Abstract: A dual-stage caster is disclosed. The caster includes a horn assembly and an arm assembly pivotally coupled to the horn assembly. The caster further includes a wheel rotatably mounted to the arm assembly and a mounting plate mounted to the horn assembly and configured be mounted to a transport vehicle. When the wheel is moved along a support surface, the arm assembly is in a neutral position and the wheel is in the up position. When the wheel moves into a depression in the support surface, the wheel stage spring moves the wheel from the up position to the down position and the arm assembly remains in the neutral position. When the wheel moves over a raised portion in the support surface, the arm assembly pivots relative to the horn assembly so as to compress the main stage spring. The caster may be a swivel caster or a rigid caster.

Abstract: A dual wheel swivel caster includes a swivel assembly, a horn, a rig hub, a solid axle, at least one ring of roller bearings, first and second wheel assemblies, and at least one ring of bearings. The first wheel assembly has a first wheel axis, and includes an annular plate element. The torque limiter is configured to rotatably couple the first and second wheel assemblies with the solid axle when the torque between the annular plate element and the torque limiter is below a preset value. The torque limiter is configured to rotatably decouple the first wheel assembly from the solid axle and the second wheel assembly when the torque exceeds the preset value. The ring of bearings is configured to allow the first wheel assembly to rotate independently of the solid axle and the second wheel assembly about the rotational axis when the torque exceeds the preset value.

Abstract: A swivel caster includes a swivel assembly having a swivel plate configured to be mounted to a vehicle and defining a swivel axis. A horn depends downwardly from the swivel assembly and a wheel is wheel coupled to the horn with a wheel axle. A slide mechanism couples the horn to the swivel assembly and enables the wheel to slide in a direction generally perpendicular to the swivel axis between first and second trailing positions. The slide mechanism swivels with the horn, the wheel, and the swivel plate about the swivel axis. A swivel limiter is operatively associated with the swivel assembly and limits a swiveling range of the wheel about the swivel axis so as to activate the slide mechanism to reposition the wheel from the first trailing position to the second trailing position when a direction of travel of the vehicle changes.

Abstract: A caster wheel braking system for braking rotation of a caster wheel includes a caster having a caster plate, a horn base coupled with the caster plate and rotatable about a vertical axis, a pair of legs extending downwardly from the horn base, and at least one caster wheel coupled with the pair of legs and rotatable about a horizontal axis defined by a wheel axle. A mounting plate is spaced from the caster by a spacer. A movable plunger is disposed between the caster plate and the mounting plate and is horizontally movable through a slot provided in the spacer. A brake shoe is vertically movable by the movable plunger between a non-braking position in which the at least one caster wheel is permitted to rotate and a braking position in which the brake shoe exerts a braking force on the at least one caster wheel to at least partially hinder rotation of the at least one caster wheel.

Abstract: A caster wheel braking system for braking rotation of a caster wheel includes a caster having a caster plate, a horn base coupled with the caster plate and rotatable about a vertical axis, a pair of legs extending downwardly from the horn base, and at least one caster wheel coupled with the pair of legs and rotatable about a horizontal axis defined by a wheel axle. A mounting plate is spaced from the caster by a spacer. A movable plunger is disposed between the caster plate and the mounting plate and is horizontally movable through a slot provided in the spacer. A brake shoe is vertically movable by the movable plunger between a non-braking position in which the at least one caster wheel is permitted to rotate and a braking position in which the brake shoe exerts a braking force on the at least one caster wheel to at least partially hinder rotation of the at least one caster wheel.

Abstract: A caster wheel braking system for braking rotation of a caster wheel includes a caster having a caster plate, a horn base coupled with the caster plate and rotatable about a vertical axis, a pair of legs extending downwardly from the horn base, and at least one caster wheel coupled with the pair of legs and rotatable about a horizontal axis defined by a wheel axle. A mounting plate is spaced from the caster by a spacer. A movable plunger is disposed between the caster plate and the mounting plate and is horizontally movable through a slot provided in the spacer. A brake shoe is vertically movable by the movable plunger between a non-braking position in which the at least one caster wheel is permitted to rotate and a braking position in which the brake shoe exerts a braking force on the at least one caster wheel to at least partially hinder rotation of the at least one caster wheel.

Abstract: A caster includes a mounting plate, a horn having a horn base and at least one leg, a wheel axle coupled to the at least one leg and defining a rolling axis, a caster wheel coupled to the wheel axle and rotatable about the rolling axis, and an eccentric bearing assembly coupling the horn with the mounting plate. In one embodiment, the bearing assembly includes first, second, and third rings of rolling elements, defining first, second, and third horizontal bearing planes, respectively. The second and third rings of rolling elements are positioned eccentrically within the first ring of rolling elements. In another embodiment, the first bearing plane extends between the second and third bearing planes. A transport vehicle includes a vehicle body and at least one swivel caster having an eccentric bearing assembly.