Back to results
US 2013/0091664 A1Published application
Friction Sleeve Caster Assembly
AssigneeOconomowoc Mfg. Corp.
InventorScott T. Breyer
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The invention relates generally to a friction sleeve for a caster stem. In certain embodiments, the friction sleeve has a slot, comprises a polymer, and has at least one detent adapted to engage a corresponding detent of the caster stem.
Claims22
An article movable by rolling, the article comprising:
- a base having a bore;
- a caster socket mounted in said bore, the caster socket having a caster bore;
- and
- a caster assembly, the caster assembly comprising at least one wheel, a frame member, a caster stem, and a friction sleeve, the friction sleeve defining a first end and a second end between which extends an axial length of the friction sleeve, the first and second ends of the friction sleeve both being open, the friction sleeve comprising a polymer and encapsulating substantially the entire axial length of the caster stem, such that the friction sleeve prevents contact between the caster stem and the caster socket, the friction sleeve having a generally cylindrical interior configuration and defining a slot, the slot extending along the entire axial length of the friction sleeve, the caster stem and the friction sleeve having engaged detents rotatably securing the friction sleeve on the caster stem, and the resulting sleeve-encapsulated caster stem being received in said caster bore so as to removably secure the caster assembly to the base.
1 more element
An article movable by rolling, the article comprising:
- a base having a caster bore;
- and
- a caster assembly, the caster assembly comprising at least one wheel, a frame member, a caster stem, and a friction sleeve, the friction sleeve defining a first end and a second end between which extends an axial length of the friction sleeve, the first and second ends of the friction sleeve both being open, the friction sleeve comprising a polymer and encapsulating substantially the entire axial length of the caster stem, such that the friction sleeve prevents contact between the caster stem and the base, the friction sleeve having a generally cylindrical interior configuration and defining a slot, the slot extending along the entire axial length of the friction sleeve, the caster stem and the friction sleeve having engaged detents securing the friction sleeve on the caster stem, the resulting sleeve-encapsulated caster stem being received in the caster bore such that the friction sleeve directly engages the base so as to removably secure the caster assembly to the base, wherein there is no caster socket between the base and the sleeve-encapsulated caster stem.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.