Brake mechanism for a non-motorized wheeled vehicle
First Claim
1. A wheel for a human-propelled wheeled cart, the wheel rotatable about a wheel rotation axis, the wheel comprising:
- a wheel hub configured to rotate about the wheel rotation axis when the wheel of the human-propelled wheeled cart rotates, the wheel hub comprising a cavity and a circumferential tire engagement surface configured to accept a tire, the wheel hub comprising an engagement surface configured to rotate about the wheel rotation axis when the wheel rotates; and
a brake configured to inhibit rotation of the wheel about the wheel rotation axis when the brake is actuated, the brake disposed in the cavity of the wheel hub of the human-propelled wheeled cart, the brake comprising;
a brake plate configured not to rotate about the wheel rotation axis when the wheel rotates, the brake plate having a frictional braking surface, the brake plate movable toward and away from the engagement surface in a direction substantially parallel to the wheel rotation axis between a first position and a second position, wherein;
when the brake plate is in the first position, the frictional braking surface and the engagement surface are not in contact, andwhen the brake plate is in the second position, the frictional braking surface and the engagement surface are in contact, thereby inhibiting rotation of the wheel about the wheel rotation axis; and
a brake actuator configured to move the brake plate between the first position and the second position, the brake actuator comprising a drive gear mechanically coupled to the brake plate, the drive gear configured to rotate about the rotation axis of the wheel when actuated by the brake actuator, the brake actuator configured such that rotation of the drive gear in a first direction causes the brake plate to move from the first position to the second position and rotation of the drive gear in a second direction opposite to the first direction causes the brake plate to move from the second position to the first position, andwherein, when the brake plate is in the second position, mechanical coupling between the drive gear and the brake plate is configured to slip when the braking force reaches a desired level.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Brake mechanisms for a wheel of non-motorized wheeled vehicle such as, e.g., a shopping cart, are described. In various embodiments, the brake mechanism can provide a variable amount of braking force or torque between zero and an amount sufficient to lock the wheel. In some embodiments, the brake mechanism includes a brake plate that is movable toward and away from a surface of the wheel hub along a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the wheel. The brake plate is configured not to rotate when the wheel and hub are rotating. Frictional engagement between the brake plate and the surface of the wheel hub provides the braking force. The brake plate and/or the surface of the wheel hub can include engagement features such as, e.g., protrusions and slots. In some embodiments, the brake mechanism fits entirely within the wheel.
136 Citations
39 Claims
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1. A wheel for a human-propelled wheeled cart, the wheel rotatable about a wheel rotation axis, the wheel comprising:
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a wheel hub configured to rotate about the wheel rotation axis when the wheel of the human-propelled wheeled cart rotates, the wheel hub comprising a cavity and a circumferential tire engagement surface configured to accept a tire, the wheel hub comprising an engagement surface configured to rotate about the wheel rotation axis when the wheel rotates; and a brake configured to inhibit rotation of the wheel about the wheel rotation axis when the brake is actuated, the brake disposed in the cavity of the wheel hub of the human-propelled wheeled cart, the brake comprising; a brake plate configured not to rotate about the wheel rotation axis when the wheel rotates, the brake plate having a frictional braking surface, the brake plate movable toward and away from the engagement surface in a direction substantially parallel to the wheel rotation axis between a first position and a second position, wherein; when the brake plate is in the first position, the frictional braking surface and the engagement surface are not in contact, and when the brake plate is in the second position, the frictional braking surface and the engagement surface are in contact, thereby inhibiting rotation of the wheel about the wheel rotation axis; and a brake actuator configured to move the brake plate between the first position and the second position, the brake actuator comprising a drive gear mechanically coupled to the brake plate, the drive gear configured to rotate about the rotation axis of the wheel when actuated by the brake actuator, the brake actuator configured such that rotation of the drive gear in a first direction causes the brake plate to move from the first position to the second position and rotation of the drive gear in a second direction opposite to the first direction causes the brake plate to move from the second position to the first position, and wherein, when the brake plate is in the second position, mechanical coupling between the drive gear and the brake plate is configured to slip when the braking force reaches a desired level. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A wheel for a human-propelled wheeled cart, the wheel rotatable about a wheel rotation axis, the wheel comprising:
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a wheel hub configured to rotate about the wheel rotation axis when the wheel of the human-propelled wheeled cart rotates, the wheel hub comprising a cavity and a circumferential tire engagement surface configured to accept a tire, the wheel hub comprising an engagement surface configured to rotate about the wheel rotation axis when the wheel rotates; and a brake configured to inhibit rotation of the wheel about the wheel rotation axis when the brake is actuated, the brake disposed in the cavity of the wheel hub of the human-propelled wheeled cart, the brake comprising; a brake plate configured not to rotate about the wheel rotation axis when the wheel rotates, the brake plate having a frictional braking surface, the brake plate movable toward and away from the engagement surface in a direction substantially parallel to the wheel rotation axis between a first position and a second position, wherein; when the brake plate is in the first position, the frictional braking surface and the engagement surface are not in contact, and when the brake plate is in the second position, the frictional braking surface and the engagement surface are in contact, thereby inhibiting rotation of the wheel about the wheel rotation axis; and a brake actuator configured to move the brake plate between the first position and the second position, the brake actuator comprising a drive gear mechanically coupled to the brake plate, the drive gear configured to rotate about the rotation axis of the wheel when actuated by the brake actuator, the brake actuator configured such that rotation of the drive gear in a first direction causes the brake plate to move from the first position to the second position and rotation of the drive gear in a second direction opposite to the first direction causes the brake plate to move from the second position to the first position, wherein the wheel hub comprises a drive gear ring that rotates about the wheel rotation axis when the wheel rotates, the brake actuator comprising a drive mechanism configured to mechanically engage and disengage the drive gear ring and the drive gear of the brake assembly. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. A wheel for a human-propelled wheeled cart, the wheel rotatable about a wheel rotation axis, the wheel comprising:
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a wheel hub configured to rotate about the wheel rotation axis when the wheel of the human-propelled wheeled cart rotates, the wheel hub comprising a cavity and a circumferential tire engagement surface configured to accept a tire, the wheel hub comprising an engagement surface configured to rotate about the wheel rotation axis when the wheel rotates; and a brake configured to inhibit rotation of the wheel about the wheel rotation axis when the brake is actuated, the brake disposed in the cavity of the wheel hub of the human-propelled wheeled cart, the brake comprising; a brake plate configured not to rotate about the wheel rotation axis when the wheel rotates, the brake plate having a frictional braking surface, the brake plate movable toward and away from the engagement surface in a direction substantially parallel to the wheel rotation axis between a first position and a second position, wherein; when the brake plate is in the first position, the frictional braking surface and the engagement surface are not in contact, and when the brake plate is in the second position, the frictional braking surface and the engagement surface are in contact, thereby inhibiting rotation of the wheel about the wheel rotation axis; a brake actuator configured to move the brake plate between the first position and the second position, the brake actuator comprising a drive gear mechanically coupled to the brake plate, the drive gear configured to rotate about the rotation axis of the wheel when actuated by the brake actuator, the brake actuator configured such that rotation of the drive gear in a first direction causes the brake plate to move from the first position to the second position and rotation of the drive gear in a second direction opposite to the first direction causes the brake plate to move from the second position to the first position; an electrical power storage unit configured to provide power to the brake actuator; and an electrical generator configured to generate electrical power from rotation of the wheel and to provide electrical power to the brake actuator or the electrical power storage unit. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
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Specification