Pintle Retainers Patents (Class 16/38)
  • Patent number: 11813965
    Abstract: A moving and locking device for a seat and a personal mobility, which is installed in a bottom portion of a seat for a vehicle or a personal mobility, is provided with a floor panel of a vehicle interior in a structure in which rolling movement of the moving device and a locking coupling of the locking device are possible, is capable of freely moving the seat for a vehicle or the personal mobility to a desired position of the floor panel in the vehicle and firmly fixing the seat for a vehicle or the personal mobility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Deok Soo Lim, Chan Ho Jung, Sang Do Park
  • Patent number: 11767869
    Abstract: An expansible fixing plug, having a sleeve-like portion, an expander body, and an expansion part which has expansion elements which, in a non-expanded state, are integrally joined to the sleeve-like portion and to the expander body. In addition, the expansion part has connecting elements which integrally join the sleeve-like portion and the expander body in the non-expanded state and also in the expanded state. The connecting elements are interlockingly connected to the expander body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: fischerwerke Gmbh & Co. KG
    Inventor: Patrick Pfau
  • Patent number: 11524813
    Abstract: A transport container, featuring a bottom plate with at least two holes for accommodating means of attachment for affixing fixed, track, or swiveling casters, a plate (1) affixed from the inside to the bottom plate for affixing fixed, track, or swiveling casters on the bottom plate of the transport container. The mounting plate (1) features a base plate (2) with a contact surface (1a), which faces the inside of the transport container in its assembled state, for placement onto the transport container. At least two means of insertion (3) are evenly distributed along the perimeter of the base plate (2), which protrude with an insertion area (7) from the contact surface (1a) of the base plate (2) and which each respectively feature an internal thread (5) and/or an external thread for affixing of the fixed, track, and swiveling casters in or on the insertion area (7), wherein the means of insertion (3) are disposed in the holes of the bottom plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: PENN ELCOM LTD.
    Inventor: James Hatton
  • Patent number: 11447106
    Abstract: A jack assembly is shown and describe. The jack assembly may include a first tube having first and second end portions and a central portion between the first and second end portions, and a second tube positioned within the first tube and movable with respect to the first tube. The jack assembly may also include an expanded portion on the first tube, the expanded portion having a larger inner diameter than an inner diameter of the central portion, and a bushing attached to the expanded portion, where the bushing generally prevents contact between the first and second tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.
    Inventors: Kawa-She Quoen Okerlund, Frank Drake
  • Patent number: 11297916
    Abstract: An axle-free wheel comprising: an outer rim member having a ground interface on an external surface thereof and an outer ball race or rolling race on an inner surface thereof; an inner rim member having an inner ball or rolling race on an outer surface thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: ORG Group, LLC
    Inventor: Netta Shalgi
  • Patent number: 11292294
    Abstract: A mower front caster wheel system that includes a caster wheel assembly that rotates about a caster axis, and a stabilizer to be disposed in a bearing housing coupled to a frame of a mower such that a first portion of the stabilizer is in contact with a component that rotates with the caster wheel assembly and a second portion of the stabilizer is in contact with an internal surface of the bearing housing, to provide resistance to rotation of the caster wheel assembly relative to the bearing housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Bad Boy Mowers, LLC
    Inventors: Warren Long, Joe Jackson
  • Patent number: 10954981
    Abstract: A radial expansion system for a fastener is disclosed. The radial expansion system can include a plurality of wedge guides. Each wedge guide can have at least one guide surface. The plurality of wedge guides can be operable to be movably arranged along an axis with the guide surfaces of adjacent wedge guides opposing one another. The radial expansion system can also include a plurality of expansion wedges. Each expansion wedge can have wedge surfaces configured to slidingly interface with the at least one guide surface. Each expansion wedge can also have a clamp surface operable to interface with an interior portion of a first component. The plurality of expansion wedges can be operable to be disposed between adjacent wedge guides such that the wedge surfaces interface with the opposing guide surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventor: Brett A. Miller
  • Patent number: 10682992
    Abstract: A jack assembly is shown and describe. The jack assembly may include a first tube having first and second end portions and a central portion between the first and second end portions, and a second tube positioned within the first tube and movable with respect to the first tube. The jack assembly may also include an expanded portion on the first tube, the expanded portion having a larger inner diameter than an inner diameter of the central portion, and a bushing attached to the expanded portion, where the bushing generally prevents contact between the first and second tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.
    Inventors: Kawa-She Quoen Okerlund, Frank Drake
  • Patent number: 10492839
    Abstract: The embodiments disclosed provide an expandable osseointegration bone fixation apparatus configured to be attached to an affected or fractured bone. The apparatus includes an elongated housing containing a cylindrically shaped intraosseous insert have an expansion mechanism. The insert further includes a set of inwardly angled tapers designed to be attached to a diaphyseal bone where a set of diametrically opposed congruent inserts are configured to incrementally expanded in opposite directions and cause an incremental force against the inside surface of the housing to increase compression to the affected bone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Inventor: Felasfa Wodajo
  • Patent number: 10479141
    Abstract: A child stroller comprises a wheel assembly that includes a wheel disposed on a wheel mount, a wheel bushing including a bore, a pivot pin including an upper end, the pivot pin extending from an upper portion of the wheel mount and into the bore of the wheel bushing, and a force finger disposed in an upper end of the bore and at least partially surrounding and frictionally engaging the upper end of the pivot pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: MONAHAN PRODUCTS, LLC
    Inventor: Richard M. Bastien
  • Patent number: 10473260
    Abstract: A support connector is provided and includes a support body and a latch. The support body includes a latch receiving passageway extending from a first end thereof and into interior of the support body. The latch extends into the latch receiving passageway and is secured to the support body. The latch includes a latch body, a lever, a latch pin and an expanding element. The latch body includes a body base and a lever receiving space extending through a center thereof. The lever is secured in the lever receiving space and is rotatably connected to the latch body. The latch pin extends through the body base and is connected to the lever, while the expanding element is positioned between an end of the latch pin and the body base. The expanding element receives the latch pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Atomic Design Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas McPhillips
  • Patent number: 10435921
    Abstract: A locking device includes: a rotating member having a support shaft and a protrusion provided at a position deviated with respect to the support shaft; a sliding rod that connects to the rotating member due to the protrusion being fit into a recess provided at a base end side; and an unlocking member that unlocks by causing the rotating member to rotate. The recess includes: a pair of restricting walls facing each other in a length direction of the sliding rod; a pair of elastic side walls facing each other in a width direction of the sliding rod having hook portions that engage with the base end side of the head of the protrusion; and an elastic bottom wall that receives the leading end side of the protrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: PIOLAX, INC.
    Inventor: Hisashi Nakasone
  • Patent number: 10221876
    Abstract: The present invention provides for the inserted portion of the mount conduit to be cut at an acute angle, forming interface surfaces on two separated pieces. In its simplest form, the invention separated pieces are drawn together by a threaded shaft secured to but able to rotate structurally within the body of one of the separated pieces so that a threaded connection between the threaded shaft and the body of the other separated piece results in the separated pieces sliding across one another at the cut surfaces. As the two separated pieces are further urged to slide across their interface surfaces, an outside surface at a long side of one of the separated pieces is forced farther from an outside surface of a long side of the other separated piece, so that those long surfaces of the two separated pieces are forced against the inside walls of the receiving piece conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Inventor: Keith Brice
  • Patent number: 10131185
    Abstract: A removable caster system includes a roller, a roller frame and a roller seat, the roller being positioned on the frame via a horizontal axis, the frame being inserted into the vertical shaft hole of the seat through the vertical shaft to form a detachable position; wherein a chute is installed on the upper surface with a trapezoidal stopper; a wire retainer is placed in the chute and is controlled by the movement of its narrowing section or the vertical axis to achieve removable function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Zenithen USA, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew David Frankel, Shi-Ping Zheng, Tian-Xia Zheng
  • Patent number: 10092465
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a caster wheel assembly (1) for a wheelchair, comprising: a caster housing (3), a central body (9) having a radially outwards extending flange (9a), which central body (9) is configured to be received by the caster housing (3), a spindle shaft (23) configured to be rotationally locked relative to the central body (9), a first bearing (11) having an inner bearing race (11b) configured to be rotationally locked relative to the spindle shaft (23), a friction member (13; 11a) configured to be rotationally locked relative to the caster housing (3), and a resilient member (15) configured to be arranged between the flange (9a) and the friction member (13), and configured to provide a force between the flange (9a) and the friction member (13) to thereby create friction torque between the caster housing (3) and the spindle shaft (23).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: PERMOBIL AB
    Inventors: Herbert Van de Wal, Erik Kalf, Urban Lind, Benny Tenggren
  • Patent number: 10018497
    Abstract: A trolley case capable of displaying weight in a static state allows the bracket fixing shaft not to offset in a radial direction through the configurations of a directional bearing and shaft liner, and allows a weighing transducer to sense the weight of a case body accurately by installing the weighing transducer on the directional bearing and fixing the weighing transducer to the upper end face of the bracket fixing shaft, thereby not causing a weight displaying value to change, realizing a static display, and thus giving users the convenience of use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: DONGGUAN MEIERMEI TRAVELING APPLIANCE CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Zhiyong Lu
  • Patent number: 9950563
    Abstract: A wheel connecting device includes a mounting seat, a shaft, a sleeve member and a retaining member. The mounting seat defines an accommodating space and includes a surrounding wall that has an inner surrounding surface surrounding the accommodating space. The shaft has a first mounting segment that is inserted into the accommodating space, and a second mounting segment that is disposed under and connected to the first mounting segment. The sleeve member is sleeved on the connecting portion of the first mounting segment of the shaft. The retaining member extends helically around a neck portion of the first mounting segment of the shaft, and is in contact with the neck portion and the surrounding wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Inventor: Po-Chuan Tsai
  • Patent number: 9908366
    Abstract: The pivot for castor wheel for cleaning equipment or the like, with new elements structured to absorb and counteract the stresses to which the wheel is generally subjected during use, allows cleaning equipment and the like to be used in areas and sectors compatible with the materials used for the various parts that compose it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Filmop International s.r.l.
    Inventor: Zorzo Bruno
  • Patent number: 9896067
    Abstract: A jack assembly is shown and describe. The jack assembly may include a first tube having first and second end portions and a central portion between the first and second end portions, and a second tube positioned within the first tube and movable with respect to the first tube. The jack assembly may also include an expanded portion on the first tube, the expanded portion having a larger inner diameter than an inner diameter of the central portion, and a bushing attached to the expanded portion, where the bushing generally prevents contact between the first and second tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.
    Inventors: Kawa-She Quoen Okerlund, Frank Drake
  • Patent number: 9861170
    Abstract: A suitcase includes a kit to convert the suitcase to a luggage cart. A typical rolling suitcase additionally includes at least three sockets provided in spaced relation in the major bottom wall of the suitcase base and open to an outside of the suitcase, and at least three stem casters, each stem caster having a wheel rotatable in a housing and a stem attached to the housing, the stem being configured to be removably secured in one of the at least three sockets. When the at least three stem casters are secured in the at least three sockets and the bottom wall of the suitcase base is arranged facing the ground with the wheels of the at least three stem casters touching the ground, the suitcase is useable as a luggage cart by piling at least one further suitcase over the suitcase lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Inventor: Robert M. Hamaty
  • Patent number: 9764593
    Abstract: A wheel assembly having rolling and swiveling capability includes a wheel bracket configured for mounting one or more wheels, a swivel bracket configured for positioning with respect to an object with respect to which the wheel assembly is used, the swivel bracket including a main body and a spindle extending from one side of the main body of the swivel bracket into a receptacle in the wheel bracket, the spindle and receptacle being tapered at different angles to minimize surface to surface engagement during swiveling, a thrust bearing between the swivel bracket and wheel bracket to transfer force between the brackets while assisting to align the brackets, a retention mechanism at the distal end portion of the spindle configured to retain the spindle in the wheel bracket and aligning the spindle with respect to the wheel bracket while permitting the wheel bracket to swivel about the spindle relative to the swivel bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Master Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Irving Leonard Kaplan, Marc L. Vitantonio Vitantonio, Trevor L. Jackson
  • Patent number: 9003599
    Abstract: A new vacuum cleaner has fence elements with upright arms are easily attachable to caster modules and create an upwardly opening hose space through which a vacuum hose can be wound for storage. The caster modules have sockets that extend throughout the height of the modules. The fence elements have tabs that hook onto lower edges of the modules, and can be clipped onto the caster module by pressing a detent on the fence element downwardly into an upper end of the socket until the tabs snap over the lower portion of the module, locking it in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Shop Vac Corporation
    Inventor: Kevin D. Fry
  • Patent number: 8914944
    Abstract: A handcart caster is provided with a bracket and a rolling wheel component disposed on a lower end of the bracket; a radial directional convex part disposed on an upper part of the bracket; a rolling bearing disposed in a cavity of the radial directional convex part, the rolling bearing including an outer ring of a bearing, an inner ring of the bearing, a plurality of steel balls disposed between the outer ring of the bearing and the inner ring of the bearing, and two-layer grooves disposed on surfaces of the outer ring of the bearing and the inner ring of the bearing facing each other wherein the steel balls are disposed in the two-layer grooves, the cage is disposed outside of the steel balls; and convex ridges for fixing the outer ring of the bearing disposed on an inner wall of the radial directional convex part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Cixi Chuangli Bearing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Bo Sun
  • Patent number: 8549705
    Abstract: A hollow wheel set, comprising mainly a wheel rack, a hollow rotation wheel, a restricting sleeve, and a restricting and fastening ring. The wheel rack includes a fixing arm, on said fixing arm is provided with a wheel fork. The hollow rotation wheel is sleeved onto the wheel fork. One end of the restricting sleeve is a sleeve connection portion, while the other end is a ring-shape blocking portion. The sleeve connection portion is sleeved and fixed on the outer perimeter of the wheel fork, and is located between the wheel fork and the hollow rotation wheel. The ring-shape blocking portion is on a side of the hollow rotation wheel. The restricting and fastening ring is fastened around outer perimeter of the wheel fork, and is locate on the other side of the hollow rotation wheel, to reduce size and weight of the hollow wheel set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Inventor: Chen-Chuan Wu
  • Patent number: 8002363
    Abstract: A quick release structure for front wheels of baby strollers includes an upper mount disposed on one leg support thereof. A fixing pin is arranged on the upper mount for inserting into a locking hole on the leg support. Moreover, a lower mount assembled with a wheel is set on the bottom of the upper mount. A connection rod at the top of the lower mount is inserted into the upper mount. A fixing groove for locking with the fixing pin is formed around the side wall close to the top of the connection rod. A positioning slot is provided on the bottom of the upper mount for mounting a L-shaped positioning rod pivoted on the lower mount. Thus the stroller can keep moving forward without changes in directions by pressing the positioning rod to be locked into the positioning slot for the purposes of easy assembling, storage and transportation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Inventor: Pao-Hsien Cheng
  • Patent number: 7437801
    Abstract: Disclosed is a lightweight caster assembly and modular shelf system for use on an existing collapsible foldable cart with four wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Inventor: Gary Michael Dahl
  • Patent number: 7308730
    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 with 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 the 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Haion Caster Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chuan-Hai Chou
  • Patent number: 7231690
    Abstract: A furniture glide is provided for mounting on a terminal end of a furniture leg. The furniture glide includes a slider having an upper surface and a generally arcuate lower surface for engaging a supporting surface. A generally tubular fastener extends from the upper surface of the slider and is receivable in the terminal end of the furniture leg for frictionally connecting the furniture glide to the furniture leg. A spacing element may be positioned on the upper surface of the slider for spacing the upper surface of the slider from the furniture leg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Inventor: Richard D. Bushey
  • Patent number: 7207084
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Emilsider Meccanica S.p.A.
    Inventor: Francescantonio Melara
  • Patent number: 7165815
    Abstract: A wheel assembly includes a main body, two wheels, two positioning shafts, and two retaining rods. In practice, the retaining portion of each of the retaining rods is urged on the positioning plates of the respective positioning shaft to position the locking portion of each of the positioning plates on the inner side the respective pivot hole of the main body so as to lock each of the two positioning shafts on the main body, so that each of the two wheels is attached on the main body rigidly and stably, thereby preventing the two wheels from detaching from the main body during a long-term utilization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Inventor: Li-Ting Huang
  • Patent number: 6931692
    Abstract: A kingpin-free caster in which a plate is assembled onto a yoke with ball bearings therebetween and the plate is deformed in place upon the yoke to capture the ball bearings between the yoke and plate and couple the yoke and plate together against removal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Algood Casters Limited
    Inventors: Craig J. Guttmann, Sean Guttmann, Peter DePinto, Csaba Lemak
  • Patent number: 6886216
    Abstract: The caster leg assembly has a slidable collar mounted on a shank that is threaded onto a stud fixed within a hollow table leg. A resiliently deformable ring is positioned between a shoulder on the shank and an inwardly turned end of the leg. A locking nut is threaded onto a threaded portion of the collar to abut the inwardly turned end of the leg. After the shank has been adjusted along the length of the stud, the locking nut is threaded against the end of the leg to cause the collar to be drawn in a direction out of the leg thereby compressively deforming the ring to frictionally engage the collar and leg. This, in turn, locks the shank against rotation relative to the leg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Component Hardware Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Graham, Martin P. Burns
  • Patent number: 6810561
    Abstract: A wheel of a rack consists of a wheel support, a sleeve inserted into a tube of a rack, a supporting member joined to both the sleeve and a top of the wheel support, and a screw projecting from the supporting member and screwed into the sleeve; a step-shaped portion being formed on top of the supporting member to fit with a cavity on the sleeve bottom; a resilient C-shaped ring being fitted around an annular groove of the sleeve to contact an inner side of the tube; the groove being shaped so that a sideways facing portion thereof tapers off towards a lower end; thus, the ring will move to the bigger upper section of the sideways facing annular portion to be pressed against the inner side of the tube with bigger pressure when a downward force is applied on the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Taiwan Ultra Power Industries Ltd.
    Inventor: Wen-Che Liu
  • Publication number: 20040093688
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2002
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Applicant: Midway Displays, Inc.
    Inventor: Wayne Lucht
  • Patent number: 6626404
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Haworth, Inc.
    Inventors: Manfred Kleinikel, Helmut Berkenkoetter, Walter Mersmann
  • Patent number: 6293569
    Abstract: A disposable mobile shopping bag that can be readily assembled, and can bear loads well is. The mobile shopping bag is composed of an ordinary shopping sack, a disposable platform insert and press-fitting wheel assemblies. When opened the sack accommodates the inserted platform on base of the sack interior. The platform has press-fitting holes in positions appropriate for holding the wheel assemblies. Press-fitting mounts project from the tops of the wheel assembly forks. To put the mobile shopping bag together, the press-fitting mounts are pressed against the exterior of the bottom of the sack over the respective holes in the platform, into which they are then inserted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Inventor: Francisco Javier Lazaro Ferre
  • Patent number: 6212733
    Abstract: A hub and wheel assembly enabling the moving direction of wheels of a vehicle to be adjusted instantly as the exerted pushing force changes direction comprises a wheel mount having wheels mounted thereon, and a swivel base assembly mounted on stroller leg. Wheel mount may quickly assemble with and detach from swivel base assembly. A protrusion of wheel mount, inserted into swivel base assembly, includes a circumferential groove having a cavity provided therein such that a spring-biased locking member may releasably engage with cavity for setting movement of wheels in a linear direction. Further, as a deflecting force is applied on the stroller locking member disengages with cavity for allowing wheels to move to left or right. Once the force is released, locking member will instantly return to its normal position to engage with cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Link Treasure Limited
    Inventor: Chuan-Ming Yeh
  • Patent number: 6115882
    Abstract: A caster with a stem extending upwards from a base and defining a stem axis and wherein the stem has a hole having a circumference defined by an internal threading for fastening to a correspondingly externally threaded fastener; a bearing for interconnecting said base and said stem such that said base is free to rotate about said stem axis; wherein at least a part of the external surface of the upper end of said stem has a shape that inhibits rotation of the stem when inserted into a correspondingly shaped bore hole, wherein said shape is defined by a curved surface or planar surface or a combination thereof; and wherein the curve or planar surface does not intersect the circumference defined by the internal threading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: United Auto Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Miles, Earl Joseph Reilly, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6047439
    Abstract: An inexpensive and easily replaceable caster wheel assembly is provided for use with a cart, dolly or other similar product. The caster wheel assembly includes a mounting flange, a bearing assembly comprising inner and outer bearing races disposed within an opening of the mounting flange, a yoke having a rotatable wheel, and a retention member for releasably securing the yoke to the bearing assembly. In one embodiment, the inner race of the bearing assembly has a depending extension and a snap ring secures the extension in operative relation to the yoke. In an alternative embodiment, the yoke has an upstanding connecting element and a set screw releasably secures the connecting element in operative relation to the inner bearing race.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2000
    Assignee: Emerson Power Transmission Corp.
    Inventor: Shawn Stearn
  • Patent number: 5943735
    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).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Assignee: Flexello Limited
    Inventors: Phillip Stuart Walker, Doris Jessie Walker, Stuart Charles Walker
  • Patent number: 5881980
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Inventor: Edward C. Knudson
  • Patent number: 5813090
    Abstract: A caster with a stem generally cylindrical over most of its external circumference, but provided with at least one flat face cut through the cylinder external circumference so as to provide the cylinder with a slight "D" shaped cross section. The stem is designed to seat in a corresponding "D" shaped bore hole of a mobile platform, the shapes cooperating to secure the stem against rotation. The stem is internally threaded, and can fit into either cylindrical or "D" shaped bore holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1998
    Assignee: United Auto Systems Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph J. Miles
  • Patent number: 5727285
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1998
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Gerald Eugene Goman
  • Patent number: 5598605
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1997
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventor: Mark J. Tomasiak
  • Patent number: 5594974
    Abstract: A releasable caster for use with a moveable structure having a bottom wall wherein the caster has a swivel connected yoke and stem with the yoke supporting a plastic wheel. The stem includes a manually operable spring biased rod that has an indentation between its ends and co-acts with a ball detent. A shell with a flange at its outer end is adapted to be received in an opening in the wall. The shell has an abutment, prefereably in the form of a groove with the upper edge forming an abutment which copperatively locks the ball detent or releases the ball when the rod is moved longitudinally or rotationally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1997
    Assignee: James P. Wattron
    Inventors: James Wattron, Walter E. Lisowski
  • Patent number: 5408723
    Abstract: A swivel wheel assembly which is easy to assemble and convenient for use includes a tube plug inserted into a tube leg, a pivot pin inserted into the tube plug and a rotary member rotatably secured on the pin. The rotary member supports a shaft and pair of wheels. By using a hard material for the pin, a softer material for the rotary member and a still softer material for the tube plug, friction is reduced. The plug, pin and rotary member are assembled without the use of fasteners. The rotary member includes a resilient flexible member with a key received in a circumferential groove of the pivot pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1995
    Assignee: Graco Children's Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Christine E. Julien, Devon T. Siesholtz
  • Patent number: 5390394
    Abstract: A front wheel assembly for a stroller includes a frame attaching member and a wheel attaching member. The frame attaching member includes a sleeve adapted to be securely attached to a front leg of a stroller and defining a through hole with upper and lower ends. A pair of diametrically opposed flexible tongues are formed on the upper end of the through hole with their distal ends radially extending over the through hole. The wheel attaching member includes a wheel seat adapted to mount a pair of front wheels of the stroller and a snapping member projecting upwardly from the wheel seat for releasably engaging with the flexible tongues. A number of flanges are formed around an outer periphery of the snapping member and are in rotational contact with the inner periphery of the through hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1995
    Inventor: Ming T. Huang
  • Patent number: 5347681
    Abstract: A releasable fifth wheel for use with a skateboard having an upwardly sloped tail portion cantilevered out beyond the rear race which includes a caster with swivel connected yoke and stem with the yoke supporting a plastic wheel. The stem includes a manually operable spring biased rod that has an indentation between its ends and co-acts with a ball detent. A pair of threadably engageable shells with flanges at their outer ends are adapted to be received in an opening in the skateboard tail. One of the shells has an internal groove which cooperatively locks the ball detent or releases the ball when the rod is moved longitudinally or rotationally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1994
    Assignee: James P. Wattron
    Inventors: James P. Wattron, Walter E. Lisowski
  • Patent number: 5191675
    Abstract: A caster mechanism for a carriage having foot rods a, b includes a stopper mechanism 3 fixedly secured to a lower end of each foot rod. A wheel support mechanism 2 is rotatably positioned below the stopper mechanism, and includes an engagement bracket 1 extending parallel to the stopper mechanism. The engagement bracket has an engagement fitting portion 12 formed at a first end of an arm plate 11 having a predetermined length. The stopper mechanism also has an actuating lever 8 at a first end of a base plate 34 having a predetermined length, which is adapted to turn upwardly and downwardly about an end thereof. An engagement member 7 adapted to turn up and down in operative association with the actuating lever is positioned below the first end of the base plate. The engagement member and the engagement fitting portion are simultaneously engaged or disengaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1993
    Assignee: Combi Corporation
    Inventor: Takashi Ishikura
  • Patent number: 5167048
    Abstract: A caster retention device is disclosed that supresses flutter or shimmy of a caster wheel and that is easily adjustable. The device includes a caster stem receiving chamber in which a bushing is disposed. The bushing receives a caster stem assembly that includes bearing elements. An adjustable locking device secures the stem assembly within the bushing and is positioned at an opening of the receiving chamber. In one embodiment the device may include first and second collars that are useful for adjusting a preload on the bearings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1992
    Assignee: Medical Composite Technology
    Inventors: Richard Geiger, Robert W. Lishman, Scott Dentino