The term'displacement element'as used herein refers to any component which is suitable for effecting displacement, rotation, movement or turning of a system such as. but not limited to wheels, ball bearings. swivels and moving tracks. The term'displacement element'includes an element attached to any device or apparatus for the purpose of readily facilitating displacement of the device and/or apparatus, such as but not limited to a spike, trolley, television stand, shopping cart and the like.

Articulated displacement elements such as swivel systems and wheel systems are known in the art. Such systems find wide use in. numerous moving devices. One example of articulated wheels are wheels and ball bearings. Currently, many different wheels and ball bearings are available,

including wheels and ball bearings,. which are conjunctively attached to items such as shopping carts, tables, cabinets and the like.

A novel integral combination of both wheel, containment element and ball bearing would be useful for increasing usability, reducino manufacturing, both manufacturing costs and simplifying assembly procedures.

Unfortunately, although wheels and ball bearings are separately available for a plurality of devices, an articulated wheel including an integral wheel, containment element and a ball bearing assembly, is not currently available.

Therefore, there is an unmet need for. and it would be highly useful to have, an articulated displacement element, such as in the present invention.

Namely, a system and apparatus, which features an integral combination of both a displacement element and ball bearing and containment element mechanism. for readily attaching, as a single unit, to any platform requiring mobility, thus gaining better grip, greater cost efficiency while reducing labor and manufacturing costs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a novel ball bearing containment element mechanism. Furthermore, preferably the present invention is of a novel system and apparatus for an articulated displacement element comprising an integral displacement element and ball bearing containment

element mechanism and in particular, to such an integral combination of a ball bearing and containment element mechanism and a displacement element for installation on a plethora of platforms requiring mobility.

The combination ball bearing containment element mechanism and displacement element system and apparatus features at least one displacement element and at least one ball bearing and at least one ball bearing containment element mechanism. The advantage of the present invention is that an efficient displacement element and ball bearing single unit can easily be installed, maintained and manufactured as a single unit and the integral containment element affords the articulated displacement element better grip.

In a first embodiment the present invention provides a ball bearing containment element mechanism readily attachable to a surface comprising (a) a body, wherein the body comprises: (i) at least one cavity element for holding at least one ball bearing wherein the ball bearing is readily rotateable about the ball bearing containment element; (ii) at least one cavity niche element for preventing vertical displacement of the at least one ball bearing and allowing lateral displacement of the at least one ball bearing ; and (iii) a cavity formed for readily accommodating a shaft therein ; and (b) a shaft comprising a first shaft end and a second shaft end, wherein one shaft end is configured to attach to a displacement element and a second shaft end is configured to attach to a surface.

In a second embodiment the present invention provides an integral

displacement element and ball bearing system readily attachable to a surface comprising (a) a ball bearing containment element mechanism, wherein the ball bearing containment element mechanism body comprises: (i) at least one cavity element for holding at least one ball bearing, wherein the ball bearing is readily rotateable about the ball bearing containment element; (ii) at least one cavity niche element for preventing vertical displacement of the at least one ball bearing and allowing lateral displacement of the at least one ball bearing ; and (iii) a cavity formed for readily accommodating a shaft therein; (b) a displacement element; and (c) a shaft comprising a first shaft end and a second shaft end, wherein one shaft end is configured to attach to the displacement element and a second shaft end is configured to attach to a surface.

In a third embodiment the present invention provides an articulated displacement element and ball bearing system readily attachable to a surface comprising (a) a ball bearing containment element mechanism, wherein the ball bearing containment element mechanism body comprises: (i) at least one cavity element for holding at least one ball bearing, wherein the ball bearing is readily rotateable about the ball bearing containment element ; (ii) at least one cavity niche element for preventing vertical displacement of the at least one ball bearing and allowing lateral displacement of the at least one ball bearing; and (iii) a cavity formed for readily accommodating a shaft therein ; (b) a displacement element; and (c) a shaft comprising a first shaft end and a second shaft end, wherein one shaft end is configured to attach to the

displacement element and a second shaft end is configured to attach to a surface.

In a preferred embodiment the ball bearing containment element mechanism, further comprises a plurality of ball bearings situated in the at least one cavity element.

In a preferred embodiment the ball bearing containment element mechanism comprises two cavity elements. Preferably, the two cavity elements are configured as an upper cavity element and a lower cavity element.

In a preferred embodiment the at least one cavity element comprises at least one lower cavity niche element, configured to prevent displacement downwards of the ball bearings and allow lateral displacement of the ball bearings.

In a preferred embodiment the at least one cavity element comprises at least one upper cavity niche element, configured to prevent displacement upwards of the ball bearings and allow lateral displacement of the ball bearings.

In a preferred embodiment the body is constructed from a material selected from the group of : iron. steel, tungsten carbide, stainless steel, ceramics, fiberglass, nylon, D2, ATS34, AUS6, AUS8 and CPM440V.

In a preferred embodiment the body includes anti static elements.

In a preferred embodiment the body is constructed from a resilient material acting as a shock absorber.

In a preferred embodiment the displacement element is a wheel.

In a preferred embodiment the displacement element is a swivel.

In a preferred embodiment the displacement element is a wheel attachment.

In a preferred embodiment the wheel attachment is a spike.

In a preferred embodiment the integral displacement element and ball bearing system is an integral wheel and ball bearing system.

In a preferred embodiment the integral displacement element and ball bearing system is an integral swivel and ball bearing system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention is herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the ball bearing containment element of the present invention without a shaft ; and Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the ball bearing containment element mechanism of the present invention including the complete shaft attachment element.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention relates to a novel ball bearing containment element mechanism. Furthermore, preferably the present invention is of a novel system and apparatus for an articulated displacement element comprising an integral displacement element and ball bearing containment

element mechanism and in particular, to such an integral combination of at least one ball bearing and at least one ball bearing containment element and at least one physical displacement element component, wherein the at least one ball bearing is attached integrally to the displacement element component, for readily attaching to any platform requiring mobility.

The advantage of the present invention is in the significant reduction in the number and price of parts. Furthermore, construction time is significantly reduced due to the simplicity of construction. Additionally, the integral ball bearing containment element affords improved grip to the system in which it is employed, such as but not limited to an articulated wheel or articulated swivel system.

In addition, the need for a separate displacement element, bearing system & attachment elements, creates a bulky cumbersome, non cost- efficient displacement system.

Furthermore, once a displacement element and ball bearing requires to be changed, the present invention overcomes the difficulties known by facilitating an"in sittt"replacement of the articulated displacement element.

The present invention overcomes these deficiencies by providing a combined displacement element and ball bearing, such that a user can readily attach, replace and maintain a single unit, thus reducing manufacture, installment and maintenance costs Additionally, the present invention overcomes these deficiencies by providing as a system and apparatus an integral combination of a ball

bearing and containment element. mechanism and displacement element, which readily facilitates alleviating the above deficiencies.

The principles and operation of the present invention may be better understood with reference to the drawings and the accompanying description.

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the ball bearing containment element of the present invention 50. Preferably, the body of the ball bearing containment element mechanism 70 is constructed from reinforced nylon and having a load bearing capacity of over 100 Kg. More preferably, reinforced nylon body 70 is reinforced with fiberglass and including conductive elements. Thus, adding conductive elements such as copper wires to body 70 facilitates antistatic and noise reduction capabilities of body 70. Preferably, nylon body 70 is colored according to user and consumer preference. Thus, a plurality of colors can be used due to the nylon construction of body 70.

Preferably, body 70 is constructed from resilient nylon such that nylon body 70 acts as a shock absorber. More preferably, body 70 is designed to support weights of 100-140 Kilograms.

Ball bearing containment element 50, comprises a first cavity element 51, for containing lower ball bearings 52 and a second cavity element 57 for containing upper ball bearings 60. The first cavity element 51, comprises a lower cavity niche element 55 for preventing substantially downward displacement of lower bearings 52 below first cavity element 51, and an upper cavity niche element 56 for preventing substantially upward

displacement of lower bearings 52 above first cavity element 51. The lower 55 and upper cavity niche elements 56 allow free lateral displacement of the freely moveable ball bearings 52. The second cavity element 57, comprises a lower cavity niche element 59 for preventing substantially downward displacement of upper ball bearings 60 below second cavity element 57, and an upper cavity niche element 58 for preventing substantially upward displacement of upper ball bearings 60 above second cavity element 57. The lower 59 and upper cavity niche elements 58 allow free lateral displacement of the freely moveable ball bearings 60.

Figure 1 shows an empty cavity 52 formed for readily accommodating a shaft (not shown) therein for direct or indirect attachment to a suitable displacement element (not shown).

The lower ball bearings 52 are substantially contained and readily rotateable in the first cavity element 51 by first cavity element 51 and shaft (not shown). The upper ball bearings 60 are substantially contained and readily rotateable in the second cavity element 57 by second cavity element 57 and shaft (not shown).

Preferably, first cavity element 51 and second cavity element 57 are coated with a material selected from the group of Teflon, titanium nitride, titanium carbide and graphite.

Preferably, first cavity lower and upper cavity niche elements 55 and 56, and second cavity lower and upper cavity niche elements 59 and 58 respectively are coated with a material selected from the group of Teflon,

titanium nitride, titanium carbide and graphite.

More preferable, first cavity lower and upper cavity niche elements 55 and 56, and second cavity lower and upper cavity niche elements 59 and 58, are all coated with a material selected from the group of Teflon), titanium nitride, titanium carbide and graphite.

Bearings 52 and 60 are substantially spherical in shape and are preferably constructed of a material selected from the group of iron, steel, tungsten carbide, stainless steel, ceramics, fiberglass, nylon, D2, ATS34, AUS6, AUS8 and CPM440V.

Preferably, bearings 52 and 60 are also coated with a friction resistant, "self lubricating"material for reducing friction (pu). More preferably, upper bearings 60 are coated with a material selected from the ( titanium nitride, titanium carbide and graphite, thereby significantly reducing the friction co-efficient (, u).

The ball bearing containment element 50 of the present invention can optionally be used in any suitable device, such as but not limited to an articulated wheel or articulated swivel device.

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the ball bearing containment element mechanism of the present invention including the complete shaft attachment element 80. Preferably, the body of the ball bearing containment element mechanism 70 is constructed from reinforced nylon and having a load bearing capacity of over 100 Kg. More preferably, reinforced nylon body 70 is reinforced with fiberglass and including conductive elements.

Thus, adding conductive elements such as copper wires to body 70 facilitates antistatic and noise reduction capabilities of body 70. Preferably, nylon body 70 is colored according to user and consumer preference. Thus, a plurality of colors can be used due to the nylon construction of body 70.

Preferably, body 70 is constructed from resilient nylon such that nylon body 70 acts as a shock absorber. More preferably, body 70 is designed to support weights of 100-140 Kilograms.

Ball bearing containment element, comprises a first cavity element 51, for containing lower ball bearings (not shown in figure) and a second cavity element 57 for containing upper ball bearings (not shown in figure).

The containment element 80 further includes a cavity 73, which is configured to optionally contain a shaft 76. The cavity is optionally formed by the walls 71 of the body 70 of the invention. The shaft 76 includes a first shaft end 79 and a second shaft end 78. The shaft 76 provides a means for optional attachment of the ball bearing containment element mechanism of the present invention 80 to any displacement element or surface. In a preferred embodiment wherein the ball bearing containment mechanism 80 is employed in a displacement system, the ball bearing containment mechanism 80 as shown in figure 2 is preferably inversely attached.

The margin formed between the upper cavity 74 and the shaft 76 provides a means for attachment to any displacement element, such as, but not limited to a wheel or swivel. The body 70 of the ball bearing containment mechanism 80 is optionally made from a material, which is sufficiently

pliable to enable attachment of. different element structures. In one embodiment attachment may be direct or fluid attachment to the attachment element, such as attachment directly to a wheel (not shown). Alternatively, attachment may be via an additional element such as, but not limited to a spike attached to a wheel (not shown). The physical presence of the shaft 76, provides means for snap attachment in the upper cavity 74.

The margin formed between the lower cavity 72 and the shaft 76 provides a means for optional attachment of the ball bearing and containment element mechanism of the present invention to any suitable surface. Lower cavity 72 is configured to contain attachment points 77. Attachment points 77 are used to attach the ball bearing containment element mechanism of the present invention to any surface. In an alternative embodiment, wherein the ball bearing and containment element mechanism of the present invention is incorporated by another system, such as an articulated system the attachment points are utilized to attach the system to any surface.

Preferably, lower cavity 72 includes an aperture 75 for accommodating any suitable attachment tool. The aperture is of any suitable shape. A multiplicity of aperture 75 designs and shapes are envisaged including but not limited to, any geometric shape and Torx.

The lower ball bearings are substantially contained and readily rotateable in the first cavity element 51 by first cavity element 51, shaft 73 and lower cavity 72. The upper ball bearings 60 are substantially contained and readily rotateable in the second cavity element 57 by second cavity

element 57, shaft 73 and upper cavity 74.

Preferably, shaft 76 is also readily rotateable in the directions shown in Figure 2 and generally designated"D".

Preferably, first cavity element 51 and second cavity element 57 are coated with a material selected from the group of Teflon, titanium nitride, titanium carbide and graphite.

Preferably, shaft 76 is coated with a material selected from the group of Teflon, titanium nitride, titanium carbide and graphite.

Preferably, cavity 73 is coated with a material selected from the group of Teflon g), titanium nitride, titanium carbide and graphite.

More preferable, shaft 76, cavity 73 and upper cavity 74 and lower cavity 72 are all coated with a material selected from the group of TeflonS, titanium nitride, titanium carbide and graphite.

The ball bearing containment element mechanism of the present invention 80 can optionally be used in any suitable device, such as but not limited to an articulated wheel or articulated swivel device.

While the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, it will be appreciated that many variations, modifications and other applications of the invention may be made.