NZ333788A - Guide assembly for sliding door or window, fin guided in track so that door or window frame conceals track - Google Patents

Abstract

A tracking assembly of or for a panel, such as a door or window is described. The assembly contains an extrusion (female track) that receives at its mouth only a male peripheral feature (a fin) of the panel transverse to the track axis that is narrower than the panel itself. With reference to figure 2A, the single extrusion 1 of aluminum defines a female inner track 2 and a female outer track 3. The inner track 2 is narrower in its "female" channel form than the outer track 3. The outer track 3 receives in a male manner an extrusion 4 which provides the vertical periphery of the outer panel assembly, whilst the narrower inner track receives the male fin 5 of an extrusion 6 which provides the vertical periphery of the inner panel assembly. The assembly provides an attractive appearance from the inside of the building when the overall window or door structure is closed.

Description

NEW ZEALAND PATENTS ACT, 1953 No: 333788 Date: 18 January 1999 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION "Tracking Assemblies" # We, FLETCHER ALUMINIUM LIMITED, a company duly incorporated under the laws of New Zealand of 7 Maui Street, Pukete Industrial Estate, Te Rapa, Hamilton, New Zealand, do hereby declare the invention for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: INIELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF NZ I 5 DEC 1999 RECEIVED The present invention relates to tracking assemblies such as those that might be used in respect of sliding windows and/or doors (eg double hung window assemblies) and to related means and methods. As used hereinafter therefore reference to "tracking assemblies" is not restricted to any single type of sliding tracking assembly but is generic of all such assemblies.

The traditional double hung window arrangement usually involves an inner and an outer window assembly (ie, inner and outer "panels"). Each sliding panel is a peripherally framed panel of glass and each is slidable reliant (usually "male" into "female" tracking) on the peripheral frame in its own dedicated pair of tracks usually running parallel and in the plane of a wall. It is usual for the outer panel, in its closed condition, to be the higher of the two panels so as to lap over the upper regions of the inner panel. Typically all of the tracking is wider than the panels themselves.

A difficulty with composite (i.e. timber interior and aluminium exterior) double hung windows, particularly where the tracking is to be provided by an extrusion, is the provision of an attractive appearance from the preferred aspect of the inside of the building when the overall window structure is in its closed condition. There is of course the difficulty of the visibility of the coloured aluminium track for the inner panel above the inner panel in the closed condition. The outer tracking for the outer panel is masked from view from the preferred aspect of the inside by, in the case of the lower regions of the track, the inner panel when closed and, in respect of the upper regions of the track, the outer panel itself when in its raised closed condition.

An answer to the aforementioned difficulty should also be applicable to a similar difficulty with all sliding panels (such as standard windows and doors). This is the case irrespective of whether there is a single pair of complementary tracks for, for example, a single hung window, a single horizontal sliding window, a double horizontal sliding window set (on the same track plane), single horizontal sliding doors and double horizontal sliding door pairs (where they are on the same sliding plane) or for multiple sliding panels.

In a first aspect the present invention consists in a tracking assembly of or for a panel (such as a door or window) wherein the female track is to receive at its mouth only a male peripheral feature of the panel transverse to the track axis more narrow than the panel itself (eg, if a glazed panel, more narrow than, say, that extrusion (at its widest) that provides the periphery of the window).

Preferably said feature is a fin (preferably of a thickness much less than the extrusion thickness in general).

In a second aspect the invention consists in a tracking assembly of or for at least panels (such as a door or window) wherein a panel is a glazed peripheral frame, the frame being an assembly of extrusions, and wherein an extrusion providing at least part of the periphery on a tracking edge of the first panel has a fin to track in a tracking channel, both the fin and tracking channel for the fin not being wider transverse to the tracking axis than the fin including extrusion and wherein no wider part than the fin of the extrusion with the fin is in use located within said channel.

In another aspect the invention consists in components of, combinations for and methods attaching to the provision of such tracking assemblies.

The present invention therefore is directed to tracking assemblies for sliding panels (eg doors and windows) where the tracking is not wider than the panels themselves.

In still another aspect the present invention consists in a tracking assembly for two or more moveable components to each move reciprocally in a dedicated track in substantially parallel loci of movement (preferably parallel planes) having a preferred "aspect" side, the assembly comprising or including means providing a track for each component, and the components, each with means to guideably associate each component with its track so as to be reciprocally guidable thereby on its particular locus, wherein that locus most adjacent the preferred aspect side of the loci (eg; the inside of a building if the components number two and are double hung windows) being in the form of a narrow channel or groove (hereafter "channel") in which a flange or the equivalent (eg; a complex flanged form or fabricated flange form) (hereafter "fin") of the particular components track, such fin only being located in said channel.

Preferably said channel or groove is capable of being fitted with and preferably is fitted with means which disguises the existence of the channel or groove form as the flange or the equivalent moves from any particular point thereof, (eg; as is the case if, for example, the said channel or groove is fitted with what are commonly called, at least in the double hung window business, "mohairs"). Accordingly the term "narrow" can take its meaning from that requirement or alternatively can mean a width less than the panel width (ie the sliding panel of the door or window) Preferably each of the loci is defined, at least principally, as a channel, groove or female form when viewed along the locus even if there may be male features within the form.

Preferably at least one component other than that having said flange or the .4- ^ / 0 equivalent is provided with means of greater thickness (when considered longitudinally of the locus) thus requiring a channel or groove of greater cross-section than that of the track most adjacent the preferred aspect side of the loci.

Preferably the dedicated track of each component is provided on opposite sides of each such component, eg; if a double hung window, on either vertical side of the windows and preferably (if planar) in the plane of the wall in to which they might be fitted.

Preferably the loci are defined on at least one side of the components by a single extrusion or other member.

In a further aspect the present invention consists in a double hung window assembly including or having an extrusion on either side of a window opening in a wall or like structure, each extrusion defining an inner and outer track, the inner track at least being of a female kind, an inner window assembly ("inner panel") tracking and reciprocally movable on the locus defined by said inner track, an outer window assembly ("outer panel") tracking and reciprocally movable on the locus defined by said outer track, wherein said inner panel tracks the inner track reliant solely on a fin or flange or other narrow part of an extrusion (hereafter "fin") forming part of the inner panel which fin is received as a male member by the female inner track.

Preferably said outer track is also of a female kind.

Preferably said inner track is provided with mohairs and such mohairs substantially close the track from an aesthetics point of view.

In a further aspect the present invention consists in, in a double hung window assembly, an inner window assembly ("inner panel") where at least the peripheral members on the vertical edges of the glazing thereof are provided by extrusions having an outwardly extending fin which fins are each receivable in a fin complementary tracking groove of narrow width, (eg; such as might be capable of being substantially closed, if desired, by the provision of mohairs and/or preferably less than the thickness of the inner panel).

In still a further aspect the present invention consists in any methods substantially hereinafter described with reference to assemblies or components of the present invention.

One preferred form of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which; Figure 1A shows tracking of a prior art conventional double hung window by fin, a broader tracked extrusion to be glazed to provide the outer and preferably upper (when closed) window panel, Figure 2B is a similar view to that of Figure 2 A but identifying the "outside" and "inside" respectively and showing, for each of the two tracks, the provision of mohairs or seals which are closer together on the right hand side (the inside), Figure 3 is a side elevation but with a different extrusion looking along the longitudinal axis of extrusion members to provide the top and bottom peripheries of each of the inner and outer panels as well as some of the window frame elements, the "sill" being shown at the bottom and the "head" at the top, Figure 4 is a similar view to that of Figures 2A and 2B (but with a different extrusion) showing both sides of a window frame for a double hung window, (for clarity) the inner extrusions only which bound the vertical sides of the inner window being shown received in a male into female manner by the narrow inner track of the extrusion, and Figure 5 is a similar view to that of Figure 4 (but again with a different extrusion) but (again for clarity) showing only the outer window tracking.

In the preferred form of the present invention reference will be made to a composite double hung window which can embody any of the usual features of such windows, ie; linkages between the windows, etc. if desired. For the purpose of the description consider, by way of example, each window panel as being of a single pane of, for example, 4mm glass with a periphery of, for example, 20mm in maximum thickness. The fin preferably is of thickness no greater than, say, the glass (and preferably less than 2mm). Obviously the present invention applies to multi glazed systems and to a wide range of peripheral thicknesses and fin thickness.

Important aspects of the present invention however arise from the provision of preferably a single extrusion 1 of aluminium which defines a female inner track 2 and a female outer track 3. As can be seen the inner track 2 is preferably far more narrow in its "female" channel form than the outer track 3. It is this inner track for an inner panel that exemplifies the present invention.

The outer track 3 receives in a male manner an extrusion 4 which is to provide a vertical periphery of the outer window assembly (ie outer panels) whilst the more narrow inner track receives the male fin 5 of an extrusion 6 which (in a similar manner to that of extrusion 4) is to provide a vertical periphery of a window assembly, this time the inner window assembly, (ie inner panel).

As perhaps can best be seen by the differences between Figures 2A and 2B, mohairs or other seals can be provided in a usual manner to provide some measure of weatherproofing between the tracks and the window assemblies. In the case of the inner track 2 such mohairs 3 substantially close those regions of the channel not actually receiving (at any particular point in time) the fin 5 of the inner window.

In use, in a closed condition, the member 6 would be down whilst the outer panel would be up thus meaning that all of the tracks (2) are not gapingly open from the preferred "aspect" of the view point of an observer inside the structure having a window. In the closed condition only the narrow part of the inner track would be visible and that would be above the lowered inner panel. The mohairs reduce the extent of any opening into the narrow inner channel-like track (2) that might be visible.

Indeed even in an open condition the mohairs contribute to reducing the open appearance of the inner track.

Whilst reference is made to a fin or flange (and that is typified by the flange 5 depicted in Figure 1) do appreciate that (as shown in Figures 3 and 4 by components 6A and 4A) different extrusions to those depicted in Figures 1A and IB can be utilised and indeed, if desired, the fin member 5 need not be a simple straight fin as depicted. It could be zig zagged, flanged or otherwise provided (even as a narrow box section) if it is easily locatable during assembly into a "narrow" inner track.

Also depicted in the drawings are various aspects of extrusions and the like that lend themselves to operating aspects of such double hung windows. Details of such arrangements however, are not essential to an understanding of the invention as previously defined but are included herein without comment.

From the example of a double hung window (or at least the inner panel thereof) a fin dependent preferment for a panel for one or more track containing tracking assemblies has been described. Sliding door and window embodiments reliant on such tracking (ie of a narrow projection of a peripheral extrusion of the panel) in a female track can similarly be provided. /

Claims (23)

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A tracking assembly comprising means to define a female track having a mouth and a panel, wherein the female track is to receive or receives at its mouth only a male peripheral feature of the panel transverse to the track axis more narrow than the panel itself.

2. An assembly of claim 1 wherein said peripheral feature is a fin.

3. An assembly of claim 1 or 2 wherein said panel is a door or window.

4. An assembly of claim 2 wherein said panel is peripherally defined by at least one extruded component form.

5. An assembly of claim 4 wherein said panel is glazed.

6. An assembly of anyone of the preceding claims wherein said means to define a track defines a second track for a different panel.

7. An assembly of claim 6 wherein said second track is wider than the first track.

8. An assembly of claim 6 or 7 wherein said means to define the two tracks is an extrusion.

9. An assembly of anyone of the preceding claims substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to anyone or more of the accompanying drawings.

10. A tracking assembly of or for at least panels comprising or including the means to define said tracks and said panels, wherein a first panel is a glazed peripheral frame, the frame being an assembly of extrusions, and wherein an extrusion providing at least part of the periphery on a tracking edge of the first panel has a fin to track in a channel of the means to define the track of the first panel, both the fin and tracking channel for the fin not being wider transverse to the tracking axis than the first panel defining extrusion and wherein no wider part than the fin of the extrusion with the fin is in use located within said channel.

11. A tracking assembly for two or more moveable components to each move reciprocally in a dedicated track in substantially parallel loci of movement, said assembly having a preferred "aspect" side, the assembly comprising or including means providing a track for each panel component, and the components, each with means to guideably associate each component with its track so as to be reciprocally guidable thereby on its particular locus, wherein that locus most adjacent the preferred aspect side of the loci (eg; the inside of a building if the components number two and are double hung windows) being in the form of a narrow channel or groove (hereafter "channel") in which a flange, fin or the equivalent (eg; a complex flanged form or fabricated flange form) (hereafter "fin") of the particular components track, such fin only being located in said channel.

12. An assembly of claim 11 wherein said channel or groove is capable of being fitted with and preferably is fitted with means which disguises the existence of the channel or groove form as the flange, fin or the equivalent moves from any particular point thereof.

13. An assembly of claim 11 or 12 preferably each of the loci is defined, at least principally, as a channel, groove or female form when viewed along the locus even if there may be male features within the form.

14. An assembly of any one of claims 11 to 13 where at least one component other than that having said flange or the equivalent is provided with means of greater thickness (when considered longitudinally of the locus) thus requiring a channel or groove of greater cross-section than that of the track most adjacent the preferred aspect side of the loci.

15. An assembly of anyone of claims 11 to 14 wherein the dedicated track of each component is provided on opposite sides of each such component, eg; if a double hung window, on either vertical side of the windows and preferably (if planar) in the plane of the wall in to which they might be fitted.

16. An assembly of anyone of claims 11 to 15 wherein the tracking loci are defined by a single extrusion.

17. An assembly of anyone of the preceding claims substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to anyone or more of the accompanying drawings.

18. A double hung window assembly including or having an extrusion on either side of a window opening in a wall or like structure, each extrusion defining an inner and outer track, the inner track at least being of a female kind, an inner window assembly ("inner panel") tracking and reciprocally movable on the locus defined by said inner track, an outer window assembly ("outer panel") tracking and reciprocally movable on the locus defined by said outer track, wherein said inner panel tracks the inner track reliant solely on a fin or flange or other narrow part of an extrusion (hereafter "fin") forming part of the inner panel which fin is received as a male member by the female inner track which is substantially more narrow transverse to its locus than the inner panel itself.

19. An assembly of claim 18 wherein said outer track is also of a female kind and is wider than the inner track.

20. An assembly of claim 18 or 19 wherein said inner track is provided with mohairs or seals and such mohairs or seals substantially close the track from an aesthetics point of view.

21. In a double hung window assembly, an inner window assembly ("inner panel") where at least the peripheral members on the vertical edges of the glazing thereof are provided by extrusions having an outwardly extending fin which fins are each receivable in a fin complementary tracking groove of narrow width, (i.e. such as might be capable of being substantially closed, if desired, by the provision of mohairs and/or is less than the thickness of the inner panel).

22. A method substantially as hereinbefore described with or without reference to assemblies or components of the accompanying drawings which results in an assembly or apparatus of any one of the preceding claims.

23. A component of or useful for an assembly or as part of apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 21 when substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings. DATED THIS PAY OF^uWj A] PARK applicant H \library\patents\djj\specs\392657 djj