Embodiments according to the present invention relate generally to supporting a moveable object on a guide rail, and more particularly to systems and methods for interfacing to a guide rail, such as a system for interfacing a rolling ladder to a guide rail.
Many prior devices have been developed for interfacing to a guide rail. Some of the prior art devices for interfacing with a guide rail comprise a hook mechanism. While the hook mechanism allows for easy interfacing and removal, the sliding friction created by any lateral movement makes such movement difficult and inefficient. Other prior art interfacing systems may comprise a wheel mechanism to allow for easy lateral movement. This prior art, however, generally uses a track or channel in which the wheel runs and is contained. As such, with the wheel contained within the mechanism on a guide rail, the moveable object that is supported on the guide rail cannot be easily removed. As such, there remains space in the art for improved systems and methods for interfacing to a guide rail which provide efficient lateral movement yet providing easy interfacing and removal capabilities, while maintaining a secure connection, of the moveable object on the guide rail.
The present invention provides improved systems and methods for interfacing to a guide rail.
One aspect of the invention provides a system comprising a longitudinal support rail capable of being coupled to a support structure, the rail having a rail radius; a rail interface mechanism comprising a wheel that is rotatable about a wheel spin axis and configured to interface with the longitudinal support rail, the wheel comprising a body formed about said wheel spin axis, said wheel having an at least partially u-shaped channel formed radially into the body and forming a first flange defining a first flange diameter and a second flange defining a second flange diameter; wherein the channel is configured to receive said longitudinal support rail and is formed about a channel axis, the channel having a channel radius measured from said channel axis.
The system may also provide a support rail that is substantially tubular.
The system may also provide a support rail that has a substantially circular cross section.
The system may also provide a channel that has a primary diameter measured parallel to the wheel spin axis and a secondary diameter measured along a straight line that is coplanar with, but not parallel to, the wheel spin axis, between a point at the end of said first flange and a coplanar point at the end of said second flange, and wherein the secondary diameter is at least as great as the primary diameter.
The system may also provide a channel radius that is greater than or equal to said rail radius.
The system may also provide a channel having a channel axis distance measured radially from said wheel spin axis to the channel axis, wherein the channel axis distance is greater than one-half of said first flange diameter.
The system may also provide a channel axis that is positioned closer to one of said first flange or said second flange.
Another aspect of the invention provides a system having a longitudinal support rail capable of being coupled to a support structure, a movable element to be moved along the support rail, a rail interface mechanism coupled to the movable element, the rail interface mechanism comprising a wheel coupled to the movable element and rotatable about a wheel spin axis, said wheel comprising a body formed about said wheel spin axis, wherein the wheel has an at least partially u-shaped channel formed radially into the body and forming a first flange and a second flange.
The system may also provide a support structure that is a book case.
The system may also provide a moveable element that is a ladder.
The system may also provide a wheel that is directly rotatably coupled to said moveable element.
The system may also provide a surface assembly coupled to said movable element at a location where said movable element meets a support surface, said surface assembly configured to accommodate movement of said movable element along said support surface.
The system may also provide a surface assembly that is a roller assembly.
The system may also provide a wheel that is rotatably coupled to a position adjustment mechanism.
The system may also provide a position adjustment mechanism comprising a mounting bracket configured to be coupled to a moveable element and a slide bracket that is slidably moveable relative to said mounting bracket, and wherein said wheel being rotatably coupled to said slide bracket.
The system may also provide a position adjustment mechanism that has a slide bracket biased in a first position in relation to said mounting bracket.
The system may also provide a slide bracket that is capable of being moved into a second position in lateral relation to said mounting bracket.
The system may also provide a wheel that is coupled to said position adjustment mechanism by a threaded member extending therethrough.
Another aspect of the invention provides a method comprising the steps of providing a system comprising a longitudinal support rail capable of being coupled to a support structure, a movable element to be moved along said support rail, a rail interface mechanism coupled to said movable element, said rail interface mechanism comprising a wheel coupled to said movable element and rotatable about a wheel spin axis, said wheel comprising a body formed about said wheel spin axis, said wheel having an at least partially u-shaped channel formed radially into the body and forming a first flange and a second flange; positioning said wheel in alignment with said longitudinal support rail; placing said wheel on said longitudinal support rail such that said channel receives said support rail, thereby placing the wheel in rotatable engagement with said support rail; and moving said moveable element along said longitudinal support rail.
The method may also provide a channel that has a primary diameter measured parallel to the wheel spin axis, and a secondary diameter measured along a straight line that is coplanar with, but not parallel to, the wheel spin axis, between a point at the end of said first flange and a coplanar point at the end of said second flange, and wherein said secondary diameter is at least as great as the primary diameter.
Although the disclosure hereof is detailed and exact to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, the physical embodiments herein disclosed merely exemplify the invention which may be embodied in other specific structures. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention, which is defined by the claims.
Turning now to the Figures,
The rail 12 may be a tubular or substantially cylindrical member formed along a longitudinal rail axis 13. The rail 12 may be of any desired cross-section, but a substantially circular cross-section, as shown, is preferred. The rail 12 may be attached directly or coupled indirectly to a support structure 14, such as a wall, a doorway, a shelving system 14 as shown, such as a bookshelf adapted to support one or more books 16, or any other structure that can support the rail 12.
The rail interface mechanism 100 may comprise a simple slide hook (not shown) or double roller systems (not shown) as conventionally known in the art. However, a preferred rail interface mechanism 100 includes at least one rail interface wheel 110 coupled to a moveable object, such as ladder 20, a moveable chalkboard or dry erase board, a window covering, or the like. As is generally conventional in the art, a ladder 20 according to the present invention may include a plurality of rails 24 separated by one or more rungs 26. Generally, each rail 24 is supported in a generally vertical plane, but also disposed, in that plane, at an oblique angle to the support surface 30. The rails 24 are preferably at least substantially parallel to each other. Each rung 26 may be supported by one or more rails 24 and positioned generally perpendicular thereto.
Referring to
As shown in
The moveable object, such as a ladder 20, may be provided with one or more movement assemblies 22 coupled thereto for at least partially supporting the ladder 20 and any load carried thereby, on a support surface 30, such as a floor, ledge, or other surface. The movement assembly 22 provides for preferably sliding or rolling contact with the support surface 30. As shown in
Turning now to
Further, the channel axis 126 may be positioned closer to either a substantially planar first surface 127 of the wheel body 120 or a substantially parallel, substantially planar second surface 129 of the wheel body 120, thereby disposing the channel 122 closer to either the first surface 127 or the second surface 129. Alternatively, the channel axis 126 may be substantially centered between the first surface 127 and the second surface 129.
Turning now to
The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Furthermore, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention, which is defined by the claims.
This application claims the benefit of co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/453,411, filed 16 Mar. 2011, and entitled “Systems and Methods for Interfacing to a Guide Rail.”
Number | Date | Country | |
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61453411 | Mar 2011 | US |