GB2347073A

GB2347073A - Ridged castor cup

Info

Publication number: GB2347073A
Application number: GB9824103A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Stockley
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-11-04
Filing date: 1998-11-04
Publication date: 2000-08-30
Also published as: GB9824103D0

Abstract

A castor cup comprises a ground-engaging surface divided into a first region having a plurality of ridges and a second region which is substantially smooth. In use, the castor cup preferably grips a castor associated with an item of furniture so as to protect any carpet lying underneath. Accordingly, the ridged portion engages the carpet to prevent the furniture from being displaced and the smooth portion is adapted to allow the furniture to be moved when tilted.

Description

STOPN'GLIDE CASTOR CUP Castor cups are a well known and used product in the domestic soft furnishings trade. The products principal action is to protect carpets and polished floors from castor damage and to protect walls from scuff damage caused bt moving furniture.

The main three aims of a castor cup is therefore as follows ; A) To grip the castor with the cup.

3) To protect the carpet from the castor. e) To grip the carpet AND allow moveability when necessary.

Our research shows that the castor cups available on the market today only encompass one or two actions of the above not all three.

This has led us to redesign the castor cup to fulfill all the above reauirements.

STOPn'GLIDE castor cups are designed to grip the castor thus preventing the cup from falling off and becoming lost under the furniture. This common problem is often undetected immediately by the user viser causingcarpetdamage.

STOP n'CLIDE castor cups have been designed with carpet protection as a priority feature. Me have dispensed with teeth to grip the carpet as they could in time cause fibre damage. Instead we have designed a series of ridges at the most effective depth for a safe gripping action.

3'r't-?:n1.T17ECdS'.OCt~l1'1VP!"!;tC?:1Vl2Ancl S1'1PE?::ri!,,? carpet to prevent furniture from moving but to allow noveability when necessary. The foot of the cup is designed to grip on the ridged half as mentioned above and is smooth on the opposite half tcallowthefurnituretoslidewhenthefurnitureistilled(se diagram@. All smo@th surfaces must be pointing in the same diagram).Mlsmoothsurfacesmustbecintininthes.?.me .,. ex During our research we have tried different designs and found this particular one to be the most effective. It was also the most popular design with many furniture and bed retailers.

THE DRAWINGS HAVE REFERENCE NUMBERS IE (X) of 3 # of 3 &commat;ouf3 PLUS TWO DRAWINGS 11 AND 11A (D UNDERSIDE OF CASTER CUP SHOWING RIDGE OF PLASTIC CIRCLES HOLDING CASTOR TO CARPET IN A GRIPPING ACTION SMOOTH AREA SHOWING CASTER CUP IN A GLIDING ACTION.

SHOWINGPRINCIPLECASTORCUPS IN ANYDIRECTION GRIPPING AND STOPPING SOFA OR BED FROM MOVFNG.

SHOPING CASTOR CUPS IN ONE DIRECTION TO GLIDE SOFA OR BED TO THE SIDE.

11 SHOWING 3 RIDGES CUT INTO CASTOR CUP TO STOP CUP FROM GLIDING.

11 A SHOWING RIDGES MORE CLEARLY.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A castor cup comprising a one piece thermoplastic moulding whereby the point load of a castor wheel is transferred to a larger area.
2. A castor cup as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the castor is retained in the cup by an undercut formed in the moulding.
3. A castor cup as claimed in Claim 1 & Claim 2 wherein the circular base in contact with the floor area provides an area of slide by use of a smooth surface and an area of grip by projecting ridges.
4. A castor cup substantially as described herein with reference to Fig I of the accompanying drawing.