초록 ▼

A retractable wheel assembly includes a bracing member and a wheeled arm pivotally coupled to the bracing member. The wheeled arm is sized and positioned such that the wheeled arm rotates through an aperture of the bracing member. The wheeled arm includes an arm member, a wheel, and an aperture cove

A retractable wheel assembly includes a bracing member and a wheeled arm pivotally coupled to the bracing member. The wheeled arm is sized and positioned such that the wheeled arm rotates through an aperture of the bracing member. The wheeled arm includes an arm member, a wheel, and an aperture cover shaped and positioned such that when the wheeled arm is in a retracted mode, the aperture cover covers a majority of the aperture, but not substantially all, thereby forming a wheel gap. The wheel assembly includes a deployment arm and a trap member operationally coupled to the deployment arm, including a trap flange sized and positioned to cover the wheel gap when in a closed mode and to substantially uncover the wheel gap in an open mode. The retractable wheel assembly includes a handle operationally coupled to the trap member.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A retractable wheel assembly, comprising: a) a bracing member including: a1) a side panel; anda2) a front panel coupled to the side panel and including an aperture disposed therethrough;b) a wheeled arm pivotally coupled to the side panel and sized and positioned such that the wheeled arm rotates

1. A retractable wheel assembly, comprising: a) a bracing member including: a1) a side panel; anda2) a front panel coupled to the side panel and including an aperture disposed therethrough;b) a wheeled arm pivotally coupled to the side panel and sized and positioned such that the wheeled arm rotates through the aperture of the front panel; wherein the wheeled arm further comprises: b1) an arm member including a first end and a second end; wherein the arm member is pivotally coupled to the side panel, between the first end and the second end;b2) a wheel coupled to the first end of the arm member; andb3) an aperture cover coupled to the arm member and shaped and positioned such that when the wheeled arm is in a retracted mode, the aperture cover covers a majority of the aperture, but not substantially all, thereby forming a wheel gap;c) a deployment arm coupled to the second end of the arm member;d) a trap member operationally coupled to the deployment arm, including a trap flange sized and positioned to cover the wheel gap when in a closed mode and to substantially uncover the wheel gap in an open mode; ande) a handle operationally coupled to the trap member; andf) a variably engaging coupling device functionally disposed between the trap member and the wheeled arm, such that actuating the handle, the variably engaging coupling device engages the trap member sufficient to substantially open the wheel gap and then afterwards engages the wheeled arm, thereby causing the wheel to be rotated through the aperture while the trap member is retracted. 2. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a second variably engaging coupling device operationally disposed between the handle and the trap member, thereby creating a two stage deployment handle. 3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the variably engaging coupling device includes a slotted fitting having a slot length substantially equal to a length of the wheel gap. 4. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a second wheel assembly substantially mirroring the first wheeled assembly, wherein each wheel assembly shares a single trap member having a first trap flange and a second trap flange. 5. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a wheel rest extending orthogonally from an end of the trap flange and shaped and positioned to receive a surface of the wheel. 6. A wheeled container, comprising: a) a housing including a1) a bottom portion having a housing aperture disposed therethrough;a2) a top housing aperture; anda3) a bottom housing aperture;b) a retractable wheel assembly coupled over the housing aperture; wherein the retractable wheel assembly includes: b1) a bracing member including: 1) a side panel; and2) a front panel coupled to the side panel and including an aperture disposed therethrough;b2) a wheeled arm pivotally coupled to the side panel and sized and positioned such that the wheeled arm rotates through the aperture of the front panel; wherein the wheeled arm further comprises: 1) an arm member including a first end and a second end; wherein the arm member is pivotally coupled to the side panel, between the first end and the second end;2) a wheel coupled to the first end of the arm member; and3) an aperture cover coupled to the arm member and shaped and positioned such that when the wheeled arm is in a retracted mode, the aperture cover covers a majority of the aperture, but not substantially all, thereby forming a wheel gap;b3) a deployment arm coupled to the second end of the arm member; andb4) a trap member operationally coupled to the deployment arm, including a trap flange sized and positioned to cover the wheel gap when in a closed mode and to substantially uncover the wheel gap in an open mode; andc) a handle extending through the top housing aperture. 7. The container of claim 6, further comprising a variably engaging coupling device functionally disposed between the trap member and the wheeled arm, such that actuating the handle, the variably engaging coupling device engages the trap member sufficient to substantially open the wheel gap and then engages the wheeled arm, thereby causing the wheel to be rotated through the aperture. 8. The container of claim 7, further comprising a second variably engaging coupling device operationally disposed between the handle and the trap member, thereby forming a two stage deployment handle. 9. The container of claim 8, wherein the variably engaging coupling device includes a slotted fitting having a slot length substantially equal to a length of the wheel gap. 10. The container of claim 9, further comprising a second wheel assembly substantially mirroring the first wheeled assembly, wherein each wheel assembly shares a single trap member having a first trap flange and a second trap flange. 11. The container of claim 10, further comprising a wheel rest extending orthogonally from an end of the trap flange and shaped and positioned to receive a surface of the wheel. 12. A kit for configuring a container with retractable wheels, comprising: a) a wheel assembly, including: a1) a bracing member, including: 1) a side panel; and2) a front panel coupled to the side panel and including an aperture disposed therethrough; wherein the brace member includes coupling devices configured to couple the brace member to a container;a2) a wheeled arm pivotally coupled to the side panel and sized and positioned such that the wheeled arm rotates through the aperture of the front panel; wherein the wheeled arm further comprises: 1) an arm member including a first end and a second end; wherein the arm member is pivotally coupled to the side panel, between the first end and the second end;2) a wheel coupled to the first end of the arm member; and3) an aperture cover coupled to the arm member and shaped and positioned such that when the wheeled arm is in a retracted mode, the aperture cover covers a majority of the aperture, but not substantially all, thereby forming a wheel gap;a3) a deployment arm coupled to the second end of the arm member;a4) a trap member operationally coupled to the deployment arm, including a trap flange sized and positioned to cover the wheel gap when in a closed mode and to substantially uncover the wheel gap in an open mode;a5) a handle operationally coupled to the trap member; anda6) a variably engaging coupling device functionally disposed between the trap member and the wheeled arm, such that actuating the handle, the variably engaging coupling device engages the trap member sufficient to substantially open the wheel gap and then engages the wheeled arm, thereby causing the wheel to be rotated through the aperture; andb) a plurality of coupling devices configured to facilitate coupling of the wheel assembly to a container. 13. The kit of claim 12, further comprising a plurality of structural support members including coupling devices configured to couple to a container and couple to the wheel assembly. 14. The kit of claim 13, further comprising a second variably engaging coupling device operationally disposed between the handle and the trap member, thereby forming a two stage deployment handle. 15. The kit of claim 14, wherein the variably engaging coupling device includes a slotted fitting having a slot length substantially equal to a length of the wheel gap. 16. The kit of claim 12, further comprising a second wheel assembly having a structure substantially mirroring the first wheeled assembly. 17. The kit of claim 12, further comprising a wheel rest extending orthogonally from an end of the trap flange and shaped and positioned to receive a surface of the wheel.