WO2023165732A1

WO2023165732A1 - Castor for a mobile structure, and mobile structure comprising at least one such castor

Info

Publication number: WO2023165732A1
Application number: PCT/EP2022/083781
Authority: WO
Inventors: Christophe ROUA
Original assignee: Pita
Priority date: 2022-03-04
Filing date: 2022-11-30
Publication date: 2023-09-07
Also published as: FR3133155A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a castor (1), which comprises: - a frame (11) incorporating first retaining means intended to engage with a rod (22) that is rigidly connected to a support (2) external to the castor (1); - an axle (12) mounted on the frame (11); and - at least one wheel (13) mounted so as to rotate on the axle (12), characterised in that the axle (12) is of the hollow type and incorporates second retaining means intended to engage with the rod (22) that is rigidly connected to the external support (2), so as to position the wheel (13) transversely to the rod (22).

Description

Wheel for mobile structure and mobile structure comprising at least one such wheel

The field of the invention is that of the design and manufacture of rolling elements for mobile structures.

More specifically, the invention relates in particular, but not exclusively, to a wheel for a mobile structure.

By the term "mobile structure" is meant any structure intended to be moved, which comprises a body on which castors are mounted.

In order to move them, it is known to equip mobile structures with wheels.

Mobile structures are, for example, furniture, armchairs, animal transport boxes, or even equipment transport boxes, for example control boxes allowing a sound installation to be moved quickly.

The wheels are conventionally positioned under the bottom of the box and allow movement on a support.

To help immobilize mobile structures, the casters may include brakes.

However, such brakes are not without drawbacks.

Firstly, in the event of a load applied to the body, it is possible that the brakes are not sufficient to hold the body which is then moved.

Furthermore, the use of brakes means that the wheel remains in contact with the ground over a small part of its tread.

Therefore, when the mobile structure is heavily loaded, the weight of the load can crush the wheel of the caster and deform it, which affects the movement of the body.

In addition, for transporting animals in aircraft holds, some airlines require the wheels to be removed from animal transport boxes.

This obligation then creates a problem of storage of the rollers which are removed from the cage. Some wheels are retractable in the bottom of the transport crate, however this requires either to provide the transport crate with a thick bottom to receive the retracted wheels, which weighs down the transport crate, or to create bosses for receiving the wheels retracted inside the transport crate, which reduces the volume allocated to the animal.

In addition, when the wheels are removed, the transport box rests on its bottom, or almost, which can cause discomfort for the animal by thermal conduction of a too high or too low temperature of the floor of the hold, or by vibration transmission

To overcome these drawbacks, wheels have been developed.

These wheels can be dismantled and transformed into skates allowing complete immobilization of the mobile structure.

The patent document published under the number GB 1 597 343, describes a wheel intended to be mounted on a mobile structure, and comprising:
- A frame having a finger to be inserted into an orifice of the mobile structure, allowing the pivoting of the wheel relative to the mobile structure;
- a jumper mounted on the frame,
- a wheel mounted to rotate on the rider around an axis.

The jumper is movably mounted on the frame between:
- a first position in which the axis extends orthogonally to the finger, to allow movement of the mobile structure on a support, and
- A second position in which the axis extends parallel to the finger, the wheel then forming a bearing pad for the mobile structure on the support.

The mobility of the rider is ensured by a spring mechanism allowing the wheel to be released from the frame to make the rider pivot between its first position and its second position.

However, such a roulette has certain drawbacks.

First, the roulette wheel is complex in design and therefore in assembly.

Thus, such a wheel is expensive both to produce and to maintain it.

Secondly, the use of wearing parts (in particular the springs) requires significant maintenance and can lead to premature wear of the wheel.

Third, this wheel can be difficult to handle. Indeed, the casters being generally small, it can be difficult to handle them to pull them against the spring mechanism, especially when the casters are dirty or slippery.

Fourthly, in use, when the support on which the mobile structure is moved is damaged, the frame can be moved accidentally into its second position under the effect of a stop in an asperity of the support during the movement of the mobile structure.

This generates shocks on the wheel which can then deteriorate and become prematurely unusable.

The patent document published under the number GB 2 255 715, describes a wheel intended to be mounted on a mobile structure, and comprising:
- A frame having a barrel in which is inserted a rod secured to the mobile structure, allowing the pivoting of the wheel relative to the mobile structure;
- a spacer attached to the frame,
- A wheel rotatably mounted on the frame about an axis, by means of the spacer, the wheel comprising two parts intended to be mounted on either side of the spacer.

The spacer can adopt two positions on the chassis:
- a first position in which the axis extends orthogonally to the barrel, to allow movement of the mobile structure on a support, and
- A second position in which the axis extends parallel to the shaft, the wheel then forming a bearing pad for the mobile structure on the support.

However, such roulette is not without drawbacks.

On the one hand, changing the position of the spacer requires dismantling the wheel.

Changing the configuration of the wheel between the configuration allowing the movement of the mobile structure, and the skate position, can then prove to be long and tedious for the user, particularly when the mobile structure is provided with a multitude of wheels, since it is necessary to disassemble the different parts that make up the wheel.

In addition, frequent configuration changes can quickly weaken the wheel due to successive dismantling and reassembly.

In addition, the disassembly and reassembly of the wheel can be complicated by the difficulty of access to the interior of the frame to allow the position of the spacer to be changed.

Finally, the presence of the spacer limits the load capacity supported by the wheel. Indeed, such a wheel cannot be used for a mobile structure intended for the transport of a lion for example, since the weight of the animal could damage or even break the spacer.

The aim of the invention is in particular to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art.

More specifically, the aim of the invention is to provide a castor allowing the transition from a rolling position to a support position in a simple, rapid and tool-free manner.

The invention also aims to provide such a wheel which offers increased mechanical strength compared to the wheels of the prior art.

The invention also aims to provide such a wheel whose design, manufacture and maintenance are simple.

These objectives, as well as others which will appear subsequently, are achieved thanks to the invention which relates to a wheel comprising:
- A frame having a hollow shaft incorporating first retaining means intended to cooperate with a rod integral with an external support to the wheel;
- A shaft mounted on the frame, the shaft extending orthogonally to the barrel;
- at least one wheel rotatably mounted on the axle,
characterized in that the axle is of the hollow type and incorporates second retaining means intended to cooperate with the said rod integral with the external support so as to position the wheel transversely to the said rod.

Such a wheel is easy to use.

Indeed, the presence of the second retaining means allows use of the rod to position the wheel in a so-called skate configuration in order to immobilize the object which carries the wheel(s).

In other words, to pass from a first so-called rolling configuration in which the object can be moved, to the second so-called skate configuration, it suffices to uncouple the first retaining means from the rod to make the second retaining means with the rod.

The manipulation is therefore simple and fast for the user in that a single manipulation is sufficient.

According to an advantageous aspect, the first retaining means and the second retaining means are in the form of a rib intended to be housed in a groove made on the rod integral with the external support.

According to another advantageous aspect, the first retaining means and the second retaining means are in the form of a groove intended to receive a rib carried by the rod integral with the external support.

Such retaining means make it possible to quickly couple and uncouple the wheel with the stem.

It is therefore not necessary to use tools to change the configuration of the caster between the rolling position and the skate position.

According to another advantageous aspect, the caster comprises two wheels mounted on either side of the frame.

The presence of two wheels increases the stability of the roulette.

Furthermore, the presence of the two wheels makes the wheel easier to use since it can be used on each wheel in skate configuration, that is to say when the second retaining means cooperate with the rod.

In other words, the user does not have to think about the orientation of the wheel when he wishes to make the object carrying the wheel(s) immobile.

According to another advantageous aspect, the wheel(s) comprise a rim rotatably mounted on the axle, and a tread surrounding the rim.

This makes it easier to maintain the wheel or wheels.

Indeed, in case of wear of the wheel(s), only the tread can be changed, like a tire on a car wheel.

Furthermore, the hardness of the running belt can be adapted according to the support on which the wheel is intended to evolve. For example, the hardness can be adapted to offer an absorbing effect of vibrations or shocks when the mobile structure is moved on the ground, in order to limit the transmission of these disturbances to the mobile structure, and in particular to objects or living beings. that it allows to convey.

According to another advantageous aspect, the tread has an overhang intended to extend away from the frame, said overhang forming a bearing surface for the caster when the wheel is positioned transversely to the stem.

Such an overhang makes it possible to create, on the wheel or wheels, a laying plane intended to ensure the stability of the object comprising at least one wheel according to the invention.

According to another advantageous aspect, the tread is made of a material from the family of elastomers.

The use of a material from the elastomer family gives the tread properties for absorbing shocks or vibrations.

Thus, the elastomer tread makes it possible to correct the roughness of a ground on which the mobile structure is moved, for the benefit of the comfort or the safety of the living being or the object located in the mobile structure.

The same applies when the mobile structure is immobilized and the castor is in skate configuration, since the tread allows an anti-seismic function to be carried out, making it possible to absorb the jolts in the event of an earthquake, for example.

According to another advantageous aspect, the rim is rotatably mounted on the axle via a ball or roller bearing.

The ball or roller bearing ensures smooth rolling of the rim relative to the axle.

The movement of the object carrying at least one wheel according to the invention is then facilitated.

According to another advantageous aspect, the frame incorporates a movable pin between a retracted position in the frame and a projecting position of the frame, the pin being intended to cooperate with at least one housing made in the external support, to block the wheel in a predetermined direction.

It is thus possible to block an orientation of the roller to facilitate the maneuvering of an object carrying one or more rollers.

Indeed, it is known that the manipulation of an object mounted on casters is easier when certain castors have a fixed direction, and only certain others are steerable.

The invention also relates to a rolling assembly comprising an external support and a wheel as previously described, characterized in that the external support includes a plate intended to be secured to a mobile structure and a rod projecting from the plate, the rod having hooking means intended to cooperate with the first retaining means and the second retaining means of the wheel.

Such a rolling assembly can easily be mounted on an object, thus giving it the possibility of being moved, when the roller(s) are in their rolling configuration, or of being immobile when the roller(s) are in their skate configuration. .

The invention further relates to a mobile structure comprising a bottom and at least one rolling assembly as previously described, characterized in that the plate of the external support of the rolling assembly is intended to be fixed to the bottom of the movable structure.

The transition to the immobile configuration of the mobile structure is facilitated thanks to the rolling assembly(ies) according to the invention, unlike the mobile structures comprising rollers according to the prior art.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the following description of various preferred embodiments of the invention, given by way of illustrative and non-limiting examples, and the appended drawings, among which:
- there is a schematic representation in perspective from above of a rolling assembly according to the invention, comprising an external support and a wheel intended to cooperate with the external support
- there is an exploded schematic representation of a wheel of the rolling assembly according to the invention;
- there is a schematic cross-sectional representation of a mobile structure provided with a rolling assembly according to the invention, the wheel being in a so-called “rolling” configuration;
- there is a schematic cross-sectional representation of a mobile structure provided with a rolling assembly according to the invention, the wheel being in a so-called “skate” configuration;
- there is a schematic representation in side view of a mobile structure provided with rolling assemblies according to the invention, the wheels being in their so-called “rolling” configuration.

There illustrates a rolling assembly according to the invention.

As will be explained below, the rolling assembly is intended in particular to be used on a mobile structure. The present description refers to a transport box 3 for animals, as illustrated by the , as an example of a movable structure.

With reference to the , the rolling assembly comprises a wheel 1 and an external support 2 on which the wheel 1 is mounted.

More particularly, the external support 2 comprises a plate 21 and a rod 22 projecting from the plate 21.

The plate 21 is intended to be secured to a bottom of a mobile structure. In the present case, said mobile structure is the transport box 3.

The rod 22 carries means for hooking the wheel 1. The hooking means are in the form of a groove 23 intended to hold the wheel 1 as explained below. The groove 23 is peripheral and extends over the entire periphery of the rod 22.

With reference to the , Roulette 1 includes:
- A frame 11;
- an axis 12 mounted on the frame 11, and
- at least one wheel 13 rotatably mounted on the axis 12.

As illustrated by Figures 3 and 4, the frame 11 has a hollow shaft 111 incorporating first retaining means 14 intended to cooperate with the rod 22 of the external support 2.

As illustrated by the , the frame 11 has a plane P of symmetry.

With reference to the , the first retaining means 14 are in the form of a rib intended to be housed in the groove 23 made on the rod 22 of the external support 2.

Still with reference to the , the axis 12 on which the wheel 13 is rotatably mounted extends orthogonally to the shaft 111.

As illustrated by the , the axis 12 is of the hollow type. Pin 12 incorporates second retaining means 15 intended to cooperate with rod 22 of external support 2.

With reference to the , the second retaining means 15 are in the form of a rib intended to be housed in the groove 23 made on the rod 22 of the external support 2.

Thus, roulette 1 can adopt:
- a first configuration, called the "rolling" configuration, illustrated by the , in which the wheel 13 extends parallel to the rod 22, and
- a second configuration, called the "skate" configuration, illustrated by the , in which the wheel 13 extends transversely to the rod 22.

The first retaining means 14, the second retaining means 15 and the groove 23 are dimensioned so as to present, between them, a functional clearance allowing assembly by hand with resistance to the introduction of the rib into the groove 23 The functional play is defined so that the resistance to insertion is low enough to allow manual insertion of the rib into the groove 23, but is sufficient to hold the wheel 1 on the external support 2 when the rib is housed in groove 23.

As illustrated by the , the wheel 1 comprises two wheels 13 mounted on either side of the frame 11.

Each wheel 13 comprises a rim 131 rotatably mounted on the axle 12, and a tread 132 surrounding the rim 131. The tread 132 is for example made of a material from the family of elastomers.

According to an embodiment not illustrated, the tread 132 can form an air reserve with the rim 131 to create or receive an air chamber and thus increase the absorption of shocks or vibration by the wheel 1.

The tread 132 has an overhang 133 intended to extend away from the frame 111.

Specifically, overhang 133 extends outward from wheel 1.

The overhang 133 forms a support plane for the caster 1 when the wheel is positioned transversely to the rod 22, that is to say when the caster 1 is in its skate configuration. Furthermore, the combination of the overhang 133 and the elastomeric material of the rolling band 132 makes it possible to achieve a damping of the transport box 3, and therefore to absorb any vibrations to ensure the comfort of an animal during its transport. in the transport case 3, or to limit the risk of damage to objects transported in the mobile structure.

To promote the rotational movement of wheel 13 on axle 12, rim 131 is mounted on axle 12 via bearing 134. Each bearing 134 is of the ball or roller type.

With reference to the , the frame 11 incorporates a pin 16 movable between a retracted position in the frame 11 and a projecting position of the frame 11. On the , the pin 16 is illustrated in its position protruding from the frame 11.

The pin 16 is intended to cooperate with at least one housing 24 formed in the external support 2.

More specifically, the support 2 has a plurality of housings 24 intended to receive the pin 16 to lock the wheel in a predetermined orientation.

This then makes it possible to facilitate the maneuvering of an object provided with rolling assemblies according to the invention. Indeed, when an object has wheels, for example a supermarket trolley, it is known that its maneuver is easier when two of its four wheels are blocked in one direction while the other two are crazy, i.e. that is to say free in rotation to allow the direction of the trolley.

Thus, for the rolling assembly, when the pin 16 is in its position projecting from the frame 11 and located in one of the housings 24, the wheel 1 is blocked in a rolling direction, whereas when the pin 16 is in its retracted position in the frame 11, the wheel 1 can pivot freely around the axis formed by the rod 22 of the support 2.

With reference to the , a transport box 3 is illustrated.

In the example illustrated by the , the transport box 3 is intended for the transport of animals.

The transport box 3 comprises a bottom 31 and at least one rolling assembly as previously described.

The plate 21 of the external support 2 of the rolling assembly is fixed to the bottom 31 of the transport box 3.

The transport box 3 comprises a lid 32 opposite the bottom 31, and a peripheral wall 33 extending between the bottom 31 and the lid 32.

In addition, the transport box 3 includes a handle 34 for towing the transport box 3. The handle 34 can, for example, be of the retractable type.

According to a variant embodiment not shown in the figures, the cooperation of the first retaining means 14 and the second retaining means 15 with the groove 23 of the rod 22 is reversed.

More specifically, the first retaining means 14 and the second retaining means 15 are in the form of a groove intended to receive a rib carried by the rod 22 of the external support 2.

Furthermore, other systems for retaining the wheel 1 on the external support 2 can be provided, such as an unlocking mechanism by pressing a button for example.

Other unidirectional servo systems such as crenellations on the external support 2, associated with a toothed latch integral with the wheel 1 can be used.

Furthermore, the housings 24, here illustrated as being integrated into the plate 21 of the external support 2, can also be made directly on the object on which the rollers are mounted, in this case, on the bottom 31 of the box of transportation 3.

As illustrated by the , the was 111 has a circular section allowing the caster 1 to pivot around an axis of rotation X around the rod 22.

Each wheel 13 is pivotable on the frame 11 with respect to a second axis of rotation A. In the skate configuration of the rollers 1, the second axis of rotation A coincides with the axis of rotation X about which the roller 1 pivots by relative to the rod 22, as illustrated by the .

With reference to the , in any longitudinal plane PL of the wheel 1, perpendicular to the second axis of rotation A and parallel to the plane P of symmetry, the frame 11 is inscribed in a circle C centered on the second axis of rotation A.

In any longitudinal plane PL, each wheel 13 has a first radius R1, and the circle C in which the frame 11 is inscribed has a second radius R2. During its design, the dimensions of the frame are determined so that the second radius R2 is less than or equal to 145% of the first radius R1 of each wheel 13.

This allows in particular that, when the wheel 1 is in its pad configuration, the frame 11 only protrudes to a limited extent from the transport case 3, or even does not protrude.

The frame 11 thus does not form any obstacle protruding from the transport box 3.

This also makes it easier to move the transport case 3, or the mobile structure equipped with castors 1, in particular to make it move around bends.

Claims

Roulette (1) comprising:
- a frame (11) having a hollow shaft (111) incorporating first retaining means (14) intended to cooperate with a rod (22) secured to an external support (2) to the roller (1);
- an axis (12) mounted on the frame (11), the axis (12) extending orthogonally to the shaft (111);
- at least one wheel (13) rotatably mounted on the axle (12),
characterized in that the axle (12) is of the hollow type and incorporates second retaining means (15) intended to cooperate with the said rod (22) integral with the external support (2) so as to position the wheel (13) transversely to said rod (22).
Roulette (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the first retaining means (14) and the second retaining means (15) are in the form of a rib intended to be housed in a groove (23) performed on the rod (22) integral with the external support (2).
Roulette (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the first retaining means (14) and the second retaining means (15) are in the form of a groove intended to receive a rib carried by the rod (22 ) integral with the external support (2).
Roulette (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises two wheels (13) mounted on either side of the frame (11).
Roulette (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the wheel or wheels (13) comprise a rim (131) rotatably mounted on the axle (12), and a tread (132) surrounding the rim (131).
Roulette (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the tread (132) has an overhang (133) intended to extend away from the frame (11), said overhang (133) forming a plane of support of the wheel (1) when the wheel (13) is positioned transversely to the rod (22).
Roulette (1) according to one of Claims 5 or 6, characterized in that the tread (132) is made of a material from the family of elastomers.
Roulette (1) according to one of Claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the rim (131) is rotatably mounted on the axle (12) via a ball or roller bearing (134). .
Roulette (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the frame (11) incorporates a pin (16) movable between a retracted position in the frame (11) and a projecting position from the frame (1), the pin (16) being intended to cooperate with at least one housing (24) made in the external support (2), to lock the wheel (1) in a predetermined orientation.
Rolling assembly comprising an external support (2) and a wheel (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the external support (2) includes a plate (21) intended to be secured to a mobile structure and a rod (22) projecting from the plate (21), the rod (22) having hooking means intended to cooperate with the first retaining means (14) and the second retaining means (15) of the roller (1) .
Mobile structure comprising a bottom and at least one rolling assembly according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the plate (21) of the external support (2) of the rolling assembly is intended to be fixed to the bottom of the mobile structure.