Roller and attachment damping part for a roller

Abstract

A roller has a wheel, a wheel axle and a pin which protrudes upward from a housing of the roller. A sleeve sits on the pin and is spaced apart from the pin radially and axially upward by a damping material arranged between the sleeve and the pin, the damping material being arranged so that all axial and/or radial contact between the pin and the sleeve is prevented. Alternatively, an attachment damping part can be arranged on a pin of the roller in overlap with the pin, wherein the attachment damping part has an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve, the inner sleeve being spaced apart radially and axially upward by a damping material arranged between the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve. The damping material is arranged in such a way that all axial and/or radial contact between the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve is prevented.

Claims

1. A roller comprising: a wheel, a wheel axle on which the wheel is mounted, a pin that protrudes upward past a roller housing and has an upward facing pin end face, an inner sleeve that sits on the pin; and an outer sleeve spaced apart from the pin and the inner sleeve radially by a damping material arranged between the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve, the outer sleeve having a downward facing end face; wherein the outer sleeve is also spaced apart from the pin and the inner sleeve axially above by the damping material arranged between the outer sleeve and the upward facing pin end face, wherein the damping material is arranged so that all axial and radial contact between the outer sleeve and the inner sleeve is prevented, wherein the damping material is arranged to overlap the pin end face and the outer sleeve end face, wherein the damping material configured to overlap the pin end face leaves a through opening extending in a direction of a central axis (x) of the pin; and wherein a screw is configured to connect the inner sleeve to the pin, the screw interacts with an internal thread of the inner sleeve to engage the pin, the screw is configured to be actuated through an opening in the outer sleeve.

2. The roller according to claim 1, wherein the damping material is disposed between two radially opposite surfaces formed by an outer surface of the inner sleeve and an inner surface of the outer sleeve.

3. The roller according to claim 1, wherein the damping material is glued or welded to at least one of the outer sleeve and/or to the pin and the inner sleeve.

4. The roller according to claim 1, wherein the damping material consists of one or more spring parts, a rubber material, a foamed material or a thermoplastic elastomer.

5. The roller according to claim 1, wherein the damping material is configured to extend at least across an axial height of the pin while leaving an axial area free of the damping material.

6. The roller according to claim 5, wherein the axial area free of the damping material is configured to be circumferentially continuous.

7. The roller according to claim 1, wherein the wheel axle has an axle sleeve and is accommodated in an axle cavity of a hub of the wheel, wherein an elastic material is accommodated between the axle sleeve and the axle cavity.

8. The roller according to claim 7, wherein a radial recess is formed in an outer surface of the axle sleeve across an axial length of the axle sleeve, and wherein the elastic material is accommodated in the radial recess.

9. The roller according to claim 7, wherein the elastic material has a sleeve-shaped configuration.

10. The roller according to claim 8, wherein the elastic material projects in a radial direction past an outer surface of the axle sleeve connecting to the radial recess.

11. The roller according to claim 7, wherein an axial length of the axle cavity is adapted to an axial length of the elastic material.

12. A roller comprising: a wheel, a wheel axle on which the wheel is mounted, a pin which protrudes upward past a housing of the roller in a normal usage position, the pin having an upward facing pin end face, an inner sleeve that sits on the pin, an outer sleeve spaced apart from the pin and the inner sleeve radially by a damping material arranged between the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve, and the outer sleeve is spaced apart from the pin and the inner sleeve axially above by the damping material arranged between the outer sleeve and the upward facing pin end face, wherein the damping material is arranged in such a way that all axial and radial contact between the outer sleeve and the inner sleeve is prevented, wherein the damping material leaves an area free of damping material across at least a partial axial height of the pin, so that two damping material sections are provided in a usage position of the roller: an axially lower damping area, assigned to a downward facing edge of the outer sleeve, and an axially upper damping area, wherein a screw is configured to connect the inner sleeve to the pin, the screw interacts with an internal thread of the inner sleeve to engage the pin, the screw is configured to be actuated through an opening in the outer sleeve.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(1) The invention is subsequently explained in greater detail by way of the appended figures, however, only one exemplary embodiment is depicted. A part, that is only explained with respect to one of the exemplary embodiments, and is not replaced by another part in another exemplary embodiment due to the special feature established there, is thus also described for this additional exemplary embodiment as an at least potentially present part. As seen in the drawings:

(2) FIG. 1 a roller in a perspective depiction relating to a first embodiment;

(3) FIG. 2 a longitudinal sectional view through a pin area of the roller;

(4) FIG. 3 the roller in a perspective depiction with an attached attachment damping part in one embodiment;

(5) FIG. 4 the attachment damping part of the embodiment according to FIG. 3 in a top view;

(6) FIG. 5 the cross section according to line V-V in FIG. 4;

(7) FIG. 6 the attachment damping part of the embodiment according to FIG. 3 in a perspective sectional view;

(8) FIG. 7 a depiction corresponding to FIG. 5; however, relating to an alternative embodiment;

(9) FIG. 8 another depiction corresponding to FIG. 5, relating to another embodiment of the attachment damping part;

(10) FIG. 9 a perspective depiction corresponding to FIG. 3 with an attachment damping part attached on the roller in an alternative embodiment;

(11) FIG. 10 the attachment damping part from the embodiment according to FIG. 9 in a top view;

(12) FIG. 11 the cross section according to line XI-XI in FIG. 10;

(13) FIG. 12 the attachment damping part from the embodiment according to FIG. 9 in a perspective sectional view;

(14) FIG. 13 another depiction of a roller with an attachment damping part in another embodiment corresponding to FIG. 3;

(15) FIG. 14 the attachment damping part from the embodiment according to FIG. 13 in a top view;

(16) FIG. 15 the cross section according to line XV-XV in FIG. 14;

(17) FIG. 16 the attachment damping part from the embodiment according to FIG. 13 in a perspective sectional view;

(18) FIG. 17 the area of an axle sleeve for a wheel axle accommodated in an axle cavity of a wheel in a perspective sectional view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(19) A roller 1, which is designed as a double caster in the depicted embodiment, is depicted and described initially with reference to FIG. 1. Roller 1 has two wheels 2 in the case of a double caster and a pin 3. An electromotor may be arranged in pin 3, whose electrical connection may be defined by an electrical connecting cable 4 leading upwards, preferably centrally, out of pin 3. Reference is made to EP 2 720 882 B1, mentioned at the outset, regarding the function and the arrangement of the electromotor and the other control means in roller 1. The content of this patent document is thus completely included in the disclosure of the present invention, also for the purpose of including features of this patent document in the claims of the present invention.

(20) In the normal usage position, pin 3 is vertically aligned with a central pin axis x. Pin axis x is, in the case of the embodiment of roller 1 as a caster, simultaneously the steering axis.

(21) The geometric rotational axis y of wheels 2 is aligned transversely to pin axis x, thus substantially horizontal in the normal usage position.

(22) In the embodiment depicted, pin 3 functions indirectly for arranging roller 1 on an object 5, for example, a carriage, thus, in the case of a plug-in arrangement, having a correspondingly designed socket 6, or having a correspondingly designed mounting surface 7 in the case of another arrangement.

(23) Damping material 8 is provided between socket 6 or mounting surface 7 of object 5 and roller-side pin 3, and thus substantially roller 1 as a whole, in particular for damping impacts. This damping material is initially and substantially arranged and designed in an area between the outer side of pin 3 and an outer sleeve 9 overhanging pin 3 (compare FIGS. 1 and 2).

(24) Outer sleeve 9 forms the plug-in section interacting with socket 6 in the case of a plug-in arrangement of roller 1 on object 5, for example according to the depiction in FIG. 1.

(25) Outer sleeve 9 is expanded, in comparison to the outer diameter of pin 3, in the radial direction with respect to pin axis x, and is additionally preferably selected to be longer than pin 3 in the axial extension.

(26) An annular space 11 thus arises peripherally between the outer surface of pin 3 and the radially inward facing inner surface 10 of outer sleeve 9, said annular space has a radial dimension, resulting between the outer surface of pin 3 and inner surface 10 of outer sleeve 9, which may correspond to 2 to 4 times the material thickness of outer sleeve 9, additionally to approximately one-sixth to one-fourth, furthermore for example approximately one-third of the pin diameter, when viewed transverse to pin axis x.

(27) Embodiments are depicted in the drawings of FIGS. 3 to 16, in which damping material 8 is not arranged directly between pin 3 and outer sleeve 9, but instead between outer sleeve 9 and an inner sleeve 12. As a result, an attachment damping part 13 is thus created, which is suitable for attaching onto pin 3, thus is further suitable for retrofitting a conventional roller 1.

(28) The inner diameter of inner sleeve 12, and preferably also the axial length, is additionally preferably adapted to the diameter and the axial length of pin 3 in the case of an embodiment of an attachment damping part 13.

(29) In the arrangement of an inner sleeve 12, an annular space 11 also arises between the outer surface of inner sleeve 12 and inner surface 10 of outer sleeve 9, in which annular space damping material 8 is accommodated and arranged.

(30) A floating mounting of outer sleeve 9, which may be brought into a contact position with object 5, is achieved with respect to roller 1 due to damping material 8. Shocks or the like are absorbed during operation of roller 1.

(31) Damping material 8 may extend across the entire periphery and the entire axial height of annular space 11 according to one potential embodiment. However, an embodiment is preferred, in which damping material 8 preferably leaves a damping material-free area 15 across a partial axial height, which may correspond to approximately half to ⅔ of the axial length of the pin. This area 15 may, as is also preferred, be designed as circumferentially continuous.

(32) Due to the previously described measures, two damping material sections may be defined, namely, as also preferred, a damping area which is axially lower in the usage position, assigned to the downward facing edge of outer sleeve 9, and an axially higher damping area, preferably (when viewed in cross section) in a transition from annular space 11 into an axial clearance 18 arising between the downward facing sleeve end face 16 and the upward facing pin end face 17 or the cover of inner sleeve 12 overlapping this pin end face 17.

(33) The axial dimension of clearance 18 may substantially correspond to the radial dimension of annular space 11.

(34) Outer sleeve 9 has a sleeve wall 19 and a sleeve cover 20. Sleeve wall 19 extends coaxial to pin axis x. Sleeve cover extends in a transverse plane to pin axis x, more preferably parallel to pin end face 17.

(35) In the case of the configuration of an attachment damping part 13, inner sleeve 12 then provided is likewise provided with a circumferential sleeve wall 21, which directly surrounds outer surface 14 of pin 3. Furthermore, inner sleeve 12 may be supported on pin end face 17 via a sleeve cover 22.

(36) According to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 3 to 12, in particular the vertically upper section of damping material 8 may also extend into the area of axial clearance 18. Correspondingly, the arrangement of damping material 8 also results in overlapping pin end face 17 or sleeve cover 22 assignable to the same and sleeve end face 16 of outer sleeve 9.

(37) When overlapping pin end face 17 or sleeve cover 22 of inner sleeve 12, damping material 8 leaves a through opening 23 extending in the direction of central axis x of pin 3 in the area engaging into axial clearance 18.

(38) A (second) central opening 24, designed coaxial to pin axis x, is provided in outer sleeve 9 in its sleeve cover 20 on the upper and lower side of this through opening 23 in damping material 8.

(39) In the case of the arrangement and configuration of an inner sleeve 12, sleeve cover 22 may also be provided with a first central opening 25.

(40) The two central openings 24 and 25 may, as is also depicted, be reduced in diameter with respect to through opening 23 of damping material 8.

(41) The vertically lower section of damping material 8 may also have, along the downward facing end area, a radially outwardly directed, circumferential collar section 26, on which the facing end face surface of outer sleeve 9 may be supported (compare FIG. 5, 7, 8, or 11).

(42) Due to the previously described arrangement and configuration of damping material 8 between the inner and outer sleeves or between the pin and the outer sleeve, a spacing of the pin is provided, if necessary with the directly arranged inner sleeve 12, to outer sleeve 9 in such a way that all axial and also radial contact between the pin or inner sleeve 12 and outer sleeve 9 is prevented. A direct contact of pin 3 or inner sleeve 12 and outer sleeve 9 and accordingly object 5 is suppressed.

(43) Instead of a plug-in mounting of roller 1 on object 5, as depicted in FIGS. 3 to 8, a screw mounting of roller 1 on a mounting surface 7 of object 5 may also be carried out by way of example. For this purpose, attachment damping part 13 or outer sleeve 9 assigned to pin end face 17 may have a mounting formation 27 extending outward, if necessary, radially outward past the outer diameter dimension of outer sleeve 9. This mounting formation may be designed according to the embodiment in FIGS. 9 to 12 as rectangular, in particular square in outline; alternatively, according to the embodiment in FIGS. 13 to 16, it may also be in the form of a circular disk part.

(44) In any case, mounting formation 27 may be formed as a whole as a plate part. This may additionally have multiple openings 28, for example, for screw fixing of roller 1 to object 5.

(45) Damping material 8, which is a foamed material or a thermoplastic elastomer in one possible and also preferred embodiment, may be glued or also welded to outer sleeve 9 on the wall inner side and to inner sleeve 12 on the wall outer side in a configuration with an attachment damping part 13, and to the inner surface of outer sleeve 9 and the outer surface of pin 3 in a direct configuration on pin 3.

(46) If an attachment damping part 13 with an inner sleeve 12 is provided, then attachment damping part 13 may be designed for fixing to pin 3. Correspondingly, inner sleeve 12 may have fixing means 29 for interacting with pin 3. Thus, according to the depiction in FIG. 5, fixing means 29 may be designed as a screw 30, for example, in the form of a threaded pin. This screw 30 is inserted in an internal thread 31 in the area of sleeve wall 21 of inner sleeve 12. The relevant threaded bore is continuous, so that the screw tip is suitable for applying a clamping action against outer surface 14 of pin 3. Screw 30 may, as is also preferred, be exposed for actuation using a screwing tool by an opening 32, formed in sleeve wall 19 of outer sleeve 9, in a radial extension to screw 30 or internal thread 31 in inner sleeve 12.

(47) Fixing means 29 may also be designed, as indicated in FIG. 7, as latching means 33, thus, for example, formed by a correspondingly arranged cut out in sleeve wall 21 of inner sleeve 12, whereby a radially inwardly projecting latching projection is established, which may deviate elastically radially outwardly in the direction of annular space 11, in particular in the course of attaching attachment damping part 13 on pin 3. Pin 3 may have a counter latching means 34, for example, in the form of an annular groove, circumferential with respect to pin axis x, into which latching means 33 may engage preferably in a positive-locking way.

(48) According to the depiction in FIG. 8, a plug element 35 may also be provided with a central through opening 36 in the embodiment. Plug element 35 may be arranged in the area of the end faces, hereby substantially connecting first and second central opening 25, 24 of the sleeve covers of inner sleeve 12 and outer sleeve 9. Plug element 35 is likewise preferably produced from a damping material, if necessary, as is also more preferred, from the same or comparable material as damping material 8. Plug element 35 preferably consists of a rubber or rubber-like material. By this means, outer sleeve 9 is also correspondingly decoupled with respect to inner sleeve 12 despite the plug connection.

(49) Through opening 36 may, as is also preferred, function for guiding a connecting cable 4 outward, for example in the configuration of roller 1 as an electrically operatable roller.

(50) FIGS. 13 to 16 show one embodiment of an attachment damping part 13, in which outer sleeve 9 is merely composed from sleeve wall 19 encircling pin axis x and a mounting formation 27 extending radially outward on the upper end in the usage position.

(51) Inner sleeve 12 is likewise merely composed from sleeve wall 21 and a lower collar 37 projecting radially outward. A sleeve cap is omitted in the depicted embodiment for both the inner sleeve and also outer sleeve 9.

(52) Damping material 8 extends in the depicted embodiment, circumferentially with respect to pin axis x, between the radially outward facing surface of inner sleeve 12 and inner surface 10 of outer sleeve 9, wherein damping material 8 extends without interruption across the entire axial height in which a radial overlap is provided by sleeve wall 19 of outer sleeve 9 and sleeve wall 21 of inner sleeve 12.

(53) In addition, damping material 8 extends outward above the top of collar 37, hereby underneath the facing end wall surface of outer sleeve wall 19 (compare FIG. 15).

(54) A contact of the inner and outer sleeve or a contact of the pin and the outer sleeve is also prevented by this arrangement, both in the radial direction and also in the axial direction.

(55) Another improvement of the shock absorption may be achieved by a corresponding shock absorbing of wheels 2.

(56) According to the depiction in FIG. 17, the physical wheel axle 38 is set in an axle sleeve 39 surrounding the same. Axle sleeve 39 directly provides the mounting for wheel axle 38 in one potential embodiment.

(57) Axle sleeve 39 is indirectly accommodated in an axle cavity 40 of a hub 41 of the wheel or of wheels 2.

(58) An elastic material 42 is accommodated, in particular for shock absorption, between axle cavity 40 and axle sleeve 39. This elastic material extends between the radially inwardly facing inner surface of axle cavity 40 and a radially outwardly facing base surface of axle sleeve 39 in the area of a recess 43, when viewed in the radial direction.

(59) Recess 43 is formed like a waist-like narrowing, with respect to rotational axis y, in the area of the sleeve wall, extending hereby across a length, which may substantially correspond, when viewed in the direction of axis y, to the length of hub 41, when viewed in the same direction, in particular in the area of its axle cavity 40.

(60) When viewed in the radial direction, the depth of the cavity may correspond to 0.5 to 0.8 times the material thickness of axle sleeve 30, configured as a whole as a tube, when viewed in the same direction.

(61) Recess 43 may, as is also preferred, be completely filled, i.e., across the entire axial length and also across the entire radial depth, by elastic material 42. Elastic material 42, which has an overall sleeve-like configuration when viewed alone, preferably extends in the radial direction across the otherwise outer surface of axle sleeve 30, in particular across a dimension in the range of tenths of millimeters, so, for example, across a dimension of 2/10 mm or 3/10 mm.

(62) Elastic material 42 may, as is also preferred, be designed as identical or similar to damping material 8 with regard to the material selected.

(63) Thus, there also arises in the area of the wheel mounting a floating, decoupled arrangement, in which a contact of axle sleeve 39 and hub 41 is prevented in both the extension direction of axis y and also transverse hereto.

(64) The preceding embodiments function for explaining the inventions included as a whole by the application, which refine the prior art at least due to the following combinations of features, however, also independently, wherein two, multiple, or all of these combinations of features may also be combined, namely:

(65) A roller 1, which is characterized in that a sleeve 9 sits on pin 3, and that sleeve 9 is spaced apart from pin 3 radially and axially above by a damping material 8 arranged between sleeve 9 and pin 3, wherein damping material 8 is arranged in such a way that all axial and/or radial contact between pin 3 and sleeve 9 is prevented.

(66) A roller, which is characterized in that pin 3 has an upwardly facing pin end face 17 and that damping material 8 is arranged overlapping pin end face 17.

(67) A roller, which is characterized in that damping material 8 is designed between two radially opposite surfaces, an outer surface 14 of pin 3 and an inner surface 10 of sleeve 9.

(68) A roller, which is characterized in that sleeve 9 has a downward facing sleeve end face 16 and that damping material 8 is arranged overlapping sleeve end face 16.

(69) A roller, which is characterized in that damping material 8, designed to overlap pin end face 17, leaves a through opening 23 extending in the direction of central axis x of pin 3.

(70) A roller, which is characterized in that sleeve 9 has a mounting formation 27 assigned to pin end face 17.

(71) A roller, which is characterized in that mounting formation 27 is formed as a plate part having one or more openings 28, for example, for screw fixing of roller 1 to object 5.

(72) A roller, which is characterized in that damping material 8 may be glued or welded to sleeve 9 and/or to pin 3.

(73) A roller, which is characterized in that damping material 8 consists of one or more spring parts, a rubber material, a foamed material, or a thermoplastic elastomer.

(74) A roller, which is characterized in that damping material 8 is designed at least across an axial height of pin 3 while leaving an axial area 15 free of damping material 8.

(75) A roller, which is characterized in that axial area 15, free from damping material, is formed as circumferentially continuous.

(76) A roller, which is characterized in that wheel axle 38 having an axle sleeve 39 is accommodated in an axle cavity 40 of a hub 41 of wheel 2, wherein an elastic material 42 is accommodated between axle sleeve 39 and axle cavity 40.

(77) A roller, which is characterized in that a radial recess 43 is designed in an outer surface of axle sleeve 39 across an axial length, in which recess elastic material 42 is accommodated.

(78) A roller, which is characterized in that elastic material 42 has a sleeve-like configuration in and of itself.

(79) A roller, which is characterized in that elastic material 42 in the radial direction projects past an outer surface of axle sleeve 39 connecting to radial recess 43.

(80) A roller, which is characterized in that an axial length of axial cavity 40 is adapted to the axial length of elastic material 42.

(81) Attachment damping part 13 for a roller 1, wherein attachment damping part 13 may be arranged on a pin 3 of roller 1 overlapping pin 3, with an inner sleeve 12 and an outer sleeve 9, wherein inner sleeve 12 is spaced apart radially and axially above, with respect to a normal usage position of a roller 1 provided with attachment damping part 13, by damping material 8 arranged between inner sleeve 12 and outer sleeve 9, wherein damping material 8 is additionally arranged in such a way that all axial and/or radial contact between inner sleeve 12 and outer sleeve 9 is prevented.

(82) An attachment damping part, can also be provided where pin 3 is formed by inner sleeve 12 and the sleeve is formed by outer sleeve 9.

(83) An attachment damping part, which is characterized in that fixing means 29 are provided on inner sleeve 12 and facilitate a fixing of attachment damping part 13 on roller 1.

(84) An attachment damping part, which is characterized in that fixing means 29 are designed as latching means 33.

(85) An attachment damping part, which is characterized in that fixing means 29 are designed as screws 30.

(86) An attachment damping part, which is characterized in that screws 30 interacting with an internal thread 31 of inner sleeve 12 are actuatable through an opening 32 in outer sleeve 9.

(87) An attachment damping part, which is characterized in that inner sleeve 12 has a first central opening 25, and outer sleeve 9 has a second central opening 24, wherein first and second central openings 24, 25 are arranged in a projection in the direction of central axis x of pin 3 coaxially to one another and coaxially to through opening 23 of damping member 8.

(88) An attachment damping part, which is characterized in that first and second central openings 25, 24 are connected to a plug element 35 consisting of an elastic material, that the plug element has one or more through openings 36, for example, for an electrical connecting cable 4.

(89) All disclosed features are essential to the invention (in themselves and also in combination with one another). In the disclosure of the application, the associated/appended priority documents (scope of the previous application) are thus included completely in the contents of the disclosure, also with the purpose of including features from these documents in claims of the present application. Even without the features of a referenced claim, the subclaims characterize with their features independent, inventive refinements of the prior art in particular for carrying out divisional applications on the basis of these claims. The invention indicated in each claim may additionally have one or more of the features indicated in the preceding description, in particular provided with reference numerals and/or indicated in the list of reference numerals. The invention also relates to configurations, in which individual features listed in the preceding description are not implemented, in particular insofar as they are recognized as unessential for the respective application or may be replaced by other technically similar means.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

(90) 1 Roller

(91) 2 Wheels

(92) 3 Pin

(93) 4 Connecting cable

(94) 5 Object

(95) 6 Socket

(96) 7 Mounting surface

(97) 8 Damping material

(98) 9 Outer sleeve

(99) 10 Inner surface

(100) 11 Annular space

(101) 12 Inner sleeve

(102) 13 Attachment damping part

(103) 14 Outer surface

(104) 15 Free area

(105) 16 Sleeve end face

(106) 17 Pin end face

(107) 18 Clearance

(108) 19 Sleeve wall

(109) 20 Sleeve cover

(110) 21 Sleeve wall

(111) 22 Sleeve cover

(112) 23 Through opening

(113) 24 Central opening

(114) 25 Central opening

(115) 26 Collar section

(116) 27 Mounting formation

(117) 28 Opening

(118) 29 Fixing means

(119) 30 Screw

(120) 31 Internal thread

(121) 32 Opening

(122) 33 Latching means

(123) 34 Counter latching means

(124) 35 Plug element

(125) 36 Through opening

(126) 37 Collar

(127) 38 Wheel axle

(128) 39 Axle sleeve

(129) 40 Axle cavity

(130) 41 Hub

(131) 42 Elastic material

(132) 43 Recess

(133) x Pin axis

(134) y Rotational axis