Miscellaneous hardware (e.g. – bushing – carpet fastener – caster – Casters – Locked
Patent
1981-09-21
1984-06-26
Rosenbaum, Mark
Miscellaneous hardware (e.g., bushing, carpet fastener, caster,
Casters
Locked
16 31R, 16 40, 16 44, B60B 3300
Patent
active
044557078
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to a castor of the kind comprising a body, attachment means for mounting the body on an article of furniture for pivoting about a substantially upright axis in use, rolling means mounted on the body for rotation relative thereto about a rolling axis which is transverse to and offset from the pivoting axis and a brake element on the body, wherein the rolling means is movable upwardly and downwardly relative to the body into and out of engagement with the brake element. When the rolling means is engaged with the brake element, rotation of the rolling means is inhibited. When the rolling means is clear of the brake element, the rolling means is freely rotatable.
BACKGROUND ART
One example of a castor of the kind referred to is disclosed in German Patent Specification No. 27 37 650. In this specification, there is described a castor having a body which comprises two parts, namely an upper part having the attachment means and the brake element and a lower part in which there is mounted an axle carrying two wheels which constitute the rolling means. The upper and lower body parts are united by an integral hinge portion situated adjacent to the peripheries of the wheels and remote from the attachment means. The hinge portion is elastically resilient. By flexing of the hinge portion, the lower body part and wheels can move downwardly relative to the upper body part to bring the wheels into engagement with the brake element and can move upwardly relative to the upper body part to disengage the wheels from the brake element.
It is disclosed in the aforesaid German specification that the hinge portion is sufficiently strong to support the load of the upper body part and of the weight of the piece of furniture to which the castor is fitted, without permitting the wheels to become disengaged from the brake elements.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
According to the present invention, there is provided a castor comprising an upper body part provided with a brake element and attachment means for use in mounting the upper body part on an article of furniture for pivoting relative thereto about a pivot axis which is substantially upright in use of the castor, rolling means which is rotatable, in use, relative to the upper body part about a rolling axis transverse to and offset from the pivot axis, and further comprising a lower body part on or in which the rolling means is mounted, wherein the lower body part is flexible, the upper and lower body parts are integral with each other and the upper and lower body parts are united at two positions spaced in opposite directions from a plane which contains the rolling axis and which is parallel to the pivot axis.
The attachment means may be a socket for receiving an attachment spindle or may be an attachment spindle engageable in a socket provided in the furniture or other article with which the castor is to be used.
By uniting the upper and lower body parts at two spaced positions and relying upon flexing of the lower body part to permit movement of the rolling means relative to the upper body part, rather than relying upon a hinge connection between the body parts, we have achieved a castor wherein the lower body part and rolling means is better located relative to the upper body part than would be the case with a castor as disclosed in the aforesaid German specification.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
An example of a castor embodying the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing wherein:
FIG. 1 shows a side view of the castor with one wheel ommitted and
FIG. 2 shows the parts of FIG. 1 in cross-section on the line II--II.
PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The castor shown in the accompanying drawing has a body 10 formed of a material with some degree of resilient flexibility (for example a nylon), an axle 11 mounted in the body and a pair of wheels 12 and 13 carried on opposite end portions of the axle. The wheels constitute the rolling means hereinbefore mentioned and are rotatable about a rolling axis 14 which
REFERENCES:
patent: 3914821 (1975-10-01), Screen
patent: 4120071 (1978-10-01), Crescenzi
patent: 4212092 (1980-07-01), Ferrari
patent: 4219904 (1980-09-01), Melara
British Castors Limited
Rosenbaum Mark
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