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.

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.

An all-terrain load transport system including a cylindrical first base member and at least three pairs of arms is provided. A handle is removably attached to an attachment member disposed on the cylindrical first base member. The cylindrical first base member defines a space for receiving at least one piece of accessory equipment. Each pair of the three pairs of arms defines a wheel support assembly at an end of each pair distal from an outer periphery of the cylindrical first base member. The three pairs of arms are detachably attached to the outer periphery of the cylindrical first base member. The wheel support assembly includes a cylindrical second base member defining a space for receiving a spherical wheel. The spherical wheel moves omnidirectionally within the defined space. Roller bearings positioned along an inner periphery of the cylindrical second base member facilitate the omnidirectional movement of the spherical wheel.

An all-terrain load transport system including a cylindrical first base member and at least three pairs of arms is provided. A handle is removably attached to an attachment member disposed on the cylindrical first base member. The cylindrical first base member defines a space for receiving at least one piece of accessory equipment. Each pair of the three pairs of arms defines a wheel support assembly at an end of each pair distal from an outer periphery of the cylindrical first base member. The three pairs of arms are detachably attached to the outer periphery of the cylindrical first base member. The wheel support assembly includes a cylindrical second base member defining a space for receiving a spherical wheel. The spherical wheel moves omnidirectionally within the defined space. Roller bearings positioned along an inner periphery of the cylindrical second base member facilitate the omnidirectional movement of the spherical wheel.

A wheel assembly comprising a shaft configured for rotatable connection to an object to be rendered mobile for rotation around a first axis, a hub rotatably connected to the shaft for rotation around a second axis, and two hemispherical members rotatably connected to the hub for rotation around a third axis. The shaft comprises at least one angled portion to define the first axis while the non-angled portion defines the second axis.

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.

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.

An all-terrain load transport system including a cylindrical first base member and at least three pairs of arms is provided. A handle is removably attached to an attachment member disposed on the cylindrical first base member. The cylindrical first base member defines a space for receiving at least one piece of accessory equipment. Each pair of the three pairs of arms defines a wheel support assembly at an end of each pair distal from an outer periphery of the cylindrical first base member. The three pairs of arms are detachably attached to the outer periphery of the cylindrical first base member. The wheel support assembly includes a cylindrical second base member defining a space for receiving a spherical wheel. The spherical wheel moves omnidirectionally within the defined space. Roller bearings positioned along an inner periphery of the cylindrical second base member facilitate the omnidirectional movement of the spherical wheel.

An all-terrain load transport system including a cylindrical first base member and at least three pairs of arms is provided. A handle is removably attached to an attachment member disposed on the cylindrical first base member. The cylindrical first base member defines a space for receiving at least one piece of accessory equipment. Each pair of the three pairs of arms defines a wheel support assembly at an end of each pair distal from an outer periphery of the cylindrical first base member. The three pairs of arms are detachably attached to the outer periphery of the cylindrical first base member. The wheel support assembly includes a cylindrical second base member defining a space for receiving a spherical wheel. The spherical wheel moves omnidirectionally within the defined space. Roller bearings positioned along an inner periphery of the cylindrical second base member facilitate the omnidirectional movement of the spherical wheel.

The present utility model refers to a rolling device and, more particularly, an improved multi-directional ball caster-type device having a better contact angle between the ball and the ground. The contact angle of the present improved device is from 62° to 50°, or less. As the contact angle can be smaller, the object supported on the rolling system can be more sloped, for example, a luggage case, without having friction between the main ball involving structure and the ground.