초록 ▼

A wheel assembly for use with carts employs a sleeve element as an intermediate member between a central axle and both the wheel and the cart body. The sleeve element has an inner recess shaped to receive an end portion of the axle and a first external surface for rotatably engaging within a hole in

A wheel assembly for use with carts employs a sleeve element as an intermediate member between a central axle and both the wheel and the cart body. The sleeve element has an inner recess shaped to receive an end portion of the axle and a first external surface for rotatably engaging within a hole in the cart such that a part of the sleeve element functions as a bearing disposed between the axle and the hole. The sleeve element also has a resilient catch element for retaining it within the hole such that the axle is prevented from moving longitudinally while being free to rotate relative to the cart body. The sleeve element also provides a substantially cylindrical external surface for rotatable mounting of the wheel. The sleeve element simultaneously retains the axle in a defined axial position relative to the cart body, maintains a defined spacial relationship between the wheel and the cart body, and guarantees reliable freedom of rotation by allowing rotation of both of the axle relative to the cart body and of the wheel relative to the axle. The sleeve element also renders the entire wheel assembly a simple manually assembled "snap-fit".

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A wheel assembly for attachment to an axle passing through a hole in a cart body, the assembly comprising:(a) a wheel having a central bore; and(b) a sleeve element for positioning within said central bore, said sleeve element having:(i) an axial recess extending along a

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A wheel assembly for attachment to an axle passing through a hole in a cart body, the assembly comprising:(a) a wheel having a central bore; and(b) a sleeve element for positioning within said central bore, said sleeve element having:(i) an axial recess extending along a major part of the length of said sleeve element, said recess being shaped to receive the axle,(ii) an end wall for defining an extent of full insertion of the axle within said axial recess,(iii) a substantially cylindrical external surface for rotatably engaging within said bore,(iv) an outwardly extending radial flange for abutting an external surface of said wheel,(v) a first resilient catch for abutting an internal surface of said wheel, and(vi) a second resilient catch for engaging an edge of the hole in the cart body.