Bi-directional propulsion caster
AssigneeJames Patrick O'Rourke
InventorThomas J. O'Rourke
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A bidirectional propulsion caster assembly is disclosed for enabling a rider to generate bi-directional motion from a ride-on device. A mounting bracket is attachable to the bottom of the device and defines a pivot axis extending in a generally transverse direction across the bottom of the device. A rocker bracket and caster shaft having a caster shaft axis are attached to the mounting bracket and pivot about the pivot axis along an arc between first and second positions. A wheel bracket is mounted to and rotates about the caster shaft. A wheel is mounted to the wheel bracket for rotation about a wheel axis angularly offset from the caster shaft axis. One or more changeable pivot stops may be attached to the rocker bracket or the mounting bracket and effective to further define the available arc of rotation.
Claims19
A bi-directional ride-on apparatus for use by a rider on a riding surface, the apparatus comprising:
- a plurality of base members, the plurality of base members each having a bottom surface and a top surface adapted to support the feet of a rider;
- at least one connecting element connecting the base members;
- and
- at least one caster assembly mounted to the bottom surface of at least one base member, the at least one caster assembly comprising:
- a mounting bracket attached to the bottom surface, the mounting bracket defining a single pivot axis that extends in a generally transverse direction across the bottom surface;
- a caster shaft having a caster shaft axis, the caster shaft attached to the mounting bracket along the pivot axis so that the caster shaft can pivot about the pivot axis along an arc between a first position and a second position on opposing sides of an axis that is perpendicular to a horizontal plane of the base member;
- a wheel bracket mounted to the caster shaft such that the wheel bracket rotates about the caster shaft axis;
- and
- a wheel mounted to the wheel bracket for rotation about a wheel axis that is angularly offset from the caster shaft axis,
- wherein the apparatus has only two wheels, and one wheel is in front of the other wheel relative to the direction of movement of the ride-on apparatus along the riding surface.
A bi-directional ride-on apparatus for use by a rider on a riding surface, the apparatus comprising:
- a platform having a bottom surface and a top surface adapted to support the feet of a rider;
- and
- at least one caster assembly mounted to the bottom surface of the platform, the at least one caster assembly comprising:
- a mounting bracket attached to the bottom surface, the mounting bracket defining a single pivot axis that extends in a generally transverse direction across the bottom surface;
- a caster shaft having a caster shaft axis, the caster shaft attached to the mounting bracket along the pivot axis so that the caster shaft can pivot about the pivot axis along an arc between a first position and a second position on opposing sides of an axis that is perpendicular to a horizontal plane of the bottom surface of the ride-on device;
- a wheel bracket mounted to the caster shaft such that the wheel bracket rotates about the caster shaft axis;
- and
- a wheel mounted to the wheel bracket for rotation about a wheel axis that is angularly offset from the caster shaft axis,
- wherein the apparatus has only two wheels, and one wheel is in front of the other wheel relative to the direction of movement of the ride-on apparatus.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.