Directional trundle capable of changing direction

Abstract

The utility model relates to a direction-changeable directional caster, which comprises a fixed seat, a wheel, a direction-changeable sheet and a locking assembly, the turning sheet is mounted on the bottom surface of the fixed seat and can rotate in the horizontal direction relative to the fixed seat, and a pivoting part for pivoting a wheel is arranged on the bottom surface of the turning sheet; the locking assembly is fixedly installed on the bottom face of the fixing base and comprises a fixing frame, a positioning pin and a spring, the fixing frame is fixed to one side of the direction changing piece, the positioning pin is inserted into the fixing frame, the front end of the positioning pin is provided with a positioning part protruding out of the fixing frame and abutting against the direction changing piece, and the spring is arranged on the periphery of the positioning pin in a winding mode and kept in a compressed state. A plurality of positioning grooves which are concave inwards in the radial direction are formed in the circumference of the turning piece relative to the positioning part. The direction can be adjusted and locked, the direction of the wheels can be changed in situ on the premise that the wheels do not displace, and the direction changing mechanism is suitable for carrying objects in a narrow space.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of casters, and more specifically to a variable-direction fixed caster. Background Art

[0002] A caster is a common mechanical accessory installed at the bottom of an appliance to make the appliance move conveniently and flexibly. It is widely used in fields such as trolleys, scaffolds, shelves, instruments, mechanical equipment, furniture, etc. Casters can make objects easier to move and can reduce the need for manual labor.

[0003] Casters include fixed casters and swivel casters: The direction of a fixed caster is fixed and can only rotate in a fixed direction, so that the object it carries moves back and forth in a straight line; A swivel caster can rotate itself, enabling all kinds of objects it carries to freely change direction during movement, achieve turning, and is more convenient to use. In summary, the casters on the market at present can only achieve fixed straight-line movement or freely rotate within 360 degrees.

[0004] When a caster is applied to a space that requires turning and is relatively narrow, the existing fixed caster can only move in a fixed straight line and cannot meet the turning requirement; Although the existing swivel caster can rotate, due to its freely rotatable characteristic, it is extremely easy to cause instability during the movement of an object, it is difficult to place objects stably, and the path space required for its rotation is relatively large, and it cannot freely turn in a relatively narrow space. Summary of the Utility Model

[0005] The purpose of the utility model is to provide a variable-direction fixed caster that can adjust and lock the direction and is suitable for carrying objects in a narrow space.

[0006] To achieve the above object, the solution of the utility model is:

[0007] A variable-direction fixed caster includes a fixed seat installed at the bottom of an appliance, a wheel connected to the bottom of the fixed seat, a variable-direction piece, and a locking component;

[0008] The variable-direction piece is installed on the bottom surface of the fixed seat and can rotate horizontally relative to the fixed seat. A pivot portion is provided at the bottom of the variable-direction piece, and the wheel is pivotally connected to the pivot portion;

[0009] The locking component is fixedly installed on the bottom surface of the fixed seat and includes a fixed frame, a positioning pin, and a spring. The fixed frame is fixed to one side of the variable-direction piece. The positioning pin is inserted into the fixed frame. The rear end of the positioning pin passes through the rear end of the fixed frame. A positioning portion protruding from the fixed frame and abutted against the variable-direction piece is provided at the front end of the positioning pin. The spring is wound around the outer periphery of the positioning pin and abuts between the rear wall of the fixed frame and the positioning portion;

[0010] The circumferential relative positioning portion of the deflector has a number of radially concave positioning grooves, the angle between adjacent positioning grooves is not 180°, the portion between adjacent positioning grooves is an adjustment portion protruding relative to the positioning grooves, and the outer edge of the adjustment portion is arc-shaped;

[0011] When the deflector rotates, the adjustment portion presses against the positioning portion to displace the positioning pin backward, the spring is compressed, and the positioning portion abuts against the positioning groove when the deflector is oriented after rotation to lock the deflector.

[0012] Furthermore, the pivot joint portion includes two side connecting pieces extending downward from the bottom surface of the deflector, and a wheel is rotatably arranged between the two side connecting pieces through a wheel shaft arranged between the two side connecting pieces.

[0013] Furthermore, a through hole is provided on the rear wall of the fixing bracket, the rear end of the positioning pin passes through the through hole and can be displaced relative to the through hole, the spring is limited within the fixing bracket and remains in a compressed state, and the two ends of the spring respectively abut against the rear wall of the fixing bracket and the positioning portion.

[0014] Furthermore, the bottom surface of the deflector has an annular piece, and the annular piece, the deflector, and the fixing seat are provided with coaxial through holes. A fixing shaft sequentially passes through and penetrates the annular piece, the deflector, and the fixing seat together. The deflector can rotate relative to the fixing seat and the annular piece around the fixing shaft. A first set of balls evenly distributed along a circumference is movably arranged between the deflector and the fixing seat around the fixing shaft, and a second set of balls evenly distributed along a circumference is movably arranged between the annular piece and the deflector around the fixing shaft.

[0015] Furthermore, on both opposite inner walls between the fixing seat and the deflector, a first arc-shaped groove for accommodating and limiting the movement of the first set of balls is recessed relatively far away from each other. On both opposite inner walls between the annular piece and the deflector, a second arc-shaped groove for accommodating and limiting the movement of the second set of balls is recessed relatively far away from each other.

[0016] Furthermore, the positioning grooves are equally angularly distributed.

[0017] Furthermore, the number of positioning grooves is 4, and the angle between adjacent positioning grooves is 90°.

[0018] Furthermore, the front end of the positioning portion abutting against the deflector is a smooth arc.

[0019] Furthermore, the positioning portion includes a connecting piece and a roller. The connecting piece is fixed to the front end of the positioning pin, and the roller is pivotally connected to the front end of the connecting piece to abut against the deflector and rotates horizontally with the deflector.

[0020] Furthermore, the middle of the fixing seat protrudes towards the bottom surface to form an annular groove. The through hole of the fixing seat is provided in the center of the annular groove. The fixing shaft passes through the through hole in the center of the annular groove, and the upper wall of the first arc-shaped groove is also located in the annular groove; an annular gasket is further provided on the top surface of the fixing seat around the through hole in the center of the annular groove, and the fixing shaft also passes through the annular gasket.

[0021] After adopting the above solution, the directional caster of the present utility model can adjust and lock the direction after applying force, and change the direction of the wheel in place without displacement of the wheel to achieve direction change, so that appliances such as trolleys can move freely back and forth, left and right in a narrow space, saving the use space of appliances such as trolleys, and can be used to carry objects in a narrow space. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Figure 1 is an exploded view of the present utility model;

[0023] Figure 2 is a schematic structural view of the present utility model in the directional state;

[0024] Figure 3 is a schematic structural view of the present utility model during the direction-changing process;

[0025] Figure 4 is Figure 2 a cross-sectional view of.

[0026] Explanation of the reference numerals in the drawings: 1 fixing base; 11 annular groove; 12 annular gasket; 2 wheel; 21 wheel axle; 3 direction-changing piece; 31 connecting piece; 32 positioning groove; 33 adjusting portion; 4 locking assembly; 41 fixing frame; 411 through hole; 42 positioning pin; 43 spring; 44 positioning portion; 441 connecting member; 442 roller; 5 annular piece; 6 fixing shaft; 61 buckling portion; 7 first ball; 71 first arc-shaped groove; 8 second ball; 81 second arc-shaped groove. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0027] In order to further explain the technical solution of the present utility model, the present utility model will be elaborated in detail below through specific embodiments.

[0028] Referring to Figures 1 to 4 as shown, the present utility model discloses a variable-direction directional caster, which includes a fixing base 1 and a wheel 2. The fixing base 1 is generally installed and fixed at the bottom of an appliance, such as the bottom of an appliance for carrying an object. The wheel 2 is connected to the bottom of the fixing base 1, and further includes a direction-changing piece 3 and a locking assembly 4.

[0029] Specifically, the deflector 3 is installed on the bottom surface of the fixed seat 1 and can rotate horizontally relative to the fixed seat 1. A pivoting portion is provided at the bottom of the deflector 3, and the wheel 2 can be pivotally connected in the pivoting portion to rotate. In this embodiment, the pivoting portion includes two side connecting pieces 31 extending downward from the bottom surface of the deflector 3. The wheel 2 is rotatably disposed between the two side connecting pieces 31 through a wheel shaft 21 provided between the two side connecting pieces 31. The two side connecting pieces 31 can be fixedly connected to the bottom of the deflector 3 and are connected to the bottom of the deflector 3 by means such as integral molding. Thereby, when the deflector 3 is rotated, the side connecting pieces 31 will rotate with the deflector 3. Since the wheel 2 is clamped between the two side connecting pieces 31, it also rotates in the direction of the deflector 3.

[0030] In order to prevent the deflector 3 from easily falling off the bottom of the fixed seat 1, in this embodiment, an annular piece 5 is further provided on the bottom surface of the deflector 3. The annular piece 5, the deflector 3, and the fixed seat 1 are provided with coaxial through holes, and a fixing shaft 6 sequentially passes through and penetrates the annular piece 5, the deflector 3, and the fixed seat 1 together. The deflector 3 can rotate relative to the fixed seat 1 and the annular piece 5 around the fixing shaft 6, that is, it is necessary to make the cross-section of the fixing shaft 6 circular. In order to prevent the frictional force generated by the fixed seat 1 and the annular piece 5 clamped on the upper and lower sides of the deflector 3 from affecting the rotation of the deflector 3, first balls 7 evenly distributed along a circumference are movably provided around the fixing shaft 6 between the deflector 3 and the fixed seat 1, and second balls 8 evenly distributed along a circumference are movably provided around the fixing shaft 6 between the annular piece 5 and the deflector 3. In order to better accommodate and limit the first balls 7 and the second balls 8, a first arc-shaped groove 71 for accommodating and limiting the movement of the first balls 7 is recessed on the two opposite inner walls between the fixed seat 1 and the deflector 3 relatively away from each other, and a second arc-shaped groove 81 for accommodating and limiting the movement of the second balls 8 is recessed on the two opposite inner walls between the annular piece 5 and the deflector 3 relatively away from each other. The first balls 7 and the second balls 8 can rotate and roll in the first arc-shaped groove 71 and the second arc-shaped groove 81 respectively. When an external force is applied to rotate the deflector 3 relative to the fixed seat 1 and the annular piece 5, the frictional force is reduced through the rotation and rolling of the first balls 7 and the second balls 8, so that the deflector 3 can rotate smoothly.

[0031] In this embodiment, to further enhance the compactness of the annular piece 5, the deflecting piece 3, and the fixing base 1, an annular groove 11 is also convexly provided in the middle of the fixing base 1 towards the bottom surface. The through hole of the fixing base 1 is arranged at the center of the annular groove 11. The fixing shaft 6 passes through the through hole at the center of the annular groove 11, and the upper wall of the first arc-shaped groove 71 is also placed in the annular groove 11. Another annular gasket 12 is placed around the through hole at the center of the annular groove 11 at the top of the fixing base 1. The fixing shaft 6 also passes through the annular gasket 12 to fix the annular gasket 12 together on the top of the fixing base 1. In addition, a downwardly bent buckling portion 61 is provided on the outer circumference of the upper end of the fixing shaft 6. The buckling portion 61 buckles on the top surface of the annular gasket 12, and the lower end of the fixing shaft 6 is thicker and cannot pass through the bottom of the annular piece 5. With this structure, the annular piece 5, the deflecting piece 3, and the fixing base 1 can be combined more closely and firmly on the premise that the deflecting piece 3 can rotate, and there will be no faults such as structural looseness or detachment.

[0032] In the present utility model, the deflecting piece 3 is a deflecting mechanism for adjusting the direction of the wheel 2, and the locking assembly 4 is an orienting mechanism for locking the direction of the wheel 2 in the present utility model.

[0033] The locking assembly 4 is fixedly installed on the bottom surface of the fixing base 1 and includes a fixing frame 41, a positioning pin 42, and a spring 43. The fixing frame 41 is fixed to one side of the deflecting piece 3. The positioning pin 42 is inserted into the fixing frame 41, and the rear end of the positioning pin 42 passes through the rear end of the fixing frame 41. In this embodiment, a through hole 411 is provided on the rear wall of the fixing frame 41. The positioning pin 42 is accommodated in the fixing frame 41, and its rear end passes through the through hole 411 and can displace relative to the through hole 411. A positioning portion 44 protruding from the fixing frame 41 and abutting against the deflecting piece 3 is provided at the front end of the positioning pin 42. The spring 43 is wound around the outer circumference of the positioning pin 42 and abuts between the rear wall of the fixing frame 41 and the positioning portion 44. The spring 43 can be limited within the fixing frame 41 and maintained in a compressed state, and both ends of the spring 43 respectively abut against the rear wall of the fixing frame 41 and the positioning portion 44.

[0034] Correspondingly, a plurality of radially concave positioning grooves 32 are provided on the circumferential periphery of the deflecting piece 3 opposite to the positioning portion 44. The included angle between adjacent positioning grooves 32 is not 180°. Between adjacent positioning grooves 32 is an adjusting portion 33 protruding relative to the positioning grooves 32, and the outer edge of the adjusting portion 33 is arc-shaped.

[0035] The working principle of the above structure for adjusting and locking the direction is as follows: When the deflecting piece 3 rotates, the adjusting portion 33 presses the positioning portion 44 to displace the positioning pin 42 backward, and the spring 43 is further compressed; when the deflecting piece 3 is oriented, the positioning portion 44 abuts in the positioning groove 32 to lock the deflecting piece 3.

[0036] Specifically, when no direction change is required, the positioning portion 44 can abut against the positioning groove 32 of the direction-changing piece 3 under the action of elastic potential energy, so that the direction-changing piece 3 does not rotate relative to the locking assembly 4, that is, the direction-changing piece 3 does not rotate relative to the fixed seat 1. Since the side connecting piece 31 is fixed to the bottom of the direction-changing piece 3, the wheel 2 can only roll back and forth in a straight line where the gap between the two side connecting pieces 31 extends in the horizontal direction, so as to move directionally. When a direction change is needed, since the outer edge of the adjusting portion 33 is arc-shaped, after an external force is applied, using the friction between the wheel 2 and the ground, the direction-changing piece 3 can be rotated relative to the locking assembly 4 and the fixed seat 1. And because the adjusting portion 33 protrudes from the positioning groove 32, the adjusting portion 33 will abut against and squeeze the positioning portion 44, causing the positioning portion 44 and the positioning pin 42 to be squeezed and move backward. The length of the rear end of the positioning pin 42 passing through the through hole 411 becomes longer. At this time, the distance between the positioning portion 44 and the rear end of the fixed bracket 41 is shortened, and the spring 43 is further compressed and deformed. Under the action of elastic potential energy, when rotating past a part of the adjusting portion 33, the positioning portion 44 aligns with the next positioning groove 32 and moves forward under the action of elastic potential energy to abut against the positioning groove 32, so as to be oriented again.

[0037] To further improve the smoothness of rotating the direction-changing piece 3 during direction change in the above structure, so that the user can apply a smaller force to achieve rotation. In addition to setting the outer edge of the adjusting portion 33 as an arc, the front end of the positioning portion 44 abutting against the direction-changing piece 3 can also be a smooth arc. Specifically, the positioning portion 44 of this embodiment includes a connecting piece 441 and a roller 442. The connecting piece 441 is fixedly connected to the front end of the positioning pin 42. The front end of the spring 43 can abut against the connecting piece 441. The roller 442 is pivotally connected to the front end of the connecting piece 441 and abuts against the direction-changing piece 3. When the direction-changing piece 3 rotates relative to the positioning portion 44, the roller 442 will rotate with the direction-changing piece 3 in the horizontal direction, reducing the resistance of the direction-changing piece 3 to rotate, so as to improve the smoothness.

[0038] After adopting the above solution, for the directional caster of the present utility model, the two ends of the spring of the locking mechanism respectively abut against the rear wall of the fixed bracket and the positioning portion and always remain in a compressed state, so it always has elastic potential energy and always provides a force to abut against the direction-changing piece forward; when the wheel is oriented, the positioning portion is abutted against the positioning groove of the direction-changing piece to lock the direction-changing piece from rotating; when the direction of the wheel needs to be changed, an external force is applied to further compress the spring, rotate the direction-changing piece relative to the positioning portion by at least one adjusting portion to the required angle, and then align the positioning portion with and abut against the positioning groove to complete locking the direction of the wheel again.

[0039] The utility model can also be applied to transporting objects in a narrow space. When the turning buffer space cannot be satisfied in the transportation space, only an external force needs to be applied to change the direction of the wheel 2 in place without displacement of the wheel 2 to achieve direction change. After the direction of the wheel 2 is locked again, the object can be pushed and pulled for transportation. The angle that can be adjusted by the utility model is determined by the distribution of the positioning grooves 32 on the direction-changing piece 3. Taking this embodiment as an example, the positioning grooves 32 are equally angularly distributed, and the number of the positioning grooves 32 is 4, and the included angle between adjacent positioning grooves 32 is 90°. With this setting, this embodiment can provide a turn of 90° or its multiple in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions, enabling the object to be transported to move freely in the front, back, left, and right directions in a narrow space, saving the space required for transportation. When there are other requirements for the transportation space and route, only the distribution of the positioning grooves 32 of the direction-changing piece 3 needs to be adjusted to meet the requirement that the utility model can turn at various specific angles to be applicable to various different routes or limited spaces.

[0040] The above is only one embodiment of the utility model and is not intended to limit the utility model. Any modifications, equivalent replacements, and improvements made within the spirit and principle of the utility model shall be included in the protection scope of the utility model.

Claims

1. A variable-direction swivel caster, comprising a fixed seat installed at the bottom of an appliance, and a wheel connected to the bottom of the fixed seat, characterized in that: It further includes a steering piece and a locking component; The steering piece is installed on the bottom surface of the fixed seat and can rotate horizontally relative to the fixed seat. A pivot portion is provided at the bottom of the steering piece, and the wheel is pivotally connected in the pivot portion; The locking component is fixedly installed on the bottom surface of the fixed seat and includes a fixed frame, a positioning pin, and a spring. The fixed frame is fixed to one side of the steering piece. The positioning pin is inserted into the fixed frame, and the rear end of the positioning pin passes through the rear end of the fixed frame. A positioning portion protruding from the fixed frame and abutting against the steering piece is provided at the front end of the positioning pin. The spring is wound around the outer periphery of the positioning pin and abuts between the rear wall of the fixed frame and the positioning portion; A plurality of radially concave positioning grooves are provided on the circumference of the steering piece relative to the positioning portion. The angle between adjacent positioning grooves is not 180°. Between adjacent positioning grooves is an adjusting portion protruding relative to the positioning groove. The outer edge of the adjusting portion is arc-shaped; When the steering piece rotates, the adjusting portion presses against the positioning portion to displace the positioning pin backward, the spring is compressed, and the positioning portion abuts in the positioning groove when the steering piece is oriented after rotation to lock the steering piece.

2. The omnidirectional caster according to claim 1, characterized in that: The pivot portion includes two side connecting pieces extending downward from the bottom surface of the steering piece. The wheel is rotatably arranged between the two side connecting pieces through a wheel axle arranged between the two side connecting pieces.

3. The variable-direction swivel caster according to claim 1, wherein: A through hole is provided on the rear wall of the fixed frame. The rear end of the positioning pin passes through the through hole and can displace relative to the through hole. The spring is limited within the fixed frame and remains in a compressed state. The two ends of the spring respectively abut against the rear wall of the fixed frame and the positioning portion.

4. A variable-direction swivel caster according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bottom surface of the steering piece has an annular piece. The annular piece, the steering piece, and the fixed seat are provided with coaxial through holes. A fixed shaft sequentially passes through and penetrates the annular piece, the steering piece, and the fixed seat together. The steering piece can rotate relative to the fixed seat and the annular piece around the fixed shaft. First balls are movably arranged around the fixed shaft between the steering piece and the fixed seat in a circumferentially uniform distribution. Second balls are movably arranged around the fixed shaft between the annular piece and the steering piece in a circumferentially uniform distribution.

5. The variable-direction swivel caster according to claim 4, characterized in that: On the two opposite inner walls between the fixed seat and the steering piece, a first arc-shaped groove for accommodating and limiting the movement of the first balls is recessed relatively far away from each other. On the two opposite inner walls between the annular piece and the steering piece, a second arc-shaped groove for accommodating and limiting the movement of the second balls is recessed relatively far away from each other.

6. The variable-direction swivel caster according to claim 1, wherein: The positioning grooves are equally angularly distributed.

7. The variable-direction swivel caster according to claim 6, wherein: The number of positioning grooves is 4, and the angle between adjacent positioning grooves is 90°.

8. The variable-direction swivel caster according to claim 1, wherein: The front end of the positioning portion abutting against the steering piece is a smooth arc.

9. A steerable swivel caster according to claim 8, wherein: The positioning portion includes a connecting piece and a roller. The connecting piece is fixed to the front end of the positioning pin. The roller is pivotally connected to the front end of the connecting piece and abuts against the steering piece and rotates horizontally with the steering piece.

10. A steerable swivel caster according to claim 5, characterized in that: A circular groove protrudes from the middle of the fixed seat towards the bottom surface. The through hole of the fixed seat is provided in the center of the circular groove. The fixed shaft passes through the through hole in the center of the circular groove, and the upper wall of the first arc-shaped groove is also placed in the circular groove; A circular gasket is further provided on the top surface of the fixed seat around the through hole in the center of the circular groove, and the fixed shaft also passes through the circular gasket.

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