A caster apparatus is provided. In one embodiment, there is provided a caster apparatus including a caster wheel and a first driving wheel disposed on a first side of the caster wheel. The first driving wheel is configured to be driven by a first motor. A second driving wheel is disposed on a second side opposite to the first side of the caster wheel. The second driving wheel is configured to be driven by a second motor different from the first motor. A first actuator is configured to move the first driving wheel in a vertical direction to a ground according to a curvature of the ground. A second actuator is configured to move the second driving wheel in a vertical direction to the ground according to a curvature of the ground, wherein the first and second driving wheels are configured to steer the caster wheel.

A swivel caster includes a swivel assembly having a swivel plate configured to be mounted to a vehicle and defining a swivel axis. A horn depends downwardly from the swivel assembly and a wheel is wheel coupled to the horn with a wheel axle. A slide mechanism couples the horn to the swivel assembly and enables the wheel to slide in a direction generally perpendicular to the swivel axis between first and second trailing positions. The slide mechanism swivels with the horn, the wheel, and the swivel plate about the swivel axis. A swivel limiter is operatively associated with the swivel assembly and limits a swiveling range of the wheel about the swivel axis so as to activate the slide mechanism to reposition the wheel from the first trailing position to the second trailing position when a direction of travel of the vehicle changes.

A caster assembly for a wheelchair comprises a stem having a frame clamp at a first end and a fork clamp at a second end, the frame clamp configured to form a frame joint with at least one rotational degree of freedom with a frame portion of the wheelchair, a tightening of the frame clamp securing the stem to the frame portion, the frame joint having a frame rotational axis. A fork unit has a fork portion and a caster rotatably supported by the fork portion, the fork unit having swivel mechanism, and a joint portion forming a rotational joint with the fork clamp of the stem, a tightening of the fork clamp blocking rotation of the rotational joint, the rotational joint having a fork rotational axis. A vector of the fork rotational axis is normal to a fork rotational plane in which the fork rotates relative to the stem, and further wherein the frame rotational axis is not parallel to the fork rotational plane.

A stabilized luggage article is disclosed. In one practice, the luggage article comprises a plurality of swiveling wheel assemblies, each assembly comprising one or more wheels having a horizontal axis of rotation and mounted to a pivot member, such as a pivot post that has a vertical axis of wheel rotation; the vertical axis of rotation is laterally spaced from the horizontal axis of rotation and is projected outwardly toward the front wall of the luggage but not beyond it, the pivot post extending downwardly at least to the level of the horizontal axis of wheel rotation, preferably beyond it for further increased stability.

A wheel assembly includes: a wheel set unit including a wheel bracket and a wheel; and a brake unit including a brake element disposed between the wheel bracket and the wheel, a threaded member sleeved movably on the brake element, and a screw extending threadably through the threaded member, extending through the brake element so as to prevent movement of the threaded member on the brake element, and pushable downwardly such that the brake unit moves downwardly to press resiliently against the wheel, so as to arrest rotation of the wheel. Only a single tool is needed to be accessed to a lower end of the screw so as to adjust a distance between the brake unit and the wheel.

The present invention relates to a castor wheel structure, comprising a wheel part (18) and a castor wheel house (28), on which a transition element can be mounted, such as a spindle structure (1) or a flange structure (2), which again can be mounted on equipment that is to be made mobile, which wheel part (18) is unilaterally suspended and arranged about a substantially horizontal shaft on the castor wheel house (28).

The caster wheel support assembly has a first section securable to a frame member of a wheelchair and a second section holding a swivel member coupled to a caster wheel. The caster wheel support assembly has a holding member designed as a collet configured to hold a first portion of the swivel member which extends along a first axis. A second portion of the swivel member, which is coupled to the caster wheel, extends away from the first portion along a second axis which forms an angle relative to the first axis. The first portion of the swivel member is supported by the holding member to selectively allow rotation thereof relative to the holding member about the first axis, causing adjustment of a camber of the caster wheel. The collet is configured to selectively prevent or permit rotation of the swivel member relative to the holding member.

A patient support apparatus comprises a base supported by caster assemblies with each caster assembly comprising a stem, a caster wheel, and a caster wheel axle. A patient support surface is coupled to the base and is configured to receive a load. One or more load sensors are integrated with at least one of the stem, the caster wheel, or the caster wheel axle for measuring the load. One or more of the caster assemblies can be coupled to a steering motor, which controls orientation of the caster assembly. A controller can control the steering motors based on analyzing the measurements of the load sensor. The load sensors can produce measurements indicative of both vertical load and non-vertical load applied to the caster assembly. The controller can also analyze the measurements of the load sensor to determine the load received by the patient support surface by negating the non-vertical load.

A caster for equipment, furniture and medical equipment, the caster including a support arm that includes a base portion and a top portion and receives an attachment bolt wherein the base portion supports a wheel axle that supports at least one wheel; a direction fixing device; and a movable blocking element configured to lock the direction fixing device, wherein the moveable blocking element is in direct or indirect friction contact with the wheel so that a friction force that is caused by the friction contact causes a locking of the direction fixing device and a direction fixing of the caster in a first direction when the caster moves in the first direction.

A caster wheel assembly for an outdoor power equipment machine includes a wheel mount and provides a double bell-shaped caster wheel including two bell-shaped halves, each bell-shaped half includes a central hub, a smooth transition portion, an outer circumferential rim, and a planar face. A ground contacting tread can be provided by the outer circumferential rims. A ground contacting tread can be provided by a resilient tread ring positioned between the two bell-shaped halves.