Abstract: An omni-directional wheel is provided which includes a frame having an upper portion for affixing the frame to an under-side of a weight bearing surface, at least two side walls, and a central cavity defined by the side walls for receiving at least one spherical wheel, at least two wheel bearings connected in axial alignment to the side walls for rotation of the wheel about a fixed axis, at least two wheel seats each having one side in axial connection to the wheel bearings and an opposite conical face wherein the conical faces are disposed in opposite axial alignment for mounting the wheel between the faces and a force of static friction is exerted relative to the conical faces and the wheel when the wheel is rotating about the fixed axis and a force of kinetic friction is exerted relative to the conical faces and the wheel when the wheel is rotating about an axis perpendicular to the fixed axis, and an upper load bearing connected to the frame which bias against an upper surface of the wheel.

Abstract: An omni-directional wheel is provided which includes a frame having an upper portion for affixing the frame to an under-side of a weight bearing surface, at least two side walls, and a central cavity defined by the side walls for receiving at least one spherical wheel, at least two wheel bearings connected in axial alignment to the side walls for rotation of the wheel about a fixed axis, at least two wheel seats each having one side in axial connection to the wheel bearings and an opposite conical face wherein the conical faces are disposed in opposite axial alignment for mounting the wheel between the faces and a force of static friction is exerted relative to the conical faces and the wheel when the wheel is rotating about the fixed axis and a force of kinetic friction is exerted relative to the conical faces and the wheel when the wheel is rotating about an axis perpendicular to the fixed axis, and an upper load bearing connected to the frame which bias against an upper surface of the wheel.