Wheel Guard Obstacle Clearance for Locked Casters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wheel guards for machines are difficult to mount, not effective in preventing obstacles like cables and debris, and are not compatible with caster wheels having locking devices, making them unsuitable for various applications.
Innovation Solution
A wheel guard with a four-piece construction or one-piece molded design, featuring snap-fitting or screwable components, that surrounds the wheel to prevent obstacles by being positioned on either side of the wheel's horizontal axis, allowing easy installation and use with caster wheels and conventional wheels, including those with locking mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If prior art wheel guards are mounted on wheels, then they are intended to clear obstacles from the rolling path, but they are difficult to mount and do not perform satisfactorily
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel guard is divided into multiple separable components including a first guard portion, a second guard portion, and a third guard portion that can be assembled together. This segmentation allows for easier mounting and removal while maintaining effectiveness in clearing obstacles from the wheel's rolling path.
Solution Approach 2:
The wheel guard incorporates flexible or movable elements that allow the guard to adapt to different wheel positions and movements. The guard portions can flex or adjust during wheel rotation, ensuring continuous obstacle clearance while accommodating various mounting scenarios including locked caster wheels.
2Adaptability or versatility
If prior art wheel guards are designed to clear obstacles, then they may prevent wheel obstruction, but they are not usable with caster wheels having locking devices
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel guard is designed as a universal solution that can be mounted on various wheel types including conventional wheels and caster wheels with locking devices. The guard structure accommodates different wheel configurations and positions, making it adaptable to multiple applications without compromising its obstacle-clearing function.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of designing the guard to fit around the wheel in traditional configurations, the invention positions the guard portions to extend forward of the wheel and clear obstacles before they reach the wheel. This inverted approach allows the guard to effectively clear obstacles even when the wheel is positioned closely adjacent to the machine or when locking devices are present.
3Ease of operation
If prior art wheel guards are positioned to clear obstacles, then they may prevent wheel obstruction, but they cannot be used when the wheel is positioned closely adjacent the machine
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel guard extends in multiple spatial dimensions, with guard portions positioned forward, laterally, and vertically relative to the wheel. This multi-dimensional configuration allows the guard to clear obstacles from various angles and positions, ensuring effective obstacle clearance even when the wheel is positioned closely adjacent to the machine where traditional single-plane guards would fail.
Data Source
AI summary
A wheel guard or skirt is disclosed for use with a wheel of a machine or appliance. The wheel guard is designed to push an obstruction such as a wire, cable or other debris away from the wheel as the machine is moved along a floor. The wheel guard includes a first base member, having first and second ends, a second base member, having first and second ends, an upstanding first end member positioned between the first ends of the first and second base members and an upstanding second end member positioned between the second ends of the first and second base members. The wheel guard is designed to push obstructions away from the wheel to prevent the wheel from running over the obstruction. The wheel guard may be of one-piece construction.