Caster with brake for use in a mobile structure

摘要

A caster includes a support to be secured to a mobile structure. An inverted U-shaped wheel frame has an upper portion and two legs which extend downward from the upper portion. A bearing unit is disposed between the upper portion and the support. A pinion is disposed between the legs beneath the upper portion. A rivet has a shank portion which extends non-rotatably through the support and the pinion and which extends rotatably through the upper portion. A pedal assembly includes two arms and a platform which interconnects front ends of the arms. Each of the arms has a generally S-shaped guide slot that crosses a horizontal guide slot of a corresponding one of the legs. The pedal assembly is flanked by the wheel frame and is mounted pivotally on the latter. A shaft extends into and is movable in the guide slots. A wheel is mounted on the shaft. A brake has two ends which extend through engagement slots in the arms of the pedal assembly. The brake is provided with a rack unit thereon and is movable to result in frictional engagement with the wheel and in engagement between the rack unit and the pinion in response to movement of the shaft.