Dual end remote swivel-lock for caster carts and carts equipped with same
IPC분류정보
국가/구분
United States(US) Patent
등록
국제특허분류(IPC7판)
B60B-033/02
B62B-003/00
B60B-033/00
출원번호
US-0194819
(2016-06-28)
등록번호
US-9944121
(2018-04-17)
발명자
/ 주소
Wang, Kaiwen
Sioldea, Octavian
Steenson, Adrian
출원인 / 주소
Darcor Limited
대리인 / 주소
Hofbauer, Patrick J
인용정보
피인용 횟수 :
1인용 특허 :
23
초록▼
A selectively operable steering locking mechanism includes front and back pivot locks, each respective one selectively movable between: a locked configuration whereat a respective front, or back, caster of the cart is precluded from pivoting about its vertical axis; and an unlocked configuration whe
A selectively operable steering locking mechanism includes front and back pivot locks, each respective one selectively movable between: a locked configuration whereat a respective front, or back, caster of the cart is precluded from pivoting about its vertical axis; and an unlocked configuration whereat the respective front, or back, caster is free to pivot its vertical axis. An interconnection mechanism interconnects the front and back pivot locks for synchronized movement between: a front-locked steering configuration whereat the front and back pivot locks are in the locked and unlocked configurations respectively; and a back-locked steering configuration whereat the front and back pivot locks are in the unlocked and locked configurations respectively. A control mechanism connects to the interconnection mechanism for its selected movement between the front-locked and back-locked steering configurations. A cart provided with the selectively operable steering locking mechanism is also disclosed.
대표청구항▼
1. A selectively operable steering locking mechanism for a cart which is adapted for front and back travel and which has a front portion and a back portion opposite the front portion, a front left caster and a front right caster each disposed adjacent the front portion of the cart, and a back left c
1. A selectively operable steering locking mechanism for a cart which is adapted for front and back travel and which has a front portion and a back portion opposite the front portion, a front left caster and a front right caster each disposed adjacent the front portion of the cart, and a back left caster and a back right caster each disposed adjacent the back portion of the cart, wherein each of said front left caster, said front right caster, said back left caster, and said back right caster is freely pivotable about a respective substantially vertical pivot axis, with said selectively operable steering locking mechanism comprising: a front pivot locking mechanism selectively movable between: a front pivot locked configuration whereat at least one of said front left caster and said front right caster is precluded from pivoting about its said respective substantially vertical pivot axis; and a front pivot unlocked configuration whereat said at least one of said front left caster and said front right caster is free to pivot about its said respective substantially vertical pivot axis;a back pivot locking mechanism selectively movable between: a back pivot locked configuration whereat at least one of said back left caster and said back right caster is precluded from pivoting about its said respective substantially vertical pivot axis; and a back pivot unlocked configuration whereat said at least one of said back left caster and said back right caster is free to pivot about its said respective substantially vertical pivot axis;an interconnection mechanism comprising one or more flexible cable members having a front cable portion disposed adjacent said front portion of said cart and a back cable portion disposed adjacent said back portion of said cart for operatively interconnecting said front pivot locking mechanism and said back pivot locking mechanism for synchronized movement, one with the other, between:a) a front-locked steering configuration whereat said front pivot locking mechanism is in said front pivot locked configuration and said back pivot locking mechanism is in said back pivot unlocked configuration; andb) a back-locked steering configuration whereat said front pivot locking mechanism is in said front pivot unlocked configuration and said back pivot locking mechanism is in said back pivot locked configuration; anda control mechanism comprising a front foot-operable pedal disposed adjacent said front portion of said cart and a back foot-operable pedal disposed adjacent said back portion of said cart, wherein said front cable portion and said back cable portion are movable by the control mechanism in opposite directions between said front-locked steering configuration and said back-locked steering configuration, said control mechanism being connected to the interconnection mechanism for selected movement of said interconnection mechanism between said front-locked steering configuration and said back-locked steering configuration. 2. The selectively operable steering locking mechanism of claim 1, wherein said front foot-operable pedal is operatively connected to said front cable portion and said back foot-operable pedal is operatively connected to said back cable portion to drive said movement of said front cable portion and said back cable portion in said opposite directions between said front-locked steering configuration and said back-locked steering configuration upon corresponding movement of said front and back foot-operable pedals. 3. The selectively operable steering locking mechanism of claim 1, further comprising a steering configuration retention mechanism for releasably holding said interconnecting mechanism in said front-locked steering configuration and for releasably holding said interconnecting mechanism in said back-locked steering configuration. 4. The selectively operable steering locking mechanism of claim 3, wherein said front cable portion and said back cable portion are movable by the control mechanism in opposite directions between said front-locked steering configuration and said back-locked steering configuration; and wherein said steering configuration retention mechanism comprises one or more front-locked notches located on said cart to correspond with said front-locked steering configuration, one or more back-locked notches located on said cart to correspond with said back-locked steering configuration, and one or more notch engagement mechanisms mounted on said front foot-operable pedal and said back foot-operable pedal for spring-biased releasable engagement with said one or more front-locked notches when said front cable portion is in said front-locked steering configuration and for spring-biased releasable engagement with said one or more back-locked notches when said back cable portion is in said back-locked steering configuration. 5. The selectively operable steering locking mechanism of claim 3, wherein an intermediate unlocked steering configuration resides between said front-locked steering configuration and said back-locked steering configuration, and in said intermediate unlocked steering configuration said front pivot locking mechanism is in said front pivot unlocked configuration and said back pivot locking mechanism is in said back pivot unlocked configuration; wherein said control mechanism selectively also moves said interconnection mechanism between said front-locked steering configuration, said intermediate unlocked steering configuration, and said back-locked steering configuration; and wherein said steering configuration retention mechanism also releasabiy holds said interconnecting mechanism in said intermediate unlocked steering configuration. 6. A selectively operable steering locking mechanism for a cart which is adapted for front and back travel and which has a front portion and a back portion opposite the front portion, one or more front casters disposed adjacent the front portion of the cart, one or more back casters disposed adjacent the back portion of the cart, and one or more additional casters, wherein each of said front casters, said back casters, and said additional casters is freely pivotable about a respective substantially vertical pivot axis, with said selectively operable steering locking mechanism comprising: a front pivot locking mechanism selectively movable between: a front pivot locked configuration whereat at least one of said front casters is precluded from pivoting about its said respective substantially vertical pivot axis; and a front pivot unlocked configuration whereat said at least one of said front casters is free to pivot about its said respective substantially vertical pivot axis;a back pivot locking mechanism selectively movable between: a back pivot locked configuration whereat at least one of said back casters is precluded from pivoting about its said respective substantially vertical pivot axis; and a back pivot unlocked configuration whereat said at least one of said back casters is free to pivot about its said respective substantially vertical pivot axis;a non-electric interconnection mechanism mechanically connected to said front pivot locking mechanism and to said back pivot locking mechanism to drive synchronized movement, one with the other, between:a) a front-locked steering configuration whereat said front pivot locking mechanism is in said front pivot locked configuration and said back pivot locking mechanism is in said back pivot unlocked configuration; andb) a back-locked steering configuration whereat said front pivot locking mechanism is in said front pivot unlocked configuration and said back pivot locking mechanism is in said back pivot locked configuration; anda non-electric control mechanism mechanically connected to the interconnection mechanism to drive selected movement of said interconnection mechanism between said front-locked steering configuration and said back-locked steering, configuration. 7. A selectively operable steering locking cart, adapted for front and back travel, comprising: a front portion and a back portion opposite the front portion; a front left caster and a front right caster each disposed adjacent the front portion; and a back left caster and a back right caster each disposed adjacent the back portion; wherein each of said front left caster, said front right caster, said back left caster, and said back right caster is freely pivotable about a respective substantially vertical pivot axis;a front pivot locking mechanism selectively movable between: a front pivot locked configuration whereat at least one of said front left caster and said front right caster is precluded from pivoting about its said respective substantially vertical pivot axis; and a front pivot unlocked configuration whereat said at least one of said front left caster and said front right caster is free to pivot about its said respective substantially vertical pivot axis;a back pivot locking mechanism selectively movable between: a back pivot locked configuration whereat at least one of said back left caster and said back right caster is precluded from pivoting about its said respective substantially vertical pivot axis; and a back pivot unlocked configuration whereat said at least one of said back left caster and said back right caster is free to pivot about its said respective substantially vertical pivot axis;a non-electric interconnection mechanism mechanically connected to said front pivot locking mechanism and to said back pivot locking mechanism to drive synchronized movement, one with the other, between:a) a front-locked steering configuration whereat said front pivot locking mechanism is in said front pivot locked configuration and said back pivot locking mechanism is in said back pivot unlocked configuration; andb) a back-locked steering configuration whereat said front pivot locking mechanism is in said front pivot unlocked configuration and said back pivot locking mechanism is in said back pivot locked configuration; anda non-electric control mechanism mechanically connected to the interconnection mechanism to drive selected movement of said interconnection mechanism between said front-locked steering configuration and said back-locked steering configuration. 8. The selectively operable steering locking cart of claim 7, wherein said interconnection mechanism comprises a substantially rigid elongate rod member having a front rod portion disposed adjacent said front portion and a back rod portion disposed adjacent said back portion. 9. The selectively operable steering locking cart of claim 8, wherein said control mechanism comprises a front foot-operable pedal disposed adjacent said front portion and a back foot-operable pedal disposed adjacent said back portion. 10. The selectively operable steering locking cart of claim 9, wherein said elongate rod member defines a longitudinal axis and is movable by the control mechanism in opposite directions parallel to said longitudinal axis between said front-locked steering configuration and said back-locked steering configuration. 11. The selectively operable steering locking cart of claim 10, wherein said front foot-operable pedal is operatively connected to said front rod portion of said rod member and said back foot-operable pedal is operatively connected to said back rod portion of said rod member to drive said movement of said rod member in said opposite directions parallel to said longitudinal axis between said front-locked steering configuration and said back-locked steering configuration upon corresponding movement of said front and back foot-operable pedals. 12. The selectively operable steering locking cart of claim 7, wherein said interconnection mechanism comprises one or more Bowden cable members having a front cable portion disposed adjacent said front portion of said cart and a back cable portion disposed adjacent said back portion of said cart. 13. The selectively operable steering locking cart of claim 12, wherein said control mechanism comprises a front foot-operable pedal disposed adjacent said front portion of said cart and a back foot-operable pedal disposed adjacent said back portion of said cart, and wherein said front cable portion and said back cable portion are movable by the control mechanism in opposite directions between said front-locked steering configuration and said back-locked steering configuration. 14. The selectively operable steering locking cart of claim 13, wherein said front foot-operable pedal is operatively connected to said front cable portion and said back foot-operable pedal is operatively connected to said back cable portion to drive said movement of said front cable portion and said back cable portion in said opposite directions between said front-locked steering configuration and said back-locked steering configuration upon corresponding movement of said front and back foot-operable pedals. 15. The selectively operable steering locking mechanism of claim 7, wherein said interconnection mechanism comprises a belt member having a front belt portion disposed about a front pulley member adjacent said front portion of said cart, and a back belt portion disposed about a back pulley member adjacent said back portion of said cart. 16. The selectively operable steering locking mechanism of claim 15, wherein said control mechanism comprises a front foot-operable pedal disposed adjacent said front portion of said cart and a back foot-operable pedal disposed adjacent said back portion of said cart, and wherein said front pulley member and said back pulley member are rotatable with and by the belt member in opposite directions between said front-locked steering configuration and said back-locked steering configuration. 17. The selectively operable steering locking mechanism of claim 16, wherein said front foot-operable pedal is operatively connected to said front pulley member and said back foot-operable pedal is operatively connected to said back pulley member to drive said rotation of said front pulley member and said back pulley member with and by said belt member in said opposite directions between said front-locked steering configuration and said back-locked steering configuration upon corresponding movement of said front and back foot-operable pedals. 18. The selectively operable steering locking cart of claim 7, further comprising a steering configuration retention mechanism for releasably holding said interconnecting mechanism in said front-locked steering configuration and for releasably holding said interconnecting mechanism in said back-locked steering configuration. 19. The selectively operable steering locking cart of claim 18, wherein said steering configuration retention mechanism comprises one or more front-locked detents located on said rod member to correspond with said front-locked steering configuration, one or more back-locked detents located on said rod member to correspond with said back-locked steering configuration, and one or more detent engagement mechanisms mounted for spring-biased releasable radial engagement with said one or more front-locked detents when said rod member is in said front-locked steering configuration and for spring-biased releasable radial engagement with said one or more back-locked detents when said rod member is in said back-locked steering configuration. 20. The selectively operable steering locking cart of claim 19, wherein a single one of said front-locked detents is provided for each of said back-locked detents, and wherein a single one of said back-locked detents is provided for each of said front-locked detents. 21. The selectively operable steering locking cart of claim 19, wherein a first one of said detent engagement mechanisms is provided for said front-locked detents and a second one of said detent engagement mechanisms is provided for said back-locked detents. 22. The selectively operable steering locking cart of claim 18, wherein said interconnection mechanism comprises one or more flexible cable members having a front cable portion disposed adjacent said front portion of said cart and a back cable portion disposed adjacent said back portion of said cart; wherein said control mechanism comprises a front foot-operable pedal disposed adjacent said front portion of said cart and a back foot-operable pedal disposed adjacent said back portion of said cart; wherein said front cable portion and said back cable portion are movable by the control mechanism in opposite directions between said front-locked steering configuration and said back-locked steering configuration; and wherein said steering configuration retention mechanism comprises one or more front-locked notches located on said cart to correspond with said front-locked steering configuration, one or more back-locked notches located on said cart to correspond with said back-locked steering configuration, and one or more notch engagement mechanisms mounted on said front foot-operable pedal and said back foot-operable pedal for spring-biased releasable engagement with said one or more front-locked notches when said front cable portion is in said front-locked steering configuration and for spring-biased releasable engagement with said one or more back-locked notches when said back cable portion is in said back-locked steering configuration. 23. The selectively operable steering locking cart of claim 18, wherein said interconnection mechanism comprises a substantially rigid front rod member disposed adjacent said front portion of said cart and a substantially rigid back rod member disposed adjacent said back portion of said cart, and wherein said steering configuration retention mechanism comprises one or more front-locked detents located on said front rod member to correspond with said front-locked steering configuration, one or more back-locked detents located on said back rod member to correspond with said back-locked steering configuration, and two or more detent engagement mechanisms mounted on said cart for spring-biased releasable radial engagement with said one or more front-locked detents when said rod member is in said front-locked steering configuration and for spring-biased releasable radial engagement with said one or more back-locked detents when said rod member is in said back-locked steering configuration. 24. The selectively operable steering locking cart of claim 18, wherein an intermediate unlocked steering configuration resides between said front-locked steering configuration and said back-locked steering configuration, and in said intermediate unlocked steering configuration said front pivot locking mechanism is in said front pivot unlocked configuration and said back pivot locking mechanism is in said back pivot unlocked configuration; wherein said control mechanism selectively also moves said interconnection mechanism between said front-locked steering configuration, said intermediate unlocked steering configuration, and said back-locked steering configuration; and wherein said steering configuration retention mechanism also releasably holds said interconnecting mechanism in said intermediate unlocked steering configuration. 25. The selectively operable steering locking cart of claim 24, wherein said steering configuration retention mechanism further comprises one or more intermediate detents located on said rod member to correspond with said intermediate unlocked steering configuration, and one or more detent engagement mechanisms mounted for spring-biased releasable radial engagement with said one or more intermediate detents when said rod member is in said intermediate unlocked steering configuration. 26. The selectively operable steering locking cart of claim 7, wherein each of said front left caster, said front right caster, said back left caster, and said back right caster is freely rollable about a respective substantially horizontal roll axis; and further comprising a roll locking mechanism mounted on one or more of said front left caster, said front right caster, said back left caster, and said back right caster, wherein said roll locking mechanism is selectively movable between: a roll locked configuration whereat each of said one or more of said front left caster, said front right caster, said back left caster, and said back right caster is precluded from rolling about its said respective substantially horizontal roll axis; and a roll unlocked configuration whereat each of said one or more of said front left caster, said front right caster, said back left caster, and said back right caster is free to roll about its said respective substantially horizontal roll axis. 27. A selectively operable steering locking cart, adapted for front and back travel, comprising: a front portion and a back portion opposite the front portion; one or more front casters disposed adjacent the front portion; one or more back casters disposed adjacent the back portion; and one or more additional casters; wherein each of said front casters, said back casters, and said additional casters is freely pivotable about a respective substantially vertical pivot axis;a front pivot locking mechanism selectively movable between: a front pivot locked configuration whereat at least one of said front casters is precluded from pivoting about its said respective substantially vertical pivot axis; and a front pivot unlocked configuration whereat said at least one of said front casters is free to pivot about its said respective substantially vertical pivot axis;a back pivot locking mechanism selectively movable between: a back pivot locked configuration whereat at least one of said back casters is precluded from pivoting about its said respective substantially vertical pivot axis; and a back pivot unlocked configuration whereat said at least one of said back casters is free to pivot about its said respective substantially vertical pivot axis;a non-electric interconnection mechanism mechanically connected to said front pivot locking mechanism and to said back pivot locking mechanism to drive synchronized movement, one with the other, between:a) a front-locked steering configuration whereat said front pivot locking mechanism is in said front pivot locked configuration and said back pivot locking mechanism is in said back pivot unlocked configuration; andb) a back-locked steering configuration whereat said front pivot locking mechanism is in said front pivot unlocked configuration and said back pivot locking mechanism is in said back pivot locked configuration; anda non-electric control mechanism mechanically connected to the interconnection mechanism to drive selected movement of said interconnection mechanism between said front-locked steering configuration and said back-locked steering configuration. 28. The selectively operable steering locking cart according to claim 27 wherein at least one of said additional casters is disposed adjacent the front portion or the back portion.
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