JP2014004967A - Double-wheel caster - Google Patents

Abstract

[PROBLEMS] To achieve a compact caster by ensuring both dustproofness and stopper installation.
A two-wheel caster 2 includes a caster main body 3, wheels 5A and 5B rotatably supported on both sides of the main body 3 via an axle 4, and a stopper mechanism 30 for locking the wheels 5A and 5B. Yes. A plurality of annular protrusions 13 </ b> A to 13 </ b> C are formed on both side surfaces of the caster body 3 so as to surround the shaft hole 11 at positions that do not interfere with the stopper mechanism 30. The protruding ends of the annular protrusions 13A to 13C form a narrow gap between the inner surfaces of the wheels 5A and 5B, and prevent foreign matter from entering the axle 4 side from the outside.
[Selection] Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a twin wheel caster.

  In general, a twin-wheel caster is provided on the bottom of an attached body such as furniture provided on left and right wheels, a caster main body on which the wheels are rotatably supported via an axle, and a position eccentric to the axle of the caster main body. And a pivot shaft that is fixed. Normally, the caster body is used as a free wheel that can freely turn around the turning axis and can rotate in any direction as the wheels rotate. By the way, in the conventional twin-wheel caster, it is known to provide a dust-proof member that prevents foreign matter from entering the axle between the caster body and the wheels (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In the invention described in Patent Document 1, a dust-proof cover is fixed to the side surface of the caster body and extends so as to cover the inner peripheral surface of the wheel, and a ring-shaped member is fixed to the inner flat surface of the wheel, and the inner peripheral edge is covered with the dust-proof cover. A narrow gap is formed between the outer peripheral side edge and the outer peripheral side edge so as to form a dustproof structure.

JP 2008-213737 A

  However, in the caster disclosed in Patent Document 1, a dust-proof cover that covers a surface of the wheel facing the caster body is fixed to the caster body, and the inner peripheral edge of the caster body-side inner side surface has the dust-proof cover. A ring-shaped member facing the outer peripheral edge of the cover is fixed, and a narrow gap is formed by these members to constitute a dustproof mechanism. Since the dustproof cover is provided on the side surface of the caster body corresponding to the wheel, in order to provide a stopper mechanism that locks the wheel and brakes the wheel, it must be provided at a position that does not interfere with the dustproof member. There is. For this reason, if it is going to provide a stopper mechanism in the position which does not interfere with a dustproof member, there exists a problem that a stopper mechanism itself will become complicated and a twin-wheel caster will enlarge.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and provides a twin-wheel caster that can be made compact by providing a wheel stopper mechanism in the caster body even in a twin-wheel caster having a dustproof structure. It is the purpose.

  A twin-wheel caster according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a caster body and wheels that are rotatably supported on both sides of the caster body via axles, and are fixed to the attached body so as to be pivotable via a pivot shaft. In the two-wheel caster, the caster body is provided with a stopper mechanism that engages with and disengages from the braking portions formed on the inner surfaces of both wheels to prevent the wheels from rotating, and at least one of the caster body and the wheels In addition, a dustproof means for preventing foreign matter from entering the axle is provided at a portion that does not interfere with the stopper mechanism.

  The twin-wheel caster according to claim 1 of the present invention includes a caster body and wheels that are rotatably supported on both sides of the caster body via an axle, and are fixed to the mounted body so as to be pivotable via a pivot shaft. In the two-wheel caster, the caster body is provided with a stopper mechanism that engages with and disengages from the braking portions formed on the inner surfaces of both wheels to prevent the wheels from rotating, and at least one of the caster body and the wheels The dust prevention structure for preventing the foreign matter from entering the axle side is provided at a portion that does not interfere with the stopper mechanism, so that the dust prevention structure of the caster and the stopper mechanism of the wheel are integrally provided on the caster body, and a plurality of functions are provided. Since both are compatible, the caster body is made compact.

  In the twin-wheel caster according to claim 2 of the present invention, the caster body is formed into a body-cut block, and the dust-proof means is formed on both side surfaces of the caster body so as to protrude toward the wheel side and to form a narrow space between the wheel inner surface. It is characterized by forming and forming an annular protrusion.

  The twin-wheel caster according to claim 3 of the present invention is characterized in that a plurality of annular protrusions are formed concentrically around the shaft hole.

  The double-wheel caster according to claim 4 of the present invention is characterized in that the wheel is formed with a recessed portion for receiving the annular protrusion, and a narrow space is formed by the annular protrusion and the recessed portion. .

  The twin-wheel caster according to claim 5 of the present invention is characterized in that the annular projections on both side surfaces of the caster body are formed to be inclined outward, and the recessed portion is formed on the outer side in the longitudinal direction from the braking portion. .

  The double-wheel caster according to claim 6 of the present invention is fitted to the recess in the wheel, and the inner peripheral surface faces the protruding end edge of the annular protruding portion to form a narrow gap between the protruding end edge. It is characterized by providing an annular member.

  In the twin-wheel caster according to claim 7 of the present invention, a protruding edge of the annular projection is formed with a bulging edge that bulges outward, and an annular member is formed in a T-shaped cross section, The protruding edge faces the bent surface of the annular member, and a narrow gap is formed between the bulging edge and the bent surface of the annular member facing the bulging edge.

  The twin-wheel caster according to claim 8 of the present invention includes a dust-proof means, a bottomed cylindrical member in which one end opening extends to the wheel side and a bottom surface with the other end is fixed around the shaft holes on both sides of the caster body, It is fixed to the circumferential surface of the annular recess formed on the shaft hole side from the braking portion, and the inner circumferential surface faces the opening edge of the bottomed cylindrical member to form a narrow gap between the opening edge. It is characterized by comprising a shell.

  The twin-wheel caster according to claim 9 of the present invention is formed by bending the open end edge of the bottomed cylindrical member outward, and bending the caster body side open end of the shell inward. A narrow gap is formed between the bent opening edge of the bottom cylindrical member and the inner surface of the sleeve facing the opening edge.

  A twin-wheel caster according to claim 10 of the present invention is a wheel lock member in which a stopper mechanism is housed displaceably in a housing part formed on the rear side of the pivot axis of the caster body, and both ends can be engaged with and disengaged from a wheel brake part. The wheel lock member is provided with an operation member that is displaced by an operation from the outside and is switched to either a lock position for locking the wheel or a non-lock position for unlocking the wheel. Is.

  In the twin-wheel caster according to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, the braking portion of the wheel is configured by a locking groove formed on the outer peripheral side of the inner surface of the wheel, and the storage portion of the caster body is placed on both sides of the caster body on the left and right. It has a through-hole that passes through and opens on both side surfaces, and an insertion port that opens from the through-hole to the upper surface of the caster body and into which the operating member is inserted. An engagement portion is formed, and this wheel lock member is inserted into this through hole with an elastic member interposed therebetween, and both end engagement portions are exposed from the caster body so as to face the locking groove of the wheel, and the operation member is placed outside. An operation plate and a cam portion extending downward from the outer operation plate and having a cam surface formed at the extended end are configured, and the cam portion of the operation member can be inserted through the insertion port and swingable to the caster body. Support the cam and lock the wheel in the through hole. Contact the upper surface of the member, engage the both-end engaging part of the wheel lock member with the locking groove of the wheel by a different cam surface, and either the braking state or the braking release state of the wheel at each swing end position of the operation member It is characterized by holding on either side.

  In the twin-wheel caster according to claim 12 of the present invention, the braking portion of the wheel is constituted by a peripheral surface formed on the outer peripheral side of the inner surface of the wheel, and both end engaging portions of the wheel lock member are in contact with this peripheral surface. It is characterized by comprising brake rubber.

  The twin-wheel caster according to claim 13 of the present invention is characterized in that a lateral slip prevention portion that is in contact with the cam portion of the operation member and that restricts displacement in the left-right direction is formed on the upper surface of the wheel lock member. .

  In the twin-wheel caster according to claim 14 of the present invention, the stopper mechanism is swingably supported by a storage portion formed on the rear side of the pivot shaft of the caster body and swingable so that the left and right ends can be engaged with and disengaged from the brake portion of the wheel. A lock member, and an elastic member that is attached to the storage unit and that constantly holds the rocking lock member at one rocking end position and holds the wheel in either the locked state or the unlocked state. The rocking lock member is swung to the other rocking end position by an external operation to switch the wheel locked state or unlocked state to the opposite state.

  In the twin-wheel caster according to the fifteenth aspect of the present invention, the braking portion of the wheel is constituted by a locking groove formed on the outer peripheral side of the inner surface of the wheel, and the storage portion of the caster main body is arranged on both sides of the caster main body on the left and right. It has a through-hole penetrating and opening on both side surfaces and an insertion port that opens from the through-hole to the upper surface of the caster body and into which the rocking lock member is inserted. A cam portion that extends downward from the operation plate and has a cam surface formed at the extended end, and on both the left and right sides of the cam portion, an engagement portion that engages with a locking groove of the wheel is formed, The rocking lock member is inserted into the through hole with a cam surface contact that moves up and down so that the upper surface can be elastically restored, and the right and left side engagement parts face the locking groove of the wheel so that it can swing on the caster body. Support the cam part against the cam surface contact in the through hole. , It is characterized in that to hold the swing lock member in either of the locked position or unlocked position of the wheels by different cam surface.

  In the twin-wheel caster according to claim 16 of the present invention, the braking portion of the wheel is constituted by a peripheral surface formed on the outer peripheral side of the inner surface of the wheel, and both side engaging portions of the rocking lock member are in contact with the peripheral surface. It is characterized by comprising a brake rubber.

  The twin-wheel caster according to the present invention is a twin-wheel caster that includes a caster body and wheels that are rotatably supported on both sides of the caster body via an axle, and is fixed to the mounted body so as to be pivotable via a pivot shaft. The caster body is provided with a stopper mechanism that engages with and disengages from the braking portions formed on the inner surfaces of both wheels to prevent the wheels from rotating, and at least one of the caster body and the wheels has the stopper mechanism Dust-proofing means that prevents foreign matter from entering the axle is provided in the area that does not interfere with the vehicle, ensuring both dust-proof performance and the installation of a stopper mechanism, and simplifying the overall system configuration by making the caster body compact This has the effect of reducing costs.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a twin-wheel caster according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Example 1 FIG. 2 is a side view showing a caster body of the twin-wheel caster of FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a main part showing a state where one wheel of the twin-wheel caster of FIG. 1 is removed. FIGS. 4A to 4C are a side view, a front view, and a plan view of the wheel lock member, respectively. 5A and 5B are a side view and a front view of the operation member, respectively. 6 (A) and 6 (B) are partially cutaway side views of the main part showing the state of the double wheel caster of FIG. 1 when unlocked and locked, respectively. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII of the twin-wheel caster of FIG. 2, and (A) and (B) are cross-sectional views showing the unlocked state and locked state, respectively. FIGS. 8A and 8B are a side view and a front view, respectively, of a wheel lock member of a twin wheel caster according to a second embodiment of the present invention. (Example 2) FIGS. 9A and 9B are a side view and a front view, respectively, of the operating member of the twin-wheel caster according to the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a side view showing the inner side surface of the wheel of the twin-wheel caster according to the second embodiment. FIGS. 11A and 11B are cross-sectional views showing the state of the twin-wheel caster according to the second embodiment of the present invention when unlocked and when locked, respectively. FIG. 12 is a partially broken enlarged view of a main part of a twin wheel caster according to a third embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the side. (Example 3) FIG. 13 is a partially broken enlarged view of the main part of the twin-wheel caster of FIG. 12 viewed from the rear. FIG. 14 is an explanatory view showing the swing end position of the swing lock member of the twin-wheel caster of FIG. FIG. 15 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a twin-wheel caster according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. Example 4 FIGS. 16A and 16B are a longitudinal sectional view showing a twin-wheel caster according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention and an explanatory view showing a locking groove of a wheel, respectively. (Example 5) FIGS. 17A and 17B are respectively an explanatory view and a longitudinal sectional view showing a stopper mechanism for a twin-wheel caster according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. (Example 6) FIG. 18 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a twin-wheel caster according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention. (Example 7)

  For the purpose of achieving both the formation of a dust-proof structure and the installation of a stopper mechanism and reducing the size of the twin-wheel caster, the caster body and wheels supported on both sides of the caster body via an axle are rotatably supported. In the double-wheel caster fixed to the mounted body so as to be able to turn through a turning shaft, the caster body is provided with a stopper mechanism that engages with and disengages from the braking portion formed on the inner surfaces of both wheels. In addition, at least one of the caster body and the wheel is provided with a dust-proof means for preventing foreign matter from entering the axle side at a portion that does not interfere with the stopper mechanism, and the dust-proof means is disposed on both sides of the caster body from the wheel side. The stopper mechanism is formed with a storage part on the rear side of the pivot axis of the caster body, and can be displaced to this storage part. A wheel lock member that is housed and both ends can be engaged with the brake portion of the wheel, and the wheel lock member is displaced by an external operation to switch between a lock position for locking the wheel and a non-lock position for unlocking the wheel. This is realized by comprising an operation member.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to embodiments shown in the drawings. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the twin-wheel caster 2 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a caster body 3 and wheels 5 </ b> A and 5 </ b> B rotatably supported by the caster body 3 via an axle 4. The caster body 3 is provided with a pivot shaft 7 that is rotatably fitted in a mounting hole 6 that is decentered from the axle 4 and formed vertically. In the twin-wheel caster 2 of this embodiment, two wheels 5A and 5B are rotatably supported on both sides of the caster body 3 via an axle 4. The lower part of the pivot shaft 7 is fitted into the mounting hole 6 of the caster body 3, and the upper part is formed with a threaded part 7 </ b> A that is screwed to an attached body (not shown) such as furniture. A flange is provided for performing a rotation operation when fixing the swivel shaft 7. Locking grooves (braking parts) 9 and 9 are formed on the outer peripheral side of the inner side surface 8 (see FIGS. 7A and 7B) that is annularly recessed in the wheels 5 </ b> A and 5 </ b> B, respectively.

  By the way, the caster main body 3 of the twin-wheel caster 2 according to the present embodiment is configured by drilling a shaft hole 11 in a circular cut-out circular block. On both side surfaces 12 </ b> A and 12 </ b> B of the caster body 3, i.e., surfaces facing the inner surfaces of the wheels 5 </ b> A and 5 </ b> B, annular protrusions (dustproof means) 13 </ b> A to 13 </ b> C are formed surrounding the shaft hole 11. These annular protrusions 13A to 13C are configured to project from the caster body side faces 12A and 12B to the wheels 5A and 5B in an annular shape and to be formed in a plurality of concentric shapes. The protruding ends of the annular protrusions 13A to 13C form a narrow gap between the inner surfaces of the wheels 5A and 5B, and prevent foreign matter from entering the axle 4 side from the outside. An annular protrusion 13A closest to the shaft hole 11 and an annular protrusion 13C farthest from the shaft hole 11 are each formed in an annular shape. A part of the annular protrusion 13B located in the middle of the annular protrusions 13A and 13C is cut off so as to face the openings 15A and 15B of the through holes 15 opened on the both side surfaces 12A and 12B of the caster body. As described above, the annular protrusions 13A to 13C formed integrally with the caster body 3 form multiple walls to prevent foreign substances from entering.

  The twin-wheel caster 2 is provided with a stopper mechanism 30 that engages with the locking grooves 9 and 9 of the wheels 5A and 5B and prevents the wheels 5A and 5B from rotating. The caster body 3 is formed with a storage portion 14 on the rear side of the pivot shaft 7. The storage portion 14 includes a through hole 15 that passes through both side surfaces 12A and 12B of the caster body 3 to the left and right and opens on both side surfaces, and insertion ports 16A and 16B that open from the through hole 15 to the upper surface. The A wheel lock member 17 is inserted into the through hole 15 and is housed in the through hole 15 via a spring (elastic member) 18. As shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C, the wheel lock member 17 has a central portion 20 having a U-shaped cross section and both end portions 19, 19 extending outward from the edge of the central portion 20. Both end portions 19 and 19 protrude from the opening portions 15A and 15B of the through-hole 15 so as to face the locking grooves 9 of the wheels 5A and 5B. The wheel lock member 17 moves forward and backward in the longitudinal direction with respect to the axle 4 in the through hole 15. Engaging portions that engage with the locking groove 9 are formed at both ends 19, 19 of the wheel lock member 17 facing the locking groove 9. The locking grooves 9 and 9 of the wheels 5A and 5B are formed in a concavo-convex shape, and the engaging portions 19 and 19 are formed in a concavo-convex shape so as to fit into the concavo-convex engaging grooves 9 and 9. The central portion 20 of the wheel lock member 17 has a flat upper surface, and protrusions (lateral slip prevention portions) that come into contact with cam plates 24 and 25 of an operation member 21 described later on the left and right sides of the central flat portion 20. 20A and 20B are formed. A spring 18 is interposed on the lower surface side of the central portion 20 of the wheel lock member 17 so as to be accommodated in the through hole 15.

  An operation member 21 is inserted into the insertion openings 16A and 16B of the caster body 3 and is supported by the caster body 3 by a pin 22 so as to be swingable. As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the operation member 21 extends downward from the bent outer operation plate 23 and the lower surface of the outer operation plate 23, and cam surfaces C1 and C2 are formed at the extended ends. And a pair of cam plates (cam portions) 24, 25. When the cam plates 24 and 25 are inserted through the insertion ports 16A and 16B and supported on the caster body 3 so as to be swingable, the operation member 21 has one of the cam surfaces C1 and C2 of the cam plates 24 and 25 penetrating therethrough. The wheel lock member 17 accommodated in the hole 15 comes into contact with the central flat portion 20 of the wheel lock member 17. For this reason, when the different cam surfaces C1 and C2 contact the central flat portion 20, the operation member 21 is held at one of the swing end positions. Both the cam plates 24 and 25 are configured such that the outer surfaces on the edge side are in contact with the protrusions 20A and 20B formed on the left and right sides of the central flat portion 20 of the wheel lock member 17, and the wheel lock member 17 is The lateral shift in the direction is prevented.

  When the outer operation plate 23 of the operation member 21 is pressed against the caster body 3 by an external operation, the wheel lock member 17 is pushed down against the elastic force of the spring 18 and the cam surface C1. Is held in pressure contact with the central flat portion 20, the operating member 21 is held at its swing end position, and the both-end engaging portions 19, 19 of the wheel lock member 17 are moved from the locking grooves 9, 9 of the wheels 5 </ b> A, 5 </ b> B. The wheel 5A, 5B is held at a distant position, that is, at a lock release position that allows the wheels 5A and 5B to rotate and releases the lock (see FIGS. 6A and 7A). Further, when the outer operation plate 23 of the operation member 21 is operated in a different direction by an external operation, that is, when the bent rear portion 23B is pushed down to swing the cam plates 24, 25, the center of the wheel lock member 17 is moved. The surface abutting the flat portion 20 moves from the cam surface C1 to the cam surface C2, the wheel lock member 17 is pushed upward by the elastic force of the spring 18, and both end engaging portions 19, 19 are engaged with the wheels 5A, 5B. The operation member 21 is engaged with the stop grooves 9 and 9 and is held at the other swing end position, and is held at the lock position that locks the rotation of the wheels 5A and 5B ((( B) and FIG. 7B). As described above, the stopper mechanism 30 of the twin-wheel caster 2 includes the spring 18 and the wheel lock member 17 accommodated in the accommodating portion 14 of the caster body 3, the operation member 21 and the wheel 5A that are swingably supported by the caster body 3. It is comprised by the latching groove | channel 9 formed in the outer peripheral side of 5B inner side recessed part.

  Next, the operation of the twin-wheel caster 2 according to the first embodiment will be described. In the twin-wheel caster 2 according to this embodiment, when the bent front portion 23A of the outer operation plate 23 of the operation member 21 is pressed against the caster body 3 side by an external operation, the cam plates 24 and 25 are centered on the pin 22. When the cam surface pushes down the wheel lock member 17 against the elastic force of the spring 18 and the cam surface C1 contacts the central flat portion 20, the spring 18 presses the wheel lock member 17 against the cam surface C1. The operation member 21 is restricted from further swinging and is held at the swing end. At this time, the wheel lock member 17 is retracted to the longitudinal direction axle side in the through hole 15, and the both end engaging portions 19 and 19 are separated from the locking grooves 9 and 9 of the wheels 5A and 5B, that is, The wheels 5A and 5B are held at the braking release positions (see FIGS. 6A and 7A). For this reason, the wheels 5A and 5B are freely rotated.

  In order to lock the wheels 5A and 5B and put them into a braking state, when the outer operation plate 23 is raised by pushing the bent rear portion 23B of the outer operation plate 23 downward by an external operation, the cam plate 24, The wheel lock member 17 is once pushed down against the elastic force of the spring 18 while the cam surface that contacts the central flat portion 20 moves from C1 to C2 while the shaft 25 swings in the opposite direction around the pin 22. After that, when the cam surface C2 comes into contact with the central flat portion 20, the spring 18 presses the wheel lock member 17 against the cam surface C2, and the operation member 21 is restricted from further swinging and is held at the other swing end. The At this time, the wheel lock member 17 has advanced from the axle 4 side outward in the longitudinal direction within the through hole 15, and the both end engaging portions 19, 19 are engaged with the locking grooves 9, 9 of the wheels 5 </ b> A, 5 </ b> B. ing. That is, the wheel lock member 17 is held at the braking position of the wheels 5A and 5B (see FIGS. 6B and 7B). Thus, the twin-wheel caster 2 can lock and release the wheels 5A and 5B by operating the outer operation plate 23 of the stopper mechanism 30.

  Furthermore, annular projections 13A to 13C are formed on both side surfaces 12A and 12B of the caster body of the twin-wheel caster 2, and a narrow gap (dust-proof space) is formed between the protruding end and the inner surfaces of the wheels 5A and 5B. Therefore, when the twin-wheel caster 2 is used, entry of foreign matter from the outside is prevented. In addition, since the annular protrusions 13A to 13C are formed as a plurality of walls by forming a plurality of annular protrusions concentrically, entry of foreign matters can be effectively prevented. Further, since the stopper mechanism 30 is provided between the caster body 3 and the wheels 5A and 5B without interfering with the annular protrusions 13A and 13C on the inner and outer peripheral sides, the dustproof performance is secured and the caster body 3 is secured. It can be made compact.

  Next, a twin wheel caster 102 according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the twin-wheel caster 102 according to this embodiment, in the twin-wheel caster 2 according to the first embodiment, the concave and convex engaging grooves 9 and 9 are formed on the outer peripheral side surface of the inner side surface 8 where the braking portions of the wheels 5A and 5B are recessed. In contrast, the both-end engaging portions 19 and 19 of the wheel lock member 17 are formed in a concavo-convex shape so as to be fitted in the concavo-convex engagement grooves 9 and 9 to lock the wheels 5A and 5B. The braking portions of the wheels 105A and 105B are configured by a smooth peripheral surface 109 formed on the outer peripheral side of the inner surface 108 that is recessed in an annular shape of the wheels 105A and 105B. In the twin wheel caster 2 according to the first embodiment, the cam portion of the operating member 21 is composed of a pair of cam plates 24 and 25. The cam part Tsu consisted click shaped cam block 124, outside which point formation of the cam surface C1, C2 different in the cam block 124 is different has substantially the same structure as the first embodiment. The cam block 124 is inserted from the single insertion port 16 that opens from the through hole 15 to the upper surface of the caster body 3, and is housed in the through hole 15 so as to be swingable.

  Since the twin-wheel caster 102 according to the second embodiment is configured as described above, the bent front portion 123A of the outer operation plate 123 of the operation member 121 is pressed against the caster body 3 side by an external operation. When the cam block 124 is swung, the cam surface pushes down the wheel lock member 117 against the elastic force of the spring 18, and when the cam surface C 1 comes into contact with the central flat portion 20, the spring 18 moves to the wheel lock member 117. Is pressed against the cam surface C1, and the operation member 121 is held at the swing end. At this time, the wheel lock member 117 is retracted toward the longitudinal axle in the through hole 15, and the brake rubbers 119 and 119 at both ends are separated from the outer peripheral side surfaces 109 and 109 of the inner side surface 108 where the wheels 105A and 105B are recessed. Is held at the braking release position of the wheels 105A and 105B (see FIG. 11A). In order to lock the wheels 105A and 105B and bring them into a braking state, the bent rear portion 123B of the outer operation plate 123 is pushed downward by an external operation, and the outer operation plate 123 is raised to reverse the cam block 124. The wheel lock member 117 is once pushed down against the elastic force of the spring 18 while the cam surface contacting the central flat portion 20 is moved from C1 to C2, and then the cam surface C2 is centered. When contacting the flat portion 20, the spring 18 presses the wheel lock member 117 against the cam surface C2, and the operation member 121 is restricted from further swinging and held at the other swing end. At this time, the wheel lock member 117 is in a position displaced in the longitudinal direction from the axle 4 side in the through hole 15, and the brake rubbers 119 and 119 at both ends are in pressure contact with the peripheral surfaces 109 and 109 of the wheels 105A and 105B. It has become. That is, the wheel lock member 117 is held at the braking position of the wheels 105A and 105B (see FIG. 11B). Thus, the twin-wheel caster 2 can lock or unlock the wheels 105 </ b> A and 105 </ b> B by operating the outer operation plate 123 of the stopper mechanism 130.

  Next, a twin-wheel caster 202 according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the twin-wheel caster 202 according to the third embodiment of the present invention, the two-wheel casters 2 and 102 according to the first and second embodiments move the wheel lock members 17 and 117 forward and backward by the operation members 21 and 121, respectively. The wheels 5A, 5B, 105A, and 105B are locked, but the point that the operation member and the wheel lock member are integrally configured by the rocking lock member 221 is different. That is, the rocking lock member 221 includes an outer operation plate 223 and a cam block (cam portion) 224 that extends downward from the lower surface of the outer operation plate 223 and has cam surfaces C1 and C2 formed at extended ends. The The swing lock member 221 is inserted from the insertion port 16 and accommodated in the through hole 15, and is supported by the caster body 3 by the pins 22 so as to be swingable. Brake rubbers 219 and 219 are provided on both side surfaces of the cam block 224 of the rocking lock member 221 on the one cam surface C2 side so as to protrude toward the wheels 205A and 205B. 219 and 219 are brought into pressure contact with outer peripheral side peripheral surfaces 209 and 209 of the concave inner surface 208 of the wheels 205A and 205B to lock the wheels 205A and 205B.

  In the twin-wheel caster 202 according to the present embodiment, a spring 218 is accommodated in an accommodation hole 204 (through hole 15 and insertion port 16) formed in the caster body 203, and a bottomed cylinder (cam surface contactor) is accommodated in the spring 218. The rocking lock member 221 is inserted into the housing hole 204 and supported by the caster body 203 so as to be able to rock, and the cam surfaces C1 and C2 of the rocking lock member 221 are formed in the cylindrical body. It is made to contact | abut to the upper surface flat part 220 of 217. FIG. When the rocking lock member 221 is rocked and one cam surface C1 contacts the upper surface 220 of the cylindrical body 217, the rocking lock member 221 is held at that position. At that time, the brake rubbers 219 and 219 are held at positions away from the peripheral surfaces 209 and 209 of the wheels 205A and 205B. For this reason, braking of the wheels 205A and 205B is released. When the rocking lock member 221 is rocked in the opposite direction and the other cam surface C2 comes into contact with the upper surface 220 of the cylindrical body 217, it is held at that position, and the brake rubbers 219 and 219 are moved to the wheels 205A and 205B. The wheels 205 </ b> A and 205 </ b> B are locked by being pressed against the peripheral surfaces 209 and 209. In this embodiment, the wheels 205A and 205B are locked by the brake rubber 219 and 219 provided on the cam block 224 of the operation member and the peripheral surfaces 209 and 209 of the wheels 205A and 205B. As shown in the first embodiment, a concave and convex locking groove is formed on the wheels 205A and 205B, and the cam block 224 is engaged with the locking groove instead of the brake rubber 219 and 219. A shaped engaging portion may be provided.

  Next, a twin-wheel caster 302 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the twin-wheel caster 302 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the double-wheel caster 2 according to the first embodiment has the annular protrusions 13A to 13C that prevent foreign matter from entering the axle 4 side. The wheels 305A and 305B are configured to project annularly from the surfaces 12A and 12B to the wheels 5A and 5B and to form a plurality of concentric circles. In addition, annular concave grooves (concave portions, dustproof means) 306 and 306 are formed. The difference is that the annular protrusions (dustproof means) 313 protruding from the left and right side surfaces 312A and 312B of the caster body 303 toward the wheels 305A and 305B are accommodated in the annular recessed grooves 306 and 306, respectively. . In other words, in this embodiment, the annular protrusions 313 and 313 of the caster body 303 are received in the annular recessed grooves 306 and 306 of the wheels 305A and 305B. With this configuration, a narrow space is formed between the outer surfaces of the annular protrusions 313 and 313 and the inner surfaces of the annular recessed grooves 306 and 306 facing the annular protrusions 313 and 313. In addition, since this narrow space is bent and continues for a long time, it has a good dustproof function.

  Next, a twin wheel caster 402 according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the twin-wheel caster 402 according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention, the twin-wheel casters 2 and 302 according to the first and fourth embodiments have the annular protrusions 13A to 13C and 313 as the caster body side surfaces 12A, 12B and 312A. , 312B is vertically raised from the flat surface, but the annular protrusions 413 and 413 are formed by inclining outward from the caster body side surfaces 412A and 412B. In other words, the twin-wheel caster 402 according to the present embodiment is formed by inclining the annular protrusions (dust-proofing means) 413 and 413 on both side surfaces 412A and 412B of the caster body 403 outward, and the wheels 405A and 405B have stoppers. Ring-shaped recessed grooves (dust-proof means) 406 and 406 for receiving the ring-shaped protrusions 413 and 413 are formed outside the locking groove 9 of the mechanism 30 in the longitudinal direction. A protruding edge of the annular protrusion 413 is formed with a bulging edge 413A that bulges outward as shown in FIG. With this configuration, a narrow space is bent and elongated between the bulging edges 413A and 413A of the annular protrusions 413 and 413 and the inner surfaces of the annular recessed grooves 406 and 406 facing the bulging edges 413A and 413A. Can be secured.

  Next, a twin-wheel caster 502 according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the twin-wheel caster 502 according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention, the twin-wheel casters 302 and 402 according to the fourth and fifth embodiments are arranged so that the annular protrusions 313 and 313 are disposed on the wheels 305A, 305B, 405A and 405B side. , 413 and 413 are formed, respectively, while the wheels 505A and 505B are formed with annular protrusions (dustproof means) 513 formed to be inclined outward. Recessed portions (dust-proof means) 506 and 506 for receiving 513 are formed, and annular members 540 and 540 are fixed to the recessed portions 506 and 506, and the inner peripheral surfaces of the annular members 540 and 540 are attached to the annular protrusions 513 and 513. The difference is that a narrow gap is formed between the projecting end edges 513A and 513A and facing the projecting end edges 513A and 513A. The protruding end edges of the annular protrusions 513 and 513 are formed with bulging edges 513A and 513A that bulge outward. The ring-shaped members 540 and 540 are formed to have a T-shaped cross section, and a bent surface 541 is formed by the head portions 540A and 540A and the sleeve-like portions 540B and 540B. The bulging edges 513A and 513A of the annular protrusions 513 and 513 are made to face the bent surface 541 formed by the head portions 540A and 540A and the sleeve-like portions 540B and 540B. Therefore, a narrow gap that is bent and continuous is formed between the bulging edges 513A and 513A and the bent surface 541.

  Next, a twin-wheel caster 602 according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the twin-wheel caster 602 according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention, the twin-wheel casters 302, 402, and 502 according to the fourth to sixth embodiments are provided with an annular protrusion on the caster body side outside the stopper mechanism 30. An annular concave groove (recessed portion) on the wheel side for receiving it is formed to constitute the dustproof means, whereas the dustproof means is provided inside the stopper mechanism 30, that is, on the shaft hole side from the stopper mechanism 30. The difference was made. The twin-wheel caster 602 according to this embodiment has a bottomed cylindrical member (dustproof means) 613A, 613B having one end opened and a holed bottom surface formed at the other end around the shaft holes on both sides 603A, 603B of the caster body. In the wheels 605A and 605B, annular recesses 606 and 606 are formed on the side of the longitudinal axis hole from both ends 19 and 19 of the wheel lock member 17 disposed inside the locking groove 9. Sleeves (shells, dustproof means) 640 and 640 whose inner peripheral surfaces face the opening end edges 614 and 614 of the cylindrical members 613A and 613B are fixed to the peripheral surface of the annular recess 606. In the sleeves 640 and 640, caster body side openings 640A and 640A are bent inward. The opening edges 614 and 614 of the cylindrical members 613A and 613B are formed by bending outward. With this configuration, a narrow gap is formed between the outer peripheral surface of the bent ends 614 and 614 of the sleeves 640 and 640 and the bent inner peripheral surface of the sleeve 640 and 640, It is designed to perform dustproof function. Thus, in the present invention, at least one of the caster main body and the wheel is a portion that does not interfere with the stopper mechanism, and is at least one of the inner and outer portions of the stopper mechanism toward the axle side. A dust-proof means for preventing the entry of foreign matter is provided.

  In each of the above embodiments, the operation members 21 and 121 and the rocking lock member 221 are held at the rocking end to lock and unlock the wheel, but the present invention is not limited to this. The cam surface is only one surface and is always held by only one swing end by the elastic member, and the wheel is always held in either the locked state or the unlocked state, and external force is applied to the operation member. That is, as long as a force is applied from the outside, one of these states is released, and when the external force is lost, it may be configured to switch back to either the original locked state or the unlocked state. . In each of the above embodiments, the annular protrusions 13A to 13C are formed concentrically and multiply around the shaft hole of the caster body. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a single annular protrusion is formed around the shaft hole. Only the portion may be formed. Further, a separate annular brush material (dustproof member) may be attached along the annular protrusions 13A to 13C to improve the dustproof performance. Moreover, in the said Example, although the annular protrusion is formed in the caster main body side and the recessed part which receives an annular protrusion in the wheel side is not restricted to this, it protrudes in the caster main body side at the wheel side. The annular protrusion may be formed with a recessed portion for receiving the annular protrusion on the caster body side to ensure a narrow dustproof space.

2 Twin-wheel caster 3 Caster body 4 Axle 5A, 5B Wheel 7 Rotating shaft 8 Wheel inner surface 9 Locking groove (braking part)
11 Shaft hole 12A, 12B Caster body both sides 13A-13C Annular projection (dust-proof means)
30 Stopper mechanism

Claims (16)

In a two-wheel caster that includes a caster main body and wheels that are rotatably supported via axles on both sides of the caster main body, and is fixed to the attached body so as to be pivotable via a pivot shaft.
The caster body is provided with a stopper mechanism that engages with and disengages from the braking portions formed on the inner surfaces of both wheels to prevent the wheels from rotating, and at least one of the caster body and the wheels has the stopper mechanism A twin-wheel caster, characterized in that a dust-proof means for preventing foreign matter from entering the axle side is provided at a site that does not interfere.   The caster body is formed into a body-cut block, and the dustproof means is formed by forming annular projections that project toward the wheel side and form a narrow space between the caster body and the inner surface of the wheel. The twin-wheel caster according to claim 1.   The double-wheel caster according to claim 2, wherein a plurality of annular protrusions are formed concentrically around the shaft hole.   4. The twin-wheel caster according to claim 2, wherein the wheel is formed with a recessed portion that receives the annular protrusion, and a narrow space is formed by the annular protrusion and the recessed portion. 5.   5. The twin-wheel caster according to claim 4, wherein the annular protrusions on both side surfaces of the caster body are formed to be inclined outward, and the recessed portion is formed on the outer side in the warp direction from the braking portion.   The wheel is configured to be provided with an annular member that is fitted into the recessed portion and has an inner peripheral surface that faces the protruding end edge of the annular protruding portion to form a narrow gap between the protruding end edge. The twin-wheel caster according to claim 5.   A protruding edge of the annular protrusion is formed with a bulging edge that bulges outward, the annular member is formed in a T-shaped cross section, and the bulging edge of the annular protrusion faces the bending surface of the annular member, The caster according to claim 6, wherein a narrow gap is formed between the bulging edge and the bent surface of the ring-shaped member facing the bulging edge. A dust-proof means, a bottomed cylindrical member having an opening at one end extending toward the wheel and a bottom surface with a hole at the other end fixed around the shaft holes on both sides of the caster body;
It is fixed to the circumferential surface of the annular recess formed on the shaft hole side from the braking portion of the wheel, the inner circumferential surface faces the opening edge of the bottomed cylindrical member, and a narrow gap is formed between this opening edge. The twin-wheel caster according to claim 1, further comprising a sleeve to be formed.   The open end edge of the bottomed cylindrical member is formed by bending the open end edge of the bottomed cylindrical member. 9. A caster according to claim 8, wherein a narrow gap is formed between the inner surface of the sleeve and the inner surface of the sleeve facing the edge of the opening.   The stopper mechanism is slidably housed in a housing part formed on the rear side of the pivot axis of the caster body, and both ends of the stopper mechanism can be engaged with and disengaged from the brake part of the wheel, and the wheel lock member is displaced by an external operation. And an operation member that switches to either a lock position for locking the wheel or a non-lock position for unlocking the wheel. Twin wheel casters. The brake part of the wheel is constituted by a locking groove formed on the outer peripheral side of the inner surface of the wheel,
The caster body storage portion is configured to have a through hole that penetrates both sides of the caster body from side to side and opens to both sides, and an insertion port that opens from the through hole to the upper surface of the caster body and into which the operation member is inserted. ,
Engagement parts that engage with the locking grooves of the wheel are formed at both ends of the wheel lock member, and the wheel lock member is inserted into the through hole with an elastic member interposed therebetween so that both end engagement parts are exposed from the caster body. Facing the locking groove of the wheel
The operation member comprises an outer operation plate and a cam portion extending downward from the outer operation plate and having a cam surface formed at an extended end,
The cam portion of the operation member is inserted through the insertion port and supported on the caster body so as to be swingable. The cam portion is brought into contact with the upper surface of the wheel lock member in the through hole. The two-wheel caster according to claim 10, wherein the wheel is engaged with and disengaged from the locking groove of the wheel, and the wheel is held in one of a braking state and a braking release state at each swing end position of the operation member.   The wheel braking portion is constituted by a peripheral surface formed on the outer peripheral side of the inner surface of the wheel, and both end engaging portions of the wheel lock member are constituted by brake rubber contacting the peripheral surface. The twin-wheel caster according to 11.   13. The twin-wheel caster according to claim 11, wherein a lateral slip prevention portion that is in contact with a cam portion of the operation member and is restricted from being displaced in a left-right direction is formed on an upper surface of the wheel lock member. A swing lock member that is swingably supported by a storage portion formed on the rear side of the pivot axis of the caster body, and that can be engaged with and disengaged from the left and right ends of the brake portion of the wheel;
An oscillating lock member that is mounted on the storage unit and that constantly holds the oscillating lock member at one oscillating end position, and holds the wheel in either the locked state or the unlocked state.
10. The structure according to claim 1, wherein the rocking lock member is swung to the other rocking end position by an external operation to switch the locked state or unlocked state of the wheel to the opposite state. The twin-wheel caster of any one. The brake part of the wheel is constituted by a locking groove formed on the outer peripheral side of the inner surface of the wheel,
The caster main body has a through-hole that penetrates both sides of the caster body from side to side and opens on both sides, and an insertion port that opens from the through-hole to the upper surface of the caster body and into which the rocking lock member is inserted. Configure
The rocking lock member includes an outer operation plate and a cam portion extending downward from the outer operation plate and having a cam surface formed at the extended end. Forming an engaging portion to engage with the groove;
The rocking lock member is inserted into the through hole with a cam surface contact that moves up and down so that the upper surface can be elastically restored, and the right and left side engagement parts face the locking groove of the wheel so that it can swing on the caster body. The swing cam member is held in one of a locked position and a non-locked position of a wheel by different cam surfaces, with the cam portion supported and a cam surface contact in a through hole being brought into contact. 14. The twin-wheel caster according to 14.   The braking portion of the wheel is constituted by a peripheral surface formed on the outer peripheral side of the inner side surface of the wheel, and both side engaging portions of the rocking lock member are constituted by brake rubber contacting the peripheral surface. Item 16. The twin-wheel caster according to Item 15.

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