Caster yoke for manufacture of a set of wheeled caster assemblies

Abstract

A caster yoke for use in the manufacture of a set of wheeled caster assemblies. Each wheeled caster assembly of the set of wheeled caster assemblies has unique functional capabilities relative to each other wheeled caster assembly of the set, which unique functional capabilities arise from a respective combination of one or more caster components mounted on the caster yoke. The caster yoke has all of the mounting features necessary to selectively mount all of the respective caster components of the set of wheeled caster assemblies on the caster yoke. In this manner, the same caster yoke may be used without modification of its structure as a key structural component common to the entire set of wheeled caster assemblies thereby significantly reducing production and inventory costs for the set of caster assemblies.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A caster yoke for use in the manufacture of a set of wheeled caster assemblies, with each wheeled caster assembly of the set of wheeled caster assemblies having unique functional capabilities relative to each other wheeled caster assembly of the set, such unique functional capabilities arising from a respective configuration of one or more caster components mounted on the caster yoke, the caster yoke having all of the mounting features necessary to selectively mount all of the caster components of the set of wheeled caster assemblies on the caster yoke. 
     
     
         2 . A caster yoke for use in the manufacture of a set of wheeled caster assemblies having a first wheeled caster assembly including a first caster component, a second wheeled caster assembly including a second caster component, and a third wheeled caster assembly including a third caster component, the first wheeled caster assembly, the second wheeled caster assembly, and the third wheeled caster assembly each having a unique functional capabilities relative to each other, the caster yoke comprising:
 a first mounting feature configured to selectively mount the first caster component of the first wheeled caster assembly;   a second mounting feature spaced apart from the first mounting feature, with the second mounting feature being configured to selectively mount the second caster component of the second wheeled caster assembly; and   a third mounting feature spaced apart from the first mounting feature and from the second mounting feature, with the third mounting feature configured to   selectively mount the third caster component of the third wheeled caster assembly.   
     
     
         3 . The caster yoke of  claim 2 , wherein the caster yoke forms a unitary body. 
     
     
         4 . The caster yoke of  claim 2 , wherein the caster yoke is a common element for each member of a set of wheeled assemblies having the first wheeled caster assembly, the second wheeled caster assembly, and the third wheeled caster assembly. 
     
     
         5 . The caster yoke of  claim 2 , wherein each mounting feature of the caster yoke is configured to selectively mount a selected component of any one of the first wheeled caster assembly, the second wheeled caster assembly, and the third wheeled caster assembly. 
     
     
         6 . The caster yoke of  claim 2 , wherein the caster yoke includes mounting features spaced apart from each other, with the mounting features including:
 the first mounting feature;   the second mounting feature;   the third mounting feature;   a fourth mounting feature;   a fifth mounting feature;   a sixth mounting feature;   a seventh mounting feature;   an eighth mounting feature;   a ninth mounting feature;   a tenth mounting feature; and   an eleventh mounting feature.   
     
     
         7 . The caster yoke of  claim 2 , wherein the first mounting feature includes a post extending from the caster yoke, and the first mounting feature extending across opposite sidewalls of the caster yoke. 
     
     
         8 . The caster yoke of  claim 2 , wherein the second mounting feature includes a hole defined on opposite lateral sidewalls of the caster yoke at a lower section of the caster yoke, and the second mounting feature is configured to receive a pin provided by a component of any one of the first wheeled caster assembly, the second wheeled caster assembly, and the third wheeled caster assembly. 
     
     
         9 . The caster yoke of  claim 2 , wherein the third mounting feature includes a slot defined by the caster yoke at a front portion of the caster yoke, and the third mounting feature being positioned at a frontal section of the caster yoke. 
     
     
         10 . The caster yoke of  claim 2 , wherein the caster yoke includes a fourth mounting feature including a hole defined by the caster yoke, the fourth mounting feature is formed on opposite sidewalls of the caster yoke in a middle zone of the caster yoke, the fourth mounting feature extends across opposite lateral sidewalls of the caster yoke, and the fourth mounting feature is configured to receive a pin. 
     
     
         11 . The caster yoke of  claim 2 , wherein the caster yoke includes a fifth mounting feature including a hole defined by the caster yoke at a middle zone of the caster yoke, the fifth mounting feature extends between opposite lateral sides of the caster yoke, and the fifth mounting feature is configured to receive a pin. 
     
     
         12 . The caster yoke of  claim 2 , wherein the caster yoke includes a sixth mounting feature having a post extending from opposite lateral sidewalls of the caster yoke at a frontal portion of the caster yoke. 
     
     
         13 . The caster yoke of  claim 2 , wherein the caster yoke includes a seventh mounting feature having an elongated slot defined by the caster yoke, the seventh mounting feature is defined along an arched portion along a top section of the caster yoke, and the seventh mounting feature is configured to receive a pin. 
     
     
         14 . The caster yoke of  claim 2 , wherein the caster yoke includes an eighth mounting feature having a hole defined by the caster yoke, the eighth mounting feature being located along a bottom rear section of the caster yoke on opposite sidewalls thereof, and the eighth mounting feature being configured to receive a pin. 
     
     
         15 . The caster yoke of  claim 2 , wherein the caster yoke includes a ninth mounting feature having a slot defined by the caster yoke, and the ninth mounting feature being located between a pair of posts extending from a lower rear section of the caster yoke. 
     
     
         16 . The caster yoke of  claim 2 , wherein the caster yoke includes a tenth mounting feature having a notch defined by the caster yoke, the tenth mounting feature being provided at a lower frontal section of the caster yoke. 
     
     
         17 . The caster yoke of  claim 2 , wherein the caster yoke includes an eleventh mounting feature having a cavity defined by the caster yoke, and the eleventh mounting feature being defined at a rear lower section of the caster yoke. 
     
     
         18 . A set of wheeled caster assemblies, comprising:
 a caster yoke including a first mounting feature, a second mounting feature spaced apart from the first mounting feature, and a third mounting feature spaced apart from the first mounting feature and from the second mounting feature;   a first wheeled caster assembly including a first caster component configured to selectively mount the first mounting feature of the caster yoke;   a second wheeled caster assembly including a second caster component configured to selectively mount the second mounting feature of the caster yoke;   
       and
 a third wheeled caster assembly including a third caster component configured to selectively mount the third mounting feature of the caster yoke; and 
 the first wheeled caster assembly, the second wheeled caster assembly, and the third wheeled caster assembly each have a unique functional capability relative to each other.