US 11,944,469 B2
Caster system for mobile apparatus
Russell Stanton, Lunenberg, MA (US); and Eugene A. Gregerson, Bolton, MA (US)
Assigned to Mobius Imaging LLC, Shirley, MA (US)
Filed by Mobius Imaging, LLC, Shirley, MA (US)
Filed on Sep. 14, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/020,021.
Application 17/020,021 is a continuation of application No. 15/718,240, filed on Sep. 28, 2017, granted, now 10,799,194.
Application 15/718,240 is a continuation in part of application No. 15/600,273, filed on May 19, 2017, abandoned.
Application 15/600,273 is a continuation of application No. 14/935,752, filed on Nov. 9, 2015, granted, now 9,655,572.
Application 14/935,752 is a continuation of application No. 14/306,863, filed on Jun. 17, 2014, granted, now 9,185,301.
Application 15/718,240 is a continuation of application No. 14/212,169, filed on Mar. 14, 2014, granted, now 9,801,592.
Application 14/306,863 is a continuation of application No. 13/025,566, filed on Feb. 11, 2011, granted, now 8,753,009.
Application 13/025,566 is a continuation in part of application No. 13/025,573, filed on Feb. 11, 2011, granted, now 8,770,839.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/791,509, filed on Mar. 15, 2013.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/315,462, filed on Mar. 19, 2010.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/313,299, filed on Mar. 12, 2010.
Prior Publication US 2020/0405246 A1, Dec. 31, 2020
Prior Publication US 2022/0061779 A9, Mar. 3, 2022
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. A61B 6/03 (2006.01); A61B 5/055 (2006.01); A61B 6/00 (2006.01); B60B 33/06 (2006.01); B60T 1/14 (2006.01)
CPC A61B 6/035 (2013.01) [A61B 5/055 (2013.01); A61B 6/4405 (2013.01); B60B 33/066 (2013.01); B60B 2200/26 (2013.01); B60T 1/14 (2013.01)] 9 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A caster system for a mobile apparatus, comprising:
a base having a length extending parallel to the ground and comprising a housing for a caster;
a suspension system having a suspension linkage extending in a longitudinal direction along the length of the base having a first end pivotably coupled to the base and a second end;
a caster coupled to the second end of the suspension linkage such that the caster extends from and retracts into the housing, the caster having a wheel defining a wheel axis, a swivel joint defining a swivel axis, and a pivot point defining a pivot axis, the caster having a first offset distance between the wheel axis and the swivel axis when the caster is within the housing of the base and a second offset distance between the wheel axis and the swivel axis when the caster is extended from the housing, and the second offset distance is greater than the first offset distance; and
a drive mechanism operatively coupled to the caster to extend and retract the caster from the housing, the drive mechanism including a motor coupled to an actuator that drives the extension and retraction of the caster by generating a motive force in a longitudinal direction substantially along a length of the base.