Track system having a rolling member

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 11358497
  • Patent Number
    11,358,497
  • Date Filed
    Monday, March 9, 2020
    4 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, June 14, 2022
    2 years ago
Abstract
A support member may be configured for selective connection with and removal from track assemblies. A support member may include a body and a rolling member rotatably connected to the body to facilitate movement of the support member along a track. The rolling member may include a grooved configuration to limit movement of the support member relative to said track in a Y-direction. The rolling member may include a groove configured to engage a protrusion or ridge of said track. The rolling member may include a first portion and a second portion separated in an axial direction by the groove.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to tracks and rolling members that may be used in connection with track systems, including track systems and rolling members that may, for example, be utilized with vehicles and/or vehicle seats.


BACKGROUND

This background description is set forth below for the purpose of providing context only. Therefore, any aspect of this background description, to the extent that it does not otherwise qualify as prior art, is neither expressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the instant disclosure.


Some track systems are complex, difficult to use, difficult to assemble, are not efficient, and/or do not provide sufficient functionality.


There is a desire for solutions/options that minimize or eliminate one or more challenges or shortcomings of track systems and/or rolling members. The foregoing discussion is intended only to illustrate examples of the present field and is not a disavowal of scope.


SUMMARY

In embodiments, a support member may be configured for selective connection with and removal from track assemblies. A support member may include a body and a rolling member rotatably connected to the body to facilitate movement of the support member along a track. The rolling member may include a grooved configuration to limit movement of the support member relative to said track in a Y-direction. The rolling member may include a groove configured to engage a protrusion or ridge of said track. The rolling member may include a first portion and a second portion separated in an axial direction by the groove.


The foregoing and other potential aspects, features, details, utilities, and/or advantages of examples/embodiments of the present disclosure will be apparent from reading the following description, and from reviewing the accompanying drawings.





BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

While the claims are not limited to a specific illustration, an appreciation of various aspects may be gained through a discussion of various examples. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, and certain features may be exaggerated or hidden to better illustrate and explain an innovative aspect of an example. Further, the exemplary illustrations described herein are not exhaustive or otherwise limiting, and are not restricted to the precise form and configuration shown in the drawings or disclosed in the following detailed description. Exemplary illustrations are described in detail by referring to the drawings as follows:



FIG. 1 is a perspective view generally illustrating an embodiment of a track system according to teachings of the present disclosure.



FIG. 2 is a perspective view generally illustrating an embodiment of a track system according to teachings of the present disclosure.



FIG. 3A is a perspective view generally illustrating an embodiment of a track assembly according to teachings of the present disclosure.



FIG. 3B is a partial perspective view generally illustrating an embodiment of a track system according to teachings of the present disclosure.



FIG. 3C is a perspective view generally illustrating an embodiment of a track system according to teachings of the present disclosure.



FIG. 3D is a partial perspective view generally illustrating an embodiment of a track system according to teachings of the present disclosure.



FIGS. 4 and 5 are partial perspective views generally illustrating embodiments of track systems according to teachings of the present disclosure.



FIGS. 6A and 6B are perspective views generally illustrating embodiments of track systems according to teachings of the present disclosure.



FIG. 7 is a side view generally illustrating an embodiment of a rolling member according to teachings of the present disclosure.



FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view generally illustrating an embodiment of a rolling member according to teachings of the present disclosure.



FIGS. 9A and 9B are perspective views generally illustrating embodiments of rolling members according to teachings of the present disclosure.



FIG. 10 is an enlarged partial perspective view generally illustrating portions of embodiments of a track assembly and a rolling member of a track system according to teachings of the present disclosure.



FIG. 11 is a perspective view generally illustrating portions of embodiments of a track assembly and a support member of a track system according to teachings of the present disclosure.





DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While the present disclosure will be described in conjunction with embodiments and/or examples, it will be understood that they do not limit the present disclosure to these embodiments and/or examples. On the contrary, the present disclosure covers alternatives, modifications, and equivalents.


In embodiments, such as generally illustrated in FIGS. 1-6B, a track system 20 may include a track assembly 22 and/or a support assembly 24 that may include a support member 26.


With embodiments, such as generally illustrated in FIGS. 3A-6B, a track assembly 22 may include a first track 30 and/or a second track 32. The first track 30 may be configured as an outer track and/or the second track 32 may be configured as an inner track that may be disposed at least partially within the first track 30. The tracks 30, 32 may include or more of a variety of materials. For example and without limitation, the first track 30 may include a first material (e.g., aluminum) that may be relatively light, and/or the second track 32 may include a second material (e.g., steel) that may be relatively strong. The first track 30 may, for example, include a generally U-shaped configuration that may open upward. The second track 32 may, for example, include a generally L-shaped configuration. The support member 26 may move (e.g., roll) along the first track 30 and/or may selectively engage the second track 32 to selectively restrict relative movement between the support assembly 24 and the track assembly 22. Legs 34, 36 of the first track 30, which may extend generally upward from a base 38 of the first track 30, may include T-shaped configurations such that the first track 30 includes a pair of top surfaces 40A, 40B that may be substantially horizontal.


With embodiments, such as generally illustrated in FIGS. 1, 6A, and 6B, a support assembly 24 may include a support member 26 and/or a component 42 that may be connected to and/or supported, at least in part, by the support member 26. The component 42 may, for example and without limitation, include a seat (e.g., a vehicle seat), a console, and/or cargo, among others. The support assembly 24 may be configured for connection with, movement along, and/or removal (e.g., substantially vertical removal) from the track assembly 22. The support assembly 24 may, for example, be configured for connection with and/or removal (from the track assembly 22 in at least three positions.


With embodiments, a support assembly 24 may be configured to move along a track assembly 22, as least in part, via one or more rolling members 50. A rolling member 50 may be rotatably connected to a body 52 of the support member 26. For example and without limitation, a first rolling member 50 may be rotatably connected at or about a first end 54 of the support member 26, and/or a second rolling member 50′ may be rotatably connected at or about a second end 56 of the support member 26 (see, e.g., FIG. 2).


In embodiments, a rolling member 50 may be configured to support at least a portion of the support assembly 24. A rolling member 50 may rotate, such as about an axis that may be substantially parallel with a Y-direction, as the support assembly 24 moves along the track assembly 22. In some embodiments, rolling members 50 may be connected to the same lateral side of a support member 26 (e.g., the right side in FIGS. 3B and 3C).


With embodiments, such as generally illustrated in FIG. 3A, the first track 30 of the track assembly 22 may be configured as an outer track and may include a first rolling portion 60 and/or a second rolling portion 62. Top surfaces 40A, 40B of the first track 30 may be substantially planar and/or may include the first rolling portion 60 and the second rolling portion 62, respectively. The first rolling portion 60 and the second rolling portion 62 may extend substantially in an X-direction and/or may be separated from each other in the Y-direction, such as by a gap G in the first track 30 between the top surfaces 40A, 40B. The first rolling portion 60 and the second rolling portion 62 may be substantially parallel to and/or at an acute angle to (e.g., angling down and away from the middle of the first track 30) an X-Y plane The gap G may be configured to at least partially receive portions of the support assembly 24, such as, for example and without limitation, an engagement portion 70 of a support member 26 (see, e.g., FIGS. 3B and 3C). Rolling members 50 may be configured to roll along the first rolling portion 60 and/or the second rolling portion 62. Rolling members 50 connected to the same side of a support member 26 may roll along the same rolling portion 60, 62 (see, e.g., FIG. 2).


In embodiments, such as generally illustrated in FIGS. 3B and 3D, an engagement portion 70 of a support member 26 may, for example and without limitation, include a pinion 72, which may be connected to a motor 74 and/or may be configured to engage teeth of the second track 32 to move/adjust the support member 26 along the track assembly 22. Additionally or alternatively, an engagement portion 70 may include an anchor 76 that may selectively engage the second track 32 to restrict/lock movement (e.g., X-direction movement, Y-direction movement, Z-direction movement) of the support assembly 24 relative to the track assembly 22 (see, e.g., FIGS. 2 and 3B).


In embodiments, such as generally illustrated in FIGS. 3A-6B, a rolling portion 60, 62 of a track 30 may include a ridge or protrusion 90, 92 that may extend generally upward in a Z-direction and/or substantially perpendicular to the rolling portion 60, 62. A ridge 90, 92 may extend along some or all of a length of a first track 30 (e.g., in the X-direction). The first rolling portion 60 may include a first ridge 90 and/or the second rolling portion 62 may include a second ridge 92 that may extend substantially parallel to the first ridge 90. The ridges 90, 92 may be disposed at or about inner portions of the rolling portions 60, 62, such as proximate and/or adjacent the gap G. The ridges 90, 92 may, for example, be rounded. Sides 90A, 90B of a ridge 90 may include a first ridge angle θ1 and a second ridge angle θ2, respectively. The angles θ1, θ2 may, for example, be oblique angles relative to a Z-direction and/or a Y-direction.


With embodiments, such as generally illustrated in FIG. 3B, one or more rolling members 50 may be connected to a first side of a support member 26 to engage one of the rolling portions 60, 62 of a track 30. A second side of the support member 26 may be configured to contact and/or engage the other rolling portion 62, 60 of the track 30. For example and without limitation, a support member 26 may include one or more sliding portions 80 (e.g., non-rotating portions) that may, at least in some circumstances (e.g., with heavy loads connected to the support member 26), contact a rolling portion 60 (e.g., a ridge 90, 92) of a track 30, such as to support the support assembly 24 and/or to limit movement (e.g., tilting) of the support assembly 24 relative to the track assembly 22. The one or more sliding portions 80 may, for example, include a material (e.g., plastic, a polymer, etc.) that may be different than the first track 30. The material(s) of the one or more sliding portions 80 may, with examples, be a low-friction material configured to limit frictional forces between the sliding portions 80 and a ridge 90, 92.


With embodiments, such as generally illustrated in FIG. 3A, the first track 30 may include one or more tapered portions 100, 102. For example and without limitation, top surfaces 40A, 40B of the first track 30 may include a first tapered portion 100 and a second tapered portion 102, respectively. The first tapered portion 100 may be disposed proximate, extend from, and/or be part of the first ridge 90 (e.g., may be part of a side 90A of the first ridge 90). The second tapered portion 102 may be disposed proximate and/or extend from the second ridge 92. The tapered portions 100, 102 may extend generally inward and/or downward (e.g., generally toward each other and a bottom of the track 30).


In embodiments, a rolling member 50 may include one or more of a variety of shapes, sizes, configurations, and/or materials. With embodiments, such as generally illustrated in FIGS. 7-9B, a rolling member 50 may be substantially annular and/or may include a generally conical and/or grooved configuration. A rolling member 50 may include a first portion 110 and/or a second 112 portion that may be separated (e.g., in an axial direction, which may be substantially parallel to a Y-direction) by a groove 114 (e.g., a circumferential groove). The first portion 110 and/or the second portion 112 may be substantially conical. The first portion 110 may be disposed axially inward of the second portion 112. A maximum outer diameter 110M of the first portion 110 may, for example, be greater than a maximum outer diameter 112M of the second portion 112 (see, e.g., FIG. 8). The outer diameter of the rolling member 50 may generally decrease in the first portion 110, such as in a direction away from the support member 26 and/or toward the second portion 112. The outer diameter of the rolling member 50 may generally decrease in the second portion 112, such as in a direction away from the support member 26 and/or the first portion 110 (e.g., an axial or Y-direction). The groove 114 may include a minimum diameter 114D that may, for example, be smaller than the minimum outer diameter 110D of the first portion 110 and/or that may be greater than the minimum outer diameter 112D of the second portion 112.


With embodiments, such as generally the first portion 110 may include and/or taper at a first portion angle θ3, and/or the second portion 112 may include and/or taper at a second portion angle θ4. The first portion angle θ3, for example, may correspond to the angle θ1 of a first side 90A of a ridge 90 of a top surface 40A, 40B of a first track 30, and/or the second portion angle θ4, for example, may correspond to the angle θ2 of a second side 90B of the ridge 90. For example and without limitation, the ridge angles θ1, θ2, the first portion angle θ3, and the second portion angle θ4 may be configured to facilitate symmetrical contact of the rolling member 50 with the ridge 90. With embodiments, outer portions 120, 122 of the first portion 110 and/or the second portion 112 (e.g., proximate maximum outer diameters 110M, 112M) may, for example, be rounded.


In embodiments, such as generally illustrated in FIG. 8, the first portion 110, the second portion 112 and/or the groove 114 may include different axial extents. For example and without limitation, an axial extent 110A of the first portion 110 may be greater than an axial extent 114A of the groove 114, and/or an axial extent 112A of the second portion 112 may be greater than the axial extent 110A of the first portion 110. A radial extent 114R (e.g., a depth) of the groove 114 may correspond to (e.g., be substantially the same as, larger than, smaller than, etc.) a height 90H, 92H of a ridge 90, 92.


In embodiments, such as generally illustrated in FIG. 10, a rolling member 50 may be configured to engage a track (e.g., a ridge 90 of a second track 30). The rolling member 50 and the ridge 90 may be configured such that rolling member 50 contacts the ridge 90 in a substantially symmetrical manner, which may include a first portion 110 of the rolling member 50 contacting the ridge 90 in a first contact region 124, and/or a second portion 112 of the rolling member 50 contacting the ridge 90 in a second contact region 126. The first contact region 124 and the second contact region 126 may, for example, be disposed at substantially the same location on opposite sides of the ridge 90.


In embodiments, such as generally illustrated in FIG. 10, as a support member 26 moves along a track assembly 22, a first portion 110 of a rolling member 50 may be in contact (e.g., substantially parallel contact) with a tapered portion 100, 102 of a top surface 40A, 40B of a first track 30, a groove 114 of the rolling member 50 may at least partially receive a ridge 90, 92 of the top surface 40A, 40B of the first track 30, and/or an outer portion 122 of the second portion 112 may contact an outer portion of the ridge 90 and/or the rolling portion 60, 62. At least some of the second portion 112 may, at least in some circumstances, not be in contact with a rolling portion 60, 62 of the first track 30. Contact between the first portion 110 and a tapered portion 100, 102 and/or engagement between the groove 114 and the ridge 90, 92 may restrict relative movement between the support assembly 24 and the track assembly 22, such as in a Y-direction, in a Z-direction, and/or tilting (e.g., about an axis that may be substantially parallel with an X-direction).


In embodiments, such as generally illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, a first track 30 may include a first ridge 90 and a second ridge 92. Rolling members 50 of a support member 26 may, in some circumstances, only engage one of the two ridges 90, 92 at a time (e.g., if the rolling members 50 are connected to and/or disposed at the same side of a support member 26). If a support assembly 24 is connected in a first configuration (e.g., a forward configuration), such as generally illustrated in FIG. 4, the rolling member(s) 50 may engage the first ridge 90. If a support assembly 24 is connected to a track assembly 22 in a second configuration (e.g., a rearward configuration), such as generally illustrated in FIG. 5, the rolling member(s) 50 may engage the second ridge 92. For example and without limitation, a support assembly 24 (and/or support members 26 thereof) may be connected in a forward configuration and in a rearward configuration with the same track assembly 22.


While two rolling members (e.g., rolling members 50, 50′) are described with some embodiments of support members 26, such embodiments and other embodiments may include other numbers of rolling members 50 (e.g., fewer, additional, etc.) and rolling members 50 may be connected in one or more of a variety of other configurations (e.g., on both sides of a support member 26).


In embodiments, such as generally illustrated in FIGS. 6A and 6B, a support assembly 24 may include a first support member 26 and a second support member 26′, and/or a track system 20 may include a first track assembly 22 and a second track assembly 22′. The first support member 26 may be connected to the second support member 26′ via a cross member 130 and/or a component 42. The first support member 26 and/or the second support member 26′ may move substantially together along the first track assembly 22 and the second track assembly 22′. The first support member 26 and the second support member 26′ may be configured for connection with, movement along, and/or removal from both of the first track assembly 22 and the second track assembly 22′. For example and without limitation, in a first/forward configuration, the first support member 26 may be connected with the first track assembly 22, and the second support member 26′ may be connected with the second track assembly 22′ (see, e.g., FIG. 6A). In the first configuration, one or more rolling members 50 of the first support member 26 may be engaged with a first ridge 90 of the first track assembly 22, and/or one or more rolling members 50″ of the second support member 26′ may be engaged with a first ridge 90′ of the second track assembly 22′. Additionally or alternatively, in a second configuration, the first support member 26 may be connected with the second track assembly 22′ and the second support member 26′ may be connected with the first track assembly 22 (see, e.g., FIG. 6B). In the second configuration, one or more rolling members 50 of the first support member 26 may be engaged with a first ridge 90′ of the second track assembly 22′, and/or one or more rolling members 50″ of the second support member 26′ may be engaged with a first ridge 90 of the first track assembly 22.


With embodiments, rolling members 50, 5050″ of the first support member 26 and the second support member 26′, some or all of which may include a grooved and/or conical configuration, may cooperate to limit movement of the support assembly 24, such as in a Y-direction and/or a Z-direction.


In some embodiments, such as generally illustrated in FIGS. 6A and 6B, track assemblies 22, 22′ may be disposed in a mirrored configuration. With a mirrored configuration of the track assemblies 22, 22′, the support members 26, 26′ may be disposed such that rolling members 50, 50′, 50″ are disposed at outer sides (or inner sides) of the support members 26, 26′. In some circumstances, one or more rolling members 50, 50′ of the first support member 26 may restrict movement of the support assembly 24 in a first Y-direction (e.g., via contact between a first portion 110 of a rolling member 50, 50′ and a tapered portion 100 of the first track assembly 22) to a greater degree than a second Y-direction, and/or one or more rolling members 50″ of the second support member 26′ may restrict movement of the support assembly 24 in the second Y-direction (e.g., via contact between a first portion 110 of a rolling member 50″ and a tapered portion 100′ of the second track assembly 22′), to a greater degree than the first Y-direction. The first Y-direction may be substantially opposite the second Y-direction. The one or more rolling members 50″ may include a grooved and/or conical configuration that may be substantially the same as a grooved and/or conical configuration of a rolling member 50, 50′.


While one or two track assemblies (e.g., track assemblies 22, 22′) are described with some embodiments, such embodiments and other embodiments may include one or more additional track assemblies.


With embodiments, such as generally illustrated in FIGS. 3B and 3D, an engagement portion 70 of a support member 26 may include an electrical connector 140. The electrical connector 140 may include one or more contacts 142 configured to electrically connect a support assembly 24 with a track assembly 22. The electrical connector 140 may rotate (e.g., about a Z-direction) such that the electrical contact(s) 142 move into and out of electrical contact with one or more conductors 144 of the track assembly 22. The one or more conductors 144 may be disposed at least partially in one or more insulators 146 that may electrically insulate the one or more conductors 144 from the first track 30.


In embodiments, such as generally illustrated in FIG. 11 (and FIG. 3B), a track (e.g., a second track 32) of a track system 20 may include one or more features 150. The one or more features 150 may, or example and without limitation, include recesses, apertures, projections, printed code, magnets, and/or coils (e.g., to generate/modify a magnetic field), among others. The one or more features 150 may be disposed along the second track 32, such as in an X-direction.


With embodiments, a support member 26 may include one or more sensors 152. A sensor 152 may be configured to sense one or more features 150 of a track (e.g., the second track 32) of a track assembly 22. For example and without limitation, with features 150 that include apertures, the one or more sensors 152 may be configured to sense the lack of track material where the apertures are present and/or sense the presence of the second track 32 where the apertures are not present (e.g., may include/be configured as a Hall effect sensor). In embodiments, the one or more sensors 152 may be utilized in determining a position/location of a support assembly 24 relative to a track assembly 22. The one or more sensors 152 may, for example and without limitation, be connected to and/or incorporated with the electrical connector 140 such that the one or more sensors 152 may rotate with the electrical connector 140. The one or more sensors 152 may be disposed opposite the one or more contacts 142.


Various examples/embodiments are described herein for various apparatuses, systems, and/or methods. Numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the overall structure, function, manufacture, and use of the examples/embodiments as described in the specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It will be understood by those skilled in the art, however, that the examples/embodiments may be practiced without such specific details. In other instances, well-known operations, components, and elements have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the examples/embodiments described in the specification. Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the examples/embodiments described and illustrated herein are non-limiting examples, and thus it can be appreciated that the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein may be representative and do not necessarily limit the scope of the embodiments.


Reference throughout the specification to “examples, “in examples,” “with examples,” “various embodiments,” “with embodiments,” “in embodiments,” or “an embodiment,” or the like, means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the example/embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, appearances of the phrases “examples, “in examples,” “with examples,” “in various embodiments,” “with embodiments,” “in embodiments,” or “an embodiment,” or the like, in places throughout the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more examples/embodiments. Thus, the particular features, structures, or characteristics illustrated or described in connection with one embodiment/example may be combined, in whole or in part, with the features, structures, functions, and/or characteristics of one or more other embodiments/examples without limitation given that such combination is not illogical or non-functional. Moreover, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the present disclosure without departing from the scope thereof.


It should be understood that references to a single element are not necessarily so limited and may include one or more of such element. Any directional references (e.g., plus, minus, upper, lower, upward, downward, left, right, leftward, rightward, top, bottom, above, below, vertical, horizontal, clockwise, and counterclockwise) are only used for identification purposes to aid the reader's understanding of the present disclosure, and do not create limitations, particularly as to the position, orientation, or use of examples/embodiments.


Joinder references (e.g., attached, coupled, connected, and the like) are to be construed broadly and may include intermediate members between a connection of elements and relative movement between elements. As such, joinder references do not necessarily imply that two elements are directly connected/coupled and in fixed relation to each other. The use of “e.g.” in the specification is to be construed broadly and is used to provide non-limiting examples of embodiments of the disclosure, and the disclosure is not limited to such examples. Uses of “and” and “or” are to be construed broadly (e.g., to be treated as “and/or”). For example and without limitation, uses of “and” do not necessarily require all elements or features listed, and uses of “or” are inclusive unless such a construction would be illogical.


While processes, systems, and methods may be described herein in connection with one or more steps in a particular sequence, it should be understood that such methods may be practiced with the steps in a different order, with certain steps performed simultaneously, with additional steps, and/or with certain described steps omitted.


All matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not limiting. Changes in detail or structure may be made without departing from the present disclosure.

Claims
  • 1. A support member configured for selective connection with and removal from track assemblies, the support member comprising: a body; anda rolling member rotatably connected to the body to facilitate movement of the support member along a track;wherein the rolling member includes a grooved configuration to limit movement of the support member relative to said track in a Y-directions;the rolling member includes a groove configured to engage a protrusion or ridge of said track; andthe rolling member includes a first portion and a second portion separated in an axial direction of the rolling member by the groove.
  • 2. The support member of claim 1, wherein the rolling member is monolithic.
  • 3. The support member of claim 1, wherein a first portion of the rolling member includes a first portion angle that corresponds to a ridge angle of a side of said ridge of said track.
  • 4. The support member of claim 1, wherein a maximum outer diameter of the first portion is greater than a maximum outer diameter of the second portion.
  • 5. The support member of claim 4, wherein the second portion is disposed axially outward of the first portion.
  • 6. The support member of claim 1, wherein the first portion and the second portion are configured for symmetrical contact with respective sides of said protrusion or ridge of said track.
  • 7. The support member of claim 1, wherein a minimum diameter of the groove is greater than a minimum diameter of the second portion.
  • 8. The support member of claim 7, wherein a minimum diameter of the first portion is greater than the minimum diameter of the groove; and a maximum diameter of the second portion is greater than the minimum diameter of the first portion.
  • 9. The support member of claim 1, wherein the first portion includes a first portion angle; the second portion includes a second portion angle; andthe first portion angle and the second portion angle are configured to facilitate symmetrical contact of the rolling member with sides of said protrusion or ridge of said track.
  • 10. A track system, comprising: the support member of claim 1; anda track assembly, including: the track;a second track;wherein the second track is disposed at least partially within the track;the support member is configured to roll along the track via the rolling member; andthe support member includes an engagement portion configured to engage the second track to adjust and lock a position of the support member relative to the track assembly in a longitudinal direction of the track assembly.
  • 11. A track system, comprising: the support member of claim 1; andthe track;wherein the support member includes a sensor configured to sense features of the track to facilitate a determination of a position of the support member relative to the track.
  • 12. A track system, comprising: a support assembly, including:the support member of claim 1; anda second support member connected with the support member via a cross member;a first track assembly including the track; anda second track assembly;wherein the support member and the second support member are both configured for connection with and removal from the first track assembly and the second track assembly.
  • 13. The track system of claim 12, wherein the second support member includes a second rolling member having a second grooved configuration to limit movement of the second support member in the Y-direction.
  • 14. The track system of claim 13, wherein the grooved configuration and the second grooved configuration are substantially the same.
  • 15. The track system of claim 13, wherein: (i) the rolling member is disposed at an outer side of the support member, andthe second rolling member is disposed at an outer side of the second support member; or(ii) the rolling member is disposed at an inner side of the support member, andthe second rolling member is disposed at an inner side of the second support member.
  • 16. The support member of claim 1, wherein the groove defines a generally U-shaped profile and opens in a radial direction of the rolling member.
  • 17. A track system, comprising: the support member of claim 1; andthe track;wherein the track includes a top surface having a rolling portion; andthe protrusion or ridge of the track extends substantially perpendicular to the rolling portion.
  • 18. The support member of claim 1, wherein: a region of the first portion configured to contact said ridge extends at a first portion angle;a region of the second portion configured to contact said ridge extends at a second portion angle; andthe first portion angle and the second portion angle are different.
  • 19. The support member of claim 1, wherein: the first portion has a first axial extent;the second portion has a second axial extent;the groove has a third axial extent; andthe first axial extent, the second axial extent, and the third axial extent are different.
  • 20. A support member configured for selective connection with and removal from track assemblies, the support member comprising: a body; anda rolling member rotatably connected to the body to facilitate movement of the support member along a track;wherein the rolling member includes a grooved configuration to limit movement of the support member relative to said track in a Y-direction;the rolling member includes a groove configured to engage a protrusion or ridge of said track;the rolling member includes a first portion and a second portion separated in an axial direction by the groove;a minimum diameter of the groove is greater than a minimum diameter of the second portion;a minimum diameter of the first portion is greater than the minimum diameter of the groove; anda maximum diameter of the second portion is greater than the minimum diameter of the first portion.
Priority Claims (4)
Number Date Country Kind
1853891 May 2018 FR national
1853892 May 2018 FR national
1853893 May 2018 FR national
1853894 May 2018 FR national
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/296,379, filed on Mar. 8, 2019. This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/399,116, filed Apr. 30, 2019, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/399,164, filed Apr. 30, 2019, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/399,179, filed Apr. 30, 2019, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/399,209, filed Apr. 30, 2019, all of which are continuation-in-part applications of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/131,360, filed Sep. 14, 2018, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/131,415, filed Sep. 14, 2018, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/131,404, filed Sep. 14, 2018, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/131,614, filed Sep. 14, 2018, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/131,384, filed Sep. 14, 2018. This application claims the benefit of French Patent Application Serial No. 1853891, filed on May 4, 2018; French Patent Application Serial No. 1853892, filed on May 4, 2018; French Patent Application Serial No. 1853893, filed on May 4, 2018; and French Patent Application Serial No. 1853894, filed on May 4, 2018. This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/979,812, filed on Feb. 21, 2020. The disclosures of all of the above applications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties as though fully set forth herein.

US Referenced Citations (238)
Number Name Date Kind
2126143 McGregor Aug 1938 A
2263554 Brach Nov 1941 A
2480622 Warnock Aug 1949 A
2678082 Nathan May 1954 A
3181102 Fehr Apr 1965 A
3213403 Hermann Oct 1965 A
3268848 Adams Aug 1966 A
3940182 Tamura Feb 1976 A
4020769 Keir May 1977 A
4198025 Lowe et al. Apr 1980 A
4243248 Scholz et al. Jan 1981 A
4282631 Uehara et al. Aug 1981 A
4511187 Rees Apr 1985 A
4575295 Rebentisch Mar 1986 A
4618808 Ish-Shalom et al. Oct 1986 A
4633615 Moose Jan 1987 A
4707030 Harding Nov 1987 A
4711589 Goodbred Dec 1987 A
4763360 Daniels et al. Aug 1988 A
4776809 Hall Oct 1988 A
4830531 Condit et al. May 1989 A
4853555 Wheat Aug 1989 A
4961559 Raymor Oct 1990 A
4969621 Munchow et al. Nov 1990 A
4987316 White et al. Jan 1991 A
5137331 Colozza Aug 1992 A
5167393 Hayakawa et al. Dec 1992 A
5188329 Takahara Feb 1993 A
5192045 Yamada et al. Mar 1993 A
5222814 Boelryk Jun 1993 A
5322982 Leger et al. Jun 1994 A
5332290 Borlinghaus et al. Jul 1994 A
5348373 Stiennon Sep 1994 A
5362241 Matsuoka et al. Nov 1994 A
5446442 Swart et al. Aug 1995 A
5466892 Howard et al. Nov 1995 A
5489173 Hofle Feb 1996 A
5582381 Graf et al. Dec 1996 A
5599086 Dutta Feb 1997 A
5618192 Drury Apr 1997 A
5655816 Magnuson et al. Aug 1997 A
5676341 Tarusawa et al. Oct 1997 A
5696409 Handman et al. Dec 1997 A
5701037 Weber et al. Dec 1997 A
5796177 Werbelow et al. Aug 1998 A
5800015 Tsuchiya et al. Sep 1998 A
5899532 Paisley et al. May 1999 A
5918847 Couasnon Jul 1999 A
5921606 Moradell et al. Jul 1999 A
5927017 Jacobs Jul 1999 A
5964442 Wingblad et al. Oct 1999 A
5964815 Wallace et al. Oct 1999 A
6036157 Baroin et al. Mar 2000 A
6142718 Kroll Nov 2000 A
6150774 Mueller et al. Nov 2000 A
6166451 Pigott Dec 2000 A
6216995 Koester Apr 2001 B1
6227595 Hamelin et al. May 2001 B1
6290516 Gerber Sep 2001 B1
6296498 Ross Oct 2001 B1
6299230 Oettl Oct 2001 B1
6318802 Sjostrom et al. Nov 2001 B1
6357814 Boisset et al. Mar 2002 B1
6400259 Bourcart et al. Jun 2002 B1
6405988 Taylor et al. Jun 2002 B1
6422596 Fendt et al. Jul 2002 B1
6439531 Severini et al. Aug 2002 B1
6480144 Miller et al. Nov 2002 B1
6693368 Schumann et al. Feb 2004 B2
6710470 Bauer et al. Mar 2004 B2
6719350 Duchateau et al. Apr 2004 B2
6736458 Chabanne et al. May 2004 B2
6772056 Mattes et al. Aug 2004 B2
6805375 Enders et al. Oct 2004 B2
6851708 Kazmierczak Feb 2005 B2
6882162 Schirmer et al. Apr 2005 B2
6960993 Mattes et al. Nov 2005 B2
7042342 Luo et al. May 2006 B2
7083437 Mackness Aug 2006 B2
7086874 Mitchell et al. Aug 2006 B2
7113541 Lys et al. Sep 2006 B1
7159899 Nitschke et al. Jan 2007 B2
7170192 Kazmierczak Jan 2007 B2
7188805 Henley et al. Mar 2007 B2
7207541 Frohnhaus et al. Apr 2007 B2
7271501 Dukart et al. Sep 2007 B2
7288009 Lawrence et al. Oct 2007 B2
7293831 Greene Nov 2007 B2
7300091 Nihonmatsu et al. Nov 2007 B2
7322605 Ventura et al. Jan 2008 B2
7348687 Aichriedler et al. Mar 2008 B2
7363194 Schlick et al. Apr 2008 B2
7370831 Laib et al. May 2008 B2
7388466 Ghabra et al. Jun 2008 B2
7389960 Mitchell et al. Jun 2008 B2
7416042 Czaykowska et al. Aug 2008 B2
7434883 Deptolla Oct 2008 B2
7454170 Goossens et al. Nov 2008 B2
7455535 Insalaco et al. Nov 2008 B2
7503522 Henley et al. Mar 2009 B2
7505754 Kazmierczak et al. Mar 2009 B2
7520090 Gerhart Apr 2009 B2
7523913 Mizuno et al. Apr 2009 B2
7556233 Gryp et al. Jul 2009 B2
7560827 Jacas-Miret et al. Jul 2009 B2
7633301 Steenwyk et al. Dec 2009 B2
7661637 Mejuhas et al. Feb 2010 B2
7665939 Cardona Feb 2010 B1
7739820 Frank Jun 2010 B2
7744386 Speidel et al. Jun 2010 B1
7779578 Gray Aug 2010 B2
7980525 Kostin Jul 2011 B2
7980798 Kuehn et al. Jul 2011 B1
8010255 Darraba Aug 2011 B2
8146991 Stanz et al. Apr 2012 B2
8278840 Logiudice et al. Oct 2012 B2
8282326 Krostue et al. Oct 2012 B2
8376675 Schulze et al. Feb 2013 B2
8463501 Jousse Jun 2013 B2
8536928 Gagne et al. Sep 2013 B1
8648613 Ewerhart et al. Feb 2014 B2
8702170 Abraham et al. Apr 2014 B2
8757720 Hurst, III et al. Jun 2014 B2
8800949 Schebaum et al. Aug 2014 B2
8857778 Nonomiya Oct 2014 B2
8936526 Boutouil et al. Jan 2015 B2
8967719 Ngiau et al. Mar 2015 B2
RE45456 Sinclair et al. Apr 2015 E
9010712 Gray et al. Apr 2015 B2
9018869 Yuasa et al. Apr 2015 B2
9045061 Kostin et al. Jun 2015 B2
9162590 Nagura et al. Oct 2015 B2
9174604 Wellhoefer et al. Nov 2015 B2
9242580 Schebaum et al. Jan 2016 B2
9318922 Hall et al. Apr 2016 B2
9340125 Stutika et al. May 2016 B2
9346428 Bortolin May 2016 B2
9422058 Fischer et al. Aug 2016 B2
9533529 Cervello et al. Jan 2017 B2
9561770 Sievers et al. Feb 2017 B2
9610862 Bonk et al. Apr 2017 B2
9663232 Porter et al. May 2017 B1
9673583 Hudson et al. Jun 2017 B2
9701217 Eckenroth et al. Jul 2017 B2
9731628 Rao et al. Aug 2017 B1
9758061 Pluta et al. Sep 2017 B2
9789834 Rapp et al. Oct 2017 B2
9796304 Salter et al. Oct 2017 B2
9815425 Rao et al. Nov 2017 B2
9821681 Rao et al. Nov 2017 B2
9840220 Van Buskirk et al. Dec 2017 B2
9919624 Cziomer et al. Mar 2018 B2
9950682 Gramenos et al. Apr 2018 B1
10059232 Frye et al. Aug 2018 B2
10160351 Sugimoto et al. Dec 2018 B2
10308145 Cziomer et al. Jun 2019 B2
10479227 Nolte et al. Nov 2019 B2
10493243 Braham Dec 2019 B1
10547135 Sugiura Jan 2020 B2
10549659 Sullivan et al. Feb 2020 B2
10654378 Pons May 2020 B2
20020056798 Eguchi et al. May 2002 A1
20050046367 Wevers et al. Mar 2005 A1
20050089367 Sempliner Apr 2005 A1
20050150705 Vincent et al. Jul 2005 A1
20050211835 Henley et al. Sep 2005 A1
20050215098 Muramatsu et al. Sep 2005 A1
20050230543 Laib et al. Oct 2005 A1
20050258676 Mitchell et al. Nov 2005 A1
20060131470 Kamada et al. Jun 2006 A1
20060208549 Hancock et al. Sep 2006 A1
20060220411 Pathak et al. Oct 2006 A1
20080021602 Kingham et al. Jan 2008 A1
20080084085 Mizuno et al. Apr 2008 A1
20080090432 Patterson et al. Apr 2008 A1
20090014584 Rudduck et al. Jan 2009 A1
20090129105 Kusu et al. May 2009 A1
20090251920 Kino et al. Oct 2009 A1
20090302665 Dowty Dec 2009 A1
20090319212 Cech et al. Dec 2009 A1
20100117275 Nakamura May 2010 A1
20110024595 Oi et al. Feb 2011 A1
20120112032 Kohen May 2012 A1
20130020459 Moriyama et al. Jan 2013 A1
20130035994 Pattan et al. Feb 2013 A1
20140263920 Anticuar et al. Sep 2014 A1
20140265479 Bennett Sep 2014 A1
20150048206 Deloubes Feb 2015 A1
20150069807 Kienke Mar 2015 A1
20150083882 Stutika et al. Mar 2015 A1
20150191106 Inoue et al. Jul 2015 A1
20150236462 Davidson, Jr. et al. Aug 2015 A1
20150337582 Halfon Nov 2015 A1
20160039314 Anticuar et al. Feb 2016 A1
20160154170 Thompson et al. Jun 2016 A1
20160236613 Trier Aug 2016 A1
20170080825 Bonk et al. Mar 2017 A1
20170080826 Bonk et al. Mar 2017 A1
20170166093 Cziomer et al. Jun 2017 A1
20170261343 Lanter et al. Sep 2017 A1
20170291507 Hattori et al. Oct 2017 A1
20180017189 Wegner Jan 2018 A1
20180039917 Buttolo et al. Feb 2018 A1
20180086230 Kume et al. Mar 2018 A1
20180086232 Kume Mar 2018 A1
20180105072 Pons Apr 2018 A1
20180148011 Zaugg et al. May 2018 A1
20180183623 Schoenfeld et al. Jun 2018 A1
20180275648 Ramalingam Sep 2018 A1
20190001846 Jackson et al. Jan 2019 A1
20190084453 Petit et al. Mar 2019 A1
20190126786 Dry et al. May 2019 A1
20190337413 Romer Nov 2019 A1
20190337414 Condamin et al. Nov 2019 A1
20190337415 Condamin et al. Nov 2019 A1
20190337416 Condamin et al. Nov 2019 A1
20190337417 Condamin et al. Nov 2019 A1
20190337418 Condamin et al. Nov 2019 A1
20190337419 Condamin et al. Nov 2019 A1
20190337420 Condamin et al. Nov 2019 A1
20190337421 Condamin et al. Nov 2019 A1
20190337422 Condamin et al. Nov 2019 A1
20190337471 Brehm Nov 2019 A1
20190379187 Christensen et al. Dec 2019 A1
20190389336 Malinowski et al. Dec 2019 A1
20200009995 Sonar Jan 2020 A1
20200055423 Prozzi et al. Feb 2020 A1
20200079244 Carbone et al. Mar 2020 A1
20200180516 Moulin Jun 2020 A1
20200180517 Moulin Jun 2020 A1
20200189504 Ricart et al. Jun 2020 A1
20200189511 Ricart et al. Jun 2020 A1
20200194936 Ricart et al. Jun 2020 A1
20200194948 Lammers et al. Jun 2020 A1
20200262367 Fernandez Banares et al. Aug 2020 A1
20200269754 Ricart et al. Aug 2020 A1
20200282871 Ricart et al. Sep 2020 A1
20200282880 Jones et al. Sep 2020 A1
Foreign Referenced Citations (47)
Number Date Country
203190203 Sep 2013 CN
203799201 Aug 2014 CN
104507703 Apr 2015 CN
105264277 Jan 2016 CN
206287857 Jun 2017 CN
107614316 Jan 2018 CN
3710476 Oct 1987 DE
29712180 Sep 1997 DE
202005013714 Dec 2005 DE
102005007430 Mar 2006 DE
102006022032 Dec 2006 DE
102010017038 Feb 2011 DE
102010063615 Feb 2012 DE
102011056278 Feb 2013 DE
202014102336 Jun 2014 DE
102014217754 Mar 2015 DE
102015212100 Dec 2015 DE
112015000380 Oct 2016 DE
102016213444 Jan 2017 DE
102016113409 Apr 2017 DE
102016224663 Jun 2017 DE
102016107306 Oct 2017 DE
0130275 Jan 1985 EP
0565973 Oct 1993 EP
0783990 Jul 1997 EP
1176047 Jan 2002 EP
1209024 May 2002 EP
1431104 Jun 2004 EP
2298609 Mar 2011 EP
1699661 Aug 2012 EP
3150426 Apr 2017 EP
2762814 Nov 1998 FR
2864481 Apr 2006 FR
2951329 Apr 2011 FR
2986751 Aug 2013 FR
3314591 Aug 2002 JP
2003227703 Aug 2003 JP
2005119518 May 2005 JP
2007112174 May 2007 JP
2008158578 Jul 2008 JP
4222262 Feb 2009 JP
2013230721 Nov 2013 JP
2018090053 Jun 2018 JP
0187665 Nov 2001 WO
2003002256 Jan 2003 WO
2004098943 Nov 2004 WO
2005068247 Jul 2005 WO
Non-Patent Literature Citations (5)
Entry
Co-Pending U.S. Appl. No. 16/597,187, filed Oct. 9, 2019.
Co-Pending U.S. Appl. No. 16/672,989, filed Nov. 4, 2019.
Co-Pending U.S. Appl. No. 16/711,661, filed Dec. 12, 2019.
Chinese Office Action dated Dec. 22, 2021 related to corresponding Chinese Patent Application No. 202010159402.1.
German Office Action dated Jan. 25, 2022 related to corresponding German Patent Application No. 10 2020 202 953.9.
Related Publications (1)
Number Date Country
20200207241 A1 Jul 2020 US
Provisional Applications (1)
Number Date Country
62979812 Feb 2020 US
Continuations (2)
Number Date Country
Parent 16131384 Sep 2018 US
Child 16131614 US
Parent 16812762 US
Child 16131614 US
Continuation in Parts (24)
Number Date Country
Parent 16399116 Apr 2019 US
Child 16812762 US
Parent 16131360 Sep 2018 US
Child 16399116 US
Parent 16131415 Sep 2018 US
Child 16131360 US
Parent 16131404 Sep 2018 US
Child 16131415 US
Parent 16131614 Sep 2018 US
Child 16131404 US
Parent 16399179 Apr 2019 US
Child 16812762 US
Parent 16131360 Sep 2018 US
Child 16399179 US
Parent 16131415 Sep 2018 US
Child 16131360 US
Parent 16131404 Sep 2018 US
Child 16131415 US
Parent 16131614 Sep 2018 US
Child 16131404 US
Parent 16812762 US
Child 16131404 US
Parent 16399209 Apr 2019 US
Child 16812762 US
Parent 16131360 Sep 2018 US
Child 16399209 US
Parent 16131415 Sep 2018 US
Child 16131360 US
Parent 16131404 Sep 2018 US
Child 16131415 US
Parent 16131614 Sep 2018 US
Child 16131404 US
Parent 16812762 US
Child 16131404 US
Parent 16399164 Apr 2019 US
Child 16812762 US
Parent 16131360 Sep 2018 US
Child 16399164 US
Parent 16131415 Sep 2018 US
Child 16131360 US
Parent 16131404 Sep 2018 US
Child 16131415 US
Parent 16131614 Sep 2018 US
Child 16131404 US
Parent 16812762 US
Child 16131404 US
Parent 16296379 Mar 2019 US
Child 16812762 US