Abstract: A double wheel caster for being rotatably mounted on a leg of a transport carrier includes a support rod having a center portion and opposite first and second end portions. The center portion of the support rod is rotatably positioned within an opening located in a wheel caster trailing housing. A pair of caster wheels are rotatably positioned on the first and second end portions of the support rod. Each caster wheel has an aperture generally centrally located therethrough and a plurality of fingers extending radially inward and into engagement with the support rod such that the caster wheels are frictionally mounted on the support rod. Upon movement of the transport carrier in a direction which forces one caster wheel to rotate faster than the other, the frictional mounting inhibits the one caster from freely rotating with respect to the other to thereby prevent shimmying.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fastener system comprising a male or stud element with a split or bifurcated head, forming two prongs, that fits inside a female or socket sleeve. Inside the socket sleeve is an internal annular ring of a smaller diameter. The stud prongs deflect radially inwardly when pushed into contact with the internal ring until the prongs pass the ring at which point they deflect radially outwardly and lock the male member within the sleeve. This locking action allows for a variety of items to be clamped together along the length of the rivet sleeve provided that at each end of the rivet there is a head of larger diameter than that of the sleeve. Each head can be replaced by any number of integrally molded items requiring a locking/mating action or where locking and rotation is desired.

Abstract: This invention relates to a wheel unit for a slidable infant chair. The characteristic of this invention is in that there is a rod cap positioned at the upper part of the wheel unit. The rod cap has a hollow for receiving in a rod. There are two opposite U-shape cut, whose interiors become two elastic fragments, positioned in the upper side wall of the rod cap. The lower side wall of the rod cap is attached by a flanged annulus, which has fine projecting stripes around the side surface and has a splintery upward surface. In assemblage, first, insert a rod into the hollows of a rod supporter and the rod cap so as to assemble them. Then, insert the upper part of the assembled wheel unit into a fixing sleeve under an annular frame of a slidable infant chair, with the condition that the two opposite U-shape fragments spring outward for the wheel unit to be fixed in the fixing sleeve.

Abstract: An apparatus for securing a caster to an object having a hole with interior walls has a tubular body with upper and lower ends, the lower end being adapted to connect to a caster and the upper end being split and defining at least two upwardly extending friction grip arms, the upper end of each arm defining an outwardly extending friction grip portion and the outer dimension defined by all of the friction grip portions being slightly larger than the minimum corresponding dimension of the hole.

Abstract: An improved caster wheel assembly for a wheelchair or the like includes adjustable bearing components for variably resisting swivel motion of a caster wheel to prevent undesired wheel flutter. The caster wheel assembly includes a wheel fork unit having a rotatable caster wheel, and a housing sleeve adapted for mounting onto the frame of a wheelchair or other castered device. An upstanding swivel post on the wheel fork unit is supported within the housing sleeve by the bearing components for rotation about an upright swivel axis. The bearing components include an outer bushing mounted on the housing sleeve, and having a conical bearing surface for axially engaging a mating bearing surface of a longitudinally split inner bushing. A nut threaded onto the swivel post urges the inner bushing axially against the outer bushing with a selected adjustable axial load to resist rotation of the swivel post, and thereby resist undesired rotational flutter of the swivel post and the associated caster wheel.

Abstract: The wheel according to the invention is characterized by the fact that it includes a molded rim inside the bore of which is resiliently engaged a brace molded from a resiliently deformable material and a metallic axis forcibly crimped inside a bore of said brace.

Abstract: A caster pintle as disclosed having a resilient high tensile strength metal core encapsulated in a molded plastic body having a groove containing a resiliently collapsible friction ring and means for centering the ring in the groove prior to assembly of the pintle with a complementary socket.

Abstract: The caster has a generally cylindrical stem which is received in a well in a socket which, in turn, is securely received in the bottom of the hollow leg. The stem has a longitudinal groove which receives an inwardly projecting rib on the socket. This prevents rotation of the stem in the socket so that when the swivel braking mechanism on the caster is actuated, the wheel cannot pivot relative to the vertical axis. This economical mechanism facilitates installation and replacement of the caster.

Abstract: A cart wheel structure having a pair of wheels rotatably mounted to opposite ends of an axle rod. The axle rod is mounted to a base portion of a cart by a pair of fabricated brackets having an upstanding swivel post adapted to be received in swivel cavities provided on the cart base portion. The swivel cavities are adapted to receive the swivel post of conventional swivel caster whereby the cart may be provided with caster and non-caster wheels as desired. The cooperation between the axle rod and brackets provides an accurate maintained disposition of the wheels carried on the opposite distal ends of the axle rod.

Abstract: A tubular metal chair leg is formed by a die to provide on its end an integral socket for the direct reception of the pintle of a caster or shank of a glide. The construction enables the use of identical casters and glides on tubular as well as cast legs. The necessity for stocking two sizes of glides for tubular and cast legs plus inserts for casters for tubular legs is eliminated.

Abstract: A caster pintle as disclosed having a resilient high tensile strength metal core encapsulated in a molded plastic body having a groove containing a resiliently collapsible friction ring and ribs for centering the ring in the groove prior to assembly of the pintle with a complementary socket.

Abstract: A swivable caster includes plastic wheel means rotatably mounted on a plastic stem at the lower end thereof. Near its upper end the stem is provided with an annular groove having a nylon split ring disposed therein and having its peripheral portion disposed outside of the groove. This peripheral portion engages a downwardly facing shoulder that extends inward from the internal wall forming a socket that receives the stem. Engagement of the split ring with the shoulder limits insertion of the stem into the socket. During this insertion the split ring is compressed radially so that it acts as a friction means to hold the stem in the socket and also provides a bearing for swiveling of the stem.

Abstract: A heavy-duty caster assembly with a pintle and swivel plate mounted on top of a wheel carrying horn that minimizes pintle bending and breaking with the addition of a powdered metal washer around the pintle locked on top of the swivel plate.

Abstract: A support leg (14) is attached to a ceiling structure (10) by means of a threaded stud (12) which mates with a threaded opening (18) in an insert (16) which is swage connected to the upper end of the support leg (14). A flat bar (20) is attached to the lower end of the support leg (14) so that it extends horizontally and makes a "T" with the support leg (14). An expansion clamp assembly (22) is carried by the bar (20). This assembly (22) is plugged into the tubular lower end portion (24) of the support leg (14). The uppermost part of the assembly (22) is a T-nut (48). The head (50) of the nut (48) includes a plurality of struck out barbs (76) having points (74) which penetrate into and grip the inner sidewall of the socket (24) when the assembly (22) is inserted into the socket (22). This secures the nut (48) against rotation.

Abstract: Apparatus for converting a conventional car seat including a wheeled structure removably attached to the car seat for converting the same to a stroller. In one embodiment, the original car seat can be provided with attaching structure permanently attached thereto for quickly and easily connecting or removing the wheeled structure. In another embodiment, structure for carrying out the same can be added to the original structure.

Abstract: A locking device for locking the trailing wheels of a wheeled carriage, particularly of a perambulator, in the straight running position, the trailing wheels being mounted for pivotal movement about an upright axis extending perpendicular to their axis of rotation without intersecting it, wherein a support member carrying the axis of rotation of the trailing wheel is connected to a vertically extending sleeve mounted for rotation about its vertical axis in a concentrically surrounding cylindrical recess in the wheeled carriage, and wherein a resiliently deformable plug extends through the sleeve from above, the plug having a disk-shaped enlarged head portion engaging the rim of the upper end face of the recess and being in positive locking engagement with the sleeve so that the plug is non-rotatably connected therewith, the locking device including a substantially vertically extending engagement surface formed on the disk-shaped head portion for positive locking engagement with a locking member pivotally moun

Abstract: An easily insertable and removable brake pad abrasion detector is provided by forming a recess in the rear surface of the pad, a hole in the pad backing plate communicating with the recess, a sleeve in the hole having inwardly projecting one-way pawls and a probe having a circumferential shoulder engaged by the pawls when inserted. The small diameter part of the probe may have an elliptical cross-section so that the pawls may be disengaged by merely turning the probe.

Abstract: A twin caster assembly, including a shaft member having a center portion and opposite end portions, a body member including an axial opening for receiving and supporting the center portion of the shaft member and with the end portions extending on opposite sides of the body member, a pair of wheels each having a central axial hub including an axial opening for receiving one end portion of the shaft member and the end portions of the shaft member and the axial opening of the wheels including a plurality of mating grooves and ridges each having sloping sides to lock the wheels on the opposite end portions of the shaft member and with the mating grooves and ridges having sufficient clearance for allowing rotation of the wheels on the end portions of the shaft member and with the number of mating grooves and ridges in the range between three (3) and eight (8).

Abstract: A caster socket assembly for attachment of a caster to a furniture leg having an opening. The assembly includes a plastic housing having a cylindrical socket provided with an annular groove, the housing being insertable in the opening of the furniture leg. A caster includes a cylindrical pintle having an annular groove which is insertable in the socket. A split C-ring is attached to the caster at the pintle groove and is selectively engageable with the housing at the socket groove to retain the pintle in the housing. The C-ring has an expanded outside diameter greater than the pintle, and is resiliently compressible for sliding the pintle into and out of the housing socket and is resiliently expandable within the housing socket groove to retain the pintle within the housing socket in a mounted position.

Abstract: A clamp is provided for detachably securing a toilet seat to a toilet bowl. A spherically headed bolt is securely bolted into each of the holes in the flange portion of the rear of the upper part of the bowl so that the spherical head of the post extends out beyond the upper part of the bowl. Fasteners, each having downwardly depending wall circumscribing a socket for mateably receiving one of these projections and securing it therein against unpurposeful disengagement, are associated with the toilet seat, and may rotatably engage the hinge shaft found to the rear of many types of toilet seats. By lifting on a finger grip ledge extending out at the rear of each of the fasteners, the fasteners and the bolt heads are disengaged, thereby detaching the toilet seat from its position on the top part of the bowl. This device, by permitting such easy disengagement of the toilet seat, facilitates cleaning and hygiene.

Abstract: This invention relates to a pivot bushing for casters and in which the stem for associating the caster with an article it is to support, is mounted. The bushing preferably is non-metallic and fits into the caster stem mount with a close fit for at least a portion of its depth with a clearance fit in the lower area where the stem must pass beyond an annular shoulder in the bushing for retention. The bushing has a fully closed lower end for retaining grease used to lubricate the stem for rotation in the bushing. The upper end of the bushing includes an integral cap-like enclosure, or shroud, which overlies the top end of the tube for mounting the bushing and stem in a caster and which lends a finished appearance in this area. A vertical exterior bead on one side of the bushing serves to engage a seam in the mounting tube to position the bushing properly relative to the caster.

Abstract: A wheel mount adapted to be used on the bottom side of a suitcase to permit wheeling the latter. The mount is formed so as to minimize the likelihood of damage to the mount and to the wheel which it supports. The mount is elongated in a longitudinal direction and its sidewalls are slantingly disposed relative to the wheel in order to minimize damage when struck by another object. One form of the invention is made from a block of plastic or the like and other forms are made of formed sheet metal.

Abstract: A plastic grip ring for a caster assembly comprising a ring shaped member having a tapered outer perimeter with an interior surface including a cylindrical collar portion, a larger diameter cylindrical bottom portion merging with the collar portion by an arcuate, tapered connecting portion and a notched area extending vertically of the interior surface wherein the bottom portion and the notched area provide means for mounting the ring over the head of a caster stem.

Abstract: A dual wheel caster assembly consisting of an arcuate central horn carrying an axle with projections on either side of the horn that rotatably receive wheels. The axle has recesses that receive annular projections on the wheels for the purpose of retaining the wheels in position.A vertical opening in the horn receives a vertical pintle having a portion projecting upwardly from the horn adapted to be received in an associated piece of furniture. This pintle has two spaced thrust surfaces, a lower one adapted to directly engage the plastic horn and the other one adapted to engage a one piece plastic bearing.The two thrust surfaces are spaced such that the lower thrust surface initially carries most of the load until a certain amount of wear causes the load to be distributed between the two thrust surfaces from the associated piece of furniture.

Abstract: An effective, relatively inexpensive, improved caster support structure can be manufactured by molding an appropriate polymer, preferably polypropylene, around a retainer forming a part of a conventional bearing into the shape of a housing. The housing is preferably shaped so as to include an elongated first cylinder which is coaxial with a second cylinder of greater diameter than the first. The bearing is located within a cavity at the end of a second cylinder remote from the first cylinder and is held in place because the portion of the retainer adjacent to the end of the second cylinder remote from the first is of smaller diameter than at least another portion of the retainer. The retainer is held against movement in such a way that it cannot be displaced by the shape of the retainer and housing and by a compressive type force resulting from a polymer orientation.

Abstract: A self-tracking carpet caster of the inclined-disc type is disclosed, and the geometric relationships of its components and angles of inclination for optimum operation are defined. Lint protection means including a flexible sealing skirt and a grooved track construction are described, as in an improved locking structure and a simple interchangeable stem assembly construction which permits inexpensive adaptation of the caster to a wide variety of replacement uses.