Method of securing a caster

Abstract

A caster shipping assembly includes a wheel having a radius and a centrally mounted axle. A securing bracket is connected to the wheel. The securing bracket is movable between a shipping position in which the bracket is fastened to a packaging component and the wheel is suspended above the packaging component, and an in-use position in which the wheel is free for rolling contact with a support surface. The bracket can include a pair of side supports secured to opposing sides of the axle, with each of the side brackets having a length greater than the radius of the caster wheel. A plate can be connected to the side brackets. The plate can include a fastening arrangement adapted and constructed to be fastened to a packaging component to suspend the wheel above the packaging component during shipping. A method of securing a caster to a packaging component during shipping is also set forth. The caster includes a wheel having a radius and a centrally mounted axle. In a first step, a securing bracket is connected to the axle of the wheel, with the securing bracket having a length greater than the radius of the wheel. Next, the bracket is moved to a shipping position in which the wheel is suspended above the packaging component. Finally, the bracket is fastened to the packaging component.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A caster shipping assembly comprising the following: 
 a wheel having a radius and a centrally mounted axle; and    a securing bracket connected to the wheel and being movable between a shipping position in which the bracket is fastened to a packaging component and the wheel is suspended above the packaging component, and an in-use position in which the wheel is free for rolling contact with a support surface.    
     
     
         2 . A caster shipping assembly in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the securing bracket comprises the following: 
 a pair of side supports secured to opposing sides of the axle, each of the side brackets having a length greater than the radius of the wheel;    a plate connected to the side brackets; and    a fastening arrangement adapted and constructed fasten the plate to the packaging component.    
     
     
         3 . A caster shipping assembly in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein the fastening arrangement includes at least one aperture in the plate of the securing bracket.  
     
     
         4 . A caster shipping assembly in accordance with  claim 3 , wherein the fastening arrangement includes at least one fastener constructed to fit through the at least one aperture in the plate of the securing bracket.  
     
     
         5 . A caster shipping assembly in accordance with  claim 4 , wherein the at least one fastener comprises at least one threaded fastener.  
     
     
         6 . A caster shipping assembly in accordance with  claim 4 , wherein the at least one aperture comprises a plurality of apertures.  
     
     
         7 . A caster shipping assembly in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising a pivoting connection between the securing bracket and the wheel.  
     
     
         8 . A caster shipping assembly in accordance with  claim 7 , wherein the pivoting connection comprises a connection between the securing bracket and the axle of the wheel.  
     
     
         9 . A caster securing bracket for use with a caster including a wheel having a radius and a centrally mounted axle, the securing bracket comprising the following: 
 a pair of side supports secured to opposing sides of the axle, each of the side brackets having a length greater than the radius of the caster wheel; and    a plate connected to the side brackets, the plate including a fastening arrangement adapted and constructed to be fastened to a packaging component to suspend the wheel above the packaging component during shipping.    
     
     
         10 . A securing bracket in accordance with  claim 9 , wherein the side supports are fabricated to have a generally triangular shape.  
     
     
         11 . A securing bracket in accordance with  claim 10 , wherein the plate is generally rectangular, with opposite sides of the rectangle being attached to respective sides of the triangular side supports.  
     
     
         12 . A securing bracket in accordance with  claim 9 , wherein the fastening arrangement includes at least one aperture in the plate adapted to receive at least one fastener.  
     
     
         13 . A securing bracket in accordance with  claim 12 , wherein the at least one aperture in the plate is adapted and constructed to receive at least one threaded fastener.  
     
     
         14 . A securing bracket in accordance with  claim 9 , wherein the side supports and plate are fabricated from a rigid material.  
     
     
         15 . A securing bracket in accordance with  claim 14 , wherein the side supports and plate are fabricated from metal.  
     
     
         16 . A securing bracket in accordance with  claim 9 , wherein the side supports and plate are integrally formed.  
     
     
         17 . A method of securing a caster to a packaging component during shipping, the caster including a wheel having a radius and a centrally mounted axle, the method comprising the following steps: 
 connecting a securing bracket to the axle of the wheel, the securing bracket having a length greater than the radius of the wheel;    moving the bracket to a shipping position in which the wheel is suspended above the packaging component; and    fastening the bracket to the packaging component.    
     
     
         18 . A method in accordance with  claim 17 , wherein the step of moving the bracket to a shipping position comprises pivoting the bracket pivoting the bracket to a shipping position.  
     
     
         19 . A method in accordance with  claim 17 , wherein the step of fastening the bracket to the packaging component comprises fastening the bracket to the packaging component with a threaded fastener.  
     
     
         20 . A method in accordance with  claim 19 , wherein the step of fastening the bracket to the packaging component with a threaded fastener comprises bolting the bracket to the packaging component.