A caster may include a shaft, a first elastic ring, a C-shaped ring, and a second elastic ring. The shaft has one end inserted and secured in a wheel, and a first rod is extended from the other end of the shaft, and a second rod protrudes from an end of the first rod. The diameter of the first rod is larger than that of the second rod, and an end of the second rod comprises a flexible portion. The shaft only needs to be processed to form the second rod and the flexible portion, and the first elastic ring and the second elastic ring which are identical are adapted to be formed through the same mold so as to save the manufacturing cost.

An autonomous floor cleaning robot includes a transport drive and control system arranged for autonomous movement of the robot over a floor for performing cleaning operations. The robot chassis carries a first cleaning zone comprising cleaning elements arranged to suction loose particulates up from the cleaning surface and a second cleaning zone comprising cleaning elements arranged to apply a cleaning fluid onto the surface and to thereafter collect the cleaning fluid up from the surface after it has been used to clean the surface. The robot chassis carries a supply of cleaning fluid and a waste container for storing waste materials collected up from the cleaning surface.

A handcart may include a frame; a drive wheel rotatably supported by the frame about a rotation axis extending in a right-left direction; a prime mover configured to rotate the drive wheel; a bracket pivotably supported by the frame about a pivot axis extending in an up-down direction; and a non-drive wheel supported by the bracket about a rotation axis extending in a direction perpendicular to the up-down direction. The non-drive wheel may include a first non-drive wheel and a second non-drive wheel, and the first non-drive wheel and the second non-drive wheel may be configured to be rotatable independent of each other.

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 caster wheel brake and anti-swivel system for carts and other wheeled articles is operable to secure free-castering wheels against swiveling rotation about their swivel axes, and against rolling rotation along their horizontal rotation axes. The system includes a swiveling caster wheel assembly and an actuation link, with an anti-swivel actuator and a brake actuator coupled thereto. Linear movement of the actuation link causes the anti-swivel actuator to engage the anti-swivel member that rotates with the caster wheel about the swivel axis, to selectively prevent the anti-swivel member and wheel from swiveling. The actuation link's movement also urges a brake actuator to move a wheel brake and drives a braking surface into engagement with the wheel, thereby preventing the wheel from rolling at the same time it is prevented from swiveling by the pawl. Optionally, a foot-operated torque shaft and a rack-and-pinion arrangement are used to operate the actuation link.

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.

A spinner wheel assembly for a luggage case is provided. The wheel assembly may include a housing, a support strut rotatably coupled to the housing about a spinner axis, and a plurality of wheels each rotatably coupled to the support strut about a wheel axis. Each wheel may rotate in a plane positioned at an angle to at least one other wheel. Each wheel may be coupled to the support strut in a spaced relationship thereto.

An actuating mechanism for a caster that brakes and positions the caster by means of a cam mechanism that enables braking of the caster using minimum forces developed on the brake lever or brake rod. The mechanism helps to handle casters of patient support apparatuses in hospital and nursery facilities easily, using minimum force developed by caregivers or by an electronic caster brake systems if used for braking of casters of patient support apparatuses, as well. The mechanism may produce an outstanding decrease of noise level of castors on patient support apparatuses.

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.

An electric powered personal mobility vehicle that includes at least one front wheel and an electric motor that provides rotational force to a wheel of the vehicle. The electric motor is supported by the vehicle and is powered by a rechargeable battery that is also supported by the vehicle. The vehicle can also include swivel caster wheels each configured to rotate about a wheel axis.