A hydraulic system for controlling a pair of steerable caster wheels includes a left steering command valve, a right steering command valve, and a rear steering control valve. A supply pressure fluid circuit interconnects a pressure source and the rear steering control valve. A command valve supply fluid circuit interconnects the rear steering control valve with both the right steering command valve and the left steering command valve. A left side steering fluid circuit interconnects a left side actuator and the left steering command valve. A right side steering fluid circuit interconnects a right side actuator and the right steering command valve. A fluidic tie rod fluid circuit interconnects both the left side actuator and the right side actuator with the rear steering control valve. A tank return fluid circuit interconnects the rear steering control valve, the left and right steering command valves, and a tank.

A swivel caster (1) including a support plate (2) for connection to a container, and including a caster mount (3) having a caster (6) rotatable about a horizontal rotation axis (H). The caster mount (3) is connected to the support plate (2) rotatable about a vertical rotation axis (V). At least one first magnet (15a) is connected to the caster mount (3) and at least one second magnet (15b) is connected to the support plate (2). The magnets (15a, 15b) are magnetized and disposed so as to be mutually parallel including a gap in such in an alignment of the caster mount outside a defined basic alignment (G) of the caster mount (3) the magnets (15a, 15b) interact such that the caster mount (3) swings into basic alignment (G). The caster mount (3) has a cover plate (11) which collectively with the saucer (9) of the support plate (2) and with the mounting plate (7) encloses an intermediate space for the magnets (15a, 15b). The cover plate (11) has two legs (17a, 17b) which extend in the direction of the horizontal rotation axis (H) of the caster (6). Each leg (17a, 17b) has a free end (18a, 18b) remote from the cover plate (11) is connected to the caster mount (3) via a connector.

In a heavy duty orbital caster assembly that includes a rotatable wheel unit joined to a transfer plate that pivots about a mounting post extending from a mounting plate adapted to be secured to the bottom surface of an object, the improvement comprising a pair of roller bearing assemblies that extend upwardly from the upper surface of the transfer plate adjacent to the caster wheel post as it extends through its bearing. The rollers impinge on the lower surface of the mounting plate, and serve to transfer some of the load of the supported object directly to the caster wheel, enabling the support of very heavy loads.

A system for sensing the angular position of a caster wheel includes a sensor mounted on a bearing which supports a shaft aligned with the rotational axis of the caster. A target on the shaft is detected by the sensor which generates signals indicative of the presence or absence of the target. The position of the target is coordinated with the position of the caster wheel such that the signals are indicative of the angular position of the caster wheel. The target may be a groove extending partially around the shaft and a remaining ungrooved portion of the shaft.

Systems and methods for facilitating movement of a patient transport apparatus. The patient transport apparatus has a support structure and a patient support surface. Caster assemblies are coupled to the support structure to roll about a roll axis and swivel about a swivel axis. A control system is configured to control brake mechanisms, steer-lock mechanisms, and pre-swivel mechanisms of the caster assemblies based on one or more inputs.

A swivel caster (1) including a support plate (2) for connection to a container, and including a caster mount (3) having a caster (6) rotatable about a horizontal rotation axis (H). The caster mount (3) is connected to the support plate (2) rotatable about a vertical rotation axis (V). At least one first magnet (15a) is connected to the caster mount (3) and at least one second magnet (15b) is connected to the support plate (2). The magnets (15a, 15b) are magnetized and disposed so as to be mutually parallel including a gap in such in an alignment of the caster mount outside a defined basic alignment (G) of the caster mount (3) the magnets (15a, 15b) interact such that the caster mount (3) swings into basic alignment (G). The caster mount (3) has a cover plate (11) which collectively with the saucer (9) of the support plate (2) and with the mounting plate (7) encloses an intermediate space for the magnets (15a, 15b). The cover plate (11) has two legs (17a, 17b) which extend in the direction of the horizontal rotation axis (H) of the caster (6). Each leg (17a, 17b) has a free end (18a, 18b) remote from the cover plate (11) is connected to the caster mount (3) via a connector.

A caster wheel that locks and unlocks using a push-lock, push-unlock mechanism, similar to a push button pen. The mechanism can be placed on the side of the wheel to be easily accessible to the user and to allow a convenient locking of the caster wheel.

A dolly for transporting products thereon, the dolly comprising a top with a product support surface and an opposing underside, a plurality of casters provided on the underside, two of the casters being swivel casters configured to rotate relative to the product support surface; biasing means configured to bias a wheel of each swivel caster towards a first equilibrium position. A plurality of reinforcing ribs provided on the underside; wherein at least one of the reinforcing ribs is a curved reinforcing rib, and; the at least one curved reinforcing rib extends from a first caster mounting area to a second caster mounting area. Further including, a dolly carrier pallet comprising a pallet provided with a dolly receiving layer, wherein the dolly receiving layer is provided with generally rectangular wheel receiving recesses for receiving swivel casters and is provided with generally rectangular wheel receiving recesses for receiving fixed casters.

A caster wheel that locks and unlocks using a push-lock, push-unlock mechanism, similar to a push button pen. The mechanism can be placed on the side of the wheel to be easily accessible to the user and to allow a convenient locking of the caster wheel.

A driven caster wheel assembly may include a wheel, an axle, a drive assembly, a drive shaft, and a bevel gear. The wheel may be mounted to the axle for rotation about a drive axis and steering about a substantially vertical steering axis. The drive shaft may extend along the steering axis from a first end to a second end, with the first end being connected to the axle and the second end being connected to the drive assembly such that the drive assembly controls rotation of the drive shaft about the steering axis. The bevel gear may connect the first end to the axle such that rotation of the drive shaft about the steering axis controls rotation of the wheel about the drive axis to drive the driven caster wheel assembly in a substantially horizontal direction. Various other assemblies and methods are also disclosed.