IES64700B2 - Track apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

A track apparatus (12) includes elongate load bearing means (24,25) with which in use a door (9) is operatively associated so that the door is slidable along said load bearing means. The track apparatus is adapted to engage an in situ track apparatus mounted above a door opening.

Description

Track Apparatus The present invention relates to a track apparatus.

According to the present invention there is provided a track apparatus including elongate load bearing means with which in use a door is operatively associated so that the door is slidable along said load bearing means, said track apparatus being adapted to engage an in situ track apparatus mounted above a door opening.

Preferably, said in situ track apparatus includes a drive mechanism and said door is co-operable with said drive mechanism to enable power assisted movement of said door.

Preferably, said load bearing means is of the linear track type.

The invention also provides a track assembly including an in situ track apparatus mounted above a door opening, a second track apparatus adapted to engage said in situ track apparatus and including elongate load bearing means on which a door is located for slidable movement along said load bearing means.

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 cross-sectional view of a conventional rolling wheel and bracket track; Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a track assembly including a track apparatus according to the invention fitted to the track of Figure 1; and i Figure 3 is a perspective view of the track assembly of Figure 2.

Referring now to the drawings wherein similar numerals have been used to indicate like parts. Figure 1 shows a conventional rolling wheel and bracket track 11 including a substantially C-shaped rail 13 having an in use upright support section 14 from which an upper cover section 15 and a lower load bearing section 16 project.

The rail 13 is fitted above a door opening by bolting the support section 14 to a wall. The rail 13 extends at least across the door opening and past a side of the opening to which a door 9 hung from the rail 13 is to be drawn when being opened.

At least one L-shaped bracket 18 is fitted to the upper face of the door 9. Each bracket 18 projects upwardly and is fixed to a plate 40. At least one rolling wheel 19 is rotatably mounted on the plate 40.

The number of rolling wheels and brackets required is determined by the size and weight of the door 9, but normally a door is fitted with at least two sets of rolling wheels and brackets. The free end 17 of the load bearing section 16 is formed with an upwardly facing hemispherical ridge 20 and each rolling wheel 19 is located on the ridge 20. Thus, the door 9 may be drawn by hand or power driven, with the rolling wheel 19 x rolling along the ridge 20 to provide relatively smooth and free movement of the door 9 across the opening. This * form of track, however, is not the most efficient type of load bearing track available. Often such tracks are completely discarded when a new track, such as a linear track, as described in GB 2,037,855, Autodoors International (Holdings) Limited, is to be fitted. This can cause some disturbance with new wall fittings required and in the case of a power driven door, a fully operational drive mechanism is often discarded.

Figure 2 shows a track assembly generally indicated at 10. The track assembly 10 comprises the conventional rolling wheel and bracket track 11, to the underside of which a track apparatus 12 according to the invention is fixed. The track apparatus 12 is of the linear track type and comprises a C-shaped rail having an in use upright support section 22 from which an upper section 23 and a lower load bearing section 24 project.

A circular shaft 25 is supported with its axis horizontal from the free end of the load bearing section 24. A bearing block 26 forms a housing for a ball bearing assembly 27, of the conventional re-circulating ball type. A gap 28 is formed through the side of the block 26 and the bearing assembly 27 to allow the block to fit onto the shaft 25. A plate 40' runs the length of the track 12 and the face of each bearing block 26 opposite the gap 28 is fixed to the plate 40'. An L-shaped bracket 18' is fixed to the upper face of the door 9 and extends upwardly to engage the opposite face of the plate 40' to that which is fixed to the bearing blocks.

The upper section 23 is adapted to conform to the underside of the lower load bearing section 16 of the rail 13. The respective sections 16 and 23 can be bolted together or fixed by any other means. It will thus be seen that the improved track 12 can be easily affixed to an in situ track 11 to provide more efficient movement of the door 9. fe Turning now to Figure 3, in which there is shown a track assembly 10 including a conventional drive mechanism 30. The drive mechanism 30 includes a motor (not shown) enclosed in a housing 31 which is mounted between sections 15 and 16 adjacent one end of the rail 13. The motor drive shaft 32 projects from the housing 31 and a pulley 33 passes around the shaft and extends along the length of the rail 13 where it passes over a corresponding shaft (not shown).

A further L-shaped bracket 34 extends upwardly from the plate 40' and bends inwardly to engage the pulley 33. Thus, the original motor can be controlled to cause the pulley 33 to draw the door 9 mounted on the linear track 12 open and closed.

The upper face of the section 15 has a recess 41 running along its length. A cover 41 of suitable depth to cover the entire track assembly is fitted into the recess 41, thus improving the aesthetic appearance of the assembly.

Claims (5)

CLAIMS :

1. A track apparatus including elongate load bearing means with which in use a door is operatively associated so that the door is slidable along said load bearing means, said track apparatus being adapted to engage an in situ track apparatus mounted above a door opening.

2. A track apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 wherein said in situ track apparatus includes a drive mechanism and said door is co-operable with said drive mechanism to enable power assisted movement of said door.

3. A track apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 or 2 wherein said load bearing means is of the linear track type.

4. A track assembly including an in situ track apparatus mounted above a door opening, a second track apparatus adapted to engage said in situ track apparatus and including elongate load bearing means on which a door is located for slidable movement along said load bearing means.

5. A track apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings.