Patent · US Expired

Plastic wheel assembly, mounting sleeve and universal axle

US7108335B2 · kind B2 · utility

29Cited by
16References
35Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateApr 30, 2004
Grant dateSep 19, 2006
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 30, 2024

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB60B37/10
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A plastic wheel assembly (122, 222) and wheel mounting sleeve (127, 227) used to releasably secure the wheel (122, 222) onto an axle (123, 223). The wheel mounting sleeve (127, 227) includes an axle stabilizing opening (100, 200) positioned in an end wall (158, 258) of the sleeve which receives an axle outer end or axle stub (199, 299) that supports the axle (123, 223) against lateral loading and stabilizes it to reduce wobble, chatter and vibration. The opening (100, 200) permits visual confirmation of proper section of the axle outer end (199, 299) in the opening (100, 200). A universal axle (223, 223a) is also provided which can be used to couple wheels (122, 222) having shaped axle bores (139, 239) to the axle using wheel mounting sleeves (127, 227), as well as being used to couple wheels (420), having straight or substantially cylindrical bores (439), to the axle using conventional fasteners (450, 461, 470).

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.