Caster Wheel Tilt Bar for Cart Tilting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for preventing cart wheels from rotating when lifting a cart are either integrated into the cart or require complex braking systems, limiting their versatility and applicability to generic or custom caster wheels.
Innovation Solution
A caster wheel tilt bar that can be securely installed and removed from a caster wheel, featuring a tapered design to pinch fit onto the wheel frame, with a tilt bar that elevates the wheel when the cart is rotated, allowing for easy dumping or emptying of contents without obstructing normal rolling functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a braking mechanism is integrated into the cart to stop wheel rotation, then the cart can be stopped and tilted for dumping, but the device complexity increases and requires integration into the entire cart structure
Solution Approach 1:
The invention separates the wheel stopping function from the cart structure by creating a standalone wheel chock assembly that attaches to the wheel itself. This segmentation allows the stopping mechanism to be independent of the cart's overall structure, reducing integration complexity while maintaining the ability to stop and tilt the cart for dumping.
Solution Approach 2:
The wheel chock assembly acts as an intermediary device between the wheel and the ground. Instead of integrating a brake into the cart, this intermediate component is placed between the wheel and the surface to prevent rotation, enabling cart tilting without complex internal braking systems.
2Ease of operation
If wheel chocks are used to prevent wheel rotation, then the cart can be stopped, but the chocks must be built into the cart during manufacturing
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel chock assembly is designed as a separate, modular unit that can be attached to the wheel independently of the cart's manufacturing process. This segmentation allows the chock to be installed on existing carts without requiring integration into the cart's manufacturing line, significantly improving ease of manufacture and applicability to generic casters.
Solution Approach 2:
The wheel chock assembly is designed to be universally applicable to various caster types. By creating a standalone component that can attach to different wheel configurations, the invention makes the wheel rotation prevention feature available across multiple cart models without requiring custom integration for each cart type.
3Ease of operation
If a lifting structure is used to elevate the cart side for tilting, then the vehicle can be tilted, but the device complexity increases and requires drive-on configuration
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the tilting function from complex lifting structures and reduces it to a simple wheel stopping mechanism. By removing the need for active lifting components and instead using passive wheel chocks to prevent rotation, the system achieves vehicle tilting with minimal device complexity and no drive-on requirement.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables the cart to be easily tilted and emptied by lifting the wheel off the ground, providing a versatile solution that can be adapted to various caster wheels, maintaining balance and functionality with adjustable components and aesthetic matching.
Implementation Method 1
The shoe and flanges are configured to engage on at least one side of a caster frame
Implementation Method 2
The shoe has a tapered configuration to provide an interference or pinch fit on the caster leg
Data Source
AI summary
Improvements in a caster wheel tilt bar is disclosed. The caster wheel tilt bar is installable and removeable on a caster and is secured over one side of the caster frame and utilizes the tapered portion of the wheel frame. When the cart frame is rotated the tilt bar comes in contact with the ground. Further rotation lifts the wheel above the ground. The tilt bar can be configured in an arc or can be configured with defined angular steps. The angular steps are generally calculated to create a balance point where the cart can hold with limited rocking. The caster wheel tilt bar can also be painted or powder coated to match the color of the pre-existing caster wheel. Because the rod and shoe can be different components, the shoe or rod can be adjusted to accommodate different casters and/or wheel diameters.