Method and apparatus for a pneumatically sprung caster mechanism

• US 10,272,733 B2
• Filed: 09/22/2009
• Issued: 04/30/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Suspension Systems Technologies, LLC
• Original Assignee: Suspension Systems Technologies, LLC
• Inventors: Woodbury, II, William E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Williams, Melanie Torres
• Application Number:
  US12/564,875
• Publication Number:
  US 20100044990A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,507 Days
• Field of Search: 188 112, 267273, 267274, 267 6415, 267 6416, 267 6425, 280 5514, 28012416, 280 5507, 280 5503, 280124141, 280 5508
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 17/0162 mainly during a motion involving steering operation, e.g. cornering, overtaking B60G17/0164 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 17/08 Characteristics of fluid dampers adjusting fluid dampers in general F16F9/44 - F16F9/53
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2200/30 Rigid axle suspensions
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2202/412 Pneumatic actuator
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2300/32 Track vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2400/104 lateral or transversal with regard to vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2400/252 vertical
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2500/30 Height or ground clearance
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2800/24 Steering, cornering

Abstract

A method and apparatus for a pneumatically sprung caster mechanism to provide a pneumatically controlled ride height for a platform attached to the caster. The caster is mounted to a first end of a pivoting axle, while a piston is mounted to the opposite end of the pivoting axle. The length of the piston is pneumatically controlled to rotate the pivoting axle to either increase, or decrease, the distance between the caster and the platform. Suspension is provided through interaction of the piston with an air reservoir, whereby minute variations in the length of the piston are absorbed by the elasticity of the walls of the air reservoir. A free-flow of air is facilitated such that air forced out of the piston during contraction may be collected by the air reservoir and air required by the piston during expansion may be provided by the air reservoir.

Claims

1. A pneumatically sprung caster, comprising:

a caster, the caster being adapted to rotate about an axis of the caster;

a pivoting axle having a first end coupled to the axis of the caster and a second end coupled to a support structure, the caster, pivoting axle and support structure being adapted to swivel in a circular direction;

an air bladder coupled to the pivoting axle;

a valve coupled to the air bladder;

a reservoir coupled to the valve;

wherein an equilibrium length of the air bladder is adjusted in response to actuation of the valve to receive air from the reservoir or exhaust air from the air bladder to adjust a height of the support structure;

a first switch magnetically coupled to the air bladder and adapted to detect a first length of the air bladder; and

a second switch magnetically coupled to the air bladder and adapted to detect a second length of the air bladder.

2. The pneumatically sprung caster of claim 1, further comprising a contact platform coupled to the support structure, the contact platform including,

a first surface having a plurality of conductive traces arranged as concentric circles;

and

a second surface having a plurality of electrical contacts, each electrical contact being coupled to a corresponding conductive trace.

3. The pneumatically sprung caster of claim 2, further comprising a controller movably coupled to the first surface of the contact platform, wherein electrical contact is maintained between the controller and each conductive trace of the contact platform during caster rotation.

4. The pneumatically sprung caster of claim 3, further comprising a compressor coupled to the reservoir to maintain a threshold amount of air pressure within the reservoir.

5. A pneumatically sprung caster, comprising:

a caster, the caster being adapted to rotate about an axis of the caster;

a pivoting axle having a first end coupled to the axis of the caster and a second end coupled to a support structure, the caster, pivoting axle and support structure being adapted to swivel in a circular direction;

an air bladder coupled to the pivoting axle;

a valve coupled to the air bladder;

a reservoir coupled to the valve,

wherein an equilibrium length of the air bladder is adjusted in response to actuation of the valve to receive air from the reservoir or exhaust air from the air bladder to adjust a height of the support structure;

a contact platform coupled to the support structure, the contact platform including,

a first surface having a plurality of conductive traces arranged as concentric circles; and

a second surface having a plurality of electrical contacts, each electrical contact being coupled to a corresponding conductive trace; and

a controller movably coupled to the first surface of the contact platform, wherein electrical contact is maintained between the controller and each conductive trace of the contact platform during caster rotation.

6. The pneumatically sprung caster of claim 5, further comprising:

a first switch magnetically coupled to the air bladder and adapted to detect a first length of the air bladder; and

a second switch magnetically coupled to the air bladder and adapted to detect a second length of the air bladder.

7. The pneumatically sprung caster of claim 5, further comprising a compressor coupled to the reservoir to maintain a threshold amount of air pressure within the reservoir.

9. The pneumatically sprung caster of claim 7, further comprising a controller movably coupled to the first surface of the contact platform, wherein electrical contact is maintained between the controller and each conductive trace of the contact platform during caster rotation.

10. The pneumatically sprung caster of claim 7, further comprising:

a first switch magnetically coupled to the air bladder and adapted to detect a first length of the air bladder; and

a second switch magnetically coupled to the air bladder and adapted to detect a second length of the air bladder.

11. The pneumatically sprung caster of claim 7, further comprising a compressor coupled to the reservoir to maintain a threshold amount of air pressure within the reservoir.

8. A pneumatically sprung caster, comprising:

a caster, the caster being adapted to rotate about an axis of the caster;

a pivoting axle having a first end coupled to the axis of the caster and a second end coupled to a support structure, the caster, pivoting axle and support structure being adapted to swivel in a circular direction;

an air bladder coupled to the pivoting axle;

a valve coupled to the air bladder;

a reservoir coupled to the valve,

wherein an equilibrium length of the air bladder is adjusted in response to actuation of the valve to receive air from the reservoir or exhaust air from the air bladder to adjust a height of the support structure;

a contact platform coupled to the support structure, the contact platform including,

a first surface having a plurality of conductive traces arranged as concentric circles; and

a second surface having a plurality of electrical contacts, each electrical contact being coupled to a corresponding conductive trace.