AU782003B2

AU782003B2 - Roller assemblies and componentry

Info

Publication number: AU782003B2
Application number: AU16780/01A
Authority: AU
Inventors: David Frank Burggraaf; Ashley Clive Jones; Sean Francis O'sullivan
Original assignee: Fletcher Building Holdings Ltd
Current assignee: Fletcher Building Holdings Ltd
Priority date: 2000-02-17
Filing date: 2001-02-01
Publication date: 2005-06-30
Anticipated expiration: 2021-02-01
Also published as: AU1678001A; NZ502932A

Description

-1- Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT, 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

ORIGINAL

Name of Applicant: FLETCHER BUILDING HOLDINGS LIMITED Actual Inventor: Address for service in Australia: Invention Title: Ashley Clive JONES, Sean Francis O'SULLIVAN and David Frank BURGGRAAF A J PARK, Level 11, 60 Marcus Clarke Street, Canberra ACT 2601 "Roller Assemblies and Componentry" The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us -2- The present invention relates to roller door or the like assemblies, components therefore and methods of assembly of such assemblies and/or sub-assemblies thereof.

Frequently in conjunction with building there is provided an opening to be provided with a tracked door, window or the like hybrids of a door and/or a window] (herein "door" when referring hereafter to preferred embodiments). It is to this situation that the components, sub-assemblies, assemblies and methods of the present invention is directed.

In a first aspect the present invention may be said to broadly consist in tracked door, window or the like characterised in that it has at least partly located in a downwardly directed channel of a peripheral extrusion thereof at least one roller unit adapted to be guided on an underlying track, which is, or able to be asymmetrically packed from one side in said channel.

Preferably said at least one roller unit packed in said channel is capable of being packed in at least two ways (one from each side) such that in one way the rolling axis of the roller unit is closer to one side of the channel than when packed in the other way.

Preferably an inward projection of said extrusion slideably retains each packing member which packs its roller unit.

Preferably each packing member is fixed to its roller unit.

Preferably each roller unit is supported solely by both its location in said channel and its packing member.

Preferably the apparatus is substantially as herein described with reference to any 0 one or more of the accompanying drawings.

In another aspect the invention is, in combination, a tracked door, window or the like as aforesaid and complementary tracking means for such roller unit(s).

Preferably said complementary tracking means is defined by at least one extrusion.

:-".Preferably said at least one roller unit is adapted to track on an extruded track within a channel of said complementary tracking means.

0 00 Preferably said combination is substantially as herein described with reference to 0000 0 *.any one or more of the accompanying drawings.

In a In another aspect the invention is a tracked door, window or the like assembly 0 0 -3characterised in that the door, window or the like has at least partly located in a downwardly directed channel of a peripheral extrusion of the door, window or the like at least one roller unit packed with respect to the rolling axis of the roller unit(s)) from one- side in said channel, and further characterised in that there is a complementary underlying or separate packing member tracking means underlying said other unit for such door, window or the like capable of guidably tracking said roller unit(s).

Preferably said tracking means is defined by one or more extrusion.

Preferably said tracking means defines a channel which at least in part receives the said extrusion of the door, window or the like and which includes therewithin positioned a track for each roller of the roller unit(s).

Preferably said track is an extrusion defined upstand.

Preferably said tracking means channel and the extrusion of said door, window or the like has interposed therebetween flexible weather seals.

Preferably said assembly is substantially as herein described with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings.

In still another aspect the invention is a frame for a door, window or the like as aforesaid for a combination as aforesaid or for an assembly as aforesaid, said frame having a sill, wherein the sill defines a channel within which the roller unit(s) is (are) to run, 0•"and wherein there is provided off centre of said channel a track onto which each roller of the roller unit(s) is (are) to run.

Preferably said track is an up stand.

Preferably said sill is at least one extrusion.

Preferably the sill is provided by an assembly of a major sill extrusion defining said channel and an extrusion to provide the track within the channel.

Preferably substantially as herein described with reference to any one or more of S the accompanying drawings.

In another aspect the invention is a sill extrusion or sill extrusion assembly suitable for incorporation into a door frame suitable for a door, window or the like, suitable for incorporation into a door frame suitable for a door, window or the like, -4wherein the sill extrusion defines a channel within which the door window or the like is to run, and wherein there is provided off centre of said sill extrusion defined channel a track onto which each roller of the roller unit(s) is (are) adapted to run.

Preferably the track is an upstand.

Preferably it is an assembly of a major sill extrusion defining said sill extrusion defined channel and an extrusion to provide the track within the channel.

Preferably said sill assembly is substantially as herein described with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings.

In another aspect the invention is an extrusion for forming part of a sliding door, window or the like to carry means to run on a track and suitable for use in conjunction with a frame and/or sill as hereinbefore defined, said extrusion having an open channel configuration (to be downwardly open in use) and having at least one inward projection or form adapted to engage and to vertically support a roller unit/packer assembly.

In yet another aspect the invention is a door, window or the like where an extrusion forming part of its periphery locates a roller unit and a packer and such located roller unit with its packer is capable of being supported on or is supported on a track, said packer being on one side only of the roller unit.

In another aspect the invention is a method of assembling rollers in the base of a door, window or the like assembly which comprises or includes assembling into a lower peripheral extrusion of the door, window or the like, said extrusion having a downwardly i open channel section, both a roller unit and a packer which asymmetrically positions the roller unit in such channel.

ooooi S"Preferably said method results in a door, window or the like of any one of claims 27 to 29.

Preferably said method is performed substantially as herein described with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings.

In another aspect the present invention consists in a frame for a door (as herein defined) having a sill or (II) a sill itself, wherein the sill defines a channel within which ooooo the door (as herein defined) is to run and wherein there is provided off centre of said channel a track onto which a roller of the door is to run.

Preferably said track is an up stand.

Preferably said sill is an extrusion.

Preferably the means that provides the off centre track is an extrusion.

Preferably said sill is provided by an assembly of a major sill extrusion defining said channel and an extrusion to provide the track within the channel.

The present invention consists in any one or more of the aforementioned extrusions in combination or when intended for use together.

In still a further aspect the present invention consists in an extrusion for forming part of a door (as hereinbefore defined) to carry means to run on a track and suitable for use in conjunction with a frame and/or sill as hereinbefore defined, said extrusion having an open channel configuration (to be downwardly open in use) and having at least one inward projection or form adapted to engage and to vertically support a roller unit/packer assembly.

Preferably said extrusion has an inwardly directed form or projection which is to provide by means of an abutment from said roller unit/ packer assembly at least some vertical support for any door formed using such structure.

Preferably said inward projection to provide such vertical support is to bear against a roller unit to be packed with the packer of the assembly from the other side of the open channel configuration of the extrusion thereby to better afford a line of support closer to any support of the roller to be carried thereby.

In still a further aspect the present invention consists in a roller unit for a door (as herein defined), said roller unit having provision to locate a packer.

In a further aspect the present invention consists in, in combination, any such roller unit and said packer.

In still a further aspect the present invention consists in an assembly or subassembly comprising a roller unit as previously defined and a packer.

-6- Preferably said roller unit and packer are capable of being received within the extrusion to form part of a said door (as herein defined) and to be engaged and located by a sliding engagement with said inwardly directed projection(s) and/or form(s) of said extrusion.

Preferably said roller unit/packer assembly is capable of being adjusted so as to provide for variation in the height of the rolling axis of the roller(s) relative to the remainder of the unit and the packer in use.

In still a further aspect the present invention consists in a door (as hereinbefore defined) (preferably of a glazed kind) where an extrusion forming part of the door locates a roller unit and a packer and such located roller unit with its packer is capable of being supported or is supported on a track (preferably in a channel having away from the centre of the channel a track defining up stand provided by an extrusion separate from the sill or part of the sill extrusion itself.

In still a further aspect the present invention consists in any of the aforementioned apparatus, sub-assemblies or assemblies embodying any one or more of the features hereinafter described generally or in detail by reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings.

In still a further aspect the present invention consists in a method of providing for flexibility in door (as herein defined) runner fitment which comprises .providing a sill having a track asymmetrically positioned in a channel onto which a roller is to be received, providing a door rail having assembled thereinto (preferably by reliance on a sliding engagement) both a roller unit and a packer which asymmetrically positions in the door rail the roller to align with said track, and providing said roller unit and packer in said door rail.

Preferred forms of the present invention will now be described in respect of "doors" with reference to the accompanying drawings in which; Figure 1 is an elevation end view ofa sill extrusion in accordance with the present invention for a door, sliding window or the like showing a separate extrusion defining the .o.i -7track (preferably a male track) onto which a roller unit supported in a lower rail of the door, window or the like can be positioned, the roller unit as well as the track being asymmetric with respect to the central axis of the door rail and/or the sill channel, Figure 2 shows a preferred extrusion for the door rail showing uppermost preferred glazing features for such a door, piping to enable fabrication and preferably two inwardly directed features (one from each side of the open form or channel) to serve as a means to locate the roller unit/packer assembly and/or to provide a bearing for the transmission of vertical support, Figure 3 shows the extrusion preferably engaged into the sill extrusion proper, Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a preferred combination of a roller unit and a packer capable of being indexed to the roller unit in the vertical sense, the roller unit showing the upper part of the roller only, Figure 5 shows an end view of the combination of Figure 4 when assembled ready for insertion into the extrusion of Figure 2 so as to take the position as shown in Figure 1, and Figure 6 shows how, if desired, the unit of Figure 4 can be used in the opposite sense so as to take the asymmetry to the other side of the rail centre from that shown, in for example, in Figure 1, the extrusion of Figure 3 likewise being reversible to provide that outcome if desired.

In the preferred form of the present invention the extrusions of Figures 1, 2 and 3 o are preferably of aluminium.

*o The extrusion 1 is preferably of a form suitable for forming, in conjunction with like members and/or complementary members, the periphery of an opening to be at least in part closeable by a sliding door, window or the like which preferably rolls on at least a bottom tracking arrangement.

As used herein therefore "upstand" in respect of a sill extrusion can include a "downward projection" in the head of a door frame.

S As can be seen the extrusion I has provision for locating an extrusion 2 which by virtue of an upstand 14 provides a track asymmetry, off centre) as far as the channel is Go~o*: -8concerned within which the lower rail or the like extrusion of Figure 2 is preferably to be located and sealed for weather fastness etc. using appropriate seals.

The preferred extrusion of Figure 2 is adapted to receive an assembly as shown in Figure 4 in a sliding manner such that (as depicted in Figure 1) the upstand 14 of the extrusion 2 has had the roller 7 of the roller unit 6 lowered thereon such that there can be a vertical support and thus a bearing of the door through at least (preferably) the inward projection or feature 13.

The packer 9 of metal, plastic or wood) which preferably indexes by virtue of an interengagement with the roller unit 6 preferably more than mere butting (i.e.

screw or bolt or stud indexing of one to the other)) is sufficient to provide the stability and vertical support of the roller unit/packer assembly in the open form 5 of the extrusion 3.

As can be seen in Figure 1 the inward projection 11 (preferably on a different side wall of the extrusion 2 from that of the inner projection or form 13) preferably provides the location of the combination prior to track engagement. In the preferred form of the present invention a simple plug interengagement between the component 6 and 9 is sufficient with preferably a male or female member or opening 16 engaging with a corresponding feature 15 of the other component.

Preferably the roller unit 6 is provided with a capability whereby by rotation of a screw or the like 8 the height of the roller 7 itself relative to the remainder of the unit and the locating groove 10 (which engages over the projection 11) can be controlled.

woof Persons skilled in the art will appreciate how the present invention relates not only to the methods of providing any such sliding arrangement but also to the components useful therefore, sub-assemblies thereof and the assembly thereof.

ease#: S"The present invention also covers hybrids including, for example, the provision of an extruded or roll formed track in or of a wooden and/or roll formed or extruded sill.

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Claims

1. A tracked door, window or the like characterised in that it has at least partly located in a downwardly directed channel of a peripheral extrusion thereof at least one roller unit adapted to be guided on an underlying track, which is, or able to be asymmetrically packed from one side in said channel.

2. A door, window or the like of claim 1 wherein said at least one roller unit packed in said channel is capable of being packed in at least two ways (one from each side) such that in one way the rolling axis of the roller unit is closer to one side of the channel than when packed in the other way.

3. A door, window or the like of claim 1 wherein an inward projection of said extrusion slideably retains each packing member which packs its roller unit.

4. A door, window or the like of claim 3 wherein each packing member is fixed to its roller unit.

A door, window or the like of claim 4 wherein each roller unit is supported solely by both its location in said channel and its packing member.

6. A track door, window or the like as claimed in any one of the preceding claims substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings.

7. In combination, a tracked door, window or the like of any one of claims 1 to 6 and complementary tracking means for such roller unit(s).

8. A combination as claimed in claim 7 wherein said complementary tracking means is defined by at least one extrusion.

9. A combination as claimed in claim 8 wherein said at least one roller unit is adapted to track on an extruded track within a channel of said complementary tracking means.

A combination of any one of claims 7 to 9 substantially as herein described with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings.

11. A tracked door, window or the like assembly characterised in that the door, window or the like has at least partly located in a downwardly directed channel of a peripheral extrusion of the door, window or the like at least one roller unit packed (i.e. o• with respect to the rolling axis of the roller unit(s)) from one side in said channel, and further characterised in that there is a complementary underlying or separate packing member tracking means underlying said other unit for such door, window or the like capable of guidably tracking said roller unit(s).

12. An assembly of claim 11 wherein said tracking means is defined by one or more extrusion.

13. An assembly of claim 12 wherein said tracking means defines a channel which at least in part receives the said extrusion of the door, window or the like and which includes therewithin positioned a track for each roller of the roller unit(s).

14. An assembly of claim 13 wherein said track is an extrusion defined upstand.

An assembly of claim 13 or 14 wherein said tracking means channel and the extrusion of said door, window or the like has interposed therebetween flexible weather seals.

16. An assembly of any one of claims 11 to 15 substantially as herein described with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings.

17. A frame for a door, window or the like of any one of claims 1 to 5, or for a combination of any one of claims 7 to 10 or for an assembly of any one of claims 11 to 16, said frame having a sill, wherein the sill defines a channel within which the roller unit(s) is (are) to run, role and wherein there is provided off centre of said channel a track onto which each roller of the roller unit(s) is (are) to run.

18. A frame of claim 17 wherein said track is an up stand.

19. A frame of claim 17 or 18 wherein said sill is at least one extrusion.

A frame of claim 19 wherein the sill is provided by an assembly of a major sill extrusion defining said channel and an extrusion to provide the track within the channel.

21. A frame of any one of claims 17 to 19 substantially as herein described with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings.

22. A sill extrusion or sill extrusion assembly suitable for incorporation into a door frame of any one of claims 17 to 21 or suitable for a door, window or the like of any one oo••• -11- of claims 1 to 6, wherein the sill extrusion defines a channel within which the door window or the like is to run, and wherein there is provided off centre of said sill extrusion defined channel a track onto which each roller of the roller unit(s) is (are) adapted to run.

23. A sill extrusion or sill extrusion assembly of claim 22 wherein the track is an upstand.

24. A sill extrusion or sill extrusion assembly of claim 22 or 23 wherein it is an assembly of a major sill extrusion defining said sill extrusion defined channel and an extrusion to provide the track within the channel.

A sill assembly of claim 22, 23 or 24 substantially as herein described with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings.

26. An extrusion for forming part of a sliding door, window or the like to carry means to run on a track and suitable for use in conjunction with a frame and/or sill as hereinbefore defined, said extrusion having an open channel configuration (to be downwardly open in use) and having at least one inward projection or form adapted to engage and to vertically support a roller unit/packer assembly.

27. A door, window or the like where an extrusion forming part of its periphery locates a roller unit and a packer and such located roller unit with its packer is capable of being supported on or is supported on a track, said packer being on one side only of the oooo roller unit.

28. A door, window or the like of claim 27 wherein said roller unit has been fixed to said packer, or vice versa, prior to their location in the channel.

29. A door, window or the like of claim 28 wherein said packer is slideably retained in the extrusion by a projection of the extrusion section that protrudes inwardly of the channel.

A method of assembling rollers in the base of a door, window or the like assembly which comprises or includes assembling into a lower peripheral extrusion of the dr w door, window or the like, said extrusion having a downwardly open channel section, both oooo*i 12- a roller unit and a packer which asymmetrically positions the roller unit in such channel.

31. A method of claim 30 which results in a door, window or the like of any one of claims 27 to 29.

32. A method ofslideably mounting a door, window or the like substantially as herein described with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings. Dated: 31 January 2001 FLETCHER BUILDING PRODUCTS LIMITED AJ PARK Patent Attorneys for the Applicant a. a 0 a. *I