US3687241A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Caster brake
Assignee: Stewart Warner Corp
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Filing: 1971-04-15
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Granted: 1972-08-29
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Expires: 1991-04-15
Abstract
Abstract The following specification describes a caster in which a footoperated treadle rotatable about the wheel axis pivots an Lshaped integral spring lever and brake into engagement with the caster wheel and thereafter tenses the spring lever to hold the treadle, lever and brake in their operated position until released.
Inventors
- 👤 Frank J Fontana
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 22:56
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60B; B60B33/00; B60B33/02; B60B33/021
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
172 words
A caster brake for use with a caster having a wheel rotatably mounted between the side arms of a U-shaped caster horn pivotally carrying a pintle on the back arm of said horn, the improvement comprising an L-shaped wire lever having one leg extending through said horn side arms to form a pivot axis intermediate the periphery of said wheel and the back arm of said horn, a U-shaped bend in said one leg, a treadle, means mounting said treadle for rotational movement about the axis of said wheel, and means on said treadle engaging the other leg of said lever arm for pivoting said one leg about said axis for moving the back leg of said U-shaped bend into engagement with said wheel in response to rotation of said treadle in one direction towards a predetermined position with said lever other leg against said treadle tensed in response to said rotation to hold said treadle against rotation in the opposite direction and disengagement of said bend back leg from said wheel.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
172 words
A caster brake for use with a caster having a wheel rotatably mounted between the side arms of a U-shaped caster horn pivotally carrying a pintle on the back arm of said horn, the improvement comprising an L-shaped wire lever having one leg extending through said horn side arms to form a pivot axis intermediate the periphery of said wheel and the back arm of said horn, a U-shaped bend in said one leg, a treadle, means mounting said treadle for rotational movement about the axis of said wheel, and means on said treadle engaging the other leg of said lever arm for pivoting said one leg about said axis for moving the back leg of said U-shaped bend into engagement with said wheel in response to rotation of said treadle in one direction towards a predetermined position with said lever other leg against said treadle tensed in response to said rotation to hold said treadle against rotation in the opposite direction and disengagement of said bend back leg from said wheel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The caster brake claimed in claim 1 in which said lever pivot axis and said wheel axis lie in a generally common plane.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The caster brake claimed in claim 1 in which said U-shaped bend is located between said horn back arm and the periphery of said wheel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
The caster claimed in claim 3 in which said lever comprises a cylindrical wire and said back leg brake in said U-shaped bend includes a flattened portion extending axially of said wheel for engaging said wheel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The caster claimed in claim 3 in which said means on said treadle comprises a lip having an opening therein for receiving the other leg of said lever.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
The caster claimed in claim 5 in which the pivot axis of said wheel and said wire lever pivot axis lie in a common vertical plane and said opening receiving said other lever leg lies below said wheel pivot axis.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
94 words
The brake claimed in claim 1 in which said treadle comprises a plate parallel and adjacent one of said horn arms with a pair of right angle tabs formed on said plate spaced on opposite sides of said wheel axis for facilitating rotation of said treadle, and a portion formed on said one arm flared axially outwardly of said wheel on one side of said wheel axis for engaging one of said tabs in response to rotation of said tab in one direction to a predetermined position for terminating said rotation in one direction.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-08-29 | 1976-02-28 | 1976-08-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-08-29 | 1980-02-28 | 1980-08-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-08-29 | 1984-02-28 | 1984-08-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |