Patent ID: 9126455
Filing Date: 2015-09-08
Classification: B60B

Abstract:
1. A directional locking caster having a locked position and an unlocked position, the caster comprising: a wheel assembly including a wheel having a wheel axle and a fork for supporting the wheel axle, the fork having an upper end and a lower end, the wheel axle being affixed to the lower end and a circular ring being affixed to the upper end, the circular ring including a detent; a thrust bearing assembly having a central opening, the thrust bearing assembly including an outer bearing ring and an inner bearing ring, the outer bearing ring having a mounting member protruding therefrom; a vertical retention member extending through the central opening of the thrust bearing assembly, the vertical retention member defining a vertical axis, the vertical axis being perpendicular to and offset horizontally from the wheel axle; and a locking device including a tubular housing having a first end and a second end, the first end and the second end defining an axis therebetween, a ball socket at the first end and a tension adjusting plug positioned at the second end, a tensioning rod within the tubular housing, the tensioning rod having a proximal end and a distal end, and a locking ball in contact with the proximal end of the tensioning rod and extending through the ball socket, wherein the fork is rotatably connected to the vertical retention member, the locking device is mounted on the mounting member such that the locking device extends in a direction away from the vertical retention member and the axis is perpendicular to the vertical axis, the locking ball reversibly engages the detent in the circular ring, and, in the locked position, the fork cannot rotate about the vertical retention member.