Patent Publication Number: US-2019193463-A1

Title: Offset casters, computing device supports, systems for supporting a computing device, and methods of use

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/610,405, filed on Dec. 26, 2017, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Background and Relevant Art 
     Use of computing devices is becoming more ubiquitous by the day. Computing devices range from standard desktop computers to wearable computing technology and beyond. One area of computing devices that has grown in recent years is interactive televisions. Interactive televisions are computing devices that may vary in size and can be quite large. 
     The subject matter claimed herein is not limited to implementations that solve any disadvantages or that operate only in environments such as those described above. Rather, this background is only provided to illustrate one exemplary technology area where some implementations described herein may be practiced. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     In one implementation, an offset caster is described. The offset caster includes a wheel, an axle connected to the wheel, and an offset base connected to the axle. The offset base is offset by a distance. The offset base includes a connection to a computing device support. 
     In a second implementation, a computing device support is described. The computing device support includes a mount configured to receive a computing device. The computing device support includes a plurality of legs. At least one of the plurality of legs is connected to the mount. The computing device support includes at least one offset caster as described herein. 
     In a third implementation, a system for moving a computing device is described. The system includes a computing device and a computing device support as described herein. The computing device support includes at least one offset caster as described herein. 
     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 features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     Additional features and advantages will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by the practice of the teachings herein. Features and advantages of the disclosure may be realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. Features of the present disclosure will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the disclosure as set forth hereinafter. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In order to describe the manner in which the above-recited and other features of the disclosure can be obtained, a more particular description will be rendered by reference to specific implementations thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. For better understanding, the like elements have been designated by like reference numbers throughout the various accompanying figures. While some of the drawings may be schematic or exaggerated representations of concepts, at least some of the drawings may be drawn to scale. Understanding that the drawings depict some example implementations, the implementations will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an isometric view of an implementation of a computing device support; 
         FIG. 2  is a front view of the implementation of the computing device support of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a top view of the implementation of the computing device support of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4-1  is a side view of the implementation of the computing device support of  FIG. 1  with the casters in an inward position; 
         FIG. 4-2  is a side view of the implementation of the computing device support of  FIG. 1  with the casters in an outward position; 
         FIG. 4-3  is a side view of the implementation of the computing device support of  FIG. 1  with the front casters in an inward position and the rear casters in an outward position; 
         FIG. 5  is an isometric view of an implementation of an offset caster; 
         FIG. 6-1  is a top view of the implementation of the offset caster of  FIG. 1  with the wheel in an inward position; 
         FIG. 6-2  is a top view of the implementation of the offset caster of  FIG. 1  with the wheel in an outward position; 
         FIG. 7-1  is a side view of the implementation of the offset caster of  FIG. 1  with the wheel in an inward position and the brake in a free position; 
         FIG. 7-2  is a side view of the implementation of the offset caster of  FIG. 1  with the wheel in an inward position and the brake in a caster locked position; 
         FIG. 7-3  is a side view of the implementation of the offset caster of  FIG. 1  with the wheel in an inward position and the brake in the caster locked and a wheel locked position; 
         FIG. 7-4  is a side view of the implementation of the offset caster of  FIG. 1  with the wheel in an outward position and the brake in the free position; 
         FIG. 8  is a front view of the implementation of the offset caster of  FIG. 1  with the brake in the free position; 
         FIG. 9  is a front view of a second implementation of the offset caster with a brake in a free position; and 
         FIG. 10  is a side view of the implementation of the offset caster of  FIG. 9 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     This disclosure generally relates to offset casters, computing device supports, systems for supporting a computing device, and methods of use. More particularly, this disclosure generally relates to offset casters that may be used to alter the center of gravity of a support and/or may provide a brake that maintains its position relative to the support. 
     In at least one implementation, an offset caster may alter the center of gravity of a computing device support by 25.0 millimeters (mm). In at least one implementation, an offset caster may alter the center of gravity of a computing device support by more than 1% of the distance between two wheels. In at least one implementation, an offset caster may provide access to a brake regardless of wheel position. In at least one implementation, an offset caster may provide a brake that may limit caster rotation and/or wheel rotation. In at least one implementation, an offset caster may provide a brake that may engage with a single push of an actuator and may disengage with a single push of the actuator. 
       FIG. 1  is an isometric view of an implementation of a computing device support  100 .  FIG. 2  is a front view of the implementation of the computing device support  100  of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 3  is a top view of the implementation of the computing device support  100  of  FIG. 1 . 
     Referring generally to  FIGS. 1-3 , the computing device support  100  may include a mount  102 . The mount  102  may receive a computing device. Computing devices may include monitors, displays, smart televisions, tablet computers, hybrid computers, laptops, or other computing devices. In implementations where the mount  102  has received a computing device, a system may be formed. 
     The computing device support  100  may include a plurality of legs  104 . As shown, the computing device support  100  includes four legs  104 - 1 ,  104 - 2 ,  104 - 3 ,  104 - 4 . The legs  104  may provide support to the mount  102 . The computing device support  100  may include front legs (e.g., legs  104 - 1 ,  104 - 2 ) and rear legs (e.g., legs  104 - 3 ,  104 - 4 ). 
     As shown, the legs  104  may form an A-frame type easel. In other words, the pairs of legs  104  (e.g., one front leg and one rear leg) may be connected at one end. In other implementations, the legs  104  may be otherwise arranged. In some implementations, the rear legs may be shorter than the front legs and/or may connect at a location along the length of the front leg. For example, the rear legs may be connected near the middle of the front legs. 
     Referring briefly to  FIG. 4-1 , a side view of the implementation of the computing device support  100  of  FIG. 1 , the legs  104  may form an angle  105  between them. In some implementations, the angle  105  may be in a range having an upper value, a lower value, or upper and lower values including any of 15 degrees, 20 degrees, 25 degrees, 30 degrees, 35 degrees, 40 degrees, or any value therebetween. For example, the angle  105  may be 15 degrees. In other examples, the angle  105  may be less than 40 degrees. In further examples, the angle  105  may be greater than 20 degrees. In yet other examples, the angle  105  may be in a range of 15 degrees to 40 degrees. In yet further examples, the angle  105  may be in a range of 20 degrees to 35 degrees. 
     Referring back to  FIGS. 1-3 , the computing device support  100  may include storage  106 . The storage  106  may be connected to one or more legs  104 . As shown, the storage  106  is connected to each leg  104 . The storage  106  may be used to support one or more components of a computing device. For example, the processor and/or memory of a computing device may be supported by the storage  106  and connected to a monitor. In another example, a keyboard, a mouse, a digital pen, other accessories, or combinations thereof may be supported by the storage  106 . 
     The computing device support  100  may include one or more casters (e.g., casters  110 ,  120 ). The computing device support  100  may include one or more types of casters. As shown, the rear legs (e.g., legs  104 - 3 ,  104 - 4 ) are connected to casters  110  and the front legs (e.g., legs  104 - 1 ,  104 - 2 ) are connected to offset casters  120 . In at least one implementation, the computing device support  100  includes at least one offset caster  120 . 
     With larger computing devices received by the mount  102 , the stability of the computing device support  100  may be affected. For example, for a computing device (e.g., monitor) that is a weight greater than 40 kg, a weight less than 50 kg, a diagonal length of greater than 150 cm, or combinations thereof, the center of gravity of the computing device support  100  with a mounted computing device may move toward the back of the computing device support  100 . In at least one implementation, the use of an offset caster may adjust the center of gravity of the computing device support  100  to offset the effects of the computing device. 
     Referring back to  FIG. 4-1 , the casters  110 ,  120  are both shown in an inward position. In this position, a distance  111 - 1  between the casters  110 ,  120  is shown. The center of gravity without an offset caster  120  is shown as line  109 . With the offset caster  120 , the center of gravity is shown as line  108 - 1  with the casters  110 ,  120  in the inward position. Thus, the center of gravity is altered by a distance  113 - 1  with the casters  110 ,  120  in the inward position. 
       FIG. 4-2  is a side view of the implementation of the computing device support  100  of  FIG. 1  with the casters  110 ,  120  in an outward position. In this position, a distance  111 - 2  between the casters  110 ,  120  is shown. The center of gravity without an offset caster  120  is shown as line  109 . With the offset caster  120 , the center of gravity is shown as line  108 - 2  with the casters  110 ,  120  in the outward position. Thus, the center of gravity is altered by a distance  113 - 2  with the casters  110 ,  120  in the outward position. 
       FIG. 4-3  is a side view of the implementation of the computing device support  100  of  FIG. 1  with the front casters  120  in an inward position and the rear casters  110  in an outward position. In this position, a distance  111 - 3  between the casters  110 ,  120  is shown. The center of gravity without an offset caster  120  is shown as line  109 . With the offset caster  120 , the center of gravity is shown as line  108 - 3  with the front casters  120  in an inward position and the rear casters  110  in an outward position. Thus, the center of gravity is altered by a distance  113 - 3  with the front casters  120  in an inward position and the rear casters  110  in an outward position. 
       FIG. 5  is an isometric view of an implementation of an offset caster  120  as shown in  FIGS. 1 through 4-3 . The offset caster  120  includes a wheel  122  and an axle  124  connected to the wheel  122 . As shown, the axle  124  extends around the wheel  122 . In other implementations, the axle  124  may be otherwise positioned. 
     The axle  124  is connected to an offset base  126 . The offset base  126  may include a connection  128 . The connection  128  may connect a computing device support (e.g., computing device support  100 ) to the offset caster  120 . For example, the connection  128  may connect to a leg  104  of a computing device support. The caster  120  may include a brake  130 . The caster  120  may pivot about the brake  130 . 
       FIG. 6-1  is a top view of the implementation of the offset caster  120  of  FIG. 1  with the wheel  122  in an inward position. In other words, the wheel  122  may be oriented toward an inside of a computing device support.  FIG. 6-2  is a top view of the implementation of the offset caster  120  of  FIG. 1  with the wheel  122  in an outward position. In other words, the wheel  122  may be oriented away from the inside of a computing device support. As shown in  FIG. 6-2 , the axle  124  may wrap, at least partially, around the wheel  122 . 
     Referring generally to  FIGS. 6-1 and 6-2 , the leg  104  may connect to the offset base  126  at an angle. As shown, the leg  104  connects to the offset base  126  at an angle (not labeled) from the vertical relative to the side face of the offset base  126  and at an angle (not labeled) from the vertical relative to the front face of the offset base  126 , as shown. In other implementations, the leg  104  may be parallel to the vertical or may vary from the vertical in only one direction (e.g., only relative to the side face or the front face). 
     A distance  123  from the front edge of the leg  104  and a centerline of the axle  124  is shown. In the inward position, the distance  123 - 1  is relatively small. In the outward position, as shown in  FIG. 6-2 , the distance  123 - 2  is relatively large. In other words, the distance  123 - 1  in the inward position may be smaller than the distance  123 - 2  in the outward position. 
     A distance  125  may be defined from the center of the brake  130  to the front edge of the leg  104 . The distance  125 - 1  in  FIG. 6-1  and the distance  125 - 2  in  FIG. 6-2  are the same, because the caster  120  pivots about the brake  130 . In implementations where the caster  120  pivots about another point, the distance  125  may change between the inward and outward positions (as well as sideways positions). 
     A distance  127  may be defined from the center of the brake  130  to the front edge of the leg  104 . The distance  127 - 1  in  FIG. 6-1  and the distance  127 - 2  in  FIG. 6-2  are the same, as the brake  130  does not change position in the top view from the inward to the outward position. 
       FIGS. 7-1 through 7-3  are side views illustrating internal components of the implementation of the offset caster  120  of  FIG. 1  with the wheel  122  in an inward position.  FIG. 7-1  illustrates the brake  130  in a free position,  FIG. 7-2  illustrates the brake  130  in a caster locked position, and  FIG. 7-3  illustrates the brake  130  in the caster locked and a wheel locked position.  FIG. 7-4  is a side view of the implementation of the offset caster  120  of  FIG. 1  with the wheel  122  in an outward position and the brake  130  in the free position. 
       FIG. 7-1  illustrates a distance  115  between the brake  130  and the leg  104 . This distance  115  may facilitate a user&#39;s access to the brake  130 , regardless of the position of the wheel  122 . In other words, whether the wheel  122  is in the inward, outward, sidewards, or otherwise positioned, the user may access the brake  130  without having to move the wheel  122 . 
     A distance  116  from the center of the wheel  122  to the top of the offset base  126  is also shown. The brake  130  may utilize space in this distance  116  for various components as will be described below. 
     The brake  130  may have a dimension  131 . The dimension in  FIGS. 7-1 through 8  is the diameter of the brake  130 . In other implementations, the dimension  131  may be a width or other major dimension. 
     Referring generally to  FIGS. 7-1 through 7-4 , the brake  130  includes an actuator  132  that is connected to a caster brake  134  and a wheel brake  136 . The wheel brake  136  is shown as being slidable within the caster brake  134 . The offset base  126  includes a caster brake receptacle  135  and a wheel brake receptacle  137 . 
     The brake  130  may include a brake index  138 . The brake index  138  is shown on the side of  FIGS. 7-1 through 7-3  and may be found around an inside of the offset base  126 . The brake index  138  may control the brake  130 . As shown in  FIGS. 7-1 through 7-3 , the brake index  138  may create three positions for the brake  130 , the free position, the caster locked position, and the wheel locked position. In other implementations, more or fewer positions may be used. In the caster locked position, rotation of the wheel  122  about an axis perpendicular to an axis of the axle  124  is limited. In the wheel locked position, rotation of the wheel  122  about the axle  124  is limited. 
     The brake  130  may be biased toward a position. As shown, the brake  130  may be biased toward the free position. For example, a biasing element (not shown), such as a spring, may bias the brake  130  toward the free position. 
     The brake  130  may include a brake pin  139 . The brake pin  139  may be located on the brake  130 . In other implementations, the brake index  138  may be on the brake  130  while the brake pin  139  may be on the offset base  126 . As shown in  FIGS. 7-1 through 7-3 , the brake index  138  may include a channel in which the brake pin  139  may slide. When the actuator  132  is first activated (e.g., pushed), the brake pin  139  may move from a first position (e.g., the free position) to a second position (e.g., the caster locked position). The brake pin  139  may be retained in the second position until the actuator  132  is actuated again. When the actuator  132  is second activated, the brake pin  139  may move from the second position (e.g., the caster locked position) to a third position (e.g., the free position). The brake pin  139  may be retained in the third position until the actuator  132  is actuated again. When the actuator  132  is third actuated, the brake pin  139  may move from the third position (e.g., the free position) to a fourth position (e.g., the wheel locked position and caster locked position). The brake pin  139  may be retained in the fourth position until the actuator  132  is actuated again. When the actuator  132  is fourth actuated, the brake pin  139  may move from the fourth position (e.g., the wheel locked position and the caster locked position) back to the first position (e.g., the free position). 
     As shown in  FIGS. 7-1, 7-4 and 8 , in the first position, the caster brake  134  is not engaged with the offset base  126  and the wheel brake  136  is not engaged with the wheel  122 . As shown, a distance  133 - 1  is formed between the top of the offset base  126  and the top of the brake  130 . The distance  133 - 1  is the largest, as shown. In the free position, the offset caster  120  may rotate about the brake  130  and the wheel  122  may rotate about the axle (e.g., axle  124 ). As shown in  FIG. 7-2 , in the second position, the caster brake  134  is engaged with the caster brake receptacle  135  while the wheel brake  136  is not engaged with the wheel  122 . In this position, the distance  133 - 2  is smaller than the distance  133 - 1  of the free position. As shown in  FIG. 7-3 , in the fourth position, the caster brake  134  is engaged with the caster brake receptacle  135  and the wheel brake  136  is engaged with the wheel  122 . In this position, the distance  133 - 3  is smaller than both the distance  133 - 2  of the caster locked position and the distance  133 - 1  of the free position. 
     In order to engage both the wheel brake  136  and the caster brake  134 , the caster brake  134  may be formed of an elastomeric material. For example, as shown in  FIG. 7-3 , the caster brake  134  may deform sufficiently to allow the wheel brake  136  to engage the wheel  122 . In other implementations, the caster brake  134  and the wheel brake  136  may be separated and/or may be separately actuated. 
       FIG. 8  is a front view of the implementation of the offset caster  120  of  FIG. 1  with the brake  130  in the free position. As shown in  FIG. 8 , the axle  124  may have a gap  140  between the axle  124  and the ground. An axis  141  may extend through the wheel  122  and may be colinear with an axis of the axle  124 . An axis  142  may extend perpendicular to the axis  141 . The axis  142  may extend through the center of the brake  130 . In other implementations, the axis  142  may extend through another portion of the offset base  126 . The brake  130  may limit rotation about the axis  141  (e.g., about the wheel  122 ) and/or may limit rotation of the offset caster  120  about the axis  142  (e.g., about the brake  130 ). 
     Referring briefly back to  FIG. 5 , the brake  130  may extend above a top surface of the offset base  126 . A portion of the brake  130  above the top surface may be colored to indicate the state of the brake  130 . For example, the portion may be green to indicate that the device is unlocked. In another example, the portion may be partially green at the bottom to indicate that the axle is free and partially yellow at the top to indicate that the wheel is free, but the axle is locked. 
       FIG. 9  is a front view of a second implementation of the offset caster  220  and  FIG. 10  is a side view of the implementation of the offset caster  220  of  FIG. 9 . Referring generally to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , the offset caster  220  may include a wheel  222  supported by an axle  224 . The axle  224  of the offset caster  220  of  FIGS. 9 and 10  may differ from the axle  124  of the implementation of an offset caster  120  of  FIGS. 1 through 8 . For example, the axle  224  may extend through the wheel  222 . In another example, the axle  224  may be forked. 
     The axle  224  may be connected to an offset base  226 . As with the offset base  126  of  FIG. 1 through 8 , the offset base  226  of  FIGS. 9 and 10  a leg  204  may connect to the offset base  226  at an angle. 
     The axle  224  may connect to the offset base  226  by a connection  228 . The connection  228  may extend into the offset base  226  to provide support for the axle  224 . The offset base  226  may include a connection surface. As shown, the connection surface may include bearings  229 . The bearings  229  may facilitate rotation of the offset caster  220  about the connection  228 . 
     Unlike the offset caster  120  of  FIGS. 1 through 8 , the offset caster  220  of  FIGS. 9 and 10  may not include a brake (e.g., brake  130 ). In some implementations, the offset caster  120  of  FIGS. 1 through 8  and/or the offset caster  220  of  FIGS. 9 and 10  may include or exclude a brake (e.g., brake  130 ). 
     The articles “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements in the preceding descriptions. The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. Additionally, it should be understood that references to “one implementation” or “an implementation” of the present disclosure are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional implementations that also incorporate the recited features. For example, any element described in relation to an implementation herein may be combinable with any element of any other implementation described herein. Numbers, percentages, ratios, or other values stated herein are intended to include that value, and also other values that are “about” or “approximately” the stated value, as would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art encompassed by implementations of the present disclosure. A stated value should therefore be interpreted broadly enough to encompass values that are at least close enough to the stated value to perform a desired function or achieve a desired result. The stated values include at least the variation to be expected in a suitable manufacturing or production process, and may include values that are within 5%, within 1%, within 0.1%, or within 0.01% of a stated value. 
     A person having ordinary skill in the art should realize in view of the present disclosure that equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, and that various changes, substitutions, and alterations may be made to implementations disclosed herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Equivalent constructions, including functional “means-plus-function” clauses are intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function, including both structural equivalents that operate in the same manner, and equivalent structures that provide the same function. It is the express intention of the applicant not to invoke means-plus-function or other functional claiming for any claim except for those in which the words ‘means for’ appear together with an associated function. Each addition, deletion, and modification to the implementations that falls within the meaning and scope of the claims is to be embraced by the claims. 
     It should be understood that any directions or reference frames in the preceding description are merely relative directions or movements. For example, any references to “front” and “back” or “top” and “bottom” or “left” and “right” are merely descriptive of the relative position or movement of the related elements. 
     The present disclosure may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or characteristics. The described implementations are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the disclosure is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. Changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.