Apparatus for carrying glass panels
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part application of my copending U.S Application, Ser. No. 642,905, filed Dec. 22, 1975, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,033,597. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates generally to an apparatus for carrying glass panels, and more particularly, to an improved apparatus for carrying panels such as the curved glass windshields used in automobiles and the like without breaking, scratching or chipping the windshields during transport. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Many types of glass panels and, in particular, the windshields of present day automobiles vary considerably in size, shape, and curvature. Current apparatus for storing and transporting such glass panels generally employ adjustable clamping means which can be varied to clamp windshields of different sizes, shapes and curvatures therebetween. 
     Examples of the prior art include the Pityo U.S. Pat. No. 2,946,453, dated July 26, 1960, and Henderson et al. U.S. Pat. No. 2,953,253 dated Sept. 20, 1960, cited in my copending application. 
     Many of the containers of the prior art are adapted to be carried by hand and hence are capable of handling only a small number of panels at a time. Other types of storage and shipping containers or apparatus frequently result in chipped or cracked edges on the lower edge of the panel resulting from contact with the top surfaces of the clamping mechanism or from contact with the surfaces upon which the edge of the windshield rests during or after clamping. Any type of chip or scratch on the surface of the windshield renders it unuseable for its intended purpose and adds to the cost of the windshield and its shipping costs. 
     There is a continued need for a windshield carrier which is capable of handling many different sizes, shapes and curvatures of windshield an which simultaneously eliminates or at least minimizes the possibility of scratching, chipping or breaking the glass. 
     The present invention provides an improved windshield carrier which is capable of supportively transporting a large number of windshields of various sizes, shapes and curvatures without breaking, scratching or chipping any portion of the transported windshields. Additionally, the present invention provides means for transporting the carrier whereby it may be moved in either a longitudinal direction or a lateral direction so that the windshields may be loaded and unloaded from either side or either end thereof. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an improved apparatus for transporting glass panels such as the curved windshields used in automobiles and the like without scratching, breaking or chipping any portion of the windshield. A generally rectangular body frame is provided and the two elongated sides of the frame are at least partially covered with a relatively firm pad made from resilient material. Each of the elongated sides contains a spaced row of substantially upright dowels or support members. Each of the support members has a tubular sleeve fitted thereover. The tubular sleeve is preferably made from a second relatively more resilient material such as sponge rubber or the like. Furthermore, the upper end of each of the members is provided with a rubber end cap to prevent chipping or scratching of the windshield as it is inserted into the space between adjacent upright members or dowels. 
     Each end cap is provided with a rotatable locking finger made from a resilient or rubber material. The locking finger has an opening which receives the end cap. The end cap forms a bearing for the locking finger. Each finger has a pair of clamping surfaces with each clamping surface being adapted to cooperate with an opposing clamping surface on an adjacent locking finger to hold and clamp a windshield therebetween without scratching same. 
     The spacing between adjacent upright members is sufficient to supportively receive a windshield having the greatest curvature expected to be encountered and the distance between the parallel elongated sides of the frame is sufficient to operatively support the shortest length of windshield expected to be encountered. At least a portion of the lower edge of the windshield rests on the first relatively firm resilient layer or base and a portion of its side rests against one of the sleeves to prevent breaking, scratching and slipping of the windshield. 
     The frame includes a set of openings on at least one side for receiving the tines of a forklift for positioning the carrier along a first axis and, a similar apparatus or, in the alternative, wheeled means are provided at the ends thereof for positioning the carrier in a direction transverse to first axis so that the carrier can be positioned for loading and unloading from either of the sides or from either of the ends of the carrier. 
     Since the lower edge of the windshield supportively rests upon the first relatively firm resilient pad, that portion of the windshield is protected against breakage or scratching. Additionally, the first relatively firm resilient pad insures that the windshield does not slide forward, backward, or sideways during transport of the windshields. 
     The relatively resilient sleeve members insure that at least a portion of one side of the windshield which rests against the sleeve is protected from scratching, clipping or breaking. The rubber end cap insures that the edges or surfaces of the windshield will not be scratched, chipped or broken during loading and unloading operations. Additionally, the windshields may be temporarily balanced or positioned on the top surfaces of the caps during the loading and unloading operations. 
     The carrier may be positioned in either direction along a first axis or in either direction along an axis transverse thereto so that it may be loaded an unloaded from either of the sides or either of the ends thereof. Vertical legs are provided on the corners of the frame and a pair of wheels are provided on one pair of the legs. The opposite end is equipped with a hitching means or eye and a wheeled dolly may be positioned to operatively engage the eye, lift the front end of the frame, and transport the carrier in either direction along the first axis by means of the wheels. Additionally, openings may be provided on each of the sides of the carrier or may be substituted for the wheel-dolly arrangement. The openings are adapted to be engaged by the tines of a forklift which is able to lift the carrier and position it in either direction along a direction normal to the first axis for ease of loading and unloading. 
     The windshield carrier of the present invention is able to safely transport different sizes, shapes and curvatures of windshields from place to place without breaking, scratching or chipping the windshields. A larger number of windshields may be transported safely and economically and the carrier may be positioned in any direction to allow it to be loaded and unloaded from any direction. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent upon reading the following specification which describes an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, along with the accompanying claims and the drawings in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of the windshield apparatus of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a partial top view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 taken on the line 2--2 thereof, with the rotatable locking fingers in a released position; 
     FIG. 3 is a partial top view of a portion of the apparatus, similar to FIG. 2 but showing the rotatable locking fingers in a clamping position holding a windshield; and 
     FIG. 4 is a partial side view of a portion of the apparatus taken on the line 4--4 of FIG. 3 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     FIG. 1 shows the windshield carrier of the present invention represented generally by the reference character 11. The carrier 11 supportively transports a plurality of glass panels or windshields 13 from one place to another. A body or frame 15 includes a pair of parallelly spaced lower elongated side or frame members 17 supportively mounting a pair of transversely oriented parallel end members 19. Supportively mounted on the end members 19 are a second pair of elongated side frame elements 21 positioned immediately above and parallel to the lower elongated frame members 17. The upper elongated pad or side elements 21 are covered or at least partially covered with a pad or layer 23 or relatively firm resilient material such as medium hard rubber. The layer, pad or base 23 is used to support at least a portion of the lower edge of the windshields 13 to prevent the breaking, scratching or chipping of the windshield and to prevent the lower edge from slipping longitudinally or laterally during the transporting of the windshields 13. 
     Each of the upper elongated side elements 21 has rigidly mounted to the top surface thereof a row of spaced, substantially upright dowels or cylindrical support members 25. Each of these upright supports or dowels 25 is provided with an outer coating or tubular sleeve of a second relatively more resilient material such as Armaflex sponge rubber or the like. At least a portion of one side of opposite ends of the windshield 13 rest against the sponge rubber sleeves 27 so as to prevent breaking, chipping or scratching of the surfaces of the windshield 13. Each sleeve 27 is located on a dowel 25 between upper and lower ring-like washers or inserts 24, 26 respectively made from a medium hard rubber or the like. 
     Each of the cylindrical support members 25 is secured to either the upper or lower flange of the side element 21 and is provided with an end cap 29 on its upper distal end. The end cap 29 may be made from medium hard rubber or the like and it serves to protect the edges and surfaces of the windshield 13 during the loading and unloading operation. Additionally, the windshield 13 may be temporarily rested upon the end cap 29 during the loading and unloading operations. 
     The lateral distance between the two side elements 21 is sufficient to supportively retain the shortest length of windshield 13 expected to be encountered in the operation. The spacing of the upright dowels 25 is such that the distance between adjacent members 25 is sufficient to supportively receive the greatest curvature of windshield expected to be encountered in the operation. The upright dowels 25 may be made, as an example, from one inch diameter round steel tubing having a wall thickness of 1/16 inch. The end cap 29 may be the type of medium hard rubber caps frequently used on chairs and step stools and the like and the first medium hard rubber pad 23 is approximately 1/2-inch thick and 11/2 inches wide. Since the windshields 13 are generally curved, the ends of the windshield where the curve is greater are supportively retained upon the pads 23 and prevented from sliding either laterally or longitudinally during the transport operation. 
     The windshield carrier 11 of FIG. 1 is provided with a plurality of positioning means which enables the carrier 11 to be positioned either longitudinally or laterally so that the windshields 13 may be loaded or unloaded from either of the sides and either of the ends of the carrier 11. 
     A first pair of rear support legs 31 extend downwardly from the rear end of the lower elongated side frame 17. A middle pair of support legs 33 extend vertically downward from a center portion of the side frame 17 and a front pair of support legs 35 extend vertically downward from the front end of the lower elongated side frame 17. A pair of rear wheels 37 are rotatively mounted on the sides of the rear support legs 31 and a pair of solid rubber tires 39 are mounted on the wheels 37. A tonge-like hitching means or eye 41 extends forward from the front end piece 19 and is substantially parallel to the ground. A wheel-dolly or lift jack 43 is provided at the front end to longitudinally position the carrier 11 in either the forward or the reverse direction along the longitudinal axis of the frame 15. The dolly 43 includes a body portion 44 having a handle 47 and a pair of wheels 49 rotatively secured thereto. Each of the wheels 49 has a solid rubber tire 51 and the uppper end of the body portion 44 includes an eye-engaging pin 45 adapted to be received within the eye 41. Since the vertically upright front legs normally rest upon the ground, the insertion of the pin 45 within the eye 41 will cause a lifting of the front end of the carrier 11 and hence of the front legs 35 from the ground either as the dolly 43 is moved forward, or by a jacking motion of the handle 47 to raise the body portion 44 in the manner of a lifting jack, known in the art. Once the pin 45 has engaged the hitching means 41 and caused the front end of the carrier 11 to be raised, an operator can pull or push the handle 47, either manually or by means of a truck or tractor-type vehicle to longitudinally position the carrier 11 either forward or backward. 
     Alternatively, the frame 11 may be provided with tine-receiving passages or openings 53 at either of the ends or either of the sides thereof. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, a pair of passages 53 are provided on either side of the center leg 33 and these passages 53 are adapted to receivably engage the tines of a fork lift, not shown but known in the art, which can lift the carrier 11 to position it laterally in either direction along an axis normal to the longitudinal axis of the frame 15 so that the windshields 13 may be loaded and unloaded from either side and from either end of the carrier 11. 
     Several alternate embodiments of the structure of the carrier 11 are briefly described hereinbelow. If the tines or prongs of a forklift, now shown, are to be used to longitudinally position the carrier 11 instead of the wheel-dolly 43, then a pair of tine-receiving passages or openings similar to those illustrated at 53 on the side of the carrier 11 may be provided at one or both ends of the carrier or apparatus 11. Alternatively, an elongated lateral member, not shown, may be rigidly fastened between the front legs 35 as disclosed in my copending application. There will be an opening or tine-receiving space between the top surface of the later end member and the bottom surface of the C-shaped end piece 19. The tines of the fork lift may be guidably received within this opening to lift the carrier 11 without tipping or the like. Even further a vertical post, not shown, could be rigidly interposed between end piece 19 and the aforesaid lateral member to divide the opening therebetween into two distinct passages as the middle leg 33 forms the two passages 53. It will, of course, be understood that an identical tine-receiving assembly would normally be located at the opposite longitudinal end such that the primary method of longitudinal or lateral positioning for loading or unloadng would be via the forklift whereas the wheel-dolly 43 could be used as an alternate means for longitudinally positioning but would be primarily used for transporting the carrier 11 from place to place within the factory, warehouse, or the like. 
     The carriers would normally be transported from the windshield manufacturing site to the utilization site on a flat bed truck or the like. Four or more carriers would be loaded on a single truck and the dollys 43 would not be transported. One dolly 43 located at each side could, of course, serve to transport any number of carriers 11 at a given site. Ideally, each time a full carrier or carriers is delivered, an equal number of empty carriers is returned to the windshield manufacturing site via the truck. 
     The construction of the apparatus 11 heretofore described is generally identical to the apparatus of my aforementioned copending application with the exception of the additional rubber rings or inserts 24, 26. The numerals used in both applications identify generally the same part or component. 
     The present invention includes generally flat rotatable locking fingers 60 may from medium hard rubber. Each locking finger 60 is flexible or bendable and has a pair of flat surfaces 62, 64 and a continuous uninterrupted side wall or surface 66. A circular opening 68 is provided between the surfaces 62, 64 and is sleeved over the end cap 29 as shown in FIG. 4. Each end cap 29 forms a bearing for the corresponding finger 60 which is adapted to rotate thereon in a horizontal plane. 
     Each finger 60 has a pair of clamping surfaces 70 and 72 at the front and rear portions thereof respectively. Each clamping surface 70 and 72 cooperates with a clamping surface provided on an adjacent dowel to clamp, lock and hold a windhshield 13 therebetween. The locking fingers 60 are easily released by simply rotating same in a direction away from the windshield. The fingers 60 are held on the end caps 29 by a friction therebetween. The flexible fingers 60 do not scratch or damage the windshields. 
     In operation, the individual windshields 13 are inserted between adjacent pairs of upright dowels 25 each of which is covered with a sponge rubber tubular sleeve 27. The bottom edge of the windshield 13 rests on the relatively firm resilient pads 23 and is prevented from slipping or sliding thereby. A portion of the side of the windshield restably leans against at least a portion of the sleeve 27 and is protected from breaking, chipping or scratching thereby. The rubber end caps 29 insure that the windshield 13 will not be damaged during the loading or unloading operations. A pair of adjacent rotatable locking fingers 60 engage the opposite sides of the windshield and clamp same to help to insure that the windshield will not move or be damaged during the transporting operation. Additionally, either the wheeled arrangement or the forklift attachment or both may be used to insure that the carrier can be positioned either longitudinally or laterally so that it can be loaded and unloaded either from the sides or from the ends thereof. 
     While specific apparatus, materials and dimensions have been recited in describing the prime embodiment of the present invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention which is limited only by the appended claims.