US533430A - Caster - Google Patents

Description

RKEY. STER.

( No Model.)

J. BE

Patented Feb. 5, 1895 W 7 NE 2 J allay NITE STATES CASTER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 533,430, dated February 5, 1895.

Application filed October 5, 1894. Serial No. 4, 77- No model To all whom it'may concern.-

Be it known that I, JULIUS BERKEY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Grand Rapids, in the county of Kent and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and usef ul Improvements in Casters; and Ido hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to an improvement in casters, and it consists more particularly in the peculiar construction and arrangement of the shank, its connections and socket member, whereby the caster may be readily adjusted to its proper position and quickly re moved therefrom when necessity demands.

The aim and purpose of the invention is the provision of an improved caster which will embody structural simplicity and be provided with a keeper spring, so located that the same may be easily applied and so applied without cutting or defacing the sides of the shank.

A further object is in providing a caster with ashank to which is attached a keeper spring which latter is constructed to ream out or out a cavity in the socket for the purpose of forming a seat for the spring.

These objects are attained by the construction illustrated in the accompanying draw ings wherein like letters of reference indica e corresponding parts in the several views, and in which- Figure 1 is a vertical sectional elevation through the socket showing the caster in elevation. Fig. 2 is a detail elevation of the caster shank at right angles to that shownin Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a detail perspective view of the spring. Fig. 4 is a cross section on the line wsaFig. 1. Fig. 5 is a vertical section of a modified form of socket.

In the drawings A designates the caster block or foot of wood by preference. In this block is formed a cylindrical socket B by boring or drilling an elongated hole therein, in which the shank of the caster directly and loosely fits. At the upper end of the socket B, the side .walls thereof are out out to form an annular pocket B having curved Walls.

0 designates the caster and D the cylindrical shank or pintle, of a size in cross section to fit in the socket l3 and in length snfiicient to enter the socket to a point adjacent to the base of the annular pocket B.

- In the upper end of the shank D is formed at or near its center a short longitudinal groove or kerf b in which is placedthe base of a steel or other metal spring E. The keeper spring, as I prefer to term the spring E, is formed tapering or wedge shape, its lower or larger end being inserted in the kerf or groove 17 in the shank. The extreme width of the base of the spring is slightly less than the diameter of the shank, and the broader portion is located below the end of the shank. While the base of the spring is in that position I indent or force in the metal of the shank at a point above the base of the kerf and against the edge of the spring as shown at e, so that any tendency of the spring to work out or up is prevented by its inclined parts striking against the indented edge'of the shank. The springis formed insubstantially the shape of a letter S, that is to say, its base or lower end is carried straight as at e for a short distance. It is then curved outward beyond the plane of the sides of the shank and then upward, its point terminating in a straight or substantially straight section 6 which is narrow and fits closely against the wall of the annular pocket B. The curved section projects over the shoulder and onto the curved base of the pocket and serves to retain the shank in the socket and permits its revolution therein. By reducing the end 6 a close fit is secured in the pocket and the spring is allowed to project farther beyond the plane of the side of the shank than it could were the spring broad or of a width substantially the diameter of the shank. Again, by forming the spring wedge-shape, the danger of breaking at the union is greatly lessened. It will be observed that the spring when first fitted or inserted into the socket engages the side walls thereof and is allowed to move laterally, as the space above the shank is wholly unoccupied. The strength of the spring is such as to hold the shank in the socket even when the latter is larger than necessary or when no cavity or pocketis formed in which the spring may enage.

a It has been found more or less difficult to form the pockets in the wooden sockets and above.

considerable timeis wasted in so forming the same with the usual appliances. To avoid such objections I construct the spring with cutting edges 6 which as the spring is forced into the socket will lie at an angle or tangent to the curved wall of the socket, and when the shank is inserted to its proper point it is only necessary to turn the same several times and the spring will, for itself, ream out or cut the walls of the socket to form the pocket B and the requisite retaining shoulder. This I regard as one of the important features of my.

invention. The peculiar formation of the spring permits an easy pivotal action of the shank in the socket.

It is to be understood that in some forms of casters the shankis not required a pivotal 'action but the caster proper is pivoted to the shank. In such forms the spring E serves to retain the shank in the socket whether a pocket is formed or not, and by securing the same in the end of the shank a larger and stronger spring may be employed with a broad base and yet have a free movement laterally without striking the side of the shank or wedging the same between the shank and socket wall. The spring is a separate and independent member secured to the shank and may'bequickly fittedinto any of the ordinary caster shanks without altering the shank otherwise than forming a recess which is quickly done with a saw.

In Fig. 5, I have shown a modified form wherein a metallic bushing F is used terminatinga short distance fromthe end of the socket and thereby forming an annular pocket The spring enters the pocket and the curved portions thereof engage the upper edge of the bushing. It is to be understood that one or more springs may be employed if desired, but I have found that one will serve the purpose.

By forming the spring as shown and described and securing the same as a separate independent member directly to the shank the expense of production is slight and the metal bushing or socket may be dispensed with. By forming the kerf at the center of the shank the broad base of the spring is entirely inclosed.

I am aware that minor changes can be made in the constructions herein shown and described without in the least departing from the nature and principle of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what is'ola imed-as new, and desired to be secured by Letters Patent, is A '1. In a caster, the combination with the shank, ofa keeper spring "fixedly secured to the'upper end thereof and extending laterally and longitudinally upward beyond the end of the shank, substantially-as described.

2. In a caster, the combination with the shank, of a curved keeper spring secured thereon, normally projecting laterally beyond the sides thereof, and provided with a cutting edge to form an annular chamber in the socket, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof "I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JULIUS BERKEY.

Witnesses:

G. A. PENNI'NGTON, L. S. BACON.

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