EP0969978A1 - Ensemble roue pivotante - Google Patents

Ensemble roue pivotante

Info

Publication number
EP0969978A1
EP0969978A1 EP98909228A EP98909228A EP0969978A1 EP 0969978 A1 EP0969978 A1 EP 0969978A1 EP 98909228 A EP98909228 A EP 98909228A EP 98909228 A EP98909228 A EP 98909228A EP 0969978 A1 EP0969978 A1 EP 0969978A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
spring
clevis
cam plate
side portions
castor
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP98909228A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Thomas Firth Hart-Davies
Robert Lionel Horsnell
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Win Win International Pty Ltd
Original Assignee
Win Win International Pty Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from AUPO5861A external-priority patent/AUPO586197A0/en
Priority claimed from AUPO6983A external-priority patent/AUPO698397A0/en
Application filed by Win Win International Pty Ltd filed Critical Win Win International Pty Ltd
Publication of EP0969978A1 publication Critical patent/EP0969978A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60B—VEHICLE WHEELS; CASTORS; AXLES FOR WHEELS OR CASTORS; INCREASING WHEEL ADHESION
    • B60B33/00—Castors in general; Anti-clogging castors
    • B60B33/02—Castors in general; Anti-clogging castors with disengageable swivel action, i.e. comprising a swivel locking mechanism
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60B—VEHICLE WHEELS; CASTORS; AXLES FOR WHEELS OR CASTORS; INCREASING WHEEL ADHESION
    • B60B2200/00—Type of product being used or applied
    • B60B2200/40—Articles of daily use
    • B60B2200/43—Carts
    • B60B2200/432—Shopping carts
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60B—VEHICLE WHEELS; CASTORS; AXLES FOR WHEELS OR CASTORS; INCREASING WHEEL ADHESION
    • B60B33/00—Castors in general; Anti-clogging castors
    • B60B33/0036—Castors in general; Anti-clogging castors characterised by type of wheels
    • B60B33/0039—Single wheels
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60B—VEHICLE WHEELS; CASTORS; AXLES FOR WHEELS OR CASTORS; INCREASING WHEEL ADHESION
    • B60B33/00—Castors in general; Anti-clogging castors
    • B60B33/0047—Castors in general; Anti-clogging castors characterised by details of the rolling axle
    • B60B33/0049—Castors in general; Anti-clogging castors characterised by details of the rolling axle the rolling axle being horizontal
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60B—VEHICLE WHEELS; CASTORS; AXLES FOR WHEELS OR CASTORS; INCREASING WHEEL ADHESION
    • B60B33/00—Castors in general; Anti-clogging castors
    • B60B33/0047—Castors in general; Anti-clogging castors characterised by details of the rolling axle
    • B60B33/0057—Castors in general; Anti-clogging castors characterised by details of the rolling axle the rolling axle being offset from swivel axis
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60B—VEHICLE WHEELS; CASTORS; AXLES FOR WHEELS OR CASTORS; INCREASING WHEEL ADHESION
    • B60B33/00—Castors in general; Anti-clogging castors
    • B60B33/006—Castors in general; Anti-clogging castors characterised by details of the swivel mechanism
    • B60B33/0065—Castors in general; Anti-clogging castors characterised by details of the swivel mechanism characterised by details of the swivel axis
    • B60B33/0068—Castors in general; Anti-clogging castors characterised by details of the swivel mechanism characterised by details of the swivel axis the swivel axis being vertical
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62B—HAND-PROPELLED VEHICLES, e.g. HAND CARTS OR PERAMBULATORS; SLEDGES
    • B62B2301/00—Wheel arrangements; Steering; Stability; Wheel suspension
    • B62B2301/04—Wheel arrangements; Steering; Stability; Wheel suspension comprising a wheel pivotable about a substantially vertical axis, e.g. swivelling castors
    • B62B2301/046—Wheel arrangements; Steering; Stability; Wheel suspension comprising a wheel pivotable about a substantially vertical axis, e.g. swivelling castors with means restricting the rotation about that axis
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62B—HAND-PROPELLED VEHICLES, e.g. HAND CARTS OR PERAMBULATORS; SLEDGES
    • B62B2301/00—Wheel arrangements; Steering; Stability; Wheel suspension
    • B62B2301/04—Wheel arrangements; Steering; Stability; Wheel suspension comprising a wheel pivotable about a substantially vertical axis, e.g. swivelling castors
    • B62B2301/046—Wheel arrangements; Steering; Stability; Wheel suspension comprising a wheel pivotable about a substantially vertical axis, e.g. swivelling castors with means restricting the rotation about that axis
    • B62B2301/0465—Wheel arrangements; Steering; Stability; Wheel suspension comprising a wheel pivotable about a substantially vertical axis, e.g. swivelling castors with means restricting the rotation about that axis by urging the wheel into a position, e.g. into a straight forward position

Definitions

  • This invention relates to castor wheel assemblies, that is to say assemblies comprising an un-driven ground wheel for the support of mobile articles, wherein the assembly may rotate about an upright castor axis relative to the article and wherein the area of contact between the wheel and the ground is horizontally spaced from the castor axis.
  • the said area of contact trails behind the castor axis in the direction of travel .
  • the assembly may rotate freely about the castor axis, so that the wheel exercises no control over the direction of travel.
  • supermarket trolleys are usually supported by four castor wheel assemblies, namely two front wheel assemblies that are respectively positioned under the front or leading corners of the trolley as it is pushed along in normal use, and two rear wheel assemblies similarly positioned under the rear or trailing corners of the trolley.
  • control would be improved if castoring could be enabled only after a predetermined torque was experienced by the castor wheel assembly.
  • the supermarket staff are required to retrieve a plurality of empty trolleys at one time as a substantially straight file of rigidly inter-engaged trolleys. Such a file of trolleys becomes unsteerable unless all of the trolley wheels are able to castor, so as to accommodate lateral movement of the front or rear of the file for steering purposes.
  • the invention consists in a castor wheel assembly of the kind comprising a generally inverted U shaped clevis comprising a crotch portion and two downwardly inclined spaced apart legs, axle retainer formations at or near the lower ends of the respective clevis legs for the receipt of a wheel axle extending from one clevis leg to the other, a bearing defining an upright castor axis and comprising a stationary bearing part that is fixed to an article to be supported and a rotatable bearing part that is fixed to the clevis crotch portion, and a bolt coaxial with the castor axis extending through the stationary bearing part to affix it to the article, characterised by biasing means comprising spacer means pierced by the bolt and contacting the stationary bearing part, a cam plate pierced by the bolt and spaced by the spacer means above the clevis crotch portion for clamped affixture to the article, which cam plate has mutually perpendicular major and minor axes of symmetry intersecting the
  • a spring and cam plate assembly adapted for fitting to a castor wheel assembly; said castor wheel assembly including a wheel rotatably supported within an inverted U shaped clevis; said clevis including a crotch portion adapted for rotatable support above a substantially upright castor axis of a mobile article; said cam plate adapted for fixed connection above said clevis so as to be fixed relative to said mobile article; said spring adapted for external mounting to said clevis; said spring engageable with said cam plate so as to provide a predetermined resistance to rotation of said clevis from a straight ahead position relative to said mobile article.
  • said cam plate includes a major axis and a minor axis.
  • said cam plate includes flats parallel to and spaced from said major axis.
  • the cam plate may include opposed arcuate portions spaced symmetrically from said minor axis.
  • the spring is adapted for external snap fit to said clevis.
  • said spring is adapted for external snap fit to said clutch portion of said clevis.
  • said spring includes opposed side portions connected at at least one end by a connection portion.
  • said bridge portion includes an inwardly and upwardly directed bight for engagement with an edge portion of said clutch portion of said clevis.
  • said spring includes a formation opposed to said bight for engagement with an opposed edge of said clutch portion.
  • apex portions of said side portions engage said cam plate.
  • a spring adapted for fitting to a castor wheel assembly; said castor wheel assembly including a wheel rotatably supported within an inverted U shaped clevis; said clevis including a crotch portion adapted for rotatable support about a substantially upright castor axis of a mobile article; a cam plate adapted for fixed connection above said clevis so as to be fixed relative to said mobile article; said spring adapted for external, snap fit mounting to said clevis; said spring engageable with edge portions of said cam plate so as to provide a predetermined resistance to rotation of said clevis from a straight ahead position relative to said mobile article
  • the spring is adapted for external snap fit to said clevis.
  • said spring is adapted for external snap fit to said clutch portion of said clevis.
  • said spring includes opposed side portions connected at at least one end by a connection portion.
  • connection portion includes an inwardly and upwardly directed bight for engagement with an edge portion of said clutch portion of said clevis.
  • said spring includes a formation opposed to said bight for engagement with an opposed edge of said clutch portion.
  • Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a supermarket trolley wheel assembly according to the invention.
  • Figure 2 is a perspective view of a wire spring, being a component of the assembly of figure 1.
  • Figure 3 is a side elevation of the assembly of figure 1.
  • Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on the castor axis of portion of the assembly of figure 1, drawn to a larger scale .
  • Figure 5 is a plan view of the assembly of figure 1 with the wheel in its straight ahead position.
  • Figure 6 is a view similar to figure 5 with the wheel castored to a small degree from the straight ahead position.
  • the illustrated assembly comprises a conventional free castoring assembly fitted with the components which convert it into a biassed castor assembly according to the invention.
  • the conventional components comprise a generally inverted U shaped clevis 4.
  • That clevis is a sheet metal pressing comprising a crotch portion 5 forming a bearing housing 25 therewithin and two downwardly inclined, arcuate plate like legs 6.
  • the legs 6 have clearance holes near their lower ends to receive a wheel axle 7 extending from leg to leg, on which a ground wheel 8 may rotate. Due to the shape of the legs 6 the wheel axle 7 is displaced horizontally a distance D from an upright castor axis ZZ extending coaxially through the housing 25. It follows, of course, that the area of contact between the rim or tyre of the wheel 8 and the ground is likewise displaced horizontally from the castor axis.
  • the housing 25 holds a single row, deep groove, ball bearing comprising an inner race 9 tight upon a bolt 10 and an outer race 11 fixed within the housing 25.
  • the bearing defines a castor axis ZZ, coaxial with the bolt 10, about which the axle 7, and thus the wheel 8, may orbit.
  • the bolt 10 extends through a frame member (not shown) of a supermarket trolley for securement of the wheel assembly thereto.
  • biassing means comprising a tough, self-lubricating plastics cam plate 12, a spacer washer 13 and a one piece wire spring 14.
  • the spacer washer 13 rests upon the stationary inner race 9. It has serrated faces or is otherwise conditioned to promote a high coefficient of friction between itself and the inner race and between itself and the cam plate 12.
  • a second such washer 15 may be provided between the cam plate 12 and a clamping nut 16. It will be appreciated that tightening the nut 16 effectively fixes the cam plate 12 relative to the bolt 10, and thus, in use, relative to the trolley
  • the cam plate 12 is a circular disk but for the absence of two diametrically opposed segments, thus it has a major axis of symmetry XX (equal to the diameter of the circular disk) and a minor axis of symmetry YY (equal to the distance between the flats on the disk perimeter) .
  • XX equal to the diameter of the circular disk
  • YY minor axis of symmetry
  • the cam plate 12 is oriented so that its major axis is aligned with the direction of straight ahead forward travel of the trolley, or, may be, slightly inwardly of that direction to provide a degree of "toe-in" for the rear wheels.
  • the wire spring 14 is shaped to provide two, spaced apart, generally inverted U shaped side portions 17, each comprising a first limb 18 and a second limb 19, joined at an apex portion 27.
  • a connector portion 20 extends between the lower ends of the limbs 18 so as to resiliently join them together.
  • the connector portion 20 has a central, inwardly and upwardly directed bight 21 formed in it, adapted to engage under a front edge of the clevis crotch portion 5.
  • Each free end of the limbs 19 is furnished with a hook formation 22 adapted to engage about a rear edge of the crotch portion 5.
  • the shape of the wire spring may vary considerably from the illustrated shape.
  • the apices of the spring side portions 17 may be more peaked than shown, the limbs of those side portions may be straight, arcuate or otherwise differently shaped, and the shape of the connector portion and limb ends may be shaped in other ways providing for the functional engagement with the clevis.
  • those parts of the spring may be very different to suit retrofitting to other castor wheel assemblies including clevises or their equivalents of designs differing from the conventional type described herein, provided the spring fulfills the functional requirements described above.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Handcart (AREA)

Abstract

Cette invention se rapporte à un ensemble roue pivotante conçu de sorte qu'une roue (8) est sollicitée de manière à adopter une position avant directe conçue pour l'utilisation normale, ladite roue étant cependant capable de pivoter à l'encontre de la force de sollicitation permettant de diriger une file de chariots accouplés de manière rigide. Cette sollicitation est assurée par l'accouplement entre un plateau-came (12) à bords droits et un ressort (14) à fil métallique. Le plateau-came est fixé au chariot, tandis que le ressort pivote avec la fourche qui supporte la roue pivotante. Le ressort (14) est fixé à la fourche ou chape par ses extrémités libres qui sont accrochées sous une face de la partie centrale de la fourche alors qu'une anse disposée à mi-chemin sur le ressort est serrée sous l'autre face de ladite partie centrale de fourche.
EP98909228A 1997-03-25 1998-03-25 Ensemble roue pivotante Withdrawn EP0969978A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AUPO5861A AUPO586197A0 (en) 1997-03-25 1997-03-25 Castor wheel assembly
AUPO586197 1997-03-25
AUPO698397 1997-05-23
AUPO6983A AUPO698397A0 (en) 1997-05-23 1997-05-23 Castor wheel assembly
PCT/AU1998/000198 WO1998042523A1 (fr) 1997-03-25 1998-03-25 Ensemble roue pivotante

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0969978A1 true EP0969978A1 (fr) 2000-01-12

Family

ID=25645384

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP98909228A Withdrawn EP0969978A1 (fr) 1997-03-25 1998-03-25 Ensemble roue pivotante

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0969978A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO1998042523A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB9922658D0 (en) * 1999-09-25 1999-11-24 Macdonald Michael I C Trolleys and castors for trolleys
GB0204546D0 (en) * 2002-02-27 2002-04-10 Macdonald Michael I C Trolleys and castors for trolleys
FR2934023B1 (fr) * 2008-07-18 2010-09-10 Caddie Dispositif de fixation d'un roulement a un axe
DE202010012904U1 (de) 2010-11-16 2012-02-17 Blickle Räder + Rollen GmbH & Co. KG Lenkrolle
US8875855B2 (en) 2012-02-24 2014-11-04 Travelpro International Inc. Wheeled luggage case
EP4059861A1 (fr) 2016-01-28 2022-09-21 CHEP Technology Pty Limited Chariot
CN107379885A (zh) * 2017-06-21 2017-11-24 台山市金昊贸易有限公司 一种带有挂钩的脚轮
WO2024091128A1 (fr) * 2022-10-26 2024-05-02 Flemmer Rory Christian Dispositif pour contrer l'effet d'une inclinaison transversale de chemin sur des fauteuils roulants manuels

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3768709A (en) * 1971-03-29 1973-10-30 W Kinard Tennis ball holder
US3924292A (en) * 1974-12-09 1975-12-09 Roll Rite Corp Anti-flutter caster
DE3136203C2 (de) * 1981-09-12 1985-05-23 Max 8077 Baar Lippert Schwenklagerung für eine Laufrolle eines Fahrzeuges
GB9319701D0 (en) * 1993-09-24 1993-11-10 Multicontrol Ltd Castors
AU4395996A (en) * 1995-01-16 1996-08-07 Flexello Limited A shopping trolley, a castor for a shopping trolley and a kit of parts for fitting to such a castor

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of WO9842523A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO1998042523A1 (fr) 1998-10-01

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