Abstract:
The present invention relates to sliding supports, and more particularly but not exclusively to sliding supports for use in supporting slidable luggage trays in vehicles. The sliding supports disclosed herein offer less frictional resistance than those of the prior art and are more likely to run smoothly in the environment of a luggage space in a vehicle. The sliding support includes an elongate support element ( 40 ) and a block ( 20 ) slidably supported on the support element ( 40 ). The block ( 20 ) has a roller ( 30 ) mounted thereon. The roller ( 30 ) provides a load bearing contact with the elongate support element ( 40 ).

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims priority of GB application number 0423650.1 filed Oct. 25, 2004.  
       BACKGROUND OF INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates to sliding supports, and more particularly but not exclusively to sliding supports for use in supporting slidable luggage trays for vehicles.  
         [0003]     Pull out luggage trays for luggage spaces in vehicles are known. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,064,335 discloses an apparatus for assisting in the loading and unloading of cargo into a luggage space. The apparatus comprises a pair of C-shaped supports secured in parallel at either side of the cargo space of a delivery vehicle with mutually facing open channels. A rectangular platform is provided having parallel, longitudinal, outwardly opening C-shaped channel edges which engage the C-shaped supports secured in the cargo space. The platform is moveable from an extended to a retracted position. Rollers are rotatably secured to the C-shaped channel and the C-shaped supports along the edges of the platform to allow easy sliding movement of the platform.  
         [0004]     Another approach has been to support a sliding luggage tray on rollers mounted in the vehicle loading bay, for example as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,132,755.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     In the loading bay of a vehicle, it is desirable to maximise the volume of available luggage space. Accordingly, it is undesirable to waste space with bulky mechanisms for sliding the luggage tray out of the luggage space, and the aim of this invention is to provide a reliable and simple sliding support which occupies a small amount of space, especially height.  
         [0006]     According to the invention, there is provided a sliding support comprising an elongate support element suitable for fixing to a first body, and a block suitable for fixing to a second body, the block, in use, being retainingly engaged with and slidably supported on the support element, the support element having a load support surface, and the block having a roller mounted thereon to provide load bearing contact with the load support surface to support the block, in order to reduce frictional resistance when the block slides along the support element.  
         [0007]     The block may include a plurality of rollers for contacting the load support surface of the support element.  
         [0008]     The sliding support preferably includes a plurality of spaced apart blocks for securement in use to the second body.  
         [0009]     The load support surface of the support element may be planar.  
         [0010]     The support element is preferably of channel section, having a base which provides the load support surface.  
         [0011]     The channel section preferably includes side walls which converge towards their free edges, the block being retained by engagement within the channel section such that material of the block engages the side walls of the channel.  
         [0012]     The or each roller may be formed from a plastics material, for example, Nylon or Polyethylene.  
         [0013]     The block may include a recess, the roller being mounted on an axle which is located in the recess. The axle may be formed from steel, for example medium strength stainless steel.  
         [0014]     Furthermore, the recess may extend through the block from the lower surface to the upper surface.  
         [0015]     It is appreciated that the luggage space of a vehicle is a harsh environment and that the channels in which the sliders have to slide are likely to become dirty. If grit and debris comes into contact with the roller, the roller could stall or jam and the force required to slide the luggage tray would be excessive. A skirt may be provided at each end of the block, each skirt extending below the lower surface of the body portion. The skirts prevent pieces of grit and debris becoming jammed in the roller or rollers to allow the roller or rollers to runs freely. In use, the skirts preferably contact the load support surface. Accordingly, the skirts may be used to sweep dirt along the elongate support element.  
         [0016]     To minimise the amount of dirt coming into contact with the rollers, the cross-section of the block and the skirts may be shaped to correspond to the profile of the channel in which they slide when in use.  
         [0017]     The skirts may be formed of a material which wears easily to take the shape of the channel.  
         [0018]     The block may be formed from a plastics material. Furthermore, the block may be formed from a solid polymer, for example an oil-filled polymer, a solid lubricant filled polymer or a self-lubricating polymer to minimise friction between the block and the support element. The polymer may be Nylatron (molybdenum filled nylon). Alternatively, the block may be formed from PTFE. Furthermore, the block may be extruded or molded, for example, injection moulded. The skirt and the block may be moulded as a single piece. Alternatively, the skirt may be connected to the block after formation of the block. For example, the skirt may comprise a brush which is adhered to the block.  
         [0019]     In order to allow the block to be connected to the second body, for example the underside of a luggage tray, holes may extend through the block. The holes may be countersunk in the lower surface of the block to allow a minimum thickness of block and to prevent the means for connecting the block to the second body from contacting the support element.  
         [0020]     The support element may comprise a steel press-formed, extruded or cold-rolled channel.  
         [0021]     In a preferred embodiment, the assembly comprises a pair of support elements, in each of which is mounted a pair of blocks. The first body may comprise a vehicle and the two pairs of blocks may be fixed to a vehicle luggage tray.  
         [0022]     By way of example, specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described further by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0023]      FIG. 1  is an exploded isometric view showing a luggage tray fitted with the sliding support of the present invention.  
         [0024]      FIG. 2 ( i ) shows an isometric view of a block according to a first embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0025]      FIG. 2 ( ii ) shows a cross-sectional side view of a block according to a first embodiment of the present invention; and  
         [0026]      FIG. 2 ( iii ) shows a cross-sectional side view of a block according to a first embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0027]      FIG. 3 ( i ) shows a plan view of a block according to a second embodiment of the present invention when positioned in a channel;  
         [0028]      FIG. 3 ( ii ) shows a cross-sectional side view along the line B-B of  FIG. 3 ( i ) of a block according to a second embodiment of the present invention when positioned in a channel;  
         [0029]      FIG. 3 ( iii ) shows an end view of a block according to a second embodiment of the present invention when positioned in a channel;  
         [0030]      FIG. 3 ( iv ) shows a side view of a block according to a second embodiment of the present invention when positioned in a channel;  
         [0031]      FIG. 3 ( v ) shows a cross-sectional end view along the line A-A of  FIG. 3 ( iv ) of a block according to a second embodiment of the present invention when positioned in a channel; and  
         [0032]      FIG. 3 ( vi ) shows an isometric view of a block according to a second embodiment of the present invention when positioned in a channel.  
         [0033]      FIG. 4  shows an enlarged cross-sectional side view of a block according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
       [0034]      FIG. 1  shows a luggage tray  100  fitted with a plurality of blocks  10  which slide within a pair of channels  40  in accordance with the present invention. The blocks  10  and channels  40  allow the luggage tray to slide. In use, the channels  40  would be fitted to the floor of the luggage compartment of the vehicle. More than two sliding supports may be used to increase load rating or stability. Three sliding supports are likely to be used in many applications.  
         [0035]      FIG. 2  shows a block  10  according to an embodiment of the present invention. The block comprises a body portion  20  with a cross-section which is shaped to fit within a channel. The body portion is provided with two pairs of cut-outs  22  for housing a pair of axles  32 . On each axle  32  is mounted a roller  30 . At least a portion of the rollers  30  extend out of the recess  26  formed in the body portion  20 . In addition, a pair of holes  24  are provided in the housing portion. The holes are used to accommodate a pair of rivets or screws in order to attach the block to an article, for example a luggage tray, which is to slide relative to the channel.  
         [0036]      FIG. 3  shows a block  10  according to a second embodiment of the invention which is positioned in a channel  40 . The channel  40  is of steel, for example cold rolled steel, but could be of other suitable material. The block  10  includes a body portion  20  in which is formed a recess  26  that extends through the entire thickness of the body portion  26 . A roller  30  mounted on an axle  32  is mounted within the recess  26  such that at least a part of the roller extends beyond the lower surface of the body portion. The roller contacts a load support surface provided by the web of the channel  40  and any load applied to the block  10  bears against the channel  40  via the roller  30 . A pair of holes  24  are also formed in the body portion  24  which are used to accommodate a pair of rivets or screws in order to attach the block to a portion, for example to a luggage tray, which is to slide relative to the channel.  
         [0037]     The channel  40  has C-shaped flanges  42  and the body portion of the block has corresponding C-shaped edges  28  which fit within the flanges of the channel and prevent lateral and vertical movement of the block within the channel. As can be seen from  FIG. 3 ( iv ) in particular, the overall thickness of the block is only slightly larger than the depth of the flanges of the channel  40 . Consequently, when used to mount a luggage tray, the volume of luggage space lost to the sliding mechanism is small. The channel is attached to a body such as a vehicle loading bay by screws, rivets or other suitable fixings.  
         [0038]      FIG. 4  shows a block of second embodiment provided with a skirt  50  at both ends. Each skirt  50  extends below the block to the same extent as the roller. The skirts  50  are present to sweep any dirt out of the path of the roller. The skirts  50  bear only a very minimal load. The skirts are designed so that their bottom edges wear easily. Consequently, the shirts take the shape of the channel in which the block is mounted and efficiently sweep away any grit or debris.  
         [0039]     Skirt  50  is shown integrally formed with the block  20  in  FIG. 4 . However, the skirts, which may take the form of brushes, may be attached to the block after formation by adhesive.  
         [0040]     The block is ideally of plastics material such as a polymer, for example an oil-filled polymer, a solid lubricant filled polymer or a self lubricating polymer to minimise frictional resistance. Suitable materials are molybdenum filled nylon or PTFE. The block may be extruded or moulded.  
         [0041]     The blocks of the present invention offer a number of advantages over the known prior art. The blocks are significantly less bulky than previously known apparatus and therefore reduce the amount of lost luggage space when used to mount luggage trays. The blocks are also sufficiently strong to sustain loads stored in a luggage compartment of a vehicle. Furthermore, friction between the blocks and the channels is sufficiently small to allow the blocks to slide within the channel without a substantial force being required.  
         [0042]     Although the present invention has been described for use with a luggage tray in a vehicle, it will be appreciated that the present disclosure is not so limited and that the sliding support can be used in a number of other situations.  
         [0043]     It will of course be understood that the present invention has been described above purely by way of example, and that modifications of detail can be made within the scope of the invention.