Abstract: In a heavy duty orbital caster assembly that includes a rotatable wheel unit joined to a transfer plate that pivots about a mounting post extending from a mounting plate adapted to be secured to the bottom surface of an object, the improvement comprising a pair of roller bearing assemblies that extend upwardly from the upper surface of the transfer plate adjacent to the caster wheel post as it extends through its bearing. The rollers impinge on the lower surface of the mounting plate, and serve to transfer some of the load of the supported object directly to the caster wheel, enabling the support of very heavy loads.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for covering a surface (3) of which the contour defines a surface plane, said device comprising: (a) a substantially rectangular cover (10) wound onto (b) a drum (2) which is rotatably mounted on a carriage that can wind up or unwind the cover (10) by movement of the carriage in a longitudinal direction of the surface and thus allows the deployment of the cover or the removal thereof from the surface (3); and (c) a protective casing (20) mounted on said carriage, characterized in that the distance between the edge of the casing and the edge of the surface varies between a first stopping position dp, and a second movement position dm when the carriage moves the drum over the surface (3), and in that dm>dp.

Abstract: A selectively lockable caster with total locking (wheel brake and swivel lock) as well as directional locking (tracking) functions. A separate lock tooth for each locking function is adapted to engage certain differently configured lock recesses. Specifically, a total lock tooth, which is part of a mechanism that also applies a brake to the wheel, is configured to engage any of the total lock recesses and any of the directional lock recesses to lock the wheel against pivotal movement about the swivel axis in any of a plurality of total lock positions. A directional lock tooth is configured to engage only the directional lock recesses to lock the yoke against pivotal movement about the swivel axis in at least one directional lock (tracking) position while allowing the wheel to rotate.

Abstract: A femur endoprosthesis for an artificial hip joint is provided with a stem (1) which can be implanted without cement in the upper region of a femur below the greater trochanter. The proximal end (8) of the stem is connectable with an adapter (2) for accommodating an artificial spherical part of a joint (20). The exterior of the stem is at least partially covered with an open-meshed three-dimensional spatial lattice structure (9). A distal end of the stem is bent caudally with a caudally oriented step (31) in the transition area and constructed as a stem end (30), which is also at least partially covered with an open-meshed three-dimensional spatial lattice structure (9).

Abstract: A grommet is provided to prevent water, having entered through a fine clearance between a locking recess of the grommet and the edge of a through hole formed in a panel, from entering a first or passenger compartment. A jaw portion 3 or groove 30 is formed on or in the conical outer surface of a tapered tube portion 2 between an outer panel 6 and an inner panel 7. The jaw portion 3 or groove 30 blocks the water having entered through a clearance between a through hole 6a formed in the outer panel 6 and a locking recess 2a and trying to run toward a narrow tube portion 1 and causes it to fall down. Accordingly, the entered water falls down between the outer panel 6 and the inner panel 7 without entering the first or passenger compartment inside the inner panel 7.

Abstract: A grommet includes a hollow cylindrical body that is positionable in a bore hole of a transmission case and into which an oil fill tube can be advanced, to thereby establish a seal between the tube and case. The grommet defines an open top end, and a scored membrane is formed integrally with the body to cover the top end. Consequently, the grommet can be positioned in the bore hole to cover the bore hole prior to engaging the oil fill tube with the bore hole, thereby permitting pressure testing of the transmission case and preventing contaminants from entering the case. The oil fill tube can then be advanced through the membrane and into the bore hole.

Abstract: A bung comprises a deformable member with a generally cylindrical middle portion generally coinciding with the bunghole when inserted, and upper and lower frusto-conical ends which increase in diameter as each end extends from the middle portion. The middle portion is preferably of a size less than the hole to facilitate insertion of bung into and removal from the bunghole. Where the hole is tapered, the middle portion is similarly tapered. The spool-like shape of the stopper helps to prevent unintentional disengagement of the bung from the hole and to prevent overinsertion of the bung into the hole. The bung may further comprise one or more pull tabs to facilitate removal. The bung may define a bore to allow gas pressure to escape from the container, thus acting as a stopper. A rigid annular insert at the opening of the throughbore prevents deformation of the circular shape of the opening.

Abstract: A concealable baggage caster comprises a caster housing fastened to the bottom edge of a baggage and provided therein with a space for housing a caster and a caster frame. The caster housing is provided respectively in the left and the right side walls thereof with an elongate slot, a pivoting hole and a locating hole. The caster is pivoted between the two lugs of the caster frame which is mounted on a shaft received in the pivoting holes of the caster housing and the pivoting holes of the caster frame. An action plate is fastened pivotally to the action holes of the caster frame. Two guiding pieces and two fevers are pivoted respectively on the two pivoting shafts which are slidably received in the elongate slots of the caster housing. Each of two levers has a central fulcrum hole dimensioned to receive therein a shaft which is also received in the locating holes of the caster housing.

Abstract: A front caster assembly for a canister-type vacuum cleaner includes a swivel body member mounted for pivotal movement to the underside of the vacuum cleaner casing. A caster wheel is mounted on the underside of the swivel body member for rolling contact with the floor. A pair of small idler wheels are snap-fit onto the upper surface of the swivel body member, each having its rotational axis offset approximately 45 degrees from the line of rotation of the caster wheel, with the rotational axes intersecting at the pivot axis of the swivel body member. The idler wheels contact the underside of the vacuum cleaner casing to act as low friction bearings for pivoting movement of the swivel body member. The swivel body member is formed with an elongated flat portion removed from its pivot axis which serves as part of the cord wrap structure for the vacuum cleaner.

Abstract: A caster includes a mechanism that allows a wheel axle to shift rearward through a distance corresponding to the previous lag of the axis of rotation of the wheel behind the wheel bearing axis when the caster reverses its direction of advance. In a first embodiment, the mechanism includes a unit rotating a wheel axle to reverse the trail. In a second embodiment, the mechanism includes a slider allowing the wheel axle to slide horizontally.

Abstract: A swivel caster structure having a base arranged for swivel mounting to a mounting portion of a device to be carried thereby. The base rotatively carries a caster wheel. A force transfer element is carried by the base for transmitting an overlying load vertically downwardly directly toward the caster wheel mounting axis. In one form, the force transfer element is a roller having an axis of rotation inclined to the horizontal and defining a peripheral frustoconical surface extending at the same angle to the axis of the roller so as to have rolling line contact with the superjacent housing wall in transferring the load downwardly to the roller. In another form, the force transfer element is a fixed bearing mounted in a suitable recess in the caster base and having a segmentally cylindrical surface having a sliding line contact with the superjacent housing wall. The swivel caster structure is preferably formed of molded synthetic resin having low surface friction for improved swiveling caster operation.

Abstract: A detachable luggage caster roller for suitcases, luggage and the like is comprised of a roller support bracket formed of synthetic resin and including a cylindrical male member and a base plate adapted to be secured directly or indirectly through a seat member to the luggage and formed of synthetic resin, said base plate including a cylindrical female member adapted to be slidably engaged, directly or indirectly with said cylindrical male member of said roller support bracket through point and line contact. The roller is formed of different kinds of synthetic resin and comprised of a tread reinforced by a bridge-shaped rib embedded therein and a sleeve bearing formed of synthetic resin impregnated with lubricating oil.