Panel roller

Abstract

A roller which fits into and rides a panel along a guide channel has a molded synthetic roller head and a molded synthetic roller shaft. The head and the shaft are made separately from and then attached to one another. The roller head has a center opening and the roller shaft has an end part which is trapped in the center opening of the roller head without requiring the use of separate fasteners.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:  
     
         1 . A roller for fitting into and riding a panel along a guide channel, said roller comprising a molded synthetic roller head and a molded synthetic roller shaft made separately from and attached to said roller head, said roller head having a center opening and said roller shaft having an end part which is trapped in said center opening of said roller head.  
     
     
         2 . A roller as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said roller shaft is attached to said roller head without additional locking parts.  
     
     
         3 . A roller as claimed in  claim 1  wherein both said roller head and said roller shaft have a fiberglass and resin composite construction.  
     
     
         4 . A roller as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said roller head is shrink fitted to said end part of said roller shaft.  
     
     
         5 . A roller as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said end part of said roller shaft includes an end flange and a slot across said end part, said end flange having a diameter which is greater than that of said center opening of said roller head and said end part of said shaft being resiliently collapsible at said slot for fitting said end flange through said center opening.  
     
     
         6 . A roller as claimed in  claim 5  wherein said roller head is rotatable on said roller shaft.  
     
     
         7 . A roller as claimed in  claim 4  wherein said end flange has a cam shaped outer edge to ease fitting of said flange through said center opening of said roller head.  
     
     
         8 . A roller as claimed in  claim 4  wherein said roller head has a front side and a rear side, said rear side including a rearwardly protruding hollow neck aligned with said center opening in said roller head, said end part of said roller shaft fitting through said hollow neck to lock at the front side of said roller head, said front side of said roller head having a face area bordered by a round rim which protrudes forwardly of said face region of said roller head.  
     
     
         9 . A roller as claimed in  claim 8  wherein said roller shaft includes a radial shaft projection spaced from said end flange by a body part of said roller shaft, said body part being elongated relative to said hollow neck allowing said roller head to slide axially of said roller shaft where said roller head is trapped between said end flange and said shaft protrusion.  
     
     
         10 . A roller as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said roller shaft has a tapered panel insertion end opposite said end part of said shaft trapped in said roller head.