JPH1191306A - Caster - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a caster which is durable to load, can be equipped with a stopper mechanism, and can rotate a yoke. SOLUTION: A caster inserts and fixes a tip of a shaft penetrating through a projection of a base table 20 into a bearing arranged in a bearing supporting table of a yoke 30 which consists of a stopper supporting table 34 projecting horizontally from an outer wall of the bearing supporting table, and wheel supporting plates 33, 33 for journalling the wheel, and rotatably journalls the yoke 30 to the base table. A frame 51 of a stopper 50 equipped with a plate spring 52 which is locked on the frame 51 at one end and is fixedly secured to a brake shoe 53 at the other end, and a lever 54 which is rotatably journalled on the frame 51 and presses one end of the plate spring 52 toward the wheel is loaded on the upper part of the supporting table 34, a supporting shaft simultaneously penetrates through a side wall of the frame 51 and the wheel supporting plate 33, and a stopper mechanism 50 is mounted to the yoke 30.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a moving object, for example, dairy equipment, marine equipment, commercial kitchen equipment / laboratory trolley, medical equipment, etc. It is a caster to be mounted on this running target object to run as a target object, or a traveling vehicle such as a trolley for transporting various articles, various office furniture such as chairs, etc. Is a caster to be mounted as a running target object or via these legs (leg wings).

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Casters are mounted on the bottom surface of a running target object in order to run the various running target objects as described above.

In such a caster, when the traveling direction of the traveling object is changed, a yoke for rotatably supporting the wheels can be rotated with respect to a base fixed to the traveling object. There is a caster configured to be able to steer the direction of wheels in the traveling direction of the traveling target object.

As an example of such a caster in which the yoke is configured to be rotatable, Japanese Patent Publication No. 4-66721 discloses a cylindrical housing 131 provided on a base 120 as shown in FIG. A cylindrical bearing having a female screw formed on an inner periphery thereof, which accommodates a rolling bearing 132 in which a shaft 122 having a flange 122a at its head is inserted and into which a male screw formed on the outer periphery of the cylindrical housing 131 is screwed. And the outer ring 132a of the rolling bearing 132 is sandwiched and fixed between the base 120 and the socket 126, and further the first washer 127, the yoke head 130a, 2 nut 128 is screwed into a spiral groove formed at one end of the shaft 122, and a flange 122 a of the shaft 122 is inserted.
And the first washer 127, the inner ring of the rolling bearing 132 is sandwiched and the inner ring 132 b of the rolling bearing 132 is fixed to the shaft 122, and the yoke head 130 a is sandwiched by the first washer 127 and the second washer 128. The yoke head 130a is fixed to the
A caster in which 0 is rotatably fixed is disclosed.

[0005]

The caster 110 described as the prior art has a yoke head 1.
Since the shaft 122 is inserted into the shaft 30a by tightening the nut and is fixed to the shaft 122 by being sandwiched between the first washer 127 and the second washer 128, the rotating mechanism of the yoke has a large number of parts. Not only is the assembly complicated, but also the weight of the object to be run and the object placed on the object to be run, the vibration caused by the unevenness of the road surface during running, and other various loads are applied. This load concentrates on the portion of the head portion 130a of the yoke.

[0006] In particular, in the conventional caster shown in FIG.
a of the yoke head 130a projecting into a frustoconical shape having a top formed with a diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the yoke head 130a.
a, and the nut 129 is housed in the recessed portion, so that the load concentrated on the portion is held down by the washer 127, 128 so that the nut 129 is housed. The top of the yoke head 130a formed thinner than the portion,
It has a drawback that it is easy to concentrate on the skirt portion of the protruding portion protruding in the shape of a frustoconical cone, and the portion is easily damaged.

Further, in the conventional caster 110 of this type, the bearing arranged in the bearing hole of the wheel 140 does not have a configuration for aligning the bearing, and is easily displaced in the bearing hole. If the bearings located at the both end openings of the axle hole are misaligned, the axle cannot be inserted into the bearing, making it difficult to assemble the caster provided with the bearing mechanism. I do.

Further, in the conventional caster 110, when the wheel 140 is supported on the axle 135 supported by the wheel support plate 133 of the yoke 130, the wheel 140 is arranged at a central position between the wheel support plates 133. In order to fix the wheel axle 135 to the wheel support plate 133, a nut is adjusted, or a spacer or the like is inserted between the wheel support plate 133 and the wheel 140 to position the wheel at the center position of the axle 135. And the adjustment is complicated.

In the conventional caster 110,
In many cases, an axle protruding from the side surface of the wheel support plate 133 or a nut or the like screwed to the axle is exposed, and the exposed axle or nut is disposed on a wall of a building or on furniture disposed around the periphery. In addition, if they come into contact with the limbs of people around them, they may be damaged. In order to solve such a problem, there is a caster equipped with a cap for covering an axle and a nut. However, this type of conventional cap is difficult to install and has a short fitting portion. For this reason, there is a problem in that it is likely to fall off due to vibrations during traveling or the like.

Further, in the conventional caster 110 provided with a yoke rotating mechanism, there is a caster provided with a structure for preventing water, chemicals and the like from entering a yoke rotating mechanism and a wheel bearing mechanism. Therefore, for casters used on floors wet with seawater, rainwater, muddy water, etc., or on floors scattered with chemicals, etc., seawater, rainwater, muddy water, etc. And other chemicals can infiltrate and cause corrosion and rust on bearings, shafts, axles, etc., causing rattling of the wheels during running, noise, and damage to bearings and shafts. It had the following.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 56-34505 discloses a device provided with a stopper mechanism for stopping the rotation of the wheel when stopped.
As shown in the publication, there is a caster having a structure including a brake shoe which is pressed by the lever to the outer periphery of the wheel by operating the lever to lock the rotation of the wheel. For casters equipped with
The yoke, the wheel support plate and the like have a special shape for attaching a stopper mechanism composed of a lever for pressing the brake shoe, a brake shoe, and a leaf spring to which the brake shoe is attached. In order to provide such a caster, it is necessary to manufacture the caster using a completely different production line using completely different parts from the caster without the stopper mechanism. Therefore, there is a problem that a large cost is required for manufacturing the caster.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned drawbacks in the prior art, and a yoke rotating mechanism which makes the yoke freely rotatable has a load resistance and smoothly rotates. It is an object of the present invention to provide a caster that can be moved.

Further, the present invention has a structure in which the bearing for supporting the axle is not easily displaced, so that the axle can be easily inserted at the time of assembling or the like, and only the wheels are attached to the axle via the bearing. Provided is a caster provided with a bearing mechanism capable of positioning a wheel, and a caster in which both ends of an axle and nuts and the like screwed to the both ends of the axle are covered with caps having a shape that is easy to attach and hard to drop. The purpose is to:

Further, the present invention provides a caster which is provided with a structure capable of preventing water, chemicals, and the like from entering into the rotation mechanism of the yoke and the bearing mechanism of the wheel, and is less likely to cause a failure and noise accompanying the failure. With the goal.

In a caster provided with a stopper mechanism, a caster which does not have a stopper mechanism and a caster body have a common structure so that parts and manufacturing processes can be shared between the two casters. To provide.

[0016]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the caster 10 of the present invention has a frusto-conical protruding portion 25 protruding downward from the center of the bottom surface, and the center thereof has a thickness. A base 20 having a shaft hole 23 passing therethrough in a direction, a bearing support 31 disposed below the base 20, and a base 2 disposed substantially parallel below an outer wall surface of the bearing support 31. Preferably, the yoke 30 is formed integrally with the wheel support plates 33, 33 so as to also serve as the wheel support plates 33, 33 forming the cover of the wheel, and is mounted between the wheel support plates 33, 33 of the yoke 30. Axle 3
The bearing support 31 of the yoke 30 includes an inner ring 32a and an outer ring 32b concentrically disposed on the outer periphery of the inner ring 32a via a rolling element 32c. The bearing 32 is attached to the yoke 30.
The outer ring 32b is fixed to and housed in the inner wall of the bearing support 31 of the above, and is fixed to the base 20 in the shaft hole 23 of the protruding portion 25 of the base 20 in the bearing support 31 of the yoke 30. And the shaft 22 is inserted into the inner ring 32a of the bearing 32.

In the wheel bearing mechanism of the caster 10 of the present invention, a bearing hole 41 penetrating through the center of the wheel 40 is formed in the wheel 40, and a rolling contact between the inner ring 42a and the outer ring 42b is formed in the bearing hole 41. A bearing 42 in which a moving body 42c is arranged and the width of the inner ring 42a is preferably formed to be the same as the width between the wheel support plates 33, 33 on which the axle 35 is installed.
And the wheels are rotatably supported on the axle 35 via the bearings 42.

More preferably, the bearing 42 is provided with two bearings 42,
42, and the inner ring of each bearing 42 has a wheel support plate 33, 3
It is formed in half the width of the interval of 3.

The caster 10 is mounted on the wheel support plate 3.
Cap mounting holes 39, 39 are formed on the side surfaces of the axle holes 36, 36 near the outer periphery of the axle holes 36, 36, and a cover plate 62,
It has a fitting portion 61 protruding from a side edge of the lid plate 62, and a tapered shape in which the side wall edge of the opening edge of the fitting portion 61 is formed thinner from the lid plate 62 side to the opening end. And a plurality of notches 63 at equal intervals in the opening edge of the fitting portion 61.
Is formed to form a cap 60, and a fitting portion 61 of the cap 60 is fitted into the cap mounting hole 39.

The caster 10 is provided with the axle holes 36, 3
6, a cap plate 62 is formed in a notched circular arc shape in cross section, and an opening edge of a cylindrical fitting portion 61 protruding from an outer edge of the lid plate 62. The outer periphery of the side wall is tapered so as to be thinner from the lid plate 62 side toward the opening end, and the fitting portion 61
A plurality of notches 63 can be formed at equal intervals around the opening.

Further, in the caster 10 of the present invention in which the rotating mechanism of the yoke 30 and the bearing mechanism of the wheel are waterproofed, the upper surface of the base 20 is covered with a sheet-like sealing material 65. Is closely contacted with the opening edge of the upper end of the bearing support 31 of the yoke, and the other side is provided with a ridge 71 formed continuously in the circumferential direction, and is in contact with the base 20 via the ridge 71. An endless annular flat plate portion 73 and a sealing member 70 having a cylindrical portion 74 protruding cylindrically from the outer peripheral edge of the flat plate portion 73 and having an inner wall closely contacting an upper end outer wall surface of the bearing support base 31 of the yoke 30. Base 20 and yoke 30
The stepped portion 45 is formed by projecting the peripheral edge of the bearing hole 41 penetrating through the center of the wheel 40, and the ridge 76 continuous in the circumferential direction with the inner peripheral edge of the opening formed in the center. An endless annular flat plate portion 77 having
A seal member 75 having a cylindrical portion 78 protruding cylindrically from the outer peripheral edge of the seal member 75 is formed, and a step portion 45 formed on the peripheral edge of the bearing hole 41 is fitted into the cylindrical portion 78 of the seal member 75 and , Inner ring 42 of bearing 42 fitted in bearing hole 41
a can be configured to protrude from the central opening of the flat plate portion 77.

When the traveling object stops traveling, the wheels 4
In order to mount a stopper mechanism for locking the rotation of the caster 10, the caster 10 of the present invention has a stopper support 34 projecting from an outer wall surface of a bearing support 31 formed on the yoke 30 of the caster 10. The stopper support table 34 is provided.
A plate spring 52 having a brake shoe 53 fixed to one end thereof, a frame 51 for locking the other end of the plate spring 52, and a shaft rotatably mounted on the frame 51. The leaf spring 52 is supported
And a lever 54 for pressing the free end of the frame 51.
The frame 51 is fixed by the stopper support hole 37,
A stopper mechanism 50 is provided in which the brake shoe 53 fixed to the free end of the leaf spring 52 is pressed against the outer periphery of the wheel 40 by the rotation of the lever 54.

[0023]

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 to 4 show one embodiment of the caster of the present invention, and reference numeral 10 denotes a caster.

The caster 10 has a base 20 fixed to a bottom surface of a running object (not shown) such as various equipment to which the caster 10 is attached by bolts or the like, and is rotatable with respect to the base 20. The yoke 30 includes a yoke 30 and a wheel 40 rotatably supported between wheel support plates 33 formed on the yoke 30. The yoke 30 may include a stopper mechanism 50.

[Base 20] In the present embodiment, the base 20 has a planar square shape as shown in FIG. 1, and has openings 21 at four corners thereof. The caster 10 having the base 20 can be fixed to the bottom surface of the traveling target object with a bolt or the like via the opening 21.

The base 20 in the present embodiment is provided with a yoke 3 at the center of the base 20 as shown in FIGS.
A shaft hole 23 into which a shaft 22 for rotatably bearing the shaft 0 is inserted is formed.

In this embodiment, eight ribs 24 are formed extending radially toward the outer periphery of the base 20 around the shaft hole 23, and an opening is formed between the ribs 24. Although the ribs 24 are formed to reduce the weight and material of the base 20, the ribs 24 are not necessarily provided, and the base 20 has an integral structure in which the ribs 24 and the openings are not formed. Is also good.

In the present embodiment, the base 20 has a substantially inverted trapezoidal shape in cross section at the front as shown in FIG. 3, and is provided with a peripheral portion of a cylindrical bearing support 31 of a yoke 30 described later. The contact part of
In the center of the bottom surface, there is an inverted mounting conical projection 25.

A yoke 30 is mounted on the base 20 in a shaft hole 23 vertically penetrating the center of the protruding portion 25.
The shaft 22 that rotatably supports the shaft 22 is inserted, and the shaft 22 protrudes from the lower end of the shaft hole 23 and penetrates through the inner ring of the rolling bearing 32 cast and arranged in the bearing support 31 of the yoke 30. The yoke 30 is rotatably supported on the base 20 by caulking the tip.

As shown in FIG. 3, the shaft 22 in this embodiment has a shape having a flange 22a at the upper end, and the flange 22a is engaged with the peripheral edge of the upper end opening of the shaft hole 23. The shaft 22 has a shaft hole 23
From falling down.

In this embodiment, a recess 23a having a shape corresponding to the shape of the flange 22a is further formed on the peripheral edge of the upper end of the shaft hole 23.
The flange 22a of the shaft 22 is fitted into the inside, and the flange 22a does not protrude above the base 20.

Also, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the upper surface of the base on which the shaft hole 23 and the recess 23a are formed is depressed concentrically with the shaft hole 23, and the flange 22a of the shaft 22 is formed. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the end provided with is not exposed on the upper surface of the base 20.

[Yoke 30] The conical mounting projection 25 of the base 20 constructed as above and one end of the shaft 22 projecting from the center of the projection 25 are supported by the bearing support formed on the yoke 30. The shaft 22 is inserted into the base 31 and the tip of the shaft 22 is
The yoke 30 is rotatably fixed to the base 20 by being inserted into the inner ring 32 a of the rolling bearing 32 disposed therein.

The yoke 30, which is rotatably fixed to the base 20, comprises a bearing support 3 on which a bearing 32 into which the shaft 22 fixed to the base 20 is inserted is inserted.
1 and two wheel support plates 33, 33 projecting in parallel downward from the outer surface of the bearing support base 31.

In the present embodiment, the bearing support base 31 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and when it is fixed to the base 20, the bearing support base 31 is attached to the axis of the shaft 22 projecting from the center of the base 20. A center is arranged, and a rolling bearing 32 into which the shaft 22 is inserted is arranged at a substantially central portion in the height direction inside the center.

The rolling bearing 32 has a structure in which a rolling element 32c made of a steel ball or the like is disposed between an outer ring 32b and an inner ring 32a. The outer ring 32b of the rolling bearing 32 is fixed to the inner wall of the bearing support 31. The rolling bearing 32 is formed by casting into the bearing support 31 and fixed.

From the outer wall of the bearing support 31, there is formed a plate-shaped stopper support 34 which protrudes in a direction perpendicular to the outer wall of the bearing support 31 and is bent downward at the tip of the projecting direction. A stopper mechanism 50 described later can be attached to the stopper support base 34.

The two wheel support plates 33, 33 project downward from the outer wall surface of the bearing support 31 and both side portions of the stopper support 34 in parallel downward.

Each of the wheel support plates 33, 33 has an arcuate rounded tip shape having a diameter of about two-thirds of the diameter of the wheel at a tip end in the protruding direction. Axle holes 36, 36 into which an axle 35 for rotatably supporting the wheel is inserted are formed at the center of the arc-shaped tip portion of the axle.

In this embodiment, the axle holes 36, 36
When the axle 35 is inserted into the axle holes 36, 36, the axle 35 is located below the stopper support 34, and on the extension of the outer wall of the bearing support 31 to which the stopper support 34 is joined, It is formed so as to be arranged in the horizontal direction.

Further, stopper support holes 37 are provided on the side surfaces of the wheel support plates 33, 33 formed below the stopper support base 34, and slightly below the bent portion formed at the tip of the stopper support base 34. , 37 are formed, and a stopper mechanism 50 described later can be attached to the caster 10 through the stopper support holes 37, 37.

The tip of the shaft 22 projecting downward from the center of the projecting portion 25 of the base 20 is inserted into the bearing support 31 of the yoke 30 configured as described above. It is inserted into the inner race 32a of the rolling bearing 32 housed in the bearing support 31.

In FIG. 3, reference numeral 27 denotes a washer. The shaft 22 penetrates the washer 27 and
0 and the rolling bearing 32, the base 2
The second projection 25 and the rolling bearing 32 are configured to come into contact with each other via the washer 27.

The shaft 22 cannot be pulled out from the inner ring 32a of the rolling bearing 32 by caulking the tip of the shaft 22 or the like.
The yoke 30 is rotatably supported at 0.

As described above, by fixing the outer ring 32b of the bearing 32 to the inner wall of the bearing support 31 of the yoke 30,
The load applied to the bearing 32 is distributed over the entire inner wall of the bearing support base 31 for fixing the outer ring 32b of the bearing 32, so that the load is not locally applied, and the resistance to the load can be improved.

On the other hand, the load transmitted through the inner ring of the bearing 32 is applied to the base 20 through the washer 27 in the vertical direction.
The force generated in the bottom surface of the projection 25 in the direction perpendicular to the shaft 22 is applied to the shaft insertion hole 2 through the shaft 22.
The base 20 which is dispersed through the inner wall surface of the base member 3 to prevent a local concentration of the load and has an inverted trapezoidal cross section and a large thickness has a high resistance to the load.

The inner peripheral edge of the upper opening of the cylindrical bearing support 31 of the yoke 30 is
A slope 38 is formed which inclines downward toward the center of the base 20. When the slope 25 is inserted into the bearing support 31, the slope 38 is inclined. When the yoke 30 rotates, the base 20 is substantially parallel to the surface.
Of the bearing support 31 of the yoke 30 is prevented from coming into contact with the projecting portion 25 of the yoke 30. Therefore, the problem that the yoke 30 is difficult to rotate due to the contact friction caused by the contact between the portions does not occur.

A seal member 70 shown in FIG. 11 is attached to the outer peripheral side of the outer periphery of the upper end opening of the bearing support 31 of the yoke 30 so that rainwater or the like can be removed from the gap between the base 20 and the yoke 30. It may be configured to prevent water, mud, chemicals, and the like on the floor from entering the bearing support 31 of the yoke 30.

The sealing member 70 is a sealing member made of nylon, various kinds of resins, or the like. One end of the sealing member 70 is in close contact with the upper end plane of the bearing support base 31, and the other side is in contact with the surface of the base 20. An annular flat plate portion 73 and a bearing support base 31
And a cylindrical portion 74 closely contacting the inner wall with the outer periphery of the upper end of the cylindrical member. This sealing material is arranged between the base 20 and the yoke 30 to close a gap formed between the yoke 30 and the base 20.

On the contact surface between the sealing material 70 and the base 20, a ridge 71 is continuously formed in the circumferential direction on the surface of the flat plate portion 73 as shown in FIG. The contact area can be reduced so that the yoke 30 can be smoothly rotated.

The lower opening of the bearing support 31 of the yoke 30 is provided with a cap 6 for covering both ends of the axle described later.
A cap 60 similar to that of FIG. 0 is fitted and adhered, and by covering the lower end opening with the cap 60, water, mud, chemicals, etc. on the floor surface, which is repelled by the rotation of the wheels, is removed by the yoke. 30 is prevented from entering the bearing support 31.

As described above, water, mud,
By preventing the intrusion of chemicals and the like, it is possible to prevent the rotating mechanisms such as the rolling bearing 32 and the shaft 22 in the bearing support base 31 from corroding and rusting.

After the connection between the base 20 and the yoke 30 is completed, the upper surface of the base 20 is made up of an oil sheet covering the upper surface of the base 20 and other various waterproof sheet materials. The sealing material 65 shown in FIG. 10 is attached, and water is introduced into the bearing support 31 of the yoke 30 from the upper surface of the base 20 through the opening or the shaft hole 23 formed between the ribs 24.
It prevents mud and chemicals from entering.

In the drawing, reference numeral 66 denotes an opening, which is formed at a position corresponding to the bolting opening 21 formed in the base 20.

[Wheels 40] Wheels 40 are rotatably mounted on wheel support plates 33, 33 formed on the yoke 30 by an axle 35 penetrating between axle holes 36, 36.

In the present invention, as shown in FIG. 4, the wheel 40 has a bearing hole 41 penetrating through the center portion thereof.
The outer ring 42 b is fixed in the bearing hole 41 by fitting the outer ring 42 and the outer ring 42.

In the present embodiment, the bearing hole 41 has the same diameter as the outer periphery of the outer ring 42b of the bearing 42 at the left and right openings, and the outer ring 42 of the bearings 42, 42 at the center thereof.
b is formed slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the inner ring 4 described later.
By inserting the bearing 42 of the present invention in which the width 2a is formed wide, there is no displacement of the bearings 42, 42 fitted in the bearing hole 41.

The wheels 40 may be integrally formed of plastic, metal, or the like, but in the present embodiment, the wheels 40 are formed on the outer periphery of a wheel 43 of plastic, metal, or the like. Tire 4 made of rubber, etc.
4 is used, and the diameter of the wheel 40 is 130 mm as an example.

The bearings 42, 42 fitted in the bearing holes 41 of the wheels 40 have an inner ring 42 a formed wide in the length direction of the axle 35, and the inner ring 42 a of each bearing 42, 42 is formed.
Is set to half of the distance between the wheel support plates 33, 33 on which the wheels 40 are arranged, that is, when the two bearings 42, 42 are arranged side by side, the inner rings 42a, 4 of the two bearings 42, 42 are arranged.
The width 2a is configured to be the interval between the wheel support plates 33, 33.

As described above, by setting the inner rings 42a, 42a of the wheel bearings 42, 42 at the interval between the wheel support plates 33, 33, the inner rings 42a, 42a of the bearings 42, 42 are formed.
End of the wheel 4 abuts against the inner walls of the wheel support plates 33
0 is aligned with the center position between the wheel support plates 33,33.

Therefore, in the caster 10 of the present invention, in order to adjust the position of the wheel 40, complicated adjustments such as adjusting the tightening degree of a nut screwed to the axle 35 and attaching a spacer or the like are performed. No work required.

After the insertion of the bearings 42 into the bearing hole 41 is completed, the bearings 42
The portion exposed from 1 can be covered with a sealing material 75 shown in FIG.

The sealing member 75 is made of a flexible material such as synthetic rubber, and has a cylindrical portion for tightly contacting the inner periphery with the outer periphery of the step portion 45 formed in a cylindrical shape at the periphery of the opening of the bearing hole 41. 78, and an endless annular flat plate portion 77 formed integrally with the peripheral edge of the opening of the cylindrical portion 78 and covering the opening of the bearing hole 41. The flat plate portion 77 covers the opening of the bearing hole 41. ing.

At the inner peripheral edge of the central opening of the flat plate portion 77,
As shown in FIG. 12, a ridge 76 continuous in the circumferential direction is formed, and the inner rings 42a of the bearings 42 inserted into the central opening of the flat plate portion 77 come into contact with the ridge 76. As a result, it is possible to prevent water, chemicals, and the like from entering the sealing material 75, and to reduce the contact resistance when the wheel 40 is rotated by reducing the contact area due to the ridges 76, thereby reducing the wheel 40.
Ensure smooth rotation.

In the wheel 40 constructed as described above, the centers of the bearings 42, 42 are adjusted so that the wheel support plates 33, 3
3 are aligned with the axle holes 36, 36 formed in the axle 3, and the axle holes 36, 36 and the bearing inner rings 42a, 42a are
5 and simultaneously rotatably mounted on wheel support plates 33 formed on the yoke 30.

In this embodiment, the axle 3
The end of one end (the left side in FIG. 4) in the insertion direction of 5 is thinned to have a shape that facilitates insertion of the axle 35 into the axle holes 36, 36 and bearings 42, 42.

After the axle 35 is inserted, a nut is screwed into a male screw formed at the tip of the axle 35 in the insertion direction, and the mounting of the axle 35 is completed.

Thus, the wheel support plate 3 of the yoke 30
When the attachment of the wheels 40 to the wheel axles 3 and 33 is completed, the axles 3 projecting from the side surfaces of the wheel support plates 33 and 33 are provided.
The ends of the axles 5 and 35 and the nuts screwed thereto are covered with caps 60 and 60. The ends of the axle 35 and the nuts screwed to the axles 35 are mounted on walls and furniture placed around the vehicle during traveling. It can be prevented from being damaged by contact with the human body.

In the present embodiment, the caps 60, 60 are provided on the side surfaces of the wheel support plates 33, 33 around the axle holes 36, 36, as shown in FIGS. 5 (A) and 5 (B). A cylindrical fitting portion 61 that is inserted into and adhered to the cap mounting holes 39 formed in a circular shape, and a cap mounting hole 3 formed on the side surface of the wheel support plates 33.
The fitting portion 61, which is curved and bulges to the side surfaces of the wheel support plates 33, 33 when the fitting portion 61 is inserted into the insides 9, 39.
Is provided with a cover plate 62 that covers one end opening.

The leading end of the fitting portion 61 on the insertion side has a tapered shape in which the outer peripheral side of the opening edge gradually becomes thinner toward the opening end, and the leading end of the fitting portion 61 is tapered in the insertion direction. The shape is easy to insert into the cap mounting hole 39 formed in the wheel support plate.

Further, on the periphery of the opening of the cap 60,
In the present embodiment, four rectangular cutouts 6 are provided at regular intervals.
3 is formed, and when inserted into cap mounting holes 39 formed on the side surfaces of the wheel support plates 33, 33, the opening peripheral edge of the fitting portion 61 is bent and narrowed from the notch 63. This facilitates insertion into the cap mounting holes 39, 39 formed on the side surfaces of the wheel support plates 33, 33.

Incidentally, the cap 60 is provided on the bearing support 31 of the yoke 30 in the rotation mechanism of the yoke 30 described above.
And a cap for covering the lower end opening of the cylindrical bearing support 31 of the yoke 30 and a cap for covering both ends of the axle 35 in this manner. By having a configuration,
The number of manufactured parts in the manufacturing process can be reduced.

The cap for covering the lower end opening of the cylindrical bearing support 31 of the yoke 30 and the cap for covering both ends of the axles 35 and 35 may be different in structure.

The cap 60 configured as described above is
The axle 35 and nuts screwed to the axle 35 are covered so that the axle and bolts come into contact with furniture, walls, limbs and the like of the people around when the running target object is run. Not only can these components be prevented from being damaged, but also the cap 60 having the above-described configuration can be easily inserted into the cap mounting holes 39 formed in the wheel support plates 33, 33, and the fitting portion 61 can be easily inserted. The opening end of the fitting portion 61, which is formed to be relatively long and which is bent and narrowed from the notch 63 at the time of insertion, returns to its shape after being inserted into the cap mounting hole 39, and returns to its shape. 39, the cap 60 is inserted into the cap mounting hole 39.
After insertion, it is difficult for dropout to occur.

[Stopper Mechanism 50] The caster 10 of the present invention configured as described above further includes a stopper mechanism 5
0 can be attached to form a caster with a stopper (FIGS. 6 to 9).

The stopper mechanism 50 is connected to the yoke 30
Frame 5 mounted on the stopper support base 34 through the stopper support holes 37 formed in the wheel support plate 33
1, a plate spring 52 made of a metal plate or the like having one end fixed to the frame 51; a brake shoe 53 made of a rubber piece or the like fixed to the other end of the plate spring 52;
1 comprises a lever 54 which is rotatably supported and presses the brake shoe 53 against the outer periphery of the wheel 40 by rotation.

As shown in FIG. 9, for example, the frame has two lower walls formed substantially parallel to the wheel support plates 33 and 33 and an upper wall formed between upper ends of the two side walls. A support shaft 55 is provided between the center portions of both ends of each side wall of the frame 51, and a lever 54 is rotatably supported on the support shaft 55. I have.

The lever 54 has a shaft hole 541 at the center, and two tongues 542, 543 projecting in substantially opposite directions about the shaft hole 541, and a substantially intermediate position between the two tongues 542, 543. And a pressing portion 544 that projects in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction in which the tongue portion 542 projects.

When the lever 54 is turned to the position where the locking of the wheels is released, one of the tongues 543 is housed in the cutout 56 of the frame 51 so that the upper wall surface of the frame 51 is flush with the upper surface. A step 57 for supporting the tip of the tongue piece 543 and restricting the rotation of the lever is formed in the peripheral portion of the notch 56 in which the tip of the tongue 543 is housed. ing.

On the inner surface of the upper wall at the other end of the frame 51, a groove 58 is formed in the width direction of the upper wall, and a leaf spring 5 made of a metal plate or the like whose tip is bent in the groove 58 is formed.
2 and the leaf spring 52 is fixed to the frame 51.

The other end of the leaf spring 52 is a free end that resiliently swings in contact with a pressing portion 544 formed on the lever 54. A brake shoe 53 made of a rubber piece or the like is fixed to the opposite side surface that comes into contact with the brake shoe 53.

A holding portion 54 formed on the lever 54
Numeral 4 is a portion that abuts one side surface of the leaf spring 52 to lock the leaf spring 52 at a position where the rotation of the wheel 40 is locked and a position where the locking of the wheel 40 is released. 9 is formed in a direction substantially orthogonal to the direction in which the pressing portion 544 of the lever 54 projects, as shown in FIG.
The flat portion 544a that comes into contact with the surface of the leaf spring 52 when pressed against the outer periphery of the wheel 40, and the flat portion 544a that comes into contact with the surface of the leaf spring 52 when the leaf spring 52 is separated from the outer periphery of the wheel 40. 544b forming an angle of about 45 °
It has.

As described above, the leaf spring 52 of the holding portion 544
When the lever 54 is rotated to a position where the wheels are locked and a position where the locking of the wheels is released, the lever 54
Is fixed.

The stopper mechanism 50 constructed as described above
The inner surface of the upper wall to which the leaf spring 52 is fixed
The stopper 51 is placed in contact with the stopper support 34 formed on the yoke 30, and one end of the leaf spring 52 is sandwiched between the inner surface of the upper wall of the frame 51 and the stopper support 34, and the yoke 30 is located below the stopper support 34. Stopper support hole 3 formed in
The opening 7 formed in the side wall of the frame 51 is aligned with the opening 7, and penetrated by the support shaft 55 ′ and attached to the yoke 30.

When the tongue portion 542 of the lever is pressed to rotate the lever 54 counterclockwise in FIG. 9, the pressing portion 544 formed on the lever 54 also rotates, and the flat portion 544a is 52, the leaf spring 52
Is deformed toward the outer periphery of the wheel 40 against the urging force.

The deformation of the leaf spring 52 causes the leaf spring 52
A brake shoe 53 made of a rubber piece or the like fixed to one end of the wheel 40 is pressed against the outer periphery of the wheel 40, and the wheel 40 is locked at this position by contact friction between the brake shoe 53 and the outer periphery of the wheel 40.

On the other hand, in order to release the locking of the wheel 40, the other tongue 543 is pressed and the lever is moved until the tongue 543 contacts the step 57 formed on the upper wall of the frame 51. Rotate clockwise.

The clockwise rotation of the lever 54 causes
Pressing portion 5 that has pressed leaf spring 52 against the outer periphery of wheel 40
The flat portion 544a of 44 is separated from the surface of the leaf spring 52, the leaf spring 52 is separated from the outer periphery of the wheel 40 by its urging force, and the inclined portion 544b for locking the plate spring 52 at a position separated from the wheel 40 is formed. The engagement of the wheel is released by contact with the surface of the leaf spring 52.

The stopper mechanism 50 constructed as described above
Can form a suitable stopper mechanism 50 with a small number of parts.
By forming the stopper support hole 37 for mounting the stopper mechanism 50, the stopper mechanism 50 can be easily mounted.

[0091]

According to the configuration of the present invention described above, the present invention has the following effects.

It is possible to provide a caster having a structure in which a yoke rotation mechanism that makes the yoke freely rotatable can be configured with a small number of parts, is resistant to a load, and can be smoothly rotated. did it.

[0093] Further, the present invention provides a caster having a structure for facilitating the insertion of an axle and having a wheel bearing capable of positioning the wheel only by being inserted into a bearing hole formed in the wheel. Was completed.

Further, by attaching caps covering both ends of the axle protruding from the side surface of the wheel support plate and the nut screwed to the axle, contact with the both ends of the axle and the nut screwed to the axle is achieved. In addition to being able to prevent damage to the articles and the human body disposed around the cap, the cap having the above-described configuration is easy to attach and hard to fall off after the attachment.

Further, by adopting a structure capable of preventing water, mud, chemicals and the like from entering into the rotation mechanism of the yoke and the shaft mechanism of the wheels, the floor surface on which water, mud, chemicals and the like are scattered is formed. Even when traveling on the upper side, it is possible to prevent the water, mud, chemicals, and the like from entering the yoke rotating mechanism and wheel bearings, and the bearings, shafts, axles, etc. are corroded, rusted, and corrosion,
A caster that can prevent rattling of the wheel and breakage of the caster caused by rusting can be provided.

In the caster provided with the stopper mechanism, the structure of the caster body and the caster not provided with the stopper mechanism are made common, so that the parts and the manufacturing process can be shared between the two stoppers, and the cost is reduced. In addition, a caster with a stopper could be easily provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an embodiment of a caster of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing an embodiment of the caster of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line III-III of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line IV-IV of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a cap fitted to the wheel support plate,
(A) is a front sectional view, and (B) is a bottom view.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a caster with a stopper mechanism.

FIG. 7 is a front view showing a caster with a stopper mechanism.

FIG. 8 is a left side view showing a caster with a stopper mechanism.

FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line IX-IX of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a plan view of a sealing material attached to the upper surface of the base.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory view of a sealing material arranged between a base and a yoke.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory view of a seal material covering a bearing for a wheel.

FIG. 13 is a schematic sectional view showing a conventional caster.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Caster 20 Base 21 Opening 22 Shaft 22a Flange 23 Shaft hole 23a Depression 24 Rib 25 Projection 27 Washer 30 Yoke 31 Bearing support 32 Bearing 32a Inner ring 32b Outer ring 32c Rolling element 33 Wheel support plate 34 Stopper support 35 Axle hole 37 Stopper support hole 38 Inclined surface 39 Cap mounting hole 40 Wheel 41 Bearing hole 42 Bearing 42a Inner ring 42b Outer ring 42c Rolling element 43 Wheel 44 Tire 45 Step (for wheel 40) 50 Stopper mechanism 51 Frame 52 Leaf spring 53 Brake shoe 54 Lever 541 Shaft hole 542, 543 Tongue portion 544 Pressing portion 544a Flat portion 544b Inclined portion 55, 55 'Support shaft 56 Notch 57 Step 58 Groove 60 Cap 61 Fitting portion 62 Cover plate 63 Notch 65 Seal material 66 Opening 70 Sealing material 71 Convex ridge 73 Flat plate 74 Cylindrical portion 75 Sealing material 76 Convex ridge 77 Flat plate portion 78 Cylindrical portion 110 Caster 120 Base 122 Shaft 122a Flange 126 Socket 127 First washer 128 Second washer 129 Nut 130 Yoke 130a Yoke head 131 Housing 132 Rolling bearing 132a Outer ring 132b Inner ring 133 Wheel support plate 135 Axle 140 Wheel

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A base having a frustoconical protruding portion protruding downward from a bottom center portion, a shaft hole passing through the center in a thickness direction, and a base disposed below the base. A bearing support, a yoke provided with two wheel support plates disposed substantially in parallel below the outer wall surface of the bearing support, and an axle bridged between the wheel support plates of the yoke so as to be rotatable. A bearing comprising an inner ring and an outer ring concentrically arranged on the outer periphery of the inner ring via a rolling element in a bearing support of the yoke, an outer ring is provided on an inner wall of the bearing support of the yoke. The shaft fixed to the base is inserted into the bearing support of the yoke, and the shaft fixed to the base is inserted into the shaft hole of the protruding portion of the base, and inserted into the inner ring of the bearing. Casters characterized by the following. 2. The wheel has a bearing hole penetrating the center of the wheel, and a rolling element is disposed between the inner ring and the outer ring in the opening of the bearing hole, and the width of the inner ring is laid on the axle. 2. A caster according to claim 1, wherein a bearing formed at a width between the wheel supporting plates is fitted, and the wheel is rotatably supported on the axle via the bearing. 3. The bearing according to claim 2, wherein each of the bearings comprises two bearings disposed in both end openings of the bearing hole, and an inner ring of each bearing is formed to have a half width of a distance between wheel support plates. 3. The caster according to claim 2, wherein 4. A side face of the wheel support plate, wherein a cap mounting hole is formed in the vicinity of an outer periphery of an axle hole, and a cover plate and a fitting portion projecting from a side edge of the cover plate are provided. The edge of the side wall of the opening edge of the joining portion is formed in a tapered shape that is thinner from the lid plate side toward the opening end, and a plurality of notches are formed at equal intervals in the opening edge of the fitting portion. The caster according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the cap is formed by fitting the fitting portion of the cap into the cap mounting hole. 5. A cap mounting hole is formed in the vicinity of the outer periphery of said axle hole, and said cover plate has a notch arc-shaped cover plate and a cylindrical fitting portion protruding from an outer peripheral edge of said cover plate. The outer periphery of the side wall of the periphery of the opening of the fitting portion is formed in a tapered shape thinner from the lid plate side toward the opening end, and a plurality of notches are formed at equal intervals on the periphery of the opening of the fitting portion. The caster according to claim 4, wherein a cap is formed by fitting the fitting portion of the cap into the cap mounting hole. 6. The caster according to claim 1, wherein an upper surface of the base is covered with a sheet-like sealing material. 7. One of the side surfaces is in close contact with the opening edge of the upper end of the bearing support of the yoke, and the other side is provided with a ridge formed continuously in the circumferential direction. An endless annular flat plate portion that comes into contact with the base, a sealing material having a cylindrical portion protruding cylindrically from the outer peripheral edge of the flat plate portion and having an inner wall closely contacting an outer wall surface of an upper end opening of a bearing support of the yoke. The caster according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the caster is arranged between the yokes. 8. An endless annular shape having a stepped portion formed by projecting a peripheral edge of a bearing hole penetrating through the center of the wheel, and having a circumferentially continuous ridge at an inner peripheral edge of an opening formed at the center. Forming a seal member having a flat plate portion and a cylindrical portion protruding cylindrically from the outer peripheral edge of the flat plate portion, and fitting a step formed on the peripheral edge of the bearing hole into the cylindrical portion of the seal material. 4. The caster according to claim 2, wherein the inner ring of the bearing fitted into the bearing hole projects from the central opening of the flat plate portion. 9. A stopper support is provided projecting from an outer wall surface of a bearing support formed on a yoke of the caster, a stopper support hole is formed below the stopper support, and a brake shoe is fixed to one end. A leaf spring, a frame that locks the other end of the leaf spring, and a lever that is rotatably supported by the frame and that presses a free end of the leaf spring by rotation. A stopper on which the frame is mounted on a table, the frame is fixed by the stopper support hole, and the brake shoe fixed to the free end of the leaf spring is pressed against the outer periphery of the wheel by the rotation of the lever. The caster according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising a mechanism.