| 摘要 |
<p>The lightweight caster assembly, when used on aircraft food and drink-dispensing push carts and other aircraft furniture, in place of conventional caster assemblies, reduces the overall weight of the aircraft furniture, thus resulting in a considerable fuel saving. Moreover, the caster assembly is inexpensive to make and install and is durable. It includes a caster wheel of lightweight metal or plastic and a generally inverted U-shaped support bracket or yoke. The wheel has transverse cut-out portions as well as transverse passageways through which metal or plastic reinforcing rods are inserted. The wheel axle passageway is lined with removable lightweight metal or plastic reinforcing and aligning sleeves. A lightweight metallic braking plate with a notched outer periphery may be releasably secured to one side of the wheel, against which a braking mechanism connected to a push cart can releasably bear to brake and stop the wheel from turning and to lock the wheel in the stationary position. The wheel bracket can be fixedly or swivably mounted to the aircraft furniture.</p> |
