Braking and locking system for caster wheels

A locking caster wheel system comprising:

• a caster wheel assembly comprising:
• a hub comprising a generally horizontal rolling axle opening and a generally vertical swivel axis sleeve,
• a rolling axle having a central portion coupled with the hub through the rolling axle opening, and first and second ends projecting outwardly from opposed sides of the hub defining a generally horizontal rolling axis, and
• first and second wheels affixed respectively to the first and second ends of the rolling axle whereby the wheels may spin rotationally relative to the hub, wherein at least one of the first and second wheels further comprise a plurality of splines defining spaces therebetween, and
• a swivel pin coupled to the swivel axis sleeve of the hub, and defining a generally vertical swivel axis about which the caster wheel assembly may swivel through a range of swivel positions;
• and
• a locking assembly comprising:
• a locking pin,
• an actuator operable by a user to selectively engage and disengage the locking assembly, and
• an actuation flange extending about the generally vertical swivel axis of the caster wheel assembly and in operative engagement between the actuator and the locking pin;
• whereby a first operation of the actuator advances the actuation flange to engage the locking pin into one of the spaces between the splines and prevent rolling of the caster wheels, and whereby a second operation of the actuator retracts the actuation flange to disengage the locking pin from the space between the splines and allow rolling of the caster wheels.

A children's entertainer device comprising:

• a base;
• an upper support platform comprising a seat for supporting a child;
• a plurality of support posts supporting the upper support platform a distance above the base;
• and
• at least one locking caster wheel system coupled to the base, comprising:
• at least one caster configured to swivel about a swivel axis to different swivel positions relative to the base, and having caster wheels configured to roll about a rolling axis;
• and
• a brake mechanism operable by a user to selectively engage to prevent rolling of the caster wheels and disengage to allow rolling of the caster wheels, wherein an actuator of the brake mechanism remains fixed in position relative to the base regardless of the swivel position of the caster.