AU738739B2

AU738739B2 - Trailing carrier for folding panels

Info

Publication number: AU738739B2
Application number: AU47374/99A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Nigel Frank Spork
Original assignee: Centor Products Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Centor Products Pty Ltd
Priority date: 1998-09-04
Filing date: 1999-09-03
Publication date: 2001-09-27
Anticipated expiration: 2019-09-03
Also published as: AU4737499A

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT Name of Applicant: Actual Inventor: Address for Service: CENTOR PRODUCTS PTY LTD NIGEL FRANK SPORK CULLEN CO., Patent Trade Mark Attorneys, 240 Queen Street, Brisbane, Qld. 4000, Australia.

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a Invention Title: TRAILING

PANELS

CARRIER FOR FOLDING Details of Associated Provisional Application: No.

1998 PP5666 filed 4 September The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: TRAILING CARRIER FOR FOLDING PANELS This invention relates to an improved carrier for suspending panels and the like, such as doors, windows, shutters and screens, from a track while permitting them to travel along the track and pivot about a vertical axis. In particular, the invention is directed to a trailing carrier for the lead panel, i.e.

the panel furthest from the jamb.

Throughout this specification and claims, the term "panel" is intended to include components of folding doors, windows, shutters, screens and similar closures of a generally planar configuration mounted in an upright orientation. The invention will be described particularly, but without limitation, to panels of a 15 folding door system.

BACKGROUND ART A folding track-mounted door may have several hinged panels, possibly up to eight or even more, suspended from an overhead track. These panels may form a 20 single folding door which opens by folding in one 0 direction, or the panels may form two doors which open by "folding apart in opposite directions.

eeoc 0*0 These panels are supported by carriers fixed to the top of the panels and which travel along the track.

If there are an even number of panels folding in a single direction, with the lead panel closing against the opposing jamb, the lead carrier, i.e. the carrier supporting the leading panel, must not impact on the closing jamb. Similarly, if there are an even number of panels which fold apart in opposite directions and meet together in the middle of the door opening when closed, the lead carriers which support the respective lead panels must not collide when the door is closed.

A traditional carrier for a track-mounted door panel comprises a bracket fixed to the panel. The bracket swivels about a pivot pin which depends from a carriage.

The carriage, which is adapted to travel along the track, normally comprises two pairs of roller wheels mounted on either side of the pivot pin. That is, the pivot pin is located centrally of the two pairs of roller wheels. In another known arrangement, the carriage comprises a single pair of roller wheels with the pivot pin located between the two roller wheels, the axis of the pivot pin intersecting the wheel axis.

Due to the central positioning of the pivot pin relative to the wheels of the carriage, the pivot pin must be set back from the leading edge of the lead panel a sufficient distance to ensure that the carriage does not impact the opposing jamb, or the lead carriage of the opposing panel. However, the further back the pivot pin is set from the leading edge, the greater will be the radius of the arc traced by the leading edge as the panel 15 is folded open. To allow for this arc of travel, the lead panel must be spaced sufficiently from the head and sill step and the opposing jamb or panel. Consequently, it has been difficult to properly weatherproof folding trackmounted doors hitherto. Although sealing strips have been used to plug the gaps, the strips are not particularly effective in high winds and/or large gaps.

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved carrier for a track-mounted lead panel.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 25 In one broad form, the invention provides a carrier for suspending a panel from a track, the carrier ****comprising a carriage adapted to travel along the track, and a hinge suspended from the carriage, the hinge including a hinge leaf adapted to be fixed to the panel and pivotable about a vertical hinge axis in use, wherein the hinge axis is longitudinally offset from the vertical centroid axis of the carriage but centered transversely relative to the carriage such that the hinge axis is generally aligned with the centre-line T of the track.

Preferably, the hinge axis is at or near one end of the carriage, that end being the leading end.

The hinge leaf is preferably fixed to the edge of the panel, and may be an angled section.

a. o* *o* The hinge may suitably include a hinge pin which defines the hinge axis, the hinge leaf being pivotally mounted to the pivot pin. The pivot pin extends above the hinge and is connected to the carriage.

The pivot pin is suitably threaded into the carriage.

This enables the distance between the hinge and the carriage to be varied, and hence enables vertical adjustment of the panel. A locking nut is typically provided on the threaded hinge pin.

In the preferred embodiment, the carriage comprises two spaced sets of wheels, each set of wheels comprising a pair of wheels or rollers rotatable about a common axis. However, any other suitable carriage may be used, e.g. a carriage comprising a single set of wheels.

15 The invention also provides a folding panel system having at least one lead panel suspended from an .'overhead track by a carrier as described above.

The folding panel system may also include a guide channel below the panel, and a guide member fixed 20 to the bottom of the panel and having a pin extending into the channel. The guide pin is suitably aligned with •the hinge axis of the carrier.

In order that the invention may be more fully understood and put into practice, a preferred embodiment 25 thereof will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a carrier and guide set for a track-mounted lead panel.

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the carrier of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of a folding door system, including the carrier of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is an end elevation of the carrier and guide set of Fig. 1 when mounted in a track and guide channel respectively; and Fig. 5 is a perspective view of carrier and guide sets for lead panels according to a second embodiment of the invent DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT As shown in Figs. 1 4, a carrier 10 for a lead panel 11 of a folding door comprises an angled hinge wing or leaf 12 which is adapted to be fixed to the leading edge of the panel 11, for example by screws inserted through screw holes 13. The "edge" of the panel is intended to mean the narrow vertical face of the panel. The leaf 12 may be fitted in a mortise if desired, but is normally affixed in a non-mortise mount.

The hinge leaf 12 has a knuckle 12a which swivels about a pin or pivot pin 14 located therein to form a single leaf hinge. The upper end of the pivot pin 14 is threaded into a bogie chassis S 15 The bogie chassis 15 forms part of a carriage g. 16 which, in use, travels along an overhead track 24 as S• shown in Fig. 4. The carriage 16 also comprises two sets "of wheels 17a, 17b. Set of wheels 17b comprises a pair of wheels 17c, 17d rotatably mounted to a common block 17e which, in turn, is pivotally mounted to the bogie chassis 15. Set of wheels 17a is of similar o:o construction. The two sets of wheels 17a, 17b are spaced apart by a tubular spacer 18 on the bogie chassis The first set of wheels 17a is referred to as the main or coo.

25 leading set of wheels, while the second set of wheels 17b is referred to as the secondary or trailing set of :wheels.

The pivot pin 14 is provided with a screw head 14a (or socket head) at its bottom, to enable the height of the hinge bracket 12, and hence the door 11, to be adjusted relative to the track 24 on which carriage 16 is mounted. The pivot pin 14 also has a locking nut 19 located thereon. Once the door 11 has been positioned at the desired height, the locking nut 19 is tightened onto the bogie chassis 15 to fix the door at that height.

It is to be noted that the pivot pin 14 is SSTQ offset longitudinally relative to the vertical centroid z axis "A"of the carriage 16, on the leading side thereof, and offset transversely relative to the panel 11.

However, as can be seen clearly in Fig. 4, the pivot pin 14 is centered transversely relative to the carriage 16 so that it is generally aligned with the centre-line of the track 24.

*o *o* In the illustrated embodiment, the pivot pin is at the leading end of the carriage 16. Hence, the distance between the leading edge of the panel 11 and the pivot axis of the panel, defined by the pivot pin 14, is shortened. Consequently, the size of the arc traced by the edge of the panel is minimised, allowing the lead panel 11 to be placed close to the sill and head step, and the opposing jamb or opposing lead panel. The small clearances between the panel and the sill and head can be sealed by weatherstrips 26 (Fig. The small clearance between the leading edge of the lead panel 11 and the opposing jamb or lead panel can also be closed by a weatherstrip 26 (Fig. Better weatherproofing is obtained as the smaller clearances achieved using the 15 trailing carrier 10 are more effectively sealed.

In use, as the panel 11 is turned through 900 about the pivot pin 14, the friction caused by the weight of the panel on the head of the pivot pin 14a will impart a twisting torque about the pivot pin. The trailing set S 20 of wheels 17b are held in track 24, and resist this torque to keep the carrier moving along the track.

Consequently, any tendency of the main set of wheels 17a to skate from side to side will be minimised.

Since the pivot axis is also offset from the 25 centroid of the main set of wheels 17a, the pivoting of the panel 11 may generate some torque which has a tendency to twist the panel off vertical (as viewed from the front). This torque is countered by the neighboring panel lla which is held vertical by its neighboring panel, and so on, back to the vertical jamb.

The bottom of the door panel 11 is normally provided with a guide 20 which locates in a sill channel as shown in Fig. 4. The guide 20 comprises an angle 21 fixed to the leading edge face at the bottom of the panel 11 in a suitable manner, e.g. by screwing. The angle 21 has a tubular knuckle portion 21a in which a pin 22 is located. The pin 22 protrudes below the tubular portion 21a, and is preferably provided with a bush or rotatable sleeve 23 for easier travel along the channel The above described trailing carrier allows the vertical pivot axis of the panel to be located close to the leading edge of the panel which, in turn, permits the panel to be located closer to other surfaces such as a sill step and an opposing jamb or lead panel. The smaller clearances allow better weatherproofing to be achieved.

In a second embodiment of the invention, suitable for doors with panels which fold apart, matching carrier and guide sets are provided as shown in Fig. The carrier sets 31, 32 are edge fitted to respective opposed lead panels 30, 30a. The carrier sets 31, 32 are 15 each similar to the carrier 10 of Fig. 1, except that their associated hinge leaves 33, 34 are of complementary or interfitting configuration. That is, the edge facing portion 33 of the hinge leaf of carrier 31 corresponds to a cutout portion of the edge facing portion 34 of the hinge leaf of carrier 32. In this manner, portion 33 can locate within portion 34, so that when the lead panels are closed together, they are separated only by the single thickness of the hinge leaf.

Similarly, the guide sets 36, 37 are edge fixed S 25 to the bottom of respective opposed lead panels 30, The guide sets 36, 37 have interfitting edge-facing portions 38, 39 on their hinge angles so that when the lead panels are brought together, they are separated by a single thickness of the hinge bracket.

The foregoing describes only some embodiments of the invention, and modifications which are obvious to those skilled in the art may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

For example, although the trailing carrier has been shown mounted to the leading edge of the lead panel, it may be modified for mounting to the top edge of the panel.

8 Throughout the specification where the context permits, the term "comprising" is intended to be used in an inclusive sense to include the stated integers without necessarily to the exclusion of others.

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Claims

1. A carrier for suspending a panel from a track, the carrier comprising a carriage adapted to travel longitudinally along the track, and a hinge suspended from the carriage, the hinge including a hinge leaf adapted to be fixed to the panel and pivotable about a vertical hinge axis in use, wherein the hinge axis is longitudinally offset from the vertical centroid axis of the carriage but centered transversely relative to the carriage such that the hinge axis is generally aligned with the centre-line of the track.

2. A carrier as claimed in claim i, wherein the 15 hinge axis is at or near one end of the carriage.

3. A carrier as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the hinge leaf is adapted to be fixed to an edge of the panel

4. A carrier as claimed in claim 3, wherein the hinge leaf is an angled section.

5. A carrier as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the hinge includes a pivot pin defining the hinge axis, the hinge leaf being pivotably mounted to the pivot pin, and the pivot pin being connected to the carriage. o

6. A carrier -as claimed in claim 5, wherein the pivot pin is threaded into the carriage.

S7. A carrier as claimed in claim 6, wherein the pivot pin is adjustably threaded in the carriage, the distance between the hinge leaf and the carriage being variable by rotation of the hinge pin.

8. A carrier as claimed in claim 7, further comprising a locking nut threaded on the hinge pin.

9. A carrier as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the carriage comprises two spaced sets of wheels.

10. A folding panel system having a lead panel with a leading edge, an overhead track, a carriage adapted to travel along the track, h a inge suspended from the carriage, the hinge-- -L -j I LI-L including a hinge leaf adapted to be fixed to the panel and pivotable about a vertical hinge axis, wherein the hinge axis is longitudinally offset from the vertical centroid axis of the carriage but centered transversely relative to the carriage such that the hinge axis is generally aligned with the centre-line of the track.

11. A folding panel system as claimed in claim wherein the hinge axis is at or near one end of the carriage.

12. A folding panel system as claimed in claim or 11, wherein the hinge leaf is fixed to the leading edge of the lead panel. 15

13. A folding panel system as claimed in claim 12, wherein the hinge leaf is an angled section.

S.14. A folding panel system as claimed in any one of .claims 10 to 13, wherein the hinge axis is offset from the plane of the panel.

15. A folding panel system as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 14, wherein the hinge includes a hinge pin defining the hinge axis, the leaf being pivotally mounted to the pivot pin, and the pivot pin being connected to the carriage. 25

16. A folding panel system as claimed in claim wherein the pivot pin is threaded into the carriage. *o

17. A folding panel system as claimed in claim 16, wherein the pivot pin is adjustably threaded into the carriage, the distance between the lead panel and the track being variable by rotation of the pivot pin.

18. A folding panel system as claimed in claim 17, further comprising a locking nut threaded on the pivot pin.

19. A folding panel system as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 18, wherein the carriage comprises two spaced sets of wheels. P

20. A folding panel system as claimed in any one of •claims 10 to 19, further comprising a channel located 1. 11 below the panel, and a guide member fixed near the bot om of the panel, the guide member having a guide pin extending into the channel, the guide pin being axially aligned with the hinge axis.

21. A folding panel system having a track, two lead panels suspended from the track by respective carriers, each carrier comprising a carriage adapted to travel longitudinally along the track and a hinge suspended from the carriage, the hinge including a hinge leaf adapted to be fixed to the leading edge of the associated lead panel and pivotable about a respective vertical hinge axis which is offset longitudinally from the centre of the associated carriage but centered 15 transversely relative to the carriage, the hinge leaves being of interfitting or complementary shapes such that the portions of the leaves abutting the leading edges of the respective lead panels locate in a single plane when the lead panels are brought together.

:22. A carrier as claimed in claim 2 wherein said end is the leading end of the carriage. go

23. A folding panel system as claimed in claim 11 wherein said end is the leading end of the carriage. S 25

24. A carrier for suspending a panel from a track, the carrier being substantially as hereinbefore described O with reference to the accompanying drawings. DATED THIS sixth day of August 2001 CENTOR PRODUCTS PTY LTD By their Patent Attorneys CULLEN CO.