Wheel

• US 6,938,964 B2
• Filed: 08/12/2002
• Issued: 09/06/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mergon International
• Original Assignee: Menza Limited
• Inventors: Beirne, Patrick, Mullen, Thomas, Flood, Nicholas
• Primary Examiner(s): Stormer, Russell D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bellinger, Jason R.
• Application Number:
  US10/216,571
• Publication Number:
  US 20030117009A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,121 Days
• Field of Search: 301/111.01, 301/111.03, 301/112, 301/119, 301/121, 301/122, 301/111.04, 301/111.07
• US Class Current: 301/119
• 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 for coupling a wheel to an axle is configured to be mounted in a bore of the wheel. The journal defines a reception space for receiving an axle. A locking element is pivotally mounted on the journal from a release position in which the axle is removable from the reception space and secured position in which a tooth of the locking element is engaged with a groove in the axle. When the tooth of the locking element is engaged in the groove 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 the wheel, the journal defining a reception space for recieving 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,

a lock to lock the locking element in the secured position.

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

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

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

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

7. The journal as claimed in claim 1, wherein the locking element comprises a second arm engagable with the axle upon advancement of the axle through the reception space to pivot the locking element from the release position to the secured position.

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

9. The journal as claimed in claim 7, wherein the first arm is substantially perpendicular to the second arm.

10. The journal as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lock comprises one or more protruding formations on the locking element for engagement against one or more co-operating surfaces on the journal to lock the locking element in the secured position.

11. The journal as claimed in claim 10, wherein the one or more protruding surfaces on the journal are provided on a latch arm.

12. The journal as claimed in claim 11, wherein the latch arm is 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. The journal as claimed in claim 12, wherein the latch arm is biased towards the locking position.

14. The journal as claimed in claim 12, wherein in the locking position the latch arm engages the locking element.

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

16. The journal as claimed in claim 1, wherein the journal comprises a main body portion, the locking element being separate from the main body portion.

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

18. The 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. The journal as claimed in claim 18, wherein the locking element comprises a pair of oppositely directed pivot extensions for location in a pair of co-operating pivot receivers of the main body portion.

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

21. The journal as claimed in claim 1, wherein the journal is secured in position in the bore of the wheel.

22. The journal as claimed in claim 21, wherein the journal includes a lip engagable with a shoulder defined on the wheel.

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

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

25. The journal as claimed in claim 22, wherein the lip is engagable with the shoulder which extends circumferentially around the bore.

26. The journal as claimed in claim 22, wherein the journal comprises a lip at each end of the journal.

27. The journal as claimed in claim 22, wherein the lip is movable between a release position in which the journal is removable from the bore and a secured position in which the journal is secured in position in the bore.

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

29. The journal as claimed in claim 22, wherein the lip is provided in the form of at least one protrusion at an end of at least one cantilever arm.

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

31. The journal as claimed in claim 1, wherein the journal comprises an accessway through which access may be gained to one or more movable part of the journal.

32. The journal as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pivot axis is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the reception space.

33. The journal for coupling a wheel to an axle, the journal being configured to be mounted in a bore of the wheel, the journal having a reception space for receiving the axle, 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 the axle is removable from the reception space and a secured position in which the axle is secured in position in the reception space.

34. The 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 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,

a lock to lock the locking element to the secured position.

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

36. The wheel assembly as claimed in claim 34, wherein the wheel is of molded plastic.

37. A wheel having an outer rim and an inner hub with a central bore, the wheel comprising:

an engagement surface in the bore, the engagement surface extending circumferentially around the bore for engagement with at least a securing part of a journal to secure the journal in the bore;

the journal defining a reception space for receiving an axle;

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

the securing part being located substantially at the insertion end;

the engagement surface being provided by a radially inwardly protruding shoulder.

38. 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 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; and

a lock to lock the locking element in the secured position.

39. The axle assembly as claimed in claim 38, wherein he axle comprises a recess for receiving the locking element in the secured position.

40. The axle assembly as claimed in claim 39, wherein the recess comprises a groove in an outer surface of the axle.

41. The axle assembly as claimed in claim 40, wherein the groove extends radially inwardly of the outer surface.

42. The axle assembly as claimed in claim 40, wherein the groove extends circumferentially around the axle.

43. The axle assembly as claimed in claim 38, wherein a leading end of the axle has a chamfered edge.

44. An assembly comprising:

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; and

a lock to lock the locking element in the secured position.

45. 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; and

a lock to lock the locking element in the secured position.