GB2532798A

GB2532798A - Improvements to a sliding panel structure

Info

Publication number: GB2532798A
Application number: GB1421218.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Halliday Tristan
Original assignee: LEGACY WINDOWS Ltd
Current assignee: LEGACY WINDOWS Ltd
Priority date: 2014-11-28
Filing date: 2014-11-28
Publication date: 2016-06-01
Anticipated expiration: 2034-11-28
Also published as: GB2532798B; GB201421218D0

Abstract

A rolling hinge 30 for a sliding and pivoting wing comprising a wheeled bogey 32 having an upstanding hinge pin received within an aperture of a hinge member 34. Wheeled bogey having a first bearing surface 36 bearing against hinge member. A detent 40 protrudes from the bogey over the first bearing surface between which is located a tang 38 of the hinge member formed by radially protruding surface of the bearing surface of the hinge member; the protruding tang and detent prevent axial separation of the hinge from the bogey at least in one rotational position. When the wing is rotated open, e.g. perpendicular to the sliding direction, the tang may no longer be blocked by the detent and allows removal of the door from the frame. When the door is initially pivoted open the tang may prevent detachment of the door as it is slightly tilted to release the guide at the opposite end. Claims are also directed to a sliding block and safety device; a sliding and swinging wing with track engaging extension member and spring loaded latch; magnetic wing fixing system; and sliding hinge.

Description

IMPROVEMENTS TO A SLIDING PANEL STRUCTURE

The present invention relates to improvements to a sliding panel structure.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

It is known to provide sliding panel structures, for example, as disclosed in International Patent Application PCT/US2010/054166. The structure includes a frame having an upper and lower guide rails or tracks. One or more sliding panels, typically conservatory style glass doors, are pivotally mounted about a slidable pivot axis on one side and are retained in alignment with the upper track and lower track by a downward extension which engages with and is guided by the lower track.

The slidable pivot axis is provided by a lower bogey comprising wheels and an upwardly extending vertical pivot riding on the lower guide rail and a slider or bogey with downwardly extending vertical pivot riding in the upper track. One side of the door is mounted top and bottom about these vertical pivots.

To open the door, the door is moved along the tracks to a position at one end of the tracks, where it is stopped by a stop arresting the bogey on the lower track. Continued pushing of the door in line with the track towards its upper end, causes the panel to tilt about the stop, which acts as a fulcrum, thus moving the downward extension clear of the lower track and enabling the door to pivot out of the line of the tracks to an open position. Multiple doors can be moved by sliding to one end of the tracks, and all opened.

Various problems are associated with this type of opening door. Although magnets are provided to hold the position of the upper rolling/sliding hinge as the door is opened, it is possible for the door to come off the hinge pins when opening. Also, as the door closes, there is no indication of when the door is aligned properly with the tracks and if sliding of the door is initiated before the door is in the correct position, again, the door can unintentionally fall out of the frame top and bottom.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a number of improvements which reduce or substantially obviate the aforementioned problems.

STATEMENT OF INVENTION

According to the first aspect of the present invention there is provided a rolling hinge for a sliding and opening wing, the rolling hinge comprising a bogey and a hinge member, the bogey having a body portion, first and second wheels mounted to one side of the body portion about first and second parallel axes, and a hinge pin extending from the body portion in a direction away from the other side of the body portion, the hinge pin axis being substantially perpendicular to the axes of rotation of the first and second wheels, and a first bearing area disposed around the base of the hinge pin; the hinge member having an aperture at one end thereof for receiving the hinge pin, and a second bearing area disposed around the aperture, the second bearing area bearing against the first bearing area, a tang formed as part of the second bearing area of the hinge member, and a detent disposed on the body portion extending over the first bearing area, the tang passing underneath and being retained by the detent when the hinge member is in at least one rotational position relative to the bogey for preventing separation of the hinge member and bogey when in that relative position.

The tang and the detent ensure that the hinge member cannot be separated from the bogey when the two parts are in at least one relative rotational position. Preferably, the hinge is mountable to a door, the door being movable between an open position in which the plane of the door is perpendicular to the frame in which the bogey cannot move on its wheels, and a closed position in which the plane of the door is substantially in line with the direction of movement of the wheeled bogey. Separation of the hinge member from the bogey may be allowed when the door is in the open position, but prevented when the door is in the closed position. Of course, it will be understood that the 'open position' and the 'closed position' may each correspond with a range of angles of the door relative to the door frame, and thus the hinge relative to the bogey. This is because the tang and detent to at least some extent over a rotational angle of approximately 90°.

Each wheel may have two outer rims which are joined by an inwardly curved section of lesser diameter, i.e. forming a concave profile for riding on a rail.

This provides a stable bogey with a low rolling resistance due to friction by minimising the contact area.

The hinge member may have a hinge wing with a plurality of apertures for mounting a door.

The detent may retain the tang for rotational positions where the hinge wing is not substantially parallel to the body portion.

This allows the hinge member to be inserted easily during installation, but prevents it from becoming detached unintentionally in use during rotation.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a sliding block for a sliding and opening wing comprising a body portion having spaced bearing areas for sliding on a pair of rails of a track, an extension extending to an underside of the body portion for engaging between the rails of the track, and a hook disposed to one side of the body portion for engaging with one of the rails, when the extension becomes disengaged from its position between the rails and moves to one side of the rails.

Apertures may be provided through the body portion for mounting to an opening wing, for example a door.

The sliding block may have a second extension extending from a top side of the body portion for alignment with a wing.

This provides a surface for engaging the underside of the wing, guiding it when slid. It also further helps to prevent the wing twisting relative to the track when slid.

A safety apparatus for a sliding and opening wing may comprise a sliding block in accordance with the second aspect of the invention, and may further comprising an L-shaped hook member for attachment to the wing, spaced from the sliding block.

The L-shaped hook member may have a body with apertures therethrough.

These allow the member to be attached to the lower portion of a wing, for example a door.

The L-shaped hook may arrest the door by catching on the track or rail, if the wing opens unexpectedly and the L-shaped hook of the sliding block fails to arrest the wing. In other words, the L-shaped hook provides a secondary security measure against the wing sliding without being closed, i.e. in line with or substantially in line with the tracks.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a sliding and opening wing for mounting in upper and lower tracks, the wing having upper and lower hinge mountings to one side thereof enabling swinging movement of the wing, an extension member extending from a lower edge of the wing for engaging in the lower track and substantially preventing swinging movement of the wing, and a spring loaded latch member extending from an upper edge of the wing, for latching against the upper track.

In use, when the sliding door is moved to one end of the track, it is arrested and tilted within the frame, thus disengaging the extension member from the lower track. When the extension member is engaged in the lower track, the latch is preferably clear of the upper track. However, on tilting, the latch becomes engaged against the upper track, and provides a resistance force against swinging the door open. Similarly, when the door is closed, i.e. moved into alignment with the tracks, the latch engages the upper track. In other words, there is a positive engagement with a "click" when the door is closed. This serves as an indication that it is safe to start sliding the door, because it is properly aligned with the tracks.

The spring loaded latch may be a ball catch.

The spring loaded latch may be adjustable, enabling the distance the latch extends from the upper edge of the wing to be adjusted. The adjustment may be provided by a screw threaded adjustment member.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there are provided first and second magnetic blocks, each block comprising a plastics housing with a surface aperture therein for receiving a magnet, the magnets of a pair of blocks being mounted with different polarities facing out of the apertures for locating and fixing within opposing sides of an opening wing sash.

The first magnetic block in a first opening wing sash may be located in a corresponding mirror position to the second magnetic block in a second opening wing sash, each first magnetic block being attracted to each second magnetic block when the wings are brought substantially close to each other.

This maintains a plurality of wings in the same relative position to each other, when the wings have been rotated into open positions and are in close proximity to one another. This prevents any of the wings being blown shut by wind, which could cause damage to the relevant wing.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention there is provided a sliding hinge for engagement in an upper rail of a wing system, comprising a body portion, a recess in the body portion for receiving an end of a hinge plate, a pivot pin with an enlarged head and screw threaded end extending through the body portion, the hinge plate being connected to the body portion by the pivot pin.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention there is provided a sliding wing system comprising at least one upper track, at least one lower track, at least one upper rolling hinge assembly and at least one lower rolling or sliding hinge assembly, with at least one hinged wing hingedly mounted between the rolling hinges of the opposing assemblies, and one or more of the following: at least one sliding block, at least one safety apparatus, at least one sliding and opening wing, at least one wing fixing system, and at least one sliding hinge.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made by way of example only to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a prior art sliding panel structure, particularly a set of sliding and rotating doors set in a frame; Figure 2 shows a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of rolling hinge in accordance with the first aspect of the invention; Figure 3A shows a perspective view of the rolling hinge of Figure 2, with the hinge plate in the closed position; Figure 3B shows a perspective view of the rolling hinge of Figure 2, with the hinge plate in the open position; Figure 3C shows a perspective view of the rolling hinge of Figure 2, with the hinge plate in the open position and the hinge being partially separated to reveal the hinge pin; Figure 4 shows a schematic perspective view of a sliding block in accordance with the second aspect of the invention; Figure 4A shows a cross-sectional view of the sliding block of Figure 4 in position against the underside of a sliding door frame and resting on a lower track; Figure 4B shows a cross-sectional view of the sliding block of Figure 4 in position against the underside of a sliding door frame and in a misaligned position having "hooked" the lower track; Figure 5 shows an L-shaped hook member attached to a wing in a misaligned position having hooked the lower track; Figure 6 shows a cross sectional view of an adjustable ball catch attached to a door and in engagement with an upper track during tilting of the door in accordance with a third aspect of the invention; Figure 6A shows a cross sectional view of the adjustable ball catch of Figure 6 attached to the door in a sliding position and out of engagement with the upper track; Figure 7 shows a perspective view of an exploded upper sliding hinge in accordance with the fourth aspect of the invention; Figure 7A shows a perspective view of the assembled sliding hinge as shown in Figure 7; Figure 8 shows a cross sectional view through a sash including internal sash magnet blocks: and Figure 8A shows a perspective view of a sash magnet block.

DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART & PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring firstly to Figure 1, a prior art arrangement of sliding and rotating panel doors is indicated generally at 10. The arrangement includes a ground level track 12 and an upper track 14, disposed within an opening in a building. Vertical jambs connect the ends of the upper and lower tracks, and a jamb 16 is positioned to the right hand side of the drawing. The jamb 16 separates two opening spaces in this arrangement, because the building opening is very large. The jamb to the left hand side is obscured by open doors, but the jambs form a frame with the tracks in conventional manner.

A number of sliding doors 18, 20, 22, 24, 26 are provided in the opening and can slide on the tracks 12, 14. As described in PCT/US2010/054166 incorporated herein by reference, the end door 18, to the left hand side as viewed, is hinged about fixed hinges and can be moved between the open and closed positions by swinging about the hinges in conventional manner. The second door 20 can then be moved by sliding it up towards the door 18. The bottom hinge is arrested by a fixed stop in the lower track 12, and if the second door 20 is then pushed further towards end door 18 then the door 20 will tilt upwardly at its toe, about the fixed stop. The right-hand edge of the second door 20 as shown in Figure 1 lifts up slightly, allowing a slider extending from the bottom right of the second door 20 to come free of the track 12, so that the door 20 can swing outwardly, as shown in the Figure. Doors 22, 24, and 26 can then be moved to the left-hand side and swung outwardly, allowing for a completely unobstructed opening.

The bottom hinge about which the second and subsequent doors pivot is usually in the form of a hinge pin extending from a bogey which runs in lower track 12, and an aperture in or attached to each door which receives the hinge pin. One problem with this is that it is possible for the door to be lifted off the hinge accidentally, if the door is lifted when being opened into a position as shown on the left-hand side of Figure L Figure 2 shows an embodiment of a rolling hinge designed to be used with similar sliding door systems which substantially avoids this problem. The rolling hinge is generally indicated at 30 and is provided in two parts. A wheeled bogey 32 runs along the bottom track (12) of the door frame, allowing the door to be moved in the directions of arrows A. The second part of the rolling hinge 30 is hinge member 34, which in use is fixed to the second door (20). The hinge member can be rotated by at least 90 degrees in the direction of arrow B, so that the plane of the door (20) may be moved between two perpendicular positions -an open position in which the plane of the door is perpendicular to the direction of sliding A, and a closed position in which the plane of the door is substantially in line with the direction of sliding A, as shown in Figure 2. It should be noted that the hinge member 34 (or hinge plate) attaches to the edge of the door and is therefore perpendicular to the wheeled bogey 32 when the door attached thereto is closed.

The bogey 32 includes a hinge pin, and the hinge member 34 has a corresponding aperture for receiving the hinge pin. The hinge pin is hidden in Figure 2, because the hinge member 34 is shown in place on the bogey 32, covering the hinge pin. However, it will be appreciated that the bogey 32 and hinge member include corresponding bearing areas -an upwardly facing first bearing area on the bogey 32 and a downwardly facing second bearing area on the hinge member 34. The bearing areas oppose each other and are in contact with each other when the hinge member 34 is in place on the bogey 32, as shown in Figure 2. The bearing areas contact each other in the plane indicated by the broken line 36 in Figure 2.

A tang 38 extends from part of the hinge member 34, and forms an extension to the downwardly-facing second bearing area of the hinge member where the hinge member contacts the bogey 32. At the same time, the bogey 32 includes a detent 40 which extends over the first bearing area in a position corresponding with the tang 38 of the hinge member 34 when the hinge member 34 is in the 'closed' position as in Figure 2.

If the hinge member 34 is substantially in this position (i.e. not substantially open) and the hinge member is lifted upwards, away from the bogey 32, then the hinge member will only be able to be moved very slightly before the tang 38 is fouled by the detent 40, preventing further upward movement. As long as the hinge pin is longer than the space between the upper surface of the tang 38 and the lower edge of the detent 40, the hinge member will not be able to be lifted free of the bogey, and therefore the door will remain fixed to the lower track of the frame, when the door is in the parallel 'closed' position. However, when the door is substantially in the open position, perpendicular to the direction of sliding A, the tang 38 is not aligned with the detent 40, which allows sashes to be safely lifted in and out of the frame for easy installation and replacement where necessary. The hinge plate of the hinge member has a plurality of apertures for mounting a door.

Figures 3A, 3B and 3C show the relevant parts of the bogey 32 and hinge member 34 in various positions. In Figure 3A, the hinge member 34 is in the closed position, so that the tang 38 extends leftwardly in the drawing and lines up with the detent 40 of the bogey 32. The plane of the door will hence run in-line with the direction of sliding movement of the bogey 32 on a lower track (12) of a door frame. The hinge member 34 has been lifted upwards, away from the bogey 32, and so some of the hinge pin 42 and the first bearing surface 36 is exposed. However, it is clear that the hinge member 34 cannot be moved much further upwards, because the detent 40 will foul the tang 38, keeping the hinge member 34 attached to the bogey 32.

In Figure 3B, the hinge member 34 is in the open position. In this position, the tang 38 of the hinge member 34 extends forwards, perpendicular to the direction of sliding A. The detent 40 extends over one side of the first bearing area 36, and so with the tang extending forwards the tang is not in a position which will be obstructed by the detent 40 if the hinge member 34 is lifted away from the bogey 32. This is clear in Figure 3C, which shows that the hinge member 34 can be lifted dear when the tang 38 is in this position.

Referring now to Figure 4, a sliding block according to the second aspect of the invention is indicated generally at 50. The sliding block is designed to slide along a pair of rails which form a track (U), and is typically used on a sliding and opening wing, being provided on a bottom corner of the wing which is opposite to the bottom corner which includes a hinged mounting. The block includes a pair of bearing areas 52, 54, and an extension 56 of the under surface of the block, which extends below the bearing areas 52, 54 and in use locates the block between the rails of the track (12).

The block is designed to be fixed to a bottom edge of a door via fixing points 58, and in normal use the bearing areas 52, 54 sit on rails of the track so that the door may slide on the track in the opposing directions indicated by arrows A. The extension 56 sits between the tracks, locating the block and keeping the bearing areas on the tracks, as shown in Figure 4A. However, the height of the extension is relatively small, so that if the bottom corner of the door is lifted slightly (because it is tilted about its opposing toe as described above) then the extension can clear the tracks and the door can be swung into an open position.

When the door is closed again, there can be problems if the block 50 does not properly locate again on the rails of the track before the door is slid in the direction of one of arrows A. In other words, there are problems if an attempt is made to slide the door when it has been nearly, but not completely, closed. In this case, there is a risk that the mal-positioned sliding block can result in sideways force being applied to the door actually pushing the door off the track altogether. Clearly, this can be very dangerous.

However, in the sliding block according to the second aspect of the invention, there is a hook 60 disposed to one side of the block. The hook has an opening which faces downwards, in the same direction as the extension 56, but the height of the interior of the hook is significantly greater than the height of the extension 56. The width of the hook is at least as wide as one of the rails of the track, and therefore in most cases the interior of the hook will be wider than either of the bearing areas 52, 54.

As shown in Figure 4B, the hook 60 prevents the door from becoming fully dislocated from the track, catching on the outer rail of the track and retaining the door within the frame, mitigating the danger of the door falling out of its frame if slid when out of position. This stops further lateral movement of the door, until the door is lifted and placed back into the track correctly. It also stops the door from swinging of its own accord and potentially damaging or breaking itself or causing damage to other objects, when not shut securely, for example. The sliding block 50 is attached to the door around 100mm from the end of the door furthest from the hinge pin (42). The sliding block 50 is made of acrylic plastic in this embodiment, but may be made from other materials with high strength, resistance to wear and low coefficients of friction.

Figure 5 shows an L-shaped hook member 70 of similar shape to the hook 60 of the sliding block 50. The hook member 70 is attached to the door in a position closer to the hinge pin (42) than the sliding block (50). The hook member 70 is attached to the door around 180mm from the hinge pin (42). It provides an additional mechanism of catching the door to that described for Figures 4 to 4B, and allows for the door to be caught at a larger angle than that permitted by the sliding block (50). Although the hook member is positioned relatively closely to the hinge pin (42), it remains at a great enough distance to minimise its potential leverage about the hinge pin (42), so that it is unlikely to disengage of its own accord. When either of the hook 60 or the hook member 70 is caught on the track as shown in Figures 4B and 5, then the tang and detent substantially overlap and prevent lifting of the door from the track.

Figure 6 shows a ball catch indicated generally at 80 and forms part of a fourth aspect of the invention. The ball catch 80 has a cylindrical roller 82 located atop a plate 84. The roller 82 is mounted to be freely rotatable about an axis that runs substantially parallel to the plane of the door. The roller 82 is also spring-loaded, with a spring (not shown) being housed within the spring housing 86. The initial resistance provided by the roller 82 against rotating the door relative to the track is adjustable. The ball catch 80 has a C-shaped nut 88 rotatably mounted to a screw thread 90, where the screw thread 90 extends from the far end of the spring housing 86 to the roller 82. The C-shaped nut 88 has two winglets (not shown) to facilitate manual tightening. The extent to which the roller 82 protrudes upwardly from the plate 84 is therefore determinable by the position of the nut 88 along the screw thread 90. Screwing the nut 88 further along the screw thread 90 compresses the spring to a greater extent, minimising the resistance provided by the roller 82 to opening the door by reducing the degree to which the roller protrudes into the upper track.

The ball catch 80 is part of a door, being located partially within the upper track when the door is tilted at an angle to marginally disengage the lower end of the door from the lower track (not shown). The door is substantially parallel to the track as shown, but can be rotated about its hinge pin (42) to an 'open position' as described previously. In so doing, the ball catch 80 provides resistance at a point 92 during the initial transition into the open position, giving a tactile indication that the door has been moved from a securely closed position. A similar tactile indication is provided on moving the door to a closed position, indicating it has been securely engaged within the frame.

Figure 6A shows the ball catch 80 in a substantially disengaged position from the upper track. It adopts this position when the door is not tilted for rotation outside the plane of the door frame. This demonstrates that it does not provide frictional resistance against the upper track when sliding the door within the track, preventing unnecessary wear on the components of the ball catch 80 and also minimising the force required to slide the door.

Figures 7 and 7A show an upper sliding hinge for use in an upper track, indicated generally at 100. The upper sliding hinge 100 includes an upper sliding block 102, an upper hinge member 104 and a hinge pin 106. The upper sliding block 102 has an aperture for receiving the hinge pin 106 through the body of the block 102, with a further aperture in the upper hinge member 104 allowing the components to be threadedly connected. The hinge pin 106 is hidden in Figure 7A, because the hinge member 104 is shown in place on the block 102, covering the hinge pin 106.

The upper sliding block 102 and upper hinge member 104 include corresponding bearing areas -an upwardly facing first bearing area on the upper hinge member 104 and a downwardly facing second bearing area on the upper sliding block 102. The bearing areas oppose each other and are in contact with each other when the upper hinge member 104 is in place on the upper sliding block 102, as shown in Figure 7A. Although there are some similarities in the surface contours of the upper sliding block 102 to the wheeled bogey 32, the upper sliding block 102 does not have a detent, nor does it have wheels.

The upper sliding block 102 is substantially similar in length to the bogey 32. The upper sliding hinge 100 may be used in conjunction with a lower rolling hinge as described for Figures 2 to 3C. In the centre of the block 102, there is a first hole of 16mm diameter running through two-thirds of the depth of the block 102. The first hole has at its centre a second hole of 10.4mm diameter which runs through the rest of the block 102. These two holes provide a stepped recess in the block 102 for receiving the hinge pin 106 and connecting the upper hinge member 104 to the block 102. This provides a secure moveable joint which allows for variation in the upper track after fitting, and prevents the wing coming away from the frame at its hinge.

Figure 8 shows a pair of opposing blocks 110, 112 located internally within sashes of a door. Figure 8A depicts one of these blocks 110 having a cavity 114 in one side, suitable for receiving a correspondingly shaped magnet. Similarly, the other block 112 has a cavity for receiving another magnet. The blocks 110, 112 are made of plastic, but may also be formed of a magnetic material (iron, for example) to retain the correspondingly shaped magnets when inserted.

The blocks 110, 112 sit within the sashes of the door, but do not substantially magnetically attract each other. However, when a series of sliding doors are slid and rotated into open positions, each door is positioned roughly perpendicular to the frame. A magnet on one side of a door can then magnetically attract an opposing magnet in an adjacent door. This occurs for all pairs of adjacent magnets, but not magnets within the same door. The magnets may be located in the upper sash, lower sash, or side sash of each door. The strength of magnetic attraction is great enough to collectively hold the open doors together, reducing the likelihood that wind, for example, will be strong enough to blow any door into a closed position from an open position, which could otherwise potentially cause damage. However, it does not significantly increase the difficult of manually closing the doors.

An embodiment of a sliding door system utilising one or more of the above features is envisaged. In use, each sliding door could therefore have upper and lower rolling or sliding hinges, or a combination of rolling and sliding hinges, a sliding block, an L-S shaped hook member, a ball catch, and a pair of magnetic blocks within its sashes. Each door may also be separated by one or more screw stops, which can be adjusted to vary the minimum distance between each sliding door in a dosed position. This enables the doors to be suitably adjusted for thermal expansion, for example, leaving a slight gap between doors.

The embodiments described above are provided by way of example only, and various changes and modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims

Claims

CLAIMS1. A rolling hinge for a sliding and opening wing comprising a bogey and a hinge member, the bogey having a body portion, first and second wheels mounted to one side of the body portion about first and second parallel axes, and a hinge pin extending from the body portion in a direction away from the other side of the body portion, the hinge pin axis being substantially perpendicular to the axes of rotation of the first and second wheels, and a first bearing area disposed around the base of the hinge pin; the hinge member having an aperture at one end thereof for receiving the hinge pin, and a second bearing area disposed around the aperture, the second bearing area bearing against the first bearing area, a tang formed as part of the second bearing area of the hinge member, and a detent disposed on the body portion extending over the first bearing area, the tang passing underneath and being retained by the detent when the hinge member is in at least one rotational position relative to the bogey for preventing separation of the hinge member and bogey when in that relative position.
2. A rolling hinge as claimed in claim 1, n which each wheel has a rim of concave cross-section for engaging a rail.
3. A rolling hinge as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, in which the hinge member has a hinge wing with a plurality of apertures for mounting the wing.
4. A rolling hinge as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, in which the detent retains the tang for rotational positions where the hinge wing is not substantially parallel to the body portion.
5. A sliding block for a sliding and opening wing comprising a body portion having spaced bearing areas for sliding on a pair of rails of a track, an extension extending from an underside of the body portion for engaging between the rails of the track, and a hook disposed to one side of the body portion for engaging with one of the rails, when the extension becomes disengaged from its position between the rails and moves to one side of the rails.
6. A sliding block as claimed in claim 5, in which there are apertures through the body portion for mounting to the wing.
7. A sliding block as claimed in claim 5 or claim 6, in which the sliding block has a second extension extending from a top side of the body portion for alignment with a door.
8. A safety apparatus for a sliding and opening wing comprising a sliding block as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 7, and further comprising an L-shaped hook member for attachment to the wing, spaced from the sliding block.
9. A safety apparatus as claimed in claim 8, in which L-shaped hook member has a body with apertures therethrough. 15
10. A sliding and opening wing for mounting in upper and lower tracks, the wing having upper and lower hinge mountings to one side thereof enabling swinging movement of the wing, an extension member extending from a lower edge of the wing for engaging in the lower track and substantially preventing swinging movement of the wing, and a spring loaded latch member extending from an upper edge of the wing, for latching against the upper track.
11. A sliding and opening wing as claimed in claim 10, in which the spring loaded latch is a ball catch.
12. A sliding and opening wing as claimed in either of claims 10 or 11, in which the spring loaded latch is adjustable, enabling the distance the latch extends from the upper edge of the wing to be adjusted.
13. A sliding and opening wing as claimed in claim 12, in which the adjustment is provided by a screw threaded adjustment member.
14. A wing fixing system comprising first and second magnetic blocks, each block comprising a plastics housing with a surface aperture therein for receiving a magnet the magnets of a pair of blocks being mounted with different polarities facing out of the apertures for locating and fixing within opposing sides of an opening wing sash.15 A wing fixing system as claimed in claim 14, in which the first magnetic block in a first sash is located in a corresponding mirror position to the second magnetic block in a second sash, each first magnetic block being attracted to each second magnetic block when the wings are brought substantially close to each other.16. A sliding hinge for engagement in an upper rail of a wing system, comprising a body portion, a recess in the body portion for receiving an end of a hinge plate, a pivot pin with an enlarged head and screw threaded end extending through the body portion, the hinge plate being connected to the body portion by the pivot pin.17. A sliding wing system comprising at least one upper track, at least one lower track, at least one upper rolling hinge assembly and at least one lower rolling or sliding hinge assembly as claimed in any one of claim 1 to 4, with at least one hinged wing hingedly mounted between the rolling hinges of the opposing assemblies, and one or more of the following: at least one sliding block as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 7, at least one safety apparatus as claimed in claim 8 or claim 9, at least one sliding and opening wing as claimed in any one of claim 10 to 13, at least one wing fixing system as claimed in claim 14 or claim 15, and at least one sliding hinge as claimed in claim 16.18. A rolling hinge for a sliding and opening wing substantially as described herein, with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 2 to 3C of the accompanying drawings.19. A sliding block for a sliding and opening wing substantially as described herein, with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 4 to 4B of the accompanying drawings.20. A safety apparatus for a sliding and opening wing substantially as described herein, with reference to and as illustrated in Figure 5 of the accompanying drawings.21. A sliding and opening wing substantially as described herein, with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 6 and 6A of the accompanying drawings.22. A sliding hinge substantially as described herein, with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 7 and 7A of the accompanying drawings.23. A wing fixing system substantially as described herein, with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 8 and 8A of the accompanying drawings.