Low-Profile Swivel Caster With Peripheral Rolling Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing casters with swiveling mechanisms above the wheels increase the overall height, which is problematic for applications like TV stands with thin bases, impeding design aesthetics.

Innovation Solution

A caster design with a wheel support portion and a swivel mechanism that allows the wheel to be rotatably supported and held in a horizontally swivelable manner, utilizing a plate with an annular recess and rolling elements, along with a bracket that restricts movement of the elements to reduce height.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a swiveling mechanism is provided above the wheels in existing casters, then horizontal swiveling of the rotation case is enabled, but the overall height of the caster increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehorizontal swiveling capabilityVSAvoidoverall height

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The swivel mechanism is repositioned from a vertical arrangement (above the wheels) to a horizontal arrangement (at the outer peripheral portion of the wheel support). This dimensional change allows the swiveling function to be achieved without increasing the overall height of the caster, while maintaining the horizontal swiveling capability through the bracket and rolling elements configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Length of moving object

If the overall height of the caster is reduced for attachment to thin bases, then design aesthetics are improved, but the swiveling mechanism becomes constrained

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoverall heightVSAvoidswiveling function

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

By moving the swivel mechanism to a horizontal configuration at the outer peripheral portion, the invention achieves swiveling functionality within a reduced vertical space, allowing attachment to thin bases while maintaining adaptability through the bracket-based swiveling mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The bracket is positioned within the outer peripheral portion of the wheel support, creating a nested arrangement where the swivel mechanism components are contained within the existing structural space, maximizing space utilization and enabling compact overall height.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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

The caster's overall height is reduced, allowing it to be attached to thin bases without compromising design aesthetics.

Implementation Method 1

a plurality of rolling elements disposed in the recess

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRolling friction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS12479239B2Caster

Publication Date: 2025.11.25 NAKAMURA KK

AI summary

A caster whose overall height can be reduced. A caster includes a wheel, a wheel support portion having a plate shape provided with an opening where the wheel is disposed and rotatably supporting the wheel, and a swivel mechanism portion that holds an outer peripheral portion of the opening in the wheel support portion in a horizontally swivelable manner.