Patent ID: 6931692
Filing Date: 2005-08-23
Classification: B60B,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A caster comprising: a formed sheet metal plate, a yoke, and a plurality of ball bearings, the plate and yoke each disposed about a swivel axis, the plate having an axially extending annular wall portion carrying a radially outwardly directed inner race defining a radially inner rolling periphery of a raceway, the yoke having an annular axially extending race forming flange portion carrying a radially inwardly directed outer race thereon defining a radially outer rolling periphery of the raceway, the wall portion having a first annular perimeter on a first axial side of the inner race and a second annular perimeter on a second axial side of the inner race away from the first axial side, the wall portion merging at its first annular perimeter into an annular reinforcing outer flange portion extending radially outwardly from the wall portion, the wall portion merging at its second annular perimeter into an annular reinforcing inner flange portion extending radially inwardly from the second annular perimeter of the wall portion and axially toward the first annular perimeter of the wall portion, the wall portion disposed coaxial to and radially within the outer race of the yoke presenting the inner race opposed to the outer race forming the raceway therebetween with the ball bearings being captured in the raceway between the inner race and outer race against removal from the raceway and with the ball bearings coupling the plate to the yoke against uncoupling but journalled for rotation of the plate relative the yoke about the swivel axis, the inner flange portion resisting deformation of the wall portion radially, the outer flange portion resisting deformation of the wall portion radially, the yoke having two spaced legs extending from the annular flange portion axially of the swivel axis on either side of the swivel axis away from the plate, a wheel mounted to the yoke between the legs for rotation about a wheel axis normal to the swivel axis.