초록 ▼

A retro-fittable mobility kit enables one person alone to conveniently move a heavy machine such as wood or metal-working machine of the type that is originally designed to remain in a fixed location, and that normally would require special handling equipment and/or several persons available, should

A retro-fittable mobility kit enables one person alone to conveniently move a heavy machine such as wood or metal-working machine of the type that is originally designed to remain in a fixed location, and that normally would require special handling equipment and/or several persons available, should it become necessary to move the machine. The mobility kit includes (a) a pair of fixed wheel assemblies to be mounted on each side toward a first end of the machine, each having a wheel partially enclosed in a metal bracket, and (b) one front swivel caster wheel assembly that mounts onto a central location at the second end of the machine. A preferred embodiment provides an adjustable clamping system on each of the three assemblies for attachment onto a structural member such as bottom framework of the machine, a fixed wheel assembly on each the side toward the first end, and a swivel caster in a central location at the second end. The preferred embodiment also provides a foot-pedal-activated caster height selection mechanism that retracts and extends the swivel caster, and provides two strong rubber feet attached under the second end bracket ledge on which the second end portion of the machine rests when the swivel caster has been retracted. To make the machine mobile and maneuverable, the operator actuates the pedal by foot so as to extend the caster downwardly to an extended position, lifting the second end of the host machine off the rubber feet. To render the host machine stationary so it can be operated, the operator actuates the pedal in an opposite manner so as to retract the swivel caster and place the weight of the second end of the machine on the floor via the feet; the fixed side wheels remain on the floor at all times.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A mobility kit for retro-fitting onto a host machine that is normally supported on a floor by means of structural members in a base region thereof, comprising:a pair of fixed wheel assemblies constructed and arranged to be each attached to a corresponding one of two struc

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A mobility kit for retro-fitting onto a host machine that is normally supported on a floor by means of structural members in a base region thereof, comprising:a pair of fixed wheel assemblies constructed and arranged to be each attached to a corresponding one of two structural members of the host machine, located one on each opposite side of a first end portion thereof, and to each provide an inwardly-extending ledge, disposed close to a floor level, adapted to support a corresponding portion of the host machine at the first end thereof via a corresponding structural member of the machine so as to provide the first end portion with mobility via said fixed wheel assemblies wherein each one of said pair of fixed wheel assemblies comprises:a metal wheel-mounting angle bracket formed as a vertical plate with the ledge formed as a horizontal flange extending in an inward direction at a lower edge of the vertical plate;an axle affixed to the vertical plate of said wheel-mount angle bracket above the ledge and extending horizontally outwardly therefrom;a wheel mounted on said axle so as to be rotatable thereon; andattachment means for securing said angle bracket to a corresponding structural member of the host machine in a manner to locate the vertical plate against a side surface thereof and to locate the ledge in a supportive disposition under the structural member in a side region at the first end of the machine;whereby said wheel is caused to support weight from a corresponding first end portion of said host machine and thus provide mobility thereto; anda swivel caster wheel assembly, disposed centrally at a second end of the host machine, opposite the first end, constructed and arranged to be attached to a corresponding structural member of the host machine, and to provide an inwardly-extending ledge adapted to support a corresponding second end portion of the host machine and to thus mobilize the second end portion of the host machine in a maneuverable manner.