JPH0551481B2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] [Industrial application field]

The present invention relates to a flexible vehicle used as a caster for various types of portable objects, such as bags such as travel bags, furniture such as chairs and desks, office automation equipment, and electrical products such as electric washing machines.

[Conventional technology]

Conventional casters generally have a structure in which wheels are supported by a horizontal axle on a horizontally rotatable car frame, and the direction is changed by the horizontal rotation of the car frame.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

For this reason, the caster itself does not change its running direction smoothly, and it may be necessary to forcibly change the direction of the transportable object supported by the caster. Since bearings are required to pivotally support the vehicle frame, there are problems such as increased manufacturing cost and increased height of the caster itself. The purpose of the present invention is to make it possible to smoothly change the running direction without having to pivot the vehicle frame, and without forcibly changing the direction of the supported transportable object, to reduce the size of the vehicle, and to reduce manufacturing costs. Our aim is to provide flexible cars.

[Means to solve the problem]

In order to achieve such an object, the swivel vehicle of the present invention, as shown in FIG. A spherical body 7 is provided in the center of the wheel 6, and by fitting these spherical bodies 7 and the spherical hole 5, the wheel 1 is spherically supported on the axle 6, and the spherical bearings are provided on both sides of the wheel 1. A concave portion 4 that tapers into a conical shape toward the spherical bearing portion is formed, and a concave portion 4 is formed on the axle 6 on both sides of this spherical bearing portion at a position where the wheel 1 is not tilted, away from the inner surface of the concave portion 4 and inwardly. An auxiliary sphere 8 is provided.

[Effect]

According to this structure, the wheels are rotatable about the axle and swingable at the center, so the traveling direction can be changed without horizontally rotatably supporting the vehicle frame. An auxiliary sphere on the axle facilitates sliding between the recess and the axle.

【Example】

Examples of the present invention will be described below. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the wheel 1 is
A covering material 3 made of an elastic material such as rubber is attached to the outer periphery of a circular core 2 made of metal or hard synthetic resin.
Both side surfaces 2a of the circular core 2 are parallel vertical surfaces, and the surface 3a of the facing material 3 has a radius r from the center of the circular core 2.
It is a spherical surface. Both sides 2 of this circular core 2
In a, a conical recess 4 that narrows toward the center of the circular core 2 is provided point-symmetrically, and a spherical hole 5 is provided in the center of the circular core 2.
By fitting this spherical hole 5 with a sphere 7 fixed to the axle 6, the wheel 1 is spherically supported on the axle 6 and is rotatable and swingable in all directions. Also, on the axle 6, smaller auxiliary spheres 8 are placed on both sides of the sphere 7.
are provided, and these auxiliary spheres 8 are located in the recesses 4 on both sides. Therefore, when the axle 5 is traveling in a straight line while remaining horizontal, the wheels 1 roll vertically, and when making a gentle left or right turn, the wheels 1 remain perpendicular to the axle 5 and roll to the left or right. Because it swings, it can smoothly change direction without having to forcefully change the direction of the portable object it is supporting. Further, even when making a sharp curve or a U-turn, the wheels 1 roll and swing to the left or right as shown in FIG. 4, so the turning is done smoothly in this case as well. However, since the swinging is limited within the range of the recesses 4 on both sides, the wheels 1 will not turn inadvertently and the direction of travel will not be determined. In this case, since the inner surfaces of the recesses 4 on both sides slide in almost point contact with the auxiliary sphere 8,
The rotation of the wheel 1 is performed smoothly, and rocking of the wheel 1 beyond a predetermined level is restricted. The auxiliary sphere 8 also makes point contact with bearings (not shown) that support both sides of the axle 6, so the frictional resistance of the bearing portion is also small. FIG. 5 shows another example, a spherical hole 5 of a circular core 1.
A circular hole 11 is continuously provided on both sides of the axle 6.
In this embodiment, auxiliary spheres 12 are fixed on both sides of the sphere 7, and the engagement between the circular holes 11 and the auxiliary spheres 12 limits the swinging of the wheel 1.

【Effect of the invention】

As is clear from the above description, the adjustable vehicle of the present invention has the following effects. Change of direction is smooth. The direction of the supported transportable object can be easily changed without forcibly changing the direction of the object. It can run on uneven surfaces with little resistance and vibration prevention. Since there is no need to support the vehicle frame in a rotatable manner,
The overall height can be made lower than before. Auxiliary spheres are provided on the axle, and the inner surfaces of the recesses on both sides of the wheel are in almost point contact with the auxiliary spheres so that they slide, making it possible to rotate the wheel smoothly even when the wheel is rocking. It is possible to prevent rocking beyond a predetermined level, and also to reduce wear between the recess and the axle. Due to its simple structure, it is easy to manufacture;
Moreover, it can be made smaller.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Figures 1 to 4 show an embodiment of the present invention, with Figure 1 being a sectional view, Figure 2 being a front view, Figure 3 being a side view, and Figure 4 being a state in which the wheels are oscillating relative to the axle. It is a front view. FIG. 5 is a sectional view of another example of the present invention. 1...wheel, 4...recess, 5...spherical hole, 6...
... Axle, 7... Sphere, 8, 12... Auxiliary sphere.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A spherical hole 5 is provided in the center of the wheel 1, which is circular and has a spherical outer circumferential surface, and a spherical body 7 is provided in the center of the wheel 6. By fitting these spherical bodies 7 and the spherical hole 5, the wheel 1 is formed. is spherically bearing on the axle 6, and a concave portion 4 is formed on both sides of the wheel 1, which tapers into a conical shape toward the spherical bearing portion, and a recess 4 is formed on the axle 6 on both sides of the spherical bearing portion. A swivel vehicle characterized in that an auxiliary sphere is provided which is located inside and away from the inner surface of the recess 4 when the wheel 1 is not tilted.