Abstract:
A quick-release caster assembly includes a wheel mount caster section having an outwardly extending support strut, at least one wheel rotatably mounted thereon and a connector plate mounted on the inner end thereof. A caster section mounting structure is includes a hollow mounting body having a forward opening, a first engagement plate partially closing a portion of the forward opening and a second engagement plate movably mounted thereon operative to alternatively partially close and open a second portion of the forward opening for releasably retaining the connector plate within the hollow mounting body behind the first and second engagement plates thereby releasably securing the wheel mount caster section on the caster section mounting structure.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Technical Field 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to caster assemblies and, more particularly, to a quick-release caster assembly for use primarily with floor pressure washing devices, the caster assembly including a wheel mount caster section having an outwardly extending support strut, at least one wheel rotatably mounted on the support strut, and a connector plate mounted on an inner end of the support strut, and a caster section mounting structure mountable on the floor pressure washer which includes a hollow mounting body having a forward opening for receiving the connector plate, a first engagement plate mounted on the hollow mounting body which partially closes a first portion of the forward opening for releasably retaining a first portion of the connector plate within the hollow mounting body, and a second engagement plate movably mounted on the hollow mounting body, the second engagement plate operative to partially close a second portion of the forward opening for releasably retaining a second portion of the connector plate within the hollow mounting body such that the connector plate and hence the wheel mount caster section may be removably mounted on the caster section mounting structure. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0004]    Caster assemblies are used in connection with supporting and facilitating movement of many different kinds of objects. Typically, a caster assembly would include at least one wheel rotatably mounted on a lower portion of the caster assembly to engage the floor surface over which the object is being moved and a wheel support structure which is connected to and mounted on the object which supports the wheel below the lower most point of the object. Many different kinds of caster assemblies are used in the prior art, with the vast majority being permanently affixed to the object on which they are mounted. Unfortunately, this permanent affixation of the caster assembly to the particular object is often undesirable, as there are times where disengagement of the caster assembly from the object is required, such as when the object is to be stored in a stationary position or when the object is to be more securely supported by the floor surface on which it is resting. Removal of these caster assemblies is very time-consuming and labor-intensive, and therefore there is a need for caster assemblies which are removable from the object on which they are mounted. 
         [0005]    Several different devices have been proposed in the prior art which attempt to address and solve this particular problem, including such devices as Wattron. et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,594,974, Termini, U.S. Pat. No. 4,719,663, and Powell, U.S. Pat. No. 6,592,133, each of which disclose removably attachable caster wheel assemblies. However, each of the cited prior art devices include inherent deficiencies such as an inability to support relatively heavy loads, an inability to be quickly connected and disconnected from the object on which they are removably mounted, and the requirement of tools to enable the user to remove and replace the caster assembly from the object. There is therefore a need for a quick-release caster assembly which provides a superior solution to the deficiencies found in the prior art. 
         [0006]    In particular, power washing devices for floors generally include caster assemblies mounted on the outer edges of the floor-engaging hood which covers and encloses the rotating spray jets which spray the floor surface. At the present time, the caster assembly on such devices are permanently affixed thereto, as there has been an unrecognized need for such removable casters. By permitting the caster assemblies to be removed from the power washer unit, storage of the power washer unit is greatly facilitated as the power washer unit will not accidently roll away from the original storage location at which the device is placed. Also, it has been found that the caster assemblies of such floor cleaning devices often become dirt and grime-encrusted over the lifetime of use of the power washing device. When the caster assemblies are coated in such dirt and grime, the floor cleaning process is rendered more difficult in that the caster assemblies themselves contribute to the degradation in cleanliness of the floor surface. By including removable casters, which are not currently available, the user of the power washing device would need only to remove the caster assemblies, wash the caster assemblies in any available washing location, and replace the caster assemblies on the power washing device, thus eliminating that problem. There is therefore a need for a removable caster assembly for mounting on a floor power washer, which is not currently available in the prior art. 
         [0007]    Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a quick-release caster assembly for mounting on an object for rollable movement thereof. 
         [0008]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a quick-release caster assembly which is particularly designed for mounting on floor pressure washers to facilitate both cleaning and storage of the floor pressure washer. 
         [0009]    Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved quick-release caster assembly which includes a wheel mount caster section and a caster section mounting structure, the caster section mounting structure adapted to be mounted on the object to which the caster assembly is to be removably mounted, the wheel mount caster section being releasably mounted within the caster section mounting structure to permit quick removal and replacement of the wheel mount caster section thereon. 
         [0010]    Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved quick-release caster assembly which is usable in connection with many different objects merely by mounting the caster section mounting structure on the object. 
         [0011]    Finally, an object of the present invention is to provide a quick-release caster assembly which is relatively simple and durable in construction and which is safe, effective and efficient in use. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    The present invention provides a quick-release caster assembly for mounting on an object for rollable movement thereof which includes a wheel mount caster section having an outwardly extending support strut, at least one wheel rotatably mounted on the support strut and a connector plate mounted on an inner end of the support strut. The caster assembly further includes a caster section mounting structure adapted to be mounted on an object to which the caster assembly is to be removably mounted, the caster section mounting structure including a hollow mounting body having a forward opening for receiving the connector plate of the wheel mount caster section and a first engagement plate mounted on the hollow mounting body for partially closing a first portion of the forward opening thereby releasably retaining a first portion of the connector plate within the hollow mounting body. A second engagement plate is movably mounted on the hollow mounting body, the second engagement plate operative to alternatively partially close and open a second portion of the forward opening for releasably retaining a second portion of the connector plate within the hollow mounting body such that upon the second engagement plate being moved to open the second portion of the forward opening, the connector plate of the wheel mount caster section is insertable and removable through the forward opening of the hollow mounting body. Finally, the first and second engagement plates of the caster section mounting structure cooperate to releasably secure the connector plate of the wheel mount caster section within the hollow mounting body thereby releasably securing the wheel mount caster section on the caster section mounting structure. 
         [0013]    The quick-release caster assembly of the present invention as thus described provides a substantial advantage over other caster assemblies found in the prior art. For example, because the caster assembly may be removed from and replaced on the object merely by moving the second engagement plate to release or retain the connector plate within the hollow mounting body, it is extremely simple to remove and replace the wheel mount caster section from the caster section mounting structure, a feature not found in many caster assemblies found in the prior art. Furthermore, because of the design of the releasable connection between the connector plate and the caster section mounting structure, it is highly unlikely that the wheel mount caster section will be accidently dislodged from the caster section mounting structure, thus virtually eliminating the possibility of damage or destruction occurring to the object being supported by the quick-release caster assembly of the present invention. Also, when the present invention is used in connection with floor pressure washers, the quick-release capabilities of the present invention greatly facilitate the cleaning and/or storage of the floor pressure washer, a feature not found in currently available floor pressure washers. It is therefore seen that the quick-release caster assembly of the present invention provides a substantial improvement over those caster assemblies found in the prior art. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the floor pressure washer unit with a plurality of quick-release caster assemblies mounted on the outer wall thereof; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the floor pressure washer unit showing the elements thereof; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a detailed side elevational view of the floor pressure washer showing two quick-release caster assemblies mounted thereon; 
           [0017]      FIGS. 4 and 5  are detailed side elevational views of the quick-release caster assembly of the present invention which show the wheel mount caster section being held within and released from the caster section mounting structure; 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  is a detailed perspective view of the caster section mounting structure mounted on the floor power washing device showing the elements thereof; 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  is a detailed top plan view of the caster section mounting structure; and 
           [0020]      FIG. 8  is a detailed rear elevational view of the caster section mounting structure having the wheel mount caster section mounted therein. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0021]    The quick-release caster assembly  10  of the present invention is shown best in  FIGS. 1-8  as being mounted on a floor power washing device  80  which would be of a standard type commonly used for power washing and cleaning floor surfaces. As shown herein, the floor power washing device  80  would include a generally cylindrical base cover hood  82  having a diameter of approximately twenty inches to twenty-six inches and a height of approximately three to six inches, the base cover hood  82  being constructed of a PVC plastic-type material. Mounted on and extending downwards from the lower edge of the base cover hood  82  is a circumferential brush curtain  84  which generally prevents water from accidently spraying out from underneath the base cover hood  82  during the cleaning process, the brush curtain  84  being constructed of a plurality of bristles. A handle  86  is pivotally mounted on and extended upwards from the top of base cover hood  82 , as shown in  FIG. 1 , the handle  86  being constructed in two separable pieces connected by a pin  88  or the like, the handle  86  further being constructed of a plastic or metal material which is relatively light in weight. Mounted on handle  86  is a water trigger  90  which, when engaged, permits pressurized water supplied by a water compressor unit (not shown) to flow through the pressurized water hose  92  downwards to the base cover hood  82  and therethrough. Finally, mounted on and positioned underneath the base cover hood  82 , as shown best in  FIG. 3 , are a pair of water nozzles  94   a  and  94   b  which are mounted on opposite ends of a rotatably mounted nozzle support tube  96  such that when the pressurized water is released through the hose  92 , the pressurized water flows downwards through the hose  92  through the base cover hood  82  into the nozzle support tube  96  and outwards and downwards through nozzles  94   a  and  94   b  which, due to their being tilted from vertical approximately ten to twenty degrees, cause the nozzle support tube  96  to rotate in a generally horizontal plane to scour the floor surface  100  over which the floor power washing device  80  is traveling. Of course, the floor power washing device  80  as thus described may be modified or changed in many different ways, as the quick-release caster assemblies  10  of the present invention may be used with virtually any type of floor power washing device  80 . However, for informational purposes, a brief summary of the operational aspects of the floor power washing device  80  is deemed beneficial. 
         [0022]    As shown best in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3 , a plurality of quick-release caster assemblies  10  are used to properly support the base cover hood  82  of the floor power washing device  80 . In the preferred embodiment, four of the quick-release caster assemblies  10  would be used to support the base cover hood  82 , although it is possible to use as few as three-caster assemblies  10  to support the base cover hood  82 . It has been found that the use of four caster assemblies  10 , however, provides the best combination of cost-savings and stability in the present invention. 
         [0023]    Turning now to the main focus of the present invention, the quick-release caster assembly  10  is shown best in  FIGS. 3-8  as including two main sections, the first being a wheel mount caster section  12  and the second being a caster section mounting structure  30 . When the quick-release caster assembly  10  of the present invention is used in connection with objects to be supported thereby, the caster section mounting structure  30  would be mounted on the particular object, in this case the floor power washing device  80 . As each of the quick-release caster assemblies  10 , shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , are generally identical, the following description of a single quick-release caster assembly  10  should be understood to apply equally to any other quick-release caster assemblies which are shown in the drawings. 
         [0024]      FIGS. 3 ,  4  and  5  best disclose particular elements of the wheel mount caster section  12  of the present invention which, in the preferred embodiment, would include an outwardly extending support strut  14  which would preferably be a relatively thick section of metal plate having a length of approximately two to six inches, a width of approximately one-half inch to two inches, and a thickness of approximately one-eighth inch to one-half inch, depending on the load to be carried by the support strut  14  as determined by the object to which the quick-release caster assembly  10  is to be mounted. Mounted on and extending downwards through the support strut  14  adjacent the outer end thereof is a wheel support shaft  16  which extends downwards from support strut  14 , as shown best in  FIGS. 3 ,  4  and  5 . Rotatably mounted on the lower end of wheel support shaft  16  is a wheel support bracket  18  which would rotatably support a wheel  20  therein. It is expected that the wheel  20  will be mounted on an axle  22  which extends between and connects the lower ends of the wheel support bracket  18 , although the exact design of the wheel support bracket  18  is not critical to the present invention, and in fact, so long as the support strut  14  provides a connection point for some type of wheel support device, the wheel mount caster section  12  of the present invention will be able to perform its function in supporting the wheel  20 . 
         [0025]    Mounted on the inner end of support strut  14  is a generally rectangular connector plate  24  which extends generally perpendicular to the support strut  14 , as shown best in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . In the preferred embodiment, the connector plate  24  would have a height of approximately one to one-half inches, a width of approximately one-half to one inch, and a thickness of approximately equal to the thickness of support strut  14 , with the connection between the support strut  14  and connector plate  24  likely being through a weld or other such metal connection process. To provide additional structural stability to the connection between the support strut  14  and connection plate  24 , an upright stabilizing plate  26  extends along the top of the support strut  14  and is connected thereto via welding or the like, and likewise is connected at the inner end thereof to the upper portion of the connector plate  24  via welding or the like in order to provide additional structural stability for the connection between the connection plate  24  and support strut  14 . Of course, the precise nature of the stabilizing strut  26  may be modified or changed depending on the particular functional requirements of the present invention which will generally be determined by a series of experiments and tests. The wheel mount caster section  12  has thus been described. 
         [0026]    The wheel mount caster section  12  is releasably retained within the caster section mounting structure  30 , which is shown best in  FIGS. 4-8  as including a generally hollow mounting body  32  which, in the preferred embodiment, would be generally rectangular in shape and would further be generally C-shaped in horizontal cross section. The hollow mounting body  32  would preferably be constructed of a block of metal material such as steel and would either be machined to produce the internal hollow configuration or would be cast via a casting mold to form the shape shown best in  FIGS. 6-8 . The hollow mounting body  32  would be securely mounted on the base cover hood  82  via bolts or the like and would further include a forward opening  34 , left and right upright channels  36   a  and  36   b  formed adjacent the forward opening  34  and would also include a plurality of bolt holes through which securement screws and bolts may be extended to secure the various elements of the caster section mounting structure  30  to the hollow mounting body  32 . 
         [0027]    Mounted on the lower portion of the hollow mounting body  32  and partially covering the forward opening  34  is a first engagement plate  40  which, in the preferred embodiment, would be a generally L-shaped metal block having generally perpendicular base and front walls  42  and  44  and an angled rear wall  46  which extends between and generally connects the edges of the front and base walls  42  and  44 , as shown best in  FIG. 6 . The first engagement plate  40  would be slid into the hollow mounting body  32  through forward opening  34  and secured therein via securement bolts  48   a  and  48   b , as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 8 , such that a portion of the forward opening  34  is closed by placement of the first engagement plate  40  therein. 
         [0028]    Slidably mounted within upright channels  36   a  and  36   b  of hollow mounting body  32  is a second engagement plate  50  which, in the preferred embodiment, would consist of a generally rectangular metal plate having left and right lower flanges  52   a  and  52   b  which extend outwards generally perpendicular from the second engagement plate  50 , as shown best in  FIG. 6 . These left and right flanges  52   a  and  52   b  fit within the upright channels  36   a  and  36   b , as shown in  FIG. 8 , such that the second engagement plate  50  may be slid up and down within the upright channels  36   a  and  36   b  of hollow mounting body  32 . Second engagement plate  50  would also include a center notch  53  formed at the base of the second engagement plate  50  and would further include a pull ring  54  or the like which would be mounted at the top of the second engagement plate  50  to facilitate pulling of the second engagement plate  50  upwards within the upright channels  36   a  and  36   b.    
         [0029]    In the preferred embodiment, the second engagement plate  50  would be biased downwards by a pair of biasing springs  56   a  and  56   b  which would be mounted within a respective one of the upright channels  36   a  and  36   b  above the left and right flanges  52   a  and  52   b  when the second engagement plate  50  is slidably housed within the hollow mounting body  32 . The biasing springs  56   a  and  56   b  are preferably coil springs which act to force the second engagement plate  50  downwards relative to the hollow mounting body  32 , as shown best in  FIG. 8 . To secure the biasing springs  56   a  and  56   b  within the upright channels  36   a  and  36   b , a generally C-shaped top cover plate  58  is provided along with a pair of securement screws  60   a  and  60   b  which secure the biasing springs  56   a  and  56   b  and the second engagement plate  50  within the upright channels  36   a  and  36   b  of hollow mounting body  32 . In this manner, the second engagement plate  50  is slidably housed within the hollow mounting body  32  and is biased downwards to the length of the biasing springs  56   a  and  56   b , as shown best in  FIG. 8 . 
         [0030]    The wheel mount caster section  12  would be secured within the caster section mounting structure  30  in the following manner. The pull ring  54  mounted on second engagement plate  50  would be grasped by the user and biased upwards, as shown in  FIG. 5 , thus moving the second engagement plate  50  upwards within upright channels  36   a  and  36   b  and permitting access to the interior of the hollow mounting body  32  via forward opening  34 . At this time, the connector plate  24  of wheel mount caster section  12  would be extended into the forward opening  34  by inserting the lower end of the connector plate  24  into the forward opening  34  first until the lower end of the connector plate  24  contacts the inner portion of first engagement plate  40 . The angled configuration of rear wall  46  of first engagement plate  40  permits the connector plate  24  and therefore wheel mount caster section  12  to be tilted, as shown in  FIG. 5 , to facilitate insertion of the connector plate  24  into the forward opening  34  of hollow mounting body  32 . It is further preferred that the connector plate  24  have a slightly smaller width than the width of forward opening  34  so that when the connector plate  24  is placed within the forward opening  34  of hollow mounting body  32 , it fits snugly therewithin to reduce undesirable movement of the connector plate  24  relative to hollow mounting body  32 . 
         [0031]    Once the connector plate  24  is placed within the hollow mounting body  32  through forward opening  34 , the wheel mount caster section  12  is tilted upwards to align the connector plate  24  in a generally upright configuration, as shown in  FIGS. 4 ,  7  and  8 . The pull ring  54  is then released and the biasing springs  56   a  and  56   b  force the second engagement plate  50  downwards within the upright channels  36   a  and  36   b  in front of the connector plate  24  until the support strut  12  is sandwiched between the first engagement plate  40  and the second engagement plate  50 , as shown in  FIG. 8 . The notch  53  fits over the stabilizing strut  26  and because the connector plate  24  is securely housed behind the second engagement plate  50  and first engagement plate  40 , the wheel mount caster section  12  is securely mounted to the caster section mounting structure  30 , as shown best in  FIGS. 4 and 8 . By reversing the above-described procedure, the wheel mount caster section  12  may be released from the caster section mounting strip  30 , and therefore it is seen that it is a relatively simple matter to release and reconnect the wheel mount caster section  12  on the caster section mounting structure  30 . 
         [0032]    One of the unique features of the present invention when used in connection with a floor power washing device  80  is that when the wheel mount caster section  12  is removed from the caster section mounting structure  30 , the floor power washing device  80  can be used to clean walls, instead of being limited to only floor cleaning. Standard floor power washers cannot be used for wall cleaning, due to their permanently mounted caster assemblies, and therefore the usefulness of those devices is restricted. By using the present invention in connection with floor power washing device  80 , the potential number and types of uses of such devices is greatly increased, and therefore the present invention provides substantial improvements over caster assemblies currently found in the prior art. 
         [0033]    It is to be understood that numerous additions, modifications and substitutions may be made to the quick-release caster assembly  10  of the present invention which fall within the intended broad scope of the appended claims. For example, although the caster section mounting structure  30  has been described with some particularity, modifications to the structure may be undertaken so long as the intended functional feature of providing a slidably mounted second engagement plate  50  which releasably engages the wheel mount caster section  12  is generally maintained. Furthermore, the precise size, shape, and construction materials used in connection with the quick-release caster assembly  10  may be modified or changed so long as the intended functional characteristics of the present invention are maintained. Also, although the quick-release caster assembly  10  of the present invention has been described as being used in connection with a floor power washing device  80 , the present invention may be mounted on many different types of objects where use of a caster would be beneficial, and the same functional features which render the quick-release caster assembly  10  ideally suited for use with a floor power washing device  80  would be transferred to the new object, particularly in permitting safe and efficient storage and positioning of the object after movement of the object is no longer required. Finally, it should be noted that although the present invention has been described as being primarily designed for use with a caster which includes at least one wheel, the wheeled caster may be replaced by other support devices such as support legs, skids, runners or other such support structures, any of which may be used with the quick-release caster assembly described herein. 
         [0034]    There has therefore been shown and described a quick-release caster assembly  10  which accomplishes at least all of its intended objectives.