Wheel assembly
US5884982A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 9, 1997 |
| Grant date | Mar 23, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 9, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB62B2501/065
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A wheel assembly for use with carts employs a sleeve element as an intermediate member between a central axle and both the wheel and the cart body. The sleeve element has an inner recess shaped to receive an end portion of the axle and a first external surface for rotatably engaging within a hole in the cart such that a part of the sleeve element functions as a bearing disposed between the axle and the hole. The sleeve element also has a resilient catch element for retaining it within the hole such that the axle is prevented from moving longitudinally while being free to rotate relative to the cart body. The sleeve element also provides a substantially cylindrical external surface for rotatable mounting of the wheel. The sleeve element simultaneously retains the axle in a defined axial position relative to the cart body, maintains a defined spacial relationship between the wheel and the cart body, and guarantees reliable freedom of rotation by allowing rotation of both of the axle relative to the cart body and of the wheel relative to the axle. The sleeve element also renders the entire wheel assembly a simple manually assembled "snap-fit".
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.