Caster

Abstract

In one embodiment, a caster has a horn having a first side with a first raceway, a second side with a second raceway, and a stem. At least one bearing may be located in the stem and a stem seal is removably positioned to substantially cover the at least one bearing. Also, a wheel assembly has an axle whereby a first end of the axle is positioned within the first raceway and a second end of the axle is positioned in the second raceway. Yet other forms of the invention will be suited for specific applications.

1 . A caster comprising;
 a horn having a first side with a first raceway, a second side with a second raceway, and a stem;   at least one bearing located in the stem and a stem seal removably positioned to substantially cover the at least one bearing; and   a wheel assembly having an axle whereby a first end of the axle is positioned within the first raceway and a second end of the axle is positioned in the second raceway.   
   
   
       2 . The caster of  claim 1  wherein the first raceway has a first snap device and the second raceway has a second snap device which operate to maintain the axle in position with the raceways. 
   
   
       3 . The caster of  claim 1  wherein the first and second raceways have a means for holding the axle in position within the horn. 
   
   
       4 . The caster of  claim 1  wherein the wheel assembly has a wheel core with a bearing and a tread that is positioned around the parameter of the wheel core. 
   
   
       5 . The caster of  claim 4  further comprising a first tread guard and a second tread guard that is positioned on each side of the wheel core and substantially covers the bearing. 
   
   
       6 . The caster of  claim 5  wherein each tread guard can be snap fit onto the wheel core. 
   
   
       7 . The caster of  claim 1  wherein the bearing is molded into the stem. 
   
   
       8 . The caster of  claim 7  wherein the stem seal can be snap fit into position on the stem and substantially covers the bearing. 
   
   
       9 . A caster comprising;
 a wheel assembly having an axle whereby the axle has a first end and a second end; and   a horn having a first raceway for accepting and snap fitting into position the axle first end and a second raceway for accepting and snap fitting into position the axle second end.   
   
   
       10 . The caster of  claim 9  wherein the wheel assembly has a wheel core with a bearing and a tread that is positioned around the parameter of the wheel core. 
   
   
       11 . The caster of  claim 10  further comprising a first tread guard and a second tread guard that is positioned on each side of the wheel core and substantially covers the bearing. 
   
   
       12 . The caster of  claim 11  wherein each tread guard can be snap fit onto the wheel core. 
   
   
       13 . The caster of  claim 9  wherein the bearing is molded into the stem. 
   
   
       14 . The caster of  claim 13  wherein the stem seal can be snap fit into position on the stem and substantially covers the bearing. 
   
   
       15 . A caster comprising:
 a horn having a first means for holding, a second means for holding, and a stem having at least one AV bearing;   a least one stem seal positioned over the at least one bearing and where the at least one stem seal is press fit into position;   a wheel assembly having an axle first end and an axle second end whereby the axle first end communicates with the first means for holding and the axle second end communicates with the second means for holding; said wheel assembly having a wheel core with a bearing and a tread; and   a first tread guard and a second tread guard each of which axle press fit onto the wheel assembly.   
   
   
       16 . The caster of  claim 15  wherein the first means for holding includes a raceway having a snap fit device and the second means for holding includes a snap fit device. 
   
   
       17 . The caster of  claim 1  wherein the bearing is molded into the stem. 
   
   
       18 . The caster of  claim 15  wherein the first and second means for holding are molded into the horn. 
   
   
       19 . The caster of  claim 16  wherein the first raceway is positioned at a point opposite the second raceway. 
   
   
       20 . The caster of  claim 16  wherein the axle has a first head and a second head whereby the first head is positioned in the first raceway and the second head is positioned in the second raceway.