Abstract: A secondary sealing device is for a wheel bearing assembly including a fixed inner axle with an outer circumferential surface and a bearing inner race, an outer hub rotatable about the inner axle and having an inner circumferential surface and a bearing outer race, rolling elements disposed between the inner and outer races, and a primary seal(s) connected with the inner axle and sealingly engaged with the outer hub. The secondary sealing device includes a rigid annular body having an inner radial end coupled with the inner axle and an outer radial end spaced radially inwardly from the inner circumferential surface of the outer hub so as to define an annular gap between the body and the outer ring. The body is located between the primary seal and an axial end of the hub so as to provide a barrier configured to prevent contaminants from contacting the primary seal.

Abstract: A truck assembly for roller skates or a skateboard including a base portion configured to be secured to an underside of a roller skate or skate board, an axle housing for receiving an axle, an axle, at least a first and second pins, at least a first bushing, wherein the axle is housed within the axle housing and the first bushing and the axle is captivity held within the axle housing and the at least a first and second pins are in engagement of the at least two pins with the axle.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a caster includes the step of integrally forming a caster horn having a web portion with a bearing cup and a pair of opposed leg portions. The web portion and the leg portion define a U-shaped, wheel-accomodating space. The bearing cup is disposed on a surface of the web portion opposite from the U-shaped wheel-accommodating space. A first end of a stem is then pressed into a bearing assembly such that the stem is vertically rotatable with respect to the caster horn. The bearing assembly is seated in the bearing cup. The bearing assembly may be secured to the bearing cup by means of a retainer and a plurality of fasteners. The fasteners engage the caster horn, covering the bearing cup while allowing access to a second end of the stem. A wheel is rotatably supported within the U-shaped wheel-accommodating space.

Abstract: An improved swivel yoke assembly for use on shopping carts. The yoke assembly is of the type having a steel yolk with forks which support a wheel. The yolk is permitted to swivel because it is supported between an upper and a lower set of ball bearings. The improvement comprises a polymeric bearing race below the upper set of ball bearings and a second polymeric bearing race above the lower set of ball bearings. The upper ball bearing race has a compound curve. The metal bearing races do not have to be heat treated and, thus, can be more accurately dimensioned. The assembly is better able to withstand the loss of lubricant in shopping cart washing operations.

Abstract: An improved wheel attachment mechanism for securing wheels to a child vehicle, such as a stroller or a carriage. The mechanism comprises a leg attachment member which is removably securable to a leg of the vehicle. An intermediate housing is removably secured to the leg attachment member and has a support surface for mating frictional engagement with an abutment wall of the leg attachment member to form a swivel joint to permit swivelling of the leg attachment member about a swivel post. The swivel joint is protected by an inverted cup member. A wheel axle housing is also removably secured to a suspension portion of the intermediate housing whereby the entire attachment mechanism may be dimantled by removable fasteners for servicing or repair of the wheel attachment mechanism.

Abstract: A caster wheel assembly for replacing a tire on a wheel member having a hub portion, a web portion extending radially outwardly from the hub portion, and a first laterally extending rim portion. A circular member including a web portion removably fastened to the web portion of the wheel member and a second rim portion extending laterally and projecting oppositely relative to the first rim portion, the rims together having a V-shaped tire support surface when viewed in cross section. The tire includes a ring member having an outer and inner surface and a resilient member adhered to the outer surface. The inner surface is V-shaped when viewed in cross section. A fastening mechanism fastens the circular member to the wheel member to clamp and deform the outer surface of the ring in a friction fit against the tire support surface.

Abstract: Caster wheel mount apparatus is disclosed, which comprises load carrying bearings and swivel bearings, each set of bearings is contained in its own race, and the bearings are protected from contamination by a skirt on the outer periphery of the load carrying bearings, and drainage of the races of the bearings is has should contaminants such as water or steam enter the bearing mount races. A suitable grease fitting is mounted on the load bearing race for lubrication as needed.

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.

Abstract: A swivel caster of the type having an inverted U-shaped horn member with a cup-shaped upper portion that rotatably receives a swivel plate adapted for connection to the underside of the supported article. A thrust bearing is provided including an annular array of ball bearings that are seated in adjacent semi-toroidal recesses in the bottom of the swivel plate and the top of the horn member. The area around the ball bearings is sealed by an integral plastic seal and lubrication ring that has an upper frusto-toroidal surface engaging and sealing the swivel plate and a lower frusto-toroidal surface engaging and sealing the horn member. The ring has an integral outwardly extending cylindrical projection that defines a lubrication fitting with a small radial bore extending therethrough and communicating with the interior of the ring to supply lubricant from a source to the bearing.

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.