Importance

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Abstract

An undercarriage system apparatus is provided for supporting and transporting a fluidized patient support system above and across a floor. The apparpatus includes a base frame for carrying the fluidized patient support system, a plurality of heavy duty casters, and a pair of disk springs disposed between each caster and the base frame. Each caster includes a central shaft, a shoulder portion disposed about the central shaft for carrying the load, a wheel carriage rotatably mounted via needle bearings to swivel about the central shaft, and a pair of caster wheels mounted side-by-side to rotate about the wheel carriage. The disk springs of each pair are disposed to contact at their outermost edges. Each dish spring desirably has a maximum load capacity rated at least 50% above the nominal load which the disk spring must carry. The base frame defines a sleeve for receiving each central shaft of each caster. An elongated slot is defined through each sleeve. A threaded opening extends radially into the central shaft of each caster about 1 inch above the shoulder. A bolt screws into the threaded opening and rides within the confines of the slot of the sleeve as the disk springs are compressed and uncompressed during shock absorbing events.

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First Claim