Two-way belt brake for casters

Abstract

The present invention relates to a braking mechanism for casters used with patient support devices in hospitals, healthcare and nursing facilities or environments, which includes a two-way belt (8)-type brake that enables the casters (1) of the patient support device to move freely after unlocking. The braking mechanism proposed herein brakes any caster of the patient support device in both rotational directions.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The technical solution describes a braking mechanism for casters used with patient support devices in hospitals, healthcare and nursing facilities or environments, which includes a two-way belt brake that enables the casters of the patient support device to move freely after unlocking. The braking mechanism proposed herein brakes any caster of the patient support device in both rotational directions. Background Art

[0002] The technical solution described herein can be used for any bed having brakes and four or more casters, particularly for patient support devices in hospitals, healthcare and nursing facilities or environments, or for beds having brakes and follower wheels or guide wheels that are fixed to a basic frame and are capable of rotating about horizontal and vertical axes to move the bed from one place to another.

[0003] Falls pose a major problem in medical, economic and social terms as they can cause a wide range of complications and have serious consequences. A large number of falls are particularly caused by unbraked beds or patient support devices. The consequence of an unbraked patient support device can be a situation where the patient support device moves under the patient and the patient subsequently falls and sustains an injury, which prolongs the patient's suffering and complicates the entire treatment.

[0004] In hospital facilities and particularly in nursing facilities and environments, falls are more common and represent the most dangerous unpredictable event that can endanger the elderly and chronically ill patients. According to statistics, people over 65 years of age are at a higher risk of falling. In each case, a fall endangers the patient, causing usually useless hematomas, wound dehiscence and fractures, and sometimes fractures of the upper part of the femur that can cause fatal complications.

[0005] The above-mentioned falls, among other things, also have an economic impact on hospitals and nursing facilities. Patients who have suffered a dangerous fall need to undergo another examination, X-ray or surgery. Such injuries prolong the length of hospitalization and increase the requirements for nursing staff. In some cases, hospitals and nursing facilities may face legal proceedings initiated by patients and their relatives.

[0006] Conventional hospital beds have four or five casters. All of these casters have only three rotational positions of the hex nut in the central caster control system during operation - the braking position, the free position, and the guiding ride position. One of the casters has a hollow portion or a protrusion on a member that rotates about a vertical axis together with the caster, so that the caster is complementary attached to the frame directly or indirectly. Thus, in the case where the protrusion is interlocked into the hollow portion, the caster cannot rotate about the vertical axis. This is the principle of the groove on the caster axis and the controllable latch on the frame of the patient support device. The control of the latch is provided mechanically by means of a spring and a Bowden cable fixed to the latch, or in another mechanical way, by a lever or a button controlled by the foot.

[0007] What is described above means that the mechanism of the existing central caster control system mainly uses a pressure brake with interconnected pedals. This braking system is usually located above the caster itself, which increases the height of the caster. The caster height further affects the height of the frame of the patient support device and thus affects the height of the patient support platform in its lowest safe position. In the case where we need a patient support platform with a lowest safe position, we need to minimize the casters. By minimizing the casters, the patient support platform can be lowered into the safe position. However, the patient support device with such minimized casters has a lower load-bearing capacity and is difficult to operate and maneuver if a patient lies on it.

[0008] Regarding this fact, the existing casters in use have default (standard) sizes that are proportional to the size of the patient support equipment and its load-bearing capacity. These braking systems with the braking mechanism located above the casters will increase the height of the patient support device, and in the case of positioning the patient support device into the lowest safe position, such a patient support device is still at a risk height of 25 centimeters above the ground. Such a height means there is a risk of injury when a patient falls from the patient support device.

[0009] The system of the band brake is well-known. The band brake includes a band that winds around a wheel or a brake drum and generates frictional force, which completely stops the wheel from rotating (static braking) or slows down the wheel (dynamic braking). The band brake is usually used with static equipment and devices (cable car machine rooms, cranes, sawmills, and different types of tractors or winches). The disadvantage of this existing type of band brake is that this band brake may brake these wheels or casters that move only in one rotational direction of the wheel or caster. This is also the reason why this type of brake cannot be used with hospital or nursing support devices, because such support devices need to move forward and backward and the casters must rotate in both directions. In this regard, the existing type of band brake is inconvenient for hospital or nursing support equipment.

[0010] The prior art document JPH09250570 A discloses a Bowden band brake, in which the brake is controlled by a handle that is connected to the mechanism of the band brake by means of a Bowden cable. According to this mechanism, only the caster that rotates in one direction can be braked. In addition, it is disclosed that the braking is performed by hand instead of by foot. The disadvantage of the Bowden mechanism is that the caster is not braked in the case of rope interaction, and there is no other way to brake the caster because it is braked by hand. The mechanism disclosed herein can brake the caster in both rotational directions. In addition, the caster can be braked by a foot pedal, so the system is very different.

[0011] The document US 6219881B1 discloses a caster with a braking system using a brake pedal and a brake pad. The brake pad brakes when it comes into contact with the caster or releases the brake when it does not come into contact with the caster. This mechanism generates high friction, causing the pad to wear out faster. In addition, this mechanism itself has nothing to do with the band brake in its meaning.

[0012] The document EP 2301764 A1 discloses a braking mechanism with a tapered lower end portion having a movable pin. The movable pin causes the lower end portion of the brake arm to press against the lateral caster surface by pushing outwards on the upper end portion of the brake arm, causing the brake arm to rotate. The disadvantages of this braking system are that the brake pad at the end of the brake arm needs to be replaced frequently, and the brake arm is prone to frequent damage. In addition, this mechanism itself has nothing to do with the band brake in its meaning. Summary of the Invention

[0013] The above-mentioned substantial deficiencies of the known prior art band brakes are solved by the proposed two-way band brake. The caster with such a two-way band brake is defined as being particularly suitable for hospital or nursing support devices. In a preferred embodiment, this type of caster can be used with other types of furniture that need to be transported from place A to place B. The two-way band brake of the caster proposed in this patent application improves the existing conventional band brake so that it can be used for casters that rotate in two directions, which was not possible before.

[0014] Another advantage of the two-way control band brake proposed herein is that the height of the patient support device can be reduced to the lowest possible position while maintaining the standard size of the caster. The key factor of this newly invented braking system is that the braking mechanism that is conventionally located above the caster is directly moved inside the caster. This can reduce the height of the patient support platform by the position height of the conventional braking mechanism above the caster.

[0015] The caster wheel proposed in this patent application includes a braking mechanism of the caster wheel. This braking mechanism is located inside the internal space of the caster wheel. The caster wheel is fixed on the lateral edge of the fork (i.e., the load-bearing member), and the two-way belt braking system of the caster wheel is attached to this fork.

[0016] The caster wheel includes a vertical axis pivot part, which includes a control member located on the upper side of the vertical axis pivot part. The fork (or load-bearing member) is fixed to the vertical axis pivot part. The fork includes a guide rod of the yoke and a support part of the spring located below the guide rod of the yoke. The lever of the spring support part cooperates with the yoke at least at one point, and this lever of the spring support part is fixed to the fork at one point and contacts the control member of the caster wheel. The yoke of the two-way control belt brake is symmetric and is fixed to the fork (load-bearing member) through at least one anchor point. In a preferred embodiment, the yoke is fixed to the fork (load-bearing member) through two fixing points or anchor points. These anchor points fit into the guide rod of the yoke and are located on the fork (load-bearing member). The guide rod of the yoke is preferably part of the fork (load-bearing member), but can also be provided in the form of an external member fixed to the fork (load-bearing member). The guide rod of the yoke includes at least one yoke groove. Preferably, the guide rod of the yoke includes two yoke grooves - groove A and groove B.

[0017] The yoke of the two-way control belt brake is produced as a unit with at least one anchor point. Preferably, the yoke includes anchor points at each end of the yoke. Optionally, the symmetric yoke can include at least two arms for fixing the yoke and at least two arms for fixing and receiving the brake belt. Each arm of the proposed solution includes a symmetric yoke that operates for two rotational directions of the caster wheel. The symmetric yoke includes at least one anchor point. Preferably, there are at least two T-shaped anchor points at each arm, or such anchor points are formed as protrusions that extend from the arm of the yoke into each side to form a pair. The yoke of the two-way control belt brake includes at least one anchor point for fixing the brake belt at each opposite end of the yoke. Preferably, this anchor point on the yoke can be a pin protruding from the yoke to both sides.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment, the brake belt is fixed to the yoke through a lug (or loop) on the anchor point of the yoke. Since the brake belt must form a peeling loop around the drum, the brake belt is fixed to the anchor point of the symmetric yoke from the inner side of the yoke at least on one side, and the brake belt on the other side is fixed to the outer side of the yoke so that the brake belt can form a peeling loop around the drum. Preferably, the brake belt is made of metal, but can also be provided in the form of a wire, a wire made of different materials such as a metal alloy or plastic, or a rope. In the proposed embodiment, the brake belt is made of a metal spring plate. The belt can be flat to obtain a better braking effect, but can also be oval or circular optionally.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment, the brake band is in close contact with the inner brake drum of the caster. The inner brake drum of the caster is part of the caster, but can also be coupled to the caster externally. The inner brake drum of the caster is coupled to the fork via a swivel pin together with the caster. The inner brake drum is part of the caster and is braked by the brake band that closely surrounds it. The brake drum can be made of metal or plastic material, or a metal alloy, or a hybrid of metal and plastic material.

[0020] The yoke that receives the brake band and is movably fixed to the fork in the yoke groove by at least two anchor points is also received on the support portion of the fork. The guide rod of the yoke on the fork includes two openings, and the anchor points enabling the rotational movement of the yoke are located therein. The anchor points can thus also be referred to as pivot portions. Due to the free anchoring of the anchor points, the lever of the spring support portion, and the spring, the movement of the yoke in the guide rod of the fork can be achieved. The spring can be a metal spring or any other elastic material such as rubber. The spring is located between the yoke body and the support portion on the fork. If any force is generated on the lever of the spring support portion, the yoke will change its position. The spring support portion is coupled to the control member at one end and is received on the yoke at the other end. When the lever presses against the yoke, the yoke changes its position, and thus the brake band around the brake drum is released, and the caster is released from braking. To release the brake band around the center of the caster, the lever must be pushed against the yoke. By releasing the caster, the position of the yoke changes, making the yoke horizontal and not tilted to any side. The brake band around the brake drum is released, and the caster can rotate freely around the axis of rotation in any direction.

[0021] The change in the position of the yoke has a significant impact on the braking by the two-way control band brake. When the external lever force on the yoke is released, the brake band contracts around the brake drum by means of the spring. During the first stage, the spring does not generate sufficient force to brake the brake drum of the caster. When the lever is released onto the yoke, the yoke tilts according to the rotation direction of the caster and is received in the guide rod of the yoke, and thus starts to generate force according to the lever ratio, causing the brake band to contract around the brake drum and the caster to be braked. Due to the symmetry of the yoke, the position of the yoke can be changed. By changing the direction of the yoke to the other side, the caster can also be braked during travel in the opposite direction. In the case of pressing the lever onto the yoke, the anchor points are closer to the center of the caster, and the brake band around the brake drum is released, which enables the caster to be released from braking (released), and the caster can then move freely in both rotational directions. Description of the Drawings

[0022] Figure 1 A side view plane showing a cross-section of a caster with a two-way control band brake is shown.

[0023] Figure 2An axonometric projection of a caster is shown, and an open view of the caster shows the visible part of a two-way control band brake.

[0024] Figure 3 An axonometric projection of the internal arrangement of a two-way control band brake without an inner drum is shown. Detailed implementation

[0025] Figure 1 Caster 1 is shown. Preferably, such a caster can be used for beds, hospital and nursing support equipment, tables that need to be moved from place A to place B, side tables, counters, trolleys, or any other type of furniture. Hospital and nursing facilities and environments need to handle patient support equipment that is empty or with patients, as it needs to be transported from one part of such a facility to another part for transporting to examine patients, etc. The hospital and nursing facilities and environments are not shown in Figure 1 it.

[0026] Figure 1A side view plane showing a cross-section of a caster 1 with a two-way controlled band brake is presented. The two-way controlled band brake includes the caster 1 with an inner brake drum 7. The caster 1 with the brake drum 7 uses a pivot pin 6 and is fixed to the fork 4 via an opening 16 for the pivot pin 6. The brake drum 7 is wound by a brake band 8, and the brake band 8 terminates at each end in a lug 15 for attaching the brake band 8 to a symmetric yoke 10 of the two-way controlled band brake. This means that the brake band 8 has two lugs 15. At least one lug 15 is fixed to at least one outer anchor point 12a of the yoke 10, and at least one lug 15 is fixed to an anchor point 12b of the yoke 10. In a preferred embodiment, the yoke 10 of the two-way controlled band brake is formed as a symmetric unit that has at least one anchor point 12 at each end. Optionally, the yoke 10 can consist of several parts: the body of the yoke 10 and four arms 17, which can be divided into two long arms 17a and 17b that terminate in the anchor points 12a and 12b. These arms 17a and 17b are receiving arms for the brake band 8, and the anchor lugs 15 of the brake band are fixed to the arms at the anchor points 12a and 12b. The second pair of arms includes short arms 17c and 17d, which terminate in the anchor points 12 at the ends, but after being fixed to the yoke slots 13a and 13b in the guide rod 11 of the yoke, they should be defined as pivot parts 18a and 18b here. This pair of short arms 17c and 17d with the pivot parts 18a and 18b serves as receiving arms for fixing the yoke 10 in the guide rod 11 of the yoke. The guide rod includes two yoke slots 13a and 13b and a support part 14, where the yoke 10 is freely fixed to the fork 4. At the same time, the free support of the yoke 10 enables the yoke 10 to move freely in the yoke slot 13a by means of the pivot parts 18a and 18b, or to move freely in the yoke slot 13b on the fork 4 by means of a spring 9, and the spring 9 is located below the yoke 10 between the pivot parts 18a and 18b. The spring 9 rests on the support part 14 of the fork 4. In a preferred embodiment, the guide rod 11 of the yoke 10 with the yoke slots 13a and 13b and the support part 14 for the spring 9 are parts of the fork 4 (load-bearing member). Optionally, the guide rod 11 of the yoke 10 with the yoke slots 13a and 13b and the support part 14 for the spring 9 are fixed to the fork 4 as external components by nuts or screws.

[0027] Figure 1It is also shown that the caster 1 includes a vertical axis pivoting portion 2 and a fork portion 4 (load-bearing member). The control member 3 of the lever of the control spring support portion 5 passes through the vertical axis pivoting portion 2. The lever 5 is controlled by the control member 3 at one end, and at the other end, the lever 5 bears on the yoke 10, and the two-way belt brake is controlled through this yoke. By releasing the lever 5 that bears on the symmetrical yoke 10, the yoke 10 changes its position and the brake belt 8 contracts around the brake drum 7, thereby braking the caster 1. The position of the yoke 10 and the contraction of the brake belt 8 around the brake drum 7 will change with the direction of movement of the caster 1. When braking the caster 1, the lever 5 is released onto the yoke 10, and the brake belt 8 contracts around the brake drum 7. Therefore, the caster 1 stops, and the rotation around the rotation axis in random directions is restricted. The change in the position of the yoke 10 and the change in the rotation direction of the brake drum 7 when releasing the lever 5 onto the yoke 10 have a significant impact on the braking by the two-way control belt brake.

[0028] When changing the position of the symmetrical yoke 10 by releasing the external force of the lever 5 onto the yoke 10, the brake belt 8 contracts around the drum by means of the spring 9. When the caster 1 moves in the first stage, the spring 9 does not generate enough force to brake the brake drum 7 of the caster 1. At the moment when the lever 5 is released onto the yoke 10, the yoke 10 tilts according to the rotation direction of the caster and bears on the guide rod 11 of the yoke, and thus generates a force that causes the brake belt 8 to contract around the brake drum 7, braking the caster 1. The change in the position of the yoke 10 is achieved through the symmetry of the yoke 10, where the yoke 10 changes its position to the opposite direction of travel. By changing the position of the yoke 10 to the opposite side, the caster 1 can be braked even during travel in the opposite direction. During this position change of the yoke 10, at least one anchor point 12 in the guide rod 11 of the yoke is at a position farther from the caster center, and one anchor point 12 or the pivoting portion 18a or 18b becomes closer to the caster center, whereby the brake belt 8 contracts around the drum 7. This change is caused by transmitting the external force of the lever 5 to the yoke 10 by means of the spring 9, and the spring 9 is located between the pivoting portions 18a and 18b.

[0029] When the brake belt 8 is released, the caster 1 is not braked. This occurs when the lever 5 is pressed onto the yoke 10, whereby the anchor point 12 and the yoke 10 are closer to the center of the caster 1. If the yoke 10 is in such a position, the brake belt 8 remains free and the brake drum 7 of the caster 1 can rotate freely in any direction, and any direction means forward or backward, from left to right.

[0030] Figure 2An axonometric side view plane showing the open part with casters 1 is presented, where the brake drum 7 surrounded by the brake band 8 can be seen. The brake band 8 is fixed to at least one anchoring point 12a of the symmetric yoke 10 by a lug 15 and is fixed to the anchoring point 12b of the yoke 10 at the opposite end. Optionally, in a preferred embodiment, the brake band 8 is anchored to two arms 17a and 17b of the yoke 10 by two lugs 15 so that each end of the brake band 8 can be anchored on different arms of the yoke 10.

[0031] The following figure will clearly show that the lugs 15 of the brake band 8 are each anchored on different sides of the yoke 10 by means of the anchoring points 12a and 12b. To achieve proper and sufficient tightening contraction of the brake band 8 around the brake drum 7, at least one lug 15 of the brake band 8 is fixed to the anchoring point 12a, which is located on the outer side (outward) of the yoke 10, meaning closer to the fork 4. In addition, at least one lug 15 of the brake band 8 is fixed to the anchoring point 12b, which is located on the inner side (inward) of the yoke 10, meaning farther from the fork 4 and towards the inner hollow space of the caster 1. All the mentioned components are not fully shown in Figure 2 but can be seen in other figures.

[0032] The form of the anchoring point 12 can be a protrusion from the yoke 10, or alternatively attached pins, rivets or other convenient fixing members. The caster 1 includes a vertical axis pivot part 2, a control member 3 and a fork 4, and the caster 1 is fixed to the fork by a rotating pin 6. The main body of the caster 1 includes a brake drum 7, which is surrounded by the brake band 8. This means that the brake drum 7 described herein is an integral part of the caster 1. However, optionally, the brake drum 7 can be externally fixed to the main body of the caster 1 by rivets, bolts, nuts or any other joining members. Figure 2 It is also shown that the fork 4 includes an opening 16 for the rotating pin 6.

[0033] Figure 3 An axonometric projection of the internal arrangement of the belt braking system showing the inner brake drum 7 and the outer cover without the caster 1 is presented. Figure 3 A vertical axis pivot part 2, a control member 3, and a fork 4 with a lever 5 are shown. The lever is coupled to the control member at one end and the lever 5 rests on the center of the symmetric yoke 10 at the other end. The symmetric yoke 10 includes anchoring points 12 at each end. In this embodiment, the yoke 10 is a unit. Optionally, the yoke 10 can include four arms 17, and a pair of arms 17a and 17b are long arms with anchoring points 12a and 12b at each end, and the brake band 8 is fixed at the anchoring points 12a and 12b by lugs 15. In addition, the yoke 10 also includes short arms 17c and 17d with anchoring points 12c and 12d, and if the yoke 10 is in the braking position, the anchoring points 12c and 12d may function as pivot parts 18a and 18b.

[0034] The anchoring of the brake band 8 is provided by lugs 15 for fixing the brake band 8, which lugs are attached to opposite sides of the yoke 10 and abut against each other oppositely, so that the brake band 8 can form a spiral shape for braking. The lugs 15 are made of the sheet of the brake band 8 and have the shape of a ring. Optionally, the lugs 15 can be formed of wire or a circle on the wire in the same way as the brake band 8. The brake band 8 can be made of other materials that have sufficient resistance to repeated braking of the brake drum 7.

[0035] The yoke 10 includes at least one anchor point 12 at each opposite end and for fixing the brake band 8. In a preferred embodiment, the anchor point 12 on the yoke 10 has the form of a metal projection that projects on both sides of the yoke 10 in a T shape, but can also be of a different shape to anchor the brake band 8 around the inner brake drum 7. The brake drum 7 is not shown in Figure 3 the figure. Figure 3 It is also shown that the yoke 10 is a unit having four arms 17, and two arms 17a and 17b are defined as long arms for suspending and controlling the brake band 8, and the other two arms 17 are short arms 17c and 17d, defined for anchoring the yoke 10 into the guide rod 11 of the yoke in the yoke groove 13 (not shown in this Figure 3 figure). The yoke 10 is received on the support portion 14 of the yoke, and this support portion is part of the fork 4 (load-bearing member). All the arms 17 are receiving arms 17 of the yoke 10, and there are always at least two arms 17 whose functions are different from those of the other two arms 17. Figure 3 It is shown that the yoke 10 is received on the support portion 14 through two anchor points 12c and 12d, and the spring 9 is located between the yoke 10 and the support portion 14. If the yoke 10 is in the braking position, the anchor points 12c and 12d are also pivot portions 18a and 18b at the same time. Figure 3 It is shown that the lever 5 is received on the yoke 10, and in such a position, the brake band 8 around the brake drum 7 (not shown) is free and the caster 1 can move freely. In the case where the lever 5 is released, which means that the lever 5 is not received on the yoke 10 and releases its position, the yoke 10 will change its position, and depending on the direction in which the caster 1 rotates, at least one of the pivot portions 18a or 18b moves away from the center of the caster 1, and the brake band 8 contracts around the brake drum 7 (not shown in this figure). The change in the positions of the yoke 10 and the lever 5 enables the yoke 10 to contract the brake band 8 around the brake drum 7, and thus stop the caster 1. The change in the position of the yoke 10 depends on the rotation direction of the caster 1.

[0036] In a preferred embodiment, all components of the mechanical two-way control band brake, such as lever 5, yoke 10, arms 17a, 17b, 17c, 17d of the yoke, guide rod 11 of the yoke, brake band 8, anchor points 12, pivot parts 18, and brake drum 7, are made of metal or metal alloy. The components of the above-mentioned mechanical two-way control band brake can also be made of other materials, such as plastics, combinations of metal alloys and plastics, or any other strong material with sufficient load-bearing capacity.

[0037] List of Reference Numerals

[0038] 1) Caster

[0039] 2) Pivot part about the vertical axis

[0040] 3) Control member

[0041] 4) Fork (load-bearing member)

[0042] 5) Lever

[0043] 6) Rotary pin

[0044] 7) Brake drum

[0045] 8) Brake band

[0046] 9) Spring

[0047] 10) Yoke

[0048] 11) Guide rod (of the yoke)

[0049] 12) Anchor points (12a, 12b, 12c, 12d)

[0050] 13) Yoke grooves (13a, 13b)

[0051] 14) Support part (of the yoke and the spring)

[0052] 15) Lug (for fixing the brake band)

[0053] 16) Opening (for the rotary pin of the caster)

[0054] 17) Arm

[0055] 17a, 17b - Long arms

[0056] 17c, 17d - Short arms

[0057] 18) Pivot parts (18a, 18b)

Claims

1. A mechanical two-way belt brake for a caster (1), comprising a vertically axis pivoting part (2), a control member (3), a fork part (4) and a lever (5), characterized in that, The lever (5) receives the yoke (10) at least at one end of the lever, and the yoke (10) of the two-way control band brake is symmetric and includes at least one anchoring point (12) for fixing the brake band (8) on at least one receiving arm (17) thereof, and the yoke (10) is coupled to the fork (4), and the anchoring point (12) is located in the yoke groove (13) of the guide rod (11), the guide rod includes the yoke groove and a support portion (14), at the support portion the yoke (10) is freely fixed to the fork (4), and the yoke (10) is freely supported on the support portion (14) of the fork (4) and is supported in parallel by a spring (9), the spring (9) is located below the yoke (10), the spring (9) abuts on the support portion (14) of the fork (4), and in addition, the yoke (10) includes at least one anchoring point for fixing the brake band (8) to the yoke (10) at each end of the yoke, wherein the brake band (8) spirally surrounds the brake drum (7) of the caster (1).

2. The mechanical two-way belt brake for a caster (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The yoke (10) includes at least two receiving arms (17c, 17d) with anchoring points (12c, 12d) for fixing the yoke (10), and the yoke (10) includes at least two receiving arms (17a, 17b) with anchoring points (12a, 12b) for fixing the brake band (8).

3. The mechanical two-way belt brake for a caster (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that, The yoke (10) includes at least two anchoring points (12c, 12d), and when the yoke (10) is in the braking position, the at least two anchoring points are simultaneously pivot points (18a, 18b).

4. The mechanical two-way belt brake for a caster (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The brake band (8) includes lugs (15) at each end to fix the brake band (8) to the anchoring points (12a, 12b) of the yoke (10), and the yoke (10) is vertically movable relative to the support portion (14).

5. The mechanical two-way belt brake for a caster (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The brake band (8) is made of metal or plastic.

6. The mechanical two-way belt brake for a caster (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The brake band (8) is made of metal alloy or plastic alloy.

7. The mechanical two-way belt brake for a caster (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The yoke (10) is a unit including four receiving arms (17a, 17b, 17c, 17d) and four anchoring points (12a, 12b, 12c, 12d), and is made of metal or plastic.

8. The mechanical two-way belt brake for a caster (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The yoke (10) is a unit including four receiving arms (17a, 17b, 17c, 17d) and four anchoring points (12a, 12b, 12c, 12d), and is made of metal alloy or plastic alloy.

9. A method of braking a two-way belt brake according to claim 1, characterized in that, Release the lever (5) to release the yoke (10), whereby the position of the yoke (10) changes, and the brake band (8) contracts around the brake drum (7), and the change in the position of the yoke (10) depends on the rotation direction of the brake drum (7) of the caster (1).

10. The method of the braking bi-directional belt brake according to claim 9, characterized in that, Release the lever (5) received on the yoke (10) by means of the spring (9) to change the position of the yoke (10), and thus the brake band (8) contracts around the brake drum (7).

11. The method of a braking bi-directional belt brake according to claim 9, characterized in that, The lever (5) is pressed onto the yoke (10) to compress the spring (9), and at least two anchor points (12c, 12d) are received on the support portion (14) of the yoke (10), while the brake band (8) is released around the brake drum (7) and the release of the brake drum (7) enables the caster (1) to rotate freely.

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