GB2482555A

GB2482555A - Guidance system for a panel comprising a ball bearing and panel support member

Info

Publication number: GB2482555A
Application number: GB201013281A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Brian Chelton
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-08-06
Filing date: 2010-08-06
Publication date: 2012-02-08
Also published as: GB201013281D0

Abstract

A guidance system for a panel, the guidance system comprising a track 3 and a supporting member 4 for supporting said panel. The supporting member 4 is coupled with the track 3 through a single ball bearing 7 mounted on said supporting member 4. The ball bearing 7 contacts the track 3 and is mounted so as to be rotatable about any of its axes with respect to the supporting member 4 whereby the supporting member can rotate in a lateral plane relative to the track 3 and further wherein said ball bearing is able to run along the track such that the supporting member 4 moves along the track. The invention may comprise a further guide roller (14, figure 6) in addition to the ball bearing 7.

Description

Guidance System The present invention relates to the mounting of a panel, and is particularly applicable to the mounting of any panel which slides, folds, hinges or pivots.

In conventional sliding door arrangements, the door panel is mounted on a carriage which comprises a wheel assembly. The wheel assembly is then mounted on a grooved track, allowing movement of the door along the track.

Such wheel assemblies have proven popular, however they suffer from the disadvantage of running on multiple wheels that increase friction. Further, the track along which they run has to be substantially linear. Any curves along which the doors slide have to be gradual in profile, since the wheels are unable to turn around sharp corners.

The wheel assemblies of conventional sliding doors are also comprised of many parts. This makes their manufacture and servicing difficult, increasing the costs to the end user.

Conventional window panes are mounted within a frame. The pane may be hinged along one edge allowing pivoting about said edge, or may be mounted in such a manner that the pane pivots about its centre or other off-edge axis. In either case, the movement of window panes (for example "opening" a window) is limited to pivoting, with no sliding motion. Further, windows cannot be mounted around sharp corners, such as corners of buildings.

There is therefore a need for a guidance system for sliding doors and other panels such as windows that allows the panels to slide around sharp corners, and also provides ease of manufacture and servicing.

AU 498,641 discloses a mounting system for slidable doors which includes a plurality of spherical balls and a ball retainer, the ball retainer adapted to retain said balls in a spaced relationship such that said balls are capable of simultaneously rolling along said track. However, the rolling means of this disclosure is still unable to move around sharp corners.

Summary of Invention

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a guidance system for a panel, comprising a track; a supporting member for supporting said panel, wherein said supporting member is coupled with said track through a single ball bearing mounted on said supporting member, the ball bearing contacting the track and being mounted so as to be rotatable about any of its axes with respect to the supporting member whereby the supporting member can rotate in a lateral plane relative to the track; and further wherein said ball bearing is able to run along the track such that the supporting member moves along the track.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the term "run" in the present context refers to the movement of the ball bearing along the track, for example rolling or sliding.

The invention deals with the problems outlined above by mounting the supporting member to the track using a single ball bearing which is able to swivel a full 360° in its mounting with respect to the supporting member. This allows the ball bearing to travel around sharp corners in the track, for example up to 90°. This provides the advantage that panels mounted using the guidance system of the present invention are not limited to substantially linear motion.

A further advantage of the present invention is that the guidance system is easy to manufacture and maintain. In conventional patio doors, for example, the doors slide using wheel assemblies which are able to roll along guide tracks. These wheel assemblies are difficult to manufacture as they have many parts, and difficult to service once installed. Conversely, the guidance system of the present invention is easier to manufacture due to its limited number of parts, and is therefore also easier to service after installation.

The guidance system of the present invention can also be retro-fitted to existing applications, for example patio doors or window assemblies.

The supporting member can comprise at least one elongate member to support the panel. Preferably the supporting member comprises two elongate members for supporting the panel. These are preferably perpendicular to each other such that each member is affixed to a different side of the panel, providing good support. The two elongate members may be formed as a unitary member.

Preferably, the supporting member has a tapered part for housing the ball bearing, the tapered part containing an opening with a width smaller than the diameter of the ball bearing to allow a portion of the ball bearing to protrude from the structure and run on the track. The ball bearing running along the track provides smooth operation of the mounted panels.

In a preferred embodiment, the supporting member comprises a guide roller coupled with the supporting member such that said guide roller is in contact with an upper portion of the track, said guide roller able to rotate in a lateral plane relative to the track and rotate relative to the supporting member. Preferably, the supporting member is substantially circular in cross section and the guide roller is an annulus with a diameter greater than the supporting member.

The guide roller provides a further point of contact between the supporting member and the track, also its rotation relative to the supporting member allowing smooth movement of the supporting member along the track. This provides smooth and easy operation of the mounted panels.

Preferably, the track has a complementary profile to the cross-sectional shape defined by the supporting member and further comprises a flange engaging with the supporting member to prevent the supporting member from disengaging with the track when in use.

Preferably, the track comprises at least one side opening to allow a supporting member to be disengaged from the track. This advantageously allows a panel to be pivoted about the supporting member still engaged with the track if said panel is mounted with two supporting members. Any number of supporting members can be used to support the panel however. The track having at least one side opening also allows easy removal of the panels for cleaning and maintenance.

In an alternative embodiment, the supporting member is able to be retracted into the panel so as to be disengaged from the track.

Preferably, the supporting member also comprises adjusting means for adjusting the position of the at least one elongate member. This advantageously allows the panel to be mounted at a desired height.

In a preferred embodiment, the ball bearing and track are made of stainless steel, with the guide roller made of nylon. Other materials are envisaged, however.

Preferably, the track further comprises means to prevent dirt entering the interior of the track. This prevents dirt and debris from clogging up or obstructing the ball bearing as it runs along the track. In one embodiment, the said means is a brush pile mounted along the length of the track.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, a panel assembly is provided comprising at least one panel and mounted using the guidance system of the present invention. The at least one panel can be mounted in at least one position along an edge of the panel. For example, two supporting members may be fixed to either end of the bottom edge of a panel, both supporting members being engaged with the same track via their ball bearings.

Alternatively, the panel may be mounted on a single supporting member positioned at the centre of the bottom edge of the panel, allowing the panel to pivot about its centre.

If more than one panel is mounted on the same track, the panels can be hinged together such that the panel assembly as a whole is operated using the guidance system of the present invention. Each panel may have the same number of supporting member fixings, or different panels may have different numbers of fixings. Further, two adjacent panels may be mounted using the same supporting member.

A "top-hung" embodiment complementary to the above-described "bottom-hung" embodiment is also provided.

Although described primarily with respect to doors, the invention is also applicable to any sliding or folding items such as windows.

Brief Description of the Drawings

An example of the guidance system according to the invention will now be described with reference to the following drawings, in which:-FIG. I is a bottom view of the supporting member according to a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a perspective side view of the supporting member according to the first embodiment; FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the supporting member of the first embodiment engaged with the track via the ball bearing; FIG. 4 is another perspective view of the supporting member of the first embodiment engaged with the track via the ball bearing; FIG. 5 is a cut-away view of the mounting of the ball bearing to the supporting member of the first embodiment; FIG. 6 is a cross -sectional view of the guidance system according a second embodiment of the invention; FIG. 7 shows the mounting of a panel to the supporting member of the second embodiment; FIG. 8 is a plan view of the guidance system in use according to the first or second embodiment; FIG. 9 is a plan view of the guidance system in use according to the first or second embodiment; and FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a panel assembly mounted using the guidance system according to the first or second embodiment.

Description of Examples

The guidance system I shown in the drawings is for the mounting of a panel, and is particularly suited to the mounting of sliding doors such as patio and bi-folding doors and the like. However, the system could readily be adapted to other applications, such as for mounting windows.

As shown in FIGS. I and 2, a supporting member 4 comprises two elongate members 5,6 configured to define an "L shape". The elongate members may be two separate members joined together, or could be a single unitary member.

Further, other configurations in addition to an "L shape" are envisaged.

A ball bearing 7 is mounted on one of the elongate members 5 near its junction with the other elongate member 6, as seen in FIG. 2. Mounting the ball bearing 7 here provides the least stress on the supporting member when the mounting apparatus is in use, although the ball bearing could be mounted at any position along the elongated member.

The ball bearing 7 is mounted in a mounting structure 8, which protrudes from the elongate member 5 to extend around the circumference of and partially house the ball bearing. A tapered part 8a of the mounting structure 8 retains the ball bearing 7 within the mounting structure 8, and comprises an opening 8b to allow a small portion of the ball bearing 7 to protrude in order to make contact with the track.

The diameter of the opening 8b is smaller than the diameter of the ball bearing 7.

The ball bearing 7 is mounted on the supporting member 4 such that it can rotate about any of its axes with respect to the supporting member 4.

FIG. 3 shows the supporting member 4 coupled with a track 2. The track 2 has a groove 3 running along its length, the track having a complementary cross-section to that of the tapered part 8a of the mounting structure 8. The supporting member 4 and the track 2 together make up the guidance system 1.

The supporting member 4 is connected with the track 2 and supported on it via the ball bearing 7, the elongated member 5 being located above and spaced from the track. The exposed part of the ball bearing sits in the groove 3 and is able to roll along the track 2 when the supporting member moves along the track. An advantage of the guidance system I is that the ball bearing 7 can rotate about any of its axes with respect to the supporting member 4. This means that as well as the supporting member 4 being able to move along the direction defined by the track 2, the supporting member 4 can also rotate 3600 with respect to the track. For example, a sliding door could be moved along a track 2 and then opened either inwards or outwards into a room.

The track 2 is shaped such that only the single ball bearing 7 is in contact with the track 2 at any time instant. This allows for the smooth movement of the supporting member 4 along the direction of the track 2. The track can have both substantially linear portions as well as curved portions, as seen in FIGS. 3 and 4.

The fact that the ball bearing 7 can rotate about any of its axes with respect to the supporting member 4 allows the supporting member to move around sharp corners, for example a 90° corner. When a suitable panel is mounted to the supporting member 4, the panel can therefore also turn around a sharp corner.

As an example, using the guidance system of the present invention allows sliding doors to be installed at the corner of a room, and be fully slidable around the 90° corner defined by the abutting walls. The track 2 can also be shaped in a circular fashion, allowing mounted panels to enclose a cylindrical space, for example.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show that the elongate members 5,6 comprise screw holes 9 positioned within a recessed area 10. The screw holes allow the panels (not shown) to be secured to the supporting member 4 via screws or the like. Although in the figures two screw holes are shown in each elongate member, it is envisaged that fewer or more screw holes may be used. Further, the panels may be mounted using any known mounting means.

FIG. 5 shows a cut-away view of the mounting structure 8 for supporting the ball bearing 7. The mounting structure 8 surrounding the ball bearing 7 has a recessed portion 11 containing a plurality of ball bearings 12 providing a ball race for the ball bearing 7 to rotate within. This allows the ball bearing 7 to rotate about any of its axes with respect to the supporting member, and also to provide smooth rotation of the ball bearing 7. However, any known means of supporting the ball bearing 7 may be used.

FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the guidance system 1, supporting a panel 22. In this embodiment, the guidance system I further comprises a guide roller 14 coupled to the supporting member 4. The mounting structure 8 of the supporting member 4 contains a recessed portion 8c.

This recessed portion 8a contains a plurality of ball bearings 15 providing a ball race such that the guide roller 14 is able to rotate independently of the mounting structure 8, and is able to rotate in a lateral plane with respect to the track 2.

Other means of fixing the guide roller 14 such that it can rotate with respect to the mounting structure 8 are envisaged. The guide roller 14 has a diameter greater than that of the mounting structure 8. The guide roller 14 can be fixed at any position along the mounting structure 8.

The track 2 of the guidance system I of the present embodiment has a profile complementary to that of the ball bearing 7, mounting structure 8 and the lateral guider roller 14. The lateral guider roller 14 is in contact with the internal side of the track 2, such that the only parts having contact with the track 2 are the ball bearing 7 and the lateral guider roller 14 (since the diameter of the guide roller 14 is greater than that of the mounting structure 8). The guide roller being able to rotate independently aids in the movement of the supporting member along the track as well as rotation of the supporting member with respect to the track.

Furthermore, as the track 2 has a complementary profile to the ball bearing 7, mounting structure 8 and guide roller 14, the track 2 provides increased support for the supporting member 4.

FIG. 6 also shows the track 2 located within a frame section 2a. The frame section and the track can be separate members, or the track can be an integral member of the frame section. The frame section 2a also provides an integral drainage conduit 2b on the underside of the track. As clearly seen in FIG. 6, the frame section 2a provides a flange 19 in order to prevent the supporting member 4 from disengaging with the track 2 when in use.

In this embodiment, the mounting structure 8 is connected with the elongate members 5 and 6 via bolt 17 and adjusting nut 16. The adjusting nut 16 is used to vary the height of the elongate members 5,6 so as to support a panel 22 at the desired height. Screw holes 9 allow the panel 22 to be fixed to the supporting member 4 as in the previous embodiments.

FIG. 7a shows a side view of the supporting member 4 fixed to a corner of a panel 22. The panel is fixed to the elongate members 5 and 6 via screws screwed through screw holes 9 (not shown). The bolt 17 engages with the panel 22 through a hole in the underside of the panel 22and is able to provide further support.

FIG. 7b shows the supporting member 4 fixed to the underside of a panel via elongate member 5a. In this case, the supporting member 4 is fixed to the centre of the panel allowing rotation of the panel about its centre. However, the supporting member 4 can be mounted at any position along the panel 22.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the guidance system 1 of the present invention in use.

The panel 22 is supported on the track 2 by two supporting members 4, such that the panel is in contact with the track via two independent ball bearings 7. Two supporting members are preferably used to mount a panel which is to pass around a corner, however, any number of supporting members 4 can be used to support a panel. For example, a single supporting member can be positioned in the centre of the panel 22 to enable said panel 22 to rotate about its centre.

The track 2 can have both linear sections and curved sections. FIG. 8 shows an example where the track 2 has a 90deg corner, although other corner angles are envisaged. In this case a rigid panel 22 is guided around the corner by the two supporting members 4. Due to its rigidity between the supporting members 4, the panel 22 does not follow the path of the track, and "cuts the corner", as shown. A panel 22 with a flexible portion (not shown) between the two supporting members would be able to follow the path defined by the track 2.

FIG. 9 shows a further embodiment of the present invention where a side opening is provided in the track 2. A user is able to disengage one of the supporting members 4b from the track through the side opening 25 such that the panel 22 is only supported in the track on one supporting member 4a. The panel 22 is then pivoted on the supporting member 4a still engaged with the track 2, and is free to move through 360°, as well as being able to move in a linear fashion along the track 2. This feature of the present invention allows improved flexibility in positioning of panels 22 mounted using the mounting apparatus I of the present invention over standard patio door and window fittings. It also allows easy removal of panels 22 for cleaning and servicing.

A further alternative embodiment comprises a brush pile 24 mounted along the length of the track, as seen in FIG.6 and FIG. 9. The brush pile is mounted to the upper side of the track above the guide roller. The brush pile prevents dirt and debris from entering the track and interfering with the motion of the ball bearing.

In FIG.9, the brush pile is fixed to both sides of the track and covers the track opening, with the brush pile flexible enough to allow motion of the supporting member 4 along the track. Other methods of mounting the brush pile 24 are envisaged, for example from one side of the track only, or mounted to the frame section 2a. Other means of preventing dirt from entering the interior of the track are also envisaged.

FIG. 10 shows a panel assembly 22 comprising a plurality of panels 22 mounted using the guidance system I of either the first or second embodiment. Two adjacent panels may be hinged together or may be independent of each other.

The panels 22 may each be supported by two supporting members 4 situated at each end of each panel. Alternatively, they may be each supported by a single supporting member 4 or three or more supporting members. Another alternative is that two adjacent panels "share" a supporting member at their join. The panels may also be supported by differing numbers of supporting members.

FIG. lOa shows a scenario where 4 panels 22a, 22b, 22c and 22d abut each other so as to close a gap formed around a 90deg corner defined by the track 2.

For the purposes of illustration, each panel is mounted on two supporting members, one at each end of the panel, and adjacent panels are hinged.

In FIG. lOb, a gap in the track 25 allows the one supporting member of panel 22a and one supporting member of panel 22b to disengage with the track 2.

Alternatively the supporting member 22b may retract into the panel so as to disengage from the track. This allows panel 22a to move along the track 2 on its one engaged supporting member, and panel 22b to rotate on its one engaged supporting member.

In FIG lOc, panel 22b rotates on its remaining engaged supporting member, allowing it to move around the corner. One supporting member from each of panels 22c and 22d is then disengaged from a different gap 25 in the track, such that these two panels can "fold", as seen in the figure. In this manner, a panel plurality of panels 22 comprising a panel assembly 30 can move in a concertina fashion, allowing the opening of patio doors in a variety of ways, for example.

The example shown in FIG. 10 shows the panels mounted in a "bottom-hung" configuration. It is appreciated that the panels can also be mounted in a "top-hung" configuration.

It is appreciated that the guidance system of the present invention is not limited to the use of patio doors. It can also be used for folding windows, for example.

Furthermore, the guidance system can be used to mount a single panel, such as a window pane.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A guidance system for a panel, comprising; a track; a supporting member for supporting said panel; wherein said supporting member is coupled with said track through a single ball bearing mounted on said supporting member, the ball bearing contacting the track and being mounted so as to be rotatable about any of its axes with respect to the supporting member whereby the supporting member can rotate in a lateral plane relative to the track; and further wherein said ball bearing is able to run along the track such that the supporting member moves along the track.
2. The guidance system of claim 1, wherein the supporting member comprises at least one elongate member for supporting the panel.
3. The guidance system of claim 2, wherein the supporting member comprises two elongate members for supporting the panel.
4. The guidance system of claim 3, wherein the two elongate members are substantially perpendicular to each other.
5. The guidance system of claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the two elongate members are formed as a unitary member.
6. The guidance system of any of the preceding claims, wherein the supporting member has a tapered part for housing the ball bearing, the tapered part containing an opening with a width smaller than the diameter of the ball bearing to allow a portion of the ball bearing to protrude from the structure and run on the track.
7. The guidance system of any of the preceding claims, further comprising a guide roller coupled with the supporting member such that said guide roller is in contact with an upper portion of the track, said guide roller able to rotate in a lateral plane relative to the track and rotate relative to the supporting member.
8. The guidance system of claim 7, wherein the guide roller is made of nylon.
9. The guidance system of any of the preceding claims, wherein the supporting member is substantially circular in cross section.
10. The guidance system of claim 9, when dependent on claim 7, wherein the guide roller is an annulus with a diameter greater than the supporting member.
11. The guidance system of any of the preceding claims, wherein the track has a complementary profile to the cross-sectional shape defined by the supporting member.
12. The guidance system of any of the preceding claims, wherein the supporting member can be retracted into the panel so as to be disengaged from the track.
13. The guidance system of any of the preceding claims, wherein the track further comprises a flange engaging with the supporting member to prevent the supporting member from disengaging with the track when in use.
14. The guidance system of any of the preceding claims, wherein the track comprises at least one side opening to allow the supporting member to be disengaged from the track.
15. The guidance system of any of the preceding claims, when dependent on with claim 2, wherein the supporting member further comprises an adjusting means for adjusting the position of the at least one elongate member.
16. The guidance system of any of the preceding claims, wherein the ball bearing is made of stainless steel.
17. The guidance system of any of the preceding claims, wherein the track is made of stainless steel.
18. The guidance system of any of the preceding claims, further comprising means to prevent dirt entering the interior of the track.
19. The guidance system of claim 18, wherein said means is a brush pile mounted along the length of the track.
20. A panel assembly comprising at least one panel, said at least one panel mounted at at least one position along an edge of said panel using the guidance system of any of the preceding claims.
21. The panel assembly of claim 20, wherein the at least one panel is mounted at each end of an edge of the panel.
22. The panel assembly of claim 20, wherein the at least one panel is mounted at the centre of one edge of the panel.
23. The panel assembly of any of claims 20 to 22, wherein the at least one panel is a door.
24. The panel assembly of any of claims 20 to 22, wherein the at least one panel is a window.
25. The panel assembly of any of claims 20 to 22, wherein the at least one panel is a secondary double glazing unit.
26. The panel assembly of any of claims 20 to 25, wherein the at least one panel is mounted in a top-hung configuration.
27. The panel assembly of any of claims 20 to 25, wherein the at least one panel is mounted in a bottom-hung configuration.