Bi-directional propulsion caster

Abstract

A bidirectional propulsion caster assembly is disclosed for enabling a rider to generate bi-directional motion from a ride-on device. A mounting bracket is attachable to the bottom of the device and defines a pivot axis extending in a generally transverse direction across the bottom of the device. A rocker bracket and caster shaft having a caster shaft axis are attached to the mounting bracket and pivot about the pivot axis along an arc between first and second positions. A wheel bracket is mounted to and rotates about the caster shaft. A wheel is mounted to the wheel bracket for rotation about a wheel axis angularly offset from the caster shaft axis. One or more changeable pivot stops may be attached to the rocker bracket or the mounting bracket and effective to further define the available arc of rotation.

1 . A caster assembly attachable to a bottom of a ride-on device for enabling a rider to generate bi-directional motion from the ride-on device while standing on a top surface thereof, the caster assembly comprising:
 a mounting bracket attachable to the bottom of the ride-on device, the mounting bracket defining a pivot axis that extends in a generally transverse direction across the bottom of ride-on device when the caster assembly is attached to the ride-on device;   a caster shaft having a caster shaft axis, the caster shaft attached to the mounting bracket so that the caster shaft can pivot about the pivot axis along an arc between a first position and a second position;   a wheel bracket mounted to the caster shaft such that the wheel bracket rotates about the caster shaft axis; and   a wheel mounted to the wheel bracket for rotation about a wheel axis that is angularly offset from the caster shaft axis.   
     
     
         2 . The caster assembly of  claim 1 , wherein pivotal motion of the caster shaft causes a distance between the wheel and the base to increase and decrease as the wheel bracket rotates around the caster shaft. 
     
     
         3 . The caster assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the caster shaft in the first and second positions cause the caster shaft axis to extend on opposing sides of an axis perpendicular in relation to a horizontal plane of the base of the ride-on device. 
     
     
         4 . The caster assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a rocker bracket attached to the shaft, the rocker bracket pivotally mounted to the main bracket and permitted to pivot along the arc having a first position and a second position. 
     
     
         5 . The caster assembly of  claim 4 , wherein rotating the rocker bracket toward the first position corresponds with operating the ride-on device in a first direction and rotating the rocker bracket toward the second position corresponds with operating the ride-on device in a second direction. 
     
     
         6 . The caster assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the wheel bracket interfaces with the base of the ride-on device to define the arc of rotation of the rocker bracket. 
     
     
         7 . The caster assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the rocker bracket interfaces with the base of the ride-on device to define the arc of rotation of the rocker bracket. 
     
     
         8 . The caster assembly of  claim 7 , wherein one or more changeable pivot stops are attached to the rocker bracket and effective to further define the arc of rotation of rotation of the rocker bracket. 
     
     
         9 . The caster assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the rocker bracket interfaces with the mounting bracket to define the arc of rotation of the rocker bracket. 
     
     
         10 . The caster assembly of  claim 9 , further comprising one or more pivot stops attached to the mounting bracket and effective to further define the arc of rotation of the rocker bracket. 
     
     
         11 . The caster assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the pivot stop is changeable to increase or decrease the scope of the arc of rotation. 
     
     
         12 . The caster assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the shaft and rocker bracket together integrally comprise a rocker/shaft assembly. 
     
     
         13 . The caster assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the wheel is changeable for an ice skate blade. 
     
     
         14 . A bi-directional ride-on apparatus for use by a rider on a riding surface, the apparatus comprising:
 a platform having a bottom surface and a top surface adapted to support the feet of a rider;   at least one caster assembly mounted to the bottom surface of the platform;   the caster assembly comprising
 a mounting bracket attached to the platform, 
 a rocker bracket rotatably mounted to the mounting bracket so that the rocker bracket may rotate between a first position and a second position, 
 a caster shaft having a caster shaft axis, the caster shaft connected to the rocker bracket, 
 a wheel bracket engaging the shaft to allow rotation of the wheel bracket about the caster shaft axis, 
 at least one wheel attached to the wheel bracket so that the wheel can contact the riding surface and rotate about a wheel axis that is angularly offset from the caster shaft axis; and 
   wherein the rotation of the rocker bracket is such that, as the wheel bracket rotates around the caster shaft while the wheel is in contact with the riding surface, the platform is caused to rise and fall with respect to the riding surface.   
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein a maximum position of the platform with respect to the riding surface corresponds to transverse orientation of the wheel and the wheel bracket to the direction of movement of the platform along the riding surface. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein a minimum position of the platform with respect to the riding surface corresponds to alignment of the wheel and the wheel bracket with the direction of movement of the platform along the riding surface. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the wheel and wheel bracket rotate around the caster shaft in response to lateral forces applied to the platform by movement of the rider. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , further comprising one or more pivot stops changeably attached to the rocker bracket and effective to further define the amount of rotation available to the rocker bracket between the first and second positions. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , further comprising one or more pivot stops attached to the mounting bracket and effective to further define the amount of rotation available to the rocker bracket between the first and second positions. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the one or more pivot stops are changeable to increase or decrease the amount of rotation available to the rocker bracket between the first and second positions. 
     
     
         21 . A bi-directional ride-on apparatus having a plurality of base members, the base members having a top side for supporting a rider and an underside, the apparatus comprising:
 one or more connecting elements between the base members;   at least one caster assembly attached to the underside of at least one base member;   each caster assembly comprising
 a mounting bracket attached to the underside of the base member, 
 a rocker bracket rotatably mounted to the mounting bracket so that the rocker bracket may rotate between a first position and a second position, 
 a caster shaft having a caster shaft axis, the caster shaft connected to the rocker bracket, 
 a wheel bracket engaging the caster shaft to allow rotation of the wheel bracket about the caster shaft axis, 
 at least one wheel attached to the wheel bracket so that the wheel can contact the riding surface and rotate about a wheel axis that is angularly offset from the caster shaft axis; and 
   wherein the rotation of the rocker bracket is such that, as the wheel bracket rotates around the caster shaft while the wheel is in contact with the riding surface, the platform is caused to rise and fall with respect to the riding surface.   
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the apparatus comprises two base members, each base member having one caster assembly attached to the underside of the associated base member. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , further comprising a changeable pivot stop attached to the rocker bracket and effective to further define the amount of rotation available to the rocker bracket between the first and second positions.