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US 4,280,246 AGranted
Self-steering caster
AssigneeRoll-Rite, LLC
InventorCarl O. Christensen
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A self-steering caster is biased into one or more predetermined steering positions with a constant force by a bias wheel arranged to roll along a cam surface in the shape of a circle which is concentric with the caster's swivel axis and whose radius increases at a linear rate in both directions from the point corresponding to the steering position to a point or points on the cam surface remote from the steering position. Detent means may be provided at the steering position to releasably lock the caster in the steering position.
Claims8
A self-steering caster, comprising:
- (a) mounting bracket means;
- (b) a wheel assembly including wheel means and wheel bracket means rotatably carrying said wheel means, said wheel assembly being mounted on said mounting bracket means for swiveling movement with respect thereto about a swivel axis;
- and
- (c) steering means operatively interposed between said mounting bracket means and said wheel assembly so as to bias said wheel assembly into at least one predetermined position with respect to said mounting bracket means, said steering means including:
- (i) cam surface means generally in the shape of a circle coaxial with said swivel axis whose radius increases at a generally linear rate from at least one first point on said cam surface in both directions to at least one second point on said cam surface remote from said first point;
- and
- (ii) bias wheel means rollingly engaging said cam surface means, the surface of said bias wheel means being biased against said cam surface means;
- (d) said cam surface means being associated with one of said mounting bracket and wheel assembly, and said bias wheel means being associated with the other.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.