Antifrictionally Swivelled Patents (Class 16/48)
  • Patent number: 12022989
    Abstract: A nozzle having castellations provides high suction pressure while also allowing for large pieces of debris to pass through inlet openings. In more detail, a nozzle for a surface treatment/cleaning apparatus is disclosed herein. The nozzle provides a suction channel through which debris passes into a main body of the surface treatment apparatus. Castellations are provided along a leading edge of the nozzle to allow debris to pass through the leading edge to the suction channel, and into the main body during, for instance, forward and reverse strokes of the surface treatment apparatus. In an embodiment, the castellations further include receptacles/cavities to receive and securely hold wheels therein. The wheels may extend from the nozzle at a predefined angle, also referred to herein as a camber angle, to improve vacuum handling and reduce noise during operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: SharkNinja Operating LLC
    Inventors: Daniel R. Der Marderosian, Nathan Herrmann, Max P. Lacoma, Devan Schappler, Adam Udy, Donald Williams, Hanzon R. Hunt
  • Patent number: 11986723
    Abstract: A brake assembly for a longboard can include an anchor member coupled to a rear hanger member of a longboard, a brake lever member coupled to a brake pad, and a pedal assembly coupled to the brake lever member via at least one cable. The brake lever member can be pivotably coupled to the anchor member and movable between an applied position wherein the brake pad contacts a wheel of the longboard and an unapplied position. The pedal assembly can selectively move the brake lever between the applied position and the unapplied position when actuated by a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: The Brake Boys, LLC
    Inventor: Jesse Andres
  • Patent number: 10377176
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Inventor: Philip Aubin
  • Patent number: 9950564
    Abstract: An articulating carriage for moving an object across a surface having a non-planar obstruction to allow movement of the object over the obstruction. The articulating carriage has a walking beam assembly that pivotally supports a pedestal to dispose a support surface thereof above the walking beam assembly. The walking beam assembly has a base plate, wheeled casters and a pair of spaced apart hangers having articulation openings. The walking beam pivots relative to the pedestal. In one embodiment, the pedestal is pivotally mounted on the walking beam assembly. In another embodiment, a pair of walking beam assemblies are connected with a crosstube that pivotally supports the pedestal. In another embodiment, a major crosstube assembly connects a pair of crosstubes to define a carriage having four walking beams. In yet another embodiment, a compound crosstube assembly connects pairs of major crosstube assemblies to define a carriage having eight walking beams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Inventor: Douglas G. Willis
  • Patent number: 9527347
    Abstract: A caster wheel braking system for braking rotation of a caster wheel includes a caster having a caster plate, a horn base coupled with the caster plate and rotatable about a vertical axis, a pair of legs extending downwardly from the horn base, and at least one caster wheel coupled with the pair of legs and rotatable about a horizontal axis defined by a wheel axle. A mounting plate is spaced from the caster by a spacer. A movable plunger is disposed between the caster plate and the mounting plate and is horizontally movable through a slot provided in the spacer. A brake shoe is vertically movable by the movable plunger between a non-braking position in which the at least one caster wheel is permitted to rotate and a braking position in which the brake shoe exerts a braking force on the at least one caster wheel to at least partially hinder rotation of the at least one caster wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Hamilton Caster & Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Yefim Spektor
  • Patent number: 9168785
    Abstract: A caster wheel braking system for braking rotation of a caster wheel includes a caster having a caster plate, a horn base coupled with the caster plate and rotatable about a vertical axis, a pair of legs extending downwardly from the horn base, and at least one caster wheel coupled with the pair of legs and rotatable about a horizontal axis defined by a wheel axle. A mounting plate is spaced from the caster by a spacer. A movable plunger is disposed between the caster plate and the mounting plate and is horizontally movable through a slot provided in the spacer. A brake shoe is vertically movable by the movable plunger between a non-braking position in which the at least one caster wheel is permitted to rotate and a braking position in which the brake shoe exerts a braking force on the at least one caster wheel to at least partially hinder rotation of the at least one caster wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Hamilton Caster & Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Yefim Spektor
  • Patent number: 9114667
    Abstract: A tank wheel includes a main body, rollers and an object supporting member. The main body includes a containing groove concavely formed at the main body and having an opening facing downward, and a rail installed at the top of the main body. The rollers, parallel to one another, are axially coupled into the containing groove of the main body and slightly protruded out from the opening of the containing groove. The object supporting member includes a rail corresponding seat and an object support platform. The rail corresponding seat is movably installed in the rail of the main body, and the top of the rail corresponding seat has an assembling part, and the bottom of the object support platform has a hemispherical base corresponding to the assembling part, the object support platform can be disposed on the rail corresponding seat, and the object support platform can be tilted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Inventor: Chung-Yi Yang
  • Patent number: 8914944
    Abstract: A handcart caster is provided with a bracket and a rolling wheel component disposed on a lower end of the bracket; a radial directional convex part disposed on an upper part of the bracket; a rolling bearing disposed in a cavity of the radial directional convex part, the rolling bearing including an outer ring of a bearing, an inner ring of the bearing, a plurality of steel balls disposed between the outer ring of the bearing and the inner ring of the bearing, and two-layer grooves disposed on surfaces of the outer ring of the bearing and the inner ring of the bearing facing each other wherein the steel balls are disposed in the two-layer grooves, the cage is disposed outside of the steel balls; and convex ridges for fixing the outer ring of the bearing disposed on an inner wall of the radial directional convex part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Cixi Chuangli Bearing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Bo Sun
  • Patent number: 8387209
    Abstract: A caster assembly has a dual pivot assembly in the caster mounting that is laterally offset, whereby the caster wheels may not only pivot about a wheel pivot axis that extends through the plane of the caster wheel, but also revolve orbitally about a mounting pivot axis that is laterally offset from and parallel to the wheel axis. A transfer plate supports a pair of bearing assemblies, one of them securing a mounting post secured to the bottom of an object. The other bearing assembly supports a cylindrical head post that extends to a clevis-like bracket that supports a caster wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Inventor: Philip A. Aubin
  • Patent number: 8302257
    Abstract: A double-pedal double-wheel truckle with independent braking and releasing functions is a truckle for a precision instrument and comprises a body, a rotating & locking device, a truckle body device, a braking device and a bottom cover body. The body is provided for disposing a rotating & locking device, a truckle body device, a braking device and a bottom cover body. With the independent braking and releasing functions of the braking device of the body, the user can easily operate and stably block the rotating & locking device and the truckle body device. The bottom cover body is provided for preventing foreign matters from entering the truckle body device, so that the truckle can be locked from rotation. By such arrangements, it can achieve the objectives, such as easy operation, easy to distinguish braking state, stable braking, reducing noises, strengthening structure and safe usage, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Catis Pacific Mfg. Corp. Ltd.
    Inventor: Qing-Song Lin
  • Publication number: 20110296649
    Abstract: A caster has a ring-shaped main body, two ring-shaped wheels provided on both side end parts of the main body and two ring-shaped holders by which the two ring-shaped wheels are rotatably fitted on the main body. Each of the wheels has a first sliding face on an inner side of an inner circumferential part and a second sliding face on an outer side thereof. A first dry bearing is provided between an outer circumferential face of a ring-shaped flange provided on each of the both side end parts of the main body and the first sliding face, a second dry bearing is provided between an outer circumferential face of a ring-shaped flange provided on an outer end part of each of the holders and the second sliding face. The caster provides a high mechanical stability, durability, impact resistance and heat resistance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2011
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: HAMMER CASTER CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Mitsunobu HOZUMI, Ryo SHIMIZU
  • Patent number: 6880203
    Abstract: An independently rotating, split tread wheel assembly includes a pair of disks each having an outer tread formed of rubber or polyurethane compounds and supported on the periphery thereof. Each disk includes a central opening that receives a ball bearing assembly. A pair of hub inserts have central annular surfaces in adjacent relationship. A cylindrical spacer extends about the central annular surfaces and supports the inner races of the bearing assemblies so that the two disks turn independently about the hub inserts on their respective bearing assemblies. A pair of spaced apart caster bracket arms straddle the wheel assembly and impinge on the opposed outer surfaces of the hub inserts. An axle extends through aligned holes in the arms and through central bores in the hub inserts, and is secured thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Aubin Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Philip A. Aubin
  • Publication number: 20040194252
    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: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2003
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventor: Mark C. Sorensen
  • Patent number: 6698060
    Abstract: A caster structure comprises a small wheel, a mounting plate, a roller bearing, a wheel frame, and a locating member. The wheel is fastened pivotally with the wheel frame which is fastened with the underside of the mounting plate by the locating member in conjunction with the roller bearing. The locating member is provided with a plurality of rollers. The rollers of the locating member and the rollers of the roller bearing move to reduce friction at such time when the wheel is turned in a direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Hando Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yu Wen Lee
  • Patent number: 6604258
    Abstract: A cargo handling system for a narrow body freighter aircraft employs caster rollers. The cargo handling system includes a horizontal panel disposed along a deck surface of the aircraft, and a plurality of caster rollers having a narrow body roller plane height. Each caster roller includes a roller bearing assembly for providing horizontal movement to a load along an axis of motion. A thrust bearing assembly aligns the roller bearing assembly with the axis of motion. A roller bearing support structure suspends the roller bearing assembly at an offset position at the narrow body roller plane height. The thrust bearing assembly includes a plurality of radially positioned needle bearings, and the roller bearing assembly uses roller bearings having a torus-like structure. The bearing assemblies are made of stainless steel to resist foreign object damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Rosario S. Saggio, Karlton Kazumi Okamoto, Frank James Caldwell, Jr., Behrooz Afghani, James Gabauer
  • Patent number: 6550101
    Abstract: A caster system wherein a constant force is applied to the caster for load support purposes. A plurality of casters are interconnected by a fluid conduit system and each caster includes an expansible chamber motor for adjusting the vertical position of the caster. A fluid pressurizing unit communicates with the conduits and an adjustable force compression spring selectively varies the biasing force on the piston to adjust the equal force imposed upon each caster wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Ross Design & Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Jack R. Plate
  • Publication number: 20030037410
    Abstract: Problems in a conventional wheel of a traveling structure are solved, which in a traveling toy, the lateral movement cannot be performed reducing a game fascinating aspect and it is difficult to differentiate the toy from other traveling toys, and when a field is furrowed with a cultivator, upon completion of the furrowing at the field end, the cultivator has to be revolved at the field end to form the next furrow, so that an additional field area is required or when the additional area is not available, a field portion is generated where the furrow cannot be formed. A wheel for a traveling structure comprises an auxiliary-wheel carrier that rotates when the traveling structure proceeds straight and revolves, and a plurality of auxiliary wheels attached to the auxiliary-wheel carrier rotatably in a direction perpendicular to the rotational direction of the auxiliary-wheel carrier, part of the auxiliary wheels being exposed from the external peripheral surface of the auxiliary-wheel carrier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2002
    Publication date: February 27, 2003
    Inventors: Shinji Yamaguchi, Shinichi Asai
  • Publication number: 20030028997
    Abstract: A caster system wherein a constant force is applied to the caster for load support purposes. A plurality of casters are interconnected by a fluid conduit system and each caster includes an expansible chamber motor for adjusting the vertical position of the caster. A fluid pressurizing unit communicates with the conduits and an adjustable force compression spring selectively varies the biasing force on the piston to adjust the equal force imposed upon each caster wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2001
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Inventor: Jack R. Plate
  • Patent number: 6431566
    Abstract: The invention herein relating to a safety driving equipment for a toddler's scooter is mainly comprised of a driving triangular base with a long extended wheel arm at the end opposite to the driving wheels. A universal auxiliary wheel is mounted at the end of the wheel arm and a shaft level disposed between the auxiliary wheel and the middle of the driving wheels forms a center point. The auxiliary wheel can efficiently provide the increased safety area while the scooter in wobbling mainly to maintain the force center shifting within the safety area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Inventor: Hong-Jiun Gu
  • Publication number: 20020004968
    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: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2001
    Publication date: January 17, 2002
    Inventor: Tsung Han Yeh
  • Patent number: 5274879
    Abstract: A two-wheel furniture caster has a body, a shaft projecting horizontally through the body along a shaft axis and having opposite ends projecting axially oppositely from the body, respective wheels rotatable on the ends of the shaft and having outer tread parts axially delimiting a space wholly containing the body and an upright pivot pin having a lower end projecting into the body offset from the shaft axis along a pivot axis. Bearings generally level with and closely juxtaposed with the shaft axis in the body supporting the pivot pin in the body for rotation therein about the pivot axis. A shield ring generally centered on the shaft axis wholly surrounds the body radially relative to the shaft axis, has axially opposite end edges closely juxtaposed with the respective wheels, and is formed with a hole traversed by the pivot pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 4, 1994
    Inventor: Berthold Haussels
  • Patent number: 5103530
    Abstract: A hub and wheel assembly for light load vehicle including baby carriages, infant strollers, wheelchairs and the like, the assembly having tandem wheels and a shock absorbing member in a trailing link suspension configuration. The assembly includes a wheel locking mechanism to lock one or both wheels into a secured position preventing the wheels from rolling about the axle. The wheel assembly incorporating a thrust bearing system to provide smooth and controlled swiveling relative to the vehicle body or frame and eliminates creeping and wobble. A swivel lock mechanism is also provided to allow the user to lock the tandem wheel assembly in a angular position relative to the vehicle body thereby preventing swiveling about the longitudinal axis of the swivel base housing. Each wheel is mounted to the axle in tandem using two low friction bearings and having a low-profile tire mounted to a rim with a reflective area for increasing safety in low elimination environments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1992
    Assignee: Century Products Company
    Inventors: John J. Andrisin, III, Thomas Wiatrak, C. William Lauro
  • Patent number: 5097565
    Abstract: A caster bearing assembly attachable to a surface for facilitating the movement of a body along a roller plane located above the surface. The caster bearing assembly (10) includes a base part (16) mounted to the surface, a top part (18), bearings (20), and a roller assembly (22). The bearings fit within a bearing raceway (24) formed by an outer race (42) in the base part and an inner race (56) in the top part, thereby allowing the top part to fully and freely move relative to the base part. The bearings are inserted into the bearing raceway through an opening (58) extending from an exposed surface (54) of the top part to the bearing raceway. The opening is then sealed with a plug (60) having an inner surface (62) substantially matching the inner race at which the opening terminates. The roller assembly is fixedly attached to the top part so that the orientation of its rollers (26) may be varied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1992
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Thomas H. Shorey
  • Patent number: 4779304
    Abstract: A caster, for example for mounting the wheels of a baby carriage has a fixed bracket (14), a rotary yoke (15) rotatably supported by the fixed bracket (14), and a wheel (17) rotatably supported by the rotary yoke (15) with the aid of an axle (16). The rotary yoke (15) is formed an elongated opening (29) which extends horizontally at right angles to the axle (16). The axle (16) is held in the elongated opening (29) and is horizontally movable in the elongaged opening (29) under the influence of a guide opening or slot in an axle guide which intersects with the elongated opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1988
    Assignee: Aprica Kassai Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kenzou Kassai
  • Patent number: 4765021
    Abstract: A heavy duty caster for use on machines, heavy conveyances and the like has a plate the underside of which has a circular socket for a disc-shaped first thrust bearing element which is rotatably held in the socket against appreciable axial movement by a ring-shaped second bearing element bolted to the support. The first bearing element is integral with a downwardly extending shank which is bolted to the web of the inverted U-shaped frame for the wheel or wheels of the caster. A sealing ring is interposed between the ring-shaped bearing and the shank, and the support has a lubricant-admitting hole which communicates with the socket and is normally sealed by a plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1988
    Assignee: Albert Schulte Sohne GmbH. & Co.
    Inventors: Dieter Mellwig, Wilfried Kurbjuhn
  • Patent number: 4726596
    Abstract: An improved shopping cart having a pivoted platform mounting a pair of spaced caster assemblies. The platform has a pivot to permit each caster assembly to pivot independent of the other assembly to substantially continuously engage a supporting surface to thereby avoid the "three-wheel" cart problems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1988
    Assignee: Whittar Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Harrold J. Ulmer
  • Patent number: 4669146
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1987
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Company, Limited
    Inventors: Shintaro Saito, Genji Ohkuma
  • Patent number: 4624028
    Abstract: A rolling support system has a pair of wheels mounted for rotation about a first axis with bearings that have a first resistance to rotation of the wheels. A stem assembly includes a portion to which the first axis is attached and further includes a thrust bearing having a second resistance to rotation. The second resistance to rotation being lower than the first resistance to rotation so that during movement of the system, the first resistance to rotation is effective to move the wheels into alignment with the direction of travel. To reduce noise as well as to reduce potential damage to an underlying surface, the periphery of each wheel may include a tire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1986
    Assignee: Vern Heinrichs
    Inventor: Donald F. Wilkes
  • Patent number: 4457045
    Abstract: A swivel castor comprises a pair of wheels (17) inclined inwardly to the upstanding swivel axis (11), such that the bottom of the wheels are spaced apart further than the tops. The swivel axis is offset forwardly of the wheel rotational axes. The arrangement gives improved support capacity and swivellability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 3, 1984
    Inventor: Jack P. Kegg
  • Patent number: 3967342
    Abstract: Tandem wheels mounted on a common axle are connected to a movable vehicle such as a baby carriage, stroller, wheelchair or the like in a configuration which permits maximum stability and freedom of motion. The axis of the wheels is pivotally attached and offset in trailing relation to and on opposite sides of the mounting spindle with an intermediary shock cushioning arrangement. The spindle has a common shaft with a lower section arranged to provide an interfacing shoulder to a rotatably mounted upper section. The upper section includes means for attachment to the vehicle frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1975
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1976
    Assignee: Gerico, Inc.
    Inventor: Albert W. Gebhard