Miscellaneous hardware (e.g. – bushing – carpet fastener – caster – Casters – Locked
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-30
2001-09-11
Knight, Anthony (Department: 3626)
Miscellaneous hardware (e.g., bushing, carpet fastener, caster,
Casters
Locked
C016S01800R
Reexamination Certificate
active
06286184
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a castor for scaffolding, equipment, or other loads. More particularly, the present invention relates to locking and braking mechanisms for a castor.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Frequently, it is desirable to have equipment or heavy loads mounted on castors or wheels for mobility while maintaining the ability to fix the load in place. Construction scaffolding is an example of such a use where assembly and use of the scaffolding may first occur in one location, but thereafter it is desired to move the scaffolding to a new location without spending the time or effort necessary to disassemble and reassemble it. Traditionally, there have been safety concerns regarding scaffolding or loads on wheels since such constructs are prone to wobble and/or movement if not braced or anchored. To counteract this it is desirable to stop or substantially restrict rotation of the wheels to provide the necessary stability.
One attempt to address this problem is discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,829,096 issued to Eugene Perry. The Perry patent illustrates a typical prior art castor consisting of a wheel, a load bracket, a foot lever, and one brake. In a typical prior art castor, the operator steps on the foot lever to transpose the load over the center of the wheel. This movement brings the wheel into contact with the brake, where resistance and inertia may restrict movement of the wheel.
There remains a need for a castor which can safely and selectively restrict movement of the wheel to provide improved load stability.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A caster is provided with two braking mechanisms, a locking mechanism or a combination thereof. One embodiment of the present invention provides a castor including a wheel having an axis of rotation and a mounting bracket for a load. A brake lever is attached to the wheel adjacent the axis of rotation and pivotally attached to the mounting bracket. The brake lever is movable to selectively place the wheel and mounting bracket in a locked position or a rotation position. A first brake surface is associated with the mounting bracket and contacts the wheel when the wheel is in the locked position to substantially restrict wheel rotation. In one embodiment, a second brake member, having a second brake surface, is linked to the mounting bracket and the brake lever so that the second brake surface contacts the wheel when the wheel is in the locked position. In an alternate embodiment, a lock mechanism is associated with the castor and is selectively engagable to restrict the wheel from moving from the locked position to the rotation position. A preferred embodiment includes a second brake member and a lock mechanism.
It is one object of the present invention to provide an improved castor.
Further objects, features and advantages of the present invention shall become apparent from the detailed drawings and descriptions provided herein.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1733536 (1929-10-01), Guitschula
patent: 1778167 (1930-10-01), Roe
patent: 2227832 (1941-01-01), Herold
patent: 2434863 (1948-01-01), Parkhill
patent: 2512941 (1950-06-01), Johnson
patent: 3239873 (1966-03-01), Fisher
patent: 3985208 (1976-10-01), Libhart
patent: 4336630 (1982-06-01), Page
patent: 5012550 (1991-05-01), Schlosser
patent: 5509506 (1996-04-01), Jones
patent: 5829096 (1998-11-01), Perry
patent: 3346722 C1 (1985-06-01), None
patent: 33 46 722-C1 (1985-06-01), None
patent: 4128729 A1 (1993-03-01), None
patent: 41 28 729-A1 (1993-03-01), None
patent: 1102262 (1968-02-01), None
patent: 2155321 A (1985-09-01), None
patent: 2155321A (1985-09-01), None
patent: 2187946 A (1987-09-01), None
patent: 2 187 946-A (1987-09-01), None
Dean Joseph D.
Starnes Mark A.
Knight Anthony
Perry Manufacturing, Inc.
Rodriquez Ruth C.
Woodard Emhardt Naughton Moriarty & McNett
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