Caster with buffering function

Abstract

The utility model relates to a trundle with buffering function, including support component and a pair of rolling wheels, support component includes support body, wheel seat and buffer spring, wheel seat sets up in the positioning cavity on support body in the vertically slidable mode, support body sets up one waist type hole respectively on the lateral two side walls of positioning cavity, the axle part of wheel seat corresponds with waist type hole and cooperates, buffer spring installs in the positioning cavity, its one end supports on wheel seat, the other end supports on the top wall of positioning cavity, wheel seat has one lower limit position under the drive of buffer spring, and has one upper limit position by overcoming spring force and moving up, the positioning cavity has a cavity bottom wall, wheel seat supports on the cavity bottom wall when being in the lower limit position, wheel seat is provided with arc cooperation surface, the arc cooperation surface is structured as when wheel seat supports on the cavity bottom wall, can produce the lateral pivot swing. Have the advantage that buffering function, and can realize the self -adaptation of rolling wheel and straighten.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to casters and can be applied to bags, strollers, trolleys, etc. Background Technology

[0002] Casters are used in many applications, such as luggage, strollers, and trolleys. Taking luggage casters as an example, casters are mounted on the luggage shell and are moving parts used to support the movement of the luggage. With the widespread use of luggage, the operational stability and reliability of luggage casters have received more attention, and the corresponding technology has been greatly improved.

[0003] Luggage casters typically include a bracket and rolling wheels mounted on the bracket via axles. To improve caster performance, such as adapting to uneven surfaces and bumps, the bracket usually employs a cushioning and shock-absorbing design. For example, Chinese Patent No. CN202520006276.4 discloses "A Roller Assembly for Trolley Cases." The roller assembly includes a bracket body (corresponding to roller bracket 1 in existing literature), rollers and wheel seats (corresponding to shock-absorbing blocks 3 in existing literature) located on both sides of the bracket body. A tray is installed at the top of the bracket body for mounting the bracket assembly on the case shell. The wheel seats are restricted to slide within the positioning cavity of the bracket body (corresponding to shock-absorbing cavity 11 in existing literature). A cushioning spring (corresponding to shock-absorbing spring 4 in existing literature) is provided between the top of the wheel seat and the inner wall of the positioning cavity. The bracket body has waist-shaped holes on both sides of the positioning cavity, and the wheel axle of the wheel seat corresponds to the waist-shaped holes. A rolling wheel is provided on each side of the bracket body, and the rolling wheel is mounted on the wheel axle of the wheel seat. The caster achieves a cushioning effect through the sliding of the wheel seat and the elastic cushioning of the buffer spring, making the caster run more smoothly and comfortably.

[0004] However, in actual use, the aforementioned luggage casters still have issues with operational stability and reliability. For example, when assembling luggage casters onto the luggage shell, due to limitations in processing precision and assembly technology, it cannot be guaranteed that each caster will be perfectly level after assembly (commonly known as improper caster installation). This results in the rolling wheels on both sides not making good contact with the ground. Existing casters with cushioning functions have an open bottom to the positioning cavity, through which the wheel seat is inserted. The wheel axle, mounted on the axle section, rests on the lower end face of the oblong hole, thus limiting the wheel seat's downward movement within the positioning cavity. This structural design makes it difficult for the rolling wheels on both sides to self-align, and improper installation can easily lead to poor grounding of the rolling wheels. Utility Model Content

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the defects of the existing technology and provide a caster with a buffer function that can achieve adaptive straightening of the rolling wheel.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: A caster with a cushioning function includes a support assembly and a pair of rolling wheels symmetrically arranged on both sides of the support assembly. The support assembly includes a support body, wheel seats, and cushioning springs. A positioning cavity is provided on the support body, and the wheel seats are vertically slidable within the positioning cavity. Each wheel seat has an axle for mounting the rolling wheels. An oblong hole is provided on each of the two oblong side walls of the positioning cavity on the support body. The axle of the wheel seat mates with the oblong hole. The cushioning spring is installed within the positioning cavity, with one end supported by the wheel seat. The upper part of the buffer spring is supported on the top wall of the positioning cavity. The wheel seat has a lower limit position under the drive of the buffer spring, and has an upper limit position by overcoming the spring force and moving upward. The positioning cavity has a cavity bottom wall. The wheel seat is supported on the cavity bottom wall when it is in the lower limit position. The wheel seat is provided with an arc-shaped mating surface. The arc-shaped mating surface is constructed so that when the wheel seat is supported on the cavity bottom wall, it can generate a lateral pivot swing. The waist-shaped hole can adapt to the vertical displacement generated by the wheel axle when the wheel seat swings.

[0007] Preferably, the top of the wheel seat has a limiting post protruding, and the buffer spring is fitted onto the limiting post. When the wheel seat swings laterally, the limiting post compresses the buffer spring, causing the buffer spring to abut against the lateral sidewall of the positioning cavity, thereby forming a stop to limit the maximum lateral swing angle of the wheel seat. The top of the limiting post and the top of the positioning cavity form a stop engagement to limit the upper limit position of the wheel seat.

[0008] Preferably, the head of the limiting post is frustoconical.

[0009] Preferably, the wheel seat has a pair of oppositely arranged flat end faces, the orientation of which is perpendicular to the axial direction of the wheel axle. The flat end faces cooperate with the longitudinal sidewall of the positioning cavity to position and guide the wheel seat.

[0010] Preferably, the bracket body has an assembly opening on one side that extends into the positioning cavity. The wheel seat and the buffer spring are housed in the positioning cavity through the assembly opening. A cover plate is connected to the bracket body and is used to close the assembly opening. The cover plate forms a lateral sidewall of the positioning cavity, and the cover plate is provided with the waist-shaped hole.

[0011] Preferably, the axle portion includes two tubular axle heads and a wheel axle body. The two tubular axle heads are integrally formed on the wheel seat. The two tubular axle heads protrude from the lateral sides of the wheel seat and are arranged coaxially opposite each other. The two tubular axle heads extend out of the waist-shaped holes one to one. A connecting hole is opened in the center of the tubular axle head. The wheel axle body passes through the connecting hole of the two tubular axle heads. The rolling wheel 1 is installed at both ends of the wheel axle body.

[0012] By adopting the above technical solution, the wheel seat, driven by the buffer spring, is supported on the bottom wall of the positioning cavity. When the two rolling wheels become unbalanced after contacting the ground, the wheel seat can pivot laterally around its arc-shaped mating surface, thereby automatically adjusting the posture of the rolling wheels on both sides and achieving reliable contact between the rolling wheels and the ground. Furthermore, the wheel seat retains its cushioning function under the action of the buffer spring. This achieves a multi-functional integrated design with a simple and compact overall structure. The lower limit position of the wheel seat is achieved through the cooperation between the wheel seat and the bottom wall of the cavity, with the bottom wall of the cavity providing protection and shielding, thus optimizing the stability and service life of the caster.

[0013] The present invention will now be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a specific embodiment of the present utility model; Figure 2 This is a top view of a bracket assembly according to a specific embodiment of the present utility model (the wheel axle body is omitted). Figure 3 for Figure 2 A sectional view taken along line AA. Figure 4 for Figure 2 A sectional view cut along line BB. Figure 5 This is an exploded view of a bracket assembly according to a specific embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6 This is an exploded view of a specific embodiment two of this utility model. Detailed Implementation

[0015] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that the terms "vertical", "longitudinal", "lateral", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this utility model.

[0016] See appendix Figure 1This utility model discloses a caster with a buffer function, including a bracket assembly and a pair of rolling wheels 1 symmetrically arranged on both sides of the bracket assembly. The bracket assembly includes a bracket body 2, wheel seats 3, and a buffer spring 4. A positioning cavity 21 is provided on the bracket body 2, and the wheel seats 3 are vertically slidable in the positioning cavity 21 (vertically referring to the Z-axis direction in the attached drawing). The wheel seats 3 have axle portions 31 for mounting the rolling wheels 1. The bracket body 2 has a waist-shaped hole 22 on each of the two side walls of the positioning cavity 21 (horizontally referring to the X-axis direction in the attached drawing). The axle portions 31 of the wheel seats 3 are correspondingly engaged with the waist-shaped holes 22, and the waist-shaped holes 22 can accommodate the vertical sliding of the wheel seats 3 to avoid the axle portions 31. As one embodiment, the axle portion 31 can be a connecting hole formed on the wheel seat 3, into which a wheel axle body is inserted, passing through the waist-shaped hole 22, and the rolling wheels 1 are mounted on both ends of the wheel axle body axially. As another preferred embodiment, ... Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the axle section 31 includes two tubular axle heads 311 and a wheel axle body 312. The two tubular axle heads 311 are integrally formed on the wheel seat 3. The two tubular axle heads 311 protrude from the transverse sides of the wheel seat 3 and are arranged coaxially opposite each other. The two tubular axle heads 311 extend out of the waist-shaped holes 22 one to one. A connecting hole is opened in the center of each tubular axle head 311. The wheel axle body 312 passes through the connecting holes of the two tubular axle heads 311. The rolling wheel 1 is installed at both ends of the wheel axle body 312. The buffer spring 4 is installed in the positioning cavity 21. One end of the buffer spring 4 is supported on the wheel seat 3, and the other end of the buffer spring 4 is supported on the top wall of the positioning cavity 21. The wheel seat 3 has a lower limit position under the drive of the buffer spring 4, and has an upper limit position by moving upward against the spring force. The positioning cavity 21 has a cavity bottom wall 211. The wheel seat 3 is supported on the cavity bottom wall 211 when it is in the lower limit position. The wheel seat 3 is provided with an arc-shaped mating surface 32. The arc-shaped mating surface 32 is constructed so that when the wheel seat 3 is supported on the cavity bottom wall 211, it can generate a lateral pivot swing, thereby automatically aligning the rolling wheels 1 on both sides laterally. The size of the waist-shaped hole 22 is designed to accommodate the vertical displacement generated by the wheel axle 31 when the wheel seat 3 swings.

[0017] like Figure 6 As shown, in one embodiment of this utility model, a positioning boss protrudes from the top of the wheel seat 3 for positioning and mounting the buffer spring; however, this structure only serves to position the buffer spring 4 on the wheel seat. Figures 3-5As shown, this utility model provides another embodiment, in which a limiting post 33 protrudes from the top of the wheel seat 3. The buffer spring 4 is fitted onto the limiting post 33. The limiting post 33, through the buffer spring 4, forms a stop engagement with the two transverse sidewalls 212 of the positioning cavity 21 to limit the maximum transverse swing angle of the wheel seat 3. When the wheel seat 3 swings laterally, the limiting post 33 compresses the buffer spring 4. Since the buffer spring 4 is restricted by the transverse sidewalls 212 of the positioning cavity 21, the limiting post 33 abuts against the buffer spring 4, thereby limiting the maximum transverse swing angle of the wheel seat 3. Under this design, by controlling the swing angle, it is possible to avoid the rolling wheel 1 from swinging too much, causing the rolling wheel 1 to rub against the wheel frame body 2. The top of the limiting post 33 forms a stop engagement with the top 213 of the positioning cavity 21 to limit the upper limit position of the wheel seat 3. The head 331 of the limiting post 33 is frustoconical, which allows the limiting post to have a base with a large diameter, so that the base can be reliably positioned with the buffer spring. The frustoconical head can adapt to the swing motion of the wheel seat.

[0018] To ensure more stable and reliable movement of the wheel seat, the wheel seat 3 is provided with a pair of oppositely arranged flat end faces 34. The orientation of these flat end faces 34 is perpendicular to the axial direction of the wheel axle portion 31 (the axial direction of the wheel axle portion 31 corresponds to the transverse direction, referring to the X-axis direction in the attached figure). The flat end faces 34 cooperate with the longitudinal sidewall 214 of the positioning cavity 21 to position and guide the wheel seat 3 (the longitudinal direction is referred to as the Y-axis direction in the attached figure). The cooperation between the flat end faces 34 of the wheel seat 3 and the longitudinal sidewall 214 of the positioning cavity 21 guides the vertical sliding of the wheel seat 3 and also constrains the longitudinal displacement of the wheel seat 3, making the transverse pivoting and swinging of the wheel seat 3 more stable and reliable.

[0019] In this specific embodiment, the bracket body 2 has an assembly opening 215 extending to the positioning cavity 21 on one side. The wheel seat 3 and the buffer spring 4 are housed within the positioning cavity 21 via the assembly opening 215. A cover plate 2-1 for closing the assembly opening 215 is connected to the bracket body 2. The cover plate 2-1 forms a transverse sidewall 212 of the positioning cavity 21, and the cover plate 2-1 is provided with the oblong hole 22. This facilitates the assembly of the wheel seat and the buffer spring, and ensures stable and reliable assembly.

[0020] In this specific embodiment of the invention, the caster shown is for use on bags and luggage. Of course, the caster can also be applied to strollers, trolleys, and other equipment. The caster of this invention has at least the following advantages: 1. The wheel seat can slide vertically, achieving a cushioning effect under the action of the buffer spring; 2. The lower limit position of the wheel seat is achieved by its own support on the bottom wall of the positioning cavity, ensuring reliable positioning; 3. When the two rolling wheels are unbalanced after contacting the ground, the wheel seat swings, automatically adjusting the rolling wheel posture to achieve reliable contact between the rolling wheels and the ground. This eliminates the problem of imbalance between the two rolling wheels caused by caster installation errors; 4. The wheel seat and buffer spring are installed along one side laterally, ensuring that the wheel seat and buffer spring are reliably confined within the positioning cavity, making assembly convenient and the structure compact and reliable.

Claims

1. A caster with a cushioning function, comprising a bracket assembly and a pair of rolling wheels symmetrically arranged on both sides of the bracket assembly, the bracket assembly comprising a bracket body, wheel seats, and cushioning springs, wherein a positioning cavity is provided on the bracket body, the wheel seats are disposed in the positioning cavity in a vertically slidable manner, the wheel seats have axle portions for mounting the rolling wheels, the bracket body has an oblong hole on each of the two oblong side walls of the positioning cavity, the wheel axle portions of the wheel seats correspondingly engage with the oblong holes, the cushioning springs are installed in the positioning cavity, one end of the cushioning springs is supported on the wheel seats, the other end of the cushioning springs is supported on the top wall of the positioning cavity, the wheel seats have a lower limit position under the drive of the cushioning springs, and have an upper limit position by moving upward against the spring force, characterized in that: The positioning cavity has a cavity bottom wall, and the wheel seat is supported on the cavity bottom wall when it is in the lower limit position. The wheel seat is provided with an arc-shaped mating surface. The arc-shaped mating surface is configured to generate a lateral pivot swing when the wheel seat is supported on the cavity bottom wall. The waist-shaped hole can adapt to the vertical displacement generated by the wheel axle when the wheel seat swings.

2. The caster with a cushioning function according to claim 1, characterized in that: The top of the wheel seat has a protruding limiting post, and the buffer spring is fitted onto the limiting post. When the wheel seat swings laterally, the limiting post squeezes the buffer spring, causing the buffer spring to abut against the lateral side wall of the positioning cavity, thereby forming a stop to limit the maximum lateral swing angle of the wheel seat. The top of the limiting post and the top of the positioning cavity form a stop engagement to limit the upper limit position of the wheel seat.

3. The caster with a cushioning function according to claim 2, characterized in that: The head of the limiting post is frustoconical.

4. The caster with a cushioning function according to claim 1, characterized in that: The wheel seat has a pair of oppositely arranged flat end faces, the orientation of which is perpendicular to the axial direction of the wheel axle. The flat end faces cooperate with the longitudinal sidewall of the positioning cavity to position and guide the wheel seat.

5. The caster with a cushioning function according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bracket body has an assembly opening on one side that extends into the positioning cavity. The wheel seat and the buffer spring are housed in the positioning cavity through the assembly opening. A cover plate is connected to the bracket body and is used to close the assembly opening. The cover plate forms a lateral sidewall of the positioning cavity and is provided with the waist-shaped hole.

6. The caster with a cushioning function according to claim 1, characterized in that: The axle section includes two tubular axle heads and a wheel axle body. The two tubular axle heads are integrally formed on the wheel seat. The two tubular axle heads protrude from the lateral sides of the wheel seat and are arranged coaxially opposite each other. The two tubular axle heads extend out of the waist-shaped holes one to one. A connecting hole is opened in the center of the tubular axle head. The wheel axle body passes through the connecting hole of the two tubular axle heads. Rolling wheels are installed at both ends of the wheel axle body.

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