Fold-Flat Wheel Assembly with Latching Swivel Mount
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Solution Overview
Problem
Many wheeled carrier devices, such as jogging strollers and carts, lack a simple method to fold and store their forward wheels, which remain non-collapsible and non-stowable, limiting their compactness and space-saving potential.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of novel latching mechanisms and wheel assemblies that allow 360° swiveling caster wheels to be oriented parallel with the base, enabling manual manipulation for stowage, and the use of pivot and brace plate systems to secure wheels in fixed positions or folded configurations, allowing all wheels to be oriented flat within the carrier device's profile.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If wheels are made fixed or swivel for operational stability, then the carrier device provides stable rolling and maneuvering, but the wheels cannot be folded flat for compact storage
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel assembly is designed with dynamic reconfigurability, allowing it to transition between a stable operational configuration (wheel perpendicular to base plate) and a compact stored configuration (wheel parallel to base plate). The swivel mount enables the wheel to be rotated and latched in multiple positions, providing stability when needed and compactness when storage is required.
Solution Approach 2:
The wheel assembly is segmented into separable components including the wheel, swivel mount, brace plate, and latch mechanism. This segmentation allows the wheel to be independently positioned and latched in different orientations relative to the base plate, enabling both stable operation and compact storage without requiring the entire wheel assembly to be removed or collapsed.
2Volume of moving object
If a latch mechanism is added to enable wheel folding, then the wheel can be stored in a thin profile, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The latch mechanism is merged with the existing wheel and brace plate assembly rather than being a separate independent system. The latch integrates with the swivel mount and brace plate, using existing structural elements to provide both the latching function and the structural support for wheel positioning. This merging approach enables wheel folding without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.
3Volume of moving object
If the wheel is oriented parallel to the base plate for storage, then the carrier device achieves compact profile, but the wheel cannot perform normal rolling function
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel assembly is designed with dynamic reconfigurability, allowing it to transition between a stable operational configuration (wheel perpendicular to base plate) and a compact stored configuration (wheel parallel to base plate). The swivel mount enables the wheel to be rotated and latched in multiple positions, providing stability when needed and compactness when storage is required.
Solution Approach 2:
The wheel assembly is designed to be easily repositioned by the user through manual manipulation of the latch mechanism. The simple latch design allows users to quickly transition the wheel between operational and stored positions without requiring tools or complex procedures, making the compact storage feature practical and user-friendly.
Data Source
AI summary
This application discloses a number of fold flat, collapsible, stowable wheel assemblies for wheeled carriers including but not limited to strollers, jogging strollers, flat carts, dollies, trolleys, wagons and carts. The application discloses novel methods to selectively fixate the wheel/tire position, to stow and fold flat, fixed, swivel and caster wheels so that the wheels/tires fold flat and generally parallel with the floor/base/frame of the device providing for a thin stowed profile. Also, one innovation provides for a flat cart and all wheels fold flat to the underside and side elevational profile of the carrier device. Other innovations relate to methods to manufacture and provide for fold flat caster or swivel wheels. One embodiment provides for a baby jogging stroller forward wheel/tire that is a selectively fixed, or becomes a swivel wheel, which quickly and easily may be folded flat along the jogger frame, without removing the wheel.