caster

Abstract

To provide a caster with low manufacturing costs. [Solution] The device comprises a base 2 having an axial hole 21 penetrating in the horizontal direction and an inner annular groove 22 recessed on its inner surface; an axle tube 4 installed in the axial hole 21 and having a central portion 41 installed in the axial hole 21 and two extension portions 42 extending from the central portion 41 to the outside of both ends of the axial hole 21; a bearing 3 fitted and fixed to the central portion 41 of the axle tube 4 and installed in the inner annular groove 22; a stop plate 5 installed on the base 2 so as to sandwich the bearing 3 together with the base 2 in the horizontal direction; a position fixing mechanism 6 fixing the stop plate 5 to the base 2 so that the stop plate 5 and the base 2 fix the bearing 3 between them; and two hollow wheels 7 fixed to the outer surfaces of the two extension portions 42 so that each can move the axle tube 4 and rotate relative to the base 2 via the bearing 3.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a tire body, and more particularly to a caster. [Background technology]

[0002] Items that need to be moved frequently, such as office chairs and suitcases, are generally equipped with multiple casters, and the casters are sometimes designed with hollow structures for aesthetic reasons.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a hollow caster including a base body having a through hole along the horizontal direction, an axle tube fixed to the through hole, two bearings each installed on opposite sides of the axle tube, and two hollow wheels each installed on the two bearings. However, the caster of Patent Document 1 uses two bearings to achieve a hollow structure, and since bearings account for a large portion of the manufacturing cost of a caster, using two bearings significantly increases the manufacturing cost. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] US Patent Application Publication No. 2013 / 0326844 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The object of the present invention is to provide a caster that can alleviate at least one of the drawbacks of the prior art. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention includes an annular base, an axle tube, a bearing, an annular abutment plate, a position fixing mechanism, and two hollow wheels. the base has an axial hole penetrating the base along a lateral direction, and an inner annular groove recessed in an inner circumferential surface defining the axial hole and communicating with the axial hole, The axial tube is installed in the axial hole so as to extend along the lateral direction and rotate relative to the base, and has a central portion installed coaxially in the axial hole, and two extension portions extending from the central portion so as to protrude from both ends of the axial hole in opposite directions to each other, The bearing is fitted onto and fixed to the central portion of the axial tube, and is installed in the inner annular groove of the base, The stop plate is installed on the base along the lateral direction so as to sandwich the bearing together with the base in the lateral direction, the position fixing mechanism fixes the abutment plate to the base so that the abutment plate and the base are fixed with the bearing sandwiched therebetween, Each of the two hollow wheels is fixed to the outer surface of each of the two extensions so as to be able to rotate relative to the base via the bearings while bearing the axle tube, thereby providing a caster. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The caster of this invention has an axle tube installed in the axle hole, a bearing installed in the inner ring groove, and a stop plate and a base that mate to clamp and fix the bearing. Compared to conventional hollow casters, only one bearing is required, which reduces manufacturing costs. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a caster of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a side view of the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 3. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Before describing the present invention in more detail, it should be noted that, where considered appropriate, reference numerals or terminal portions of reference numerals have been repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements, which may optionally have similar characteristics.

[0010] In describing the present invention, terms indicating orientations or positional relationships such as "upper," "lower," "inner," "outer," "left," "right," "front," and "rear" are used based on the orientations and positional relationships shown in the drawings or the orientations and positional relationships customarily assumed when using the product of the present invention, for the purpose of easier and clearer explanation, and are not intended to teach or suggest that the corresponding apparatus or device has a specific orientation, structure, operation, etc. in a specific orientation, and are not a limitation on the present invention.

[0011] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the caster embodiment of the present invention is suitable for installation on the bottom side of an item (not shown), such as an office chair or a suitcase, but is not limited to such items.

[0012] In this embodiment, the forward direction of the caster (right in Figure 3) is described as the front, and as shown in Figure 2, the direction toward the front is the first direction D1, the direction toward the left of the first direction D1 is the second direction D2, and the direction toward the right of the first direction D1 is the third direction D3.

[0013] The caster includes a connecting shaft 1 for inserting upward into the article, an annular base 2 installed at the bottom end of the connecting shaft 1, an axle tube 4 installed so as to pass through the base 2 in the left and right horizontal direction, a bearing 3 fitted onto and fixed to the outside of the axle tube 4 and installed within the base 2, a stop plate 5 fitted onto the outside of the axle tube 4 and installed on the base 2 in the horizontal direction so as to sandwich the bearing 3 together with the base 2, a position fixing mechanism 6 for fixing the stop plate 5 to the base 2 so that the stop plate 5 and the base 2 are fixed with the bearing 3 sandwiched between them, and two hollow wheels 7 installed on the axle tube 4 with a gap left and right.

[0014] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the connecting shaft 1 extends upward from the front side of the base 2. The base 2 has an axial hole 21 that passes through the base 2 so as to extend in the left-right lateral direction, an inner annular tank 22 that is recessed in the inner peripheral surface that defines the axial hole 21 and that communicates with the axial hole 21, a ring-shaped side annular tank 23 that is recessed in the right side surface of the base 2 and that communicates with the axial hole 21 and the inner annular tank 22, and three positioning holes 24 that are installed at intervals along the periphery of the base 2 and that pass through the base 2 so as to extend in the left-right lateral direction and that communicate with the side annular tank 23.

[0015] In this embodiment, three locating holes 24 are spaced equidistantly along the periphery of the base 2 . The shaft tube 4 is installed through the shaft hole 21 so as to extend in the left-right lateral direction, and can rotate with respect to the base 2. The axial tube 4 has a central portion 41 coaxially installed in the axial hole 21 and two extension portions 42 extending from the central portion 41 to the outside of both ends of the axial hole 21 in opposite directions.

[0016] The central portion 41 has an outer diameter smaller than that of the extension portion 42, and has an annular installation groove 411 recessed in the outer circumferential surface for installing the bearing 3 therein. Each extension 42 has an annular stop groove 421 recessed into the outer circumferential surface. The bearing 3 is fitted and fixed to the installation annular groove 411 in the central part 41 of the shaft tube 4, and is installed by fitting it laterally into the inner annular groove 22 of the base 2 so as to be linked to the central part 41.

[0017] In this embodiment, the shaft tube 4 is fixed to the bearing 3 by insert molding, but the fixing method between the bearing 3 and the shaft tube 4 is not limited to this. The stop plate 5 has an annular portion 51 that is fitted into the side annular groove 23 and sandwiches the bearing 3 together with the base 2, and three position corresponding portions 52 that are installed at intervals along the annular portion 51 and fitted into the three positioning holes 24, respectively. That is, the three positioning holes 24 of the base 2 are for the three position corresponding portions 52 to fit into along the lateral direction.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 2, the annular portion 51 is the peripheral edge portion of the abutment plate 5. Since each position corresponding portion 52 is fitted into each positioning hole 24 , the abutment stop plate 5 does not rotate relative to the base 2 .

[0019] The position fixing mechanism 6 includes three position fixing parts 61 that are installed so as to penetrate the position corresponding parts 52, respectively, and that collectively fix the abutment plate 5 to the base 2. That is, the three position fixing parts 61 are installed at intervals along the annular part 51 of the abutment plate 5, similar to the position corresponding parts 52.

[0020] In this embodiment, the position fixing part 61 is a rivet, which is fixed by passing through the stop plate 5 and the base 2 and fastening the rivet, so that the stop plate 5 and the base 2 are fixed with the bearing 3 sandwiched between them, thereby allowing the shaft tube 4 to rotate relative to the base 2 via the bearing 3.

[0021] In other embodiments, if the abutment plate 5 and the base 2 can be fixed, the position fixing part 61 can be a combination of screws, bolts and nuts, or a combination of a pin and a plug or retaining ring.

[0022] Each of the two hollow wheels 7 is fixed to the outer surface of each of the two extensions 42 so that it can rotate relative to the base 2 via the bearings 3 while bearing the axle tube 4 . Each hollow wheel 7 has a wheel body 71 fitted onto the corresponding extension portion 42, a tire 72 fitted onto the wheel body 71, and an annular inner protruding ring 73 that protrudes from the inner surface of the wheel body 71 and is fitted into and fixed to the stop groove 421 of the extension portion 42.

[0023] When assembling the above embodiment of the caster of the present invention, the axle tube 4 is inserted into the axle hole 21 of the base 2, the bearing 3 is installed in the base 2 along the horizontal direction, and the stop plate 5 is installed in the base 2.

[0024] Then, each position fixing part 61 is riveted through the abutment plate 5 and the base 2. Finally, the two hollow wheels 7 are fixed to the outer surfaces of the two extensions 42 of the axle tube 4, respectively, to complete the assembly.

[0025] According to the above configuration, the axle tube 4 is installed in the axle hole 21, the bearing 3 is installed in the inner annular groove 22, and the abutment plate 5 is fitted into the base 2, and the abutment plate 5 and the base 2 are fitted together to sandwich and fix the bearing. This design allows for the use of only one bearing, thereby reducing manufacturing costs compared to conventional hollow casters. Therefore, the object of the present invention can be reliably achieved.

[0026] While the invention has been described in connection with what are considered to be the exemplary embodiments, it is understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but is intended to cover various arrangements within the broadest spirit and scope so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements.

[0027] The above-described embodiments are illustrative of the principles and effects of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the present invention. Those skilled in the art may make slight changes or modifications to the above-described embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, all changes and modifications made by those skilled in the art without departing from the gist of the present invention should be considered to fall within the scope of protection of the present invention. [Industrial Applicability]

[0028] The casters of the present invention are suitable for use with items that need to be moved frequently, such as office chairs and suitcases. [Explanation of symbols]

[0029] 1 Articulating shaft 2. Bass 21 Shaft hole 22 Inner ring tank 23 Side annular tank 24 Positioning holes 3 bearings 4 axis tube 41 Central part 411 Installation Circular Tank 42 Stretching section 421 Current tank 5 Stop plate 51 Circular section 52 Position Correspondence Section 6 Position fixing mechanism 61 Position fixing parts 7 Hollow Wheels 71 Wheel body 72 tires 73 Inner protruding ring D1 First direction D2 Second direction D3 The third direction

Claims

1. The bearing includes an annular base, an axle tube, a bearing, an annular abutment plate, a position fixing mechanism, and two hollow wheels, the base has an axial hole penetrating the base along a lateral direction, and an inner annular groove recessed in an inner circumferential surface defining the axial hole and communicating with the axial hole, The axial tube is installed in the axial hole so as to extend along a lateral direction and be rotatable relative to the base, and has a central portion installed coaxially in the axial hole, and two extension portions extending from the central portion so as to protrude from both ends of the axial hole in opposite directions to each other, The bearing is fitted onto and fixed to the central portion of the axial tube, and is installed in the inner annular groove of the base, The stop plate is installed on the base along the lateral direction so as to sandwich the bearing together with the base in the lateral direction, the position fixing mechanism fixes the abutment plate to the base so that the abutment plate and the base are fixed with the bearing sandwiched therebetween, A caster, wherein each of the two hollow wheels is fixed to the outer surface of each of the two extension portions so as to be able to rotate relative to the base via the bearing while bearing the axle tube.

2. The caster according to claim 1, wherein the axle tube is fixed to the bearing, and the central portion has an annular installation groove recessed in an outer circumferential surface for installing the bearing.

3. the base further includes a side annular tank recessed in a side surface thereof and communicating with the axial hole and the inner annular tank; The caster according to claim 1 , wherein the stop plate is fitted into the side annular groove.

4. The caster according to claim 1 , wherein the position fixing mechanism includes a plurality of position fixing parts spaced apart along the periphery of the stop plate so as to collectively fix the stop plate to the base.

5. The caster according to claim 4 , wherein each of the position fixing parts is a rivet that passes through the stop plate and the base along a lateral direction and fastens them.

6. 5. The caster according to claim 4, wherein the stop plate has a plurality of position corresponding portions installed at intervals along the periphery of the stop plate so that the plurality of position fixing parts can pass through, and the base further has a plurality of positioning holes into which the plurality of position corresponding portions are fitted along the lateral direction.

7. 2. The caster of claim 1, wherein each of the extension portions has a stop groove recessed in its outer peripheral surface so as to form a ring, and each of the hollow wheels has a wheel body fitted onto the corresponding extension portion, and an inner protruding ring protruding from the inner peripheral surface of the wheel body and fitted into and fixed to the stop groove of the extension portion.

8. 2. The caster according to claim 1, wherein the caster is suitable for installation on the bottom side of an article and further comprises a connecting shaft extending upward from the front side of the base and for inserting upward into the article.

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