EASILY REMOVABLE PROTECTIVE COVERING FOR ANNULAR OBJECTS

Abstract: A protective covering for an annular object, such as a caster wheel, comprises a continuous band (12) of heat-shrinkable plastic material defining spaced marginal edges, the band being proportioned to be closely received over and about the object in overlapping relation for heat-shrinking thereagainst, whereby the band is tensioned against the object. The band is formed to provide what becomes a tear or release strip (19) that functions to sever the band, when removal of the covering is desired, from one side edge (22) of the band to the other. When removal of the covering from the object is desired, the tear strip (19) is created by pulling or peeling a designated portion of the covering laterally outwardly of the object, and from one side edge (22) of the covering to the other side edge of same, to sever the protective covering, which covering then springs free of the object. A method is disclosed for application of the protective covering over the wheel tread.

Description: Many devices in the form of annular objects, such as caster wheels, are made available on the market which require a protective covering for the wheel tread during storage or shipping, or both, which covering is to be removed when the product is placed in service. Typical of such coverings are the wrappings used for automobile tyres, as disclosed in U.S. Patents Nos. 3,005,542 and 3,203,543. Also typical of the prior art is a temporary protective caster wheel covering sold by SHEPHERD PRODUCTS U.S. INC. under the registered Trade Mark TREDGARD. This device is a moulded plastic ring designed to be snapped over a caster wheel. When the caster wheel is to be placed in service, the ring is snapped off the wheel to expose the wheel tread. This device is illustrated in Form No. FA583 of Shepherd Products U.S. Inc. U.S. Patent No. 3,710,531 discloses a protective covering for an annular object according to the pre-characterising part of claim 1 comprising an endless annular band of heat-shrinkable polyvinyl chloride defining spaced marginal side edges thereabout, the band being proportioned to be closely received over and about the outer annular surface of the object in overlapping relation to both side edges of the object for heat shrinking thereagainst and thereabout, whereby the band including the side edges thereof will be tensioned against the outer annular surface and the side edges of the object respectively, when the object is centered within the protective covering, and the covering is heat shrunk against the object. The present invention is characterised in that the band includes release means formed perpendicular to its periphery for effecting finger gripping of one side edge thereof and pulling free of the band between the side edges thereof for severing the band whereby the severed band under the tension springs away from the outer annular surface of the object, the release means including an upstanding finger grip tab extending from one of the edges thereof, the tab being integral with the band and extending laterally of the band, and a pair of tear slits formed in the band, one disposed on either side of the tab at the one of the edges of the band, the slits being directed toward the other of the edges of the band, and a tear notch formed in the band at the other of the edges of the band, the notch being aligned with the tab. The present invention provides a protective covering in the nature of a band for e.g. furniture caster wheels which covering is formed from heat-shrinkable polyvinyl chloride in a size which provides a covering that can be used for a range of appropriate caster wheel sizes. The band is formed to define an easy release mechanism therefor consisting of a portion of the covering at a specific location on its perimeter being formed to provide a tear strip that, when created in accordance with the present invention extends between the side edges of the band, across the width of the band, to sever same. The band forming the protective covering of the present invention is placed over the tread of the caster wheels and heat is applied to the band for a sufficient length of time that will effect shrinking of the band over the caster wheel tread sufficient to place the band in tension. When the caster wheel is to be placed in service, the tear strip of the protective wheel periphery or rim cover is peeled across the band forming the protective covering, allowing easy removal of the protective covering due to the tension it is under and without the need or use of knives or tools to remove the protective covering from the caster wheel. Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the protective covering of the present invention, as applied on a caster wheel about its periphery or tread, with the caster wheel being disposed so that its outer side faces upwardly; Figure 2 is a top plan view of the caster wheel and protective covering of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a bottom plan view of the assembled caster wheel and protective covering shown in Figure 1; Figure 4 is a side elevational view of the protective covering itself (as shown in Figures 1 to 3), with the protective covering being shown in its unassembled state; and Figure 5 is a top plan view of the protective covering as shown in Figure 4. Detailed Description of the Invention The embodiment of the invention shown in the Figures is concerned with a protective covering 100 adapted to be applied over the periphery of an annular object 111, such as, for example, the tread of a caster wheel or other similar object, in gripping and overlapping relation thereto. For the purpose of maintaining a clean appearance of caster wheels prior to use in final service locations, it has become the practice of manufacturers who supply casters and the wheels therefor to cover the wheel treads with temporary coverings designed to be removed by the customer when the caster wheel is to be put in service. The function of such temporary covering is to cover and protect the wheel, especially its tread, from dirt or other debris, so as to maintain a clean appearance of the wheel and prevent the wheel from transmitting dirt or the like to a rug, carpeting, or other decorative surface that the caster wheel will be placed against, in use. The covering 100 shown in the Figures comprises a continuous band 112 formed of heat-shrinkable polyvinyl chloride plastic material, which band 112 is shaped to define continuous side edges 122 and 123. The thickness of the band or sleeve 112 can be in the range of from about 0.102mm (0.0004 inch) to about 0.305mm (0.012 inch), with the preferred forms tending toward the upper end of this indicated range of thicknesses. One form of band which has been successfully tested is made from heat-shrinkable polyvinyl chloride sold by Gilbreth International Corp. under the Trade Mark SKINTIGHT in the form of seamed polyvinyl chloride. The caster wheel 111 defines the usual outwardly facing side 115 that faces uppermost in the showing of Figures 1 and 2, and the usual inwardly facing side 116 that is shown in Figure 3, which may include the usual reinforcing ribs 119 and the centrally located caster axle receiving sleeve 124 (wheel 111 receiving in its sleeve 124 a suitable axle that journals it for rolling rotation about axis 130). The tread of the wheels illustrated in Figures 1 - 5 is coaxially oriented relative to axis 130, as is well known in the art. The band 112 forming the protective covering can be formed initially in long flat sheets, and cut to desired widths. Thus, the band 112 of Figures 1 - 5 in its unassembled or unapplied state assumes a somewhat oblong shape, as best shown in Figure 5. Each band 112 comprises segments 117 and 118 integrally joined at ends 120 and 121 of the band 112 to form one continuous band. The ends 120 and 121 are creased in a manner such that the segments 117 and 118 are spaced slightly away from each other in the normal relation of the band 112 prior to its application to a caster wheel 111. It will be readily apparent that slight finger pressure applied externally to the band ends 120 and 121, in opposite directions, urging such ends 120 and 121 toward each other, will facilitate spreading of the band segments 117 and 118 from each other to bring the band or sleeve 112 into a generally circular shape defining edge 122 and edge 123, and disposing the band 112 in relation to receive the caster wheel 111 such that the band fits over and about the tread of the caster wheel. At a suitable location along the length of the band 112 the release mechanism provided therefor comprises peel tab 150 that projects away from the periphery 149 of the band 112, and that has formed on either side of same at the band edge from which the tab 150 projects a pair of guiding slits 152 (see Figures 1 and 4) to weaken the marginal edging of the band 112, on either side of the peel tab 150, to facilitate release of the band 112 from the caster wheel 111. The band 112 is also formed on the other side edge of same with a notch 154 that is aligned with the peel tab 150 transversely of the periphery 149 of the band 112. In the embodiment shown in the Figures, the peel tab 150 and the peel facilitating slits 152 are shown formed in the side edge 122 of the band 112, and the notch 154 is shown formed in the side 123 but this positioning can be reversed without adversely affecting the viability of the protective covering 100, as will be immediately apparent to those skilled in the art. The protective covering 100 shown in the Figures is used to provide temporary protection for the tread or rim of the caster wheel 111 or other similar annular object, between the time of manufacture of the wheel and the time when the wheel, and the furniture or the like which the wheel is to support, is placed in use. The wheel 111 that is to have its tread covered by band 112 may be positioned on a work table or in one's hand for covering, with the outwardly facing side 115 of the wheel 111 preferably facing upwardly. Finger pressure in the nature of compression is applied in opposite directions at both ends 120 and 121 of the band 112 such that the band segments 117 and 118 are spread apart a sufficient distance to allow positioning of the band over the periphery or rim of the caster wheel 111. This can also be done automatically by utilizing conventional machines available in the market place. In the showing of Figures 1 - 3, this is done with the band side edge 122 disposed adjacent the indicated upwardly facing side 115 of the caster wheel, so that the peel tab 150 projects upwardly. The proportioning of the band 112 relative to the tread of the caster wheel 111, and the positioning of the protective covering 100 relative to the wheel 111, is made such that the edges 122 and 123 respectively overlap the corresponding upper and lower edges 125 and 126 of the caster wheel 111. The covering in its unheated state is preferably dimensioned relative to the caster wheels to which it is to be applied so that it will grip the wheel 111 in order to provide proper shrinkage and containment during the heating process. The thus assembled protective coating 100 and caster wheel 111 then are to be exposed to a suitable amount of heat, in any suitable manner, such as being cycled through a medium temperature oven of a suitable nature, with the exposure to heat being for a sufficient amount of time to cause the entire periphery 149 of the band 112 to shrink until the band is placed in tension with the inner surfacing periphery of the band 112 firmly and securely gripping the outer surfacing periphery or rim of the wheel 111, with the edge 122 of the band 112 shrinking over the upper edge 125 of the caster wheel 111 to form a radially inwardly extending flange 127, and the other edge 123 of the band 112 shrinking to overlie the edge 126 of the caster wheel 111 so as to define as separate radially inwardly extending flange 128. This configuration of the heat shrunk covering 100 retains it on the wheel 111 to which it has been applied pursuant to this disclosure. When the band 112 has the relationship with respect to the caster wheel that is shown in Figures 1 - 3, the application of the band 112 to the wheel 111 is complete. The wheel may then be stored in inventory for indefinite periods of time, either in its unassembled state, or it may be assembled on an axle to form a caster unit. At some time caster units, as so assembled are suitably affixed to an article, such as a piece of furniture, to be rollably supported thereby. The band 112 continues to cover and protect the caster wheel from dirt or other debris, so long as the covering 100 remains applied thereto, maintaining a clean appearance of the wheel and preventing the wheel from transmitting dirt to a carpet rug or other decorative surface upon which it may be placed to rollably support furniture or the like. When an article of furniture or the like bearing casters having wheels 111 is to be placed in service, the protective covering 100 is removed from each wheel 111. To do this, it is a simple matter, due to the construction of the embodiment of Figures 1 - 5, for the individual to easily remove the protective covering 100. The individual exposes the caster wheel 111 in question, finger grips the peel tab 150, and pulls the peel tab 150 outwardly away from the wheel periphery edge 125 and the covering side edge 122, across the periphery 149 of the protective covering 100, and through notch 154 thereof that is formed in the edge 123 of the covering 100. This results in the peel tab 150 forming a separate release strip (indicated in Figure 1 by the dashed lead line for reference numeral 135) that has a length that includes the transverse dimension of the protective covering periphery 149 up to the portion of the covering that defines notch 154, so that the protective band 112 is fully severed at the location of the peel tab 150 and the resulting release strip 135 (that is formed out of the protective covering 110 to release same from the caster wheel). Since the band 112 is under tension, on removal of the release strip 135, the remaining part of the protective covering springs away from the wheel tread, and is thus easily removed and discarded, allowing a clean wheel tread or rim surface to contact the carpeting or other flooring on which the casters rollably ride. The notch 154 facilitates the removal of the protective covering 100 from a caster wheel 111, by its presence, which is in one of the edges of the band 112, for instance, edge 123, that forms the tensioned flange 128. The notch 154 is preferably proportioned such that removal of enough of the covering forming material making up the band 112 is such that the flange 128 is void for approximately 50 per cent of its radial length, in the position flange 128 assumes as shrunk on wheel 111, and for a dimension circumferentially of flange 128 that is aligned with the peel tab 150 transversely of the periphery 149 of the covering 110. In this connection, the transverse dimension of the covering periphery 149 that is referred to is the dimension that parallels the axis 130 of rotation of the wheel 111 to which the covering 100 is applied. In addition to the removal of the material making up the protective covering 100 by the formation of the notch 154, which results in decreasing the strength of the polyvinyl chloride material at the flange 128 (or flange 127 if the positions of peel tab 150, slits 152 and notch 154 are reversed), the force that is to be applied to the peel tab 150 to separate the resulting release strip 135 from the band 112 at the location of the notch 154, can be so applied so that the resulting release strip 135 is angled at least at 90 degrees with respect to the margin 155 of the groove 154 that is concentric with the periphery 149 of the covering 100 as applied to wheel 111. As has already been indicated, the peel tab 150, its associated slits 152, and the notch 154 may alternately be formed along the respective covering side edges 122 and 123, respectively, with positioning opposite to that shown in Figures 1 - 3, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The protective covering 100 provided by the present invention makes available, to the manufacturer and/or supplier of caster wheels and other similar annular objects, a device and method for protecting the wheel tread, or corresponding structure in other annular objects, in an inexpensive, and yet completely satisfactory fashion, while, at the same time, permitting easy and ready removability of the protective covering when desired, and without the need for any tools whatsoever. The particular composition of the bands that form the respective protective coverings, namely heat-shrinkable polyvinyl chloride, provides an exterior surface that is readily adaptable for printing in order that suitable advertising or promotional material, slogans, or trade marks or the like, may be imprinted thereon.

Claims: A protective covering (100) for an annular object (111), in particular for a caster wheel, said covering comprising an endless annular band (112) of heat-shrinkable polyvinyl chloride defining spaced marginal side edges (122, 123) thereabout, said band being proportioned to be closely received over and about the outer annular surface of the object in overlapping relation to both side edges of the object for heat shrinking thereagainst and thereabout, whereby said band including said side edges thereof will be tensioned against the outer annular surface and the side edges of the object respectively, when the object is centered within said protective covering and the covering is heat shrunk against such object; characterised in that said band includes release means (150) formed perpendicular to its periphery for effecting finger gripping of one side edge thereof and pulling free of said band between said side edges thereof for severing said band whereby the severed band under said tension springs away from the outer annular surface of the object, said release means including an upstanding finger grip tab (150) extending from one of said edges thereof, said tab being integral with said band and extending laterally of said band, and a pair of tear slits (152) formed in said band, one disposed on either side of said tab at said one of said edges of said band, said slits being directed toward the other of said edges of said band, and a tear notch (154) formed in said band at said other of said edges of said band, said notch being aligned with said tab. A protective covering according to claim 1, wherein: said tear notch (154) is of uniform dimension longitudinally of said band, with said dimension of said notch approximating, and being aligned with, the corresponding dimension of said tab (150).

Inventors: DOUMANI, ROBERT S., ESTKOWSKI, CHRISTOPHER G., ESTKOWSKI, MICHAEL H.
Applicants: SHEPHERD PRODUCTS U.S. INC. (A DELAWARE CORPORATION)
Application year: 1987
Main classification: B65D85
IPC codes: B65D59, B65D65, B60B33