Shield for a caster wheel

Abstract

A shield 1 for a caster wheel that forms part of a wheeled object, comprising: a perimeter wall 2 configured to extend substantially fully around the caster wheel, and; a connection and supporting means 5, 205 configured to extend from the perimeter wall 2 to connect the shield 1 to the wheeled object; the perimeter wall 2 comprising a resiliently deformable portion 4 that extends substantially fully around the perimeter wall.

Claims

1. A shield for a caster wheel comprising: a perimeter wall extending substantially fully around a perimeter of an omni-directional caster wheel, a lower portion of the perimeter wall being secured at a constant level with respect to the caster wheel so as never to come in contact with ground, a resiliently deformable portion mounted around an outer surface of the perimeter wall, and at least three individual extension arms between the perimeter wall and a connection point to connect the shield to the caster wheel.

2. The shield for a caster wheel according to claim 1, wherein: the resiliently deformable portion extends substantially fully around the lower portion of the perimeter wall.

3. The shield for a caster wheel according to claim 1, wherein: the at least three individual extension arms extend inwardly and upwards from a top of the perimeter wall to the connection point to connect the shield to the caster wheel.

4. The shield for a caster wheel according to claim 1, wherein: the at least three individual extension arms are regularly spaced apart from each other around the perimeter wall.

5. The shield for a caster wheel according to claim 1, wherein: an upper end of each of the at least three individual extension arms meet to create a single connection point.

6. The shield for a caster wheel according to claim 1, wherein: the connection point comprises a hole configured to receive a connector portion of the caster wheel therethrough.

7. The shield for a caster wheel according to claim 1, wherein: the perimeter wall and the at least three extension arms forming the connection point are formed as a unitary item.

8. The shield for a caster wheel according to claim 7, wherein: the perimeter wall and the at least three extension arms are formed from plastic.

9. The shield for a caster wheel according to claim 7, wherein: the perimeter wall and the at least three extension arms are formed from metal.

10. The shield for a caster wheel as claimed in claim 1, wherein the resiliently deformable portion comprises: a cushion.

11. The shield for a caster wheel according to claim 10, wherein the resiliently deformable portion further comprises: an elasticated backing band, the cushion being connected to an outer face of the elasticated backing band, wherein the elasticated backing band contracts to hold the resiliently deformable portion in position on the perimeter wall, and extends to remove the resiliently deformable portion from the perimeter wall.

12. The shield for a caster wheel according to claim 11, wherein the perimeter wall further comprises: a central depression running around the outer surface of the perimeter wall, a width of the elasticated backing band being substantially the same as a width of the central depression.

13. The shield for a caster wheel according to claim 1, wherein the perimeter wall further comprises: at least one aperture adjacent to the resiliently deformable portion.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

(1) FIG. 1 shows a perspective view from above and to one side of an embodiment of the caster wheel shield of the present invention;

(2) FIG. 2 shows an exploded perspective view from one side of the caster wheel shield of FIG. 1;

(3) FIG. 3 shows an office chair fitted with the shields of FIGS. 1 and 2 on all five legs.

(4) FIG. 4 shows in detail an end of one of the legs of the chair of FIG. 3 with the shield fitted, a shoe located adjacent the end of the leg and shielded by the shield from the caster wheel;

(5) FIG. 5 shows the caster wheel shield of FIGS. 1 to 4 with the resiliently deformable portion partially removed;

(6) FIG. 6 shows a perspective view from above and to one side of another embodiment of the caster wheel shield of the present invention;

(7) FIG. 7 shows a perspective view from below of the shield of FIG. 6? with the resiliently deformable portion removed revealing an aperture to aid with removal of the resiliently deformable portion;

(8) FIG. 8 shows a perspective view from above of another embodiment of the caster wheel shield of the present invention;

(9) FIG. 9 shows a perspective underside view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 8 revealing the aperture that aids with removal of the resiliently deformable portion;

(10) FIG. 10 shows a side view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 with the resiliently deformable portion removed;

(11) FIG. 11A shows a perspective underside view of another embodiment of a shield;

(12) FIG. 11B shows an overview of an array of shields arranged on a chair base; and

(13) FIG. 11C shows a side view of the shield shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

(14) Embodiments of the shield for a caster wheel of the present invention will now be described with reference to the figures.

(15) The embodiment of shield 1 for a caster wheel described below is for use with an office chair. The shield 1 is connected at the end of one of the legs of the chair so that the wheel is contained within the shield as the chair moves on the wheel in use. The shield has a perimeter wall 2 configured to extend substantially fully around the wheel (not shown). Three extension arms 5 extend inwards and upwards from the top of the perimeter wall 2 to connect the shield 1 to a chair (not shown) or other wheeled object.

(16) A resiliently deformable portion 4 extends substantially fully around the perimeter wall 2. This serves to provide a surface against which a shoe may brush or rest against without becoming damaged or tarnished.

(17) When connected to the chair leg, the shield 1 for a caster wheel has a perimeter wall 2 that extends around the wheel, clear of the floor surface, at around mid-height or the mid-point of the wheel. In plan view, the wall forms an unbroken circle. Three extension arms 5 extend upwards from the top lip or edge of the perimeter wall 2, inwards and upwards to the centre of the circle, meeting and merging in the centre of the circle.

(18) A hole 6 is formed at the centre of the circle, on the axis of the circle that forms the perimeter wall. In use, the connector portion or connector extension of a caster wheel passes through the hole into the leg of an associated chair so that the wheel is connected to the chair. This allows the perimeter wall 2 to be connected to and supported by the chair leg and caster wheel, with the perimeter wall 2 surrounding the wheel. The arms 5 and hole (or aperture) 6 together form a connection and supporting means for the shield 1. The three arms are spaced at generally equal intervals around the perimeter upper edge of the perimeter wall 2, in order to provide a good spacing and spread of reaction force for re-centring the shield if the chair bumps into an object. The bump applies a force on the perimeter wall 2 at one side, and the spread of the arms ensures that the reaction force helps to keep displacement of the perimeter wall 2 minimised.

(19) The perimeter wall 2 and the extension arms 5 are formed as a unitary item. They can be formed form plastic, by injection moulding or similar, or from metal such as aluminium or steel. These are readily available and easily formed materials.

(20) A microfibre cushion 4 is connected in use to the perimeter wall to extend horizontally all around the outside of the perimeter wall, forming a resiliently deformable portion on the wall. The microfibre cushion 4 has an elasticated backing band (not shown), the microfibre cushion 4 connected to the outer face of the elasticated backing band. The elasticated backing band can be extended and contracted with the cushion 4 connected.

(21) In use, the elasticated backing band is extended to increase the perimeter, and the elasticated backing band is slipped over and into position on the perimeter wall 2, contracting once the extending force is removed to contract onto the outside surface of the perimeter wall 2. This provides a simple construction that allows such resiliently deformable portion to be easily connected to the shield for assembly, and removed as necessary. The microfibre cushion 4 provides good cushioning and resilience on the outside of the perimeter wall, while retaining its shape and reliability.

(22) It is appreciated that in some embodiments the resiliently deformable portion 4 may comprise an elastic band wherein the resiliently deformable portion 4 is formed for an elastic material that is also suitable as a cushion.

(23) FIG. 2 shows the shield 1 placed in position at an end of an office chair leg 8. A caster wheel 9 connects inside and through the shield 1 to the end of the chair leg 8. In this way the caster wheel shield 1 is fixed securely about the caster wheel 9.

(24) FIGS. 3 and 4 show the shields 1 fitted to an office chair 10. In FIG. 4 a shoe 11 is positioned adjacent to an office chair caster wheel with the shield 1 fitted to indicate how the resiliently deformable portion 4 protects the shoe 11 from damage caused by the caster wheel.

(25) In the embodiments shown in FIG. 5, FIG. 7 and FIG. 10, the perimeter wall 2 is formed with a central depression or recess 7 running around the outer surface of the perimeter wall, the width or height of the central depression 7 matched to the width of the cushion 4 or at least the elasticated backing band so the elasticated backing band slips into the central depression. The recess 7 helps to keep the resiliently deformable portion/microfibre cushion 4 in position during use but promotes displacement under minimal urging.

(26) The cushion is formed with shaping to both provide a minimal outer contact face, and/or engage progressively with the depression.

(27) In use, if the office chair hits a user's shoe or other item, the shield 1 will help to prevent potentially damaging contact between the shoe and the wheel, for example if part of the shoe is run over and becomes trapped under the wheel. The cushion helps to prevent scrape marks or scuffing, which are undesirable on smart or office style shoes.

(28) The embodiment described above, and as shown in the figures, is for an office chair. The shield 1 could also be used for any other wheeled object that uses caster wheels, such as for example supermarket trollies, hospital beds, or similar.

(29) Many variations to the shield described above are possible, such as the caster wheel shield 101 shown in FIG. 6. This has arms 105 of a different shape to those of the previous example which has arms 5 that decrease in width towards the upper end.

(30) The embodiment shown in FIG. 6 has arms 105 that widen at a mid-point along the length and then taper at where the arms attach to the perimeter wall and the hole on the upper end.

(31) In other variations, a single arm could be used to connect between the chair and perimeter wall. The perimeter wall could also extend partially round the perimeter of the wheel, and be broken in one or more locations.

(32) FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of the shield 1 having three arms 5 with the resiliently deformable portion 4 removed revealing the depression/recess 7 in which the resiliently deformable portion is fitted in use.

(33) The recess 7 includes an aperture 3 suitable for receiving a user's finger so that the user can push away the resiliently deformable portion 4 enough so that it may be eased off the shield.

(34) It is appreciated that other objects, such as a pen, may be used to aid with displacing the resiliently deformable portion 4.

(35) Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 8 the shield 201 has an extension arm 205 that is formed to extend around the entire top edge of the perimeter wall of the caster wheel shield 201 to form a dome. In this way the caster wheel is fully enclosed by the shield with no gaps or spacing through which the user can contact the caster wheel in use.

(36) FIG. 9 shows an underside view of the dome shaped shield 201 wherein the aperture 3 is visible on the inner face of the perimeter wall 2. An object such as the user's finger is pressed through the hole from the inner face of the perimeter wall 2 so as to permit the resiliently deformable portion 4 to be spaced apart from the perimeter wall so that it can be eased away from the recess 7 (not shown in FIG. 9).

(37) FIG. 10 shows the dome shaped shield 201 with the resiliently deformable portion 4 removed so as to show the aperture 3 on the outer face of the perimeter wall 2.

(38) FIGS. 11A, 11B and 11C show another embodiment of the shield wherein the shield is integrated with a chair base 8. The chair base 8 is received on a side of the shield 301 as opposed to an upper region of the shield.

(39) The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention as defined by the claims.