Systems and methods for caster obstacle management
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An apparatus, comprising:
- a wheel rotatably coupled to a caster housing about a wheel axis, wherein the caster housing is rotatable about a caster pivot axis and wherein the wheel is offset from the caster pivot axis to swing around the caster pivot axis during wheel rotation such that the wheel trails the caster pivot axis in the direction of wheel movement;
a deflector tab having two ends, the deflector tab is pivotably coupled to the caster housing at a tab pivot point between the two ends, and one end at least partially extending beyond an outer wheel circumference, wherein the tab pivot point is located on a side of the caster pivot axis opposite the wheel axis, and is located below the wheel axis; and
a first magnet coupled to the deflector tab and a second magnet coupled to the caster housing;
wherein a magnetic pull between the first magnet and the second magnet is configured to be strong enough to hold the deflector tab in a pusher position when the deflector tab encounters a movable cable during wheel movement; and
wherein the magnetic pull between the first magnet and the second magnet is configured to be weak enough to allow movement of the first magnet relative to the second magnet to allow the deflector tab to move into a ramp position when the deflector tab is deflected by a relatively immobile obstacle during wheel movement.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
In various embodiments, a caster assembly may include a wheel rotatably coupled to a caster housing and a deflector tab pivotably coupled to the caster housing and offset from an outer wheel circumference for use in moving or traversing obstacles encountered during wheel movement. In some embodiments, the deflector tab may include at least one retaining element configured to hold the deflector tab in a pusher position or allow movement of the deflector tab into a ramp position. In the pusher position, the deflector tab may push a mobile obstacle in front of the wheel motion. In the ramp position, the deflector tab may facilitate moving the wheels over a fixed obstacle.
131 Citations
8 Claims
-
1. An apparatus, comprising:
-
a wheel rotatably coupled to a caster housing about a wheel axis, wherein the caster housing is rotatable about a caster pivot axis and wherein the wheel is offset from the caster pivot axis to swing around the caster pivot axis during wheel rotation such that the wheel trails the caster pivot axis in the direction of wheel movement; a deflector tab having two ends, the deflector tab is pivotably coupled to the caster housing at a tab pivot point between the two ends, and one end at least partially extending beyond an outer wheel circumference, wherein the tab pivot point is located on a side of the caster pivot axis opposite the wheel axis, and is located below the wheel axis; and a first magnet coupled to the deflector tab and a second magnet coupled to the caster housing; wherein a magnetic pull between the first magnet and the second magnet is configured to be strong enough to hold the deflector tab in a pusher position when the deflector tab encounters a movable cable during wheel movement; and wherein the magnetic pull between the first magnet and the second magnet is configured to be weak enough to allow movement of the first magnet relative to the second magnet to allow the deflector tab to move into a ramp position when the deflector tab is deflected by a relatively immobile obstacle during wheel movement. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
-
Specification