Caster

Abstract

To make it easier to operate the caster brakes. [Solution] The caster 1 includes a wheel 4, a brake lever 5 that is pivotably supported and operates when braking the wheel 4 and when releasing the brake on the wheel 4, and a brake release unit 10 that operates when releasing the brake on the wheel 4. The brake release unit 10 has a pivotably supported operating pedal 8, and when the horizontal part 83 of the operating pedal 8 is pushed down, it swings and pushes up the swinging end of the brake lever 5, causing the brake lever 5 to swing and the brake on the wheel 4 to be released.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a caster, and particularly to a caster provided with a braking mechanism.

Background Art

[0002] As a conventional caster provided with a braking mechanism, a main body member that pivotally supports a wheel rotatably, a brake member that is pivotally supported by the main body member and rotates in a braking direction in which a braking portion approaches the wheel to press the outer peripheral surface of the wheel, an operating portion provided on the brake member, and a brake operating member pivotally supported by the main body member are provided. By rotating the tip side of the brake operating member downward, the brake operating member pushes the operating portion and the brake member rotates in the braking direction, and the brake member presses the outer peripheral surface of the wheel by this rotation in the braking direction. A caster configured as such is known (see Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, in the conventional caster described above, the wheel is locked by pushing down the footplate at the front of the brake operating member with the toes or other body part to lower the footplate, and the wheel is unlocked by pulling up the footplate at the front of the brake operating member with the toes or other body part to raise the footplate. In other words, in the conventional caster described above, in order to unlock a locked wheel, it is necessary to insert the footplate or other body part further below the lowered footplate at the front of the brake operating member and pull up the footplate, which presents a problem in that it is difficult to operate in order to unlock a locked wheel. Furthermore, while it is easy to apply force and operate by pushing down the footplate at the front of the brake operating member with the toes or other body part, it is more difficult to apply force and operate compared to pushing down the footplate.

[0005] Therefore, in one aspect, the present invention aims to provide a technology that makes it possible to operate the brakes on the casters more easily. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] To solve the above problems, the caster according to the present invention includes a wheel, a brake lever that is pivotably supported and operates when braking the wheel and releasing the brake on the wheel, and a brake release unit that operates when releasing the brake on the wheel, wherein the brake release unit has a pivotably supported operating pedal, and the pivot end of the operating pedal is pushed down and pivots, pushing up the pivot end of the brake lever, thereby causing the brake lever to pivot and releasing the brake on the wheel.

[0007] The caster according to the present invention includes a wheel, a brake lever that is pivotably supported and operates when braking the wheel and releasing the brake on the wheel, and a brake release unit that operates when releasing the brake on the wheel, wherein the brake release unit has a pivotably supported operating pedal, and the pivot center of the operating pedal may be located behind the pivot center of the brake lever.

[0008] The caster according to the present invention includes a wheel, a brake lever that is pivotably supported and operates when braking and releasing the wheel, and a brake release unit that operates when releasing the wheel, wherein the brake release unit has a pivotably supported operating pedal, and the pivot center of the operating pedal may be located below the pivot center of the brake lever.

[0009] The caster according to the present invention comprises a wheel, a brake lever that is pivotably supported and operates when braking and releasing the wheel, and a brake release unit that operates when releasing the wheel, wherein the brake release unit has a pivotably supported operating pedal, and the pivoting center of the operating pedal may be located behind the rotation center of the wheel.

[0010] The caster according to the present invention comprises a wheel, a brake lever that is pivotably supported and operates when braking and releasing the wheel, and a brake release unit that operates when releasing the wheel, wherein the brake release unit has a pivotably supported operating pedal, and the pivoting center of the operating pedal may be located below the rotation center of the wheel.

[0011] The caster according to the present invention includes a wheel, a brake lever that is pivotably supported and operates when braking and releasing the wheel, and a brake release unit that operates when releasing the wheel, wherein the brake release unit has a pivotably supported operating pedal, and the pivoting center of the operating pedal may be located behind the outer circumference of the wheel.

[0012] The caster according to the present invention comprises a wheel, a brake lever that is pivotably supported and operates when braking the wheel and releasing the brake on the wheel, and a brake release unit that operates when releasing the brake on the wheel, wherein the brake release unit has a pivotably supported operating pedal, and the pivot center of the operating pedal may be located in front of the pivot end of the brake lever.

[0013] The caster according to the present invention comprises a wheel, a brake lever that is pivotably supported and operates when braking and releasing the wheel, and a brake release unit that operates when releasing the wheel, wherein the brake release unit has a pivotably supported operating pedal, and the pivot center of the operating pedal may be located below the pivot end of the brake lever.

[0014] The caster according to the present invention comprises a wheel, a brake lever that is pivotably supported and operates when braking and releasing the wheel, and a brake release unit that operates when releasing the wheel, wherein the brake release unit has a pivotably supported operating pedal, and the pivoting end of the operating pedal may be located below the rotation center of the wheel.

[0015] The caster according to the present invention may be configured such that at least the swinging end of the brake lever has a distinctive identifiable feature.

[0016] The caster according to the present invention may be configured such that at least the swinging end of the operating pedal has a distinctive identifiable feature.

[0017] The caster according to the present invention may be configured such that the color of at least the swinging end of the brake lever and the color of at least the swinging end of the operating pedal are different from each other. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] According to the present invention, on one hand, it becomes possible to facilitate the braking operation of the caster.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0019] [Figure 1] It is a diagram showing a caster according to an embodiment of the present invention, and is a perspective view showing a wheel unlocked state. [Figure 2] It is a partially exploded perspective view of the caster of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] It is a side view showing the wheel unlocked state of the caster of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] It is a rear view showing the wheel unlocked state of the caster of FIG. 1. [Figure 5] It is a plan view showing the wheel unlocked state of the caster of FIG. 1. [Figure 6] It is a side view showing the wheel locked state of the caster of FIG. %. [Figure 7] It is a rear view showing the wheel locked state of the caster of FIG. 1. [Figure 8] It is a plan view showing the wheel locked state of the caster of FIG. 1. [Figure 9] It is a side view for explaining the positional relationship of each part in the wheel unlocked state of the caster of FIG. 1. [Figure 10] It is a plan view for explaining the positional relationship of each part in the wheel locked state of the caster of FIG. 1. [Figure 11] It is a side view for explaining the positional relationship of each part in the wheel locked state of the caster of FIG. 1. [Figure 12] It is a longitudinal sectional view showing an example of a mechanism for applying braking to the wheel of the caster of FIG. 1. [Figure 13] It is a side view showing a state during the transition from the wheel locked state to the wheel unlocked state of the caster of FIG. 1 [Figure 14] It is a diagram showing an example when the operation part of the brake lever is provided with unique distinctiveness, and is a perspective view showing a wheel unlocked state. [Figure 15]This diagram shows an example where the brake lever's operating part is designed to have a distinctive identifiable feature, and it is a plan view showing the wheel locked state. [Figure 16] This diagram illustrates an example where the brake lever has a distinctive design feature, and is a perspective view showing the wheel unlocked state. [Figure 17] This diagram shows an example of a brake lever with distinctive identifiable features, and is a plan view illustrating the wheel locked state. [Figure 18] This diagram shows an example where the horizontal portion of the brake release pedal is designed to have a distinctive identifiable feature, and is a perspective view showing the wheel unlocked state. [Figure 19] This figure shows an example where the horizontal portion of the brake release pedal is designed to have a distinctive identifiable feature, and is a plan view showing the wheel locked state. [Figure 20] This diagram shows an example where the brake release pedal is designed to have a distinctive identifiable feature, and is a perspective view showing the wheel unlocked state. [Figure 21] This diagram shows an example where the brake release pedal is designed to have a distinctive identifiable feature, and is a plan view showing the wheel locked state. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0020] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Structures and parts not related to the essential points of the present invention will be omitted from the illustration and description as appropriate, and even if they are not illustrated or described, it will be assumed that the necessary structures and parts for a caster equipped with a brake mechanism are appropriately provided.

[0021] In this description of the present invention, the vertical direction is defined along each mutually orthogonal axis shown in each figure (specifically, each axis of the three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system), and upward and downward directions are defined according to the direction of the arrows. Furthermore, the front-to-back direction is defined along each mutually orthogonal axis (specifically, each axis of the three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system), and forward and backward directions are defined according to the direction of the arrows. In addition, the left-to-right direction is defined along each mutually orthogonal axis shown in each figure, and left and right directions are defined according to the direction of the arrows. The vertical direction follows the vertical plane, and the front-to-back and left-to-right directions follow the horizontal plane.

[0022] A line of sight from above, along the vertical direction, is a plan view, and a line of sight from below is a bottom view. Similarly, a line of sight from the front, along the front-to-back direction, is a front view, and a line of sight from the rear is a rear view. Furthermore, a line of sight along the left-to-right direction is a side view. For each component, the surface visible in the plan view is the front surface, the surface visible in the bottom view is the back surface, and the surface visible in the side view is the side surface.

[0023] However, the terms top (front) and bottom (back), front (front) and back (back), and left and right (side) are merely distinctions used to explain the present invention and do not define the direction or orientation from a specific viewpoint when the caster according to the present invention is in use.

[0024] (Overall structure) Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the wheel unlocked state of caster 1 according to an embodiment, as an example of a specific configuration of the caster according to the present invention. Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the structure related to the brake release part 10 of caster 1 according to the embodiment. Figures 3 to 5 show the wheel unlocked state of caster 1 according to the embodiment, and Figures 6 to 8 show the wheel locked state of caster 1 according to the embodiment.

[0025] The caster 1 according to this embodiment includes a wheel 4, a brake lever 5 that is pivotably supported and operates when braking the wheel 4 and when releasing the brake on the wheel 4, and a brake release unit 10 that operates when releasing the brake on the wheel 4. The brake release unit 10 has a pivotably supported operating pedal 8, and when the pivoting end of the operating pedal 8 (specifically, the horizontal part 83) is pushed down and pivots, it pushes up the pivoting end of the brake lever 5, causing the brake lever 5 to pivot and the brake on the wheel 4 to be released.

[0026] The caster 1 according to this embodiment includes a mounting plate 2, a base member 3, a wheel 4, a brake lever 5, and a brake release part 10.

[0027] The mounting plate 2 is attached to the underside of, for example, the loading platform (not shown) of a trolley using fasteners such as bolts. The caster 1 is attached to, for example, the loading platform of the trolley via the mounting plate 2.

[0028] The base member 3 is provided so as to be rotatable around an axis along the vertical direction (in other words, the perpendicular direction) relative to the mounting plate 2, and has a mounting portion 31 connected to the mounting plate 2, a pair of arm-shaped fork portions 32 extending downward from each of the left and right ends of the mounting portion 31, and a pair of fixing portions 33 connected to each of the pair of fork portions 32. The pair of fork portions 32 and the pair of fixing portions 33 each face each other in the left and right directions.

[0029] The wheel 4 has a circular wheel 41 in side view and a tire 42 provided on the outer circumference of the wheel 41. The wheel 4 is disposed between a pair of fork portions 32 and a fixed portion 33 of the base member 3 and is rotatably attached to the base member 3 (specifically, the fork portions 32) via a connecting shaft 6.

[0030] The connecting shaft 6 is positioned with its axial direction aligned with the left-right direction (in other words, the horizontal direction), and passes through the lower ends of each of the pair of fork portions 32 of the base member 3, and the center of the wheel 41 in a side view, along the left-right direction. The wheel 4 is rotatably supported on the base member 3 (specifically, the fork portion 32) via the connecting shaft 6. Reference numeral 63 in the figure indicates a nut that is screwed onto the end of the connecting shaft 6 opposite the head 61.

[0031] The caster 1 supports the wheel 4 on, for example, the loading platform of a trolley (not shown) via the mounting plate 2, base member 3, and connecting shaft 6, so that the wheel 4 can rotate freely around an axis along the vertical direction and around an axis along the horizontal direction.

[0032] The pair of fixing parts 33 of the base member 3 are for supporting the brake lever 5 relative to the base member 3. The pair of fixing parts 33 are configured as a pair of parts that protrude backward from the upper part of the rear end of each of the pair of opposing fork parts 32, while facing each other. Although the pair of fixing parts 33 may be formed as separate members from the pair of fork parts 32 and attached to the pair of fork parts 32, forming the pair of fork parts 32 and the pair of fixing parts 33 as a single unit improves, for example, strength and ease of processing and assembly.

[0033] In the example shown in the figure, a top plate portion 34 is formed that spans the upper ends of a pair of fork portions 32 and fixing portions 33, connected to the mounting portion 31 of the base member 3.

[0034] An axial hole 35 is formed in each of the pair of fixing portions 33 of the base member 3, near the rear end and close to the upper end, and extends through in the left-right direction.

[0035] Below each of the pair of fixing portions 33 of the base member 3, an arc-shaped groove 36 is formed, centered on the central position of the shaft hole 35 in a side view. The arc-shaped groove 36 is formed as a concave, generally arc-shaped through hole in a side view.

[0036] The brake lever 5 is pivotably attached to the base member 3 (specifically, a pair of fixing parts 33).

[0037] Furthermore, the brake release unit 10 is attached to the base member 3 (specifically, a pair of fork sections 32).

[0038] (Brake lever) The brake lever 5 is a structure / mechanism that operates when braking the wheel 4 to lock its rotation, or when releasing the brake on the wheel 4 to release the lock on its rotation (including when it is operated).

[0039] The state in which wheel 4 is not braked and its rotation is not locked (i.e., wheel 4 rotates) is referred to as the "wheel unlocked state" (see Figures 3 to 5), and the state in which the brake lever 5 is operated to brake wheel 4 and its rotation is locked (i.e., wheel 4 does not rotate) is referred to as the "wheel locked state" (see Figures 6 to 8).

[0040] The brake lever 5 has a pair of side plates 52 that face each other in the left-right direction, a first upper plate 53 that straddles the front (in other words, base end) portion of the upper end of the pair of side plates 52, a second upper plate 54 that straddles the rear (in other words, swing end) portion of the upper end of the pair of side plates 52, and an operating portion 55 that extends rearward from the rear end of the second upper plate 54. The operating portion 55 extends rearward from the rear ends of the pair of side plates 52.

[0041] Each of the side panels 52 of the pair is aligned with a vertical plane.

[0042] The brake lever 5 includes a first upper plate 53 at the end (in other words, the base end) that connects to the pair of fixing parts 33 of the base member 3, and the cross-sectional shape of the brake lever 5 perpendicular to the longitudinal direction is formed in a U-shape. The brake lever 5 also includes a second upper plate 54 at the opposite end (in other words, the pivot end), and the cross-sectional shape of the brake lever 5 perpendicular to the longitudinal direction is formed in a U-shape. The brake lever 5 is positioned so that it opens forward and downward, with the wheel 4 side being the opening.

[0043] A pivot shaft 51 is positioned between a pair of opposing fixed parts 33 of the base member 3, and serves as the pivot axis of the brake lever 5. The pivot shaft 51 supports the brake lever 5 so that it can pivot relative to the base member 3 (specifically, the fixed parts 33).

[0044] The pivot shaft 51 is positioned so that its axial direction is aligned with the left-right direction (in other words, the horizontal direction), and it passes through the shaft holes 35 provided near the upper and rear ends of each of the pair of fixed portions 33 of the base member 3, as well as passing through a position near the front end of the brake lever 5.

[0045] The brake lever 5 is pivotably supported on the base member 3 (specifically, the fixed part 33) via a pivot shaft 51, and the operating part 55 at the end opposite to the side supported by the pivot shaft 51 (in other words, the base end) (in other words, the pivot end) swings between a position away from the tire 42 (see Figures 1 and 3 to 5; wheel unlocked state) and a position close to the tire 42 (see Figures 6 to 8; wheel locked state).

[0046] The brake lever 5 swings along a vertical plane that runs in the front-rear direction, and the operating part 55 of the brake lever 5 is positioned higher when the wheel is unlocked than when the wheel is locked, and lower when the wheel is locked than when the wheel is unlocked.

[0047] The brake lever 5 is formed so that its outer dimensions (in other words, its width) in the left-right direction are slightly smaller than the left-right distance (in other words, its inner dimensions) between a pair of opposing fixing parts 33, and the front end portion (in other words, the upper end portion; this is the portion where the cross-sectional shape of the brake lever 5 perpendicular to the longitudinal direction is formed in a U-shape with a downward opening) is inserted between the pair of fixing parts 33.

[0048] A pivoting shaft hole 56 is formed in each of the pair of side plates 52 that face each other in the left-right direction of the brake lever 5, in the portion that is inserted between the pair of fixing parts 33 of the base member 3, and which penetrates along the left-right direction.

[0049] The pivot shaft 51, which is positioned so that its axis is aligned with the left-right direction (in other words, the horizontal direction) and is arranged between a pair of opposing fixing parts 33 of the base member 3 (specifically, passing through the shaft hole 35), is inserted through pivot shaft holes 56 formed in each of the pair of opposing side plates 52 of the brake lever 5 in the left-right direction, thereby allowing the brake lever 5 to pivot freely relative to the base member 3 (specifically, the fixing part 33).

[0050] A locking shaft hole 57 is formed in the vicinity of the pivot shaft hole 56 formed in each of the pair of side plates 52 that face each other in the left-right direction of the brake lever 5, at a position where, in a side view, the brake lever 5 is pivotably supported on the base member 3 (specifically, the fixing part 33) and overlaps with the arc groove 36. The locking shaft hole 57 penetrates each of the pair of side plates 52 in the left-right direction.

[0051] A locking shaft 58 is provided that passes through the base member 3 (specifically, the fixing part 33) and the base end of the brake lever 5. The locking shaft 58 is positioned so that its axis is aligned with the left-right direction (in other words, the horizontal direction), and passes through the arc groove 36 of the base member 3 and the locking shaft hole 57 of the brake lever 5.

[0052] In the wheel unlocked state, when the operating part 55 of the brake lever 5 is not pressed down, the locking shaft 58 is located at the rear end of the arc groove 36 (see Figure 3). When the operating part 55 of the brake lever 5 is pressed down from this state, the locking shaft 58 moves forward within the arc groove 36 and is pressed against the front end of the arc groove 36, resulting in the wheel being locked (see Figure 6).

[0053] In this case, with the wheels unlocked (see Figure 3), both the upper surface of the first upper plate 53 and the upper surface of the second upper plate 54 of the brake lever 5 are inclined downwards toward the rear, and the degree of the downward slope of the second upper plate 54 is adjusted to be gentler than the degree of the downward slope of the first upper plate 53.

[0054] Furthermore, when the wheels are unlocked (see Figure 3), the shape of the operating part 55 (specifically, the degree of bending of the operating part 55 relative to the second upper plate 54) is adjusted so that the upper surface of the operating part 55 of the brake lever 5 is horizontal.

[0055] Furthermore, because the upper surface of the second upper plate 54 of the brake lever 5 has a gentle downward slope and the upper surface of the operating part 55 is horizontal, it becomes easy and reliable to press down the operating part 55 by placing your toes or the like on the area from the second upper plate 54 to the operating part 55. As a result, for example, if a trolley equipped with casters 1 suddenly starts to move, the brake lever 5 can be easily and reliably operated to lock the wheels.

[0056] On the other hand, when the operating part 55 of the brake lever 5 is pushed up from a down position, the locking shaft 58 moves backward within the arc groove 36 and is pressed against the rear end of the arc groove 36, resulting in the wheel being unlocked (see Figure 3).

[0057] The operating portion 55 of the brake lever 5 may be colored (in other words, tinted). Specifically, the operating portion 55 of the brake lever 5 may be a different color from the other parts of the caster 1 (especially the brake lever 5) (specifically, for example, the side plate 52, the first upper plate 53, and the second upper plate 54) (see Figures 14 and 15). In other words, the operating portion 55 of the brake lever 5 may be given a distinctive identifiable feature. In the example shown in the figures, only the top surface of the operating portion 55 is colored (in other words, tinted), but the sides of the operating portion 55 may also be colored so that the portion corresponding to the operating portion 55 is colored.

[0058] In this case, for example, the operating parts 55 may be made of different materials so that they have different colors (in other words, they have a unique identifiability), or the operating parts 55 may be colored so that they have different colors (they have a unique identifiability), or another component may be attached to the operating parts 55 so that they have different colors (they have a unique identifiability).

[0059] Specifically, the operating portion 55 of the brake lever 5 may be provided with a unique identifiable feature by any of the following a to e, or by a combination of several of the following a to e. a) Application of paints that do not possess optical properties (e.g., reflective, fluorescent, phosphorescent, etc.) (i.e., coloring) b) Application of a paint with optical properties (e.g., reflective, fluorescent, phosphorescent, etc.) (i.e., coloring) c) Applying a seal that does not possess optical properties (e.g., reflectivity, fluorescence, phosphorescence, etc.) d) Application of a seal with optical properties (e.g., reflectivity, fluorescence, phosphorescence, etc.) e) Surface texture processing (e.g., embossing)

[0060] Furthermore, in addition to the operating portion 55 of the brake lever 5, the second upper plate 54 may also be made to have a different color from the other parts of the caster 1 (specifically, the operating portion 55 of the brake lever 5) and the second upper plate 54 (specifically, for example, the side plate 52 and the first upper plate 53). In other words, the second upper plate 54 of the brake lever 5 may also be made to have a distinctive distinguishing feature.

[0061] In other words, at least the pivoting end of the brake lever 5 may be colored (or, to put it another way, colored, having a distinct color that is different from the other parts, thus providing a unique identifiable feature).

[0062] Furthermore, at least the swinging end of the brake lever 5 (for example, the operating part 55, or the operating part 55 and the second upper plate 54) may be color-different from the operating pedal 8 of the brake release unit 10, or in other words, it may be provided with at least a distinctive identifiability relative to the brake release unit 10.

[0063] Furthermore, the entire brake lever 5 may be a different color from the other parts of the caster 1 (see Figures 16 and 17). In other words, the entire brake lever 5 may be given a distinctive identifiable feature. In this case, for example, the different materials of the brake lever 5 may result in a different color (in other words, a distinctive identifiable feature), or the brake lever 5 may be colored to result in a different color (a distinctive identifiable feature).

[0064] Furthermore, the brake lever 5 (in its entirety) may be color-different from at least the operating pedal 8 of the brake release unit 10, or in other words, it may be given a distinctive identifiability to at least the brake release unit 10 (especially the operating pedal 8).

[0065] Furthermore, at least the swinging end of the brake lever 5 (for example, the operating part 55, or the operating part 55 and the second upper plate 54) may be a different color from at least the swinging end of the operating pedal 8 of the brake release unit 10 (for example, the horizontal part 83, or the horizontal part 83 and the main body part 81). In other words, at least the swinging end of the operating pedal 8 of the brake release unit 10 may be given a distinctive distinguishing feature.

[0066] (Brake release mechanism) The brake release unit 10 is a structure / mechanism that operates (including operating by a mechanism) to release the brake on the wheel 4 when it is in a state where the brake is applied and the rotation is locked (i.e., wheel locked state) and the rotation is not locked (i.e., wheel unlocked state).

[0067] Specifically, the brake release unit 10 swings the brake lever 5, which is in a state where the brake is applied to the wheel 4 and the rotation of the wheel 4 is locked (i.e., wheel locked state), thereby releasing the brake on the wheel 4 and leaving the rotation of the wheel 4 unlocked (i.e., wheel unlocked state).

[0068] The brake release unit 10 is located below the brake lever 5 (especially the brake lever 5 in the wheel unlocked state).

[0069] The brake release unit 10 includes a support frame 7 fixedly attached to the base member 3, an operating pedal 8 swingably attached to the support frame 7, and a biasing member 9 interposed between the support frame 7 and the operating pedal 8.

[0070] In the example shown in the figure, the support frame 7 is formed as a separate component from the base member 3 and attached to the base member 3. However, the invention is not limited to this configuration, and at least a part of the base member 3 and at least a part of the support frame 7 may be formed as a single integrated component.

[0071] The support frame 7 has a pair of arm portions 71 that face each other in the left-right direction, a connecting portion 72 that connects the rear ends of the pair of arm portions 71 in the left-right direction, and a pair of bearing portions 73 that protrude backward from the rear surface of the connecting portion 72.

[0072] Each of the pair of arm portions 71 and connecting portion 72 is a strip-shaped plate with its surface aligned with a vertical plane, and the pair of arm portions 71 and connecting portion 72 are connected in such a way that they form a U-shape with a front opening in a plan view.

[0073] The distance between a pair of opposing arm portions 71 in the left-right direction (in other words, the inner dimension) is formed to be slightly larger than the outer dimension between a pair of opposing fork portions 32 of the base member 3 in the left-right direction (in other words, the width), and the front end portion of each of the pair of arm portions 71 is positioned outside each of the pair of fork portions 32.

[0074] A connecting through hole 74 is formed near the front end of each of the pair of arm portions 71.

[0075] The support frame 7 is arranged such that a pair of arm portions 71 face each other in the left-right direction, and each of the pair of arm portions 71 is positioned to align with the front-rear direction (or generally align with the front-rear direction) when viewed from the side.

[0076] The support frame 7 is positioned so that, in a side view, the connecting through holes 74 formed near the front end of each of the pair of arm portions 71 and the connecting shaft holes 37 formed near the lower end of each of the pair of fork portions 32 of the base member 3 overlap.

[0077] The connecting shaft 6 then passes through the pair of fork portions 32 of the base member 3 (specifically, the connecting shaft hole 37), the wheel 41 of the wheel 4, and the pair of arm portions 71 of the brake release portion 10 (specifically, the connecting through hole 74) along the left-right direction.

[0078] In the example shown in the figure, a first engaging piece 75 and a second engaging piece 76 are formed near the front end of each of the pair of arm portions 71. The first engaging piece 75 abuts against and engages with the rear end of the fork portion 32 of the base member 3, and the second engaging piece 76 abuts against and engages with the lower end of the fork portion 32 of the base member 3, thereby preventing the support frame 7 from rotating relative to the base member 3.

[0079] In the example shown in the figure, the cross-sectional shape of the end of the shaft portion of the connecting shaft 6 closest to the head 61 is formed to be rectangular (this portion is referred to as the "rectangular portion 62"), and the cross-sectional shape of the connecting shaft hole 37 formed in the fork portion 32 on the head 61 side of the pair of fork portions 32 of the base member 3, and the cross-sectional shape of the connecting through hole 74 formed in the arm portion 71 on the head 61 side of the pair of arm portions 71 of the support frame 7 are also formed to be rectangular in side view.

[0080] Furthermore, the rectangular portion 62 of the connecting shaft 6 enters and fits into the connecting shaft hole 37 of the base member 3 and the connecting through hole 74 of the support frame 7, thereby preventing the support frame 7 from rotating relative to the base member 3.

[0081] The connecting portion 72 is a strip-shaped plate whose surface is aligned with a vertical plane, and connects the rear ends of a pair of arm portions 71 that face each other in the left-right direction.

[0082] The pair of bearing portions 73 are provided so as to protrude backward from the rear surface of the connecting portion 72, facing each other in the left-right direction.

[0083] Each of the pair of bearing portions 73 has a pivoting connecting shaft hole 77 that penetrates through in the left-right direction.

[0084] The operating pedal 8 has a main body portion 81, a contact portion 82 connected to the front end of the main body portion 81, and a horizontal portion 83 connected to the rear end of the main body portion 81.

[0085] A through hole 84 is formed in the main body portion 81 near the front end (and below the contact portion 82), extending in the left-right direction.

[0086] The operating pedal 8 is pivotably connected to the support frame 7 (specifically, a pair of bearing portions 73) via a pivoting connecting shaft 78.

[0087] The oscillating connecting shaft 78 is positioned so that its axial direction is aligned with the left-right direction (in other words, the horizontal direction), and passes through the oscillating connecting shaft holes 77 in each of the pair of bearing portions 73 of the support frame 7, and through the through hole 84 in the main body portion 81 of the operating pedal 8. The oscillating connecting shaft 78 supports the operating pedal 8 so that it can swing freely with respect to the support frame 7 (specifically, the pair of bearing portions 73).

[0088] The operating pedal 8 is pivotably connected via a pivoting connecting shaft 78, which is positioned so that its axis is aligned with the left-right direction (in other words, the horizontal direction), and pivots along a vertical plane aligned with the front-rear direction relative to the support frame 7 (specifically, a pair of bearing portions 73).

[0089] In the example shown in the figure, the axial position 78c of the pivoting connecting shaft 78, which is the pivoting center of the operating pedal 8, is in the following positional relationship (see Figures 9 and 11). a) It is located behind the axis position 51c of the pivot axis 51, which is the pivot center of the brake lever 5. (i) It is located below the axial center position 51c of the pivot axis 51, which is the pivot point of the brake lever 5. (c) It is located behind the axis position 6c of the connecting shaft 6, which is the rotation center of wheel 4. (e) It is located below the axis position 6c of the connecting shaft 6, which is the rotation center of the wheel 4. (e) It is located behind the outer circumference of wheel 4. (c) It is located in front of the operating portion 55 (including the rear end position 55r) of the brake lever 5. (k) It is located below the operating portion 55 (including the rear end position 55r) of the brake lever 5.

[0090] The operating pedal 8 is biased by a biasing member 9 so that it maintains a predetermined posture (referred to as the "basic posture") when no external force is acting on it.

[0091] In the example shown in the figure, a double torsion spring is used as the biasing member 9, and the operating pedal 8 is biased by the biasing member 9 in a direction that causes the horizontal portion 83 to rotate upward.

[0092] The main body 81 is formed such that its upper surface slopes upward when the operating pedal 8 is in its basic position (in the example shown in the figure, the lower surface is formed to be horizontal).

[0093] The degree of the slope on the upper surface of the main body 81 when the operating pedal 8 is in the basic position is adjusted to be the same as (or approximately the same as) the degree of the slope on the lower surface of the operating part 55 of the brake lever 5 when the wheels are locked (see Figure 6).

[0094] A contact portion 82 is provided at the front end of the main body portion 81, such that its upper surface remains sloped upwards toward the front. The front end of the contact portion 82 protrudes forward from the front end (front surface) of the main body portion 81.

[0095] In the example shown in the figure, the operating pedal 8 is biased by the biasing member 9 to rotate so that the horizontal section 83 moves upward. The lower surface (lower end) of the contact portion 82 of the operating pedal 8 contacts (in other words, catches) the upper surface (upper end) of the connecting portion 72 of the support frame 7, thereby maintaining the basic posture when no external force is acting on the operating pedal 8.

[0096] The degree of the slope of the upper surface of the contact portion 82 when the operating pedal 8 is in its basic position is adjusted to be the same as (or approximately the same as) the degree of the slope of the lower surface of the second upper plate 54 of the brake lever 5 when the wheel is locked (see Figure 6).

[0097] A horizontal section 83 is provided at the rear end of the main body 81, with its upper surface connected to it. The horizontal section 83 is formed so that its upper surface is horizontal when the operating pedal 8 is in its basic position (in the example shown in the figure, the lower surface is also formed to be horizontal).

[0098] The dimensions of each part may be adjusted so that the rear end position 55r of the operating part 55 of the brake lever 5 when the wheel is unlocked is the same as (or approximately the same as; see Figure 9) or further back than the rear end position 83r of the horizontal part 83 of the operating pedal 8 in the basic position. In addition, the outer dimensions 55w (in other words, width) of the operating part 55 of the brake lever 5 in the left-right direction may be adjusted so that it is the same as (or approximately the same as) or larger than the outer dimensions 83w (in other words, width) of the horizontal part 83 of the operating pedal 8 in the left-right direction (see Figure 10).

[0099] As a result, when the caster 1 is viewed from above when the wheels are unlocked (in other words, in a plan view), the horizontal portion 83 (and the main body portion 81) of the operating pedal 8 is obscured by the operating portion 55 (and the second upper plate 54) of the brake lever 5 (see Figure 5).

[0100] Therefore, for example, when the caster 1 is attached to a trolley, the user of the trolley can determine that the wheels are unlocked if the horizontal part 83 (and the main body part 81) of the operating pedal 8 is not visible when viewed from above (in a plan view) of the caster 1.

[0101] Furthermore, the dimensions of each part may be adjusted so that the rear end position 55r of the operating part 55 of the brake lever 5 when the wheels are locked is in front of the rear end position 83r of the horizontal part 83 of the operating pedal 8 in the basic position (see Figure 10).

[0102] As a result, when the caster 1 is viewed from above when the wheels are locked (in other words, in a plan view), the horizontal portion 83 (and the main body portion 81) of the operating pedal 8 will not appear to overlap with the operating portion 55 (and the second upper plate 54) of the brake lever 5.

[0103] Therefore, for example, when the caster 1 is attached to a trolley, the user of the trolley can determine that the wheel is locked if the horizontal part 83 (and the main body part 81) of the operating pedal 8 is visible when viewing the caster 1 from above (in a plan view).

[0104] To make the horizontal portion 83 of the operating pedal 8 easily distinguishable from the operating portion 55 of the brake lever 5, the colors of the horizontal portion 83 of the operating pedal 8 and the operating portion 55 of the brake lever 5 may be different from each other. For example, at least one of the horizontal portion 83 of the operating pedal 8 and the operating portion 55 of the brake lever 5 may be formed using a material of a predetermined color or be colored.

[0105] The horizontal portion 83 of the operating pedal 8 may be colored (in other words, tinted). Specifically, the horizontal portion 83 of the operating pedal 8 may be a different color from the other parts of the caster 1 (especially the operating pedal 8) (specifically, for example, the main body portion 81 and the contact portion 82) (see Figures 18 and 19). In other words, the horizontal portion 83 of the operating pedal 8 may be given a distinctive distinguishing feature. In the example shown in the figures, only the top surface of the horizontal portion 83 is colored (in other words, tinted), but the sides of the horizontal portion 83 may also be colored so that the portion corresponding to the horizontal portion 83 is colored.

[0106] In this case, for example, the horizontal sections 83 may be made of different materials so that they have different colors (in other words, they have a unique identifiability), or the horizontal sections 83 may be colored so that they have different colors (they have a unique identifiability), or another component may be attached to the horizontal sections 83 so that they have different colors (they have a unique identifiability).

[0107] Specifically, the horizontal portion 83 of the operating pedal 8 may be given a unique identifiable feature by any of the following a to e, or a combination of a to e may be used to give it a unique identifiable feature. a) Application of paints that do not possess optical properties (e.g., reflective, fluorescent, phosphorescent, etc.) (i.e., coloring) b) Application of a paint with optical properties (e.g., reflective, fluorescent, phosphorescent, etc.) (i.e., coloring) c) Applying a seal that does not possess optical properties (e.g., reflectivity, fluorescence, phosphorescence, etc.) d) Application of a seal with optical properties (e.g., reflectivity, fluorescence, phosphorescence, etc.) e) Surface texture processing (e.g., embossing)

[0108] Furthermore, the main body portion 81 of the operating pedal 8, in addition to the horizontal portion 83, may also be colored differently from the other parts of the caster 1 (specifically, the horizontal portion 83 of the operating pedal 8) and the main body portion 81 (specifically, for example, the contact portion 82). In other words, the main body portion 81 of the operating pedal 8 may also be given a distinctive distinguishing feature.

[0109] In other words, at least the swinging end of the operating pedal 8 may be colored (in other words, colored, having a different color from the other parts, and possessing distinctive identifiability).

[0110] Furthermore, at least the swinging end of the operating pedal 8 (for example, the horizontal portion 83, or the horizontal portion 83 and the main body portion 81) may be colored differently from the brake lever 5, or in other words, it may be given a distinctive distinguishing feature from the brake lever 5.

[0111] Furthermore, the entire operating pedal 8 may be a different color from the other parts of the caster 1 (see Figures 20 and 21). In other words, the entire operating pedal 8 may be given a distinctive identifiable feature. In this case, for example, the operating pedal 8 may be made of different materials, resulting in a different color (in other words, a distinctive identifiable feature), or the operating pedal 8 may be colored, resulting in a different color (a distinctive identifiable feature).

[0112] Furthermore, the operating pedal 8 (as a whole) may be color-different from that of the brake lever 5, or in other words, it may be given a distinctive distinguishing feature from that of the brake lever 5.

[0113] Furthermore, at least the swinging end of the operating pedal 8 (for example, the horizontal portion 83, or the horizontal portion 83 and the main body portion 81) may be a different color from at least the swinging end of the brake lever 5 (for example, the operating portion 55, or the operating portion 55 and the second upper plate 54), or in other words, it may be provided with a distinctive distinguishing feature from at least the swinging end of the brake lever 5.

[0114] (Operation of the brake release mechanism) When the caster 1 is in the wheel unlocked state (see Figures 3 to 5), the operating part 55 of the brake lever 5 is positioned above the operating pedal 8 of the brake release part 10, separated from the operating pedal 8.

[0115] As shown in the example in the figure, when the caster 1 is in the wheel unlocked state, the operating portion 55 of the brake lever 5 (including the rear end position 55r) is positioned above the axial center position 6c of the connecting shaft 6, which is the rotation center of the wheel 4. On the other hand, the horizontal portion 83 of the operating pedal 8 of the brake release unit 10 (in other words, the swinging end; including the rear end position 83r) may be positioned below the axial center position 6c of the connecting shaft 6, which is the rotation center of the wheel 4 (see Figure 9). The horizontal portion 83 of the operating pedal 8 of the brake release unit 10 (in other words, the swinging end; including the rear end position 83r) may also be positioned below the axial center position 6c of the connecting shaft 6, which is the rotation center of the wheel 4, even when the caster 1 is in the wheel locked state (see Figure 11).

[0116] When the caster 1 is in the wheel unlocked state, if the operating part 55 (and the second upper plate 54) of the brake lever 5 is pushed down by the toes or the like, the brake lever 5 rotates in a direction that moves the operating part 55 downward, the locking shaft 58 moves forward within the arc groove 36 and is pressed against the front end of the arc groove 36, and the wheel locks.

[0117] When the wheel is locked, the end of the leaf spring 59, which is located inside the base member 3, contacts the outer surface of the tire 42 of the wheel 4, applying braking to the wheel 4 and locking its rotation.

[0118] In the example shown in the figure, specifically, an engagement shaft 38 is provided in front of the pivot shaft 51 and the locking shaft 58, positioned so that its axial direction is aligned with the left-right direction (in other words, the horizontal direction), and is attached to pass through a pair of fork portions 32 in the left-right direction.

[0119] Furthermore, a strip-shaped leaf spring 59 is formed by bending it into a V-shape when viewed from the side, and an engaging shaft 38 is inserted through the bent portion, and it is arranged inside the base member 3 (see Figure 12). The upper end of the rearward-facing open ends of the leaf spring 59 engages with the upper circumferential surface of the oscillating shaft 51, and the lower end engages with the lower circumferential surface of the locking shaft 58. An upward step 591 is formed at the lower end of the rearward-facing open ends of the leaf spring 59, in the direction from the open end to the bent portion.

[0120] Then, as the operating portion 55 of the brake lever 5 is pushed down and the locking shaft 58 moves forward within the arc groove 36, the locking shaft 58 slides against the upper surface of the lower end of the rearward-opening ends of the leaf spring 59, passing over the raised step 591 in the direction from the open end to the bent portion. With the locking shaft 58 pressed against the front end of the arc groove 36, the lower surface of the lower end of the rearward-opening ends of the leaf spring 59 comes into contact with the outer surface of the tire 42 of the wheel 4, applying braking to the wheel 4 and locking the rotation of the wheel 4.

[0121] In this invention, the mechanism for applying braking to the wheel 4 of the caster 1 is not limited to a specific method or structure, and the mechanism including the engaging shaft 38 and leaf spring 59 shown in the figure is merely one example of a mechanism for applying braking to the wheel 4.

[0122] When the caster 1 is in the wheel-locked state (see Figures 6 to 8), the operating portion 55 (and the second upper plate 54) of the brake lever 5 is positioned close to the main body 81 (and the contact portion 82) of the operating pedal 8 and directly above the main body 81 (and the contact portion 82). When the caster 1 is in the wheel-locked state, the lower surface of the operating portion 55 (and the second upper plate 54) of the brake lever 5 may be in contact with / abutting the upper surface of the main body 81 (and the contact portion 82) of the operating pedal 8.

[0123] As shown in the example in the figure, when the caster 1 is in the wheel-locked state, the rear end position 55r of the operating part 55 of the brake lever 5 may be positioned below the axial center position 6c of the connecting shaft 6, which is the rotation center of the wheel 4 (see Figure 11).

[0124] Furthermore, as shown in the example in the figure, the horizontal portion 83 of the operating pedal 8 may be positioned lower than the operating portion 55 (including the rear end position 55r) of the brake lever 5, whether the caster 1 is in the wheel unlocked or wheel locked state (see Figures 9 and 11).

[0125] When the caster 1 is in the wheel-locked state, if the horizontal part 83 of the operating pedal 8 (and the part near the rear end of the main body 81) is pressed down by the toes or the like, the operating pedal 8 rotates in a direction that moves the horizontal part 83 downward.

[0126] At this time, the upper end of the contact portion 82 of the operating pedal 8 contacts the lower surface of the second upper plate 54 of the brake lever 5, and as the operating pedal 8 rotates, the upper end of the contact portion 82 gradually pushes up the second upper plate 54. Specifically, in the example shown in the figure, the upper end of the contact portion 82 is configured to push up the portion that bends downward / forward in a protruding shape because the degree of inclination of the second upper plate 54 and the operating portion 55 of the brake lever 5 are connected and the degree of inclination of the second upper plate 54 and the operating portion 55 are different (see Figure 13).

[0127] As a result, the brake lever 5 rotates in a direction that moves the operating part 55 upward, the locking shaft 58 moves backward within the arc groove 36 and is pressed against the rear end of the arc groove 36, and the wheel is unlocked.

[0128] At this time, as the horizontal portion 83 of the operating pedal 8 is pushed down and the locking shaft 58 moves backward within the arc groove 36, the locking shaft 58 slides over the upper surface of the lower end of the rearward-opening ends of the leaf spring 59, passing over the raised step 591 (or a lower step when moving from the bent portion to the open end). With the locking shaft 58 pressed against the rear end of the arc groove 36, the lower surface of the lower end of the rearward-opening ends of the leaf spring 59 separates from the outer surface of the tire 42 of the wheel 4, releasing the brake on the wheel 4 and unlocking the rotation of the wheel 4 (see Figure 12).

[0129] (Effects and Benefits) In the caster 1 according to this embodiment, the horizontal portion 83 (in other words, the swinging end) of the operating pedal 8 of the brake release unit 10 is pushed down and swings, pushing up the swinging end of the brake lever 5, which causes the brake lever 5 to swing and release the brake on the wheel 4. In addition to operating the operating portion 55 of the brake lever 5 with the toes to press down on it when applying the brake to the wheel 4 and locking the wheel, the horizontal portion 83 of the operating pedal 8 of the brake release unit 10 can also be operated with the toes to press down on it when releasing the brake on the wheel 4 and unlocking the wheel. In other words, both locking and unlocking the wheel can be achieved by pressing down with the toes, which means that it can be achieved with an easy operation that allows for easy application of force, making it possible to operate the brake of the caster 1 more easily.

[0130] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the specific configurations of the present invention are not limited to the embodiments described above. The present invention also includes forms in which modifications and changes are made to the above embodiments without departing from the spirit of the invention. [Industrial applicability]

[0131] The caster 1 according to the present invention makes it easier to operate the brake of the caster 1, and is therefore useful in the technical field of hand trucks for loading and transporting goods and luggage, for example, by attaching the caster 1 to the underside of the loading platform (not shown) of a hand truck. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0132] 1 Caster 2. Mounting base plate 3 Base member 31 Mounting part 32 Fork section 33 Fixed part 34 Top panel 35 Shaft hole 36 arc grooves 37 Connecting shaft hole 38 Engagement axis 4 wheels 41 wheels 42 tires 5 Brake lever 51. Pivot axis 52 Side panel 53 First Upper Board 54 Second Upper Board 55 Operation section 56 Pivot shaft hole 57 Locking shaft hole 58 Locking shaft 59. Leaf spring 591 Steps 6 Connecting shaft 61 heads 62 Rectangular part 63 Nuts 10 Brake release section 7. Support frame 71 Arm section 72 Connecting part 73 Bearing section 74 Connection through hole 75 First engaging piece 76 Second engaging piece 77 Swivel connecting shaft hole 78. Swiveling coupling shaft 78a Nut 8. Operation pedals 81 Main body 82 Contact part 83 Horizontal section 84 Through holes 9. Biasing member

Claims

1. Wheels and, A brake lever that is pivotably supported and operates when applying and releasing the brake on the wheel, It has a brake release unit that operates when releasing the brake on the aforementioned wheel, The aforementioned brake release unit has an operating pedal that is supported so as to be swingable, The pivot end of the operating pedal is pushed down and pivots, pushing up the pivot end of the brake lever, which causes the brake lever to pivot and release the brake on the wheel. A caster characterized by its features.

2. Wheels and, A brake lever that is pivotably supported and operates when applying and releasing the brake on the wheel, It has a brake release unit that operates when releasing the brake on the aforementioned wheel, The aforementioned brake release unit has an operating pedal that is supported so as to be swingable, The pivot point of the aforementioned operating pedal is located behind the pivot point of the aforementioned brake lever. A caster characterized by its features.

3. Wheels and, A brake lever that is pivotably supported and operates when applying and releasing the brake on the wheel, It has a brake release unit that operates when releasing the brake on the aforementioned wheel, The aforementioned brake release unit has an operating pedal that is supported so as to be swingable, The pivot point of the aforementioned operating pedal is located below the pivot point of the aforementioned brake lever. A caster characterized by its features.

4. Wheels and, A brake lever that is pivotably supported and operates when applying and releasing the brake on the wheel, It has a brake release unit that operates when releasing the brake on the aforementioned wheel, The aforementioned brake release unit has an operating pedal that is supported so as to be swingable, The pivot point of the aforementioned operating pedal is located behind the pivot point of the wheel. A caster characterized by its features.

5. Wheels and, A brake lever that is pivotably supported and operates when applying and releasing the brake on the wheel, It has a brake release unit that operates when releasing the brake on the aforementioned wheel, The aforementioned brake release unit has an operating pedal that is supported so as to be swingable, The pivot point of the operating pedal is located below the rotation point of the wheel. A caster characterized by its features.

6. Wheels and, A brake lever that is pivotably supported and operates when applying and releasing the brake on the wheel, It has a brake release unit that operates when releasing the brake on the aforementioned wheel, The aforementioned brake release unit has an operating pedal that is supported so as to be swingable, The pivot point of the aforementioned operating pedal is located behind the outer circumference of the wheel. A caster characterized by its features.

7. Wheels and, A brake lever that is pivotably supported and operates when applying and releasing the brake on the wheel, It has a brake release unit that operates when releasing the brake on the aforementioned wheel, The aforementioned brake release unit has an operating pedal that is supported so as to be swingable, The pivot point of the aforementioned operating pedal is located in front of the pivot end of the aforementioned brake lever. A caster characterized by its features.

8. Wheels and, A brake lever that is pivotably supported and operates when applying and releasing the brake on the wheel, It has a brake release unit that operates when releasing the brake on the aforementioned wheel, The aforementioned brake release unit has an operating pedal that is supported so as to be swingable, The pivot point of the aforementioned operating pedal is located below the pivot end of the aforementioned brake lever. A caster characterized by its features.

9. Wheels and, A brake lever that is pivotably supported and operates when applying and releasing the brake on the wheel, It has a brake release unit that operates when releasing the brake on the aforementioned wheel, The aforementioned brake release unit has an operating pedal that is supported so as to be swingable, The pivoting end of the operating pedal is located below the center of rotation of the wheel. A caster characterized by its features.

10. At least one of the oscillating ends of the aforementioned brake lever is provided with a distinctive identifiable feature. A caster according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. At least the swinging end of the aforementioned operating pedal is provided with a distinctive identifiable feature. A caster according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

12. The color of at least the swing end of the brake lever and the color of at least the swing end of the operating pedal are different from each other. A caster according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

Images