Trundle, bed and trolley

Abstract

A caster (10) is provided with: a jig (11) that is fixed to an object to be transported; a wheel (14) to which the shaft (13) is connected at the center of rotation; an axle housing (12) that pivotally supports the wheel (14) and the jig (11), respectively, and that connects the wheel (14) and the jig (11); a stopper member (24) that can come into contact with a wheel (39) of the wheel (14); a stop mechanism (15) having a toggle structure including a stop member (24); and an operation mechanism (18) that stops the rotation of the wheel (14) by deforming the toggle structure and bringing the stopper member (24) into contact with the wheel (39).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a caster or a device movable by the caster. Background Art

[0002] The stopper mechanism of a caster can be roughly classified into a friction type that prevents the rotation of the wheel by the friction between the wheel and the stopper mechanism, and a locking type that inserts a rigid object into the rotation mechanism of the wheel and prevents the rotation of the wheel by the rigidity of the rigid object.

[0003] In the locking type stopper mechanism, the wear of the wheel and the stopper mechanism is small, and the rotation of the wheel can be stopped immediately after locking.

[0004] Although there are various known locking type stopper mechanisms, in any of them, it is desired that the locking function can be exerted without being locked when locking.

[0005] Prior Art Documents

[0006] Patent Documents

[0007] Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2017-039405

[0008] Technical Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0009] For example, when the operations of locking and unlocking the casters of a medical bed are heavy, in addition to being a burden on the operator, there is also a technical problem that the patient lying on the bed is impacted by the reaction force every time an operation is performed. In addition, there is also a technical problem that when the operation is heavy, the operation sound also tends to become louder. Summary of the Invention

[0010] The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a caster, a cart, and a bed that can reliably perform locking and unlocking with a light force.

[0011] Technical Means for Solving the Technical Problems

[0012] The caster wheel according to this embodiment includes: a jig fixed to a load to be carried; a wheel having a shaft connected to its rotation center; a shaft housing that axially supports the wheel and the jig respectively and connects the wheel and the jig; a stopper member that can abut against the wheel of the wheel; a stopper mechanism having a toggle structure including the stopper member; and an operating mechanism that causes the stopper member to abut against the wheel by deforming the toggle structure, thereby stopping the rotation of the wheel. The stopper mechanism includes: a swing cam provided in the shaft housing and swung by being pressed by the operating mechanism; and a link member having one end axially supported by the swing cam, and the swing cam is operated by being pulled from the outside of the caster wheel by a locking body connected to a wire.

[0013] In addition, the caster wheel according to this embodiment includes: a jig fixed to a load to be carried; a wheel having a shaft connected to its rotation center; a shaft housing that axially supports the wheel and the jig respectively and connects the wheel and the jig; a stopper member that can abut against the wheel of the wheel; a stopper mechanism having a toggle structure including the stopper member; and an operating mechanism that causes the stopper member to abut against the wheel by deforming the toggle structure, thereby stopping the rotation of the wheel. The stopper mechanism has the following structure: the straight line when the two link shafts of the toggle structure are arranged in a straight line is substantially perpendicular to the stopper member, and the stopper member is pressed against the wheel in a substantially perpendicular manner.

[0014] Moreover, the caster wheel according to this embodiment includes: a jig fixed to a load to be carried; a wheel having a shaft connected to its rotation center; a shaft housing that axially supports the wheel and the jig respectively and connects the wheel and the jig; a stopper member that can abut against the wheel of the wheel; a stopper mechanism having a toggle structure including the stopper member, and including a swing cam and a link member, the swing cam is provided in the shaft housing and swung by being pressed by the operating mechanism, and one end of the link member is axially supported by the swing cam; an operating mechanism that causes the stopper member to abut against the wheel by deforming the toggle structure, thereby stopping the rotation of the wheel; and a rotation restricting mechanism that restricts the rotation of the swing cam by causing the swing cam to abut against the shaft housing or the link member when the link member is substantially upright from the shaft toward the radial direction.

[0015] In addition, the bed according to this embodiment includes: the caster wheel; and a leg portion supported by the caster wheel. Furthermore, the trolley according to this embodiment includes the caster wheel.

[0016] Effect of the Invention

[0017] According to the present invention, there are provided a caster, a cart, and a bed that can reliably perform locking and unlocking with a relatively small force. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1 (A) of is a schematic perspective view showing an example of a bed to which the caster according to the first embodiment is applied. Figure 1 (B) of is a schematic perspective view showing an example of a cart to which the caster according to the first embodiment is applied.

[0019] Figure 2 (A) of is a schematic perspective view showing an example of a rack to which the caster according to the first embodiment is applied. Figure 2 (B) of is a schematic perspective view showing an example of a caster-equipped luggage to which the caster according to the first embodiment is applied.

[0020] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the caster according to the first embodiment.

[0021] Figure 4 is from Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the shaft housing with the upper shaft housing removed.

[0022] Figure 5 is from Figure 4 is a perspective view of the caster viewed from the rear side in a side direction with the lower shaft housing removed.

[0023] Figure 6 is an enlarged side view around the rotation restricting mechanism in the first embodiment.

[0024] Figure 7 (A) of is a view showing the detent mechanism in the unlocked state. Figure 7 (B) of is a view showing the detent mechanism in the locked state.

[0025] Figure 8 (A) of is a perspective view showing the detent mechanism in the second embodiment. Figure 8 (B) of is a perspective view showing a modified example of the detent mechanism in the second embodiment.

[0026] Figure 9 is a perspective view of the caster according to the third embodiment.

[0027] Figure 10 (A) of is a side view showing the unlocked state of the rotation prevention mechanism according to a modified example of the third embodiment. Figure 10 (B) of is a side view similarly showing the locked state.

[0028] Figure 11 It is a perspective view showing the rotation prevention mechanism of the caster and its peripheral components according to the fourth embodiment.

[0029] Figure 12 It is a partial enlarged cross-sectional view showing a cross-sectional view of the caster according to the fourth embodiment horizontally cut along the height of the gear ring.

[0030] Figure 13 (A) of is a perspective view showing the caster in the unlocked state of the caster according to the modified example of the fourth embodiment, Figure 13 (B) of is a perspective view similarly showing the locked state.

[0031] Figure 14 It is a perspective view of the caster according to the fifth embodiment.

[0032] Figure 15 It is a perspective view showing the rotation prevention mechanism of the caster and its peripheral components according to the fifth embodiment.

[0033] Figure 16 It is a perspective view of the leaf spring supported on the rotation prevention rod observed from the swing cam side.

[0034] Figure 17 (A) of is a side view showing the caster according to the fifth embodiment in the unlocked state, Figure 17 (B) of is a side view similarly showing the locked state. Detailed implementation manners

[0035] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on the drawings.

[0036] (First embodiment)

[0037] Figure 1 (A) of is a schematic perspective view showing an example of a bed 100 to which the caster 10 according to the first embodiment is applied, Figure 1 (B) of is a schematic perspective view showing an example of a trolley 200 to which the caster 10 is applied.

[0038] As Figure 1 As shown in (A) of, the caster 10 according to the first embodiment is applied to the feet 150 of, for example, stretchers, examination beds, etc. In addition, as Figure 1 As shown in (B) of, the caster 10 can also be used for trolleys 200 for carrying luggage, people, animals, equipment, etc.

[0039] In addition, Figure 2 (A) of is a schematic perspective view showing an example of a rack 300 to which the caster 10 is applied, Figure 2(B) is a schematic perspective view showing an example of a caster-equipped luggage 400 to which the caster 10 according to the first embodiment is applied.

[0040] The caster 10 can be used as a moving foot for Figure 2 daily utensils such as the shelf 300 as shown in (A) of, office equipment, promotional equipment such as storefront signs, or medical equipment such as bedside tables, etc., all movable equipment. Moreover, as Figure 2 shown in (B), the caster 10 can also be provided on the caster-equipped luggage 400.

[0041] The caster 10 selects an appropriate raw material from resin, metal, carbon, etc. according to its load. An installation base (not shown) is fixed to the feet 150 or the bottom of the carried objects such as the bed 100, the cart 200, the shelf 300, and the caster-equipped luggage 400, and the caster 10 is fixed to the feet 150 or the installation base.

[0042] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the caster 10 according to the first embodiment as viewed from the front side and above.

[0043] In Figure 3 , in order to clarify the structure of the back of the wheel 14, one side of the wheel 14 is represented by an imaginary line.

[0044] As Figure 3 shown, the caster 10 according to the first embodiment mainly includes an insertion cylinder 11, a shaft housing 12, a shaft 13, a wheel 14, and a stopper mechanism 15.

[0045] The caster 10 can be a single-wheel caster in which one caster 10 has one wheel 14, or can be a Figure 3 double-wheel caster in which two wheels 14 are arranged side by side as shown.

[0046] In the case where the caster 10 is a double-wheel caster, the two wheels 14 are connected to each other at their rotation centers by the shaft 13. By fitting the wheels 14 into the wheel bearings 16 provided at both ends of the shaft 13, the wheels 14 rotate about the shaft 13. In addition, it can also be a structure in which the wheels 14 and the shaft 13 are integrally formed during manufacturing, and the shaft 13 is pivotally supported by the shaft housing 12.

[0047] Hereinafter, for the sake of convenience of explanation, the extending direction of the shaft 13 is referred to as the "left and right" direction. In addition, the direction in which the caster 10 travels by the rotation of the wheel 14 perpendicular to the left and right direction is referred to as the "front and back" direction. In addition, the direction perpendicular to both the left and right direction and the front and back direction is referred to as the "up and down" direction. In addition, the direction of the gravitational force when the wheel 14 is placed on the ground is referred to as "down", and the opposite direction is referred to as "up".

[0048] The shaft 13 passes through the upwardly bulging upper shaft housing 12a. The edge of the upper shaft housing 12a abuts against the edge of the downwardly bulging lower shaft housing 12b and is fixed to each other by screws. A protruding hole 25 is provided in a part of the abutting edge between the upper shaft housing 12a and the lower shaft housing 12b. A stop plate 24, which forms a part of the stop mechanism 15 housed in the shaft housing 12, protrudes from the protruding hole 25 toward the wheel 14.

[0049] In the upper shaft housing 12a, a shaft support hole is provided at the upper front or rear. An insertion cylinder 11, which is an example of a jig, is inserted into the shaft support hole and is rotatably fixed to the shaft support hole by a swing bearing 17. The insertion cylinder 11 is inserted, for example, from the lower end of the leg portion 150 of the bed 100 into the interior of the leg portion 150, and is screwed to the leg portion 150 at a threaded hole 11a provided in the trunk portion of the insertion cylinder 11.

[0050] In this way, the shaft housing 12 rotatably supports or fixes the jig and the shaft 13 respectively, and connects the wheel 14 and the insertion cylinder 11, which is a jig, in a displaceable manner. In addition, the swing bearing 17 and the wheel bearing 16 are not essential components. Depending on the type of the caster 10, there is a structure in which the caster 10 cannot swing, or a structure having a mechanism that enables the wheel 14 to rotate without using the wheel bearing 16.

[0051] In addition, Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the shaft housing 12 by further removing the upper shaft housing 12a from the caster 10. Figure 3 from

[0052] In Figure 4 in order to clarify the connection relationship between the components, an operation plate 18, a swing bearing 17, a small-diameter flange 20b, and an operation wire 21, which are examples of operating mechanisms, are shown by imaginary lines.

[0053] In addition, Figure 5 is a perspective view of the caster 10 viewed from the rear side in a side direction by further removing the lower shaft housing 12b. Figure 4 from

[0054] In Figure 5 the peripheral components of the swing cam 19 and the peripheral components of the link member 23 are taken out and shown enlarged respectively. In addition, in Figure 5 the insertion cylinder 11 and its peripheral components, the operation plate 18, the operation wire 21, and a stop plate 24, which is an example of a stop member, are shown by imaginary lines.

[0055] As Figure 4 or Figure 5As shown, the insertion cylinder 11 has a shape in which three cylinder portions 11b to 11d with the outer diameter decreasing in three stages toward the lower side are integrally formed. The middle-diameter cylinder portion 11c into which the swing bearing 17 is inserted. Further, a large-diameter flange 20a is inserted into the middle-diameter cylinder portion 11c and a small-diameter flange 20b is inserted into the small-diameter cylinder portion 11d in such a manner as to sandwich the swing bearing 17, and the large-diameter flange 20a and the small-diameter flange 20b are respectively fixed to the insertion cylinder 11.

[0056] In this way, the shaft 13 and the wheel 14 that are suspended and supported by the shaft housing 12 as described above are pivotally supported by the insertion cylinder 11 via the swing bearing 17 so as to be rotatable about the insertion cylinder 11.

[0057] The operating wire 21 covered by the outer tube 21a and having a locking ball 26 as an example of a locking body at the lower end passes through the inner space 11e of the insertion cylinder 11. The inner space 11e has a smaller inner diameter in the middle part and has two inner diameters. By the fixing washer 21b ( Figure 5 ) provided at the end of the outer tube 21a abutting against the stepped portion of the inner diameter, the outer tube 21a is prevented from protruding into the shaft housing 12 from the inner space 11e.

[0058] On the other hand, the operating wire 21 also passes through the small-diameter portion of the inner space 11e and protrudes from the end of the insertion cylinder 11 toward the inside of the shaft housing 12.

[0059] In addition, a swing cam 19 as a part of the stop mechanism 15 is provided on the trunk of the shaft 13.

[0060] The stop mechanism 15 mainly includes an operation plate 18, a link member 23, a stop plate 24, and a double torsion spring 27 in addition to the swing cam 19, for example. The stop mechanism 15 locks the wheel 14 by deforming a later-described toggle structure using the operation plate 18 and engaging the wheel locking teeth 24a with the wheel support teeth 28.

[0061] Mounting protrusions 19x for fixing the stop mechanism 15 are formed on the cylindrical trunk of the swing cam 19.

[0062] One end of the operation plate 18 is fixed to the mounting protrusion 19x. In addition, the other end on the free end side of the operation plate 18 is engaged with the locking ball 26. An insertion hole 29 through which the locking ball 26 can pass and a slit hole 29a extending from the insertion hole 29 toward the free end are provided at the center of the operation plate 18. After the locking ball 26 passes through the insertion hole 29 to the back side of the operation plate 18, the operating wire 21 is arranged at the free end via the slit hole 29a, whereby the locking ball 26 is engaged with the free end of the operation plate 18.

[0063] With such a structure, when the operating wire 21 is pulled and the locking ball 26 is pulled upward, the operating plate 18 is pulled by the locking ball 26 at its free end and rotates about the fixed end on the side of the mounting projection 19x to become horizontal. By the rotation of the operating plate 18, the swing cam 19 supported with a clearance applied to the operating plate 18 is pressed by the operating plate 18 and rotates in the direction of pulling the mounting projection 19x away from the operating wire 21.

[0064] In addition, the operating plate 18 is preferably a leaf spring or the like having an elastic force to pull the operating wire 21 downward in order to absorb an error in the pulling force of the operating wire 21. Further, if the operating plate 18 has an elastic force in the wire pulling direction like this, the force generated by the operating plate 18 pressing the swing cam 19 also becomes an elastic force. Therefore, even when the tooth crest of the wheel locking tooth 24a and the wheel supporting tooth 28 are offset as described later, the wheel supporting tooth 28 continuously applies a pressure to engage with the wheel locking tooth 24a. Therefore, when the tooth crest is further slightly offset, the wheel supporting tooth 28 automatically engages with the wheel locking tooth 24a.

[0065] Continue to describe the structure of the stopper mechanism 15.

[0066] An installation rod 31 penetrating the mounting projection 19x horizontally from side to side in parallel with the shaft 13 is provided on the mounting projection 19x. A link member 23 is pivotally supported on the installation rod 31. The link member 23 has a ladder shape in which two base plates 32 arranged with their plate surfaces facing each other and parallel are joined by a coupling plate 33. The link member 23 swings about the mounting projection 19x by the end portions of the two base plates 32 being pivotally supported on the installation rod 31 respectively. Further, a stopper rod 34 is bridged at the other ends of the two base plates 32. The stopper plate 24 is pivotally supported on the link member 23 by fitting the stopper rod 34 into a bracket 24b on the back surface of the stopper plate 24.

[0067] In addition, one end edge of the stopper plate 24 is pivotally supported on the shaft housing 12 by a positioning support shaft 37. That is, the stopper plate 24 presses its back surface against the link member 23 and swings about a fixed point of the shaft housing 12.

[0068] On the plate surface of the stopper plate 24, a wheel locking tooth 24a having a sawtooth shape connecting triangles on the surface is provided. The wheel locking tooth 24a meshes with a wheel supporting tooth 28 provided on the side of the shaft 13 of the wheel 39 of the wheel 14. The wheel supporting tooth 28 is arranged in a circle along the circular shape of the wheel 39 at the same pitch as the wheel locking tooth 24a toward the rotation center A of the wheel 39.

[0069] In addition, a limiting projection 41 constituting a rotation limiting mechanism 40 is provided on the cylindrical trunk portion of the swing cam 19.

[0070] Here, Figure 6It is an enlarged side view of the periphery of the rotation restricting mechanism 40 in the first embodiment.

[0071] As Figure 6 shown, a stop wall 42 is formed on the inner wall of the shaft housing 12 so as to project toward the swing cam 19 to a position where it does not contact the trunk portion of the swing cam 19. The restricting projection 41 and the stop wall 42 are arranged such that when the link member 23 is substantially upright from the shaft 13 toward the radial direction, the restricting projection 41 abuts against the stop wall 42. Here, "substantially upright" means that the angle formed by the radial direction of the shaft 13 and the link member 23 is within ±10 degrees. That is, the angle formed by the tangent line at the point where the link member 23 contacts the shaft 13 and the link member 23 is within 90 degrees ±10 degrees. Specifically, as Figure 7 (B) of FIG. shows, "upright" means a state in which the swing center of the swing cam 19 is on the line connecting the stopper rod 34 and the mounting rod 31. More preferably, the angle formed by the radial direction of the shaft 13 and the link member 23 is within ±5 degrees. In this way, the restricting projection 41 and the stop wall 42 stop the rotation when the mounting projection 19x rotates to a specific angle, and function as a rotation restricting mechanism 40 for defining the position of the mounting projection 19x when the wheel 14 is locked.

[0072] In addition, it is preferable that both the wheel locking teeth 24a and the wheel support teeth 28 are not rectangular but connected triangular shapes. In the case of rectangular teeth, when the interval between adjacent teeth is exactly the same as the width of the teeth, they cannot collide with the side surfaces of the teeth to be inserted from the inclined direction and mesh. Therefore, in the case of rectangular teeth, in each of the wheel locking teeth 24a and the wheel support teeth 28, it is necessary to make the interval between adjacent teeth wider than the width of the teeth. As a result, in the caster product using rectangular teeth, a slight gap is generated between the meshing teeth during meshing, so that the wheel also rotates slightly back and forth after locking, giving the user a loose feeling of use.

[0073] On the other hand, in the case where the tooth shape is triangular, since it can be designed such that there is no gap when the teeth 24a and 28 mesh with each other, loosening after locking can be prevented.

[0074] In addition, a double torsion spring 27 is also provided on the trunk portion of the swing cam 19. The wire constituting the double torsion spring 27 is wound around one of the left and right trunk portions of the swing cam 19, and then passes through the side surface of the mounting projection 19x on the side of the restricting projection 41 and is wound around the other trunk portion. Both end portions of the wire of the double torsion spring 27 are respectively hung on the inner wall of the shaft housing 12.

[0075] The double torsion spring 27 is in a natural shape in the state where the detent ball 26 is pulled down. Therefore, when the detent ball 26 is pulled up and the mounting projection 19x is pulled out toward the operation line 21 side, the detent ball 26 is pulled down, and an elastic force is applied in the direction of pulling the mounting projection 19x closer from the operation line 21 side.

[0076] Next, (A) and (B) of Figure 7 are used to describe the toggle structure of the stopper mechanism 15 and its deformation method.

[0077] Figure 7 (A) of Figure 7 is a diagram of the stopper mechanism 15 showing the unlocking state, and

[0078] The toggle structure is a link structure composed of two link shafts and one slider. The toggle structure refers to a link structure in which the link shaft moves in the input direction through the input, and the output is increased through the force amplification structure.

[0079] In the caster 10 according to the first embodiment, the mounting rod 31 is the link shaft that receives the input and the link shaft with the rotation center A of the swing cam 19 as the fixed point, and the stopper rod 34 corresponds to the slider. In addition, since one end edge of the stopper plate 24 is pivotally supported by the positioning support shaft 37 on the shaft housing 12, the stopper rod 34 is restricted to slide only on the arc H with the positioning support shaft 37 as the rotation center A.

[0080] Therefore, the link member 23 is displaced only in such a manner that the stopper rod 34 is located on the arc H. According to this restriction, when the mounting rod 31 rotates in the direction away from the operation line 21, the link member 23 gradually stands up in the radial direction of the shaft 13. Then, the stopper rod 34 moves toward the wheel locking tooth 24a.

[0081] And when the wheel support tooth 28 is engaged with the wheel locking tooth 24a, the limiting projection 41 abuts against the stop wall 42, and the rotation of the swing cam 19 stops. Here, as the limiting projection 41 approaches the stop wall 42, the rotation center A, the mounting rod 31, and the stopper rod 34 approach the configuration arranged in a straight line, and a large pressing force based on the force amplification structure is applied to the stopper rod 34. That is, when the rotation center A, the mounting rod 31, and the stopper rod 34 approach the configuration arranged in a straight line, the force with which the stopper rod 34 presses the wheel locking tooth 24a of the stopper plate 24 against the wheel support tooth 28 increases rapidly. Therefore, a large locking force can be generated by a small traction force via the operation line 21 of the operation plate 18. And when the wheel support tooth 28 is engaged with the wheel locking tooth 24a, the wheel 14 is in the locked state.

[0082] In addition, in the locked state of the wheel 14, as shown in Figure 7As shown in (B) of , the link member 23 and the stopper plate 24 are arranged at approximately a right angle. Here, "approximately a right angle" means within ±10 degrees of a right angle. That is, the angle formed by the link member 23 and the stopper plate 24 is in the range of 80 degrees to 90 degrees. This approximately right angle is more preferably within ±5 degrees of a right angle. At this time, since the stopper rod 34 can only move on the arc H, the force received by the link member 23 from the stopper plate 24 is from the vertex of the link member 23 toward the center of gravity of the link member 23 and the rotation center A of the shaft 13. Therefore, the external force generated by the rotation of the link member 23 standing upright from the shaft 13 relative to the wheel 14 will not tilt toward the operation line 21 side, and the pressing force on the stopper plate 24 can be maintained. That is, as long as the operation line 21 is pulled up, the operation plate 18 presses into the mounting projection 19x and the limiting projection 41 abuts against the stop wall 42, the locked state of the wheel 14 is maintained. As a result, once the wheel 14 is in the locked state, even if the traction force of the operation line 21 is not applied, there is a resistance to the force that the stopper plate 24 wants to rotate in the unlocking direction. Therefore, since the retention of the stopper plate 24 does not require extra force, the operation can be performed with a lighter force.

[0083] In addition, the link member 23 does not have to stand upright on the swing cam 19 completely in the radial direction of the shaft 13. That is, even in the design where the link member 23 stands at an angle smaller than a right angle and the wheel support tooth 28 is engaged with the wheel locking tooth 24a, the link member 23 will not rotate clockwise or counterclockwise due to the reaction force received from the stopper plate 24, and can stably maintain the stopper plate 24 in the locked state. In addition, at this time, through the pressing force increased by the force amplification structure, the link member 23 can also press the stopper plate 24 against the wheel support tooth 28.

[0084] In addition, the mounting projection 19x is subjected to a force that presses back the operation plate 18 and approaches the operation line 21 side through the double torsion spring 27 as a pressing-back mechanism. Therefore, when the traction force of the operation line 21 disappears and the pressing force of the operation plate 18 disappears, the swing cam 19 rotates together with the mounting projection 19x located at the locking position, thereby unlocking. In addition, the pressing-back mechanism that presses the mounting projection 19x back to the unlocking state position can be any elastic member that presses back elastically, and is not limited to the double torsion spring 27. For example, the pressing-back mechanism can also be a single torsion spring with one end passing through the mounting projection 19x and fixed, and the other end fixed to the inner wall of the shaft housing 12. In addition, the pressing-back mechanism can also be a helical spring or a leaf spring with one end fixed to the inner wall of the shaft housing 12 and the other end abutting against the mounting projection 19x.

[0085] In addition, in the stopper mechanism 15 with such a structure, the displacement length of the detent ball 26 when locking the wheel 14, that is, the traction distance of the operation line 21, can be designed as Figure 7As shown in (A) and (B), it is larger than the rotation distance of the stopper plate 24. That is, in order to engage the wheel locking teeth 24a with the wheel support teeth 28, a design can be made such that the operation wire 21 is pulled by a distance longer than the displacement distance of the stopper lever 34. Therefore, according to the principle of the lever, the operation wire 21 can be pulled with a lighter force to lock the wheel 14.

[0086] In addition, since the stopper mechanism 15 operates with such a very light force, it is possible to prevent the generation of a large collision sound caused by the locking action or unlocking action as in the past.

[0087] In addition, the operation of the operation plate 18 is not limited to the operation using the operation wire 21. For example, it may be a lever structure in which the operation plate 18 protrudes outward from the shaft housing 12 and the operation plate 18 is depressed by a foot to rotate the swing cam 19.

[0088] In addition, an example in which the swing cam 19 is provided on the shaft 13 and rotates about the shaft 13 has been described, but the swing cam 19 may not be provided on the shaft 13. That is, the stopper mechanism 15 including the toggle structure may be provided on a shaft that is separated from the shaft 13 and bridges within the shaft housing 12. In addition, in Figure 7 (A) and (B), especially the toggle structure portion in the stopper mechanism 15 is depicted at a position inclined 45° with respect to the horizontal, but the arrangement angle of the toggle structure portion with respect to the ground is not particularly limited.

[0089] As described above, according to the first embodiment, by configuring the stopper mechanism 15 of the caster 10 with a toggle structure, the caster 10 can be reliably locked and unlocked with a lighter force.

[0090] In addition, by using the wheel locking teeth 24a and the wheel support teeth 28, loosening of the locked caster 10 can be suppressed.

[0091] (Second Embodiment)

[0092] Figure 8 (A) is a perspective view showing the stopper mechanism 15A in the second embodiment.

[0093] In addition, Figure 8 (B) is a perspective view showing the stopper mechanism 15B related to a modification in the second embodiment.

[0094] In addition, in order to clearly show the difference from the first embodiment, in Figure 8 (A) and Figure 8 (B), the illustration of the stopper plate 24 and the operation plate 18 constituting the stopper mechanism 15A is omitted.

[0095] In the second embodiment, as shown in Figure 8As shown in (A), the restriction protrusion 41A provided on the swing cam 19A as the rotation restriction mechanism 40A is provided on both left and right side surfaces of the mounting protrusion 19Ax.

[0096] In the first embodiment, in order to restrict the rotation of the swing cam 19A, the restriction protrusion 41A is provided so as to abut against the stop wall 42 provided on the shaft housing 12 .

[0097] However, the deformation of the stopper mechanism 15 may be stopped by restricting the deformation of the link member 23 relative to the swing cam 19A.

[0098] Therefore, in the second embodiment, the restriction protrusion 41A is made to protrude from the mounting protrusion 19Ax in the left-right direction. The restriction protrusion 41A is designed to be locked when the wheel 14 is locked. Figure 7 When the force received by the link member 23 from the stopper plate 24 is directed from the top of the link member 23 toward the rotation center A of the shaft 13 as shown in (A) and (B), the link member 23 contacts the left and right base plates 32 of the link member 23. The link member 23 contacting the limiting protrusion 41A does not rotate further, so the stopper plate 24 whose track is limited to the arc H is also fixed. Therefore, the forward rotation of the swing cam 19A around the shaft 13 is also stopped. That is, the deformation of the entire toggle structure of the stopper mechanism 15A is stopped.

[0099] In addition, the structure for restricting the rotation of the link member 23A by the swing cam 19A is not limited to the structure of Figure 8 A structure using a restricting protrusion 41A as shown in (A) of FIG.

[0100] For example, Figure 8 As shown in (B), a groove 19By may be formed in the mounting protrusion 19Ax, and a link member 23A composed of a base rod 32a may be inserted into the groove 19B. The link member 23A inserted into the groove 19B is supported by the mounting rod 31 that passes through the groove 19B in the left-right direction in a swingable manner. The shape of the groove 19B is designed so that when the stopper plate 24 locks the wheel 14, the link member 23A is exactly aligned with the inner side 19B of the groove 19B. 1 In this way, by utilizing the back surface 19By of the groove 19By, the connecting rod 23A is abutted. 1 By stopping the rotation of the link member 23A at a predetermined position, it is possible to stop the deformation of the toggle structure at a predetermined posture without using the restriction protrusion 41A.

[0101] In addition, since the caster 10 involved in the second embodiment has the same structure and function as the first embodiment except for the above-mentioned structure, repeated description is omitted. In addition, repeated structures in the drawings are omitted from illustration or marked with the same reference numerals and description is omitted.

[0102] As described above, according to the caster 10 according to the second embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be achieved by the stopper mechanisms 15A and 15B having different configuration shapes.

[0103] (Third Embodiment)

[0104] Figure 9 is a perspective view of the caster 10A according to the third embodiment. In Figure 9 it is shown with the shaft housing 12, one-sided wheel 14, and wheel bearing 16 removed from the caster 10A.

[0105] In addition, Figure 10 the (A) and (B) of Figure 9 are side views of the caster 10A of Figure 10 The (A) of Figure 10 shows the state where the wheel 14 is unlocked. In addition, Figure 10 the (B) of

[0106] shows the state where the wheel 14 is locked. In addition, in Figure 9 the (A) and (B) of

[0107] as shown, in the caster 10A according to the third embodiment, the stopper mechanism 15C is different from the first embodiment and the like in many respects. In the third embodiment, first, the operation plate 18A is separated from the mounting projection 19Cx and integrated with the swing cam 19C. In such a shape, the starting point of the operation plate 18A is not limited to the mounting projection 19Bx, and thus the design freedom of the stopper mechanism 15C is increased. Figure 10 the (A) and (B) of

[0108] In addition, in the third embodiment, the rotation direction for locking the swing cam 19C is opposite to that of the first embodiment. A spring locking projection 47 for locking the coil spring 27a is provided on the lower surface of the operation plate 18A of the swing cam 19C. The coil spring 27a is provided instead of the double torsion spring 27. The upper end portion of the coil spring 27a in the first embodiment is locked to the spring locking projection 47 ( Figure 4The deformed plate connecting cylinder 46 (etc.) protrudes upward toward the plate connecting cylinder 46. The peripheral side surface of the eccentric cam 58 abuts against the upper end of the pressing rod 48. A rod 60 having a pedal 59 is connected to the eccentric rotation center of the eccentric cam 58. When the operator steps on the pedal 59, the eccentric cam 58 rotates together with the rod 60. By the rotation of the eccentric cam 58, the pressing rod 48 is pressed against the peripheral side surface of the eccentric cam 58 and is pressed downward. In addition, the rotation operation of the rod 60 is not limited to stepping on the pedal 59 and can also be operated by hand or the like.

[0109] At the time of locking, as shown in (A) and (B) of Figure 10 , the pressing rod 48 presses the operation plate 18A downward against the upward thrust of the coil spring 27a. By pressing the operation plate 18, the swing cam 19C rotates in a direction opposite to that of the first embodiment, that is, in a direction approaching the operation line 21 side of the mounting projection 19Bx. And when the rotation restricting projection 41 abuts against the shaft housing 12 after the mounting projection 19Bx rotates toward the operation line 21, in the same manner as in the first embodiment, the rotation center A of the wheel 39, the mounting rod 31, and the stopper rod 34 are arranged in a straight line, and the stopper plate 24X is strongly pressed against the wheel 39.

[0110] In addition, in the third embodiment, the wheel locking teeth 24a and the wheel support teeth 28 shown in the first embodiment are not provided on the wheel 39 and the stopper plate 24X, respectively. A friction member 49 made of, for example, rubber is provided on the stopper plate 24X instead of the wheel locking teeth 24a. In the third embodiment, the stopper plate 24X stops the rotation of the wheel 39 by the friction generated by the strong abutment of the friction member 49 against the inner peripheral curved surface of the wheel 39.

[0111] In addition, in the third embodiment, the movement of the stopper plate 24X is restricted by the protruding hole 25 of the shaft housing 12a (refer to Figure 3 and Figure 10 (A) and (B)) instead of the positioning support shaft 37. That is, by devising the shape of the protruding hole 25, the movement of the stopper plate 24X can be restricted even without restricting the movement of the stopper plate 24X by the positioning support shaft 37. For example, by making the shape of the protruding hole 25 a slit shape, the movement of the stopper plate 24X is restricted by the peripheral edge portion of the protruding hole 25, and the movement can be restricted to a linear forward movement along the slit shape. Therefore, even the stopper mechanism 15C of the third embodiment that does not have the positioning support shaft 37 can form a toggle structure in the same manner as in the first embodiment or the like.

[0112] In addition, in the third embodiment, the jig for mounting the casters 10A on the articles to be transported (100 to 400) is the fixing plate 51 that replaces the insertion cylinder 11 shown in the first embodiment. The insertion cylinder 11 is deformed in a manner of gripping the pressing rod 48, and the above-mentioned plate connection cylinder 46 of the large-diameter cylinder portion 11b is shortened. The large-diameter cylinder portion 11b of the plate connection cylinder 46 is connected to the fixing plate 51 and fixed to the article to be transported via the fixing plate 51. For example, when the bottom of the article, such as the trolley 200, the rack 300, or the caster suitcase 400, does not have a foot portion 150 for inserting the insertion cylinder 11 and the bottom is flat, it is preferable to use the fixing plate 51 to fix the caster 10A to the bottom. The fixing plate 51 is fixed to the bottom by screws, for example, through screw holes 52 provided in the fixing plate 51.

[0113] In addition, except for the above structures, since the third embodiment has the same structures and functions as the first embodiment, repeated descriptions are omitted. In the drawings, the same reference numerals are assigned to the repeated structures and the descriptions are omitted.

[0114] As described above, according to the caster 10A according to the third embodiment, even for the stop mechanism 15C whose toggle structure deformation mode is different from that of the first embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be achieved. In addition, by using the fixing plate 51, the caster 10A can be directly fixed to the bottoms of the articles to be transported 200, 300, and 400.

[0115] (Fourth Embodiment)

[0116] Figure 11 FIG. is a perspective view showing the rotation stop mechanism 44A of the caster 10B according to the fourth embodiment and its peripheral components. In Figure 11 FIG., a state where the swinging rotation is locked is shown.

[0117] In addition, Figure 12 FIG. is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of a cross-section taken horizontally at the height of the gear ring 20c of the caster 10B according to the fourth embodiment. In Figure 12 FIG., the illustration of the wheel 14 and the wheel bearing 16 is omitted. In addition, in Figure 12 FIG., dots are added to the fitting member 45 from the viewpoint of easy observability of the shapes of the respective structures.

[0118] As shown in Figure 11 and Figure 12 FIG., the caster 10B according to the fourth embodiment includes a rotation stop mechanism 44A that locks the swinging rotation of the shaft housing 12 relative to the insertion cylinder 11 while locking the wheel 14.

[0119] The rotation prevention mechanism 44A is constituted by, for example, a toothed ring 20c in the shape of a gear that is provided at the lower end of the insertion cylinder 11 and has teeth provided at regular intervals on the outer periphery for one full turn, and an engaging member 45 that engages with the toothed ring 20c to lock the swinging rotation of the caster 10B around the insertion cylinder 11. The toothed ring 20c is fixed to the insertion cylinder 11, for example, in place of the small-diameter flange 20b ( Figure 4 ). The locking ball 26 of the operating wire 21 is indirectly locked to the operation plate 18B via the engaging member 45.

[0120] In addition, the operation plate 18B branches from the central portion toward the free end portion and has a bifurcated portion 43.

[0121] As Figure 11 and Figure 12 shown, the engaging member 45 has a shape in which a toothed flange 45b is formed at the upper part of the cylindrical trunk portion 45a. Engaging teeth 45c that can engage with the teeth of the toothed ring 20c are provided on the upper surface of the toothed flange 45b. In addition, two wrist portions 45d project from the trunk portion 45a in opposite directions.

[0122] At the shoulders of each wrist portion 45d, the bent portions at the tips of the bifurcated portion 43 of the operation plate 18B sandwiching the trunk portion 45a are locked. In addition, a guide projection 45e is formed on the circumferential side surface of the toothed flange 45b. The guide projection 45e is fitted into a guide rail 61 provided in the vertical direction from the upper shaft housing 12a to the lower shaft housing 12b and slides along the guide rail 61. By fitting the guide projection 45e into the guide rail 61, when the shaft housing 12 rotates, the engaging member 45 rotates together with the shaft housing 12 relative to the insertion cylinder 11 and the toothed ring 20c.

[0123] When the operating wire 21 is pulled, the engaging member 45 locked to the locking ball 26 is pulled up, and the operation plate 18B locked to the wrist portion 45d is pulled up. By this pulling up, in the same manner as in the first embodiment, the wheel support teeth 28 of the stopper plate 24 are engaged with the wheel locking teeth 24a of the wheel 39, and the wheel 14 is locked.

[0124] In addition, by pulling up the detaining ball 26, the fitting member 45 is pulled up, and the fitting teeth 45c of the toothed flange 45b are engaged with the teeth of the gear ring 20c. As described in the first embodiment, since the shaft housing 12 is pivotally supported by the swivel bearing 17 on the insertion cylinder 11, the caster 10B pivots around the insertion cylinder 11. However, when the fitting member 45 is fixed to the gear ring 20c fixed to the insertion cylinder 11, the shaft 13 is fixed to the insertion cylinder 11 by the guide protrusion 45e and the guide rail 61. Further, if there is a structure in which the fitting member 45 and the shaft housing 12 interlock and rotate around the insertion cylinder 11 as described above, the swiveling rotation of the caster 10B can be stopped using the gear ring 20c and the fitting member 45. Therefore, the engagement relationship between the fitting member 45 and the shaft housing 12 is not limited to the example of the guide protrusion 45e and the guide rail 61 described above.

[0125] Thus, when the detaining ball 26 is pulled up, together with the locking of the wheel 14, the swiveling rotation of the caster 10B relative to the insertion cylinder 11 is locked.

[0126] In addition, if the traction of the operating wire 21 is released, the pulled-up fitting member 45 descends due to the traction force and its own weight of the double torsion spring 27 ( Figure 10 in (A) and (B)) applied to the operation plate 18B, the locking of the wheel 14 is released, and the engagement between the gear ring 20c and the fitting teeth 45c is released, and the locking of the swiveling rotation is also released.

[0127] In addition, Figure 13 (A) and (B) are perspective views showing the caster 10C according to a modified example of the fourth embodiment.

[0128] In the rotation prevention mechanism 44B of the caster 10C according to the modified example, the operation plate 18C also has the function of the fitting member 45.

[0129] The operation plate 18C has a stepped shape in which the plate surface of the operation plate 18 of the first embodiment is folded outward and inward and bent at a right angle twice. For convenience, the surface that detains the detaining ball 26 among the surfaces formed by such bending is referred to as the detaining surface 18C. 1 .

[0130] In addition, on the detaining surface 18C of the operation plate 18C 1 formed are, for example, two protruding pieces 18x that protrude curvedly toward the gear ring 20c. The protruding piece 18x has a shape that can be engaged with the gear ring 20c.

[0131] In such a structure, as shown in Figure 13 (A), in the state where the locking of the wheel 14 is released, since the detaining ball 26 is not pulled up, the detaining surface 18C of the operation plate 18C 1 due to the double torsion spring 27 ( Figure 10due to the traction force and self-weight of (A) and (B), it topples over. At this time, the protruding piece 18x is not engaged with the gear ring 20c.

[0132] On the other hand, as Figure 13 shown in (B), in the state where the wheel 14 is locked, it is pulled up by the locking ball 26, and the locking surface 18C 1 abuts against the gear ring 20c, and the protruding piece 18x is inserted into the gear ring 20c.

[0133] In this way, in the anti-rotation mechanism 44B according to the modified example, in addition to the function of the operation plate 18 in the first embodiment, the operation plate 18C also has the function of the fitting member 45.

[0134] In addition, since the fourth embodiment has the same structure and function as the first embodiment except for the mechanism for locking the swing of the head, repeated descriptions are omitted. In the drawings, the same reference numerals are given to the repeated structures and the descriptions are omitted.

[0135] As described above, according to the casters 10B and 10C according to the fourth embodiment, in addition to the effects of the first embodiment, the swing of the casters 10B and 10C can be locked while the wheels 14 are locked.

[0136] (Fifth Embodiment)

[0137] Figure 14 is a perspective view of the caster 10D according to the fifth embodiment. In Figure 14 , in order to clarify the internal structure, one-sided wheels 14, wheel bearings 16, and shaft housings 12 are removed and shown. In addition, in Figure 14 , the state where the rotation and swing of the wheel 14 are both locked is shown.

[0138] In addition, Figure 15 is a perspective view showing the anti-rotation mechanism 44C of the caster 10D according to the fifth embodiment and its peripheral components.

[0139] As Figure 14 and Figure 15 shown, the caster 10D according to the fifth embodiment includes an anti-rotation mechanism 44C obtained by deforming the anti-rotation mechanism 44 shown in the fourth embodiment. The anti-rotation mechanism 44C includes an anti-rotation piece 54 pivotally supported on the upper shaft housing 12a by an anti-rotation rod 53. As Figure 15 shown, the leaf spring 55 of the anti-rotation piece 54 and the anti-rotation swing member 56 overlap and are pivotally supported on the anti-rotation rod 53 so as to be able to swing.

[0140] Here, Figure 16 is a perspective view of the leaf spring 55 pivotally supported on the anti-rotation rod 53 as viewed from the side of the swing cam 19D. As Figure 16As shown, the leaf spring 55 is formed, for example, by bending a flat plate made of metal or resin that has been machined into a roughly rectangular shape on a lathe. There are two slits along the front-rear direction at the rear edge of the four sides of the flat plate, thereby forming two left and right restoring plates 55a and a central press-in plate 55c. In addition, two left and right release pins 55d and a central upper press plate 55b are formed along the front-rear direction at the front edge of the four sides of the flat plate. The two left and right release pins 55d are bent upward at an angle of about 45°. In addition, locking ears 55e having perforations are provided on the left and right two sides of the four sides of the flat plate. The locking ear 55e is bent downward toward the side opposite to the bending direction of the release pin 55d. By bending the locking ear 55e and inserting a rotation prevention rod 53 into the perforations on the opposite left and right sides, the leaf spring 55 is pivotally supported on the rotation prevention rod 53.

[0141] The leaf spring 55 has the function of swinging the rotation prevention swing member 56 when locking and unlocking during the swinging movement of the head. The leaf spring 55 swings while deforming elastically by the operation projection 57 provided on the stop plate 24Y. The operation projection 57 is provided at the shaft support portion of the positioning support shaft 37 and abuts against the press-in plate 55c of the leaf spring 55. The tip of the release pin 55d abuts against the inner surface of the upper shaft cover 12a. When the press-in plate 55c of the leaf spring 55 presses against the operation projection 57 and swings while deforming elastically, the release pin 55d is pressed against the inner surface of the upper shaft cover 12a and elastically deforms. Due to the elastic deformation of the release pin 55d, the leaf spring 55 receives an elastic resistance from the inner surface of the upper shaft cover 12a. The release pin 55d is always pressed against the shaft cover 12a to prevent sudden locking due to vibrations during driving or the like.

[0142] In addition, the rotation prevention swing member 56 has substantially the same shape as the leaf spring 55. However, a plate is not provided at the portion overlapping the left and right release pins 55d and the press-in plate 55c. That is, when observing the rotation prevention piece 54 that overlaps the rotation prevention swing member 56 and the leaf spring 55 from the upper surface side of the rotation prevention swing member 56, as Figure 14 and Figure 15 shown, the left and right release pins 55d and the press-in plate 55c are exposed from the rotation prevention swing member 56. The rotation prevention swing member 56 is formed of a plate made of, for example, steel that is thicker and has higher rigidity than the leaf spring 55. The portion of the rotation prevention swing member 56 that overlaps the upper press plate 55b of the leaf spring 55 becomes a locking pin 56a that is pushed up to the upper press plate 55b and inserted between the teeth of the gear ring 20c during the locking operation. By inserting the locking pin 56a into the gear ring 20c, the rotation of the upper shaft housing 12a that pivotally supports the rotation prevention piece 54 via the rotation prevention rod 53 relative to the gear ring 20c stops.

[0143] Here, Figure 17 (A) and (B) of Figure 14 are side views of the caster 10D of Figure 17(A) indicates the state where the wheel 14 is unlocked. Additionally, Figure 17 (B) indicates the state where the wheel 14 is locked.

[0144] With the structure of the above-described stopper mechanism 15D, as Figure 17 (A) and (B) show, when the stopper plate 24Y rotates in the direction of engaging with the wheel locking teeth 24a, the operation projection 57 also rotates, and the press-in plate 55c is pressed downward. The leaf spring 55, which the press-in plate 55c is pressed into, rotates around the rotation prevention rod 53. Here, in order to reduce the rigidity of the release pin 55d, the release pin 55d is designed to be thinner and longer than other parts of the leaf spring 55 such as the press-in plate 55c. Therefore, as described above, even if the release pin 55 receives resistance from the upper shaft cover 12a, the entire leaf spring 55 rotates in the direction in which the press-in plate 55c is pressed in.

[0145] That is, when the press-in plate 55c is pressed in, the leaf spring 55 rotates as a whole by deforming the release pin 55d more greatly, causing the rotation prevention swing member 56 to rotate. Then, the leaf spring 55 pushes the top end of the locking pin 56a of the rotation prevention swing member 56 upward and engages with the teeth of the gear ring 20c.

[0146] Therefore, in the fifth embodiment, while locking the wheel 14, the rotation of the caster 10D is also locked.

[0147] In addition, even when the top end of the locking pin 56a is pushed up by the leaf spring 55, the top end of the locking pin 56a may collide with the teeth of the gear ring 20c and sometimes may not engage between the teeth. At this time, assuming that the operation projection 57 of the stopper plate 24Y directly abuts against the rotation prevention swing member 56 without passing through the leaf spring 55, the rotation prevention swing member 56 will hinder the rotation of the stopper plate 24Y. That is, when the top end of the locking pin 56a does not engage between the teeth of the gear ring 20c, the rotation of the stopper plate 24Y becomes insufficient, and there is a concern that the wheel 14 cannot be locked. However, in the fifth embodiment, since the operation projection 57 abuts against the leaf spring 55, even when the top end of the locking pin 56a collides with the teeth of the gear ring 20c and does not engage between the teeth, the leaf spring 55 deforms, enabling the stopper plate 24Y to rotate by a sufficient amount to lock the wheel 14. That is, the leaf spring 55 has a function of absorbing the rotation deficiency of the rotation prevention swing member 56 caused by the collision between the locking pin 56a and the gear ring 20c and reliably absorbing the rotation difference of the locked wheel 14.

[0148] In addition, by using the leaf spring 55 to apply an upward elastic force to the top end of the locking pin 56a, when the locking pin 56a moves from a position not engaged with the gear ring 20c to an engaged position by swinging rotation, the top end of the locking pin 56a is engaged between the teeth by this elastic force.

[0149] In addition, when the locking is released, due to the restoring force of the release pin 55d deformed by being pressed against the shaft cover 12a, the leaf spring 55 tends to rotate in the direction opposite to the direction in which the upper pressure plate 55b disengages from the gear ring 20c. At this time, pressed by the restoring plate 55a of the leaf spring 55, the rotation prevention swing member 56 also rotates integrally with the leaf spring 55. Therefore, the rotation prevention piece 54 rotates in the direction opposite to the direction in which the locking pin 56a disengages from the gear ring 20c and returns to the specified unlocking position.

[0150] In addition, the function of the release pin 55d can also be exerted in forms other than the above-described form of the release pin 55d. For example, a double torsion spring or a compression spring, which is a different component from the leaf spring 55, can also be used. Alternatively, the leaf spring 55 can be replaced by combining a double torsion spring and a compression spring.

[0151] In addition, as Figure 14 and Figure 15 shown, the wheel locking teeth 24a may not be provided over the entire area of one surface of the stopper plate 24Y, but only on a part thereof.

[0152] In addition, when it is desired to shorten the pulling distance of the operating wire 21, as Figure 14 shown, it is preferable that the mounting projection 19Cx provided on the swing cam 19D is made as high as possible. By making the mounting projection 19Cx higher, the toggle structure can be deformed significantly with a small pulling distance of the operating wire 21. For example, the height of the mounting projection 19Cx is more than twice the length in the longitudinal direction of the link member 23, and more preferably more than three times. By shortening the pulling distance of the operating wire 21, the operation amount of the operating wire 21 can be reduced, and thus the operation portion (not shown) for operating the operating wire 21 can be miniaturized.

[0153] In addition, in addition to the above-described structure, since the fifth embodiment has the same structure and function as the fourth embodiment and the like, repeated descriptions are omitted. In the drawings, the same reference numerals are assigned to the repeated structures and the descriptions thereof are omitted.

[0154] As described above, according to the caster 10D according to the fifth embodiment, the same effects as those of the fourth embodiment can be achieved with a structure different from that of the fourth embodiment.

[0155] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are given as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

[0156] These embodiments can be implemented in various other ways, and various omissions, substitutions, changes, and combinations can be made without departing from the gist of the invention.

[0157] These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope or gist of the invention, and similarly included in the invention described in the claims and its equivalents.

[0158] For example, an example of connecting a jig and a shaft through a caster housing so as to be able to swing and rotate has been described, but the jig and the shaft can also be connected by a method that does not use a caster housing.

[0159] In addition, in the embodiment, an example of the swing cam swinging around the shaft has been described, but the swing center of the swing cam is not limited to the shaft, and as long as the toggle structure can be configured to be deformable, it can be freely designed.

[0160] In addition, in the embodiment, the operating mechanism is described by taking the example of an operation panel, but as long as the swing cam can be swung, the method is not particularly limited. In particular, when the swing cam is arranged at a position close to an external operating mechanism such as an operating line, the swing cam can be operated without extending an operation panel from the swing cam. For example, the small protrusion provided on the swing cam can also function as an operating mechanism. In addition, the operating line can penetrate and be connected to the mounting protrusion, and the mounting protrusion can be directly pulled by the operating line. Furthermore, instead of providing a protrusion, a groove for engaging a locking ball can be provided on the trunk of the swing cam, and the swing cam can be operated by directly connecting the operating line to the trunk.

[0161] Symbol Explanation

[0162] 10 (10A to 10D) … Caster; 11 (11a to 11e) … Insertion cylinder (jig); 11a … Threaded hole; 11b … Large-diameter cylinder part; 11c … Medium-diameter cylinder part; 11d … Small-diameter cylinder part; 11e … Inner space; 12 (12a, 12b) … Shaft housing (upper shaft housing, lower shaft housing); 13 … Shaft; 14 … Wheel; 15 (15A to 15D) … Stopping mechanism; 16 … Wheel bearing; 17 … Swinging bearing; 18 (18A to 18C) … Operation panel (operating mechanism); 18C 1 (18C) … Engaging surface; 18x (18) … Protrusion piece; 19 (19A to 19D) … Swing cam; 19x (19Ax to 19Cx) … Mounting protrusion; 19By … Groove part; 19By 1…inside of the groove portion; 20a…large-diameter flange; 20b…small-diameter flange; 20c…gear ring; 21…operating wire; 21a…outer tube; 21b…fixed washer; 23(23A)…link member; 24(24X, 24Y)…stop plate (stop member); 24a…wheel locking tooth; 24b…bracket; 25…protruding hole; 26…locking ball (locking body); 27(27a)…elastic member (double torsion spring, helical spring); 28…wheel supporting tooth; 29…insertion through-hole; 29a…slit hole; 31…mounting rod; 32…base plate; 32a…base rod; 33…coupling plate; 34…stop rod; 37…positioning support shaft; 39…wheel; 40(40A)…rotation restricting mechanism; 41(41A)…restricting projection; 42…stop wall; 43…fork portion; 44(44A~44C)…rotation prevention mechanism; 45(45a~45d)…fitting member; 45a…trunk portion; 45b…toothed flange; 45c…fitting tooth; 45d…arm portion; 45e…guide projection; 46…plate connection cylinder; 47…spring locking projection; 48…pressing rod; 49…friction member; 51…fixing plate; 52…screw hole; 53…rotation prevention rod; 54…rotation prevention piece; 55(55a~55e)…leaf spring; 55a…restoring plate; 55b…upper pressing plate; 55c…pressing-in plate; 55d…release pin; 55e…locking ear; 56…rotation prevention swinging member; 56a…locking pin; 57…operating projection; 58…eccentric cam; 59…pedal; 60…rod; 61…guide rail; 100…bed; 150…foot portion; 200…cart; 300…rack; 400…wheel-carrying luggage; A…rotation center; H…arc.

Claims

1. A caster wheel, characterized in that, it includes: a jig which is fixed to the object to be carried; a wheel which is connected with a shaft at the rotation center; a shaft housing which axially supports the wheel and the jig respectively and connects the wheel and the jig; a stopper member which can abut against the wheel of the wheel; a stopper mechanism which has a toggle structure including the stopper member; and an operating mechanism which stops the rotation of the wheel by causing the stopper member to abut against the wheel by deforming the toggle structure, the stopper mechanism includes: a swing cam which is arranged in the shaft housing and is pressed by the operating mechanism to swing; and a link member whose one end is axially supported by the swing cam, the swing cam is operated by being pulled from the outside of the caster wheel by a locking body connected to a wire.

2. A caster wheel, characterized in that, it includes: a jig which is fixed to the object to be carried; a wheel which is connected with a shaft at the rotation center; a shaft housing which axially supports the wheel and the jig respectively and connects the wheel and the jig; a stopper member which can abut against the wheel of the wheel; a stopper mechanism which has a toggle structure including the stopper member; and an operating mechanism which stops the rotation of the wheel by causing the stopper member to abut against the wheel by deforming the toggle structure, the stopper mechanism has the following structure: when the two link shafts of the toggle structure are arranged in a straight line, the straight line is substantially perpendicular to the stopper member, and the stopper member is pressed against the wheel in a substantially perpendicular manner.

3. A caster wheel, characterized in that, it includes: a jig which is fixed to the object to be carried; a wheel which is connected with a shaft at the rotation center; a shaft housing which axially supports the wheel and the jig respectively and connects the wheel and the jig; a stopper member which can abut against the wheel of the wheel; a stopper mechanism which has a toggle structure including the stopper member and includes a swing cam and a link member, the swing cam is arranged in the shaft housing and is pressed by the operating mechanism to swing, and one end of the link member is axially supported by the swing cam; an operating mechanism which stops the rotation of the wheel by deforming the toggle structure to cause the stopper member to abut against the wheel; and a rotation limiting mechanism which limits the rotation of the swing cam by abutting the swing cam against the shaft housing or the link member when the link member is substantially upright from the shaft toward the radial direction.

4. The caster wheel according to claim 3, characterized in that, when the link member is substantially upright from the shaft toward the radial direction, the rotation limiting mechanism (1) limits the rotation of the swing cam by the limiting protrusion provided on the swing cam abutting against the stop wall provided on the shaft housing; or (2) limits the rotation of the swing cam by the limiting protrusion abutting against the link member; or (3) The rotation of the swing cam is restricted by the contact of the link member, which is shaft-supported by the groove portion formed in the swing cam, with the inner surface of the groove portion.

5. The caster according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it is provided with a rotation prevention mechanism that, when the stopper member is brought into contact with the wheel to stop the rotation, simultaneously locks the rotation of the shaft housing relative to the jig.

6. The caster according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the operating mechanism is operated by a locking body connected to a wire.

7. The caster according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the operating mechanism is operated by a rod protruding from the shaft housing to the outside.

8. The caster according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it is provided with: a wheel locking tooth provided on the contact surface of the stopper member with the wheel; and a wheel support tooth provided on the wheel and meshing with the wheel locking tooth, wherein the wheel locking tooth and the wheel support tooth each have a triangular shape connected along the curvature of the circumference of the wheel.

9. The caster according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the stopping mechanism is provided with: a swing cam provided inside the shaft housing and swung by being pressed by the operating mechanism; and a link member, one end of which is shaft-supported by the swing cam, wherein the stopper member is supported at the end of the link member opposite to the swing cam, and one end of the stopper member is shaft-supported by the shaft housing.

10. The caster according to claim 9, characterized in that the swing cam is shaft-supported by the shaft.

11. The caster according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the caster is a double-wheel caster.

12. The caster according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the caster is a single-wheel caster.

13. The caster according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it is provided with: a restricting mechanism that restricts the deformation of the toggle structure; and an elastic member that eliminates the deformation of the toggle structure when the locking of the wheel is released.

14. The caster according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the shaft housing connects the wheel and the jig in a displaceable manner.

15. A bed, characterized in that it is provided with: the caster according to any one of claims 1 to 12; and legs supported by the caster.

16. A cart, characterized in that it is provided with the caster according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

Images