Roll-rite, LLC

Carl O Christensen

A self-steering caster is biased into one or more predetermined steering positions with a constant force by a bias wheel arranged to roll along a cam surface in the shape of a circle which is concentric with the caster's swivel axis and whose radius increases at a linear rate in both directions from the point corresponding to the steering position to a point or points on the cam surface remote from the steering position. Detent means may be provided at the steering position to releasably lock the caster in the steering position.

Self-steering caster

Fluttering of caster wheels having a swivel mechanism including ball-type or roller-type bearings is effectively prevented by substituting, for some of the steel rolling elements of the bearings, resilient rubber-like rolling elements of somewhat greater diameter. Flutter resistance and steering characteristics of the caster can be varied by varying the size of the resilient rolling elements, or the proportion of resilient rolling elements to steel rolling elements in the bearing.

Flutter-resistant caster

A hollow-bodied caster wheel is produced by casting a pair of wheel body halves with flanges which do not fit over one another at equal temperatures, cooling the inner half while keeping the outer half hot, fitting the two halves over one another in that condition, and then allowing the temperatures of the two halves to become equalized so as to cause the flanges of the two halves to bond together as the outer half shrinks during cooling. A tire is then vulcanized over the outer surfaces of the assembled wheel body halves, and bearings are press-fitted into the inner surfaces of the assembled wheel body halves to complete the wheel.

Method for making a hollow-bodied caster wheel

A reversible warehouse wagon is provided with a jointed bed, tandem-mounted center support wheels, steerable wheels supporting both the ends of the bed and hitch means at both ends of the bed to provide a warehouse wagon that is towable from either end having a short turning radius, high directional stability, improved tracking of a towing vehicle and improved support and control for going up and down ramps.

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Alamo, CA, United States of America

Carl O Christensen