Mobile caster

US8490242B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• University of Pittsburgh—Of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education · US

Inventors

• Rory A. Cooper · Pittsburgh, US
• Andrew M. Kwarciak · Nashville, US
• Mark McCartney · Butler, US
• Jonathan L. Pearlman · Pittsburgh, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 30, 2010
• Grant date: Jul 23, 2013
• Expiry date: Dec 30, 2030

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B60B33/025
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

Caster alignment mechanism having a first component operably connected to a leg of a mobile device and a second component operably connected to a caster of the mobile device. The first and second components are positioned in parallel orientation to each other wherein alignment of the caster with the leg of the mobile device is achieved by the attractive characteristics of the first component with an upper magnet to the second component with a lower magnet. One embodiment of the caster alignment mechanism includes a fixed gap between the upper magnet and the lower magnet for an always engaged or “on” mode. The fixed gap can be adjusted to vary magnetic field strength depending on user specifications for ease of turning. Another embodiment of the caster alignment mechanism includes a switching mechanism to change modes between engaged or “on” mode and disengaged or “off” mode.