Abstract: A turn wheel locking device for use with shopping carts having at least one turn wheel. The locking device functions to automatically disable the cart when it is removed from a prescribed area by locking the turn wheel in a turned configuration so that the cart can travel only along a generally circular path.

Abstract: A free floating castor includes a wheel assembly mounted to move relative to a vertical axis of rotation at which it is attached to a trolley to provide space for the wheel to move freely within a fixed area. In one embodiment, two parallel shafts of a bracket assembly are attached to the wheel axle, one on each side, thus permitting the wheel axle to slide along the parallel shafts and in between two stoppers/limits. In a second embodiment, a rotary joint assembly is connected between a trailing arm bracket assembly and the bearing for attaching the castor to a trolley permitting the bracket assembly and the wheel assembly to revolve through 360.degree. in the horizontal plane around it.

Abstract: Multi-adjustable wheelchair with adjustability features which accommodate the physical size and comfort of the wheelchair user is disclosed and claimed. The wheelchair includes (1) wheelchair frame width adjustment, (2) wheelchair rear axle position adjustment, (3) wheelchair seat height and bucketing angle adjustment, (4) wheelchair seat base width and length adjustment, (5) wheelchair seat back angle adjustment and (6) wheelchair seat fore and aft position adjustment. The wheelchair also includes a truss structure wheelchair wheel caster fork that is lightweight, attractive, strong, durable, and inexpensive to produce.

Abstract: A caster structure for cases including a coupling frame and a plurality of rollers. The coupling frame is comprised of a curved plate and two protective covers extending from the lateral edges of the bottom side of the plate such that they define a clearance therebetween. The rollers are pivotally mounted on the protective covers in the clearance. The outer circumferences of every two adjacent rollers form a level line and may come into contact with the ground surface simultaneously to facilitate pulling and provide a steadier movement.

Abstract: A cart includes a frame mounted on castors, at least two castors being provided at a first end of the cart on respective opposite sides of a mean longitudinal axis of the cart. Each castor at this first end includes a device for locking the castor against pivoting acting unidirectionally to allow the castor to pivot freely in one direction by a sufficient amount and to prevent it from pivoting in the opposite direction. The two castors at the first end of the cart on opposite sides of the mean longitudinal axis of the cart have opposite locking directions.

Abstract: An adapter is removably attached with engagement means, such as screws, to an object such as the leg of a piece of furniture, such as a table or chair. The adapter attaches to the furniture leg in such a manner that the screws do not mar the furniture, nor do they require a groove, indentation or recess on the furniture leg for attachment thereto. The adapter is configured so that the distance from the leg to the ground is less than the diameter of the wheel mounted on the adapter. The adapter is also configured so that the leg is laterally displaced from the wheel. The wheel is also swingably retractable so that the furniture can be made stationary without having to remove the adapter.

Abstract: A circular walker having an improved seat assembly and wheel structure. The seat structure includes a lace sewn between the seat and a backrest cover, buckles extending with a cloth strip on the sides and rear of the lace on the seat and engaging sheets on a front. The engaging sheets and buckles are inserted through holes in the carriage and hook on the carriage to fix the seat to the carriage. The wheels prevent foreign objects from rolling into the axle center without need of riveting the axle center. Each wheel has a seat body, two wheel bodies, a seal cover and a main seal cover, the main seal cover having an integral axle hole engaged by a distal end of an axle rod having an engaging block. The seal cover and main seal cover and main seal cover assembled together by inserting the axle rod through axle holes.

Abstract: A suitcase includes a rectangular suitcase body with a vertical side wall and a horizontal bottom wall, two roller assemblies disposed on the suitcase body and located at a corner between the side and bottom walls of the suitcase body, and a handle assembly disposed on the suitable body. Each of the roller assemblies includes a roller seat mechanism fixed on the suitcase body and has a shaft hole unit formed through the roller seat mechanism, a rotating shaft that extends through the shaft hole unit of the roller seat mechanism, and a roller sleeved rotatably on the rotating shaft. The suitcase body further includes a flexible long wire positioned on a peripheral portion of the vertical side wall of the suitcase body and has two end portions located between the bottom and side walls of the suitcase body, and a horizontal short wire positioned between the bottom and side walls of the suitcase body and between the two end portions of the long wire in alignment with the rotating shafts.

Abstract: A roller wheel assembly for use with golf bag covers or other types of luggage is disclosed. The roller wheel assembly (10) includes a housing (12) and a wheel (14). The housing (10) has an exterior surface (34) and an elongate recessed channel (36). The wheel (14) is elongate and rotatably mourned in the channel (36) of the housing (10) so as to partially protrude beyond the surface (34) of the housing. The wheel (14) includes two circular end plates (42), each having an inner surface (44) and an outer surface (46). A rigid transverse webbing (50) extends radially between the inner surfaces of the end plates, maintaining a planar relationship between the end plates. The webbing includes longitudinal dividers (52) that lie perpendicular to the inner surface of the end plates and run the length of the wheel.

Abstract: An all-plastic, swivel caster assembly has horn and stem molded as a homogeneous unit of plastic. A wheel of molded plastic or plastic-rubber combination, supports the assembly. In one version, the horn sidewalls have fingers forming keyhole-shaped slots receiving grooved end portions of a plastic axle borne by the wheel. The axle retaining fingers normally secure the axle in the horn, but are sufficiently resilient to enable intentional removal of the wheel and axle assembly from the horn without tools, for cleaning. In another version, the horn sidewalls have apertures receiving a plastic axle which has a head on one end and a circumferential groove at the other end. An axle cap located at the outside face of one horn sidewall has a slot received on the axle groove, and retains the axle in assembly. The cap has a detent boss received in a detent recess in the horn sidewall to keep the cap, and thereby the axle, in place.

Abstract: A mounting assembly of a gauge wheel for an implement, such as an agricultural crop harvesting header, the mounting assembly including a king pin member rotatably mounted in a king pin bushing housing and having a wheel spindle projecting substantially horizontally from one side of a king pin shaft for rotatably mounting the gauge wheel. The rotational axis of the king pin shaft is tilted rearwardly and upwardly relative to the vertical and sideways and upwardly relative to the vertical in a direction opposite to the side of the projecting wheel spindle. Accordingly, when the gauge wheel enters a caster turn in a direction corresponding to the direction of projection of the wheel spindle the axis of the wheel spindle swings from a substantially transverse direction in relation to the straight ahead travel direction towards a rearwardly and downwardly inclined orientation.

Abstract: A caster assembly for a traveling body has an automatic swivel lock that prevents the caster from swiveling when the caster is a trailing caster on the traveling body and allows the caster to swivel when the caster is a leading caster on the traveling body. The caster assembly includes a lock assembly pivotally mounted to support arms that extend from the swiveling wheel mount. A fixed locking member extends from the traveling body's frame to engage a locking lever extending from the lock assembly when the caster wheel is a trailing wheel on the traveling body. A cam follower engages a cam surface on the inside of the wheel to pivotally disengage the lock assembly from the locking member when the traveling body reverses direction so that the caster, which has become a leading caster, is free to swivel.

Abstract: An articulated caster is described which provides a base having more than two casters attached thereto and disposed radially away from the approximate geometric center of the base. A pivot arm includes a pivot housing for receiving and maintaining a pivot ball therein. The pivot housing and pivot ball respectively each are provided with a pivot housing hole and a pivot ball hole which align together when the pivot ball is correctly disposed within the pivot housing. The pivot arm is pivotally attached to the base about a point that is disposed within the pivot ball by a shaft passing through the pivot ball hole, the pivot housing hole, and a pair of holes formed in opposing side walls of the base. According to a preferred modification, an angled slot is provided that is disposed in at least one side of the pivot housing having a width approximately equal to the diameter of the pivot ball hole.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the storage of vacuuming accessories upon a vacuum cleaner particularly a utility type cleaner. A unique structure is taught whereby the tubular portion of the accessory is telescopingly placed over a post-like structure or within a walled cavity each having at least three sides. In the post-like structure, the three sides are joined one to the other by curved sections each of which tangentially engage the inside surface of the accessory's tubular section. Similarly in the walled cavity structure, the outside surface of the accessory's tubular portion tangentially engages the inside surface of each cavity wall.

Abstract: A book holder with a back plate, a transparent cover plate movable relative to the back plate, and a connection between the back plate and the cover plate which permits the cover plate to move relative to the back plate so as to provide guided movement of the cover plate toward and away from the back plate in substantially co-planar relationship, whereby lateral support arms are fixed relative to the cover plate, hollow receiver plates are fixed relative to the back plate and the hollow receiver plates are of such internal configuration as to enable the lateral support arms to slide therethrough.

Abstract: A retracting caster assembly is provided with a frame, a lever, a spring, a roller, and a manual retracting bolt. The lever is pivotally connected to the frame. The roller is connected to a first end of the lever. A spring loading member connects the spring to a second end of the lever. The spring biases the lever at a first position with the roller extended from the frame. The manual retracting bolt is adapted to manually move the lever to a second position with the roller retracted. The lever is suitably sized, shaped, and connected to the frame to hold the frame at a minimum predetermined distance from the ground until a predetermined weight is applied to the frame, at which point the linkage and lever arrangement decreases the mechanical advantage of the spring as the roller retracts, thereby minimizing the force required to retract the roller.

Abstract: A luggage case has a bottom wall supported on four swivel wheels that permit the luggage case to be turned in any direction about a vertical axis. Two of the swivel wheels are part of a leading wheel assembly, and two of the swivel wheels are part of a trailing wheel assembly. Each wheel assembly has a one-piece molded plastic base including an elongated plate extending transversely of the bottom wall of the luggage case and attached thereto, and a pair of downwardly open protective cups surrounding respective swivel wheels. A retractable handle system includes a fixed portion mounted on the top wall of the case, and a movable portion having a handle that may be extended and tilted upwardly for pulling the case along the ground.

Abstract: A single leg caster assembly is disclosed. The assembly includes a wheel retaining hub and axle which support a bearing and wheel. A portion of the axle and a portion of the wheel retaining hub act as thread guards to inhibit thread from becoming tangled on the axle and in the bearing.

Abstract: The roller of a caster mounting an article of furniture is lodged in an upwardly opening diametral groove in a flat circular caster stop having a central aperture in such slot and opposed ramps in the slot sloping oppositely upward with a gentle incline onto which a caster roller can roll from such central aperture.

Abstract: The self-orientatable twin castor has a support made of plastics for a pair of coaxial wheels. The support is constituted by a tubular hub with which a substantially semicircular wall, arranged in the median plane of the castor, is rigidly associated in a perpendicular manner. A semi-cylindrical casing made of metal is associated with the edge of the wall and has wings for positioning and retaining it on the edge of the semi-circular wall.

Abstract: A conductive caster for grounding a conductive wheeled chair having a seat and back with conductive elements which are electrically connected to a source of ground potential through the chair, the conductive caster including a caster body, caster wheels which movably support the caster body on a floor surface, an attaching stud for attaching the caster to the chair, and a flexible conductor attached to the caster body, the flexible conductor including a contact head which electrically contacts the flexible conductor to the floor surface, a spring which pushes the contact head into electrical contact with the floor surface, a ball chain attached to the caster body which prevents the contact head from extending away from the caster body more than a predetermined distance, and a connecting means for electrically connecting the flexible conductor to the chair.

Abstract: A wheel caster frame for use in a wet/dry utility vacuum cleaner drum is disclosed. The wheel caster frame is an integral one-piece molded body which is constructed for complementary mounting relative to the bottom and curved outer side walls of the drum, for close fitting and underlying support of the caster wheel frame relative to the drum. The caster wheel frame further includes an upper wall surface having a pair of concentric cylindrical wall sections extending generally vertically upwardly therefrom for releasably receiving and storing vacuum cleaner wands and tubular attachments proximate to the wet/dry utility vacuum cleaner drum.

Abstract: A roller intended in particular for office furniture comprises a supporting body (1) made from a plastic material, an axle (2) mounted in the supporting body, at least one wheel (2) seated on the axle, a metallic pin (5) seated rotatably in the metallic body and arranged in offset position relative to the axle (2), in a plane extending perpendicularly to the axle, and a wiper contact conductively connected with the pin (5) and provided with a resilient portion projecting beyond the plane (20) extending perpendicularly to the pin (5) and being tangent to the at least one wheel (3). The resilient portion of the wiper contact is formed by a helical spring (12) standing substantially perpendicular to the tangential plane (20) and carrying on its free end a contact body (15) projecting beyond the tangential plane (20).

Abstract: A two wheel roller caster (10) for use in supporting movable objects on a floor having a conductive band (56) which has two ends and is mounted between two wheels (16) so as to provide conductive contact between the movable object and the floor. A conductive path (60, 58, 56) connects a stem (14) to the connective band (56).

Abstract: The specification discloses a simple, yet extremely strong and serviceable, mobile shelving carriage construction. A first extruded frame member defines integral screw bosses within its cross-sectional shape. A second frame member is secured to the first frame member by screws secured within the integral bosses. A roller axle is mounted in the first frame member and includes a circumferential groove aligned with one of the screw bosses. The securement screws interfit with the axle groove to retain the axle within the first frame member.

Abstract: A caster with a constant electrically conductive path defined from the pintle to the surface on which the caster wheels are supported to prevent the build up of static charges which may generate sparks and uncontrolled voltage surges that may damage electronic components or cause combustion in volatile environments.

Abstract: A rotatable disk mounted to a baseplate at each corner of a refuse compactor pivots between a first orientation having a horizontal axis of rotation for operation as a wheel and a second orientation having a vertical axis of rotation for operation as a leg. The disk is mounted on a bearing support that interfits with elongated slots formed in the baseplate to enable the height of any corner of the compactor, independent of the orientation of the disk, to be adjusted. In one embodiment, the bearing support comprises a nylon block into which an axle of the rotatable disk is snap-fit. In another embodiment, the bearing support comprises an angle bracket to which the axle is welded.

Abstract: A wheel bracket mounting structure which includes an elongated and flexible bracket member having an axle mounting section and a stem mounting section at generally opposite ends thereof. The axle mounting section includes a generally flat, platelike portion. The stem mounting section includes an elongate, generally arcuate stem adapted to be directly attached to a support member on a wheeled vehicle. An intermediate section is provided between the axle mounting section and the stem mounting section. A segment is provided at the juncture between the intermediate section and the flat, platelike portion to provide a region remote from the arcuate stem about which the platelike portion can elastically flex relative to the arcuate stem.

Abstract: A support for an article of furniture is readily interchangeable between having a glide exposed to the ground and a caster exposed to the ground with the glide being stored within a shroud. The furniture remains level in either embodiment since the total length of the support will stay the same. Minor adjustments in the length of the support are made by rotating the shroud.

Abstract: The swivel bearing comprises a cup secured on a part of the apparatus and provided with a cylindrical wall which is bent inwardly to hold the outer bearing against the flange on another member, which flange rests upon another set of bearings in the cup.

Abstract: A heavy-duty caster assembly for a corrosive environment having a U-shaped metallic wheel supporting horn with a metal swivel plate rotatably mounted on the horn by a kingpin wherein both the swivel plate and the horn are coated with a permanently bonded fluorocarbon coating. The facing surfaces of the swivel plate and the horn have semi-torroidal recesses that receive a pure torroidal self-lubricating plastic bearing.

Abstract: A linearly reversible caster assembly (30) capable of carrying a load (L) on a surface (S) comprising a pivotable U-shaped frame (34) coaxially mounted with a caster wheel (32) on an axle (48). A translatable U-shaped frame (36), suitably attached to the load (L), has a planar surface (56) that coacts with a rollable surface (42) carried by the pivotable frame (34). The rollable surface (42) has a radius greater than the wheel (32) whereby when it is desired to reverse the direction of travel of the load (L), and thus the assembly (30), the frame (34) will pivot about the axle (48) and the wheel (32) will remain substantially motionless. As a result, the eccentricity of the caster assembly (30) is changed and the wheel (32) is linearly reversed.

Abstract: A wheeled suitcase is provided in which each of the wheels (6) comprises a cylindrical running strip (13) integral with a central hub (14) having an external annular rib (15), a support (16) comprising studs (17) spaced at equal distances from a bore (18) coaxial with the hub and each ending in a radial lug (19) under which the rib (15) of the hub fits and a shaft (20) passing through the bore (18) of the support to penetrate inside the hub (14), one of the ends of this shaft bearing a plate (21) applied against the face of the support (16) which is opposite the studs (17) whereas its other end comprises an annular groove (22) cooperating with a complementary annular rib (23) formed inside the hub, means (32) being provided for securing the plate (21) and the support (16) inside the housing (7) formed in the external face of the corresponding shell (1).

Abstract: A wheel kit for mobilizing a picnic table and the like, comprising a handle assembly adapted to be attached to a horizontal member for lifting one end of the table and one or two wheel assemblies adapted to be attached to a leg or leg members at the opposite end of the table is disclosed. When the table is lifted by the handle assembly, the wheels of the wheel assemblies serve to move the table over the ground. The assemblies have thin sheet metal bracket members including L-shaped portions and channel-forming rims which are secured to the respective table members by fasteners such as screws and/or nails. Each bracket member has a horizontal part that is interposed between the respective leg end and the ground while the associated horizontal part carries the wheel at a fixed distance from the horizontal part and thus the ground. Thus the wheel is always properly positioned for ground clearance with the table horizontal and ground engagement when tilted.

Abstract: A luggage roller featuring a diabolo-shaped wheel, which is preferably detachable from the piece of luggage, i.e. a container, to which it is mounted. The diabolo-shaped wheel is more stable than prior art configurations, because of its greater effective width leading to greater bearing area. The detachable feature of the wheel leads to changeability of the luggage roller wheel when wear occurs, so that the piece of luggage does not have to be discarded when the installed wheel wears down. This detachable feature is typically attained by providing an axle on which the wheel is mounted which is detachable from the container. The axle is generally of one of several alternative configurations in which a threaded connection is provided between portions of the axle assemblage, so that one portion of part of the axle assemblage may be unscrewed from the other portion or part.

Abstract: Accordingly, the present invention provides a collapsible carrier for transporting loads comprising a support member having two legs and an adjoining cross arm. A fold out platform device is pivotably connected to the support member for holding the loads. A telescoping handle apparatus is affixed to the support member for moving the carrier. A cylindrical wheel device having a wide slightly tapered rolling surface comprising a pair of cylindrical symmetrical surfaces upwardly tapering from a common contact point or edge is adjoined to the handle apparatus for minimizing the surface area of the wheel device contacting a travel surface along which the load is transported while increasing the stability of the carrier to facilitate the carrier rolling straight while decreasing the tendency of the carrier to laterally trip over under heavy load conditions as it is pulled along the travel surface.

Abstract: A molded heavy duty wheel and method for making it, comprising a metallic core with a central opening and a circumferential flange, a moldable plastic or rubber material on the interior circumferential portion of the flange, and a tread of moldable plastic or rubber material on the exterior circumferential portion of the flange. The tread portion is bonded to the core to prevent slippage.

Abstract: A roller assembly adapted for securement to a cable on a sailboat, adjacent a spreader bar, to eliminate chafing or wear of a sail. A pair of identical halves comprise a free spinning roller mounted upon an axle which clamps on the cable and locates the assembly thereon. The axle is also comprised of a pair of mating halves. Mating fastener elements are provided to interlock the roller halves together about the rotary bearing surface of the axle when the clamping axle is secured to the cable.

Abstract: A removable attachment device for casters has a coaster-like base portion supporting the caster above the floor and a fastening portion retaining the caster roller on the base portion whereby the caster is prevented from rolling. The attachment device is removably fastened to the caster.

Abstract: A glide castor comprises a two-part body assembly consisting of lower and upper mouldings fitted together. The lower moulding has a convex bottom ground-engaging surface and an integral upstanding boss with a bore for a mounting spindle. The upper moulding is of cap-like form and seats on a peripheral seating on the lower moulding. An integral inwardly projecting lip of the upper moulding provides snap-on engagement with said boss, thereby to hold the two mouldings together as an assembly.

Abstract: A transfer apparatus or mat comprised of a generally flat plastic base member having a plurality of ball members received in and extending outwardly from the bottom face thereof in a predetermined pattern. Ball bearing members are received between the ball members and base to facilitate ease of rolling ball members relative to the base. The mat or transfer apparatus provides easy transport means along a ground or floor surface for machines and other objects which are placed on the top face thereof. Means are provided for interconnecting a plurality of the mats in a side-by-side relationship to increase the size of the transfer surface as may be necessary when moving large objects.

Abstract: A castor assembly is disclosed which includes a bearing block having a first bore for mounting a pintle, a second bore for mounting the spindle of a self-laying track member, and a downwardly open socket for mounting the trunnions of a castor roller. The pintle supports the bearing block on a frame or other structure for rotation about a vertical axis. The castor roller turns in its socket about a horizontal axis which is laterally spaced from the vertical axis. The track member is formed with an inner circular track which is in rotatable contact against the castor roller, and an outer circular edge of the track member encloses the roller and turns in close-spaced relationship with a lower truncated edge of the bearing block. The spindle of the track member rotates about an inclined axis lying in a plane passing through the horizontal axis. The inclined axis extends downwardly at an optimum angle which achieves a smooth castoring action when in operation.

Abstract: Roller means are attached to a frame which is attached to the bottom of an appliance. The roller means allows the bottom of the appliance to be tilted in a vertical plane. A pivot disposed in the frame allows the bottom of the appliance to be tilted in a second vertical plane perpendicular to the first one.