Abstract:
A multi-purpose caster and method of using same includes a yoke arrangement having a body supporting a first portion of a spindle. The spindle further comprises a second portion projecting away from the body for insertion into an object during use. The yoke arrangement also includes spaced first and second arms forming a well therebetween. The arms secure an axle that passes through the well during assembly. A selection assembly is rotatably connected to the axle. The selection assembly includes at least two transfer mechanisms of differing modes of movement capable of selectable rotation within the well.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The following application claims priority to co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/617,104 filed Mar. 29, 2012 entitled MULTI-PURPOSE CASTER AND METHOD OF USING SAME assigned attorney docket number WAX-021068 US PRO. The above-identified application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates to a multi-purpose caster and method of using same, and more particularly, a multi-purpose caster that is secured to an object to be moved that includes a plurality of selectable surfaces that can be adjusted to the selectable surface that would allow for movement of the object across differing types of surfaces or flooring with the least amount of force being applied to the object. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Objects such as furniture or chairs typically employ conventional casters adapted to a base or legs extending from the objects. Conventional casters are typically in contact with the floor and facilitate movement of the object across the floor&#39;s surface by reducing the friction between the floor and the object. 
         [0004]    Conventional casters also facilitate a reduction in the surface wear as the furniture is moved about the floor. This is especially apparent in chairs that are frequently moved in and out about the floor from a table or desk. The bottoms of the feet of the chairs are prone to scratch and wear the floor over time, causing unsightly marks and form wear patterns, especially on wooden floors. 
         [0005]    One conventional type of caster comprises either a sphere or disc wheels that swivel on an axle as the object moves across the floor. The axles are typically supported by a central post received in each leg of the object. The construction of a conventional caster and method of attachment into a leg of an object or chair is further shown in  FIG. 1-3  and described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,748,623 to Tsai. U.S. Pat. No. 6,748,623 is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    One example embodiment of the present disclosure includes a multi-purpose caster having a yoke arrangement with a body supporting a first portion of a spindle. The spindle further comprises a second portion projecting away from the body for insertion into an object during use. The yoke arrangement also includes spaced first and second arms forming a well therebetween. The arms secure an axle that passes through the well during assembly. A selection assembly is rotatably connected to the axle. The selection assembly includes at least two transfer mechanisms of differing modes of movement capable of selectable rotation within the well. 
         [0007]    Another example embodiment of the present disclosure includes a method of changing the mode of movement in a multi-purpose caster for coupling to an object. The method comprises the steps of providing a yoke arrangement having a body for supporting a first portion of a spindle, the spindle further comprises a second portion projecting away from the body for insertion into an object during use. The method also comprises forming a well between spaced first and second arms that project from a body of the yoke arrangement and securing an axle that passes through the well during assembly to the first and second arms. The method further comprises rotatably connecting a selection assembly to the axle, the selection assembly comprising at least two transfer mechanisms of differing modes of movement capable of selectable rotation within the well. 
         [0008]    While another example embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a multi-purpose caster for attaching to and facilitating the movement of furniture, the multi-purpose caster comprises a yoke arrangement having a body supporting a first portion of a spindle, the spindle further comprising a second portion projecting away from the body for insertion into an object during use. The yoke arrangement further comprises spaced first and second arms forming a well therebetween, the arms securing an axle that passes through the well during assembly. The multi-purpose caster also comprises a triangularly shaped selection assembly selectively rotatably connected to the axle and spaced between the first and second arms, the selection assembly comprises a plurality of transfer mechanisms comprising three different modes of movement across a surface during use, the first mode comprising a surface structure capable of rolling, the second mode comprising a surface structure capable of sliding, and the third mode comprising a surface structure capable of gliding. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent to one skilled in the art to which the present invention relates upon consideration of the following description of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts unless described otherwise throughout the drawings and in which: 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a conventional caster; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of another conventional caster; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of another conventional casters; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is exploded perspective view of a multi-purpose caster constructed in accordance with one example embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a partial exploded perspective view of a selection assembly constructed in accordance with one example embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is a side elevation view of the multi-purpose caster of  FIG. 4  in a rolling position; 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is a side elevation view of the multi-purpose caster of  FIG. 4  in a gliding position; and 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  is a side elevation view of the multi-purpose caster of  FIG. 4  in a sliding position. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0018]    Referring now to the figures generally wherein like numbered features shown therein refer to like elements throughout unless otherwise noted. The present disclosure relates to a multi-purpose caster  10  and method of using same, and more particularly, a multi-purpose caster  10  that is secured to an object to be moved that includes a plurality of selectable surfaces that can be adjusted to the selectable surface that would allow for movement of the object across differing types of surfaces or flooring with the least amount of force being applied to the object. 
         [0019]      FIG. 4  illustrates a perspective view of a multi-purpose caster  10  constructed in accordance with one example embodiment of the present disclosure secured to an object  12  such as a leg of a chair or other types of furniture. It should be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that multiple multi-purpose casters  10  could be used, for example four casters  10 , one on each of four legs of a chair. The assembly, construction, and operation of one is described below in detail however for simplicity. 
         [0020]    The multi-purpose caster  10  includes a yoke arrangement  14 , selection assembly  16 , spindle  18 , and axle  20 . The yoke arrangement  14  in one example embodiment is formed from molded plastic and secures the selection assembly  16  to the object  12 . The selection assembly  16  protects the floor from the object  12  and provides a plurality of transfer mechanisms that can be selected to best suit the mobility of the object with the type of flooring surface. 
         [0021]    The yoke arrangement  14  includes a body  22  forming a yoke  24  by spaced first and second arms  26 ,  28 , respectively projecting out from the body. The yoke  24  provides a well or cavity  30  that allows for free, 360 degree rotation (both clock-wise and counter clock-wise) of the selection assembly  16  when supported between the arms  26 ,  28 , as shown by arrows A in  FIG. 4 . The selection assembly  16  is rotatably mounted on the axle  20  that passes through a central hub  32  when supported in the well  30 . In the illustrated example embodiment, the axle  20  is made from metal, such as 1020 SAE steel. 
         [0022]    The axle  20  during assembly passes through and is secured in a bushing aperture  34  located in each of the arms  26 ,  28 . In the illustrated example embodiment, the aperture  34  is a sufficient press fit size to allow for a single resistant passage of the axle  20  during assembly, yet stable enough to prevent disassembly during operation of the multi-purpose caster  10 , during movement of the object  12 . 
         [0023]    Located along an engagement surface  36  of the body  22  is a receiving aperture  38  for securing the spindle in a rotatable connection, allowing for free, 360 degree rotation (both clock-wise and counter clock-wise) direction of the multi-purpose caster  10  relative to the object  12 , as indicated by arrows B in  FIG. 4 . The spindle  18  in the illustrated example embodiment is constructed from metal such as SAE 1020 steel, and includes an annular collar  40  turned into the spindle for rotatable nesting in a recess  42  concentrically formed about the receiving aperture  38  in the engagement surface  36 . 
         [0024]    The multi-purpose caster  10  and object  12  can individually or collectively rotate relative to one another about the spindle  18  during operation. The object  12  has a corresponding recess in the bottom of the object for rotatable nesting, similar to the operation described within the yoke arrangement  14 . The spindle  18  in the illustrated example embodiment further comprises spaced undercuts  44  at opposite ends for engaging the object  12  and yoke arrangement  14 . Such engagement includes snap-ring securing arrangement as would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art when the spindle  18  is inserted into the receiving aperture  38  and a corresponding similarly constructed aperture in the object  12  during assembly. 
         [0025]    Referring now to  FIG. 5  is a more detail perspective view of the selection assembly  16 . The selection assembly  16  comprises three transfer mechanisms  50 ,  52 , and  54  that can be selected by the user of the multi-purpose caster  10  to best suit the mobility of the object  12  with the type of flooring surface. In the illustrated example embodiments of  FIGS. 6-8 , the mode of movement in the transfer mechanism selected is a roller mechanism  50  ( FIG. 6 ), a gliding mechanism  52  ( FIG. 7 ), and a sliding mechanism  54  ( FIG. 8 ). 
         [0026]    As illustrated in the example embodiments of  FIGS. 6-8 , the selection assembly  16  is freely rotatable about the axle  20  within the well  30  for 360 degree rotation (both clock-wise and counter clock-wise), as indicated by arrows C. In one example embodiment, the rotation of the selection assembly  16  is permitted only after depressing a release  56  that is located on arms  26 ,  28 , that includes a detent that engages a housing  58  of the selection assembly until depressed. Once the release  56  is depressed, the selection assembly  16  and housing  58  are free to rotate to the desired position of transfer mechanism  50 ,  52 , and  54 . It should be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that selection of the transfer mechanism  50 ,  52 , or  54  would be the same transfer mechanism selected for each of the multi-purpose casters  10  connected to each of the legs of the object  12 . 
         [0027]    The housing  58  of the selection assembly  16  in the illustrated example embodiment is triangularly shaped body formed from plastic, exposing one transfer mechanism  50 ,  52 , and  54  on each side. In the example embodiment of  FIGS. 5-6 , the transfer mechanism  50  selected to engage the floor is a roller mechanism  60 . The roller mechanism  60  in the illustrated example embodiment is made of plastic or metal and is a wheel that rotates within a clearance cavity  62  of the housing  58  about and on the axle  20  that passes through the center of the roller mechanism. In one example embodiment, the roller mechanism  60  is a sphere. In another example embodiment, the roller mechanism  60  is a cylindrical wheel, similarly constructed as the caster shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,748,623, which is incorporated herein by reference. The roller mechanism  60  is selected by users of the object  12  by rotating the housing  58  so that the roller engages the floor. The roller mechanism  60  is selected by the user, for example, when the surface engaging the multi-purpose caster is hard, yet bumpy, such as wood, tile, and the like. 
         [0028]    In the example embodiment of  FIG. 7 , the transfer mechanism  52  selected to engage the floor is a gliding mechanism  64 , such as a flat plastic insert or a flat metal insert partially secured within a recess  66  formed within the housing  58 . The gliding mechanism  64  includes a riser  68  that limits the engagement with the floor, minimizing surrounding contact and friction between the multi-purpose caster  10  and the floor. The glider mechanism  64  is elected by users of the object  12 , for example, when the surface engaging the multi-purpose caster  10  is pliable, such as carpet, artificial grass, and the like. 
         [0029]    In the example embodiment of  FIG. 8 , the transfer mechanism  54  selected to engage the floor is a sliding mechanism  70 , such as a felt insert or a fabric insert partially secured within a recess  72  formed within the housing  58 . The sliding mechanism  70  engages the floor, minimizing surrounding contact and friction between the multi-purpose caster  10  and the floor. The slider mechanism  70  is elected by users of the object  12 , for example, when the surface engaging the multi-purpose caster  10  is hard, yet relatively smooth, such as laminated floors, linoleum, and the like. 
         [0030]    In the illustrated example embodiments, the glider mechanism  64  and slider mechanism  70  are secured in their respective recesses by an adhesive, but could be additionally secured by a fastener and/or both, advantageously allowing replacement mechanisms to be inserted into the housing  58 , if significant wear is experienced or for using a different type of mechanism material for the floor being encountered. 
         [0031]    Unlike conventional casters that are typically suitable for a single floor type, the transfer mechanisms  50 ,  52 , and  54  advantageously allow the multi-purpose casters  10  associated with the object  12  to be used independent of the floor material on which the object moves. Thus, such an advantage reduces the cost associated with having different types of casters being sent with the objects  12 , and the assembly costs with changing out the conventional casters from the objects. While three different transfer mechanisms  50 ,  52 , and  54  are shown, it should be appreciated that any number of transfer mechanisms for handling different floor surfaces could be incorporated into the selection assembly  16  without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed disclosure. 
         [0032]    As used herein, terms of orientation and/or direction such as upward, downward, forward, rearward, upper, lower, inward, outward, inwardly, outwardly, horizontal, horizontally, vertical, vertically, distal, proximal, axially, radially, etc., are provided for convenience purposes and relate generally to the orientation shown in the Figures and/or discussed in the Detailed Description. Such orientation/direction terms are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure, this application and the invention or inventions described therein, or the claims appended hereto. 
         [0033]    What have been described above are examples of the present invention. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the present invention, but one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the present invention are possible. Accordingly, the present invention is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications, and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.