Trolley

Abstract

A trolley 100 for a rail 10 is described. The trolley 100 comprises a frame 110, a set S of wheels 120, including a first wheel 120 A and a second wheel 120 B, rotatably coupled to the frame 110 and an attachment member 130, coupled to the frame 110, for suspension of a load W therefrom, in use. The first wheel 120 A is rotatable in a first plane P 1 about a first axis A 1 and the second wheel 120 B is rotatable in a second plane P 2 about a second axis A 2. The first plane P 1 and the second plane P 2 define a line L. The trolley 100 is arrangeable in a first configuration, wherein the attachment member 130 is arranged at a first angular displacement D 1 about the line L. The trolley 100 is arrangeable in a second configuration, wherein the attachment member 130 is arranged at a second angular displacement D 2 about the line L, wherein the first angular displacement D 1 and the second angular displacement D 2 are different. A rail assembly 1, including the trolley 100 and the rail 10, is also described.

1 . A trolley for a rail, the trolley comprising:
 a frame;   a set of wheels, including a first wheel and a second wheel, rotatably coupled to the frame; and   an attachment member, coupled to the frame, for attachment, preferably suspension, of a load therefrom, in use,   wherein the first wheel is rotatable in a first plane about a first axis and the second wheel is rotatable in a second plane about a second axis,   wherein the first plane and the second plane define a line,   wherein the trolley is arrangeable in:
 a first configuration, wherein the attachment member is arranged at a first angular displacement about the line; and 
 a second configuration, wherein the attachment member is arranged at a second angular displacement about the line, wherein the first angular displacement and the second angular displacement are different. 
   
     
     
         2 . The trolley according to  claim 1 , wherein the line is the intersection of the first plane and the second plane. 
     
     
         3 . The trolley according to  claim 1 , wherein the attachment member is arranged to move from the first angular displacement to the second angular displacement in an arc about the line. 
     
     
         4 . The trolley according to  claim 1 , comprising a guide coupled to the frame, arranged to guide the attachment member between the first configuration and the second configuration. 
     
     
         5 . The trolley according to  claim 4 , wherein the attachment member comprises a roller arranged to roll on the guide. 
     
     
         6 . The trolley according to  claim 5 , wherein the roller is a grooved roller and/or wherein the guide has a circular-cross section. 
     
     
         7 . The trolley according to  claim 1 , wherein the attachment member is rotatable about a normal to the line. 
     
     
         8 . The trolley according to  claim 1 , wherein the first wheel and the second wheel are plain wheels. 
     
     
         9 . The trolley according to  claim 1 , wherein the first axis and/or the second axis is tangential to a radius normal to the line. 
     
     
         10 . The trolley according to  claim 1 , wherein the set of wheels includes 3 or more wheels. 
     
     
         11 . A rail assembly including a rail and the trolley according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         12 . The rail assembly according to  claim 11 , wherein the rail comprises a non-linear, for example a curved, portion. 
     
     
         13 . The rail assembly according to  claim 11 , wherein the rail is a monorail. 
     
     
         14 . The rail assembly according to  claim 11 , wherein the rail comprises a cylindrical running surface defining a cylinder axis, wherein the line is substantially coincident, in use, with the cylinder axis. 
     
     
         15 . The rail assembly according to  claim 11 , wherein the rail comprises a longitudinal flange.