GB2059259A - Improvements in the braking of wheels - Google Patents

Abstract

A wheeled castor comprises a swivelling fork 1 pivotally connected to a wheel carrier 5 with a wheel 9. The fork 1 has a braking rod 12 which engages the outer periphery of the wheel on depression of a pedal part of the wheel carrier. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvementsin the braking of wheels The present invention relates to the braking of wheels or other rollers, hereinafter referred to generically as wheels. The invention is particularly concerned with the braking of a castor wheel, wherein the wheel is mounted in a casing for swivelling movement about an axis at right angles to its axis of rolling rotation.

In accordance with the present invention the casing is made up of two parts, a wheel carrier part and a swivelling part. The carrier part and the swivelling part are pivotally connected to one another about a line parallel to the axis of rolling rotation of the wheel. Means, such as a pedal, are provided operable to move the carrier part and the swivelling part between first and second relative positions. In the first position rolling rotation of the wheel is allowed whilst in the second position a part on the swivelling part is pressed into braking relationship with the outer peripheral surface of the wheel thereby braking rolling movement of the wheel.

The invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a plan view of a wheeled castor in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a side view partially in section, and Figure 3 is a section on the line Ill - Ill of Figure 2.

The wheeled castor shown in the drawings comprises a swivelling fork 1 having dependent legs 2.

The detailed construction of the upper part of fork 1 does not forum part of the present invention but in principle a bearing assembly 3 is provided to permit swivelling rotation of the fork 1 about the vertical axis of stem 4. A wheel carrier 5 in the form of a pedal has side strip members 6 one on either side of the wheel joined buy a radially outer cross member 7.

The main axle 8 of the castor wheel 9 is located by nut 10 between side strip members 6 of operating pedal 5. Pedal 5 and fork 1 are connected to pivot relatively about an axis parallel to axle 8, i.e. the rolling axis of the castor, by pivot pins 11.

Above the outer peripheral surface of the wheel a braking rod 12 extends parallel to the axle 8 and spans the fork 1 and has a central roughened braking part 13.

In the position iliustrated in Figure 2 of the drawings the wheel is free to rotate and the article carried thereby to roll freely on a supporting surface. In this position the braking pedal extends radially at approximately 11.30 considering the vertical as 12 o'clock and the braking rod 12 is angularly positioned at approximately 1.30. Astop member 14 on the side strip 6 of the pedal abutting the lower surface of the fork leg 2 defines this position illustrated in Figure 2 as an end position.

On depression of the pedal 27 the fork 1 is moved so that the swivelling axis moves anti-clockwise beyond the top dead centre or 12 o'clock position until the braking rod 12 bears in braking engagement with the outer peripheral surface of the wheel 9; this braking position and engagement ofthe rod and wheel takes place at approximately the 11 o'clock position.

1. Acastorwheel comprising a casing mounted for swivelling movement about an axis at right angles to the axis of rolling rotation of the wheel such castor wheel comprising a wheel carrier part, a swivelling part pivotally connected to the wheel carrier part about a line parallel to the rolling axis and actuator means operable to move both said parts between a first relative position wherein rolling rotation of the wheel is allowed and a second relative position wherein an element on the braking part is pressed into braking relationship with the wheel at a position angularly spaced from the vertical considering the castor in use.

2. A castor wheel as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the sole braking element is a rod 12 extending transversely across the peripheral surface of the wheel and the first position is angularly spaced clockwise from the vertical and the second position is angularly spaced anticlockwise from the vertical.

3. A castor wheel substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (3)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Improvementsin the braking of wheels The present invention relates to the braking of wheels or other rollers, hereinafter referred to generically as wheels. The invention is particularly concerned with the braking of a castor wheel, wherein the wheel is mounted in a casing for swivelling movement about an axis at right angles to its axis of rolling rotation. In accordance with the present invention the casing is made up of two parts, a wheel carrier part and a swivelling part. The carrier part and the swivelling part are pivotally connected to one another about a line parallel to the axis of rolling rotation of the wheel. Means, such as a pedal, are provided operable to move the carrier part and the swivelling part between first and second relative positions. In the first position rolling rotation of the wheel is allowed whilst in the second position a part on the swivelling part is pressed into braking relationship with the outer peripheral surface of the wheel thereby braking rolling movement of the wheel. The invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a plan view of a wheeled castor in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a side view partially in section, and Figure 3 is a section on the line Ill - Ill of Figure 2. The wheeled castor shown in the drawings comprises a swivelling fork 1 having dependent legs 2. The detailed construction of the upper part of fork 1 does not forum part of the present invention but in principle a bearing assembly 3 is provided to permit swivelling rotation of the fork 1 about the vertical axis of stem 4. A wheel carrier 5 in the form of a pedal has side strip members 6 one on either side of the wheel joined buy a radially outer cross member 7. The main axle 8 of the castor wheel 9 is located by nut 10 between side strip members 6 of operating pedal 5. Pedal 5 and fork 1 are connected to pivot relatively about an axis parallel to axle 8, i.e. the rolling axis of the castor, by pivot pins 11. Above the outer peripheral surface of the wheel a braking rod 12 extends parallel to the axle 8 and spans the fork 1 and has a central roughened braking part 13. In the position iliustrated in Figure 2 of the drawings the wheel is free to rotate and the article carried thereby to roll freely on a supporting surface. In this position the braking pedal extends radially at approximately 11.30 considering the vertical as 12 o'clock and the braking rod 12 is angularly positioned at approximately 1.30. Astop member 14 on the side strip 6 of the pedal abutting the lower surface of the fork leg 2 defines this position illustrated in Figure 2 as an end position. On depression of the pedal 27 the fork 1 is moved so that the swivelling axis moves anti-clockwise beyond the top dead centre or 12 o'clock position until the braking rod 12 bears in braking engagement with the outer peripheral surface of the wheel 9; this braking position and engagement ofthe rod and wheel takes place at approximately the 11 o'clock position. CLAIMS

1. Acastorwheel comprising a casing mounted for swivelling movement about an axis at right angles to the axis of rolling rotation of the wheel such castor wheel comprising a wheel carrier part, a swivelling part pivotally connected to the wheel carrier part about a line parallel to the rolling axis and actuator means operable to move both said parts between a first relative position wherein rolling rotation of the wheel is allowed and a second relative position wherein an element on the braking part is pressed into braking relationship with the wheel at a position angularly spaced from the vertical considering the castor in use.

2. A castor wheel as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the sole braking element is a rod 12 extending transversely across the peripheral surface of the wheel and the first position is angularly spaced clockwise from the vertical and the second position is angularly spaced anticlockwise from the vertical.

3. A castor wheel substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.