GB2196046A - Bi-folding panel arrangements - Google Patents

Abstract

A bi-folding panel arrangement includes a pair of hinged panels 1, 2 one of which is pivoted for rotation about an axis 28 remote from and parallel to the hinge axis between the panels and the other of which has a guide 35 which slides in a channel 60 of a fixed frame and which locates in a hole 63 in the channel when the panels are in the closed or in-line position. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Bi-folding panel arrangements This invention relates to bi-folding panel arrangements, for example doors and wardrobes.

Bi-folding doors are known which are hinged with respect to one another along adjacent edges. One of the problems experienced with such doors is that of giving them a "solid" feel in operation.

An embodiment of the invention to be described incorporates a number of features which make it comparatively easy to assemble and install and to be precise and firm in operation. In the embodiment to be described, the frame is made of metal and the movement and positioning of the doors is guided in such a way that a smooth and firm action results with precise positioning of the doors both during movement and when the doors are closed. Each pair of doors is positioned and guided so that during its movement, or as it is closed, it has a minimum of effect upon adjacent pairs of doors, which are similarly guided and located.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a front elevation of the basic frames for a pair of doors, Figure 2 is a section on the line ll-ll of Fig.

1, Figure 3 is a plan view of a lower guide channel, and Figure 4 is a section on the line IV-IV of Fig. 3.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, there are shown two frames, each incorporating a respective galvanised sheet steel backing member 1 and 2. The members 1 and 2 are each bent along their longitudinal edges to provide end walls 3, 4, 5 and 6, and front pieces 7, 8, 9 and 10. Across the width of each of the backing members 1 and 2 there are arranged a plurality of cross members such as the cross members 12, 13, 14 and 15. The number of cross members 12-15 provided depends on the required strength and rigidity of the frames 1 and 2. The cross members are also made from sheet steel which is bent at right angles to provide portions 16-19 which are parallel to the main wall portions 21, 22 of the backing members 1 and 2 and portions 23-26 which are at right angles to the main wall portions 21, 22.

The cross members 12-15 are so formed that the portions 16-19 provide surfaces which are flush with the front pieces 7-10.

The frames 1 and 2 are thus essentially made up from elements in two standard forms.

The flush surfaces of the portions 16-19 of the front pieces 7-10 of the frame provide a base upon which a decorative panel or mirror may be positioned so that it completely obscures the associated frame structure from view in order to complete the door. Thus with the frames closed, as they are shown in Fig.

1, the decorative panels or mirrors 10a, 10b provide a continuous plain wall. The decorative panels or mirrors may be attached to the frame in any known way, for example by means of an adhesive (as shown), upon the front pieces 7, 8, 9 and 10 and portions 16 to 19 of the cross members.

Extending from the opposite ends of the frame 2 are pivot pins 28 and 29, about which the doors are able to pivot when in use.

The frames incorporating the members 1 and 2 are hinged by means of hinges 31, 32 and 32a so that they pivot about one another in order to enable them to fold one on to the other when open.

In order to assist in guiding the movement of the doors during use and to locate them fully in position when closed, there will now be described guiding and locating rods 33 and 34 which have end pieces 35 and 36 respectively made of plastics material.

The rod 33 slides in collars 37 and 38 positioned in respective holes in the portions 23 and 24 of the cross members 12 and 13 arranged on the backing member 1. The rod 33 is urged to extend beyond one end of the member 1 by a helical spring 42 which acts between the portion 24 and a collar 43 on the rod 33.

Similarly, the rod 34 slides in collars 45 and 46 positioned in respective holes in the portions 25 and 26 of the cross members 14 and 15 on the backing member 1. The rod 34 is urged to extend beyond the other end of the member 1 by a helical spring 49 which acts between the portion 25 and a collar 51 on the rod 34.

A cylindrical handle 52 is attached to the end wall 5 of the member 2 by means of a plate 53 which extends into the handle 52 and maintains the handle 52 forward of the surface 9 so that the handle sits on the surface of the panels 10a and 10b. The handle 52 is arranged to lie on the plane passing through the pivot provided between members 1 and 2 by the hinges 31, 32 and 32a. This positioning of the handle 52 enables a direct force to be provided at the pivot point in order to move the doors between their open and closed positions in the most easy manner.

Referring to Figs. 3 and 4, there is shown a C-sectioned track 55. A length of the track 55 is arranged at the opposite ends of the frame members 1 and 2 to provide location points for the pivot pins 28 and 29 and guidance for the rods 33 and 34.

The track 55 is positioned in a relatively fixed frame in such a way that the pin 29 of the member 2 is located in a hole 56 in an insert 57 of plastics materials, which is held in the track 55 by means of a screw 58.

It will be appreciated that a similar length of track to that shown at 55, with similar inserts, is arranged at the other end of the frame members for co-operating with the pivot pin 28 and the rod 34, but that only the track 55 is shown.

The C-sectioned track 55 incorporates a groove or channel 60 having an internal width that corresponds to a diameter of the end piece 36 on the rod 34 and, in use, with the pivot pins 28 and 29 located in the respective inserts 57, the end pieces 35 and 36, upon rotation, are captively located in their respective grooves 60.

At the other end of the track 55 from that at which the doors are pivoted, there is an insert 61 which is held in place by a screw 62. In the insert there is a circular hole 63 which is able to accommodate the full diameter of the end piece 36. Between the hole 63 and the inner end of the insert 61 there is a sloping groove 64 into which the tapered end of the end piece 36 is able to enter.

Thus, in closing the doors, which pivot about the pins 28 and 29, the end pieces 35 and 36 pass along their respective grooves 60 and guide the doors smoothly. As the doors approach their in-line position, the end pieces 35 and 36 enter their respective sloping grooves 64 causing the rods 33 and 34 to be urged into the frame 1 against the springs 42 and 49 until the position is reached at which the end pieces 35 and 36 enter the respective holes 63 and pass down sloping sides of the holes 63 so that the doors are held firmly under tension in the closed in-line position.

By pulling on the handle 52, it is possible to cause the end pieces 35 and 36 to ride out of their respective holes 63 and to travel down the sloping grooves 64, so that the frames pivot about pins 28 and 29 and the hinges 31, 32 and 32a and fold together.

It will be appreciated that, although the invention has been described, by way of example, with reference to a particular embodiment, variations and modifications may be made.

For example, the inserts 61 may be contoured differently from the way shown, provided that they give a firm location when the doors are closed and enable the doors to be opened and closed with comparative ease. It is also possible for the inserts 61, the channels 55 and the inserts 57 to be incorporated in a single length of plastics material. It is also possible for an insert corresponding to insert 57 to be incorporated in the end of a frame and for a pivot pin corresponding to one of the pins 28 or 29 to be incorporated in the channel 55 and to enter the insert 57 in the frame.

It will be appreciated that the exposed surfaces of the backing members 1 and 2 may be treated or coated with a material which is appropriate for the particular application.

In one modification, the surfaces of the portions 16-19 are not flush with the front pieces 7-10.

It is also understood that the pivot pins 28 and 29 may be arranged to provide a left hand instead of a right hand pivot. Furthermore, the pivots 28 and 29 need not pivot in the track 55. The pivots may engage the fixed frame. It is also possible for the handle 52 to be positioned at a different height from that shown.

Furthermore, instead of springs 24 and 25 urging the pivot pins 28 and 29 to extend out of the frame 2, the pins 28 and 29 may carry a thread which co-operates with threaded nuts which are provided on the cross members 15 and 16 instead of the bushes shown.

It is also possible for the frames of the panels to be made of other material than metal.

Claims (5)

1. A bi-folding panel arrangement including a pair of panels hingedly coupled together along an adjoining pair of sides, means to pivot one of the panels for rotation about an axis parallel to the adjoining pairs of sides, guide means extending from an end of the other one of the panels for guiding the movement of the other panel, and a track incorpo- rating a channel for locating the guide means during the movement of the other panel, the channel having a hole into which the guide means is able to enter when the panels are inline, thereby holding the panels firmly in the in-line position.

2. A bi-folding panel arrangement as claimed in claim 1 wherein the hole in the channel has a sloping side along which the guide means is urged in order to hold the panels in tension in the in-line position.

3. An arrangement as claimed in either claim 1 or claim 2 in which the guide means is urged by means of a spring to extend from the end of the panel into the channel and in which during its passage along the channel towards the hole the guide means is urged into the panel against the spring as it approaches the hole.

4. An arrangement as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the one of the panels is pivoted for rotation about a second hole in channel remote from the first mentioned hold.

5. An arrangement as claimed in claim 1 substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.