IPC분류정보
국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
|
국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
|
출원번호 |
US-0188228
(2002-07-02)
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발명자
/ 주소 |
- Herder, Jeffery A.
- Stepniak, Larry B.
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출원인 / 주소 |
|
대리인 / 주소 |
|
인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
10 인용 특허 :
12 |
초록
▼
A caster assembly for supporting an article comprising a housing, a ball bearing, and a bearing retaining member, wherein the housing has a bore extending completely through a central region thereof such that a first opening and a second opening are created on opposite faces of the housing, the firs
A caster assembly for supporting an article comprising a housing, a ball bearing, and a bearing retaining member, wherein the housing has a bore extending completely through a central region thereof such that a first opening and a second opening are created on opposite faces of the housing, the first opening defining an annular inner shoulder with a reduced diameter, the ball bearing having a diameter slightly less than a diameter of the bore such that the ball bearing is adapted to rotate within the bore, the diameter of the annular inner shoulder at the first opening being less than the diameter of the ball bearing to allow partial emergence of the ball bearing from the first opening yet preventing the ball bearing from completely exiting the first opening, the bearing retaining member being affixed to the housing at the second opening to retain the ball bearing within the bore.
대표청구항
▼
1. A caster assembly for supporting an article comprising:(a) a housing,(b) a solid non-compressible ball bearing,(c) a flat bearing plug, and(d) a means for affixing the caster assembly to the article,said housing being monolithic and having a bore extending completely through a central region ther
1. A caster assembly for supporting an article comprising:(a) a housing,(b) a solid non-compressible ball bearing,(c) a flat bearing plug, and(d) a means for affixing the caster assembly to the article,said housing being monolithic and having a bore extending completely through a central region thereof such that a first opening and a second opening are created on opposite faces of said housing, said first opening defining an annular inner shoulder with a reduced diameter,said solid non-compressible ball bearing having a diameter nearly approximating that of a diameter of said bore such that said solid non-compressible ball bearing substantially engages an entire circumferential wall of said bore and said inner annular shoulder and is adapted to rotate within said bore and said inner annular shoulder, said diameter of said annular inner shoulder at said first opening being less than said diameter of said solid non-compressible ball bearing to allow partial emergence of said solid non-compressible ball bearing from said first opening yet preventing said solid non-compressible ball bearing from completely exiting said first opening,said flat bearing plug being completely retained within said bore at said second opening on a housing underside such that the flat bearing plug is flush with the housing underside and in direct frictional contact with said solid non-compressible ball bearing to retain said solid non-compressible ball bearing within said bore and said inner annular shoulder. 2. The article of claim 1, wherein said housing is comprised of an inflexible material. 3. The article of claim 1, wherein said housing is comprised of molded plastic. 4. The article of claim 1, wherein means for affixing the caster assembly to the article comprises an adhesive. 5. The article of claim 1, wherein means for affixing the caster assembly to the article comprises one or more nails. 6. The article of claim 1, means for affixing the caster assembly to the article comprises one or more screws. 7. The article of claim 1, wherein means for affixing the caster assembly to the article comprises hook and loop material. 8. A method for manufacturing a caster assembly, said method comprising the steps of:(a) providing a monolithic housing for forming a body for said caster,(b) creating a bore within said housing,(c) creating an internal annular shoulder of lessened diameter within, and at a first end of, said bore within said housing,(d) placing a solid non-compressible ball bearing having a diameter nearly approximating that of a diameter of said bore such that said solid non-compressible ball bearing substantially engages an entire circumferential wall of said bore and said internal annular shoulder and is adapted to rotate within said bore and said internal annular shoulder,(e) sealing said solid non-compressible ball bearing completely within said bore by inserting a flat bearing plug within a second end of said bore at a housing underside such that the bearing plug is flush with the housing underside, and(f) providing means on said housing at said flat bearing plug for adapting said housing to be affixed to a surface of an article,said bore being extended completely through a central region of said housing such that a first opening and a second opening are created on opposite faces of said housing, inserting said solid non-compressible ball bearing into said bore through said second end such that said solid-non-compressible ball bearing rests against said internal annular shoulder and a portion of said solid non-compressible ball bearing protrudes through said first opening, said solid non-compressible ball bearing having a dimension adapted to permit free rotation within said bore and said internal annular shoulder. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the method of creating a bore within said housing is by use of plastic molding. 10. The method of claim 8, wherein the method of creating a bore within said housing is by use of a milling machi ne. 11. The method of claim 8, wherein means for affixing the caster assembly to the article comprises an adhesive. 12. The method of claim 8, wherein means for affixing the caster assembly to the article comprises one or more nails. 13. The method of claim 8, means for affixing the caster assembly to the article comprises one or more screws. 14. The method of claim 8, wherein means for affixing the caster assembly to the article comprises hook and loop material.
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