Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a wheel assembly and an easy to assemble cart.
To reduce volume and lower transportation costs, items, such as carts, are generally disassembled for packing and shipping. For example, wheels may be separated, such as larger rear wheels on carts. After purchasing, a consumer must assemble the item with wheels before using. As an example, many of the existing cart bodies are connected to the wheels with a horizontal axle that traverses the wheels and is secured with washers. The disassembly and assembly processes are complex, troublesome, and both time and energy consuming. Thus, there is a need for wheel assemblies that are easier to assemble and disassemble.
In general, embodiments of the present invention relate to a wheel assembly and a cart with removable wheels that are easy to assemble and disassemble.
In one embodiment the present invention is directed to a wheel assembly having a connecting jacket with two openings and a wheel having an axle attached to a connecting pin. One opening of the connecting jacket is attached to a body fixture and the second opening is positioned to the side for selectively receiving the connecting pin. In a particular embodiment, the connecting pin has a U-shaped spring with balls on each end. The connecting pin may also have a housing surrounding the U-shaped spring. The second opening of the connecting jacket is shaped to fit the connecting pin. The second opening of the connecting jacket may have guidance slots on opposite walls to guide the balls of the U-shaped spring. The connecting jacket may also have a pressure sheet on opposite walls corresponding to the position of the balls of the U-shaped spring.
In another embodiment, the present invention is directed to a cart having at least one wheel assembly as described above. In particular the cart has four wheels, such as, for example, two rear wheels larger than the front wheels. The two rear wheels are connected to the cart with the disclosed wheel assembly.
Other embodiments relate to a method for removably attaching a wheel to a body utilizing the wheel assembly disclosed herein.
Those and other details, objects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood or apparent from the following description and drawings showing embodiments thereof.
The accompanying drawings illustrate examples of embodiments of the present invention:
In all of its embodiments and related aspects, the present invention generally pertains to a wheel assembly. Various embodiments of the present invention relate to a cart with removable wheels and methods of attaching a wheel to a body.
In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to a wheel assembly having a connecting jacket 5 and a wheel 2 having an axle 21 attached to a connecting pin 13, as shown, for example, in
In a particular embodiment, the connecting pin 13 has a U-shaped spring 14 with a ball 15 on each end. See
The above disclosed wheel assembly could be used for any body with wheels. Examples include, without limitation, carts, strollers, furniture, toys, chairs, etc. In an embodiment, the present invention is directed to a cart with wheels attached by means of the disclosed wheel assembly. See
In another embodiment, a method for removably attaching a wheel to a body using the wheel assembly described above is disclosed. Connecting pin 13 attached to the axle 21 of the wheel 2 is inserted into opening 7 of the connecting jacket 5, which is attached to the body. Upon disassembly, pressure sheets 10 are compressed and connecting pin 13 pulled from the connecting jacket.
While several embodiments of the invention have been described, it should be apparent that various modifications, alterations and adaptations to those embodiments may occur to persons skilled in the art with the attainment of some or all of the advantages of the present invention. It is therefore intended to cover all such modifications, alterations and adaptations without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.
The present invention has been described with reference to specific details of particular embodiments thereof. It is not intended that such details be regarded as limitations upon the scope of the invention except insofar as and to the extent that they are included in the accompanying claims.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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200820168488.9 | Dec 2008 | CN | national |
This application is a U.S. National Application of Chinese Patent Application No. 200820168488.9, filed Dec. 1, 2008.