NO20190998A1

NO20190998A1 - Fittings for sliding doors or windows.

Info

Publication number: NO20190998A1
Application number: NO20190998A
Authority: NO
Inventors: John Olav Rasmussen
Original assignee: Nordan As
Priority date: 2019-08-19
Filing date: 2019-08-19
Publication date: 2021-02-22
Also published as: NO346023B1

Description

FITTINGS FOR SLIDING DOORS OR WINDOWS

The present invention relates to fittings for sliding windows or doors.

In the buildings industry, wall openings of many buildings may be fitted with a sliding door or window panel which may comprise one or more glass panes set in a frame. Such panels can be generally large, heavy and cumbersome objects.

The patent publication EP3077609 describes a fitting for a sliding window or door panel according to prior art. The fitting has a mechanism which operates using a sliding activation plate sandwiched between a guide member and a base member. The guide member is arranged to engage with a track along which the door panel slides, and the base member is fixed to the door panel. By operation of the activation plate, the base member is moved relative to the guide member with a component of movement away from the longitudinal axis the track. This acts to urge the door panel, upright oriented, away from contact with the adjacent panel and/or surfaces of the door frame. This can allow the door panel to be translated along the track, at least partially bypassing, behind or in front of the adjacent panel in the wall opening, without rubbing against it.

Although the abovementioned fittings of prior art can work well in that they may offer the user a smooth opening and closing experience, the present inventor has identified in practice that such fittings of prior art can have limitations in their durability and can display signs of wear after repeated use, especially at certain “load points” in the mechanism. Typically, the full weight of the door panel is required to be supported on the track through such fitting or fittings located along the bottom edge of the panel, and the loads on the fitting and various points in the activation mechanism can therefore be significant especially in the case of heavy door panels. Fittings along the upper edge of the panel can support the door panel against surfaces of an upper part of the door frame, through which the fittings are called upon to handle transverse loads. Components in such fittings may therefore become worn, compromising functionality, and detrimentally affecting the operation of the mechanism and the smooth open and closing experience of the door. The onset of wear in such fitting(s) may be exacerbated in the case of large and heavy door panels, and in practice may not support expected durability standards for sliding doors, for example in terms of the number of opening and closing procedures a sliding door should be able or would be desirable to endure in its lifetime.

In light of the above, according to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fitting for supporting a sliding door panel in a door frame, the fitting comprising: a base member to be fixed to the door panel; a guide member configured to cooperate guidably with a track extending along the door frame, having an axis and at least one elongate aperture extending across the axis and through a body of the guide member; an activation member arranged between the base member and the guide member, the activation member being coupled to the guide member through at least one cam for moving the guide member relative to the base member in a direction transverse to the track upon sliding operation of the activation member, the cam comprising at least one cam groove in the guide member and the activation member comprising a cam follower arranged to penetrate the cam groove, at least part of the length of the cam groove being arranged obliquely to the axis for facilitating the transverse movement; and at least one coupling pin extending through the elongate aperture for coupling the guide member to the base member, the aperture being elongate in the transverse direction, for accommodating said movement of the guide member relative to the base member.

Through said cam groove and follower together with said elongate aperture and coupling pin, forces can advantageously be distributed through the guide member in a manner which may allow increased stability and/or greater lateral support for the door panel. This may also in turn increase longevity and reduce wear effects in the fitting over time.

The coupling pin may have a head comprising a flange which extends over at least one edge or corner of the aperture.

The cam groove may have first and/or second end parts arranged to extend in parallel to the axis. The cam groove may be recessed into the body of the guide member.

The fitting may be configured to be a lower fitting for the door panel, or alternatively an upper fitting for the door panel.

In embodiments of the fitting when configured to be a lower fitting, the fitting may further comprise at least one roller wheel for supporting the sliding door panel on a lower track, e.g. a rail. The fitting may further comprise at least two roller wheels arranged inline for rolling on the track, e.g. rail. The roller wheel or roller wheels may each comprise a contact surface for contacting the track, e.g. rail, and at least one side lip for positioning the contact surface with respect to the track. The contact surface may be defined between two side lips on each roller wheel for positioning the contact surface with respect to the track. The contact surface may comprise or consist essentially of plastics material. The side lip or lips may comprise or consist essentially of plastics material.

The lower fitting may further comprise or house a bogey including the at least two roller wheels, the bogey arranged to be tiltable with respect to the base member. The bogey may have at least one pivot. The base member may be adapted to receive the pivot in a slot in a body of the base member so as to be tiltable about the pivot.

The pivot may have a pivot axis and the bogey may be arranged to be slidable axially on the pivot with respect to the base member, in accordance with the movement of the guide member transverse to the track upon activation.

The lower fitting may further comprise at least one roller wheel or at least one roller wheel unit comprising at least two roller wheels. The base member may comprise a contact surface which is arranged to be disposed in contact against a surface of the lower edge of the door panel upon connection of the base member to the door panel. The contact surface of the base member may have a continuous surface area spanning the region occupied by the roller wheel or roller wheel unit in at least one direction within the fitting.

The base member may comprise at least one rear surface which covers the at least one roller wheel or at least one roller wheel unit of the fitting.

The guide member may have at least one cleaning element for facilitating to clean the track. The cleaning element may comprise a brush, scraper or wiper, or any other suitable element.

The guide member may have at least one cleaning element arranged to clean the track ahead of the wheel or wheels upon travel along the track upon sliding the door panel in an opening direction, and may further have at least one cleaning element arranged to clean the track ahead of the wheel or wheels upon travel along the track upon sliding the door panel in a closing direction.

The activation member may be arranged to be translated longitudinally relative to the guide member for producing the movement of the guide member laterally with respect to the base member. The activation member may comprise coupling means for coupling the activation member to an espagnolette which in turn may be coupled to a door handle.

In embodiments of the fitting when configured to be an upper door fitting, the base member may be configured to be fitted to an upper edge of the door panel, and the guide member may include a wheel which may be rotatable about an upright, e.g. vertical, axis in use for rolling contact against one or more side surfaces of an upper track, e.g. channel, when translating and sliding the door panel along the track.

The base member may comprise an elongate body and may comprise a back panel comprising continuous contact surface covering an area from one side of the body to the other and extending centrally toward both ends.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a fitting for supporting a sliding window panel in a window frame, the fitting comprising: a base member to be fixed to the window panel; a guide member configured to cooperate guidably with a track extending along the window frame, having an axis and at least one elongate aperture extending across the axis and through a body of the guide member; an activation member arranged between the base member and the guide member, the activation member being coupled to the guide member through at least one cam for moving the guide member relative to the base member in a direction transverse to the track upon sliding operation of the activation member, the cam comprising at least one cam groove in the guide member and the activation member comprising a cam follower arranged to penetrate the cam groove, at least part of the length of the cam groove being arranged obliquely to the axis for facilitating the transverse movement; and at least one coupling pin extending through the elongate aperture for coupling the guide member to the base member, the aperture being elongate in the transverse direction, for accommodating said movement of the guide member relative to the base member.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a sliding door panel or a sliding window panel fitted with at least one fitting in accordance with the first aspect or the second aspect of the invention.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a building comprising a wall opening fitted with a slidable door panel or a slidable window panel in accordance with the third aspect of the invention.

In another aspect, the invention provides a fitting for supporting a sliding door panel in a door frame, the fitting comprising: a base member to be fixed to the door panel; a guide member configured to cooperate guidably with a track extending along the door frame, having at least one elongate aperture extending through a body of the guide member; an activation member arranged between the base member and the guide member, the activation member being coupled to the guide member through at least one cam for moving the guide member relative to the base member in a direction transverse to the track upon sliding operation of the activation member; and at least one coupling pin extending through the elongate aperture for coupling the guide member to the base member, the aperture being elongate in the transverse direction, for accommodating said movement of the guide member relative to the base member.

In yet another aspect, the invention provides a fitting for supporting a sliding door panel in a door frame, the fitting comprising: a base member to be fixed to the door panel; a guide member configured to cooperate guidably with a track extending along the door frame, having an axis; an activation member arranged between the base member and the guide member, the activation member being coupled to the guide member through at least one cam for moving the guide member relative to the base member in a direction transverse to the track upon sliding operation of the activation member, the cam comprising at least one cam groove in the guide member and the activation member comprising a cam follower arranged to penetrate the cam groove, at least part of the length of the cam groove being arranged obliquely to the axis for facilitating the transverse movement.

In yet another aspect, the invention provides a fitting for supporting a sliding door panel in a door frame, the fitting comprising: a base member to be fixed to the door panel; a guide member configured to cooperate guidably with a track extending along the door frame, having an axis; an activation member arranged between the base member and the guide member, the activation member being coupled to the guide member through at least one cam for moving the guide member relative to the base member in a direction transverse to the track upon sliding operation of the activation member. The fitting can have any of the further features as defined in relation to the first aspect of the invention above or may have any other further feature or features as described anywhere else herein.

Any of the various abovementioned aspects may have further features as described in relation to any other aspect wherever described herein and may include any feature of any embodiment taken in isolation or in combination with other features.

Advantages associated with the various abovementioned aspects will become further apparent in the following.

The abovementioned aspects will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective representation of a sliding door panel in a door frame in locked configuration, the door panel provided with upper door fittings and lower door fittings for facilitating door sliding and supporting the door panel in position with respect to the door frame;

Figure 2 is a side-on sectional representation showing an edge strip of the door panel and where a face of the door panel is urged against a jamb of the door frame in the configuration of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a close-up representation of the circled area A in Figure 2, showing in further detail an upper fitting;

Figure 4 is a close-up representation of the circled area B in Figure 2, showing in further detail a lower fitting;

Figure 5 is a perspective representation in smaller scale of an espagnolette of the door panel of Figures 1 and 2 in isolation, through which the fittings can be activated upon operation of the door handle to shift the door panel forward or rearward in the door frame, toward or away from abutment surfaces on the door jambs;

Figure 6 is a close-up cross-sectional representation of part of the arrangement of Figure 1 showing a lower fitting in a first configuration in the locked configuration of the door panel;

Figure 7 is a close-up cross-sectional representation of part of the arrangement of Figure 1 showing the lower fitting, having been moved from the first configuration of Figure 6, in a second configuration whereby the door panel has been shifted, laterally with respect to a sliding direction of the door panel, away from an abutment surface of the door frame;

Figure 8 is a perspective view in close-up of a top corner of the door panel of Figures 1 and 2 illustrating the upper fitting connected to the espagnolette and connected to an upper edge strip of the door panel in use;

Figure 9 is a perspective view close-up of an upper door fitting from one angle, showing a guide member arranged to run in a guide channel along a top jamb of the door frame;

Figure 10 is a perspective view of the upper door fitting of Figure 9 from another angle, showing an opposite side to that of Figure 9;

Figure 11 is another perspective view of the upper door fitting of Figure 9 looking along the fitting;

Figure 12 is a perspective exploded view of the upper door fitting of Figure 9 in disassembled configuration from one angle;

Figure 13 is a perspective exploded view of the upper door fitting of Figure 12 in disassembled configuration from another angle and showing the parts from an opposite side to that of Figure 12;

Figure 14 is a perspective view close-up of a lower door fitting from one angle, showing a guide member which is arranged to engage a guide rail along a base of the door frame;

Figure 15 is a perspective view of the lower door fitting of Figure 14 from another angle, showing an opposite side to that of Figure 14;

Figure 16 is another perspective view of the lower door fitting of Figure 14 looking along the fitting;

Figure 17 is a perspective exploded view of the lower door fitting of Figure 14 in disassembled configuration from one angle;

Figure 18 is a perspective exploded view of the lower door fitting of Figure 14 in disassembled configuration from another angle and showing the parts from an opposite side to that of Figure 17; and

Figures 19A to 19D are cross sectional representations in close up of different variants of the coupling pins in the door fittings.

Apparatus 1 comprising a sliding door panel 10 arranged in a door frame 20 is depicted generally in Figure 1, in use, such as typically installed in a wall opening on a floor 2 of a building. The door frame 20 has vertically extending jambs 22a, 22b, a head jamb 23, and base 24. The door panel 10 is arranged to slide on a guide rail 26 along the base 24 and is also supported by a corresponding channel (not seen in Figure 1) that extends along the head jamb 23.

The door panel in Figure 1 is arranged in a closed and locked configuration. As can be appreciated, in this example, a passive panel 21 is also set in the door frame 20, and the sliding door panel 10 is arranged in bypassing relationship to the passive panel 21 allowing it to slide by, through sliding the door panel 10 back or forth as indicated by the arrow A. The door can thus be unlocked and opened by sliding toward the left in Figure 1. The slide direction is indicated by stippled arrow S.

With reference now additionally to Figures 2 to 8, the manner of operation can be further understood. As can be seen, top and bottom edge strips of the door panel 10 are provided with upper door fittings 100 and lower door fittings 200. These are arranged to support the door in place with respect to the door frame, including during sliding, and facilitate the smooth sliding of the door. These fittings 100, 200 will be described in further detail below.

Generally however, it can be seen in Figures 1 to 8, that the door panel 10 is supported on and bears against the guide rail 26 through the lower fitting 200. For such purpose, the lower fitting has a guide member which is arranged to cooperate with the guide rail 26. The door panel 10 is also supported in position relative to the door frame 20 through the upper fitting 100 which has a guide member which is located within the guide channel 28.

The upper and lower fittings 100, 200 are arranged to be activated by an espagnolette 18 which is connected to an operating handle 19 of the door panel. The espagnolette 18 comprises elongate connecting members which extending between the handle and the fittings. Connecting members of the espagnolette also connect to locking lugs. Upon turning the handle 19, the connecting bands of the espagnolette activate the fittings and can simultaneously unlock the door for sliding it open, or lock it again.

Upon activation, the guide member of the fittings is moved relative to the door panel, producing a lateral shift of the door panel, i.e. in the direction indicated T transverse to the slide direction S of the door panel, away from a configuration in which the door panel rests against abutment surface(s) of the door frame, such as seen in Figures 3 and 4, to a configuration for sliding in which the door panel is spaced away from the abutment surface of the door frame, such as seen in Figure 7. This is achieved by a relative movement laterally of the guide member relative to the door panel with leverage against the rail 26 in the case of the lower fitting 200 and from the channel 28 in the case of the lower fitting 100.

The fittings 100, 200 are activated to produce such movement as can be appreciated further by inspection of Figures 6 and 7, where it can be seen that the door panel 10 is moved away from a stop 24s of the frame 20 producing a lateral gap G between the door frame 20 and a face of the door panel 10. The stop 24s has a seal against which the door panel 10 is urged in the locked configuration. The seal and/or stop 24s defines the abutment surface against which the door panels abuts in the locked configuration.

The seal 24x can be seen in Figure 4, but is omitted from Figures 6 and 8. Upon activation of the fittings 100, 200 the door panel 10 moved in the transverse direction T and is brought out of abutment against the seal or seal members 23x, 24x so that the door can slide in the door frame without touching the seal(s) 23x, 24x or with reduced friction contact against them.

An example upper door fitting 100 is now exemplified in further detail with reference to Figures 9 to 13.

The fitting 100 comprises a guide member 110, a base member 120, and an activation member 130. These can be coupled together as a three-part sandwich to form the assembled fitting 100 in which each of the parts, i.e. the guide member 110, the base member 120, and the activation member 130, are arranged to be movable relative to one another upon activation, for producing in use the movement transverse to the slide direction of the door panel. The guide member is arranged when fitted to the door outwardly from the activation member and the base member 120.

The assembled fitting is shown in Figures 9 to 11. Further details of the parts are shown in Figures 12 and 13.

The guide member 110 has a guide structure 112 arranged to penetrate and cooperate with the channel 28. The guide structure 112 in this example has roller 113. The roller 113 is arranged to contact a side surface portion of the channel 28. Contact with the channel 28 may not be continuous or may alternate from side to side in practice during sliding of the door panel 10. The guide structure 112 is typically arranged to fit within the channel 28 with a degree of lateral play to facilitate free sliding of the door along the channel, minimising friction and avoiding frictional wear. However, the fit of the guide structure 112 within the width of the channel 28 is preferably a tight or snug fit, again to avoid wear and lateral impact or vibration transmission to the fitting.

The roller 113 is preferably supported on the guide member 110 on bearings, e.g. ball bearings or roller bearings. In the example depicted, the roller side 113 is mounted on a boss 114 and arranged to turn freely about the boss 114, typically on an upright axis Z.

The guide structure 112 also includes fins 115a, 115b. The fins 115a, 115b can facilitate stability and may bear against the side portions of the channel 28 in addition to the side roller 113.

The guide fins 115a, 115b also function to wipe or brush clean the sides of the channel 28 ahead of the roller during travel along the channel 28. To this end, the guide fins 115a, 115b can be provided with wiper or brush elements on side surfaces 115s of the fins 115a, 115b.

The guide member 110 comprises an elongate body 111. Longitudinal axis X1 extends end-to-end through the elongate body 111.

Elongate apertures 116 near respective ends of the elongate body 111 extend through the body 111. The elongated apertures 116 are elongate transverse to the longitudinal axis X1 of the body 111.

As can be appreciated, the guide member 11 is configured to travel end-first along the channel, which when the fitting is mounted to the door, is in the sliding direction. The elongate apertures 116 therefore extend transverse to the sliding directions in use.

The base member 120 is arranged to be connected in fixed relationship to the sliding door panel 10. In this example the base member 120 comprises a generally stiff, tabular, and elongate body 121. Longitudinal axis X2 extends end-to-end through the elongate body 121.

The connection of the base member 120 to the door panel 10 can be carried out in a wide variety of ways. The base member 120 in this case is attachable by fasteners in the form of screws, a hole 122 being provided in each corner for receiving a screw through the body 121 of the base member. In other variants, fasteners of other kinds could be used including e.g. screws, clamps, nails. Alternatively, the base member 120 could be glued or cemented in place to the door panel 10.

A cut out 124 through the body is provided allowing pressure release upon pressing the base member 120 into a designated recess in the top edge of the door panel.

The activation member 130 comprises an intermediate body in the form of a thin elongate plate 131 arranged between the base member 120 and the guide member 110. Longitudinal axis X3 extends end-to-end through the elongate body 131.

The activation member 130 is arranged to be axially slidable relative to the base member 120 and the guide member. The base member 120 provides a seat 125 for accommodating the activation member 130 and which is arranged to confine the activation member 130 to movement axially. To this end, the seat 125 comprises a channel adapted to the width and contour of the plate 131 of the activation member 130 with side wall stubs 126 on either side.

The guide member 110 has cams in the form of recessed grooves 119. Each cam 119 of the guide member 110 cooperates with a cam follower comprising a protruding member 132 of the activation member 130. The protruding members 132 are fixed structures of the activation member 130 and are arranged to extend into the grooves 119 when the fitting 100 is assembled. For example, they may be formed as a machined boss or stud securely fastened onto the body 131 of the activation member 130. Upon axial sliding of the activation member 130, the protruding members 132 travel along and follow the trajectory of grooves 119 of the guide member 130 due to their mechanical interaction with and forces imparted by contact against surface(s) of the grooves 119.

The grooves 119 extend over part of their length at an angle obliquely to the longitudinal axes X1 and X3. Accordingly, upon sliding the activation member 130 axially, the guide member 110 following the trajectory of the grooves 119 is urged laterally relative to the axes. Correspondingly therefore, when using the fitting 100 on the door panel 10 for sliding as described above with the guide member 110 arranged in the channel 28, activation of the activation member 130 causing it to slide will in turn allow movement of the door transverse to the sliding direction S.

The activation member 130 has, in this example at each end, a formation for connecting the activation member 130 to an espagnolette 18 or other means for activating the activation member 130 of the fitting. Upon action of the espagnolette 18, e.g. when turning the handle of the door panel, the activation member 130 is caused to slide relative to both the base member 120 and the guide member 110, such that it follows the cam profiles 119.

Each end of each groove 119 has a section which extends parallel to the longitudinal axes. This arrangement can hinder movement of the guide member and door panel laterally in the event of an accidental knock or movement. Thus, in order to shift the door transverse to the sliding direction a positive turn of the door handle is required to activate the fitting fully, and then keep it in the activated position during sliding.

The manner of coupling together the guide member 110, the base member 120, and the activation member 130 can now be considered further. As can be seen, this coupling is carried out by two coupling pins 150 which are passed through the guide member 110 and the activation member 130. The coupling pins 150 pass through the apertures 116 in the guide member 110 and through slots 135 through the body 131 of the activation member 130.

One end of each pin 150 has a head 152 which is arranged to bear against a surface or surface sections either side of the guide member 110. The other end of each pin 150 is received through corresponding holes 127 of the base member 120. The holes 127 in this example extend through the body 121 of the base member 120.

The ends of the coupling pins 150 which are received through the holes 127 have circumferential grooves 153. Press flanges 160 are pressed and snapped onto the grooved ends 153, which secures the pins 153 in place. The coupling pins 150 then act to hold the guide member 110, base member 120, and activation member 130 together and in proper relation to each other, the activation member in sliding contact with the base member 120 and the guide member. Notably, the ends of the pins 150 are dimensioned to match the diameter of the circular holes 127 in the base member 120. As a result, the coupling pins 153, also due to the length of the holes 127, are connected firmly so as to remain in location, i.e. their long axes fixed, with respect to the base member 127. In other variants, nuts or locking nuts may be used instead of or in addition the press flanges, and the nuts may be screwed onto corresponding threads at the ends of the pins.

As can be appreciated, upon activation and axial sliding of the activation member 130, the coupling pins 150 will experience relative “travel” between one end of the aperture 116 and the other, as the guide member is moved by the cam mechanism relative to the guide member. The width of the elongate apertures 116 is dimensioned to correspond closely to the diameter of the pin, so as to confine the movement of the guide member in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal sliding direction of the activation member 130, preventing inadvertent movement of the guide member 110 longitudinally. The coupling pin clearly also 150 experiences relative “travel” along the slots 135 by virtue of them extending through the slots 135 as the activation member 110 is slid longitudinally during activation.

The inventors have found that the coupling pins 150 have a central function both in coupling the parts together, but also have to accommodate forces as may be imparted through the apertures 116 or surfaces adjacent to the heads 152 of the pins, especially upon actuation of the mechanism. As there is a degree of play and room for relative movements between components, while the coupling pins 150 also are in bearing or supporting relationship against the guide member 110, parts in and around the coupling pins are here devised to help mitigate wear effects over repeated use. The heads 152 slide over the surface adjacent to the guide member 110 as the guide member moves. The present fittings 100 can thereby better deal with effects of lateral wobble in the fitting 100 arising due to the arrangement of the fitting between heavy door panels and the engaging channels. Such stabilising effect can be facilitated by the guide structure 112 which is broad relative to the overall width of the guide member 110 and can fit correspondingly within a broad channel 28 of the door frame, reducing the scope for undesired tipping or lateral pivoting motions in use.

To this end, the coupling pins 150 have broad head 152, which overlaps the edge of the apertures. Several variants are envisaged, including ones such as indicated in Figures 19A to 19D. In the example described above, the pin head 152 comprises a tapered flange 155 which is arranged to juxtapose a corresponding bevelled edge surface 116b of the elongate aperture 116. In Figure 19B, the pin head 152’ comprises radial flange 155’ forming a right angle to the pin body for matching a perpendicular corner or edge surfaces 116p’ at the opening to the aperture. In Figure 19C, the pin head 152’’’ comprises a radial flange 155’’ matching a recessed perpendicular corner 116p’’. In Figure 19D, the pin head 152’’’ comprises a reverse-angled flange 155’’’ which reaches over a corner of the aperture 116 and is arranged to engage a surface of the guide member 110 at a location spaced away from the entrance of the aperture 116. The pin head variants 152 to 152’’’ can therefore provide greater stabilising support for the guide member 110 against wobbling or undesired movements of the guide member 110 in use.

An example lower door fitting 200 is now described with reference to Figures 14 to 18. The lower door fitting 200 comprises a guide member 210, a base member 220, and an activation member 230. These can be coupled together as a three-part sandwich to form the assembled fitting 200 in which each of the parts, i.e. the guide member 210, the base member 220, and the activation member 230, are arranged to be movable relative to one another upon activation, for producing in use the movement transverse to the slide direction of the door panel. The guide member is arranged when fitted to the door outwardly from the activation member and the base member 220.

The assembled fitting 200 is shown in Figures 14 to 16. Further details of the parts are shown in Figures 17 and 18.

The guide member 210 has a guide structure 212 comprising a longitudinal groove 213 extending between ends of the guide member 210. The rail 26 is received in the groove 213 in use, wheels 273 of a roller wheel unit 270 (to be described further below) are located in the groove 213 for contacting the top of the rail in weight bearing relationship and rolling along the rail 26 upon sliding the door panel between open and closed positions.

Side walls of the groove 213 of the guide member 210 overlap the top of the rail 26 and can provide a surface of leverage against the rail for generating force for movement of the door transverse to the rail 26 (and sliding direction S) upon activation of the fitting 200. During sliding in direction S, lips of the roller wheels keep the wheels centred on the rail 26, and facilitate sufficient mini-space between sides of the longitudinal groove and the rail 26 and lateral play to reduce or limit frictional contacts and facilitate free sliding of the door panel 10.

However, the fit of the longitudinal groove 213 to the rail 26 is preferably a tight or snug fit, to provide effective operation in use.

The guide member 210 includes cleaning elements 215 at each end of the guide member 210 for cleaning the rail 26 during sliding. The cleaning elements 215 in this example comprise brushes, but in other variants are wipers, scrapers, or rubbers or combinations thereof. The cleaning elements 215 can for example remove dirt, particles, grit, or dust which may be present on the rail and which may otherwise interfere with operation or smooth operation of the door, or which may otherwise cause wear in the guide member and in particular the wheels 273 which are arranged to bear the weight of the door on the rail 26. As can be seen, the cleaning element 215 at one end is arranged ahead of the wheels 273 in one direction of sliding, and the other cleaning element 215 at the other end is arranged ahead of the wheels 273 in the opposite direction of sliding. Thus, they can remove dirt from the rail 26 before contact is made with a section of rail by the wheels 273.

The guide member 210 comprises an elongate body 211. Longitudinal axis XX1 extends end-to-end through the elongate body 211.

Elongate apertures 216 near respective ends of the elongate body 211 extend through the body 211. The elongated apertures 116 are elongate transverse to the longitudinal axis XX1 of the body 211.

As can be appreciated, the guide member 211 is configured to travel end-first along the rail 26, which when the fitting 200 is mounted to the door panel, is in the horizontal sliding direction S. The elongate apertures 216 therefore extend transverse to the sliding directions S in use.

The base member 220 is arranged to be connected in fixed relationship to the sliding door panel 10. In this example the base member 220 comprises a generally stiff, tabular, and elongate body 221. Longitudinal axis XX2 extends end-to-end through the elongate body 221.

The connection of the base member 220 to the door panel 10 can be carried out in a wide variety of ways. The base member 220 in this case is attachable by fasteners in the form of screws, a hole 222 being provided in each corner for receiving a screw through the body 221 of the base member 220. In other variants, fasteners of other kinds could be used including e.g. screws, clamps, nails. Alternatively, the base member 220 could be glued or cemented in place to the door panel 10.

A central recess 224 in the body 221 is provided for accommodating a roller wheel unit 270.

It is convenient here to introduce further the roller wheel unit 270. In this example, the roller wheel unit 270 comprises two inline roller wheels 271. The wheels 271 are mounted in a bogey 272 comprising parallel elongate body plates, spaced apart to accommodate the wheels therebetween. Wheel rotation axes YY1, YY2 extend horizontally perpendicular to the plates, when the lower door fitting 200 is mounted to the door panel 10 in use. The roller wheels 271 are configured to fit the rail 26 of the door frame. The door panel is supported by the roller wheels on the rail 26. As the door is slid open the roller wheels 271 roll along the rail, providing low friction bearing for the door on the rail, and allowing a smooth sliding of the door between open and closed positions.

Pivots 274 extend outwardly from an outer surface of respective plates 271 and have pivot axis YY3, parallel to the rotation axes YY1, YY2 of the roller wheels. Corresponding radial slots 228 are provided in sidewalls 229 of the recess of the base member 221. The pivot 274 is located in a location along the bogey between the roller wheels 271. The pivots 274 provide a fulcrum 275 on which the base member 220 is supported in use, permitting relative tilting between the base member 220 and wheel unit 270. This can allow the wheels 271 to adapt and accommodate imperfections or variations in slope along the rail 26 while both wheels 217 remaining in load-bearing contact for supporting the weight of the door panel, and may alleviate stresses between the door panel and rail.

The wheel unit 270 is also movable horizontally in the direction of axis YY3, while in load bearing configuration, corresponding to the movement laterally of the guide member 210 transverse to the sliding direction S.

Each roller wheel 270 in this example has side lips 273p and a contact surface 273c for rollably contacting the top of the rail 26, i.e. the running surface on which the roller wheels 271 are to roll. The contact surface 273c extends between the side lips 273p. The lips 273p depend from the contact surface 273c so as to be arranged for positioning and centralising the contact surface 273c of the wheel 273 laterally with respect to the top of the rail 26. The lips overhang an upper side of the rail.

The roller wheels 271 are arranged so that when assembled in the fitting 200 for use, they penetrate into the longitudinally extending groove of the guide structure 212. They roller wheels 271 are arranged in a tight lateral fit in the groove, so that by movement of the guide structure 212 laterally, the guide member 210 imparts a force against a side of the roller wheel unit 270 urging it to move laterally in the transverse, Y direction in accordance with the relative movement of the guide member 210 relative to the base member 220, while the roller wheels 271 remain positioned in the longitudinal groove.

The contact surface and side lips of the wheel define a concave or U-shaped surface profile for engaging a corresponding surface profile of the rail 26.

The wheels, in particular the contact surfaces and lips, comprise plastics material. The inventors have found that this can significantly facilitate the longevity of the wheels and performance on the rail. Over time scales where metal wheels or bearing exhibit material balling and wear, the wheels 273 can continue to perform. The rail may be subjected to less wear.

The plastics material of the wheel in particular the contact surface and lips, can comprise or consist essentially of polyoxymethylene (POM) or the like. This material can have good strength, durability, and versatility of use.

The plastics material of the wheels provides also for quiet running of the wheels on the rail 26, avoiding noise carrying through storeys of buildings in use. The rail 26 or track may typically comprise or consist essentially of metal e.g. aluminium. The rail 26 may be provided by a door frame base moulding of metal, e.g. aluminium.

Also in the lower door fitting 200, the activation member 230 comprises an intermediate body in the form of a thin elongate plate 231 arranged between the base member 220 and the guide member 210. Longitudinal axis XX3 extends end-to-end through the elongate body 231.

The activation member 230 is arranged to be axially slidable relative to the base member 220 and the guide member 210. The base member 220 provides a seat 225 for accommodating the activation member 230 and which is arranged to confine the activation member 230 to movement axially. To this end, the seat 225 comprises a channel adapted to the width and contour of the plate 231 of the activation member 230 with side wall stubs 226 on either side.

The guide member 210 has cams in the form of recessed grooves 219. Each cam 219 of the guide member 210 cooperates with a cam follower comprising a protruding member 232 of the activation member 230. The protruding members 232 are fixed structures of the activation member 230 and are arranged to extend into the grooves 219 when the fitting 200 is assembled. For example, they may be formed as a machined boss or stud securely fastened onto the body 231 of the activation member 230. Upon axial sliding of the activation member 230, the protruding members 232 travel along and follow the trajectory of grooves 219 of the guide member 230 due to their mechanical interaction with and forces imparted by contact against surface(s) of the grooves 219.

The grooves 219 extend over part of their length obliquely, i.e. at an oblique angle, to the longitudinal axes X1 and X3. Accordingly, upon sliding the activation member 230 axially, the guide member 210 following the trajectory of the grooves 219 is urged laterally relative to the axes. Correspondingly therefore, when using the fitting 200 on the bottom edge of the door panel 10 for sliding as described above with the guide member 210 arranged on the rail 26, activation of the activation member 230 causing it to slide will in turn allow movement of the door panel 10 transverse to the sliding direction S.

The activation member 230 has, in this example at each end, a formation for connecting the activation member 230 to the espagnolette 18 or any other means for activating the activation member 230 of the fitting. Upon action of the espangolette 18, e.g. when turning the handle of the door panel 10, the activation member 230 is caused to slide relative to both the base member 220 and the guide member 210, such that it follows the cam profiles 219.

The lower fitting 200 thus has the same basic activation mechanism as the upper fitting 100, allowing them to work in tandem on the same door panel 10.

Each end of each groove 219 has a section which extends parallel to the longitudinal axes. This arrangement can hinder movement of the guide member and door panel laterally which can hinder opening of the door by mere lateral pressure against the door panel. This can be a useful measure for securing the door against potential break-in when the door is closed. Thus, in order to shift the door transverse to the sliding direction a positive turn of the door handle is required to activate the fitting fully.

The guide member 210, the base member 220, and the activation member 230 are coupled together by two coupling pins 250 which are passed through the guide member 210 and the activation member 230. The coupling pins 250 pass through the apertures 216 in the guide member 210 and through slots 235 through the body 231 of the activation member 230. The pins can be arranged as indicated in Figures 19A to 19B as described above in relation to the upper fitting 100 and provide similar benefits.

One end of each pin 250 has a head 252 which is arranged to extend over the corner or edge of the apertures to bear against a surface or surface sections either side of the guide member 210. The other end of each pin 250 is received through corresponding holes 227 of the base member 220. The holes 227 in this example extend through the body 221 of the base member 220.

The ends of the coupling pins 250 which are received through the holes 227 have circumferential grooves 253. Press flanges 260 are pressed and snapped onto the grooved ends 253, which secures the pins 253 in place. The coupling pins 250 then act to hold the guide member 210, base member 220, and activation member 230 together and in proper relation to each other, the activation member in sliding contact with the base member 220 and the guide member 210. Notably, the ends of the pins 250 are dimensioned to match the diameter of the circular holes 227 in the base member 220. As a result, the coupling pins 253, also due to sufficiently dimensioning the length of the holes 227, are connected firmly so as to remain in location, i.e. their long axes fixed, with respect to the base member 227. In other examples, the guide member 110, 210 may have one or more further apertures 116, 216 extending through the body, in further location(s) along the guide member, and each having a corresponding pin 152 through the aperture for coupling the guide member to the base member similarly.

As can be appreciated, upon activation and axial sliding of the activation member 230, the coupling pins 250 will experience relative “travel” between one end of the aperture 216 and the other, as the guide member is moved by the cam mechanism relative to the guide member. The width of the elongate apertures 216 is dimensioned to correspond closely to the diameter of the pin, so as to confine the movement of the guide member in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal sliding direction of the activation member 230, preventing inadvertent movement of the guide member 210 longitudinally. The coupling pin clearly also 250 experiences relative “travel” along the slots 235 by virtue of them extending through the slots 235 as the activation member 210 is slid longitudinally during activation.

The base member 220 has a rear side which is positioned against an attachment surface of the door panel when connected to the door panel. To this end, the rear side of the base member 220 has a contact surface 292 arranged to juxtapose contactingly the corresponding attachment surface of the door. The contact surface 292 comprises a continuous area A encompassing the length and width of the wheel unit 270. The contact surface 292 provides support and distribution of forces from the central region where loads to which the base member is subjected are concentrated through the wheel unit 270. As can be seen, the area A extends laterally the full width of the rear of the base member 221 in the central region 292 of the area. This can also facilitate stiffness of the base member. Rear surfaces, including the contact surface 292 of the base member, cover the wheel unit, in this case covering the wheel unit entirely, on the rear side. The covering rear surfaces may thus help to hide the wheel unit in the fitting 200, and may prevent dust, dirt or other particles from entering and/or getting entangled or trapped in and around the wheel and/or wheel unit mechanism.

As can be appreciated from the above, the fittings 100, 200 can provide significant benefits over prior art, in particular in relation to the stability and long-term smooth running of heavy door or window panels. The arrangement of the cam groove and follower provides lateral support in the guide member. Lateral support and stability is further assisted by the coupling pin arranged to extend through the elongate apertures in the guide member, while the guide member is allowed to move relative to the pins located in the aperture. This in turn facilitates long term operation and better ability to function with larger and heavier door panels. Stability and function can be further facilitated in the upper fittings with the guide structure extending across a majority of the width of the guide member and fitting a correspondingly wide channel. In the lower fittings by the provision of guide wheels with plastics contact surfaces and the contact surfaces centred on the rail by the wheel side lips, proper alignment and durability is facilitated. Cleaning elements in the guide member help to clean the track to avoid wobbling movements imparted from dirt in the tracks, and weight bearing abilities can be further enhanced by the provision of dual wheels and the continuous backing surface of the base member for distributing forces at high load points, such as where the pivot of the roller wheel unit bears against the base member.

Various modifications and improvements may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as set out in the claims appended hereto. Although the description above has been made with reference in particular to the door panel 10, the fittings 100, 200 can equally be applied to window panels. The term door panel in any of the above examples or aspects may alternatively therefore refer to a window panel. It can also be appreciated that the guide member of the upper fitting 100 in other embodiments may be arranged with a longitudinal channel to receive and cooperate with a rail that extends along the door frame, for example instead of the channel 28. The guide member 110 of the upper fitting may have other structures for engaging with a channel or rail, and they may or may not include the side roller 113. The guide member 210 of the lower fitting may have other wheel units, including for example single wheels or rollers, or other devices for facilitating sliding of the door or window panel. One or more further bogeys, or bogeys with further wheels may be provided.

Claims

1. A fitting for supporting a sliding door panel in a door frame, the fitting comprising:

a base member to be fixed to the door panel;

a guide member configured to cooperate guidably with a track extending along the door frame, having an axis and at least one elongate aperture extending across the axis and through a body of the guide member;

an activation member arranged between the base member and the guide member, the activation member being coupled to the guide member through at least one cam for moving the guide member relative to the base member in a direction transverse to the track upon sliding operation of the activation member, the cam comprising at least one cam groove in the guide member and the activation member comprising a cam follower arranged to penetrate the cam groove, at least part of the length of the cam groove being arranged obliquely to the axis for facilitating the transverse movement; and

at least one coupling pin extending through the elongate aperture for coupling the guide member to the base member, the aperture being elongate in the transverse direction, for accommodating said movement of the guide member relative to the base member.

2. A fitting as claimed in claim 1, wherein the coupling pin has a head comprising a flange which extends over at least one edge or corner of the aperture.

3. A fitting as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the cam groove has first and/or second end parts arranged to extend in parallel to the axis.

4. A fitting as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the cam groove is recessed into the body of the guide member.

5. A fitting as claimed in any preceding claim, configured to be a lower fitting for the door panel, the lower fitting further comprising at least one roller wheel for supporting the sliding door panel on a lower track.

6. A fitting as claimed in claim 5, further comprising at least two roller wheels arranged inline for rolling on the track.

7. A fitting as claimed in claim 5 or 6, wherein the roller wheel or roller wheels each comprises a contact surface for contacting the track, and at least one side lip for positioning the contact surface with respect to the track.

8. A fitting as claimed in claim 7, wherein the contact surface is defined between two side lips on each roller wheel for positioning the contact surface with respect to the track.

9. A fitting as claimed in any of claims 7 or 8, wherein the contact surface comprises or consists essentially of plastics material.

10. A fitting as claimed in any of claims 7 to 9, wherein the side lip or lips comprise(s) or consist(s) essentially of plastics material.

11. A fitting as claimed in any of claims 5 to 10, which further comprises a bogey including the at least two roller wheels, the bogey arranged to be tiltable with respect to the base member.

12. A fitting as claimed in claim 11, wherein the bogey has at least one pivot and the base member is adapted to receive the pivot in a slot in a body of the base member so as to be tiltable about the pivot.

13. A fitting as claimed in claim 12, wherein the pivot has an axis and the bogey is arranged to be slidable axially on the pivot with respect to the base member, in accordance with the movement of the guide member transverse to the track upon activation.

14. A fitting as claimed in any of claims 5 to 13, further comprising at least one roller wheel or at least one roller wheel unit comprising at least two roller wheels, wherein the base member comprises a contact surface which is arranged to be disposed in contact against a surface of the lower edge of the door panel upon connection of the base member to the door panel, said contact surface having a continuous surface area spanning the region occupied by the roller wheel or roller wheel unit in at least one direction within the fitting.

15. A fitting as claimed in any of claims 5 to 14, wherein the base member comprises at least one rear surface which covers the at least one roller wheel or at least one roller wheel unit of the fitting.

16. A fitting as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the guide member has at least one cleaning element for facilitating to clean the track.

17. A fitting as claimed in claim 16, wherein the cleaning element comprises a brush, scraper or wiper.

18. A fitting as claimed in any of claims 5 to 17, wherein the guide member has at least one cleaning element arranged to clean the track ahead of the wheel or wheels upon travel along the track upon sliding the door panel in an opening direction, and at least one cleaning element arranged to clean the track ahead of the wheel or wheels upon travel along the track upon sliding the door panel in a closing direction.

19. A fitting as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the actuation member is arranged to be translated longitudinally relative to the guide member for producing the movement of the guide member laterally with respect to the base member.

20. A fitting as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the activation member comprises coupling means for coupling the activation member to an espagnolette which in turn is coupled to a door handle.

21. A fitting as claimed in any preceding claim, the base member configured to be fitted to an upper edge of the door panel, wherein the guide member includes a wheel which is rotatable about an upright axis in use for rolling contact against side surfaces of an upper track when translating and sliding the door panel along the track.

22. A fitting as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the base member comprises an elongate body and a back panel comprising continuous contact surface covering an area from one side of the body to the other and extending centrally toward both ends.

23. A sliding door panel fitted with at least one fitting according to any of any preceding claim.

24. A building comprising a wall opening fitted with a slidable door panel according to claim 23.

25. A fitting for supporting a sliding window panel in a window frame, the fitting comprising:

a base member to be fixed to the window panel;

a guide member configured to cooperate guidably with a track extending along the window frame, having an axis and at least one elongate aperture extending across the axis and through a body of the guide member;