초록 ▼

A suspension fork for caster wheels providing shock absorption, comfort and safety while maintaining the original castering characteristics. A fork supporting a wheel on an axle is allowed to pivot about a second axle or pin located at the opposite end of the fork, forward and above the trailing whe

A suspension fork for caster wheels providing shock absorption, comfort and safety while maintaining the original castering characteristics. A fork supporting a wheel on an axle is allowed to pivot about a second axle or pin located at the opposite end of the fork, forward and above the trailing wheel. The forward pivot is housed inside an upper block, which acts as a mounting fixture to the desired vehicle. A stem bolt protrudes from the upper block into the vehicle's caster housing containing bearings providing sideways rotation for steering purposes. The pivoting action of the fork and wheel about the upper block is controlled by a spring/dampener of polymer seated between the two blocks. Rigid tabs or mechanical lock outs limit the range of fork pivot and capture the elastomeric material until the forward pin is removed. Standardized axle and stem bolt dimensions allow the suspension caster to readily replace a conventional rigid caster fork.

대표청구항 ▼

[ Having described the invention, I claim:] [1.] A swiveling wheel suspension system for a transport device comprisingan upper member mounted to said transport device,said upper member rotatable upon said transport device about a substantially vertical axis,a lower member pivotally mounted to said u

[ Having described the invention, I claim:] [1.] A swiveling wheel suspension system for a transport device comprisingan upper member mounted to said transport device,said upper member rotatable upon said transport device about a substantially vertical axis,a lower member pivotally mounted to said upper member and having a downwardly extending pair of fork elements thereon,a wheel mounted between said fork elements,said lower member pivotable upon said upper member about a horizontally disposed pivot axle,said pivot axle spaced apart laterally from said vertical axis in a first direction,an elastomeric member disposed between said upper member and said lower member,means to retain said elastomeric member between said upper member and said lower member,said wheel having a central axis,said central axis of said wheel spaced apart from said vertical axis in a lateral direction opposed to said first direction,stop means provided on at least one of said upper member and said lower member to limit the range of motion of said lower member about said pivot axle,said stop means comprising an outwardly extending shelf on at least one of said upper member and said lower member and an opposing bearing surface on said other of said upper member and said lower member,said bearing surface abutting said shelf when said elastomeric member is substantially compressed.