GB2459132A

GB2459132A - Sliding support assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2459132A
Application number: GB0806633A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Andrew Neil Craddock
Original assignee: Accuride International Ltd
Current assignee: Accuride International Ltd
Priority date: 2008-04-11
Filing date: 2008-04-11
Publication date: 2009-10-14
Anticipated expiration: 2028-04-11
Also published as: GB2459132B; GB0806633D0

Abstract

A sliding support assembly comprises first and second elongate outer members 12, 14 connected together such that they define an elongate channel 18 between them. An elongate inner member 16 is positioned between the first and second outer members and is slidable along a path in the elongate channel. First and second friction reducing members 20, 22 are positioned between the inner member and the first and second outer members respectively. The inner and outer members may be curved such that the inner member is slidable along a curved path. The first outer member, inner member and second outer member may have V-shaped, W-shaped and M-shaped cross-sections respectively, to provide tracks in which the friction reducing members are positioned. The friction reducing members may comprise balls, rollers or polyurethane members. The elongate members may be formed from sheet material. The support assembly may form an arc of a circle, or may be circular. The support assembly may support a vehicle seat. Also disclosed is a method of constructing such a sliding support assembly.

Description

A SLIDING SUPPORT ASSEMBLY

The invention relates to sliding support assemblies and particularly sliding support assemblies which allow for a sliding movement along a curved path.

It is known to provide curved sliding support assemblies for use with, for example, vehicle seats. Such curved sliding support assemblies have two (or more) elongate members, typically of channel cross-section, which slide one within the other, one of the members being secured to the vehicle seat and the other to the vehicle in which the seat is mounted. Sliding engagement between the members may be provided by balls retained between the two elongate members.

US 4,842,232 discloses a curved sliding support assembly for a vehicle seat having inner and outer channel cross-section members which slide one within the other. Balls are provided between the flanges of the inner and outer members to reduce the friction between the inner and outer members.

FR 2 692 851 discloses a curved sliding support assembly for a child's seat having inner and outer channel cross-section members which slide one within the other. Runners formed from a synthetic material are provided between the flanges of the inner and outer members to reduce the friction between the inner and outer members.

US 4,479,626 discloses a curved sliding support assembly for a vehicle seat which has inner and outer channel cross-section members which slide one within the other.

US 2,937,839 discloses a curved telescoping slide assembly comprising a stationary channel-section track and one or more movable channel-section tracks which are telescopically fitted into the stationary track. Tn order to reduce friction, a set of ball or roller bearings is provided between the flanges of the tracks.

In practice, manufacture of the known curved sliding support assemblies is very difficult.

In particular, it is very difficult to accurately press-form a curved channel-section. In addition, it is very difficult to accurately and efficiently fit the components of the slide assembly together in an industrial manufacturing environment.

Consequently, there is a need in the art for a sliding support assembly which allows for slidable movement along a curved path and which can be manufactured easily and accurately on an industrial scale.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a sliding support assembly comprising: a first elongate outer member; a second elongate outer member and connected to the first outer member along a first side thereof such that the first and second outer members define an elongate channel therebetween; a first elongate inner member and positioned between the first and second outer members, wherein the first inner member is slidable along a path in the elongate channel; first friction reducing means positioned between the first inner member and the first outer member; and second friction reducing means positioned between the first inner member and the second outer member.

In a preferred embodiment, the first elongate outer member is curved along its length, the second elongate outer member is curved along its length, the elongate channel is curved along its length, and the first elongate inner member is curved along its length so that the first inner member is slidable along a curved path in the elongate channel.

By forming the sliding support assembly from three elongate members rather than two channel shaped members as in the prior art, manufacture of the sliding support assembly is made significantly easier. In particular, the design allows for a significantly easier and quicker method of construction. Although the present invention was made whilst considering the problems of designing curved sliding support assemblies, the advantages of the present invention are also seen in straight sliding support assemblies.

A second aspect of the present invention provides a method of constructing a sliding support assembly comprising: providing a first elongate outer member; placing first friction reducing means on a first surface of the first elongate outer member; providing a first elongate inner member, and placing a first surface of the first inner member on top of the first friction reducing means; placing second friction reducing means on a second surface of the first inner member; providing a second elongate outer member, and placing a first surface of the second outer member on top of the second friction reducing means; and connecting the first surface of the first outer member to the first surface of the second outer member such that the first inner member and the first and second friction reducing means are positioned within a channel defined by the first and second outer members.

Preferably, the first elongate outer member is curved along its length, the second elongate outer member is curved along its length, the elongate channel is curved along its length, and the first elongate inner member is curved along its length so that the first inner member is slidable along a curved path in the elongate channel.

Preferably, the part of the first outer member which forms the channel may have a V-shaped cross-sectional profile which defines a first half of a first track in which the first friction reducing means are positioned.

The part of the first inner member which is positioned within the channel may have a W-shaped cross-sectional profile, the lower surface of which defines a second half of the first track in which the first friction reducing means are positioned, and the upper surface of which defines a first half of a pair of second tracks in which the second friction reducing means are positioned. The part of the second outer member which forms the channel may have an M-shaped cross-sectional profile which defines a second half of the pair of second tracks in which the second friction reducing means are positioned.

The friction reducing means may comprise balls, rollers or polyurethane members.

The friction reducing means may be retained within a guide.

Ends stops may be provided at at least one end of the first and second outer members to retain the friction reducing means within their respective tracks.

The first inner member may be provided with an end stop for limiting movement of the first inner member relative to the first and second outer members.

In addition, the sliding support assembly may be provided with additional features such as rotary or frictional damping, detents, soft stops, and self close mechanisms.

Each of the elongate members may be press formed, moulded, extruded or otherwise formed. Preferably the elongate members are formed from a sheet material.

Each of the elongate members may be formed from aluminium, steel, or a composite material.

The first outer member may be connected to the second outer member by welding, by mechanical fasteners such as rivets, screws or bolts, by use of an adhesive, or by any other suitable means.

The outer cross-sectional profile of the first outer member may be shaped to tessellate with the outer cross-sectional profile of the second outer member so that more than one sliding support assembly could be banked together. Banking of more than one sliding support assembly may be used to provide an increased strength sliding supports.

The length of the curved sliding support assembly may be such that the assembly forms an arc of a circle. Consequently, the sliding support assembly may be used in any application where sliding movement along a curved path is required. For example, the sliding support assembly could be used in an automotive environment, for example where arcuate sliding movement of an armrest is required. Similarly, the sliding support could be used in an aviation environment, for example where arcuate sliding movement of an aircraft storage bin is required to follow the profile of an aircraft fuselage.

Alternatively, the sliding support may be circular such that the sliding support assembly can be used in an application where it is desired to spin a first body relative to a second body. When the sliding support is circular, the outer sections may be fixed and the inner section may slide within the outer sections. Alternatively, the inner section may be fixed, and the outer sections may slide around the inner section.

The radius of curvature of the sliding support assembly may take any value.

By way of example, embodiments of a sliding support assembly according to the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-Figure 1 is a perspective view of a sliding support assembly according to a first embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of a first outer member of the sliding support assembly of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a second outer member of the sliding support assembly of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a perspective view of a first inner member of the sliding support assembly of Figure 1; Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the sliding support assembly of Figure 1; Figure 6 is a perspective view of a circular sliding support assembly according to a second embodiment of the invention; and Figure 7 is a perspective view of an alternative circular support assembly according to a third embodiment of the invention.

The sliding support 10 shown in figure 1 includes a first elongate outer member 12 which is curved along its length, a second elongate outer member 14 which is curved along its length, and a first elongate inner member 16 which is curved along its length.

The first elongate outer member 12 is connected to the second elongate outer member 14 along a first side thereof so that the first and second outer members define an elongate channel 18 therebetween which is curved along its length. The elongate channel 18 is best seen from the cross-sectional view of figure 5. The first elongate inner member 16 is positioned within the channel 18 between the first and second outer members 12 and 14, and is slidable along a curved path in the channel 18.

First friction reducing means comprising ball bearings 20 are positioned between the first inner member 16 and the first outer member 12.

Second friction reducing means comprising ball bearings 22 are positioned between the first inner member 16 and the second outer member 14.

The part of the first outer member 12 which forms the channel 18 has a V-shaped cross-sectional profile 13 which defines a first half 24 of a first track in which the first ball bearings 20 are positioned.

The part of the first inner member 16 which is positioned within the channel 18 has a W-shaped cross-sectional profile 19, the lower surface of which defines a second half 26 of the first track in which the first ball bearings 20 are positioned, and the upper surface of which defines a first half 28 of a pair of second tracks in which the second ball bearings 22 are positioned. The part of the second outer member 14 which forms the channel 18 has an M-shaped cross-sectional profile 15 which defines a second half 30 of the pair of second tracks in which the second ball bearings 22 are positioned.

The balls 20 and 22 are retained within a ball guide 32 shown in dashed lines in figure 5.

Although ball bearings 20, 22 are used in the embodiments shown in the figures, the friction reducing members may alternatively comprise rollers or polyurethane members.

End stops 36 and 38 are provided at the ends of the first and second outer members 12, 14 to retain the ball bearings 20 and 22 within their respective tracks.

Each of the elongate members 12, 14, 16 is manufactured by press forming a sheet material. However, the elongate members could alternatively be moulded, extruded or otherwise formed.

Each of the elongate members 12, 14, 16 is formed from steel. However, the elongate members could alternatively be formed from aluminium or a composite material.

The first outer member 12 is connected to the second outer member 14 using bolts 34.

However the first and second outer members 12 and 14 may alternatively be connected by welding, by other mechanical fasteners such as rivets or screws, or using an adhesive.

The first inner member 16 is provided with an end stop 40 for limiting movement of the first inner member 16 relative to the first and second outer members 12 and 14.

In addition, the sliding support assembly may be provided with additional features such as rotary or frictional damping, detents, soft stops, and self close mechanisms. Such features are well known to the man skilled in the art.

The outer cross-sectional profile of the first outer member 12 is shaped to tessellate with the outer cross-sectional profile of the second outer member 14 so that more than one of the sliding support assemblies 10 can be banked together. Banking of more than one sliding support assembly 10 provides an increased strength sliding support.

In the embodiment of figures 1 to 5, the length of the curved sliding support assembly 10 is such that the assembly forms an arc of a circle. Consequently, the sliding support assembly may be used in any application where sliding movement along a curved path is required.

In the embodiments shown in figures 6 and 7, the sliding supports 100, 200 are circular and consequently can be used in applications where it is desired to spin a first body relative to a second body. The circular sliding supports 100, 200 are otherwise identical to that shown in figures 1 to 5.

In the embodiment of figure 6, the outer members 114 are connected to a first body using mounting portions 118. The inner member 116 is connected to a second body using mounting portions 120. The inner member 116 is rotatable within the fixed outer members 114.

In the embodiment of figure 7, the outer members 214 are connected to a first body using mounting portions 218. The inner member 216 is connected to a second body using mounting portion 220. The outer members 214 are rotatable around the fixed inner member 216.

In order to manufacture the sliding support assembly 10 of the present invention the following steps are taken: providing the first elongate outer member 12; placing the first ball bearings 20 on a first surface of the first elongate outer member 12; providing the first elongate inner member 16, and placing a first surface of the first inner member 16 on top of the first ball bearings 20; placing the second ball bearings 22 on a second surface of the first inner member 16; providing the second elongate outer member 14, and placing a first surface of the second outer member 14 on top of the second ball bearings 22; and connecting the first surface of the first outer member 12 to the first surface of the second outer member 14 using bolts 34 so that the first inner member 16 and the first and second ball bearings 20, 22 are positioned within the channel 18 defined by the first and second outer members 12, 14.

Although the first outer member 12 is connected to the second outer member 14 using bolts 34, the first and second outer members 12 and 14 may alternatively be connected by welding, by other mechanical fasteners such as rivets or screws, or using an adhesive.

It will be appreciated that the embodiments shown in the figures are by way of example only, and that alterations or modifications may be made within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A sliding support assembly comprising: a first elongate outer member; a second elongate outer member and connected to the first outer member along a first side thereof such that the first and second outer members define an elongate channel therebetween; a first elongate inner member and positioned between the first and second outer members, wherein the first inner member is slidable along a path in the elongate channel; first friction reducing means positioned between the first inner member and the first outer member; and second friction reducing means positioned between the first inner member and the second outer member.
2. The sliding support assembly of claim 1 wherein: the first elongate outer member is curved along its length, the second elongate outer member is curved along its length, the elongate channel is curved along its length, and the first elongate inner member is curved along its length so that the first inner member is slidable along a curved path in the elongate channel.
3. The sliding support assembly of claim 1 or claim 2 wherein: the part of the first outer member which forms the channel has a V-shaped cross-sectional profile which defines a first half of a first track in which the first friction reducing means are positioned, the part of the first inner member which is positioned within the channel has a W-shaped cross-sectional profile, the lower surface of which defines a second half of the first track in which the first friction reducing means are positioned, and the upper surface of which defines a first half of a pair of second tracks in which the second friction reducing means are positioned, and the part of the second outer member which forms the channel has an M-shaped cross-sectional profile which defines a second half of the pair of second tracks in which the second friction reducing means are positioned.
4. The sliding support assembly of any preceding claim wherein the friction reducing members comprise one or more of balls, rollers or polyurethane members.
5. The sliding support assembly of any preceding claim wherein each of the elongate members is formed from a sheet material.
6. The sliding support assembly of any preceding claim wherein the outer cross- sectional profile of the first outer member is shaped to tessellate with the outer cross-sectional profile of the second outer member.
7. The sliding support assembly of any preceding claim wherein the sliding support assembly forms an arc of a circle.
8. The sliding support assembly of any preceding claim wherein the sliding support assembly is circular.
9. A method of constructing a sliding support assembly comprising: providing a first elongate outer member; placing first friction reducing means on a first surface of the first elongate outer member; providing a first elongate inner member, and placing a first surface of the first inner member on top of the first friction reducing means; placing second friction reducing means on a second surface of the first inner member; providing a second elongate outer member, and placing a first surface of the second outer member on top of the second friction reducing means; and connecting the first surface of the first outer member to the first surface of the second outer member such that the first inner member and the first and second friction reducing means are positioned within a channel defined by the first and second outer members.
10. The method of claim 9 wherein: the first elongate outer member is curved along its length, the second elongate outer member is curved along its length, the elongate channel is curved along its length, and the first elongate inner member is curved along its length so that the first inner member is slidable along a curved path in the elongate channel.
11. The method of claim 9 or claim 10 wherein each of the elongate members is press formed, moulded, extruded or otherwise formed.
12. The method of any of claims 9 to 11 wherein the first outer member is connected to the second outer member by welding, by mechanical fasteners, or using an adhesive.
13. A sliding support assembly as substantially hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.