US5755008A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ball joint wheel assembly
Assignee: Scott Fetzer Co
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Filing: 1996-12-19
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Granted: 1998-05-26
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Expires: 2016-12-19
Abstract
Abstract A ball joint wheel assembly is disclosed which includes an axle with at least one ball end, to which a wheel is secured. The wheel includes a socket for retaining the ball end, thereby forming a ball joint for supporting the rotation of the wheel. A bore is connected to the socket for receiving the axle and defining a bore wall within the wheel. The bore is substantially conical and has a desired bore angle. The bore wall thereby defines and limits the swivel angle of the wheel.
Inventors
- 👤 Mitchell Rose
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 13:24
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47L; A47L5/00; A47L5/12; A47L5/22; A47L5/28; A47L9/00; A47L9/009; B; B60; B60B; B60B19/00; B60B19/12; B60B19/14; B60B37/00; B60B37/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
94 words
A wheel assembly comprising: an axle having at least one end with a ball secured thereto; a pivoting lever arrangement, affixed to the axle, for varying the position of the wheel assembly, so as to adjust the height of a body to be supported; at least one wheel secured to the axle and comprising: a socket, formed therein, for respectively retaining the ball, thereby forming a ball joint, wherein the wheel rotates about the ball joint; a bore, extending from the socket, for receiving the axle, and defining a bore wall within the wheel.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
94 words
A wheel assembly comprising: an axle having at least one end with a ball secured thereto; a pivoting lever arrangement, affixed to the axle, for varying the position of the wheel assembly, so as to adjust the height of a body to be supported; at least one wheel secured to the axle and comprising: a socket, formed therein, for respectively retaining the ball, thereby forming a ball joint, wherein the wheel rotates about the ball joint; a bore, extending from the socket, for receiving the axle, and defining a bore wall within the wheel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The wheel assembly of claim 1 wherein the axle includes a slip ring, on an axle portion within the bore, to preclude contact between the axle and the bore wall.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The wheel assembly of claim 1 wherein the wheel is cylindrical in shape.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The wheel assembly of claim 3 wherein the wheel's length is greater than its diameter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The wheel assembly of claim 1 wherein the wheel is spherical in shape.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The wheel assembly of claim 1 wherein the bore is substantially conical and has a predetermined bore angle, wherein the bore angle defines a swivel angle limit of the wheel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The wheel assembly of claim 6 wherein the bore angle is between 40 and 60 degrees.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The wheel assembly of claim 1 wherein the socket is substantially concentric with the wheel's geometric center.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The wheel assembly of claim 1 wherein the exterior of the wheel includes at least one 0-ring.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The wheel assembly of claim 1 wherein the exterior of the wheel includes a rubber coating.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
106 words
A vacuum cleaner comprising: a nozzle for receiving dirt drawn in by an airflow; a filter bag for receiving and retaining the dirt removed by the airflow from the nozzle; means for producing the airflow; a mobile nozzle support including a wheel assembly comprising: an axle having at least one end with a ball secured thereto; at least one wheel secured to the axle and comprising: a socket, formed therein for respectively retaining the ball, thereby forming a ball joint, wherein the wheel rotates about the ball joint; a bore, extending from the socket, for receiving the axle, and defining a bore wall within the wheel.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
106 words
A vacuum cleaner comprising: a nozzle for receiving dirt drawn in by an airflow; a filter bag for receiving and retaining the dirt removed by the airflow from the nozzle; means for producing the airflow; a mobile nozzle support including a wheel assembly comprising: an axle having at least one end with a ball secured thereto; at least one wheel secured to the axle and comprising: a socket, formed therein for respectively retaining the ball, thereby forming a ball joint, wherein the wheel rotates about the ball joint; a bore, extending from the socket, for receiving the axle, and defining a bore wall within the wheel.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
44 words
The vacuum cleaner of claim 11 wherein the mobile nozzle support further comprises a pivotal lever arrangement, affixed to the axle, for varying the position of the wheel assembly, so as to adjust the height of the nozzle above a surface to be vacuumed.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
The vacuum cleaner of claim 11 wherein the axle includes a slip ring on an axle portion within the bore, to preclude contact between the axle and the bore wall.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
13 words
The vacuum cleaner of claim 11 wherein the wheel is cylindrical in shape.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
The wheel assembly of claim 14 wherein the wheel's length is greater than its diameter.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
13 words
The vacuum cleaner of claim 11 wherein the wheel is spherical in shape.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
29 words
The vacuum cleaner of claim 11 wherein said bore is substantially conical and has a predetermined bore angle, wherein the bore wall defines a swivel angle of the wheel.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
16 words
The vacuum cleaner of claim 17 wherein the bore angle is between 40 and 60 degrees.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
The wheel assembly of claim 11 wherein the socket is substantially concentric with the wheel's geometric center.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
17 words
The vacuum cleaner of claim 11 wherein the exterior of the wheel includes at least one 0-ring.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
16 words
The vacuum cleaner of claim 11 wherein the exterior of the wheel includes a rubber coating.
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) | 2001-05-25 | 2001-11-24 | 2002-05-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-05-25 | 2005-11-24 | 2006-05-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-05-25 | 2009-11-24 | 2010-05-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |