Wheel assembly

摘要

A reusable, releasably lockable wheel assembly comprising a wheel having a centrally disposed hub defining an aperture in which is received an axle. A spring having diametrically opposed lugs is disposed on one side of the hub and the lugs extend into the aperture of the hub so that when the axle is inserted into the aperture, the lugs are biased into the groove on the end of the axle to lock the wheel to the axle. The lugs can be forced outwardly by a tool to withdraw the lugs from the groove so that the axle can be unlocked with respect to the wheel for removal of the wheel. In one embodiment, cooperation between a wheel cover and the spring limits slidable movement between the wheel and axle. In another embodiment, cooperation between an end cap on the wheel hub and the spring limits the slidable movement.