Wheel

• US 20030117009A1
• Filed: 08/12/2002
• Published: 06/26/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mergon International
• Original Assignee: Menza Limited
• Inventors: Beirne, Patrick, Mullen, Thomas, Flood, Nicholas
• Granted Patent: US 6,938,964 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 301/111.01
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 37/10 the wheels being individually rotatable around the axles
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 1/1473 Receptacles having wheels

Abstract

A journal 6 for coupling a wheel 1 to an axle 5 is configured to be mounted in a bore 4 of the wheel 1. The journal 6 defines a reception space 100 for receiving an axle 5. A locking element 10 is pivotally mounted on the journal 6 from a release position in which the axle 5 is removable from the reception space 100 and secured position in which a tooth 35 of the locking element 10 is engaged with a groove 36 in the axle 5. When the tooth 35 of the locking element 10 is engaged in the groove 36 withdrawal of the axle is prevented.

Claims

1. A journal for coupling a wheel to an axle:

—

the journal being configured to be mounted in a bore of a wheel;

the journal defining a reception space for receiving an axle;

the reception space defining an insertion end through which an axle may enter the reception space;

the journal comprising a locking element;

the locking element defining a pivot axis and a securement region;

the locking element being pivotable about the pivot axis between a release position in which an axle is removable from the reception space and a secured position in which the locking element is secured to an axle at the securement region to secure the axle in position in the reception space.

2. A journal as claimed in claim 1 wherein the pivot axis is located on the opposite side of the securement region to the insertion end.

3. A journal as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the locking element comprises a first arm engagable with an axle upon advancement of the axle through the reception space to pivot the locking element from the secured position to the release position.

4. A journal as claimed in claim 3 wherein the first arm is locatable in the secured position in a recess of an axle to secure the axle in position in the reception space.

5. A journal as claimed in claim 3 or 4 wherein the first arm is shaped to resist pivoting of the locking element from the secured position to the release position upon retraction of an axle through the reception space.

6. A journal as claimed in claim 5 wherein the first arm comprises a pawl.

7. A journal as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6 wherein the locking element comprises a second arm engagable with an axle upon advancement of the axle through the reception space to pivot the locking element from the release position to the secured position.

8. A journal as claimed in claim 7 wherein the pivot axis is located at the junction of the first arm and the second arm.

9. A journal as claimed in claim 7 or 8 wherein the first arm is substantially perpendicular to the second arm.

10. A journal as claimed in any of claims 1 to 9 wherein the journal comprises means to lock the locking element in the secured position.

11. A journal as claimed in claim 10 wherein the locking means comprises a latch.

12. A journal as claimed in claim 11 wherein the latch comprises a latch arm movable between a release position in which the locking element is movable and a locking position in which the locking element is locked in the secured position.

13. A journal as claimed in claim 12 wherein the latch arm is biased towards the locking position.

14. A journal as claimed in claim 12 or 13 wherein in the locking position the latch arm engages the locking element.

15. A journal as claimed in claim 14 wherein one or more tooth formations are provided on the locking element against which the latch arm engages in the locking position.

16. A journal as claimed in any of claims 1 to 15 wherein the journal comprises a main body portion, the locking element being separate from the main body portion.

17. A journal as claimed in claim 16 wherein the locking element is mounted to the main body portion.

18. A journal as claimed in claim 17 wherein the locking element comprises a pivot extension for location in a co-operating pivot receiver of the main body portion.

19. A journal as claimed in claim 18 wherein the locking element comprises a pair of oppositely directed pivot extensions for location in a pair of cooperating pivot receivers of the main body portion.

20. A journal as claimed in claim 18 or 19 wherein the pivot extension is locatable in the pivot receiver in a snap-fit manner.

21. A journal as claimed in any of claims 1 to 20 wherein the journal comprises means to secure the journal in position in a bore of a wheel.

22. A journal as claimed in claim 21 wherein the securing means comprises a lip engagable with a shoulder defined on a wheel.

23. A journal as claimed in claim 22 wherein the lip is engagable with a shoulder defined by an open mouth of a bore.

24. A journal as claimed in claim 22 wherein the lip is engagable with a shoulder defined within a bore.

25. A journal as claimed in any of claims 22 to 24 wherein the lip is engagable with a shoulder which extends circumferentially around a bore.

26. A journal as claimed in any of claims 22 to 25 wherein the journal comprises a lip at each end of the journal.

27. A journal as claimed in any of claims 22 to 26 wherein the lip is movable between a release position in which the journal is removable from a bore and a secured position in which the journal is secured in position in the bore.

28. A journal as claimed in claim 27 wherein the lip is biased towards the secured position.

29. A journal as claimed in any of claims 22 to 28 wherein the lip is provided in the form of at least one protrusion at an end of at least one cantilever arm.

30. A journal as claimed in claim 29 wherein a plurality of protrusions are provided spaced around the circumference of the journal.

31. A journal as claimed in any of claims 1 to 30 wherein the journal comprises an accessway through which access may be gained to one or more movable parts of the journal.

32. A journal as claimed in any of claims 1 to 31 wherein the pivot axis is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the reception space.

33. A journal for coupling a wheel to an axle:

—

the journal being configured to be mounted in a bore of a wheel;

the journal having a reception space for receiving an axle; and

the journal comprising a main body portion and a separate locking element;

the locking element being pivotable relative to the main body portion between a release position in which an axle is removable from the reception space and a secured position in which an axle is secured in position in the reception space.

34. A wheel assembly comprising a wheel, and a journal for coupling the wheel to an axle;

the journal being configured to be mounted in a bore of the wheel;

the journal defining a reception space for receiving an axle;

the reception space defining an insertion end through which an axle may enter the reception space;

the journal comprising a locking element;

the locking element defining a pivot axis and a securement region;

the locking element being pivotable about the pivot axis between a release position in which an axle is removable from the reception space and a secured position in which the locking element is secured to an axle at the securement region to secure the axle in position in the reception space.

35. A wheel assembly as claimed in claim 34 wherein the wheel has an outer rim and an inner hub with a central bore.

36. A wheel assembly as claimed in claim 34 or 35 wherein the wheel is of moulded plastic.

37. A wheel having an outer rim and an inner hub with a central bore, the wheel defining an engagement surface in the bore, the engagement surface extending circumferentially around the bore for engagement with at least part of a journal to secure the journal in the bore.

38. A wheel as claimed in claim 37 wherein the engagement surface is provided by a radially inwardly protruding shoulder.

39. A wheel having an outer rim and an inner hub with a central bore, the wheel defining a recess stepped back from the bore for accommodating means to secure an axle in position in the bore, the recess extending around only a portion of the circumference of the bore.

40. An axle assembly comprising an axle, and a journal for coupling the axle to a wheel;

the journal being configured to be mounted in a bore of a wheel;

the journal defining a reception space for receiving the axle;

the reception space defining an insertion end through which the axle may enter the reception space;

the journal comprising a locking element;

the locking element defining a pivot axis and a securement region;

the locking element being pivotable about the pivot axis between a release position in which the axle is removable from the reception space and a secured position in which the locking element is secured to the axle at the securement region to secure the axle in position in the reception space.

41. An axle assembly as claimed in claim 40 wherein the axle comprises a recess for receiving the locking element in the secured position.

42. An axle assembly as claimed in claim 41 wherein the recess comprises a groove in an outer surface of the axle.

43. An axle assembly as claimed in claim 42 wherein the groove extends radially inwardly of the outer surface.

44. An axle assembly as claimed in claim 42 or 43 wherein the groove extends circumferentially around the axle.

45. An axle assembly as claimed in any of claims 40 to 44 wherein a leading end of the axle has a chamfered edge.

46. An assembly of a wheel, an axle, and a journal for coupling the wheel to the axle;

the journal being configured to be mounted in a bore of the wheel;

the journal defining a reception space for receiving the axle;

the reception space defining an insertion end through which the axle may enter the reception space;

the journal comprising a locking element;

the locking element defining a pivot axis and a securement region;

the locking element being pivotable about the pivot axis between a release position in which the axle is removable from the reception space and a secured position in which the locking element is secured to the axle at the securement region to secure the axle in position in the reception space.

47. A bin or trash cart comprising an assembly of a wheel, an axle, and a journal for coupling the wheel to the axle;

the journal being configured to be mounted in a bore of the wheel;

the journal defining a reception space for receiving the axle;

the reception space defining an insertion end through which the axle may enter the reception space;

the journal comprising a locking element;

the locking element defining a pivot axis and a securement region;

the locking element being pivotable about the pivot axis between a release position in which the axle is removable from the reception space and a secured position in which the locking element is secured to the axle at the securement region to secure the axle in position in the reception space.