Abstract: A caster wherein the inverted U-shaped frame carries a wheel and is turnable relative to a support about a substantially vertical axis when the wheel rests on a horizontal supporting surface. The web of the frame overlies a braking pedal which can be pivoted to and from an operative position in which it blocks rotation of the wheel relative to the frame and/or blocks angular movements of the frame relative to the support. A leaf spring of the braking lever biases the latter to its inoperative position, and a pedal which is pivotably mounted in the frame can be depressed to pivot the lever to and to releasably hold the lever in the operative position. The pedal can be pivoted in a direction to permit the leaf spring to return the lever to inoperative position in response to depression of a substantially vertically reciprocable pusher which is mounted in the web of the frame.

Abstract: A heavy duty caster for use on machines, heavy conveyances and the like has a plate the underside of which has a circular socket for a disc-shaped first thrust bearing element which is rotatably held in the socket against appreciable axial movement by a ring-shaped second bearing element bolted to the support. The first bearing element is integral with a downwardly extending shank which is bolted to the web of the inverted U-shaped frame for the wheel or wheels of the caster. A sealing ring is interposed between the ring-shaped bearing and the shank, and the support has a lubricant-admitting hole which communicates with the socket and is normally sealed by a plug.

Abstract: A caster wherein a U-shaped metallic or plastic frame has a vertically extending web and two parallel prongs which support the shaft for the wheel. The upper portion of the space between the prongs is occupied by a block-shaped supporting member which stiffens the frame and is secured to the prongs by a transversely extending bolt. A portion of the supporting member which is adjacent to the upper portion of the web has one or more projections which are received in complementary sockets or holes of the web. That portion of the supporting member which is adjacent to the inner side of the web has a vertical hole for a kingbolt which is held in the supporting member against axial movement and the upper portion of which is externally threaded to be received in the leg of a piece of furniture or the like.