Abstract
Disclosed is an end cap or connector for a wheel system, the end cap or connector has a cylindrical portion for engagement with one of an extension or a quick release system, the cylindrical portion further including a catch for attachment to the extension; and a cap, extending from said cylindrical portion, said cap having a connector for attaching to a wheel carriage or another extension. Also disclosed is a method which includes the end cap and inserting the end cap into an extension such as a hollow tube or rod; and releasably attaching the end cap to a wheel system.
Claims
1. An end cap or connector for a wheel system, said end cap or connector comprising: a cylindrical portion for engagement with one of an extension or a quick release system, said cylindrical portion further including a catch for attachment to the extension or quick release; and a cap, extending from said cylindrical portion, said cap having a connector for attaching to a wheel carriage or another extension.
2. The end cap of claim 1, wherein the catch is a plurality of protrusions.
3. The end cap of claim 2, wherein the plurality of protrusions are tapered along an axis of the cylinder, said plurality of protrusions adapted for engaging with openings within the extension.
4. The end cap of claim 3, wherein the cylindrical member has a plurality of slots therein for allowing the plurality of extensions to flex and engage the openings within the extension.
5. The end cap of claim 1, wherein the connector of the cap includes an eyelet or a handle.
6. The end cap of claim 1, wherein the connector of the cap includes a slotted opening.
7. The end cap of claim 5, wherein the slotted opening is a cylindrical opening and adapted to receive an end ball on a ball chain.
8. The end cap of claim 6, wherein the cylindrical opening includes a first diameter for receiving the end ball of the ball chain and a second diameter or reduced diameter for engaging and releasably retaining the end of the ball of the ball chain.
9. The end cap of claim 7, wherein the reduced diameter is an internal raised portion for engaging the end ball of the ball chain.
10. The end cap of claim 1, wherein the extension is a hollow tube or rod and the cylindrical portion inerts into the hollow tube or rod.
11. An end cap for a wheel system, said end cap comprising: a lower portion for engagement with one of an elongate hollow tube or rod, wherein said elongate hollow tube or rod has openings therein for engaging said lower portion, said lower portion further including a catch for attachment to the elongate hollow rod and engaging with said openings; and an upper portion, extending from said lower portion, said upper portion having a connector for releasably attaching to a wheel carriage.
12. The end cap for a wheel system of claim 10, wherein said end cap further comprises an opening in the upper portion sized for receiving a ball chain.
13. The end cap for a wheel system of claim 11, wherein said opening further comprises a nib for holding a ball of said ball chain, wherein said nib has a reduced diameter as compared to the opening in the upper portsion sized for receiving the ball chain.
14. The end cap for a wheel system of claim 10, wherein the opening extends from one side of the upper portion to the other.
15. The end cap for a wheel system of claim 10, wherein the end cap is releasable attached to a ball chain.
16. An end cap for a wheel system, said end cap comprising: a lower portion for engagement with one of an elongate hollow tube or rod; and an upper portion, extending from said lower portion, said upper portion having a connector for releasably attaching to a wheel carriage, wherein said connector has a joint that allows 360 degrees of rotation about the axis of the hollow tube or rod for alignment of a quick release.
17. A method for assembly of an end cap with a wheel system, comprising: providing a end cap as claimed in claim 1, inserting the end cap into a hollow tube or rod; and releasably attaching the end cap to a wheel system.
18. The method of claim 15, wherein the wheel system further comprises a ball chain releasably attached to the wheel system and to the end cap.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION
[0034] Some of the embodiments will be described in detail, with reference to the following figures, wherein like designations denote like members, wherein:
[0035] FIG. 1 shows a wheel system as part of a curtain hanging system according to an embodiment of the invention;
[0036] FIG. 2A shows a front view of dimensioning a wheel system according to a first embodiment of the invention having multiple tracks overlayed;
[0037] FIG. 2B shows a front view of dimensioning a wheel system according to a first embodiment of the invention having multiple tracks in an exploded view;
[0038] FIG. 3 shows a front and side perspective view of a wheel system according to a first embodiment of the invention;
[0039] FIG. 4 shows a front and side perspective view of a wheel system (without end cap) according to a first embodiment of the invention;
[0040] FIG. 5 shows a side perspective view of a wheel system through 5-5 according to a first embodiment of the invention;
[0041] FIG. 6 shows a front view of dimensioning a wheel system (without end cap) in overlayed track systems according to a second embodiment of the invention;
[0042] FIG. 7 shows a second embodiment of a perspective view of a wheel system according to a second embodiment of the invention;
[0043] FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of a wheel system (with end cap) according to third embodiment of the invention;
[0044] FIG. 9 shows an attachment without endcap according to an embodiment of the invention;
[0045] FIG. 10 shows a first embodiment of an end cap of an embodiment of the invention;
[0046] FIG. 11 shows a second embodiment of an end cap of an embodiment of the invention;
[0047] FIG. 12 shows a third embodiment of an end cap of an embodiment of the invention;
[0048] FIG. 13 shows a front side of an embodiment of an attachment of a wheel system;
[0049] FIG. 14 shows a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 13 of an attachment of a wheel system;
[0050] FIG. 15 shows another embodiment of an attachment of a wheel system; and
[0051] FIG. 16 shows an extension attachment for attaching two extensions together.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0052] Disclosed are various embodiments of the inventions. Referring to FIG. 1 is a disposable curtain system 100. The disposable curtain system 100 is attached to the ceiling by a track 110. The track may be attached directly to the ceiling or hang from the ceiling on extensions. Running through the track 110 are wheel systems 120. The roller hooks or rollers or wheels with attachments have a link 200 on the end thereof for attaching an extension, elongate hollow tube, elongate hollow rod or elongate member or extension 140. The link 200 may be any connector, ball chain, bead, retaining chain, clip, clasp, chain link, catch, snap, hook, safety pin, buckle metal loop, shackle, eyelet, grommet, carabiner, spring hook, wire loop, wire with attachments on the end such as beads or balls, or any other attachment means or connector interposed between the wheel system an the end cap or extension or quick release and having a releasable attachment and adapted so that the extension or end cap or quick release does not come off the wheel system 120.
[0053] The extension 140 may be telescoping poles, poles that may be discreet sizes and interchanged or a plurality of poles that can be snapped together with a connector depending on size needed, straps which may include a buckle that may be adjusted for size or the strap may be cut, a string, cable or wire that may be adjusted or cut. Since the extension will remain in place it is important that is easily cleanable for infectious diseases with an extension pole that has disinfectant. The material of the extension should not absorb liquids but should be made from a nonabsorbent plastic such as polyvinyl, acrylic, polyacrylic, nylon, carbon composite, PVC, polyethylene or the like.
[0054] The curtain 180 comes in discreet sections, such as 6-12 feet and most commonly 9 feet. The curtain discreet sections of 9-12 feet may be snapped together with snaps so as to make longer curtains. The curtains are made from disposable recyclable material such as polypropylene. Alternatively, the curtains may be made of cloth for quick change for washing. The curtains 180 may be attached to the extension 140 with a quick-release mechanism 150 and a curtain attachment assembly or curtain attachment 160. The curtain attachment has a locking mechanism 80. The curtain attachment 160 during shipping and the initial assembly may be held together with a zip-tie, twist tie 90 or a holder such as 500 shown in FIG. 1.
[0055] Referring to FIGS. 2A 2B, a track(s) 110 are shown. The track(s) 110 is bolted, screwed, glued or otherwise attached to the ceiling. The track may also be on a hanging system and hang from the ceiling. The track 110 has an end piece (not shown) with snap connectors for the end piece. Running inside the track are roller hooks or rollers with wheel systems 120 having guide, rollers or wheels 122, 124. Additionally, other types of arrangements other than rollers or wheel systems 120 may be used so long as the slide easily along the track guides 118 such as slides, balls, or the like. Extending from the rollers or wheels are a link 200, i.e. a ball chain which is inserted for ease of replacement in an opening or bore 132.
[0056] The tracks 110 shown in FIGS. 2A 2B is actually a representation of a graphic drawing of four tracks overlain to arrive at a proper wheel angle and size and a wheel carriage 130 size. A first track 110a has a base track 112a, a side of track 114a and both sides and a top of track 115a. A second track 110b has a base track 112b, a side of track 114b and both sides and a top of track 115b. A third track 110c has a base track 112c, a side of track 114c and both sides and a top of track 115c. A fourth track 110d has a base track 112d, a side of track 114d and both sides and a top of track 115d. The tracks 110a-d are overlain and engineering calculations are made to obtain a width w of the wheel carriage 130. In addition, angle β, the angle between base of tracks 112a, 112b, 112c, 112d and track angle 116c,d is calculated. Each guide, roller or wheel has a circumference 123 and a wheel axle 125. In order so that the roller, guide or wheel 122 rotates smoothly in the track the inner contact surface 124 must be angled, inclined, rounded, flattened or tilted with respect to the base 112a-d so as to ride evenly on the base of all the base tracks 112a, 112b, 112c, 112d using angle γ, the angle between base of track 112a, 112b, 112c, 112d and circumference of guide, roller or wheel 123. In this case, the inner contact surface 124 is parallel or rides evenly upon the base of the track 112a-d. In FIG. 7, the inner contact surface 624 is rounded so as to ride evenly on the base. As shown, the angle γ must be such that the wheels 122 will not be hindered or rub on either the track angle 116c or 116d. If calculations are not made and accurately tested, an installer will need to carry multiple wheel systems depending upon the track used. This wheel system 120 only requires a single type or reduced number of wheels 122 to fit into one of four different tracks. Furthermore, wheel system 620 can fit into multiple tracks. Thus, using three wheel systems 120, 620 and 820 at least seven different tracks may be accommodated using only three wheels, whereas seven were needed in the past. The wheel system 120 is for use with a track 110, said wheel system 120 comprising: a wheel carriage 130, a set of wheels 122, 124 attached to the wheel carriage 130; a link 200, having a first end 200a, operatively attached to the wheel carriage 130 in slotted opening 132; wherein angles γ, β of the wheels and the width of the wheel carriage w are sized to fit into multiple sizes of tracks. The angles γ, β of the wheels and the width of the wheel carriage w are sized by overlaying multiple tracks in a design drawing and arriving at dimensions based upon overlaying multiple tracks.
[0057] FIG. 3 illustrates track 110 with multiple wheel systems 120 having wheels, guides or rollers 122, wheel carriages 130, links 200.
[0058] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a single wheel system 120. The links 200 may be balls 200a having lines or wires 202 therebetween. Line 5-5 shows the cutaway of FIG. 5. FIG. 5 shows a cutaway of the wheel system 120 showing the guide roller or wheel 122, the wheel carriage 130, the link 200 or ball chain having balls 201 and line or wire 202. Within the slotted opening 132 is a slot 204, a back wall 210, a nib 205 and a cylindrical opening 224. During use a ball 202 of the ball chain is placed into the opening 132 and slid along until it engages the nib 202. The cylindrical opening has a first diameter 224 and the nib 202 has a second diameter 222 so that the ball 202 must be press fitted over the nib to engage and be held in the center of the opening. The nib 202 is tapered so that during the press fit, the ball 200 may be slid over the nib 202 to be held in place.
[0059] FIGS. 6 and 7 shows an alternate embodiment which a track system 610. The track 610 shown in FIG. 6 is actually a representation of a graphic drawing of 3 tracks 610a, 610b, 610c overlain to arrive at a proper wheel angle and size and a wheel carriage 630 size. The tracks 610a-c are overlain and engineering calculations are made to obtain a width w of the wheel carriage 130. In addition, angle δ, the angle between base of tracks 610a, 610b and 610c and wheel circumference 622 is calculated. Each guide, roller or wheel has a circumference 623 and a wheel axle 625. In order so that the roller, guide or wheel 622, 624 rotates smoothly in the track the inner contact surface 124 must be angled to ride evenly on the base of all the base tracks 610a, 610b, 610c using angle δ, the angle between base of track 610a, 610b, 610c and circumference of guide, roller or wheel 123. If calculations are not made and accurately tested, an installer will need to carry multiple wheel systems depending upon the track used. This wheel system 620 only requires a single type of wheel 622 to fit into one of three different tracks.
[0060] FIG. 8 shows a third embodiment of a wheel system 820. In certain instances, a wheel is dimensioned so that it may not fit into any track. In this case the wheels 822 and 824 are small. The wheels 822 and 824 have a wheel axle 825. The wheels are positioned on a carriage 830 and have an opening 832 for receiving the link 200.
[0061] FIG. 9 shows a first type of link 200 attachment to an extension 140 or quick connect (not shown). The extension 140 has a wire loop that is attached thereto. The wire loop 540 is attached to the link 200 via a clasp or clip 550 through the wire loop 540. In this instance, a wheel system 120 is attached for use with a track 110, said wheel system comprising: a wheel carriage 130; a set of wheels 122, 124, attached to the wheel carriage 130; an extension connector 540 or wire loop is adapted to be attached to curtain hanging system such as the extension or quick connect. A link 200, having a first end, releasably attached to the wheel carriage 130 and a second end releasably attached to an extension 140 using clip or clasp 540.
[0062] FIG. 10 shows an alternate embodiment of the invention. In FIG. 10 is shown an end cap 700 having a solid circular plastic portion 718 molded therewith. The plastic portion 718 is solid and has a groove 720 therein for mating with corresponding springed circular openings 720, 735. A slot 736 is cut into the circular springed openings 720, 735 and will engage the groove 720. The circular springed openings are attached to the link 200.
[0063] FIG. 11 shows another embodiment of an end cap 300. This end cap 300 includes a cylindrical portion or lower portion 305 for engagement with one of an extension 140 or a quick release system 150, said cylindrical portion or lower portion 305 further including a catch 310, 312 for attachment to the extension 140; and a cap 303, extending from said cylindrical portion or lower portion 305, said cap 303 having a connector 333 for attaching to a wheel carriage 130. Although the lower portion is shown for insertion into a hollow tube or rod 140, alternatively, the lower portion 305 may extend around the outside of hollow tube or rod 140. The catch 310, 312 is a plurality of protrusions, wherein the plurality of protrusions are tapered along an axis of the cylinder 305, said plurality of protrusions 310, 312 adapted for engaging with openings within the extension. The cylindrical member 305 has a plurality of slots 322, 324 therein for allowing the plurality of extensions 310, 312 to flex and engage the openings within the extension. The cap 303 has a connector which includes a slotted opening 332 having a first diameter and a second diminished diameter at a nib 336 for engaging and releasably attaching a ball chain on a link 200. The slotted opening 332 extends all the way through the upper portion of the end cap so that a punch or other tool may be inserted in the back for removal of a ball 201 of the ball chain. An advantage of such a connector is that the connector has a joint that allows 360 degrees of rotation about the axis of the hollow tube or rod for alignment of a quick release.
[0064] Referring to FIG. 12, the connector of the cap 400 includes an eyelet or a handle 440 and has protrusions or catch 410, 412 and slots 422 and 424 on cylindrical body 405.
[0065] Referring to FIGS. 13 and 14, a wheel system is shown with a link or eylet 560 and wire clip or clasp 550. The clip or clasp 550 attaches to an extension 140. Holes are drilled into the extension 140. The portion of the eyelet 560 that attaches to the wheel carriage 530 having wheels 522 and 523.
[0066] FIG. 15 shows an alternate wheel system. The wheel carriage 580 includes wheels 582 and 583. The wheel carriage 580 is attached to a ball chain 570. One of the balls 585 on one side is encased within the wheel carriage 580. The opposite side ball is attached to a ball clip 590 which is attached to a wire clip or clasp 550 which is attached to an extension 140.
[0067] FIG. 16 shows an extension connector 900. The connector assists in connecting extensions 140a and 140b. The extensions 140a and 140b have holes 930, 932 and 934, 936 which engage with catches 910, 912, 914 and 916. The catches 910, 912, 914 and 916 are tapered so as to allow the catches to slide into the holes 930, 932, 934 and 936 when the ends 905 and 906 are inserted into the rods or extensions 140a, 140b. The connector has material removed at 922, 924, 926 and 928 to allow the connector to flex. The advantage of the extension connector 900 is so that the length of the entire extension may be changed by adding or decreasing extensions 140a, 140b. For example if an installer enters into a facility for installation with 24 inch rods or extensions 140a, 140b and discovers a room that needs 36 inch rods rods or extensions. The installer may add 12 inches to the 24 inch rods or extensions to arrive at 36 inch rods or extensions.
[0068] A method for attaching a disposable curtain system is also disclosed. The method is performed by providing a track 110. Next is the step of preassembling a wheel system 120 having a wheel carriage 130, wheels 122, 124 are attached to the wheel carriage 130. a link 200, having a first end releasably attached to the wheel carriage 130e; and an extension 140 releasably attached to a second end of the link 200. The step of inserting an end connector such as an end cap 300, 400 or a clip or clasp 550 with wire loop 540 into an extension 140 or a quick release system 150. The wheel system 130 is inserted onto the track; and attaching the curtain 180 using a curtain attachment 160 to the quick-release system 150.
[0069] In the method, the extension 140 has a first end attached to an end cap 300, 400 and a second end attached to the quick release system 150.
[0070] The method further comprising: providing an end cap 300, 400, 700 with a cylindrical portion 305, 405 for engagement with the extension 140 or quick release 150, said cylindrical portion 305, 405 further including a catch 310, 312 or 310, 412 for attachment to the extension 140; and a cap 303, extending from said cylindrical portion 305, said cap 303 having a connector 332 for attaching to a wheel carriage 130; and the step of inserting the end cap 300, 400 further comprises inserting the cylindrical end 305. 405 into an extension 140 or a quick release system.
[0071] A further method includes assembly of an end cap with a wheel system, comprising: providing a end cap 300, 400, 700; inserting the end cap 300, 400, 700 into a hollow tube or rod 140; and releasably attaching the end cap 300, 400, 700 to a wheel system 120, 620, 820.
[0072] The end caps 300, 400, 700 and wheels systems_are all made using injection molded parts using materials such as thermoplastic or thermosetting polymers, elastomers or metals. Common polymers like epoxy and phenolic are examples of thermosetting plastics which nylon, polyethylene and polystyrene are thermoplastic or acytel plastics.
[0073] Although the present invention has been disclosed in the form of preferred embodiments and variations thereon, it will be understood that numerous additional modifications and variations could be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention.
[0074] For the sake of clarity, it is to be understood that the use of “a” or “an” throughout this application does not exclude a plurality, and “comprising” does not exclude other steps or elements. The mention of a “unit” or a “module” does not preclude the use of more than one unit or module.
