Support Devices Including Collapsible Casters

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2021369517-A1
Application number	US-202016890467-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jun 2, 2020
Priority date	Jun 2, 2020
Publication date	Dec 2, 2021
Grant date	—

Abstract

A support device includes a base member, a caster assembly coupled to the base member including a caster pivotally coupled to the base member, at least two planar members positioned above the caster and pivotally coupled to one another by at least two opposing hinges, and a shaft positioned between the at least two opposing hinges and extending through the at least two planar members.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A support device comprising:
a base member; a caster assembly coupled to the base member comprising:
a caster pivotally coupled to the base member;
at least two planar members positioned above the caster and pivotally coupled to one another by at least two opposing hinges; and
a shaft positioned between the at least two opposing hinges and extending through the at least two planar members.

2 . The support device of claim 1 , wherein the caster defines a caster axis of rotation that is oriented transverse to the shaft.

3 . The support device of claim 2 , wherein the caster axis of rotation is offset from the shaft.

4 . The support device of claim 1 wherein each of the at least two opposing hinges define a hinge axis of rotation that is oriented transverse to the shaft.

5 . The support device of claim 1 , further comprising a biasing member positioned around the shaft.

6 . The support device of claim 5 , wherein the biasing member is a compression spring.

7 . The support device of claim 5 , wherein the biasing member extends through the at least two planar members between the at least two opposing hinges.

8 . The support device of claim 5 , wherein the biasing member is engaged with the caster.

9 . The support device of claim 1 , wherein the at least two planar members are positionable between a neutral position and an extended position, wherein the at least two planar members are closer to one another in the neutral position as compared to the extended position.

10 . A support device comprising:
a base member structurally configured to support a user; a caster assembly coupled to the base member comprising:
a caster pivotally coupled to the base member;
at least two hinged members positioned above the caster and pivotally coupled to one another by at least two opposing hinges; and
a biasing member extending through the at least two hinged members, wherein the at least two hinged members are positionable between an extended position and a neutral position, wherein the at least two hinged members are positioned closer to one another in the neutral position as compared to the extended position.

11 . The support device of claim 10 , further comprising a shaft that is positioned between and couples the caster to the base member.

12 . The support device of claim 11 , wherein each of the at least two opposing hinges define a hinge axis of rotation that is oriented transverse to the shaft.

13 . The support device of claim 11 , wherein the caster defines a caster axis of rotation that is transverse to the shaft.

14 . The support device of claim 13 , wherein the caster axis of rotation is offset from the shaft.

15 . The support device of claim 10 , wherein the biasing member is a compression spring.

16 . The support device of claim 10 , wherein the at least two hinged members are oriented transverse to one another in the extended position.

Assignees

• Toyota Motor North America Inc

Inventors

• Baca Michael

Classifications

• B60B33/045

  mounted resiliently, by means of dampers · CPC title

• B60B33/0057

  the rolling axle being offset from swivel axis · CPC title

• A61G5/1078 Primary

  with shock absorbers or other suspension arrangements between wheels and frame · CPC title

• A61G5/063 Primary

  with eccentrically mounted wheels · CPC title

• A61G5/128

  for feet · CPC title