Rolling support mechanism for pivoting bookcase or the like

Abstract

A folding bookcase or other furniture or wall unit having a rolling mechanism guided along a floor track, the rolling mechanism supporting a substantial portion of the weight of the unit. One preferred construction includes a first wall section having first and second vertical lateral edges, the first vertical lateral edge being pivotally connected to a support, a second wall section having first and second vertical lateral edges, the first vertical lateral edge being pivotally connected to the second vertical lateral edge of the first wall section along a vertical axis therebetween; a floor track or guide; and a pivoting roller mechanism rotatable mounted at a bottom edge of the second wall section proximate the first vertical lateral edge of the second wall section for supporting a load the second wall section on the floor guide, wherein the pivoting roller mechanism includes one or more rollers, roller rotating about a horizontal axis and engaging the floor guide, wherein the rollers are constructed and arranged to have an effective rotational axis in line with the load applied from the second wall section. The preferred configuration for the roller is a V-groove wheel that mates with a V-shaped ridge of the floor track.

1 . A folding furniture or wall section unit, comprising
 a first wall section having first and second vertical lateral edges, the first vertical lateral edge being pivotally connected to a support;   a second wall section having first and second vertical lateral edges, the first vertical lateral edge being pivotally connected to the second vertical lateral edge of the first wall section along a vertical axis therebetween;   a floor guide;   a pivoting roller mechanism rotatable mounted at a bottom edge of the second wall section proximate the second vertical lateral edge of the second wall section for supporting a load the second wall section on the floor guide,   wherein the pivoting roller mechanism includes one or more wheels, each wheel rotating about a horizontal axis and engaging the floor guide, wherein the wheels are constructed and arranged to have an effective rotational axis in line with the load applied from the second wall section.   
   
   
       2 . A folding furniture or wall section unit according to  claim 1  wherein the first and second wall sections comprise first and second bookcase sections. 
   
   
       3 . A folding furniture or wall section unit according to  claim 2  wherein the pivoting roller mechanism comprises a single wheel having an axis of rotation in line with the load applied from the bookcase. 
   
   
       4 . A folding furniture or wall section unit according to  claim 1  wherein the floor track comprises an upwardly extending V-shaped ridge, wherein pivoting roller mechanism comprises a V-groove type wheel that engages the V-shaped ridge of the floor track. 
   
   
       5 . A folding furniture or wall section unit according to  claim 1  wherein the pivoting roller mechanism comprises a V-groove wheel having a rotational axis in line and perpendicular with the rotational axis of the roller mechanism. 
   
   
       6 . A folding furniture or wall section unit according to  claim 5  wherein the floor track comprises an upwardly extending V-shaped ridge, wherein pivoting roller mechanism comprises a V-groove type wheel that engages the V-shaped ridge of the floor track. 
   
   
       7 . A folding furniture or wall section unit according to  claim 5  wherein the roller mechanism further includes a guide mechanism connected to and cantilevered out from the wheel, the guide mechanism engaging the floor track and steering the wheel for keeping the wheel on the floor track. 
   
   
       8 . A folding furniture or wall section unit according to  claim 7  wherein the guide mechanism comprises sliding block having a V-groove that engages the V-shaped ridge in the floor track. 
   
   
       9 . A folding furniture or wall section unit according to  claim 8  wherein the sliding block is spring-loaded for maintaining engagement with the floor track. 
   
   
       10 . A folding bookcase comprising
 a first bookcase section having first and second vertical lateral edges, the first vertical lateral edge being pivotally connected to a support;   a second bookcase section having first and second vertical lateral edges, the first vertical lateral edge being pivotally connected to the second vertical lateral edge of the first bookcase section along a vertical axis therebetween;   a floor track having an upwardly protruding V-shaped ridge;   a pivoting roller-mechanism rotatable mounted at a bottom portion of the second bookcase section proximate the second vertical lateral edge of the second bookcase section for supporting a load the second bookcase section on the floor track,   wherein the pivoting roller mechanism includes a V-groove wheel, wherein the V-groove wheel is constructed and arranged to engage the V-shaped ridge of the floor track.