Patent Abstract:
Wheeled carts, such as a wheel chair and similar devices have a steering wheel, with the steering wheel having a housing to receive the globular wheel, with a seal movably holding the globular wheel in the housing; and a series of friction-reducing bearings being positioned between the globular wheel and the interior of the housing, and held within the housing by the seal in combination with the globular wheel.

Full Description:
This invention relates to a maneuvering wheel for a wheelchair, and more particularly to a maneuvering wheel for a wheelchair or a similar apparatus, which permits movement in a different direction, without moving the mounting for the maneuvering wheel, about the mount therefor. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Wheeled carts, which are usually human propelled, have in common problems with a very restricted movement for the front wheels, thereof. The front wheels generally serve as maneuvering wheels or steering wheels. In the medical industry, typical examples of such wheeled carts are gurneys, laptop carts, cabinets and beds; to name a few. Currently, the front wheels of these wheeled carts must swivel 180 degrees in order for the particular wheeled cart to move in an opposite direction. For general consumer goods, items like dollies for moving heavy equipment, and grocery carts have problems such restricted movement of the wheels. However, this restricted movement is especially a problem with a wheelchair. 
     A wheelchair is chair with wheels, designed for use by a person, who either has difficulty with walking or cannot walk. Within the mechanics of a wheelchair are mounted a pair of support wheels, generally in the rear; and a pair of steering wheels or maneuvering wheels, generally in the front to support a chair or seat for a person, who has difficulty walking. With the two pair of wheels, the wheelchair is stable. With the support wheels and the steering, that is the front, wheels working to support the chair, that person in the chair can move or be moved to a desired location. 
     Currently, the front wheels of a wheelchair must swivel 180 degrees in order for the wheelchair, or similar apparatus, to move in an opposite direction. This requirement results in a number of problems. There is a problem with the storage of the wheelchair. There is another problem when the wheel chair contacts a soft floor surface. More complications occur when the wheelchair, especially with the passenger therein, is in a confined area. 
     The support wheels of one type of wheelchair for a human or person-propelled wheelchair usually rotate together on a common axle. In this case, the support wheels can be reached by the arms of the person sitting in chair. As the arms move the support wheels, the person in the chair can move to a location. By propelled in this manner is meant that the person sitting in the chair can propel the chair with arm strength by using the support wheels. 
     For a transport chair, the patient cannot propel the wheelchair with arm strength; but must either use foot and leg strength or be pushed by another person. The support wheels may be on the same axle, or each support wheel may be on a separate axle. The support wheels are generally too small to be reached by the arms of the person sitting on the seat portion of the chair. 
     On the other hand, each member of the pair of steering wheels rotates on its own axle, which is mounted within an axle housing. The axle housing itself also rotates also to provide steering for wheelchair, and has its rotation preferably perpendicular to the rotation of the support wheel axle. 
     Such a structure for steering wheels limits movement and steering of the wheelchair. Due to the usually perpendicular arrangement of the axles for each steering wheel, the steering wheels can and do work at cross purposes and against an efficient use of the wheelchair. It is very desirable to achieve more free movement for the maneuvering wheels for use efficiency, while maintaining or improving the utility of the wheelchair. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Among the many objectives of the present invention is the provision of a steering wheel for a wheelchair, which has a spherical support member that can move freely in a housing. 
     Another objective of the present invention is the provision of a steering wheel for a wheelchair, which has reduced complications with a second steering wheel for the wheelchair. 
     Yet another objective of the present invention is the provision of a steering wheel for a wheelchair, which simplifies movement of the wheelchair. 
     Still another objective of the present invention is the provision of a wheelchair, which has a spherical support member that can move freely in a housing for each of its steering wheels. 
     A further objective of the present invention is the provision of a wheel, which the wheeled device on which it is mounted can move easily on a soft floor. 
     A still further objective of the present invention is the provision of a wheel, which the wheeled device on which it is mounted can turn from any position, without rotating 180 degrees. 
     Yet a further objective of the present invention is the provision of a wheel, which minimizes storage problems. 
     Also an objective of the present invention is the provision of a steering wheel for a wheelchair, which minimizes problems caused by the wheelchair being in a confined area. 
     These and other objectives of the invention (which other objectives become clear by consideration of the specification, claims and drawings as a whole) are met by providing a steering wheel for a wheelchair, with the steering wheel having a shaft which receives a housing; which housing, in turn, receives a globular ball or globular wheel, with a seal movably holding the globular ball or globular wheel in the housing; and a series of friction-reducing bearings being positioned between the globular wheel or globular ball, and the interior of the housing, and held within the housing and the shaft by the seal in combination with the globular wheel globular ball. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  depicts a perspective view of a steering wheel  100  of this invention in position on a wheelchair  110 . 
         FIG. 2  depicts an exploded, perspective view of the steering wheel  100  of this invention. 
         FIG. 3  depicts a plan, assembled, cross-sectioned view of the steering wheel  100  of this invention. 
         FIG. 4  depicts a block diagram steering wheel  100  of this invention. 
     
    
    
     Throughout the figures of the drawings, where the same part appears in more than one figure of the drawings, the same number is applied thereto. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Reference will now be made in detail to several embodiments of the invention that are illustrated in accompanying drawings. Whenever possible, the same or similar reference numerals are used in the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts or steps. The drawings are in simplified form and are not to precise scale. For purposes of convenience and clarity only, directional terms such as top, bottom, left, right, up, over, above, below, beneath, rear, and front, may be used with respect to the drawings. These and similar to directional terms are not to be construed to limit the scope of the invention in any manner. The words attach, connect, couple, and similar terms with their inflectional morphemes do not necessarily denote direct or intermediate connections, but may also include connections through mediate elements or devices. 
     A wheel suitable for use on a wide variety of human propelled devices has a housing, which receives a globular ball. The top of the housing has a threaded aperture to receive a threaded shaft. Between the globular ball and the interior of the housing are situated ball bearings to provide maneuverability between the housing and globular ball. 
     Securing the globular ball, and hence the ball bearings, in the housing is a seal. The seal fits into a groove or retainer slot in the housing, thereby containing the globular ball and the ball bearings within the housing. 
     Into the threaded aperture on the top of the housing, may be inserted a cup separating the shaft from the ball bearings and as the shaft is threaded into the aperture. The cup creates a smooth interior for housing, even with the aperture therein. 
     However, the shaft preferably has an arc at the end thereof to create that smooth interior for the housing, to avoid the use of the above referenced cup. The opposing end of the shaft can then mount the wheel on a wheel chair or other desired human-propelled, wheeled vehicle. The maneuvering wheel can also used on a self propelled device, having an engine. 
     A permanent or temporary lubricating composition or coating can replace, or be used in combination with, the ball bearings. The ball bearings provide the most efficient structure. 
     Now considering  FIG. 1 , maneuvering wheel  100  is mounted on wheel chair  110 . Maneuvering wheel  100  permits wheel chair  110  to be moved easily in any desired direction within the plane, on which wheel chair  110  is positioned. 
     Adding  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3  to the consideration, maneuvering wheel  100  has shaft  120  fitting into a bell shaped housing  150 . Shaft  120  has a shim  122  with male housing threads  124  extending therebelow. Shim  122  may be a part of shaft  120 , or added thereto as a separate piece if required for retrofitting of a wheel chair  110 . Oppositely from male housing threads  124  on shaft  120  are mounting threads  126 . Mounting threads  126  permit the mounting of maneuvering wheel  100  on wheel chair  110  on other device. 
     Within bell shaped housing  150  are situated ball bearings  130 . Ball bearings  130  are held in a movable fashion within bell shaped housing  150  by globular ball  140 . Female threaded aperture  152  in the top of bell shaped housing  150  can receive male housing threads  124  as well as provide a way to insert ball bearings  130  between bell shaped housing  150  and globular ball  140 . Female threaded aperture  152  is preferably has a diameter parallel to diameter of the retainer slot  134  below described. 
     Male housing threads  124  preferably terminate in a female arc  132 . Female arc  132  is preferably shaped to permit bearings  130  to roll freely between bell shaped housing  150  and globular ball  140  by completing a smooth arcuate surface for the interior  134  of bell shaped housing  140 . Thus, the diameter of female arc  132  permits the interior  134  of bell shaped housing  140  to be a smooth arc facilitating the movement of ball bearings  130 . 
     Oppositely disposed from female threaded aperture  152  in bell shaped housing  150  is retainer slot  154 . Retainer slot  154  receives seal  160 , to hold both globular ball  140  and ball bearings  130  in bell shaped housing  150 . Shaft  120  also cooperates with seal  160  to hold ball bearings  130  in place. Thus, bell shaped housing  150  is preferably symmetrical about a vertical axis. 
     Seal  160  includes retainer collar  162  and dust shield  164 . Retainer collar  162  fits into retainer slot  154  and holds globular ball  140  in bell shaped housing  150 . As retainer collar  162  extends into dust shield  164 , bearings  130  can be protected from dust or other contaminants. Then globular ball  140  can move more freely. 
     Within  FIG. 4 , maneuvering wheel  100  is mounted on wheel chair  110 . More particularly, shaft  120  connects bell shaped housing  150  to wheel chair  110 . Bell shaped housing  150  receives globular ball  140  to hold ball bearings  130 . Seal  160  mounts in bell shaped housing  150  and holds globular ball  140  in position. Shaft  120  and globular ball  140  position bearings  130  as desired in maneuvering wheel  100 . 
     Bearings  130  may be combined with a lubricating coating on the globular ball  140  or in the bell shaped housing  150 . The lubricating coating may be polytetrafluoroethylene, a silicone base, or similar coating. Bearings  130 , however, are more durable and hence preferred. 
     This application—taken as a whole with the abstract, specification, claims, and drawings—provides sufficient information for a person having ordinary skill in the art to practice the invention disclosed and claimed herein. Any measures necessary to practice this invention are well within the skill of a person having ordinary skill in this art after that person has made a careful study of this disclosure. 
     Because of this disclosure and solely because of this disclosure, modification of this tool can become clear to a person having ordinary skill in this particular art. Such modifications are clearly covered by this disclosure.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0