US3869086A

US3869086A - Adjustable track assembly

Info

Publication number: US3869086A
Application number: US210954A
Authority: US
Inventors: Donald T Heaney
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1971-12-22
Filing date: 1971-12-22
Publication date: 1975-03-04
Anticipated expiration: 1992-03-04

Abstract

An adjustable track assembly providing a pair of wedges with interlocking teeth superimposed on each other within a housing and combined with removable flanged snap bead covers for supporting a track that bears carriages for files or cabinets. The position of the wedges on each other may be adjusted to keep the track perfectly level over relatively long distances.

Description

llnlted States Patent 1 [111 3,869,086 llleaney 5 Mar. 4, 1975 [54] ADJUSTABLE TRACK ASSEMBLY 2,730,306 1/1956 Miller 238/281 l Inventor: onald T. eaney, 32316 Phantom ...980,034 4/1961 Harty 238/8 Dr., Palos Verdes, Calif. 90501 Primary E.\'aminerM. Henson Wood, Jr. lzzl Fled: 1971 Assistant E.\'anziner-Richard A. Bertsch [21] Appl NC 210,954 Attorney, Agent, or FirnzJohn Joseph Hall [52] U.S. Cl. 238/10 R, 238/281 [57] ABSTRACT [51] Int. Cl E0lb 2/00, EOlb 23/00 An adjustable track assembly providing a pair of [58] held of Search 238/10 R, l, 122, 281, d t l t th d h 238/282 8 104/134 69 we ges vr m er 0c mg ee superimpose on eac I other within a housing and combined with removable flanged snap bead covers for supporting a track that [56] References and bears carriages for files or cabinets. The position of UNITED STATES PATENTS the wedges on each other may be adjusted to keep the 1,126,536 1/1915 Liebmann 238/281 track perfectly level over relatively long distances. 1,357,180 10/1920 Nelson 238/281 1,781,251 11/1930 Schwendt et a1. 238/282 12 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures I ADJUSTABLE TRACK ASSEMBLY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to a new type of adjustable track assembly which provides interlocking wedges superimposed on each other and capable of adjustment of their height in position.

2. Prior Art Applicant is unaware of any prior art disclosing the particular form of the wedges having interlocking teeth in conjunction with a housing having removable covers for supporting a track for file carriages which is adjustable to keep the track level.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention comprises an adjustable track assembly which includes a pair of wedges having interlocking teeth on their longest side, a housing having a base with rising abutments in its center and perpendicular side walls terminating in an inwardly tapered top portion of the inner walls with a longitudinal groove below the taper in each inner wall, a longitudinal groove formed on each outer wall of the top portion of the side walls, and a removable flanged snap bead cover fitting in each groove of the outer side walls of the housing. The wedges have teeth which interlock when the wedges are superimposed on one another with the longest side congruent. The wedges in their superimposed position can be adjusted laterally to increase or decrease the overall height of the wedges when placed in the interlocking position.

The adjustable track assembly can be formed in a plurality of various lengths to provide a quick and reliable means for giving level support to a track that bears a plurality of files or cabinets on a carriage.

Conventional tracks for file or cabinet carriages have no similar means for easy and rapid adjustment to maintain a track level, in the event of a displacement in height of the floor on which the track rests.

It is therefore, an object of my invention to provide an adjustable track assembly which can compensate for height displacement of the floor to maintain the track which it supports perfectly level.

Another object of my invention is to provide an adjustable track assembly which is relatively easy to as semble and place in operation.

A further object of my invention is to provide an adjustable track assembly which can be readily adjusted after its installation in a floor, to maintain the track level which it bears, in the event .of a change in floor height.

These and other objects will be more readily understood by reference to the following description and claims, taken in conjunction with the drawing, in which FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of my invention in position supporting tracks which bear a plurality of files or cabinets on carriages.

FIG. 2 is a view taken along line 22 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a detailed section of a portion of FIG. 2 showing flanged snap bead covers in place.

The adjustable track assembly has a pair of wedges 12 each having a series of rows of teeth 14 formed on the surface of the wedge side 16 opposite the right angle 18 of the wedges 12. The rows of teeth 14 are preferably equally spaced and of uniform size.

The teeth 14 of wedges l2 interlock when the sides 16 are superimposed. Wedges 12 are preferably formed in such a way as to have a cross section in the form of a 3060 right triangle, although the cross section of the wedges l2 may be varied to include embodiments ranging from the cross section of a 3060 right triangle to that of a 45 right triangle.

The wedges 12 have a series of parallel grooves 20 on the longer straight side 22.

The length of wedges 12 may vary from one inch to three feet without detracting from the level adjusting capability of the adjustable track assembly 10, although I have found that about one foot in length is a preferable length for the wedges 12.

The wedges 12 are supported by a housing 24 having a base 26 and side walls 28 forming right angles with base 26. The inside surfaces 30 of side walls 28 have a slight inner taper 32 at their upper ends beginning just above longitudinal grooves 34 cut in the inner surface of side walls 28.

The top portion of the outer walls 36 of housing 24 are formed in horizontal fins 38 with vertical flanges 40 and longitudinal grooves 42 between the flanges 40.

The base 26 of housing 24 has abutments 44 rising up from the bottom base 26 and separated by a longitudinal groove 46. The abutments 44 have flat top surfaces. Each abutment 44 has a longitudinal rib 48 on its top surface, which fits into one of the grooves 20 of wedges 12. The ribs 48 are located so that each of the ribs 48 simultaneously fits into one of grooves 20 of wedges 12.

The adjustable track assembly 10 is provided with two removable flanged snap bead. covers 50, one for each of grooves 42 of the housing 24.-

The flanged snap bead covers 50 are identical in construction, and have a flat top 52. The covers 50 are each provided with a middle flange 54 perpendicular to top 52 and terminating in a longitudinal bead 56 that snap fits into groove 34 of the side wall 28 of housing 24. Outer longitudinal flange 58 of cover 50 is also perpendicular to top 52 and is spaced sufficiently away from middle flange 54 to fit closely into groove 42, thereby maintaining cover 50 in position in conjunction with middle flange 54. The inner edge of top 52 is formed into a longitudinal lip 60 which is perpendicular to the top 52. The tops 52 of covers 50 are formed in a width sufficient to permit lips 60 to be in close alignment with longitudinal track 62 when it is in position on the top of interlocking wedges l2.

The fins 38 are used when the adjustable track assembly is used for a tile or carpet application. Other wise, the fins 38 may be dispensed with, without affecting the operation of the adjustable track assembly 10.

The various parts of the adjustable track assembly 10 can be formed from any suitable material for sustaining the stresses resulting from the use of the invention without becoming deforemd. I have found that solid aluminum metal is satisfactory.

In operation, the adjustable assembly track assembly 10 is placed in position as shown in FIG. 2. The housing 24 is set in concrete 64 as indicated in FIG. 2. Various conventional means (not shown) may be used to fix and maintain the adjustable track assembly 10 in position. Groove 42 is formed to accept a conventional size hex nut.

A plurality of adjustable track assemblies 10, each about one foot long and about two inches apart, is placed in each track line 66 designated in FIG. 1. Each pair of wedges 12 is then adjusted with respect to their interlocking teeth 14 in place to provide a perfectly level support for the track 62 for each of track line 66, thereby compensating for any difference in level of the floor 68. After the wedges 12 have been properly adjusted in height, the track 62 is placed on the wedges 12 within each line 66 and the flanged snap bead covers 50 are snapped in position, providing a perfectly level surface as shown in FIG. 2 for movement of files or cabinets 70. t

In the event that any settling or other displacement of any part of the floor 68 should occur so that any of the tracks 62 is no longer level, the flanged snap bead covers 50 in the particular area of the floor 68 can be readily removed and the wedges 12 easily adjusted in height to compensate for any such settling or displacement of the floor 68, so that each of the tracks 62 will be maintained in its original level position.

The invention can also be used to support and keep tracks level that are used to mount equipment on, such as for a machine shop, or for various types of storage equipment.

Although I have described a preferred embodiment of my invention, it is understood that numerous changes in the construction and arrangement of parts may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed hereinafter.

I claim:

1. A track assembly for supporting a track bearing a carriage for files and cabinets, comprising:

a housing with a base having an abutment formed in its center portion with a longitudinal rib on its top surface and with two opposite side walls each having a longitudinal groove and an inward taper at the top portion of their inner surfaces and having a longitudinal groove formed at the top portion of each of their outer walls; and

a pair of wedge members each having a series of rows of teeth formed on the surfaces of their longest sides, said teeth interlocking with each other when said longest sides of said wedge members are superimposed, each of said wedge members having a groove formed in one of their remaining sides to receive said longitudinal rib of said abutment of said housing;

whereby said track assembly can be adjusted to maintain said track in a level position.

2. A track assembly according to claim 1 in which the wedges members have the cross section of a 3060 right triangle.

3. A track assembly according to claim 1 in which the wedge members have the cross section of a 45 right triangle.

4. A track assembly according to claim 1 in which the two opposite side walls are perpendicular to the plane of the base of the housing.

5. A track assembly for supporting a track bearing a carriage for files and cabinets, comprising:

a housing with a base having an abutment formed in its center portion with a longitudinal rib on its top surface, and with two opposite side walls each having a longitudinal groove and an inward taper at the top portion of their inner surfaces and having a longitudinal groove formed at the top portion of each of their outer walls:

a pair of wedge members each having a series of rows of teeth formed on the surfaces of their longest sides, said teeth interlocking with each other when said longest sides of said wedge members are superimposed, each of said wedge members having a groove formed in one of their remaining sides to receive said longitudinal rib of said abutment of said housing; and

at least one removable snap bead cover member having a middle flanged portion with a longitudinal bead at its outer end, said bead snap fitting into said longitudinal groove of said inner surface of said side walls of said housing,

6. A track assembly according to claim 5 in which the wedge members have the cross section of a 3060 right triangle.

7. A track assembly according to claim 5 in which the wedge members have the cross section of a 45 right triangle.

8. A track assembly according to claim 5 in which the two opposite side walls are perpendicular to the plane of the base of the housing.

9. A track assembly for supporting a track bearing a carriage for files and cabinets, comprising:

a housing with a base having an abutment formed in its center portion with two longitudinal ribs on its top surface, and with two opposite side walls each having a longitudinal groove and an inward taper at the top portion of their inner surfaces and having a longitudinal groove formed at the top portion of each of their outer walls;

a pair of wedge members each having a series of rows of teeth formed on the surfaces of their longest sides, said teeth interlocking with each other when said longest sides of said wedge members are superimposed, each of said wedge members having a groove formed in one of their remaining sides to receive said longitudinal ribs of said abutment of said housing; and

two removable snap bead cover members each having a middle flanged portion with a longitudinal bead at their outer ends, said beads each snap fitting into said longitudinal groove of said inner surface of said side walls of said housing;

10. A track assembly according to claim 9 in which the wedge members have the cross section of a 3060 right triangle.

11. A track assembly according to claim 9 in which the wedge members have the cross section of a 45 right triangle.

12. A track assembly according to claim 9 in which the wedge members have the cross section of a right triangle whose remaining angles range from 30 to to 45 and 45 respectively.

Claims

1. A track assembly for supporting a track bearing a carriage for files and cabinets, comprising: a housing with a base having an abutment formed in its center portion with a longitudinal rib on its top surface and with two opposite side walls each having a longitudinal groove and an inward taper at the top portion of their inner surfaces and having a longitudinal groove formed at the top portion of each of their outer walls; and a pair of wedge members each having a series of rows of teeth formed on the surfaces of their longest sides, said teeth interlocking with each other when said longest sides of said wedge members are superimposed, each of said wedge members having a groove formed in one of their remaining sides to receive said longitudinal rib of said abutment of said housing; whereby said track assembly can be adjusted to maintain said track in a level position.

2. A track assembly according to claim 1 in which the wedges members have the cross section of a 30*-60* right triangle.

3. A track assembly according to claim 1 in which the wedge members have the cross section of a 45* right triangle.

5. A track assembly for supporting a track bearing a carriage for files and cabinets, comprising: a housing with a base having an abutment formed in its center portion with a longitudinal rib on its top surface, and with two opposite side walls each having a longitudinal groove and an inward taper at the top portion of their inner surfaces and having a longitudinal groove formed at the top portion of each of their outer walls; a pair of wedge members each having a series of rows of teeth formed on the surfaces of their longest sides, said teeth interlocking with each other when said longest sides of said wedge members are superimposed, each of said wedge members having a groove formed in one of their remaining sides to receive said longitudinal rib of said abutment of said housing; and at least one removable snap bead cover member having a middle flanged portion with a longitudinal bead at its outer end, said bead snap fitting into said longitudinal groove of said inner surface of said side walls of said housing, whereby said track assembly can be adjusted to maintain said track in a level position.

6. A track assembly according to claim 5 in which the wedge members have the cross section of a 30*-60* right triangle.

7. A track assembly according to claim 5 in which the wedge members have the cross section of a 45* right triangle.

9. A track assembly for supporting a track bearing a carriage for files and cabinets, comprising: a housing with a base having an abutment formed in its center portion with two longitudinal ribs on its top surface, and with two opposite side walls each having a longitudinal groove and an inward taper at the top portion of their inner surfaces and having a longitudinal groove formed at the top portion of each of their outer walls; a pair of wedge members each having a series of rows of teeth formed on the surfaces of their longest sides, said teeth interlocking with each other when said longest sides of said wedge members are superimposed, each of said wedge members having a groove formed in one of their remaining sides to receive said longitudinal ribs of said abutment of said housing; and two removable snap bead cover members each having a middle flanged portion with a longitudinal bead at their outer ends, said beads each snap fitting into said longitudinal groove of said inner surface of said side walls of said housing; whereby said track assembly can be adjusted to maintain said track in a level position.

10. A track assembly according to claim 9 in which the wedge members have the cross section of a 30*-60* right triangle.

11. A track assembly according to claim 9 in which the wedge members have the cross section of a 45* right triangle.

12. A track assembly according to claim 9 in which the wedge members have the cross section of a right triangle whose remaining angles range from 30* to 60* to 45* and 45* respectively.