Abstract: A utility truck with arched reinforcing rods incorporated into the base of a plastic truck during molding. The reinforcing rods are held in place in a mold at a predetermined distance above the mold's inner surface by spacers attached to the ends of the rods. Plastic is molded around the rods, with more plastic provided below the rods than above them, so that, when the plastic truck is removed from the mold and allowed to cool, the plastic will contract to a greater extent than the metal rods, causing the base and the reinforcing rods to bow upward, creating a convex arch in the truck's base. The arch provides an inherently strong, bridge-type structure that substantially strengthens the load-bearing capability of the truck, yet requires less reinforcing material than conventional supplemental chassis structures. In another embodiment, caster base mounts are also molded into the bottom of the truck, providing a utility truck with a unitary chassis structure.

Abstract: A new vacuum cleaner has fence elements with upright arms are easily attachable to caster modules and create an upwardly opening hose space through which a vacuum hose can be wound for storage. The caster modules have sockets that extend throughout the height of the modules. The fence elements have tabs that hook onto lower edges of the modules, and can be clipped onto the caster module by pressing a detent on the fence element downwardly into an upper end of the socket until the tabs snap over the lower portion of the module, locking it in place.

Abstract: A castor includes a casing constituted by a part having at least one housing suitable for receiving a pivot defined on an axis, and a bearing defined on an axis perpendicular to the axis, at least one wheel suitable for running on a surface, a shaft mounted to co-operate in the bearing, the wheel being mounted in association with the shaft, the part being constituted by at least two portions and that are made respectively of two materials of different flexibilities, the portion presenting the greater flexibility being interposed between the housing and the axial orifice of the bearing so as to isolate the housing and the bearing from each other. The castors may be used with furniture or the like, in particular in a hospital setting, e.g. for beds, tables, walkers, and also for moving suitcases, baggage, or the like.

Abstract: A castor includes a castor body, a waterproof gasket, a bearing, a top cover, a shaft, a bushing, a washer, and a snap ring. The castor body has a receiving recess to receive the waterproof gasket and the bearing. The top cover is mounted on the castor body to cover the waterproof gasket and the bearing. The waterproof gasket is located between the castor body and the bearing and has a sealing flange. Thus, the sealing flange of the waterproof gasket is disposed between the top cover and the castor body to isolate the bearing completely, so that even when the castor touches water unintentionally, the water cannot contact the bearing, thereby preventing the bearing from being rusted or worn out so as to enhance the lifetime of the bearing of the castor.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an intravenous stand for supporting an intravenous fluid container includes a hanger configured to support one or more intravenous fluid containers. A pole, having a first end and a second end, is coupled to the hanger at the first end and a base at the second. A plurality of casters are releasably coupled to the base via a plurality of quick-release members.

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.

Abstract: Generally large objects including ergonomic gaming stools are provided with a supporting assembly including an easy rolling support base to enable them to be moved easily along a generally unidirectional line of movement. An easy rolling support base for the supporting assembly includes a shaped disc member to the underside of which are affixed a plurality of freely mounted roller members in predetermined angular spaced relationship. The freely mounted roller members are so mounted that the rollers are in alignment with each other and rotate in the same direction. A roller members connecting plate is provided to facilitate mounting the roller members in predetermined angular position before they are mounted into assembled position on the easy rolling support base and to facilitate repair of a roller member that may fail. The roller members are formed of materials to support the load and shaped to oppose other than unidirectional movement.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to a friction sleeve for a caster stem. In certain embodiments, the friction sleeve has a slot, comprises a polymer, and has at least one detent adapted to engage a corresponding detent of the caster stem.

Abstract: A height adjusting device includes an attachment bolt, an adjuster, a female screw portion, and a circular groove. The adjuster includes a flange portion operable from an outside and is fixed to the attachment bolt so as to be rotatable integrally with the attachment bolt. The female screw portion is formed in a piece of furniture. The attachment bolt is screwable into the female screw portion. A circular groove is formed around the female screw portion. The adjuster includes a brake portion protruding from the flange portion in a rotation axis direction of the adjuster. When inserted into the circular groove, the brake portion abuts a wall surface of the circular groove and is at least partially deformed thereby to bias the wall surface, resulting in suppression of rotation of the adjuster.

Abstract: An integrally molded glide cover has a top and a base that interlock together to surround and encapsulate the lower portion of an existing furniture glide. A rim protrudes downwardly from the bottom of the base and surrounds a recessed bottom surface for receiving an insert that is adapted for sliding on floors without damaging the floor surface. A hinge allows the base to close over the bottom of the glide and into direct alignment with locking prongs on the top for interlocked attachment of the base to the top using one hand and no tools. When interlocked, the top and base provide a tamper-proof permanent attachment that presents a low profile appearance closely resembling the exterior configuration of the encapsulated lower glide portion.

Abstract: A caster attachment system includes an upper section and a lower section. The upper section mounts to a piece of equipment. The lower section provides a post for the mounting of a caster. A shaped key on the lower section fits within a receiver socket on the upper portion. The upper section and the lower section are held together by a threadable connection.

Abstract: A folding chair with wheels includes a backrest, a seat, a front leg frame and a rear leg frame pivotally connected to both sides of the seat, a plurality of wheel assemblies and a plurality of connection blocks. Each of the front leg frame and the rear leg frame comprises a groove at a side surface thereof. The wheel assembly includes a wheel, a bearing and a threaded stem screwed into the connection block. The connection block has a plurality of connection screw holes, and is screwed onto the grooves of the front leg frame and the rear leg frame by bolts. The wheel assemblies connected with the front leg frame and the rear leg frame are disposed at the external side and the internal side of the folding chair, respectively. Therefore, the wheel assemblies do not interfere with each other when the chair is folded.

Abstract: A furniture glide is provided for mounting on the terminal end of a furniture leg having an outer surface. The furniture glide includes a base having a generally arcuate lower surface for engaging a supporting surface. A sleeve extends from the base and defines a cavity for receiving the furniture leg therein. The sleeve includes a leg engagement element for engaging the furniture leg received within the cavity and for retaining the furniture glide thereon.

Abstract: A combination step stool and mechanic's seat in the form of a molded plastic, generally parallelepiped configuration includes a seat on one side supported on casters on the opposite side with a step stool surface adjacent the backside of the seat and spaced from a front side surface of the seat which includes a recess tray for tools and other items.

Abstract: A novel furniture leg glide is disclosed for reducing a screeching sound made by a furniture leg being dragged across a floor. The furniture leg glide is formed from a hollow body portion having an end cap disposed thereon with a flexible coupling formed along the hollow body portion between first and second ends thereof. A piece of felt type material is bonded to the end cap and the flexible coupling permits the piece of felt type material to contact the floor when the furniture leg is angularly displaced in relation to the floor within a predetermined number of degrees. The flexible coupling flexes and compresses in relation to the angular movement of the furniture leg. In accordance with another embodiment of the invention a furniture leg glide is provided for attaching to a furniture leg having a swivel base furniture leg glide disposed thereon.

Abstract: The caster leg assembly has a slidable collar mounted on a shank that is threaded onto a stud fixed within a hollow table leg. A resiliently deformable ring is positioned between a shoulder on the shank and an inwardly turned end of the leg. A locking nut is threaded onto a threaded portion of the collar to abut the inwardly turned end of the leg. After the shank has been adjusted along the length of the stud, the locking nut is threaded against the end of the leg to cause the collar to be drawn in a direction out of the leg thereby compressively deforming the ring to frictionally engage the collar and leg. This, in turn, locks the shank against rotation relative to the leg.

Abstract: A ball chair with a securing device has a seat (10) with a backrest (14), a ball-shaped cushion (20), a guard rod (30) holding the ball-shaped cushion (20) with the backrest (14), multiple strengthening blocks (40) attached under the seat (10), and multiple legs attached to the seat (10) by the multiple strengthening blocks (40). Each strengthening block (40) is non-hollow to provide an anti-crack efficiency to joints connected to the legs. Additionally, a cone-shaped post is clamped between one strengthening block (40) and one corresponding leg to adjust a total height of the ball chair.

Abstract: A caster for shopping and transport trolleys which are suitable for conveyance on travelators, includes a wheel fork provided with fork arms and carrying an axle body having a round cross-section and extending through a hub which is arranged between the fork arms and on which two running wheels are mounted, the hub having a crosspiece arranged between the running wheels and the outer contour of the crosspiece having a cylindrical or other geometrically uniform shape, and comprising at least one supporting means arranged on at least one of the two fork arms and intended to support the caster when its running wheels are located in the grooves—separated by bridge pieces—of the conveyor belt of a travelator, wherein, measured from the floor, the lowermost boundary of the crosspiece of the hub is arranged higher than the contact surface of the at least one supporting means.

Abstract: A castored base (18) for an office chair includes a plurality of radially extending legs (300), each leg having a socket or sleeve (308) fixed thereto adjacent an outer end thereof. A castor (302/402) is connected to each socket or sleeve (308), each castor having two wheel portions (312/412) and an axle assembly (316/404). The axle assembly includes an axle (314/414) to which the two wheel portions are rotatably mounted in spaced disposition and including a pin (318/418), wherein the pin (318/418) of each castor is received in a respective socket or sleeve (308) which extends at least in part between the two wheel portions (312/412). Only a small clearance is required between the underside of the legs (300) and the tops of the castors (302/402). Further, low profile legs (300) may be used in the base (18), while still providing the required strength and stability.

Abstract: A portable terminal machine which controls the execution of a downloaded program depending on a usage time limit when a sub program downloaded from a video game machine is stored in the storage device, the time of communication with the video game machine obtained from the clock is recorded in the sub program as a time stamp. At the time of the startup of the sub program, the portable terminal machine calculates the usage time limit based on the time of communication and compares this usage time limit against the current time obtained from the clock and stops the startup of the sub program if the usage time limit has been exceeded.

Abstract: The present invention is for a device for mounting of wheels so that they may move in a preferably vertical direction at right angle to the wheel shaft. The invention is also standing board for prams having such wheel mounting. At its from end the standing board has a mounting means by which the standing board is pivotably mounted to the rear axle of a pram the main direction of movement of which is shown by arrow. The turning shaft of the wheel is mounted in a movable sleeve the movements of which are controlled both by a brushing which surrounds the sleeve and by a tube which is partially inserted into a groove in the sleeve. A spring is placed into the groove in the sleeve so that the spring contacts both the bottom of the groove and the end of the tube which penetrates the grove.

Abstract: A hub and wheel assembly enabling the moving direction of wheels of a vehicle to be adjusted instantly as the exerted pushing force changes direction comprises a wheel mount having wheels mounted thereon, and a swivel base assembly mounted on stroller leg. Wheel mount may quickly assemble with and detach from swivel base assembly. A protrusion of wheel mount, inserted into swivel base assembly, includes a circumferential groove having a cavity provided therein such that a spring-biased locking member may releasably engage with cavity for setting movement of wheels in a linear direction. Further, as a deflecting force is applied on the stroller locking member disengages with cavity for allowing wheels to move to left or right. Once the force is released, locking member will instantly return to its normal position to engage with cavity.

Abstract: A caster with a stem extending upwards from a base and defining a stem axis and wherein the stem has a hole having a circumference defined by an internal threading for fastening to a correspondingly externally threaded fastener; a bearing for interconnecting said base and said stem such that said base is free to rotate about said stem axis; wherein at least a part of the external surface of the upper end of said stem has a shape that inhibits rotation of the stem when inserted into a correspondingly shaped bore hole, wherein said shape is defined by a curved surface or planar surface or a combination thereof; and wherein the curve or planar surface does not intersect the circumference defined by the internal threading.

Abstract: A caster with a stem generally cylindrical over most of its external circumference, but provided with at least one flat face cut through the cylinder external circumference so as to provide the cylinder with a slight "D" shaped cross section. The stem is designed to seat in a corresponding "D" shaped bore hole of a mobile platform, the shapes cooperating to secure the stem against rotation. The stem is internally threaded, and can fit into either cylindrical or "D" shaped bore holes.

Abstract: A wheel assembly for the tubular end of the horizontal member of an inverted T-shaped table leg comprises a cylindrical housing which plugs into the tubular end. A recess in the housing opens through its cylindrical wall at an opening which subtends an angle of less than 180.degree.. A wheel is mounted within the recess on an axle pin which is parallel to, and displaced from, the longitudinal axis of the housing.

Abstract: A wheel adapter that can be slipped onto the legs of equipment and shelving, such that the equipment and shelving can be rolled into a different location. The adapter comprises a wheel which is attached to a socket that has an inner socket cavity. A secondary adapter is coupled to the socket. The secondary adapter has an opening that allows the leg to be inserted into the socket cavity and secured to the wheel adapter. There are typically a plurality of different size secondary adapters. The opening for each secondary adapter is one of a number of different sizes and shapes that correspond to the size and shape of the leg. The secondary adapter may be easily replaced by another adapter so that the overall assembly can be used with different legs. The wheel can be of the caster variety to allow the equipment and shelving to be moved in any direction.

Abstract: A caster wheel mounting mechanism having a shaft member to which the caster wheel is coupled, the shaft member having a generally circular cross section with a flatted portion, a mounting member having an opening within which the shaft member is pivotally received, and a compression spring for biasing an abutment member or ball into abutment with the shaft such that the caster wheel is biased to a predetermined position when the abutment member abuts the flatted portion of the shaft member.

Abstract: According to the present invention, in an automotive air conditioner system, a link mechanism is provided by using a cool air passage provided in parallel with a warm air passage and a cool air/heated air mixing chamber provided at a downstream side of the warm air passage and the cool air passage. The clearance between a sliding door and a cooler can be set to a minimum distance as required. Further, it is not necessary to ensure a space for installing the link mechanism outside the case of the air conditioner. As a result, the size of the air conditioning unit including the sliding door can be effectively reduced.

Abstract: A mounting assembly of a gauge wheel for an implement, such as an agricultural crop harvesting header, the mounting assembly including a king pin member rotatably mounted in a king pin bushing housing and having a wheel spindle projecting substantially horizontally from one side of a king pin shaft for rotatably mounting the gauge wheel. The rotational axis of the king pin shaft is tilted rearwardly and upwardly relative to the vertical and sideways and upwardly relative to the vertical in a direction opposite to the side of the projecting wheel spindle. Accordingly, when the gauge wheel enters a caster turn in a direction corresponding to the direction of projection of the wheel spindle the axis of the wheel spindle swings from a substantially transverse direction in relation to the straight ahead travel direction towards a rearwardly and downwardly inclined orientation.

Abstract: A swivel wheel assembly which is easy to assemble and convenient for use includes a tube plug inserted into a tube leg, a pivot pin inserted into the tube plug and a rotary member rotatably secured on the pin. The rotary member supports a shaft and pair of wheels. By using a hard material for the pin, a softer material for the rotary member and a still softer material for the tube plug, friction is reduced. The plug, pin and rotary member are assembled without the use of fasteners. The rotary member includes a resilient flexible member with a key received in a circumferential groove of the pivot pin.

Abstract: A front wheel assembly for a stroller includes a frame attaching member and a wheel attaching member. The frame attaching member includes a sleeve adapted to be securely attached to a front leg of a stroller and defining a through hole with upper and lower ends. A pair of diametrically opposed flexible tongues are formed on the upper end of the through hole with their distal ends radially extending over the through hole. The wheel attaching member includes a wheel seat adapted to mount a pair of front wheels of the stroller and a snapping member projecting upwardly from the wheel seat for releasably engaging with the flexible tongues. A number of flanges are formed around an outer periphery of the snapping member and are in rotational contact with the inner periphery of the through hole.

Abstract: A grommet for automatic insertion into a mounting hole in a panel by a robot including a head portion 1 having a longitudinal bore for receiving a screw through its center, a bottom portion 3 including a stepped portion 7 elastically engaging the robot arm located within the longitudinal bore; and locking claws 4 attached to the grommet which reflect during insertion of the grommet into the mounting hole and then spring snap into engagement when the locking claws 4 clear the mounting hole, such that the force required to disengage the robot arm 5 from the stepped portion 7 is less than the force required to extract the grommet from the panel, which enables the robot to easily determine whether or not the grommet is accurately inserted into the mounting hole.

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 expander device for anchoring in a hole to secure a castor to a part which forms the hole, comprises a conical expander engaged in a sleeve having a conical interior. The expander and the sleeve are mouldings of reinforced plastics material. The expander is screwed onto a coaxial bolt with a 3-start thread. The sleeve is axially slotted from either end, the slots from one end being angularly spaced from one another by 90.degree. as are the other slots with which they are assymetrical so that alternate major and minor sleeve portions are formed between adjacent slots. Deformation takes place predominantly in the minor portions as the sleeve is expanded by axial movement of the conical expander into the internal taper of the sleeve which is caused by rotation of the bolt.

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 wheel bracket assembly includes two separate, platelike bracket parts which each have a noncircular opening therein and are disposed on opposite sides of a wheel in angular alignment. The ends of the axle for the wheel extend through the noncircular openings and the bracket parts are fixed against axial and rotational movement with respect to the axle. A method of making the wheel bracket assembly includes the steps of stamping out from at least one metal plate the two bracket parts which are substantially mirror images of each other and have the noncircular opening therethrough, placing the bracket parts in angular alignment on opposite sides of the wheel so that the ends of the axle extend through the noncircular openings, and upsetting each end of the axle to retain the bracket parts in place and so that the material of the axle flows to fill the noncircular openings in the bracket parts and thereby prevent relative rotation of the bracket parts.

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: This invention relates to a socket for mounting casters and which preferably is of integral construction, made from a flat blank and formed to provide an upstanding tubular socket of opposed semi-circular sections, tapered adjacent their upper portion and partially overlapping at the top end of the tube, with spurs projecting outwardly thereof intermediate the height of the tube and having a bottom flange including upstanding teeth having wedge shaped top edges.

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 leg assembly for a bed frame comprising a main body member having an upright passageway and a caster unit having a stem insertable into the passageway by moving it upwardly therein. Flexible tab members on the body member project into the passageway and into a recess formed in the stem when the stem is inserted into the passageway to a predetermined position to inhibit retraction of the stem from the passageway.

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 caster for furniture and the like has a ground-engaging rolling member, an upright mounting fork which rotatably mounts the rolling member and a support element which projects upwardly from the mounting fork and is formed with an upright passage. A mounting arrangement mounts the fork on the support element so that the fork can turn about an upright axis, and a pin is longitudinally shiftable in the passage of the support element between a plurality of positions. An arresting arrangement serves to arrest the fork against turning about the upright axis, and includes a first set of teeth provided on the support element and a second set of teeth provided on the pin. These teeth extend parallel to the upright axis and are engageable with one another in dependence upon the position of the pin in the passage to prevent turning of the fork about the upright axis when they are in such engagement.

Abstract: A sleeve for a caster, insertable into a cavity or hole in a furniture leg; the sleeve is generally tubular with a closed upper end and an open lower end; the sleeve is slotted longitudinally, forming diametrically opposed legs which are flexible toward and from each other; the legs have upper and lower prongs, the upper ones projecting upwardly and the lower ones projecting downwardly, both biting into the surface of the cavity and aiding in normally retaining the sleeve in the cavity; the upper prongs also releasably retain the caster stem in the sleeve; it also has transverse slots at the closed upper end communicating with the longitudinal slots.

Abstract: A caster socket for articles of furniture for mounting in a receiving slot in the article so that face and back flanges enclose the slot and locate a body which receives the caster swivel post and the back flange has a portion with indexing means to positively locate a stapling gun for driving staples through the back flange to retain the caster socket in operative position.