Abstract:
A base member for swivel caster comprises a fixed base, a rotation base and a hollow staff. The fixed base includes a ring member, and a plurality of first raceways lathed in an inward surface of the ring member. A support cavity is defined through a center of the rotation base. Assembling holes are defined in a connecting portion and communicate the support cavity and the second raceways. During assembly, a plurality of rolling balls are extended through the assembling holes and loaded into the first raceways and a second raceways. Then a plurality of biasing balls is loaded into the assembling holes. The staff is inserted into the support cavity and blocks the assembling holes. The rolling balls contact the biasing balls instead of fixed components whereby the rolling balls swivel and rotate smoothly.
Abstract:
A self-orienting caster, constituted by at least one wheel, which can rotate on a shaft driven horizontally through the seat of a support provided with a vertical recess open upward and offset axially with respect to the shaft and in which a caster pivoting pivot rotates that is provided with first and second portions insertable in a seat of a furniture piece, the second portion having an end stem with reduced diameter forming a shoulder, a bush fixed axially on the stem and forming an annular groove for accommodating, without play, an elastic ring that presses by expanding against the wall of the recess.
Abstract:
An integrally formed caster socket is provided in a tubular framing member for a merchandising display or the like. The framing member has aligned stem receiving holes with the upper hole being on a domed frusto-conical shaped area and the lower hole is on a dimpled in area of the lower frame wall. The socket configurations can be formed with simultaneous stamping or punching operations.
Abstract:
A chair base includes a rigid base member having a plurality of elongate tubular leg members disposed angularly around and radiating outwardly from a central hub. Each leg member adjacent an outer free end thereof has a hub structure defining a through vertical bore for retaining the pintle of a caster. The hub structure includes coaxially aligned upper and lower sleevelike hub parts which are monolithically and integrally joined to and extruded transversely into the interior of the leg member from the respective top and bottom walls thereof. The pintle-retaining hub structure is formed by a pierce-and-extrude process whereby small pilot openings are initially formed through the respective walls, and the annular wall portion surrounding the respective pilot opening is thereafter transversely extruded to effect forming of the respective hub part. The pierce-and-extrude process for each hub part is, in a preferred process, carried out by a single forming tool.
Abstract:
A steering assistance device for a castor comprises a cam portion (39) having a lobe (41) which is fixed to the bottom of the fixing bolt of the castor and which is surrounded by a closed portion (43) of a capture device (42). The lobe (41) is engaged in an arcuate recess (49) of the capture device (42) in the dead center position of the castor. The capture device (42) is formed of a plastics material and its sides and ends are resilient slats. The arcuate recess (49) is in one end and the two sides (50 and 52) carry inwardly projecting arms (51 and 53). Steering assistance is provided by resistance to angular displacement of the capture device (42) around the cam portion (39) which is provided by the resilience of the capture device (42), first progressively increasing to a maximum whilst the lobe (41) is engaged in the recess, secondly maintaining that maximum as it passes out of the recess (49), across a projection (58, 59) into engagement with one of the arms (51 and 53), and thirdly gradually reducing until it is released from the arm (51 or 53). The remainder of the swiveling movement is without resistance as there is a clearance around the cam portion (39).
Abstract:
An adjustable leg assembly comprises an outer tube and an inner tube subassembly. The inner tube assembly comprises an inner tube, a floor support at one end of the inner tube, an expandable bushing at an opposite end of the inner tube, a rod extending through the inner tube and secured to the bushing and threadedly engaged with the floor support. The inner tube subassembly is inserted into the outer tube such that the bushing is confined within the outer tube and can be expanded into and retracted from contact with the outer tube by turning the floor support relative to the inner tube. In the preferred embodiment illustrated in the drawings, the floor support is a glide/tightener that provides a floor glide to support the leg assembly and that provides a tightener that is threadedly engaged with the bushing rod.
Abstract:
A caster wheel mounting mechanism having a shaft member to which the caster wheel is coupled, the shaft member having a generally circular cross section with a flatted portion, a mounting member having an opening within which the shaft member is pivotally received, and a compression spring for biasing an abutment member or ball into abutment with the shaft such that the caster wheel is biased to a predetermined position when the abutment member abuts the flatted portion of the shaft member.
Abstract:
A utility vacuum cleaner tool caddy for utility vacuum cleaner drums as well as an axleless wheel mount are disclosed. The tool caddy has rear and front wheels with integral rear and front bumpers at least partially overlying the rear and front wheels. This provides a wider/larger wheel base/caddy which increases the stability of the utility vacuum cleaner during movement. The rear bumper is also provided with a plurality of spaced openings for receiving a corresponding number of vacuum tools which are stored in an out-of-way location when moving or storing the utility vacuum cleaner. The axleless wheel mount provides a snap-in mounting of individual wheels with full bearing support, thus eliminating the need of an axle between spaced and aligned wheels. Additionally, the wheel support increases the load capacity while improving the overall look and appearance of the base unit or tool caddy.
Abstract:
A double wheel caster for being rotatably mounted on a leg of a transport carrier includes a support rod having a center portion and opposite first and second end portions. The center portion of the support rod is rotatably positioned within an opening located in a wheel caster trailing housing. A pair of caster wheels are rotatably positioned on the first and second end portions of the support rod. Each caster wheel has an aperture generally centrally located therethrough and a plurality of fingers extending radially inward and into engagement with the support rod such that the caster wheels are frictionally mounted on the support rod. Upon movement of the transport carrier in a direction which forces one caster wheel to rotate faster than the other, the frictional mounting inhibits the one caster from freely rotating with respect to the other to thereby prevent shimmying.
Abstract:
The caster has a generally cylindrical stem which is received in a well in a socket which, in turn, is securely received in the bottom of the hollow leg. The stem has a longitudinal groove which receives an inwardly projecting rib on the socket. This prevents rotation of the stem in the socket so that when the swivel braking mechanism on the caster is actuated, the wheel cannot pivot relative to the vertical axis. This economical mechanism facilitates installation and replacement of the caster.