Miscellaneous hardware (e.g. – bushing – carpet fastener – caster – Casters – Spring supported
Patent
1986-05-05
1987-11-24
Silverberg, Fred
Miscellaneous hardware (e.g., bushing, carpet fastener, caster,
Casters
Spring supported
16 29, 190 18A, 267201, B60B 3300
Patent
active
047078812
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The present invention relates to luggage cases of the type that have wheels rollers, casters or other rotational ground engaging means projecting from their outer shell such that the case can be rolled on the ground engaging means for ease of transport.
A suitcase of this type is shown in GB No. 2030966A. In this arrangement a wheel housing is formed by walls integrally moulded with the shell of the suitcase. The ends of the axle of the wheel pass through and are supported by the walls.
An alternative arrangement is shown in GB No. 2116149A in which a wheel axle is secured to a plate which is attached by screws to the shell of the suitcase.
A disadvantage of the known arrangements is that the mounting of the wheels rollers or casters to the suitcase is rigid. When the suitcase is wheeled over a bumpy surface vibrations are transmitted from the rotational ground engaging means to the case resulting in noisy running and a liability for the mountings for the ground engaging means to be damaged.
According to the present invention in a first aspect an assembly for mounting a rotational ground engaging means to a case comprises an axle; ground engaging means mounted for rotation on the axle; mounting means for securing the assembly to the case, and resilient shock absorbing means, said shock absorbing means being secured on the one hand to the mounting means and on the other hand to the axle whereby in use with the assembly mounted on a case the shock absorbing means absorbs shocks from the ground engaging means.
With this arrangement vibrations resulting from contact of the ground engaging means with the ground are absorbed before they reach the case. If the case starts to sway the shock absorbers serve to damp the swaying movement. As a result, the case is easier and more convenient to handle when rolling on the ground engaging means, the case is less noisy, and there is less tendency for the mounting to be damaged.
Preferably the resilient shock absorbing means comprises a block of elastomeric material. For one particular design of case a rubber of Shore hardness 55 to 60 Shore A has been found suitable. Rubbers of different hardness will be found suitable for other cases depending on the size of the case and the load it is likely to have to carry. The smaller the case and load, the lower the hardness may be.
The inner end of the axle may be widened to provide an extended mounting surface to which the resilient shock absorbing means is fixed. Preferably the axle is secured via its resilient shock absorbing means to a mounting plate which is fixed directly to the case.
We have found that vulcanisation is a convenient way of ensuring that a good bonding is achieved between an elastomeric shock absorbing means and the mounting means on the one hand and the axle on the other. Other suitable means for securing the shock absorbing means may be used, for example adhesive or screws.
According to the present invention in a second aspect, there is provided a luggage case having a ground engaging means rotatably mounted about an axle, a resilient shock absorbing means secured on the one hand to the axle and on the other hand to an outer surface of the suitcase. The ground engaging means may be a wheel, a caster, a roller or the like.
Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a suitcase fitted with a wheel assembly according to the invention.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged detail of the wheel assembly of the case of FIG. 1,
FIG. 3 is a cross section on the lines 3--3 of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a cross section through a modified wheel assembly according to the invention;
FIG. 5 is as cross section through another wheel assembly according to the invention;
FIG. 6 is an elevation of caster assemblies in accordance with the invention attached to a case; and
FIG. 7 is an elevation of a roller assembly in accordance with the invention attached to a case.
Referring to the drawings, a suitcase 10 consists of a rigid shell 11 formed in
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O'Connor Gregory W.
Samsonite Corporation
Silverberg Fred
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