Patent ID: 6094846
Filing Date: 2000-08-01
Classification: B60B,E01H,Y10T

Abstract:
A single wheel caster apparatus for supporting a plow, said apparatus comprising:a wheel;an axle having a first and a second end, said axle extending through said wheel such that said wheel is rotatably supported by said axle;a first and a second fork, each fork having a proximal and a distal end, said distal end of said first fork supporting said first end of said axle, said distal end of said second fork supporting said second end of said axle;a cross member extending between said proximal ends of said forks;a head rigidly secured to said cross member and extending therefrom in a direction away from said wheel, said head defining a plurality of detents;a tube having a first and second extremity, said tube defining a bore extending between said extremities for the reception therein of said head, said tube defining a first radial passageway disposed in the vicinity of said detents;a flexible tubular lining disposed within said bore of said tube, said lining being disposed between said tube and said head;a first member slidably disposed within said first passageway, said first member being disposed adjacent to said lining such that said lining is located between said first member and one of said detents; andfirst biasing means disposed within said first passageway for biasing said first member towards said one of said detents, the arrangement being such that an interaction of said first member with said lining permits controlled relative rotation of said head within said tube so that when said wheel rotates about said axle, wobble of said wheel and said forks is inhibited, while said interaction permits rotation of said forks relative to said tube during turning and reversing of said plow.