NZ600972A - Sliding Door Buffering Devices - Google Patents

Abstract

600972 Disclosed is a buffering device with an impact absorber for use with a sliding panel to minimise load forces of a closing or opening sliding door panel impinging adversely on a surrounding frame or other panel within the frame. The buffering device includes an impact absorber having an elongate member with a free end, the elongate member being supported by an operating mechanism whereby the free end of the elongate member is movable between a first retracted position and a second extended position relative to the operating mechanism. The operating mechanism provides a resistance to movement of the free end as the free end moves from the second position to the first position under an externally applied load. The operating mechanism provides a restoring force to restore the elongate member to locate the free end in the second position in the absence of a the externally applied load. The buffering device further includes a latch means to, in use, hold a the sliding panel with the free end of the elongate member substantially in the first retracted position, the latch means preventing the restoring force of the operating mechanism tending to move the free end of the elongate member from the first retracted position to the second extended position.

Description

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION SLlDlNG DOOR BUFFERING DEVICES The present invention relates to buffering devices for sliding doors intended to prevent or minimise load forces of a closing or opening sliding door or other similar panel impinging adversely on a surround frame or other panel (movable or not) arranged within a surround frame.

Sliding doors and similar panels including window panels are, in many instances, becoming larger and r. The roller support devices for such g panels are also improving in their load ng capacity and their y to minimise rolling on whereby, in use, such g panels can move relatively quickly and particularly when they are heavy, can develop a significant um that can cause an adverse impact effect on the surrounding frame jamb as the panel reaches a closed or open position during a closing or an opening motion. In some configurations the panel being moved in an opening or closing motion might engage with another movable or fixed panel. Such sliding panels generally do need to be ed in a closed position when desired and would normally include a latch or latch and lock to hold or hold and lock, the panel in the closed position. Typically such latches include a tongue member mounted to an edge region of the sliding panel engageable with a latch plate mounted on an upright member of the surrounding frame or other panel (fixed or moving).

The objective of the present invention is to provide a buffering device for a sliding panel engageable between the sliding panel and an upright member of either another sliding panel, fixed panel or surround frame as the g panel moves towards a closed or open position, the buffering device minimising impact load forces on the upright member without adversely ing the ability of the sliding panel to be retained in a closed position, when desired. ln this specification the term “sliding panel” is used to identify a sliding door, a sliding window or any other similar panel capable of g between an open position and a closed position within a surround frame. The sliding panel itself may be of any uction but will include such panels with an outer frame and an infill zone of transparent material such as glass, as well as sliding panels that are non-see through in their construction. Such sliding panels will in use, normally be, supported by roller wheel assemblies but other conveyance devices could also be used. The present invention does not rely on any ular sliding panel construction or conveyance device therefore but in the following the invention is described in the context of a sliding panel with an outer frame made of ed metal frame members supporting an internal glass panel. The invention has most value when used with heavy sliding panels having a weight greater than 200 kg up to 400 kg (or higher), although, it can be used with lighter sliding panels.

Accordingly, in a first aspect, the present invention provides a buffering device for use with a sliding panel including an impact absorber having an elongate member with a free end, said elongate member being supported by an operating mechanism whereby the free end of the elongate member is movable between a first retracted position and a second extended position ve to said ing ism, said operating mechanism providing a resistance to nt of said free end as said free end moves from said second on to said first on under an externally applied load and said operating mechanism providing a restoring force to restore said elongate member to locate said free end in said second on in the absence of a said externally applied load, said buffering device further ing a latch means to, in use, hold a said sliding panel with said free end of the elongate member ntially in said first retracted position, said latch means preventing said restoring force of the operating mechanism tending to move said free end of the elongate member from said first ted position to said second extended position.

Preferably, the buffering device may further include a support member enabiing said impact absorber and said latch means to be mounted therefrom, said support member being configured to be secured to a said sliding panel, a fixed panel or a surround frame for a sliding or fixed panel.

Conveniently, the impact absorber is positionally adjustable relative to the support member. Conveniently the latch means is also positionally adjustable relative to the support member. In one preferred arrangement, the support member is configured to be mounted internally within a frame member of a sliding panel, a fixed panel or a surround frame for a sliding or fixed panei.

The operating mechanism may provide a variable resistance to movement of the elongate member as the free end moves from the second position towards the first position, said variable resistance increasing as the free end ches said first position. The ance to movement of the elongate member provided by the mechanism may be adjustable.

Conveniently, the latch means includes at least one magnetic element.

The at least one magnetic element may be positionally adjustable ve to the support member. Fixing means may be ed to retain the at least one magnetic element in an adjusted position.

In a still further aspect, the present invention es a sliding panel having upper and lower edge zones and spaced upright edge zones joining said upper and lower edge zones, and a buffering device as d in the preceding oned adjacent a first said upright edge zone.

Preferably, the sliding panel defines a plane and wherein said elongate member moves in a direction parallel to either said upper edge zone or said lower edge zone of the g panel and within or parallel to the plane of said sliding panel. In one embodiment, the elongate member may be located adjacent to and below said upper edge zone of the sliding panel. In a second embodiment, the elongate member may be located adjacent to and above said lower edge zone of the sliding panel.

The ing mechanism may be adjustably mounted to the sliding panel whereby the first and the second positions of the elongate member are selectably adjustable. Conveniently retaining means is also ed to retain the operating mechanism in a selected position relative to the sliding panel.

In one preferred arrangement, the free end of said elongate member is adapted, in use, to engage with an upright element of an adjacent structure as the sliding panel moves towards a closed or an open position. Conveniently, the adjacent structure is a surround frame or a further sliding or fixed panel.

Preferably, the latch means includes at least one magnetic element. The at least one magnetic element may be positioned on the first upright edge zone of the sliding panel. Conveniently the at least one magnetic element is positionally adjustable relative to the first upright edge zone of the sliding panel.

Preferably, the latch means includes a first magnetic element mountable on the first upright edge zone of the sliding panel, and a second magnetic element being attractive to said first magnetic t, said second magnetic element being mountable on the upright element y in use, in a closed or open position of said sliding panei, said first and second magnetic elements engage with ient attractive force to overcome any restoring force d by said operating mechanism. iently one or both of said first and second magnetic elements are positionally adjustable.

A preferred embodiment will be described hereafter with nce to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig 1 is a perspective view of a buffering device in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 1O Fig 2 is a top plan view of the buffering device shown in Fig 1; Fig 3 is a section View taken along fine H of Fig 2; Fig 4 is a front elevation view of the buffering device shown in Fig 1; Fig 5 shows a top plan View of a sliding panel including a buffering device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention with the sliding ’15 panel in a closed position ng an upright jamb of a le surround; Fig 6 is a section view taken along line II—II of Fig 5; and Fig 7 is a detail of area A in Fig 6.

Referring to the gs, Fig 1 shows a buffering device 10 comprised by a supporting housing 11, an impact absorber 12 and a latch means 13, the impact absorber 12 and the latch means 13 extending fowvardly from a forward face 14 of the g 11. The impact absorber 12 convenientiy has an te member 15 in the form of a rod with a forward free end 16 carrying an engagement pad 17. The engagement pad 17 might be formed from a hard wearing elastomeric al. The rod member 15 extends rearwardly into a r housing 18 containing an operating mechanism (not shown) whereby the rod member 15 can move forwardly from a first relocated position (illustrated) to an extended second position. The operating mechanism effects this movement automatically in the absence of any externally applied forces to the rod member . The rod member 15 is, however, capable of moving from the second extended position towards the first retracted position when an externally applied force acts on the engagement pad 17. Conveniently this movement occurs against a resistance applied by the operating mechanism. The resistance to this movement might be arranged to increase as the engagement pad 17 approaches more closely to the fully retracted first position. Preferabiy the resistance levei is selectabiy adjustable by turning an adjusting knob 19. The operating mechanism g 18 includes an axial section 20 with an external thread enabling the housing 18 to be threaded into a threaded bore 21 in the supporting housing 11 whereby the impact absorber 12 is secured with the housing 11 in a manner allowing its position to be physically adjusted relative to the housing 11. More particularly, the position of the engagement pad 17 in the first retracted position (illustrated) is adjustable relative to the supporting housing 11.

As best seen in Figs 5, 6, the supporting housing 11 has an outer shape or configuration to provide a g fit within the internal space 23 of a vertical t frame member 22 forming part of an outer frame 24 of a g panel 25.

Conveniently the outer frame 24 has an upper horizontal frame member 26 forming a corner with the upright frame member 22 with the frame members 22, 26 being secured together by fasteners 27. A suitabie glass panel or sheet 28 is located within the outer frame 24. The supporting housing 11 has a number of transverse es 29, 30, 31 and 32 to allow the ers 27 to pass through the passages to secure the housing 11 in a position at the same time as forming the corner of the sliding panel 25 by connecting the frame members 22, 26. As can be seen in Fig 6, the g 11 can be inserted into the space 23 as rated or in an inverted position in which case the passages 31, 32 would be used for the ers 27. As can be seen in the installed position (Fig 6), the housing 18 of the impact absorber 12 passes through an opening 33 in a wall 34 of the frame member 22 into and along part of the internal space 35 within the upper horizontal frame member 26. In this manner, the buffering device 10 including the impact absorber 12 is largely located within the frame members 22, 26 forming the outer frame 24 of the sliding panel 25.

The externaily threaded section 20 is threaded into the threaded bore 21 in the housing 11 such that the axial position of the housing 18 of the impact er 12 can be ed. In the vicinity of the forward and region 50 of the housing 18. the housing 18 has at least one and ably two or more circumferentially spaced flat sections 51 positioned to engage with a flat end 35 of a clamp piece 36 held by a screw or similar threaded fastener 37 such that when engaged any further rotation of the thread section 20 in the threaded bore 21 is prevented. Thus it is possible to axially adjust the on of the operating mechanism housing 18 to a desired position and then to hold the housing 18 in the adjusted position.

In addition. the buffering device 10 includes latch means 13 comprised of a second threaded bore 38 in the support 11 receiving an externaily threaded mounting device 39 mounting a magnetic iatch member 40 held to the mounting device 39 by a fastening screw 41. The magnetic latch member 40 may conveniently be a rare earth magnet but other similar magnetic members might also be used. The mounting device 39 is iently positionally adjustable by rotating the ng device 39 in the threaded bore 38. Again, once a suitable axial position is achieved, the mounting device 39 is fixed in that position by a flat section 42 engaging with a second flat end 43 of the clamp piece 36.

Conveniently multiple flat sections 42 are provided circumferentially around the externally threaded mounting device 39. Conveniently, the mounting device 39 is configured to threadingly engage with the bore 21 and the threaded section 20 of the housing 18 is configured to engage with the ed bore 38.

As can be seen in Fig 6, the ic latch member 40 is arranged to engage with and be held by a second magnetic latch member 44 secured to the vertical jamb section 45 of a surround for the siiding panel 25. The second ic latch member 44 might be held in position on the vertical jamb section 45 by a screw or similar fastener 46. in a possibie aiternative arrangement, the second magnetic latch member 44 might be mounted to the jamb section 45 in a positionally adjustable manner. The magnetic latch members 40 and 44 might be similar but of different poies such that they provide an attractive force to one another. In r alternative, oniy one such latch member 40 or 44 might be provided where ient attractive force is ed by a le metal against which it is ed to engage. The magnetic latch 13 provided by one of or both the latch s 40, 44 needs to provide sufficient holding force to hold the sliding panel in a closed position against the jamb 45 against any forces provided by the impact absorber 12 tending to separate the sliding panel 25 from the upright jamb section 45.

As is shown in the annexed drawings, the preferred buffering device 10 is shown mounted in an upper right hand corner of the frame 24 of a sliding panel . The impact absorber 12 is positioned largely in the upper horizontal frame member 26. In an alternative arrangement, the buffering device might be rly mounted largely in a lower horizontal frame member forming a lower corner with the upright frame member 22. The buffering device 10 is described in the context of the g panel 25 being moved to a closed position, however, equally the buffering device might be mounted to t the g panel 25 being moved towards an open position. While the above description refers to the sliding panel 25 potentially engaging with a fixed surround frame, in some configurations the buffering device 10 might be mounted to protect the g panel 25 relative to a second adjacent sliding panel or a fixed panel. While it is preferred that the buffering device 10 be mountable relative to a sliding panel, is. within or on a sliding panel, it is also possible to mount it within or on a fixed panel or a fixed surround frame.

It will of course be recognized by those skilled in this art that many ’15 variations to the structures just described are possible without departing from the concepts disclosed in the claims annexed hereto.

WHAT WE

Claims (23)

CLAIM

1. A buffering device for use with a sliding panel including an impact absorber having an elongate member with a free end, said elongate member being supported by an operating ism whereby the free end of the elongate member is movable between a first retracted position and a second extended position relative to said ing ism, said operating mechanism providing a resistance to movement of said free end as said free end moves from said second position to said first position under an externally applied load and said ing mechanism providing a restoring force to restore said elongate 10 member to locate said free end in said second position in the absence of a said externally d load, said buffering device further including a latch means to, in use, hold a said sliding panel with said free end of the elongate member substantially in said first retracted position, said iatch means preventing said restoring force of the operating mechanism tending to move said free end of the 15 elongate member from said first retracted position to said second extended position.

2. A buffering device according to claim 1 further ing a t member enabling said impact absorber and said latch means to be mounted rom, said support member being configured to be secured to a said sliding panel, a 20 fixed panel or a surround frame for a sliding or fixed panel.

3. A buffering device according to claim 2 wherein said impact absorber is positionally adjustable relative to said support member.

4. A ing device according to claim 2 or claim 3 wherein said latch means is positionally adjustable relative to said support member. 25

5. A buffering device according to any one of claims 2 to 4 wherein said support member is configured to be mounted internally within a frame member of a sliding panel, a fixed panel or a surround frame for a sliding or fixed panel.

6. A buffering device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the operating mechanism provides a variable resistance to nt of the elongate member as the free end moves from the second on towards the first position, said variable resistance increasing as the free end approaches said first position.

7. A ing device according to claim 6 wherein the resistance to movement of said elongate member provided by said ing mechanism is adjustable.

8. A buffering device according to any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein said latch 10 means includes at least one magnetic element.

9. A buffering device according to claim 8 when appended to any one of claims 2 to 5 wherein said at least one magnetic element is positionally adjustable relative to said support member.

10. A buffering device according to claim 9 further including fixing means to fix 15 said at least one magnetic element in an adjusted position.

11. A sliding panel having upper and lower edge zones and spaced upright edge zones g said upper and lower edge zones, and a buffering device ing to any one of claim 1 to 10 oned adjacent a first said upright edge zone. 20

12. A sliding panel according to claim 11 wherein said sliding panei defines a plane and wherein said te member moves in a direction parallel to either said upper edge zone or said lower edge zone of the sliding panel and within or parallel to the plane of said sliding panel.

13. A sliding panel according to claim 12 wherein said elongate member is 25 located adjacent to and below said upper edge zone of the sliding panel.

14. A sliding panel according to claim 12 wherein said elongate member is located adjacent to and above said lower edge zone of the sliding panel.

15. A sliding panel according to any one of claims 11 to 14 wherein said operating mechanism is adjustably mounted to said sliding panel whereby said first and second positions of the elongate member are selectabiy adjustable.

16. A sliding panel according to claim 14 or claim 15 further including retaining means to retain said operating mechanism in a selected ed position relative to said sliding panel.

17. A sliding panel according to any one of claims 11 to 16 wherein the free 10 end of said elongate member is adapted, in use, to engage with an upright element of an adjacent structure as the sliding panel moves towards a closed or an open position.

18. A sliding panel according to claim 17 wherein the adjacent structure is a surround frame or a r sliding or fixed panel. 15

19. A sliding panel ing to claim 11 wherein said latch means includes at least one magnetic element.

20. A sliding panel ing to claim 19 wherein said at least one magnetic element is positioned on said first upright edge zone of the sliding panel.

21. A sliding panel according to claim 20 n said at least one magnetic 20 element is positionally adjustable relative to said first upright edge zone of the sliding panel.

22. A sliding panei according to claim 11 wherein said latch means includes a first ic element mountable on the first upright edge zone of the sliding panel, and a second magnetic element being attractive to said first magnetic 25 element, said second magnetic t being mountable on the upright element y in use, in a closed or open position of said sliding panel, said first and second magnetic elements engage with sufficient attractive force to overcome any restoring force applied by said operating mechanism.

23. A sliding panel according to claim 22 wherein one or both of said first and said second ic elements are positionally adjustable.