6403 results about "Caster" patented technology

A wheelchair suspension having plurality of pivoting linkages to lift and retract a front castor assembly to facilitate traversing an obstacle or rough terrain. In this regard, a wheelchair suspension having a frame member and at least one a pivoting assembly is provided. The pivoting assembly has, for example, a first linkage pivotally coupled to the frame member and a second linkage pivotally coupled to the frame member. At least one front caster assembly is coupled to the first and second linkages wherein upward pivotal movement of the first linkage causes the caster assembly to undergo upward vertical movement and upward pivotal movement of the second linkage causes the caster assembly to undergo lateral movement inward toward the wheelchair.

A self-propelled battery-powered wheelchair replaces an ordinary wheelchair and provides improved access to homes. The wheelchair includes stair climbing, slope climbing, and reclining while requiring only minimal driver skill and strength. Operation on level ground is similar to the operation of a conventional wheelchair. Support for normal operation is provided by a rear caster and wheels on the front corners. Its compact width and length enable negotiating narrow doorways and turning in small spaces. To ensure stability on stairs, moveable skids are mounted to the four corners of the wheelchair. Parallelogram linkages move the front skids down and forward during climbing. Another parallelogram linkage moves the caster and rear skids up and at an angle during climbing. The wheelchair is steerable on stairs as needed to align with the stair path and accommodate slightly spiraling stairs. The wheelchair accommodates stair steps of different riser heights and tread lengths. A pair of spoked or spider wheels with small wheels at the ends of the spokes are rotably mounted to the sides of the wheelchair. The spider wheels engage the stairs to propel and stabilize the wheelchair during climbing of stairs. Methods are provided to monitor and control the pitch attitude of the wheelchair and nearness of wheelchair supporting components to the stairs. Motion and control are provided by electric motors, sensors, a computer, and driver inputs. Propulsion power for conventional level operation, slope climbing, and stair climbing operation is transmitted through the same motors and wheels.

A skateboard for use on pavement, ice or snow using a single narrow-footprint wheel, ice-blade or ski-runner attached to each foot, thus requiring the rider to dynamically balance the board. The skateboard is capable of self-propulsion at considerable speed on the flat or uphill by using an undulating motion. It can also lean up to 30 degrees and has a steering circle of only two feet. The board's construction comprises a front footboard, a rear footboard, and a strut which connects the two footboards and resists bending and extension. Each footboard includes a footpad, an attachment (i.e. a wheel, blade or ski), and a pivot joint connecting to the strut. The axis of this joint is aligned perpendicular to the footpad which allows the rider to steer each footboard independently by torsionally rotating the lower leg.

The patient support with a head end and a foot end comprises a lying surface supported by a frame system. It also comprises a pair of head end siderails, a pair of foot end siderails, a headboard, a footboard, a power system and a communication system. The frame system comprises a lying surface support moveably connected to a load frame by an articulation system providing means for pivoting sections of the lying surface support relative to the load frame, a head end support arm pivotally attached to the head end of the load frame, a mobile frame translationally attached to foot end of the load frame, an intermediate frame being operationally connected to the load frame by a plurality of load cells and movably connected to a base frame by an elevation system, the elevation system providing a means for raising and lowering the intermediate frame relative to a base frame, the base frame being supported on the floor by a plurality of caster wheels, including a drive wheel operatively connected to assist in movement of the patient support. A communication system is also provided to communicate with and control various functions of the patient support.

A skateboard includes a first platform having a first wheel caster. A second platform, co-planar with the first platform, includes a second wheel caster. The skateboard further includes a bar having first and second ends, for interconnecting the first and second platforms in an aligned and spaced-apart relation along a common axis defined by the bar. A first elastomeric plug associated with the first platform is disposed between the bar and the first platform. A second elastomeric plug associated with the second platform is disposed between the bar and the second platform. Each plug allows a respective platform to rotate independently about the common axis.

A riding lawnmower includes left and right wheels, at least one caster wheel, a lawnmower blade or reel, and a control section. The left and right wheels are independently driven by electric rotary machines to travel. The lawnmower blade or reel is driven for mowing. The control section, in response to turn instruction input by a turn operator, controls the left and right wheels according to preset standard setting conditions, or according to deceleration setting conditions which differ from the standard setting conditions, under which at least one of a vehicle movement speed and vehicle turning speed is decelerated more than under standard setting conditions. The riding lawnmower includes a section designating either standard setting conditions or deceleration setting conditions. In a riding lawnmower, left and right wheels are caused to turn around a turn center position corresponding to a turn instruction according to designated setting conditions.

An improved three-wheel motorized cart is described for transporting beach related items over sandy terrain. The cart includes a cargo frame for retaining items being transported or stored on the cart. A platform that aids in the removal of loose sand from items being loaded and transported. A steering and control handle attached to the rear of the cargo frame contains the electric motor control assembly that operates the electronic circuit utilizing a pulse code modulated speed control trigger and a direction switch. A propulsion assembly containing a rechargeable battery, two motorized front wheels utilizing geared motor assemblies and an electronic motor control circuit. A caster wheel assembly, with a center mounted raised band, is affixed to the rear of the platform to provide the capability to traverse soft sand and easy steering on a hard surface.

An automated self propelled refuse container travels from a parking or storage location to a refuse discharge location and return in response to a control unit cooperating with a tracking unit to control the direction of travel. Power is provided by an electric motor associated with each of two driving wheels rotating at the same rate and a third steering wheel provides stability and control over the direction of travel. The two driving wheels may rotate at a constant rate for straight line travel or charge direction, respectively, and a castering wheel provides stability and accommodates the direction of travel. Alternatively, a single wheel can provide both motive power and steering capability under control of a control unit responsive to the tracking unit and a pair of free wheeling wheels provide stability.

A welding table used in welding industry and woodworking applications comprises a metal table top with retractable carrying handle and elongated slots for insertion of clamping tools, a protrusion-adjustable angle flange with V-notch mounted to at least one edge of the table top, a support structure having an angle and height adjusting mechanism, and a foldable base frame with casters.

The invention discloses a full-mechanical rapid sleeper replacement machine which comprises a vibration rotary excavating and ballast removing device, a ballast collecting and discharging device, a vibration ballast pushing device, a four-nut synchronous assembly and disassembly device, a sleeper lifting and rotating device, a sleeper pushing and pulling device, a sleeper hoisting device, a rail car, a power generator, a hydraulic system box, a first camera assembly, a second camera assembly, a third camera assembly, a fourth camera assembly, a fifth camera assembly, a sixth camera assembly and a monitor. A plurality of casters and two longitudinal beams are arranged on the rail car, the vibration rotary excavating and ballast removing device, the ballast collecting and discharging device, the vibration ballast pushing device, the four-nut synchronous assembly and disassembly device, the sleeper lifting and rotating device, the sleeper pushing and pulling device, the sleeper hoisting device, the power generator and the hydraulic system box are arranged on the two longitudinal beams of the rail car, and the monitor is arranged in a cab of a tow tractor. The full-mechanical rapid sleeper replacement machine is suitable for rapid sleeper replacement on straight-line and curved rail rod segments, operating time in repairing skylight through limited line can be made full and reasonable use of, and full-mechanical sleeper replacement can be achieved.

There is provided a patient support that may be adjustable in height, width, length or a combination thereof. The patient support may be useable with normal sized patients or with bariatric patients. The patient support has a variety of features to enhance operability and / or functionality, including a width adjustable caster frame, width adjustable deck portions, a width adjustable headboard and an extendible foot board to provide extra length. An enhanced lift mechanism can accommodate bariatric patients and alternative functionality in achieving deck positions improves patient comfort. Various parts of the patient support including deck panels and the footboard may be removed and replaced with ease without complicated connectors.

An electric vehicle including: an operating shaft inserted into the center of the upper portion of a motor housing and having steering handles mounted on the front end thereof to change the drive direction of the vehicle; motors mounted onto the interiors of both sides of the motor housing and having front wheels coupled correspondingly thereto; a foot board mounted on the rear side of the operating shaft; a battery and a controller mounted on the underside of the foot board; a rear connection member protruded backwardly from the board and having a caster mounted on the underside thereof; and a front connection member protruded forwardly from the foot board, coupled by a connection shaft to foot board shaft holes formed on the lower ends of both sides of the motor housing, in a state of being isolated downwardly.

A riding lawnmower vehicle includes two main drive wheels, at least one caster wheel, an electric traction motor, an internal combustion engine, a generator driven by the internal combustion engine, and a lawnmower. The electric energy generated by the generator can be supplied directly or via an electric accumulator to the electric traction motor. The main drive wheels are independently driven by the electric traction motor, which can operate as a traction power source. When viewed from one end to the other end in the width direction of the vehicle, the internal combustion engine and a secondary battery operable as the electric accumulator overlap each other, and the main drive wheels overlap at least a part of at least one of the internal combustion engine, the generator, the secondary battery, a fuel cell, a capacitor, an inverter, a cooling device, a mower driving motor, and a grass-collecting duct.

A drive mechanism for a mobile imaging system comprises a main drive geared into a drive wheel for propelling the imaging system, including a base and one or more imaging components, across a surface. The drive mechanism can also include a scan drive that moves the drive mechanism and the one or more imaging components along an axis relative to the base to provide an imaging scan, and a suspension drive that extends the drive wheel relative to a bottom surface when the imaging system is in a transport mode and retracts the drive wheel relative to the bottom surface of the base when the imaging system is in an imaging mode. The drive wheel supports the weight of the imaging components, but does not directly support the base assembly, which can include pedestal and tabletop support. One or more casters located on the base can support the weight of the base assembly.

A method and apparatus for a physical training device is provided to accommodate one or more athletes during support of a plurality of independent training scenarios for each athlete. The physical training device provides a plurality of training stations, where each training station may be specific to martial arts training activities, or may be generalized to facilitate training that is effective for a plurality of other sporting disciplines. The physical training device provides removable casters that facilitate maneuvering and reconfiguration of the physical training device. Lifting devices may also be configured along the bottom surface of the physical training device so as to provide a mechanism whereby the casters of the physical training device may be lifted off of the surface that is supporting the casters. Two or more physical training devices may be interconnected so as to provide a localized cluster of physical training devices.

A directional lock for a caster. The caster has a wheel assembly including a wheel rotatable about a wheel axis and a housing for supporting the wheel. The housing defines a cavity for receiving a portion of the wheel. Also, the caster includes a stem supported by the housing and positionable in a chassis element, the wheel assembly being pivotally attached to the stem. The directional lock has an engagement portion and a base portion coupled to the engagement portion such that the engagement portion is movable relative to the base portion. The engagement portion is for engaging the wheel assembly to locate the wheel assembly in a predetermined position relative to the chassis element. The base portion is adapted to cooperate with the chassis element to maintain the engagement portion in a predetermined relation to the chassis element.

The vehicle tool tray has a T-shaped based mounted on casters. A vertical post is mounted to the base at the junction of the shaft and crossbar of the Tee. The vertical post is composed of two telescoping sections which are preferably square and tubular in cross section. The telescoping sections are firmly clamped at the desired height by a lock mechanism having a cam and a crank lever pivotally attached to a U-shaped bracket, the cam releasably engaging one of a plurality of slots defined in the upper section of the vertical post. The upper telescoping section of the vertical post is also T-shaped. A pair of short angle irons extend horizontally from the ends of the crossbar of the upper section of the vertical post. The tray is supported on the angle irons and crossbar of the upper section in cantilever fashion. The tray includes a plurality of dividers sectionalizing the top surface of the tray into compartments adapted for holding tools or small parts. The tray includes a drawer mounted on slides on the bottom surface of the tray. The vehicle tool tray is particularly adapted for working on a vehicle with the hood open, the base being wheeled under the vehicle and the tray extending over the engine compartment in cantilever fashion.

A pneumatic locking swivel caster comprises a swivel caster and a locking device which may be activated by fluid pressure. The swivel caster may be a dual wheel swivel caster. An improved theatrical prop or scenery element comprises a pneumatic locking swivel caster and a control system. The control system may comprise a tank filled with pressurized air and a control valve. A pneumatic locking swivel caster may be locked into position by activating the control valve and pressuring the caster with air. The pneumatic locking swivel caster may comprise a triple swivel caster adapted such that all three sets of wheels are locked by air pressure.

Drifting karts in accordance with embodiments of the invention are described that include a front wheel drive train and rear caster wheels that can be dynamically engaged to induce and control drift during a turn. One embodiment of the invention includes a chassis to which a steering column is mounted, where the steering column includes at least one front steerable wheel configured to be driven by an electric motor, a battery housing mounted to the chassis, where the battery housing contains a controller and at least one battery, wiring configured to provide power from the at least one battery to the electric motor, two caster wheels mounted to the chassis, where each caster wheel is configured to rotate around a rotational axis and swivel around a swivel axis, and a hand lever configured to dynamically engage the caster wheels to induce and control drift during a turn.

A center-of-gravity tilt-in-space wheelchair includes a base, a seat for supporting an occupant, and tracks supporting the seat for selective seat movement relative to the base. Wheels are adapted to support the base relative to a supporting surface. The tracks serve as rolling or sliding surfaces that allow the seat to rotate with respect to the base. Each track has a constant-radius arc with a focal point that is adapted to be coincident with the center of gravity of the wheelchair occupant. A low-friction supports the base relative to the seat. The low-friction support may include low friction elements that mate with the tracks to support for the tracks. The support can be adjustable to permit the overall tilt angle range of the tracks to be adjusted. The wheelchair seat can be adjusted to maintain the focal point of the constant-radius arc of the tracks coincident with the center of gravity of the wheelchair occupant. The front and rear wheels can be adjusted fore and aft relative to the focal point. A coupling includes plates having upper ends operatively attached to one another with seat canes therebetween and lower ends releasably attached relative to the side tubes. The lower ends can be movable in a longitudinal direction relative to the side tubes while remaining operatively connected to the side tubes. A base frame can include side frames having an offset at a front end and a caster housing supported by the offset. The offset is directed up to minimize the height of the side frames and down to maximize the height.

The invention belongs to the field of continuous casting production, and particularly relates to a method for continuous casting billet two-stage continuous and dynamic heavy downward pressing. The method for the c two-stage continuous and dynamic heavy downward pressing is provided for the characteristics of a bloom caster and a wide and thick plate continuous casting machine. A specific process parameter design method of heavy downward pressing process implementation is given and includes downward pressing interval section and division and downward pressing amount design. The casting billet segregation defect is overcome in the first stage of downward pressing, the looseness defect of casting billets is overcome in the second stage of continuous downward pressing, and therefore the synchronous improvement of casting billet segregation and looseness is achieved.

A recreational board propelled by side-to-side movement of a user. The board may be wider than deep, to accommodate a human standing at a slight straddle, and have a plurality of caster wheels mounted to an underside thereof. The wheels are preferably mounted in a biased direction wheel arrangement, the bias being provided by tilting, spring or other mechanism. The orientation of the front wheels may be different from that of the rear wheels. Four, six and eight wheel embodiments are disclosed.

There is provided a battery powered golf cart with selectable dual operative modes, walk-behind / ride-on modes, including three units: a drive / riding unit, a golf bag support unit, and a front caster wheel assembly. The three units are interconnected for cooperative association in the two operative modes by a bar linkage system, having two stable positions.

A mobile sterilization system comprising: a sterilization cabinet, the sterilization cabinet comprising: a bottom panel, a top panel, two side panels, a back panel and a door configured so as to define an interior chamber; a plurality of casters or wheels mounted to the bottom panel, each of the plurality of casters or wheels being mounted to the bottom panel by a caster or wheel bracket, wherein the caster or wheel bracket comprises a lateral projection; perforations formed in at least one of the bottom panel, top panel and two side panels; and at least one filter configured to cover the perforations; and a transfer cart, the transfer cart comprising: an upper platform for receiving a sterilization cabinet, the upper platform comprising a pair of transfer cart tracks extending longitudinally along the upper platform, wherein each of the transfer cart tracks comprises a lateral projection; and a lower support structure for supporting the upper platform and for receiving wheels; wherein the sterilization cabinet is received on the transfer cart such that the lateral projections of the caster or wheel brackets engage the lateral projections of the transfer cart tracks, whereby to prevent side-to-side and up-and-down movement of the sterilization cabinet relative to the transfer cart.