Journal

• US 7,591,592 B2
• Filed: 07/22/2005
• Issued: 09/22/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/12/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mergon International
• Original Assignee: Menza Limited
• Inventors: Beirne, Patrick, Mullen, Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): Charles; Marcus
• Application Number:
  US11/186,862
• Publication Number:
  US 20050254738A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,523 Days
• Field of Search: 384295-296, 301/111.01, 301/111.02, 301/111.03, 301/111.07, 301/112, 301118-122, 403/318, 403/355
• US Class Current: 384/295
• 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 includes a main body portion and a separate locking element mounted to the main body portion. The locking element includes a locking arm and an integral resilient leaf spring. The locking element is pivotable about a pivot axis A-A extending through a pair of pivot extensions between a release position and a secured position. In the release position, the axle is movable into and out of a reception space within the main body portion. In this release position, the leaf spring bears against the main body portion to bias the locking arm towards the secured position. In the secured position, the locking arm engages with a groove in the axle to secure the axle in position in the reception space.

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 at least part of an axle;

the journal comprising;

a main body portion;

a locking element separate from the main body portion, the locking element being movable 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; and

a biasing element to bias the locking element towards the secured position;

the biasing element being provided integral with the locking element,

the biasing element comprises a resilient element configured to bear against the main body portion to bias the locking element towards the secured position, and the main body portion includes an upstanding shoulder against which the resilient element is configured to bear to bias the locking element towards the secured position.

2. The journal as claimed in claim 1 wherein the biasing element is of a plastics material.

3. The journal as claimed in claim 1, wherein the resilient element comprises a leaf spring.

4. The journal as claimed in claim 1, wherein the resilient element is provided in the form of a substantially planar element.

5. The journal as claimed in claim 4 wherein the planar element comprises a tab.

6. The journal as claimed in claim 1 wherein the locking element is pivotable about a pivot axis between the release position and the secured position.

7. The journal as claimed in claim 6 wherein the pivot axis is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the reception space.

8. The journal as claimed in claim 7 wherein the pivot axis is radially offset from the longitudinal axis of the reception space.

9. The journal as claimed in claim 6 wherein the pivot axis extends through the region of the junction between the biasing element and the locking element.

10. The journal as claimed in claim 1 wherein the locking element is mounted to the main body portion.

11. The journal as claimed in claim 10 wherein the locking element comprises a pivot extension for location in a co-operating pivot receiver of the main body portion.

12. The journal as claimed in claim 1, wherein the locking element is shaped to resist movement of the locking element from the secured position to the release position upon retraction of an axle through the reception space.

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

14. The journal as claimed in claim 13 wherein the accessway is provided in the main body portion through which access may be gained to the locking element.

15. The journal as claimed in claim 1 wherein the locking element comprises an engagement formation to facilitate movement of the locking element between the secured position and the release position.

16. The journal as claimed in claim 15 wherein the engagement formation comprises a recess.

17. 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 at least part of an axle;

the journal comprising

a locking element movable between a release position in which the axle is removable from the reception space, and a secured position in which the locking element is engagable with the axle at a region of engagement to secure the axle in position in the reception space;

the region of engagement being located substantially mid-way along the length of the bore, when the journal is mounted in the bores,

the reception space defining an insertion end through which the axle may enter the reception space, and a closed end opposite to the insertion end;

the closed end of the reception space being configured for location externally of the bore, when at least part of the journal is mounted in the bore, to facilitate reception of the axle in the reception space with a leading end of the axle located externally of the bore.

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

the journal being configured to be mounted to a wheel with at least part of the journal in a bore of the wheel;

the journal defining a reception space for receiving at least part of an axle;

the reception space defining an insertion end through which the axle may enter the reception space, and a closed end opposite to the insertion end;

the closed end of the reception space being configured for location externally of the bore, when at least part of the journal is mounted in the bore, to facilitate reception of the axle in the reception space with a leading end of the axle located externally of the bore;

the journal comprising a locking element movable between a release position in which the axle is removable from the reception space, and a secured position in which the locking element is engagable with the axle at a region of engagement within the bore to secure the axle in position in the reception space.

19. The journal as claimed in claim 18 wherein at least part of the journal is substantially frusto-conically shaped at the closed end.

20. The journal as claimed in claim 19 wherein a base region of the frusto-cone is engagable with a shoulder defined on the wheel to retain the journal in position in the bore.

21. The journal as claimed in claim 20 wherein an apex region of the frusto-cone extends from the base region externally of the bore, when at least part of the journal is mounted in the bore.

22. The journal as claimed in claim 18 wherein the locking element is configured to engage with the axle in a recess in the axle.