Abstract:
The present invention is a device for supporting a wheel comprising a first member, which has a retention member and an axle operably configured to receive the wheel, and; a second member, which has a chock and an engagement portion. The second member is rotatably attached to the axle. Further, the second member is operably configured to have an unchocked position when not in use and selectively rotatable to a chocked position against the wheel to keep the wheel from rotating in at least one of a forward and reverse direction when the second member is use. Additionally, the retention member retains the engagement portion of the second member in the unchocked position when the chock is not in use.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This nonprovisional application claims the benefit of Provisional Application No.: 60/738,791, filed on Nov. 21, 2005, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety and to which priority is claimed. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of Invention  
         [0003]     The present invention relates to a chock device incorporated into a removable wheel caster for sports equipment such as, but not limited to, baseball pitching machines, protective screens and the like.  
         [0004]     2. Description of Related Art  
         [0005]     Coaches and players use conventional standing sports equipment or baseball devices such as pitching machines, L-screens, batting cages, position protection screens and the like to protect players and coaches during practice. Most of the conventional standing sports equipment devices must be carried or dragged from a storage area to the playing field, because they do not have wheels.  
         [0006]     Most of such conventional sports equipment do not have wheels because they need to remain stationary when in use. Newer models are starting to be developed which incorporate some sort of wheels. However, these conventional devices fail to provide a means of keeping the conventional sports equipment stationary.  
         [0007]     For those sport teams that do not have newer conventional sports equipment, conventional removable casters, such as the device disclosed in Johndreau 7,042,309, are available for moving the conventional sports equipment However, these conventional wheel casters must be removed before the device can be used, because these conventional wheel casters fail to provide a means to keep the conventional sports equipment stationary. Additionally, once removed, the conventional wheel casters must be carried off the field of practice or they will become an injury hazard.  
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION  
       [0008]     It is an object of the present invention to overcome the drawbacks and shortcomings of conventional wheel casters for conventional standing sports equipment. Particularly, most conventional standing sports equipment devices do not provide an efficient way to move the equipment from a storage area to the playing field and back. The present invention provides a wheel caster with a built in wheel chock that can be incorporated into the construction of conventional standing sports equipment to ease the placement of the conventional standing sports equipment on and off the playing field.  
         [0009]     The present invention further provides an embodiment wherein a removable wheel caster with a built in chock is provided to be attached to conventional standing sports equipment keeping the conventional standing sports equipment stationary.  
         [0010]     The present invention is a device for supporting a wheel comprising a first member, which has a retention member and an axle operably configured to receive the wheel, and; a second member, which has a chock and an engagement portion. The second member is rotatably attached to the axle. Further, the second member is operably configured to have an unchocked position when not in use and selectively rotatable to a chocked position against the wheel to keep the wheel from rotating in at least one of a forward and reverse direction when the second member is use. Additionally, the retention member retains the engagement portion of the second member in the unchocked position when the chock is not in use.  
         [0011]     Additionally, the present is a removable wheel caster device for a pitching machine support stand that comprises a first member; a support sleeve disposed on the first member and operably configured to receive a leg of the pitching machine; an axle connected to the first member and operably configured to receive a wheel; and, a second member having a chock portion and being rotatably attached to the axle. The second member is selectively rotatable between a chocked position when in use, and an unchecked position when not in use. The first member is operably configured to retain the second member in the unchecked position when the second member is not in use.  
         [0012]     Still further, the present invention presented in an alternative embodiment is a caster device for supporting a wheel and for attachment to a structure having a non-rotating axle comprising a first member having a retention member and operably configured to engage the non-rotating axle; a second axle having an engagement portion and being connected to the first member and operably configured to receive the wheel; and, a chock member having a chock and an engagement portion. The chock member is rotatably attached to the second axle, wherein the chock member is operably configured to have an unchocked position when not in use and selectively rotatable to a chocked position against the wheel to keep the wheel from rotating in at least one of a forward and reverse direction when the chock member is use. Further, the retention member retains the engagement portion of the chock member in the unchocked position when the chock is not in use. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGS.  
       [0013]     Various exemplary embodiments of this invention will be described in detail, with reference to the following figures, wherein:  
         [0014]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view a wheel caster device in a first position made according to this invention;  
         [0015]      FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the wheel caster device of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0016]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the wheel caster device of  FIG. 1  in a second position;  
         [0017]      FIG. 4  is a front view of the wheel caster device of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0018]      FIG. 5  is a top view of the wheel caster device of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0019]      FIG. 6  is a side view of the wheel caster device of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0020]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a chock of the wheel caster device of  FIG. 1 , made according to this invention;  
         [0021]      FIG. 8  is a side view of the chock of  FIG. 7 ;  
         [0022]      FIG. 9  is a top view of the chock of  FIG. 7 ,  
         [0023]      FIG. 10  is rear view of the chock of  FIG. 7 ;  
         [0024]      FIG. 11  is a side of an alternative embodiment of a chock made in accordance with this invention;  
         [0025]      FIG. 12  is a rear view of the chock of  FIG. 11 ;  
         [0026]      FIG. 13  is an exploded view of an alternative embodiment of a wheel caster made in accordance with this invention; and,  
         [0027]      FIG. 14  is another exploded view of an alternative embodiment of a wheel caster made in accordance with this invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION  
       [0028]     This application incorporates herein by reference U.S. Pat. No.: 7,042,309, issued on May 9, 2006, which relates to Casters for an Automatic Ball Throwing Device.  
         [0029]     The present invention provides a device  10  having an first member or axle housing  20  and a second member or chock member  100 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . The device  10  can be removably attached to conventional standing sports equipment, such as, but not limited to pitching machines, L-screens and batting cages.  
         [0030]     The removable wheel caster device  10 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 through 6  is generally for placement on a piece of equipment that has bottom supports with exposed ends. An example of employment of the device  10  is on L-screens used to protect batting practice pictures in baseball, an extension of a leg  14  is shown in  FIG. 2 . By attaching the caster  10  to each end of the generally horizontally oriented leg  14  on-the L-screen, one person or user can roll and maneuver the L-screen around a practice field instead of two people carrying it. It should be appreciated that in other various exemplary embodiments, the device could be used on other items needing a removable wheel. In the present embodiment, the removable wheel caster device can be placed on the leg of an L-screen up to a size of two-inch in diameter. Further, it should be appreciated that in other exemplary embodiments, the removable wheel caster can be manufactured to except a variety of sized legs.  
         [0031]     Another example of employment is on generally vertically oriented legs  12  of a pitching machine. An extension of the leg  12  is shown in  FIG. 1 . The wheel caster device  10  is operably configured to receive legs from sports equipment in the vertical direction, such as, but not limited to, pitching machines or other devices with similar tripods legs. The wheel caster device  10  is held in place by the weight of the equipment. For sports equipment with tripod legs, generally two casters are used.  
         [0032]     Once the conventional sports equipment is in place, the user can then set the chock or second member  100 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . By setting the chock  100 , there is no need to remove the wheel caster from the conventional sport equipment.  
         [0033]     The device  10  constructed out of a rugged durable material. In the preferred example ⅛ inch angled steel is used. It should be appreciated that in other exemplary embodiments, other similar materials common in the art may be used, such as, but not limited to, harden plastic or aluminum for example.  
         [0034]     The first member or axle housing  20  is similar to the axle housing disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,042,309. The axle housing  20  is operably configured to receive a structure member of sports equipment such as the vertically oriented leg  12 , as shown in  FIG. 1  or the horizontally oriented leg  14  as shown in  FIG. 4 . The axle housing  20  includes a pivotably attached sleeve or support tube  22 , wherein the support tube  22  is operably configured to receive the vertically oriented leg  12 . The weight of the pitching machine holds the vertically oriented leg  12  in the sleeve  22 . The axle housing  20  further includes an open interior  24  operably configured to receive the horizontally oriented leg  14 .  
         [0035]     The first member  20  further includes a threaded pin  26 . The threaded pin  26  us to apply pressure against the horizontally oriented leg  14 . The pivotably attached sleeve  22  in the wheel caster device  10  is operably configured to receive legs from the tripod legged equipment. The pivotably attached sleeve  22  allows for adjustment in the varying angles between difference sports equipment. The pivotably attached sleeve  22  has a diameter, wherein the diameter is larger than the diameter of the leg  12 . It should be appreciated that in other various exemplary embodiments, the support tube may also include a threaded pin to aid in the retention of the vertical leg.  
         [0036]     Further, the axle house  20  in the present embodiment shows two examples of how the axle housing  20  can be attached to structural members of sports equipment. However, it should be appreciated that in other various exemplary embodiments, the axle housing may be attached by other methods common in the art, such as but not limited to, hinge portions or threaded sleeves for example.  
         [0037]     The axle housing  20  further includes an axle  80  operably configured to receive a wheel  82 . The axle  80  is fixedly attached to one end of the first member  20  and the wheel  82  is rotatably attached to the axle  80 . The chock  100  is rotatably disposed on the axle  80  between the wheel  82  and the axle housing  20 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 through 6 . In particular,  FIG. 1  shows the chock  100  in a first or stored position.  FIG. 3  shows the chock  100  is a second or in-use position.  
         [0038]     Additionally, the device  10  includes a plurality of washers. A first washer  81  is between the chock and the axle housing  20 , a second washer  83  is between the chock  100  and the wheel  82  and a third washer  85  is between the wheel and a retaining nut  89 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . In the present embodiment, the first washer  81  is fixedly attached to the axle housing  20 . However, it should be appreciated that in other various exemplary embodiments, the first washer need not be fixedly attached to the axle housing.  
         [0039]     Further, in the present embodiment, the wheel  82  is retained on the axle  80  by the retaining nut  89 . It should be appreciated that in other various exemplary embodiments, other methods common in the art may be used to retain the wheel to the axle, such as for example a cotter pin.  
         [0040]     In the present embodiment, the axle housing  20  has a generally L-shaped profile. It should be appreciated that in other various exemplary embodiments, other types and styles of axle housing may be used. Various examples of possible alternate embodiments for the axle housing will be discussed below.  
         [0041]     Additionally, the axle housing has a retention member or locking tong  86 . The locking tong  86  is disposed on the same end of the axle housing  20  as the axle  80 . The present embodiment, the tong  86  is disposed in a recess in a vertical portion of the L-shaped housing  20 . It should be appreciated that in other various exemplary embodiments the tong could be a vertical tong not in a recess, but on the top of the vertical portion of the L-shaped housing.  
         [0042]     The second member or chock member  100 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 , is in the first position. The first position is a non-use, unchocked or stored position. FIGS.  3  shows the chock  100  is the second or in-use position. In the second position, the chock  100  is under the wheel  82 . The chock  100  keeps whatever conventional sports equipment the device  100  is mounted to from moving.  
         [0043]     Now referring to  FIGS. 7 through 10 , the chock  100  includes three portions,  110 ,  130  and  150 . The first portion  110  includes a first surface  112  and a second surface  113 . The chock  100  has a perimeter comprising of six edges, a first or bottom edge  114 , a second edge  115 , a third or angle edge  116 , a fourth or top edge  117 , a fifth edge  118  and a sixth edge  119 . The first portion  110  further include an axle orifice  120  disposed on the first surface  112  in proximity to the first or bottom edge  114  and such that the orifice  120  penetrates through the first portion  110  to the second surface  113 . The axle orifice  120  in the present embodiment is elongated to allow the chock  100  to be moved rotatably about the axle  80 .  
         [0044]     In the present embodiment, the chock  100 , and the first, second and third portions  110 ,  130  and  150  are all integral and constructed out of steel. It should be appreciated that in other various exemplary embodiments, the chock and the first, second and third portions are not integral. Additionally, it should also be appreciated that in other various exemplary embodiments the chock, first, second and third portions are constructed out of other materials such as aluminum or plastic for example.  
         [0045]     The first portion  110  additionally includes an engagement portion or tab  122 . The tab  122  is disposed on the first surface  112  of the first portion  110 . The first surface  112  is oriented towards the axle housing  20 . The tab  122  is generally perpendicular to and outward from the first surface  112 . The tab  122  has a locking orifice  124 . The axle orifice  120  and tab  122  are aligned vertically on the first surface  112  of the first portion  110 , as shown in  FIG. 8 . The locking orifice  124  is operably configured to receive the locking tong  86  on the axle housing  20 .  
         [0046]     The second portion  130  has two planar portions  131  and  132 . The two planar portions  131  and  132  are disposed adjacent-to each other to form an L-shape. The second portion  130  is disposed on the first portion  110  along the fifth edge  118  such that a side  136  of the second planar portion  132  is along the fifth edge  118  and the first planar portion  131  is aligned with the sixth edge  119 , as shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 .  
         [0047]     Further, the first planar portion  131  has a height  135 . The second planar portion  132  has a length  134 . The two planar portions  131  and  132  have equal widths  133 . The length  134  of the second planar portion  132  is equal to the length to of the fifth edge  118 .  
         [0048]     The third portion  150  is similar to the second portion  130 . The third portion has two planar portions  151  and  152 . The difference is that the third portion is disposed adjacent to the third edge  116  of the first portion  110 , and the second planar portion  152  is aligned with the second edge  115 .  
         [0049]     It should be appreciated that in other various exemplary embodiments, the first and third portions could be removably attached to the first portion. Further, the first and third portions could be in other various exemplary embodiments, constructed out of other material, such as but not limited to, wedge shaped blocks of rubber or hard plastic for example.  
         [0050]     As mentioned above, the chock  100  is rotatably disposed on the axle  80  between the axle housing  20  and the wheel  82 . In the first position, the chock  100  is positioned such that the first and second portions  130  and  150  are above the wheel  82 , and the locking tong  86  is engaged in the locking orifice  124 . The chock  100  can be lifted by the user along the elongated axle orifice  120 . The tab  122  is lifted from the locking tong  86 . The chock  100  is now free to rotate about the axle. The user lifts up on the conventional sports equipment and continues to rotate the chock  100  until the chock  100  is in the second or in-use position, as shown in  FIG. 3 . In the second position, the chock  100  is positioned under the wheel  82  with the fourth edge  117  along the ground surface.  
         [0051]     In the present embodiment, the tab  122  is made by cutting the first portion  110  with two vertical cuts and a connecting horizontal cut. The tab  122  is then bent to the horizontal position. It should be appreciated that in other various exemplary embodiments, the tab could be manufactured in by other means common in the art, such as for example welding a prefabricated tab to the chock.  
         [0052]     The tab  122 , locking tong  86  and locking orifice  124  are what hold the chock  100  in the first or stored position. However, it should be appreciated that in other various exemplary embodiments, the chock could be held in the first position by other means common in the art, such as but not limited to, a spring biased ball into a detent, for example.  
         [0053]     Further, it is anticipated by the present invention that in other various exemplary embodiments, wheel bearings may be used in combination with the axle and the wheel as is common in the art.  
         [0054]     Additionally, while the present embodiment of the device  10  is described for use with sports equipment, is should be appreciated that in other various exemplary embodiments the wheel caster device may be used in conjunction with other devices such as but not limited to, wagons, carts lawn chairs, etc.  
         [0055]     The chock  100  of the device  10  of the present embodiment will chock the wheel  82  on both sides of the wheel preventing the wheel  82  from rolling in either direction. However, it should be appreciated that in other various exemplary embodiments, the chock may only be able to stop the wheel in one direction. Alternately, in another exemplary embodiment, the chock may be selectable in order to stop the wheel in either direction. Discussions about possible examples of alternate embodiments will be provided below.  
         [0056]      FIGS. 11 and 12  are front and rear view of a chock  200 . The chock  200  is an alternative exemplary embodiment of the chock  100  in the device  10 , made in accordance with the present invention. The chock  200  is similar to the chock  100  as described above. The chock  200  has a first portion  210  and a second portion  230 . The first and second portions  210  and  230  are similar to the first and second portions  110  and  130  of the chock  100  described above. Further, the second portion includes has two planar portions  231  and  232  as in the second portion  130  of chock  100 .  
         [0057]     The chock  200  is different form the chock  100  in that the chock  200  does not have a third portion. Further, the chock  200  is different in that the first portion  210  has five edges vice six edges,  214 ,  215 ,  217 ,  218  and  219 . Further, the chock  200  can be used on only one side of the wheel  82 .  
         [0058]     Still further, the chock  200  is different from the chock  100  in that the two planar portions  231  and  232  are disposed adjacent to each other to form an L-shape, as shown in  FIG. 11 . The second portion  230  is disposed on the first portion along the fourth edge  218  such that a side  236  of the second planar portion  232  is along the fourth edge  218 . The first planar portion  231  is disposed at the junction of the third edge  217  and the fourth edge  218  and is generally perpendicular to the second planar portion  232 .  
         [0059]     The chock  200  like the chock  100  has an first or stored position and a second or in-use position. When in the second position, the chock  200  can only stop the wheel from moving in one direction at a time.  
         [0060]      FIG. 13  is an exploded perspective view of a device  300  having a chock  400  and an axle housing  500 . The device  300 , the chock  400  and the axle housing  500  are alternative exemplary embodiments of the device  10 , chock  100  and axle housing  20 , made in accordance with the present invention. A wheel is not shown in  FIG. 13 .  
         [0061]     The chock  400  is similar to the chock  100  as described above. The chock  400  has a first portion  410  and a second portion  430 . The first and second portions  410  and  430  are similar to the first and second portions  110  and  130  of the chock  100  described above. Further, the first and second portions  410  and  430  are similar to the first and second portions  210  and  230  of the chock  200 .  
         [0062]     The chock  400  is different from the chock  100  in that the chock  400  has two members  401  and  402 . The first member  401  is similar to the chock  200 . The first member  401  has a first portion  410  and a second portion  430 . Additionally, the first part  401  like chock  200  has an axle orifice  420 , a tab  422 , an axle orifice  420 , a first planar portion  431  and a second planar portion  432 .  
         [0063]     The first member  401  is different from the chock  200  in that the tab  422  is longer than the tab  222 . Additionally the axle orifice  420  and the tab  422  are not vertically aligned. The orifice  420  is offset vertically from the tab  422 .  
         [0064]     The second member  402  is a mirror image of the first member  401  as shown in  FIG. 13 . The second member  402  includes a first portion  440  and a second portion  450 . Additionally the second member  402  has an axle orifice  448  and a tab  449 . The orifice  448  is offset vertically from the tab  449 . The tab  449  is different from the tab  422  of the first member  401  in that the tab  449  is shorter and the same size as the tabs  122  and  222  of the chocks  100  and  200  respectively.  
         [0065]     The axle housing  500  is similar to the axle housing  20  described above. The axle housing  500  includes a pivotably connected support tube  522 , an open interior  524 , a threaded pin  526  and an axle  580 . The axle housing  500  further include a tong  586  similar to the tong  86  in the axle housing  20 .  
         [0066]     The axle housing  500  is different from the axle housing  20  in that the axle housing  500  has a generally U-shaped profile. Additionally, the axle housing  500  includes a second tong  587 . The tab  422  is operably configured to engage tong  586  and the tab  449  is operably configured to engage tong  587 .  
         [0067]     In the device  300 , the axle housing  500  receives the washer  581 , then the first member  401  of chock  400 , followed by the second member  402  of the chock  400 . Both the first member  401  and the second member  402  are independently rotatably attached to the axle  580 .  
         [0068]     The device  300  offers the user a choice of which direction of the wheel (not shown) that the user desires to block. In a first direction the user would use the first member  401  of the chock  400 . In a second direction, the user would use the second member  402  of the chock  400 . Or, if the user so chooses, both the first and second members  401  and  402  of the chock  400  may be used simultaneously.  
         [0069]      FIG. 14  is an exploded perspective view of a device  600  having a chock  700  and an axle housing  800 . The device  600 , the chock  700  and the axle housing  800  are alternative exemplary embodiments of the device  10 , chock  100  and axle housing  20 , made in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0070]     The chock  700  is similar to the chock  100  as described above. The chock  700  has a first portion  710 , a second portion  730  and a third portion  750 . The first, second and third portions  710 ,  730  and  750  are similar to the first, second and portions  110 ,  130  and  150  of the chock  100  described above. The chock  700  also includes an axle orifice  720  and a tab  722 .  
         [0071]     The chock  700  is different from the chock  100  in that the chock  700  does not include a locking orifice as in the chock  100 . The chock  700  has a locking tab  724  as shown in  FIG. 14 .  
         [0072]     The axle housing  800  is different from the axle housing  20  in that the axle housing  800  is operably configured to engage an existing axle  814 , wherein the existing axle  814  is non-rotating. The axle housing  800  has main body  820 . The main body  820  includes an axle orifice  828 , a vertical support member  825  and a locking tab receiving orifice  827 . The main body farther includes an extended axle  891  and a set screw  826 . The extended axle  891  provides an axle to mount wheel  82 . The axle housing  800  covers the existing axle  814 . The extended axle  891  now becomes the axle to which the wheel  82  is mounted on. The set screw  826  is used to create pressure against the axle  814  holding the body  820  stationary relative to the axle  814 . It should be appreciated that in other various exemplary embodiments, the main body may be permanently held stationary to the axle by means common in the art such as, but not limited to, key way or welding for example.  
         [0073]     The axle housing  800  is placed on the existing axle  814 . The washer  881  and chock  700  are placed on the extended axle  891 . The chock  700  is rotatably disposed to the extended axle  891 . The chock  700  remains in a first or non-use position by the locking tab  724  engaging the locking tab receiving orifice  827 . The user lifts the chock  700  releasing the locking tab  724  from the locking tab receiving orifice  827 . The chock  700  is now free to rotate about the extended axle  891  into a second or in-use position under the wheel  82 .  
         [0074]     Additionally, the device  600  is not limited to sports equipment. It should be appreciated that in other various exemplary embodiments, the device could be installed on other equipment, such as for example a cart or a child&#39;s wagon, for example.  
         [0075]     While this invention has been described in conjunction with the specific embodiments outlined above, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the preferred embodiments of the invention, as set forth above, are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention.