WO2011006230A1

WO2011006230A1 - Track and carriages combination

Info

Publication number: WO2011006230A1
Application number: PCT/CA2009/001013
Authority: WO
Inventors: Anton Simor; Don Temple; Tom Lydynuik; Lee Bumsung; Avner Bachar; Victor Schlmann
Original assignee: Global Dental Direct, Inc.; Planmeca Ltd.
Priority date: 2009-07-17
Filing date: 2009-07-17
Publication date: 2011-01-20

Abstract

A track, adapted to be suspended on a ceiling, is combined with two parallel carriages, each of the carriages having an external and an internal side, both sides being provided with rollers pendent from and traveling on the track. The rollers at external side are lower than the rollers at internal side of the carriage. Thus, a distance between the rollers at the external side and the rollers at the internal side is lesser than a distance if they were at the same level. Accordingly, the track, being so formed as to correspond to this type of carriage, has different levels for the rollers at the external and for the rollers at the internal sides of the carriage and, therefore, is less cumbersome and aesthetically more appealing.

Description

Title: TRACK AND CARRIAGES COMBINATION

I. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates, in general, to ceiling-mounted track assemblies and, in particular, to a track and carriages combination.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Ceiling-mounted track assemblies are commonly used in various health care examination and treatment locations, such as medical and dental premises.

When a single track is used for carrying a mount for a treatment-operating light and a mount for a monitor, the latter being used for sharing with the patient digital x-rays intraoral images or entertaining/relaxing the patient, the mounts are successively positioned on the track. This solution allows one mount to reach an end of the track in one direction and the other mount to reach an opposite end, in an opposite direction. Furthermore, conform this solution, the positioning of one mount restrains the movement/positioning of the other mount..

When two adjacent tracks are used and from each track an independent and parallel carriage is suspended, the solution is cumbersome and esthetically non appealing.

Attempts have been made to devise a solution which will eliminate or at least alleviate the foregoing shortcomings.

A patent search has identified the following disclosures related to the subject matter of the present invention:

Friedman (U.S. Published Application No. 2009/0080202 "Track-Lighting Construction" issued Mar. 26/2009); Kim (U.S. Published Application No. 2008/0273342 "Track Movable Lighting System" issued Nov. 6/2009); Harwood (U.S. Published Application No. 2005/0254263

"Recessed Adjustable Low Voltage Track Lighting" issued Nov. 17/2005); WaM (U.S. Published Application No. 2003/0053311 "Track Mounting System" issued Mar. 20/2003); Bobrick et al. (U.S. Patent No. 3,936,671 "Illumination System" issued Feb. 3/1976); Bobrick (U.S. Patent No. 3,354,301 "Room Utility and Service System" issued Nov. 21/1967).

The applicant believes that the cited disclosures, taken alone or in combination, neither anticipate nor render obvious the present invention. The forgoing citations do not constitute an admission that such disclosures are relevant or material to the claims. Rather the disclosures are related to the field of the invention and are cited as constituting the closest art of which the applicant is aware.

II. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It will be seen, therefore, that a need exists for new type of track carriages combination that eliminates the disadvantages of the known solutions.

Thus, there is an objective of the present invention to devise a track and carriages combination having a compact structure and an efficient functionality.

Another objective of the present invention is to devise a track and carriages combination which provides an aesthetic appeal that is important for a patient reclined on a dental chair and regarding the ceiling.

There is another objective of the present invention, which resides in designing a track and a corresponding carriage having an enhanced reliability and service life. Broadly stating, The track and carriages, according to the present invention, comprises, in combination, a track, adapted to be suspended on a ceiling, combined with two parallel carriages. Each of the carriages has an external and an internal side, each of the external and internal sides being provided with rollers pendent from and traveling on the track. Part of the rollers that is attached at the external side is lower than another part of the rollers attached at the internal side. Thus, a distance between the part of the rollers attached at the external side and the another part of the rollers attached at the internal side is lesser than a distance if they were at the same level. The track being so formed as to correspond to each of the two parallel carriages, has a lesser width.

In another broad aspect, the present invention comprises

a track incorporating

- an elongate flat plate, symmetrically disposed with respect to a longitudinally

extending, vertical plan of symmetry;

- a horizontal step, relatively narrow and downwardly disposed with respect to the elongate flat plate, extending along each side of the elongate flat plate;

- a channel shaped member incorporating

the horizontal step,

a web extending perpendicularly and downwardly from an external end of the horizontal step, and

a flange, generally commensurate in size with and parallel to the horizontal step, the channel shaped member having its opening inwards, towards the longitudinally extending, vertical plan of symmetry, the channel shaped member being disposed at each lateral extremity of the horizontal, elongate plate;

- a partition, rectangular in cross section, located symmetrically with respect to

the longitudinally extending, vertical plan of symmetry and having

a top component, structurally coinciding with and mainly formed by a central portion of the horizontally elongate flat plate;

a pair of lateral components; and

a bottom component;

- an elongate structure having an inverted Tee profile projecting centrally and

downwardly from the bottom component and incorporating

a vertical central web, coplanar with the longitudinally extending, vertical plan of symmetry; and

a right and left flanges;

the elongate structure having a length commensurate with a length of the track, respectively with the length of the horizontal flat plate;

- a pair of vertically disposed side walls, so positioned that each of the pair is

coplanar with one of the pair of lateral components adjacent to it, from an end of which it extends downwardly;

- a pair of vertically disposed intermediary walls extending downwardly from

the bottom component and equally spaced from and flanking the vertical, central web; the pair of vertically disposed intermediary walls having a height substantially equal with a height of the elongate structure, while a height of the pair of

vertically disposed side walls is less than the height of the elongate structure;

- a curvilinear member extending along a whole length of the track, respectively the horizontal, elongate flat plate and connecting bottom extremities of the pair of vertically disposed side walls to bottom extremities of the pair of vertically disposed intermediary walls, the curvilinear member having along its length a slot; and

- a right and a left partition flanking the elongate structure, while between the

pair

of vertically disposed, intermediary walls and the pair of vertically disposed, side walls, a right and a left compartment being formed;

the carriage being formed as an elongated casting having a central protuberance traversed by a cylindrical opening;

the carriage including

- a first upstanding wall disposed transversally and externally with respect to the

carriage;

a second upstanding wall located oppositely to the first upstanding wall and

internally with respect to the carriage;

the first and second upstanding walls extending along the carriage and having longitudinally spaced and aligned openings

the first upstanding wall having a height relatively greater than a height of the second upstanding wall, a position of the longitudinally spaced and aligned openings with respect to the first and second upstanding walls being medially; the first upstanding wall being provided between a central zone and extremities zones with a pair of rectangular recesses, remaining walls beneath the pair of rectangular recesses incorporating each a semicylindrical protrusion, which together with an adjacent wall is traversed by an inner cylindrical opening, perpendicularly oriented with respect to the longitudinally spaced and aligned openings;

rollers journaled on axles received and projecting from the first and second upstanding walls to which are secured via the longitudinally spaced and aligned openings;

the rollers located parallel to outside of first and second upstanding walls serving for suspending from the track and being also adaptable for carrying on another feature; and rollers journaled on axles secured in the inner cylindrical openings serving as lateral rolling guides;

whereby the rollers, on both sides of the elongated casting, being located at different levels, allow to reduce a width of said elongated casting, i.e. track and carriages combination will provide, relatively, more compactness. er aspect, said track incorporates

extending, vertical plan of symmetry;

- a horizontal step, relatively narrow and downwardly disposed with respect to the elongate flat plate and extending along each side of the elongate flat plate;

- a channel shaped member incorporating the horizontal step,

a flange, generally commensurate in size with and parallel to the horizontal step, the channel shaped member having its opening inwards, directed towards the

longitudinally extending, vertical plan of symmetry; the channel shaped member is disposed at each lateral extremity of the horizontal, elongate plate;

- a partition, rectangular in cross section, located symmetrically with respect to the longitudinally extending, vertical plan of symmetry and having a top

component,structurally coinciding with and mainly formed by a central portion of the horizontally elongate flat plate;

a pair of lateral components; and

a bottom component;

- an elongate structure having an inverted Tee profile projecting centrally and downwardly from the bottom component and incorporating

a right and left flanges;

- a pair of vertically disposed side walls, so positioned that each of the pair is coplanar with one of the pair of lateral components adjacent to it, from an end of which it extends downwardly;

- a pair of vertically disposed intermediary walls extending downwardly from the bottom component and equally spaced from and flanking the vertical,

central web;

the pair of vertically disposed intermediary walls having a height substantially equal with a height of the elongate structure, while a height of the pair of

pair of vertically disposed, intermediary walls and the pair of vertically

disposed, side walls, a right and a left compartment being formed;

whereby said rollers on both sides of the elongated casting roll being located at different levels allow to reduce a width of the elongated casting, i.e. track and carriage combination will provide, relatively, more compactness.

In yet another aspect of the present invention, the carriage is formed as an elongated casting having a central protuberance traversed by a cylindrical opening and includes

- a first upstanding wall disposed transversally and externally with respect to the carriage;

- a second upstanding wall located oppositely to the first upstanding wall and internally with respect to said carriage;

the first upstanding wall having a height relatively greater than a height of the second upstanding wall, a position of the longitudinally spaced and aligned openings with respect to the first and second upstanding walls being medially;

the first upstanding wall being provided between a central zone and extremities zones with a pair of rectangular recesses, remaining walls beneath the pair of rectangular recesses incorporating each a semicylindrical protrusion, which together with an adjacent wall is traversed by an inner cylindrical opening, perpendicularly oriented with respect to the longitudinally spaced and aligned openings;

- rollers journaled on axles received and projecting from the first and second upstanding walls to which are secured via the longitudinally spaced and

aligned openings; the rollers located parallel to outside of first and second

upstanding walls serving for suspending from the track and being also

adaptable for carrying on another feature; and

- rollers journaled on axles secured in the inner cylindrical openings serving as lateral rolling guides;

whereby the rollers on both sides of the elongated casting roll being located at different levels allow to reduce a width of the elongated casting, i.e. track and carriage combination will provide, relatively, more compactness. III. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the characteristic features of the invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and the manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood by referring to the following description and accompanying drawings, where like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a track and carriages combinations according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the invention shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a carriage seen laterally from the bottom and showing first upstanding wall;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a carriage seen laterally from the top and showing its interior;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a carriage showing first and second upstanding walls and their heights; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a carriage seen laterally from the top with its rollers and hook- bracket assembled.

IV. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The accompanying drawings, as above described, illustrate a preferred embodiment of a track and carriages combination generally referenced as 10. A track 100 is shown and described with respect to its longitudinally extending, vertical plan of symmetry a-a. A pair of carriages 200 are suspended from and travel in parallel on track 100. For convenience, it is to be agreed, that terms such as "upper", "lower", "inward", "outward",

"downward", "rearward", "front", "back", "side", "top", "bottom", "left" and "right" are conventionally used in the present specification with reference to the normal position in which track 100 and carriages 200 are used.

Track 100 incorporates a horizontal, elongate flat plate 105, symmetrically disposed with respect to the longitudinally extending, vertical plan of symmetry a-a. Horizontal, elongate flat plate

105, which is conventionally attached to and suspended from a ceiling (not shown) and extends longitudinally along a portion of a room ceiling, continues laterally at each side with a horizontal step 110. Horizontal step 110, which extends along the whole length of horizontal, elongate flat plate 105, is relatively narrower and downwardly disposed with respect to horizontal, elongate flat plate 105..

A channel shaped member 115 incorporates horizontal step 110, a web 120 extending

perpendicularly and downwardly from an external end of horizontal step 110 and a flange 125 generally commensurate in size with and parallel to horizontal step 110. Channel shaped member

115 has its opening directed inwardly, towards longitudinally extending, vertical plan of symmetry a-a.

A partitioned zone 130 of track 100, rectangular in cross-section, is located symmetrically with respect to longitudinally extending, vertical plan of symmetry a-a and has a top component 135, structurally coinciding with and mainly formed by a central portion of horizontal, elongate flat plate 105, a pair of lateral components 140 and a bottom component 145.

A slotted tubular element 150 is located in each corner formed by an intersection of top component 135 and an adjacent lateral component of the pair of lateral components 140. Slotted tubular element 150 that extends along the whole length of horizontal, elongate flat plate 105 is significantly less in size than partitioned zone 130 wherein it is located..

An elongate structure 155 having an inverted Tee profile projects centrally and downwardly from bottom component 145 and incorpo rates a vertical central web 160, coplanar with longitudinally extending, vertical plan of symmetry a-a, and right and left flanges 165¹ and 165². Elongate structure 155 has a length commensurate with the length of track 100, respectfully with the length of horizontal, elongate flat plate 105.

A pair of vertically disposed side walls 170, each one of the latter being coplanar with each lateral component of the pair of lateral components 140, extends downwardly from the latter.

A pair of vertically disposed intermediary walls 175, equally spaced from vertical, central web

160, flanks the latter and extends downwardly from bottom component 145.

The pair of vertically disposed intermediary walls 175 has a height substantially equal with a height of elongate structure 155, while a height of the pair of vertically disposed side walls 170 is somewhat less than the height of elongate structure 155.

A bottom extremity 180 of each side wall of the pair of vertically disposed side walls 170 is connected to a bottom end 185 of each vertically disposed intermediary wall of the pair of vertically disposed intermediary walls 175 by a curvilinear member 190 extending along a whole length of of track 100, respectfully of horizontal, elongate flat plate 105. Curvilinear member

190 is provided along its length by a slot 195.

A right and a left partitioned zone 197¹ and 197² flank elongate structure 155, while between the pair of vertically disposed, intermediary walls 175 and the pair of vertically disposed side walls

170, a right and a left compartment 198¹ and 198² are formed. A cap C is attached at each end of track 100 via fasteners (not shown) inserted in slotted tubular elements 150.

A carriage 200 used to roll along track 100 includes an elongated casting 205 provided centrally with a protuberance 210 similar to an inverted bell and traversed by a cylindrical opening 215. Elongated casting 205 is also provided at a transversal, external side with a first upstanding wall 220 and at an opposite, transversal, internal side, with a second upstanding wall 225, the former and the latter extending along elongated casting 205 and having longitudinally spaced and substantially aligned openings 230 (three centrally located openings slightly outset from ones at each extremity). First upstanding wall 220 has a height h¹ greater than a height h¹ of second upstanding wall 225. Regardless of the difference in height, the positioning of longitudinally spaced and aligned openings 230 with respect to each of the both walls 220 and 225 is the same. First upstanding wall 220 is provided, between three centrally and one at each at extremity longitudinally spaced and aligned openings 230, with a a rectangular recess 235. A remaining wall 240, situated beneath rectangular recess 235, incorporates a semicylindrical protrusion 245. An inner cylindrical opening 250 is formed partly in semicylindrical protrusion 245 and partly in the adjacent remaining wall 240. The longitudinal axis of symmetry (not shown) of of inner cylindrical opening 250 is situated in a plan perpendicular to aligned openings 230 (also not shown).

Rollers 255, located parallel to outside faces of first and second upstanding walls 220 and 225, are used for supporting elongated casting 205 and also for supporting another device, such as a light fixture or a monitor (not shown) attached to carriage 200. Each carriage 200 includes at each side three rollers 255, covered with a relatively soft material and provided with a ball bearings. Rollers 255 are journaled on axles 260, the latter being received in and projecting from first and second upstanding walls 220 and 225 to which they are secured via corresponding longitudinally spaced and aligned openings 230. Three centrally located openings 230 serve to adjust clearance of end rollers 255.

A roller 255 is revolvably mounted, for lateral guiding of carriage 200; in each cylindrical opening 250 a segment of an axle 260 is secured; on an opposite segment of the same axle 260 roller 255 is journaled.

Elongated casting 205, viewed from the interior, respectively in a zone proximate to cylindrical opening 215, incorporates two blind threaded holes 265. The latter serve for attachment with a pair of screws 270 of a hook-bracket 275 adaptable for trailing current-carrying wires (not shown) used by a device suspended from a carriage subassembly 200.

Three rollers 255 are secured at outside face of first upstanding wall 220, parallel to the latter, and another three rollers 255 are secured at outside face of second upstanding wall 225, parallel to the latter. Thus, one carriage 200 is supported by using at each lateral side one of the three centrally, longitudinally spaced and aligned openings 230; as for the remaining two carriages 200 - each one uses a longitudinally spaced and aligned opening 230, located at an extremity.

Beside three rollers 255, parallel to each external side of first and second upstanding walls 220 and 225, all used for supporting a carriage 200, two rollers 255, laterally disposed and attached to first upstanding wall 220, perpendicular to the latter, serve to guide carriage 200.

When carriage subassembly 200 is attached to track 100, due to the fact that longitudinally spaced and aligned openings 230 provided in first upstanding wall 220 are parallel to longitudinally spaced and aligned openings 230 provided in second upstanding wall 225, but displaced at a higher level, a distance between rollers 255 on one side of elongated casting 205 and parallel rollers 255 on an opposite side of elongated casting 205 will be less than in the case when rollers 255 on both sides of elongated casting 205 are at the same level. As a result, carriage 200, respectively elongated casting 205, has a lesser width, hence, it is, obviously, more compact.

Summarizing and generalizing the embodiment disclosed in the foregoing specification, one can state the following:

A track 100, adapted to be suspended on a ceiling, is combined with two parallel carriages 200, each of the carriages 200 having an external and an internal side 220 and, respectively, 225, each being provided with rollers 255 pendent from and traveling on track 100. Rollers 255 at external side 220 are lower than rollers 255 at internal side 225. Thus, a distance between rollers 255 at external side 220 and rollers 255 at internal side 225 is lesser than a distance if they were at the same level. Accordingly, track 100, being so formed as to correspond to this type of carriages 200, has a lesser width. Conversely, track 100 being provided with different levels for rollers 255 at the external and internal sides 220 and 225 of carriage 200 possesses a relatively lesser width, therefore is less cumbersome and aesthetically more appealing.

As required, a detailed embodiment of the present invention is disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiment is merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed therein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure.

Claims

What is claimed is:

Claim 1, A track and carriages comprising, in combination, a track, adapted to be suspended on a ceiling, combined with two parallel carriages, each of said carriages having an external and an internal side, each of said external and internal sides being provided with rollers pendent from and traveling on said track; part of said rollers attached at said external side being lower than another part of said rollers attached at said internal side, thus, a distance between said part of said rollers attached at said external side and said another part of said rollers attached at said internal side is lesser than a distance if they were at the same level,

whereby said track being so formed as to correspond to each of said two parallel carriages, has a lesser width, due to different levels for said rollers at said external and internal sides of each of said two parallel carriages. .

Claim 2. A track and carriages combination, comprising

a track incorporating

extending, vertical plan of symmetry;

- a horizontal step, relatively narrow and downwardly disposed with respect to said elongate flat plate, extending along each side of said elongate flat plate;

- a channel shaped member incorporating

said horizontal step,

a web extending perpendicularly and downwardly from an external end of said horizontal step, and

a flange, generally commensurate in size with and parallel to said horizontal step, said channel shaped member having its opening inwards, towards said longitudinally extending, vertical plan of symmetry, said channel shaped member being disposed at each lateral extremity of said horizontal, elongate plate;

- a partition, rectangular in cross section, located symmetrically with respect to said longitudinally extending, vertical plan of symmetry and having

a top component, structurally coinciding with and mainly formed by a central portion of said horizontally elongate flat plate;

a pair of lateral components; and

a bottom component;

- an elongate structure having an inverted Tee profile projecting centrally and

downwardly from said bottom component and incorporating

a vertical central web, coplanar with said longitudinally extending, vertical

plan of symmetry; and

a right and left flanges;

said elongate structure having a length commensurate with a length of said track, respectively with the length of said horizontal flat plate;

- a pair of vertically disposed side walls, so positioned that each of said pair is coplanar with one of said pair of lateral components adjacent to it, from an end of which it extends downwardly;

- a pair of vertically disposed intermediary walls extending downwardly from said bottom component and equally spaced from and flanking said vertical, central web;

said pair of vertically disposed intermediary walls having a height substantially equal with a height of said elongate structure, while a height of said pair of vertically disposed side walls is less than said height of said elongate structure;

- a curvilinear member extending along a whole length of said track, respectively said horizontal, elongate flat plate and connecting bottom extremities of said pair of vertically disposed side walls to bottom extremities of said pair of vertically disposed intermediary walls, said curvilinear member having along its length a slot; and

- respectively a right and a left partition flanking said elongate structure, while

between said pair of vertically disposed, intermediary walls and said pair of vertically disposed, side walls, a right and a left compartment being formed;

said carrier being formed as an elongated casting having a central protuberance traversed by a cylindrical opening;

said carriage including

- a first upstanding wall disposed transversally and externally with respect to

said carriage;

- a second upstanding wall located oppositely to said first upstanding wall and

internally with respect to said carriage;

said first and second upstanding walls extending along said carriage and having longitudinally spaced and aligned openings

said first upstanding wall having a height relatively greater than a height of said second upstanding wall, a position of said longitudinally spaced and aligned openings with respect to said first and second upstanding walls being medially;

said first upstanding wall being provided between a central zone and extremities zones with a pair of rectangular recesses, remaining walls beneath said pair of rectangular recesses incorporating each a semicylindrical protrusion, which together with an adjacent wall is traversed by an inner cylindrical opening, perpendicularly oriented with respect to said longitudinally spaced and aligned openings;

- rollers journaled on axles received and projecting from said first and second upstanding walls to which are secured via said longitudinally spaced and

aligned openings; said rollers located parallel to outside of first and second

upstanding walls serving for suspending from said track and being also

adaptable for carrying on another feature; and

- rollers journaled on axles secured in said inner cylindrical openings serving as lateral rolling guides;

whereby said rollers, on both sides of said elongated casting, being located at different levels, allow to reduce a width of said elongated casting, i.e. track and carriage combination will provide, relatively, more compactness.

Claim 3. A track adapted to be used in a track and carriages combination, wherein each

one of said carriages is formed as an elongated casting provided with a central

protuberance and is traversed by a cylindrical opening;

said carriage including - a first upstanding wall disposed transversally and externally with respect to

said carriage;

- a second upstanding wall located oppositely to said first upstanding wall and internally

with respect to said carriage;

said first upstanding wall having a height relatively greater than a height of said second upstanding wall, a position of said longitudinally spaced and aligned openings with respect to said first and second upstanding walls being medially located;

- rollers journaled on axles received and projecting from said first and second

upstanding walls to which are secured via said longitudinally spaced and aligned openings; said rollers located parallel to outside of first and second upstanding walls serving for suspending from said track and being also adaptable for carrying another feature; and

rollers journaled on axles secured in said inner cylindrical openings serving as lateral rolling guides; whereby said rollers on both sides of said elongated casting roll being located at different levels allow to reduce a width of said elongated casting, i.e. track and carriage combination will provide, relatively, more compactness,

- said track incorporating

- an elongate flat plate, symmetrically disposed with respect to a longitudinally extending, vertical plan of symmetry;

- a channel shaped member incorporating said horizontal step,

- a flange, generally commensurate in size with and parallel to said horizontal step, said channel shaped member having its opening inwards, towards said longitudinally extending, vertical plan of symmetry, said channel shaped

member being disposed at each lateral extremity of said horizontal, elongate plate;

- a partition, rectangular in cross section, located symmetrically with respect to said longitudinally extending, vertical plan of symmetry and having a top

- component,structurally coinciding with and mainly formed by a central portion of said horizontally elongate flat plate;

a pair of lateral components; and

a bottom component; - an elongate structure having an inverted Tee profile projecting centrally and downwardly from said bottom component and incorporating

a vertical central web, coplanar with said longitudinally extending, vertical plan of symmetry; and

a right and left flanges;

- a curvilinear member extending along a whole length of said track, respectively said horizontal, elongate flat plate and connecting bottom extremities of said pair of vertically disposed side walls to bottom extremities of said pair of vertically disposed intermediary walls, said curvilinear member having along its length a slot;

and

- a right and a left partition flanking said elongate structure, while between said pair of vertically disposed, intermediary walls and said pair of vertically disposed, side walls, a right and a left compartment being formed;

whereby said rollers on both sides of said elongated casting roll being located at different levels allow to reduce a width of said elongated casting, i.e. track and carriage combination will provide, relatively, more compactness.

Claim 4. A carriage adapted to be used in a track and carriages combination, wherein said track incorporating

extending, vertical plan of symmetry;

- a channel shaped member incorporating

said horizontal step,

- a partition, rectangular in cross section, located symmetrically with respect to said longitudinally extending, vertical plan of symmetry and having a top component,structurally coinciding with and mainly formed by a central portion of said horizontally elongate flat plate;

a pair of lateral components; and

a bottom component;

- an elongate structure having an inverted Tee profile projecting centrally and

downwardly from said bottom component and incorporating

a right and left flanges;

a pair of vertically disposed side walls, so positioned that each of said pair is coplanar with one of said pair of lateral components adjacent to it, from an end of which it extends downwardly;

a pair of vertically disposed intermediary walls extending downwardly from said bottom component and equally spaced from and flanking said vertical, central web; said pair of vertically disposed intermediary walls having a height substantially equal with a height of said elongate structure, while a height of said pair of

vertically disposed side walls is less than said height of said elongate structure;

a right and a left partition flanking said elongate structure, while between said pair of vertically disposed, intermediary walls and said pair of vertically disposed, side walls, a right and a left compartment being formed; said carriage, being formed as an elongated casting having a central protuberance traversed by a cylindrical opening; including

a first upstanding wall disposed transversally and externally with respect to said carriage;

a second upstanding wall located oppositely to said first upstanding wall and internally with respect to said carriage;

said first upstanding wall being provided between a central zone and extremities zones with a pair of rectangular recesses, remaining walls beneath said pair of rectangular recesses incorporating each a semicylindrical protrusion, which together with an adjacent wall is traversed by an inner cylindrical opening, perpendicularly oriented with respect to said longitudinally spaced and aligned openings; rollers journaled on axles received and projecting from said first and second upstanding walls to which are secured via said longitudinally spaced and aligned openings; said rollers located parallel to outside of first and second upstanding walls serving for suspending from said track and being also adaptable for carrying on another feature; and

rollers journaled on axles secured in said inner cylindrical openings serving as lateral rolling guides;