Precision machined roller wheel assembly

Abstract

Apparatus and method for wheel assemblies, specifically directed to precision roller wheel assembly for use with patio doors or the like, that provides a rust-resistant, salt resistant wheel assembly for providing a smooth gliding, quiet operating, easy to adjust, door wheel system that is corrosion free and is believed to be able to withstand hurricane force winds. A precision roller wheel assembly for use on a lower surface of a door, especially a patio door or the like, the assembly comprising a two-piece housing, the two-pieces being a mirror image of each other, for receiving at least one precision machined corrosion resistant sealed roller wheel mounted on an axle, means for mounting the assembly to a patio door or the like, and adjustment means for vertically adjusting the assembly in its position of use.

1 . An improved machined wheel or roller assembly that provides a rust-resistant, salt resistant wheel or roller assembly for providing a smooth gliding, quiet operating, easy to adjust patio door wheel system, comprising: 
 a two-piece precision machined housing;    at least one wheel or roller having a axle extending from both sides thereof, the axle received by said housing;    means for retaining said at least one wheel or roller within said housing; and    adjustment means for adjusting the assembled wheel assembly in its position of use.    
   
   
       2 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said wheel further comprises a weather-sealed axle having a bearing sandwiched between said wheel and said axle for sealing said wheel interior from environmental conditions such as rain, sea salt.  
   
   
       3 . The assembly of  claim 2 , wherein said wheel further comprises relatively thicker side walls and a relatively deeper groove such that the wheel provides a closer fit to the patio door track for promoting resistance to the environmental condition of strong winds associated with hurricanes.  
   
   
       4 . The assembly of  claim 3 , wherein said wheel is of one of a group including aluminum bronze, stainless steel, aluminum, copper, plastic acetyl composition such a Dupont Delrin® nylon, neoprene or a combination material.  
   
   
       5 . The assembly of  claim 2 , wherein said wheel is sealed to bearings an inner lip holds bearing in place and provides a surface against which bearing may be pressure fit by spring washer or the like to prevent foreign matter from getting into said wheel and thereby causing deterioration of said wheel.  
   
   
       6 . The assembly of  claim 4 , wherein said housing further comprises: 
 a two-piece precision machined outer housing, which when combined forms a generally U-shape outer housing;    a one-piece precision machined inner housing having a hollowed-out central cavity, such that the inner housing is an elongated  0  shape, said inner housing having a pair of diagonal notches formed in opposite long sides thereof;    said at least one wheel or roller having a axle extending from both sides thereof, the axle received by the diagonal notches of said inner housing; and    means for retaining said at least one wheel or roller within said assembly.    
   
   
       7 . The assembly of  claim 6 , wherein said two-piece precision machined outer housing further comprises a pair of apertures formed in the two-piece outer housing, the apertures for receiving attachment means, the apertures further comprising a boss precision machined into one of the said two-piece outer housing and a boss-receiving counter bore precision machined into the other of said two-piece outer housing.  
   
   
       8 . The assembly of  claim 6 , wherein said means for retaining said at least one wheel or roller within said assembly further comprises a generally vertical counter-machined groove on opposite inner sides of each of said two-piece outer housing, said groove for receiving and capturing said axles of said wheel or roller.  
   
   
       9 . The assembly of  claim 8 , wherein said means for retaining said at least one wheel or roller within said assembly further comprises a counter-machined slot found on opposite inner sides of each of said two-piece outer housing.  
   
   
       10 . The assembly of  claim 9 , wherein said means for retaining said at least one wheel or roller within said assembly further comprises a pair of boss pins, one on each outer side of said inner housing long sides, said boss pins received by said counter-machined slots of said two-piece outer housing.  
   
   
       11 . The assembly of  claim 6 , further comprising adjustment means for adjusting said assembly in its position of use.  
   
   
       12 . The assembly of  claim 11 , further comprising a central recess, one half formed on each of said two-piece outer housing, said central recess for receiving an adjustment screw.  
   
   
       13 . The assembly of  claim 12 , further comprising an aperture formed in one end of said inner housing, said aperture for receiving said adjustment screw.  
   
   
       14 . The assembly of  claim 13 , wherein said adjustment means further comprises movement of said wheel along said diagonal notch by said two-piece outer housing capturing said axle within said counter-machined groove such that the axle moves diagonally upwardly or downwardly within said diagonal notch in response to movement of said two-piece outer housing in relation to said inner housing, once in position the vertical adjustment screw being tightened to secure said assembly in the desired position.  
   
   
       15 . The assembly of  claim 6 , further comprising a weather-sealed wheel.  
   
   
       16 . The assembly of  claim 15 , wherein said weather-sealed wheel further comprises a washer held in position by a bearing in turn held in position by a retaining ring such that water and salt water are sealed out from the wheel or roller axle.  
   
   
       17 . An improved machined wheel or roller assembly that provides a rust-resistant, salt resistant wheel or roller assembly for providing a smooth gliding, quiet operating, easy to adjust patio door wheel system, comprising: 
 a two-piece precision machined outer housing, which, when combined, forms a generally U-shaped outer housing;    a one-piece precision machined inner housing having a hollowed-out central cavity, such that the inner housing is an elongated O-shape, said inner housing having a pair of diagonal notches formed in opposite long sides thereof;    at least one wheel or roller having an axle extending from both sides thereof, the axle received by the diagonal notches of said inner housing; and    means for retaining said at least one wheel or roller within said assembly.    
   
   
       18 . The assembly of  claim 4 , wherein said housing further comprises: 
 a two-piece precision machined outer housing, having on an inside edge thereof, a generally horizontally placed counter-machined slot on each of the two-pieces and;    a one-piece precision machined inner housing having a hollowed-out central cavity, such that the inner housing is an elongated  0  shape, said inner housing having a pair of diagonal notches formed in opposite long sides thereof;    said wheel or roller having a axle extending from both sides thereof, the axle received by the diagonal notches of said inner housing.    
   
   
       19 . The assembly of  claim 4 , wherein said housing further comprises: 
 a two-piece precision machined outer housing, which when combined, forms a generally elongated O-shaped outer housing;    a one-piece precision machined inner housing having a hollowed-out central cavity, such that the inner housing is an elongated  0  shape, said inner housing having at least a pair of diagonal notches, with an open lower end, formed in opposite long sides thereof; and    said at least one wheel or roller having a axle extending from both sides thereof, the axle received by the paired diagonal notches of said inner housing.    
   
   
       20 . The assembly of  claim 19 , wherein said two-piece precision machined outer housing further comprises a pair of shoulders for joining the ends of the two-piece outer housing with apertures formed therein, the apertures for receiving fastening means, the apertures further comprising a boss precision machined into one of the said two-piece outer housing and a boss-receiving counter bore precision machined into the other of said two-piece outer housing such that the fitting together of the boss and counter bore assist in keeping the two-piece outer housing assembled.  
   
   
       21 . The assembly of  claim 19 , wherein said means for retaining said at least one wheel or roller within said assembly further comprises a pair of generally vertical counter-machined grooves on opposite inner sides of each of said two-piece outer housing, said grooves for receiving and capturing said axles of said wheel or roller.  
   
   
       22 . The assembly of  claim 19 , wherein said two-piece outer housing further comprises a pair of tube-like members formed centrally along the long sides as part of each of the two-piece housing, said pair of tube-like members for receiving a spacer for stabilizing the two-piece outer housing and preventing deforming of said housing, said spacer fastened by fastening means received centrally by the joined pair of tube-like members.  
   
   
       23 . The assembly of  claim 19 , wherein said a one-piece precision machined inner housing further comprises a pair of horizontal notches formed in opposite long sides thereof for receiving and allowing for adjustment thereof of said spacer.  
   
   
       24 . The assembly of  claim 19 , wherein said one-piece precision machined inner housing further comprises two pairs of diagonal notches, formed on opposite long sides thereof with an open lower end, for receiving a pair of wheels or rollers.  
   
   
       25 . The assembly of  claim 4 , further comprising adjustment means for adjusting said assembly in its position of use.  
   
   
       26 . The assembly of  claim 25 , wherein said adjustment means further comprise an adjustment screw received by a central recess formed in both of the assembled two-piece outer housing and a corresponding aperture formed in said inner housing.  
   
   
       27 . The assembly of  claim 26 , wherein said adjustment means further comprises movement of said wheel along said diagonal notch by said two-piece outer housing capturing said axle within said counter-machined groove such that the axle moves diagonally upwardly or downwardly within said diagonal notch in response to movement of said two-piece outer housing in relation to said inner housing, once in position the vertical adjustment screw being tightened to secure said assembly in the desired position.  
   
   
       28 . The assembly of  claim 19 , further comprising a weather-sealed axle.  
   
   
       29 . The assembly of  claim 28 , wherein said weather-sealed axle further comprises a washer held in position by a bearing in turn held in position by a retaining ring such that water and salt water are sealed out from the wheel or roller axle.  
   
   
       30 . An improved precision machined wheel or roller assembly that provides a rust-resistant, salt resistant wheel or roller assembly for providing a smooth gliding, quiet operating, easy to adjust patio door wheel system, comprising: 
 a two-piece precision machined outer housing, which, when combined, forms a generally elongated O-shaped outer housing;    a one piece precision machined inner housing having a hollowed-out central cavity, such that the inner housing is an elongated O-shape, said inner housing having at least a pair of diagonal notches, with an open lower end, formed in opposite long sides thereof;    at least one wheel or roller having an axle extending from both sides thereof, the axle received by the pair of diagonal notches of said inner housing; and    means for retaining said at least one wheel or roller within said assembly.    
   
   
       31 . The assembly of  claim 30 , wherein said inner housing further comprises: 
 two pairs of diagonal notches, with an open lower end, formed in opposite long sides thereof; and    a pair wheels each having an axle extending from both sides thereof, the axle received by the diagonal notches of said inner housing.    
   
   
       32 . The assembly of  claim 4 , further comprising a bracket mounting, carried by said two-piece housing, said bracket mounting received by the patio door.  
   
   
       33 . The assembly of  claim 32 , wherein said adjustment means further comprise a cam gear system, contained by said two-piece housing, that vertically adjusts said bracket mounting which in turn vertically adjusts the patio door mounted thereto.  
   
   
       34 . The assembly of  claim 33 , said cam gear system further comprises a cam gear having an irregular edge.  
   
   
       35 . The assembly of  claim 34 , wherein said cam gear system further comprises an inner surface lip on an interior surface of said two-piece housing for receiving and supporting said cam gear.  
   
   
       36 . The assembly of  claim 35 , wherein said irregular edge of said cam gear rests on said inner surface lip and is manually moved to adjust the position of the mounting bracket and adjusting the position of the corresponding patio door.  
   
   
       37 . A method of manufacturing a roller wheel assembly that provides a rust-resistant, salt resistant wheel or roller assembly for providing a smooth gliding, quiet operating, easy to adjust patio door wheel system, comprising the steps of: 
 a) precision machining wheel proportions into metal materials selected from a group including stainless steel, aluminum, copper metal alloys, and plastic acetyl, the wheel having a relatively deep inner groove and relatively thicker sidewalls such that the outer dimensions remains the industry standard size;    b) processing the wheel by de-burring and coating the wheel by one of a group including anodizing and metal plating;    c) machining a two-piece outer housing of required dimensions of materials selected from a group including stainless steel, aluminum, copper metal alloys, and plastic acetyls; 
 I) forming a horizontal machined slot, a vertical groove and a recess formed in the first end of the outer housing joining ends of the outer housing, such that a boss is formed in one piece of the two-piece housing and a matching counter-bore formed in the second piece of the two-piece outer housing;  
   d) processing the outer housing by de-burring and coating the metal materials;    e) machining a one piece inner housing of required dimensions of materials selected from a group including stainless steel, aluminum, copper, metal alloys, and acetyl composites, the inner housing formed with closed ends;    f) processing the inner housing by de-burring and coating the metal materials; 
 g) machining a pair of wheel mounting notches formed diagonally in side walls of the inner housing and forming a boss pin and a recess;  
   h) assembling the wheel by positioning axle into a bearing, press fitting the bearing into the wheel, locking the bearing into place with a snap ring and washer;    I) positioning the two-piece outer housing about the wheel mounted inner housing and fastening with fastening means; and    j) providing an adjustment screw positioned at an end for vertically adjusting the in position roller wheel assembly.    
   
   
       38 . The method of  claim 37 , further comprising the further step of inserting a rubber insert into a groove machined into the wheel as a shock absorber.  
   
   
       39 . A method of manufacturing a roller wheel assembly comprising the steps of: 
 a) precision machining wheel proportions into metal materials selected from a group including stainless steel, aluminum, copper metal alloys, and plastic acetyls, the wheel having a relatively deep inner groove and relatively thicker sidewalls such that the outer dimensions remains the industry standard size;    b) processing the wheel by de-burring and coating by one of a group including anodizing and metal plating;    c) machining a two-piece outer housing of metal materials selected from a group including stainless steel, aluminum, copper metal alloys, and plastic acetyls, into desired dimensions; 
 I) further machining a pair of vertical grooves in each of the two piece outer housing;  
 ii) machining a pair of shoulders one on the inside sidewall of each of the two-piece outer housing; providing on each a boss and a counter bore for tightly fitting the two-piece outer housings together;  
   d) machining a one-piece inner housing into desired proportions from metal materials selected from a group including stainless steel, aluminum, copper metal alloys, and plastic acetyls;    e) machining a pair of wheel mounting diagonal notches in each sidewall of the inner housing;    f) providing a pair of wheel assemblies, assembling the wheel by positioning an axle into a bearing, press fitting the bearing into the wheel, locking the bearing into place with a snap ring and washer;    g) providing a spacer received by the members of the inner housing and received by a movement slot machined into each sidewall of the inner housing;    h) positioning the two-piece outer housing about the wheel mounted inner housing and fastening with fastening means; and    I) providing an adjustment screw positioned at an end for vertically adjusting the in position roller wheel assembly.    
   
   
       40 . The method of  claim 39 , further including the step of inserting a rubber insert into a groove machined into the wheel as a shock absorber.  
   
   
       41 . A method of manufacturing a roller wheel assembly having the steps of: 
 a) precision machining wheel proportions into metal materials selected from a group including stainless steel, aluminum, copper metal alloys, and plastic acetyls, the wheel having a relatively deep inner groove and relatively thicker sidewalls such that the outer dimensions remains the industry standard size;    b) processing the wheel by de-burring and coating by one of a group including anodizing and metal plating;    c) machining a two-piece housing of materials selected from a group including stainless steel, aluminum, copper metal alloys, and plastic acetyls, into desired dimensions; 
 I) further machining an inner surface on the inside side walls of the two-piece housing;  
 ii) further machining a bracket mounting machined from materials selected from a group including stainless steel, aluminum, copper metal alloys, and plastic acetyls;  
   d) providing a cam gear received by the inner surface of the two-piece housing, the cam gear positioned to raise or lower the bracket mounting;    e) providing at least one wheel, assembling the wheel by positioning an axle into a bearing, press fitting the bearing into the wheel, locking the bearing into place with a snap ring and washer;    f) assembling the two-piece housing about the positioned at least one wheel and cam gear;    g) mounting the bracket mounting by snap fit onto the wheel mounted assembled two-piece housing; and    f) mounting the assembled roller wheel assembly onto the bottom edge of a patio door for receipt of the roller wheel assembly by a track associated therewith.