Caster swivel lock

Claim 2

A caster swivel lock construction comprising a base, a yoke rotatably mounted on said base for rotation about a vertical axis, said yoke having a ring plate and spaced legs extending from the ring plate, an axle extending between the legs and a wheel rotatably mounted on said axle, said ring plate having at least one radially extending notch in the periphery thereof, a spring loaded plunger assembly comprising a body, a plunger movable axially in said body, a spring associated with said plunger, a foot pad pivoted to said plunger on the other end and having a cam portion urged by said spring to engage a portion of said body so that the plunger is moved axially inwardly and outwardly by manipulation of said foot pad, means for removably mounting said plunger assembly on said base plate so that the plunger axis extends radially inwardly toward said ring plate and movement of said foot pad causes said plunger to move radially inwardly and outwardly for engagement and disengagement with said notch, said cam portion having a configuration such that in one position of said foot pad, said one end of said plunger is out of engagement with said notch, and in another position, said one end of said plunger is in engagement with said notch.

Claim 3

The caster swivel lock construction set forth in claim 1 wherein said cam portion of said foot pad includes a flat portion which engages the body when the plunger is out of engagement with the notch thereby holding the plunger firmly in unlocked position.

Claim 4

The caster swivel lock construction set forth in claim 2 wherein the foot engaging portion of said pad extends horizontally when said flat portion of said cam engages the body and the plunger is out of locking engagement with the notch.

Claim 5

The caster swivel lock construction set forth in claim 1 wherein said means removably mounting said plunger assembly comprises a thread on said body and a complementary thread on said base.

Claim 6

The caster swivel lock construction set forth in claim 4 wherein said thread is adjacent the foot pad.

Claim 7

The caster swivel lock construction set forth in claim 4 wherein said thread is adjacent the free end of said body.

Claim 8

The caster swivel lock construction set forth in claim 6 wherein said body encloses said spring.

Claim 9

The caster swivel lock construction set forth in claim 4 wherein said threaded portion of said base comprises a member on said base extending downwardly and having a horizontally threaded opening.

Claim 10

The caster swivel lock construction set forth in claim 8 wherein said member includes a horizontal portion joined to said base plate.

Claim 11

The caster swivel lock construction set forth in claim 9 wherein said horizontal portion is welded to the underside of said plate.

Claim 12

The caster swivel lock construction set forth in claim 9 wherein said horizontal portion is butt welded to said base plate.

Claim 13

A caster swivel lock construction comprising a base, a yoke rotatably mounted on said base for rotation about a vertical axis, said yoke having a ring plate and spaced legs extending from said ring plate, an axle extending between the legs and a wheel rotatably mounted on said axle, said ring plate having a plurality of radially extending notches therein, a spring loaded plunger assembly comprising a body, a plunger movable axially in said body, a spring surrounding said plunger, a foot pad pivoted to said plunger on the other end and having a cam portion urged by said spring to engage a portion of said body so that the plunger is moved axially inwardly and outwardly by manipulation of said foot pad, threaded means for removably mounting said plunger assembly on said base plate so that the plunger axis extends radially inwardly toward said ring plate and movement of said foot pad causes said plunger to move radially inwardly and outwardly for engagement and disengagement with a notch, said cam portion having a configuration such that in one position of said foot pad, said one end of said plunger is out of engagement with a notch, and in another position, said one end of said plunger is in engagement with a notch, said cam portion of said foot pad including a flat portion which engages the body when the plunger is out of engagement with the notch thereby holding the plunger firmly in unlocked position, said foot engaging portion of said pad extending horizontally when said flat portion of said cam engages the body and the plunger is out of locking engagement with the notch.

Claim 14

A caster swivel lock construction comprising a base, a yoke rotatably mounted on said base for rotation about a vertical axis, said yoke having a ring plate and spaced legs extending from said ring plate, an axle extending between the legs and a wheel rotatably mounted on said axle, said ring plate having a plurality of radially extending notches therein, a spring loaded plunger assembly comprising a body, a plunger movable axially in said body, a spring surrounding said plunger, a foot pad pivoted to said plunger on the other end and having a cam portion urged by said spring to engage a portion of said body so that the plunger is moved axially inwardly and outwardly by manipulation of said foot pad, threaded means for removably mounting said plunger assembly on said base plate so that the plunger axis extends radially inwardly toward said ring plate and movement of said foot pad causes said plunger to move radially inwardly and outwardly for engagement and disengagement with a notch, said cam portion having a configuration such that in one position of said foot pad, said one end of said plunger is out of engagement with a notch, and in another position, said one end of said plunger is in engagement with a notch, said cam portion of said foot pad including a flat portion which engages the body when the plunger is out of engagement with the notch thereby holding the plunger firmly in unlocked position, said foot engaging portion of said pad extending horizontally when said flat portion of said cam engages the body and the plunger is out of locking engagement with the notch.

Claim 15

The caster swivel lock construction set forth in claim 12 wherein said thread is adjacent the free end of said body.

Claim 16

The caster swivel lock construction set forth in claim 12 wherein said thread is adjacent the foot pad.

Claim 17

The caster swivel lock construction set forth in claim 12 wherein said body encloses said spring.

Claim 18

The caster swivel lock set forth in claim 12 wherein said foot pad includes a second flat portion which engages the body when the plunger is in engagement with a notch.

Claim 19

A caster swivel lock construction comprising a base, a yoke rotatably mounted on said base for rotation about a vertical axis, said yoke having a ring plate and spaced legs extending from the ring plate, an axle extending between the legs and a wheel rotatably mounted on said axle, said ring plate having at least one radially extending notch in the periphery thereof, a plunger assembly comprising a body, means for removably mounting said plunger assembly on said base, said plunger assembly including a plunger movable toward and away from said notches when said assembly is mounted on said base plate and including means for causing said plunger to be moved into and out of engagement with said notch.

Claim 20

A caster swivel lock construction comprising a base, a yoke rotatably mounted on said base for rotation about a vertical axis, said yoke having a ring plate and spaced legs extending from the ring plate, an axle extending between the legs and a wheel rotatably mounted on said axle, said ring plate having at least one radially extending notch in the periphery thereof, a plunger assembly comprising a body, means for removably mounting said plunger assembly on said base, said plunger assembly including a plunger movable toward and away from said notches when said assembly is mounted on said base plate and including means for causing said plunger to be moved into and out of engagement with said notch.

Claim 21

The caster swivel lock construction set forth in claim 17 wherein said means removably mounting said plunger comprises a thread on said body and a complementary thread on said base.