CN109972954B

CN109972954B - Rolling transportation device for supporting sliding plate and wheel bearing member thereof

Info

Publication number: CN109972954B
Application number: CN201910266959.2A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 哈尼·贾比尔; 西蒙·贾比尔; 李伟栋
Original assignee: CiiLock Engineering Pty Ltd
Current assignee: CiiLock Engineering Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2018-04-04
Filing date: 2019-04-03
Publication date: 2022-07-01
Anticipated expiration: 2039-04-03
Also published as: GB2573876A; GB2573876B; CN109972954A; GB201904666D0; AU2019201901A1

Abstract

The invention provides a rolling transportation device for supporting a sliding plate. The rolling transportation device comprises a shell, a first rolling transportation device and a second rolling transportation device, wherein the shell defines an inner space; two or more wheel carrying members; one or more non-wheel bearing members; and a retaining assembly extending outwardly from or at least partially to an interior surface of the housing, the retaining assembly configured to slidably retain each of the one or more non-wheeled load bearing members at least partially within the interior space, wherein the non-wheeled load bearing members are configured to slide along a longitudinal length of the housing.

Description

Rolling transportation device for supporting sliding plate and wheel bearing member thereof

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a rolling transportation device for supporting a rotating panel, such as a sliding window or door; more particularly, the present invention relates to structures that maintain at least a portion of an assembly within, for example, a rolling transportation device. The invention also relates to a structure for cleaning the components of a rolling transportation device and/or the track on which the sliding plate slides.

Background

The sliding doors generally exist comprising a panel of glass surrounded by an extruded frame of aluminum. The lower part of the aluminum extrusion frame is horizontally provided with a rolling transportation device. The rolling transportation means cooperate with the underlying track and load bearing (including the total weight of the panels, such as doors and windows, and the user applied load) to separate the panels from the track.

The conflicting design requirements are for use on the wheels of a rolling transportation device. Smaller wheels may place relatively less demands on the size of the aluminum extrusion frame, which may reduce cost and reduce the visual perception of bulk relative to glass. On the other hand, however, smaller wheels have less load carrying capacity.

In the past, roller conveyors have only been successful in a few applications in which the roller conveyor is linked to a rotatable wheel which is individually fixed relative to the panel. In practice, the panels and the underlying rails do not always fit exactly, meaning that one or a few wheels of each rolling conveyor carry all the load, so that they can fail prematurely. The applicant has previously addressed the problem of providing each rolling conveyance device with independently movable wheel carrying members, as disclosed in international (patent cooperation treaty; PCT) patent application publication No. WO 2015/017878, and shown in figure 1 herein. The entire disclosures of the aforementioned international patent applications are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

In comparison with the foregoing PCT publication, the present invention provides an improved rolling transportation device.

Reference in the specification to any prior art data does not imply that the referenced prior art is known in any jurisdiction or that the prior art is reasonably expected to understand a relevant art and/or an acceptance or suggestion after combination with other prior art.

Disclosure of Invention

An object of the present invention is to provide a rolling transportation device for supporting a sliding plate, the rolling transportation device comprising:

a housing defining a space therein;

two or more wheel carrying members;

one or more non-wheel bearing members; and

a holder assembly extending from the interior surface of the housing or partially inserted into the surface. The retaining assembly is configured to slidably restrain each of the one or more non-wheel bearing members within the interior space, wherein the one or more non-wheel bearing members are configured to slide along a longitudinal direction of the housing.

The one or more non-wheel bearing members may include one or more discrete members; each separating component separates every two wheel bearing components. The one or more non-wheel bearing members may also include one or more end point restraints.

In a preferred embodiment, the retaining element is located within or on the interior longitudinal side wall of the housing. The retaining member may extend partially or completely along the longitudinal length of the housing. The housing is preferably formed by extrusion, and therefore the retaining assembly has the advantage that it can be formed during extrusion so that it is formed integrally with the housing and has a uniform cross-section.

The rolling transporter may include one or more additional maintenance assemblies, which may be similar to or different from the first maintenance assembly. For example, the rolling transporter may include a first holding assembly located within or on a first interior longitudinal side wall of the housing and a second holding assembly located within or on a second interior longitudinal side wall of the housing. The second interior longitudinal sidewall is opposite and parallel to the first interior longitudinal sidewall. Furthermore, the rolling transportation device may comprise one or more further holding elements located above or below the first and/or second holding elements and in or on the respective first and second inner longitudinal side walls of the housing.

In one embodiment, the retaining member is formed as a slot extending partially into the interior longitudinal side wall of the housing and extending substantially completely along the longitudinal length of the housing. In this embodiment, the grooves have a uniform cross section and exhibit a convex shape in cross section at the sides. Further, in this embodiment, each of the one or more separating members includes a projection formed as a rib and complementary to the groove. The rib may be positioned within the groove such that the one or more separating members are retained within the interior space of the housing. The ribs have a uniform cross section, similar to the grooves, and exhibit a concave shape in cross section on the side. The ribs may extend partially or completely along the longitudinal length of the separating member as a whole. In one embodiment, the grooves and the ribs may have a trapezoidal shape in cross section. In another embodiment, the ribs and the grooves may be semi-circular in their cross-section. Still, in another embodiment, the groove and the rib may have a triangular shape in cross section.

In another embodiment, the retaining element is a projection extending outwardly from the interior sidewall of the housing. In this embodiment, the projection has a uniform cross-section, and the cross-section appears to be a concave shape. The projection may be formed as a rib extending substantially entirely along the longitudinal length of the housing. Further, in this embodiment, each of the one or more separating members includes a groove complementary in cross-section to the rib, such that the rib is positionable within the groove, such that the one or more separating members are confined within the interior space defined within the housing. The grooves have a uniform cross section, similar to the ribs, and appear to have a convex shape in cross section. The slot may extend partially or substantially entirely along the longitudinal length of the separating member. In one embodiment, the ribs and the grooves may be generally trapezoidal in cross-section. In another embodiment, the ribs and the grooves may be generally semi-circular in cross-section. In yet another embodiment, the ribs and the grooves may be generally triangular in cross-section. In any of the above embodiments, the projections or slots in the one or more separating members preferably snap into or onto the retaining member.

As described above, the rolling transporter may include one or more additional maintenance elements, which may be similar to or different from a first maintenance element. In a preferred embodiment, a first retaining member in the form of a first channel extends partially into the interior of the housing interior longitudinal side wall. A second retaining member in the form of a second channel extends partially into a second opposing longitudinal sidewall of the housing. Preferably, the first and second slots extend parallel to a longitudinal axis of the housing and optionally extend partially or completely along the entire longitudinal length of the housing. The first slot may be located in a first inside longitudinal sidewall of the housing above the first slot by a first distance, and the second slot may be located in a second inside longitudinal sidewall of the housing above the second slot by a second distance. The first distance may be the same as or different from the second distance. In another embodiment, the first slot is replaced by a first projection and the second slot is replaced by a second projection. In yet another embodiment, the first or second groove is replaced by a corresponding first or second protrusion. The projections may be in the form of ribs.

The one or more separating members separating respective two of the wheel-carrying members are configured to: the relative position of one wheel bearing member with respect to the other wheel bearing member can be adjusted. For example, if a first wheel carrying member encounters a protrusion in the track, it moves in a first direction towards the slidable plate in a manner to be described below, and causes at least a second wheel carrying member to move in a second direction towards the track. The self-balance of the rolling transporter ensures that all wheel carrying members contact the track at any one time, and therefore can share the weight of the skid plate. In this regard, each of the two or more wheel bearing members is at least partially disposed within the housing for sliding movement along at least one track. The slides and the one or more separating members are arranged such that relative movement of the one or more separating members towards one of the panel and the track moves at least one of the other wheel carrying members in an opposite direction relative to the one of the panel and the track. The wheel-carrying member of at least one of the other wheel-carrying members is moved in opposite directions relative to the plate and the track by one or more separate members, each of which is constrained or guided to move substantially transverse to the direction of movement of the wheel-carrying member; for example, generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing. The one or more disengagement members are preferably constrained by the retaining assembly to move along a longitudinal axis of the housing, which is transverse to the direction of movement of the wheel carrying member. In particular, the one or more separating members are guided in a sliding manner in or on the retaining assembly. Accordingly, the retaining assembly is preferably configured to partially constrain the one or more decoupling members within the housing and is configured to slidably guide movement thereof within the housing.

The rolling transportation device also preferably includes two end restraints disposed at least partially within the housing and configured to receive the two or more wheel-bearing members and the one or more separator members therebetween. Preferably, at least one of the two end point restraints is movable to adjust the separation between the slide plate and the rail. Preferably, at least one of the two end stops is movable, and also includes a protrusion or a groove in cross-section complementary to the respective retaining element. Similar to the one or more discrete members, the protrusion or slot of the end stop preferably snaps onto or into the retaining element to retain the end stop at least partially within the interior space. The retaining member is also configured to slidably limit or guide the end point restraint to move in a direction generally transverse to the direction of movement of the wheel carrying member; for example, generally parallel longitudinal axes of the housing. Similar to the one or more separating members, the end point restraint is slidably guided within or on the retaining element. In fact, at least one of the two movable end point restraints is adjustable in height of the housing relative to the rail.

As used herein, the "direction of movement of the wheel carrying member" refers to the primary vertical movement of the wheel carrying member relative to the housing when encountering a protrusion or depression in the track. This direction is generally transverse or perpendicular to the direction of movement of the one or more separating members and any movable end stop within the housing.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the rolling transportation unit comprises five wheel carrying members and four separating members therebetween, a fixed end restriction and a further movable end restriction configured to adjust the separation between the track and the panel.

As noted above, the housing is preferably formed by extrusion and may comprise aluminum or plastic. Preferably, with the above-mentioned retaining assembly, no notch is required to be formed on the housing to fix the one or more separating members and the two end point restricting pieces therein. This provides for a quick assembly of the rolling transportation device as the separating member and the end point restraint (including the wheel carrying members therebetween) need only snap into the interior space of the housing.

Preferably, the two or more wheel-carrying members each carry one or more wheels for rolling along the track.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a wheel bearing unit for use in constructing a rolling transportation device for supporting a sliding plate, said wheel bearing unit comprising:

a housing defining an interior space for receiving one or more wheels, wherein the housing is constructed with a separate chamber sized to receive and position a cleaning assembly to clean the one or more wheels and/or a track relative to which a sliding plate can slide.

In one embodiment, the housing includes at least two chambers that respectively receive and position at least two cleaning assemblies. The cleaning elements may extend at least partially into the interior space from their respective chambers to clean one or more wheels and/or rails.

Preferably, the housing comprises an upper wall, two side walls extending downwardly from the upper wall, and two end walls; each end wall extends downwardly from the upper wall and closes both side walls at opposite longitudinal ends of the housing. The upper wall may be partially closed. The upper wall, the two side walls, and the two end walls collectively define the interior space to accommodate the one or more wheels. In an embodiment, the two side walls may be separated from each other in a direction from the upper wall to the rail. In another embodiment, the two side walls may be extended and combined with each other in a direction from the upper wall to the rail.

In one embodiment, the housing is generally trapezoidal in shape when viewed from the side. In this embodiment, a first cleaning element is preferably located or located proximate a first longitudinal end of the housing and at least partially within a first chamber; a second cleaning element is preferably located or located proximate a second opposite longitudinal end of the housing and is at least partially within a second chamber. The first and second cleaning assemblies may extend from their respective chambers, respectively, and are configured to clean only the track. Alternatively, the first and second cleaning elements may extend from their respective chambers and at least partially into the interior space to clean one or more wheels and/or rails. In this embodiment, an end point of the first and/or second cleaning elements may extend at least into the interior space to clean the one or more wheels; while the other opposite end point of the first and/or second cleaning member may extend at least to an outer space relative to the outside of the inner space for cleaning the track.

The cleaning assembly is preferably located in the same housing that houses the one or more wheels, thus eliminating the need for an additional rolling transporter adjacent the wheel carrying members for supporting the cleaning assembly.

In one embodiment, the two side walls and/or the two end walls of the housing may extend from the upper wall and terminate at or near an outermost edge of the one or more wheels. This arrangement preferably provides additional protection to the cleaning assembly and also protects the outermost edges of the wheel or wheels when the rolling transportation unit is located on a flat floor rather than on a track.

In addition to cleaning the one or more wheels and/or tracks, the cleaning assembly is preferably configured to impede or restrict the entry of particles, such as sand and soil, into the interior space. In this way, the cleaning assembly can provide a contamination-proof function.

The cleaning member is preferably a brush. The brushes can be fixed in the corresponding cavities by gluing or pressing.

The wheel-carrying member of the present invention may carry one or more wheels and may be used in a rolling transportation device according to the first or further aspect of the present invention. Since the rolling transporter described herein can be "self-leveling," the cleaning assembly can be in contact with the track at any time.

Disclosed herein, but not claimed, is a rolling transportation apparatus for supporting a sliding plate, the rolling transportation apparatus comprising:

a housing defining an interior space;

two or more wheel carrying members;

one or more separator members, each separator member separating each two wheel-carrying members; and

a holding member extending outwardly from or partially to an interior surface of the housing; the maintaining assembly is configured to confine the one or more separating members within the interior space.

Also disclosed, but not claimed, is an input carrier member for a rolling transportation device, which is constructed to support a sliding plate; the wheel bearing member includes:

a housing defining an interior space for receiving one or more wheels; wherein the housing includes a cleaning assembly positioned to clean the one or more wheels and/or a track slidable relative to the slide plate.

As used herein, the terms "comprises," "comprising," and variations thereof, such as "comprises," "comprising," and "comprising," are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps, unless the specification otherwise requires.

Other aspects of the invention and embodiments described in the preceding paragraphs will become apparent from the following description, by way of example, and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Drawings

Fig. 1a is an exploded view of a prior art roll-off delivery device.

Fig. 1b is a top view of the roll conveyor shown in fig. 1 a.

FIG. 1c is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 1 b.

Fig. 1d is a perspective view of the roll conveyor shown in fig. 1 a.

Fig. 1e is an enlarged view of one end of the roll conveyor shown in fig. 1 c.

Fig. 2a is an exploded view of a roll transportation device according to an embodiment of an aspect of the present invention.

Fig. 2b is a different view of a housing for the roller transportation device shown in fig. 2 a.

Fig. 2c is a different view of a separating member for the rolling transportation device shown in fig. 2 a.

Fig. 2d is an end sectional view of the roll conveyor shown in fig. 2 a.

Figure 2e is a different view of the end point restraint for the roll conveyor shown in figure 2 a.

Fig. 3 is an end sectional view of a rolling transportation apparatus according to an embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is an end sectional view of another embodiment of a rolling transportation device according to the first aspect of the present invention.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a wheel carrying member in accordance with a second aspect of the present invention.

Figure 6 is a side cross-sectional view of a wheel carrying member in yet another embodiment, according to the second aspect of the present invention.

Figure 7 is a side cross-sectional view of a wheel carrying member in yet another embodiment, according to the second aspect of the present invention. And

figure 8 is a side sectional view of a wheel carrying member in yet another embodiment, according to the second aspect of the present invention.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1a shows a known rolling transportation device 100 for separating panels of a sliding door slidable along a track from the track. The rolling transporter 100 is intended to be positioned below the panel to separate the panel from the track below it, although the rolling transporter 100 may be positioned on the side of a vertical sliding door or window.

The rolling transportation device 100 includes a housing 110,

end point limiters

111, 112, separating

members

113, 114, adjusting screws 115, and

wheel carrying members

120, 121, 122.

The housing 110 is a long housing opened downward, and is mainly composed of an integrally formed module. The module defines an end constraint 111 having a slideway 111a (fig. 1c) and a

space carrying components

112, 113, 114, 120, 121 and 122. The module may be formed of aluminum or plastic.

The end point restraint 112 is also formed primarily from a single, unitary module. The shape of the mole set presents an inclined track 112d along which the wheel carrying member 112 can slide. A corresponding side piece 112c projects from each side of the module to engage the guide track 110c of the module 110. In this example, each track 110c is a horizontal recess present on a corresponding vertical side wall of the housing 110. Each side piece 112c moves along its track 110c such that the end point restraint 112 itself is constrained to slide horizontally.

The outermost ends of the end restraint 112 modules define a pair of

openings

112e, 112 f. The opening 112e has a rectangular cross section and extends from one side of the module to the other to prevent the nut 112b having a square outer shape from rotating. The opening 112f is a blind hole and intersects with the opening 112e to accommodate the adjusting screw 115; or rather its threaded portion 115a, it can be screwed on and, if necessary, passed through the nut 112 b. The adjustment screw 115 may thus be threadably engaged with the end point restraint 112.

The adjustment screw 115 is constrained in both axial directions relative to the housing by a blocking structure, in the form of a pin 110a, and an additional bracing structure 110d (fig. 1 e). The pin is received in a complementary bore 110b formed in the housing 110 and extends horizontally across the housing 110 above and below the threaded portion 115a, respectively, so that the threaded portion is spanned by the pin 110 a. The pin 110a is spaced from a mandrel 115d that extends over a portion of the surface 115e of the threaded portion 115 a. The pin 110a cooperates with a stop presented by a screw head to axially restrain the adjustment screw 115.

The other stop structure 110d is presented by an open outer surface sized to axially restrain the set screw 115 while allowing access to the tool contact portion of the set screw, which is presented by the slot 115 c. In this embodiment, the screw head 115b has an annular surface extending axially away from the threaded portion for abutting and complementing the other structure 110 c.

The

stop structures

110a, 110d cooperate to limit the adjustment screw 115 in both axial directions relative to the housing 110 without requiring a non-threaded region. This avoids the cost of manufacturing a non-threaded region and the structural weakening due to the manufacturing process.

The separating

members

113, 114 are substantially identical to each other. Each of which is approximately trapezoidal in side view and includes a horizontal top surface and a pair of symmetrical downwardly extending sidewalls. The side walls define

guide tracks

113a, 113 b. Each of the separating

members

113, 114 cooperates with a side piece similar to the side piece 112c and with a track similar to the side rail 110c, so that the separating

members

113, 114 are constrained to slide only horizontally along the housing 110.

The wheel carrying member 120 is similar to a trapezoid in side view and includes a horizontal bottom, a horizontal top, and a pair of symmetrical, upwardly extending sidewalls 120c, 120 d.

The side walls 113a of the decoupling member 113 define a slide along which the wheel-carrying member 120 is slidable relative to the decoupling member 113. In this embodiment, the edge 120d also defines a slide along which the decoupling member 113 slides relative to the wheel-carrying member 120. The

side walls

113a, 120d are configured to restrain the wheel carrying member 120 so that it cannot move away from the separating member 113 in a direction transverse to the track. For this purpose, the cross-section of the track 113a transverse to its length comprises an elongated neck and carries a rounded end; the side wall 120d, likewise in cross-section transverse to its length, has a complementary shape and includes a bulbous shape, with the groove opening outwardly through an elongated throat. The groove accommodates the end portion. The sliding interaction between the wheel carrying members 120,121, 122 and the end stops 111,112 and the separating members 113,114 is relatively similar with respect thereto.

The wheel carrying member 120 is a hollow structure opened downward and has a wheel 120a inside. An axle 120b is provided through the side wall of the wheel bearing member 120 to bear the wheel 120 a. In this embodiment, the wheel 120a engages a bearing.

The

wheel carrying members

120, 121 and 122 are, in this embodiment, substantially identical and carry identical wheels.

Figure 1c shows the rolling transportation unit 100 when the slabs are separated from the track. When the slabs are in the loading phase by the rolling transporter 100 (meaning the slabs are opened and/or closed singularly; and the structure settles after a period of time), the

members

113, 114, 120, 121, 122 move towards each other and towards the end limits 111, 112 for adjusting the misalignments existing between the slabs and the rails and for sharing the weight load between the wheels.

By way of example, if the wheels of the wheel bearing member 120 encounter a rail protrusion or deformation, the wheel bearing member 120 moves upward (toward the slab) relative to the housing 110 and slides along the slide defined at the end point limiter 111 and the slide defined at the side wall 113 a.

As the wheel carrying member 120 moves upwards and moves to the right (as seen in the direction of fig. 1c) along the end point restraint 111, it drives the wedge-shaped disengagement member 113 horizontally towards the right. The disengaging member 113 then acts on the wheel carrying member 121 in an attempt to move it downward and to the right, which affects the wheel carrying member 122 through the disengaging member 114. Thus, even if there are any irregularities in the track, the load is distributed substantially evenly between the wheel-carrying

members

120, 121, 122 (and between the wheels carried by these members).

The height of the rolling transportation device 100 is adjustable. The rotation adjusting screw 115 may then drive the end point limitation 112 horizontally. Fig. 1c shows the state in which the rolling transportation device is completely raised. From this position, rotating the adjustment screw 115 counterclockwise with the Phillips screwdriver will cause the end point restraint 112 to move to the right, thus allowing the

members

113, 114, 120, 121, 122 to move different distances to the right and spread apart. By doing so, the

wheel carrying members

120, 121, 122 (and the wheels carried sideways) move upwards relative to the housing 110 when the

members

113, 114 are restrained in their vertical position relative to the housing 110. It is noted that in this movement the wheels are in fact maintained in contact with the rail, instead the shell 110 and the board carried thereby move downwards.

The end point restraint 111 and the members 113,120 are commonly configured so that when the wheel carrying member 120 is in its lowermost position, movement of the disengagement member 113 will be in abutting contact with the end point restraint 111. Also, in this position, the wheel carrying member 120 maintains contact with the end point restraint 111 and the disengagement member 113. Therefore, the wheel carrying member 120 cannot fall out of the housing 110. The other set of

wheel carrying members

121, 122 is also similarly limited with respect to

members

113, 114 and 114, 112a, respectively.

The improvements provided by the present application to the rolling transporter 100 will be described below.

Referring to fig. 2a, there is shown an exploded view of a new and improved rolling transportation device 200 incorporating a first modification. The rolling transporter 200 is similar in many respects to the rolling transporter shown in fig. 1, and includes a housing 210, wheel-bearing members 220 and non-wheel-bearing members in the form of decoupling members 213, a fixed end-point restraint 211, and an adjustable end-point restraint 212. Hereinafter, only the improvements provided by the present application will be described.

Referring to fig. 2b, the rolling transportation device 200 includes a housing 210, and the housing 210 defines an inner space configured to at least partially accommodate various components of the rolling transportation device; these parts include the decoupling member 213, the wheel carrying member 220 and the end point restraints 211, 212. The housing is preferably an extruded shape. According to a first aspect of the present invention, the housing 210 includes a retaining member that extends outwardly from or partially into an interior surface of the housing. The maintenance assembly is configured to: at least one of the one or more separating members is at least partially maintained within the interior space and is used in place of a guide track/groove or indentation 110c in the housing 110 of the rolling transportation device 100 shown in fig. 1. The housing 210 is preferably extruded, for example of aluminum or plastic, and the retaining assembly can be relatively simply formed integrally with the housing and can be less expensive than the roll conveyor 100 which requires individually milled guide tracks/grooves or indentations 110c in the housing side walls.

As shown in fig. 2b, the housing 210 includes a first retaining member in the form of a first generally trapezoidal recess 230 having a uniform cross-section and extending partially into a longitudinal first interior sidewall 234 of the housing 210; and a second retaining member in the form of a generally trapezoidal second recess 232 having a uniform cross-section and extending partially into an opposite longitudinal second interior sidewall 236 of the housing 210. The first and second longitudinal side walls 234,236 extend downwardly from a top wall 238 and together define the interior space of the housing 210. The first and

second grooves

230, 232 extend along the entire longitudinal length of the housing and horizontally face a longitudinal axis of the housing. The first and

second grooves

230, 232 are located equidistant from the top wall of the housing 210 and are located in corresponding inner side walls 234,236, respectively.

Referring now to fig. 2c, a separating member 213 is shown. The separating member 213 includes first and second projecting, generally

trapezoidal ribs

240, 242, respectively, each projecting outwardly from a corresponding inner longitudinal side wall of the separating member 213, and each having a cross-section complementary to the corresponding first and second

trapezoidal grooves

230, 232. The

ribs

240, 242 extend completely along the longitudinal length of the separating member 213. As shown in fig. 2d, the

ribs

240, 242 are located in their

respective grooves

230, 232, such that the separating member 213 is maintained in the interior space of the housing 210. The

ribs

240, 242 preferably snap-fit into the

corresponding grooves

230, 232, thereby providing a relatively simple combination of the different parts of the roller transportation device.

Similar to the separating

members

113, 114 of the known rolling transportation device 100, the separating member 213 (fig. 2a) is configured for adjusting the relative position of one wheel carrying member with respect to any other wheel carrying member. The manner of adjustment is the same as in the known rolling transportation device 100, and for the sake of brevity, the description is not repeated here. However, the retaining assembly of the new rolling transportation device 200 is additionally configured to restrain or guide the separating member from moving in a direction generally transverse to the direction of movement of the wheel carrying member, e.g., generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing. This is accomplished by one or more separate members slidably guided within the housing in or on the retaining element.

Referring to fig. 2e, the new adjustable end point restraint 212 of the rolling transportation device is shown, which is adjustably movable in a vertical direction transverse to the movement of the wheel carrying members to adjust the spacing between the board and the track, i.e. in other words the height of the housing relative to the track. As mentioned above, this is done in the same manner as in the known rolling transporter 100 and is not repeated here. The end stop 212 includes a pair of projections in the form of generally trapezoidal ribs 212c that are complementary in cross-section to the first and

second grooves

230, 232 and extend partially along the longitudinal length of the end stop 212.

Referring to fig. 3, another embodiment of the rolling transporter 200 is shown. In this embodiment, a rolling transportation device 300 includes a housing 310 with additional retaining elements similar to the

grooves

230, 232 of the rolling transportation device 300. In this embodiment, the rolling transporter 300 includes a first pair of

recesses

330a, 330b having a uniform and generally semi-circular cross-section that extend partially into the first interior longitudinal sidewall 334 of the housing 300; and a second pair of

grooves

332a, 332b of uniform, generally semi-circular cross-section extending partially into an opposing second inner longitudinal sidewall 336 of the housing 300. The first and second

longitudinal side walls

334, 336 extend downwardly from a top wall 338 and collectively define the interior space of the housing 310. The first and second pairs of

semi-circular grooves

330a, 330b, 332a, 332b extend along the entire longitudinal length of the housing 310 and horizontally toward a longitudinal axis of the housing. The

grooves

330a, 332a are located in respective inner side walls at a first distance from the top wall of the housing, and the

grooves

330b, 332b are located in respective side walls at a second distance from the top wall of the housing. The second distance is greater than the first distance.

In this embodiment, a separating member 313 includes first and second pairs of projections in the form of generally semicircular ribs 340a, 340b, 342a, 342b, each projecting outwardly from a respective inner side wall of the separating member 313 and each complementary in cross section to a respective first and second pair of

grooves

330a, 330b, 332a, 332 b. The ribs 340a, 340b, 342a, 342b snap into the

respective grooves

330a, 330b, 332a, 332b, such that the separating member 313 is maintained within the interior space of the housing 310 and is limited to movement only in a direction transverse to the direction of movement of the wheel carrying member, i.e. parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing 310. Although not shown, in this embodiment, the rolling transportation device 300 may also include a fixed end point limiting member similar to the end point limiting member 211 and an adjustable end point limiting member similar to the end point limiting member 212. The fixed end point restraints and adjustable end point restraints in this embodiment may also include protrusions having a uniform cross-section and similar to the first and second pairs of ribs 340, 342. The projections of the first and second pairs preferably have cross-sections complementary to the first and second recesses 330, 332 so as to be received therein.

Referring to fig. 4, another embodiment of the rolling transporter 200 is shown. In this embodiment, a rolling transportation device 400 includes a housing 410 having a first retaining member in the form of a first protrusion having a generally semi-circular uniform cross-section and first ribs 430 extending outwardly from a first interior longitudinal side wall 434 of the housing 410, and a second retaining member in the form of a similar second protrusion having a generally semi-circular uniform cross-section and second ribs 432 extending outwardly from an opposing second interior longitudinal side wall 436 of the housing 410. The first and second ribs extend from their respective interior sidewalls so as to penetrate the interior space defined by the

sidewalls

434, 436 and the top wall 438. Similar to the rolling

transportation devices

200, 300, the first and

second ribs

430, 432 extend along a longitudinal length of the housing 410, are oriented parallel to a longitudinal axis of the housing, and are located within corresponding interior sidewalls at the same distance from the top wall of the housing 410.

In this embodiment, a separating member 413 includes first and second grooves having generally uniform semi-circular cross-sections, each extending partially into a corresponding interior sidewall of the separating member 413, and each having complementary cross-sections for corresponding first and

second ribs

430, 432. The

ribs

440, 442 snap into the

corresponding grooves

430, 432 so that the separating member 413 is maintained within the interior space of the housing 410 and is constrained to slide only generally transverse to the direction of movement of the wheel carrying member. Although not shown, in this embodiment, the rolling transportation device 400 may also include a fixed end point limiter similar to the end point limiter 211 and an adjustable end point limiter similar to the end point limiter 212. The fixed end point restraint and adjustable end point restraint in this embodiment may also include first and second grooves that are of uniform cross-section similar to

grooves

440, 442. The first and second grooves preferably have cross-sections complementary to the first and

second protrusions

430, 432 so as to be slidably received therein.

Referring to figures 5 to 8 of the drawings, there is shown an embodiment of the new wheel carrying structure incorporating the second improvement of the invention. The new wheel bearing member may be used in the known rolling transportation device 100 or the new

rolling transportation device

200, 300, 400.

Referring to fig. 5, there is shown a perspective side view of a wheel-carrying member 500 of a rolling transportation device configured for carrying a slidable panel. The wheel carrying member 500 includes a generally trapezoidal housing 510 having a partially enclosed top wall 512, two opposing parallel longitudinal side walls 514 extending downwardly from the top wall 512, and two end walls 516, each extending downwardly from the top wall 512 and closing the side walls 514 at opposite longitudinal ends of the housing 510. The top wall 512, the two side walls 514 and the two end walls 516 collectively define an interior space 520 for receiving a wheel that is rotatable about an axis 532. According to another aspect of the invention, the housing 510 is configured to provide a separate chamber sized to receive and provide a cleaning assembly to clean the wheels and/or the track on which the skid plate slides.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 5, a first cleaning element in the form of a brush 540 is located at the left longitudinal end of the housing and is adjacent the end wall 516. The brush 540 is received and disposed in a chamber 544 located within the housing 510 and extends from the chamber 544 in a vertically downward direction, i.e., generally perpendicular to the top wall 512, into an exterior space located outside the interior space 520. The brush 540 is configured to clean the track. In addition to cleaning the track, the brush 540 may block or restrict the entry of, for example, dust and dirt into the interior space 520 due to its orientation.

Figures 6 to 8 show another embodiment of the wheel carrying member 500, in particular, in relation to another arrangement of the cleaning assembly 540.

Referring to fig. 6, a side cross-sectional view of a wheel carrying member 600 is shown. The wheel carrier 600 is structurally identical to the wheel carrier 500 shown in fig. 5, but includes a first cleaning assembly in the form of a first brush 640 adjacent the left longitudinal end of the housing 610 and abutting the end wall 616; and a second cleaning element in the form of a second brush 642, adjacent the right longitudinal end of the housing 610 and abutting the opposite end wall 616. The first and

second brushes

640, 642 extend at least partially into the interior space 620. In the configuration, the first and

second brushes

640, 642 are preferably configured to clean the wheel 630 and underlying track.

Referring to fig. 7, a side cross-sectional view of another wheel carrying member 700 is shown. The input carrier member 700 is similar to the

wheel carrier members

500, 600, but includes a first cleaning assembly in the form of a first brush 740 proximate the left longitudinal end of the housing 710 and abutting the end wall 716; and a second cleaning assembly in the form of a second brush 742 proximate the right longitudinal end of the housing 710 and abutting the opposite end wall 716. The first and

second brushes

740, 742 are disposed and respectively oriented horizontally and extend (generally parallel to the top wall 712) at the

interior chambers

744, 746 of the end wall 716. The

brushes

744, 746 extend at least partially into the interior space 720. In this arrangement, the

brushes

740, 742 are configured to clean only the wheel 730.

Referring to fig. 8, a side cross-sectional view of another wheel carrying member 800 is shown. The input carrier member 800 is structurally completely similar to the

wheel carrier members

500, 600, 700 but includes a first cleaning assembly in the form of a first brush 840, adjacent the left longitudinal end of the housing 810 and abutting the end wall 816; and a second cleaning assembly in the form of a second brush 842, adjacent the right longitudinal end of the housing 810 and abutting the opposite end wall 816. The first and

second brushes

840, 842 are disposed within and extend from respective diagonally oriented

interior cavities

844, 846 disposed in the end walls such that at a first upper end the

brushes

840, 842 extend at least partially into the interior space 820 to clean the wheel 830 and at a second opposite end the

brushes

840, 842 extend at least partially into an exterior space external to the interior space 820 to clean the track.

As can be seen in particular in fig. 5, the two end walls 516 and at least the outermost part of the two side walls 514 extend from the top wall 512 of the housing and terminate at or near the outermost edge of the wheel 530. This arrangement preferably provides added protection to the cleaning assembly and protects the outermost edges of the wheels when the rolling transportation unit is located on a surface other than a track.

In light of the foregoing, the present disclosure provides a new rolling transportation device that is simpler in overall design and more easily assembled with the conventional rolling transportation device shown in fig. 1. Further, it is disclosed to provide a new wheel carrying member which incorporates a cleaning and/or anti-fouling function for any of the rolling transportation devices disclosed herein. Since the rolling transporter described herein is a "self-balancing," the cleaning assembly preferably contacts the track from time to time.

It is understood that the inventive content disclosed and defined in the specification extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the different features mentioned or evident from the specification or drawings. These various combinations may form various angled embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A rolling transportation device for supporting a sliding plate, comprising:

a housing defining an interior space;

two or more wheel carrying members;

one or more non-wheel bearing members; and

a retaining assembly extending from or partially from an interior surface of the housing to extend substantially entirely along the longitudinal length of the housing, the retaining assembly configured to slidably retain each of the one or more non-wheel carrying members at least partially within the interior space, wherein the one or more non-wheel carrying members are configured to slide along a longitudinal length of the housing.

2. The rolling transportation apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the retaining member is located in or on an interior longitudinal sidewall of the housing.

3. The rolling transportation apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein: the retaining element is in the form of a groove and extends partially into an interior longitudinal sidewall of the housing.

4. The rolling transportation apparatus of claim 3, wherein: each of the one or more non-wheel bearing members includes a projection having a cross-section complementary to the recess such that the projection is configured to fit within the recess such that the one or more non-wheel bearing members are maintained within the interior space.

5. The rolling transportation apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein: the retaining member is in the form of a projection extending outwardly from an inner longitudinal side wall of the housing.

6. The rolling transportation apparatus of claim 5, wherein: each of the one or more non-wheel bearing members includes a recess having a cross-section complementary to the projection such that the projection is configured to fit within the recess such that the one or more non-wheel bearing members are maintained within the interior space.

7. The rolling transportation device of claim 1, wherein: the maintaining assembly is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the housing.

8. The rolling transportation apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the maintenance assembly is at least a first maintenance assembly located in or on a first interior longitudinal side wall of the housing, and the roll conveyor further includes at least a second maintenance assembly located in or on a second interior longitudinal side wall of the housing, the second interior longitudinal side wall being opposite and parallel to the first interior longitudinal side wall.

9. The rolling transportation apparatus of claim 8, wherein: the at least one first maintenance assembly includes two maintenance assemblies and the at least one second maintenance assembly includes two maintenance assemblies.

10. The rolling transportation apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the housing includes an extruded retaining member such that the retaining member is integrally formed with the housing.

11. The rolling transportation apparatus of claim 1, wherein: each of the one or more non-wheel carrying members is separate from each of the corresponding two or more wheel carrying members.

12. The rolling transportation device of claim 11, wherein: two or more wheeled load bearing members are at least partially disposed within the housing to slide along a track, wherein the track and the one or more non-wheeled load bearing members are configured to: when one of the wheel bearing members moves relatively towards one of the plates and one of the tracks, the other wheel bearing member can be driven to move in the opposite direction relative to one of the plates and one of the tracks.

13. The rolling transportation apparatus of claim 12, wherein: at least one other of said wheel carrying members is movable in opposite directions relative to one of said panels and said track by said one of said non-wheel carrying members, each constrained by said retaining assembly to move only in a direction transverse to the direction of movement of said wheel carrying member, said retaining assembly extending substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of said housing.

14. The rolling transportation apparatus of claim 1, wherein: also included are two end restraints at least partially disposed within the housing and configured to receive the two or more wheel bearing members and the one or more non-wheel bearing members therebetween.

15. The rolling transportation apparatus of claim 14, when dependent on claim 12 or claim 13, further comprising: at least one of the end stops is movable for adjusting the distance between the plate and the track.

16. The rolling transportation apparatus of claim 15, wherein: at least one of the movable end restraints includes a recess or a projection that is complementary in cross-section to the retention element such that at least one of the end restraints is at least partially retained within the housing by the retention element.

17. A wheel bearing member for a rolling transportation device for supporting a sliding panel as claimed in claim 1, wherein: the wheel bearing member includes:

a housing defining an interior space for the wheels, wherein the housing is configured to provide a separate chamber sized to receive and position a cleaning assembly so as to clean one or more wheels and/or a track on which the skid plate slides.

18. The wheel bearing member as defined in claim 17, wherein: the cleaning assembly extends from the chamber at least partially into the interior space to clean the one or more wheels and/or the track.

19. The wheel bearing member as defined in claim 17 or 18, wherein: the housing includes at least two chambers configured to receive and house respective cleaning elements.

20. The wheel carrier of claim 19, wherein: at least one of the at least two chambers includes a cleaning assembly.

21. The wheel bearing member as defined in claim 17, wherein: the housing includes a top wall, two side walls extending downwardly from the top wall, and two end walls each extending downwardly from the top wall and closing the two side walls at opposite longitudinal ends of the housing, and wherein the top wall, the side walls, and the two end walls collectively define the interior space.

22. The wheel bearing member as defined in claim 19, wherein: a first cleaning element is located at or near a first longitudinal end of the housing and at least partially within a first chamber of the at least two chambers, and a second cleaning element is located at or near a second, opposite longitudinal end of the housing and at least partially within a second chamber of the at least two chambers.

23. The wheel bearing member as defined in claim 22, wherein: the first and second cleaning assemblies extend from the first and second chambers, respectively, in a manner and location such that they are configured to only clean the track.

24. The wheel bearing member as defined in claim 22, wherein: the first and second cleaning assemblies extend from the first and second chambers, respectively, in a manner and location such that they are configured to only clean the one or more wheels.

25. The wheel carrier of claim 22, wherein: one end of the first and/or second cleaning elements extends at least partially into the interior space to clean the one or more wheels, and an opposite end of the first and/or second cleaning elements extends at least partially into an exterior space relative to the exterior space to clean the road.

26. The wheel bearing member as defined in claim 21, wherein: the side walls and/or end walls extend from the top wall such that they are configured to terminate at or near the outermost edge of the one or more wheels.

27. The wheel carrier of claim 17, wherein: the cleaning assembly is additionally configured to block or limit the entry of particles into the interior space.

28. The wheel bearing member as defined in claim 17, wherein: the cleaning assembly includes a brush.

29. The wheel bearing member as defined in claim 17, wherein: also comprises at least one wheel.

30. The rolling transportation apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the two or more wheel carrying units comprising a wheel carrying unit according to any one of claims 17 to 29.