Lawrence A Davis

US Patent:

20110247173, Oct 13, 2011

Filed:

Jan 31, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/017099

Inventors:

Long Q. Nguyen - Tustin CA, US
Daniel Bauen - Atlanta GA, US
Cassilyn Bair - Atlanta GA, US
Lawrence E. Davis - Atlanta GA, US

International Classification:

B60B 33/00

US Classification:

16 45

Abstract:

In various embodiments, a caster assembly may include a wheel rotatably coupled to a caster housing and a deflector tab pivotably coupled to the caster housing and offset from an outer wheel circumference for use in moving or traversing obstacles encountered during wheel movement. In some embodiments, the deflector tab may include at least one retaining element configured to hold the deflector tab in a pusher position or allow movement of the deflector tab into a ramp position. In the pusher position, the deflector tab may push a mobile obstacle in front of the wheel motion. In the ramp position, the deflector tab may facilitate moving the wheels over a fixed obstacle.

US Patent:

20110247903, Oct 13, 2011

Filed:

Jan 31, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/017102

Inventors:

Mikhail Boukhny - Laguna Niguel CA, US
David A. Thoe - Laguna Hills CA, US
John Koontz - Corona CA, US
Long Q. Nguyen - Tustin CA, US
Scott B. Newton - Costa Mesa CA, US
Daniel Bauen - Atlanta GA, US
Cassilyn Bair - Atlanta GA, US
Lawrence E. Davis - Atlanta GA, US

International Classification:

F16D 63/00
F16D 59/00
F16D 55/02

US Classification:

188 68

Abstract:

In various embodiments, a braking system may include an actuator, a pawl gear coupled to the actuator, and a wheel gear plate. The braking system may further include a brake pad, an outer wheel coupled to the brake pad, and a spring washer plate configured to press the wheel gear plate against the brake pad such that the wheel gear plate is configured to inhibit rotation of the outer wheel through friction between the wheel gear plate and the brake pad when the pawl gear inhibits rotation of the wheel gear plate. In some embodiments, the braking system may further include a sensor and the actuator may be triggered to actuate the pawl gear in response to signals from the sensor.