US 12,472,772 B1 · Self-positioning swivel caster mechanisms

Abstract

A self-positioning swivel caster may include a swivel mechanism that defines a home position of the caster. The swivel mechanism may include a compression spring, an upper cam, and a lower cam that is coupled to the caster wheel, in which the upper and lower cams include mating surfaces that define the home position. A bias force applied by the compression spring to the upper cam may cause rotation of the lower cam to the home position. When coupled to mobile containers, self-positioning swivel casters in home positions may increase clearance under the mobile containers for robotic drive units or other material handling equipment used to move the mobile containers, and the self-positioning swivel casters in home positions may also prevent drift or rolling of the mobile containers away from current locations.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A self-positioning swivel caster, comprising:

a lower cam associated with a swivel caster frame having a rotatable caster wheel, the lower cam coupled to and configured to rotate with the swivel caster frame around an axis associated with a shaft that is coupled to a base, wherein a first vertical distance between the lower cam and the base is fixed during rotation of the swivel caster frame around the axis;
an upper cam slidably coupled to the shaft and configured to move vertically toward or away from the lower cam along the axis associated with the shaft, wherein a second vertical distance between the upper cam and the base is variable during vertical movement of the upper cam along the axis;
and
a bias element configured to apply a force to bias the upper cam toward the lower cam;
wherein the lower cam and the upper cam define a home position associated with the self-positioning swivel caster.

2 more elements

An apparatus, comprising:

a receptacle configured to receive items;
and
at least one self-positioning swivel caster rotatably coupled to a shaft of the receptacle;
wherein the at least one self-positioning swivel caster comprises:
a lower cam associated with a swivel caster frame having a rotatable caster wheel, the lower cam coupled to and configured to rotate with the swivel caster frame around an axis associated with the shaft that is coupled to a base of the receptacle, wherein a first vertical distance between the lower cam and the base is fixed during rotation of the swivel caster frame around the axis;
an upper cam slidably coupled to the shaft and configured to move vertically toward or away from the lower cam along the axis associated with the shaft, wherein a second vertical distance between the upper cam and the base is variable during vertical movement of the upper cam along the axis;
and
a bias element configured to apply a force to bias the upper cam toward the lower cam;
wherein the lower cam and the upper cam define a home position associated with the self-positioning swivel caster.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Self-positioning swivel caster mechanisms

Life of this patent

Self-positioning swivel caster mechanisms

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20