Rolling device comprising a housing (11) accommodating a rolling element and a control and communication module comprising a wireless receiver (30) connected to a control device (40) and position means (50) connected to the control device, wherein the rolling device further comprises driving means (60) connected to the control device and the rolling element for driving and controlling the movements of the rolling element according to a first position acquired by the position means and a received wireless signal comprising movement instructions and a second position, power supply means (70) for powering the control and communication module and the driving means, wherein the housing is arranged with an support assembly for bearing the rolling element which is configured for establishing a releasable connection with the housing, and an electrical interface adapted for establishing connection between the rolling element and the control and communication module and the power supply means.

An article movement system includes an article and at least one ball wheel. The article has first and second article surfaces meeting at a first article edge. The ball wheel is located along the first article edge and includes a ball, a bearing arrangement and a shell. The ball engages a surface underlying the article, the bearing arrangement supports the ball for omni-directional rotational movement, and the shell is located along the first article edge and contains the ball and the bearing arrangement. The shell defines a non-circular ball opening through which a portion of the ball extends to contact the underlying surface. The article, the bearing arrangement and the shell are configured such that the ball wheel is able to support the article for omni-directional rolling motion over the underlying surface with either of the first and article surfaces parallel thereto, and at any orientation therebetween.

A rolling device having a bearing housing accommodating a wheel axle, a drive motor with first and second motor parts for conduction of relative rotation between a wheel element and the wheel axle, end portions of the wheel axle being connected to axle support members in an eccentric position displaced from the center line of the axle support members, and locks operable between an unlocked position allowing rotation of the axle support members relative to the bearing housing, and a locking position preventing the rotation of the axle support members, wherein in the unlocked position, the motor conducts rotation of the axle support members and wheel axis for displacement of the wheel element by an eccentric movement between an extended position where at least a portion of the wheel element projects outside the bearing housing and a retracted position where the wheel element is located inside the bearing housing.

The present disclosure relates in general to a ball wheel, assembly and method of use for providing omni-directional rolling support to an article of manufacture such as, e.g., mechanics creepers, crates, carts, dollies, stretchers, gurneys, litters, beds, prams, transports, and luggage. One aspect of the present disclosure includes a ball wheel for a ball wheel assembly. The ball wheel comprises a roughly spherical shaped body having a plurality of features on an exterior surface of the body configured to assist the ball wheel in overcoming obstacles/debris in the surrounding environment and being used on uneven surfaces. Another aspect of the present disclosure includes a ball wheel assembly comprising the ball wheel. The ball wheel assembly may include a housing with an interior socket and shock absorber that allows the ball wheel to rotate therein while providing a cushioning effect. A still further aspect of the present disclosure includes a plurality of ball wheel assemblies mounted on an article of manufacture. Yet another aspect of the present disclosure is a method of using the ball wheel assembly on an article of manufacture. An intended purpose of the present disclosure is to provide a ball wheel and assembly for an article of manufacture that is designed to overcome obstacles/debris in the surrounding environment and being used on uneven surfaces via the combination of the cushioning effect of the shock absorber and the plurality of features of the ball wheel.

A caster wheel brake system for a mobile support system such as a cart or other wheeled structure is operable to selectively secure caster wheels against rolling rotation. The system includes a caster wheel assembly and a braking mechanism mounted nearby. A pair of brake actuation inputs, such as handles or levers, can be secured to the cart and independently operated to rotate a rotator link, which in turn rotates a brake-actuating link. Rotation of the brake-actuating link deactivates the braking mechanism to allow rolling rotation of the caster wheels. Optionally, the operation of one of the handles to deactivate the braking mechanism has no effect on the other handle.

According to an example aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a novel caster assembly for a roll container (1000). The caster assembly has a caster (410) with a fork (411) as well as a pin (414). The pin (414) may be repeatedly attached to and removed from the fork (411) so as to attach the chassis (100) of the roll container (1000) to the fork (411). The pin (414) also acts as the hinge pin of a pivotable side wall (200) of said roll container (1000).

A wheel adapter to convert a storage container to a wheeled storage container is provided. The wheel adapter comprises a mounting bracket attachable to the storage container. The mounting bracket comprises a first leg configured to engage a bottom surface of the storage container, and a second leg configured to engage a side surface of the storage container. The second leg comprises a wheel coupling. The wheel adapter also includes a wheel rotatably connected to the wheel coupling. The wheel is constructed and arranged for rotation about an axis to provide rolling support of the storage container on the ground.

A retractable wheel assembly may include a fork that may be pivotally coupled to an object and a wheel that may be rotatably mounted on the fork. The retractable wheel assembly may further include a hollow housing that may be made up of an elongated housing portion pivotally coupled to the fork from a first end of the elongated housing portion and a curved housing portion integrally formed with an opposing second end of the elongated housing portion. The retractable wheel assembly may further include a weight disposed and moveable within the housing.

The present invention provides one or more carrier devices capable of varying contact damping with pressured displacement. The device is configured to be installed on mechanical force-receiving structures that have rolling wheels, rolling balls or slidably displaceable terminal block structure, carrying devices and transportation devices for humans or objects. When receiving pressure smaller than a set value, the device provides low contact damping and is thus easy to move. On the other hand, when receiving pressure greater than the set value, it provides high contact damping so as to prevent slip and thereby ensure safe placement.

In addition, when receiving pressure smaller than the set value, the device has its pre-stressed structure generate modulation to displacement corresponding to the size of the pressure it receives for the purpose of shock absorbency.

A roller assembly comprises a housing having an outer surface attached thereto, and a braking arrangement positioned at least partially within the housing. The braking arrangement is configured to increase resistance to rotation of the housing proportionally to a load applied against the outer surface.