Abstract: Desirable casters can be formed by using two separate, interfitting housing members to create the yoke of a caster. As these housing members are assembled they come together so as to hold the wheel of the caster generally between arms of the yoke (which are formed on the housing members) and so as to hold a shaft used in mounting the caster. Fasteners are provided so as to hold the housing members together in an operative configuration.

Abstract: The lightweight caster assembly, when used on aircraft food and drink-dispensing push carts and other aircraft furniture, in place of conventional caster assemblies, reduces the overall weight of the aircraft furniture, thus resulting in a considerable fuel saving. Moreover, the caster assembly is inexpensive to make and install and is durable. It includes a caster wheel of lightweight metal or plastic and a generally inverted U-shaped support bracket or yoke. The wheel has transverse cut-out portions as well as transverse passageways through which metal or plastic reinforcing rods are inserted. The wheel axle passageway is lined with removable lightweight metal or plastic reinforcing and aligning sleeves. A lightweight metallic braking plate with a notched outer periphery may be releasably secured to one side of the wheel, against which a braking mechanism connected to a push cart can releasably bear to brake and stop the wheel from turning and to lock the wheel in the stationary position.

Abstract: A roller disc assembly is provided comprising a stationary disc platform beneath which is rotatably mounted a disc wheel, said wheel having at least partially a flat bottom surface. A ball bearing ring is sandwiched between said disc platform and wheel, the combination held together by a bolt fitted through a tubular channel bored perpendicular to the roller disc assembly. Furthermore, a skate is provided comprising a foot supporting member and the roller disc assembly. In a preferred embodiment, the skate is additionally fitted with a ball bearing caster mounted beneath the toe area of the foot supporting member.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for attaching the wheels of a dual wheel caster to its axle with annular plastic bushings ultrasonically welded to the wheels that have three integral curved spring fingers that snap into annular recesses in the axle as the wheels are pushed onto the axle.

Abstract: A castor comprises separately formed plastics fork halves 53 and 54 with inwardly extending bosses 76 and 77 formed for detachable bayonet interconnection and providing a hub for the castor wheel 50. The upper parts of the fork halves define with the upper and lower ball races 58 and 67 and securing cap 55 inner end outer ball bearing tracks for the swivelling movement of the castor.

Abstract: A wheel assembly including an annular rim with an outer bearing race formed on the inner periphery thereof. Cylindrical rollers are in rolling engagement with the outer bearing race and with an inner bearing race formed on a central sleevelike shaft which telescopes onto a support axle. The rollers are rotatably supported on axles which are rotatably supported on and extend between a pair of retainers. These retainers are freely rotatable relative to the rim and central shaft. The rim has one end cap fixed thereto for closing one end of the roller region, and a removable end cap is seated on the rim adjacent the other end of this region. The retainers have ramp cams between the axle-receiving grooves to facilitate installing and positioning of the axles on the retainers.

Abstract: A freely rotatable wheel assembly including a one-piece freely-rotatable annular rim having a central opening therethrough. The rim is of a hard low-friction material and has an inner surface which surrounds the opening for defining an outer bearing race. A bearing positioned within the central opening creates a low-friction rolling engagement between the rim and a shaft which is coaxially positionable in the opening. The bearing includes cylindrical rollers constructed of hard low-friction nonmetallic material. The rollers are uniformly angularly spaced around the rotational axis so that the roller axes define a circular locus about the rotational axis. The rollers are individually disposed in direct rolling engagement with the outer bearing race and with an inner bearing race defined by the shaft. A pair of annular retainers are disposed concentrically with the central opening adjacent the opposite ends thereof so that the rollers are disposed axially therebetween.

Abstract: A wheel construction for a wheel primarily used in casters produced under high production conditions. The wheel has an axially extending hole therethrough which is lined with a moldable synthetic resin liner which is mechanically secured to the internal surface of the hole. The liner has axially spaced bearing race receiving structure at opposite ends thereof. An axle is received in the hole and bearings are positioned between the axle and the bearing race receiving structure on the liner to provide for a relative rotation between the axle and the wheel.

Abstract: A roller assembly useful as a self-aligning caster for recessed mounting in a support plate or tray such as those used in aircraft cargo loading systems. The assembly includes a sub-assembly of a cup housing having an upper, outer-annular flange with a roller support mounted therein on an annular bearing. The sub-assembly is secured by a single screw fastener that extends through a central aperture in the bottom wall of the housing and engages a ring retainer. The roller support has massive, upright standards which are spaced apart by the width of the roller and which have opposed slots in their upper faces to receive the support shaft of the roller. The roller and support shaft are received in the support base and are retained therein by a cover plate that has a radial slot to surround the roller and that overlies the roller shaft notches of the upright standards.

Abstract: Bearing assembly for a wheel primarily for use in casters produced under high production conditions. The bearing is characterized by the provision of a solid shaft with staked ends in association with a resilient seal all arranged for producing a bearing capable of inexpensive manufacture under high production conditions, but also a bearing having close tolerances and thereby capable of long and accurate operation.

Abstract: Bearing assembly for a wheel primarily for use in casters produced under high production conditions. The bearing is characterized by the provision of a solid shaft with staked ends in association with a resilient seal all arranged for producing a bearing capable of inexpensive manufacture under high production conditions, but also a bearing having close tolerances and thereby capable of long and accurate operation.