GB1393759A - Castor mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

1393759 Castors TRIOTEAM AS 22 Nov 1972 [23 Nov 1971] 53954/72 Heading A4U [Also in Division F2] In a supporting device, e.g. a hospital bed, in which a frame is supported on wheels 1 each of which is mounted in a fork 2 rotatably engaging a tubular member 3 on the frame, a locking member 5 is slidably disposed in the tubular member 3 and has a flange 22 for alternative braking engagement with the wheel 1 or an annular part 25 of the fork, the members 5 being operable in pairs by links 7, 11 connected to a rod 8 operated by a lever or pedal 14. The rod 8 is disposed in a tube 4 of the frame and rollers 10 at the pivotal interconnections of the rod 8 with the links 7, 11 run on the inside of the tube, the rod 8 being resiliently pre-stressed by the lever or pedal 14 and the links 7, 11 being movable past their vertical position, whereby a toggle effect is obtained and the members 5 are retained in their wheel engaging positions. Pins 6 which pivotally inter-connect the links 7, 11 with the members 5 extend into vertical grooves in the tubular members 3 to prevent rotation of the members 5. A spring-loaded bolt 19 of a lock 20 releasably engages notches 18 in the rod 8 for retaining the rod in desired positions. A stop 21 limits longitudinal movement of the rod 8. The flange 22 has pins 23 for engagement in holes 24 in the annular part 25. The levers or pedals 14 at opposite ends of the frame may be inter-connected by a shaft 27 whereby operation of all the members 5 may be effected from either of the ends. A releasable coupling may be provided in the shaft 27 so that one pair of the members 5 may be optionally left in the unengaged position.