Roll transport apparatus

Abstract

Transport apparatus utilizing a carrying strap permitting one individual to load and transport a roll of sheet plastic material without damage. The apparatus utilizes three upwardly directed equally spaced U-shaped roll supports, A supporting base for the center roll support is arranged to permit placing the apparatus on a planar surface for loading. The base is attached to the center roll support through a locking extension with a number of outward positions to eliminate damaging the roll during loading. The base is attached to the end roll supports telescopically to accommodate different length rolls, which lock at various lengths to ensure positive roll support. Pivots for the telescopic attachments to the base permit pivoting the end roll supports together to minimize storage space.

1 . Apparatus for transporting rolled deformable sheet material, comprising: 
 a) a plurality of roll support means spaced axially along a roll length for supporting and transporting a roll of material;    b) base support means for mounting a central roll support means;    b) a plurality of means for telescopically connecting the central base support means to each of the other support means; and    b) means for carrying the apparatus by one person.    
   
   
       2 . Apparatus as in  claim 1  wherein said roll support means comprise at least three support saddles, one being located near the center and the others being distributed along opposite ends of the roll, with each support means having an outwardly extending U-shaped extension sized to engage a cross-section of said roll.  
   
   
       3 . Apparatus as in  claim 1  wherein said telescoping connecting means comprise relatively movable inner and outer tubes, and further including means for locking the inner and outer tubes together at predetermined lengths.  
   
   
       4 . Apparatus as in  claim 3  wherein said tubes have means for pivoting the tubes outwardly with respect to the base support means until the roll support means are adjacent each other.  
   
   
       5 . Apparatus as in  claim 3  wherein said telescoping connecting means further comprises: 
 a) the inner tubes being hollow having a predetermined first dimension from the outer surface to the hollow interior, and the outer tubes being hollow and having a predetermined second dimension from the outer surface to the hollow interior, said inner tube having a radially oriented first hole of a predetermined size, and the outer tube having a plurality of radially oriented second holes the same size as the first hole which are spaced equally from one another and aligned along the tube length, the tubes being arranged such that as the overlap is changed between them successive second holes of the outer tube will become aligned with the first hole of the inner tube;    b) a cylindrically shaped stud having a rounded end centered on the longitudinal axis end, the stud being sized to slidably fit within said holes, the stud having a length along its axis equal to the sum of the dimensions equal to the total dimensions between the outer surface and the interior of both inner and outer tubes, the stud being located within said first hole with the rounded end outward;    c) a folded U-shaped flat spring located within said inner tube with the folded portion aligned with the length of the tube, one end being attached to the inner end of the stud such that the spring will urge the stud outwardly until the inner end of the stud is essentially aligned with the inner surface of the inner tube.    
   
   
       7 . Apparatus as in  claim 1  wherein said base support means further comprises means for adjusting the extension of said center roll support means with respect to the base.  
   
   
       8 . Apparatus as in  claim 1  wherein said carrying means comprises a pair of attachment belts and a carrying belt, with the attachment belts being arranged to removably encircle opposite ends of the apparatus and transported roll, and with the carrying belt being connected between the attachment belts.