The present disclosure relates to a multi-purpose caster and method of using same, and more particularly, a multi-purpose caster that is secured to an object to be moved that includes a plurality of selectable surfaces that can be adjusted to the selectable surface that would allow for movement of the object across differing types of surfaces or flooring with the least amount of force being applied to the object.
Objects such as furniture or chairs typically employ conventional casters adapted to a base or legs extending from the objects. Conventional casters are typically in contact with the floor and facilitate movement of the object across the floor's surface by reducing the friction between the floor and the object.
Conventional casters also facilitate a reduction in the surface wear as the furniture is moved about the floor. This is especially apparent in chairs that are frequently moved in and out about the floor from a table or desk. The bottoms of the feet of the chairs are prone to scratch and wear the floor over time, causing unsightly marks and form wear patterns, especially on wooden floors.
One conventional type of caster comprises either a sphere or disc wheels that swivel on an axle as the object moves across the floor. The axles are typically supported by a central post received in each leg of the object. The construction of a conventional caster and method of attachment into a leg of an object or chair is further shown in
One example embodiment of the present disclosure includes a multi-purpose caster having a yoke arrangement with a body supporting a first portion of a spindle. The spindle further comprises a second portion projecting away from the body for insertion into an object during use. The yoke arrangement also includes spaced first and second arms forming a well therebetween. The arms secure an axle that passes through the well during assembly. A selection assembly is rotatably connected to the axle. The selection assembly includes at least two transfer mechanisms of differing modes of movement capable of selectable rotation within the well.
Another example embodiment of the present disclosure includes a method of changing the mode of movement in a multi-purpose caster for coupling to an object. The method comprises the steps of providing a yoke arrangement having a body for supporting a first portion of a spindle, the spindle further comprises a second portion projecting away from the body for insertion into an object during use. The method also comprises forming a well between spaced first and second arms that project from a body of the yoke arrangement and securing an axle that passes through the well during assembly to the first and second arms. The method further comprises rotatably connecting a selection assembly to the axle, the selection assembly comprising at least two transfer mechanisms of differing modes of movement capable of selectable rotation within the well.
While another example embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a multi-purpose caster for attaching to and facilitating the movement of furniture, the multi-purpose caster comprises a yoke arrangement having a body supporting a first portion of a spindle, the spindle further comprising a second portion projecting away from the body for insertion into an object during use. The yoke arrangement further comprises spaced first and second arms forming a well therebetween, the arms securing an axle that passes through the well during assembly. The multi-purpose caster also comprises a triangularly shaped selection assembly selectively rotatably connected to the axle and spaced between the first and second arms, the selection assembly comprises a plurality of transfer mechanisms comprising three different modes of movement across a surface during use, the first mode comprising a surface structure capable of rolling, the second mode comprising a surface structure capable of sliding, and the third mode comprising a surface structure capable of gliding.
The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent to one skilled in the art to which the present invention relates upon consideration of the following description of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts unless described otherwise throughout the drawings and in which:
Referring now to the figures generally wherein like numbered features shown therein refer to like elements throughout unless otherwise noted. The present disclosure relates to a multi-purpose caster 10 and method of using same, and more particularly, a multi-purpose caster 10 that is secured to an object to be moved that includes a plurality of selectable surfaces that can be adjusted to the selectable surface that would allow for movement of the object across differing types of surfaces or flooring with the least amount of force being applied to the object.
The multi-purpose caster 10 includes a yoke arrangement 14, selection assembly 16, spindle 18, and axle 20. The yoke arrangement 14 in one example embodiment is formed from molded plastic and secures the selection assembly 16 to the object 12. The selection assembly 16 protects the floor from the object 12 and provides a plurality of transfer mechanisms that can be selected to best suit the mobility of the object with the type of flooring surface.
The yoke arrangement 14 includes a body 22 forming a yoke 24 by spaced first and second arms 26, 28, respectively projecting out from the body. The yoke 24 provides a well or cavity 30 that allows for free, 360 degree rotation (both clock-wise and counter clock-wise) of the selection assembly 16 when supported between the arms 26, 28, as shown by arrows A in
The axle 20 during assembly passes through and is secured in a bushing aperture 34 located in each of the arms 26, 28. In the illustrated example embodiment, the aperture 34 is a sufficient press fit size to allow for a single resistant passage of the axle 20 during assembly, yet stable enough to prevent disassembly during operation of the multi-purpose caster 10, during movement of the object 12.
Located along an engagement surface 36 of the body 22 is a receiving aperture 38 for securing the spindle in a rotatable connection, allowing for free, 360 degree rotation (both clock-wise and counter clock-wise) direction of the multi-purpose caster 10 relative to the object 12, as indicated by arrows B in
The multi-purpose caster 10 and object 12 can individually or collectively rotate relative to one another about the spindle 18 during operation. The object 12 has a corresponding recess in the bottom of the object for rotatable nesting, similar to the operation described within the yoke arrangement 14. The spindle 18 in the illustrated example embodiment further comprises spaced undercuts 44 at opposite ends for engaging the object 12 and yoke arrangement 14. Such engagement includes snap-ring securing arrangement as would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art when the spindle 18 is inserted into the receiving aperture 38 and a corresponding similarly constructed aperture in the object 12 during assembly.
Referring now to
As illustrated in the example embodiments of
The housing 58 of the selection assembly 16 in the illustrated example embodiment is triangularly shaped body formed from plastic, exposing one transfer mechanism 50, 52, and 54 on each side. In the example embodiment of
In the example embodiment of
In the example embodiment of
In the illustrated example embodiments, the glider mechanism 64 and slider mechanism 70 are secured in their respective recesses by an adhesive, but could be additionally secured by a fastener and/or both, advantageously allowing replacement mechanisms to be inserted into the housing 58, if significant wear is experienced or for using a different type of mechanism material for the floor being encountered.
Unlike conventional casters that are typically suitable for a single floor type, the transfer mechanisms 50, 52, and 54 advantageously allow the multi-purpose casters 10 associated with the object 12 to be used independent of the floor material on which the object moves. Thus, such an advantage reduces the cost associated with having different types of casters being sent with the objects 12, and the assembly costs with changing out the conventional casters from the objects. While three different transfer mechanisms 50, 52, and 54 are shown, it should be appreciated that any number of transfer mechanisms for handling different floor surfaces could be incorporated into the selection assembly 16 without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed disclosure.
As used herein, terms of orientation and/or direction such as upward, downward, forward, rearward, upper, lower, inward, outward, inwardly, outwardly, horizontal, horizontally, vertical, vertically, distal, proximal, axially, radially, etc., are provided for convenience purposes and relate generally to the orientation shown in the Figures and/or discussed in the Detailed Description. Such orientation/direction terms are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure, this application and the invention or inventions described therein, or the claims appended hereto.
What have been described above are examples of the present invention. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the present invention, but one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the present invention are possible. Accordingly, the present invention is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications, and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
The following application claims priority to co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/617,104 filed Mar. 29, 2012 entitled MULTI-PURPOSE CASTER AND METHOD OF USING SAME assigned attorney docket number WAX-021068 US PRO. The above-identified application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61617104 | Mar 2012 | US |