Dual-state caster and method

A caster apparatus comprising:

• a caster head configured to be rotationally connected to a fork, the fork having a wheel axle extending therethrough, wherein the fork swivels with respect to the caster head about a steering axis via a swivel pivot axle and wherein the wheel axle is offset from the steering axis;
• the caster head having an upper pivot component pivotally connected about a state-change pivot to a lower housing, the swivel pivot axle extending through the lower housing;
• the state-change pivot having an axis wherein the axis of the state-change pivot is positioned offset from the steering axis;
• wherein the state-change pivot axis offset position is configured to change an angle of the steering axis with respect to vertical of the caster apparatus;
• the upper pivot component not flush with the lower housing thereby creating an interface between the upper pivot component and the lower housing to allow and limit rotation of the upper pivot component about the state-change pivot;
• a state pivot support extending from the lower housing on a lower housing side opposite the fork;
• the swivel pivot axle extending at least partially through the lower housing;
• and
• a first portion of the lower housing on a first side of the swivel pivot axle and a second portion of the lower housing on an opposing, second side of the swivel pivot axle, wherein the state pivot support is on the first portion of the lower housing;
• wherein when the fork rotates with respect to the caster head about the swivel pivot axle, and changes the position of the wheel axle from being on the first side of the swivel pivot axle to being on the second side of the swivel pivot axle, or vice versa, the fork rotation causes a state change, wherein a state change is a change between the steering axis being vertical and the steering axis being angled from vertical;
• and
• wherein the state-change pivot axis is above the wheel axle when the fork is rotated to a position that is approximately 90 degrees from its forward-travel orientation and the steering axis is angled from the vertical.