AU2011202256B1

AU2011202256B1 - Track for sliding wardrobe doors and the like

Info

Publication number: AU2011202256B1
Application number: AU2011202256A
Authority: AU
Inventors: David Andrew Hills; Nigel Lapping
Original assignee: Jeld Wen Australia Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Jeld Wen Australia Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2011-05-16
Filing date: 2011-05-16
Publication date: 2011-09-01
Anticipated expiration: 2031-05-16
Also published as: AU2011202256C1

Abstract

TRACK FOR SLIDING WARDROBE DOORS AND THE LIKE A wardrobe door track (100, 200) for slidably mounting at least a first wardrobe door (10), said track comprises a longitudinally extending body (101) extruded from a rigid plastics material. The body (101) has a generally horizontally arranged base (102), a first flange (103) generally vertically extending from the base (102) and a second flange (104) generally vertically extending from the base (102) and spaced from the first flange (103) so as to define a longitudinally extending first channel (105) between the first and second flanges (103, 104) for receiving a longitudinally extending edge portion (11) of the first wardrobe door (10). A first seal (150) projects from said first flange (103) towards the second flange (104) for sealingly engaging a first face of the first wardrobe door (10) when received in the first channel (105). A second seal (160) projecting from the second flange (104) towards the first flange (103) for sealingly engaging an opposing second face of the first wardrobe door (10) when received in said first channel (105). The first and second flanges (103, 104) are each extruded from a flexible plastics material having a hardness less than a hardness of the rigid plastics material. The first and second flanges (103, 104) are co-extruded with the body (101).

Description

S&F Ref: 997225 AUSTRALIA PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT Name and Address JELD-WEN Australia Pty Ltd, of Truganini Cottage, 38 of Applicant: 46 South Street, Rydalmere, New South Wales, 2116, Australia Actual Inventor(s): Nigel Lapping David Andrew Hills Address for Service: Spruson & Ferguson St Martins Tower Level 35 31 Market Street Sydney NSW 2000 (CCN 3710000177) Invention Title: Track for sliding wardrobe doors and the like The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: 5845c(46291 10_1) I TRACK FOR SLIDING WARDROBE DOORS AND THE LIKE Technical Field The present invention relates to a track for sliding wardrobe doors and the like. 5 Background of the Invention Wardrobes are typically constructed either with hinged doors or with sliding doors that are slidingly mounted on upper and lower tracks, typically with rollers mounted on the upper and lower edges of the wardrobe door and engaging the upper and to lower tracks. The upper and lower tracks are typically extruded from aluminium. It is also known to provide seals on such tracks in an effort to seal between each track and the wardrobe door so as to prevent the ingress of dust or insects into the wardrobe. Assembling of such seals onto the track, however, is labour intensive and may result in inadequate securing of the seal to the track and/or damage to the seal. The effectiveness is of such seals also varies. Object of the Invention It is the object of the present invention to substantially overcome or at least ameliorate at least one of the above disadvantages. 20 Summary of the Invention In a first aspect, the present invention provides a door track for slidably mounting at least a first door, said track comprising: a longitudinally extending body extruded from a rigid plastics material, said 25 body having a generally horizontally extending base, a first flange generally vertically extending from said base and a second flange generally vertically extending from said base and spaced from said first flange so as to define a longitudinally extending first channel between said first and second flanges for receiving a longitudinally extending edge portion of the first door; 30 a first seal projecting from said first flange towards said second flange for sealingly engaging a first face of the first door when received in said first channel; and a second seal projecting from said second flange towards said first flange for sealingly engaging an opposing second face of the first door when received in said first channel; 2 wherein said first and second seals are each extruded from a flexible plastics material having a hardness less than a hardness of said rigid plastics material, said first and second seals each being co-extruded with said body. The base may be formed with a first longitudinally extending rail projecting into 5 said first channel for guiding a plurality of rollers mounted on the edge portion of the first door. For arrangements with two doors, the body generally further comprises a third flange generally vertically extending from said base on an opposing side of said second flange to said first flange so as to define a longitudinally extending second channel 10 between said second and third flanges for receiving a longitudinally extending edge portion of a second door; a third seal projecting from said second flange towards said third flange for sealingly engaging a first face of the second door when received in said second channel; and 15 a fourth seal flap projecting from said third flange towards said second flange for sealingly engaging an opposing second face of the second door; wherein said third and fourth seals are each extruded from said flexible plastics material and co-extruded with said body. The base may be formed with a second longitudinally extending rail projecting 20 into said second channel for guiding a plurality of rollers mounted on the edge portion of the second door. In one embodiment, said second seal and said fourth seal are together formed as a single element extending along a distal end surface of said second flange. Typically, each of said seals is in the general form of a flap. 25 In a preferred embodiment, a distal portion of each said seal extends at an acute angle relative to the direction of extension of the respective said flange from which the said seal projects, in a direction away from said base. The rigid plastics material may be a rigid PVC material. The flexible plastics material may be a flexible PVC material. 30 In a second aspect, the present invention provides a sliding door assembly comprising: a lower track as defined above; a first door having a lower edge portion received within said first channel of said lower track with said first seal of said lower track engaging a first face of said first door 3 and said second seal of said lower track engaging an opposing second face of said first door; a plurality of lower rollers mounted on said lower edge portion of said first door and engaging said base of said lower track; 5 an upper track as defined above, an upper edge portion of said first door being received within said first channel of said upper track with said first seal of said upper track engaging said first face of said first door and said second seal of said upper track engaging said second face of said first door; and a plurality of upper rollers mounted on said upper edge portion of said first door 10 and engaging said base of said upper track. In a preferred embodiment said door assembly further comprises: a second door having a lower edge portion received within said second channel of said lower track with said third seal of said lower track engaging a first face of said second door and said fourth seal of said lower track engaging an opposing second face of is said second door; a plurality of lower rollers mounted on said lower edge portion of said second door and engaging said base of said lower track; an upper edge portion of said first door being received within said second channel of said upper track with said third seal of said upper track engaging said first face 20 of said second door and said fourth seal of said upper track engaging said second face of said second door; and a plurality of upper rollers mounted on said upper edge portion of said second door and engaging said base of said upper track. In a preferred embodiment, the first door is a first wardrobe door and the second 25 door is a second wardrobe door. Brief Description of the Drawings A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of an example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: 30 Figure 1 is a perspective view of a wardrobe door assembly; Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the wardrobe door assembly of Figure 1, specifically depicting detail of a wardrobe track of the wardrobe door assembly; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the wardrobe door track of Figure 2; Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the wardrobe door assembly of Figure 1; 4 Figure 5 is an enlarged view of detail 'A' of Figure 4, depicting engagement of a roller with the upper wardrobe door track of the wardrobe door assembly; Figure 6 is an enlarged view of detail 'B' of Figure 4, depicting engagement of the first seal with the first face of the first door of the wardrobe door assembly. 5 Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments Referring to Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings, a door assembly comprises first and second doors 10, 20 mounted between a lower track 100 (otherwise known as a sill track) and an upper track 200 (otherwise known as a header track). The first door 10 1o is of standard construction, having a bottom rail 11 defining a lower edge portion of the first door 10, a top rail 12 defining an upper edge portion of the first door 10, and a pair of opposing stiles 13, 14 defining opposing side edge portions of the first door 10. A central panel 15 is fixed and extends between the rails 11, 12 and first and second stiles 13, 14 of the first door 10. A handle 16 is mounted on the first stile 13. The second door 20 is of is substantially identical construction, comprising bottom and top rails 21, 22, opposing first and second stiles 23, 24, a central panel 25 and a handle 26, here mounted on the second stile 24. The doors 10, 20 will typically be wardrobe doors, however the described embodiment is equally applicable to other forms of sliding doors. Referring to Figure 4, lower rollers 17, 27 are mounted on the bottom rails 11, 21 20 of the first and second doors 10, 20, whilst upper rollers 18, 28 are mounted on the upper rails 12, 22 of the first and second doors 10, 20. Each of the rollers 17, 18, 27, 28 is identical and has a grooved peripheral running surface 19. Each of the rollers will typically be mounted on the respective rail by way of a suspension mechanism so as to provide for smooth running of the doors 10, 20 between the lower and upper tracks 100, 25 200. There will typically be two rollers mounted on each of the rails, towards the opposing sides of the respective door 10, 20, however it is envisaged that the rollers may be provided in sets of more than two on each rail. Whilst, in the arrangement depicted there are two wardrobe doors 10, 20, it is also envisaged that a wardrobe door assembly may only have a single wardrobe door 10. 30 The lower track 100 is depicted in greater detail in Figures 2 and 3. The lower track 100 comprises a longitudinally extending body 101 that is extruded from a rigid plastics material, typically a rigid PVC material. The body 101 has a generally horizontally extending base 102. A first flange 103 generally vertically extends from the base 102, adjacent one end of the base 102. A second flange 104 generally vertically 35 extends from the base 102. The second flange 104 is spaced from the first flange 103 so 5 as to define a longitudinally extending first channel 105 between the first and second flanges 103, 104. As best shown in Figure 4, the first channel 105 receives the bottom rail 11 of the first wardrobe door 10. For arrangements where two wardrobe doors 10, 20 are to be mounted on the 5 lower track 100, the second flange 104 will typically be located generally centrally of the base 102 with a third flange 106 generally vertically extending from the base 102 adjacent an opposing edge of the base 102. A second channel 107 is thus defined between the second and third flanges 104, 106 for receiving the bottom rail 21 of the second door 20, as again depicted in Figure 4. For arrangements where only a single wardrobe door 10 is 1o to be mounted in the lower track 100, the second channel 107 will be omitted by omitting the third flange 106 and adjacent portion of the base 102. In the embodiment depicted, the base 102 is formed with a longitudinally extending first rail 108 projecting into the first channel 105 for guiding the lower rollers 17 mounted on the bottom rail 11 of the first wardrobe door 10 as depicted in Figure 4. is The first rail 108 has a generally semi-circular cross-section configured to mate with the grooved peripheral running surface 19 of the lower rollers 17. Similarly, a longitudinally extending second rail 109 is formed in the base 102 projecting into the second channel 107 for guiding the lower rollers 27 of the second wardrobe door 20. Here the first and second rails 108, 109 are identical. 20 The lower track 100 further comprises a longitudinally extending first seal 150 projecting from the first flange 103 partway across the first channel 105 towards the second flange 104. As depicted in Figures 4 and 6, the first seal 150 seals between the first flange 103 and a first face 1Oa of the first wardrobe door 10. The first seal 150 is here located adjacent the distal (upper) end 103a of the first flange 103. The first seal 150 25 is in the general form of a flap longitudinally extending along the length of the first flange 103. In the embodiment depicted, the first flap 150 has a proximal portion 151 which extends from, and generally perpendicular to, the first flange 103 and a distal portion 152 which extends at an acute angle relative to the generally vertical direction in which the first flange 103 extends, in an upward direction away from the base 102. This particular 30 configuration assists in repelling dust outwards, rather than allowing dust to collect at the interface between the first seal 150 and the first face I Oa of the first door 10. The configuration also allows for a reliable seal, even if there is some variation in the width of wardrobe doors, allowing the distal portion 152 of the first seal 150 to deflect upwardly if the door is oversized, or contains any surface irregularities. This will ensure that the 35 wardrobe door is able to travel smoothly along the lower track 100 without significant 6 force needing to be applied to the handle 16. The first and second seals 150, 160 co operate to reduce any rattling of the first wardrobe door 10 through their engagement with the opposing faces 1 Oa, I Ob of the door 10. An identical fourth seal 180 projects from the third flange 106 partway across the 5 second channel 107 towards the second flange 104. As is apparent from Figure 4, the fourth seal 180 sealingly engages the second face 20b of the second door 20. The fourth seal 180 is here located adjacent the distal (upper) end 106a of the third flange 106. The fourth seal 180 is in the form of a flap having a proximal portion 181 extending from, and generally perpendicular to, the third flange 106 and a distal portion 172 extending at an io acute angle relative to the generally vertical direction in which the third flange 106 extends, in an upward direction away from the base 102. The lower track 101 further comprises second and third seals 160, 170. The second seal 160 projects from the second flange 104 partway across the first channel 105 towards the first flange 103, whereas the third seal 170 projects from the second flange is 104 partway across the second channel 107 towards the third flange 106. In the arrangement depicted, the second and third seals 160, 170 are formed as a single element located on the distal (upper) edge surface 104a of the second flange 104. The second and third seals 160, 170 again take the general form of flaps, each having a proximal portion 161, 171 extending in opposing directions from, and generally perpendicular to, the 20 second flange 104 and a distal portion 162, 172 extending at an acute angle to the generally vertical direction in which the second flange 104 extends in an upward direction away from the base 102. Referring to Figure 4, the second and third seals 160, 170 sealingly engage the second face 1Ob of the first wardrobe door 10 and first face 20a of the second wardrobe door 20 respectively. The third and fourth seals 170, 180 co-operate 25 to reduce any rattling of the second wardrobe door 20. Each of the seals 150, 160, 170, 180 is extruded from a flexible plastics material having a hardness less than the hardness of the rigid plastics material from which the body 101 is formed. The seals 150, 160, 170, 180 are typically formed of a flexible PVC material having a Shore "A" hardness of 70-75 durometer. Each of the seals 150, 160 30 170, 180 is co-extruded with the body 101. The co-extrusion process of forming the lower track 100 involves pushing the rigid PVC plastics material forming the body under heat and pressure through the primary cavity of a die formed with a cross-section corresponding to that of the body 101. At the same time, flexible PVC plastics material forming the seals 105, 160, 170, 180 is pushed into secondary cavities of the die that are 35 formed with cross-sections corresponding to that of the seals and communicating with the 7 primary cavity. This results in the flexible PVC material forming the seals to fuse to the rigid PVC plastics material forming the body in a semi-hot state. The two materials flow through the die together, through calibration tools and then into cooling chambers at the end of the die to achieve the final cross-section of the lower track. The lower track 100 is 5 thus formed as a unitary member without the need to separately fit the seals to the body 10 1 of the track 100. The upper track 200 can be seen in Figure 4 to be identical to the lower track 100 which may merely be inverted to form the upper track 200, such that the first and second channels 205, 207 of the upper track 200 open downwards to receive the top rails 12, 22 1o of the first and second wardrobe doors 10, 20. Similarly, the seals 250, 260, 270, 280 of the upper track 200 extend in a downward direction. Referring again to Figure 4, the wardrobe door assembly may further comprise a sill cover trim 300 mounted on the third flange 106 of the lower track 100 so as to provide an attractive appearance, covering the plastic lower track 100. To enable the sill cover is trim 300 to be securely clipped onto the lower track 100, the third flange 106 is provided with a hook-like engagement formation 110 extending along the outer face of the third flange 106 adjacent the base 102, for engaging a mating engagement formation 301 formed on the inner face of the sill cover trim 300. The distal (upper) edge 106a of the third flange 106 is also formed with a longitudinally extending knob-like formation which 20 engages a mating engagement formation 302 of the sill cover trim 300. The first flange 103 is provided with identical formations, such that the installer does not have to make any assessment as to which flange of the lower track 100 is to be arranged to form the front face of the lower track 100. In this regard, it will be appreciated that the lower track 100 has a planar symmetry extending through the second flange 104. The identical 25 formations on the identical upper track 200 also provide for clipping a head cover trim 310 onto the upper track 200 in a similar manner so as to cover the upper track 200. A person skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications may be made to the wardrobe door track and wardrobe door assembly described above.

Claims

1. A door track for slidably mounting at least a first door, said track comprising: a longitudinally extending body extruded from a rigid plastics material, said 5 body having a generally horizontally extending base, a first flange generally vertically extending from said base and a second flange generally vertically extending from said base and spaced from said first flange so as to define a longitudinally extending first channel between said first and second flanges for receiving a longitudinally extending edge portion of the first door; 10 a first seal projecting from said first flange towards said second flange for sealingly engaging a first face of the first door when received in said first channel; and a second seal projecting from said second flange towards said first flange for sealingly engaging an opposing second face of the first door when received in said first channel; is wherein said first and second seals are each extruded from a flexible plastics material having a hardness less than a hardness of said rigid plastics material, said first and second seals each being co-extruded with said body.

2. The track of claim I wherein said base is formed with a first 20 longitudinally extending rail projecting into said first channel for guiding a plurality of rollers mounted on the edge portion of the first door.

3. The track of either one of claims 1 and 2, wherein said body further comprises a third flange generally vertically extending from said base on an opposing side 25 of said second flange to said first flange so as to define a longitudinally extending second channel between said second and third flanges for receiving a longitudinally extending edge portion of a second door; a third seal projecting from said second flange towards said third flange for sealingly engaging a first face of the second door when received in said second channel; 30 and a fourth seal projecting from said third flange towards said second flange for sealingly engaging an opposing second face of the second door; further wherein said third and fourth seals are each extruded from said flexible plastics material and co-extruded with said body. 35 9

4. The track of claim 3 wherein said base is formed with a second longitudinally extending rail projecting into said second channel for guiding a plurality of rollers mounted on the edge portion of the second door.

5 5. The track of claim 4, wherein said second seal and said fourth seal are together formed as a single element extending along a distal end surface of said second flange.

6. The track of any one of claims I to 5, wherein each of said seal is in the io general form of a flap.

7. The track of claim 6 wherein a distal free edge portion of each said seal extends at an acute angle relative to a direction of extension of the respective said flange from which the said seal projects, in a direction away from said base. Is

8. The track of any one of claims I to 7 wherein said rigid plastics material is a rigid PVC material.

9. The track of any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein said flexible plastics 20 material is a flexible PVC material.

10. A sliding door assembly comprising: a lower track according to any one of claims 1 to 9; a first door having a lower edge portion received within said first channel of said 25 lower track with said first seal of said lower track engaging a first face of said first door and said second seal of said lower track engaging an opposing second face of said first door; a plurality of lower rollers mounted on said lower edge portion of said first door and engaging said base of said lower track; 30 an upper track according to any one of claims I to 9, an upper edge portion of said first door being received within said first channel of said upper track with said first seal of said upper track engaging said first face of said first door and said second seal of said upper track engaging said second face of said first door; and a plurality of upper rollers mounted on said upper edge portion of said first door 35 and engaging said base of said upper track. 10

11. The sliding door assembly of claim 10, wherein: said lower track is according to any one of claims 3 to 5 or any one of claims 6 to 9 when appended to claim 3; s said upper track is according to any one of claims 3 to 5 or any one of claims 6 to 9 when appended to claim 3; and said door assembly further comprises: a second door having a lower edge portion received within said second channel of said lower track with said third seal of said lower track engaging a first face of said io second door and said fourth seal of said lower track engaging an opposing second face of said second door; a plurality of lower rollers mounted on said lower edge portion of said second door and engaging said base of said lower track; an upper edge portion of said first door being received within said second 15 channel of said upper track with said third seal of said upper track engaging said first face of said second door and said fourth seal of said upper track engaging said second face of said second door; and a plurality of upper rollers mounted on said upper edge portion of said second door and engaging said base of said upper track. 20

12. The sliding door assembly of either one of claims 10 and 12 wherein said first door is a first wardrobe door and said second door is a second wardrobe door.

13. A door track for slidably mounting at least a first door, said track being substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

14. A sliding door assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Dated 16 May, 2011 JELD-WEN Australia Pty Ltd Patent Attorneys for the Applicant/Nominated Person SPRUSON & FERGUSON