Retractable wheel assembly

A wheeled container, comprising:

• a) a housing including
• a1) a bottom portion having a housing aperture disposed therethrough;
• a2) a top housing aperture;
• and
• a3) a bottom housing aperture;
• b) a retractable wheel assembly coupled over the housing aperture;
• wherein the retractable wheel assembly includes:
• b1) a bracing member including:
• 1) a side panel;
• and
• 2) a front panel coupled to the side panel and including an aperture disposed therethrough;
• b2) a wheeled arm pivotally coupled to the side panel and sized and positioned such that the wheeled arm rotates through the aperture of the front panel;
• wherein the wheeled arm further comprises:
• 1) an arm member including a first end and a second end;
• wherein the arm member is pivotally coupled to the side panel, between the first end and the second end;
• 2) a wheel coupled to the first end of the arm member;
• and
• 3) an aperture cover coupled to the arm member and shaped and positioned such that when the wheeled arm is in a retracted mode, the aperture cover covers a majority of the aperture, but not substantially all, thereby forming a wheel gap;
• b3) a deployment arm coupled to the second end of the arm member;
• and
• b4) a trap member operationally coupled to the deployment arm, including a trap flange sized and positioned to cover the wheel gap when in a closed mode and to substantially uncover the wheel gap in an open mode;
• and
• c) a handle extending through the top housing aperture.

A kit for configuring a container with retractable wheels, comprising:

• a) a wheel assembly, including:
• a1) a bracing member, including:
• 1) a side panel;
• and
• 2) a front panel coupled to the side panel and including an aperture disposed therethrough;
• wherein the brace member includes coupling devices configured to couple the brace member to a container;
• a2) a wheeled arm pivotally coupled to the side panel and sized and positioned such that the wheeled arm rotates through the aperture of the front panel;
• wherein the wheeled arm further comprises:
• 1) an arm member including a first end and a second end;
• wherein the arm member is pivotally coupled to the side panel, between the first end and the second end;
• 2) a wheel coupled to the first end of the arm member;
• and
• 3) an aperture cover coupled to the arm member and shaped and positioned such that when the wheeled arm is in a retracted mode, the aperture cover covers a majority of the aperture, but not substantially all, thereby forming a wheel gap;
• a3) a deployment arm coupled to the second end of the arm member;
• a4) a trap member operationally coupled to the deployment arm, including a trap flange sized and positioned to cover the wheel gap when in a closed mode and to substantially uncover the wheel gap in an open mode;
• a5) a handle operationally coupled to the trap member;
• and
• a6) a variably engaging coupling device functionally disposed between the trap member and the wheeled arm, such that actuating the handle, the variably engaging coupling device engages the trap member sufficient to substantially open the wheel gap and then engages the wheeled arm, thereby causing the wheel to be rotated through the aperture;
• and
• b) a plurality of coupling devices configured to facilitate coupling of the wheel assembly to a container.