LOW PROFILE ROLLING SUPPORT ASSEMBLY
Disclosed is a low profile rolling support assembly useful for supporting loads above a supporting surface where at least one end of the rolling support assembly is positionable beneath a structure having minimal clearance above the supporting surface. The rolling support assembly includes a load bearing member and a caster assembly containing a wheel where the load bearing member extends laterally away from the caster assembly at substantially the same height or less as the caster assembly.
1 - 20 . (canceled)
21 . A rolling support assembly, comprising:
a load bearing member defining an upper extent and a lower extent, wherein the load bearing member is arranged and configured to support a load above a support surface; and
a caster assembly supporting the load bearing member, the caster assembly including:
a frame defining a top and a bottom, the frame mounted to the load bearing member,
a hub pivotally mounted to the frame and rotatable around a first support axis perpendicular to the load bearing member and
a wheel rotatably mounted to an axle passing through an opening defined by the hub;
wherein a top of the hub is below the top of the frame and below the upper extent of the load bearing member; and
wherein a bottom of the hub is above the bottom of the frame and above the lower extent of the load bearing member.
22 . The rolling support assembly of claim 21 , wherein the frame is mounted at an end of the load bearing member.
23 . The rolling support assembly of claim 22 , wherein the upper extent of the load bearing member as it laterally approaches the frame is at or below the top of the frame.
24 . The rolling support assembly of claim 22 , wherein the load bearing member extends laterally from the caster assembly.
25 . The rolling support assembly of claim 22 , wherein the load bearing member abuts a side wall of the frame.
26 . The rolling support assembly of claim 21 , wherein the top of the frame is approximately 2.25 inches or less.
27 . The rolling support assembly of claim 21 , wherein the load bearing axis is oriented substantially parallel to the supporting surface.
28 . The rolling support assembly of claim 21 , wherein the upper extent of the load bearing member and the top of the frame are substantially the same where the load bearing member approaches the frame.
29 . The rolling support assembly of claim 21 , wherein the wheel extends below the bottom of the frame but does not extend above the top of the frame.
30 . The rolling support assembly of claim 21 , wherein the upper extent defines a load bearing member height above the support surface, and a load bearing axis centered between the upper and lower extents.
31 . The rolling support assembly of claim 30 , wherein the load bearing axis is below an upper extent of the wheel.
32 . The rolling support assembly of claim 30 , wherein the load bearing axis is between the top and bottom of the hub.
33 . The rolling support assembly of claim 21 , comprising
a second wheel pivotally mounted at an attachment region adjacent a first end of the load bearing member, the caster assembly being mounted adjacent a second end of the load bearing member;
wherein the attachment region defines a second support axis parallel to the first support axis of the hub.
34 . The rolling support assembly of claim 33 , wherein the attachment region is above the upper extent of the load bearing member.
35 . The rolling support assembly of claim 33 , wherein the load is coupled to the load bearing member at a mount positioned between the first and second support axes.
36 . The rolling support assembly of claim 35 , wherein the mount is closer to the second support axis than the first support axis along the load bearing member.
37 . The rolling support assembly of claim 21 , wherein the load extends upward away from the load bearing member and is coupled to the load bearing member at a mount located on the load bearing member.
38 . The rolling support assembly of claim 37 , wherein the caster assembly is mounted at a first end of the load bearing member, and wherein the mount is positioned on the load bearing member closer to a second end of the load bearing member opposite the first end.