Abstract:
A wheel guard or skirt is disclosed for use with a wheel of a machine or appliance. The wheel guard is designed to push an obstruction such as a wire, cable or other debris away from the wheel as the machine is moved along a floor. The wheel guard includes a first base member, having first and second ends, a second base member, having first and second ends, an upstanding first end member positioned between the first ends of the first and second base members and an upstanding second end member positioned between the second ends of the first and second base members. The wheel guard is designed to push obstructions away from the wheel to prevent the wheel from running over the obstruction. The wheel guard may be of one-piece construction.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to wheel guards or skirts for the wheels of a machine or appliance such as a portable welding machine, hospital appliance, etc., intended to clear obstacles such as electrical wires, cables, or debris from the rolling path of the wheels thereof so as to prevent obstruction of the rolling movement of the wheels. 
     Description of the Related Art 
     Many machines, such as portable welding machines, are mounted on a pair of caster wheels at the forward end thereof and a pair of conventional wheels at the rearward end thereof. In some welding machines, a pair of caster wheels are mounted at the forward end of the welding machine and a pair of caster wheels are mounted at the rearward end of the welding machine. In many welding facilities, the floor thereof is littered with electrical wires, cables, etc., which impede the movement of the wheeled welding machine. Further, many appliances such as hospital carts, IV supports, etc., suffer the same problem. 
     Attempts have been made to reduce or eliminate these problems. However, the prior art devices are believed to be difficult to mount on the wheels and do not perform satisfactorily. Further, the prior art devices are not usable in many situations such as where the caster wheels have locking devices associated therewith. Further, in some situations, the prior art devices cannot be used when the associated wheel is positioned closely adjacent the welding machine, appliance, etc. Additionally, some of the prior art devices are difficult to install and are difficult to service or remove. Even more particularly, many of the prior art devices are ineffective. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key aspects or essential aspects of the claimed subject matter. Moreover, this Summary is not intended for use as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     A guard or a skirt is disclosed for a wheel which is rotatably mounted on a machine with the wheel having a horizontal axis. The machine may be a welding machine or other portable machine or appliance. The guard includes a horizontally disposed first base member having a first end, a second end, a lower end and an upper end. The first base member is positioned at one side of the wheel. A horizontally disposed second base member having a first end, a second end, a lower end and an upper end is horizontally spaced from the first base member and is positioned at the other side of the wheel. The upper ends of the first and second base members dwell in a plane below the horizontal axle of the associated wheel. 
     An upstanding first end member having a lower end, an upper end, a first side, a second side, an outer end wall with lower and upper ends, and an inner end wall with lower and upper ends is also provided. The outer end wall of the first end member extends upwardly and inwardly from the lower end thereof to the upper end thereof. The inner end wall of the first end member extends upwardly and inwardly from the lower end thereof to the upper end thereof. The lower end of the first end member is positioned between the first ends of the first and second base members. The upper end of the first end member dwells in a plane above the upper ends of the first and second base members. The guard also includes an upstanding second end member having a lower end, an upper end, a first side, a second side, an outer end wall with upper and lower ends, and an inner end wall with lower and upper ends. The outer end wall of the second end member extends upwardly and inwardly from the lower end thereof to the upper end thereof. The inner end wall of the second end member extends upwardly and inwardly from the lower end thereof to the upper end thereof. The lower end of the second end member is positioned between the second ends of the first and second base members. The upper end of the second end member dwells in a plane above the upper ends of the first and second base members. The upper ends of the inner end walls of the first and second end members dwell in a plane above the horizontal axis of the wheel. The upper ends of the inner end walls of the first and second end members are spaced-apart a distance which is less than the diameter of the associated wheel. 
     In the preferred embodiment, the first ends of the first and second base members are selectively removably secured to the first end member and wherein the second ends of the first and second base members are selectively removably secured to the second end member. Preferably, the first ends of the first and second base members are selectively removably snap-fitted to the first end member and wherein the second ends of the first and second base members are selectively removably snap-fitted to the second end member. 
     In another embodiment, the guard may be comprised of a one-piece molded guard. In another embodiment, the components of the wheel guard may be screwed together or bolted together. 
     A principal object of the invention is to provide an improved guard or skirt for a caster wheel or a conventional wheel mounted on a portable machine such as a welding machine, appliance or the like. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide a guard of the type described which prevents the wheels of the machine from rolling over cables, wires, debris, etc. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide a wheel guard of the type described which may be used with a caster wheel having a lock or a conventional caster wheel or a conventional wheel. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide a wheel guard of the type described which is easily mounted on a wheel. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide a wheel guard which is of a one-piece plastic molded construction. 
     These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise specified. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a welding machine having caster wheels and conventional wheels mounted thereon with the wheel guard of this invention mounted on the wheels thereof; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the wheel guard of this invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a lower perspective view of the wheel guard of this invention; 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view the wheel guard of this invention; 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view of the wheel guard of this invention as seen from the opposite side of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a partial side elevational view illustrating the wheel guard of this invention resting on a floor and embracing the wheel of the machine; and 
         FIG. 7  is a view similar to  FIG. 6  except that the machine has been moved upwardly with respect to the floor with the wheel guard of this invention moving upwardly with the wheel. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Embodiments are described more fully below with reference to the accompanying figures, which form a part hereof and show, by way of illustration, specific exemplary embodiments. These embodiments are disclosed in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. However, embodiments may be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense in that the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims. 
     The numeral  10  refers to the wheel guard of this invention. The wheel guard  10  is preferably constructed of a plastic material. The wheel guard  10  is designed so as to be usable with a caster wheel, a caster wheel with a brake, and a conventional wheel. Although the drawings illustrate the wheel guard  10  as being of four-piece construction, the wheel guard  10  may be a single piece plastic molded article. The drawings illustrate the wheel guard being used with caster wheels  12  and conventional wheels  14  on a welding machine  15 . The size of wheel guard  10  will depend on the size of the wheel. Each of the wheels have a horizontal axle A. 
     Guard  10  includes an elongated base member  16  having a curved first end  18 , a curved second end  20 , a lower end  22 , an upper end  24 , an outer side  26  and an inner side  28 . The outer end of first end  18  has a notch  19  formed therein. The outer end of second end  20  has a notch  21  formed therein. As seen, the outer side  26  of base member  16  is curved so as to extend upwardly and inwardly from its lower end  22  to its upper end  24 . 
     As seen in  FIGS. 3 and 5 , a pair of spaced-apart pegs, stubs or studs  30  and  32  extend horizontally inwardly from the inner side  28  of base member  16  inwardly of end  18  thereof. Preferably, studs  30  and  32  are tapered as seen in  FIG. 5 . A pair of spaced-apart pegs, stubs or studs  34  and  36  extend horizontally inwardly from the inner side  28  of base member  16  inwardly of end  20  thereof. Preferably, studs  34  and  36  are tapered as seen in  FIG. 5 . 
     Guard  10  also includes an elongated base member  38  having a curved first end  40 , a curved second end  42 , a lower end  44 , an upper end  46 , an outer side  48  and an inner side  50 . The outer end of first end  40  has a notch  41  formed therein. The outer end of second end  42  has a notch  43  formed therein. As seen, the outer side  48  of base member  38  is curved so as to extend upwardly and inwardly from its lower end  44  to its upper end  46 . 
     As seen in  FIG. 4 , a pair of spaced-apart stubs, pegs or studs  52  and  54  extend horizontally inwardly from the inner side  50  of base member  38  inwardly of end  40  thereof. Preferably, studs  52  and  54  are tapered as seen in  FIG. 4 . A pair of spaced-apart stubs, pegs or studs  56  and  58  extend horizontally inwardly from the inner side  50  of base member  38  inwardly of end  42 . Preferably, studs  56  and  58  are tapered as seen in  FIG. 4 . 
     The numeral  60  refers to an upstanding end member which is positioned between the ends  18  and  40  of base members  16  and  38  respectively as will be described in detail hereinafter. End member  60  will be described as having a flat lower end  62 , an upper end  64 , a curved outer side wall  66  and an inner side wall  68  which is curved at its upper end. As seen, the outer side wall  66  of end member  60  has a curved portion  70  at its lower end. The outer side wall  66  of end member  60  has a curved portion  72  which extends upwardly and inwardly from curved portion  70 . End member  60  has a central partition wall  74  which extends between the outer side wall  66  and the inner side wall  68 . A pair of hollow tubes  78  and  80  extend horizontally outwardly from one side of wall  74  at the lower end thereof. As will be explained hereinafter, the outer end of tube  78  is configured to receive stud  30  therein and the outer end of tube  80  is configured to receive stud  32  therein. A pair of hollow tubes  82  and  84  extend horizontally outwardly from the other side of wall  74  at the lower end thereof as will be explained hereinafter. The outer end of tube  82  is configured to receive stud  52  of base member  38  therein and the outer end of tube  84  is configured to receive stud  54  of base member  38  therein. 
     The numeral  86  refers to an upstanding end member which is positioned between the ends  20  and  42  of base members  16  and  38  respectively as will be described in detail hereinafter. End member  86  will be described as having a flat lower end  88 , on upper end  90 , a curved outer side wall  92 , and an inner side wall  94  which is curved at its upper end. As seen, the outer side wall  92  of end member  86  has a curved portion  96  at its lower end. The outer side wall  92  of end member  86  has a curved portion  98  which extends upwardly and inwardly from curved portion  96 . End wall member  86  has a central partition wall  100  which extends between the outer side wall  92  and the inner side wall  94 . End member  86  includes a pair of hollow tubes  102  and  104  which extend horizontally outwardly from one side of wall  100 . As will be explained hereinafter, the outer end of tube  102  is configured to receive stud  34  therein and the outer end of tube  104  is configured to receive stud  36  therein. A pair of hollow tubes  106  and  108  extend horizontally outwardly from the other side of wall  100  at the lower end thereof as will be explained hereinafter. The outer end of tube  106  is configured to receive stud  56  therein and the outer end of tube  108  is configured to receive stud  58  therein. 
     The wheel guard  10  is assembled and mounted on the machine  15  as will now be described. End members  60  and  86  are positioned at the inner side of base member  16  so that tubes  78 ,  80 ,  102  and  104  are aligned with studs  30 ,  32 ,  34  and  36  respectively. The end members  60  and  86  are then moved inwardly towards base member  16  so that the studs  30 ,  32 ,  34  and  36  are snap-fitted into tubes  78 ,  80 ,  102  and  104  respectively. The base member  16  with the end members  60  and  86  attached thereto are then placed on the floor at one side of the wheel so that the lower end  62  of base member  16  and the lower ends  62  and  88  of end members  60  and  86  rest on the floor. At that point, the base member  16  and the end members  60  and  86  will partially surround the wheel. At that time, the upper ends  64  and  90  of end members  60  and  86  respectively will be positioned above the rotational axis of the wheel. At that point, the distance between the upper ends  64  and  90  of end members  60  and  86  respectively will be less than the diameter of the associated wheel. 
     The base member  38  is then positioned at the other or inner side of the wheel so that the lower end of base member  38  rests on the floor and so that the studs  52 ,  54   56 , and  58  are aligned with the tubes  78 ,  80 ,  106  and  108  respectively. The base member  38  is then moved inwardly with respect to end members  60  and  86  so that the studs  52 ,  54 ,  56  and  58  are snap-fitted into the tubes  78 ,  80 ,  106  and  108  respectively. 
     A second way of attaching the wheel guard  10  to the way is to first assemble the wheel guard  10  by securing the base member  16 , the base member  38 , and end members  60  and  86  together. The assembled wheel guard  10  is then positioned on the floor in its upright position. The machine  15  is then raised and positioned so that the associated wheel is positioned directly above the wheel guard  10 . The machine  15  is then lowered so that the wheel engages the upper ends of the end members  60  and  86  and deflects the upper ends of the end members  60  and  86  outwardly so the wheel passes downwardly into the wheel guard. This mounting procedure will be used if the wheel guard  10  is of one-piece construction. 
     With the wheel guards  10  mounted on the wheels  12  and  14 , if the machine  15  is moved forwardly, the wheel guards  10  on the caster wheel  12 , upon engaging a wire or cable, as seen in  FIG. 1 , the wheel guard  10  will push the wire or cable forwardly or laterally from the machine  15  so that the wheels thereof do not have to pass over the wire or cable. If the machine  15  is moved rearwardly, the wheel guards  10  on the wheels  14 , upon engaging a wire or cable, the wheel guards  10  will push the wire or cable rearwardly or laterally from the machine  15  so that the wheels thereof do not have to pass over the wire or cable. 
     The components of the wheel guard may also be screwed together or bolted together. 
     Thus it can be seen that the invention accomplishes at least all of its stated objectives. 
     Although the invention has been described in language that is specific to certain structures and methodological steps, it is to be understood that the invention defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific structures and/or steps described. Rather, the specific aspects and steps are described as forms of implementing the claimed invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be practiced without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended.