A gravity self-locking caster assembly

Abstract

This utility model discloses a gravity-driven self-locking caster assembly, including a foot tube, a caster, and an elastic component. The caster is pivotally connected to the foot tube via an axle. A guide hole is provided at the head of the foot tube, and a guide post is disposed in the guide hole. The upper end of the elastic component abuts against the upper end of the guide hole, and the lower end abuts against the guide post. A strip-shaped hole is provided on the side wall opposite the guide hole and the caster. The axle passes through the strip-shaped hole, enters the guide hole, and is fixedly assembled with the guide post, allowing the guide post and the foot tube to move up and down relative to each other. A downward-protruding support part is provided at the bottom of the foot tube. When the foot tube is subjected to downward pressure, it moves downward so that the support part moves downward over the caster and supports the ground, achieving a stable landing effect. The caster then moves upward relative to the ground, detaching from the supporting ground. This not only eliminates the safety hazards caused by the caster moving outward, but also makes the structure simpler, more compact, and more aesthetically pleasing.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of caster product technology, and in particular to a gravity self-locking caster assembly for products such as seats. Background Technology

[0002] Chairs are essential furniture in people's lives, work, and studies. Traditional chairs, lacking casters, offer good stability when seated but are inconvenient to move. Therefore, casters are installed on chairs and other furniture requiring movement, making them easy to move. However, even with casters, stability is insufficient when the furniture is stationary, and it may slip under slight pressure. To address this, gravity-locking casters have been invented, freeing the furniture from the weight of the wheels when seated, thus improving stability. For example, Chinese utility model patent CN202320987920.1 discloses a movable and self-locking caster structure for a companion chair. This structure achieves stability when seated by incorporating an elastic self-locking mechanism. However, this caster structure, under the action of springs, allows the casters to move laterally, meaning they shift outwards when seated. This not only affects stability but also poses a safety hazard, potentially running over a person's feet when close to them. At the same time, its structure is relatively complex, requiring a large number of cooperating parts to complete the self-locking action, and it is not aesthetically pleasing. Utility Model Content

[0003] This invention addresses the shortcomings of existing technologies by providing a gravity self-locking caster assembly with a simpler structure, more reasonable design, and higher stability in assembly and positioning.

[0004] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: a gravity self-locking caster assembly, comprising a foot tube, a caster, and an elastic component. The caster is pivotally connected to the foot tube via an axle. A guide hole is provided at the head of the foot tube, and the upper end of the guide hole is closed. A guide post and an elastic component are provided in the guide hole. The upper end of the elastic component abuts against the upper end of the guide hole, and the lower end of the elastic component abuts against the upper end of the guide post. A strip-shaped hole is provided on the side wall opposite to the caster. The axle passes through the strip-shaped hole into the guide hole and is fixedly assembled with the guide post, forming an assembly structure in which the guide post and the foot tube can move up and down relative to each other. A downwardly protruding support part is provided at the bottom of the foot tube. When the foot tube is subjected to downward pressure, it moves downward so that its support part moves downward over the bottom surface of the caster and supports the ground.

[0005] Furthermore, a fixing head is provided at the head of the foot tube, and the guide hole is vertically arranged in the fixing head, with the bottom end of the guide hole open, and the elastic component and guide post are installed into the guide hole from the bottom end opening.

[0006] Furthermore, the support part at the bottom of the leg tube is a support frame with a hollow structure, which extends from the bottom of the fixing head to the bottom of the front end of the leg tube body; the support frame, the leg tube and the fixing head are an integral structure.

[0007] Furthermore, a caster is provided on each side of the fixed head, and the axle of the caster is connected to the fixed head through a strip hole.

[0008] Furthermore, a wheel cover is provided on the fixed head. The wheel cover has an arc-shaped structure and protrudes to both sides, covering the top of the two casters. The wheel cover and the fixed head are an integral structure, and the fixed head and the foot tube are an integral structure.

[0009] Furthermore, the outer end of the fixing head has an arc-shaped structure, and the outer end of the fixing head is recessed inward relative to the two casters.

[0010] Furthermore, a cross-shaped fixing part is provided at the top of the guide post, and the elastic component is a spring, with the bottom end of the spring abutting against the cross-shaped fixing part.

[0011] This invention features a guide hole in the head of the leg tube, a guide post with a spring inside the guide hole, and a support part at the bottom of the leg tube. When the leg tube is subjected to downward pressure (such as when a person sits on a chair), it moves downward, causing the support part at the bottom to press against the ground for stable support, while the casters move upward and detach from the ground. This not only eliminates the safety hazards caused by the casters moving outward, but also results in a simpler, more compact, and more aesthetically pleasing structure. Attached Figure Description

[0012] Figure 1 This is a structural diagram of the present utility model;

[0013] Figure 2 This is an overall structural diagram of the present invention from another angle;

[0014] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional structural diagram of the present invention;

[0015] Figure 4 This is a diagram showing the fit between the wheel axle and the foot tube.

[0016] Figure 5 This is a structural diagram of the present invention after the foot tubes have been removed.

[0017] In the diagram, 1 is the foot tube, 11 is the wheel cover, 12 is the fixing head, 13 is the guide hole, 14 is the support frame, 15 is the strip hole, 2 is the caster, 3 is the guide post, 4 is the wheel axle, and 5 is the spring. Detailed Implementation

[0018] In this embodiment, refer to Figures 1-5The gravity-locking caster assembly includes a foot tube 1, a caster 2, and an elastic component. The elastic component is a spring 5 (or a hydraulic rod or other telescopic component). The caster 2 is pivotally connected to the foot tube 1 via an axle 4, enabling rotation. A guide hole 13 is provided at the head of the foot tube 1, with the upper end of the guide hole 13 closed. A guide post 3 and a spring 5 are provided in the guide hole 13. The upper end of the spring 5 abuts against the upper end of the guide hole 13, and the lower end of the spring 5 abuts against the upper end of the guide post 3. The guide hole 13 is connected to the caster 2. A strip-shaped hole 15 is provided on the side wall of the wheel (its direction is the same as that of the guide hole 13). The wheel axle 4 passes through the strip-shaped hole 15 and enters the guide hole 13 to be assembled and fixed with the guide post 3, so that the guide post 3 and the foot tube 1 form an assembly structure that can move up and down relative to each other. A downward protruding support part is provided at the bottom of the foot tube 1. When the foot tube 1 is subjected to downward pressure, it moves downward so that its support part passes over the bottom surface of the caster 2 and supports the ground. At this time, the foot tube 1 directly touches the ground, thereby achieving a stable effect that is not easy to move on its own.

[0019] A fixing head 12 is provided at the head of the foot tube 1. The guide hole 13 is vertically arranged in the fixing head 12, and the bottom end of the guide hole 13 is open. The spring 5 and the guide post 3 are installed into the guide hole 13 from the bottom end opening.

[0020] The support portion at the bottom of the leg tube 1 is a support frame 14 with a hollow structure. The support frame 14 extends from the bottom of the fixing head 11 to the bottom of the front end of the main body of the leg tube 1. The support frame 14 is an integral structure with the leg tube 1 and the fixing head 11. By setting the support frame 14 to support the ground, the entire leg tube 1 can be prevented from touching the ground and causing wear, thereby protecting the leg tube 1 itself.

[0021] A caster 2 is provided on each side of the fixed head 12, and the axle 4 passes through the fixed head 12 through the strip hole 15 and is connected to the two casters 2.

[0022] A wheel cover 11 is provided on the fixed head 12. The wheel cover 11 has an arc-shaped structure and protrudes to both sides, covering the two casters 2 above them, providing a safety protection function. The wheel cover 11 and the fixed head 12 are an integral structure, and the fixed head 12 and the foot tube 1 are an integral structure. In addition, the gap between the wheel cover 11 and the caster 2 is higher than that of ordinary casters, so that the wheel cover 11 will not touch the caster 2 after it descends with the foot tube 1.

[0023] The outer end of the fixing head 12 has an arc-shaped structure, and the outer end of the fixing head 12 is recessed inward relative to the two casters 2. This is not only more aesthetically pleasing, but also eliminates the risk of the fixing head 12 protruding outward and injuring people's feet.

[0024] A cross-shaped fixing part is provided at the top of the guide post 3, and the bottom end of the spring 5 is connected to the cross-shaped fixing part, which can make the spring 5 more stable.

[0025] Taking the seat as an example, when no one is sitting on it, the fixed head 12 and the foot tube 1 are pushed upwards together by the elastic force of the spring 5, and the support frame 14 will not touch the ground. The entire seat is completely supported on the ground by the casters 2. When someone sits on the seat, the person's weight is transmitted to the foot tube 1, and the foot tube 1 sinks down until the support frame 14 touches the ground and supports the seat. At this time, although the casters 2 may touch the ground, they do not provide support, so the seat will not move on its own.

[0026] This invention is particularly suitable for use as a student chair in schools, as it provides stable seating while allowing younger students to move around easily. It can also be applied to products with moving and parking functions, such as portable beds.

[0027] The present invention has been described in detail above. The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention. All equivalent changes and modifications made in accordance with the scope of this application should still fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A gravity-locked caster assembly comprising a foot tube, a caster and a resilient member, the caster being pivotally assembled with the foot tube by a wheel axle, characterized in that: A guide hole is provided at the head of the leg tube, and a guide post and an elastic component are provided in the guide hole; the upper end of the elastic component abuts against the upper end of the guide hole, and the lower end of the elastic component abuts against the upper end of the guide post; a strip hole is provided on the side wall opposite to the caster, and the axle passes through the strip hole into the guide hole and is assembled and fixed with the guide post, so that the guide post and the leg tube form an assembly structure that can move up and down relative to each other; a downward protruding support part is provided at the bottom of the leg tube, which moves downward when the leg tube is subjected to downward pressure so that its support part moves downward over the bottom surface of the caster and supports the ground.

2. The gravity-activated, self-locking caster assembly of claim 1, wherein: A fixing head is provided at the head of the foot tube. The guide hole is vertically set in the fixing head and the bottom end of the guide hole is open. The elastic component and the guide post are installed into the guide hole from the bottom end opening.

3. The gravity-loc king caster assembly of claim 2, wherein: The support part at the bottom of the leg tube is a support frame with a hollow structure, which extends from the bottom of the fixing head to the bottom of the front end of the leg tube body; the support frame, the leg tube and the fixing head are an integral structure.

4. The gravity-loc king caster assembly of claim 2, wherein: A caster is installed on each side of the fixed head, and the axle is connected to the two casters through a strip hole.

5. The gravity-loc king caster assembly of claim 4, wherein: A wheel cover is provided on the fixed head. The wheel cover has an arc-shaped structure and protrudes to both sides to cover the top of the two casters. The wheel cover and the fixed head are an integral structure, and the fixed head and the foot tube are an integral structure.

6. The gravity self-locking caster assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that: The outer end of the fixing head has an arc-shaped structure, and the outer end of the fixing head is recessed inward relative to the two casters.

7. The gravity self-locking caster assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: A cross-shaped fixing part is provided at the top of the guide post, and the elastic component is a spring, with the bottom end of the spring abutting against the cross-shaped fixing part.

Images