Low profile rolling support assembly

Abstract

Disclosed is a low profile rolling support assembly useful for supporting loads above a supporting surface where at least one end of the rolling support assembly is positionable beneath a structure having minimal clearance above the supporting surface. The rolling support assembly includes a load bearing member and a caster assembly containing a wheel where the load bearing member extends laterally away from the caster assembly at substantially the same height or less as the caster assembly.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A rolling support assembly, comprising:
 a load bearing member defining an upper extent and a lower extent, wherein the load bearing member is arranged and configured to support a load above a support surface; and   a caster assembly supporting the load bearing member, the caster assembly including:
 a frame defining a top and a bottom, the frame mounted to the load bearing member, 
 a hub pivotally mounted to the frame and rotatable around a first support axis perpendicular to the load bearing member and 
 a wheel rotatably mounted to an axle passing through an opening defined by the hub; 
   wherein a top of the hub is below the top of the frame and below the upper extent of the load bearing member; and   wherein a bottom of the hub is above the bottom of the frame and above the lower extent of the load bearing member.   
     
     
         22 . The rolling support assembly of  claim 21 , wherein the frame is mounted at an end of the load bearing member. 
     
     
         23 . The rolling support assembly of  claim 22 , wherein the upper extent of the load bearing member as it laterally approaches the frame is at or below the top of the frame. 
     
     
         24 . The rolling support assembly of  claim 22 , wherein the load bearing member extends laterally from the caster assembly. 
     
     
         25 . The rolling support assembly of  claim 22 , wherein the load bearing member abuts a side wall of the frame. 
     
     
         26 . The rolling support assembly of  claim 21 , wherein the top of the frame is approximately 2.25 inches or less. 
     
     
         27 . The rolling support assembly of  claim 21 , wherein the load bearing axis is oriented substantially parallel to the supporting surface. 
     
     
         28 . The rolling support assembly of  claim 21 , wherein the upper extent of the load bearing member and the top of the frame are substantially the same where the load bearing member approaches the frame. 
     
     
         29 . The rolling support assembly of  claim 21 , wherein the wheel extends below the bottom of the frame but does not extend above the top of the frame. 
     
     
         30 . The rolling support assembly of  claim 21 , wherein the upper extent defines a load bearing member height above the support surface, and a load bearing axis centered between the upper and lower extents. 
     
     
         31 . The rolling support assembly of  claim 30 , wherein the load bearing axis is below an upper extent of the wheel. 
     
     
         32 . The rolling support assembly of  claim 30 , wherein the load bearing axis is between the top and bottom of the hub. 
     
     
         33 . The rolling support assembly of  claim 21 , comprising
 a second wheel pivotally mounted at an attachment region adjacent a first end of the load bearing member, the caster assembly being mounted adjacent a second end of the load bearing member;   wherein the attachment region defines a second support axis parallel to the first support axis of the hub.   
     
     
         34 . The rolling support assembly of  claim 33 , wherein the attachment region is above the upper extent of the load bearing member. 
     
     
         35 . The rolling support assembly of  claim 33 , wherein the load is coupled to the load bearing member at a mount positioned between the first and second support axes. 
     
     
         36 . The rolling support assembly of  claim 35 , wherein the mount is closer to the second support axis than the first support axis along the load bearing member. 
     
     
         37 . The rolling support assembly of  claim 21 , wherein the load extends upward away from the load bearing member and is coupled to the load bearing member at a mount located on the load bearing member. 
     
     
         38 . The rolling support assembly of  claim 37 , wherein the caster assembly is mounted at a first end of the load bearing member, and wherein the mount is positioned on the load bearing member closer to a second end of the load bearing member opposite the first end.