GB2564461A

GB2564461A - Shock absorbing castor

Info

Publication number: GB2564461A
Application number: GB1711205.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Thomas Cramphorn Benjamin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2017-07-12
Filing date: 2017-07-12
Publication date: 2019-01-16
Also published as: GB201711205D0

Abstract

A captive, multi axis shock absorbing castor comprises a polymer element 5, sandwiched between two opposing metal brackets 4, 6. Bracket 6 is connected to a centre boss (7) which restrains the two brackets from separating in the event of shock or excessive force, and additionally provides rigidity of the connecting components for ease of control of the mounted equipment when being manoeuvred. A castor bracket 2 is attached to a wheel (1, fig 1) by an axle bolt (2, fig 1).

Description

Shock Absorbing Castor

This invention relates to a "Captive, Multi Axis Shock Absorbing Castor", which can attenuate Shock & Vibration in three axis, whilst limiting movement of the bracket assembly, during Push/Pull forces, to retain control and manoeuvrability of a piece of supported equipment, such as a Trolley.

Manufacturing and Material Handling Environments are often handling Components, Machinery and Equipment which are sensitive to Shock and/or Vibration. During the Manufacturing or Handling process, Shock Absorbing Castors will often be used on handling equipment to protect sensitive Components, Machinery or Equipment from Shock and/or vibration.

However, the use of conventional Shock Absorbing Castors can lead to a number of difficulties. The existing designs commonly achieve their Shock Absorbing function by means of two pivotal brackets, one of which carries a floor engaging wheel, and the other of which carries a mounting bracket to be fitted to the equipment, with either a Steel Coil Spring or Polymer Pad being installed between the pivotal metals which deforms under Shock forces.

Unfortunately, such existing devices reduce the ease of control and manoeuvrability of the equipment, due to the low stiffness that is required to attenuate Shock, and furthermore existing designs usually attenuate shock and vibration in one direction, usually the vertical, downwards direction.

This invention overcomes the problems described above in such that Shock & Vibration can be attenuated in three directions, whilst forces applied by the operator do not significantly affect the control and manoeuvrability of equipment. In addition the invention provides a "Captive Design", ensuring the product does not fail in the event of overload or excessive shock forces.

The Shock and Vibration absorbing properties are provided by a Polymer Element. The design of the Polymer Element can be manufactured to suit the application specification, such as Shock Input Forces, Fragility of Equipment, Weight of Equipment, and Vibration Frequency.

The metal Brackets may be designed to accommodate different fixing interfaces for the supported equipment, such as a Four Hole Plate Fixing interface, Single Fixing Hole Interface, and other common castor wheel fixing interfaces.

The invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a Captive, Multi Axis Shock Absorbing Castor with a Single Hole Fixing interface.

Figure 1A shows a Captive, Multi Axis Shock Absorbing Castor, with Wheel removed, and shows a Cross Sectional View of the Polymer Element, Metal Brackets, and Centre Boss assembly.

Figure 2 shows a Captive, Multi Axis Shock Absorbing Castor with an alternative Four Hole Fixing interface.

In Figure 1, A Wheel (1) is attached to a Castor Bracket (2) by an Axle Bolt (3). The Wheel (1) can freely rotate about the Axle Bolt (3). The upper part of the Castor Bracket (2) is rigidly connected to the Metal Bracket (4).

In Figure 1A,

The Bracket Assembly is shown with the Wheel (1) removed. The upper part of the Castor Bracket (2) is rigidly connected to the Metal Bracket (4). A Polymer Element (5) is sandwiched between Metal Bracket (4) and Metal Bracket (6). This Polymer Element (5) can be compressed in the Lateral, Longitudinal and Vertical direction to provide Shock and Vibration attenuation in three axis.

Centre Boss (7) is mechanically connected to Metal Bracket (6). In this version, Metal Bracket (6) and Centre Boss (7) provide a Single Hole Fixing Interface for connecting to the supported equipment.

In the event of Metal Bracket (6) being pulled in the upwards direction the Centre Boss (7) will interlock onto Metal Bracket (4) to ensure the product does not fail.

In the event of Metal Bracket (6) being pushed in the lateral or longitudinal direction, such as in the event of a trolley being pushed, the Centre Boss (7) will allow a small amount of Polymer Element (5) movement before the Centre Boss (7) interlocks with Metal Bracket (4) to provide a rigid assembly to retain control and manoeuvrability of the supported equipment.

In Figure 2,

An alternative fixing interface is shown, whereby Metal Bracket (6) and Metal Bracket (4) are inverse, with the upper part of the Castor Bracket (2) being rigidly connected to the Metal Bracket (6), providing a Four Hole Plate Fixing interface.

Claims

1. A Castor providing Shock and Vibration attenuation in three axis, with a retaining mechanism called a Centre Boss to limit movement of the bracket assembly, in three axis, during push/pull and shock forces.

2. A Castor, according to claim 1, in which Shock and Vibration attenuation is provided by a Polymer Element.

3. A Castor, according to claim 1, in which the Lateral, Longitudinal and Vertical displacement of the Bracket assembly is controlled by a Centre Boss.

4. A Castor, according to claim 1, in which the Bracket assembly is mechanically captive in the event of excessive overload forces.