5560results about "Castors" patented technology

An autonomous floor cleaning robot includes a transport drive and control system arranged for autonomous movement of the robot over a floor for performing cleaning operations. The robot chassis carries a first cleaning zone comprising cleaning elements arranged to suction loose particulates up from the cleaning surface and a second cleaning zone comprising cleaning elements arraigned to apply a cleaning fluid onto the surface and to thereafter collect the cleaning fluid up from the surface after it has been used to clean the surface. The robot chassis carries a supply of cleaning fluid and a waste container for storing waste materials collected up from the cleaning surface.

A wheel bearing includes a sealing device 5 positioned between inner and outer members 1 and 2. This sealing device 5 includes an elastic member 14, which eventually forms an encoder grid and is provided on a first annular sealing plate 11. A second annular sealing plate 12 is provided with sealing lips 16a to 16c. An engagement 18 between a cylindrical wall 11a of the first annular sealing plate 11 and the inner member 1 is provided with an elastic member 20 made of a material dissimilar to that for the elastic material 14. This elastic member 20 may be a rubber coated layer, resin paint layer, a thin film of adhesive material or a ring-shaped rubber member. Thereby, any possible ingress of water across an engagement surface of the annular sealing plate is prevented, accompanied by increase of the lifetime of the bearing, with no problem associated with separation and displacement of the annular sealing plates. The magnetic flux density can also be easily secured.

The omni-directional drive device comprises a main wheel (2) comprising an endless annular member rotatable around a center of cross section perpendicular to a corresponding tangential line, electric motors (5R and 5L) for producing rotative forces around the rotation axis of the main wheel (2) and around the center of cross section perpendicular to a corresponding tangential line of the main wheel (2) and an arrangement (rotary members (4R and 4L) fitted with free rollers (3R and 3L)) for converting the rotational forces of the electric motors (5R and 5L) to the rotational forces around the rotation center of the main wheel (2) and around the center (C) of cross section perpendicular to a corresponding tangential line of the main wheel (2).

A wheel support bearing assembly includes inner and outer members (1 and 2) and at least one row of rolling elements (3) operatively interposed between the inner and outer members (1 and 2) and an annular sealing device (5) sealing an open end of an annular space defined between the inner and outer members (1 and 2). The sealing device (5) includes first and second annular sealing plates (11 and 12) fitted to different members out of the inner and outer members (1 and 2). Each of the first and second sealing plates (11 and 12) includes a generally cylindrical wall (11a or 12a) and a radial wall (11b or 12b) assembled together to represent a generally L-shaped section. The first sealing plate (11) is fitted to one of the inner and outer members (1 and 2) that serves as a rotating member. An elastic member (14) mixed with a powdered magnetic material is bonded by vulcanization to the radial wall (11b) of the first sealing plate (11). A protective cover (18) made of a non-magnetic material is positioned on one side adjacent an exterior of the multi-pole magnet (14) with a predetermined air gap left therebetween that the number of revolution can be detected through the protective cover (18).

A directional lock for a caster. The caster has a wheel assembly including a wheel rotatable about a wheel axis and a housing for supporting the wheel. The housing defines a cavity for receiving a portion of the wheel. Also, the caster includes a stem supported by the housing and positionable in a chassis element, the wheel assembly being pivotally attached to the stem. The directional lock has an engagement portion and a base portion coupled to the engagement portion such that the engagement portion is movable relative to the base portion. The engagement portion is for engaging the wheel assembly to locate the wheel assembly in a predetermined position relative to the chassis element. The base portion is adapted to cooperate with the chassis element to maintain the engagement portion in a predetermined relation to the chassis element.

There is provided a rotation detection device 1 which includes a plurality of magnetic encoders (2A, 2B) of a ring shape arranged coaxially and having different numbers of magnetic poles, a plurality of magnetic sensors (3A, 3B) each operable to detect the magnetic field of the corresponding magnetic encoder and having a function of detecting positional information within a single magnetic pole of the corresponding magnetic encoder, a phase difference detector (6) for determining the phase difference of magnetic field signals detected respectively by the magnetic sensors (3A, 3B), and an angle calculator (7) for calculating an absolute rotation angle of the magnetic encoders based on the detected phase difference.

A pneumatic locking swivel caster comprises a swivel caster and a locking device which may be activated by fluid pressure. The swivel caster may be a dual wheel swivel caster. An improved theatrical prop or scenery element comprises a pneumatic locking swivel caster and a control system. The control system may comprise a tank filled with pressurized air and a control valve. A pneumatic locking swivel caster may be locked into position by activating the control valve and pressuring the caster with air. The pneumatic locking swivel caster may comprise a triple swivel caster adapted such that all three sets of wheels are locked by air pressure.

A mobile sterilization system comprising: a sterilization cabinet, the sterilization cabinet comprising: a bottom panel, a top panel, two side panels, a back panel and a door configured so as to define an interior chamber; a plurality of casters or wheels mounted to the bottom panel, each of the plurality of casters or wheels being mounted to the bottom panel by a caster or wheel bracket, wherein the caster or wheel bracket comprises a lateral projection; perforations formed in at least one of the bottom panel, top panel and two side panels; and at least one filter configured to cover the perforations; and a transfer cart, the transfer cart comprising: an upper platform for receiving a sterilization cabinet, the upper platform comprising a pair of transfer cart tracks extending longitudinally along the upper platform, wherein each of the transfer cart tracks comprises a lateral projection; and a lower support structure for supporting the upper platform and for receiving wheels; wherein the sterilization cabinet is received on the transfer cart such that the lateral projections of the caster or wheel brackets engage the lateral projections of the transfer cart tracks, whereby to prevent side-to-side and up-and-down movement of the sterilization cabinet relative to the transfer cart.

The mower front independent suspension assembly in some embodiments of the present invention includes a first suspension arm connected to the front of the lawn mower frame and a second suspension arm connected to the side of the lawn mower frame. In some embodiments, the first suspension arm is connected to the front of the frame at or near the longitudinal center of the frame, while the second suspension arm is connected to the side of the frame a distance from the front of the frame. Also, in some embodiments the cutter deck of the lawn mower is connected to the front independent suspension assemblies for movement therewith.

A multi-functional active container (e.g., luggage or suitcase) with a plurality of sensors and actuators is described. The container may include a body defining an enclosure and having at least one opening. The container may include a processor, a wireless receiver, and an electronically controllable lock. The processor can selectively lock or unlock the electronically controllable lock based on signals received via a wireless receiver (e.g., via Wi-Fi or BLUETOOTH connections). In some examples, a distance between the active container and a remote device (e.g., a smart phone) can be determined (e.g., based on relative GPS signals or connection strength) and if the distance exceeds a threshold, the electronically controllable lock can be activated to secure the container. Further, the container may include a rechargeable power source for powering external devices and an integrated weight sensor for detecting the weight of the container.

The invention provides a motor-driven wheel drive device in which the durability of a wheel bearing is increased, the weight and size thereof are reduced, and the disassembly and reassembly thereof is taken into account. [MEANS FOR SOLVING PROBLEMS] This motor-driven wheel drive device comprises a drive part (4) having an electric motor (M) driving a planetary speed reduction gear (2) installed in the wheel bearing (1) and a rotating member (17). The wheel bearing (1) further comprises a hub wheel (6) on which an inside rolling surface (6a) is formed, an inner ring (7) press-fitted to the hub wheel, an outer member (8) in which double rows of outside rolling surfaces (8a) are formed, and rolling elements (9). The planetary speed reduction gear (2) further comprises a sun gear (3) formed in a rotating member (17), a plurality of planetary gears (12) disposed between the outer member (8) and the sun gear (3), and carrier pins (14) pivotally supporting these planetary gears on a connection shaft (13). The drive part (4) further comprises the electric motor (M) releasably disposed on the outer member (8) and the rotating member (17). The connection shaft (13) is connected to the hub wheel (6) through a serration, and the rotation of the electric motor (M) is transmitted to the hub wheel (6) through the rotating member (17) and the planetary speed reduction gear (2).

A mobile communication device with security mechanisms is provided for enabling wireless personal information transfer with increased security. In another embodiment of the invention, a mobile communication device is used to confirm a transaction.

A furniture glide is provided for mounting on the terminal end of a furniture leg having an outer surface. The furniture glide includes a base having a generally arcuate lower surface for engaging a supporting surface. A sleeve extends from the base and defines a cavity for receiving the furniture leg therein. The sleeve includes a leg engagement element for engaging the furniture leg received within the cavity and for retaining the furniture glide thereon.

To reduce the weight of the wheel support bearing assembly without sacrificing the strength, the wheel support bearing assembly for rotatably supporting a vehicle wheel relative to a vehicle body structure includes a hub axle (2) formed with a radially outwardly extending hub flange (12). This hub flange (12) has an inner peripheral portion and a remaining wall portion other than the inner peripheral portion, and the remaining wall portion thereof is constituted by a plurality of radially outwardly extending ribs (13) each formed with a bolt insertion hole (14). The hub axle (2) also includes a brake pilot area (16) extending outwardly from an outboard face of the hub flange (12) for guiding an inner peripheral surface of the brake rotor (41). At least the root diameter (D1) of at least an inboard face of each rib (13) is chosen to be equal to or smaller than the outer diameter (D2) of the brake pilot area (16).

An agricultural machine having a frame carrying a crop pickup mechanism and supported on the ground by means of two support wheels. Each support wheel is rotatably mounted on a carrier that is connected to the frame of the pickup for rotation about a caster axis. Each wheel carrier is connected by a respective spring to a point fixed relative to the frame of the pickup. The spring biases the carrier to cause the support wheel to park in a predetermined direction relative to the frame of the pickup.

A front fork swivel control structure used in a jogging stroller is disclosed to use a button to control the position of a spring-supported locking shaft, for enabling the locking shaft to be selectively shifted between the locking position to lock the front fork to the front frame tube of the jogging stroller and to prohibit the front wheel from a swivel motion, and the unlocking position to unlock the front fork from the front frame tube for allowing a swivel motion of the front wheel. The button is operable with the foot when the user's hands are not free.