Patent ID: 8292327
Filing Date: 2012-10-23
Classification: B60B,B62B,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A device for the optional guiding of at least one self-steering wheel of a trolley, said self-steering wheel being of the type that is mounted in a support that pivots around a vertical axis shifted from the point of contact of the wheel with the ground, said device for the optional guiding comprising: operating means for rotating a first clutch part about an axis parallel to said vertical axis in response to a steering member that can be accessed by the user; and actuation means to couple and uncouple said first clutch part to a second clutch part connected to the mentioned support of the wheel in response to an operating control that can be accessed by the user; wherein said operating means and said actuation means comprise a unique electric motor connected to rotate said first clutch part and said steering member and said operating control comprises first and second controls operated by the user to make said electric motor selectively rotate in a first direction and in an opposite second direction, the first clutch part engaging the second clutch part to make it rotate in a first direction when the motor is rotated in said first direction, and the first clutch part engaging the second clutch part to make it rotate in a second direction when the motor is rotated in said second direction, such that, when the first and second clutch parts are uncoupled, the wheel is a freely self-steering wheel, and when the first and second clutch parts are coupled, the orientation of the wheel is controlled by means of said first and second controls.