Ball Patents (Class 16/21)
  • Patent number: 12150596
    Abstract: A kitchen caddy having an omnidirectional wheel system is provided. The omnidirectional wheel system enables unrestricted rotation and movement along a supporting surface. The kitchen caddy also provides a movement stabilizer operatively associated with the underside to, if desired, reduce mobility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2024
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2024
    Inventor: Wendy Jestings
  • Patent number: 12043118
    Abstract: Rolling device comprising a housing (11) accommodating a rolling element and a control and communication module comprising a wireless receiver (30) connected to a control device (40) and position means (50) connected to the control device, wherein the rolling device further comprises driving means (60) connected to the control device and the rolling element for driving and controlling the movements of the rolling element according to a first position acquired by the position means and a received wireless signal comprising movement instructions and a second position, power supply means (70) for powering the control and communication module and the driving means, wherein the housing is arranged with an support assembly for bearing the rolling element which is configured for establishing a releasable connection with the housing, and an electrical interface adapted for establishing connection between the rolling element and the control and communication module and the power supply means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: WHEEL.ME AS
    Inventors: Atle Timenes, Rolf Libakken
  • Patent number: 11926175
    Abstract: An autonomous delivery vehicle having one or more caster wheels that may be held off the ground for a portion of the time that the autonomous delivery vehicle travels. Each caster wheel is mounted in a pivot with a centering mechanism to hold the caster wheels in a design orientation. The caster wheel in the design orientation maximizes the view of forward-looking sensors on the autonomous delivery vehicle. The centering mechanism uses magnetic attraction/repulsion to center the caster wheel. The centering mechanism may incorporate a plurality of permanent magnets and or electro-magnets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventor: Christopher C. Langenfeld
  • Patent number: 11235617
    Abstract: A low profile wheel assembly suitable for use in dollies, decks or any other platform designed for moving freight or other heavy items. It includes a wheel, a carriage on which the wheel bracket is mounted for rotation about a first axis. The wheel carriage unit fits inside an outer housing unit of this wheel assembly and by means of low friction between the wheel carriage unit and the outer housing unit enabling the wheels carriage unit to rotate concentrically while inside the outer housing unit at a different axis than the first. In this manner and at the same time that the wheel is rolling on a surface, it can change directions of where it is rolling to.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Inventor: Sam Rabi
  • Patent number: 11192414
    Abstract: Multi-link suspension systems for vehicle are described having various linkage arms that connect to distinct points of a wheel mount. Each of the linkage arms are preferably coupled to the wheel mount via a spherical ball joint and mounted such that they can independently move with respect to the other linkage arms. A shock assembly is preferably mounted between two of the linkage arms on a separate links that is configured to vary its length based on movement of one or both of the two linkage arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: XTRAVEL SUSPENSION, LLC
    Inventor: Nestor Alexander Berardi
  • Patent number: 11135873
    Abstract: A caster for equipment and furniture, the caster comprising a support element including a top element and a base element, wherein the top element includes an attachment bolt configured to attach the caster and the base element includes a wheel axle that supports at least one wheel, wherein a replaceable substantially circumferential one-piece support element cover made from a synthetic material that provides a continuous design surface is arranged at the support element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: STEINCO Paul vom Stein GmbH
    Inventor: Thorsten Roedel
  • Patent number: 10875358
    Abstract: A high load pivoting caster with integral jack preferably includes a wheel mounting base, a pair of wheels, a high load jack, a slewing ring, an wheel axle and an attachment cube. The wheel mounting base includes a base plate, and first and second pairs of wheel support plates. The first wheel is retained between the first pair of wheel support plates. The second wheel is retained between the second pair of wheel support plates. The wheel axle is inserted through the pair of wheels and the first and second pair of wheel support plates. The slewing ring preferably includes a stator ring, a rotor ring, an indexing plate and a set of rotary bearings. An opening is formed through the indexing plate to receive an outer perimeter of the high load jack. The attachment cube is preferably attached to a top of the indexing plate with welding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Inventor: Patrick J. Santini
  • Patent number: 10752446
    Abstract: A hybrid module has a bridge section with a first transverse end and a second transverse end. Each end module has a body with an inner end and an outer end. The inner ends of each module are configured to be attached to a corresponding end of the bridge section. The inner ends may be removably attached to the corresponding ends of the bridge section using a coupler on the inner end and, in some cases, a mating coupler on the corresponding end of the bridge section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: Habasit AG
    Inventors: Marco Lucchi, Stefan Simmendinger, Dietmar Elsner, Enrico Visconti
  • Patent number: 10598198
    Abstract: A mount device is disclosed for securing a swimming starting block to a floor. In at least one embodiment, the mount device provides an upper mount conduit engagable with the starting block and sized for at least partially extending into a receiver conduit in the floor. A lower mount conduit is positioned below the upper mount conduit and has an outer diameter or width sized for being completely positioned within the receiver conduit. An expansion bolt extends through respective substantially coaxially aligned bores of each of the upper mount conduit and the lower mount conduit, each of the bores having a diameter that is relatively larger than a diameter the bolt. Upon tightening the expansion bolt, the lower mount conduit is urged along an angled common axis toward the upper mount conduit, such that opposing long outside surfaces of the upper mount conduit and lower mount conduit are urged in opposite, substantially horizontal directions, creating a frictional engagement within the receiver conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Inventor: Keith Michael Brice
  • Patent number: 10518577
    Abstract: A system includes (i) a caster having a first stem portion with a first stem portion connection configuration; and (ii) a set of second stem portions having an identical second stem portion connection configuration but having outer dimensions differing from outer dimensions of another second stem portion in the set of second stem portions. The caster first stem portion connection configuration is adapted to mate with the second stem portion connection configuration of the second stem portions in the set of second stem portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: SHEPHERD HARDWARE PRODUCTS, LLC
    Inventors: John Schantz, Derek Hines, Denis Belec
  • Patent number: 10286559
    Abstract: A self-moving robot comprises a robot body (1). A control device is provided in the robot body (1), and a functional processing module (11) and a moving module (12) connected to each other are provided in the robot body (1). The moving module (12) is controlled by the control device to drive the functional processing module (11) to conduct mobile processing work in a working space (100). An opening hole (111) is formed inside the functional processing module (11) so that the moving module (12) is arranged rotatably in the opening hole (111) in an embedded manner. The moving module (12) can freely rotates relative to the functional processing module (11) through a connection mechanism. A walking method of the self-moving robot is further disclosed. The present invention is of simple structure, low cost and significantly improved moving mode, and the cleaning efficiency of the self-moving robot is improved with the same amount of time or power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: Ecovacs Robotics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Xiaoming Lv
  • Patent number: 10155413
    Abstract: A roller structure and method of using the same are introduced. The roller structure includes a first sleeve having a mounting portion for mounting a roller portion and a first connection portion for mounting a carried object, wherein the roller portion is disposed at the mounting portion; and a positioning element disposed at the first sleeve and the roller portion to cause the roller portion to rotate relative to the mounting portion. The roller structure can be conveniently and quickly amounted on the carried object, roller frame or circuit board such that roller structure gets standardized and modularized to serve an industrial purpose and provides rollers rotatable in all directions and suitable for use in SMT (Surface Mount Technology) processes and automated assembly operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: DTECH PRECISION INDUSTRIES CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Ting-Jui Wang
  • Patent number: 10000280
    Abstract: A device for mounting an aircraft tail wheel includes a support plate having, on the one hand, an articulation shaft with an arm and, on the other hand, an articulation shaft with a fork receiving the freely rotating tail wheel, while the articulation shaft of the plate is positioned near a rotation shaft of the tail wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: Beringer Aero
    Inventor: RĂ©mi Beringer
  • Patent number: 9936809
    Abstract: A cabinet assembly includes a base and walls secured to the base to define an interior. The cabinet assembly further includes a pivot pin coupled to the base and a locking device coupled to the base. The locking device is movable relative to the base between an engaged position and a released position. The cabinet assembly additionally includes a support foot. The support foot is fixed to the base in a first orientation when the locking device is in the engaged position. The support foot is movable about the pivot pin to a second orientation spaced from the locking device when the locking device is in the released position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: NewAge Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Vandenham
  • Patent number: 9731739
    Abstract: A shelving base bracket is an apparatus that is used to support and transport shelving units. The shelving base includes a rectangular frame which is made up of a plurality of lateral cross members. Each of the lateral cross members includes a base panel and a border panel. The base panel may be used to support a shelving platform for storing goods. The border panel provides structural strength to the lateral cross member and may be used to prevent items from falling off the shelving base frame. The shelving base frame also includes a plurality of corner brackets which is used to reinforce the connections between each of lateral cross members. Each of the plurality of lateral cross members is connected in-between two corner brackets. The plurality of corner brackets may be used to attach a shelving unit to the shelving base frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Inventors: Jon R. Marler, John L. Earnest
  • Patent number: 9481206
    Abstract: The invention relates to a roller (1) having a wheel (2), which is accommodated in a housing, and a locking device (10, 17), the locking device (10, 17) being actuated by foot actuation of an actuating element (5) which is arranged so that it extends radially outwardly with respect to a vertical (V) that passes through a securing portion of the roller (1). To provide a roller which is advantageously formed with regard to locking by foot operation, it is proposed that an actuating portion of the actuating element (5) extends circumferentially at least far enough that a second foot actuation in the circumferential direction with respect to the vertical (V) may be carried out next to an area of the actuating portion by way of which a first foot actuation has been carried out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: TENTE GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Block, Uwe Harksen
  • Patent number: 9452638
    Abstract: A caster includes a wheel supported for rotation about a rolling axis and a pin extending from the wheel along a pin axis in a direction normal to the rolling axis. A mounting plate includes a first aperture sized to receive the pin such that the wheel is rotatable about the pin axis. The mounting plate includes a plurality of mounting apertures arranged circumferentially around the first aperture, wherein a first of the mounting apertures is a first distance from the pin axis and a second of the mounting apertures is a second distance from the pin axis, the second distance being greater than the first distance. A bearing is positioned between the mounting plate and the wheel and is arranged to support rotation about the pin axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: CHOICE EQUIPMENT CO., INC.
    Inventors: Chad Aaron Linn, Joseph John Bova
  • Patent number: 9380894
    Abstract: A caster includes a yoke for retaining a wheel, a bearing housing connected to the yoke and a replaceable shielded bearing occupying the bearing housing. The inner wall of the bearing housing is provided with a groove into which a retaining ring may be inserted to prevent the shielded bearing from escaping. A caster mounting assembly having a connecting member which passes through a central opening of the shielded bearing is configured to connect the yoke and the bearing housing to a rollable article, such as chair or table. In the event that the shielded bearing needs to be replaced, the caster may be disassembled, the retaining ring removed from the groove, a new shielded bearing substituted for the old shield bearing, the retaining ring replaced in the groove, and the caster reassembled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Inventors: Susan Ann Martenson, Christopher Marshall Burke
  • Patent number: 9340069
    Abstract: The wheel device contains a base, an axle rotatably running through the base, two sleeves each having an axial through channel for the axle to run through; and two wheel members each having an axial first socket open to an inner side of the wheel member for joining with an end of the axle. The axle has a first neck section adjacent to each end of the axle with a small diameter than the axle's other sections. Along the axial through channel of each sleeve, there is a narrower first collar section. Inside the first socket of each wheel member, there is a narrower second collar section. After the axle runs through a sleeve and joins to a wheel member, the more extensive first and second collar sections are jointly embedded in the sleeve's more reduced first neck section, thereby enhancing the wheel device's operational life and reliability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Inventor: Wen-Chin Cheng
  • Patent number: 9221301
    Abstract: A removable wheel device which slides onto the base of a sports field goal. The wheel device allows one person to move a goal across a field without using excessive force by sliding one wheel device onto the base of each goalpost and using leverage to tilt the goal and push or pull it for a distance. When inserted onto the base of the goal, the wheel device does not require any type of fastening to remain in place, but rather uses its own unique shape to hold onto the goal. Because field goals vary in structure, so too do each of the embodiments of the removable wheel device. Some of these variances include the angle of the axle, the location and structure of the notch, the use of a protrusion, and the use of a removable pin to secure the goalpost in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Inventor: Joseph Pastore
  • Patent number: 9221300
    Abstract: A removable wheel device which slides onto the base of a sports field goal. The wheel device allows one person to move a goal across a field without using excessive force by sliding one wheel device onto the base of each goalpost and using leverage to tilt the goal and push or pull it for a distance. When inserted onto the base of the goal, the wheel device does not require any type of fastening to remain in place, but rather uses its own unique shape to hold onto the goal. Because field goals vary in structure, so too do each of the embodiments of the removable wheel device. Some of these variances include the angle of the axle, the location and structure of the notch, and the use of a protrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Inventor: Joseph Pastore
  • Patent number: 9051965
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Hamilton Caster & Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Yefim Spektor
  • Patent number: 8991006
    Abstract: In a grommet for a vehicle floor cover, receptacles formed in a generally cylindrical inner surface of a female tubular body making up part of one grommet portion receive protrusions formed on a generally cylindrical outer surface of a male tubular body making up part of a second grommet portion. The bottom grommet portion may have chamfered gussets formed adjacent a bottom retention flange in order to accommodate vehicle floor mats or trays of different thicknesses. Stud holes created in respective ones of the grommets receive studs of intentionally different shape or orientation, thereby militating against installation of the floor cover upside down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: MacNeil IP LLC
    Inventor: Frederick W. Masanek, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8880427
    Abstract: A system for managing beverage sales and inventory, and for enabling customers to pour their own beverages while preventing shrinkage is disclosed. The system enables a user to access a beverage from a beverage dispenser by presenting a beverage-pour tracking device. The beverage dispenser can prevent a user from accessing the beverage without the beverage-pour tracking device. Further, the system can confirm whether the user is permitted to access the beverage dispenser before enabling the user to access the dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: iPourit, Inc.
    Inventor: Brett Michael Kaiakua Jones
  • Patent number: 8573613
    Abstract: There is provided a foldable walker apparatus with a wheel fork and a frame portion having a first end facing the wheel fork, a first bore extending from the first end towards a second end opposite thereof, an exterior disposed between the first end of the frame portion and the second end of the frame portion, and a second bore disposed between the first end of the frame portion and the second end of the frame portion. The second bore extends from the exterior of the frame portion to the first bore in a direction generally perpendicular to the first bore. A shaft couples with the first bore and includes a recess facing the second bore. A bearing outer race couples to the wheel fork and a bearing inner race couples to the shaft. A securing member extends through the second bore and engages with the recess of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Evolution Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Julian Liu
  • Patent number: 8270045
    Abstract: There is provided a cabling apparatus comprising, a cable connecting a first unit and a second unit which turns around a turning axial line of a hinge portion with respect to the first unit via the hinge portion, a cable guide portion, which guides the cable, in which the cable guide portion is turnably attached to the second unit on one end side of the cable guide portion and is connected to the first unit on the other end side of the cable guide portion, wherein a turning axial line of the guide portion with respect to the second unit and a turning axial line of the hinge portion accord with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hyoe Iwata
  • Patent number: 8230552
    Abstract: A glider that attaches to the bottom of the legs of a walker is disclosed. The glider, preferably a ball made from wood, provides the walker with additional stability and mobility. The glider includes a hole with a rubber stopper that secures the glider to the leg of a walker. A screw is first inserted into the glider and then a design is created on the glider. The screw is removed and then a hole is drilled over the same spot, large enough to fit the leg of a walker. A rubber stopper is inserted into the hole to help secure the leg of the walker to the glider. A scribe line can be included around the opposite end of the glider to inform users of when to replace the glider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Inventors: Louise Ann Klugh, Dawn Louise Cunha, Heidi Jean Correia
  • Patent number: 8087127
    Abstract: A plurality of castors for a piece of furniture, each castor including a casing, two wheels, and fastener elements for fastening to the piece of furniture. The casing is made up of two units, each made as a single piece, the first unit including a portion constituted by a portion of the wheel casing and a portion constituted by a portion of the swivel casing, the second unit including a portion constituted by another portion of the wheel casing and a portion constituted by another portion of the swivel casing. The two units are adapted to be associated with each other to form the casing in such a manner that the portions of the first unit and the portions of the second unit engage respectively one in the other, and elements are provided for securing the two units together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Bruandet SA
    Inventor: Patrick Dayt
  • Patent number: 8020679
    Abstract: Disclosed is a rotatable foot-wheel used for a luggage trunk, that is provided to a user with a simple & convenient mounting and detaching means, such that in detaching a foot-wheel from a luggage trunk, upon securing a lower half portion element, all the user has to do is to move the step-shaped housing of an upper half portion element outward, so that balls on a ball portion are separated from the step-shaped housing, then rotating the foot-wheel to make it separate, thus achieving the purpose of detaching a rotatable foot-wheel, such that a user may replace worn-out elements by himself. When installing a new element or reinstalling a repaired element, similarly, upon securing a lower half portion element, moving step-shaped housing of an upper half portion element outward, so that balls on the ball portion rejoin with the step-shaped housing, hereby achieving the objective of fixing and re-installing foot-wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Inventor: Chen-Chuan Wu
  • Publication number: 20110131761
    Abstract: A caster wheel system comprising an axle assembly, wheel fork assembly and pivot block assembly. The axle assembly operationally couples the system to a vehicle, the wheel fork assembly includes a wheel rotatably coupled to a wheel fork member, the pivot block provides a coupling interface between the axle assembly and the wheel fork assembly, the pivot block assembly also has a bumper which acts to inhibit flutter and allow the wheel fork assembly to pivot slightly backwards when sufficient weight is applied to inhibit tipping where only three wheels of a four wheel system contact the ground, thereby allowing all wheels to contact the ground during operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2008
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Inventor: Glenn Campbell
  • Patent number: 7930900
    Abstract: A charm clasp having a torus shape and formed as two pivotally connected arcuate parts which are adapted to encircle and releasably attach to a segment of a necklace formed as a strand of pearls, this clasp including an eyelet for attachment of a charm thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Mikimoto (America) Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Amy Kim-Araneo
  • Publication number: 20100107360
    Abstract: A caster assembly includes a caster, a fork for supporting the caster and a connecting unit for rotationally connecting the fork to a vehicle. There is provided a braking unit for stopping the rolling of the caster. There is provided a restraining for stopping the steering of the vehicle when the rolling of the caster is stopped.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Inventor: Li-Huei Shih
  • Publication number: 20080258540
    Abstract: A swivel yoke assembly is used for supermarket mobile material handling equipment. The yoke assembly includes a yoke, a bearing and a cage. The yoke can be made from low grade steel. The swivel bearing can withstand heavy cart loads and has an outer race and a split inner race. The races cover a large part of the balls, so as to provide support. Also, the balls are tightly packed into the bearing leaving little total space between the balls, again to provide support for the load. The outer race is clamped to the yoke by the cage. The cage is secured to the yoke by staking, wherein tabs are inserted into slots in the yoke and the tabs are formed with double shoulders. A cover is provided to protect the bearing from the environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2007
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Inventors: E. David Hicks, Jimmy L. Hicks
  • Publication number: 20080148514
    Abstract: A swivel caster assembly has a spring-loaded detent pin in a cylinder threaded into a nut mounted to the underside of the caster horn top. A lower bearing race has detent notches in an outer peripheral surface under the caster horn top and engage-able by the pin to control directional orientation of the horn relative to a load carried by it. The cylinder is adjustable by turning the cylinder in the nut, to change the amount of orientation control. The detent features are concealed under the top portion of the horn.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventors: Garry W. Hancock, Marcell D. Baker
  • Patent number: 7383611
    Abstract: A support structure for a castor, a castor provided with such a support-structure, and a castored trolley is described. The support structure comprises a first member 5, a second member 3 that is rotatable with respect to the first member about a pivot axis, and magnetic means 21, 23, 61, 63 that is operable up to a certain torque to restrain movement of the rotatable member from one angular position with respect to the first member. Preferably the magnetic means comprises at least one hair of magnetically co-operable components. Preferably one component of the at least one pair of components is a permanent magnet. In another angular positions without registration of the first and second members free rotation is possible unless and until re-registration occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Castor Technology Ltd.
    Inventor: Alan Foster
  • Patent number: 7311329
    Abstract: A wheelchair is provided with front anti-tip wheels adapted to assist the wheelchair in mounting an obstacle that the wheelchair approaches obliquely. The anti-tip wheels may function as casters, capable of rotating about a vertical axis, or may be fixed for rotation about a horizontal axis only. The anti-tip wheels may include lateral convex surfaces which tend to allow the anti-tip wheel to slide or roll over the obstacle. The lateral convex surfaces may be provided by a laterally oriented rolling element, a convex-shaped hub, a convex-shaped housing that partially surrounds the wheel, or a ball-shaped wheel. Alternatively, rotation of the anti-tip wheel may be controlled such that the wheel rolling surface faces and engages the obstacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Pride Mobility Products Corporation
    Inventor: James P. Mulhern
  • Patent number: 7308730
    Abstract: A base member for swivel caster comprises a fixed base, a rotation base and a hollow staff. The fixed base includes a ring member, and a plurality of first raceways lathed in an inward surface of the ring member. A support cavity is defined through a center of the rotation base. Assembling holes are defined in a connecting portion and communicate with the support cavity and the second raceways. During assembly, a plurality of rolling balls are extended through the assembling holes and loaded into the first raceways and the second raceways. Then a plurality of biasing balls is loaded into the assembling holes. The staff is inserted into the support cavity and blocks the assembling holes. The rolling balls contact the biasing balls instead of fixed components whereby the rolling balls swivel and rotate smoothly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Haion Caster Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chuan-Hai Chou
  • Patent number: 7211744
    Abstract: A connector for an electrical box having a base that has an opening. A cavity is formed by a wall extending from the base. The cavity is aligned with the opening to form a passageway through the connector to receive electrical cable. At least two fingers extend inwardly and toward the base from an inner surface of the wall. At least two tabs extend outwardly and toward the base from an outer surface of the wall to retain the junction box between the at least two tabs and the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventor: Robert W. Jorgensen
  • Patent number: 7065828
    Abstract: A caster assembly including a unique drawn kingpin rivet formed of stainless steel or other material of appropriate toughness which compressively holds the components of the caster assembly together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Inventor: Mark C. Sorensen
  • Patent number: 6931692
    Abstract: A kingpin-free caster in which a plate is assembled onto a yoke with ball bearings therebetween and the plate is deformed in place upon the yoke to capture the ball bearings between the yoke and plate and couple the yoke and plate together against removal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Algood Casters Limited
    Inventors: Craig J. Guttmann, Sean Guttmann, Peter DePinto, Csaba Lemak
  • Patent number: 6877185
    Abstract: A caster device is disclosed for movably supporting a load. The caster device includes a wheel for supporting the load and a wheel support having a first and a second extremity. The first extremity of the wheel support supports the wheel for rotation of the wheel about an axis of rotation. The second extremity of the wheel support defines an aperture and the wheel support has a first surface and a second surface. A support stem has a first and a second end, the support stem extending through the aperture such that the aperture is disposed between the first and the second end of the support stem. The second end of the support stem is connected to the load for supporting the load. Also, a leaf spring is disposed between the aperture and the second end of the support stem such that the leaf spring resiliently contacts the load and cushions the load relative to the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Earl J. Reilly, Robert F. Karas, Stephen M. Devine
  • Patent number: 6530119
    Abstract: A caster structure including a seat body, a linking member, a caster seat and a lower bearing cover. The linking member is integrally formed with an upper bearing cover. The seat body is formed with a differential fixing hole and the top of the linking member is formed with a fixing section. The shape of the cross-section of the fixing section is an internal tangential circle of the differential fixing hole. When the fixing section is passed through the fixing hole and compressed and fixedly riveted, the fixing section will form a differential section complementary to the fixing hole. Accordingly, the linking member is firmly connected with the seat body without rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Inventor: Tsung Han Yeh
  • Patent number: 6502280
    Abstract: A lightweight high capacity industrial caster which has three major parts, an upper assembly, a lower assembly, and a roller assembly. The upper assembly includes an upper plate with a first top surface and first bottom surface, the first bottom surface having a circular upper race groove within the plane of the upper plate, a kingpin having a top end and a bottom end, connected to the upper plate on the top end and extending downwardly away from the first bottom surface, the kingpin centered with respect to the circular upper race groove and an upper race insert carried in the upper race groove. The lower assembly includes a lower plate with a second top surface and second bottom surface, the second top surface having a circular lower race groove within the plane of the lower plate, a hole in the lower plate at the center of the circular lower race groove through which the kingpin extends, a lower race insert carried in the lower race groove, a first set of bearings carried in the lower race insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Satco, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Looker
  • Patent number: 6159409
    Abstract: A method of molding soft member constituting the main portion, and a rigid member. The soft member at least partially embedded in a soft member to form a semi-rigid grommet member has a loop rib integral therewith, and the rigid member has a loop base element almost entirely embedded in the rib. The base element has load pads spaced therealong for lockingly engaging the panel in which the grommet is positioned. The base member is molded in the bottom part of the mold, and then it is lifted out of its original molding position to expose it for injecting the soft material in surrounding position around the base member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignee: Rolco, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven J. Benda
  • Patent number: 6158609
    Abstract: A housing for a device mountable on a mounting surface has a housing element provided with two mounting flanges each having a passage adapted to extend substantially perpendicularly to the mounting surface and formed to receive a mounting bolt, two bushings extending through the mounting flanges and surrounding the passages, the bushings being composed of metal and injection molded with a material of the housing element, each of the passages being formed as an elongated hole with a width adapted to correspond to a diameter of the bolts, the bushings corresponding to a contour of the passages and surrounding the passages with a radial distance therefrom, the bushings being provided with peripheral formations which are filled with the material of the housing element, and the bushings at an inner peripheral side being free from the material of the housing over a part of an axial length of the bushings and a lower side of the mounting flanges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Harry Kaiser
  • Patent number: 6151759
    Abstract: A pair of finger rings used for mounting around finger holes in a rubber boot used with a water ski, a wake board and the like. The two finger rings include a first annular mounting plate and a second annular mounting plate. The two mounting plates are identical in structure. The first and second mounting plates include a first ring hole and a second ring hole. The first and second ring holes are dimensioned for indexing around the finger holes in the boot. The two mounting plates include a plurality of outwardly extending male posts and female posts. The male posts on the first mounting plate are dimensioned for receipt in the female posts of the second mounting plate. Likewise, the male posts of the second mounting plate are dimensioned for receipt in the female posts of the first mounting plate. During installation of the finger rings, the first mounting plate is positioned on one side of rubber boot with the first and second ring holes disposed next to and around the finger holes in the boot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Inventor: Norris K. Harward
  • Patent number: 6150607
    Abstract: An arrangement for sealing a cable bushing for at least one connecting cable, and in particular for a connecting cable of a sensor element of a gas sensor. On the terminal side, the sensor element is arranged in a metallic housing which has a tubular opening, in which a sealing arrangement is disposed, through which the connecting cable is conducted. The sealing arrangement is fixedly surrounded by the housing and has an elastically deformable sealing element and a spring element acting in the direction of the leading-through of the connecting cable, the sealing element being elastically deformed by the spring energy of the spring element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Helmut Weyl, Hans-Martin Wiedenmann
  • Patent number: 6150608
    Abstract: A seal for sealing an aperture in an object, through which aperture one or more elongate article(s) extend(s). The seal includes at least two pressure members; at least two seal members to seal the aperture, at least part of at least one of which is situated, in use, between the at least two pressure members; and a compression device to compress the seal members in use by moving the pressure members closer together. The seal is arranged such that each elongate article extends in between at least two seal members, the seal members being situated adjacent to each other in a lateral direction with respect to the direction in which the elongate article(s) extend(s), and being arranged to form a sealing contact with each other and with each elongate article when they are compressed by the compression device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: N.V. Raychem S.A.
    Inventors: Alain Wambeke, Marc Vanonckelen, Amandus Pieck
  • Patent number: 6147307
    Abstract: A side insertion trap for cable or wire includes a base and two arms extending from the base to define an opening between the arms for permitting lateral insertion of a cable or wire between the arms. A retention member, such as one or more angled teeth, serves to inhibit motion of the wire or cable between the arms in a direction perpendicular to a lateral insertion direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventors: Geoffrey Ling, Steven Akiyama, Alice Jandrisits, Louis Lai
  • Patent number: 6140582
    Abstract: A connector for facilitating the connection of electrical conduit or cable to junction box, which is fashioned from a single piece of material, and features a saddle member and rolled throat that are integral parts of the connector. These integrated features simplify manufacturing and ultimate use of the disclosed connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Inventor: Robert Kenneth Sheehan