Abstract: A twin wheel caster and brake assembly including a central body with an axle mounted thereto which extends outwardly from opposite sides of the central body. A pair of wheels are rotatably mounted on each end of the axle and include a plurality of radially inwardly extending ribs with adjacent ribs defining a recess therebetween. At least one slot is formed in the central body. A locking bar associated with a brake actuating lever is located within the slot and is moveable therein between a brake locked position wherein the locking bar is located within the recesses for engagement with the ribs of the wheels and an unlocked position wherein the locking bar is located out of contact with the ribs. A pivot member is associated with the brake actuating lever and the central body to facilitate movement of the brake actuating lever and locking bar between the locked and unlocked positions.

Abstract: A mechanical device connectable to the upper end of a central column extending from a chair base for the synchronous movement and locking of the seat and backrest of a chair. The device includes a first bracket connected to the column. A second bracket for connection to the seat is pivotally connected to the first bracket by a first axis. A third bracket for connection to the backrest is pivotally connected to the second bracket. A third axis is connected to the first bracket and extends through slots in the third bracket for limiting the rotation thereof. A fourth axis is connected to the second bracket and is connected to the third axis by a plurality of slotted disks. The third axis is operative to selectively lock the disks in a stationary position to prevent pivotal movement of the second and third brackets.

Abstract: A roller mechanism for supporting an article on a support surface for selective movement thereon. The roller mechanism including a support member rotatably connected to the article to be supported, a bearing for providing antifriction rotation between the support member and the article to be supported, an axle or axles connected to the support member, and a plurality of roller elements mounted about the support member in a generally circular pattern, each roller element being independently rotatable about an axle.

Abstract: A method of forming a stem and assembling a snap ring in a groove in the stem without expansion of the snap ring. A stem blank is formed having a reduced diameter extension. A snap ring is slid over the extension without expansion of the snap ring and is positioned against a lower support surface. An orbitally rotating punch is inserted at an angle into the top end of the extension thereby deforming the top end and forming a continuous, tear free collar which forms an upper wall of a groove defined between the collar and the support surface. The snap ring lies within the groove and is free to move from the support surface towards the collar.

Abstract: A mechanism for vertical adjustability and securement of a backrest of a chair on the upright support of the chair having a housing which includes first and second housing members, and a pair of link assemblies, pivotally connected and movable between a locked position and an unlocked position. A resilient sleeve is carried by one of the link assemblies and is engageable against the upright support when the link assemblies are in the locked position to grip the upright support between the sleeve and a rod to prohibit vertical movement of the housing with respect to the upright support.

Abstract: A bearing assembly comprising a roller mechanism and a cage member. The roller mechanism includes a plurality of roller members and a plurality of frangible connector links for initially connecting each roller member to an adjacent roller member. The roller members and the connector links are integrally molded together. The cage member includes a circular flange and a plurality of spacer pegs extending perpendicular from the flange in a circular configuration. The pegs are spaced apart from one another and each peg includes a tip having a hollow chamber adapted to receive and store a connector link. The pegs are adapted to be inserted between adjacent roller members during assembly such that when the cage member and the roller mechanism are pressed together, the pegs will sever the connector links from the roller members and will retain the severed connector links in the chambers of the peg tips. The severed roller members are then free to independently rotate within the cage member.

Abstract: A retainer and bearing assembly in which the bearing members are formed as an integral component of, and are initially connected to the retainer, for separation upon assembly or use.

Abstract: A dual wheel tilted axle caster in which the bearing members are formed as an integral component of, and are initially connected to the retainer, for separation upon assembly or use.

Abstract: A seat support mechanism for a tiltable chair having a rear tilt torque mechanism including interconnected torsion bars which are adjustable to vary the resilient restraining force which opposes rearward tilt of the seat when occupied, a pair of compression springs disposed between a seat support assembly and a base member to provide added resistance to rearward tilt, a link to limit rotation of the seat support assembly within predetermined limits and a release mechanism movable between a lock position, wherein rearward tilt is prohibited and a release position, wherein rearward tilt is permitted.

Abstract: A stem with a specially constructed groove and a snap ring is disclosed along with a method of forming the groove and assembling the snap ring whereby a snap ring is first assembled about a reduced diameter portion of a stem on which a support surface of larger diameter has been formed and a retention groove is then formed by peening over the top end of the stem to form a collar which becomes the upper wall of the groove and retains the snap ring about the stem.

Abstract: A seat support mechanism for a tiltable chair having a rear tilt torque mechanism including interconnected torsion bars which are adjustable to vary the resilient restraining force which opposes rearward tilt of the seat when occupied, a detent mechanism which provides additional detent and stability to maintain the seat in its normal upright position and add to the resistance of the torque mechanism, and an adjustment mechanism for adjusting said detent mechanism for front tilt.

Abstract: An enclosed tilted axle caster with an internally mounted brake mechanism includes a caster body, a caster wheel and a braking element of singular resilient construction completely internally disposed within the caster body. A cam element enclosed within the caster body is actuable by an operating pedal which extends out of the caster body for engagement by a foot to move the resilient braking element from its normally biased, released position, to a braking position in which the caster wheel is locked against rotation.

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 protective covering for annular objects, such as caster wheels, which covering consists of a continuous band of heat-shrinkable plastic material defining spaced marginal edges thereabout, which band is proportioned thereabout to be closely received over and about the tread of the caster wheel in overlapping relation to the wheel along both side edges of the wheel tread, for heat shrinking thereagainst, whereby the band is tensioned against the wheel tread, and the wheel tread side edges, in protective relation to the tread, which band is formed to provide what becomes a tear or release strip that functions to sever the band, when removal of the covering is desired, from one side edge of the band to the other.

Abstract: A resiliently mounted dual wheel caster is provided which includes an outer body including a hub with a transverse aperture, and an inner body member pivotally mounted to the outer body and mountable to an article to be supported by the caster. A resilient shock absorbing member is disposed between the inner body and the hub of the outer body. An axle is disposed through the aperture in the hub and resilient wheels are mounted one each end of the axle. The resilient wheels and the resilient member act in series to effectively absorb shock encountered by irregularities in travelled terrain and prevent such shock from reaching the supported article.

Abstract: A twin wheel caster brake device for casters of the type having two wheels mounted on a common axle, with each wheel having a series of inwardly directed circumferential teeth, or wedge-shaped ribs, disposed at the inner side of each wheel forming a series of slots between the adjacent ribs and each rib having a surface projection forming a constriction in each slot for retaining a braking, or locking pin, which is mounted, or formed on a brake pedal that acts as a lever to force the pin into a slot when it is desired to brake the caster.