IP Library Granted Patent US 12,703,414
Granted Patent B2
US 12,703,414 · App. 18/928,805 · Granted Aug 11, 2026

Wheel assembly toe guard

Inventors: Bruce B. Zutler (Port Washington, NY); Harry E. Wellington (Port Washington, NY); Kevin Chow (Port Washington, NY); Daniel P. Doodnauth (Port Washington, NY); Richard B. Leeds (Port Washington, NY)
Assignee: GLOBAL INDUSTRIAL DISTRIBUTION INC.
B62B5/0006
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,703,414
App. No.
18/928,805
Filed
Oct 28, 2024
Granted
Aug 11, 2026
Kind
B2
Art Unit
3613
USPC
280/87.021
Abstract

A toe guard for use on a wheel assembly may include a first and second sidewall, each sidewall including an opening configured to engage with an axle of the wheel assembly. The toe guard further comprising a front plate configured to protect the wheel assembly.

Claims (34)

1 . A toe guard for use on a wheel assembly, the toe guard comprising:

a first sidewall and a second sidewall each comprising:

an opening configured to engage with an axle of the wheel assembly; and

at least one aperture;

a first element configured to engage with the at least one aperture of each of the first sidewall and the second sidewall; and

a front plate configured to protect the wheel assembly.

2 . The toe guard of claim 1 , wherein the front plate comprises a bumper extending from a bottom edge of the front plate.

3 . The toe guard of claim 2 , wherein the bumper is curved.

4 . The toe guard of claim 3 , wherein a clearance between the bumper and the ground is adjustable.

5 . The toe guard of claim 1 , wherein a clearance between the front plate and the ground is adjustable.

6 . The toe guard of claim 1 , wherein first sidewall and second sidewall are disposed parallel to each other.

7 . The toe guard of claim 6 , wherein the front plate is disposed perpendicular to the first side wall and the second sidewall.

8 . The toe guard of claim 1 , wherein the at least one aperture is disposed along a top edge of the first sidewall and the second sidewall.

9 . The toe guard of claim 1 , further comprising a second element, wherein the at least one aperture comprises a first aperture and a second aperture, the first element is configured to engage the first aperture, and the second element is configured to engage the second aperture.

10 . The toe guard of claim 9 , wherein the first aperture is configured to be disposed on a first side of a steering column of the wheel assembly, the second aperture is configured to be disposed on a second side of the steering column, and the first and second sides of the steering column are opposite one another.

11 . The toe guard of claim 10 , wherein the first element is configured to engage with the steering column when the element is disengaged from the steering column.

12 . The toe guard of claim 10 , wherein the second element is configured to engage with the steering column when the first element is disengaged from the steering column.

13 . The toe guard of claim 1 , wherein the front plate is further configured to protect a foot of an operator from the wheel assembly.

14 . The toe guard of claim 1 , wherein the front plate is further configured to protect a foot of an operator from the rear steer wheel.

15 . A system comprising:

a pallet truck comprising:

a steering column; and

a rear steer wheel rotatable about an axle steerable, by the steering column, within a horizontal plane relative to the pallet truck; and

a toe guard comprising:

a first sidewall and a second sidewall, each comprising:

an opening configured to engage with the axle; and

at least one aperture; and

a first element configured to engage with the first aperture of the first sidewall and the first aperture of the second sidewall; and

a front plate configured to protect the rear steer wheel.

16 . The system of claim 15 , wherein a clearance between the front plate and the ground is adjustable.

17 . The system of claim 15 , wherein first sidewall and second sidewall are disposed parallel to each other.

18 . The system of claim 17 , wherein the front plate is disposed perpendicular to the first side wall and the second sidewall.

19 . The system of claim 15 , further comprising a second element, wherein the at least one aperture comprises a first aperture and a second aperture, the first element is configured to engage the first aperture, and the second element is configured to engage the second aperture.

20 . The system of claim 19 , wherein the first aperture is configured to be disposed on a first side of the steering column and the second notch is configured to be disposed on a second side of the steering column, the first and second sides of the steering column being opposite one another.

Assignments (2)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 1, 2026
From: GLOBAL INDUSTRIAL DISTRIBUTION INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 075148/0278 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 28, 2024
From: ZUTLER, BRUCE B.; WELLINGTON, HARRY E.; CHOW, KEVIN; DOODNAUTH, DANIEL P.; LEEDS, RICHARD B.
To: GLOBAL INDUSTRIAL DISTRIBUTION INC.
Reel/Frame 069041/0685 →
Continuity (3)
Continuation 18502631 · Nov 6, 2023
Continuation 17722163 · Apr 15, 2022
Related Publication 20250050929A1 · Feb 13, 2025
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