An orientation caster for a trolley case

Abstract

The application discloses a directional caster for a trolley case, which comprises a caster base, a rotary connecting head and a connecting column. The caster base is provided with a first accommodating groove for accommodating the first end of the rotary connecting head. The inside of the first end is provided with a positioning member comprising a first positioning protrusion and a second positioning protrusion. The first positioning protrusion and the second positioning protrusion pass through the first through hole and the second through hole and can be telescoped in the through holes. The inner wall of the first accommodating groove is provided with a limiting groove. The directional caster for the trolley case is provided with the limiting groove and the positioning protrusion at the connecting part of the caster base and the rotary connecting head, so that the advancing direction of the caster can be limited when the positioning protrusion is located in the limiting groove. Moreover, the contact surface of the limiting groove and the positioning protrusion is arc-shaped, so that the positioning protrusion can be separated from the limiting groove and be telescoped into the rotary connecting head by using a small force, and the caster can work normally.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the technical field of casters for trolley cases, in particular to a directional caster for trolley cases. Background Art

[0002] The casters used in trolley cases are typically universal wheels. A universal wheel is a wheel mounted on a bracket that can rotate 360 ​​degrees horizontally under dynamic or static loads. During use, due to the flexibility of universal wheels, all four wheels can rotate 360 ​​degrees when in contact with the ground, making it difficult to control the direction of the trolley case. To address this problem, a positionable universal wheel is needed, allowing the trolley case to move in a set direction while also allowing the universal wheel to be easily disengaged from its positional mode. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a directional caster for a suitcase, which can limit the forward direction of the caster so that the suitcase can move forward in one direction, and can also easily leave the caster out of the positioning mode.

[0004] In order to solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the purpose of the present invention is achieved as follows:

[0005] The present invention relates to a directional caster for a trolley case, comprising a caster seat, a rotating connector, a connecting column and a wheel; the caster seat is connected to the rotating connector via a connecting column; the caster seat is provided with a first accommodating groove for accommodating the first end of the rotating connector; a positioning member is provided inside the first end, and the positioning member includes a first positioning protrusion and a second positioning protrusion; the first positioning protrusion and the second positioning protrusion pass through the first through hole and the second through hole provided at the first end, and can be extended and retracted therein; a limiting groove is provided on the inner wall of the first accommodating groove, which cooperates with the first positioning protrusion and the second positioning protrusion.

[0006] As a further illustration of the above solution, the first end portion is provided with a second accommodating groove connected to the first through hole and a third accommodating groove connected to the second through hole; the second accommodating groove and the third accommodating groove are connected through an arc groove.

[0007] As a further explanation of the above-mentioned scheme, the positioning member includes an arc section connecting the first positioning protrusion and the second positioning protrusion, a first extension section located on the other side of the first positioning protrusion, and a second extension section located on the other side of the second positioning protrusion; the first positioning protrusion and the second positioning protrusion are cap-shaped structures with a hollow interior.

[0008] As a further illustration of the above-mentioned scheme, the first end is provided with a second accommodating groove in communication with the first through hole and a third accommodating groove connected with the second through hole; a downward extending fixing groove is arranged on the bottom surface of the second accommodating groove away from the first through hole, and a downward extending fixing groove is arranged on the bottom surface of the third accommodating groove away from the second through hole.

[0009] As a further illustration of the above-mentioned scheme, the positioning member further comprises a bent elastic piece composed of a first connecting section, a second connecting section and a third connecting section.

[0010] As a further illustration of the above-mentioned scheme, the positioning member further comprises a spring fixedly arranged on one side of the first positioning protrusion and the second positioning protrusion.

[0011] The beneficial effects of the present application are: the directional caster of the present application is provided with a limiting groove and a positioning protrusion at the connecting part of the caster base and the rotary connector, so that the advancing direction of the caster can be limited when the positioning protrusion is located in the limiting groove. And since the contact surface of the limiting groove and the positioning protrusion is arc-shaped, the positioning protrusion can be separated from the limiting groove and retracted into the rotary connector by using a small force, so that the caster can work normally. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0012] Figure 1 is an exploded view of the positioning caster involved in example one;

[0013] Figure 2 is a structure schematic view of the caster base;

[0014] Figure 3 is a structure schematic view of the rotary connector in example one;

[0015] Figure 4 is a structure schematic view of the positioning member in example one;

[0016] Figure 5 is an exploded view of the positioning caster involved in example two;

[0017] Figure 6 is a structure schematic view of the rotary connector in example two;

[0018] Figure 7 is a structure schematic view of the positioning member in example two;

[0019] Figure 8 is a structure schematic view of the positioning member in example three;

[0020] Figure 9 is an assembly schematic view of the positioning member and the rotary connector involved in example three;

[0021] Figure 10 It is a structural diagram of the first positioning protrusion involved in the third embodiment.

[0022] The markings in the figure are as follows: 1-castor seat; 11-first accommodating groove; 12-limiting groove; 2-rotating connector; 21-first end; 22-second end; 23-second accommodating groove; 24-third accommodating groove; 25-arc-shaped groove; 26-first through hole; 27-second through hole; 28-fixing groove; 3-connecting column; 4-wheel; 5-pin; 6-positioning member; 61-first positioning protrusion; 62-second positioning protrusion; 63-arc-shaped section; 64-first extension section; 65-second extension section; 66-bent elastic sheet; 661-first connecting section; 662-second connecting section; 663-third connecting section; 67-spring; 611-protruding body; 612-flange; 613-cavity. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0024] Example 1

[0025] Combine Figures 1 to 4 , this embodiment is described in detail. Figure 1 As shown, the directional caster for a suitcase according to this embodiment includes a caster base 1, a swivel connector 2, a connecting post 3, wheels 4, and a pin 5. The caster base 1 is connected to the swivel connector via the connecting post 3. There are two wheels 4, located on either side of the second end 22 of the swivel connector 2. The caster base 1 secures the caster to the suitcase body.

[0026] In this embodiment, if Figure 2 As shown, the caster seat 1 is provided with a first accommodating groove 11 for accommodating the first end 21 of the rotary connector 2. One end of the connecting column 3 is inserted into the interior of the rotary connector 2, and the other end passes through the caster seat 1 and is fixed to the caster seat 1. The end of the connecting column 2 inserted into the rotary connector 2 is provided with an annular inner recess, and the pin 5 is inserted into the rotary connector in a direction perpendicular to the connecting column 2 and contacts the annular inner recess, and the pin 5 is arc-shaped on one side of this contact surface and cooperates with the inner recess, so that the connecting column 3 can be limited without affecting the rotation of the connecting column 3. Therefore, the connecting column 3 cooperates with the pin 5, so that the connecting column 3 can be fixed to the rotary connector 2, and can also enable the connecting column 3 to rotate relative to the rotary connector 2. The first end 21 of the rotary connector 2 is cylindrical, and the second end 22 is flat. The wheels 4 are installed on both sides of the second end 22.

[0027] In this embodiment, a positioning member 6 is provided inside the first end portion 21, and the positioning member 6 has elastic recovery capability. Figure 4As shown, the positioning member 6 includes a first positioning protrusion 61 and a second positioning protrusion 62, which pass through the first through hole 26 and the second through hole 27 provided on the first end portion 21 and are retractable therein, and the inner wall of the first accommodating groove 11 is provided with limiting grooves 12 matched with the first positioning protrusion 61 and the second positioning protrusion 62.

[0028] More specifically, in the embodiment, the first positioning protrusion 61 and the second positioning protrusion 62 are symmetrically arranged on a straight line passing through the center of the first end portion 21. Four limiting grooves 12 are arranged on the inner wall of the first accommodating groove 11. When the first positioning protrusion 61 and the second positioning protrusion 62 are located in the limiting grooves 12, the direction of the wheel is parallel or perpendicular to the direction of the trolley case body.

[0029] The positioning member 6 has a certain elasticity, which can make the first positioning protrusion 61 and the second positioning protrusion 62 have a tendency to move outward when moving to the position of the limiting groove 12. When the first positioning protrusion 61 and the second positioning protrusion 62 move to the position of the limiting groove 12, they can extend out of the first through hole 26 and the second through hole 27 and abut against the arc surface of the limiting groove 12, so as to limit the movement direction of the caster. Moreover, the end portion of the first positioning protrusion 61 and the second positioning protrusion 62 in contact with the limiting groove 12 is arc-shaped. If it is needed to separate the caster from the limiting mode, a small force can make the first positioning protrusion 61 and the second positioning protrusion 62 more conveniently separate from the limiting groove 12. Due to the design of the arc surface of the limiting groove 12, the first positioning protrusion 61 and the second positioning protrusion 62 can be pressed into the first through hole 26 and the second through hole 27, so that the first positioning protrusion 61 and the second positioning protrusion 62 are retracted into the first through hole 26 and the second through hole 27 and contact other positions on the inner wall of the first accommodating groove 11 during the rotation of the caster, without affecting the rotation of the caster. Further, the angle of the arc surface of the limiting groove 12 is 30-60 degrees.

[0030] In the embodiment, as shown, Figure 4 The positioning member 6 includes an arc-shaped section 63 connecting the first positioning protrusion 61 and the second positioning protrusion 62, a first extension section 64 located on the other side of the first positioning protrusion 61, and a second extension section 65 located on the other side of the second positioning protrusion 62. The first positioning protrusion 61 and the second positioning protrusion 62 have a cap-shaped structure with an empty interior. The positioning member 6 is integrally formed and is made of a material with toughness. The arc-shaped structure makes the positioning member 6 have elasticity and can expand the first positioning protrusion 61 and the second positioning protrusion 62 outward when being pressed.

[0031] In order to match the positioning member 6 involved in the present embodiment, as shown in the drawings, a second accommodating groove 23 connected with the first through hole 26 and a third accommodating groove 24 connected with the second through hole 27 are arranged at the first end 21, and the second accommodating groove 23 and the third accommodating groove 24 are connected through an arc-shaped groove 25. Figure 3

[0032] In the installation, the first positioning protrusion 61 and the first extension section 64 are arranged in the second accommodating groove 23, the second positioning protrusion 62 and the second extension section 65 are arranged in the third accommodating groove 23, and the arc-shaped section 63 is arranged in the arc-shaped groove 25. And the width of the second accommodating groove 23 and the third accommodating groove 24 is greater than the width of the arc-shaped groove 25.

[0033] Embodiment two

[0034] In combination Figure 2 , 5 , 6, 7, the trolley directional caster involved in the present embodiment is described in detail. The trolley directional caster involved in the present embodiment is different from that of the first embodiment in that the structure of the positioning member 6 used is different, and the first end of the rotary connecting head 2 is provided with a structure matched with the positioning member.

[0035] Specifically, in the present embodiment, the positioning member 6 further comprises a bending elastic piece 66 composed of a first connecting section 661, a second connecting section 662 and a third connecting section 663. The first connecting section 661 is arranged vertically with the second connecting section 662, and the second connecting section 662 is arranged vertically with the third connecting section 663. And the first positioning protrusion 61 is fixed with a bending elastic piece 66, and is arranged at the end of the first connecting section of the bending elastic piece 66 away from the third connecting section 663. The second positioning protrusion 62 is arranged at the same position as the first positioning protrusion 61.

[0036] In order to match the structure of the positioning member 6 in the present embodiment, a second accommodating groove 23 connected with the first through hole 26 and a third accommodating groove 24 connected with the second through hole 27 are arranged at the first end 21. A downward extending fixing groove 28 is arranged on the bottom surface of the second accommodating groove 23 away from the first through hole 26, and a downward extending fixing groove 28 is arranged on the bottom surface of the third accommodating groove 24 away from the second through hole 27.

[0037] In the assembly, the third connecting section 663 is inserted into the fixing groove 28, and the first positioning protrusion 61 and the second positioning protrusion 62 are extended out of the first through hole 26 and the second through hole 27. When the first positioning protrusion 61 and the second positioning protrusion 62 are not in the limiting groove 12, the first positioning protrusion 61 and the second positioning protrusion 62 are compressed into the first through hole 26 and the second through hole 27 by the sidewall of the caster base first accommodating groove 11.

[0038] ​At this time, since the bent elastic sheet 66 has a tendency to cause the first positioning protrusion 61 and the second positioning protrusion 62 to move outward, when moving to the position of the limiting groove 12, the first positioning protrusion 61 and the second positioning protrusion 62 move outward into the limiting groove 12, thereby positioning the casters and determining the movement direction of the trolley case.

[0039] Example 3

[0040] Combine Figure 8 、 9 , 10, the present embodiment is described in detail. The directional casters for the suitcases involved in this embodiment are shown in FIG. Figure 8 The positioning member 6 further includes a spring 67 fixedly disposed on one side of the first positioning protrusion 61 and the second positioning protrusion 62. Specifically, a spring 67 is disposed on one end of the first positioning protrusion 61, and a spring 67 is fixed on one end of the second positioning protrusion 62. The elasticity and compressibility of the spring 67 allow the first positioning protrusion 61 and the second positioning protrusion 62 to expand and contract within the first through hole 26 and the second through hole 27.

[0041] See also Figure 9 , the assembly relationship diagram of the positioning member 6 and the rotary connector 2 shows that to match the positioning member 6, a second receiving groove 23 connected to the first through hole 26 and a third receiving groove 24 connected to the second through hole 27 are provided at the first end 21. The spring only needs to be placed in the second receiving groove 23 and the third groove 24.

[0042] In this embodiment, the first positioning protrusion 61 and the second positioning protrusion 62 have the same structure. The structure of the first positioning protrusion 61 will be described using the first positioning protrusion 61 as an example. The first positioning protrusion 61 includes a cap-shaped protrusion body 611 with a cavity 613. A flange 612 is provided around the open end of the protrusion body 611. The flange 612 is larger than the first passage 26 through which the protrusion body 611 passes, thereby positioning the first positioning protrusion 61. One end of the spring 67 abuts against the sidewall of the second accommodating groove 23, while the other end is located within the cavity 613. When the caster base 1 is rotated, the spring 67 exerts an outward force on the first and second positioning protrusions 61 and 62, causing them to tend to move outward. When the caster base 1 is rotated to the stop groove 12, the first and second positioning protrusions 61 and 62 pop outward and move into the corresponding stop groove 12, thereby positioning the caster and causing it to move in one direction. When the caster base 1 is rotated continuously with force, the limiting groove 12 and the first positioning protrusion 61 and the second positioning protrusion 62 are easily disengaged from the limiting groove 12 due to the matching arc-shaped arrangement.

[0043] The preferred embodiments of the present application have been described above in detail. It should be understood that modifications and variations to the preferred embodiments could be made by those skilled in the art in light of the teachings above without departing from the spirit of the present application. It is therefore to be understood that what is desired to be protected by letters patent is defined by the scope of the claims that follow and that on behalf of which the summary of the application is intended to serve.

Claims

1. A directional caster for a suitcase, characterized in that: The invention comprises a caster seat (1), a rotary connector (2), a connecting column (3) and a wheel (4); the caster seat (1) is connected to the rotary connector via the connecting column (3); the caster seat (1) is provided with a first accommodating groove (11) for accommodating the first end (21) of the rotary connector (2); a positioning member (6) is provided inside the first end (21), and the positioning member (6) includes a first positioning protrusion (61) and a second positioning protrusion (62); the first positioning protrusion (61) and the second positioning protrusion (62) pass through the first through hole (26) and the second through hole (27) provided on the first end (21) and can be extended and retracted therein; a limiting groove (12) is provided on the inner wall of the first accommodating groove (11) to match the first positioning protrusion (61) and the second positioning protrusion (62); When the first positioning protrusion (61) and the second positioning protrusion (62) move to the position corresponding to the limiting groove (12), they can extend from the first through hole (26) and the second through hole (27) and reach the arc surface of the limiting groove (12), thereby limiting the movement direction of the caster; when the caster needs to be disengaged from the limiting mode, the arc surface of the limiting groove (12) presses the first positioning protrusion (61) and the second positioning protrusion (62) toward the inside of the first through hole (26) and the second through hole (27), so that the first positioning protrusion (61) and the second positioning protrusion (62) shrink into the first through hole (26) and the second through hole (27), and contact other positions of the inner wall of the first accommodating groove (11) during the rotation of the caster; The first positioning protrusion (61), the second positioning protrusion (62) and the positioning member (6) are fixedly connected to form an integral body; The positioning member (6) comprises an arc segment (63) connecting the first positioning protrusion (61) and the second positioning protrusion (62), a first extension segment (64) located on the other side of the first positioning protrusion (61), and a second extension segment (65) located on the other side of the second positioning protrusion (62); The first end portion (21) is provided with a second accommodating groove (23) connected to the first through hole (26) and a third accommodating groove (24) connected to the second through hole (27), and the second accommodating groove (23) and the third accommodating groove (24) are connected via an arc-shaped groove (25); During installation, the first positioning protrusion (61) and the first extension section (64) are arranged in the second accommodating groove (23), the second positioning protrusion (62) and the second extension section (65) are arranged in the third accommodating groove (24), and the arc section (63) is arranged in the arc groove (25); and the width of the second accommodating groove (23) and the third accommodating groove (24) is greater than the width of the arc groove (25).

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