Cart control systems and methods for controlling cart caster direction

摘要

Cart control systems and methods of controlling cart caster direction allow for operation of carts near walls without caster jamming. Cart control systems comprise a cart with one or more swivel casters, a wall, and a guide surface proximate the wall that is configured to swivel outwardly at least one of the swivel casters to be directed toward the wall when the swivel caster traverses the guide surface in a direction substantially parallel to the wall. When the caster is directed toward the wall, the floor contact of the caster is further away from the wall than the swivel axis of the caster and generally under the cart. When reversing direction, the caster swivels outwardly, with the floor contact remaining further away from the wall and generally under the cart. Thus, the caster does not swivel into the wall and jam the cart.

主权项

1. A method of stowing a cart with a left swivel caster and a right swivel caster in a compartment that is narrower than the cart with the left swivel caster extended to the left and the right swivel caster extended to the right, the method comprising:
inserting the cart into the compartment while swiveling the left swivel caster counterclockwise to be directed left and the right swivel caster clockwise to be directed right; and removing the cart from the compartment by swiveling the left swivel caster counterclockwise and the right swivel caster clockwise to reach a stable wheel-following configuration.