Hub and wheel assembly with automatic moving direction...

Miscellaneous hardware (e.g. – bushing – carpet fastener – caster – Casters – Locked

Reexamination Certificate

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Details

C016S038000, C016S043000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06212733

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a hub and wheel assembly, and more particularly to swivel-mounted wheel assemblies adapted for use on baby stroller or cart in which the moving direction of wheels can be adjusted instantly as the exerted pushing force changes direction.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Typically, most light-load vehicles such as strollers or carts have one or more wheels mounted on a bracket which pivotably mounted to frame of vehicle. As such, wheels can rotate freely for changing moving direction. However, such swivel-mounted wheeled vehicles tend to move irregularly in an uneven surface or a non-linear direction. As a result, a user must exert additional force on vehicle to overcome the irregularity to keep it moving in a linear direction. Further, such vehicle is not able to move in a linear direction after a forward pushing force is released, i.e., it will wobble. Additionally, user may loosen the grasp of the vehicle due to collision with the other object. As a result, vehicle may wobble and even fall. This may hurt the vehicle passenger.
A solution to the above problems associated with swivel-mounted wheel assembly is to either set the moving of wheel in a predetermined direction or let wheel swivel such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,103,530, 5,234,226, and 5,581,843. These patents generally disclose a hub and wheel arrangement having a cap pivotally secured to a swivel base assembly in an engagement configuration or cap disengaged with swivel base assembly for permitting wheels to move in a fixed direction or to rotate freely. However, such engagement or disengagement is done by manually manipulating cap. This manipulation is inconvenient.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a hub and wheel assembly with automatic moving direction adjustment mechanism in which the moving direction of wheels of a vehicle can be adjusted instantly as the exerted pushing force changes direction.
The advantages of the present invention are realized by providing a wheel mount having wheels mounted thereon, and a swivel base assembly mounted on stroller leg in which wheel mount is able to quickly assemble with and detach from swivel base assembly. A protrusion of wheel mount, inserted into swivel base assembly, includes a circumferential groove having a cavity provided therein such that a spring-biased locking member may releasably engage with cavity for setting movement of wheels in a predetermined linear direction. Further, as a left or right force is applied on the stroller the locking member disengages with cavity for allowing wheels to move to left or right. Once the force is released or a forward force is applied subsequently, the locking member will instantly return to its normal position to engage with cavity again.
The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken with the accompanying drawings.


REFERENCES:
patent: 1490890 (1924-04-01), Derschug
patent: 3128495 (1964-04-01), Tooth
patent: 4246677 (1981-01-01), Downing et al.
patent: 4280246 (1981-07-01), Christensen
patent: 4788741 (1988-12-01), Hilborn
patent: 4913452 (1990-04-01), Zun
patent: 5040641 (1991-08-01), Philips et al.
patent: 5103530 (1992-04-01), Andrisin, III et al.
patent: 5172451 (1992-12-01), Chiu
patent: 5594974 (1997-01-01), Wattron et al.
patent: 5727285 (1998-03-01), Goman

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