Locking Casters

Locking Casters

Many floor casters are made with a built-in brake design. These locks most often consist of a step-on lever that secures the caster and locks the swivel in position so that the furniture becomes completely immobile. Locking casters are safety features that prevent unwanted rolling or equipment spilling that could happen if they are free to move. The lock mechanism is simple to operate, and remains effective even after the pads and springs wear out over time. The food processing, medical, furniture manufacturing, storage, construction, theatre and film industries all use equipment, furniture and shelving that have locking casters. Equipment tables like mobile workstations, kitchen islands, computer desks and lab equipment stands have casters because their applications require them to move around often. Their casters also have a swivel locking mechanism so that they will remain in one place and the equipment doesn't fall. Sound and lighting equipment for plays and movie sets are frequently repositioned and moved around, but when they are being used, must remain immobile. Perhaps the most important application for locking casters is on hospital beds. Patients are often transported to different units in the hospital, requiring the beds to have wheels. Locks are also necessary in order to keep the patients safe.

Locking casters are designed a couple of different ways. The most common is the step-on lever. Pressure to the lever by a foot pressing down on it will activate the locking mechanism, and pulling up will deactivate it, both of which can be done without bending down and using your hands. The locking hardware is attached to the wheel housing and ensures that the wheel will not rotate. Double locking casters go a step further. In addition to keeping the wheel motionless, they also ensure that the caster will not swivel. These levers are either welded or bolted on to the metal caster part, and are usually made of stainless steel. Floor locks are an alternative to locking casters, which provide the same function but through a completely different design. They are metal bars bolted to the bottom of the furniture. When locking is desired, the bar, like a kick stand, is lowered to the floor. They grip to the floor using suction cups or rubber grips, and to deactivate their locking mechanism, they can be kicked back into their stationary position.