GB2624396A

GB2624396A - Carriage and rail mounting assembly, e.g. for a sunroof on a boat

Info

Publication number: GB2624396A
Application number: GB2217066.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Wilkins Rupert
Original assignee: Trend Marine Products Ltd
Current assignee: Trend Marine Products Ltd
Priority date: 2022-11-15
Filing date: 2022-11-15
Publication date: 2024-05-22
Also published as: GB202217066D0

Abstract

A carriage 40 is mounted on rollers (51, 52, Fig 8) in a guideway (11, Fig 5) of an elongate rail 10 fixed to a support structure (2, Fig 3), the carriage having a mount 60 that extends through a slot (12, Fig 5) in the rail to retain a panel or other mobile structure (1, Fig 2) to the rail. The carriage may be driven in translation along the rail by a chain or other flexible drive element (70, Fig 14) acting in tension. The mount is adjustable in pitch (P, Fig 8) relative to the carriage frame (41, Fig 8), while the carriage is adjustable in roll (R, Fig 9) relative to the rail, to accommodate flexure and misalignment of the mobile structure and support structure. The assembly may be used to support a moving sunroof on a boat.

Description

Carriage and rail mounting assembly, e.g. for a sunroof on a boat This invention relates to assemblies for mounting a sliding panel or other mobile structure for movement in translation relative to a support structure.

Assemblies of this type are commonly used for mounting sliding panels on the superstructure of a boat so that the panel can translate between open and closed positions.

EP1908680 A2 discloses an assembly of this type for use in translating a sunroof on a pleasure boat, and comprising a carriage mounted on top of a rail and driven by a chain loop running along the rail. A mount is arranged for connecting the sunroof to the carriage.

A similar assembly manufactured by the present applicant provides a mount that is pivotably connected to the carriage to provide an angular range of adjustment in pitch, which is to say, in the lengthwise direction of the rail; this accommodates a degree of structural movement and misalignment in the assembly.

EP1754659 A2 teaches another such assembly, wherein the mount is connected to the carriage via a ball joint.

It is a general objective of the present invention to provide a more compact assembly for mounting a sliding panel or other mobile structure for movement in translation along a rail, and suitable for use in boats or other structures where misalignment or structural movement may be expected.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided an assembly as defined in claim 1.

The novel assembly is provides for mounting a mobile structure for movement in translation relative to a support structure, and includes an elongate rail, at least one carriage, and a flexible drive element, for example, a chain.

The rail is mountable to a support structure and has an internal guideway and a slot, the guideway and the slot extending along the rail. The guideway defines guide surfaces and opens through the rail via the slot.

The at least one carriage is arranged in the guideway of the rail for translation along a length axis of the guideway.

The flexible drive element is connected to a first carriage of said at least one carriage and movable in tension to pull the first carriage along the rail.

The or each carriage of the at least one carriage includes a carriage frame, first and second rollers, and a mount.

The first and second rollers are rotatably mounted to the carriage frame and spaced apart along the rail, wherein respective contact surfaces of the first and second rollers are arranged in rolling engagement with the guide surfaces of the guideway to retain the at least one carriage to the rail.

The mount extends along a mount axis away from the carriage frame and through the slot, the mount being connectable to a mobile structure arranged externally of the rail to mount the mobile structure to the at least one carriage.

The mount is pivotable relative to the rail through an angular range of adjustment, respectively in pitch and in roll with respect to the length axis.

The mount is pivotable relative to the carriage frame about a pitch axis to define the angular range of adjustment in pitch, the pitch axis being perpendicular to a pitch plane, the pitch plane extending along the rail and containing the mount axis.

The at least one carriage is rotatable relative to the rail about the length axis to define the angular range of adjustment in roll.

By arranging the carriage in the guideway of the rail, the novel assembly is made more compact. By arranging for the carriage to be rotatable about the length axis of the guideway, the novel assembly incorporates an angular range of adjustment in roll, in addition to pitch adjustment which is provided by the pivotal connection between the mount and the carriage frame, and so accommodates misalignment and flexing of the structure with multiple degrees of freedom.

Further advantages and optional features will be appreciated from the following illustrative embodiment of the invention which will now be described, purely by way of example and without limitation to the scope of the claims, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 shows an assembly including a pair of rails mounted in parallel, each rail having first and second carriages, the first carriages of the rails being driven by an actuator via a flexible drive element.

Fig. 2 shows the assembly of Fig. 1 in side view, with a rigid panel mounted on the four mounts of the carriages.

Fig. 3 shows the assembly of Fig. 2 mounted on a boat, wherein the panel forms a sunroof of the boat.

Fig. 4 shows a part of one rail, with an idler sprocket mounted part way along the rail, and two carriages mounted in the guideway.

Fig. 5 shows a transverse section through one rail, taken in a plane perpendicular to the length axis XI of the guideway; Fig. 6 shows the section of Fig. 5 with a carriage mounted in the guideway; Fig. 7 shows the assembly of Fig. 6, illustrating the range of angular adjustment of the carriage in roll R; Fig. 8 shows the drive connector mounted on the first carriage, illustrating the range of angular adjustment of the mount in pitch P; Fig. 9 shows how the first carriage rotates in roll about the length axis relative to the drive connector; Figs. 10 and 11 show a carriage mounted in the guideway, seen from an end of one rail in the assembly of Fig. 1, with the idler sprocket at the end of the rail; Fig. 12 shows the first carriage mounted in the guideway, with the chain mount block of the drive connector located in the first guidepath of the rail; Fig. 13 shows the drive sprocket at one end of the rail; and Fig. 14 is another view of the drive sprocket, seen from above the rail, with the drive chain in position.

Reference numerals and characters that appear in more than one of the figures indicate the same or corresponding elements in each of them.

Referring to Figs. 1 -3, two of the novel assemblies 100', 100" may be arranged to support a mobile structure 1 for movement in translation relative to a support structure 2. In the illustrated example, the mobile structure 1 is a rigid panel, e.g. a sunroof, which extends substantially in parallel with the length axes XI of the rails 10, and the support structure 2 is a boat.

The respective rails 10 of the first and second assemblies 100', 100" are mounted in fixed, parallel, spaced relation on the support structure 2, e.g. via fixings (not shown) which may pass through the bottom wall 17 of the rail (Fig. 5), or clamps that engage the rail, or any other suitable arrangement. Each of the first and second assemblies (100', 100") includes a first carriage 40' and a second carriage 40", which are spaced apart along the respective rail 10.

An actuator 90, e.g. an electric motor, is operably coupled (e.g. via driveshafts 91) to the flexible drive element 70 of each of the first and second assemblies 100', 100" to pull the respective first carriages 40' along the respective rails 10.

The mobile structure 1 is connected to the respective mounts 60 of all of the carriages 40. In such arrangements, the mobile structure 1 may provide a fixed moment connection between the mounts 60 of the first 40', second 40", or first and second carriages 40', 40", so as to limit the angular range of adjustment in roll R, as further discussed below.

The rail and drive mechanism A drive wheel 72 may be mounted for rotation on each rail, and the actuator may be arranged to drive the drive wheel 72 in rotation, wherein the flexible drive element is driven in tension by the drive wheel. As illustrated, each drive wheel 72 may be a sprocket, and the flexible drive element may be a chain that passes around the sprocket. An idler wheel 71 may also be provided, so that the flexible drive element can be looped around the idler wheel and the drive wheel and connected at its ends to the carriage 40 (or a respective one of the carriages 40', 40"). This enables the actuator to drive the mobile structure 1 in both directions by reversing the direction of rotation of the drive wheel 72.

By way of example, Fig. 1 and Figs. 10 and 11 illustrate an idler wheel, e.g. an idler sprocket 71, at the opposite end of the rail 10 from the drive sprocket 72. In this arrangement, the chain or other flexible drive element 70 is arranged to extend all the way along the rail 10 between the drive wheel 72 and the idler wheel 71, and all the way back again in a long loop, e.g. via the first and second guide paths 15, 16, as further discussed below. Both first and second carriages 40', 40" may be connected to the chain.

However, in marine applications, the drive chain or other flexible drive element may be made from an expensive material such as 316 stainless steel, for better corrosion resistance, and so it would be desirable to reduce cost by arranging for it to run only part way along the rail.

For this purpose, the idler wheel, e.g. idler sprocket 71, may be arranged instead part way along the rail, as illustrated in Fig. 4 and further discussed below.

Each assembly 100', 100" includes an elongate rail 10, at least one carriage 40, and a flexible drive element 70. As illustrated, two or more carriages 40', 40" may be mounted on each rail 10 to retain the mobile structure 1 to the rail, at least the first carriage 40' being connected to the flexible drive element.

Referring to Fig. 5, the rail 10 is mountable to a support structure 2 (Fig. 3) and has an internal guideway 11 and a slot 12 which extend along the rail 10.

The guideway 11 defines guide surfaces 13', 13" and opens through the rail 10 via the slot 12; which is to say, when considered in a transverse plane perpendicular to the length axis XI (the plane of the drawing of Fig. 5), the slot and guideway together define a recess formed by re-entrant surfaces of the rail.

As illustrated, the guideway 11 may define two pairs of guide surfaces 13', 13", each pair including an inner guide surface 13' and an outer guide surface 13". The outer guide surfaces 13" are arranged adjacent the slot 12, respectively on opposite sides of the slot 12.

It should be understood that references to "guide surfaces" do not imply that the guide surfaces must be separated by other structural features; on the contrary, the guide surfaces may form respective parts of a continuous, flat or smoothly curved surface.

Conveniently however, the guide surfaces may be separated by other features. As illustrated, the slot 12 may open opposite the bottom wall 17 of the rail 10 to facilitate drilling the rail and fixing it to the support structure, for which purpose a recess 18 may be arranged opposite the slot and between the inner guide surfaces 13', so that the head of the fixing can be located within the recess 18 without interfering with the rollers.

As shown, the rail 10 may be generally U-shaped or C-shaped, having a pair of parallel side walls 19 joined by the bottom wall 17, which is so called purely for convenience; the rail may be mounted in other orientations.

As best seen in Figs. land 2, the rail 10 may be curved in the pitch plane Pp (Fig. 6), which is to say, the plane extending along the rail and containing the mount axis Xm, as further discussed below. The rail 10 may be mirror-symmetric about a central plane of symmetry Pc extending along the rail 10 and centrally through the slot 12. The pitch plane Pp may lie in the central plane of symmetry Pc when the at least one carriage 40 is rotated to a mid-position in the angular range of adjustment in roll R, as shown in Fig. 6.

The rail may be made from metal, plastics, or other suitable material. Advantageously, by making the rail mirror-symmetric, the rail may be formed by extrusion, e.g. from aluminium or aluminium alloy, and then bent to the required bend radius without causing distortion in twisting about the length axis Xl.

As illustrated in Figs. land 2, the rail 10 may be curved in the pitch plane Pp with a radius of curvature that varies along the rail 10. In this case, the angular adjustment of each mount 60 in pitch P compensates for the varying angular alignment between each pair of carriages 40 as they travel along the rail past the points where its curvature changes. To accommodate this adjustment in pitch P. which may be somewhat greater than that required to accommodate flexing and misalignment in the structure, the angular range of adjustment in pitch P may be greater than the angular range of adjustment in roll R. Referring again to Fig. 4, where first and second carriages 40', 40" are spaced apart along the rail 10, the flexible drive element 70 may be connected to both carriages.

Alternatively, it may be connected only to the first carriage 40' and not to the second carriage 40", so that the rigid panel or other mobile structure 1 is driven in translation by the first carriage 40' and transfers the motion to the second carriage 40" which retains it to the rail 10.

In this case, the flexible drive element 70 may be arranged to turn around a guide wheel 71 rotatably mounted to the rail 10, the guide wheel 71 being arranged between a first portion 10' of the rail 10 and a second portion 10" of the rail 10, the first and second portions 10', 10" being arranged in series along the rail 10. The flexible drive element 70 extends along the first portion 10', e.g. in a loop as shown, but not along the second portion 10" of the rail 10. The flexible drive element 70 is arranged outside the guideway 11, so that it does not interfere with the carriages 40. The second carriage 40" is movable in translation past the guide wheel 71 along both of the first and second portions 10', 10" of the rail 10. In this way, the chain or other flexible drive element 70 does not need to run the full length of the rail.

Referring also to Fig. 5, the rail 10 may define a first guidepath 15, which may be open outwardly of the rail along the length of the rail, and may extend alongside the slot 12. A base surface 15' of the first guidepath 15 may be formed as a flange which extends inwardly from the side wall 19 towards the slot. A pair of opposed guide walls 15" may be arranged on either side of the base surface 15' to guide the chain 70 or other flexible drive element 70 slidingly along the base surface 15'.

Alternatively or additionally, the rail 10 may define a second guidepath 16 extending along the rail 10, the second guidepath 16 being enclosed within the rail 10 when considered in a transverse plane perpendicular to the length axis XI (the plane of the drawing).

A portion of the chain or other flexible drive element 70 may be arranged within the second guidepath 16, forming the return part of the loop.

Where the rail 10 is formed from an extrusion, a part of the rail 10 may be cut away to accommodate the flexible drive element 70 at the guide wheel 71. As shown in Fig. 4, part of the side wall 19 and the first and second guide paths 15, 16 can be cut away for this purpose. In this way, the rail can be manufactured conveniently by extrusion, bent to the required bend radius (which may vary along the length of the rail), and also accommodate the chain or other flexible drive element within the rail.

As illustrated in Fig. 5, the rail 10 may define both first and second guidepaths 15, 16 extending along the rail 10. When considered in a transverse plane perpendicular to the length axis XI (the plane of the drawing in Fig. 5), the first and second guidepaths 15, 16 are spaced apart, and the second guidepath 16 is enclosed within the rail 10. The flexible drive element 70 may be arranged in a loop, wherein first and second portions of the loop are arranged, respectively, in the first and second guidepaths 15, 16. As illustrated, where the rail 10 is mirror-symmetrical, two pairs of first and second guidepaths 15,16 may be provided, one pair on each side of the rail. This both helps avoid distortion while bending the rail, and also allows for the use of two flexible drive elements to drive the first (or each) carriage 40 in heavy duty applications, each flexible drive element being received in a respective one of the pairs of guidepaths so that it travels around and between the drive wheel 72 and guide wheel 71 in a loop along the rail. In most applications, one such flexible drive element may be sufficient.

Fig. 14 shows how the chain 70 is received slidingly in the first guidepath 15 where it loops around the drive sprocket 72 at the end of the rail 10. The chain is not shown in the other figures.

As best seen in Fig. 13, a wear liner (e.g. a plastics moulding) may be arranged in the first guidepath 15 to reduce sliding friction between the flexible drive element 70 and the rail. A similar wear liner 21 may be arranged inthe second guidepath 16, best seen in Fig. 10.

Figs. 10 and 11 also illustrate an adjuster mechanism 73 for adjusting the position of the guide wheel or idler sprocket 71 so as to tension the chain or other flexible drive element 70. A similar adjuster mechanism 73 is shown in Fig. 4 where the guide wheel or idler sprocket 71 is arranged instead part way along the rail 10.

Also shown in Fig. 4 and Fig. 13 is a position sensor 92, which is arranged to sense the position of a respective one of the carriages 40', 40" and send a signal to the actuator 90 or a controller of the actuator to slow or stop the motion of the carriages when the mobile structure 1 approaches or reaches the target position.

A mechanical stop or abutment 22 may also be arranged in the rail to limit the motion of the carriages 40, as shown in Figs. 13 and 14.

The carriage As best seen in Fig. 4 and Figs. 10-12, the at least one carriage 40 is arranged in the guideway 11 of the rail 10 for translation along a length axis XI of the guideway 11.

That is to say, the carriage 40 is at least partially within the guideway 11; as shown, the mount 60 of the carriage extends from the guideway 11 to connect to the mobile structure 1.

It should be understood that the length axis XI is defined by the guideway 11, and so where the rail 10 is curved, the length axis XI will follow that curvature, as shown in Fig. 2.

In this specification, a "carriage" means a part that is retained to the rail and moves in translation along the rail. It could alternatively be referred to as a slider, although advantageously it is supported rather by rolling engagement between the rollers and the rail, which reduces friction. By "rollers" is meant elements that are arranged in rolling engagement with the rail; they could alternatively be referred to as wheels. The rollers can be made from plastics material to reduce friction relative to a metal rail; alternatively they could be made from metal.

The flexible drive element 70 is connected to a first carriage 40' of the at least one carriage 40 and movable in tension to pull the first carriage 40' along the rail 10.

Referring now to Figs. Sand 9, the or each carriage 40', 40" of the at least one carriage 40 includes a carriage frame 41, first and second rollers 51, 52, and a mount 60. The first and second rollers 51, 52 are rotatably mounted to the carriage frame 41 and spaced apart along the rail 10 when the carriage 40 is positioned in the guideway 11.

As shown in Figs. 6 -7 and Figs. 10-11, respective contact surfaces 53 of the first and second rollers 51, 52 are arranged in rolling engagement with the guide surfaces 13', 13" of the guideway 11 to retain the at least one carriage 40 to the rail 10.

The mount 60 extends along a mount axis Xm away from the carriage frame 41 and through the slot 12. The mount 60 is connectable to the panel or other mobile structure 1, which is arranged externally of the rail 10, to mount the mobile structure 1 to the at least one carriage 40.

As shown in Fig. 7 and Fig. 9, the mount 60 is pivotable relative to the rail 10 through an angular range of adjustment, respectively in pitch P and in roll R, with respect to the length axis Xl.

The mount 60 is pivotable relative to the carriage frame 41 about a pitch axis Xp to define the angular range of adjustment in pitch P, the pitch axis Xp being perpendicular to a pitch plane Pp (Fig. 6), the pitch plane Pp extending along the rail 10 and containing the mount axis Xm.

The or each carriage 40 is rotatable relative to the rail 10 about the length axis XI to define the angular range of adjustment in roll R. As illustrated, the contact surfaces 53 of the first and second rollers 51, 52 may be spherically curved.

As illustrated in Fig. 5 (although the rollers are not shown in section), the inner and outer guide surfaces 13', 13" of each pair of guide surfaces may be diametrically opposed along a diameter of the contact surfaces 53 when considered in a transverse plane perpendicular to the length axis XI and bisecting the first or second roller 51, 52. In this arrangement, the contact points are diametrically opposed to react forces in opposite directions.

The rail is configured so that the contact surfaces 53 of the first and second rollers 51, 52 will be in contact with some or all of the guide surfaces 13', 13" of the guideway 11 throughout the angular range of adjustment in roll R. As illustrated, in all positions of the carriage 40 through its angular range of adjustment in roll R, at least three, optionally all four, of the inner and outer guide surfaces 13', 13" may be in contact with the respective contact surfaces 53 of each roller 51, 52, so that the carriage 40 is always restrained against movement in any direction away from the length axis Xl. It will be understood of course that "in contact" means in rolling contact, and so is construed to include a degree of separation consistent with the tolerance of the assembly to allow for the movement of the rollers along the rail.

The angular range of adjustment in roll R may be constrained to ensure that all four guide surfaces 13', 13" always remain in contact with the contact surfaces 53 of each roller. Such constraint may be provided, for example, by the rigid panel or other mobile structure 1, or by abutment of the mount 60 against the opposed walls 14 of the slot 12.

If the assembly is used with a pair of rails 10 arranged in parallel, and the rigid panel or other mobile structure 1 provides a fixed moment connection between the mounts 60 of the carriages 40 of the respective rails 10, i.e. it clamps them against rotation, then the angular range of adjustment in roll R may allow for the contact surfaces 53 to lose contact with one of the outer outer guide surfaces 13" at the extreme end of the range of roll; in this case, the mobile structure 1 transfers loads between the two rails so that the loss of contact at one rail is compensated by load transfer to the other.

As best seen in Fig. 8, the pitch axis Xp may intersect the length axis XI of the guideway 11 when the carriage is installed in the rail.

The first and second rollers 51, 52 are rotatable relative to the carriage 40 about respective, first and second roller axes Xr1, Xr2. The first and second roller axes Xr1, Xr2 may be fixed in relation to the carriage frame 41, and may intersect the length axis XI of the guideway 11, as best seen in Fig. 8 which shows the length axis XI as it lies relative to the carriage 40 when the carriage 40 is installed in the rail.

As further shown in Fig. 8, the pitch axis Xp may intersect the length axis XI of the guideway 11 between the first and second roller axes Xr1, Xr2. The pitch axis Xp may be equidistant between the first and second roller axes Xr1, Xr2. Advantageously, this arrangement allows the panel or other mobile structure 1 to rotate about the same point in pitch and in roll.

As illustrated, the first and second rollers 51, 52 may be arranged to react, against the guide surfaces 13', 131T, forces applied to the carriage 40 in all directions away from the length axis XI of the guideway 11. In this way the rollers retain the carriage 40 to the rail 10 against displacement in all directions away from the length axis XI of the guideway 11.

The carriage 40 may be mounted to the rail 10 only via two (first and second) rollers 51, 52, so that the carriage 40 reacts said forces only via the first and second rollers 51, 52, in all positions of the at least one carriage 40 within the angular range of adjustment in roll R. By providing only two rollers 51, 52, the carriage is adaptable to different bend angles of the rail. The rollers preferably rotate about defined axles forming their rotation axes, so that the rotation axes do not move along the rail relative to the carriage frame.

As best shown in Figs. 4, 8 and 9 and Fig. 12, the flexible drive element 70 may be connected to the first carriage 40' via a drive connector 80. The drive connector 80 may be rotatable about the length axis XI relative to the carriage frame 41 of the first carriage 40, which isolates the chain or other flexible drive element 70 from the rotation of the carriage in roll R. This allows the chain to lie flat in the first guidepath 15 while the carriage moves in roll R to accommodate structural movement or misalignment or to adjust to torsion or flexure of the panel 1, e.g. under wind loading.

The drive connector 80 may be arranged in sliding contact with the rail 10 to prevent rotation of the drive connector 70 about the length axis XI relative to the rail 10. For this purpose, the drive connector 80 may be arranged in sliding contact with opposed walls 14 of the slot 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the drive connector includes for this purpose a block 81 which slides along the slot 12. Further as illustrated, the drive connector 80 may include a chain mount block 82 which lies in the first guidepath 15 for connection to the chain 70.

In summary, a carriage is mounted on rollers in a guideway of an elongate rail fixed to a support structure, the carriage having a mount that extends through a slot in the rail to retain a panel or other mobile structure to the rail. The carriage is driven in translation along the rail by a chain or other flexible drive element acting in tension. The mount is adjustable in pitch relative to the carriage frame, while the carriage is adjustable in roll relative to the rail, to accommodate flexure and misalignment of the mobile structure and support structure. The assembly may be used to support a moving sunroof on a boat.

In alternative embodiments, the flexible drive element may be a chain or a belt or a cable. The drive wheel or sprocket could be arranged at the end of the rail or in any other desired position. The actuator could be arranged to drive both drive wheel and guide wheel (in which case they could both be referred to as drive wheels or sprockets.) If the rail has constant curvature and limited roll, then the or each carriage could have more than two rollers, or the rollers could be arranged as recirculating bearings rather than having fixed axles or rotation axes.

Many further adaptations are possible within the scope of the claims.

In the claims, reference numerals and characters are provided in parentheses, purely for ease of reference, and should not be construed as limiting features.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An assembly for mounting a mobile structure (1) for movement in translation relative to a support structure (2), including: an elongate rail (10), at least one carriage (40), and a flexible drive element (70); the rail (10) being mountable to a support structure (2) and having an internal guideway (11) and a slot (12), the guideway (11) and the slot (12) extending along the rail (10), the guideway (11) defining guide surfaces (13', 13") and opening through the rail (10) via the slot (12); the at least one carriage (40) being arranged in the guideway (11) of the rail (10) for translation along a length axis (XI) of the guideway (11), the flexible drive element (70) being connected to a first carriage (40') of said at least one carriage (40) and movable in tension to pull the first carriage (40') along the rail (10); the or each carriage (40', 40") of the at least one carriage (40) including: a carriage frame (41), first and second rollers (51, 52), and a mount (60); the first and second rollers (51, 52) being rotatably mounted to the carriage frame (41) and spaced apart along the rail (10), wherein respective contact surfaces (53) of the first and second rollers (51, 52) are arranged in rolling engagement with the guide surfaces (13', 13") of the guideway (11) to retain the at least one carriage (40) to the rail (10); the mount (60) extending along a mount axis (Xm) away from the carriage frame (41) and through the slot (12), the mount (60) being connectable to a mobile structure (1) arranged externally of the rail (10) to mount the mobile structure (1) to the at least one carriage (40); the mount (60) being pivotable relative to the rail (10) through an angular range of adjustment, respectively in pitch (P) and in roll (R) with respect to the length axis (XI); wherein the mount (60) is pivotable relative to the carriage frame (41) about a pitch axis (Xp) to define the angular range of adjustment in pitch (P), the pitch axis (Xp) being perpendicular to a pitch plane (Pp), the pitch plane (Pp) extending along the rail (10) and containing the mount axis (Xm); and the at least one carriage (40) is rotatable relative to the rail (10) about the length axis (XI) to define the angular range of adjustment in roll (R).
2. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein the contact surfaces (53) of the first and second rollers (51, 52) are spherically curved.
3. An assembly according to claim 2, wherein the guideway (11) defines two pairs of guide surfaces 13', 13", each pair including an inner guide surface 13' and an outer guide surface (13"); the outer guide surfaces (13") being arranged adjacent the slot (12), respectively on opposite sides of the slot (12); the inner and outer guide surfaces (13', 13") of each pair being diametrically opposed along a diameter of the contact surfaces (53) when considered in a transverse plane perpendicular to the length axis (XI) and bisecting the first or second roller (51, 52).
4. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein the pitch axis (Xp) intersects the length axis (XI) of the guideway (11).
5. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first and second rollers (51, 52) are rotatable relative to the at least one carriage (40) about respective, first and second roller axes (Xr1, Xr2), wherein the first and second roller axes (Xr1, Xr2) are fixed in relation to the carriage frame (41).
6. An assembly according to claim 5, wherein the first and second roller axes (Xr1, Xr2) intersect the length axis (XI) of the guideway (11).
7. An assembly according to claim 6, wherein the pitch axis (Xp) intersects the length axis (XI) of the guideway (11) between the first and second roller axes (Xr1, Xr2).
8. An assembly according to claim 7, wherein the pitch axis (Xp) is equidistant between the first and second roller axes (Xr1, Xr2).
9. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first and second rollers (51, 52) are arranged to react, against the guide surfaces (13', 13"), forces applied to the at least one carriage (40) in all directions away from the length axis (XI) of the guideway (11), to retain the at least one carriage (40) to the rail (10) against displacement in all directions away from the length axis (XI) of the guideway (11).
10. An assembly according to claim 9, wherein the at least one carriage (40) is arranged to react said forces only via the first and second rollers (51, 52), in all positions of the at least one carriage (40) within the angular range of adjustment in roll (R).
11. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein the flexible drive element (70) is connected to the first carriage (40') via a drive connector (80), the drive connector (80) being rotatable about the length axis (XI) relative to the carriage frame (41) of the first carriage (40).
12. An assembly according to claim 11, wherein the drive connector (80) is arranged in sliding contact with the rail (10) to prevent rotation of the drive connector (70) about the length axis (XI) relative to the rail (10).
13. An assembly according to claim 12, wherein the drive connector (80) is arranged in sliding contact with opposed walls (14) of the slot (12).
14. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein the rail (10) is curved in the pitch plane (Pp).
15. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein the rail (10) is curved in the pitch plane (Pp) with a radius of curvature that varies along the rail (10).
16. An assembly according to claim 15, wherein the angular range of adjustment in pitch (P) is greater than the angular range of adjustment in roll (R).
17. An assembly according to claim 1, including a second said carriage (40"), the first and second carriages (40', 401T) being spaced apart along the rail (10).
18. An assembly according to claim 17, wherein the flexible drive element (70) is not connected to the second carriage (401T), and wherein the flexible drive element (70) is arranged to turn around a guide wheel (71) rotatably mounted to the rail (10), the guide wheel (71) being arranged between a first portion (10') of the rail (10) and a second portion (10") of the rail (10), the first and second portions (10', 10") being arranged in series along the rail (10); the flexible drive element (70) extending along the first portion (10') but not along the second portion (10") of the rail (10); wherein the flexible drive element (70) is arranged outside the guideway (11); and the second carriage (40") is movable in translation past the guide wheel (71) along both of the first and second portions (10, 10") of the rail (10).
19. An assembly according to claim 18, wherein the rail (10) defines a guidepath (16) extending along the rail (10), the guidepath (16) being enclosed within the rail (10) when considered in a transverse plane perpendicular to the length axis (XI); and a portion (70") of the flexible drive element (70) is arranged within the guidepath (16); and the rail (10) is formed from an extrusion, wherein a part of the rail (10) is cut away to accommodate the flexible drive element (70) at the guide wheel (71).
20. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein the rail (10) defines first and second guidepaths (15, 16) extending along the rail (10); wherein, when considered in a transverse plane perpendicular to the length axis (XI), the first and second guidepaths (15, 16) are spaced apart, and the second guidepath (16) is enclosed within the rail (10); and the flexible drive element (70) is arranged in a loop, wherein first and second portions (70, 70") of the loop are arranged, respectively, in the first and second guidepaths (15, 16).
21. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein the rail (10) is mirror-symmetric about a central plane of symmetry (Pc) extending along the rail (10) and centrally through the slot (12).
22. An assembly according to claim 21, wherein the pitch plane (Pp) lies in the central plane of symmetry (Pc) when the at least one carriage (40) is rotated to a mid-position in the angular range of adjustment in roll (R).
23. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein the flexible drive element (70) is a chain or a belt or a cable.
24. An assembly including: first and second assemblies (1001, 10011) as defined in claim 1, an actuator (90), a support structure (2), and a mobile structure (1); each of the first and second assemblies (100', 100") including a respective, second said carriage (4011), the first and second carriages (401, 4011) of each assembly (100) being spaced apart along the respective rail (10); the respective rails (10) of the first and second assemblies (100', 100") being mounted in fixed, parallel, spaced relation on the support structure (2); the actuator (90) being operably coupled to the flexible drive element (70) of each of the first and second assemblies (100', 10011) to pull the respective first carriages (40') along the respective rails (10); the mobile structure (1) being connected to the respective mounts (60) of all of the carriages (40).
25. An assembly according to claim 24, wherein the mobile structure (1) provides a fixed moment connection between the mounts (60) of the first (40'), second (40"), or first and second carriages (40', 40"), so as to limit the angular range of adjustment in roll (R).
26. An assembly according to claim 25, wherein the mobile structure (1) is a rigid panel, the panel extending substantially in parallel with the length axes (XI) of the rails (10).
27. An assembly according to claim 26, wherein the support structure (2) is a boat.