WO2012093382A1

WO2012093382A1 - Sliding and sealing closure system

Info

Publication number: WO2012093382A1
Application number: PCT/IL2011/000013
Authority: WO
Inventors: David Setton; Hillel SETTON
Original assignee: Setal Ltd.
Priority date: 2011-01-06
Filing date: 2011-01-06
Publication date: 2012-07-12

Abstract

A sliding and sealing closure system for heavy doors or windows having a narrow sash. The sliding and sealing closure system includes: a longitudinal and lateral suspension trolley, a lateral shifting mechanism and a bar mechanism; the mechanisms are installed within a narrow sash to provide sliding doors and windows having large glass panes with minimal visible sash. The system further ensures smooth movement of heavy door or window panels both longitudinally along a track and laterally in a direction lateral to the tracks for sealing the door or window panel. The system is operated by a simple handle incorporated to the door or window; pushing or pulling the handle longitudinally slides the heavy door or window longitudinally along the track and twisting the handle slides the heavy door or window laterally, thereby pressing the heavy door or window against the frame for sealing purposes anywhere along the track.

Description

SLIDING AND SEALING CLOSURE SYSTEM

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is related to the field of sliding closures such as doors or windows. More particularly, the present invention is related to the field of mechanics for allowing smooth rolling and sealing of heavy glass doors and windows having a narrow sash.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A sliding door usually includes a door which slides longitudinally along a track within a frame to open or close an aperture, while the sliding movement is substantially parallel to the plane of the aperture. The sliding door may be mounted on or suspended from a track. Since 1945, sliding doors have become quite popular, and sliding doors are now a standard element in real-estates in many regions and countries.

A sliding glass door or "patio door" is a type of sliding door that is commonly used in architecture and construction. In a patio door the closure is usually a large glass door having a pane and a sash, where the large glass door covers an aperture in a wall of a room. The aperture provides natural light to a room, and when the door slides open, the aperture also supplies fresh air and access to the room from the outdoors. Traditionally a sliding glass door consists of two panel sections, a fixed panel and a mobile panel. The mobile panel slides along the plane of the aperture to provide access to or to block access to the aperture.

Another common design of a sliding door is a "pocket door" having one or more movable closures which open by sliding into a pocket in a wall. Thus, when a pocket door is open, the closure completely disappears into the wall pocket giving a 'wide open' indoor-outdoor experience.

Current interest is in developing sliding doors which are as large as possible, and particularly in developing sliding doors having glass panes which extend from the ceiling to the floor and are surrounded by a minimal visible sash.

It is also desirable that sliding doors provide a tight seal to the aperture. A tight seal provides isolation from external noise and increases the overall safety of a door, increasing the capacity of the glass pane to sustain shocks, thus preventing breakage. In addition, in many countries building codes require sealing of the doors in order to prevent dust and rain from entering structures.

Sealing of a sliding door can be achieved by pressing the closure against the frame. Isolation can be improved by incorporating a gasket along the sash to increase the contact between the sliding door and the frame. Pressing a closure against a frame includes movement of the closure in a direction lateral to the main direction of translation (i.e., perpendicular to the plane of the closure and perpendicular to the plane of the aperture over which the sliding door usually slides or rolls along).

Some solutions have been offered by the art to provide mechanisms for sealing sliding doors by motion lateral to the plane of the aperture.

US patent No. 5,542,213 to Freeman depicts a weatherproof sliding closure especially suitable for sealing openings in a marine environment. The closure is mounted top and bottom on bearing assemblies via camshafts extending through the closure and rotatably mounted in the assemblies.

The closure provided by Freeman has many disadvantages. For example, the mechanism includes dedicated beveled gears, drive chains and other mechanical members, which require a large quantity of space. The result is a thick closure with a wide sash needed to conceal the mechanism. Thus the closure cannot include a large open window which is desired by many users. Furthermore, it is difficult to access the mechanism of Freeman for repairs and maintenance. In fact, maintenance requires not only the removal of the closure from the track but also the disassembly of the sash from the closure.

US Patent No. 3,660,936 to Bryson depicts a window construction having a weather-tight seal. In Bryson, actuation of a peripheral cable-operated linkage carried in the window sash causes the window to move laterally with respect to a window frame, thereby sealing the closure against the frame. The mechanism of Bryson includes shifters which drag the rollers against a guideway from which they are suspended. In order to drag the door against the guideway one needs to exert a considerable amount of force, especially when the doors are heavy. The pressure applied over the rollers when dragged causes wear and fatigue such that the mechanism is prone to cause an unsmooth sliding of the doors both longitudinally as well as laterally, until they eventually break. Bryson further utilizes a cable which is subject to stretching, failure, and debris accumulating in the sash, thus interfering with the operation of the sliding door. US Patent No. 678,407 to Lee depicts a window bulkhead door having a plurality of bolts or other attachment mechanisms around the sash of the door, such that when the bolts are tightened, the door is brought into sealing engagement /with a frame. This invention suffers from the disadvantage that several fasteners must be actuated to seal the door, and such actuators are bulky and visible from the outside.

There is therefore a need for a sliding and sealing closure system capable of providing smooth sliding of heavy closures both longitudinally as well as laterally.

There is therefore a need for a sliding and sealing closure system with compact mechanisms which can be installed and concealed under a narrow sash. There is therefore a need for a sliding and sealing closure system which can tightly press a closure to a frame anywhere along the track.

There is therefore a need for a sliding and sealing closure system which provides sealing and locking of a closure by a single smooth action.

There is therefore a need for a sliding and sealing closure system which is relatively simple to manufacture and to maintain.

There is therefore a need for a sliding and sealing closure system which is safe and reliable.

The present invention is intended to cope with the desired needs; additional attributes of the present invention will become apparent as the description proceeds. TERMINOLOGY

The following term is used in this application in accordance with its plain meaning, which is understood to be known to those of skill in the pertinent art(s). However, for the sake of further clarification in view of the subject matter of this application, the following explanations, elaborations and exemplifications are given as to how these terms may be used or applied herein. It is to be understood that the below explanations, elaborations and exemplifications are to be taken as exemplary or representative and are not to be taken as exclusive or limiting. Rather, the term discussed below is to be construed as broadly as possible, consistent with its ordinary meanings and the below discussion.A pane is the main surface of a door or a window, preferably made of glass.

A closure is a pane surrounded by a sash.

A frame is a fixation with a track in which a closure slides or rolls.

Longitudinal movement is ajnovement in a direction substantially parallel to the pane.

Lateral movement is a movement in a direction substantially towards or away from a plane perpendicular to the pane.

Vertical movement is a movement substantially upwards or downwards.

Longitudinal and lateral suspension trolley is a trolley for allowing longitudinal movement and lateral movement of closure. Perpendicular shifting mechanism is a mechanism for converting longitudinal movement into lateral force.

A Bar mechanism is a mechanism for converting a substantially vertical movement into a substantially longitudinal movement. A locking mechanism is a mechanism for locking a closure to a frame or to another closure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention discloses a system for closing and sealing an aperture. The invention may comprise:

a. a frame and a track rigidly mounted to the frame;

b. a closure including a pane and a sash;

c. a handle mounted to the closure;

d. a bar mounted to the closure, while the handle is configured to convert a force applied on the handle into linear movement of the bar with respect to the closure, the linear movement is substantially along the track;

e. a trolley configured to slide longitudinally along the track, while the trolley is substantially constrained from lateral movement with respect to the track and the closure is substantially constrained from longitudinal movement with respect to the trolley.

lateral bearing mounted to the trolley configured to facilitate lateral movement of the closure with respect to the trolley; and g. a mechanism mounted to the closure for converting the linear movement of the bar into lateral force applied over the closure for causing lateral movement of the closure, thereby sealing the aperture.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, some of the components of the present invention, such as the bar, the trolley and the mechanism, may be at least partially concealed under the sash of the closure.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the force applied to the handle may be substantially a twist of the handle.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention at least two trolleys and at least two of the mechanisms may be mounted to the closure. The trolleys and mechanisms may be mounted anywhere along the upper part or the lower part of the sash.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the lateral force may be applied against the frame. In this preferred embodiment, segments may be fixed to the frame such that the force will be applied against the segments; the segments may also be continuous, thus forming a track in which the shifting mechanism may translate to seal the closure to the frame anywhere along the track. In this preferred embodiment, the closure may be pressed against the frame while leaving an aperture open inside the frame.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the trolley may include at least two rollers configured for rolling along the track. In this preferred embodiment, the pressure applied over the rollers by the weight of the closure may be distributed between the rollers.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the invention further includes a board fixed to the sash and the board is suspended on the lateral bearings. In this preferred embodiment, the board may engage the trolley, thereby allowing the closure to roll along the track.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the invention further comprises a locking mechanism for locking the closure to the frame. In this preferred embodiment, the force which may be applied over the handle may further be utilized to activate the locking mechanism.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the linear movement of the bar may be converted from a substantially vertical movement to a substantially longitudinal movement.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the bearings may be substantially ball bearings. In this preferred embodiment, a track may be mounted to the bearings.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a cam may be fixed to the bar. In this preferred embodiment, the cam may be utilized to activate the shifting mechanism.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a servo is mounted to the sash to move the closure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the sliding and sealing closure system and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, purely by way of example, to the accompanying drawings. With specific reference now to the drawings in detail, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of the preferred embodiments of the sliding and sealing closure system, and are presented in the cause of providing what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the sliding and sealing closure system. In this regard, no attempt is made to show structural details of the sliding and sealing closure system in more detail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding of the sliding and sealing closure system, the description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms of the sliding and sealing closure system may be embodied in practice. In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 shows a schematic front view of a sliding and sealing closure system having a closure based on a large sliding door incorporating a trolley, a bar and a shifting mechanism partially concealed under a narrow sash;

Fig. 2 A shows a schematic cross section of a top projection of a preferred embodiment of a sliding and sealing closure system, while the closure is in a released position; Fig. 2B shows a schematic side cross section of a sliding door incorporating a sliding and sealing closure system, while the closure is in a released position;

Fig. 3A shows a schematic cross section of a top projection of a preferred embodiment of a sliding and sealing closure system, while the closure is in a sealed position; Fig. 3B shows a schematic side cross section of a sliding door incorporating a sliding and sealing closure system, while the closure is in a sealed position;

Fig. 4A shows a schematic front cross section of a preferred embodiment of the longitudinal and lateral suspension trolley; Fig. 4B shows a schematic side cross section of a preferred embodiment of the longitudinal and lateral suspension trolley;

Fig. 4C shows a schematic top cross section of a preferred embodiment of the longitudinal and lateral suspension trolley;

Fig. 5A shows a schematic front cross section of a second preferred embodiment of the longitudinal and lateral suspension trolley;

Fig. 5B shows a schematic top cross section of a second preferred embodiment of the longitudinal and lateral suspension trolley;

Fig. 6A shows a side cross section of the second embodiment of the longitudinal and lateral suspension trolley incorporated under a narrow sash of a closure at a sealed position;

Fig. 6B shows a side cross section of the second embodiment of the longitudinal and lateral suspension trolley incorporated under a narrow sash of a sliding and sealing closure at a released position;

Fig. 7 shows a front cross section of a preferred embodiment of a bar mechanism and a preferred embodiment of a lateral shifting mechanism;

Fig. 8A shows a side cross section of a preferred embodiment of a lateral shifting mechanism incorporated under the upper section of a narrow sash while the closure is at a released position;

Fig. 8B shows a side cross section of a preferred embodiment of a lateral shifting mechanism incorporated under an upper section of a narrow sash while the closure is in a sealed position; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth regarding the mechanism and method, in order to provide a thorough understanding of the sliding and sealing closure system. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without such specific details. In other instances, well-known components, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the subject matter of the sliding and sealing closure system. Moreover, various examples are provided to explain the operation of the present invention. It should be understood that these examples are exemplary. It is contemplated that there are other methods and systems that are within the scope of the present invention. Also, the same reference numerals are used in the drawings and in the description to refer to the same elements to simplify the description. Due to symmetry of some of the main components of the sliding and sealing closure system, references are sometimes made to a certain side of the mechanism for the sake of brevity, as it is clear that the same principles can be applied to different sides of the sliding and sealing closure system mutatis mutandis.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic front view of a large sliding and sealing closure system 100. A left closure 115 is based on a glass pane 112, surrounded by a narrow sash 110 and a right closure 116 is based on a glass pane 113, surrounded by a narrow sash 114. Left closure 115 and right closure 116 are configured to roll longitudinally and laterally within frame 140. A left closure handle 150 is mounted to left closure 115 and a right closure handle 151 is mounted to right closure 116. Left closure handle 150 is in a sealed position and a right closure handle 151 is in a sealed position; pushing left closure handle 150 longitudinally while handle 150 is in a released position rolls closure 115 longitudinally along a track mounted to frame 140. Twisting handle 150 causes left closure 115 to translate in the lateral direction thereby sealing or unsealing left closure 115 against frame 140. Pushing handle 151 longitudinally while handle 151 is in a released position, rolls right closure 116 longitudinally along a track mounted to frame 140. Twisting handle 151 causes right closure 116 to translate in the lateral direction thereby sealing or unsealing right closure 116 against frame 140. Fig. 2 A shows a schematic cross section of a large sliding and sealing closure system 100 with left closure 115 in a released position. Left closure 115 is surrounded by sash 110 and mounted on frame 140. Frame surrounds left closure 115 and right closure 116 and includes a track 141 with a guideway 142 along which left closure 115 slides longitudinally by a user pushing or pulling left closure handle while handle 150 is in released position. Frame 140 also includes a buffer 143 separating between left closure 115 and right closure 116 and a peripheral inner sealing gasket 144 for preventing wind and rain from passing between left closure 115 and right closure 116 and between left closure 115 and right closure 116 to frame 140. An inter-panel seal 145 prevents wind and rain from passing between left closure 115 and right closure 116; inter-panel seal 145 can be made of foamed EPDM or any other sealing material. Twisting left closure handle 150 activates a bar mechanism 160 which activates a lateral shifting mechanism (as detailed in Fig. 7) and locks left closure 115 to frame 140 by a locking mechanism 180. Fig. 2B shows a schematic side cross section of a sliding and sealing closure system 100 with left closure 115 in a released position. Left closure 115 includes a longitudinal and lateral suspension trolley 200. Longitudinal and lateral suspension trolley 200 includes a roller 201 which is suspended on guide way 142. Roller 201 is partially housed within a roller base 202. A lateral sliding board 203 is fixed to sash 110 thereby ensuring united longitudinal rolling of left closure 115 with sash 110 and longitudinal and lateral suspension trolley 200, when left closure 115 is to be pushed opened or closed. In addition, longitudinal and lateral suspension trolley 200 further includes lateral ball bearings (as detailed in Fig. 4) over which sash 110 is suspended from.

A lateral shifting mechanism 300 along with a bar mechanism 160 are responsible for converting a force exerted over handle 150 to lateral force applied over left closure 115 thereby pressing left closure 115 along with sash 110 against frame, thus sealing left closure 115. The forces exerted over handle 150 in order to activate bar mechanism 160 and lateral shifting mechanism 300 may include, for example: a twist, a push, a pull, etc. Lateral shifting mechanism 300 includes a longitudinal roller 301 which rolls inside two parallel segments constituting a longitudinal track 148, allowing left door panel to be pressed against frame anywhere along longitudinal track 148. Fig. 3A shows a schematic top cross section of a sliding and sealing closure system 100 with left closure 115 in a sealed position; in order to seal left closure 115 left closure handle 150 is twisted by a user into sealed position, twisting left closure handle 115 activates bar mechanism 160 which activates lateral shifting mechanism 300 (as detailed in Fig. 7). Lateral shifting mechanism 300 presses left closure 115 with its corresponding sash against frame 140 in a direction lateral to the regular longitudinal rolling of left closure 115 along guideway 142. As a result of the lateral movement of left closure 115, a sash outer seal 111 is pressed against outer frame 147 to form an airtight seal. In order to ensure the airtight seal, the inner sash of left closure 115 is also pressed against peripheral inner sealing gaskets 144.

Fig. 3B shows a schematic side cross section of a sliding and sealing closure system 100 with left closure 115 in a sealed position; lateral shifting mechanism 300 presses left closure 115 against frame 140 in a direction lateral to guideway 142; as a result, left closure 115 with left closure 115 surrounding sash 110 slides over lateral ball bearings of longitudinal and lateral suspension trolley 200 (as detailed in Fig. 4) against frame 140. Due to the lateral movement of left closure 115, sash outer seal 111 is pressed against outer frame 147 to form an airtight seal. In order to ensure an airtight seal, the inner sash of left closure 115 is also pressed against peripheral inner sealing gaskets 144.

Fig. 4A shows a schematic front cross section of a preferred embodiment of the longitudinal and lateral suspension trolley 200; longitudinal and lateral suspension trolley 200 includes a roller 201 which is connected to longitudinal and lateral suspension trolley base 202 by a roller axis 204. Longitudinal and lateral suspension trolley 200 includes a lateral sliding board 203 which is connected to sash 110 (as shown in Fig. 7). When left closure handle 150 is pushed or pulled, lateral sliding board 203 engages roller base 202 to transfer the moment applied by a user pushing or pulling left closure handle 150 on to roller 201 and as a result, left closure 115 slides longitudinally along guideway 142 together with sash 110 and with longitudinal and lateral suspension trolley 200. Except for a slight movement for the engagement between sliding board 203 and roller base 202 for longitudinal sliding of left closure 115, left closure 115 is constrained from longitudinal movement with respect to trolley 200. Longitudinal and lateral suspension trolley 200 further includes lateral ball bearings 205 mounted to roller base 202 by a lateral ball bearing axis 206. When the lateral shifting mechanism is activated (as shown in Fig. 7 and Fig. 8), left closure 115 and lateral sliding board 203 slide in unity in a lateral movement over lateral ball bearings 205 towards or away from frame to seal or to release left closure 115; during this lateral movement of left closure 115 over lateral ball bearings 205, roller 201 and lateral ball bearing axis 206 remains stationary. In other words, trolley 200 is constrained from lateral movement with respect to left closure 115.

Fig. 4B shows a schematic side cross section of a preferred embodiment of longitudinal and lateral suspension trolley 200; roller 201 is connected to base 202 by roller axis 204. Lateral ball bearings 205 are connected to base 202 by lateral ball bearing axis 206.

Fig. 4C shows a schematic top cross section of a preferred embodiment of longitudinal and lateral suspension trolley 200; four ball bearings 205 are attached to base 202 by lateral ball bearing axis 206. Roller 201 is connected to base 202 by roller axis 204. Roller 201 is beveled to increase contact between roller 201 to guideway 142, while longitudinal and lateral suspension trolley 200 slides longitudinally back and forth along guideway 142. The tip of lateral ball bearings 205 extend upwards beyond base 202 such that lateral sliding board 203 slides over lateral ball bearings 205 freely in a lateral movement with respect to longitudinal rolling movement of closure 115 along guideway 142, without coming into direct contact with base 202. The pressure of heavy closure 115 is suppressed by at least another similar longitudinal and lateral suspension trolley. In other words, each closure 115 and 116 incorporates at least two longitudinal and lateral suspension trolleys 200 under their corresponding sash 110 and 114 respectively; because each longitudinal and lateral suspension mechanism 200 includes at least four lateral ball bearings 205 which support closures 115 and 116 at all times (both in sealed and released position) via lateral sliding board 203, the overall weight of closures 115 and 116 is suppressed by at least eight lateral ball bearings 205 to ensure smooth lateral movement of heavy closures 115 and 116 with respect to frame 140.

Fig. 5 A shows a schematic front cross section of a second preferred embodiment of a longitudinal and lateral suspension trolley 400; and Fig. 5B, shows a schematic top cross section of a second embodiment of said longitudinal and lateral suspension trolley 400. In this second embodiment of longitudinal and lateral suspension trolley 400, longitudinal and lateral suspension trolley 400 includes a right roller 401 and a corresponding left roller 410. Roller 401 is balanced by a longitudinal balancing axis 407 which is connected to base 402 by a balancing bar 408 for dividing the weigh suppressed between roller 401 and roller 410 evenly. Balancing bar 408 is connected to rollers 401 and 410 by roller axis 404. Longitudinal balance of rollers 401 and 410 provides smooth rolling of heavy closure 115 along guideway 142, even when small obstacles like accumulated dust rest along guideway 142. The pressure of the heavy closure 115 is suppressed by at least another similar longitudinal and lateral suspension trolley 400. In other words, each closure 115 and 116 incorporates at least two longitudinal and lateral suspension trolleys 400 under its corresponding sash 110 and 114 respectively; because each longitudinal and lateral suspension trolley 400 includes at least two rollers which support closures 115 and 116, the overall weight of closures 115 and 116 is evenly suppressed by at least four rollers, thus ensuring smooth movement of closures 115 and 116 with longitudinal and lateral suspension trolleys 400 uniformly along guideway 142. Because lateral sliding board 403 is connected to sash 110 of left closure 115 (as detailed in Fig. 7), when a user pushes or pulls left closure handle 150, the force exerted by the user is transferred to the longitudinal and lateral suspension trolley 400 which rolls longitudinally along guideway 142 together with closure 115. Longitudinal and lateral suspension trolley 400 further provides for smooth lateral movement of closure 115 towards and away from frame 140 (in a direction lateral to the longitudinal sliding of closure 115 along guideway 142). The lateral movement is achieved by a lateral sliding board 403 which slides over lateral ball bearings 405 towards or away from frame 140. The lateral movement of lateral sliding board 403 is activated by a shifting mechanism 300 as detailed in Fig. 7 and Fig. 8). Lateral ball bearings 405 are attached to base 402 by lateral ball bearing axis 406. Housing is provided 409 to protect roller 401.

Fig. 6A shows a side cross section of a second embodiment of longitudinal and lateral suspension trolley 400 incorporated partially under narrow sash 110 while closure 115 is at a sealed position; and Fig. 6B shows a side cross section of a second embodiment of a longitudinal and lateral suspension mechanism 400 incorporated under narrow sash 110 while closure 115 is at a released position; narrow sash 110 surrounds heavy door panes 112 and 113 (as shown in Fig. 1), each of door panes 112 and 113 include double glazing for reducing heat lose and excluding noise. Door panes 112 and 113 also include coatings for reflecting sun rays in accordance with the time of the day and season for preserving energy by warming or cooling the structure in which door panels 112 and 113 are installed. Narrow sash 110 is connected to second embodiment of longitudinal and lateral suspension trolley 400 via lateral sliding board 403 which is fixed to sash 110 via screws. Thus, when a user wants to unseal (release) left closure 115, the user twists left closure handle 150; twisting handle 150 activates bar mechanism 160 which activates lateral shifting mechanism 300 (as shown in Fig. 7 and Fig. 8). During the activation of lateral shifting mechanism 300, force is applied to pull sash 110 away from frame 140 and as a result, sash 110 and closure 115 with lateral sliding board 403 slide in unity over lateral ball bearings 405 away from frame 140; during this lateral sliding movement, roller 401 and trolley 400 remain stationary. When a user wants to slide open or to slide close left closure 115, the user simply pushes or pulls handle 150 longitudinally; because left handle 150 is connected to sash 110, the force exerted by the user is transferred to sash 110 and to lateral sliding board 403 which is connected to sash 110; lateral sliding board 403 engages base 402 thus sliding door panel 112 together with sash 110 and sliding mechanism 400 roll longitudinally along guideway 142. Because all the mechanisms mounted to closure 115, roll coherently with closure 115 along guideway 142; closure 115 can be sealed or released from frame 140 at any given position along guideway 142. Although an aperture will remain between frame 140 and the left closure 115 if left closure 115 is not sealed at the end of guideway 142, nonetheless, sealing closure 115 at any position along guideway 142 will strengthen the ability of left closure 115 to sustain shocks which may occur as a result of weather, earthquakes, or of people bumping into closure 115.

The structure of longitudinal and lateral suspension trolley 400 and of lateral shifting mechanism 300 is designed to allow smooth movement both longitudinally back and forth along tracks 141 as well as in a direction lateral to tracks 141. Longitudinal and lateral suspension trolley 400 and lateral shifting mechanism 300 can be mounted anywhere along left closure sash 110 and right closure sash 114, both at the lower part of sash 110 and 114 (near the floor) and in the upper part of sash 110 and 114 (near the ceiling). The number of mechanisms to be installed is dependent on the weight of closures 115 and 116 to be suppressed and on the required smoothness of movement. For example, the preferred embodiment of roller mechanism described herein 400 was tested to roll a closure weighing 300kg, by applying merely 1.5kg of force while pushing or pulling handle 150 longitudinally along guideway 142. The longitudinal and lateral suspension trolley 400 as well as the lateral shifting mechanism 300 incorporated into the tested closure, both had a width of less than 4cm and a height of less than 5cm, hence the narrow sash required to conceal said mechanisms. Fig. 7 shows a front cross section of a preferred embodiment of a bar mechanism

160 and a preferred embodiment of a lateral shifting mechanism 300; bar mechanism 160 together with lateral shifting mechanism 300 are responsible for converting twist of handle 150 into lateral movement of closure 115 towards or against frame 140 in order to seal or to release closure 115 respectively. Handle 150 is integrated to bar mechanism 160; a twist of handle 150 is therefore translated to linear vertical movement of bar 162 upwards or downwards depending on the twisting direction of handle 150. The vertical movement of vertical bar 162 is converted into longitudinal movement of longitudinal bar 163 by a metal spring leaf 164 which connects between vertical bar 162 to longitudinal bar 163. Metal spring leaf 164 is housed inside a bar canal 165 to ensure proper conversion of the movement between bars 162 and 163. A cam 161 is fixed to longitudinal bar 163. Cam 161 is situated inside a diagonal canal 302 which is bored inside a shifting block 305; shifting block 303 is housed inside slider 304 which is fixed to sash 110 by screws 307 (as detailed in Fig. 8). Cam 161 is responsible for activating lateral shifting mechanism 300 which converts longitudinal movement of cam 161 into lateral movement of closure 115 towards or against frame 140 in order to seal or to release closure 115. While cam 161 is pushed or pulled longitudinally by longitudinal bar 163 to which cam is fixed, cam 161 applies pressure over diagonal canal 302; longitudinal movement of; diagonal canal 302, shifting block 303, longitudinal roller 301 and longitudinal roller projection 306 is restricted by frame longitudinal track 148; the pressure applied therefore by cam 171 over diagonal canal 302 can only be converted into lateral movement of slider 304. Because slider 304 is connected to sash 110 via screws 307, slider 304 together with closure 115 rolls towards or against frame 140 while shifting block 303 together with frame longitudinal roller 142 and longitudinal roller projection 306 remain stationary. In order to smooth the movement of cam 161 inside diagonal canal 302, cam 161 is surrounded by ball bearings and lubricants are applied over cam 161 and diagonal canal 302. The lateral movement of heavy closure 115 can be achieved by exerting minimal force due to the low friction between shifting block 303 and slider 304, as most of the weight of closure 115 is suspended from lateral ball bearings 405 of longitudinal and lateral suspension trolley 400. The specifics of the mechanisms for connecting between handle 150 to bar mechanism 160, as well as mechanisms for locking door panel to frame 140 at the end of guideway 142, and other possible forms of bar mechanisms to convert vertical movement into longitudinal movement are not shown herein as there is a variety of mechanisms for performing such tasks as known to the persons skilled in the art. Fig. 8 A and 8B show a side cross section of a preferred embodiment of a lateral shifting mechanism 300 incorporated under an upper section of a narrow sash 110 while left closure 115 is at a released and sealed position respectively. Longitudinal movement of longitudinal bar 163 to which cam 171 is attached activates shifting mechanism 300. Shifting mechanism 300 converts longitudinal movement of cam 171 into lateral movement of slider 304. Slider 304 is attached to sash 110 by screws 307; therefore, slider 304 slides coherently with closure 115 towards or against frame 140 in accordance with the direction in which handle 150 is twisted. While closure 115 shifts into sealed position as shown in Fig. 8B; slider 304 together with closure 115 shifts against frame 140 as longitudinal roller 301 remains stationary within longitudinal track 148. As a result of the lateral movement of left door panel 112, the sash outer seal 111 is pressed against outer frame 147 to form an airtight seal. In order to ensure an airtight seal, the inner sash of left closure 115 is also pressed against peripheral inner sealing gaskets 144. While the sliding and sealing closure system has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, it will be appreciated that many variations, modifications and other applications of the sliding and sealing closure system may be made. It will be appreciated that the above descriptions are intended only to serve as examples and that many other embodiments are possible within the spirit and the scope of the sliding and sealing closure system.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. a system for closing and sealing an aperture comprising:

a. a frame having an aperture and a track rigidly mounted to said frame;

b. a closure including a pane and a sash;

c. a handle mounted to said closure;

d. a bar mounted to said closure, and wherein said handle is configured to convert a force applied to said handle into a linear movement of said bar with respect to said closure, said linear movement substantially along said track;

e. a trolley configured to slide longitudinally along said track, and wherein said trolley is constrained from lateral movement with respect to said track and wherein said closure is constrained from longitudinal movement with respect to said trolley.

f. a lateral bearing mounted to said trolley, said lateral bearing configured to facilitate lateral movement of said closure with respect to said trolley; and g. a mechanism mounted to said closure for converting said linear movement of said bar into lateral force applied over said closure, said lateral force for causing lateral movement of said closure, thereby sealing said aperture.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said bar, said trolley and said mechanism are at least partially concealed under said sash.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said force applied to said handle is substantially a twist of said handle.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein at least two of said trolleys and at least two of said mechanisms are mounted to said closure.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein said mechanism and said trolley are mounted to an upper section of said sash.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein said mechanism and trolley are mounted to a lower section of said sash.

7. A system for closing and sealing an aperture according to claim 1, wherein said lateral force is applied against said frame.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein segments are mounted to said frame and wherein said mechanism applies said force against said segments.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein said segments are continuous to form a track for said mechanism.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein said sealing is performed while said aperture is partially open.

11. A system for closing and sealing an aperture according to claim 1, wherein said trolley includes at least two rollers configured for rolling along said track.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein said rollers are configured to distribute the weight of said closure substantially evenly between said rollers.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein said sash further includes a board fixed to said sash and wherein said board is suspended on said lateral bearings.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein said board engages said trolley thereby allowing said closure to roll along said track.

15. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

h. a locking mechanism for locking said closure to said frame.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein said force applied over said handle further activates said locking mechanism.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein said linier movement is converted from a vertical movement of said bar.

18. The system of claim 1, wherein said bearing is substantially a ball bearing.

19. The system of claim 1, wherein a track is mounted on said bearing.

20. The system of claim 1, wherein a cam is fixed to said bar.

21. The system of claim 1, wherein a servo is mounted to said sash to move said closure.