초록 ▼

Method and apparatus for a quick-change caster system for removing and replacing the casters which are used to support articles such as steel racks, containers, crates and the like. The caster system having a housing which is attached to the article so that a caster mounted on a plate can be slidabl

Method and apparatus for a quick-change caster system for removing and replacing the casters which are used to support articles such as steel racks, containers, crates and the like. The caster system having a housing which is attached to the article so that a caster mounted on a plate can be slidably inserted and removed from the housing in a very quick and easy fashion. Also disclosed is a dampening pad disposed between the caster plate and the housing which is designed to decrease noise, vibration, etc. Also shown is a bolt or the like used for locking the caster plate and dampening plate inside the housing so that it cannot be accidentally removed therefrom.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A caster for attachment to an article, comprising: a) a housing, a base portion on said housing, first and second U-channels formed on opposite sides of said base portion, a rear wall portion on said base portion, said housing having an opening therein;b) a caster plate, wherein said caster plate

1. A caster for attachment to an article, comprising: a) a housing, a base portion on said housing, first and second U-channels formed on opposite sides of said base portion, a rear wall portion on said base portion, said housing having an opening therein;b) a caster plate, wherein said caster plate is slidable sideways into and out of said U-channels;c) a caster assembly disposed on said caster plate to permit the article to be rolled about; and,d) a quick release system for locking said caster plate to said housing and permitting said caster plate with caster assembly attached to be removed sideways from said housing in a very quick and easy fashion comprising means slidably penetrating at least one of said U-channels for preventing sideways movement of said caster plate out from said U-channels. 2. The caster of claim 1, wherein said penetrating means comprises a member extending from and through said first U-channel to and through said second U-channel. 3. The caster of claim 1, wherein said penetrating means comprises a member disposed across and through only one of said first and second U-channels. 4. The caster of claim 1, wherein said housing is adapted to be attached to the article by a plurality of fasteners. 5. The caster of claim 1, wherein said housing is adapted to be attached to the article by welding. 6. A method of making a caster for attachment to an article, comprising the steps of: a) providing a housing having a base portion thereon having first and second U-channels formed on opposite sides of the base portion, providing a rear wall portion on the base portion, the housing having an opening therein;b) providing a caster plate, wherein the caster plate can slide sideways into and out of the U-channels;c) providing a caster assembly on the caster plate to permit the article to be rolled about; and,d) locking the caster plate to the housing a quick release system to permit said caster plate with caster assembly attached to be removed from said housing in a very quick and easy fashion comprising means slidably penetrating at least one of said U-channels for preventing sideways movement of said caster plate out from said U-channels. 7. The method of claim 6, in which said penetrating means comprises a member extending from and through the first U-channel to and through the second U-channel to lock the caster plate in the housing. 8. The method of claim 6, in which said penetrating means comprises a member disposed in and through only one of the first and second U-channels to lock the caster plate in the housing. 9. The method of claim 6, wherein the housing is attached to the article by a plurality of fasteners. 10. The method of claim 6, wherein the housing is attached to the article by welding. 11. A caster for attachment to an article, comprising: a) a housing, a base portion on said housing, first and second U-channels formed on opposite sides of said base portion, a rear wall portion on said base portion, said housing having an opening therein;b) a caster plate, wherein said caster plate is slidable into and out of said U-channels;c) a caster assembly disposed on said caster plate to permit the article to be rolled about;d) means for locking said caster plate to said housing whereby the caster plate is retained in the housing; ande) a dampening pad, wherein said dampening pad can slide into and out of said U-channels, wherein said dampening pad is disposed between said caster plates and said base portion of said housing to reduce noise, wherein said dampening pad is retained in the housing by said means for locking. 12. A method of making a caster for attachment to an article, comprising the steps of: a) providing a housing having a base portion thereon having first and second U-channels formed on opposite sides of the base portion, providing a rear wall portion on the base portion, the housing having an opening therein;b) providing a caster plate, wherein the caster plate can slide into and out of the U-channels;c) providing a caster assembly on the caster plate to permit the article to be rolled about;d) locking the caster plate to the housing; ande) providing a dampening pad, wherein the dampening pad can slide into and out of the U-channels, wherein the dampening pad is disposed between the caster plate and the base portion of the housing to reduce noise, and, locking the dampening pad in the housing.