Preventing casters from rolling
Hi folks, Does anyone know of any 'nifty devices' that can be used to prevent casters from rolling? The situation I have is that I have a step-father who has one of those 'ultramatic' type adjustable beds, and it has casters on it. The problem is that I recently renovated his room and he wanted the carpet removed since there is hardwood underneath. What he didn't expect was how easily the bed would roll when he tries to get in/out of it. Removing the casters is not possible because of the bed's design. So my only option is to find/make something to put under/around the casters to prevent movement. I've tried a number of things (non-slip membrane, a round piece of cord, etc) and the bed still rolls away. Since he's disabled he needs to be able to put a lot of pressure on the bed when he gets in and out, so I need to lock down this bed somehow. It almost seems like I may end up being forced to nail down some molding around the wheels, but I figured I would ask around first and see if anyone else knows of anything else that can keep casters from rolling. Regards, Savant MANY options: a) ALL casters are removable. Either pry them out or screw them out and put the post/leg end into glass/plastic cups or floor protectors available at any hardware store, Home Depot, Lowes, etc. Better than the cups, each of the posts or legs can be set on two pieces (4x4) of rubber-backed carpeting. An advantage of this solution is that the bed will be lower and easier to get into and out of. You see, they're designed very high for the convenience of the care workers and NOT the user. b) If they're small in diameter, 2 or less, you can set the casters in the glass/plastic cups or floor protectors mentioned above so they don't roll. I prefer to use rubber chair leg caps that will fit over small casters, especially the little ones on antique furniture. An advantage of the rubber chair leg tips is that they won't slip on the hardwood floors. c) Large diameter casters, say 3 or 4 will not roll in the commercial cups or floor protectors but they may still rotate on their eccentric axis inside of the cups and move. In that case, though ugly, duct tape around the caster and the swivel will almost eliminate any movement. However, most casters are made from a hard durometer rubber, neoprene, plastic etc. and if they contact the hardwood floor, they will skid even though the rolling has been stopped. The glass or plastic devices work best on carpeting and they ALSO can skid on hardwood floors. In that case, two small 4x4 (?) pieces of rubber backed carpeting under each leg will eliminate any skidding. Peace good luck. I call them Caster Coasters I don't believe that's the technical name, if there is one lol They will be in your local hardware store If not, your local Big Box Home Improvement or Discount Store should have them They vary in quality Look for some beefy ones Originally Posted by LeoSells a) ALL casters are removable. Either pry them out or screw them out and put the post/leg end into glass/plastic cups or floor protectors available at any hardware store, Home Depot, Lowes, etc. Better than the cups, each of the posts or legs can be set on two pieces (4x4) of rubber-backed carpeting. An advantage of this solution is that the bed will be lower and easier to get into and out of. You see, they're designed very high for the convenience of the care workers and NOT the user. It's not that I can't remove the casters physically. While they are bolted to the bed, they could be removed, but removing them is not an option. This is a mechanical bed, and the design is as such that the metal pipes and arms that raise/lower portions of the bed hang BELOW the frame of the bed. There are no 'legs' that the casters are on, just a wooden 'skirt' frame, and if I remove the casters the metal workings of the bed would sit directly on the floor and when the bed was activated they would chew the floor up as they moved. Trust me when I say that I would love to remove the casters, but removing them is not an option unfortunately. b) If they're small in diameter, 2 or less, you can set the casters in the glass/plastic cups or floor protectors mentioned above so they don't roll. I prefer to use rubber chair leg caps that will fit over small casters, especially the little ones on antique furniture. An advantage of the rubber chair leg tips is that they won't slip on the hardwood floors. I'll take a look for these cups you talk about. I thought that they only made them to protect chair legs from damaging carpet, but now that you mention that they can perform this duty as well I'll take a closer look. Thanks. Regards, Savant There are a few styles on site here They call them caster cups Take a look: http://www.doityourself.com/shop/castercups.htm The spiked ones are for carpet, you won't want those Although I prefer the felt bottom ones, you have a pretty specific need The adjustable bed has a fair amount of weight to it, that actually works against you if you are trying to keep him from rolling the bed If the wood floor is slick, the felt may still slide The rubber ones may be better for your needs
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