Abstract: A soft tread caster that is manufactured by first molding a relatively rigid plastic hub with integral projections about its periphery and thereafter molding a softer plastic tread directly to the hub periphery so that the tread material flows around and under the projections. The projections consist of two adjacent annular rows of integral T-shaped projections on the outer surface of the hub with the rows being staggered to form a plurality of axially extending holes through the projections. When the tread is molded around the hub, tread material flows under the T-shaped projections securely holding the tread to the hub radially and it also flows through the axial holes, thereby locking the tread to the hub laterally.

Abstract: A caster assembly of the type that accommodates swivelling movement of the caster wheel including a U-shaped horn that flanks the sides of a soft tread and supports a wheel axle. A swivel plate is mounted at the top of the horn, adapted to be connected to the underside of the article to be supported, and it carries a pin that extends through the horn and has an annular toothed swivel lock plate at its lower end. A unitary swivel lock and brake member is reciprocably mounted on spaced rearwardly projecting horn ears and has serrations at its top defining teeth that engage the swivel lock plate teeth to lock the horn with respect to the swivel plate. The lower end of the swivel lock and brake member has an arcuate brake shoe that bites into the soft tread of the outer surface of the wheel to effect braking.

Abstract: A caster assembly of the type that accommodates swivelling movement of a caster wheel including a U-shaped horn that flanks the sides of the wheel and supports the wheel axle. A swivel plate is rotatably mounted on top of the horn and is adapted to be connected to the underside of the article to be supported. This plate carries a kingpin that extends through the horn and has an annular swivel lock plate fixed to its lower end. A swivel lock assembly is provided for locking the caster selectively in one of four 90 degree positions and it is mounted on rearwardly projecting ears on the U-shaped horn. The swivel lock assembly includes a spring biased axially movable plunger mounted radially with respect to the swivel lock plate and it is selectively engageable with four ninety degree spaced recesses in the swivel lock plate.

Abstract: A swivel caster of the type having an inverted U-shaped horn member with a cup-shaped upper portion that rotatably receives a swivel plate adapted for connection to the underside of the supported article. A thrust bearing is provided including an annular array of ball bearings that are seated in adjacent semi-toroidal recesses in the bottom of the swivel plate and the top of the horn member. The area around the ball bearings is sealed by an integral plastic seal and lubrication ring that has an upper frusto-toroidal surface engaging and sealing the swivel plate and a lower frusto-toroidal surface engaging and sealing the horn member. The ring has an integral outwardly extending cylindrical projection that defines a lubrication fitting with a small radial bore extending therethrough and communicating with the interior of the ring to supply lubricant from a source to the bearing.

Abstract: A combination caster and fixed support that supports an article either for rolling motion on a dual wheel assembly or alternatively supports the article on a floor engaging foot that raises the caster wheels from the floor. A central horn, having a vertical swivelling pintle, carries wheels on the opposite sides thereof supported on a common axle that permits the wheels to go up and down a limited distance relative to the horn to compensate for uneven floors. A threaded pad vertical support rod is received centrally in the horn between the wheels and carries a universally mounted channel-shaped pad at its lower end that selectively engages the floor as the threaded rod is lowered to raise the caster wheels off the floor. In the raised position of the foot the pad is locked in a tilted position between abutments on the lower end of the support rod and a lower surface on the horn so that the pad may easily pass over inclined floor surfaces.

Abstract: A chair control mechanism for supporting both the seat and back rest of a chair, including a seat frame with a control member mounted for limited pivotal movement thereon for supporting the back rest. A torsion spring resiliently urges the control member and back rest in one direction. A back hinge is pivotally mounted on the control member and is adjustable with the aid of a threaded adjustment member and a second torsion spring to provide a positive attitute adjustment for the back rest. A back rest strap is provided carrying the back rest at its upper end and having at its lower end a T-shaped bayonet projection received in an elongated aperture in the back hinge in addition to a threaded fastener so that if for any reason the fastener fails, the back rest will not fall off.