AU2016262687A1

AU2016262687A1 - Improved sliding door soft close system

Info

Publication number: AU2016262687A1
Application number: AU2016262687A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Brett Ian Baillie; Bruce Kenneth Holt
Original assignee: Bla East Tamaki Ltd
Current assignee: Bla East Tamaki Ltd
Priority date: 2015-11-24
Filing date: 2016-11-23
Publication date: 2017-06-08

Abstract

Abstract A soft close mechanism (1) is provided for a sliding panel which is moveable along a track (7). The mechanism has a body (2) and a catch (3) which is moveable between a first position corresponding to an unclosed position of the sliding panel and a second position corresponding a closed position of the panel. The catch (3) is configured to receive a trigger part, preferably comprising a roller assembly (8) from which the sliding panel is suspended. The mechanism (1) has a damping means (6) acting on the catch (3) to resist movement of the catch (3) to the second position. The soft close mechanism (1) is configured to be fixed relative to the track (7) when in use, and is preferably configured to be temporarily held in place by engaging the track (7) prior to being fixed in place, thereby increasing ease of installation. In preferred embodiments the body (2) is sized to fit through a space between lower rails (7a) of the track (7), thereby allowing installation or removal of the mechanism (1) after the track (7) has been mounted. A kit of parts and a soft close sliding panel system are also disclosed. Figure 2a 4 5 3c 3 2a 6 3a 2 3b 3a 2

Description

IMPROVED SLIDING DOOR SOFT CLOSE SYSTEM 2016262687 23 Nov 2016

Field of Invention

The invention relates to the field of assemblies or systems relating to sliding panels such as doors, 5 screens and windows. More particularly, the invention relates to a soft close system for cavity door sliders.

Background of the Invention

Sliding panels are a common feature of modern homes and commercial buildings. They offer numerous 0 advantages, particularly space saving by not encroaching on the available space in adjoining rooms.

Sliding doors allow access through a doorway and may be cavity doors that slide in and out of a recess in a wall. Sliding screens can be used to quickly and efficiently separate spaces and are used in commercial or office spaces for example. 5 Sliding panels are usually mounted to a building framework via a suspension device along their upper edge. The suspension device may comprise rollers that are fixed to the panel and move along a runner track or rail, which may be an aluminium extrusion mounted on the building frame to allow the panel to slide backwards and forwards. In some cases the panel may also be attached along the bottom by similar sliding means. 0

Sliding panels are usually mounted inside a frame or other fixture to conceal the mountings, which may be unsightly. In the case of a cavity door slider, the top of the door panel is concealed behind a head jamb. When closed, the sliding door panel moves towards and abuts a closing jamb, or fits into a recess in the closing jamb. 25

Some sliding doors include a "soft close" feature. When the sliding panel is near the closing jamb, a mechanism is activated which pulls the door into the fully closed position softly. This makes the door safer to use (as, for example, fingers are less likely to be trapped between the panel and jamb) and less likely to be damaged if it is pulled closed hard. 30

Some existing soft close sliding door systems include a mechanism mounted on the door panel with a clip, and a catch mounted on or near the head jamb and positioned to catch the clip when the door panel approaches the closing jamb. Once the clip is caught, the mechanism is activated, which pulls itself and the door panel into the fully closed position. The clip is spring loaded to pull the door panel into the 1 closed position, and is connected to a damper which provides resistance to the movement of the catch and the door panel. 2016262687 23 Nov 2016

Existing soft close systems can be difficult and time consuming to replace or service, given the 5 mechanism is located on a part of the door panel which is concealed within the head jamb. Replacing or servicing the mechanism may require that the door is removed from the head jamb. To remove the door panel, it may first be required to remove the head jamb in order to gain access to the device on which the door is suspended. Once the soft close mechanism has been replaced or serviced, the head jamb then needs to be replaced and the finish may need to be re-applied, for example using filler and paint. 0 This makes the replacement or maintenance of these soft close systems a difficult and time consuming job.

Object of the Invention

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved soft close system for sliding panels and/or a 5 sliding panel head track which will overcome or ameliorate at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art. Alternatively, it is an object of the invention to at least provide the public with a useful choice.

Summary of Invention

Preferred aspects of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. Particular embodiments are 0 described below in non-limiting terms.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a soft close mechanism for a sliding panel moveable along a track, the soft close mechanism comprising: a body; 25 a catch supported by the body and moveable between a first position corresponding in use to an unclosed position of the sliding panel, and a second position corresponding in use to a closed position of the sliding panel, the catch configured to receive a trigger part fixed relative to the sliding panel; a damping means acting on the catch to resist movement of the catch from the first position 30 to the second position; wherein, when the catch is moved into the first position, the body holds the catch in the first position, but the catch is able to be triggered into movement from the first position to the second position upon receiving the trigger part; and wherein the body is configured to be fixed relative to the track when in use. 2

Preferably, the mechanism is configured to be fictionally retained within the head track in use, prior to mounting of the soft close mechanism. 2016262687 23 Nov 2016 5 Preferably, the body is provided with one or more outwardly protruding ribs which are configured to, in use, cause friction between the body and the head track in order to fictionally retain the soft close mechanism within the head track.

Preferably, the trigger part is a portion of a roller assembly from which the sliding panel is 0 suspended.

Preferably, the trigger part is a bogie on which wheels are mounted.

Preferably, the soft close mechanism is configured to be mounted above the sliding panel when in 5 use.

Preferably, the catch comprises or defines an opening configured to fit around the trigger part.

Preferably, the body is configured to be fixed relative to the head track in use, to present the 0 opening downwardly.

Preferably, the soft close mechanism comprises mounting holes at the ends of the body.

Preferably, the soft close mechanism comprises a biasing means for biasing the catch towards the 25 second position.

Preferably, the biasing means comprises a tension spring.

Preferably, a biasing force provided by the tension spring is adjustable. 30

Preferably, the tension spring comprises a plurality of attachment points for connection to the trigger means.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a sliding panel head track 35 comprising: one or more lower rails for supporting one or more roller assemblies for suspending a sliding panel; and 3 a pair of upper rails for fictionally supporting the body of a soft close mechanism of the first aspect of the invention above the lower rails. 2016262687 23 Nov 2016

Preferably, the head track comprises two lower rails, the lower rails being separated by an opening 5 along at least a portion of the length of the head track.

Preferably the upper rails are spaced apart by a distance less than or equal to the width of the opening between the lower rails. 0 According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a soft close sliding panel kit comprising: the soft close mechanism of the first aspect; the head track of the second aspect; and at least one roller assembly for supporting a sliding panel, the roller assembly configured to 5 travel along the lower rail(s) of the head track under the body of the soft close mechanism when the body is mounted within the head track; wherein a portion of the roller assembly is configured to fit within the catch of the soft close mechanism. 0 Preferably the kit is adapted for use with a sliding door panel or a sliding window panel.

Preferably the body of the soft close mechanism has a width which is less than a spacing between the lower rails of the head track. 25 According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a soft close sliding panel system comprising: a track; a roller assembly configured to travel along the track; a sliding panel connected to the roller assembly; 30 a soft close mechanism fixed relative to the track, the soft close mechanism comprising: a body; a catch supported by the body and moveable between a first position corresponding in use to an unclosed position of the sliding panel, and a second position corresponding in use to a closed position of the sliding panel, the catch configured to 35 receive a trigger part which is fixed relative to the sliding panel; and 4 a damping means acting on the catch to resist movement of the catch from the first position to the second position; 2016262687 23 Nov 2016 wherein, when the catch is moved into the first position, the body holds the catch in the first position, but the catch is able to be triggered into movement from the first 5 position to the second position upon receiving the trigger part.

Preferably, the track is a head track comprising one or more lower rails for supporting one or more roller assemblies for suspending a sliding panel, the head track further comprising a plurality of upper rails for frictionally supporting the body of the soft close mechanism above the lower rails. 0

Preferably, the body of the soft close mechanism has a width which is less than a spacing between the lower rails of the head track.

Preferably, the soft close mechanism comprises a plurality of engaging means adapted to frictionally 5 engage the upper rails of the head track.

Preferably, the soft close mechanism comprises a biasing means for biasing the catch towards the second position. 0 Preferably, the biasing means comprises a tension spring.

Preferably, a biasing force provided by the tension spring is adjustable.

Preferably, the tension spring comprises a plurality of attachment points for connection to the 25 trigger means.

Further aspects of the invention, which should be considered in all its novel aspects, will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading of the following description which provides at least one example of a practical application of the invention. 30

Brief Description of the Drawings

One or more embodiments of the invention will be described below by way of example only, and without intending to be limiting, with reference to the following drawings, in which: 5 2016262687 23 Nov 2016

Figure 1 is a perspective view illustration of a soft close mechanism according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 2a is a cross section view illustration of the soft close mechanism of Figure 1, with the catch 5 in a first position corresponding to an unclosed position of a sliding panel; Figure 2b is a cross section view illustration of the soft close mechanism of Figure 1, with the catch in a second position corresponding to a closed position of a sliding panel; 0 Figure 3a is a cross section side view illustration of a head track with the soft close mechanism of Figure 1 mounted within the head track, in which a roller for supporting a sliding panel is triggering the soft close mechanism; Figure 3b is a cross section view illustration of the head track of Figure 3a, with the catch in the .5 second position; Figure 4a is a cross section view of the head track of Figure 3a, with the soft close mechanism of Figure 1 and a roller assembly installed within the head track. 0 Figure 4b is a detail view of a portion of the head track of Figure 3a; and Figure 5 is a cross section view illustration of another embodiment of the soft close mechanism, with the catch in a second position corresponding to a closed position of a sliding panel. 25 Brief Description of Preferred Embodiments of the Invention

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a soft close mechanism or assembly 1 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention for use as part of a soft close sliding panel system such as a sliding door, screen or window. The soft close mechanism 1 comprises a body 2, and a catch 3 moveably supported by the body 2. The soft close mechanism 1 is configured to be mounted within a head track from which 30 a sliding panel is suspended. A mounting hole 4 at each end of the body 2 is able to be used to mount the soft close mechanism 1 within the head track, for example with a fastener, for example a screw. The soft close mechanism may be mounted to the head track itself or to the structure on which the head track is mounted, such as a timber frame. 6

The catch 3 comprises two lips 3a and 3b, which together form or define an opening therebetween, into which a trigger part can be received, as described further below. 2016262687 23 Nov 2016

Figures 2a and 2b show cross section views of the soft close mechanism 1. In Figure 1 and Figure 2a, the 5 catch 3 is in a first position corresponding to an unclosed position of a sliding panel, while in Figure 2b, the catch 3 is in a second position corresponding to a closed position of the sliding panel. The soft close mechanism comprises a biasing means in the form of a tension spring 5, which acts between the catch 3 and the body 2. The biasing means biases the catch 3 towards the second position. Additionally, the biasing means acts on an arm 3c of the catch 3, which urges the catch 3 to rotate. The body 2 has a 0 cutout 2a which allows the catch 3 to rotate when the catch is in the first position, such that the lip 3b is completely received within the body 2 and does not project past the bottom surface of body 2, enabling a trigger part sliding under the bottom surface of body 2 to move past the lip 3b and contact the inner surface of the lip 3a. The mechanism is configured so that lip 3b is closer than the lip 3a to the trigger part when the sliding panel is in the open position and the soft close mechanism 1 may be mounted 5 such that the lip furthest from the closing jamb is the lip that is received in the cutout 2a in the first position of the catch 3.

The catch 3 is connected to a damping means which acts between the body 2 and the catch 3. In this embodiment the damping means is a damper 6, which is an air-filled compression damper. The damper 0 6 includes a cylinder which is held within the body 2 and a piston which is connected to the catch 3. The damping means acts on the catch to resist movement of the catch towards the second position. In another embodiment an oil-filled compression damper could be used but an air-filled damper may be preferably in some applications because of the damage that could be caused by oil if it leaked onto carpets or other fixtures or furnishings. 25

Figures 3a and 3b show views of the soft close mechanism 1 installed within a head track 7 of a sliding panel system. The soft close mechanism 1 is fixed to the upper surface of the head track 7. Also within the head track 7 is a roller assembly 8 configured to moveably suspend a sliding panel (not shown) such as a sliding door or window panel. The roller assembly 8 comprises a bogie 8a having wheels configured 30 to roll along lower rails 7a of the head track 7. The bogie 8a is sized so that it can travel underneath the body 2 of the soft close mechanism 1 when it is installed in the head track 7. Suspended beneath the bogie 8a is a bracket 8b configured in use to connect to the sliding panel. 7

Figure 3a shows the catch 3 in the first position corresponding to the unclosed position of the sliding panel, and Figure 3b shows the catch 3 in the second position corresponding to the closed position of the sliding panel. When the sliding panel is closed, the bogie 8a moves in the direction of arrow 9, and comes into contact with lip 3a of the catch 3, as shown in the Figure 3a. In the first position of the catch 5 3, the lip 3b is positioned wholly within the cutout 2a in the body, and does not interfere with the travel 2016262687 23 Nov 2016 of the bogie 8a along the track.

When the bogie 8a contacts the lip 3a, the catch 3 is rotated against the force of the spring 5 and the lip 3b slips out of the cutout 2a. In this position the catch 3 fits around the body of the bogie 8a (the 0 spacing between the lips of the catch and the size of the body of the bogie being selected accordingly). The roller assembly 8, or bogie 8a, therefore amounts to a trigger part, serving to trigger the release of the catch 3 from the first position, and subsequent movement into the second position. The cutout 2a includes a contoured surface on the side of the cutout 2a between the lip 3b and the lip 3a, to assist the lip 3b in slipping out of the cutout when the bogie 8a contacts the lip 3a. In this embodiment the 5 contoured surface of the cutout 2a is on the side of the body 2 towards which the lip 3b is biased by the spring 5. More generally, the cutout may have a side which is contoured to guide the release of the lip from the cutout, and may be defined by the body on the side of the cutout over which the lip may slide during release from the cutout. 0 Once the bogie 8a is received within the opening of the catch 3 between the lips 3a, 3b, the catch 3 moves towards the first position shown in the Figure 3b, under the force of the spring 5. At the same time, the damper 6 resists movement of the catch 3, providing for a soft close of the sliding panel. The spring 5 and damper 6 are selected such that the tension of the spring 5 is strong enough to overcome the resistance of the damper 6, along with resistance provided by any other friction in the system, such 25 as between the sliding panel and the upper and/or lower tracks, so that the spring acts to close the panel.

In this embodiment, the roller assembly 8, more specifically, the bogie 8a, acts as a trigger part to trigger the soft close mechanism. This is advantageous in that no separate part is required to trigger the soft 30 close mechanism, reducing the cost of production and also installation of the soft close sliding panel system. Flowever, in other embodiments a different component may be received within the catch of the soft close mechanism. For example, a separate part, such as a tab could be mounted on the sliding panel and used as a trigger part, and the soft close mechanism fixed in the appropriate position such that the tab is received in the catch. 8

The soft close mechanism 1 can be fixed in an appropriate location along the length of the head track 7 such that when the catch 3 is in the second position, the sliding panel is in the closed position, for example abutting a closing jamb, or in some other position considered to be the closed position. For 5 example, the soft close mechanism 1 may be mounted such that the catch 3, when in the second 2016262687 23 Nov 2016 position, is above the bogie 8a when the sliding panel is in the closed position. In the case of a sliding panel being a window or door, the soft close mechanism 1 may be mounted proximate a closing jamb of the door, or the side of a window frame towards which the window closes. Multiple bogies may be used to support the sliding panel and the soft close mechanism may be positioned above the bogie closest to 0 the closing jamb when the panel is closed so that the soft close mechanism does not interfere with the movement of the door in intermediate open / closed positions.

In other embodiments, the soft close mechanism 1 may be used to form a soft opening sliding door, in which case the soft close mechanism may be mounted such that the second position of the catch 5 corresponds to the position of a bogie of a roller assembly when the sliding panel is in the open position, which may be proximate a jamb or side of a frame towards which the panel moves when moving from the closed position to the open position. In the case of a cavity door, the soft close mechanism may be within the cavity. In any case the soft close mechanism 1 needs to be oriented such that the bogie is able to pass under the lip 3b and contact lip 3a, in order to be caught by the trigger mechanism. In some 0 embodiments, where the size and travel of the door panel allows, two soft close mechanisms 1 could be used to assemble a door having both soft close and soft open functionality.

When the sliding panel is pulled towards its open position, the bogie 8a moves in the direction of arrow 10. The bogie 8a pushes against lip 3b to pull the catch 3 towards the second position. When the lip 3b 25 lines up with the cutout 2a in the body 2, the catch 3 becomes free to rotate, and the lip 3b moves into the cutout 2a and the bogie can continue to move the direction of arrow 10, along the head track 7 towards a position corresponding to the open position of the sliding panel, unimpeded by the catch 3.

Figure 4a shows a cross section view of the head track 7, with the soft close mechanism 1 installed 30 within. The soft close mechanism 1 in Figure 4a is shown with the catch 3 in the second position, with the bogie 8a received within the opening of the catch 3 behind the lip 3b. The wheels of the bogie 8a run along the lower rails 7a. In this embodiment the head track is an extruded length of aluminium, but could be any suitable material such as steel, stainless steel or plastic, depending on the application. 9

The body 2 and the head track 7 are configured so that the soft close mechanism 1 is fictionally retained within the head track 7 prior to mounting of the soft close mechanism 1 within the head track 7. This makes it easier to fix the body 2 to the head track 7, given the friction will prevent the soft close mechanism 1 from falling prior to being secured with fasteners. 2016262687 23 Nov 2016 5

The head track 7 comprises upper rails 7b configured to receive the body 2 of the soft close mechanism 1 therebetween. In the embodiment shown the body 2 comprises ribs 11 which protrude laterally out from the side of the body 2 for increasing the friction between the body 2 and the upper rails 7b. The head track 7 comprises an opening 7c between the lower rails 7a on the underside thereof. The opening 0 7c preferably has a width which is at least slightly greater than a width of the opening between the upper rails 7b. The soft close mechanism 1 is dimensioned so that it is able to be inserted through the opening 7c. The opening 7c also enables the sliding panel to be suspended directly below the bogie 8a. The body 2 of the soft close mechanism 1 and the opening 7c are sized so that the soft close mechanism 1 can be inserted into the head track 7 through the opening 7c during installation, which avoids the 5 need to insert the soft close mechanism 1 through the end of the head track 7, which may require disassembly of components for access.

Figure 4b shows a detail view of the rib 11 on the side of the body 2 when the body 2 is inserted between the upper rails 7b. In other embodiments the ribs 11 may be omitted, and the width of the 0 body 2 may be sized so that it creates an interference fit with the upper rails 7b to thereby hold the mechanism in place before it is secured with fasteners. However, in these embodiments the width of the body is still such that the mechanism can be moved through the space between the lower rails 7a.

The soft close mechanism 1, head track 7 and roller assembly 8 can form a kit for use in constructing a 25 soft close panel system, such as a soft close sliding door or window assembly, and when assembled with a sliding panel, can form a soft close sliding panel system.

Referring to Figure 5, an alternative embodiment of the invention is generally referenced by arrow la. The embodiment shown in Figure 5 differs from that shown in Figures 1 to 4 in that the tension spring 30 5a is configured with two attachment points 12a, 12b, spaced apart along the length of spring 5a, for connecting the tension spring to the trigger 3. In the embodiment shown the attachment points 12a, 12b are provided as regions of decreased diameter compared to the remainder of the spring 5a. 10

Connecting the trigger 3 to attachment point 12a results in an increased stretching of the spring and therefore a greater biasing force then attachment of the trigger 3 to attachment point 12b. In this way the biasing force provided by the tension spring 5a is adjustable. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the tension spring may be provided with more than two attachment points if a greater number of 5 levels of adjustment of the biasing force are required. Trigger 3 may be provided with a cutout or cavity 3d to accommodate the end portion of the spring 5a when the spring 5a is connected to the trigger 3 at the first attachment point 12a. 2016262687 23 Nov 2016

In addition to the modified tension spring 5a, the embodiment shown in Figure 5 differs from that 0 shown in Figures 1 to 4 in that the body 2 of the soft close mechanism la has a stepped portion 2b for engaging the catch 3 when the catch is in the first position, rather than a cutout 2a as shown in Figures 1 to 4.

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words 5 "comprise", "comprising", and the like, are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense, that is to say, in the sense of "including, but not limited to".

The entire disclosures of all applications, patents and publications cited above and below, if any, are herein incorporated by reference. 0

Reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that that prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour in any country in the world. 25 The invention may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, in any or all combinations of two or more of said parts, elements or features.

Where in the foregoing description reference has been made to integers or components having known 30 equivalents thereof, those integers are herein incorporated as if individually set forth.

It should be noted that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and without diminishing its 1 1 2016262687 23 Nov 2016 attendant advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be included within the present invention. 12

Claims

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A soft close mechanism for a sliding panel moveable along a track, the soft close mechanism comprising: a body; a catch supported by the body and moveable between a first position corresponding in use to an unclosed position of the sliding panel, and a second position corresponding in use to a closed position of the sliding panel, the catch configured to receive a trigger part fixed relative to the sliding panel; a damping means acting on the catch to resist movement of the catch from the first position to the second position; wherein, when the catch is moved into the first position, the body holds the catch in the first position, but the catch is able to be triggered into movement from the first position to the second position upon receiving the trigger part; and wherein the body is configured to be fixed relative to the track when in use.
2. The soft close mechanism of claim 1 wherein the mechanism is configured to be frictionally retained within the head track in use, prior to mounting of the soft close mechanism.
3. The soft close mechanism of claim 2 wherein the body is provided with one or more outwardly protruding ribs which are configured to, in use, cause friction between the body and the head track in order to frictionally retain the soft close mechanism within the head track.
4. The soft close mechanism of any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the trigger part is a portion of a roller assembly from which the sliding panel is suspended.
5. The soft close mechanism of claim 4 wherein the trigger part is a bogie on which wheels are mounted.
6. The soft close mechanism of any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the soft close mechanism is configured to be mounted above the sliding panel when in use.
7. The soft close mechanism of any one of the preceding claims wherein the catch comprises or defines an opening configured to fit around the trigger part.
8. The soft close mechanism of claim 7 wherein the body is configured to be fixed relative to the head track in use, to present the opening downwardly.
9. The soft close mechanism of any one of the preceding claims comprising mounting holes at the ends of the body.
10. The soft close mechanism of any one of the preceding claims comprising a biasing means for biasing the catch towards the second position.
11. The soft close mechanism of claim 10 wherein the biasing means comprises a tension spring.
12. The soft close mechanism of claim 11 wherein a biasing force provided by the tension spring is adjustable.
13. The soft close mechanism of claim 12 wherein the tension spring comprises a plurality of attachment points for connection to the trigger means.
14. A sliding panel head track comprising: one or more lower rails for supporting one or more roller assemblies for suspending a sliding panel; and a pair of upper rails for frictionally supporting the body of a soft close mechanism of the first aspect of the invention above the lower rails.
15. The head track of claim 14 comprising two lower rails, the lower rails being separated by an opening along at least a portion of the length of the head track.
16. The head track of claim 15 wherein the upper rails are spaced apart by a distance less than or equal to the width of the opening between the lower rails.
17. A soft close sliding panel kit comprising: the soft close mechanism of any one of claims 1 to 13; the head track of any one of claims 14 to 16; at least one roller assembly for supporting a sliding panel, the roller assembly configured to travel along the lower rail(s) of the head track under the body of the soft close mechanism when the body is mounted within the head track; wherein a portion of the roller assembly is configured to fit within the catch of the soft close mechanism.
18. The soft close sliding panel kit of claim 17 adapted for use with a sliding door panel or a sliding window panel.
19. The soft close sliding panel kit of claim 17 or 18 wherein the body of the soft close mechanism has a width which is less than a spacing between the lower rails of the head track.
20. A soft close sliding panel system comprising: a track; a roller assembly configured to travel along the track; a sliding panel connected to the roller assembly; a soft close mechanism fixed relative to the track, the soft close mechanism comprising: a body; a catch supported by the body and moveable between a first position corresponding in use to an unclosed position of the sliding panel, and a second position corresponding in use to a closed position of the sliding panel, the catch configured to receive a trigger part which is fixed relative to the sliding panel; and a damping means acting on the catch to resist movement of the catch from the first position to the second position; wherein, when the catch is moved into the first position, the body holds the catch in the first position, but the catch is able to be triggered into movement from the first position to the second position upon receiving the trigger part.
21. The soft close sliding panel system of claim 20 wherein the track is a head track comprising one or more lower rails for supporting one or more roller assemblies for suspending a sliding panel, the head track further comprising a plurality of upper rails for frictionally supporting the body of the soft close mechanism above the lower rails.
22. The soft close sliding panel system of claim 21 wherein the body of the soft close mechanism has a width which is less than a spacing between the lower rails of the head track.
23. The soft close sliding panel system of claim 21 or 22 wherein the soft close mechanism comprises a plurality of engaging means adapted to frictionally engage the upper rails of the head track.
24. The soft close sliding panel system of any one of claims 20 to 23 wherein the soft close mechanism comprises a biasing means for biasing the catch towards the second position.
25. The soft close sliding panel system of claim 24 wherein the biasing means comprises a tension spring.
26. The soft close sliding panel system of claim 25 wherein a biasing force provided by the tension spring is adjustable.
27. The soft close sliding panel system of claim 26 wherein the tension spring comprises a plurality of attachment points for connection to the trigger means.