Abstract:
Described is a mechanism for traveling over carpet and other uneven or resistant surfaces and objects. The mechanism may be used in connection with office chairs, desk chairs, school chairs, dinner table chairs, lounge chairs, shopping carts, and the like. A base assembly includes relatively large spheres of a rigid or pliant material. The spheres operate in any direction with the assistance of a set of bearings. The spheres allow improved operation over surfaces compared to castors and other known mechanisms. The spheres substantial reduce floor wear and provide improved stability.

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a system or components that may be affixed or used in conjunction with chairs, carts and other objects; the system allows or facilitates rolling over or across surfaces such as floors, patios, carpets, etc. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Known office chairs, couches, refrigerators, tables, shopping carts and other movable appliances and furniture sometimes include wheels or castors. These wheels or castors are typically mounted at several locations in the items. The wheels or castors facilitate movement of these items without lifting them. However, when these items are moved across a carpeted or rough surface, the wheels or castors do not sufficiently enable movement. Upon impact with a pebble or other small obstacle, a wheel or castor suddenly stops and motion of the item ceases. Instead, movers frequently choose to lift and carry the item over a rough surface because the set of wheels or castors fails to adequately facilitate movement, especially of heavy or bulky items. Carrying some items even a short distance allows for a person to hurt himself when carrying a bulky or heavy item. 
     The present invention solves these and other shortcomings and problems. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one implementation, spheres are disposed somewhat uniformly in or about a base. The base is connected to or forms part of a design for a chair, desk, couch, appliance, table, shopping cart, and the like. 
     In one aspect of the present invention, the base provides increased stability as compared to known castors, wheels, etc. The increased stability derives from, for example, (1) one or more properties of the material that makes up the spheres, (2) increased strength of the design of the base, and/or (3) increased points of contact with a surface. One result of the increased stability is that a chair or cart is more difficult to roll over. Further, there is increased stability due to the spheres being able to travel more easily than previously known over uneven surfaces or objects. 
     Another aspect of the invention provides for a system that facilitates movement of office chairs, desks, couches, refrigerators, tables, shopping carts and other movable appliances, furniture and the like. With less surface area in contact with a surface, and with relatively less rolling friction, the base or apparatus travels with less lateral force needed to start and move it. 
     In another aspect, the spheres cause less wear on surfaces such as carpets and rugs. For an embodiment with spheres, reduced wear derives at least in part from the shape of the spheres and type of contact between a surface and the spheres. 
     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 or essential features of the claimed subject matter, and it is not intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. These and other aspects of the invention are described further in the Detailed Description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The novel features believed characteristic of the subject matter are set forth in the appended claims. Throughout, like numerals refer to like parts with the first digit of each numeral generally referring to the figure which first illustrates the particular part. The subject matter and one or more preferred modes of use are best understood by reference to the following Detailed Description of illustrative implementations when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Unless noted otherwise, the figures are not drawn to scale. 
         FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of an office chair or assembly according to a first exemplary implementation of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a bottom perspective view of the first exemplary implementation shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is perspective close-up view of a portion of the base of the first exemplary implementation shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a front perspective view of a couch or assembly according to a second exemplary implementation of the invention. 
         FIG. 5A  is a front perspective close-up view of an exemplary implementation of a ball transfer such as one shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5B  is a side cut-away view of a second exemplary implementation of a ball transfer such as one shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6  is an overhead view of an exemplary implementation of a ball transfer such as one shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     While the invention is described below with respect to one or more preferred implementations, other implementations are possible. The concepts disclosed herein apply equally to other mechanisms, devices and means for traveling across surfaces. Furthermore, the concepts applied herein apply generally to furniture, carts, dollies, appliances, manually operated delivery devices, conveyor systems, and other items that move relatively short distances across surfaces. The invention is described below with reference to the accompanying figures. 
     Historically, while various forms and types of castors and wheels have been created to facilitate movement or transport of objects over surfaces (e.g., office chairs, shopping carts), these mechanisms fail to adequately address some basic functionalities. For example, office chairs often cause wear to carpet when used for months in a relatively small part of a carpeted office. The castors and wheels of office chairs sometimes catch on edges and obstacles, and occasionally tip over or cause frustration to users. Due to substantial friction or resistance, some users suffer frustration with moving office chairs back and forth across a carpeted surface. Thus, there has been a need for an improved mechanism that can overcome these and other shortcomings. 
       FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of an office chair according to a first exemplary implementation of an assembly  100 . With reference to  FIG. 1 , a base  102  supports a utility portion or utility apparatus  104  such as a chair (shown in  FIG. 1 ). The utility portion or apparatus  104  can take a variety of forms including a basket, couch, bed, night stand, bar stool, shopping cart, microwave stand, refrigerator, footstool, chest, tool chest, table, desk, computer stand, locker, bookshelf, etc. 
     The base  102  comprises or includes a set of spherical or substantially spherical rollers or balls  106  (herein “spheres”). In one implementation, the spheres  106  operate and/or are held in place by a set of relatively smaller bearings or ball transfers  108 . For example, each bearing or bearing assembly may be a ball transfer or hudson-style bearing (as seen and described in more detail with reference to  FIG. 3 ). Each ball transfer  108  may support a substantial amount of weight depending on the application of the base  102 . The base  102  also includes a bottom plate or area  110  and a top plate or area  112 . Support members  114  hold the bottom plate  110  in place relative to the top plate  112 . Each support member  114  may be of any shape or design, and may be moveable or adjustable such that the distance between the bottom plate  110  and the top plate  112  may be adjusted as desired or as needed. Further, a break mechanism or lock mechanism may be integrated with or work in conjunction with the support members  114 . 
     The spheres  106  protrude through the bottom plate  110  and make contact with a surface (not shown). The inventive assembly  100  is free to roll or travel in any direction. If the assembly  100  is picked up, the bottom plate  110  captures or restrains the spheres  106  from leaving the base  102 . 
     Each sphere  106  is preferably made of a firm substance that does not easily or substantially deform, break or chip; and does not leave a residue or mark when contacting surfaces. For example, spheres may be made of one or more plastics, acrylic glass, one or more acrylate polymers, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), hardened rubber, one or more phenolic resins, one or more polyesters, nitrocellulose, or other material including metals, woods, stone and natural and man-made materials. In some embodiments, the spheres may be made of a resilient material more akin to a rubbery substance so as to give a higher rolling friction and better rolling characteristics over tile and other hard surfaces. In yet other embodiments, the spheres may be filled with a liquid or a gas, or may be inflatable. 
     The base  102  is connected or used in conjunction with a utility piece  104  through a connecting assembly. In one implementation, the connecting assembly includes a connecting plate  120  that is fastened to the top plate  112  with one or more fasteners  121 . One or more posts  122  connect to a connecting mechanism  124 . In the example shown in  FIG. 1 , the post  122  is an adjustable post  122  and a connecting mechanism  124  that attaches to a seat  126  of an office chair. The office chair includes a back  128  and arms  130 . In this example of an office chair, the base  102  is sized to an ergonomic size such that a width of the base  102  is sufficient to provide substantial stability when considering leaning and tilting on the office chair. The base  102  may not be considered shown to scale in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 2  is a bottom perspective view of the exemplary implementation shown in  FIG. 1 . With reference to  FIG. 2 , six spheres  106  are installed substantially evenly around the periphery of the base  102 . Apertures  202 , one for each sphere  106 , allow the spheres  106  to contact a surface (not shown). Each aperture  202  may be of any design, shape or profile. The spheres  106  and apertures  202  are each located their own distance  204  from an edge or side of the bottom plate  110 . Such distance may be the substantially the same for all spheres  106  depending on the geometry and shape of the bottom plate  110  and top plate  112 . The bottom plate  110  and top plate  112  may be of different sizes, different shapes, or different orientations relative a fixed point or plane. 
     In one implementation, a size (e.g., diameter, side measurement, circumference) of the aperture  202  is smaller than a size of the respective sphere  106 . Such is not required. A size of the aperture  202  may be larger than a size of the respective sphere  106 . In a preferred implementation, the diameter  206  of the aperture  202  is smaller than the largest diameter  208  of a respective sphere  106 . In such a configuration, the sphere  106  is not free to exit the aperture  202  when the assembly  100  is picked up or during assembly or adjustment of the assembly  100  or base  102 . However, when in operation, each sphere  106  is not in contact with the bottom plate  110 , top plate  112  or support member  114 . A size  210  of utility piece  104  or working portion may be substantially smaller, substantially the same, or substantially larger than a size  212  of the base  102 . In a preferred implementation for a chair (seat  126 , back  128  and arms  130 ) as a utility piece  104 , the diameter  212  of a circular base  102  (as shown in  FIG. 2 ) is about a same length as a width  210  of the chair. The diameter  212  of the circular base  102  is sufficiently small so that the base  102  is out of the way of the legs and feet of a person using the chair, but of sufficient size so as to give a desired amount of lateral support to prevent the chair from tipping over. The same is desired for other assemblies such as a cart or bar stool. 
     In a preferred implementation, three ball transfers  108  are arranged and mounted to the top plate  112  so as to keep a respective sphere  106  in place. At any given time, one or more ball transfers  108  are in contact with a respective sphere  106  to provide support from the respective sphere  106  to the base. In operation, when a sphere  106  rotates, the ball transfers also roll. The sphere  106  and the ball transfers  108  operate in a bearing-style of mechanism. 
       FIG. 3  is perspective close-up view of a portion of the base  102  of the first exemplary implementation shown in  FIG. 1 . With reference to  FIG. 3 , a sphere  106  is shown disposed near or against three ball transfers  108 , where two of three ball transfers  108  are visible. Other numbers of ball transfers  108  are possible or desirable for each sphere  106 . Further, any number of spheres  106  may be used for the base  102 . When a load is placed against the base  102  (e.g., such as when a person sits in a chair), one or more of the ball transfers  108  resist the load when in contact with the sphere  106  at a point of contact  302 . In a preferred implementation, lateral motion of the base  102  occurs when the sphere  106  rolls across a surface (not shown). In turn, each of the ball transfers  108  rolls or otherwise actuates. A relatively small area or point of contact  302  translates into a low amount of friction when the sphere  106  rolls. In one implementation, a ball transfer  108  includes a ball  304  held inside a housing by a collar or ring. The ball transfer  108  is preferably disposed at an angle relative to a plane associated with the top plate  112 . A wedge  106  or other means may be used to position and fix the ball transfer  108  relative to the sphere  106 . A braking system (not shown in  FIG. 3 ) may include a mechanism to have the sphere  106  engage the bottom plate  110  or top plate  112  so as to prevent motion or rolling of the sphere  106 . Other means may be used to prevent the rolling of the spheres  106  as part of a braking system. 
       FIG. 4  is a front perspective view of an assembly  400  according to a second exemplary implementation of the invention. With reference to  FIG. 4 , an assembly  400  includes a couch  402  portion that has been affixed to a base or set of base components  404 . The base components  404  include a base plate  110 , a set of sphere  106  and a set of ball transfers  108  for each respective sphere  106 . The operation of the spheres  106  is substantially like that described in relation to  FIGS. 1-3 . The spheres  106  are disposed at various points under the couch  402 . These points may be recessed from the front, back and sides of the couch  402  so that a typical person would not see some or all of the base components  404  when viewing the couch from a standing position or a sitting position in front of the couch  402 . The couch  402  includes seats  126 , a back  128  and arms  130 . The base plate  110  may be one piece or may take the form of several smaller plates, rings, braces, etc. so as to prevent the spheres  106  from escaping proper placement on or near the ball transfers  108 , especially when the couch assembly  400  is lifted. The couch assembly  400  may be moved across a surface in any direction, as the spheres  106  are free to move in any direction. A braking mechanism (not shown) may resist lateral movement of the couch assembly  400  when the braking mechanism is engaged. 
       FIG. 5A  is a front perspective close-up view of an exemplary implementation of a ball transfer  108  such as one shown in  FIG. 1 . With reference to  FIG. 5A , a ball transfer  108  includes a ball, sphere, roller, cylinder or other moveable element  502  that contacts a sphere (not shown in  FIG. 5A , such as a sphere or ovoid  106  shown in  FIG. 1 ). A housing  504  maintains or assists in maintaining the ball  502  inside the ball transfer  108 . A bearing case  506  houses or includes a ball bearing  510  in position inside of the ball transfer  108 . A mounting structure  508  allows for assembly of the ball transfer  108  to a surface or location on an item. While an overall circular shape for the mounting structure  508  of the ball transfer  108  is shown, other shapes and configurations are envisioned including a square-shaped mounting structure or a structure for mounting the ball transfer  108  at a corner or along an edge of an item. 
       FIG. 5B  is a side cut-away view of a second exemplary implementation of a ball transfer such as one shown in  FIG. 1 . With reference to  FIG. 5B , a ball  502  is located or housed inside a housing  504 . The housing  504  facilitates maintenance of bearings  510  inside the ball transfer. A relatively large number of bearings, spheres, ovoids, rollers, etc. may be maintained inside the ball transfer  108 . In this way, the ball transfer may support an increased load at a point of contact  302  with the ball transfer. Further, a smooth rolling or operation of the ball transfer may be performed. A mounting structure  508  facilitates mounting of the ball transfer to a surface or location. 
       FIG. 6  is an overhead view of an exemplary implementation of a ball transfer such as one shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 5A . With reference to  FIG. 6 , bearing  510  are located at various places inside the housing and mounting structure of the ball transfer  108 . Apertures  602  allow for screws, nails or other means for affixing the ball transfer  108  to a surface or location. 
     In general, according to one aspect of the present invention, a base, such as base  102 , provides increased stability as compared to known castors, wheels, etc. Instead of a typical castor or wheel that travels in a track or wide path, a sphere rolls in any direction at any given time. Even swivel, double-wheel castors suffer from the drawback that one must encourage the castor to roll in a desired direction. This is sometimes very difficult when laterally moving something very heavy across a thick carpet or rug. The increased stability of the invention derives from, for example, (1) one or more properties of the material that makes up the spheres, (2) increased strength of the design of the base, and/or (3) increased points of contact with a surface over which one desires to move something. One result of the increased stability is that a chair, barstool or cart is more difficult to roll over. Further, there is increased stability due to the spheres being able to travel more easily than previously known over uneven surfaces or objects. For example, door jams can provide a substantial obstacle for castors such as when moving music equipment in boxes into a music hall. 
     Another aspect of the invention provides for a system that facilitates movement of office chairs, desks, couches, refrigerators, tables, shopping carts, moving cases and other movable appliances, furniture and the like. With less surface area in contact with a surface, and with relatively less rolling friction, the base or apparatus travels with less lateral force needed to start and move it. 
     In another aspect, the spheres cause less wear on surfaces such as carpets and rugs. For an embodiment with spheres, reduced wear derives at least in part from the shape of the spheres and type of contact between a surface and the spheres. For example, with a castor, the wheel of the castor causes the wheel&#39;s two edges to sharply impact the carpet fibers as compared to the carpet fibers just outside the reach of the wheel. Motion of the castor can leave a track pressed into the carpet fibers. The wear avoided by the instant invention may be temporary wear and permanent wear. Thus, the invention may prolong the life of some surfaces and floors. 
     The implementations described herein, and those taught to those of the art, are advantageous to many types of users including home owners, retail consumers, trade show vendors, business owners, home repairers, electricians, movers, yard workers, mechanics and others who need to laterally move items across a surface. The implementations described herein can provide significant time savings and utility over known mechanisms. 
     The foregoing discussion has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. Various features from one implementation can be combined with other features from other implementations. The description is not intended to limit the invention to the form or forms disclosed herein. Consequently, variation and modification commensurate with the above teachings, within the skill and knowledge of the relevant art, are within the scope of the present invention. The implementations described herein and above are further intended to explain the best mode presently known of practicing the invention and to enable others skilled in the art to use the invention as such, or in other implementations, and with the various modifications required by their particular application or uses of the invention. It is intended that the appended claims be construed to include alternate implementations to the extent permitted.