AU2008230042A1

AU2008230042A1 - A bi-panel sliding door or window

Info

Publication number: AU2008230042A1
Application number: AU2008230042A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Jeffrey Frederick Rotin
Original assignee: CAPRAL ALUMINIUM Ltd
Current assignee: CAPRAL Ltd
Priority date: 2007-10-29
Filing date: 2008-10-22
Publication date: 2009-05-14
Anticipated expiration: 2028-10-22
Also published as: AU2008230042B2

Description

AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION Standard Patent Applicant(s): CAPRAL ALUMINIUM LIMITED Invention Title: A BI-PANEL SLIDING DOOR OR WINDOW The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method for performing it known to me/us: P72683.AU.1 PaSetFiUng AppicilOn 2009-10-22doc (M) - 2 A BI-PANEL SLIDING DOOR OR WINDOW FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a bi-panel sliding door or 5 window and relates particularly but not exclusively to a bi-panel sliding door or window made from extruded material such as aluminium. B1 panels throughout this specification and the claims that follows means a multi panel sliding door or window that has two or more panels. 10 BACKGROUND ART Herethereto, bi-panel sliding door or windows have been known. The bi-panel sliding door or windows can be made from any suitable materials such as wood, plastics, or 15 metals such as extruded aluminium. The panels may be solid or they may contain an in-fill such as glazing. In a bi-panel sliding door or window arrangement, the panels meet midway along a sill so that one panel can be slid to the left and the other panel slid to the right. In some 20 cases, the sills can have upstanding rails which engage with wheels carried by the under-surface lower-most edges of the panels. In this way, the panels are caused to track along the sill within the channels by the wheels rolling on the rails. For aesthetic reasons, the 25 transverse width of the sills is required to be minimised and the channels are defined by upright flanges that are usually formed integrally with the sill. The upright flanges are relatively thin in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the panels. Accordingly, with high wind 30 loadings on the panels, the panels deflect either inwardly or outwardly relative to a building to which they are fitted, and the deflection forces are sufficient to cause bending of the upright flanges that define the channel. A similar situation exists at the head where the upper 35 portion of the panels slide in a channel in the head. The channel is defined by upright flanges that form part of the head. This, in turn, detracts from the aesthetic N:\Melboume\Cascs\Paten\72000-7299\P72663.AU. I\Specis\Specification as filed doc 22/10108 -3 appearance of the sill and, in some cases, opens the channel such that the effectiveness of any seals that may be used to inhibit wind penetration or water penetration are reduced. 5 STATEMENTS OF THE INVENTION Therefore, in accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided a bi-panel sliding door or 10 window comprising a sill and a head, and wherein the panels slide within a channel that extends along the length of the sill, the sides of the channel being defined by flanges that form parts of the sill, the channel having panel locator means therein at a position where the 15 panels close together, and the lower leading portions of each panel carrying a locator member to locate relative to the locator means when the panels are closed, the panel locator means and respective locator members acting together to help restrain against lateral deflection of 20 the panels in the channel at the position where the panels close together, to minimise the likelihood of bending of the flanges, that would otherwise occur due to wind loading on the panels if the locator means and the locator member were not present. 25 In accordance with another aspect of the invention there is provided A bi-panel sliding door or window comprising a sill and a head, and wherein the panels slide within a channel that extends along the length of the head , the 30 sides of the channel being defined by flanges that form parts of the head, the channel having panel locator means therein at a position where the panels close together, and the upper leading portions of each panel carrying a locator member to locate relative to the locator means 35 when the panels are closed, the panel locator means and respective locator members acting together to help restrain against lateral deflection of the panels in the N:\Melbournc\Cases\Patent\720O0-72999\P72663 AU. I\Specis\Specification as fileddoc 22/10/08 -4 channel at the position where the panels close together, to minimise the likelihood of bending of the flanges, that could otherwise occur due to wind loading on the panels if the locator means and the locator member were not present. 5 In one example, the panel locator means is an insert fixed into the channel and has a width across the channel substantially greater than the thickness of the flanges. 10 In another example, the locator members are inserts fitted into the lower leading portions of the panels. In one example, the panel locator means has an upstanding block, and the locator members have an open channel, and 15 wherein the width across the channel of the upstanding block and the open channel are sized so there will be close fitting location therebetween when the panels are closed. 20 According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a set of two locator members and one locator means for use with a bi-panel sliding door or window as set out above. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 25 In order that the invention can be more clearly ascertained, an example of an embodiment will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: 30 Figure 1 is a front elevational view of a bi-panel sliding door or window in a closed condition; Figure 2 is a view similar to that of figure 1 showing the bi-panel sliding door or window in a open condition; 35 Figure 3 is a perspective view looking downwardly towards a sill showing the bi-panels in a partly opened/partly N Melboume\Cases\Patent\72000-72999\P72663.AU. \Specis\Specification as filed doc 22/10/08 -5 closed condition; Figure 4 through 7 are top perspective views and underneath perspective views respectively of a panel 5 locator means at all; Figures 8 through 13 are respectively top perspective view, left hand end elevation, side elevation, right hand end elevation, underneath view, and underneath perspective 10 view respectively of a locator member; Figure 15 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along section line 15-15 of figure 3; 15 Figure 16 is a view similar to that of figure 15 but showing the bi-panels in a closed condition; Figure 17 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line 17-17 of figure 16; 20 Figure 18 is a top perspective view of a locator means for use with a head; Figure 19 is a top perspective view of a locator 25 member for use with the locator means of Figure 18; Figure 20 is a top plan view of a panel showing the locator means of Figure 18 fitted therein; and 30 Figure 21 is a vertical transverse cross sectional view at the head showing how the locator means and the locator member co-operate. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 35 Referring firstly to figures 1 and 2, there is shown a bi panel sliding door or window 1. In the particular example shown, the bi-panel arrangement is for a sliding door. It N \Melboune\Cases\Patent\72000-72999\P72663.AU. I\Specis\Spcircation as iled.doc 22/10/08 - 6 will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the principles of the invention are applicable to both sliding doors or windows or other panels and that all of these are embraced within the inventive concept and the attached 5 claims. Here, the sliding door has fixed panels 3 and right and left hand side sliding panels 5. The sliding panels 5 slide within a channel (not clearly shown in figures 1 and 2) in a sill 7. The sliding panels 5 also slide within a channel in a head 9. Typically, the bi io panel sliding door or window 1 is arranged for sliding within a door or window frame that comprises the sill 7, the head 9, and two upstanding jambs 11 all formed from extruded aluminium. It should be appreciated to those skilled in the art, that in some instances, the jambs 11 15 are not provided, and that the panels 3 and 5 can co operate with a sill 7 and a head 9 suitably mounted in an opening in a building or other structure. Figure 1 shows the sliding panels 5 in a closed position. 20 Figure 2 shows that the sliding panels 5 have been opened somewhat. The above arrangement is representative of known art. It should be appreciated, that when the sliding panels 5 are 25 closed, as shown in figure 1, that the sliding panels 5 can experience considerable wind loading which would tend to deflect the sliding panels 5 in the channel in a direction mutually perpendicular to the plane of the panels 5. 30 Figure 3 is a top perspective close-up view of an example of an embodiment of the invention showing the panels in a partly open/closed position, generally viewed from the location where the panels 5 close together. Figure 3 35 shows panels 5 comprising outer peripheral frame members 13 and 15 formed of extruded aluminium according to known techniques. No infill panelling, such as glass, has been N:\Melboume\Cases\Patent\72000-72999\P72663.AU. I\Specis\Specification as filed doc 22110/08 - 7 shown in order to aid clarity in the drawings. Figure 3 also shows that the sill 7 has a channel 17 therein in which the panels 5 are received and in which the panels 5 can slide. The channel 17 has sides defined by upright 5 flanges 19. The flanges 19 are not clearly shown in figure 3 and are better shown in figure 17. Figure 3 also shows an upstanding rib 21. Each of the panels carries known roller wheel assemblies 23 at a io position near a leading lower portion. The roller wheel assemblies 23 engage on the upstanding rib 21 and permit rolling tracking of the panels 5 within the channel 17 in a known manner. The roller wheel assemblies 23 have adjusting means in the form of screws 25 which can raise 15 or lower the leading portion of each panel so there can be appropriate vertical mating butt closing of the frame members 13 of each panel 5. The roller wheel assemblies 23 are best shown in figures 15 and 16. 20 Figure 3 shows that the channel 17 has a panel locator means 27 therein at a position where the panels close together. The panel locator means is fixed in the channel 17 by fastening means such as screws (not shown). The panel locator means 27 is also shown in figures 4 through 25 7. In this case, the panel locator means 27 is an insert of a suitable plastics material such as nylon or similar. The panel locator means 27 could be formed or other material such as metal or it could be deformed into the channel 17 itself by deforming the material from which the 30 sill 7 is manufactured. Figures 4 through 7 show that the panel locator means 27 has a base part 29 and an upstanding block part 31. The base part 29 has a width substantially equal to the 35 distance between the flanges 19 of the channel 17. The under-surface of the base part 29 is shaped to conform to the profile of the lower-most region of the channel 27. N:\Melbourne\Cases\Patent\72000-72999\P72663 AU. I\Specis\Specification as Filed doc 22/10/08 - 8 Apertures 33 are provided in the base part 29 to permit screw fixing to the channel 17. The upper surface of the base part 29 is provided with an elongate rib 35 at each end that acts like an extension of the upstanding rib 21 5 within the channel 17 when the panel locator means 27 is fitted within the channel 17. The upstanding block part 31 has a substantial depth taken in a direction across the channel 17. This will be explained further in due course. 10 Figures 8 through 13 show views of a locator member 35 that is carried at a lower leading portion of each panel 5. The locator members 35 are each fitted into the bottom of the frame members 13 of each of the panels 5 at a lower leading portion thereof. The locator members 35 and the is panel locator means 27 act together, when the door or panels 5 are closed, to help restrain against lateral deflection of the panels 5 in the channel at the position where the panels close together. This, in turn, minimises the likelihood of bending of the flanges 19 that would 20 otherwise occur due to wind loading on the panels, if the locator means 27 and the locator members 35 were not present. The way in which the locator members 35 and the panel locator means 27 act together will be described in due course. It should be appreciated that the locator 25 members 35 may be integrally formed from the panels 5 themselves or from peripheral frames of the panels 5 and need not be separate integers attached to the panels 5 as shown in the example. 30 Figures 8 through 13 show that the locator members 35 each have a generally block like appearance. The lower-most surface contains a cut-out 37 that has a depth across the channel so there can be close fitting location of the channel 37 with the upstanding block part 31 of the panel 35 locator means 27. The locator member 35 is made from a similar plastics material to that of the panel locator means 27. The upper part of a locator member 35 is N:\Melboum\Cases\Patent\72000-72999\P72663 AU \Specis\Spccification as filed.doc 22/10/08 - 9 scalloped outwardly to remove bulk material. The locator member 35 is also provided with two transversely extending slots 39. The slots 39 are provided so that a locator member 35 can be inserted into the end of an upright frame 5 member 13, into the hollow interior thereof, and so that flanges 41 that extend transversely across the width of the channel 17 can locate in the slots 39. These flanges 41 are shown in Figure 3, and also in Figures 15 and 16. Thus, the flanges 41 locate the locator members 35 at the 10 lower-most leading portions of each of the panels 5. This, in turn, inhibits the locator members 35 from moving relative to the panels 5 during sliding of the panels 5. The left hand side upright member 13 has two flanges 41, whilst the right hand side upright frame member 13 has is only one flange 41. Each locator member 35 has externally formed upwardly directed ribs 43 that frictionally engage with the internal wall surfaces of each of the upright frame members 13. Thus, the locator members 35 can be press fitted in a frictionally engaging way into the 20 internal region of the hollow frame members 13. The under-surface of the locator members 35 have downwardly extending feet 45 which, in use, permit sliding of the locator members 35 over the upper surface of the base part 29 of the panel locator means 27 should there be 25 engagement therebetween. Figure 16 shows there is a spacing between the feet 45 and the upper surface of the base part 29, as well as there being a spacing between the upper surface of the block part 29 and the under-surface of the open channel 37. This is better shown in Figure 30 17. Engagement of the feet 45 with the upper surface of the base part 29, and of the upper surface of the block part 31 with the under-surface of the channel 37, may occur if there is bad alignment and adjustment of the roller wheel assemblies 23. 35 In use, as the panels 5 are closed from an open position, the locator members 35 locate relative to the panel N:\Melbournc\Cases\Patent\720O0-72999\P72663.AU. 1\Spccis\Spe csfion as filed.doc 22/10/08 - 10 locator means 27 when the panels 5 are fully closed. Figure 17 clearly shows that there is close fitting engagement between the upstanding block part 31 and the upright wall surfaces of the open channel 37. This, in 5 turn, laterally provides restraint against lateral deflection of the panels 5 in the channel 17 which, in turn, minimises against the likelihood of bending of the flanges 19 that define the channel 17. In other words, the transverse width of the upstanding block part 31 10 across the channel 17 is sufficiently great, that it provides strength against lateral deflection of the panels 5 which could not be provided by the strength of the upstanding flanges 19 alone. 15 It should be realised that the upper leading part of the panels 5 is provided with similar locator members 35 and that an upper channel of the head 9 contains a similar panel locator means 27. Thus, in an example, both the lower part of the panels 5 and the upper part of the 20 panels 5 are provided with similar locator members 35 and panel locator means 27 to resist against deflection caused by wind loading, the arrangement at the head 9 being a substantially mirror replication of the arrangement at the sill 7. For aesthetic reasons, the width of the sill 7 is 25 to be minimised. Figure 17 shows channels 47 on the internal side faces of the flanges 19. The channels 47 are provided to receive known elongate fibre strips seals which are used for 30 engaging with the side faces of the panels 5 and provide a wind penetration inhibitor. These seals have not been shown in order to aid clarity in the drawings. Figure 17 also shows that the sill 7 has a second channel 49. The second channel 49 may be provided to receive a further 35 sliding panel such as a fly screen panel or the like. In some cases, this panel may not be a sliding panel but a fixed panel. N:\Melboumc\Cases\Paent\72000-72999\P72663.AU \Specis\Specification as fileddoc 22110/08 - 11 Figure 3 shows that the right hand side upright frame member 13 has a forwardly directed tongue part 51 and that the left hand side upright frame member 13 has an open 5 mouth 53. When the panels 5 are fully closed, the tongue 54 nests within the mouth 53, and sealing of the two butted together upright frame members 13 can be effected by similar known fibre strip seals inserted in channels 55. 10 Referring now to the examples shown in Figure 18 - 21 which show locator means for the head 9, it can be seen in Figure 18 that a locator means 51 comprises an elongate generally rectangular body of suitable material such as is synthetic plastics. Particularly suitable material is moulded glass filled nylon. The locator means 15 comprises an elongate slot 53 in which a locator member (to be described hereinafter) will locate. The transverse cross sectional profile of the locator means 51 is 20 generally 'H' shaped as shown although other arrangements may be provided such as 'U' shaped. At each end of the locator means 51 are provided slots 55 that extend the full height of the locator means 51. One side of the locator means 51 has a spacer button 57 formed integrally 25 therewith. The spacer button 57 has an upper body 59 and downwardly extending button 61 that is spaced from the side face 63 of the main body of the locator means 51. Figure 18 does not clearly show the spacing, however, Figure 21, to be referred to hereinafter, clearly shows 30 the spacing. The elongate slot 53 is provided to receive the head 65 of a locator member 67 that has a generally 'T' cross sectional profile as shown in Figure 19. The locator member 67 may be made of any suitable material, however, extruded aluminium is a particularly suited 35 material. The upper flanges of the locator member 67 have openings 69 therein to permit screw fastening of the locator means 67 to the inside under surface of a channel N \Melboune\Cases\Patnt\72000-72999\P72663.AU. I\Specis\Specification as filed doc 22/10/08 - 12 in the head 9. Although screw fastening is preferred, other forms of fastening such as by gluing, riveting etc are not excluded. s Figure 20 shows a plan view of an upper part of a door panel at its leading edge. Here, the door panel has an upright framed component 71 of extruded aluminium or other suitable material and a top rail 73 that is butt joined with the upright frame component 71 in a known manner. 10 Figure 21 shows the transverse cross sectional profile of the top rail 73 being somewhat generally 'H' shaped. The width of the locator means 51 is arranged to enable a press fit of the locator means 51 between the upstanding arms 75 of the top rail 73. The depth of the locator 15 means 51 is shown to approximately equal the depth of the open channel in the top rail 73. Figure 20 shows that the locator means 51 is laterally held within the channel in the top rail 73 by the slots 55 engaging with inwardly directed flanges 77 forming parts of the upright frame 20 component 71. The flanges 77 are usually provided for the insertion of glazing beads to fix a glass panel or other panel within the frame constituted by the upright frame component 71, the top rail 73, and similar bottom rail 73. Figure 20 therefore shows that the locator 51 is laterally 25 located relative to a leading edge of the panels 5. Figure 20 shows the spacer button relative to the top rail 73 and shows that a flange 75 of the top rail 73 locates between the button 61 and the side face 63. 30 Figure 21 shows the locator members 67 fitted in channels in the head 9 by means of screw fasteners. A spacing member 79 may be provided to adjust the height of the head 65 of the locator members 67 to a correct operational height to mate internally with the side walls of the 35 elongate slot 53 in the upper surface of the locator means 51 as shown. N.\Melboumc\Cases\Patent\72000-72999\P72663 AU. I\Specis\Specification as filed.doc 22/10/08 - 13 It should therefore be appreciated that when the door panels 5 slide, the locator means 51 and the locator members 67 act to guide and track the panels 5. In addition, the locator means 51 and the locator members 67 5 act to inhibit against lateral movement of the door panels 5 caused by wind loading which may otherwise result in bending of the flanges 81 that define the channels in the head 9 in which the panels 5 slide. Accordingly, the locator means 51 and the locator member 67 act in a 10 corresponding manner to the locator means and the locator members at the sill. The button 61 acts to engage with an inside wall face of one of the flanges 81 so there will be no metal-to-metal sliding contact as the panels 5 open and close. It can be seen that seals 83 are provided in the 15 flanges 81 to bear against the outer side faces of the opposite sides of the panels to the button 61. Typically, the transverse thickness of the trunk arm of the 'T' shaped locator members 67 is thicker than the 20 corresponding thickness of the flanges 81 that define the channels in which the panels 5 slide. Thus, the arrangement will provide for enhanced wind loading anti deflection capabilities than previously achieved. In addition, the locator means 51 and the corresponding 25 locator members 67 may extend along the whole length of the head 9 or only along portions thereof at or near where the panels 5 close together. It should be appreciated that an installation of sliding 30 panels or windows may be bi panel or other multiple panel arrangements and the invention is not limited solely to use in bi panels with only 2 panels. It should also be appreciated that an installation may have the locator means and locator members fitted only at the sill, or at 35 the head, or there may be a combination of locator means and locator members at the sill, and at the head. N \Melboume\Cases\Pateni\72000-72999\P72663 AU I\Specis\Specification as filed doc 22/10/08 - 14 It should also be appreciated that the upright frame members 13 extend fully to the top and bottom of the panels 5, and that the horizontally extending frame members 15 butt join therewith. Because of this 5 arrangement, the locator members 35 can be fitted into the upright frame members 13 and locate with the flanges 41 therein. This however does not exclude other arrangements such as mitre joints or other joints. In such instances, the locator means and the locator member can be 10 appropriately modified to suit. It should be appreciated that in order to fit the panel locator means 27 in the channel 17, that a part of rib 21 can be cut therefrom to accommodate for receipt of the 15 panel locator means 27 within the channel 17. It should also be appreciated that the panel locator means and the locator members can be supplied as a kit for retro fitting to already installed bi-panel sliding doors 20 or windows or similar. It should also be appreciated that the locator members at the sill 35 may be suitably screw fastened, glued or otherwise fixed into the panels 5. Similarly, the locator 25 means at the head may be suitably screw fastened into the top of the panel 5. The press fitting frictional engagement as described in the examples of the preferred embodiment are merely exemplary of one way in which there can be fixing. 30 It should also be appreciated that the upstanding block part 31 at the sill provides a male like feature that is received within a female like channel part of the locator members 35. The male/female relationship of each of the 35 parts may be reversed without departing from the ambit of the invention. Similarly for the part at the head. N.Welboume\Cases\Patent\72000-72999\P72663.AU. I\Specis\Specification as filed.doc 22110/08 - 15 Other more complex modifications may be provided where there is a "dove tail" like arrangement for mating of the locator member and the locator means at the sill. Such an arrangement will provide against lifting of a panel 5 relative to the sill in addition to the providing of restraint against lateral deflection. It should also be appreciated that the panel locator means at the sill 27 may be formed as two separate components so 10 there is a panel locator means for a left hand side panel and a further panel locator means for a right hand side panel. The panel locator means do not necessarily have to be located in butting engagement with each other at the exact position where the door panels meet when they are 15 closed. Each door locator means may be positioned spaced from each other generally at the position where the panels close together, or at a position spaced in a region along the bottom or top of each panel when the panels are closed together to act to inhibit bending of the flanges of the 20 channel in the sill. These and other modifications may be made without departing from the ambit of the invention the nature of which is to be determined from the foregoing description. 25 It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any 30 other country. In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary 35 implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but N:\Melbourne\Cases\Patent\72000-72999\P72663.AU l\Specis\Specification as filed doc 22110/08 - 16 not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention. 5 N \Melbounme\Cass\Patent\72000-72999\P72663.AU. l\Specis\Specification as filed doc 22/10/08

Claims

1. A bi-panel sliding door or window comprising a sill and a head, and wherein the panels slide within a channel that s extends along the length of the sill, the sides of the channel being defined by flanges that form parts of the sill, the channel having panel locator means therein at a position where the panels close together, and the lower leading portions of each panel carrying a locator member lo to locate relative to the locator means when the panels are closed, the panel locator means and respective locator members acting together to help restrain against lateral deflection of the panels in the channel at the position where the panels close together, to minimise the 15 likelihood of bending of the flanges, that could otherwise occur due to wind loading on the panels if the locator means and the locator member were not present.

2.A bi panel door or window as claimed in claim 1, wherein 20 the panel locator means comprises a separate locator means for a left hand side panel, and a further separate locator means for a right hand side panel.

3. A bi panel door or window as claimed in claim 2, 25 wherein said panel locator means is positioned so that each locator is spaced from each other at a position where the panels close together.

4. A bi-panel door or window as claimed in any one of 30 claims claim 1 to 3, wherein the panel locator means is an insert fixed into the channel and has a width across the channel substantially greater than the thickness of said flanges. 35

5. A bi-panel door or window as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the locator members are respective N \Melbourne\Cases\Patent\72000-72999\P72663 AU I\Specis\Specification as filed doc 22/10/08 - 18 inserts fitted into the lower leading portions of the respective panels.

6. A bi-panel door or windows as claimed in any one of the 5 preceding claims, wherein the panel locator means has an upstanding block, and the locator members have an open channel and wherein the width across the channel of the upstanding block and the open channel are sized so there will be 10 close fitting location therebetween when the parts are closed.

7. A bi-panel door or window as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, 15 wherein each panel has a leading upright frame member that butt joins with a lower generally horizontally extending frame member that is received in said channel, and wherein the upright frame member extends to the bottom edge of the panel, and 20 said locator members are fitted to the bottom of the upright frame members.

8. A bi-panel door or window as claimed in claim 7, wherein the upright frame members have a hollow 25 interior and the locator member are fitted into the hollow interior.

9. A bi-panel door or window as claimed in claim 8, wherein the upright frame members are extrusions 30 and have internal strengthening flanges that extend in a direction across the width of the channel when the panels are fitted in the channel, and wherein an upper part of each locator member is provided with a slot which receives a part of a strengthening flange, 35 whereby to locate said locator members at the lower leading portions of each panel. N \Mclboume\Casc\Patent\72000-72999\P72663 AU. I\Specis\Speci fcation as iled.doc 22/10/08 - 19

10. A bi-panel door or window as claimed in claim 9, wherein the upright frame members have two spaced internal strengthening flanges, and wherein the upper part of each locator member is provided with two 5 correspondingly spaced slots for receiving the respective strengthening flanges.

11. A bi-panel door or window as claimed in claim 10, wherein the locator members are friction fittable 10 in the hollow upright frame members, and the two internal strengthening flanges provide fixing engagement with the slots to inhibit movement of the locator members relative to the panels during opening or closing of the panels. 15

12. A bi-panel door or window as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the under-surface of the locator means is contoured to conform to a profile of the channel in the sill. 20

13. A bi-panel door or window as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the locator means is screw fastened into the sill. 25

14. A bi-panel door or window as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fastening members and fastening means are formed of plastics material. 30

15. A bi-panel door or window as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the head has a head channel that extends along the length of the head and in which the door panels slide, the slider of the head 35 channel being formed by flanges that form part of the head, and wherein the channel has head locator means therein, and wherein the upper leading portions of each N \Melbourne\Cases\Patent\72000-72999\P72663 AU I\Specis\Specification as fileddoc 22/10/08 - 20 panel carrying a locator member to locate relative to the head locator means when the panels close together to similarly minimise the likelihood of bending of the flanges of the head channel. 5

16. A bi-panel sliding door or window comprising a sill and a head, and wherein the panels slide within a channel that extends along the length of the head , the sides of the channel being defined by flanges that form parts of io the head, the channel having panel locator means therein at a position where the panels close together, and the upper leading portions of each panel carrying a locator member to locate relative to the locator means when the panels are closed, the panel locator means and respective 15 locator members acting together to help restrain against lateral deflection of the panels in the channel at the position where the panels close together, to minimise the likelihood of bending of the flanges, that could otherwise occur due to wind loading on the panels if the locator 20 means and the locator member were not present.

17. A set of locator members and locator means for use with a bi-panel sliding door or window as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 16. N \Melboume\Cases\Patent\720O0-72999\P72663AU \Specis\Specification as red doc 22/10/08