Roller assemblies for hanging panels

Roller assemblies for hanging panels are disclosed herein. Roller assemblies according to the present disclosure are configured to support a hanging panel and include an elongate rail configured to be mounted on a surface. The roller assembly includes a trolley assembly, which includes a bearing assembly configured to translate the trolley assembly along the elongate rail and a bracket coupled to the bearing assembly and configured to be coupled to the hanging panel. The elongate rail includes a rail adjustment system configured to facilitate adjusting a position and/or an orientation of the elongate rail with respect to the surface. The rail adjustment system is concealed in a rail-assembled configuration, and includes at least two spaced-apart rail adjustment mechanisms.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to roller assemblies for hanging panels.

BACKGROUND

Panels or other objects, such as doors, windows, ladders, movie screens, artwork, window coverings, curtains, and the like, have long been well-known architectural and design options. Hardware frequently is used to slide these panels from side-to-side using wheels that roll along a horizontal track. Some designs include wheel and track hardware that is visible to users. However, conventional designs for visible hardware for these panels tend to be cumbersome and have low tolerances between mating parts. This can result in instability of the hardware as it rolls along the track and, therefore, cause instability of the panels attached to the hardware.

Additionally, aligning these hanging panels can be challenging and minor adjustments often are needed. In some arrangements, these hanging panels need to be aligned with respect to the wall, another structure within the room, or another hanging object. These hanging panels often are secured to a wall or another structure at or near the ceiling of a room, which leaves little space to adjust and align the hanging panels. Much of the conventional hardware is bulky and difficult to adjust within such a small space.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure is directed to roller assemblies for hanging panels. Roller assemblies according to the present disclosure are configured to support a hanging panel and include an elongate rail configured to be mounted on a surface. The elongate rail has a generally horizontal top rail portion and a bottom rail portion that is at least substantially parallel to the top rail portion. Roller assemblies also include a trolley assembly configured to move along the elongate rail and to support the hanging panel. The trolley assembly includes a bearing assembly configured to translate the trolley assembly along the top rail portion and a bracket coupled to the bearing assembly and configured to be coupled to the hanging panel for sliding the hanging panel along the elongate rail. The elongate rail includes a rail adjustment system configured to facilitate adjusting a position and/or an orientation of the elongate rail with respect to the surface. The rail adjustment system is concealed in a rail-assembled configuration, and includes at least two spaced-apart rail adjustment mechanisms.

DESCRIPTION

Roller assemblies and component parts thereof according to the present disclosure are schematically illustrated inFIGS. 1-4, with roller assemblies generally indicated at10. As schematically illustrated inFIG. 1, a roller assembly10according to the present disclosure includes an elongate rail300and at least one trolley100that is configured to move along elongate rail300. The trolley100includes a bearing assembly110and a bracket200coupled to bearing assembly110. As used herein, trolley100also may be referred to as a trolley assembly100. Elongate rail300is configured to be mounted on a surface20and to support a panel400. Specifically, bearing assembly110is configured to slide along a top surface of elongate rail300. As used herein, elongate rail300also may be referred to as a rail300. Bracket200is configured to be coupled to panel400in any appropriate manner. For example, bracket200may be configured to be operatively coupled to an upper edge of panel400, and/or may be configured to be operatively coupled to a vertical face of panel400. As used herein, panel400also may be referred to as a hanging panel400or a sliding panel400, and may be or include (but is not limited to) one or more of a window, a ladder, a screen, an artwork, a shelving, and/or a window covering. Surface20may be any appropriate surface, such as a generally vertical wall and/or a generally horizontal ceiling, to which elongate rail300may be mounted and along which a panel400is desired to be positioned and slid.

In the Figures, the same reference numerals are intended to designate like and corresponding, but not necessarily identical, elements through the various Figures. Accordingly, when like-numbered elements are shown in two or more Figures, they may not be discussed in each such Figure, and it is within the scope of the present disclosure that the preceding discussion, including variants referred to therein, shall apply unless otherwise indicated. Similarly, while like-numbered elements, including illustrative values, materials, constructions, variants thereof, and the like, are described in two or more portions of the present disclosure and/or in connection with two or more Figures, it is within the scope of the present disclosure that these illustrative values, material, constructions, variants thereof, and the like may be applied even if not repeated in the discussion at each such occurrence.

As used herein, positional terms such as “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “rear” and the like may be used to describe spatial relationships between components of roller assembly10in an illustrative, non-limiting manner. For example, bearing assembly110may be described as rolling along a top side of rail300. Similarly, bracket200may be described as having a rear face that faces panel400when the panel is mounted on the bracket and a front face opposite the rear face. Such terms are provided as context only and do not limit component parts of roller assemblies10to always be in a specific orientation relative to ground.

With reference toFIGS. 2 and 4, in some examples of roller assemblies10, bearing assembly110includes an outer race116with an outer race outer contact surface118configured to contact a top rail portion310(illustrated inFIG. 3) of elongate rail300and an inner race128concentric with outer race116. Bracket200is operatively connected to inner race128via a hub112configured to offset bearing assembly110from bracket200in a direction substantially parallel to a bearing assembly axis114.

Outer race116may be configured to rotate with respect to inner race128, and may be configured to move along top rail portion310without slipping with respect to the top rail portion. Stated differently, outer race116may be configured to rotate in such a way that the outer race remains in static contact with rail300(i.e., remain in contact with rail300without slipping against rail300) while trolley100and/or panel400translate horizontally with respect to rail300. Bearing assembly110additionally includes a bearing mechanism111located generally between outer race116and inner race128and configured to contact outer race116and inner race128to reduce a rolling resistance therebetween. Outer race116is configured to rotate about bearing assembly axis114.

Outer race116includes an outer race inner contact surface124configured to contact at least a portion of bearing mechanism111, and outer race inner contact surface124may include an outer race channel126configured to correspond to a shape of a portion of bearing mechanism111. Similarly, inner race128includes an inner race outer surface130configured to contact at least a portion of bearing mechanism111, and inner race outer surface130may include an inner race channel132configured to correspond to a shape of a portion of bearing mechanism111. For example, and as schematically illustrated inFIG. 2, bearing mechanism111may include, or be, a plurality of rolling elements134located between and generally in contact with each of outer race116and inner race128. Bearing assembly110additionally may include a cage136configured to retain the plurality of rolling elements134between outer race116and inner race128. The plurality of rolling elements134may be configured to revolve about bearing assembly axis114while outer race116rotates about bearing assembly axis114.

With reference toFIG. 3, elongate rail300includes top rail portion310that is generally horizontal when installed and a bottom rail portion314that is parallel, or at least substantially parallel, to top rail portion310. As illustrated inFIG. 3, top rail portion310may have a convex cross-section characterized by a rail radius of curvature312.

In some examples of roller assemblies10, elongate rail300includes an integral face plate360that is integrally formed with top rail portion310and bottom rail portion314and a detachable face plate362. Integral face plate360and detachable face plate362are coupled together in a rail-assembled configuration, such that integral face plate360and detachable face plate362define a rail cavity302therebetween in the rail-assembled configuration. Detachable face plate362is configured to be separated from a remainder of elongate rail300to expose rail cavity302in a rail-disassembled configuration, as schematically represented inFIG. 3. Integral face plate360may be proximal to surface20relative to detachable face plate362when elongate rail300is mounted on surface20; however, this is not required, and it is within the scope of the present disclosure that integral face plate360may be distal surface20relative to detachable face plate362when elongate rail300is mounted on surface20. Also within the scope of the present disclosure is an integral face plate360that includes only one of top rail portion310and bottom rail portion314, and a detachable face plate362that includes the other of top rail portion310and bottom rail portion314.

Detachable face plate362may include a face plate rear366that faces generally toward rail cavity302in the rail-assembled configuration, and may include at least one face plate attachment tab364positioned on face plate rear366. Elongate rail300may include at least one corresponding face plate clip358configured to engage face plate attachment tab364to operatively secure detachable face plate362to integral face plate360in the rail-assembled configuration, such as to conceal rail cavity302from view.

Elongate rail300may have a side profile with any appropriate shape. For example, elongate rail300may have a side profile with a rectangular shape, a rectangular shape with rounded ends, a circular shape, an elliptical shape, an arch shape, a U-shape, a rounded top edge, a rounded bottom edge, a substantially flat top edge, and/or a substantially flat bottom edge. Additionally or alternatively, top rail portion310may include a top rail groove extending longitudinally along elongate rail300.

Elongate rail300may be formed of any appropriate material. For example, at least a portion of the elongate rail may be formed of a plastic, a metal, aluminum, steel, copper, brass, gold, and/or silver. Additionally or alternatively, top rail portion310may be formed of any appropriate material, such as a plastic, a metal, aluminum, steel, copper, brass, gold, and/or silver, and may be formed of the same material as a remainder of integral face plate360and/or elongate rail300or a different material than the remainder of integral face plate360and/or elongate rail300. Suitable plastics may include thermoplastics, such as polyoxymethylene, or acetal, a formulation of which is sold under the trademark DELRIN.

With continued reference toFIG. 3, elongate rail300includes a rail adjustment system304configured to facilitate adjusting a position and/or an orientation of elongate rail300with respect to a surface20. In some examples of rail assemblies10, rail adjustment system304is concealed within rail cavity302in the rail-assembled configuration and includes at least two spaced-apart rail adjustment mechanisms334. For example, rail adjustment system304may include two rail adjustment mechanisms334, three rail adjustment mechanisms334, four rail adjustment mechanisms334, and/or more than four rail adjustment mechanisms334. Each rail adjustment mechanism334includes an adjustment face336defined on a portion of elongate rail300that faces rail cavity302. For example, adjustment face336may be coupled to integral face plate360or may be integrally formed with integral face plate360. Adjustment face336includes a series of adjustment face ridges337that are parallel, or at least substantially parallel, to top rail portion310. Adjustment face ridges337may project from integral face plate360toward rail cavity302.

Rail adjustment mechanism334further includes an adjuster plate338with one or more adjuster plate ridges339configured to engage adjustment face ridges337of adjustment face336. Adjuster plate338additionally includes an adjuster plate face340opposite adjuster plate ridges339and an adjuster plate mounting hole342that extends through adjuster plate338. Adjuster plate mounting hole342is generally aligned with a corresponding rail mounting hole356defined in integral face plate360when elongate rail300is mounted on surface20.

Adjustment face ridges337and adjuster plate ridges339may have any appropriate complementary shapes. For example, each of the adjustment face ridges337may have a triangular profile and/or a sawtooth profile, and each of the adjuster plate ridges339additionally may have a triangular profile and/or a sawtooth profile, such that adjustment face ridges337and adjuster plate ridges339are configured to matingly engage.

Adjuster plate338may have any appropriate size and shape. For example, adjuster plate338may be generally rectangular and additionally may be generally square. Furthermore, adjuster plate338may have an adjuster plate width and an adjuster plate height such that a diameter of rail mounting hole356is smaller than the adjuster plate width and/or the adjuster plate height.

Rail adjustment mechanism334additionally may include a rail fastener348with a fastener head350and a fastener body352. Fastener body352may be at least partially threaded. Fastener head350may have a width that is greater than a diameter of adjuster plate mounting hole342, for example to inhibit adjuster plate338from sliding off of an end of rail fastener348that is not secured to surface20. Rail fastener348may be configured to couple elongate rail300to surface20by extending through adjuster plate mounting hole342and through rail mounting hole356such that fastener head350engages adjuster plate face340to retain adjuster plate338against a portion of adjustment face336when elongate rail300is mounted to surface20. In this configuration, adjuster plate ridges339may operatively engage with adjustment face ridges337to restrict movement of adjuster plate338relative to adjustment face336. That is, engagement of adjuster plate ridges339with adjustment face ridges337may obstruct a vertical translation of elongate rail300with respect to surface20when rail fastener348is operatively coupled to surface20and tightened.

Additionally, fastener body352may have a width that is smaller than the width of fastener head350and that is smaller than the diameter of rail mounting hole356, and rail mounting hole356may have a diameter that is greater than a diameter of adjuster plate mounting hole342. For example, the diameter of the rail mounting hole may be at least 1.25 times, at least 1.5 times, at least 1.75 times, at least 2 times, at least 2.25 times, at least 2.5 times, less than 3 times, less than 2.75 times, less than 2.3 times, less than 2.1 times, less than 1.8 times, less than 1.6 times, and/or less than 1.3 times the width of the fastener body. In this configuration, a vertical position of elongate rail300with respect to surface20may be varied while a vertical position of rail fastener348and adjuster plate338relative to surface20is held fixed. Such a configuration may permit an adjustment of a vertical position of elongate rail300with respect to surface20while rail fastener348is inserted through adjuster plate mounting hole342and rail mounting hole356and into surface20without fully removing rail fastener348from surface20.

As mentioned, rail adjustment system304includes at least two rail adjustment mechanisms334, which may be used at spaced-apart locations along elongate rail300. Accordingly, at each location of a rail adjustment mechanism334, the vertical location of elongate rail300relative to surface20may be adjusted. As a result, not only can the overall vertical location of elongate rail300relative to surface20be adjusted, but also the angular orientation of elongate rail300may be adjusted.

With continued reference toFIG. 3, and as discussed in further detail herein, elongate rail300additionally may include a bumper stop316positioned on and/or coupled to bottom rail portion314. Bumper stop316may be configured to limit a range of motion of trolley100and/or of panel400by providing a physical barrier to the motion of trolley100and/or of panel400. In this way, a location of bumper stop316along bottom rail portion314may define a trolley stop point corresponding to a limit of the range of motion of trolley100and panel400along elongate rail300.

In some examples of rail assemblies10, a location of bumper stop316may be continuously adjustable along substantially an entire length of elongate rail300. Additionally or alternatively, the location of bumper stop316may be configured to be continuously adjustable without obstruction by and/or interference with rail adjustment mechanism334, with another object within or coupled to elongate rail300, and/or with mounting hardware for mounting elongate rail300to surface20. For example, bottom rail portion314of elongate rail300may include a bumper slot328extending longitudinally along elongate rail300, and bumper stop316may be configured to engage with bumper slot328. Bumper slot328may extend along substantially an entire length of bottom rail portion314.

Returning toFIG. 2, bracket200of trolley100includes an interior bracket face202that generally faces panel400when the panel is installed on the bracket and an exterior bracket face204opposite interior bracket face202. In some examples of rail assemblies10, bracket200additionally includes a vertical panel adjustment mechanism210configured to adjust a position of panel400with respect to bracket200in a generally vertical direction. As used herein, vertical panel adjustment mechanism210also may be referred to as a panel adjustment mechanism210and/or as a vertical adjustment mechanism210.

Vertical adjustment mechanism210includes an adjustment channel222recessed into bracket200from interior bracket face202and extending in a generally vertical direction, and further includes a dovetail pin212positioned partially in adjustment channel222and extending out of adjustment channel222. Adjustment channel222includes an angled groove223with a tapered cross-sectional profile that tapers toward interior bracket face202, and is configured to retain dovetail pin212at least partially within bracket200, as seen with reference to the example ofFIG. 13discussed herein. Dovetail pin212is configured to slidingly engage with adjustment channel222, and further is configured to be inserted into a corresponding panel mounting hole430on panel400. Adjustment channel222additionally includes an installation opening224at a top end and/or a bottom end of the adjustment channel, which is configured to permit dovetail pin212to be inserted into adjustment channel222. For example, with reference to the example ofFIG. 11discussed herein, installation opening224may be a widened opening that is sized to receive dovetail pin212into adjustment channel222.

Vertical adjustment mechanism210additionally includes an adjuster screw230extending into bracket200from a bottom end of the bracket. Adjuster screw230engages dovetail pin212and is configured to adjust a vertical position of dovetail pin212along adjustment channel222. Dovetail pin212may include an adjuster screw contact surface218that is engaged with adjuster screw230, such that when adjuster screw230is tightened, dovetail pin212rises against gravity, and such that when adjuster screw230is loosened, dovetail pin212lowers with gravity.

It is additionally within the scope of the present disclosure that vertical adjustment mechanism210may include more than one adjustment channel and more than one dovetail pin. For example, and as optionally and schematically illustrated inFIG. 2, adjustment channel222may be a lower adjustment channel222with a lower installation opening224, dovetail pin212may be a lower dovetail pin212, and panel mounting hole430may be a lower panel mounting hole430, and vertical adjustment mechanism210additionally may include an upper adjustment channel226with an upper installation opening228positioned generally vertically above lower adjustment channel222, and an upper dovetail pin216positioned in upper adjustment channel226. Panel400therefore may have an upper panel mounting hole432that is positioned generally vertically above lower panel mounting hole430. As optionally and schematically illustrated in dashed lines inFIG. 2, lower adjustment channel222and upper adjustment channel226may be disconnected and/or may be discrete channels in bracket200, or alternatively may be spaced-apart portions of a single elongate channel in bracket200.

When vertical adjustment mechanism210includes lower dovetail pin212and upper dovetail pin216, adjuster screw230may engage lower dovetail pin212, such as to locate lower dovetail pin212within lower adjustment channel222. Adjuster screw230may be configured to push lower dovetail pin212, and thus to push panel400, in a direction that is substantially opposite a force of gravity when adjuster screw230is caused to rise within bracket200, such as being selectively tightened by a user. Conversely, when adjuster screw230is caused to lower from bracket200, such as being selectively loosened by a user, the weight of panel400causes lower dove tail pin212to follow adjuster screw and lower within lower adjustment channel222.

Moreover, in examples that include lower dovetail pin212and upper dovetail pin216, the dovetail pins may be operatively coupled to one another, such as via panel400and/or via another component operatively coupled to each of lower dovetail pin212and upper dovetail pin216. For example, lower dovetail pin212may include a threaded bore213configured to receive a lower panel mounting fastener236, and upper dovetail pin216may include a threaded bore217configured to receive an upper panel mounting fastener238. In such a configuration, and as illustrated inFIG. 2, lower panel mounting fastener236may be inserted through lower panel mounting hole430and into threaded bore213of lower dovetail pin212, and upper panel mounting fastener238may be inserted through upper panel mounting hole432and into threaded bore217of upper dovetail pin216to operatively secure panel400to bracket200. In such a configuration, when lower panel mounting fastener236is tightened into lower dovetail pin212, a frictional engagement between lower dovetail pin212and the angled groove223of lower adjustment channel222may limit a range of motion of lower dovetail pin212with respect to lower adjustment channel222. Similarly, when upper panel mounting fastener238is tightened into upper dovetail pin216, a frictional engagement between upper dovetail pin216and an angled groove of upper adjustment channel226may limit a range of motion of upper dovetail pin216with respect to upper adjustment channel226.

With continued reference toFIG. 2, vertical adjustment mechanism210additionally may include a lower pin sleeve214coupled to lower dovetail pin212and an upper pin sleeve220coupled to upper dovetail pin216. Lower pin sleeve214and upper pin sleeve220may be configured to provide a physical and/or mechanical barrier between lower dovetail pin212and panel400and between upper dovetail pin216and panel400when lower dovetail pin212is inserted into lower panel mounting hole430and when upper dovetail pin216is inserted into upper panel mounting hole432. Lower pin sleeve214and upper pin sleeve220may be configured to damp and/or attenuate vibrations propagating between lower dovetail pin212and panel400and between upper dovetail pin216and panel400, such as to prevent damage to the panel. For example, lower dovetail pin212and/or upper dovetail pin216may be constructed of metal and panel400may be constructed of glass or another brittle material that may be readily damaged by vibrations. In such an embodiment, lower pin sleeve214and upper pin sleeve220may provide a cushion between lower dovetail pin212and panel400and between upper dovetail pin216and panel400. Alternatively, vertical adjustment mechanism210may not include lower pin sleeve214or upper pin sleeve220, and lower dovetail pin212and upper dovetail pin214may directly engage panel400.

Lower pin sleeve214may circumferentially surround at least a portion of lower dovetail pin212, and upper pin sleeve220may circumferentially surround at least a portion of upper dovetail pin216. Lower pin sleeve214and upper pin sleeve220may be generally cylindrical, or may have any other appropriate shape. Lower pin sleeve214and upper pin sleeve220may be constructed of any appropriate material. For example, lower pin sleeve214and upper pin sleeve220may include glass, wood, plastic, thermoplastic, polyoxymethylene, acetal, rubber, synthetic rubber, a material that is softer than the panel, and/or a metal.

As illustrated inFIG. 2, vertical adjustment mechanism210additionally may include a cover plate232positioned at least partially over lower adjustment channel222and/or upper adjustment channel226to inhibit lower dovetail pin212from being removed from lower adjustment channel222and to inhibit upper dovetail pin216from being removed from upper adjustment channel226. For example, cover plate232may at least partially cover lower installation opening224and/or upper installation opening228. Cover plate232may be configured to facilitate a vertical translation of panel400with respect to bracket200when cover plate232is in contact with each of panel400and bracket200and when lower panel mounting fastener236and upper panel mounting fastener238are at least partially loosened.

Cover plate232may have any appropriate material construction to facilitate the vertical translation of panel400with respect to bracket200. For example, a surface of cover plate232that faces panel400may include a plastic, a high-density polyethylene (HDPE), a fine surface finish, a fine surface roughness, and/or a low-friction surface.

Cover plate232may be operatively held in place relative to bracket200by lower dovetail pin212and upper dovetail pin216, and/or may be fastened to bracket200. For example, cover plate232may be glued, cemented, and/or adhered to interior bracket face202.

With continued reference toFIG. 2, vertical adjustment mechanism210additionally may include a mounting plate234configured to be positioned on an opposite side of panel400relative to bracket200. Mounting plate234may include one or more mounting plate apertures235configured to receive a corresponding panel mounting fastener, such that lower panel mounting fastener236and upper panel mounting fastener238are configured to retain mounting plate234against panel400.

Mounting plate234may be configured to distribute a clamping force from lower panel mounting fastener236and/or upper panel mounting fastener238to panel400. Stated differently, when lower panel mounting fastener236and upper panel mounting fastener238are tightly secured to lower dovetail pin212and upper dovetail pin216, respectively, mounting plate234may ensure that pressure forces exerted by each of lower panel mounting fastener236and upper panel mounting fastener238are distributed across an area of panel400that is covered by mounting plate234and hence are less likely to cause damage to panel400relative to a configuration that lacks mounting plate234.

Additionally or alternatively, mounting plate234may be configured to transmit a motion of lower dovetail pin212to upper dovetail pin216responsive to an adjustment of a position of lower dovetail pin212with adjuster screw230. Stated differently, when adjuster screw230applies an upward vertical force on lower dovetail pin212with lower panel mounting fastener236and upper panel mounting fastener238at least partially loosened, the lower dovetail pin may apply a corresponding upward vertical force to mounting plate234, which in turn may apply a corresponding upward vertical force to upper dovetail pin216, such that lower dovetail pin212and upper dovetail pin216translate vertically in unison, or substantially in unison. Additionally or alternatively, lower dovetail pin212may be directly connected to upper dovetail pin216.

With still further reference toFIG. 2, trolley100additionally may include a safety stop240coupled to bracket200and configured to inhibit removal of trolley100from elongate rail300when trolley100is installed on elongate rail300. For example, safety stop240may be configured to limit a distance by which bearing assembly110may be lifted above elongate rail300when trolley assembly110is installed on elongate rail300.

Safety stop240may be positioned generally between bearing assembly110and panel400when panel400is mounted on bracket200. Safety stop240may extend from bracket200in the same direction as bearing assembly110extends from bracket200, and/or may extend from interior bracket face202of bracket200. Additionally or alternatively, safety stop240may extend from bracket200on the same side of bracket200as panel400when panel400is mounted on bracket200. As illustrated inFIG. 2, safety stop240may include a bracket-mounted portion248rigidly secured to bracket200and a separable portion244configured to be selectively detached from bracket-mounted portion248. Safety stop240may be configured such that trolley100is inhibited from removal from elongate rail300when separable portion244is coupled to bracket-mounted portion248and such that trolley100may be removed from elongate rail300when separable portion244is detached from bracket-mounted portion248.

Turning now toFIGS. 5-6, illustrative, non-exclusive examples of roller assemblies10are presented.FIG. 5illustrates a first illustrative example1000of a roller assembly10according to the present disclosure in which a bracket1200, which is an example of bracket200, is mounted to a front panel face420of a panel1400, which is an example of panel400. Panel1400additionally includes an upper panel edge410. First illustrative example1000additionally includes a trolley1100, which is an example of trolley100; a bearing assembly1110, which is an example of bearing assembly110; and an elongate rail1300, which is an example of elongate rail300.

FIG. 6illustrates a second illustrative example2000of a roller assembly10according to the present disclosure in which a bracket2200, which is an example of bracket200, is mounted to upper panel edge410of a panel2400, which is an example of panel400. Second illustrative example2000additionally includes a trolley2100, which is an example of trolley100; a bearing assembly2110, which is an example of bearing assembly110; and an elongate rail2300, which is an example of elongate rail300.

FIGS. 7-39illustrate features of first illustrative example1000. However, the features presented and discussed in the context ofFIGS. 7-39are not exclusive to first illustrative example1000, and it is within the scope of the present disclosure that any appropriate feature may be included in second illustrative example2000and/or in any other embodiment of roller assemblies10according to the present disclosure.

As illustrated inFIGS. 7-10, bearing assembly1110includes outer race116, inner race128, a plurality of rolling elements134, and cage136for rolling elements134.

As illustrated inFIG. 8, outer race116of bearing assembly1110has a concave outer race outer contact surface118with an outer contact surface radius of curvature122and an outer contact surface depth120. Outer contact surface depth120may be measured from a portion of outer race outer contact surface118that is proximal, or closest, to bearing assembly axis114to a portion of outer race outer contact surface118that is distal, or furthest from, bearing assembly axis114.

Outer race outer contact surface118of bearing assembly1110has a cross-sectional shape that generally corresponds to a cross-sectional shape of top rail portion310of elongate rail1300. For example, outer contact surface radius of curvature122may be slightly greater than rail radius of curvature312of top rail portion310. For example, outer contact surface radius of curvature122may be at least 1% greater, at least 5% greater, at least 10% greater, at least 20% greater, at least 30% greater, at least 40% greater, at least 50% greater, at least 60% greater, at least 70% greater, at least 80% greater, at least 90% greater, at most 100% greater, at most 85% greater, at most 75% greater, at most 65% greater, at most 55% greater, at most 45% greater, at most 35% greater, at most 25% greater, at most 15% greater, at most 7% greater, and/or at most 3% greater than rail radius of curvature312. In this way, trolley1100travels along elongate rail1300, with top rail portion310of elongate rail1300fitting within outer race116and with outer race outer contact surface118contacting top rail portion310of elongate rail1300.

Outer contact surface radius of curvature122may be generally constant. For example, outer race outer contact surface118may have a cross-sectional shape that is generally semi-circular. Alternatively, outer contact surface radius of curvature122may not be constant. For example, outer race outer contact surface118may have a cross-sectional shape that is arch- or U-shaped, parabolic, hyperbolic, rectangular, and/or trapezoidal. Additionally or alternatively, outer race outer contact surface118may have a cross-sectional shape that is substantially V-shaped.

Outer race116may be made from plastic or a metal, including steel and/or different colored metals, such as copper, gold, silver, etc. Additionally or alternatively, outer race116may include an outer race body and an outer race surface portion, which may be formed of different materials. The outer race surface portion may be formed by creating a thin plating and/or an outer surface coating over the outer race body. The outer race body and the outer race surface portion may be formed of any appropriate materials. For example, the outer race body may be formed at least substantially of metal, and/or the outer surface coating may include a plastic and/or a thermoplastic. Suitable plastics may include thermoplastics, such as polyoxymethylene, or acetal, a version of which is sold under the trademark DELRIN. The outer race body and the outer race surface portion may be distinct components that are mechanically connected or bonded together. Additionally or alternatively, the outer race surface portion may include, or be, a replaceable wear surface.

As illustrated inFIG. 10, outer race116of bearing assembly1110includes outer race inner contact surface124with outer race channel126configured for sliding or rolling engagement with rolling elements134. As used herein, outer race channel126also may be referred to as an outer raceway126. Outer race channel126may be a groove having a radius of curvature that is slightly larger than a radius of each of the plurality of rolling elements134. For example, the radius of curvature of outer race channel126may be at least 1% greater, at least 5% greater, at least 10% greater, at least 20% greater, at least 30% greater, at most 35% greater, at most 25% greater, at most 15% greater, at most 7% greater, and/or at most 3% greater than a radius of each of the plurality of rolling elements134. In this way, outer race channel126of outer race116may at least partially trap rolling elements134while permitting rolling elements134to freely roll or slide within outer race channel126. For example, rolling elements134may be ball bearings having the standard designations 6206, 6207, or 6012, with diameters of approximately 0.375 inch (9.53 millimeter [mm]), 0.437 inch (11.1 mm), and 0.437 inch (11.1 mm), respectively. Rolling elements134may be any appropriate bearing elements, such as ball bearings, roller bearings, or needle bearings. Additionally, rolling elements134may be formed of any appropriate material, such as metal, plastic, ceramic, and/or other materials. Additionally, rolling elements134may have any appropriate size. For example, each of the plurality of rolling elements134may have a diameter that is at least 1 mm, at least 5 mm, at least 10 mm, at least 15 mm, at least 20 mm, less than 25 mm, less than 17 mm, less than 13 mm, less than 7 mm, and/or less than 3 mm.

As illustrated inFIG. 9, bracket1200is operatively connected to bearing assembly1110at inner race128. With reference toFIG. 10, inner race128of bearing assembly1110has inner race outer surface130with inner race channel132that is configured for sliding or rolling engagement with rolling elements134. As used herein, inner race channel132also may be referred to as an inner raceway132. Inner race channel132may be a groove with a radius of curvature that is slightly larger than the radius of rolling elements134. For example, the radius of curvature of inner race channel132may be at least 1% greater, at least 5% greater, at least 10% greater, at least 20% greater, at least 30% greater, at most 35% greater, at most 25% greater, at most 15% greater, at most 7% greater, and/or at most 3% greater than the radius of each of the plurality of rolling elements134. The radius of curvature of inner race channel132may be substantially equal to the radius of curvature of outer race channel126. In this way, inner race channel132may at least partially trap rolling elements134, while permitting rolling elements134to freely roll or slide within the inner race channel132.

As further illustrated inFIG. 9, bracket1200is operatively connected to inner race128via hub112. Hub112sets bearing assembly1110away from bracket1200at a preset distance, such that bracket1200is appropriately positioned for attachment to panel400. Hub112may be integrally formed with bracket1200, or hub112and bracket1200may be distinct components. Similarly, hub112may be integrally formed with inner race128.

As illustrated inFIGS. 7 and 10, cage136of bearing assembly1110partially encloses each of the plurality of rolling elements134and keeps each of the plurality of rolling elements134aligned for proper use. That is, cage136constrains each of the plurality of rolling elements134to roll in outer race channel126and in inner race channel132. Additionally, cage136spaces apart each of the plurality of rolling elements134by a preset distance. For example, cage136ensures that an arc length between each pair of adjacent of rolling elements134is constant, such that rolling elements134are substantially equally spaced about inner race outer surface130. Cage136also may be configured to maintain each of the plurality of rolling elements134in contact with a lubricant, such as oil or graphite. Additionally or alternatively, in embodiments of bearing assemblies110having roller bearings, cage136may help to keep the roller bearings aligned for proper use.

It is within the scope of the present disclosure that bearing mechanism111of bearing assemblies110additionally or alternatively includes a bushing and/or a sleeve to reduce a rolling resistance between outer race116and inner race128, for example, without any roller elements.

In operation, outer race116may rotate and/or spin about bearing assembly axis114. As outer race116spins, rolling elements134and cage136also spin about bearing assembly axis114, with rolling elements134carrying outer race116. In bearing assembly1110, inner race128is rigidly connected to bracket1200via hub112, such that inner race128does not spin and instead remains fixed with respect to bearing assembly axis114. Alternatively, inner race128may not be rigidly connected to bracket1200and/or may be configured to rotate about bearing assembly axis114.

Bearing assembly1110is operatively connected to bracket1200. Upper dovetail pin216is slidingly engaged with upper adjustment channel226, and lower dovetail pin212is slidingly engaged with lower adjustment channel222. Adjuster screw230is threaded into a threaded receiving hole231in bracket1200, and acts upon lower dovetail pin212to locate lower dovetail pin212within lower adjustment channel222.

Trolley1100includes vertical panel adjustment mechanism210and also includes upper pin sleeve220, lower pin sleeve214, cover plate232, mounting plate234, lower panel mounting fastener236, and upper panel mounting fastener238.

FIG. 13illustrates a sliding fit between lower dovetail pin212and lower adjustment channel222. WhileFIG. 13is discussed in the context of lower dovetail pin212and lower adjustment channel222, a sliding fit between upper dovetail pin216and upper adjustment channel226may be similarly configured. A clearance between lower dovetail pin212and lower adjustment channel222may be between about 0.005 inch (0.13 mm) and about 0.025 inch (0.64 mm), with the clearance between lower dovetail pin212and angled groove223being reduced even further, and even to zero, as lower panel mounting fastener236is tightly threaded into lower dovetail pin212, thereby drawing lower dovetail pin212tightly against angled groove223. That is, tightening lower panel mounting fastener236draws lower dovetail pin212toward panel1400, thus wedging lower dovetail pin212into lower adjustment channel222and against angled groove223.

Thus, a close fit between lower dovetail pin212and lower adjustment channel222reduces an amount that lower dovetail pin212may twist, rock, and/or move in lower adjustment channel222, except in a direction of the sliding fit. Due to this constrained movement, panel1400may not move substantially relative to bracket1200. In this way, rotating forces on trolley1100may be reduced or eliminated as force is exerted on panel1400to move panel1400across elongate rail1300. In conventional systems, such forces may result in racking, or twisting, of a trolley, which may otherwise bind the trolley and prevent it from smoothly sliding along its rail or track. Moreover, by including the angled surfaces described above for lower dovetail pin212and lower adjustment channel222and for upper dovetail pin216and upper adjustment channel226, racking may be reduced or eliminated, even in systems having clearances between the dovetail pin and the respective channel that are outside of the preferred ranges noted above.

FIGS. 14-19illustrate an example of upper dovetail pin216. Similarly,FIGS. 20-25illustrate an example of lower dovetail pin212. Lower dovetail pin212may be essentially identical to upper dovetail pin216, except lower dovetail pin212may include adjuster screw contact surface218, as illustrated inFIGS. 20-21andFIGS. 24-25. Adjuster screw230may contact lower dovetail pin212at adjuster screw contact surface218.

As illustrated inFIGS. 14-25, upper dovetail pin216and lower dovetail pin212each may include a generally frusto-conical portion and a generally cylindrical portion, wherein the generally frusto-conical portion and the generally cylindrical portion are axially aligned such that a circular end of the generally cylindrical portion abuts a narrower circular end of the generally frusto-conical portion.

With reference once again toFIGS. 11-12, to assemble vertical panel adjustment mechanism210, upper dovetail pin216is inserted into upper adjustment channel226through upper installation opening228, and lower dovetail pin212is inserted into lower adjustment channel222through lower installation opening224. Cover plate232subsequently is installed over lower installation opening224and upper installation opening228to at least partially cover lower installation opening224and upper installation opening228. Next, upper pin sleeve220is positioned over the cylindrical portion of upper dovetail pin216, and lower pin sleeve214is positioned over the cylindrical portion of lower dovetail pin212. Then, lower dovetail pin212with lower pin sleeve214and upper dovetail pin216with upper pin sleeve220are inserted into lower panel mounting hole430and upper panel mounting hole432, respectively, in panel1400. Next, mounting plate234is placed on an opposite side of panel1400from bracket1200, such that panel1400is sandwiched between mounting plate234and bracket1200. Then, lower panel mounting fastener236and upper panel mounting fastener238are inserted through mounting plate234and through panel1400to secure mounting plate234to the dovetail pins.

To utilize vertical panel adjustment mechanism210to adjust a vertical position of panel1400, adjuster screw230acts upon lower dovetail pin212to raise or lower dovetail pin212within lower adjustment channel222. A motion of lower dovetail pin212is transmitted to upper dovetail pin216as discussed above. To vertically raise panel1400relative to bracket1200, adjuster screw230pushes lower dovetail pin212in a direction that is substantially opposite to the force of gravity, for example, by threading adjuster screw230into bracket1200. Similarly, to lower panel1400relative to bracket1200, adjuster screw230is moved vertically downward, for example, by at least partially unthreading adjuster screw230from bracket1200, and the force of gravity may act on lower dovetail pin212to move lower dovetail pin212in a direction that is substantially the same as the force of gravity. In this way, vertical adjustments of lower dovetail pin212, and thus of upper dovetail pin216and of panel1400, are made.

Turning now toFIGS. 26-28, safety stop240is configured to inhibit trolley1100from being removed from elongate rail1300, as described below. Safety stop240extends from bracket1200on the same side of bracket1200as bearing assembly1110. Safety stop240is rigidly secured to bracket1200with a safety stop fastener252.

Safety stop240may be substantially cylindrical; however, this is not necessary. As illustrated inFIG. 28, safety stop240has a safety stop outer surface242that is proximal bearing assembly1110when safety stop240is secured to bracket1200.

Safety stop240is spaced apart from bearing assembly1110, and elongate rail1300when trolley1100is operatively positioned on elongate rail1300, by a specific distance. For example, and as discussed, safety stop240is configured to inhibit bearing assembly1110from lifting off of or otherwise disengaging from elongate rail1300. That is, in use, trolley1100may be jarred or lifted due to external forces or collisions of panel1400and/or trolley1100with bumper stop316or with other objects. To inhibit such disengagement, safety stop240limits a distance by which bearing assembly1110may be lifted from elongate rail1300. For example, when safety stop240is installed, a distance between bottom rail portion314of elongate rail1300and safety stop240is less than outer contact surface depth120of the outer race outer contact surface118of bearing assembly1100. For example, the distance between bottom rail portion314and safety stop240may be at least 10% less, at least 20% less, at least 30% less, at least 40% less, at least 50% less, at least 60% less, at least 70% less, at least 80% less, at most 85% less, at most 75% less, at most 65% less, at most 55% less, at most 45% less, at most 35% less, and/or at most 25% less than outer contact surface depth120of outer race outer contact surface118when separable portion244is engaged with bracket-mounted portion248of safety stop240. Accordingly, bearing assembly1110may not be removed from elongate rail1300without first removing or disengaging at least a portion of safety stop240, such as separable portion244, from bracket1200because outer race outer contact surface118of outer race116cannot be lifted over top rail portion310of elongate rail1300.

As discussed, and with reference toFIG. 28, safety stop240of roller assembly1000includes a separable portion244and a bracket-mounted portion248. In such an embodiment, safety stop240need not be removed from bracket1200in its entirety to install and/or remove trolley1100from elongate rail1300. Instead, trolley1100may be installed and/or removed from elongate rail1300subsequent to removing separable portion244from safety stop240. Thus, with separable portion244removed, the distance between elongate rail1300and an upper surface of bracket-mounted portion248of safety stop240is greater than or equal to outer contact surface depth120of the outer race outer contact surface118. After trolley1100is installed on elongate rail1300, separable portion244may be reconnected to the bracket-mounted portion248, thereby causing the distance between elongate rail1300and safety stop240to be less than outer contact surface depth120of outer race outer contact surface118. Separable portion244may be releasably connected to bracket-mounted portion248of safety stop240via at least one resilient tab246on the separable portion244, which may engage a corresponding at least one tab receiver250on bracket-mounted portion248of safety stop240.

Alternatively, safety stop240may not include separable portion244and/or may not be removable from bracket1200. Safety stop240may operate by rotating, including by cam action, sliding, etc. with respect to bracket1200and/or elongate rail1300. In this way, safety stop240may be moved toward and away from elongate rail1300without removing safety stop240from bracket1200and/or without removing a portion of safety stop240. Accordingly, in some embodiments, safety stop240may be ovoid or may be shaped like a plate cam.

Safety stop240may be formed of any appropriate material, such as a plastic, a thermoplastic, a rubber, a dense rubber, and/or a synthetic rubber. Such materials may allow safety stop240to perform its functions without marring or otherwise damaging other parts of trolley1100. Additionally or alternatively, safety stop240may operate in conjunction with bumper stop316. For example, safety stop240may be configured to engage bumper stop316when trolley1100reaches the trolley stop point.

FIG. 29illustrates a front view of elongate rail1300.FIG. 30illustrates a left-side view of elongate rail1300. As illustrated inFIG. 30, elongate rail1300may have a cross-sectional profile of a rectangle with a rounded top rail portion310and a rounded bottom rail portion314. A complementarity between elongate rail1300and outer race outer contact surface118of outer race116may provide the additional benefit of self-aligning the trolley. That is, a weight of trolley1100and panel1400may allow outer race outer contact surface118of outer race116to pivot, or rock, upon elongate rail1300until a center of gravity of trolley1100and panel1400is stable, such as with this pivoting action taking place about an axis that is longitudinally aligned with elongate rail1300.

As discussed, top rail portion310of elongate rail1300may be made of metal or plastic. For example, top rail portion310may be made from plastic and outer race outer contact surface118may be made from metal. Such a configuration may provide for a quieter, smoother rolling action of outer race116along elongate rail1300relative to an embodiment in which top rail portion310and outer race116are both made from metal.

With reference toFIGS. 31-33, bumper stop316of roller assembly1000is slidingly connected to elongate rail1300. As illustrated, bumper stop316of roller assembly1000includes a bumper body318, a bumper fastener322extending at least partially into bumper body318, a bumper nut324configured to engage and mate with bumper fastener322, and a resilient guard326that wraps around bumper body318. Resilient guard326may be configured to absorb shocks from objects, such as safety stop240, striking bumper body318. As illustrated inFIGS. 31-33, resilient guard326may be in the shape of a torus that wraps around bumper body318.

With reference toFIGS. 32-33, bumper body318abuts against bottom rail portion314of elongate rail1300, and bumper fastener322extends through bumper body318and into bumper nut324, which is disposed in bumper slot328. Bumper stop316may be located generally between elongate rail1300and panel1400when panel1400is coupled to bracket1200and when trolley1100is installed on elongate rail1300.

Bumper body318may be generally cylindrical. Additionally or alternatively, bottom rail portion314may have a convex bottom surface, and an upper end of the bumper body318may define a bumper channel320with a shape that is complementary to the convex bottom surface of bottom rail portion314. Alternatively, bumper body318may be generally in the shape of a rectangular prism or any other appropriate shape.

With continued reference toFIGS. 32-33, bumper nut324may be a hexagonal nut, and/or bumper fastener322may extend at least partially into bumper slot328and thread into bumper nut324. Bumper slot328may have a cross-sectional profile with a vertical portion330extending generally parallel to a length of bumper fastener322and toward bumper body318and a horizontal portion332generally perpendicular to vertical portion330. Horizontal portion332slidingly engages bumper nut324, and has a width that is greater than a width of vertical portion330to retain bumper nut324within bumper slot328. As shown inFIGS. 32-33, the width of horizontal portion332may be slightly larger than the width of bumper nut324. In such a configuration, bumper nut324fits into horizontal portion332in such a manner that bumper nut324is permitted to be slid along bumper slot328when bumper fastener322is loosened, yet inhibited from rotating within bumper slot328. Accordingly, bumper fastener322may be tightly threaded into bumper nut324without a user having to temporarily retain bumper nut324in place such as with a hand and/or a wrench.

In use, bumper fastener322may be loosened by at least partially unthreading bumper fastener322from bumper nut324, which may create a space between bumper body318and bottom rail portion314of elongate rail1300. Thus, bumper stop316may be slid within bumper slot328to any desired location along elongate rail1300. At the desired location, bumper fastener322may then be tightened into bumper nut324. This draws bumper body318tightly against bottom rail portion314of elongate rail1300, providing a clamping force to inhibit further movement of bumper stop316relative to elongate rail1300unless bumper fastener322is again loosened.

Once positioned, bumper stop316inhibits movement of trolley1100past bumper stop316by contacting safety stop240and inhibiting safety stop240from further travel in the blocked direction. In this way, a sliding movement of panel1400may be limited by a user-selected position of bumper stop316.

Advantageously, this configuration permits bumper stop316to be slid continuously along an entire length of elongate rail1300. By contrast, in conventional designs, a conventional stop is not capable of sliding past the conventional track's mounting hardware and/or cannot be positioned at the same point along the track as the conventional track's mounting hardware.

As discussed, and with reference toFIGS. 34-39, rail mounting hole356extends through integral face plate360of elongate rail1300, and rail fastener348extends through adjuster plate338and rail mounting hole356to secure elongate rail1300to surface20.

As discussed, adjustment face336may be attached to integral face plate360of elongate rail1300, or may be integrally formed with integral face plate360. As illustrated inFIGS. 34-37, adjustment face336of elongate rail1300includes a series of essentially parallel adjustment face ridges337projecting from integral face plate360toward rail cavity302. Similarly, adjuster plate face340of adjuster plate338has a series of essentially parallel adjuster plate ridges339projecting from adjuster plate338, which are configured to mesh with adjustment face ridges337, for example as shown inFIGS. 35-36. Adjustment face ridges337and adjuster plate ridges339are sized and/or otherwise configured to permit incremental adjustment of a position and/or orientation of elongate rail1300in a direction that is generally perpendicular to adjustment face ridges337, with an adjustment increment that is an integer multiple of a distance between adjacent adjustment face ridges337.

With reference toFIG. 34, adjuster plate338may be generally rectangular and may have an adjuster plate width344and an adjuster plate height346. Adjuster plate width344and/or adjuster plate height346may be greater than the diameter of rail mounting hole356, such that adjuster plate338may be too large to pass through rail mounting hole356of elongate rail1300. Additionally, adjuster plate mounting hole342of adjuster plate338may be sufficiently small to inhibit fastener head350from being pulled through rail mounting hole356.

Hence, elongate rail1300may be mounted to surface20by way of rail fastener348passing through adjuster plate338. For example, a user may partially mount elongate rail1300, such as by partially threading rail fastener348into surface20without fully tightening rail fastener348. A space between fastener body352and rail mounting hole356may allow the user to make small, indexed adjustments to a vertical position of elongate rail1300. For example, a portion of elongate rail1300may need to be moved slightly up, down, left, and/or right with respect to surface20in order to properly position and/or level elongate rail1300. Once elongate rail1300is in a desired position and/or orientation with respect to surface20, rail fastener348may be fully tightened. When rail fastener348is fully tightened, fastener head350of rail fastener348forces adjuster plate338fully against adjustment face336of integral face plate360, thereby inhibiting further movement of adjuster plate338relative to adjustment face336.

If further adjustments are desired, rail fastener348may be at least partially loosened so as to permit relative movement between the adjustment face ridges337and adjuster plate ridges339. Thus, adjustment face336may be slid in a direction generally parallel to adjuster plate ridges339, such as to adjust a horizontal position of elongate rail1300with respect to surface20. Additionally or alternatively, with rail fastener348at least partially loosened, adjustment face336may be shifted incrementally in a direction substantially perpendicular to adjuster plate ridges339, such as to adjust a vertical position of elongate rail1300with respect to surface20.

As discussed, and as illustrated inFIGS. 34-37, elongate rail1300may include one or more face plate clips358, which may engage corresponding face plate attachment tabs364on a face plate rear366of detachable face plate362to hold detachable face plate362in place on elongate rail1300. In this way, rail mounting hole356may be drilled essentially at any point along the length of elongate rail1300to suit the user's needs and/or preferences, for example, to align with wall studs or other attachment points of surface20, and detachable face plate362may be mounted to elongate rail1300to conceal rail adjustment system304, and/or a rail adjustment mechanism334thereof, from view. That is, elongate rail1300is configured to conceal the mounting hardware for elongate rail1300and roller assembly100from view.

Each of spacer plate42, spacer block46, and bracing block50includes a hole through which rail fastener348may be inserted. Rail fastener348has a length that extends beyond the bracing block50to, for example, be threaded into a wall stud60or another structural member within surface20and/or drywall30.

Bracing block50may be generally cylindrical with an outer diameter that is substantially equal to a diameter of a drywall installation hole32bored into drywall30. In this way, bracing block50may fit snugly in drywall installation hole32. Thus, when installed, bracing block50may distribute a load carried by rail fastener348over a relatively larger surface area since a peripheral surface area of bracing block50may be greater than a peripheral surface area of rail fastener348. The load carried by rail fastener348may be, for example, that portion of a combined weight of elongate rail1300, trolley1100, and/or panel1400carried by rail fastener348. Accordingly, small movements of rail fastener348may be less likely to compress drywall30in the region surrounding drywall installation hole32when bracing block50is installed in drywall30.

With reference toFIG. 39, spacer block46may be generally cylindrical with an outer diameter and a spacer block length48. In conjunction with spacer plate42, spacer block46provides a space, or a standoff distance, between drywall30and elongate rail1300. The outer diameter of spacer block46may be larger than the outer diameter of bracing block50. In such embodiments, spacer block46may provide additional structural integrity to help inhibit compression of drywall30in a region surrounding drywall installation hole32when rail fastener348is carrying a load. The larger outer diameter of spacer block46may also facilitate installation since bracing block50may be pushed into drywall installation hole32until spacer block46contacts drywall30.

Spacer plate42may be generally cylindrical, or may be a tapered cylinder having an outer diameter and a spacer plate thickness44. Spacer plate thickness44may be significantly less than the outer diameter of spacer plate42. In conjunction with spacer block46, spacer plate42may provide a space, or a standoff distance, between drywall30and elongate rail1300. Spacer plate42may contact integral face plate360of elongate rail1300when elongate rail1300is mounted to a surface20. Spacer plate42may be integrally formed with spacer block46, or spacer plate42and spacer block46may be distinct components.

Spacer plate42, spacer block46, and bracing block50may be formed of any appropriate materials, such as plastic, metal, or dense rubber, including synthetic rubber. Suitable plastics include thermoplastics, such as polyoxymethylene, or acetal, a version of which is sold under the trademark DELRIN.

It is within the scope of the present disclosure that drywall mount40may not include each of spacer plate42, spacer block46, and bracing block50. For example, drywall mount40may include spacer plate42and spacer block46but not bracing block50. Alternatively, drywall mount40may not include spacer plate42.

In some embodiments, bracing block50may interconnect with spacer block46and/or spacer block46may interconnect with spacer plate42. Such interconnection may be, for example, through engagement between a step on one component and a corresponding recess in another component. For example, and as illustrated inFIG. 39, spacer block46may include a step that mates with a corresponding recess in spacer plate42. Similarly, spacer block46may include a recess that mates with a corresponding step on bracing block50. Accordingly, such interlocking components may help to reduce an amount of force exerted on rail fastener348.

Examples of roller assemblies and associated methods according to the present disclosure are presented in the following enumerated paragraphs:

A1. A roller assembly for supporting a hanging panel, the roller assembly comprising:an elongate rail configured to be mounted on a surface, wherein the elongate rail has a top rail portion that is generally horizontal and a bottom rail portion that is parallel, or at least substantially parallel, to the top rail portion; andat least one trolley assembly configured to move along the elongate rail and to support the hanging panel, wherein the trolley assembly includes a bearing assembly configured to translate the trolley assembly along the top rail portion and a bracket operatively coupled to the bearing assembly and configured to be operatively coupled to the hanging panel for sliding the hanging panel along the elongate rail.

A2. The roller assembly of paragraph A1, wherein the bracket is configured to be operatively coupled to an upper panel edge of the hanging panel.

A3. The roller assembly of any of paragraphs A1-A2, wherein the bracket is configured to be operatively coupled to a panel face of the hanging panel.

A4. The roller assembly of any of paragraphs A1-A3, wherein the elongate rail further includes a detachable face plate and an integral face plate, wherein the detachable face plate and the integral face plate are coupled together in a rail-assembled configuration, wherein the detachable face plate and the integral face plate define a rail cavity therebetween in the rail-assembled configuration, and wherein the detachable face plate is configured to be separated from a remainder of the elongate rail to expose the rail cavity in a rail-disassembled configuration.

A5. The roller assembly of paragraph A4, wherein the integral face plate is proximal the surface relative to the detachable face plate when the elongate rail is mounted on the surface.

A6. The roller assembly of paragraph A4, wherein the integral face plate is distal the surface relative to the detachable face plate when the elongate rail is mounted on the surface.

A7. The roller assembly of any of paragraphs A4-A6, wherein the detachable face plate includes a face plate rear that faces generally toward the rail cavity in the rail-assembled configuration, wherein the detachable face plate includes at least one face plate attachment tab positioned on the face plate rear, and wherein the elongate rail includes at least one face plate clip configured to engage the at least one face plate attachment tab to operatively secure the detachable face plate to the integral face plate in the rail-assembled configuration.

A8. The roller assembly of any of paragraphs A1-A7, wherein the elongate rail has a side profile with at least one of a rectangular shape, a rectangular shape with rounded ends, a circular shape, an elliptical shape, an arch shape, a U-shape, a rounded top edge, a rounded bottom edge, a substantially flat top edge, and a substantially flat bottom edge.

A9. The roller assembly of any of paragraphs A1-A8, wherein the top rail portion includes a top rail groove extending longitudinally along the elongate rail.

A10. The roller assembly of any of paragraphs A1-A9, wherein at least a portion of the elongate rail is formed of at least one of a plastic, a thermoplastic, polyoxymethylene, acetal, a metal, aluminum, steel, copper, brass, gold, and silver.

A11. The roller assembly of any of paragraphs A1-A10, wherein the top rail portion is formed of at least one of a plastic, a thermoplastic, polyoxymethylene, acetal, a metal, aluminum, steel, copper, brass, gold, and silver.

A12. The roller assembly of any of paragraphs A1-A11, wherein the surface is a generally vertical wall.

A13. The roller assembly of any of paragraphs A1-A12, wherein the surface is a generally horizontal ceiling.

A14. The roller assembly of any of paragraphs A1-A13, wherein the elongate rail includes a rail adjustment system configured to facilitate adjusting at least one of a position of the elongate rail and an orientation of the elongate rail with respect to the surface, wherein the rail adjustment system is concealed in the rail-assembled configuration, and wherein the rail adjustment system includes at least two spaced-apart rail adjustment mechanisms.

A15. The roller assembly of paragraph A14, wherein each rail adjustment mechanism includes:an adjustment face with a series of adjustment face ridges that are parallel, or at least substantially parallel, to the top rail portion;an adjuster plate with one or more adjuster plate ridges configured to engage the adjustment face ridges of the adjustment face, an adjuster plate face opposite the adjuster plate ridges, and an adjuster plate mounting hole extending through the adjuster plate; anda rail fastener configured to couple the elongate rail to the surface by extending through the adjuster plate mounting hole and through the adjustment face to operatively engage the adjuster plate ridges with the adjustment face ridges to restrict movement of the adjuster plate relative to the adjustment face.

A16. The roller assembly of paragraph A15, wherein each adjuster plate mounting hole is generally aligned with a corresponding rail mounting hole that extends through the elongate rail when the elongate rail is mounted on the surface; wherein the rail mounting hole has a diameter that is greater than a diameter of the adjuster plate mounting hole; and wherein the rail fastener passes through the adjuster plate mounting hole and the rail mounting hole to mount the elongate rail to the surface.

A17. The roller assembly of paragraph A16, wherein the rail fastener has a fastener head with a width that is greater than the diameter of the adjuster plate mounting hole and a fastener body with a width that is smaller than the width of the fastener head and that is smaller than the diameter of the rail mounting hole; wherein the fastener body is at least partially threaded; and wherein the fastener head engages the adjuster plate face to retain the adjuster plate against a portion of the adjustment face when the elongate rail is mounted to the surface.

A18. The roller assembly of paragraph A17, wherein the diameter of the rail mounting hole is at least one of at least 1.25 times, at least 1.5 times, at least 1.75 times, at least 2 times, at least 2.25 times, at least 2.5 times, less than 3 times, less than 2.75 times, less than 2.3 times, less than 2.1 times, less than 1.8 times, less than 1.6 times, and less than 1.3 times the width of the fastener body.

A19. The roller assembly of any of paragraphs A15-A18, wherein the adjustment face is coupled to a/the integral face plate.

A20. The roller assembly of any of paragraphs A15-A18, wherein the adjustment face is integrally formed with a/the integral face plate.

A21. The roller assembly of any of paragraphs A15-A20, wherein the adjustment face ridges project from a/the integral face plate toward a/the rail cavity.

A22. The roller assembly of any of paragraphs A15-A21, wherein each of the adjustment face ridges has at least one of a triangular profile and a sawtooth profile.

A23. The roller assembly of any of paragraphs A15-A22, wherein each of the adjuster plate ridges has at least one of a triangular profile and a sawtooth profile.

A24. The roller assembly of any of paragraphs A15-A23, wherein the adjuster plate is at least one of generally rectangular and generally square.

A25. The roller assembly of any of paragraphs A15-A24, wherein the adjuster plate has an adjuster plate width and an adjuster plate height, and wherein a/the diameter of a/the rail mounting hole is smaller than at least one of the adjuster plate width and the adjuster plate height.

A26. The roller assembly of any of paragraphs A1-A25, wherein the elongate rail includes a bumper stop positioned on the bottom rail portion configured to limit a range of motion of at least one of the trolley assembly and the hanging panel, wherein a location of the bumper stop along the bottom rail portion defines a trolley assembly stop point corresponding to a limit of the range of motion, and wherein the location of the bumper stop is continuously adjustable along substantially an entire length of the elongate rail.

A27. The roller assembly of paragraph A26, wherein the location of the bumper stop is configured to be continuously adjustable without obstruction by and without interference with a/the rail adjustment mechanism.

A28. The roller assembly of any of paragraphs A26-A27, wherein the location of the bumper stop is configured to be continuously adjustable without obstruction by and without interference with an object within the elongate rail.

A29. The roller assembly of any of paragraphs A26-A28, wherein the location of the bumper stop is configured to be continuously adjustable without obstruction by and without interference with mounting hardware for mounting the elongate rail on the surface.

A30. The roller assembly of any of paragraphs A26-A29, wherein the bumper stop includes a bumper body, a bumper fastener extending at least partially into the bumper body, and a bumper nut configured to engage the bumper fastener.

A31. The roller assembly of any of paragraphs A26-A30, wherein the bumper stop is located generally between the elongate rail and the hanging panel when the hanging panel is coupled to the bracket and when the trolley assembly is installed on the elongate rail.

A32. The roller assembly of any of paragraphs A26-A31, wherein the bumper stop is coupled to the bottom rail portion.

A33. The roller assembly of any of paragraphs A26-A32, wherein the bottom rail portion includes a bumper slot extending longitudinally along the elongate rail, wherein the bumper slot has a cross-sectional profile with a vertical portion extending generally parallel to a/the bumper fastener and toward a/the bumper body and a horizontal portion generally perpendicular to the vertical portion.

A34. The roller assembly of paragraph A33, wherein the bumper slot extends along substantially an entire length of the bottom rail portion.

A35. The roller assembly of any of paragraphs A33-A34, wherein the vertical portion is configured to slidingly engage a/the bumper nut.

A36. The roller assembly of any of paragraphs A33-A35, wherein the horizontal portion has a width that is greater than a width of the vertical portion.

A37. The roller assembly of any of paragraphs A30-A36, wherein the bumper nut is a hexagonal nut, and wherein the bumper fastener is a threaded fastener configured to thread into the bumper nut.

A38. The roller assembly of any of paragraphs A30-A37, wherein the bumper stop is configured to be translated along a length of the bottom rail portion while the bumper fastener is at least partially engaged with the bumper nut.

A39. The roller assembly of any of paragraphs A30-A38, wherein the bottom rail portion has a convex bottom surface, and wherein a top surface of the bumper body defines a bumper channel with a shape that is complementary to the convex bottom surface.

A40. The roller assembly of any of paragraphs A30-A39, wherein the bumper stop further includes a resilient guard that covers at least a portion of the bumper body, wherein the resilient guard is configured to absorb shocks from objects striking the bumper body.

A41. The roller assembly of paragraph A40, wherein the resilient guard is in the shape of a torus, and wherein the resilient guard wraps around the bumper body.

A42. The roller assembly of any of paragraphs A30-A41, wherein the bumper body is generally in the shape of a cylinder.

A43. The roller assembly of any of paragraphs A30-A41, wherein the bumper body is generally in the shape of a rectangular prism.

A44. The roller assembly of any of paragraphs A1-A43, wherein the bracket includes an interior bracket face that generally faces the hanging panel when the hanging panel is installed on the bracket, an exterior bracket face opposite the interior bracket face, and a vertical panel adjustment mechanism configured to adjust a position of the hanging panel with respect to the bracket in a generally vertical direction, wherein the vertical panel adjustment mechanism includes:an adjustment channel recessed into the bracket from the interior bracket face and extending in a generally vertical direction; anda dovetail pin positioned in the adjustment channel and extending from the interior bracket face;

wherein the adjustment channel includes an angled groove with a tapered cross-sectional profile that tapers toward the interior bracket face; wherein the adjustment channel is configured to retain the dovetail pin at least partially within the bracket; wherein the dovetail pin is configured to slidingly engage with the adjustment channel; and wherein the dovetail pin is configured to be inserted into a corresponding panel mounting hole on the hanging panel.

A45. The roller assembly of paragraph A44, wherein the vertical panel adjustment mechanism further includes an adjuster screw extending into the bracket from a bottom end of the bracket, wherein the adjuster screw engages the dovetail pin, and wherein the adjuster screw is configured to adjust a vertical position of the dovetail pin along the adjustment channel.

A46. The roller assembly of any of paragraphs A44-A45, wherein the adjustment channel includes an installation opening at at least one of a top end and a bottom end of the adjustment channel, wherein the installation opening is configured to permit the dovetail pin to be inserted into the adjustment channel.

A47. The roller assembly of any of paragraphs A44-A46, wherein the adjustment channel is a lower adjustment channel, wherein the dovetail pin is a lower dovetail pin, wherein the panel mounting hole is a lower panel mounting hole, wherein the lower adjustment channel includes a lower installation opening, wherein the hanging panel further includes an upper panel mounting hole positioned generally vertically above the lower panel mounting hole, wherein the vertical adjustment mechanism further includes an upper adjustment channel including an upper installation opening and positioned generally vertically above the lower adjustment channel and an upper dovetail pin positioned in the upper adjustment channel and extending from the interior bracket face, and wherein the upper dovetail pin is configured to be inserted into the upper panel mounting hole.

A48. The roller assembly of paragraph A47, wherein a/the adjuster screw engages the lower dovetail pin.

A49. The roller assembly of any of paragraphs A47-A48, wherein the adjuster screw is configured to locate the lower dovetail pin within the lower adjustment channel.

A50. The roller assembly of any of paragraphs A47-A49, wherein the lower dovetail pin and the upper dovetail pin are operatively coupled to one another.

A51. The roller assembly of any of paragraphs A47-A50, wherein the adjuster screw is configured to push the lower dovetail pin in a direction that is substantially opposite a force of gravity.

A52. The roller assembly of any of paragraphs A47-A51, wherein the lower dovetail pin includes an adjuster screw contact surface configured to engage a/the adjuster screw.

A53. The roller assembly of any of paragraphs A47-A52, wherein the lower dovetail pin includes a threaded recess configured to receive a lower panel mounting fastener, and wherein the upper dovetail pin includes a threaded recess configured to receive an upper panel mounting fastener.

A54. The roller assembly of any of paragraphs A47-A53, wherein the upper dovetail pin and the lower dovetail pin each include a generally frusto-conical portion and a generally cylindrical portion, wherein the generally frusto-conical portion and the generally cylindrical portion are axially aligned such that a circular end of the generally cylindrical portion abuts a narrower circular end of the generally frusto-conical portion.

A55. The roller assembly of paragraph A54, wherein the upper adjustment channel and the lower adjustment channel each include the angled groove, and wherein the angled groove is configured to slidingly engage the generally frusto-conical portion of the corresponding upper dovetail pin and lower dovetail pin.

A56. The roller assembly of any of paragraphs A47-A55, wherein the angled groove is configured to limit a range of motion of the upper dovetail pin with respect to the upper adjustment channel and of the lower dovetail pin with respect to the lower adjustment channel.

A57. The roller assembly of any of paragraphs 47-A56, wherein the vertical panel adjustment mechanism further includes an upper pin sleeve coupled to the upper dovetail pin and a lower pin sleeve coupled to the lower dovetail pin, wherein the upper pin sleeve and the lower pin sleeve are configured to provide at least one of a physical barrier and a mechanical barrier between the upper dovetail pin and the hanging panel and between the lower dovetail pin and the hanging panel when the upper dovetail pin is inserted into the upper panel mounting hole and the lower dovetail pin is inserted into the lower panel mounting hole.

A58. The roller assembly of paragraph A57, wherein the upper pin sleeve circumferentially surrounds at least a portion of the upper dovetail pin, and wherein the lower pin sleeve circumferentially surrounds at least a portion of the lower dovetail pin.

A59. The roller assembly of any of paragraphs A57-A58, wherein the upper pin sleeve and the lower pin sleeve are generally cylindrical.

A60. The roller assembly of any of paragraphs A57-A59, wherein the upper pin sleeve and the lower pin sleeve are configured to at least one of damp vibrations and attenuate vibrations propagating between the upper dovetail pin and the hanging panel and between the lower dovetail pin and the hanging panel.

A61. The roller assembly of any of paragraphs A57-A60, wherein the upper pin sleeve and the lower pin sleeve include at least one of glass, wood, plastic, thermoplastic, polyoxymethylene, acetal, rubber, synthetic rubber, a material that is softer than the hanging panel, and a metal.

A62. The roller assembly of any of paragraphs A47-A61, wherein the vertical panel adjustment mechanism further includes a cover plate positioned at least partially over at least one of the upper adjustment channel and the lower adjustment channel to at least one of inhibit the upper dovetail pin from being removed from the upper adjustment channel and inhibit the lower dovetail pin from being removed from the lower adjustment channel.

A63. The roller assembly of paragraph A62, wherein the cover plate at least partially covers at least one of the upper installation opening and the lower installation opening.

A64. The roller assembly of any of paragraphs A62-A63, wherein the cover plate is configured to facilitate a vertical translation of the hanging panel with respect to the bracket when the cover plate is in contact with the hanging panel and with the bracket and when a/the lower panel mounting fastener and a/the upper panel mounting fastener are at least partially loosened.

A65. The roller assembly of any of paragraphs A62-A64, wherein a surface of the cover plate that faces the hanging panel includes at least one of a plastic, a high-density polyethylene (HDPE), a fine surface finish, a fine surface roughness, and a low-friction surface.

A66. The roller assembly of any of paragraphs A62-A65, wherein the cover plate is fastened to the bracket.

A67. The roller assembly of paragraph A66, wherein the cover plate is at least one of glued, cemented, and adhered to the bracket.

A68. The roller assembly of any of paragraphs A44-A67, wherein the vertical panel adjustment mechanism further includes a mounting plate configured to be positioned on an opposite side of the hanging panel relative to the bracket, wherein the mounting plate is configured to distribute a clamping force from one or more panel mounting fasteners to the hanging panel.

A69. The roller assembly of paragraph A68, wherein the mounting plate includes at least one mounting plate aperture configured to receive a corresponding panel mounting fastener of the one or more panel mounting fasteners, wherein each corresponding panel mounting fastener is configured to retain the mounting plate against the hanging panel.

A70. The roller assembly of any of paragraphs A47-A69, when dependent upon paragraph A45 and any of paragraphs A68-A69, wherein the mounting plate is configured to transmit a motion of the lower dovetail pin to the upper dovetail pin responsive to an adjustment of a position of the lower dovetail pin via contact with the adjuster screw.

A71. The roller assembly of any of paragraphs A1-A70, wherein the bearing assembly includes an outer race with an outer race outer contact surface configured to contact the top rail portion, an inner race concentric with the outer race, and a bearing mechanism located generally between the outer race and the inner race; wherein the outer race is configured to rotate about a bearing assembly axis; wherein the bearing mechanism is configured to contact the outer race and the inner race to reduce a rolling resistance therebetween.

A72. The roller assembly of paragraph A71, wherein the outer race is configured to rotate with respect to the inner race.

A73. The roller assembly of any of paragraphs A71-A72, wherein the outer race is configured to move along the top rail portion without slipping.

A74. The roller assembly of any of paragraphs A71-A73, wherein the bearing mechanism includes, and optionally is, a plurality of rolling elements located between and generally in contact with each of the outer race and the inner race, and wherein the bearing assembly further includes a cage configured to retain the plurality of rolling elements between the outer race and the inner race.

A75. The roller assembly of paragraph A74, wherein the plurality of rolling elements are configured to revolve about the bearing assembly axis while the outer race rotates about the bearing assembly axis.

A76. The roller assembly of any of paragraphs A71-A75, wherein the outer race outer contact surface is concave, and wherein the outer race outer contact surface has an outer contact surface radius of curvature and an outer contact surface depth as measured from a portion of the outer race outer contact surface that is proximal the bearing assembly axis to a portion of the outer race outer contact surface that is distal the bearing assembly axis.

A77. The roller assembly of paragraph A76, wherein the outer race outer contact surface has a cross-sectional profile that generally corresponds to a cross-sectional shape of the top rail portion.

A78. The roller assembly of any of paragraphs A76-A77, wherein the outer contact surface radius of curvature is slightly greater than a rail radius of curvature of the top rail portion.

A79. The roller assembly of paragraph A78, wherein the outer contact surface radius of curvature is at least one of at least 1% greater, at least 5% greater, at least 10% greater, at least 20% greater, at least 30% greater, at least 40% greater, at least 50% greater, at least 60% greater, at least 70% greater, at least 80% greater, at least 90% greater, at most 100% greater, at most 85% greater, at most 75% greater, at most 65% greater, at most 55% greater, at most 45% greater, at most 35% greater, at most 25% greater, at most 15% greater, at most 7% greater, and at most 3% greater than the rail radius of curvature.

A80. The roller assembly of any of paragraphs A76-A79, wherein the outer contact surface radius of curvature is generally constant.

A81. The roller assembly of any of paragraphs A76-A80, wherein the outer race outer contact surface has a cross-sectional shape that is generally semi-circular.

A82. The roller assembly of any of paragraphs A76-A79, wherein the outer contact surface radius of curvature is not constant.

A83. The roller assembly of paragraph A82, wherein the outer race outer contact surface has a cross-sectional shape that is at least one of arch-shaped, U-shaped, parabolic, hyperbolic, V-shaped, rectangular, and trapezoidal.

A84. The roller assembly of any of paragraphs A71-A83, wherein the outer race is at least partially, and optionally completely, formed of at least one of plastic, metal, aluminum, steel, copper, brass, gold, and silver.

A85. The roller assembly of any of paragraphs A71-A84, wherein the outer race includes an outer race body and an outer race surface portion, wherein the outer race body and the outer race surface portion are formed of different materials.

A86. The roller assembly of paragraph A85, wherein the outer race surface portion is an outer surface coating applied to the outer race body.

A87. The roller assembly of any of paragraphs A85-A86, wherein the outer race body is formed at least substantially of metal, and wherein the outer surface coating includes at least one of a plastic, a thermoplastic, polyoxymethylene, and acetal.

A88. The roller assembly of any of paragraphs A85-A87, wherein the outer race body and the outer race surface portion are mechanically connected.

A89. The roller assembly of any of paragraphs A85-A88, wherein the outer race surface portion includes, and optionally is, a replaceable wear surface.

A90. The roller assembly of any of paragraphs A74-A89, when dependent on paragraph A74, wherein each of the plurality of rolling elements is at least one of a ball bearing, a roller bearing, and a needle bearing, and wherein each of the plurality of rolling elements has the same, or substantially the same, diameter.

A91. The roller assembly of any of paragraphs A74-A90, when dependent on paragraph A74, wherein each of the plurality of rolling elements is formed of at least one of metal, plastic, and ceramic.

A92. The roller assembly of any of paragraphs A74-A91, when dependent on paragraph A74, wherein each of the plurality of rolling elements has a diameter that is at least one of at least 1 millimeter (mm), at least 5 mm, at least 10 mm, at least 15 mm, at least 20 mm, less than 25 mm, less than 17 mm, less than 13 mm, less than 7 mm, and less than 3 mm.

A93. The roller assembly of any of paragraphs A74-A92, when dependent on paragraph A74, wherein the outer race includes an outer race inner surface that defines an outer race channel configured to engage the plurality of rolling elements.

A94. The roller assembly of paragraph A93, wherein the outer race channel has a radius of curvature that is slightly larger than a radius of each of the plurality of rolling elements.

A95. The roller assembly of paragraph A94, wherein the radius of curvature of the outer race channel is at least one of at least 1% greater, at least 5% greater, at least 10% greater, at least 20% greater, at least 30% greater, at most 35% greater, at most 25% greater, at most 15% greater, at most 7% greater, and at most 3% greater than the radius of each of the plurality of rolling elements.

A96. The roller assembly of any of paragraphs A74-A95, when dependent on paragraph A74, wherein the inner race has an inner race outer surface that defines an inner race channel configured to engage the plurality of rolling elements.

A97. The roller assembly of paragraph A96, wherein the inner race has a radius of curvature that is slightly larger than a/the radius of each of the plurality of rolling elements.

A98. The roller assembly of paragraph A97, wherein the radius of curvature of the inner race channel is at least one of at least 1% greater, at least 5% greater, at least 10% greater, at least 20% greater, at least 30% greater, at most 35% greater, at most 25% greater, at most 15% greater, at most 7% greater, and at most 3% greater than the radius of each of the plurality of rolling elements.

A99. The roller assembly of any of paragraphs A96-A98, wherein the radius of curvature of the inner race channel is substantially equal to a/the radius of curvature of the outer race channel.

A100. The roller assembly of any of paragraphs A74-A99, when dependent on paragraph A74, wherein the cage is configured to at least partially enclose each of the plurality of rolling elements.

A101. The roller assembly of any of paragraphs A74-A100, when dependent on paragraphs A74, A93, and A96, wherein the cage is configured to constrain each of the plurality of rolling elements to roll in at least one of the outer race channel and in the inner race channel.

A102. The roller assembly of any of paragraphs A74-A101, when dependent on paragraph A74, wherein the cage is configured to space apart the plurality of rolling elements.

A103. The roller assembly of paragraph A102, wherein the cage is configured to maintain a constant, or at least a substantially constant, arc length between each pair of adjacent rolling elements of the plurality of rolling elements.

A104. The roller assembly of any of paragraphs A74-A103, when dependent on paragraph A74, wherein the cage is configured to maintain each of the plurality of rolling elements in contact with a lubricant.

A105. The roller assembly of any of paragraphs A71-A104, wherein the bracket is operatively connected to the bearing assembly at the inner race.

A106. The roller assembly of paragraph A105, wherein the inner race is rigidly connected to the bracket.

A107. The roller assembly of any of paragraphs A71-A106, wherein the inner race is configured to rotate about the bearing assembly axis.

A108. The roller assembly of any of paragraphs A71-A107, wherein the bracket is operatively connected to the inner race via a hub configured to offset the bearing assembly from the bracket in a direction substantially parallel to the bearing assembly axis.

A109. The roller assembly of paragraph A108, wherein the hub is integrally formed with the bracket.

A110. The roller assembly of paragraph A108, wherein the hub and the bracket are distinct components.

A111. The roller assembly of any of paragraphs A71-A110, wherein the bearing mechanism includes, and optionally is, at least one of a bushing and a sleeve.

A112. The roller assembly of any of paragraphs A1-A111, wherein the trolley assembly further includes a safety stop configured to inhibit removal of the trolley assembly from the elongate rail when the trolley assembly is installed on the elongate rail.

A113. The roller assembly of paragraph A112, wherein the safety stop is positioned generally below the elongate rail when the trolley assembly is installed on the elongate rail.

A114. The roller assembly of any of paragraphs A112-A113, wherein the safety stop is positioned generally between the bearing assembly and the hanging panel when the hanging panel is mounted on the bracket.

A115. The roller assembly of any of paragraphs A112-A114, wherein the safety stop is configured to limit a distance by which the bearing assembly may be lifted above the elongate rail when the trolley assembly is installed on the elongate rail.

A116. The roller assembly of any of paragraphs A112-A115, wherein the safety stop extends from the bracket in the same direction as the bearing assembly extends from the bracket.

A117. The roller assembly of any of paragraphs A112-A116, wherein the safety stop extends from a/the interior bracket face of the bracket.

A118. The roller assembly of any of paragraphs A112-A117, wherein the safety stop extends from the bracket on the same side of the bracket as the hanging panel when the hanging panel is mounted on the bracket.

A119. The roller assembly of any of paragraphs A112-A118, wherein the safety stop is rigidly secured to the bracket.

A120. The roller assembly of paragraph A119, wherein the safety stop is secured to the bracket with a safety stop fastener.

A121. The roller assembly of any of paragraphs A112-A120, wherein the safety stop is generally cylindrical.

A122. The roller assembly of any of paragraphs A112-A121, wherein the safety stop includes a bracket-mounted portion rigidly secured to the bracket and a separable portion configured to be selectively detached from the bracket-mounted portion, wherein the bracket-mounted portion includes a tab receiver, and wherein the separable portion includes an upper face that generally faces the bearing assembly and a resilient tab configured to selectively engage the tab receiver.

A123. The roller assembly of any of paragraphs A112-A122, wherein the safety stop is positioned on the bracket such that a distance between the bottom rail portion and the safety stop is less than a/the outer contact surface depth of a/the outer race outer contact surface when a/the separable portion is engaged with a/the bracket-mounted portion and when the trolley assembly is installed on the elongate rail.

A124. The roller assembly of paragraph A123, wherein the distance between the bottom rail portion and the safety stop is at least one of at least 10% less, at least 20% less, at least 30% less, at least 40% less, at least 50% less, at least 60% less, at least 70% less, at least 80% less, at most 85% less, at most 75% less, at most 65% less, at most 55% less, at most 45% less, at most 35% less, and at most 25% less than the outer contact surface depth of the outer race outer contact surface when the separable portion is engaged with the bracket-mounted portion.

A125. The roller assembly of any of paragraphs A112-A124, wherein the safety stop is configured such that a distance between the bottom rail portion and a/the upper face of a/the bracket-mounted portion is greater than a/the outer contact surface depth of a/the outer race outer contact surface.

A126. The roller assembly of any of paragraphs A112-A125, wherein the safety stop is configured to vary a distance between the bottom rail portion and a proximal portion of the safety stop without removing the safety stop from the bracket, and further wherein the safety stop is configured to vary the distance between the bottom rail portion and the proximal portion of the safety stop by at least one of a cam action, by rotating with respect to at least one of the bracket and the elongate rail, and by sliding with respect to at least one of the bracket and the elongate rail.

A127. The roller assembly of any of paragraphs A112-A126, wherein the safety stop has a cross-sectional shape that is at least one of generally ovoid and generally cam-shaped.

A128. The roller assembly of any of paragraphs A112-A127, wherein the safety stop is formed of at least one of a plastic, a thermoplastic, a rubber, a dense rubber, and a synthetic rubber.

A129. The roller assembly of any of paragraphs A112-A127, when dependent upon paragraph A26, wherein the safety stop is configured to engage the bumper stop when the trolley assembly reaches the trolley assembly stop point.

B1. A method of mounting an elongate rail on a surface, the method comprising:providing an elongate rail that includes:an integral face plate that at least partially defines a rail cavity, wherein the integral face plate is proximal the surface relative to the rail cavity when the elongate rail is mounted on the surface; andan adjustment face with a series of adjustment face ridges defined on a side of the integral face plate that faces the rail cavity;providing at least a first adjuster plate and a second adjuster plate, wherein each of the first adjuster plate and the second adjuster plate includes one or more adjuster plate ridges configured to engage the adjustment face ridges of the adjustment face and an adjuster plate mounting hole extending through each of the first adjuster plate and the second adjuster plate;providing at least a first rail fastener and a second rail fastener, wherein each of the first rail fastener and the second rail fastener includes a fastener head with a width that is greater than a diameter of the adjuster plate mounting hole and a fastener body with a width that is smaller than the width of the fastener head;defining at least a first rail mounting hole and a second rail mounting hole in the integral face plate, wherein each of the first rail mounting hole and the second rail mounting hole has a diameter that is greater than the width of the fastener body;inserting the first rail fastener through the adjuster plate mounting hole of the first adjuster plate and through the first rail mounting hole such that the first adjuster plate is between the adjustment face and the fastener head of the first rail fastener;inserting the second rail fastener through the adjuster plate mounting hole of the second adjuster plate and through the second rail mounting hole such that the second adjuster plate is between the adjustment face and the fastener head of the second rail fastener;loosely securing the first rail fastener and the second rail fastener to the surface such that the elongate rail is generally horizontal;at least one of adjusting a position of the first adjuster plate with respect to the adjustment face and adjusting a position of the second adjuster plate with respect to the adjustment face such that the elongate rail is horizontal, or at least substantially horizontal; andtightening the first rail fastener to the surface and tightening the second rail fastener to the surface to fix a position of the elongate rail with respect to the surface.

B2. The method of paragraph B1, wherein the method further includes providing at least a third adjuster plate, providing at least a third rail fastener, and defining at least a third rail mounting hole, and still further includes repeating the inserting, the loosely securing, the adjusting, and the tightening with at least the third adjuster plate, the third rail fastener, and the third rail mounting hole.

B3. The method of any of paragraphs B1-B2, wherein the elongate rail is the elongate rail of any of paragraphs A1-A129.

B4. The roller assembly of any of paragraphs B1-B3, wherein at least one of the first adjuster plate and the second adjuster plate is the adjuster plate of any of paragraphs A15-A129.

B5. The roller assembly of any of paragraphs B1-B4, wherein at least one of the first rail fastener and the second rail fastener is the rail fastener of any of paragraphs A15-A129.

B6. The roller assembly of any of paragraphs B1-B5, wherein the defining the at least the first rail mounting hole and the second rail mounting hole includes at least one of drilling, boring, and punching.

B7. The roller assembly of any of paragraphs B1-B6, wherein the surface at least one of covers, includes, and is a plurality of wall studs, and wherein the defining the at least the first rail mounting hole and the second rail mounting hole includes positioning the rail mounting holes such that each rail mounting hole is generally aligned with a wall stud of the plurality of wall studs when the elongate rail is mounted on the surface.

C1. A method of adjusting a vertical position of a panel with respect to a bracket, the method comprising:providing a panel that includes a panel mounting hole;providing a trolley assembly configured to move along an elongate rail and to support the hanging panel, wherein the trolley assembly includes a bearing assembly configured to translate the trolley assembly along the elongate rail and a bracket operatively coupled to the bearing assembly and operatively coupled to the hanging panel for sliding the hanging panel, wherein the bracket includes:an interior bracket face that generally faces the hanging panel;an exterior bracket face opposite the interior bracket face;an adjustment channel recessed into the bracket from the interior bracket face and extending in a generally vertical direction;a dovetail pin positioned in the adjustment channel and extending from the interior bracket face and into the panel mounting hole;a panel mounting fastener that extends through the panel mounting hole and engages the dovetail pin to bring the dovetail pin into frictional engagement with the adjustment channel and to secure the hanging panel to the bracket; andan adjuster screw extending into the bracket from a bottom end of the bracket, wherein the adjuster screw engages the dovetail pin;while the panel mounting fastener is at least partially loosened, actuating the adjuster screw to adjust a vertical position of the hanging panel with respect to the bracket; andtightening the panel mounting fastener to fix a location of the hanging panel with respect to the bracket.

C2. The method of paragraph C1, wherein the trolley assembly is the trolley assembly of any of paragraphs A1-A129.

C3. The roller assembly of any of paragraphs C1-C2, wherein the adjustment channel is a lower adjustment channel; wherein the dovetail pin is a lower dovetail pin; wherein the panel mounting fastener is a lower panel mounting fastener; wherein the panel mounting hole is a lower panel mounting hole; wherein the hanging panel further includes an upper panel mounting hole positioned generally vertically above the lower panel mounting hole; wherein the bracket further includes:an upper adjustment channel positioned generally vertically above the lower adjustment channel;an upper dovetail pin positioned in the upper adjustment channel;an upper panel mounting fastener that extends through the upper panel mounting hole and engages the upper dovetail pin to bring the upper dovetail pin into frictional engagement with the upper adjustment channel and to further secure the hanging panel to the bracket; anda mounting plate configured to be positioned on an opposite side of the hanging panel relative to the bracket, wherein the mounting plate includes two mounting plate apertures configured to receive the lower panel mounting fastener and the upper panel mounting fastener, wherein the lower panel mounting fastener and the upper panel mounting fastener are configured to retain the mounting plate against the hanging panel when the hanging panel is installed on the bracket;

and wherein the method further includes actuating the adjuster screw while the upper panel mounting fastener is at least partially loosened, and still further includes tightening the upper panel mounting fastener subsequent to the actuating the adjuster screw.

C4. The roller assembly of paragraph C3, wherein the adjusting includes:responsive to the actuating the adjuster screw, vertically translating the lower dovetail pin within the lower adjustment channel;responsive to the vertically translating the lower dovetail pin, vertically translating the lower panel mounting fastener;responsive to the vertically translating the lower panel mounting fastener, vertically translating the mounting plate;responsive to the vertically translating the mounting plate, vertically translating the upper panel mounting fastener; andresponsive to the vertically translating the upper panel mounting fastener, vertically translating the upper dovetail pin within the upper adjustment channel.