Caster Adapter With Containment Member For Leg Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Large and cumbersome objects often lack means for easy movement, such as rollers or wheels, making them difficult to transport, especially when machinery use is impractical or incomplete.
Innovation Solution
A caster adapter system that can be coupled to a caster assembly and attached to an object's legs, featuring a connecting base, adapter member, and containment members to securely hold the caster adapter in place, allowing for easier movement by preventing slipping and disengagement during lifting or pushing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a caster adapter is attached to an object's leg, then the object becomes easier to move, but the adapter may slip off or disengage during lifting or pushing
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter member is designed to receive and nest around the object's leg, with the leg inserted through the adapter member's opening. The containment member then secures the leg within the adapter member, creating a nested structure where the leg is retained inside the adapter member, preventing slippage or disengagement during movement or lifting operations
Solution Approach 2:
The containment member acts as an intermediary element between the adapter member and the object's leg. It secures the adapter member to the leg by blocking the opening through which the leg was inserted, providing a reliable retention mechanism that prevents the adapter from slipping off while maintaining the ease of movement benefit
2Ease of manufacture
If the adapter member has an opening for leg insertion, then the adapter can be quickly installed, but the leg may slide out during use
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter member is pre-configured with an opening that allows the leg to be inserted without requiring complex assembly steps. The containment member is then attached to block this opening, creating a preliminary secure state that maintains both quick installation capability and reliable retention during subsequent use
Solution Approach 2:
The leg is inserted through the opening and nested within the adapter member's interior space. The containment member then secures this nested configuration by blocking the opening, allowing quick installation while preventing the leg from sliding out during operation
Data Source
AI summary
An exemplary embodiment of a caster adapter includes a connecting base for coupling the caster adapter to a caster, at least two panels forming at least part of an adapter member and defining the interior of the adapter member wherein at least a portion of a leg of an object is insertable into the interior of the adapter member. The adapter member may contain a leg conforming portion that protrudes outward from the interior of the adapter member and corresponds with a leg protrusion on a leg of an object wherein the leg protrusion will fit within the leg conforming portion such that the object may be lifted off the ground without the caster adapter, and coupled caster, slipping off of the leg. The leg may be inserted into the caster adapter through an opening in the side of the adapter member, wherein the opening is blocked by the use of at least one containment member interacting with the adapter member. The leg conforming portion may be customized depending on the leg protrusion location and size on the subject leg. The containment member not only acts to retain the leg within the caster adapter but also allows for quick release of the caster adapter from the leg. The adapter member of the caster adapter is customizable to fit various geometries of legs. The containment member may be retained in proximity to the caster adapter through the use of an attachment member that is attachable to the adapter member and the containment member.