least one of the plurality of stair edges;
- and
- pulling the device so as to slidably move the device and the one or more articles positioned on the top loading region with respect to the at least one of the plurality of stair edges such that the one or more articles are transported.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.