alternative to castors

[skeetstar]

Folks I am making a moveable reception desk. I plan to use castors and set them in such a way that they will be virtually invisible by being shrouded by timber which will reach to within a few millimetres of the floor. All well and good, but I need a way to immobilise the desk when in use. I can't use locking castors, since their use would be restricted due to their position and being largely behind timber.


I reckon I can solve the problem by some sort of device that lifts the back end on a rubber foot or somesuch.. picture refers. I have done loads of serches but cannot find anything suitable, what I can find are lever operated door stops. but but the look of them (and the prices) they wont be substantial enough to take the weight.

Anyone know what I am looking for ? Or suggest an alternative?

Thanks all

 

[banjerbill]

Would these work?https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoRy6SxlXcs

Bill

Edit. https://youtu.be/qoRy6SxlXcs

 

[Yojevol]

I had exactly this problem some years ago. The item was a kitchen unit which needed to be mobile but firmly placed when used. The solution was to mount the castors on a platform then attach the unit to the platform via a linkage mechanism which could raise and lower the unit.
My original concept was that it would be operated by a lever on the side of the unit. However my client had more ambitious plan. He decided to electrify the system using a motor to drive a lead screw which activated the raise/lower links. He was the ideal man to do this as he was an engineer working for a firm that made mechanisms for disabled people.
It all worked well with the unit being mobilised at the push of a button.
It's a pity I haven't got any pics.
Brian

 

[skeetstar]

Thanks Bill, it'll have to be those or something very like them.
I may give the company a call to see what else they offer.

 

[Ttrees]

I dont know if you have the space, but did you consider something like Carl Holmgren's
lifting mechanisms?
I made one for my startrite tablesaw where the casters are inside the cabinet.

 

[sunnybob]

assuming it is only going to move occasionally, you need to look for jacking castors
https://www.merlin-industrial.co.uk/han ... ng-castors

and here
https://reidscastors.co.uk/product/jcmd ... ng-castors

 

[GarF]

Or engineer a couple of sliding legs actuated by a cam with a handle long enough to give plenty of leverage to jack the whole desk up? Using hardwood offcuts the only expense would be the fixing/pivot bolts for the cams.

 

[nev]

Could a pair of these on two legs be an option?
https://www.castors-online.co.uk/acatal ... ation.html

 

[skeetstar]

Thanks to all who have taken the time to reply, I will ring a couple of those
suppliers this morning, there is one castor that looks promising.

 

[gmgmgm]

One other - I like the simplicity of these from Axminster (and they are made by many others). I don't think they were in the links given previously.
https://www.axminster.co.uk/axminster-w ... ors-507151