An adjustable trolley for sliding door and window fixtures

Abstract

 The trolley comprises a first hollow element (8) of which the top face (8a) affords a downwardly angled profile (9) designed, once the fixture is erected, to interact with a cam (10) afforded by the topmost part (6a) of a second hollow element (6) such that the first can be shifted in relation to the second. The outer flank faces of the first element (8) also carry a pair of transversely projecting pins (12) insertable in two mutually opposed grooves (13) on the inner flank faces of the second element (6), which are open at the bottom ends and joined at the top ends with two further grooves (14) of profile similar to that of the cam (10); these additional grooves (14) combine with the pins (12) to restrain the second element (6) slidably, and to advantage, removably.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an adjustable trolley for sliding door and window fixtures, in particular fixtures constructed from metal section members.

[0002] Conventionally, fixtures of this type comprise a surround frame of which a bottom member (coinciding in effect with a fixed cross rail of the structure) consists in a longitudinal track; the track affords a surface on which to position one or more wheels, associated with the corresponding bottom rail of the sliding sash and projecting a short distance from the bottom face of the rail.

[0003] The wheels are permanently associated with casings secured to the bottom corners of the sliding sash, each constituting the hollow body of a respective trolley fitted to the bottom rail internally of the relative section and, in general, carrying a single wheel. The wheel may be adjustable for height so as to allow fine positioning of the sash during the assembly operation.

[0004] In an existing solution, as disclosed in Utility Model IT 190 865, for example, which is designed to facilitate the accommodation of any unevenness in the track, use is made of a trolley having a pair of wheels anchored rotatably to a rocker carried pivotably and slidably in a pair of angled slots afforded by the flanks of the casing; the trolley in question also comprises adjustment means located externally of the casing and impinging directly on the rocker, which permit of altering the position of the rocker in relation to the casing.

[0005] It now occurs to the applicant that a trolley with these same capacities of adapting to unevenness in the track, and allowing adjustment of the fixture, might be embodied to advantage in such a way as to afford greater precision in final adjustment of the fitted sash while presenting a compact structure of minimized dimensions and permitting removal of the moving component without the need even for partial detachment of the sliding sash from the surround.

[0006] Accordingly, the object of the present invention is to provide such a trolley.

[0007] The stated object is realized in an adjustable trolley for sliding door and window fixtures as characterized in the appended claims.

[0008] The invention will now be described in detail, by way of example, with the aid of the accompanying drawings, in which:

• fig 1 is a side elevation of the trolley according to the present invention, in which certain parts are omitted and others shown in section;
• fig 2 shows the trolley of fig 1, viewed in plan from above with certain parts omitted and others shown in section;
• fig 3 is a cross section of the trolley according to the invention, shown fitted to a sliding sash;
• fig 4 shows an enlarged detail of the trolley of fig 1, and more exactly a set of internal grooves, seen in perspective and with certain parts omitted.

[0009] Referring to the accompanying drawings, a trolley according to the invention forms part of a sliding door or window fixture comprising a stationary surround frame 1 (illustrated partially in fig 3), of which the bottom part, and more exactly a fixed bottom rail 2, is embodied as a track 3 extending in the longitudinal direction of the fixture and affording a surface on which to position a set of wheels 4 associated with the bottom rail 5 of a sliding sash frame and projecting downwards from the bottom face of the rail 5.

[0010] The trolley carries two wheels 4, anchored freely and rotatably to a first hollow element 8 with a bottom open face which can be connected (the manner to be described in due course) to a second hollow element 6, secured internally of the bottom rail 5 at one end by way of respective fastening means 7.

[0011] In the example illustrated, such fastening means 7 consist in a grub screw 70 accommodated within a relative socket 71 afforded by a terminal boss 72 integral with the second hollow element 6, which can be tightened against the bottom face of the rail 5. To advantage, the second hollow element 6 also incorporates a pair of longitudinal fins 23 appearing uncinate in section (fig 3) and designed to locate in corresponding channels 24 afforded by the rail 5, which provide an additional measure of support.

[0012] 11 denotes means of adjustment located externally of the second hollow element 6 and impinging on the first hollow element 8, which serve to induce a relative translatory motion such as will vary the distance separating the wheels 4 from the sash.

[0013] The top face 8a of the first hollow element 8 (see figs 1 and 2) exhibits a portion 9 of downwardly angled profile which, with the fixture assembled, is designed to interact slidably with a matching reaction surface 10 afforded by the topmost part 6a of the second hollow element 6, thereby allowing translation of the first hollow element 8 relative to the second hollow element 6 by operation of the adjustment means 11.

[0014] More exactly (still in figs 1 and 2), the external flank faces of the first hollow element 8 afford a pair of transversely projecting pins 12 insertable slidably in respective mutually opposed grooves 13 afforded by the internal flank faces of the second hollow element 6; the bottom end of each groove 13 is open, whilst the remaining end merges internally of the hollow element 6 (and substantially without any break in continuity) into a further respective groove 14. As discernible in particular from fig 4, these further grooves 14 occupy a position axially contiguous to the reaction surface 10 afforded by the same top part of the second hollow element 6 and exhibit substantially the same arcuate profile, in such a way that the first hollow element 8 can be restrained freely and slidably.

[0015] The aforementioned adjustment means 11 consist in a screw 15 freely insertable through the end wall 16 of the second hollow element 6, accommodated by a relative clearance slot 17, and engaging rotatably in a matching threaded socket 18 afforded by the end wall 19 of the first element 8; the screw 15 is also insertable through a retaining and alignment block 20, interposed between the screw itself and the end wall 19. The block 20 will be seen also to afford a pair of vertical profiles 21 disposed in such a way as to interlock with a pair of matching dovetail profiles 22 integral with the outermost end wall 16 and thus remain permanently associated with the second hollow element 6 while slidable vertically in relation thereto so as to accommodate the movement of the screw 15 in bringing about the translatory motion of the first hollow element 8.

[0016] To advantage, the circumferential surfaces of the seating offered by the block 20 might be roughened (a feature not illustrated in the drawings) so as to prevent the screw 15 from slipping.

[0017] 25 denotes one of a pair of slots afforded by each flank of the first hollow element 8, and serving to ensure the stable retention of a relative wheel 4; the edges of each slot 25 are staked or otherwise deformed below the wheel hub 4a to create an angled lip 26 on either side, thus anchoring the wheel more securely within the first hollow element 8.

[0018] An adjustable trolley thus embodied is fitted to the sliding sash (typically, two such trolleys are fitted one to each end of the bottom rail), before the sash is offered to the fixed surround frame, by locating the fins 23 of the second hollow element 6 in the relative channels 24 afforded by the rail 5 and securing the element in the desired position by tightening the grub screw 70 (which will have been inserted previously into its socket 71).

[0019] Next, the first hollow element 8, with the wheels 4 already anchored, is introduced from the bottom by locating the pins 12 in the vertical grooves 13 and directing upward until accommodated stably between the two profiled grooves 14; with the first hollow element 8 held in the appropriate position, the screw 15 can be inserted through the block 20 and located in the threaded socket 18 afforded by the relative end wall 19. At this point, rotating the screw 15 right or left by means of the appropriate tool from externally of the assembly, the installer is able to adjust the distance between the wheels 4 and the sash with ease, by virtue of the permanent contact maintained (not least by the weight of the sash) between the two arcuate surfaces 9 and 10, which function as cam profiles to induce an upward or downward movement (see arrow F, fig 1) of the first hollow element 8 in relation to the second 6; the screw 15 is subjected to no bending stress by this movement given the freedom of vertical sliding motion allowed to the block 20 by the two sets of matching profiles 21 and 22 (see arrow F1, fig 1).

[0020] A trolley thus embodied affords the advantages of compact dimensions, and precise adjustment, thanks to the arcuate cam profiles incorporated into the two casing elements; the adjustment is swift and simple, moreover, since the installer has no need to remove the sash from the track, and the block associated with the end of the trolley provides a permanent means of reference and alignment.

[0021] The embodiment of the adjustable trolley described and illustrated implies no limitation; in the case of especially heavy sashes, for example, the wheel hubs might be carried in bearings.

Claims

1. An adjustable trolley for sliding door and window fixtures typically comprising a surround frame (1) of which the bottom member, coinciding with the fixed bottom rail (2), consists in a longitudinal track (3) on which to position at least one pair of wheels (4) associated with a corresponding bottom rail (5) forming part of a sliding sash, projecting from the bottom face of the rail (5), and anchored rotatably to a first hollow element (8) associated with a second hollow element (6) secured internally to one end of the bottom rail (5) with respective fastening means (7), wherein the first element (8) is capable of translatory movement in relation to the second element (6), induced by means (11) of adjustment accessible from externally of the second element (6), in such a way as to allow of altering the distance between the wheels (4) and the sash, characterized

- in that the top face (8a) of the first hollow element (8) exhibits a portion (9) of downwardly angled profile designed, with the fixture assembled and in use, to interact slidably with a matching reaction surface (10) afforded by the topmost part (6a) of the second hollow element (6) and thus assist in inducing the translatory movement of the first element;

- in that the external flank faces of the first hollow element (8) afford a pair of transversely projecting pins (12) insertable respectively and slidably in mutually opposed grooves (13) afforded by the internal flank faces of the second hollow element (6), of which the bottom ends are open and the remaining ends merge with further respective grooves (14) afforded by the same flank faces of the second hollow element (6), located contiguously to and fashioned substantially with the same angled profile as that of the reaction surface (10), in such a way as to afford means of restraining the first hollow element (8) freely and slidably.

2. A trolley as in claim 1, wherein the means (11) of adjustment consist essentially in a screw (15) freely insertable through the end wall (16) of the second hollow element (6), occupying a relative clearance slot (17) afforded by the wall (16), and engaging in a matching threaded socket (18) offered by the corresponding end wall (19) of the first hollow element (8), also a retaining and alignment block (20) interposed between the screw (15) and the second hollow element (6), affording a passage to the screw (15) and exhibiting a pair of vertical profiles (21) disposed in such a way as to maintain a stable position, by interlocking with a pair of matching dovetail profiles (22) integral with the end wall (16) of the second hollow element (6), while accommodating the movement of the screw (15) that occurs when the translatory motion is induced in the first hollow element (8).

3. A trolley as in claim 1, wherein the second hollow element (6) is embodied with at least one pair of longitudinally extending fins (23), uncinate in section and insertable in corresponding channels (24) afforded by the bottom rail (5) of the sliding sash, by which additional support is afforded to the second hollow element (6).

4. A trolley as in claim 1, wherein the flanks of the first hollow element (8) afford a plurality of slots (25) arranged in pairs and ensuring a stable retention of the wheels (4), of which the edges are staked beneath the corresponding wheel hubs (4a) in such a manner as to create an angled lip (26) on either side.

Drawing