Abstract:
The present invention relates generally to devices that aid in the mobilization of objects, and, more particularly, to such devices that can be mounted easily on the objects, held in place by the weight of the objects, and easily removed from the objects without leaving any indication that the devices were so used by the objects.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/885,749, filed Jan. 19, 2007. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates generally to devices that aid in the mobilization of objects, and, more particularly, to such devices that can be mounted easily on the objects, held in place by the weight of the objects, and easily removed from the objects without leaving any indication that the devices were so used by the objects. 
         [0004]    2. Description of Prior Art 
         [0005]    There are many examples of immobile objects being converted into mobile objects through the use of a device such as a caster wheel. These caster wheels can be used on any number of objects such as carts, ladders, chairs, barriers, cabinets and other furniture and the like. 
         [0006]    These objects (as well as other examples of objects that should be known by those skilled in the art) show that situations exist where it may be beneficial to use a device that converts an immobile object to a mobile object. Also, situations exist where it is not desirable or necessary for the conversion or modification to be permanent. Furthermore, it may be desirable or necessary not to affect the structural integrity of the mounting surface of the object by adding holes for fasteners, or otherwise leaving any indication that the device was so used by the object. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, devices that aid in the mobilization of objects, and, more particularly, devices that can be mounted easily on the objects, held in place by the weight of the objects, and easily removed from the objects without leaving any indication that the devices were so used by the objects are provided. 
         [0008]    In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a device is provided which comprises a bracket composed of a material, such as metal, plastic, ceramic or a composite material; and one or more casters attached to the bracket. The device fits under an existing object to be mobilized. As the weight of the object is applied to the device the wall of the bracket is pushed against the object holding the device in place. When use of the device is no longer desired or needed, the device is easily removed by removing the weight of the object from the device. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    The present invention will be more fully understood and appreciated by reading the following Detailed Description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  is a side view that illustrates a device that aids in the mobilization of objects according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the device illustrated in  FIG. 1  according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a device that aids in the mobilization of objects according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is another perspective view of the device illustrated in  FIG. 3  according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of two devices in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention coupled to an object according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is an enlarged view of the devices illustrated in  FIG. 5  coupled to an object according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is a further enlarged view of one of the devices illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 6  coupled to an object according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0017]    In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, devices are provided that afford mobility to an object. The devices of an embodiment of the present invention may be mounted (or connected) to and used by an object to aid in said object&#39;s mobility, and may be removed, without leaving any indication that said device was ever used by said object (e.g., without affecting the structural integrity of the object). 
         [0018]    In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, devices are provided that are held into place on an object by exploiting the weight of the object, without the use of fasteners. Thus, the devices of an embodiment of the present invention may be connected without adding holes for the use of the fasteners or otherwise affecting in any way the structural integrity of an object. 
         [0019]      FIG. 1  is a side view that illustrates a device that aids in the mobilization of objects according to an embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment shows a caster assembly  20  comprising a bracket  21 , a sphere (or ball) caster  22 , a fastener means  23 , a bracket lip  26 , and a bracket wall  27 . 
         [0020]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the device illustrated in  FIG. 1  according to an embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment also shows a caster assembly  20  comprising a bracket  21 , a sphere caster  22 , a bracket lip  26 , and a bracket wall  27 . 
         [0021]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a device that aids in the mobilization of objects according to an embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment shows a caster assembly  20  comprising a bracket  21 , three sphere casters  22 , three fastener means  23 , and a bracket lip  26 . 
         [0022]      FIG. 4  is another perspective view of the device illustrated in  FIG. 3  according to an embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment also shows a caster assembly  20  comprising a bracket  21 , three sphere casters  22 , a bracket lip  26 , as well as a bracket wall  27 . 
         [0023]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of two devices in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention coupled to an object according to an embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment shows a caster assembly  10  comprising a bracket  11  and a caster wheel  12 , and a caster assembly  20  comprising a bracket  21  and a caster sphere  22 , coupled to and for use with a bullet resistant barrier  30  (as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,907,811, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety). 
         [0024]      FIG. 6  is an enlarged view of the devices illustrated in  FIG. 5  coupled to an object according to an embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment shows a caster assembly  10  comprising a bracket  11 , caster wheel  12 , four fastener means  13 , wheel caster mounting structure  14 , axle  15 , bracket lip  16 , bracket wall  17  coupled to and for use with a bullet resistant barrier  30 . This embodiment also shows a caster assembly  20  comprising a bracket  21 , caster sphere  22 , fastener means  23 , bracket lip  26 , and a bracket wall  27  coupled to and for use with a bullet resistant barrier  30 . 
         [0025]    As shown in  FIG. 6 , the bottom of the bullet resistant barrier  30  is placed into the bracket lips  16  and  26  of the caster assemblies  10  and  20  respectively. The bullet resistant barrier  30  is secured to the bracket lips  16  and  26  of the caster assemblies  10  and  20  respectively through the use of the weight of the bullet resistant barrier  30 . As the weight of the bullet resistant barrier  30  is applied to the bracket lips  16  and  26  of the caster assemblies  10  and  20  respectively, the bracket walls  17  and  27  of the caster assemblies  10  and  20  respectively are pushed against the bullet resistant barrier  30  holding the caster assemblies  10  and  20  in place on the bullet resistant barrier  30 . When the use of the caster assemblies  10  and/or  20  are no longer desired or needed, the caster assemblies may be removed by removing the weight of the bullet resistant barrier  30  from the caster assemblies  10  and  20  leaving no indication on the bullet resistant barrier  30  that the caster assemblies  10  and  20  were used (by either compromising the structural integrity, scratching, or otherwise visually marking the bullet resistant barrier  30 ). 
         [0026]      FIG. 7  is a further enlarged view of one of the devices illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 6  coupled to an object according to an embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment shows caster assembly  10  comprising a bracket  11 , caster wheel  12 , four fastener means  13 , wheel caster mounting structure  14 , axle  15 , bracket lip  16 , bracket wall  17  coupled to and for use with a bullet resistant barrier  30 . 
         [0027]    As in  FIG. 6 ,  FIG. 7  shows the bullet resistant barrier  30  placed into the bracket lips  16  of the caster assembly  10 . The bullet resistant barrier  30  is secured to the bracket lip  16  of caster assembly  10  through the use of the weight of the bullet resistant barrier  30 . As the weight of the bullet resistant barrier  30  is applied to the bracket lip  16  of the caster assembly  10 , the bracket wall  17  of the caster assembly  10  is pushed against the bullet resistant barrier  30  holding the caster assembly  10  in place on the bullet resistant barrier  30 . When use of caster assembly  10  is no longer desired or needed, caster assembly  10  may be removed by removing the weight of the bullet resistant barrier  30  from the caster assembly  10  leaving no indication on the bullet resistant barrier  30  that the caster assembly  10  was used (by either compromising the structural integrity, scratching, or otherwise visually marking the bullet resistant barrier  30 ). 
         [0028]    There is seen in  FIGS. 8-11  another embodiment of the present invention. Caster assembly  40  comprises a first member  42  extending vertically and a second member  44  extending parallel to first member  42  and held in spaced relation thereto via a U-shaped portion  46  integrally formed with the first and second portions. U-shaped portion  46 , along with first and second members  42  and  44 , respectively, thereby form a receiving slot  48  for retaining and supporting a planar member therein. Caster assembly  40  further includes a caster mounting member  50  extending perpendicularly from first member  42  and including a number of apertures  52  formed therethrough for interconnection to a caster, such as the ball casters  54  or wheel casters, as described above. Caster assembly  40  may further include apertures  52  formed in other locations for retaining caster assembly in place on a movable barrier. Caster assembly  40  further comprises side walls  56  and  58  extending on either side of first member  42  and mounting member  48 . As seen in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , receiving slot  48  of caster assembly  40  is configured for attachment to the lower edge of a barrier  60 , thereby providing mobility to barrier  60 .