Powered Locking Caster Wheel
AssigneeDynatool Industries Inc.
InventorsSergio Armano, Brian D. Hass
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A caster wheel, comprising a wheel contained between covers; a drive assembly connected to the covers; and a locking assembly connected to the drive assembly, the locking assembly applying pressure to a surface of the wheel under action of the drive assembly, thereby controlling a rotation of the wheel around both a vertical and horizontal axis.
Claims26
A caster wheel assembly comprising a plurality of caster wheels, each wheel having associated with it:
- a motor;
- a drive assembly movable between at least one locking and non-locking position,
- a locking assembly cooperatively coupleable to the drive assembly, wherein the locking assembly is coupled to the wheel for controlling a rotation of the wheel in at least one of a vertical and horizontal axis;
- a mechanical override coupleable with the drive assembly;
- and
- wherein, when said motor is powered, said drive assembly transforms rotational power of the motor into linear power to drive said locking assembly linearly into a position applying pressure to a surface of said wheel to prevent a rotation of the wheel;
- said mechanical override being adapted to disengage portions of the drive assembly to remove the applied pressure to the wheel and allow rotation of the wheel while the drive assembly otherwise remains in the pressure applying position.
(canceled)
(canceled)
The caster wheel assembly of claim 25, wherein said linear actuator is one of:
- i) electrically;
- ii) pneumatically;
- and iii) hydraulically actuated.
The caster wheel assembly of claim 25, wherein the manual override assembly comprises at least one pedal.
(canceled)
(canceled)
A hospital equipment comprising the caster wheel of claim 23.
A mobile equipment comprising the caster wheel of claim 23.
A hospital equipment comprising the assembly of claim 25.
A mobile equipment comprising the assembly of claim 25.
A caster wheel, comprising:
- a wheel;
- a drive assembly comprising a motor and a shaft assembly, the shaft assembly comprising:
- a housing movable between a non-locking position and a locking position,
- a shaft coupled to the housing, the shaft being movable between a released position and a locking position, and
- a release shaft that assists in providing the shaft and the housing to move together to their respective locking positions;
- a locking assembly coupled to the wheel, for controlling a rotation of the wheel in at least one of a vertical and horizontal axis;
- a mechanical override;
- and
- wherein, when said motor is powered, said drive assembly transforms rotational power of the motor into linear power to drive said locking assembly linearly into a position applying pressure to a surface of said wheel to prevent a rotation of the wheel;
- said mechanical override being adapted to press upon the release shaft which in turn causes the shaft to disengage from said housing;
- wherein disengagement of the shaft from the housing causes the drive assembly to disengage from the locking assembly and permits rotation of the wheel in at least one of a vertical and horizontal axis.
A caster wheel assembly, comprising:
- at least a first caster wheel;
- a second caster wheel spaced apart from the first caster wheel and mounted on a first side of a frame;
- a linkage assembly for operatively coupling the at least first caster wheel and the second caster wheel;
- a linear actuator, coupled to the linkage assembly, wherein actuation of the linear actuator causes the locking of the at least first caster wheel and second caster wheel at least about a vertical or horizontal axis;
- and
- a manual override for manually overriding the linear actuator without disengaging the linear actuator from the caster wheel or frame.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.