JPH01132402A - Universal wheel - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable the traveling direction to be changed without rotatably supporting a frame, being freely horizontally rotated, so as to make a wheel device compact by making a sphere provided on an axle rotatably support a wheel whose outer circumferential surface is a spherical surface through small spheres. CONSTITUTION:This universal wheel which is suitable for a caster of a trunk, furniture and the like has a wheel 1 which is formed by sticking a binding member 3 made of elastic material such as rubber or the like along a metal or hard synthetic resin-made circular core 2. Both side surfaces 2a of the core 2 are perpendiculars in parallel, also the surface 3a of the binding member 3 is formed into a spherical surface of radius r around the center of the core 2. Further, on both side surfaces 2a of the core 2, conical recessed portions 4 tapering off to their center portions are formed in point symmetry, and a spherical hole 5 is formed in the central portion of the core 2. This spherical hole 5 is engaged with a sphere 7 fixed to an axle 6 through plural small spheres, and with this arrangement, the wheel 1 is supported oscillatably in all directions with respect to the axle 6.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention "Field of Industrial Application" The present invention is applicable to various portable objects such as bags such as travel bags, furniture such as chairs and desks, office automation equipment, and electrical appliances such as electric washing machines. This invention relates to swivel wheels used as casters, etc.

"Prior Art" Conventional casters generally have a structure in which a wheel is supported by a horizontal axle on a horizontally rotatable car frame, and the direction is changed by the horizontal rotation of the car frame.

``Problem to be Solved by the Invention'' For this reason, the casters themselves do not change their running direction smoothly, and it may be necessary to forcibly change the direction of the portable object supported by them. Further, since a bearing for supporting the vehicle frame is required in addition to a bearing for supporting the wheel, there are problems such as an increase in manufacturing cost and an increase in the height of the caster itself.

The purpose of the present invention is to make it possible to smoothly change the traveling direction without having to pivot the vehicle frame, and without forcibly changing the direction of the supported transportable objects, to reduce the size of the vehicle, and to reduce manufacturing costs. Our goal is to provide a highly flexible vehicle.

"Means for Solving the Problems" In order to achieve the above object, the swivel vehicle of the present invention has a spherical body on the axle, and a spherical hole in the center of the wheel, which is circular and has a spherical outer surface. Or provide a circular groove. A small ball is interposed between these spheres and the spherical hole or circular hole to spherically support the wheel on the axle. A recess that tapers into a conical shape toward the spherical bearing portion is formed on both sides of the wheel.

"Function" According to this structure, the wheels are rotatable relative to the axle and swingable at the center, so the running direction can be changed without horizontally rotatably supporting the vehicle frame. Since the wheels are spherically supported on the axle via small balls, their rotation is smooth.

"Example" Examples of the present invention will be described below.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the wheel 1 has a covering material 3 made of an elastic material such as rubber attached to the outer periphery of a circular core 2 made of metal or hard synthetic resin.
a is a parallel vertical surface, and the surface 3a of the covering material 3 is a spherical surface with a radius r from the center of the circular core 2. On both side surfaces 2a of the circular core 2, conical recesses 4 that narrow toward the center of the circular core 2 are provided point-symmetrically, and a spherical hole 5 is provided at the center of the circular core 2. It is being By fitting this spherical hole 5 with a spherical body 7 fixed to an axle 6 via a large number of small balls 9, the wheel 1 is spherically supported on the axle 6, and is rotatable and swings in all directions. It is free to move.

Therefore, when traveling in a straight line with the axle 5 horizontal,
The wheels 1 roll while remaining vertical, and when making a gentle left or right turn, the wheels 1 swing left or right while remaining perpendicular to the axle 5, forcing the direction of the supported transportable object. You can smoothly change direction without changing the target. Also, when making a sharp curve or a U-turn, the 4th wheel is rotated while the 1st wheel is being transferred.
As shown in the figure, it swings to the left or right, so this is also done smoothly. However, since the swinging is limited within the range of the four parts 4 on both sides, the wheels 1 will not turn inadvertently and the direction of travel will not be determined.

FIG. 5 shows another example of the present invention, in which a circular groove is provided in the center of the circular core 1 instead of a spherical hole, and a large number of small balls 9 are interposed between the circular groove and the spherical body 7.

"Effects of the Invention" As is clear from the above description, the swivel vehicle of the present invention has wheels that are rotatable relative to the axle and swingable at the center, and the vehicle frame is pivotably supported for horizontal rotation. Since the direction of travel can be changed without any trouble, the following effects can be achieved.

■ Change of direction is smooth.

■ The direction of the supported transportable object can be easily changed without forcibly changing the direction of the object.

■ You can drive on uneven surfaces with less resistance and vibration prevention.

■ Since there is no need to rotatably support the vehicle frame, the overall height can be reduced compared to conventional models.

■ The wheel rotates smoothly because a small ball is interposed between the sphere on the axle and the spherical hole or circular groove provided in the center of the wheel.

■ Since the structure is simple, it is easy to manufacture and can be made smaller.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Figures 1 to 4 show an embodiment of the present invention, with Figure 1 being a sectional view, Figure 2 being a front view, Figure 3 being a side view, and Figure 4 being a state in which the wheels are swung relative to the axle. It is a front view. FIG. 5 is a sectional view of another example of the present invention. 1...Wheel, 4...Recess, 5...
... Spherical hole, 6 ... Axle, 7 ... Sphere, 9 ... Small ball, 10 ... Circular groove. Procedural amendment written form) December 26, 1988 Director General of the Japan Patent Office Yoshi 1) Moon Takeshi 1, Indication of the case Patent Application No. 1983-120615 2, Name of the invention ``Swivel car'' 3, Person making the amendment Related Patent Applicant Co., Ltd. Matsumura 4, Agent ■105 Shinbashi-18-11-chome, Minato-ku, Tokyo - Matsu Building 5, Date of amendment order (shipment port) December 20, 1988 6, Amendment Target Drawing 7, details of amendment (]) The display of "Figure 9" in the drawing is corrected to "Figure 5" (see attached drawing).

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A spherical body is provided on the axle, and a spherical hole or circular groove is provided in the center of the wheel, which is circular and has a spherical outer surface, and a small ball is interposed between the spherical body and the spherical hole or circular hole. 1. A swivel vehicle characterized in that a wheel is spherically bearing on an axle, and recesses are formed on both sides of the wheel to conically narrow toward the spherical bearings.