Abstract: A mobile scaffold (10) having bi-axially rotatable casters (22–28) and including brake assemblies (30 and 32) associated with the casters (22–28) is disclosed. The inventive brake assemblies (30,32) enable an elevated worker to selectively control the mobility of the scaffold (10) and each broadly includes shiftable brake stop subassemblies (74 and 76), a brake housing (72) adjustably connected to a respective scaffold frame (12,14) and shiftably connected to the brake stop subassemblies (74,76), and an actuator (78) adjustably connected to the housing (72) and configured to shift the brake stop subassemblies (74,76) into and out of braking positions. When in the braking position, the brake stop subassemblies (74,76) prevent the respective casters (22–28) from rotating about both axes. The actuator includes cables (180,182) for interconnecting brake stop subassembly and the handle in one embodiment and a plunger (308,406) in other embodiments.

Abstract: A manually movable trolley (1) which is nestable with like trolleys, including a frame (3), a loading platform (7) and two upwardly extending uprights (13) located at the rear (4) of the wheel frame (3) and carrying a pushing arrangement (14), wherein a brake device (16) is provided which is controllable by the pushing arrangement (14) and effective when the trolley (1) is not in use. A brake release device (20) is provided underneath the frame (3) close to each rear wheel (9), guided in a wheel housing (10), and release parts (25) each provided with an active surface (26) are arranged on the frame (3) and are adapted to deflect the two brake release devices (20) of the preceding trolley (1?) by means of their active surface (26) when two trolleys are nested.

Abstract: Disclosed is a brake caster with stroke adjustment mechanism, including a retainer, a king pin, a catch spring, a catch/release button, a plunger block, and a brake pad. The upper part of the king pin is fitted with the spring coil; the catch/release button is fitted with the catch spring; and a threaded polygonal lock nut is placed over the catch/release button in the hollow space of the plunger block, which has the brake pad installed on the bottom end; the plunger block being coupled with the catch/release button is slipped onto the king pin lengthwise along the threads. By twisting the plunger block in and out around the neck of the plunger block, the stroke distance can be adjusted according to different levels of rubber on the wheel, so that the service life of the caster can be effectively prolonged without numerous replacements of the wheels.

Abstract: A luggage has a case with a plurality of wheels on a bottom side thereof. A brake apparatus is provided in the case to brake the wheels. A switch is provided on the case for manipulation. A linkage device is provided in the case to connect the switch and the brake apparatus, such that activating the switch can operate the brake apparatus.

Abstract: A dolly wheel assembly for a vehicle includes a dolly wheel and a dolly wheel spindle fixedly secured to the dolly wheel such that the dolly wheel and the dolly wheel spindle rotate together as a single unit. The dolly wheel spindle is in communication with a dampening device so as to apply a resisting force to the dolly wheel spindle. Application of the resisting or braking force restricts or prevents free rotation of the dolly wheel about an axis defined by the dolly wheel spindle. The dampening device is in communication with a controller which causes the dampening device to apply the resisting or braking force or to remove application of the resisting or braking force upon demand to satisfy a variety of different conditions encountered with the vehicle operation considering functional implication of the dolly wheel assembly.

Abstract: A pneumatic locking swivel caster comprises a swivel caster and a locking device which may be activated by fluid pressure. The swivel caster may be a dual wheel swivel caster. An improved theatrical prop or scenery element comprises a pneumatic locking swivel caster and a control system. The control system may comprise a tank filled with pressurized air and a control valve. A pneumatic locking swivel caster may be locked into position by activating the control valve and pressuring the caster with air. The pneumatic locking swivel caster may comprise a triple swivel caster adapted such that all three sets of wheels are locked by air pressure.

Abstract: A caster assembly mounted at either bottom corner of luggage comprises a cavity disposed in an underside of the bottom corner, the cavity including an upright front wall and a slanted rear wall, a wheel mount including a positioning slot in a rear of an upper portion and a caster, and pendulum member including a thinner upper section pivotably secured to the cavity and a thicker lower section. The pendulum member is upright and disengaged from the positioning slot when the luggage is upright. Further, towing the luggage forwardly, obliquely will cause a portion the lower section of the pendulum member to enter in the positioning slot by pivoting due to gravity so as to limit the caster to move forwardly.

Abstract: A wheeled carriage having a patient support deck elevatable by a pair of hydraulic jacks controlled by a foot pedal arrangement. Brakes are provided for the wheels on the wheeled carriage activatable by additional foot pedals.

Abstract: An anti-theft vehicle system for a vehicle wheel having a rotational axis includes a linear actuator disposed within the vehicle wheel for operatively engaging and disengaging an interior surface of the vehicle wheel to resist and allow rotational movement of the vehicle wheel about the rotational axis. The anti-theft vehicle system further includes a receiver mounted within the vehicle wheel to receive a signal to activate the linear actuator.

Abstract: A caster apparatus is provided for a patient support. The caster apparatus includes a braking system.

Abstract: A caster lock indicator adapted to operate to indicate a locked state or an unlocked state of a caster. The caster lock indicator includes a stopper spring that operates in response to a rotary motion of a stopper lever when it is operated to unlock the caster. As the stopper lever is rotated around a lever support member, the stopper spring is turned about a stopper spring support member to lock the wheel against any swiveling motion. In the unlocked state, a lock indicator surface of a lock indicator plate can be visually recognizable through an indicator window of the stopper lever. When the caster is locked, the lock indicator plate is driven to slide so that the part for indicating the locked state of the lock indicator surface of the lock indicator plate comes to be visually recognizable through the indicator window.

Abstract: A caster braking device which comprises the following elements. A wheel has a protruding rim with an axial hole in a center of the protruding rim. A supporting seat has a round mask one side of which is connected to a vertical tube. An axial rod has one end installed with a stopper. A positioning rod has an upper end. A sliding seat has a U-like shape; two guide posts being transversally formed between two legs of the sliding seat so that a guide groove being formed between the two guide posts. The two guide posts are placed in the recess of the positioning rod. A pin passes through the pinhole of the positioning rod and the guide groove of the sliding seat so as to combine the positioning rod and the sliding seat.

Abstract: A trolley wheel mechanism has two caster wheel assemblies each having a pair of wheels mounted on a rotatable housing. In a free mode the wheels are free to both rotate and to swivel. This is caused by the user pressing a release pedal. In a unidirectional mode a retainer lock engages a brake disc to prevent swivelling of the housing. This is caused by the user pressing both pedals simultaneously. A brake mode is caused by the user pressing the apply pedal.

Abstract: A caster brake system includes an operation bar connected to an upper cam that drives a lower cam downward to push a pushing member which pivoted a braking member to stop the wheel. The lower cam is connected to a disk that has teeth and is lowered with the lower cam. A frame to which a wheel is connected includes a hole having notches that are engaged with the teeth of the disk so that the lower cam is combined with the frame as one piece. Both of the upper cam and the lower cam are received in a tubular member on a connection plate that is connected to a body of a stroller or a cart.

Abstract: A castor includes a castor-supporting member, a brake unit, a direction gear, a castor unit, and a threaded rod unit and an orienting system. The brake unit is combined with the castor support member by means of the threaded rod unit, involving an upper brake button placed on a lower brake unit. When the upper brake unit is pressed down, a brake plate of the brake unit is pressed down on the surface of the castor body to stop it. When the upper brake button is further pressed down a little, the brake plate is released to move up, with the brake taken off the castor body. And a disc gear formed in the front portion of the brake plate and engaging the direction gear becomes disengaged from the direction gear. When the brake plate is pressed down to stop the castor body, the disc gear is moved up to engage the direction gear, keeping the castor body immovable in its direction. The orienting system consists of position plate, a pedal and a release plate.

Abstract: A caster braking device which comprises the following elements. A wheel has a protruding rim with an axial hole in a center of the protruding rim. A supporting seat has a round mask one side of which is connected to a vertical tube. An axial rod has one end installed with a stopper. A positioning rod has an upper end. A sliding seat has a U-like shape; two guide posts being transversally formed between two legs of the sliding seat so that a guide groove being formed between the two guide posts. The two guide posts are placed in the recess of the positioning rod. A pin passes through the pinhole of the positioning rod and the guide groove of the sliding seat so as to combine the positioning rod and the sliding seat.

Abstract: A wheel stop device of a golf cart includes a fixing seat, a connecting rod, a spring, a fixing ring, and a drive member. The fixing seat includes a main body, an outer jacket, and two opposite lugs. The connecting rod has a shank having a first end formed with a stop end and a second end formed with a screw portion. The drive member includes a press portion and a drive portion. The press portion has a front end face formed with an end face and an oblique end face and has a sidle protruded with two spaced opposite oblong ears and a clamping recess formed between the two spaced opposite oblong ears.

Abstract: A. dolly wheel steering system includes a dolly wheel, a dolly wheel spindle in communication with the dolly wheel such that the dolly wheel and the dolly wheel spindle are fixedly secured to one another and are rotatable as a single unit. The dolly wheel spindle is in communication with a coupling device and a steering control system. The steering control system and the coupling device are each in communication with a controller to regulate actuation of each. When a signal from the controller requests utilization of steering control, the coupling device applies a restraining force to the dolly wheel spindle to limit free rotation of the dolly wheel. When the rotation of the dolly wheel spindle is thus restrained, the steering control system can effectuate direct steering control of the dolly wheels to provide precise directional control.

Abstract: A caster braking and locking structure comprises a caster holder having disposed at its bottom a rough; one end of the trough connecting through a shaft mouth inserted with a shaft being provided upwardly a recess; a slot formed in the shaft mouth in relation to the recess; a positioning ring provided with gaps being disposed on the shaft at where in relation to the slot; a slider holder subject to push by a flexible member being disposed in the trough; one end of the slider holder being extended into a long slot in the caster holder by means of a positioning pin; a retaining block subject to the push by another flexible member disposed in the recess being placed in the same end of the slider holder, a chute being vertically formed over another end of the trough containing a longitudinally disposed slider; the lower end of the slider being connected to the end of the slider holder to define a slope; a pivoting recess being provided to mount a press button pivoted with a circular pivot in the upper portion of

Abstract: A self-orientating twin castor of the type that comprises: a supporting body, having a substantially vertical wall; a slot, vertically elongated and passing through the wall; a shaft, driven through the slot; a pair of wheels associated with the opposite ends of the shaft; a vertical receptacle, which is provided in the wall and is axially offset with respect to the shaft; a pivot, being rotatable in the receptacle for connecting the castor to a piece of furniture; two tubular portions, which protrude from opposite sides of the vertical wall and are substantially coaxial to the shaft; a substantially vertical hole, which is provided in the wall above the slot and is connected thereto; a spring, accommodated in the hole and acting on the shaft; the hole being open upwards and closed by a closure element which acts as abutment for the spring.

Abstract: A caster comprising a leg member that can be locked against any rotary motion and a wheel that can be locked against any swiveling motion is provided with a lock indicator having a simple configuration and adapted to operate to indicate a locked state or an unlocked state by means of a stopper spring that operates in response to a rotary motion of the stopper lever when it is operated to unlock the caster. The leg member 2 that is rigidly or rotatably secured to the fitting section B of the caster is equipped with a wheel 3. As the stopper lever 4 is rotated in the direction of arrow D around the lever support member 4a fitted to the leg member 2 as shown in FIG. 1, the stopper spring 5 is turned about the stopper spring support member 5a also fitted to the leg member 2 to lock the wheel 3 against any swiveling motion at the stopper lever side part 5c of the stopper spring.

Abstract: A castor (1) has a securing device (V) for blocking running action and/or steering action of a wheel (2) mounted in a fork (3). A mounting of the fork (3) permits pivoting about a vertical axis (y—y). A push rod (11) operates an integrally formed combination part (K) located at the fork for providing functions of braking-blocking and/or steering blocking formation. The push rod (11) carries a plate (23) configured for interacting with fork-mounted steering-blocking and braking-blocking parts of the combination part (K), which has steering-blocking mating protrusions (25) and braking-blocking means (26), these being located in spaced-apart planes (E′—E′, E″—E″).

Abstract: A brake caster in the invention mainly includes a wheel holder, a spindle, a stop seat, a brake seat, a stop plate and two wheel bodies. The paddle of the brake seat is capable of being depressed to make the top push-face of the brake seat rotated upwardly to push the stop seat upwardly so that the external teeth of the stop seat are engaged to the internal teeth of the two wheel bodies to brake the two wheel bodies not to move; at the same time, the engagement end of the stop plate is engaged to the plurality of engagement grooves disposed at the bottom of the spindle to lock the spindle not to swivel so as to achieve actual braking and positioning effects in the two wheel bodies and the spindle.

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: A security device attachable to a transport device, such as a shopping cart, which includes a housing, an extension having a plurality of openings, and a swivel caster having a wheel all mounted to the cart in place of a preexisting swivel caster. A locking member is provided which is selectively moveable to reside in one of the plurality of openings of the extension for inhibiting movement of the swivel caster about a vertical pivot axis and fixing the swivel caster at an acute angle relative to the normal forward or reverse direction of travel of the transport device while allowing free wheel rotation about an axle. The security device further including an anti-tip member rigidly coupled to a back of the transport device for precluding tipping in order to redistribute the weight of the transport device onto its rear wheels in an attempt to circumvent the security device.

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: A wheel for a baby walking cart has wheel parts fitted to two sides of a support member with an axle being passed through the central holes of the wheel parts and an elongated hole of the support member. The axle is also passed through a tubular slide member, which is movably received in the elongated hole, and biased towards a front end of the elongated hole by an elastic member. The wheel members have wavy slowing-down portions on inner circular surfaces. The elastic member acts against a force caused by the forward movement of the cart to push the wheel members towards the rear end of the elongated hole for keeping the wavy portions off slowing-down rods of the support member when the cart is moved along. When the cart is moved along too fast, the wheel members are forced to move towards the rear end of the elongated hole for the wavy portions to contact the slowing-down rods to slow down the cart.

Abstract: A braking assembly for use with caster wheels of vehicles such as carts includes a main body and a braking member movable relative to the main body, the braking member including an arcuate first portion which extends around a portion of the periphery of the caster wheel and a second plate portion disposed between the first portion and the main body, the second plate portion rotating so as to move the arcuate first portion to between the caster wheel and the supporting surface on which it moves when the braking member is moved from an inoperative position to an operative position, the second plate portion including a raised surface abutted by a trigger finger to retain the braking member in an inoperative position, the trigger finger being movable with passage of the braking assembly over a magnetic area in the supporting surface to release the second plate portion.

Abstract: A baby walker speed control caster. The speed control caster includes an axle piece, a pair of wheels symmetrically provided at either side of the axle piece, and a ball. The axle piece is provided with a pivot hole, a through hole, and a pivot shaft. Each wheel is formed in a thickness radially increasing respectively from the adjacency of the wheel center and is provided with a pivot hole at the center and a plurality of embossing curves at the inner side; in this way, the wheels are pivotably connected to each other by a pivot axle passing through the pivot holes of the wheels and the axle piece sandwiched between the wheels such that a chamber, containing the ball, is formed by the through hole of the axle piece and the inner walls of the wheels and the width between two inner walls increases radially from the adjacency of the wheel center.

Abstract: The invention, a caster structure with function of brake and rotation constraint, is to form a horizontal container groove on the bottom of a wheel base. One end of the container groove extends upward to form a groove, which joins a vertical shaft opening for the penetration of a shaft. The vertical shaft opening forms an opening with respect to the groove. The shaft forms a positioning groove on a convex ring with respect to the opening. The other end of the container groove is connected with a clip element, of which the connecting portion forms a long-end and a short-end on the basis of the axle center. Inside the container groove is a slide base, which constantly hits the connecting portion of the clip element when it is pushed by a spring. A fixure pin penetrates the other end of the slide base and passes through the slots of the wheel base. On the end of the slide base is a clip block, which is inside the groove and is pushed by a spring.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus comprises a base frame, a patient support coupled to the base frame, a plurality of casters each having a sleeve, and a plurality of caster mounting tubes having an interior configured to receive the sleeve of a caster. The caster mounting tubes have a plurality of external side walls, a first generally planar side wall abutting the base frame. Each of the plurality of caster mounting tubes are connected to the base frame by welds located adjacent the first side wall.

Abstract: A wheel assembly provided with a bracket (1), a wheel (5) which is mounted in the bracket (1) it such a manner that it can rotate about an axle (4), a brake member (7) which can move with respect to the wheel (5) and has a brake pin (8) provided with a screw thread, around the brake pin a displaceable brake disc (9) provided with a complementary screw thread, and a locking disc (11) for fixing the position of the brake disc (9) along the screw thread. The locking disc (11) is provided with at least one pawl (12) which is positioned radially with respect to the brake pin and can be displaced substantially in the axial direction of the brake pin (8). The brake disc (9) comprises at least one radial slot (10) for accommodating the pawl (12) in order to block the displacement of the brake disc (9) along the axis of the brake pin (8).

Abstract: A safety wheel of a baby's wheeled chair has a support member, a right wheel part, a left wheel part, a ball and a side cover. The support member is connected to a lower side of the wheeled chair. The right wheel part is turnably connected to the support member. The left wheel part is connected to the right wheel part, and has an elongated confining trench. The side cover is connected to the support member adjacent to the left wheel part with the ball confined within the trench and the side cover. The ball can move to a lower end portion of the confining trench due to gravity for same to be stopped by a stopping part of the side cover when the wheel rolls in a first direction, and not to be stopped by the stopping part when the wheel rolls in an opposite direction.

Abstract: A braking system for a hospital bed having a base frame includes a plurality of caster devices rotatably coupled to the base frame. Each caster device has a wheel and a brake that inhibits rotation of the wheel. The braking system further includes a plurality of pedals configured to move the brakes between a position inhibiting movement of the wheels and a position permitting rotation of the wheels. The braking system further includes a linkage coupled to the caster devices so that movement of any one of the plurality of pedals causes movement of the brakes of the caster devices.

Abstract: The invention concerns a steering roller having a fork with two legs being spaced apart and a cover, including a brake shoe actuated by a spring loaded pin acting in conjunction with a Bowden cable.

Abstract: A brake assisted steering system for use in controlling movement of a bed including a frame and first and second wheels extending from the frame. The brake assisted steering system includes first and second hand levers and first and second brake mechanisms positioned adjacent the first and second wheels, respectively. The first hand lever being connected to the first brake mechanism by a first cable and the second hand lever being connected to the second brake mechanism by a second cable. The first hand lever is movable between a first position in which a force is not applied to the first brake mechanism and the first wheel is free to rotate and a second depressed position in which a force is applied to the first brake mechanism causing the first brake mechanism to engage the first wheel and slow down or halt rotation of the first wheel.

Abstract: A shopping cart locking system. A locking assembly includes a generally cylindrical retainer having a vertically extending axial slot along the first edge. A rigid bracket is secured along a second edge of the retainer. A clevis at the lower extent of the bracket has apertures, a first vertical space, an upper member with two forwardly extending fingers defining a second vertical space vertically aligned with the first space of the clevis. A foot is selectively positionable between an upper inactive orientation and a lower orientation into frictional braking contact with a wheel below the foot. An upper end of the foot has a generally rectangular recess. A coupling pin extends horizontally through a central extent of the foot and through the recess. A joining leg has an upper end with an aperture located between the first space of the clevis. A first pin rotatably couples the leg to the clevis. The leg has a lower end extending into the recess of the foot.

Abstract: A shopping cart brake assembly for securing a shopping cart in place includes a cart that has at least one leg. A wheel is coupled to a distal end of the leg. A brake member extends from a hollow lower portion of the leg. A brake pad is coupled to the brake member. The brake pad is for frictionally engaging the wheel, thus preventing the wheel from rotating. In addition, a lever is coupled to the brake member for selectively extending the brake member.

Abstract: An anti-theft system for a shopping cart comprises a collapsible front suspension mounted between the front side members of a base frame of the shopping cart, the front suspension including a support, a first set of casters mounted to the support, retractable pin means carried by the support and engagable with the side members of the base frame for maintaining the front suspension in an operative mode in which the first set of casters engage a supporting surface, a sensor for detecting a first external signal, apparatus functionally coupled to the sensor for transmitting an activation signal to the retractable pin means to cause retraction of the pin means and render the front suspension inoperative, and a second set of casters fixed to the base frame for preventing the cart from moving in a linear direction, when the front suspension is rendered inoperative.

Abstract: A wheeled carriage for supporting a patient in a substantially horizontal position, which wheeled carriage has thereon a patient support having head and foot regions and a pair of lateral side regions and a wheeled base supported at least by three floor surface engaging and castered wheels spaced from one another at locations defining corners of a theoretical polygon. An auxiliary wheel and a support structure therefor are suspendedly mounting the auxiliary wheel to the wheeled base. The auxiliary wheel is oriented inside a boundary of the theoretical polygon and includes an axle about which the wheel rotates. A control structure includes a first manually manipulatable member at at least one of the pair of lateral side regions and a second manually manipulatable member at at least one of the head end and the foot end so that an attendant can operate a selected one of the manually manipulatable members to effect a movement of the auxiliary wheel and the support structure therefor.

Abstract: A shopping cart is generally a wire framed cage made of a specific gauge of metal that is mounted on four wheels. This invention deals with the use of a braking system to keep shopping carts from rolling away, for example: when a customer pushing their goods in a shopping cart stops on an incline to unload their goods into a vehicle the shopping cart must be held or propped against an object to restrict its movement or otherwise the cart will roll down the hill. This system will stop the shopping cart when the foot activated braking wedge is pressed into the wheel housing, by using the sole part of the shoe. The wheel will not move unless the braking wedge is released from its locking position by pulling upward on the braking wedge extension bar with the toe part of the shoe. This wedge is true to its shape and is applied to the wheel to stop the rotation of the wheel. The wedge takes up the space between the top of the wheel and the bottom of the housing, thus impeding the rotation of the wheel.

Abstract: A housing adapted in ordinary use to remain stationary and resist lateral movement upon a surface on which it is resting, and capable of selective facilitation of lateral movement upon such surface is disclosed. The housing has a base having a bottom in opposing relation to such surface and at least one roller mechanism contained within a mounting within the base and extending through the bottom into contact with such surface. There is at least one side wall connected to the base and extending away from such surface and an operating mechanism extending through the side wall and in operative engagement with a brake member associated with a respective one of each of the at least one roller mechanisms.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a braking device for use with a vehicle which moves along a surface, the braking device being operated by an area of magnetic material, and is particularly, but not exclusively, for use with a wheeled trolley or cart to deter its removal from a designated area. The braking device comprises a first portion for mounting on the vehicle, a braking portion movable relative to the first portion from an inoperative position to an operative braking position in braking contact with the surface, and retaining portion for retaining the braking portion in its inoperative position. The retaining portion comprises a blocking portion and trigger portion, the trigger portion being movable between a primed position and a triggered position by passage in close proximity to the magnetic material, and in the primed position, holding the blocking portion in a blocking position preventing movement of the braking portion.