GB2573876A

GB2573876A - A roller carriage for a slidable panel and a wheel carrying member for the same

Info

Publication number: GB2573876A
Application number: GB1904666.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jaber Hani; Jaber Simon; Li Weidong
Original assignee: CiiLock Engineering Pty Ltd
Current assignee: CiiLock Engineering Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2018-04-04
Filing date: 2019-04-03
Publication date: 2019-11-20
Anticipated expiration: 2039-04-03
Also published as: CN109972954B; GB2573876B; CN109972954A; GB201904666D0; AU2019201901A1

Abstract

A roller carriage for supporting a slidable panel and comprising a housing with an internal space having an inside wall, two or more wheel carrying members 600 and one or more non-wheel carrying members 213 wherein a retaining element 230 240 extends from or partially extends into the inside surface to slidably retain each of the non-wheel carrying members in the internal space and allowing them to slide along the internal space. Preferably the retaining element is a protrusion or a groove extending along the entire length. There may be a retaining element located on either side of the housing to engage with a complimentary element on either side of the non-wheel carrying member. An adjustment mechanism at the end of the housing (115 Fig 1) may move the members along the housing and due to their wedge shape raise or lower the wheels relative to the track. A cleaning element, e.g. a brush 640 642 may be located in a chamber in the wheel carrying member and may clean the track, wheel or both at the same time.

Description

Field of the invention

The present invention is directed to roller carriages configured to support a slidable panel, such as a slidable window or door. More particularly, the invention is directed to structures for retaining components at least partially within such roller carriages. The invention is also directed to structures for cleaning components of roller carriages and/or a track upon which the slidable panel is slidable.

Background of the invention

A common existing slidable door includes a panel predominantly consisting of a pane of glass surrounded by a rectangular perimeter frame formed of extruded aluminium. The lower horizontal run of the extruded aluminium frame carries roller carriages. The roller carriages cooperate with an underlying track and bear load (including the weight of the panel and user applied loads) to separate the panel from the track.

Conflicting design requirements apply to the wheels of the roller carriages. Smaller wheels allow for the extruded frame to be relatively smaller, thus reducing its cost and its visual bulk relative to the glass. On the other hand smaller wheels have less load carrying capacity.

In the past, roller carriages incorporating two or more wheels journalled to rotate about respective axes fixed relative to the panel have been employed with only limited success. In practice, the panel and the underlying track are never perfectly aligned meaning that one or a limited few of the wheels of each roller carriage bear substantially all of the load and so fail prematurely. The applicant previously developed a solution to this problem in the form of a roller carriage with independently movable wheel carrying members, which roller carriage is disclosed in International (PCT) Patent Publication no. WO 2015/017878 and presented herein as Figure 1. The entire contents of the abovementioned PCT publication is incorporated herein by reference.

The present invention provides an improved roller carriage as compared to the roller carriage disclosed in the abovementioned PCT publication.

Reference to any prior art in the specification is not an acknowledgment or suggestion that this prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in any jurisdiction or that this prior art could reasonably be expected to be understood, regarded as relevant, and/or combined with other pieces of prior art by a skilled person in the art.

Summary of the invention

The present invention provides a roller carriage for supporting a slidable panel, the roller carriage including:

a housing defining an internal space;

two or more wheel carrying members;

one or more non-wheel carrying members; and a retaining element extending out from or partially into an inside surface of the housing, the retaining element being configured to slidably retain each of the one or more non-wheel carrying members at least partially within the internal space, wherein the one or more non-wheel carrying members are configured to slide along a longitudinal length of the housing.

The housing of the roller carriage in embodiments of the invention is constructed as an inverted elongate U-shaped channel and the non-wheel carrying members are retained within the channel, and constrained to move only in the lengthways direction of the channel, by retaining elements having the form of mating formations on the nonwheel carrying members and on the side walls of the channel.

The side walls of the channel may have some resilience to enable each nonwheel carrying member to be inserted into the channel through the open side of the channel. The projecting formations on the side wall of the channel or the non-wheel carrying member will then cause the side walls to splay apart slightly until the formations mate with one another, whereupon the non-wheel carrying member will snap into a position in which it is retained in the channel but can slide lengthways.

The one or more non-wheel carrying members may include one or more separating members, each of which separates a respective two of the wheel carrying members. The one or more non-wheel carrying members may also include one or more end constraints.

In a preferred embodiment, the retaining element is located in or on an inner longitudinal side wall of the housing. The retaining element may extend partially along or substantially completely along the entire longitudinal length of the housing. The housing is preferably formed by extrusion, and therefore, advantageously, the retaining element may be formed during the extrusion process such that it is integral to the housing and may have a uniform cross-section.

The roller carriage may include one or more additional retaining elements similar or different to a first retaining element. For example, the roller carriage may include a first retaining element in or on a first inner longitudinal side wall of the housing and a second retaining element in or on a second inner longitudinal side wall of the housing, the second inner longitudinal side wall being opposite and parallel to the first inner longitudinal side wall. Furthermore, the roller carriage may include one or more other additional retaining elements disposed above or below the first and/or second retaining elements in or on the respective first and second inner longitudinal side walls of the housing.

In one embodiment, the retaining element is in the form of a groove extending partially into an inner longitudinal side wall of the housing and substantially completely along the entire longitudinal length of the housing. In this embodiment, the groove is of uniform cross-section and appears convex in side cross-section. Furthermore, in this embodiment, each of the one or more separating members include a projection in the form of a rib of complementary cross-section to the groove, whereby the rib is locatable in the groove such that the one or more separating members are retained within the internal space defined by the housing. Similar to the groove, the rib is of uniform crosssection and appears concave in side cross-section. The rib may extend partially along or substantially completely along an entire longitudinal length of the separating member. In an embodiment, the groove and rib may be generally trapezoidal in side crosssection. In an alternative embodiment, the groove and rib may be generally semicircular in side cross-section. In a further alternative embodiment, the groove and rib may be generally triangular in side-cross-section.

In an alternative embodiment, the retaining element is in the form of a projection extending out from the inner side wall of the housing. In this embodiment, the projection is of uniform cross-section and appears concave in side cross-section. The projection may be in the form of a rib, which rib extends substantially completely along the entire longitudinal length of the housing. Furthermore, in this embodiment, each of the one or more separating members include a groove of complemenary cross-section to the rib, whereby the rib is locatable in the groove such that the one or more separating members are retained within the internal space defined by the housing. Similar to the rib, the groove is of uniform cross-section and appears convex in side cross-section. The groove may extend partially along or substantially completely along the entire longitudinal length of the separating member. In an embodiment, the rib and groove may be generally trapezoidal in side cross-section. In an alternative embodiment, the rib and groove may be generally semi-circular in side cross-section. In a further alternative embodiment, the rib and groove may be generally triangular in side-cross-section. In any of the embodiments mentioned above, the projection or groove of the one or more separating members is preferably “snap-fit” onto or into the retaining element.

As is mentioned above, the roller carriage may include one or more additional retaining elements that may be similar or different to a first retaining element. In a preferred embodiment, a first retaining element in the form of a first groove extends partially into a first inner longitudinal side wall of the housing, and a second retaining element in the form of a second groove extends partially into a second opposite inner longitudinal side wall of the housing. The first and second grooves are preferably oriented parallel to a longitudinal axis of the housing, and optionally extend partially or substantially completely along the entire longitudinal length of the housing. The first groove may be located in the first inner longitudinal side wall at a first distance from a top of the housing, and the second groove may be located in the second inner longitudinal side wall at a second distance from the top of the housing. The first distance may be the same as or different to the second distance. In an alternative embodiment, the first groove is replaced with a first projection and the second groove is replaced with a second projection. In a further alternative embodiment, the first or second groove is replaced with a respective first or second projection. The projections may be in the form of ribs.

The one or more separating members, which separate a respective two of the wheel carrying members, are configured to adjust a relative position of a wheel carrying member with respect to the other wheel carrying members. For example, if a first wheel carrying member encounters a bump in the track, it will move in a first direction toward the slidable panel and, in the manner described below, will cause at least a second wheel carrying member to move in a second direction toward the track. This “selflevelling” of the roller carriage ensures that all of the wheel carrying members contact the track at all times and therefore share the load of the slidable panel. To this end, each of the two or more wheel carrying members are mounted at least partially within the housing to slide along at least one slide path. The slide path(s) and the one or more separating members are arranged such that relative movement of one of the wheel carrying members towards one of the panel and track moves at least one other of the wheel carrying members relatively away from said one of the panel and track. The at least one other of the wheel carrying members is moved relatively away from said one of the panel and track by one of the one or more separating members, each of which is constrained or guided to move generally transversely to the direction of movement of the wheel carrying members, i.e. generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing. The one or more separating members are preferably constrained to move along the longitudinal axis of the housing by the retaining element, which is oriented transversely to the direction of movement of the wheel carrying members. In particular, the one or more separating members are slidably guided by being located in or on the retaining element(s). Accordingly, the retaining element is advantageously configured to retain the one or more separating members at least partially within the housing, and also configured to slidingly guide their movement in the housing.

The roller carriage preferably also includes two end constraints at least partially mounted in the housing and configured to contain the two or more wheel carrying members and the one or more separating members therebetween. At least one of two end constraints is preferably movable to adjust the separation between the slidable panel and track. The at least one of the two end constraints which is movable also preferably includes a projection or a groove of respectively complementahly crosssection to the retaining element. Similar to the one or more separating members, the projection or groove of the end constraint(s) is preferably snap-fit onto or into the retaining element to retain the end constraint(s) at least partially within the internal space. The retaining element is also configured to slidingly constrain or guide the end constraint(s) to move in the direction generally transverse to the direction of movement of the wheel carrying members, i.e. generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing. Similar to the one or more separating members, the end constraint(s) are slidably guided by being located in or on the retaining element(s). Practically, the at least one of the two end constraints which is movable adjusts a height of the housing with respect to the track.

As used herein, the “direction of movement of the wheel carrying members” refers to the predominantly vertical movement of the wheel carrying members with respect to the housing when encountering a bump or depression in the track. This direction is generally transverse or perpendicular to a direction of movement of the one or more separating members and any movable end constraints within the housing.

In one particularly preferred embodiment, the roller carriage comprises five wheel carrying members and four separating members disposed therebetween, one fixed end constraint and another movable end constraint configured to adjust the separation between the track and panel.

As is mentioned above, the housing is preferably formed by extrusion, and may comprise aluminium or plastic. Advantageously, by utilising the abovedescribed retaining element(s), no cut-outs are required to be made in the housing to secure the one or more separating members and the two end constraints therein. This provides for rapid assembly of the roller carriage, as the separating members and end constraints (which contain the wheel carrying members therebetween) can be merely snapped into the internal space of the housing.

The two or more wheel carrying members preferably respectively carry one or more wheels to roll along the track.

In a second aspect, the present invention provides a wheel carrying member for a roller carriage configured to support a slidable panel, the wheel carrying member including:

a housing defining an internal space for one or more wheels, wherein the housing is configured to provide a discrete chamber dimensioned to accommodate and mount a cleaning element thereby located to clean the one or more wheels and/or a track relative to which the slidable panel is slidable.

In one embodiment the housing includes at least two chambers adapted to respectively accommodate and mount at least two cleaning elements. The cleaning elements may extend at least partially into the internal space from their respective chambers to clean the one or more wheels and/or the track.

The housing preferably comprises a top wall, two sidewalls extending downwardly from the top wall, and two end walls, each of which extends downwardly from the top wall and closes the two slidewalls at opposite longitudinal ends of the housing. The top wall may be partially closed. Together, the top wall, the two side walls, and the two end walls define the internal space which houses the one or more wheels. In one embodiment, the two sidewalls may diverge away from one another in a direction extending from the top wall to the track. In an alternative embodiment, the two sidewalls may converge towards one another in a direction extending from the top wall to the track.

In one embodiment, the housing is generally trapezoidal when viewed in side elevation. In this embodiment, a first cleaning element is preferably located at or near a first longitudinal end of the housing at least partially within a first chamber, and a second cleaning element is preferably located at or near a second opposite longitudinal end of the housing at least partially within a second chamber. The first and second cleaning elements may extend from their respective chambers and be configured to clean the track only. Alternatively, the first and second cleaning elements may extend from their respective chambers at least partially into the internal space to clean the one or more wheels and/or the track. In this alternative embodiment, one end of the first and/or second cleaning elements may extend at least partially into the internal space to clean the one or more wheels, and another opposite end of the first and/or second cleaning elements may extend at least partially into an external space external to the internal space to clean the track.

Advantageously, the cleaning element(s) are located in the same housing that houses the one or more wheels, and as such, an additional roller carriage member adjacent to the wheel carrying member for holding a cleaning element is not required.

In one embodiment, the two sidewalls and/or the two end walls of the housing may extend from the top wall and terminate at or near an outermost rim of the one or more wheels. Advantageously, this arrangement may provide added protection for the cleaning element(s), and may protect the outermost rim of the one or more wheels if the roller carriage is seated upon a flat ground surface that is not the track.

In addition to cleaning the one or more wheels and/or the track, the cleaning element(s) are preferably configured to impede or limit particles, such as dust and dirt, from entering the internal space. In this sense, the cleaning element(s) may provide an anti-contamination function.

The cleaning element(s) are preferably brushes. The brushes may be mounted in respective chambers by being glued or press-fit therein.

The wheel carrying member of the second aspect of the invention may carry one or more wheels and may be employed in a roller carriage according to the first or second aspects of the invention. Advantageously, as the roller carriages described herein are “self-levelling”, the cleaning element(s) may maintain contact with the track at all times.

Also disclosed herein is a roller carriage for supporting a slidable panel, the roller carriage including:

a housing defining an internal space;

two or more wheel carrying members;

one or more separating members, each of which separates a respective two of the wheel carrying members; and a retaining element extending out from or partially into an inside surface of the housing, the retaining element being configured to retain each of the one or more separating members within the internal space.

Further disclosed herein is a wheel carrying member for a roller carriage configured to support a slidable panel, the wheel carrying member including:

a housing defining an internal space for one or more wheels, wherein the housing includes a cleaning element located to clean the one or more wheels and/or a track relative to which the slidable panel is slidable.

As used herein, except where the context requires otherwise, the term comprise and variations of the term, such as comprising, comprises and comprised, are not intended to exclude further additives, components, integers or steps.

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

Brief description of the drawings

Figure 1a is an exploded view of a prior art roller carriage;

Figure 1b is a top view of the roller carriage of Figure 1a;

Figure 1c is a cross-sectional view along the line A-A in Figure 1b;

Figure 1d is a perspective view of the roller carriage of Figure 1a;

Figure 1 e is a close-up of an end of the roller carriage in Figure 1 c;

Figure 2a is an exploded view of a roller carriage according to an embodiment of a first aspect of the invention;

Figure 2b shows various views of a housing of the roller carriage of Figure 2a;

Figure 2c shows various views of a separating member of the roller carriage of Figure 2a;

Figure 2d is an end cross-sectional view of the roller carriage of Figure 2a;

Figure 2e shows various views of an end constraint of the roller carriage of Figure 2a;

Figure 3 is an end cross-sectional view of a roller carriage according to another embodiment of the first aspect of the invention;

Figure 4 is an end cross-sectional view of a roller carriage according to another embodiment of the first aspect of the invention;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a wheel carrying member according to an embodiment of a second aspect of the invention;

Figure 6 is a side cross-sectional view of a wheel carrying member according to another embodiment of the second aspect of the invention;

Figure 7 is a side cross-sectional view of a wheel carrying member according to another embodiment of the second aspect of the invention; and

Figure 8 is a side cross-sectional view of a wheel carrying member according to another embodiment of the second aspect of the invention.

Detailed description of the embodiments

Figure 1a illustrates a known roller carriage 100 for separating a panel of a slidable door from the track along which it is slidable. The roller carriage 100 is intended to be installed at the bottom of the panel to vertically separate the panel from an underlying track although it is also contemplated that the roller carriage 100 may be installed at the side of a vertically sliding door or window.

The roller carriage 100 includes a housing 110, end constraints 111, 112, separating members 113, 114, adjusting screw 115, and wheel carrying members 120, 121, 122.

The housing 110 is an elongate downwardly open housing predominantly consisting of a single integral moulding. The moulding defines end constraint 111 having a slide path 111a (Figure 1c) and a space in which the components 112, 113, 114, 120, 121, and 122 are carried. The moulding may be formed from aluminium or plastic.

The end constraint 112 is also predominantly formed of a single integral moulding. The moulding is shaped to present an inclined track 112d along which the wheel carrying member 122 may slide. A respective side tab 112c projects from each side of the moulding to cooperate with suitable guide tracks 110c of moulding 110. In this example, each of the tracks 110c takes the form of a respective horizontal slot opening through a respective vertical side wall of the housing 110. Each tab 112c runs along its track 110c such that the end constraint 112 is itself constrained to slide horizontally.

The moulding of the end constraint 112 at its outermost end defines a pair of openings 112e, 112f. The opening 112e is rectangular in cross-section and runs from side to side of the moulding to receive and hold against rotation a nut 112b having a square outer periphery. The opening 112f is a blind bore bisecting the opening 112e to receive the adjusting screw 115, or more specifically its threaded portion 115a, so that it may threadingly engage, and if necessary extend beyond, the nut 112b. The screw 115 is thus threadingly engaged with the end constraint 112.

The screw 115 is axially restrained in both axial directions relative to the housing 110 with the aid of blocking structure in the form of pins 110a and further blocking structure 110d (Figure 1e). The pins are received within complementary bores 110b formed in the housing 110 and extend horizontally across the housing 110 respectively above and below the threaded portion 115a such that the threaded portion is bracketed by the pins 110a. The pins 110a are spaced from the axis 115d of the threaded portion 115a beyond that portion's periphery 115e. The pins 110a cooperate with a stop portion, in the form of screw head 115b, to axially restrain the screw 115.

The further blocking structure 110d takes the form of the outer periphery of an opening dimensioned to axially restrain the screw 115 whilst permitting access to the screw's tool engaging portion in the form of grooves 115c. In this example, the screw head 115b presents an annular surface facing axially away from the threaded portion to abut and complement the further structure 110c.

The blocking structures 110a, 110d cooperate to restrain the screw 115 relative to the housing 110 in both axial directions without a thread-free zone. This avoids the expense and reduction in strength associated with machining a thread-free zone.

The separating members 113, 114 are substantially identical to each other. Each is approximately trapezoidal in side elevation and includes a horizontal top surface and a symmetric pair of downwardly converging sides. The sides define guide tracks 113a, 113b. Each of the separating members 113, 114 incorporates side tabs analogous to side tab 112c and cooperable with tracks analogous to side track 110c whereby the separating members 113, 114 are constrained to slide horizontally along the housing 110.

The wheel carrying member 120 is approximately trapezoidal when viewed in side elevation and includes a horizontal base, a horizontal top and a symmetric pair of upwardly converging sides 120c, 120d.

The side 113a of the separating member 113 defines a slide path along which the wheel carrying member 120 slides relative to the separating member 113. In this example, the edge 120d also defines a slide path along which the separating member 113 slides relative to the wheel carrying member 120. The sides 113a, 120d are configured to constrain the wheel carrying member 120 so that it cannot move away from the separating member 113 in a direction transverse to the slide path. For this purpose, the track 113a in cross-section transverse to its length includes a narrow neck carrying a bulbous end portion, and the side 120d, likewise in cross-section transverse to its length, has a complementary shape including a bulbous cavity opening outwardly via a narrow throat. The cavity receives the end portion. The other sliding interactions of wheel carrying members 120, 121, 122 with the end constraints 111, 112 and separating members 113, 114 are relevantly similar.

The wheel carrying member 120 is a downwardly open hollow structure internally carrying a wheel 120a. An axle 120b passes through the side walls of the wheel carrying member 120 to carry the wheel 120a. In this example, the wheel 120a incorporates a ball bearing.

The wheel carrying members 120, 121 and 122, in this example, are substantially identical and carry identical wheels.

Figure 1c illustrates the roller carriage 100 as it would appear when separating the panel and the track. During the life of the panel carried by the roller carriage 100 (both in terms of during a single opening and/or closing of the panel, and in terms of building settlement over time) the members 113, 114, 120, 121, 122 move relative to each other and to the end constraints 111, 112 to accommodate misalignment between the panel and the track whilst sharing load between the wheels.

By way of example, if the wheel of wheel carrying member 120 is presented with a bump in the track, wheel carrying member 120 will move upwards (i.e. towards the panel) relative to the housing 110 by sliding along the slide path defined by end constraint 111 and by sliding along the slide path defined by side 113a.

As the wheel carrying member 120 moves upwardly, and to the right along the end constraint 111 (as viewed from the perspective of Figure 1c), it horizontally drives the separating member 113, in the manner of a wedge, towards the right hand side. The separating member 113 in turn acts on the wheel carrying member 121 tending to drive it downwardly and to the right which in turn influences the wheel carrying member 122 via the separating member 114. Thus the load is shared substantially equally between the wheel carrying members 120, 121, 122 (and between the wheels carried by those members) despite any irregularity in the track.

The roller carriage 100 is height adjustable. Rotating screw 115 serves to horizontally drive the end constraint 112. Figure 1c illustrates the roller carriage in its fully raised position. From this position, anti-clockwise rotation of the screw 115 with a Phillips head screwdriver will cause the end constraint 112 to move to the right thus allowing the members 113, 114, 120, 121, 122 to spread by moving by varying amounts to the right. In doing so whilst the members 113, 114 remain constrained in their vertical position relative to the housing 110 the wheel carrying members 120, 121, 122 (and the wheels carried thereby) move upwardly relative to the housing 110. It will be appreciated that in this movement the wheels in fact remain in contact with the track and it is the housing 110, and the panel carried thereby, which moves downwardly.

End constraint 111 and members 113, 120 are cooperably configured so that separating member 113 moves into abutment with the end constraint 111 when the wheel carrying member 120 is in its lower most position, and in this position, the wheel carrying member 120 remains in engagement with end constraint 111 and separating member 113. Thus the wheel carrying member 120 cannot fall out of the housing 110. The other wheel carrying members 121, 122 are likewise restrained relative to the members 113, 114 and 114, 112a respectively.

The improvements to the roller carriage 100 provided by the present application will now be described.

Referring to Figure 2a, there is shown an exploded view of a new roller carriage 200 incorporating a first improvement. The roller carriage 200 is similar in many respects to the roller carriage 100 of Figure 1 and includes a housing 210, wheel carrying members 220, and non-wheel carrying members in the form of separating members 213, a fixed end constraint 211, and an adjustable end constraint 212. Only the improvements provided by the present application will be described henceforth.

Referring now to Figure 2b, the roller carriage 200 includes a housing 210 which defines an internal space configured to at least partially house the various components of the roller carriage, including the separating members 213, the wheel carrying members 220, and the end constraints 211, 212. The housing 210 is preferably an extrusion. According to a first aspect of the invention, the housing 210 includes a retaining element extending out from or partially into an inside surface of the housing. The retaining element is configured to retain at least each of the one or more separating members at least partially within the internal space, and is utlilised in lieu of the guide tracks/slots or cut-outs 110c located in the housing 110 of the roller carriage 100 of Figure 1. Advantageously, as the housing 210 is preferably an extrusion, e.g. of aluminium or plastic, the retaining element can be formed integrally with the housing with relative ease and at a lower expense as compared to the roller carriage 100, which required the separate milling of the guide track/slots or cut-outs 110c in the sidewalls of the housing 110.

As shown in Figure 2b, the housing 210 includes a first retaining element in the form of a first generally trapezoidal groove 230 of uniform cross-section extending partially into a first inner longitudinal side wall 234 of the housing 210, and a second retaining element in the form a similar second generally trapezoidal groove 232 of uniform cross-section extending partially into a second opposite inner longitudinal side wall 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 internal space of the housing 210. The first and second grooves 230, 232 extend along an entire longitudinal length of the housing 210 and are oriented parallel to a longitudinal axis of the housing. The first and second grooves 230, 232 are located in the respective inner side walls 234, 236 at a same distance from the top of the housing 210.

Referring now to Figure 2c, there is shown a separating member 213. The separating member 213 includes first and second projections in the form of generally trapezoidal ribs 240, 242, each of which project outwardly from respective inner longitudinal side walls of the separating member 213, and each of which is of complementary cross-section to the respective first and second trapezoidal grooves 230, 232. The ribs 240, 242 extend completely along an entire longitudinal length of the separating member 213. As shown in Figure 2d, the ribs 240, 242 are located in the respective grooves 230, 232 such that the separating member 213 is retained within the internal space of the housing 210. The ribs 240, 242 are advantageously “snap-fit” into the respective grooves 230, 232 thereby providing relatively easy assembly of the various components of the roller carriage 200.

Similar to the separating members 113, 114 of the known roller carriage 100, the separating members 213 (Figure 2a) are configured to adjust a relative position of a wheel carrying member with respect to any other wheel carrying members. The manner in which this is achieved is identical to the known roller carriage 100 and is not repeated here for the sake of brevity. However, the retaining element(s) of the new roller carriage 200 are additionally configured to constrain or guide movement of the separating member(s) in a direction generally transverse to the direction of movement of the wheel carrying members, i.e. generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing. This is achieved by the one or more separating members being slidably guided in the housing by being located in or on the retaining element(s).

Refehng to Figure 2e, there is shown the adjustable end constraint 212 of new roller carriage 200 which is adjustably movable in a direction transverse to the predominantly vertical direction of movement of the wheel carrying members to adjust the separation between the panel and track, i.e., in other words, the height of the housing relative to the track. As above, the manner in which this is achieved is identical to the known roller carriage 100 and is not repeated here. The end constraint 212 includes a pair of projections in the form of generally trapezoidal ribs 212c that are of complementary cross-section to the first and second grooves 230, 232 and which extend partially along a longitudinal length of the end constraint 212.

Referring to Figure 3, there is shown an alternative embodiment of the roller carriage 200. In this embodiment, a roller carriage 300 includes a housing 310 having additional retaining elements similar to the grooves 230, 232 of the roller carriage 300. In this embodiment, the roller carriage 300 includes a first pair of grooves 330a, 330b of uniform generally semi-circular cross-section extending partially into a first inner longitudinal side wall 334 of the housing 300, and a second pair of grooves 332a, 332b of uniform generally semi-circular cross-section extending partially into a second opposite longitudinal side wall of the housing 300. The first and second longitudinal side walls 334, 336 extend downwardly from a top wall 338, and together define the internal space of the housing 310. The first and second pairs of generally semi-circular grooves 330a, 330b, 332a, 332b extend along an entire longitudinal length of the housing 310 and are oriented parallel to a longitudinal axis of the housing. The grooves 330a, 332a are located in their respective inner side walls at a first distance from the top of the housing 310, and the grooves 330b, 332b are located in their respective inner side walls at a second distance from the top 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 semi-circular ribs 340a, 340b, 342a, 342b each of which project outwardly from respective inner side walls of the separating member 313, and each of which is of complementary cross-section to the respective first and second pairs of grooves 330a, 330b, 332a, 332b. The ribs 340a, 340b, 342a, 342b are snap fit in the respective grooves 330a, 330b, 332a, 332b such that the separating member 313 is retained within the internal space of the housing 310 and is constrained to slidably move in a direction transverse to the direction of movement of the wheel carrying members, i.e. parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing 310. Although not illustrated, in this embodiment, the roller carriage 300 may also include a fixed end constraint similar to the end constraint 211 and an adjustable end constraint similar to the end constraint 212. The fixed end constraint and the adjustable end constraint of this embodiment may also include first and second pairs of projections of uniform crosssection similar to the ribs 340, 342. The first and second pairs of projections are advantageously of complementary cross-section to the first and second grooves 330, 332 so as to be slidably locatable therein.

Referring to Figure 4, there is shown a further alternative embodiment of the roller carriage 200. In this embodiment, a roller carriage 400 includes a housing 410 having a first retaining element in the form of a first projection comprising a rib 430 of uniform generally semi-circular cross-section extending out from a first inner longitudinal side wall 434 of the housing 410, and a second retaining element in the form a similar second projection comprising a rib 432 of uniform generally semi-circular cross-section extending out from a second opposite inner longitudinal side wall 436 of the housing 410. The first and second ribs 430, 432 extend out from the respective inner side walls such that they project into the internal space defined by side walls 434, 436 and top wall 438. Similar to the roller carriages 200, 300, the first and second ribs 430, 432 extend along an entire longitudinal length of the housing 410, are oriented parallel to a longitudinal axis of the housing, and are located in the respective inner side walls at a same distance from the top of the housing 410.

In this embodiment, a separating member 413 includes first and second grooves 440, 442 of uniform generally semi-circular cross-section, each of which extend partially into respective inner side walls of the separating member 413, and each of which is of complementary cross-section to the respective first and second ribs 430, 432. The ribs 440, 442 are snap-fit into the respective grooves 430, 432 such that the separating member 413 is retained within the internal space of the housing 410 and is constrained to slidably move in a direction generally transverse to the direction of movement of the wheel carrying members. Although not illustrated, in this embodiment, the roller carriage 400 may also include a fixed end constraint similar to the end constraint 211 and an adjustable end constraint similar to the end constraint 212. The fixed end constraint and the adjustable end constraint of this embodiment may also include first and second grooves of uniform cross-section similar to the grooves 440, 442. The first and second grooves are advantageously of complementary cross-section to the first and second projections 430, 432 so as to be slidably locatable therein.

Referring to Figures 5 to 8, there are shown embodiments of new wheel carrying members incorporating a second improvement according to the present disclosure. The new wheel carrying members may be utilised in the known roller carriage 100 or the new roller carriages 200, 300, 400.

Referring initially to Figure 5, there is shown a side perspective view of a wheel carrying member 500 of a roller carriage configured to support a slidable panel. The wheel carrying member 500 comprises a housing 510 of approximately trapzoidal shape including a partially closed top wall 512, two opposite parallel longitudinal sidewalls 514 extending downwardy from the top wall 512, and two end walls 516, each of which extends downwardly from the top wall 512 and closes the two side walls 514 at opposite longitudinal ends of the housing 510. Together, the top wall 512, the two side walls 514, and the two end walls 516 define an internal space 520 that houses a rotatable wheel 530 which is rotatable about the axle 532. According to a second aspect of the present invention, the housing 510 is configured to provide a discrete chamber dimensioned to accommodate and mount a cleaning element thereby located to clean the wheel and/or a track relative to which the slidable panel is slidable.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 5, a first cleaning element in the form of a brush 540 is located near a left-side longitudinal end of the housing adjacent the end wall 516. The brush 540 is accomodated and mounted within a chamber 544 in the housing 510 and extends from the chamber 544 in vertically downward orientation, i.e. generally perpendicular to the top wall 512, into an external space external to the internal space 520. The brush 540 is configured to clean the track. In addition to cleaning the track, the brush 540 is oriented such that it impedes or limit particles, such as dust and dirt, from entering the internal space 520.

Figures 6 to 8 illustrate alternative embodiments of the wheel carrying member 500, in particular, alternative arrangements of the cleaning element 540.

Referring to Figure 6, there is a shown a side cross-sectional view of a wheel carrying member 600. The wheel carrying member 600 is exactly similar in structure to the wheel carrying member 500 of Figure 5, but includes a first cleaning element in the form of a first brush 640 near a left-side longitudinal end of the housing 610 adjacent the end wall 616, and second cleaning element in the form of a second brush 642 near a right-side longitudinal end of the housing 610 adjacent the other opposite end wall 616. The first and second brushes 640, 642 are mounted in and extend from respectively obliquely oriented internal chambers 644, 646 provided in the end walls 616. The brushes 604, 642 at least partially extend into the internal space 620. Advantageously, in this arrangement, the brushes 640, 642 are configured to clean both the wheel 630 and the underlying track.

Referring to Figure 7, there is shown a side cross-sectional view of another wheel carrying member 700. The wheel carrying member 700 is similar to the wheel carrying members 500, 600, but includes a first cleaning element in the form of a first brush 740 near a left-side longitudinal end of the housing 710 adjacent the end wall 716, and second cleaning element in the form of a second brush 742 near a right-side longitudinal end of the housing 710 adjacent the other opposite end wall 716. The first and second brushes 740, 742 are mounted in and extend from respectively horizontally oriented internal chambers 744, 746 (generally parallel to the top wall 712) provided in the end walls 716. The brushes 744, 746 extend at least partially into the internal space 720. In this arrangement, the brushes 740, 742 are configured to clean the wheel 730 only.

Referring to Figure 8, there is a shown a side cross-sectional view of another wheel carrying member 800. The wheel carrying member 800 is exactly similar in structure to the wheel carrying members 500, 600, 700, but includes a first cleaning element in the form of a first brush 840 near a left-side longitudinal end of the housing 810 adjacent the end wall 816, and second cleaning element in the form of a second brush 842 near a right-side longitudinal end of the housing 810 adjacent the other opposite end wall 816. The first and second brushes 840, 842 are mounted in and extend from respectively obliquely oriented internal chambers 844, 846 provided in the end walls 816 such that, at a first upper end, the brushes 840, 842 extend at least partially into the internal space 820 to clean the wheel 830, and at a second opposite end, the brushes 840, 842 extend at least partially into an external space external to the internal space 820 to clean the track.

As can be seen particularly in Figure 5, the two end walls 516 and at least an outermost portion of the two side walls 514 extend from the top wall 512 of the housing and terminate at or near an outermost rim of the wheel 530. Advantageously, this arrangement may provide added protection for the cleaning element(s), and may protect the outermost rim of the wheel if the roller carriage is seated upon a flat ground surface that is not the track.

According to the above description, the present disclosure provides a new roller carriage that is simpler in overall design and more readily assemblable than the prior art roller carriage of Figure 1. Additionally, the disclosure provides a new wheel carrying member incorporating a cleaning and/or anti-contamination function that may be utilised in any of the roller carriages described herein. As the roller carriages described herein are “self-levelling”, the cleaning element(s) may advantageously maintain contact with the track at all times.

It will be understood that the invention disclosed and defined in this specification extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features 5 mentioned or evident from the text or drawings. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the invention.

Claims

1. A roller carriage for supporting a slidable panel, the roller carriage including:

a housing defining an internal space;

two or more wheel carrying members;

2. The roller carriage of claim 1, wherein the retaining element is disposed in or on an inner longitudinal side wall of the housing.

3. The roller carriage of claim 1 or 2, wherein the retaining element is in the form of a groove extending partially into an inner longitudinal side wall of the housing.

4. The roller carriage of claim 3, wherein each of the one or more non-wheel carrying members includes a projection of complementary cross-section to the groove, whereby the projection is locatable in the groove such that the one or more non-wheel carrying members are retained within the internal space.

5. The roller carriage of claim 1 or 2, wherein the retaining element is in the form of a projection extending out from an inner longitudinal side wall of the housing.

6. The roller carriage of claim 5, wherein each of the one or more non-wheel carrying members includes a groove of complementary cross-section to the projection, whereby the projection is locatable in the groove such that the one or more non-wheel carrying members are retained within the internal space.

7. The roller carriage of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the retaining element extends substantially completely along the entire longitudinal length of the housing substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the housing.

8. The roller carriage of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the retaining element is at least a first retaining element disposed in or on a first inner longitudinal side wall of the housing, and the roller carriage further includes at least a second retaining element disposed in or on a second inner longitudinal side wall of the housing, the second inner longitudinal side wall being opposite and parallel to the first inner longitudinal side wall.

9. The roller carriage of claim 8, wherein the at least a first retaining element comprises two retaining elements, and the at least a second retaining element comprises two retaining elements.

10. The roller carriage of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing including the retaining element(s) are formed by extrusion such that the retaining element(s) is/are integral to the housing.

11. The roller carriage of any one of the preceding claims, wherein each of the one or more non-wheel carrying members separate a respective two of the two or more wheel carrying members.

12. The roller carriage of claim 11, wherein each of the two or more wheel carrying members are mounted at least partially within the housing to slide along at least one slide path, wherein the slide path(s) and the one or more non-wheel carrying members are arranged such that relative movement of one of the wheel carrying members towards one of the panel and a track moves at least one other of the wheel carrying members relatively away from said one of the panel and the track.

13. The roller carriage of claim 12, wherein the at least one other of the wheel carrying members is moved relatively away from said one of the panel and the track by one of the non-wheel carrying members, each of which is constrained to move generally transversely to the direction of movement of the wheel carrying members by the retaining element, which retaining element extends substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the housing.

14. The roller carriage of any one of the preceding claims, further including two end constraints at least partially mounted within the housing and configured to contain the two or more wheel carrying members and the one or more non-wheel carrying members therebetween.

15. The roller carriage of claim 14 when appended to claim 12 or 13, wherein at least one of the end constraints is moveable to adjust the separation between the panel and the track.

16. The roller carriage of claim 15, wherein the at least one of the end constraints which is moveable includes a groove or projection of complementary cross-section to the retaining element such that the at least one of the end constraints is at least partially retained within the housing by the retaining element.

17. The roller carriage of any preceding claim, wherein at least one wheel carrying member includes a housing defining an internal space for one or more wheels and configured to provide a discrete chamber dimensioned to accommodate and mount a cleaning element thereby located to clean the one or more wheels and/or a track relative to which the slidable panel is slidable.

18. The roller carriage of claim 17, wherein the cleaning element extends at least partially into the internal space from the chamber to clean the one or more wheels and/or the track.

19. The roller carriage of claim 17 or 18, wherein the housing includes at least two chambers adapted to respectively accommodate and mount respective cleaning elements.

20. The roller carriage of claim 19, wherein at least one of the at least two chambers includes a cleaning element.

21. The roller carriage of any one of claims 17 to 20, wherein the housing comprises a top wall, two sidewalls extending downwardly from the top wall, and two end walls, each of which extends downwardly from the top wall and closes the two sidewalls at opposite longitudinal ends of the housing, and wherein, together, the top wall, the two side walls, and the two end walls defines the internal space.

22. The roller carriage of any one of claims 19 to 21, wherein a first cleaning element is located at or near a first longitudinal end of the housing 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 at least partially within a second chamber of the at least two chambers.

23. The roller carriage of claim 22, wherein the first and second cleaning elements

5 extend respectively from the first and second chambers in a manner and position such that they are configured to clean the track only.

24. The roller carriage of claim 22, wherein the first and second cleaning elements extend respectively from the first and second chambers in a manner and position such that they are configured to clean the one or more wheels only.

10

25. The roller carriage of claim 22, wherein one end of the first and/or the second cleaning element extends at least partially into the internal space to clean the one or more wheels, and another opposite end of the first and/or the second cleaning element extends at least partially into an external space external to the internal space to clean the track.