Self-adjusting caster assemblies
AssigneeGatekeeper Systems, Inc.
InventorJohn C. McKay
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A self-leveling caster assembly includes a caster frame and a castor fork which is configured to pivot relative to the caster frame. A spring or other biasing mechanism biases the caster fork away from the caster frame, to maintain contact between the ground and a wheel supported by the caster fork along a travel range of the wheel. Even if a frame supporting the self-leveling caster assembly is bent, pulling the wheel away from the ground, the biased caster fork will maintain contact between the ground and the wheel, allowing continued use of a shopping cart or other wheeled apparatus including the self-leveling caster assembly.
Claims14
A caster assembly, comprising:
- a caster fork comprising first and second caster fork arms extending from either side of a central fork portion, the first and second caster fork arms configured to support a wheel disposed therebetween;
- a conical coil spring connected at a first end to the central fork portion of the caster fork;
- and
- a caster frame, the caster frame comprising a central frame portion and first and second frame wing portions extending from either side of the central frame portion, the caster fork attached to the caster frame and pivotable about an axis of rotation relative to the caster frame,
- the first and second frame wing portions located laterally outward of the caster fork arms,
- the central frame portion comprising a recessed section including a mounting surface oriented at an oblique angle with respect to the central frame portion, the conical coil member connected at a second end to the mounting surface in the recessed section of the central frame portion, the conical coil spring configured to bias the central fork portion away from the central frame portion,
- a depth of the recessed frame portion being greater than a height of the conical coil spring in a compressed state, such that the recessed section of the central frame portion providing clearance for the conical coil spring to collapse within the recessed section of the central frame portion when the central frame portion is moved towards the central fork portion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.