AU629946B2

AU629946B2 - Improved folding panel and frame assembly, and parts therefor

Info

Publication number: AU629946B2
Application number: AU57065/90A
Authority: AU
Inventors: John Whitney
Original assignee: Dowell Australia Ltd
Current assignee: Aluminium Extrusion and Distribution Pty Ltd
Priority date: 1989-06-15
Filing date: 1990-06-13
Publication date: 1992-10-15
Anticipated expiration: 2010-06-13
Also published as: AU5706590A

Description

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AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1952 COMPLETE SPECIFICATIC Form Form

(ORIGINAL)

FOR OFFICE USE Short Title: Int. Cl: Application Number: Lodged: ft ft f ft f Complete Specification-Lodged: Accepted: Lapsed: Published: Priority: ft.l Related Art: COMPLETE-AFTER-PROVISIONAL PJ4747 TO BE COMPLETED BY APPLICANT ft ft ft Name of Applicant: Address of Applicant: DOWELL AUSTRALIA LIMITED 6 ALBERT STREET, PRESTON 3072

VICTORIA

AUSTRALIA

Actual Inventor: Address for Service: GRIFFITH HACK CO., 601 St. Kilda Road, Melbourne, Victoria 3004, Australia.

Complete Specification for the invention entitled: IMPROVED FOLDING PANEL AND FRAME ASSEMBLY AND PARTS THEREFOR The following statement is a full description of this invention including the best method of performing it known to me:i -sslBe~---- 2 0 0 4 Hitherto in the shower screen arts folding 8 0j 15 panels in a bi-fold arrangement, the panels are hinged to each other along side edges and one of the panels is 2 'IMPROVED FOLDING PANEL AND FRAME ASSEMBLY, j 5 AND PARTS THEREFOR 9000 This invention relates to an improved folding panel and frame assembly, and parts therefor and relates i, particularly, but not exclusively, to such for use in connection with shower screens.

10 Hitherto in the shower screen arts folding panel doors have been provided to open and close a shower cubicle. Typically, such doors comprises bi-folded pai~:els although it is possible to have a multiplicity of folded panels for each cubicle. In the case of a pair of panels in a bi-fold arrangement, the panels are hinged to each other along side edges and one of the panels is -3hinged to a jamb of a frame forming part of the shower cubicle. Thus, the pair of panels can hinge relative to each other and can also hinge relative to the jamb. In order to support and cause tracking of the free end of the panel whic' is not hinged to the jamb, a suspension means which comprises a roller wheel assembly is carried at the uppermost free end of that panel and moves along a top track forming part of the frame of the cubicle.

Thus, the roller wheel assembly suspends the free end of that panel from the top track. When the panels are opened, the hinge breaks inwardly of the shower cubicle so that the panels move into the shower cubicle. When :o the panels move into the shower cubicle, the center of 0 mass of the panels is no longer underneath the top track but at some distance spaced inwardly of the shower cubicle relative to the top track. Thus, there is a I moment force tending to swing the panels so that the bottom of the panels is forced in a direction outwardly of the shower cubicle. In order to prevent such 20 swinging, the prior art shower recesses have employed a lower sill with appropriate stops thereon to inhibit the bottom of the panels from swinging outwardly under this 4i condition. In some cases roller means are attached to ,I 4 the bottom of the panels so the roller means tracks along 1 25 the sill and inhibits such swinging.

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i In addition, the prior art roller wheel assemblies have comprised a pair of roller wheels mounted on a common horizontal axle. The head track is generally i of inverted shape in transverse cross-section and the i 30 roller wheels are fitted within the track such that they engage with the lowermost arms thereof which close the In other words, one roller wheel is engaged on one side of the inside of the lowermost portion of the top track whilst the other wheel is engaged on the lowermost inside portion of the opposite side of the track. The roller wheel assembly has an arm which hangs downwardly i 4 from the axle between the lowermost portions of the track and thus suspends the panels from the track. The arm which extends from the axle has length adjustment means so that the free end of the panel to which it is attached can be correctly positioned in height relative to the top track.

This height adjustment means comprises the arm being threaded and passing into bracket means which, in turn, is fastenable to the upper free end of one of the panels. A pair of lock nuts clampingly engage the arm to the bracket. Thus, in order to adjust the height of the upper end of the panel to which t .1 roller wheel means is attached, it is necessary to provide access to the lock nuts. This, in turn, means that a ao o Sao oo o a a D 0 oooo a ro 00 0 0 0 I 00 space is always present between the underneath of the top track and the top of the panels. This space is considered to be unsightly.

Accordingly, the present invention attempts to overcome one or more of the aforementioned problems. Particular embodiments overcome all of the aforementioned problems.

Therefore in accordance with a first broad aspect of 20 the present invention there may be provided an improved folded panel and frame assembly comprising a frame having at least a jamb and a head track and to which there is mounted at least one bi-fold panel sub-assembly, said bi-fold panel sub-assembly comprising a first panel and a second panel 25 hinged to each other at their adjacent side edges so one panel can hinge relative to the other about an axis which extends along the sides, said first panel being hinged along its opposite side to the jamb of said frame so that it can hinge relative to said jamb, said head track suspending and guiding said panels so said panels can open and close within the frame assembly by hinging and be constrained relative to said head track, arm means extending upwardly from a top of an appropriate one of said panels other than said one panel, oI;J 0*

A

said arm means carrying first roller means engaging with one side of said track to rollingly suspend said folded panel from said track, said arm means also carrying moment force countering means engaging with a moment force countering 5 surface on the opposite side of said track and countering moment forces caused by the weight of said panels causing said panels to tend to swing under said head track, the ,engagement between said moment force countering means and said moment force countering surface being sufficiently i 10 friction fee to permit said panels to be opened and closed within said frame.

Most preferably the moment force countering means comprises second roller means which rollingly engages with the other side of the inside of said track.

Most preferably the first roller means and the second roller means comprise roller wheels which are mounted on a common upright shaft with a common upright axis of rotation but where each can rotate in opposite directions as the panels are opened and closed.

20 Most preferably the top track is of a generally inverted shape in transverse cross section and has a first flange extending inwardly from one side on which said first rolling means engages and has a second flange extending inwardly against which said moment force countering means engages, said second flange forming said moment force countering surface.

It is particularly preferred that said first flange is downwardly inclined towards the centre of the arms of said shaped track whereby to provide for self-alignment of said arm means transversally across said track as a consequence of gravity forces acting on said panels.

In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention there is provided suspension means for suspending a panel in an overhead track, said track being of generally __II ^I _I _~11L11(_~ ii I Cm_ 6 inverted shape in transverse cross-section and having a first flange extending inwardly from one side and having a moment force countering surface on the opposite side of said track, said suspension means comprising arm means for attaching to an upper portion of said panel, said arm means carrying first roller means thereon and moment force countering means thereon, said first roller means being for engaging with said first flange means so that said panel can be suspended therefrom and can move along said track by rolling, said moment force countering means being for engaging with said moment force countering surface on the opposite side of said track to compensate for moment forces tending to swing said panel fromi an upright position under said track as a consequence of said panel being suspended from said first flange in said track, said moment force countering means and said moment force surface being sufficiently friction free to allow said panel to be moved along said track.

o o *oVt 4 0 04 S0 o 4 4094 I s- 7 Most preferably said first roller means is a wheel and said moment force countering means is another wheel.

Most preferably both wheels are mounted on a common upright axle with a common upright axis of rotation but where each can rotate in opposite directions as the panel is moved along said track.

Most preferably said wheels are fixed longitudinally of said upright axle and said arm means comprises said upright axle and said upright axle has height adjusting means so that the height can be varied relative to said panel.

In accordance with a further broad aspect of Qot C the present invention there may be provided a top track from which a panel may be suspended, said top track being of generally inverted hape in transverse oo cross-section and having a first flange extending 0 0 inwardly from one side, said first flange being downwardly inclined towards the centre of the arms of said shaped track, and a surface on the opposite side of said track which, in use, will act as a moment force countering surface for suspension means which hangs from said first flange Most preferably said top track has an opening in the upper surface to permit access to said suspension means to enable adjustment of said suspension means.

In order that the invention can be more clearly ascertained, examples of a preferred embodiment will now be described with reference to the accompanyiig drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a typical bi-fold shower door screen cubicle; Figure 2 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the shower screen components; I I 1.

8 Figure 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view through the shower screen components at the free end of the panel distant from where the bi-fold panels are hinged to an upright jamb; Figure 4 is an end view of suspension means which suspends the bi-fold panels from the top track; and Figure 5 is an end view of a different embodiment of suspension means to that shown in Figure 4.

Referring to Figures 1 to 4, there is shown a shower cubicle in a typical bathroom installation. Here it can be seen that there is provided a shower base 1 of known construction upon which is fitted a shower screen assembly 3. The shower base 1 and the shower screen assembly 3 are fitted into a corner of a bathroom for example, and thus the shower screen assembly 3 provides a shower cubicle in combination with the corner walls. The shower screen assembly 3 comprises upright wall jamb head or top track 7, free-standing jamb 9, a pair of bi-fold panels 11 and 13, and a return panel In the embodiment shown herein the bi-fold panels 11 and 13 are hinged to each other along !i longitudinal side edges and panel 11 is hinged to the upright jamb 5. The bi-fold panels 11 and 13 are such that when the shower cubicle is closed, each of the ,I panels 11 and 13 lie directly underneath the top track 7.

i When the shower cubicle is open panels 11 and 13 break S inwardly into the cubicle. If desired, panel 13 could be hinged to free-standing jamb 9 rather than panel 11 being hinged to jamb 5. The hinging of panels 11 and 13 to each other is by means of hinges 17 which are placed at desired longitudinal locations along the side edges of the panels 11 and 13. The hinging of panel 11 to jamb is by means of hinges 19 which are also spaced at appropriate positions along the side edge of panel 11.

I 9 Each of the panels 11, 13 and 15 are framed by suitable framing members 21. A handle 23 is provided as an integral moulding along the side edge of the frame in member 21 of parel 13 which is adjacent panel 11. It can be observed that the handle 23 overlaps the framing member 21 on panel 11 when the door is in the closed position. This inhibits ingress of water between panels 11 and 13. It also provides a convenient handle for permitting opening of the panels 11 and 13 from within the shower cubicle. Jamb 5 is held relative to the side wall by locating within a shaped mounting member The shaped mounting member 25 is suitably fastened to the wall by use of screws or other means. The jamb 5 is O° held within the shaped mounting member 25 by means of silicon and/or by means of pop rivets or screws. Jamb i is fittable within the shaped mounting member 25 in this manner so that if there is any slight out-of-plumb of th, walls, the jamb 5 can be inclined from top to bottom within the shaped mounting member 25 prior to fixing to the shaped mountinq member 25. Thus, the out-of-plumb of the walls can be compensated for so that the jamb 5 remains vertical.

Return panel 15 is held to the other wall by locating within a shaped mounting member 2'7. The "U" S. 25 shaped mounting member 27 is also fastened to the wall by means of screws or the like and the arrangement is such that, again, any out-of-plumb of the wall can be compensated for by inclining the framing member 21 on the edge of the return panel 15 prior to fastening to the "U" 30 shaped mounting member 27.

The jamb 9 is held in an upright vertical position by appropriately sizing the length of the top track 7 and by fastening the top track 7 to the jamb and to the jamb 9. In addition, it can be seen that the jamb 9 has a recess 29 into which the framing member 21 of return panel 15 can locate. Thus, by inclining jamb 9 Fl 10 44 o 4 944 4 4

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45 @8~ o 4 4 5 *44 0044 4 4 4400 4000 4 4 4 44 0 4 04 44 4 ~444 *0 0 54 4 4 4 0 0 004 404 4 4 relaLive to the framing member 21, the jamb 9 can be positioned in an upright vertical position and then fastened in that position by means of silicon and/or pop rivets or screws or the like.

A resilient pressure stop means 31. is provided in the jamb 9 so that the free edge of panel 13 can abut therewith when the door panels 11 and 13 are closed. In this condition, the pressure stop means 31 will deform tc allow the panels 11 and 13 to travel slightly over-centre and still apply a pressure force directed away from jamb 9 towards panel 13. This, in turn, locks panels 11 and 13 so that they will hold in the over'-centre position and maintain the panels 11 and 13 closed. By pulling on handle 23 inwardly of the cubicle, the holding of the 15 panels 11 and 13 closed by the pressure stop means 31 is overcome and the panels 11 and 13 can be- opened.

The free end of panel 13 is supported by means of suspension means 33 (see Figure 3) which rollingly engages with the top track 7. it can be seen from Figure 20 3 that the suspension means 33 is attached to the upper framing member 21 of panel 13. The drt.ings do not clearly show that the position of mounting is at the free end remote from the hinges 2.9 and adjacent the jamb 9.

The suspension means is shown clearly in Figure 4 and has 25 a block 35 which is fitted within the framing member 21 at the top of panel 13. it can be seen in Figure 3 that the framing member 21 has an intermediate bridging portion 37 which contains a groove 39 in which a screw (not shown) can be fitted for holding the upper framing 30 member 21 to the side framing member 21. A cuit-out (not shown) is provided in the bridging portion 37 so that the block 35 can pass through the cut-out. The block 35 has an aperture 41 therein through which the screw passes when the block 35 is aligned with the groove 39. In this way, the block 35 is held relative to the framing member 21. The block 35 contains a bore 43 which has a nut LII~C~ -1~1 i -11moulded therein. Arm means 47 passes into the bore 43 and is a force fit therein. The arm means 47 is threaded and threadingly engages with the nut 45. Thus, because the arm means 47 is a force fit within the bore 43 and because it threadingly engages with the nut 45, the arm means 47 will be held in place relative to the nut It can be seen from Figure 4 that the arm means 47 has a head 49 thereon. The head 49 has an engaging means in the form of a Philips headed screwdriver recess 51 to permit the arm to be rotated so it can screw threadingly engage with the nut 45. The arm means 47 carries a first roller means 53 and a moment force countering means In this embodiment, the moment force countering means comprises a roller wheel. The first roller means 53 also 15 comprises a roller wheel. Each roller wheel is mounted So o to a central bearing sleeve 57 and 59 respectively.

Bearing sleeve 57 has balls 61 therein so that the first oo roller means 53 can rotate about the arm means 47. The 4bearing sleeve 59 has ball means 63 mounted therein so 0" 20 that the moment force countering means 55 can rotate about arm means 47. Each of the bearing sleeves 57 and 59 is internally screw threaded so that they can be screwed onto the arm means 57 and so the bearing sleeve 59 locates under the head 49 and so bearing sleeve 57 locates at the bottom of bearing sleeve 59. In this way, each of the bearing sleeves 57 and 59 is locked relative to the arm 47 under the head 49. Each of the wheels of the first roller means 53 and moment force countering means 55 can thereby rotate about a vertical upright axis independently of each other. The arm means 47 thus S' provides an axle in this situation.

The top track 7, as shown in Figure 3, is of generally inverted shape transverse cross-section.

It has an outer leg 65 which, in use, is disposed outermost of the shower cubicle and it has an inner leg 67 which is disposed innermost of the shower cubicle.

rrc~ 12 The outermost leg 65 has surface undulations thereon to provide a pleasing decorative appearance. A first flange 69 extends inwardly of the outer leg 65. A moment force countering surface 71 is provided on the other side of the track 7. The first flange 69 is inclined downwardly as shown.

As shown in Figure 3, the panels 11 and 13 are supported by the suspension means 33 engaging with the first flange 69 and being suspended therefrom. It can be seen that the first roller means 53 engages with the first flange 69. Because the point of contact of the first flange 69 and the first roller means 53 is displaced relative to the centre of mass of the panel 13, even when the door is in the fully closed position, there 15 will be a moment force in a clockwise direction when ,viewing Figure 3, causing the panels 11 and 13 to tend to o swing outwardly of the shower cubicle. The moment force .0 countering means engages with the moment force countering surface 71 to inhibit such swinging. Thus, the door is 20 maintained in a generally vertical condition even when the door is opened and the majority of the panels 11 and 13 are within the shower cubicle. As the panels 11 and 0 13 are opened and closed the suspension means 33 will qor move along the track 7 and the direction of rotation of 8 8 25 the first roller means 53 and the moment force countering S8 means 55 will be in opposite directions. The arrangement is such that it will be sufficiently friction free to permit the panels 11 and 13 to be opened and closed 88 04 within the frame by normal hand operation.

S 30 The moment force countering surface 71 has a 8lower inturned lip 72 which can support the lower edge of the moment force countering means 55. The panels can be suspended from the top track 7 by inclining the panels with the suspension means 33 fitted thereto inwardly of the shower cubicle to allow the moment force countering means 55 to pass the flange 69 and locate above the lip o o oo o ort 0 0 0000 0 a 4 00 0 oa 0 0 0 0 13 72. It should be noted that the suspension means 33 is suspended from the top track 7 by the first roller means 53 engaging with the first flange 69. The lip 72 is not provided as a principal supporting means for the suspension means 33 but merely serves to positively locate the moment force countering means 55 relative to the moment force countering surface 71.

In order that the free end of panel 13 can be correctly held in a vertical position, the suspension means 33 is adjustable in height. An aperture (not shown) is provided in the top surface of the top track 7, desirably at the door fully closed position, so that a screw driver can pass through the aperture and into the engagement means the Philips head recess 51 so that 15 by rotation of the arm means 47, the arm means can be moved up and down relative to the top of panel 13.

Accordingly, first roller means 53 and the moment force countering means 55 can be moved as a single unit towards or away from the top of panel 13.

20 It should be noted that the first flange 69 is downwardly inclined inwardly of the top track 7. Thus, the weight of the panels 11 and 13 carried by the suspension means 33 will act through the first roller means 53 to align the panel 13 transversally across the 25 top track 7 at a particular position determined by the spacing of the moment force countering surface 71. Thus, the suspension means 33 will be forced to assume a tracking position transversally across the top track 7.

If the panels 11 and 13 are bumped or moved quickly then the first roller means 53 can possibly ride up the inclined first flange 69 to compensate for any impulses or shock but continued movement will cause the suspension means 33 to track downwardly along the inclined first flange 69 to the correct position.

cF i--r-r r 14 A lower sill 73 is shown underneath the panels 11 and 13 and has an upwardly extending lip 75 for inhibiting water frcm splashing out of the shower cubicle underneath the panels 11 and 1.3. It is noted that there is no need to provide any supporting means to inhibit swinging of the panels 11 and 13 outwardly of the shower cubicle. Accordingly, if desired, the sill 73 can be dispensed with. In this case however, it would be desirable for the base 1 to have an upstanding lip to inhibit water from escaping underneath the panels 11 and 13.

It should be noted herein that the suspension means 33 has the wheels mounted thereon for rotation about an upright or vertical axis. The concept of the 15 arm means 47 being mounted within the block 35 so that it 0 can be height adjusted is applicable to prior art suspension means where the roller means are mounted for rotation about a horizontal axis. Accordingly, the inventive concept sofar as it relates to the suspension means, is applicable not only to use in the present embodiment of shower screen but also in relation to prior art embodiments of shower screens where the roller wheels 0 locate within a generally shaped top track 7. This is shown in Figure 5. In this case the vertical spacing S 25 of the roller wheels relative to the block and indeed the 0 0 top of any panels, will be substantially less than that afforded by the prior art suspension means which uses lock nuts for adjusting the height.

IS By viewing Figure 3 it can be seen that the top framing member 21 is position above the lowermost portion 000400 o of the outermost leg 65 of the top track 7. Thus, the arrangement provides for a substantially pleasing appearance when viewing from the outside of the shower cubicle as there are no gaps between the top track 7 and the top of the framing members 21 on the panels 11 and 13.

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15 In the embodiment shown herein the top track 7 has the moment force countering surface 71 provided by a downwardly extending flange from the uppermost portion of the top track 7. This flange is spaced inwardly from the innermost leg 67 of the top track 7. It is possible that the moment force countering surface 71 be provided by the innermost leg 67 and this is to be included within the scope of the invention.

The term "generally shape cross-section", which describes the top track 7 is meant to cover all arrangements where there will be a first flange 69 which suspends the suspension means 33 and a moment force countering surface 21 on the opposite side.

It should be appreciated that the embodiment 15 d sclosed herein is of a bi-fold panel arrangement. The nOinventive concept is applicable to a multi-panel folded ov arrangement which may have multiples of bi-folded panels.

oo In this case the suspension means may be mounted to appropriate ones of the panels to correctly support the 0 4 .00 20 whole panel assembly underneath the top track 7.

It should also be appreciated that the suspension means 33 can be adapted to suspend any panels from a top track even where there is no bi-folding no arrangement but merely movement along the track with the o0 0 25 plane of the panel being aligned with the longitudinal 0 axis of the track.

0000 These and other modifications may be made without departing from the ambit of the invention, the 000 nature of which is to be determined from the foregoing 0 0 0 30 description.

SOcno

Claims

1. An improved folded panel and frame assembly comprising an improved folded panel and frame assembly comprising a frame having at least a jamb and a head track and to which there is mounted at least one bi-fold panel sub-assembly, said bi-fold panel sub-assembly comprising a first panel and a second panel hinged to each other at their adjacent side edges so one pane can hinge relative to the other about an axis which extends along the sides, said first panel being hinged along its opposite side to the jamb of said frame so that it can hinge relative to said jamb, said head track suspending and guiding said panels so said panels can open and close within the frame assembly by hinging and be constrained relative to said head track, arm means extending upwardly from a top of an appropriate one of said panels other than said one panel, said arm means carrying first roller means engaging with one side of said track to rollingly suspend said folded panel 0' from said track, said arm means also carrying moment force countering means engaging with a moment force countering surface on the opporite side of said track and countering S moment forces caused by the weight of said panels causing 0°a said panels to tend to swing under said head track, the engagement between said moment force countering means and o said moment force countering surface being sufficiently friction fee to permit said panels to be opened and closed 00 0 within said frame.

2. A panel and frame assembly as claimed in claim 1 0* wherein the moment force countering means comprises second 0 roller means which rollingly engages with the other side of the inside of said track.

3. A panel and frame assembly as claimed in claim 2 wherein the first roller means and the second roller means 17 comprise roller wheels which are mounted on a common upright shaft with a common upright axis of rotation but where each can rotate in opposite directions as the panels are opened and closed.

4. A panel and frame assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the top track is of a generally inverted shape in transverse cross section and has a first flange extending inwardly from one side on which said first rolling means engages and has a second flange extending inwardly against which said moment force countering means engages, said second flange forming said moment force countering surface.

A panel and frame assembly as claimed in claim 4 wherein said first flange is inclined towards the centre of the arms of said generally inverted shaped track whereby to provide for self-alignment of said arm means transversally across said track as a consequence of gravity forces acting on said panels.

6. A panel and frame assembly as claimed in claim wherein said first flange is downwardly inclined.

7. A suspension means for'suspending a panel in an overhead track, said track being of generally inverted "U" shape in transverse cross-section and having a first flange extending inwardly from one side and having a moment force countering surface on the opposite side of said track, said o suspension means comprising arm means for attaching to an upper portion of said panel, said arm means carrying first roller means thereon and moment force countering means o thereon, said first roller means being for engaging with said first flange means so that said panel can be suspended therefrom and can move along said track by rolling, said moment force countering means being for engaging with said moment force countering surface on the r, yC I Pt'4. I1 I c~ opposite side of said track to compensate for moment forces tending to swing said panel from an upright position under said track as a consequence of said panel being suspended from said first flange in said track, said moment force countering means and said moment force surface being sufficiently friction free to allow said panel to be moved along said track.

8. A suspension means as claimed in claim 7 wherein said first roller means is a wheel.

9. A suspension means as claimed in claim 7 or claim 8 wherein said moment force countering means is a wheel.

A suspension means as claimed in claim 9 when dependent on claim 8 wherein both wheels are mounted on a common upright axle with a common upright axis of rotation but where each can rotate in opposite directions as the panel is moved along said track.

11. A suspension means as claimed in claim 10 wherein said wheels are fixed longitudinally of said upright axle and said arm means comprises said upright axle and said upright axle has height adjusting means so that the height can be varied relative to said panel.

12. A top track from which a panel may be suspended, said top track being of generally inverted shape in transverse cross-section and having a first flange extending inwardly from one side, said first flange being downwardly inclined towards the centre of the arms of said shaped track, and a surface on the opposite side of said track which, in use, will act as a moment force countering surface for suspension means carrying said panel when said suspension means hangs from said first flange.

13. A top track as claimed in claim 12 wherein there is an opening in the upper surface to permit access to said suspension means for adjustment of said suspension means.

14. An improved folded panel and frame assembly iI 'a aa a 1 aa a a o a a a a a~ 1*a~ *s I Vlfl~l ~U L Y~ substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

A suspension means substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

16. A top track substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. DATED THIS 10TH DAY OF JUNE 1992 DOWELL AUSTRALIA LIMITED By Its Patent Attorneys GRIFFITH HACK CO. Fellows Institute of Patent Attorneys of Australia 1 t I i a a 6 4 L i