Caster wheel

Abstract

The present invention relates to a caster wheel that is rotatably mounted on the lower part of furniture, such as a chair, to facilitate the movement of the furniture. More specifically, the invention is characterized by comprising: a support member that is detachably mounted to the furniture; a connecting body formed in the shape of a cylinder with both ends open, having a plurality of adjacent protrusions formed on its outer surface in the longitudinal direction, and inserted through the support member so that both ends are exposed to the outside; a pair of bearings installed on both sides of the connecting body to be rotatably inserted between the adjacent protrusions; a pair of wheel members whose inner surface is rotatably coupled to the outer surface of the bearing and whose outer surface contacts the floor surface to facilitate the movement of the furniture; and a pair of socket members whose outer surface is fixed to the inner surface of the connecting body by an interference fit.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a caster wheel that is rotatably mounted on the underside of furniture, such as a chair, to help the furniture move. Background Technology

[0002] As previously announced, caster wheels are used to make it easier to operate furniture pieces such as chairs, tables, desks, carriages, and shop trolleys.

[0003] Conventional caster wheels can be substantially classified into two types: single wheel element type and double wheel element type.

[0004] A caster wheel of the single wheel element type has a rotation axis that works in conjunction with a support element that is connected and fixed to a piece of furniture or a trolley by a connecting pin extended in the vertical direction.

[0005] The above connecting pin allows the caster wheel to rotate about a substantially vertical axis, thereby allowing the furniture piece or trolley to be moved in a desired direction.

[0006] Since the above single-wheel element type caster wheel has the disadvantage of providing resistance to the rotational movement of the wheel assembly around the vertical axis, the furniture piece or trolley to which the above-mentioned wheel assembly is applied cannot exhibit balanced movement.

[0007] In order for the above wheel assembly to be able to rotate about a vertical axis, the wheel element must be able to rotate about a line penetrating the wheel element and its bottom contact point.

[0008] However, in reality, the peripheral portion of the wheel element does not rotate freely and tends to slide on the floor.

[0009] Furthermore, the central axis of rotation of the wheel element is clamped to the outside of the wheel element by clamping or by supporting members that are not protected against foreseeable impacts associated with other furniture pieces or walls, etc.

[0010] The impact described above can cause damage to the wheel assembly axle, which may reduce the operating efficiency of the wheel assembly or make normal operation impossible.

[0011] On the other hand, a double wheel element type caster wheel uses two wheel elements having a common axis of rotation that is fixed to a wheel assembly support element located at an intermediate point between two wheel elements that rotate freely individually.

[0012] Accordingly, the wheel elements can rotate in opposite directions, thereby facilitating the overall rotational movement of the wheel assembly around a vertical rotating pin that secures the wheel assembly to a furniture piece or trolley, and significantly improving the ability for balanced movement and change of direction.

[0013] Meanwhile, in the above-mentioned double wheel element type caster wheel, since the wheel element shaft support is positioned between the two wheel elements and at the center of the support assembly to protect against foreseeable impact and damage, it inevitably causes a decrease in driving efficiency.

[0014] The main problem with the aforementioned double-wheel element type caster wheel is properly clamping the wheel elements to the central axis.

[0015] Unlike the caster wheel of the single wheel element type mentioned above, the central axis is connected and fixed to two opposing faces of the wheel elements, and each wheel element is connected and fixed to both ends of the central axis using an axle support placed between the two wheel elements.

[0016] Such connection or clamping systems are inefficient because their stability is very low. In fact, since the shaft does not penetrate the wheel element, the load of the wheel element on the shaft is asymmetrical, reaching a maximum near the inner part of the wheel element connected to the shaft and becoming minimum or zero on the outer side of the wheel element.

[0017] As can be easily identified through an inspection of the wheel assembly of the double wheel element type caster wheel mentioned above, the aforementioned instability causes a large gap between the wheel elements and the central axis, which not only causes the wheel assembly to operate inefficiently but also has an adverse effect on the aesthetic appearance of the entire furniture piece or trolley to which the wheel assembly is applied.

[0018] In addition, the two types of caster wheels mentioned above have additional practical disadvantages.

[0019] In fact, in the case of the two types of caster wheels described above, the wheel element rotates appropriately around its axis of rotation, and its rotational movement is permitted due to the very low coefficient of friction between the wheel element and the axis.

[0020] Typically, because the diameter of the wheel element with respect to the shaft connection hole is large, the torque acting on the shaft-wheel connection hole is relatively large.

[0021] For the reasons mentioned above, during prolonged use of the wheel assembly, the material is gradually removed from the hole due to friction, thereby making the hole larger and causing overall inefficient operation of the wheel assembly, as well as unstable rotational movement of the wheel about the axle.

[0022] Furthermore, under conditions where the rotation of the wheel element is relatively slow and the primary function of the wheel element is to support a relatively large load, the use of a central axis of rotation does not constitute the most efficient approach.

[0023] In fact, during rotational motion, the wheel elements transmit torque along a line penetrating the center of the wheel elements perpendicular to the direction of motion.

[0024] The torque described above is generated because the force applied to the wheel element at the bottom contact point is a multiple of the distance with respect to its axis of rotation, that is, the radius of the wheel element.

[0025] Since the torque described above provides an additional load to the wheel element / axle assembly, it further reduces the overall operational stability of the wheel assembly.

[0026] Caster wheels referred to as hubless caster wheels are also known.

[0027] In the case of the aforementioned hubless caster wheel, the supporting element includes an inner annular portion, and the annular wheel element is configured to rotate around it through the insertion of sliding elements.

[0028] The sliding elements, which may consist of sliding balls or rolls, engage within sliding recesses formed in both the inner annular portion and the annular wheel element.

[0029] In order to manufacture hubless caster wheels, recesses with relatively high machining precision as described above must be formed, which increases the manufacturing and sales costs.

[0030] Furthermore, during prolonged operation, the sliding elements damage the shape of the recesses, making them larger, and accordingly, increase the gap between the inner annular part and the annular wheel element, thereby reducing the overall stability of the wheel assembly. Prior art literature

[0031] Republic of Korea Registered Utility Model No. 20-0396259 (Registration Date: Sep. 12, 2005) Republic of Korea Registered Patent No. 10-0460124 (Registration Date: Nov. 25, 2004) Republic of Korea Registered Utility Model No. 20-0417169 (Registration Date: May 18, 2006) Republic of Korea Registered Patent No. 10-1824575 (Registration Date: Jan. 26, 2018) Republic of Korea Registered Patent No. 10-1814179 (Registration Date: Dec. 26, 2017) Republic of Korea Published Patent No. 10-2011-0097594 (Publication Date: Aug. 31, 2011) The problem to be solved

[0032] To overcome the aforementioned conventional problems, the present invention aims to provide a caster wheel structure that can be manufactured in an economical, rapid, and simple manner.

[0033] In addition, another objective is to provide a caster wheel structure with high operational reliability and stability due to structural features that are rigorously designed to operate more efficiently for a very long time. means of solving the problem

[0034] As a means of solving the problem of the aforementioned conventional problems, the caster wheel according to the present invention is a caster wheel mounted to enable furniture to move, wherein the caster wheel comprises a support member (100) that is detachably mounted to the furniture, a connecting body (200) that is formed in the shape of a cylinder with both sides open, having a plurality of protrusions (210) formed adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction on its outer surface, and inserted through the support member (100) so that both sides can be exposed to the outside, a pair of bearings (300) installed on both sides of the connecting body (200) so as to be rotatably inserted between the adjacent protrusions (210), a pair of wheel members (400) whose inner surface is rotatably coupled to the outer surface of the bearing (300) and whose outer surface contacts the floor surface to help the furniture move, and a pair of socket members (500) whose outer surface is fixed to the inner surface of the connecting body (200) by a press fit.

[0035] Additionally, the support member (100) comprises a support body (110) having a through hole (111) into which the connecting body (200) is inserted, and a protrusion (120) formed on one side of the support body (110) having an insertion hole (121) into which a coupling joint (130) for coupling with furniture is rotatably inserted. A cut surface (113) is formed at the bottom of the support body (110) to be non-contacting with the floor surface, and the coupling joint (130) is formed in the shape of a column and inserted to have a length in the vertical direction with respect to the insertion hole (121). It is preferable that a plurality of rotation caps (131) are provided at the top and bottom, respectively, for the furniture or the support body (110) to rotate individually.

[0036] Additionally, the wheel member (400) is formed in the shape of a ring and includes a rotating ring (410) whose inner surface is rotatably coupled to the bearing (300), and a ring pad (420) which is formed in the shape of a ring, whose inner surface is coupled to the outer surface of the rotating ring (410) and whose outer surface is rotatably in contact with the bottom surface. The rotating ring (410) and the ring pad (420) are fixedly coupled by a coupling means (430), and the coupling means (430) preferably includes a coupling groove (431) and a coupling projection (433) formed so as to be fitted together in the longitudinal direction on the outer surface of the rotating ring (410) or the inner surface of the ring pad (420).

[0037] Additionally, the socket member (500) is formed in the shape of a cylinder with both ends open, and includes a socket body (510) having a plurality of fitting protrusions (511) formed protruding in the longitudinal direction on the outer surface for press fitting with the inner surface of the support member (100), and a flange (530) extending outward from one end of the socket body (510) to prevent foreign matter from entering into the caster wheel together with the socket body (510). It is preferable that a pair of socket bodies (510) that are fitted and coupled to both sides of the support member (100) have their respective opposite ends facing each other inside the support member (100). Effects of the invention

[0038] According to the present invention, the effect of providing a caster wheel that is economical, fast, and has simple structural features, distinct from conventional ones, is expected.

[0039] In addition, due to structural features that are strictly designed to operate more efficiently for a very long time, distinct from conventional designs, it is expected that a caster wheel with high operational reliability and stability can be provided by preventing detachment between components and the ingress of foreign substances. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0040] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a caster wheel according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the support member and connecting body of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the bearing and wheel member for FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the socket member for FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is a drawing showing the front and side views of FIG. 1. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0041] Hereinafter, various embodiments are described in more detail with reference to the attached drawings. The embodiments described in this specification may be modified in various ways. Specific embodiments may be depicted in the drawings and described in detail in the detailed description. However, specific embodiments disclosed in the attached drawings are intended only to facilitate understanding of various embodiments. Accordingly, the technical concept is not limited by specific embodiments disclosed in the attached drawings, and it should be understood that it includes all equivalents or substitutions that fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0042] Terms including ordinal numbers, such as first, second, etc., may be used to describe various components, but these components are not limited by the aforementioned terms. The aforementioned terms are used solely for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another.

[0043] In this specification, terms such as “comprising” or “having” are intended to specify the existence of the features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification, and should be understood as not precluding the existence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof. When a component is described as being “connected” or “connected” to another component, it should be understood that it may be directly connected to or connected to that other component, or that there may be other components in between. On the other hand, when a component is described as being “directly connected” or “directly connected” to another component, it should be understood that there are no other components in between.

[0044] Furthermore, in describing the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of related known functions or configurations may unnecessarily obscure the essence of the invention, such detailed description is abbreviated or omitted.

[0046] Hereinafter, the caster wheel (1) according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0047] Before proceeding with the explanation, please note that the furniture (not shown) described below refers to chairs, etc., but is not limited thereto. The bearing (300) refers to a conventional bearing, which is a mechanical part that supports a shaft that rotates or reciprocates in a certain position and allows it to move freely with respect to an object that contacts the inner surface and outer surface, respectively. To clearly convey the gist of the invention, a detailed description will be omitted.

[0048] First, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4, the caster wheel (1) according to the present invention comprises a support member (100), a connecting body (200), a bearing (300), a wheel member (400), and a socket member (500).

[0049] To explain in more detail, the support member (100) is configured to have a connecting body (200) to be installed as shown in FIG. 2, and includes a support body (110), a protrusion (120), and a connecting joint (130) so that the furniture can move.

[0050] For example, as illustrated, the support body (110) has a circular through hole (111) formed on its outer surface so that both sides communicate with each other, and the connecting body (200) is inserted through the through hole (111).

[0051] A cut surface (113) is formed on the lower part of the support body (110), which helps to prevent the caster wheel (1) from coming into contact with the support body (110) while moving along the bottom surface (see Fig. 5 (b)).

[0052] Additionally, as illustrated, the protrusion (120) is formed extending outward from the outer surface of the support body (110), and an insertion hole (121) is formed at the upper part for inserting a coupling joint (130).

[0053] Additionally, as shown in the illustration, the connecting joint (130) is formed into the shape of a column, and a rotating cap (131) is rotatably connected to the upper and lower parts, respectively.

[0054] Here, the rotation cap (131) formed at the lower part of the coupling joint (130) is press-fitted with the inner surface of the insertion hole (121), and the other rotation cap (131) formed at the upper part is press-fitted rotatably with the furniture, thereby enabling individual rotation of the support body (110) and the furniture around the coupling joint (130).

[0055] And, the connecting body (200) includes a jaw portion (210) configured to be inserted through the support body (110) described above, so that the bearing (300), wheel member (400), and socket member (500) described later can be mounted on each side.

[0056] For example, the connecting body (200) is formed in the shape of a cylinder, as described above, with both sides open, and a first hollow portion (220) formed in the internal direction.

[0057] The outer surface of the connecting body (200) is formed to be joined with the inner surface of the through hole (111) in a shape-matched manner, and parts of both sides are joined so that they are exposed to the outside of the supporting body (110), thereby enabling the installation of other configurations described later.

[0058] A plurality of jaw portions (210) are formed adjacent to each other on the outer surface of the connecting body (200), and through the jaw portions (210), the connecting body (200) can be supported in contact with both ends of the through hole (111), and at the same time, each bearing (300) provided on both sides of the connecting body (200) can rotate without play at a predetermined position, satisfying the structure.

[0059] And, the wheel member (400) is configured to rotatably connect with a pair of bearings (300) provided on both sides of the aforementioned connecting body (200) to enable the caster wheel (1) to move along the bottom surface, and includes a rotating ring (410), a ring pad (420), and a connecting means (430), as shown in FIG. 3.

[0060] For example, as shown in the illustration, the rotating ring (410) is formed to have the shape of a ring overall, and its inner surface satisfies a structure that allows it to rotate in conjunction with a bearing (300).

[0061] At this time, it is preferable to form a plurality of radially reinforcing protrusions on the outer surface of the rotating ring (410) so that the durability of the rotating ring (410) can be strengthened.

[0062] Additionally, as described, the ring pad (420) is molded to have the shape of a ring overall and is joined to form a concentric circle with the rotating ring (410).

[0063] That is, the inner surface of the ring pad (420) satisfies a structure that allows rotation by being coupled to the outer surface of the rotating ring (410) by means of a coupling means (430), and the outer surface of the ring pad (420) contacts the floor surface to allow the furniture to move smoothly.

[0064] At this time, it is desirable to mold the outer surface of the ring pad (420) so that it is inclined upward from one side to the other side relative to the front of the caster wheel (1) (see (a) of FIG. 5) to enable the rotation of the caster wheel (1) for moving furniture, while simultaneously reducing the wear of the ring pad (420) and allowing the caster wheel (1) to rotate smoothly during the process of moving along a surface that is tilted or uneven.

[0065] Additionally, the coupling means (430) includes a coupling groove (431) and a coupling projection (433) as a configuration to improve the fixing force between the aforementioned rotating ring (410) and the ring pad (420).

[0066] Here, as shown in the illustration, the coupling grooves (431) are formed in a plurality of adjacent to each other along the longitudinal direction of the inner surface of the rotating ring (410) so that the coupling protrusions (433) can be inserted.

[0067] In addition, as described above, the coupling protrusions (433) are formed in multiple numbers so as to protrude in the longitudinal direction of the inner surface of the ring pad (420) corresponding to the formation location of the coupling groove (431), so that they can be inserted into the coupling groove (431).

[0068] Meanwhile, in the embodiment of the coupling means (430) of the present invention, the coupling groove (431) is formed on the outer surface of the rotating ring (410) and the coupling projection (433) is formed on the inner surface of the ring pad (420); however, it is also possible to form them so that they are opposite to each other as needed to increase the coupling force between them.

[0069] And, as shown in FIG. 4, the socket member (500) is provided in a pair so as to be fitted and coupled to both sides of the aforementioned connecting body (200), and includes a socket body (510) in a configuration to prevent detachment of the components constituting the caster wheel (1) according to the present invention and to minimize the ingress of foreign substances.

[0070] For example, the socket body (510) is formed in the shape of a cylinder with both sides open and a second hollow portion (520) formed inside, and a plurality of fitting protrusions (511) are formed protruding in the longitudinal direction on the outer surface of the socket body (510) to be fixedly coupled with the inner surface of the connecting body (200) by press fitting.

[0071] At this time, it is preferable that the other ends of each of the pair of socket bodies (510) inserted into both sides of the connecting body (200) be joined so as to face each other inside the first hollow portion (220) so that foreign matter can be prevented from entering the inside of the caster wheel (1) according to the present invention.

[0072] In addition, a flange (530) extending outward is further formed on one side of each socket body (510) so that when the socket body (510) is combined with the connecting body (200), the wheel member (400) described above is blocked from the outside, thereby further maximizing the prevention of detachment and the prevention of foreign matter ingress.

[0073] As described above, the caster wheel (1) according to the present invention is expected to provide an effect that is economical, fast, and has simple structural features, distinct from conventional casters.

[0074] In addition, due to structural features that are strictly designed to operate more efficiently for a very long time, unlike conventional ones, it is possible to prevent detachment between each component and prevent the ingress of foreign matter, thereby providing a caster wheel (1) with high operational reliability and stability.

[0076] As described above, the present invention has been explained by specific details such as specific components, limited embodiments, and drawings; however, this is provided merely to aid in a more comprehensive understanding of the invention, and the invention is not limited to the above embodiments. A person skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations from this description.

[0077] Accordingly, the scope of the present invention should not be limited to the described embodiments, and all things equivalent to or having equivalent variations to the claims set forth below, as well as the claims set forth below, shall be considered to fall within the scope of the concept of the present invention. Explanation of the symbols

[0078] 1: Caster wheel according to the present invention 100: Support member 110: Support body 120: Protrusion 130: Connecting joint 200: Connecting body 210: Jaw section 220: 1st hollow section 300: Bearing 400: Wheel component 410: Rotating ring 420: Ring pad 430: Combination means 500: Socket component 510: Socket body 520: Second hollow part 530: Flange

Claims

Claim 1 In a caster wheel mounted to enable furniture to move, the caster wheel comprises: a support member (100) that is detachably mounted to the furniture; a connecting body (200) formed in the shape of a cylinder with both ends open, having a plurality of protrusions (210) formed adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction on the outer surface, and inserted through the support member (100) so that both ends can be exposed to the outside; a pair of bearings (300) installed on both sides of the connecting body (200) so as to be rotatably inserted between the adjacent protrusions (210); and a pair of wheel members (400) whose inner surface is rotatably coupled to the outer surface of the bearing (300), and whose outer surface contacts the floor surface to help the furniture move. and a pair of socket members (500) whose outer surface is fixed to the inner surface of the connecting body (200) by a press fit; wherein the supporting member (100) includes a supporting body (110) having a through hole (111) into which the connecting body (200) is inserted, and a protrusion (120) formed on one side of the supporting body (110) having an insertion hole (121) into which a coupling joint (130) for coupling with furniture is rotatably inserted, wherein a cutting surface (113) for non-contact with the floor surface is formed on the lower part of the supporting body (110), and the coupling joint (130) is formed in the shape of a column and inserted to have a length in the vertical direction with respect to the insertion hole (121), and a plurality of rotation caps (131) are provided on the upper and lower parts, respectively, for the furniture or the supporting body (110) to rotate individually, and the wheel member (400) is formed in the shape of a ring, and the inner surface A caster wheel characterized by comprising a rotating ring (410) that is rotatably coupled to the bearing (300) and a ring pad (420) which is formed in the shape of a ring, wherein the inner surface is coupled to the outer surface of the rotating ring (410) and the outer surface is rotatably in contact with the bottom surface, wherein the rotating ring (410) and the ring pad (420) are fixedly coupled by a coupling means (430), and the coupling means (430) includes a coupling groove (431) and a coupling projection (433) formed so as to be fitted together in the longitudinal direction on the outer surface of the rotating ring (410) or the inner surface of the ring pad (420). Claim 2 delete Claim 3 delete Claim 4 In claim 1, the socket member (500) is formed in the shape of a cylinder with both sides open, and the socket body (510) has a plurality of fitting protrusions (511) formed protruding in the longitudinal direction on the outer surface for press fitting with the inner surface of the support member (100); and a flange (530) extending outward from one end of the socket body (510) to prevent foreign matter from entering into the caster wheel together with the socket body (510); wherein a pair of socket bodies (510) that are fitted and coupled to both sides of the support member (100) are installed such that their respective opposite ends face each other inside the support member (100).

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