Patent ID: 6318488
Filing Date: 2001-11-20
Classification: B60V

Abstract:
A fluid levitated caster translating device for stopping and guiding movement along a ground surface thereunder, comprising:(a) a load-supporting frame,(b) a fluid-levitated-caster means attached to said load-supporting frame, including a plenum cavity adapted to receive flow of fluid at super atmospheric pressure and cooperable with said ground surface to derive fluidic levitating support for said load-supporting frame,(c) a brake attached within said plenum cavity,(d) a brake attachment frame mounting said brake within said plenum cavity in cooperation with said ground surface so as to afford readily stoppable movement characteristics to the device,(e) a brake variable-yieldable bias means between said brake attachment frame and said load-supporting frame, producing variable force therebetween to yieldably urge said brake into anti-slip frictional engagement with said ground surface,(f) a guide wheel attached within said plenum cavity,(g) a guide wheel attachment means mounting said guide wheel on said brake attachment frame for rotation about a horizontal axis and cooperation with the aforesaid ground surface so as to afford readily guidable non-side-slip movement characteristics to the device,(h) a compressive separating means between said brake attachment frame and said guide wheel attachment means, so when said brake variable-yieldable bias means force is low, said guide wheel only contacts said ground surface; and as brake variable-yieldable bias means force is high, brake also contacts said ground surface.