Caster

Abstract

To provide a caster capable of stopping rotation of a wheel and turning of a fork by one operation.SOLUTION: A caster 1 comprises: a wheel 2; a fork 3; an attaching seat unit 4; and a stopper unit 5 that is attached to the fork 3 and that stops rotation of the wheel 2 and turning of the fork 3. The fork 3 can be turned with respect to the attaching seat unit 4. The stopper unit 5 includes a wheel pressing tool 51 that presses the wheel 2 to stop the rotation of the wheel 2, a turning stop tool 52 that is locked to the attaching seat unit 4 to stop the turning of the fork 3, a pedal 54 that operates the stopper unit 5, and pedal arms 53A, 53B that transmit power of the operated pedal 54 to the wheel pressing tool 51 and the turning stop tool 52. When the pedal 54 is pushed in, the wheel pressing tool 51 presses the wheel 2, and the turning stop tool 52 is locked to the attaching seat unit 4.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a caster that can be attached to a transport cart or the like. [Background technology]

[0002] A known example of a caster that is attached to a cart is the caster (3) described in Patent Document 1. The caster (3) includes a wheel (4), a base member (5), a brake operation pedal (6), and a fixing member (7).

[0003] The wheels (4) are attached to a base member (5) so as to be rotatable about a horizontal axis, and the brake operation pedal (6) is attached to the base member (5) via a fixing member (7). The wheels (4) are also attached to the base member (5) so as to be rotatable about a vertical axis.

[0004] The brake operation pedal (6) is supported to be able to swing freely relative to the fixed member (7) via a swing shaft (72), and by pressing the brake operation pedal (6), the rotation of the wheels (4) around their horizontal axes can be stopped (the brakes can be applied). In addition, by pressing the brake operation pedal (6), the wheels (4) can be rotated around their horizontal axes (the brakes can be released). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-158845 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The caster (3) described in Patent Document 1 has a mechanism for stopping the rotation of the wheel (4) around the horizontal axis, but does not have a mechanism for stopping the rotation of the wheel (4) around the vertical axis.

[0007] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to solve the above problems and to provide a caster that can stop the rotation of the wheels and the swivel of the forks with a single operation. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A caster according to the present invention comprises a wheel, a fork that rotatably holds the wheel, a mounting seat unit attached to an upper part of the fork, and a stopper unit that is attached to the fork and stops the rotation of the wheel and the swivel of the fork, wherein the fork is rotatable relative to the mounting seat unit, and the stopper unit has a wheel holder that presses against the wheel to stop the rotation of the wheel, a swivel stopper that engages with the mounting seat unit to stop the swivel of the fork, a pedal that operates the stopper unit, and a pedal arm that transmits the power of the operated pedal to the wheel holder and the swivel stopper, and when the pedal is pressed down, the wheel holder presses against the wheel and the swivel stopper engages with the mounting seat unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the caster of the present invention, the rotation of the wheels and the rotation of the forks can be stopped with a single operation. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 10 is a right side view of the caster in an unlocked state according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a right side view showing a partial cross section of the caster in an unlocked state according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a right side view showing a partial cross section of the caster in the locked state according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a plan view of the caster in the unlocked state according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a front view showing a partial cross section of the caster in an unlocked state according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the fork of the same embodiment. [Figure 7] 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 6. [Figure 8] 10 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 9 taken along line B-B. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a front view of a fork according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a right side view of the wheel holder of the embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the wheel holder of the embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the wheel holder of the embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a right side view of the rotation stopper of the same embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the rotation stopper of the same embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the rotation stopper of the same embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 2 is a right side view of the pedal arm of the embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the pedal arm of the embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the pedal arm of the embodiment. [Figure 19] FIG. 2 is a right side view of the pedal according to the embodiment. [Figure 20] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the pedal of the embodiment. [Figure 21] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the pedal of the embodiment. [Figure 22] FIG. 2 is a right side view of the identification display device of the same embodiment. [Figure 23] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the identification device of the same embodiment. [Figure 24] FIG. 2 is a front view of the identification display device of the same embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that not all of the configurations described below are essential requirements for the present invention.

[0012] 1 to 5 show a caster 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The caster 1 is a swivel caster that is attached to, for example, the lower four corners of a transport cart (not shown), and has wheels 2, forks 3, a mounting unit 4, and a stopper unit 5. When the caster 1 is attached to a transport cart or the like, the right side of FIG. 1 is the direction of travel. In the following explanation, the direction of travel will be referred to as the front side of the caster 1, the left side of FIG. 1 as the rear side of the caster 1, the left side of the direction of travel as the left side of the caster 1, and the right side of the direction of travel as the right side of the caster 1.

[0013] As shown in Figures 1 to 5, the wheel 2 has a tire 12 made of urethane resin bonded to the outer periphery of a metal wheel 11. An axle hole 14 is formed in the center of the wheel 11, through which a shaft 13 serving as an axle is inserted. A ball bearing 15 is disposed inside the wheel 11, allowing the wheel 2 to rotate about the shaft 13. In other words, the wheel 2 is rotatable around a horizontal axis. The shaft 13 is inserted through the axle hole 14 of the wheel 11 and axle holes 24A and 24B of the fork 3, which will be described later, and is fixed to the fork 3 with an axle nut 16.

[0014] 6 to 9, the fork 3 integrally comprises plate-shaped side plates 21A, 21B disposed on the left and right of the wheel 2, a ring-shaped base 22 formed on the tops of the side plates 21A, 21B, and an upper plate 23 formed on the rear side of the base 22 and connecting the side plates 21A, 21B. An axle hole 24A, which is a circular through-hole through which the shaft 13 is inserted, is formed in the lower part of the side plate 21A, and an axle hole 24B, which is a square through-hole through which the shaft 13 is inserted, is formed in the lower part of the side plate 21B. In addition, an outer shaft movement hole 25A, which is an oval through-hole extending in the front and rear, and an outer connecting shaft hole 26A, which is a circular through-hole, are formed in the upper part of the side plate 21A, and an outer shaft movement hole 25B, which is an oval through-hole extending in the front and rear, and an outer connecting shaft hole 26B, which is a circular through-hole, are formed in the upper part of the side plate 21B.

[0015] An upper surface hole 27, which is a circular through-hole, is formed in the approximate center of the base 22. An upper surface 28 of the base 22 is formed with an upper ball groove 30 in which a bearing ball 29 rolls, and a lower surface 31 of the base 22 is formed with a lower ball groove 33 in which a bearing ball 32 rolls. The front portion of the base 22 is bent downward and extends. The rear portion of the base 22 is bent downward and extends, and is connected to the upper plate 23.

[0016] As shown in Figures 1 to 5, the mounting seat unit 4 has a top plate 41 and a hollow shaft portion 42. The top plate 41 is a portion for attaching the caster 1 to a transport cart or the like, and has mounting holes 43 formed at its four corners for inserting connectors (not shown) such as bolts. Also, a center hole 44 for inserting the hollow shaft portion 42 is formed in the center of the top plate 41. The top plate 41 holds the upper surface portion 28 and ball 29 of the fork 3 between them.

[0017] A plurality of locking grooves 46 are formed at approximately equal intervals in the annular lower end surface 45 of the hollow shaft 42. The hollow shaft 42 is inserted through a central hole 44 of the top plate 41 and the upper surface hole 27 of the fork 3, and its upper side is fixed to the top plate 41 by crimping. The lower side of the hollow shaft 42 holds the lower surface 31 and the ball 32 of the fork 3. A dustproof cover 47 made of synthetic resin and having an annular shape is disposed between the top plate 41 and the base 22.

[0018] The mounting seat unit 4 is connected to the fork 3 via balls 29 and 32. Therefore, the fork 3 is rotatable relative to the mounting seat unit 4. The wheel 2 and stopper unit 5 connected to the fork 3 are also rotatable together with the fork 3 relative to the mounting seat unit 4. In other words, the wheel 2 is rotatable around a vertical axis. Hereinafter, stopping the rotation of the wheel 2 is referred to as rotation lock, and stopping the rotation of the wheel 2 is referred to as swivel lock. In the caster 1 of this embodiment, the rotation lock and swivel lock are simultaneously performed by a single operation. A state in which the rotation lock and swivel lock are performed is referred to as a locked state, and a state in which the rotation lock and swivel lock are released is referred to as an unlocked state.

[0019] The stopper unit 5 has a wheel holder 51, a rotation stopper 52, pedal arms 53A and 53B, a pedal 54, and an identification indicator 55.

[0020] As shown in Figures 10 to 12, wheel retainer 51 integrally comprises a plate-shaped pressing portion 61 and plate-shaped booster portions 62A and 62B erected from the left and right ends of pressing portion 61. Booster portions 62A and 62B are pressed against tire 12 of wheel 2 to stop the rotation of wheel 2. Circular through-holes, which are shaft support holes 63A and 63B, are formed in booster portions 62A and 62B. Booster portions 62A and 62B also have support portions 64A and 64B, which engage with rotation stopper 52 when in the unlocked state, and booster protrusions 65A and 65B.

[0021] As shown in Figures 13 to 15, the rotation stopper 52 integrally comprises a plate-shaped main body 71, locking claw portions 72A and 72B erected upward from the front end of the main body 71, and plate-shaped pivotally supported portions 73A and 73B erected downward from the left and right end portions of the main body 71 and extending rearward.

[0022] The front portion of the main body 71 has a bifurcated shape, with locking claws 72A and 72B formed at the tip of each. The rear portion of the main body 71 has a rectangular shape that is long in the horizontal direction (left-right direction). The locking claws 72A and 72B are formed like rectangular plates and have a thickness that allows them to lock into the locking grooves 46 of the mounting seat unit 4. The supported portions 73A and 73B are curved upward at their rear sides, with front insertion holes 74A and 74B, which are oval through-holes, formed near their front ends, and rear insertion holes 75A and 75B, which are circular through-holes, formed near their rear ends. The supported portions 73A and 73B have their front portions connected to the main body 71.

[0023] The left pedal arm 53A and the right pedal arm 53B have the same shape. As shown in Figures 16 to 18, the rear portions of the pedal arms 53A and 53B are bent diagonally downward and extended. Inner shaft movement holes 81A and 81B, which are slightly bent oval through-holes, are formed near the front ends of the pedal arms 53A and 53B.

[0024] Inner connecting shaft holes 82A, 82B, which are circular through-holes, are formed rearward of the inner shaft movement holes 81A, 81B. Furthermore, outer insertion holes 84A, 84B, which are circular through-holes, are formed in the upper end portions 83A, 83B of the bent portions of the pedal arms 53A, 53B. Furthermore, inner fixing holes 85A, 85B, which are circular through-holes, are formed near the rear ends of the pedal arms 53A, 53B. Furthermore, locking holes 86A, 86B, which are rectangular through-holes, are formed diagonally above the inner fixing holes 85A, 85B. Furthermore, concave locking grooves 88A, 88B are formed in the lower end portions 87A, 87B of the pedal arms 53A, 53B, below the inner fixing holes 85A, 85B.

[0025] As shown in FIGS. 19 to 21, the pedal 54 integrally includes left and right fixing portions 91A, 91B fixed to the pedal arms 53A, 53B, and a display holder 92 connecting the left and right fixing portions 91A, 91B.

[0026] The fixed portions 91A and 91B are opposed to each other and arranged parallel to each other. Upper fixing pieces 93A and 93B are formed at the upper end portions of the fixed portions 91A and 91B so as to protrude inward, and lower fixing pieces 94A and 94B are formed at the lower end portions so as to protrude inward. The upper fixing pieces 93A and 93B and the lower fixing pieces 94A and 94B have a substantially rectangular shape and are formed by bending from the fixed portions 91A and 91B. Furthermore, the fixed portions 91A and 91B are formed with outer fixing holes 95A and 95B, which are circular through-holes.

[0027] The display holding portion 92 has a connecting portion 96 that connects the fixed portion 91A and the fixed portion 91B, and a display support portion 97 that protrudes rearward from the lower end portion of the connecting portion 96. The connecting portion 96 and the display support portion 97 are formed with a display arrangement hole 99, which is a substantially rectangular through-hole that is long in the horizontal direction (left-right direction).

[0028] As shown in FIGS. 22 to 24 , the identification indicator metal fitting 55 integrally includes a display portion 101, a weight portion 102, and left and right connecting pieces 103A and 103B that connect the display portion 101 and the weight portion 102. The display portion 101 has a generally rectangular shape that is long in the horizontal (left-right) direction. An identification sticker 104, which indicates the locked state, is attached to the surface of the display portion 101. In this embodiment, the identification sticker 104 is red, but it may be any other distinguishable color other than the same color as the caster 1. Furthermore, instead of attaching the identification sticker 104, the surface of the display portion 101 may be directly colored to indicate the locked state. The width W of the display portion 101 is longer than the horizontal (left-right) length L of the indicator arrangement hole 98. The display portion 101 constitutes a retaining mechanism that prevents the identification indicator metal fitting 55 from falling out of the indicator arrangement hole 98.

[0029] Plummet 102 has horizontal side 105, vertical side 106A and 106B protruding from the left and right ends of horizontal side 105, and left and right retaining portions 107A and 107B protruding from horizontal side 105 between vertical side 106A and vertical side 106B. Vertical side 106A and 106B are connected to one end of connecting piece 103A and 103B, and the other end of connecting piece 103A and 103B are connected to display unit 101. As shown in FIG. 22 , vertical side 106A and 106B are connected to the connecting piece at an angle of approximately 75 degrees in side view. Furthermore, the protruding angles of vertical side 106A and 106B and retaining portions 107A and 107B from horizontal side 105 differ by approximately 10 degrees in side view. The retaining portions 107A and 107B come into contact with the display support portion 97 and constitute a retaining mechanism that prevents the identification display metal fitting 55 from falling out of the display arrangement hole 98 of the display holding portion 92.

[0030] Plummet 102 is formed to be heavier than the combined weight of display unit 101 and connecting pieces 103A and 103B. Therefore, in the unlocked state, identification sticker 104 abuts against connecting portion 96 of display holder 92, and is held in a state where identification sticker 104 cannot be seen from above.

[0031] Here, the connecting structure of the fork 3, the wheel holder 51, the turning stopper 52, the pedal arms 53A and 53B, and the pedal 54 will be described.

[0032] A shaft member 111 is inserted through the outer shaft movement holes 25A and 25B of the fork 3, the shaft support holes 63A and 63B of the wheel presser 51, and the inner shaft movement holes 81A and 81B of the pedal arms 53A and 53B. A head portion 112 is formed on one end of the shaft member 111, and the head portion 112 is engaged with the side plate portion 21B of the fork 3. A nut member 113 is threadedly engaged with the other end of the shaft member 111, and the nut member 113 is engaged with the side plate portion 21A of the fork 3.

[0033] A shaft member 114 is inserted through the outer connecting shaft holes 26A, 26B of the forks, the front insertion holes 74A, 74B of the rotation stopper 52, and the inner connecting shaft holes 82A, 82B of the pedal arms 53A, 53B. A head 115 is formed on one end of the shaft member 114, and the head 115 is engaged with the side plate 21B of the fork 3. A nut member 116 is threadedly engaged with the other end of the shaft member 114, and the nut member 116 is engaged with the side plate 21A of the fork 3.

[0034] A double torsion spring 117, which serves as a biasing means, is attached to the shaft members 111 and 114. Due to the biasing force of this double torsion spring 117, the shaft member 111 is held in the front positions of the outer shaft movement holes 25A and 25B and the inner shaft movement holes 81A and 81B when in the unlocked state.

[0035] A shaft member 118 is inserted through the rear insertion holes 75A, 75B of the rotation stopper 52 and the outer insertion holes 84A, 84B of the pedal arms 53A, 53B. A head 119 is formed on one end of the shaft member 118, and the head 119 is engaged with the pedal arm 53B. A nut member 120 is threadedly engaged with the other end of the shaft member 118, and the nut member 120 is engaged with the pedal arm 53A. The shaft member 118 is inserted through a cylindrical reinforcing body 121. The left and right portions of the reinforcing body 121 are inserted through the rear insertion holes 75A, 75B and abut against the pedal arms 53A, 53B.

[0036] A screw member 123A is inserted through the inner fixing hole 85A of the pedal arm 53A and the outer fixing hole 95A of the pedal 54, and is threadedly engaged with a nut member 122A that engages with the inner surface of the pedal arm 53A. Furthermore, a screw member 123B is inserted through the inner fixing hole 85B of the pedal arm 53B and the outer fixing hole 95B of the pedal 54, and is threadedly engaged with a nut member 122B that engages with the inner surface of the pedal arm 53B.

[0037] When the screw members 123A, 121B and the nut members 122A, 122B are screwed together, the upper fixed piece 93A of the pedal 54 is inserted into the locking hole 86A of the pedal arm 53A, and the lower fixed piece 94A of the pedal 54 is locked in the locking groove 88A of the pedal arm 53A. Also, the upper fixed piece 93B of the pedal 54 is inserted into the locking hole 86B of the pedal arm 53B, and the lower fixed piece 94B of the pedal 54 is locked in the locking groove 88B of the pedal arm 53B.

[0038] In this way, the fork 3, wheel holder 51, rotation stopper 52, pedal arms 53A and 53B, and pedal 54 are connected by shaft members 111, 114, and 118, screw members 123A and 121B, and nut members 113, 116, 120, 122A, and 122B.

[0039] Next, a method of using the caster 1 will be described. As shown in Fig. 1, when the pedal 54 is pressed (depressed) with a foot or the like in the unlocked state, the shaft member 111 moves toward the rear of the outer shaft movement holes 25A, 25B and the inner shaft movement holes 81A, 81B against the biasing force of the double torsion spring 117. At this time, the wheel retainer 51 journaled on the shaft member 111 also moves rearward together with the shaft member 111. When the wheel retainer 51 moves rearward, the push-up protrusions 65A, 65B of the wheel retainer 51 enter below the main body 71 of the rotation stopper 52, lifting up the main body 71. Further, when the pedal 54 is pressed (depressed), the shaft member 111 moves to the rearmost portions of the outer shaft movement holes 25A, 25B and the inner shaft movement holes 81A, 81B, and the rear portions of the pedal arms 53A, 53B lift upward, lifting the main body 71. The locking claws 72A, 72B engage with the locking grooves 46 of the hollow shaft portion 42, thereby stopping the rotation of the wheel 2, fork 3, and stopper unit 5. At this time, the wheel holder 51 separates from the rotation stopper 52, and the pressing portion 61 of the wheel holder 51 presses against the tire 12, stopping the rotation of the wheel 2. Furthermore, the weight portion 102 of the identification indicator 55 is pressed against the tire 12 and lifted, and is held pressed against the tire 12. In this state, the display portion 101 of the identification indicator 55 is positioned above the display support portion 97 of the pedal 54, and the identification sticker 104 is visible from above. This state is the locked state. When the pedal 54 is in the locked state, the locked state can be released at the same time by lifting the pedal 54 upward with the foot or the like.

[0040] As described above, the caster 1 of this embodiment includes the wheel 2, the fork 3 that rotatably holds the wheel 2, the mounting seat unit 4 attached to the upper part of the fork 3, and the stopper unit 5 that is attached to the fork 3 and stops the rotation of the wheel 2 and the swing of the fork 3, the fork 3 being rotatable with respect to the mounting seat unit 4, the stopper unit 5 having the wheel holder 51 that presses against the wheel 2 to stop the rotation of the wheel 2, the swing stopper 52 that engages with the mounting seat unit 4 to stop the swing of the fork 3, the pedal 54 that operates the stopper unit 5, and the pedal arms 53A and 53B that transmit the power of the operated pedal 54 to the wheel holder 51 and the swing stopper 52, and when the pedal 54 is pressed down, the wheel holder 51 presses against the wheel 2 and the swing stopper 52 engages with the mounting seat unit 4. Therefore, by a single operation of pressing down the pedal 54, the rotation of the wheel 2 and the swing of the fork 3 can be stopped simultaneously.

[0041] Furthermore, in the caster 1 of this embodiment, the fork 3 is formed with side shaft movement holes 25A and 25B through which the shaft member 111 is inserted, the pedal arms 53A and 53B are formed with inner shaft movement holes 81A and 81B through which the shaft member 111 is inserted, the wheel holder 51 is journaled by the shaft member 111, and in a locked state in which the rotation of the wheel 2 and the pivoting of the fork 3 are stopped, the shaft member 111 is located on one side of the outer shaft movement holes 25A and 25B and the inner shaft movement holes 81A and 81B, and in an unlocked state in which the wheel 2 is rotatable and the fork 3 is pivotable, the shaft member 111 is located on the other side of the outer shaft movement holes 25A and 25B and the inner shaft movement holes 81A and 81B. Therefore, the position of the wheel holder 51 journaled by the shaft member 111 can be changed by moving the shaft member 111 within the outer shaft movement holes 25A and 25B and the inner shaft movement holes 81A and 81B. Then, by changing the position of the wheel holder 51, the wheel 2 and the fork 3 are switched between a locked state and an unlocked state.

[0042] Furthermore, in the caster 1 of this embodiment, the mounting base unit 4 has the locking groove 46, the rotation stopper 52 has locking claws 72A and 72B that lock into the locking groove 46, the rotation stopper 52 is pivotally supported on the fork 3 by the shaft members 114 and 118, and when the rotation stopper 52 is pressed upward by the fork 3, the locking claws 72A and 72B lock into the locking groove 46. Therefore, when the locking claws 72A and 72B lock into the locking groove 46, the fork 3 can be locked.

[0043] Furthermore, in the caster 1 of this embodiment, the shaft member 111 is biased by the double torsion spring 117, and the double torsion spring 117 biases the shaft member 111 in a direction to move toward the other side of the outer shaft movement holes 25A, 25B and the inner shaft movement holes 81A, 81B. Therefore, when the wheel 2 and the fork 3 are in an unlocked state, the shaft member 111 is held at the other side (rear) of the outer shaft movement holes 25A, 25B and the inner shaft movement holes 81A, 81B. In other words, when the wheel 2 and the fork 3 are in an unlocked state, the shaft member 111 is held in a fixed position, and the wheel holder 51, the rotation stopper 52, the pedal arms 53A, 53B, and the pedal 54 are also held in fixed positions.

[0044] Furthermore, the caster 1 of this embodiment has an identification indicator 55 attached to the pedal 54, and the identification indicator 55 has an identification sticker 104 that indicates that the caster 1 is in a locked state where the rotation of the wheel 2 and the rotation of the fork 3 are stopped, and the identification sticker 104 can be seen from above when the wheel 2 and the fork 3 are in a locked state, but cannot be seen from above when the wheel 2 and the fork 3 are in an unlocked state. Therefore, the locked state of the wheel 2 and the fork 3 can be seen at a glance.

[0045] Furthermore, in the caster 1 of this embodiment, the identification indicator 55 is inserted into the indicator arrangement hole 98 formed in the pedal 54, and the identification indicator 55 has a weight portion 102 that is positioned downward due to its own weight when the wheel 2 and fork 3 are in an unlocked state, and an indicator portion 101 and retaining portions 107A and 107B that prevent the identification indicator 55 from falling out of the indicator arrangement hole 98. Therefore, when the wheel 2 and fork 3 are in an unlocked state, the identification indicator 55 is held in a predetermined position. Also, the identification indicator 55 can be prevented from falling out of the indicator arrangement hole 98.

[0046] The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the present invention. For example, the locking structure can be applied to casters with different sizes (diameters) of the wheels 2. [Explanation of symbols]

[0047] 1 caster 2 wheels 3 forks 4 Mounting unit 5 Stopper unit 25A Outer shaft movement hole (first long hole) 25B Outer shaft moving hole (first long hole) 46 Locking groove 51 Wheel holder 52 Rotation stopper 53 Pedal arm 54 pedals 55 Identification device 72A Locking claw part 72B Locking claw part 81A Inner shaft movement hole (second long hole) 81B Inner shaft moving hole (second long hole) 98 Display placement hole 101 Display unit (prevention mechanism) 102 Weight 104 Identification sticker (marking) 107A Retaining part (retaining mechanism) 107B Retaining part (retaining mechanism) 111 shaft member (first shaft member) 114 shaft member (second shaft member) 117 Double torsion spring (biasing means) 118 Shaft member (third shaft member)

Claims

1. Wheels and a fork that rotatably holds the wheel; a mounting seat unit attached to an upper portion of the fork; a stopper unit attached to the fork and configured to stop the rotation of the wheel and the turning of the fork, The fork is rotatable relative to the mounting unit, the stopper unit includes a wheel holder that presses against the wheel to stop the rotation of the wheel, a rotation stopper that engages with the mounting seat unit to stop the rotation of the fork, a pedal that operates the stopper unit, and a pedal arm that transmits the power of the operated pedal to the wheel holder and the rotation stopper, When the pedal is pressed, the wheel holder presses the wheel and the rotation stopper engages with the mounting seat unit.

2. The fork has a first elongated hole through which a first shaft member is inserted, a second elongated hole through which the first shaft member is inserted is formed in the pedal arm; The wheel holder is supported by the first shaft member, When the rotation of the wheel and the rotation of the fork are stopped and the vehicle is in a locked state, the first shaft member is located in the first elongated hole and on one side of the second elongated hole, 2. The caster according to claim 1, wherein when the wheel is rotatable and the fork is swivelable in an unlocked state, the first shaft member is positioned on the other side of the first elongated hole and the second elongated hole.

3. The mounting seat unit has a locking groove, The rotation stopper has a locking claw portion that is locked in the locking groove, the pivot stop is journalled to the fork by a second axle member and a third axle member; The caster according to claim 1, wherein the rotation stopper is pressed upward by the fork, so that the locking claw portion is locked in the locking groove.

4. the first shaft member is biased by a biasing means, 3. The caster according to claim 2, wherein the biasing means biases the first shaft member in a direction of moving the first shaft member toward the other side of the first elongated hole and the second elongated hole.

5. The pedal has an identification marking attached thereto, the identification indicator has an indication indicating that the wheel and the fork are in a locked state in which rotation and pivoting are prevented, 2. The caster according to claim 1, wherein the indication is visible from above when in the locked state, and is not visible from above when in an unlocked state in which the wheels are rotatable and the forks are swivelable.

6. The identification device is inserted into a display placement hole formed in the pedal, The caster according to claim 5, characterized in that the identification display device has a weight portion that is positioned downward under its own weight when the wheel and the fork are in an unlocked state, and a retaining portion that prevents the identification display device from falling out of the display placement hole.

Images