Patent ID: 11944469
Assignee: MOBIUS IMAGING, LLC
Field: Medical technology (Instruments)
Classification: CPC A  B | IPC A  B

Claim 0:
1. A caster system for a mobile apparatus, comprising:
a base having a length extending parallel to the ground and comprising a housing for a caster;
a suspension system having a suspension linkage extending in a longitudinal direction along the length of the base having a first end pivotably coupled to the base and a second end;
a caster coupled to the second end of the suspension linkage such that the caster extends from and retracts into the housing, the caster having a wheel defining a wheel axis, a swivel joint defining a swivel axis, and a pivot point defining a pivot axis, the caster having a first offset distance between the wheel axis and the swivel axis when the caster is within the housing of the base and a second offset distance between the wheel axis and the swivel axis when the caster is extended from the housing, and the second offset distance is greater than the first offset distance; and
a drive mechanism operatively coupled to the caster to extend and retract the caster from the housing, the drive mechanism including a motor coupled to an actuator that drives the extension and retraction of the caster by generating a motive force in a longitudinal direction substantially along a length of the base.