Caster assembly suited for use with modular racks
A modular, low cost pallet and shelf assembly with one or more removable caster assemblies is disclosed. The caster assemblies each comprise a first member, the first member having one or more first member features disposed to be removably coupled to a corresponding one or more first matching features of a vertical support member of a shelf assembly; a second member, the second member having one or more second member features disposed to be removably coupled to a corresponding one or more second matching features of the vertical support member; and a wheel assembly, coupleable to the first member and the second member. In one embodiment, the caster assembly includes a horizontal member disposed distal from the wheel that interfaces with a securing member to bear at least a portion of the weight of the rack assembly and to stabilize the caster when mounted to the rack assembly.
1 . A caster assembly, comprising:
a first member, the first member having one or more first member features disposed to be removably coupled to a corresponding one or more first matching features of a vertical support member of a shelf assembly;
a second member, the second member having one or more second member features disposed to be removably coupled to a corresponding one or more second matching features of the vertical support member; and
a wheel assembly, coupleable to the first member and the second member.
2 . The caster assembly of claim 1 , wherein the one or more first member features and the one or more second member features are tabs and the one or more first matching features and the one or more second matching features are apertures.
3 . The caster assembly of claim 2 , wherein the apertures are keyhole apertures are the tabs are disposed and shaped for acceptance into keyhole apertures in the vertical support member.
4 . The caster assembly of claim 3 , wherein at least one of the tabs includes a head that is circumferentially trimmed to allow the insertion of the at least one tab into an aperture while also allowing a orthogonally disposed tab to be inserted into another aperture.
5 . The caster assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first member and the second member together form a surface shapingly conforming to a surface of the vertical support member.
6 . The caster assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first member and the second member are planar.
7 . The caster assembly of claim 1 , wherein the second member is perpendicular to the first member.
8 . The caster assembly of claim 1 , wherein the wheel is removably coupleable to the first member and the second member.
9 . The caster assembly of claim 1 , wherein the wheel assembly comprises a shaft and the wheel assembly is coupleable to the first member and the second member via insertion of the shaft into a sleeve coupled between the first member and the second member.
10 . The caster assembly of claim 1 , further comprising:
a third member, disposed on an opposite end of the caster assembly from the wheel and perpendicular to the first member and the second member.
11 . The caster assembly of claim 10 , wherein the third member is disposed adjacent and parallel to a securing surface configured to bear at least a portion of the weight of the shelf assembly when the caster is coupled to the vertical support member.
12 . The caster assembly of claim 11 , wherein the securing surface is disposed on a support member removably coupleable to the vertical support member.
13 . The caster assembly of claim 1 , wherein:
the shelf assembly further comprises a support member, coupled to the vertical support member, the support member having a securing surface disposable over a pallet and configured to bear at least a portion of the weight of the shelf assembly when the shelf assembly is lifted by the pallet; and
the caster assembly further comprises a third surface perpendicular to the first surface and the second surface and disposed adjacent to and below the securing surface when the caster assembly is coupled to the vertical support member.
14 . The caster assembly of claim 1 , wherein:
the first member comprises a first sub-member disposed beneath the vertical support member when the caster assembly is coupled to the vertical support member.
15 . The caster assembly of claim 14 , wherein the first sub-member comprises a first surface perpendicular to the first sub-member and extending away from the first member and the second member.
16 . The caster assembly of claim 14 , wherein the first sub-member comprises a “U” shaped member disposed to extend around a bottom of the vertical support member.
17 . A shelf assembly, comprising:
a plurality of vertical support members;
a securing member, releasably coupled to at least one of the plurality of vertical support members, the securing member having a downfacing surface perpendicular to the vertical support members, the downfacing surface configured to bear at least a portion of the weight of the shelf assembly when the shelf assembly is lifted by a pallet disposed between the vertical support members and below the downfacing surface; and
a plurality of casters, each caster having a wheel and removably coupled to the bottom of each of the plurality of vertical support members.
18 . A method of assembling a wheeled shelf assembly having a plurality of vertical support members and a plurality of support members comprising a weight bearing member, comprising the steps of:
removably affixing a caster assembly to a bottom end of each of the vertical support members, each of the casters comprising:
a first member, disposed to accept a wheel on a first end of the first member;
a caster weight bearing member coupled to the first member, the caster weight bearing member perpendicular to the vertical support members;
removably affixing a securing member to at least one of the vertical support members, the securing member comprising a horizontal weight bearing member having a downfacing surface disposed proximate and above the caster weight bearing member, the horizontal weight bearing member also configured to bear at least a portion of the weight of the shelf assembly when the shelf assembly is lifted by a pallet disposed between the vertical support members and below the downfacing surface.
19 . The method of claim 18 , wherein:
the step of affixing the caster to the vertical support member comprises the steps of:
inserting tabs disposed on the caster into apertures disposed in the vertical support member, and applying force to the caster in a direction towards a longitudinal center of the vertical support member;
the step of affixing the securing member to the vertical support member comprises the steps of:
inserting tabs disposed on the securing member into apertures disposed in the vertical support member, and applying force to the securing member towards the affixed caster.
20 . A caster assembly, comprising:
a first member, the first member having one or more first member features disposed to be removably coupled to a corresponding one or more first matching features of a vertical support member of a shelf assembly;
a second member, the second member having one or more second member features disposed to be removably coupled to a corresponding one or more second matching features of the vertical support member; and
a sleeve, coupled to the first member and the second member, the sleeve for accepting a shaft coupled to a wheel.