US3744083A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Castors
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-11-09
•
Granted: 1973-07-10
•
Expires: 1990-11-09
Abstract
Abstract The invention provides an improved castor of the type having a plurality of small balls disposed in a space for dual rolling contact between a load supporting large ball and a housing skirting and retaining the large ball and the housing is constructed to allow free movement of the small balls in the space whereby clustering and resultant jamming of the small balls is prevented.
Inventors
- 👤 A Jenkins
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 12:00
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60B; B60B33/00; B60B33/08; F; F16; F16C; F16C29/00; F16C29/04; F16C29/045; F16C29/046; F16C2326/00; F16C2326/01; F16C2326/02; F16C29/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
225 words
A ball castor comprising a large load supporting ball, a support means including a housing having a substantially hemispherical inlet partially enclosing and retaining the large ball in rotatable relation with the enclosed portion of the large ball being spaced from said inlet, a plurality of small balls disposed in the space between said large ball and said inlet for dual rolling contact between the large ball and the housing upon movement of said large ball, and a ring fitted on the housing at or near the mouth of the inlet being shaped and adapted to form a space at said mouth adjacent the large ball, said space being radially larger than said space between said large ball and said inlet and providing thereby an annular channel so that the small balls are adapted to move out of dual contact with the large ball and the housing into said annular channel which lies adjacent the large ball, said small balls being forced by succeeding balls to move in said annular channel adjacent the large ball to a position where said dual rolling contact can be regained by the small balls during movement of said large ball, said annular channel constituting the only path for said small balls to travel while out of dual rolling contact to said position where said dual rolling contact is regained.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
225 words
A ball castor comprising a large load supporting ball, a support means including a housing having a substantially hemispherical inlet partially enclosing and retaining the large ball in rotatable relation with the enclosed portion of the large ball being spaced from said inlet, a plurality of small balls disposed in the space between said large ball and said inlet for dual rolling contact between the large ball and the housing upon movement of said large ball, and a ring fitted on the housing at or near the mouth of the inlet being shaped and adapted to form a space at said mouth adjacent the large ball, said space being radially larger than said space between said large ball and said inlet and providing thereby an annular channel so that the small balls are adapted to move out of dual contact with the large ball and the housing into said annular channel which lies adjacent the large ball, said small balls being forced by succeeding balls to move in said annular channel adjacent the large ball to a position where said dual rolling contact can be regained by the small balls during movement of said large ball, said annular channel constituting the only path for said small balls to travel while out of dual rolling contact to said position where said dual rolling contact is regained.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
231 words
A ball castor comprising, a large load supporting ball, a support including a housing having a substantially hemispherical inlet partially enclosing and retaining the large ball in rotatable relation with the enclosed portion of the large ball being spaced from said inlet, a plurality of small balls disposed in the space between said large ball and said inlet for dual rolling contact between the large ball and the housing upon movement of said large ball, and a ring fitted on the housing at or near the mouth of the inlet, said ring having a slack fit on the housing so that at the onset of movement of the caStor the ring moves in response to pressure by the small balls to take up a position relative to said large ball and said inlet to form a space at or near said mouth radially larger than said space between said large ball and said inlet, said enlarged space being restricted in convergent manner between the bounds of said large ball and ring so that the small balls are adapted to move out of dual contact with the large ball and the housing and into the enlarged space and to be forced by succeeding balls to move in the enlarged space into said convergent restriction where said dual rolling contact can be regained by the small balls during movement of the large ball.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
231 words
A ball castor comprising, a large load supporting ball, a support including a housing having a substantially hemispherical inlet partially enclosing and retaining the large ball in rotatable relation with the enclosed portion of the large ball being spaced from said inlet, a plurality of small balls disposed in the space between said large ball and said inlet for dual rolling contact between the large ball and the housing upon movement of said large ball, and a ring fitted on the housing at or near the mouth of the inlet, said ring having a slack fit on the housing so that at the onset of movement of the caStor the ring moves in response to pressure by the small balls to take up a position relative to said large ball and said inlet to form a space at or near said mouth radially larger than said space between said large ball and said inlet, said enlarged space being restricted in convergent manner between the bounds of said large ball and ring so that the small balls are adapted to move out of dual contact with the large ball and the housing and into the enlarged space and to be forced by succeeding balls to move in the enlarged space into said convergent restriction where said dual rolling contact can be regained by the small balls during movement of the large ball.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
A castor as claimed in claim 2 wherein said ring is recessed adjacent the large ball and the wall of the ring so formed is inclined away from the large ball to assist the movement of the small balls back into said dual contact.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
63 words
A ball type castor as claimed in claim 1 wherein the ring is resiliently mounted in the mouth of the housing and adapted to rock about an horizontal axis relative to the large ball and the housing responsive to the action of the small balls moving out of said dual contact whereby said radially enlarged space is formed to receive said small balls.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
51 words
The castor as claimed in claim 1 which further includes spring means for resiliently mounting said housing in a recess in the load which slidably receives said housing whereby upon the application of a predetermined load to said article the castor recedes within said recess and said load engages the floor.
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) | 1976-07-09 | 1977-01-08 | 1977-07-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-09 | 1981-01-08 | 1981-07-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-09 | 1985-01-08 | 1985-07-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |