AU2021106877A4

AU2021106877A4 - Stacker door or window

Info

Publication number: AU2021106877A4
Application number: AU2021106877A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Ryan Allan Joyce
Original assignee: Ventalite Tech Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Ventalite Technology Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2021-08-24
Filing date: 2021-08-24
Publication date: 2021-11-25
Anticipated expiration: 2029-08-24
Also published as: AU2021106877B4

Abstract

The present invention relates to a stacker door or window, preferably being a bifold, and including stackable door or window panels. At least one panel includes a panel frame. At least one sash is provided for movably mounting to the panel frame. The sash is preferably a frameless sash. A motor arrangement is provided for moving the sash. Advantageously, the motor arrangement may open the sash, without the need to open the stacker door or window, to provide ventilation. 1/2 100 104 Figure 1

Description

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Figure 1

AUSTRALIA PATENTS ACT 1990

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION INNOVATION PATENT STACKER DOOR OR WINDOW

The following statement is a full description of this invention including the best method of performing it known to me:

STACKER DOOR OR WINDOW TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention generally relates to a stacker door or window, and preferably a bifold door or window (i.e. bifold).

BACKGROUND

[0002] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

[0003] A bifold includes hinged panels which stack together when opening.

[0004] Bifolds are great for creating large expansive openings between indoor and outdoor spaces. However, this may not be desired on every occasion. There are times when users may want to naturally ventilate an indoor space, however circumstances may restrict the user from wanting that completely open indoor/outdoor transition with the bifold open. For example, the user may need to contain children or pets inside, or not want to let bugs and insects in. There are many reasons for wanting the bifolds to maintain a barrier or room divider, but still desire fresh air ventilation through the space.

[0005] The preferred embodiment provides a bifold which can provide ventilation when closed.

[0006] The bifold panels open and stack against each other, protruding into or out from the opening of the building. This inward or outward stacking make bifolds difficult and expensive to insect screen. Insect screens usually include a whole separate frame, and don't provide any "security" when standard bifolds are open.

[0007] The preferred embodiment provides a bifold with improved insect or security screening.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a stacker door or window including stackable door or window panels, at least one panel including: a panel frame; at least one sash for movably mounting to the panel frame; and a motor arrangement for moving the sash.

[0009] Advantageously, the motor arrangement may open the sash, without the need to open the stacker door or window, to provide ventilation.

[00010] The panel may include a screen which does not inhibit stacking of the panels. The screen may be an insect screen or a security screen.

[00011] The panel may include a pair of sashes. The motor arrangement may move both sashes. Each sash may include a frameless sash. Each sash may be include a sash frame. The sash frame may be concealed by the panel frame.

[00012] The motor arrangement may include a motor housed in a rail of the panel frame. The rail may be a top rail. The rail may include a removable pelmet for accessing the motor. The top rail may be no more than 55 mm or 50 mm wide, and preferably about 45 mm wide. In one embodiment, the panel includes at least one adaptor for adapting the panel frame to be retro-fitted to form the panel.

[00013] The motor arrangement may include a line coupled to the sash to raise and lower the sash along the panel. The panel may include a stile in which the line passes. The stile may include a removable bead for accessing the line. The motor arrangement may include a power supply. The power supply may be DC or 110 - 240V AC.

[00014] The stacker door or window may include a controller for controlling the motor arrangement. The controller may include a remote controller, wall switch, smart phone, WIFI smart home and/or other building management system.

[00015] The panel frame may include a seal for sealing against the sashes. The seal may include a fur seal. The frames may be aluminum frames, preferably including extruded rails and stiles.

[00016] Preferably, the stacker door or window is a bifold stacker door or window with hinged panels. Alternatively, the stacker door or window is a sliding stacker door or window with panels sliding in a plane.

[00017] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a door or window panel for a stacker door or window, or for a hinged or pivot door or window, the panel including: a panel frame; at least one sash for movably mounting to the panel frame; and a motor arrangement for moving the sash.

[00018] Any of the features described herein can be combined in any combination with any one or more of the other features described herein within the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[00019] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows:

[00020] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a bifold stacker door in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[00021] Figure 2 is a plan view of a door panel of the stacker door of Figure 1;

[00022] Figure 3 is a side view of the door panel of Figure 2 in a double hung configuration; and

[00023] Figure 4 is a side view of the door panel of Figure 2 in a single hung configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[00024] According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a bifold stacker door 100 as shown in Figure 1. The stacker door 100 includes a building frame 102, and three hinged door panels 104 which stack together in the building frame 102 when fully opening the door 100.

[00025] Turning to Figures 2 and 3, each panel 104 includes a rectangular panel frame 200 with a pair of vertical stiles 202, a top rail 204 and a bottom rail 206. The stiles 202 and rails 204, 206 are extruded from aluminum.

[00026] Each panel 104 further includes a pair of frameless sashes 208a, 208b for slidably mounting to the panel frame 200. Further, each panel 104 includes a motor arrangement 210 for sliding the sashes 208a, 208b up and down in the frame 200. Advantageously, the motor arrangement 210 can open the sashes 208a, 208b, without the need to open the stacker door 100, to provide ventilation there-through.

[00027] Each panel 200 includes a flat screen 212 which does not inhibit stacking of the panels 200 together. When the door 100 is stacked, the screens 212 are interleaved between the sashes 208. The screen 212 can be a lightweight insect screen or a more heavy-duty pressed-metal security screen. In this regard, the frame 200 defines a recessed holder to hold the screen 212. It is possible to "security" screen the panels 200 which are not only contained within or borne by the panels 200 themselves (no extra bulky frames needed) but advantageously allow the user to ventilate through their bifolds while the doors/window panels 200 are closed locked and "secure".

[00028] As can best be seen in Figure 3, the motor arrangement 210 includes a small motor 214 housed in the top rail 204 of the panel frame 200. The top rail 204 includes a removable pelmet for accessing the motor 214. The top rail 204 is no more than 55 mm wide (W), and preferably about 45 mm wide (W) so that the door 100 is compact and lightweight. The motor 214 includes a drive spool, spindle or cog on the right hand side, or left hand side, or both sides via one or more drive shafts and/or a drive tube.

[00029] The motor arrangement 210 also includes a driven line 216, coupled to the motor 214 and double-hung sashes 208a, 208b, to raise and lower both sashes 208a, 208b along the panel 200. The line 216 can include a strap, belt, chain, rope or similar which raise and lower (i.e. open/close) the frameless sashes 208a, 208b. The concealed line 216 passes along a stile 202, and the stile 202 includes a removable bead for accessing the internal line 216.

[00030] The motor arrangement 210 also includes a power supply, which maybe low voltage DC or 110 - 240V AC. The stacker door 100 also includes a controller for controlling the motor arrangement 210. The controller can include a remote controller, wall switch, smart phone, WIFI smart home and/or other building management system.

[00031] Each sash 208 is a frameless sash including a pane of glass. Each sash 208 can include a sash frame 218 recessed and concealed from view by removable beads of the panel frame 200. The sashes 208 are located where a fixed single piece of glass of other material would otherwise sit in a known bifold.

[00032] The panel frame 200 also includes recessed fur seals 220 for sealing against the sashes208a,208b.

[00033] Figure 4 shows a single hung embodiment, where the motor arrangement 210 includes a line that is coupled to the top sash 208a only, whereas the bottom sash 208b remains fixed in place.

[00034] The bifold stacker door 100 allows ventilation and fixed security screen or fly screening while the door 100 is in the fully closed position or, less commonly, in an open position.

[00035] A person skilled in the art will appreciate that many embodiments and variations can be made without departing from the ambit of the present invention.

[00036] The bifold stacker door 100 with hinged panels 104 may instead similarly be a window. Alternatively, the stacker door 100 may be sliding stacker door or window with panels 104 sliding in a plane on a straight track, and not being hinged or pivotable.

[00037] In one embodiment, the panel 200 includes at least one adaptor for adapting the panel frame to be retro-fitted to form the panel.

[00038] In one embodiment, a hinged or pivot door (or window) includes the panel 200 hingedly or pivotally mounted to a building. In this regard, the panel 200 may have hinged or pivot formations about which the panel 200 can rotate when opening and closing.

[00039] In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.

[00040] Reference throughout this specification to 'one embodiment' or'an embodiment' means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases 'in one embodiment' or'in an embodiment' in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations.

Claims

The claims defining the invention are as follows:

1 A stacker door or window, preferably being a bifold, and including stackable door or window panels, at least one panel including: a panel frame; at least one sash for movably mounting to the panel frame, the sash preferably being a frameless sash; and a motor arrangement for moving the sash.
2. A stacker door or window as claimed in claim 1, wherein the panel further includes a screen, the screen preferably being an insect screen or a security screen.
3. A stacker door or window as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the motor arrangement includes a motor housed in a rail of the panel frame, rail being no more than 55 mm or 50 mm wide, and preferably about 45 mm wide.
4. A stacker door or window as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further including a controller for controlling the motor arrangement or wherein the panel frame includes a seal for sealing against the sash.
5. A panel for a stacker door or window, or for a hinged or pivot door or window, the panel including: a panel frame; at least one sash for movably mounting to the panel frame; and a motor arrangement for moving the sash.

102 1/2

Figure 1