Abstract:
A system for moving a refrigeration device is disclosed and includes a frame for supporting the refrigeration device. At least one pair of stationary casters are removably coupled to the frame. At least one pair of adjustable casters are removably coupled to the frame and are adjustable relative to the frame within a range between an extended position and a retracted position. A positioner provided on at least one of the frame and the adjustable casters establishes a position for the adjustable casters relative to the frame within the range, so that the stationary casters and the adjustable casters are capable of providing a desired degree of stability during movement of the refrigeration device and the stationary casters and the adjustable casters are removable following movement of the refrigeration device.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This Application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/614,078 titled “Removable Caster System” filed on Sep. 29, 2004, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 

   BACKGROUND 
   The present inventions relate generally to the field of casters for moving heavy objects. More specifically, the present inventions relate to a removable caster system for use with refrigeration equipment, refrigeration systems and electrical distribution equipment. 
   Casters for use in certain applications are generally known to facilitate movement or mobility of heavy objects and the like. Such casters are typically attached to the object in a fixed manner and may include “brakes” or the like to “lock” the casters and prevent movement of the object. Casters may also be removably attached to an object. For example, casters may be attached to a platform and used as a dolly beneath the objects and then the dolly may be removed when the movement of the object is completed. Casters may also be removably coupled to brackets configured for use with a particular object. However, such casters have certain disadvantages. For example, such known removable casters are often not readily adaptable for use with objects having varying sizes, shapes, or base frame configurations. The known removable casters may also not be suitable for moving certain objects that are “top heavy” or the like where instability of the object may lead to “tipping” of the object during movement. 
   Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a removable caster system having any one or more of these or other advantageous features:
         1. A removable caster system having a connection mechanism configured for quickly installing the caster and removing the caster from an object.   2. A removable caster system having an extendable and retractable outrigger or other telescoping member configured to adjust the spacing between adjacent casters as desirable to improve the stability of an object when moving the object (e.g. objects that are top heavy, tall, etc.).   3. A removable caster system having an interface adapted to removably mount the casters to a wide variety of objects to be moved.   4. A removable caster system for use with a refrigerated display case, such as a type used in a supermarket.   5. A removable caster system for use with an electrical distribution panel.   6. A removable caster system for use with a refrigeration system equipment rack.       

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic image of a refrigerated case having a removable caster system according to one embodiment. 
       FIG. 2  is a schematic image of an exploded perspective view of a removable caster system according to one embodiment. 
       FIG. 3  is a schematic image of a perspective view of the removable caster system according to the embodiment of  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 4  is a schematic image of a perspective view of a removable caster system according to another embodiment. 
       FIG. 5  is a schematic image of a perspective view of a portion of the removable caster system according to the embodiment of  FIG. 4 . 
       FIGS. 6A-6B  are schematic representations of a top view and front view of a removable caster system according to the embodiment of  FIG. 4 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   Certain objects such as refrigerated-type display cases, racks for mounting refrigeration equipment (e.g. compressors, motors, etc.) and cabinets or panels containing electrical or electronic equipment (e.g. electrical distribution panels and the like) are typically heavy and include a base (e.g. frame members, feet, etc.) configured to rest upon, or be supported by, a floor or other suitable surface in a generally non-movable manner when the object has been positioned at a desired location within an installation site (e.g. store, factory, facility, etc.). When movement of the object is required, such as during transport during manufacturing or delivery from the manufacturer, initial installation, or remodeling or other reconfiguration of the installation site, it may be desirable to provide a removable caster system attachable to the object so that the object may be more readily moved or relocated as required. 
   The removable caster system is intended to provide a simpler and more cost-effective apparatus and method for attaching casters to objects when movement of the objects is required, and to permit removal of the casters when movement of the object is completed. 
   Referring to  FIG. 1 , an object  10  shown schematically for example as a refrigerated case is shown for use with a caster system according to one embodiment. According to other embodiments, the object may be a refrigeration system rack or an electrical distribution panel of the like. All such objects are intended to be within the scope of the subject matter of the invention. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 2-3 , a removable caster system  20  is shown according to one embodiment. The removable caster system  20  is shown to include a generally flat caster mounting base  24  having upright flanges  26  on opposing sides with a mounting aperture  28  located at approximately the center of the flanges  26 . 
   A base frame member  30  is shown provided along a bottom or underside of object  10  (e.g. refrigerated display case, refrigeration equipment rack, electrical distribution panel, etc.). A lower rail  32  of the base frame member  30  includes at least one pair of apertures  34  (i.e. one aperture on each side of the frame member) (shown for example as three pairs of apertures) that is intended to align with the apertures  28  on the upright flanges  26  extending from the mounting base  24  of a caster  22 . The pairs of apertures  34  are intended to define various locations along the base frame member  30  for adjustably and removably coupling the caster  22  to the base frame member  30  of the object  10 . In this manner, the caster  22  may be removably coupled to the object by sliding a pin member  36  (e.g. rod, screw, bolt, other similar fastener, etc.) through the apertures  28  on the upright flanges  26  of the caster and through a corresponding pair of apertures  34  in the base frame member  30 . 
   The pin member  36  can be inserted through the holes on the upright flanges and the base frame member to secure the caster to the object. When movement of the object  10  has been completed, the pin member  36  and caster  22  may be removed, so that the object  10  may be supported by it&#39;s base (e.g. adjustable legs or the like). 
   According to alternative embodiments, the mounting base of the caster and the base frame member may include other engaging structure configured to couple the caster to the frame member. For example, the mounting base of the caster may include upwardly extending projections (e.g. pins, rods, bars, ribs, etc.) configured to interlock with a series of corresponding receiving structure on the base frame member (e.g. recesses, pockets, apertures, etc.) at a desired location along the base frame member (with or without the use of separate retaining pins). 
   According to another alternative embodiment, the mounting base of the caster may be configured to slide along at least a portion of the base frame member and may be provided with positioning devices, such as detents or the like, that tend to align the aperture in the upright flange of the caster with the pair of apertures in the frame member. 
   According to a further alternative embodiment, the aperture in the upright flange may be positioned to permit the mounting base of the caster to pivot between a mobile position where the caster wheel engages a floor surface (or the like) and an immobile position where the caster wheel no longer engages the floor surface. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 4-6 , a second embodiment of a removable caster system  40  is shown to include an extendable and retractable (e.g. telescoping, etc.) member such as a “stabilizer” or an “outrigger” to increase the distance between adjacent casters and intended to improve stability of the object  10  during movement with the removable caster system  40 . 
   Removable caster system  40  is intended for use with objects that may experience instability during movement of the object (e.g. objects that are sufficiently narrow or top-heavy, movement of an object over a surface having discontinuities or irregularities, etc.) where movement of the object may result in “tipping” or other unintended movement or instability of the object, by “stretching” or “expanding” the “footprint” of the removable caster system relative to the object. 
   Removable caster system  40  includes a telescopingly extendable and retractable “outrigger device”  42  as shown in  FIGS. 4-6  and is intended for use with a base frame member  44  on the object  10 . The embodiment shown in  FIG. 4  includes an outrigger device  42  on one end of the base frame member  44  and a removable caster  22  (as described in relation to  FIGS. 2-3 ) on an opposite end of the base frame member  44 . It should be noted that the base frame member may be configured for use with an outrigger device on each end of the base frame member. 
   The base frame member  44  is shown to include one or more pairs of retainer apertures  46  (as previously described in relation to  FIGS. 2-3 ). The base frame member  44  is also shown to include an internal passage  48  communicating with an opening  50  configured to receive an extensible member (shown as an outrigger tube  52 ) in either a fixed or telescoping relationship. 
   The outrigger tube  52  may be made of any suitable material such as metal tubing (e.g. steel, aluminum, etc.), wood, plastic, or the like having sufficient strength to support the object  10  when the outrigger tube  52  is fully extended from the base frame member  44 . Retainer apertures  54  (shown as one pair of retainer apertures) are provided along the length of the outrigger tube  52  and configured to align with the retainer apertures  46  on the base frame member  44 , so that the outrigger tube  52  is adjustable between a fully retracted position in the base frame member  44  and a fully extended position from the base frame member  44 . 
   A removable pin member (e.g. such as a pin, rod, bolt, screw, etc.—similar to pin member  36 ) is provided and is intended for insertion through the retainer apertures  54  in the outrigger tube  52  and the base frame member  44 , to “lock” the outrigger tube  52  in a desired position with the base frame member  44 . 
   A caster  56  is shown attached to a first (e.g. outward) end of the outrigger tube  52  (e.g. by fasteners, welding, molding or the like), and is intended to provide a mobile interface between the outward end of the outrigger tube and a surface (e.g. floor, etc.) over which the object is to be moved. 
   A positioner  60  (shown as an outrigger tube position holder) is coupled to the base frame member  44  and is intended to position the outrigger tube  52  axially along the base frame member  44  at a predetermined location, and also to minimize lateral (e.g. side-to-side) movement of the outrigger tube  52  within the passage  48  of the base frame member  44 . The positioner  60  may be formed from a portion of the base frame member  44  (such as a “tab” or “ear” formed by stamping or the like) or the positioner may be attached as a separate member to the base frame member. According to an alternative embodiment, the positioner may comprise a ratchet and pawl type device or the like. For example, the outrigger tube may be provided with a series or row of projections (e.g. teeth, etc.) configured to interact with a pawl or other suitably releasable device on the base member. The pawl may be configured for release by any suitable device such as foot lever and linkage on the base frame member or the object. By further way of example, the outrigger tube may be positioned within the base frame member by a spring-biased detent arrangement, such as spring-loaded pins that extend from the outrigger tube for engaging the retainer apertures in the base frame member (or suitable “pockets’ or “recesses” or the like formed in the base frame member). 
   The outrigger tube  52  may be installed on the base frame member  44  at any desirable location for the particular object to be moved and the amount of stability desired, and secured temporarily by installing the pin member through aligned retainer apertures  54  on the outrigger tube  52  and apertures  46  on base frame member  44 . After movement of the object  10  is completed, the outrigger tube  52  may be removed by withdrawing the pin member and the outrigger tube  52  from the base frame member  44 . 
   The second embodiment of the removable caster system is intended to avoid the need for attaching a separate mating tube or bracket to the object for receiving the outrigger tube. The base frame member for the objects may be designed with a square hole (or other suitable shape corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the outrigger tube) so that any one or more product lines (e.g. refrigerated display cases, refrigeration system equipment racks, electrical distribution panels or cabinets, etc.) may be configured to universally receive the outrigger device. 
   According to an alternative embodiment, the outrigger tube may be configured to be “foldably” or “pivotally” attached to the base frame member (e.g. by a hinge, pivot point, or the like) for movement between a retracted position and any one of a variety of extended positions relative to the object (e.g. along a side, an end, a corner, etc.). 
   According to any embodiment, the removable caster system is intended to provide a relatively secure and stable system for movement of objects, that may be readily installed and removed. The objects may be any suitable objects for which mobility is desirable. According to a preferred embodiment, the objects are at least one of a refrigerated display case, a rack for mounting refrigeration system equipment and electrical distribution products and panels. The objects are intended to be designed with structure configured to mate with the removable caster system so that the casters and outrigger tubes may be readily interchangeable with the various objects. The removable caster system may be configured to provide any desirable number of casters and/or outrigger tubes for use with the object (e.g. 4, 6, 8, etc.) as deemed appropriate for the size, weight and shape of the object. The casters may be provided in any suitable size and made from any suitable material (e.g. hard rubber, plastic, etc.) and wheel locks may be provided with the casters to prevent unintended rolling of the object. 
   The construction and arrangement of the elements of the removable caster system as shown in the various embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present inventions have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited herein. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements, the position of elements may be reversed or otherwise varied, and the nature or number of discrete elements or positions may be altered or varied. It should be noted that the elements and/or assemblies of the removable caster system may be constructed from any of a wide variety of materials and in any of a wide variety of colors, textures and combinations. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the various embodiments without departing from the scope of the present inventions. 
   The order or sequence of any process or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. In the claims, any means-plus-function clause is intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents but also equivalent structures. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may be made in the design, operating configuration and arrangement of the preferred and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the inventions as expressed in the claims provided in any future patent applications that claim priority to this Application.