Abstract: A trolley wheel for use in a conveyor system, the trolley wheel comprising a central shaft, a wheel body, first and second rows of ball bearings, and an inner race. The wheel body and the inner race both comprise a polymer in combination with the trolley wheel being devoid of a metal inner race and being devoid of a metal outer race. The wheel body defines a central rim with opposed first and second sides that respectively define first and second outwardly-angled outer race tracks. The inner race defines first and second inwardly-angled inner race tracks, such that the first row of ball bearings is configured to roll between the first inwardly-angled inner race track and the first outwardly-angled outer race track, and the second row of ball bearings is configured to roll between the second inwardly-angled inner race track and the second outwardly-angled outer race track.

Abstract: The invention provides a caster having a wheel and a wheel lock assembly that is configured to lock the wheel against rotation about a first axis. The wheel lock assembly allows the caster to move between a locked configuration, in which the wheel is engaged by a detent of the wheel lock assembly, and an unlocked configuration, in which the detent is spaced from the wheel. In certain embodiments, the caster moves between its locked and unlocked configurations in response to rotation of a rotatable cam. Other embodiments provide a wheel lock assembly including a rotatable track wall, which comprises a generally cylindrical wall configured to rotate about a second axis. In such embodiments, the caster is configured such that the rotatable track wall rotates about the second axis when the caster moves between locked and unlocked configurations.

Abstract: The invention provides a caster including two wheels, a central frame member, and a mount member. The two wheels are mounted on the mount member. The caster has a hybrid bearing arrangement comprising both a rolling bearing and two slide bearings. The rolling bearing is located between the central frame member and the mount member and is configured to enable the caster to roll along a straight line with each of the two wheels rotating in a common direction about a first axis. Each of the two slide bearings is located between the mount member and a tread portion of a respective one of the two wheels. The slide bearings are configured to enable the two wheels to simultaneously rotate in opposite directions when the caster swivels about a second axis orthogonal to the first axis. In some embodiments, the caster is a hubless caster.

Abstract: The invention provides a caster including two wheels, a central frame member, and a mount member. The two wheels are mounted on the mount member. The caster has a hybrid bearing arrangement comprising both a rolling bearing and two slide bearings. The rolling bearing is located between the central frame member and the mount member and is configured to enable the caster to roll along a straight line with each of the two wheels rotating in a common direction about a first axis. Each of the two slide bearings is located between the mount member and a tread portion of a respective one of the two wheels. The slide bearings are configured to enable the two wheels to simultaneously rotate in opposite directions when the caster swivels about a second axis orthogonal to the first axis. In some embodiments, the caster is a hubless caster.

Abstract: The invention provides a caster having a wheel and a wheel lock assembly that is configured to lock the wheel against rotation about a first axis. The wheel lock assembly allows the caster to move between a locked configuration, in which the wheel is engaged by a detent of the wheel lock assembly, and an unlocked configuration, in which the detent is spaced from the wheel. In certain embodiments, the caster moves between its locked and unlocked configurations in response to rotation of a rotatable cam. Other embodiments provide a wheel lock assembly including a rotatable track wall, which comprises a generally cylindrical wall configured to rotate about a second axis. In such embodiments, the caster is configured such that the rotatable track wall rotates about the second axis when the caster moves between locked and unlocked configurations.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a hubless caster that is at least as aesthetically pleasing as prior art hubless casters but that is significantly more durable. In one aspect, a hubless caster is provided that includes a frame member having two opposed sides. A generally ring-shaped mount portion projects from at least one of the two opposed sides of the frame member. In some embodiments, the hubless caster has the following three components mounted on the mount portion, in sequence moving radially outwardly from the mount portion: a) an annular backbone member defining an inner bearing race, b) a rolling element, and c) a wheel defining an outer bearing race.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a hubless caster that is at least as aesthetically pleasing as prior art hubless casters but that is significantly more durable. In one aspect, a hubless caster is provided that includes a frame member having two opposed sides. A generally ring-shaped mount portion projects from at least one of the two opposed sides of the frame member. In some embodiments, the hubless caster has the following three components mounted on the mount portion, in sequence moving radially outwardly from the mount portion: a) an annular backbone member defining an inner bearing race, b) a rolling element, and c) a wheel defining an outer bearing race.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a hubless caster that is at least as aesthetically pleasing as prior art hubless casters but that is significantly more durable. In one aspect, a hubless caster is provided that includes a frame member having two opposed sides. A generally ring-shaped mount portion projects from at least one of the two opposed sides of the frame member. In some embodiments, the hubless caster has the following three components mounted on the mount portion, in sequence moving radially outwardly from the mount portion: a) an annular backbone member defining an inner bearing race, b) a rolling element, and c) a wheel defining an outer bearing race.

Abstract: The invention provides a trolley wheel assembly for a conveyor system, e.g., an overhead conveyor system. In certain embodiments, the wheel assembly includes at least one wheel face having a contour (optionally a funneling configuration and/or one or more surface features) configured to facilitate flow of a fluid toward an open bearing assembly of the wheel assembly. In some embodiments, the wheel assembly includes an inner race, outer race, and bearings having a particular hardness arrangement, optionally together with a polymer wheel having certain filler features. Methods for cleaning such a trolley wheel assembly are also provided.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a hubless caster that is at least as aesthetically pleasing as prior art hubless casters but that is significantly more durable. In one aspect, a hubless caster is provided that includes a frame member having two opposed sides. A generally ring-shaped mount portion projects from at least one of the two opposed sides of the frame member. In some embodiments, the hubless caster has the following three components mounted on the mount portion, in sequence moving radially outwardly from the mount portion: a) an annular backbone member defining an inner bearing race, b) a rolling element, and c) a wheel defining an outer bearing race.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a hubless caster that is at least as aesthetically pleasing as prior art hubless casters but that is significantly more durable. In one aspect, a hubless caster is provided that includes a frame member having two opposed sides. A generally ring-shaped mount portion projects from at least one of the two opposed sides of the frame member. In some embodiments, the hubless caster has the following three components mounted on the mount portion, in sequence moving radially outwardly from the mount portion: a) an annular backbone member defining an inner bearing race, b) a rolling element, and c) a wheel defining an outer bearing race.

Abstract: Various cufflink embodiments are provided. In some embodiments, the cufflink has opposed first and second heads that are releasably locked relative to each other. In some embodiments, the opposed first and second heads can be locked releasably in multiple positions with respect to each another. In other embodiments, a stud or cufflink includes a removable decorative insert. In certain embodiments, a cufflink includes a retention structure configured to temporarily retain part of the cufflink on a shirt cuff. Some embodiments provide a cufflink having an actuator protected against inadvertent actuation.

Abstract: The invention provides a trunnion bearing assembly for the drive system of a snow blower, mower, tractor, or other self-propelled utility vehicle. In certain embodiments, the trunnion assembly comprises a bearing having ball bearings, roller bearings, or another type of bearing set. This can provide free relative rotation of several components of the bearing assembly relative to a trunnion housing of the bearing assembly. This rotation is imparted when a friction disk of the assembly engages a spinning motor flywheel of the drive system.

Abstract: Various cufflink embodiments are provided. In some embodiments, the cufflink has opposed first and second heads that are releasably locked relative to each other. In some embodiments, the opposed first and second heads can be locked releasably in multiple positions with respect to each another. In other embodiments, a stud or cufflink includes a removable decorative insert. In certain embodiments, a cufflink includes a retention structure configured to temporarily retain part of the cufflink on a shirt cuff. Some embodiments provide a cufflink having an actuator protected against inadvertent actuation.

Abstract: The invention provides a trunnion bearing assembly for the drive system of a snow blower, mower, tractor, or other self-propelled utility vehicle. In certain embodiments, the trunnion assembly comprises a bearing having ball bearings, roller bearings, or another type of bearing set. This can provide free relative rotation of several components of the bearing assembly relative to a trunnion housing of the bearing assembly. This rotation is imparted when a friction disk of the assembly engages a spinning motor flywheel of the drive system.

Abstract: The invention provides a trolley wheel assembly for a conveyor system, e.g., an overhead conveyor system. In certain embodiments, the wheel assembly includes at least one wheel face having a contour (optionally a funneling configuration and/or one or more surface features) configured to facilitate flow of a fluid toward an open bearing assembly of the wheel assembly. In some embodiments, the wheel assembly includes an inner race, outer race, and bearings having a particular hardness arrangement, optionally together with a polymer wheel having certain filler features. Methods for cleaning such a trolley wheel assembly are also provided.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a hubless caster that is at least as aesthetically pleasing as prior art hubless casters but that is significantly more durable. In one aspect, a hubless caster is provided that includes a frame member having two opposed sides. A generally ring-shaped mount portion projects from at least one of the two opposed sides of the frame member. In some embodiments, the hubless caster has the following three components mounted on the mount portion, in sequence moving radially outwardly from the mount portion: a) an annular backbone member defining an inner bearing race, b) a rolling element, and c) a wheel defining an outer bearing race.

Abstract: A container for use with an overhead track chain is disclosed. The container generally comprises a base and a housing. The base includes a tapered spool that extends upwardly from a top surface of the base. The housing surrounds at least a portion of the tapered spool. Therefore, when the base and the housing are secured together the base, the tapered spool, and the housing form an overhead track chain storage area. The chain is stowed in the container when the chain is received in a winding fashion around the spool and within the overhead track chain storage area. When this occurs, the typically heavy and bulky overhead track chain, which includes links permitting the chain to swivel, can be easily packaged, stored, and subsequently transported within the container. A method of stowing the overhead track chain in the container is also disclose.

Abstract: A container for use with an overhead track chain is disclosed. The container generally comprises a base and a housing. The base includes a tapered spool that extends upwardly from a top surface of the base. The housing surrounds at least a portion of the tapered spool. Therefore, when the base and the housing are secured together the base, the tapered spool, and the housing form an overhead track chain storage area. The chain is stowed in the container when the chain is received in a winding fashion around the spool and within the overhead track chain storage area. When this occurs, the typically heavy and bulky overhead track chain, which includes links permitting the chain to swivel, can be easily packaged, stored, and subsequently transported within the container. A method of stowing the overhead track chain in the container is also disclose.