Securing mechanism for a sliding panel

Abstract

A sliding door includes a panel configured to slide along a path; a holding member including an abutting portion and defining a channel configured for receiving therein at least a segment of the panel; and a stop member being displaceable between an engaged state in which a first end of the stop member engages the abutting portion and a second end of the stop member engages the segment thereby precluding sliding of the panel in a direction away from the holding member and a disengaged state in which the stop member allows sliding of the panel.

Claims

1. A sliding closure for selectively closing an opening comprising: a panel mounted relative to the opening so as to be slidable between an open position and a closed position along a path extending across at least part of the opening in a direction parallel to a plane of said panel, said plane extending through a majority of said panel and said panel having an external surface extending parallel to the plane of the panel from a leading edge of said panel to a trailing edge of said panel and from a top edge of said panel to a bottom edge of said panel; an abutment surface disposed in a fixed relation to said path; and a stop member rotatably supported about an axis of rotation, said stop member being rotatable when said panel is in said closed position between an engaged state in which said stop member is interposed between said abutment surface and a region of said panel so as to engage said abutment surface and said region of said panel to prevent sliding of said panel along said path from said closed position towards said open position and a disengaged state in which said stop member allows sliding of said panel along said path, wherein said stop member is configured such that, in said engaged state, sliding of said panel along said path from said closed position towards said open position is opposed by said stop member on which compressive forces are exerted by said region of said panel and said abutment surface, and wherein said region of said panel comprises a portion of said external surface.

2. The sliding closure according to claim 1, wherein the opening is at least partly bounded by a frame, and wherein said abutment surface comprises a surface of an elongated member of said frame.

3. The sliding closure according to claim 1, wherein said stop member is an elongated element.

4. The sliding closure according to claim 1, further comprising a return mechanism bearing against said stop member such that, when the panel is in the closed position, said return mechanism urges the stop member toward said engaged state.

5. The sliding closure according to claim 1, further comprising a handle for moving said stop member into said disengaged state.

6. The sliding closure according to claim 1, wherein said abutment surface is provided by a holding member, said holding member having a first side portion and a second side portion such that when the panel is in the closed position, at least part of said panel is disposed between said first side portion and said second side portion, said abutment surface comprising a surface of said first side portion, said second side portion including a panel abutment region in opposing relation to said stop member such that, when said stop member is in said engaged state and force is applied to slide said panel along said path from said closed position towards said open position, said panel is pressed between said stop member and said panel abutment region.

7. A sliding closure for selectively closing an opening comprising: a panel mounted relative to the opening so as to be slidable between an open position and a closed position along a path extending across at least part of the opening in a direction parallel to a plane of said panel, said plane extending through a majority of said panel and said panel having an external surface extending parallel to the plane of the panel from a leading edge of said panel to a trailing edge of said panel and from a top edge of said panel to a bottom edge of said panel; at least one abutment surface disposed in a fixed relation to said path; and a stop member rotatably supported about an axis of rotation, said stop member having a cam surface, wherein said stop member is rotatable between a disengaged state in which said stop member allows sliding of said panel along said path, and, when said panel is in said closed position, an engaged state in which said stop member engages and is compressed by said at least one abutment surface and a planar region of said external surface parallel to the plane of said panel and located between said leading and trailing edges of said panel so as to prevent sliding of said panel along said path from said closed position towards said open position as said panel is urged from said closed position towards said open position along said path, wherein when said stop member is in said engaged state, sliding of said panel along said path from said closed position towards said open position is opposed by friction generated by said stop member pressing against said planar region of said external surface.

8. The sliding closure according to claim 7, wherein the opening is at least partly bounded by a frame, and wherein said abutment surface comprises a surface of an elongated member of said frame.

9. The sliding closure according to claim 7, wherein said stop member is an elongated element.

10. The sliding closure according to claim 7, further comprising a return mechanism bearing against said stop member and configured to urge the stop member toward said engaged state when said panel is in the closed position.

11. The sliding closure according to claim 7, further comprising a handle for moving said stop member into said disengaged state.

12. The sliding closure according to claim 7, wherein said abutment surface is provided by a holding member, said holding member having a first side portion and a second side portion such that when the panel is in the closed position, at least part of said panel is disposed between said first side portion and said second side portion, said abutment surface comprising a surface of said first side portion, said second side portion including a panel abutment region in opposing relation to said stop member such that, when said stop member is in said engaged state and force is applied to slide said panel along said path from said closed position towards said open position, said panel is pressed between said stop member and said panel abutment region.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) In order to understand the disclosure and to see how it may be carried out in practice, embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sliding panel having a securing mechanism in accordance with an example of the presently disclosed subject matter;

(3) FIG. 2A is a top view of the side profile of the sliding panel of FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 2B is a perspective view of stop member of the securing mechanism of FIG. 1;

(5) FIG. 3A is a sectional view of the sliding panel of FIG. 1 taken along line III-III, wherein the securing mechanism is in the secured position thereof;

(6) FIG. 3B is a sectional view of the sliding panel of FIG. 1 taken along line III-III, wherein the securing mechanism is in the released position thereof;

(7) FIG. 3C is a sectional view of the sliding panel of FIG. 1 taken along line III-III, wherein the panel is in the open position thereof;

(8) FIG. 4A is an enlarged view of the holding member of FIG. 3A;

(9) FIG. 4B is an enlarged view of the holding member of FIG. 3B;

(10) FIG. 4C is an enlarged view of the holding member of FIG. 3C;

(11) FIG. 5A is a perspective view of a sliding panel having a securing mechanism in accordance with another example of the presently disclosed subject matter;

(12) FIG. 5B is a top view of the sliding panel of FIG. 5A;

(13) FIG. 5C is a perspective view of stop member of the securing mechanism of FIG. 5A;

(14) FIG. 6A is a sectional view of the sliding panel of FIG. 5A taken on plane VI-VI, wherein the securing mechanism is in the secured position thereof;

(15) FIG. 6B is a sectional view of the sliding panel of FIG. 5A taken on plane VI-VI, wherein the securing mechanism is in the released position thereof;

(16) FIG. 6C is a sectional view of the sliding panel of FIG. 5A taken on plane VI-VI, wherein the panel is in the open position thereof;

(17) FIG. 7A is an enlarged view of the holding member of FIG. 6A;

(18) FIG. 7B is an enlarged view of the holding member of FIG. 6B;

(19) FIG. 7C is an enlarged view of the holding member of FIG. 6C;

(20) FIG. 8A is a top sectional view of a sliding panel having a securing mechanism in accordance with yet another example of the presently disclosed subject matter;

(21) FIG. 8B is an enlarged view of the holding member of FIG. 8A in the secured position thereof; and

(22) FIG. 8C is an enlarged view of the holding member of FIG. 8A, is in the released position thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

(23) FIG. 1 shows a sliding door 10 for closing an opening 5, defined between a first profile 12 and a second profile 14. According to the illustrated example the first and second profiles 12 and 14, are vertically disposed with respect to the opening 5. The sliding door 10 includes a panel 15 configured to slide along a path 7 defined between the first profile 12 and the second profile 14.

(24) It is appreciated that according to other examples the opening can be defined between two wall portions, as opposed to two profiles. In addition, the sliding door 10 can be configured to slide along a path 7 which is not defined at an opening, rather the path can be defined between two points, such that the panel 15 can be slide to de disposed between the two points, precluding thereby crossing through the area defined by path.

(25) According to a further example, the sliding door 10 can include two panels extending along a path on an opening having a first side profile one on side thereof and a second side profile on another side thereof. The panels can be disposed to slide along the opening as a side-by-side sliding window. According to this example, each panel can be configured to abut against one side profile while the opposing edge of the panel is disposed adjacent the other panel.

(26) The sliding door 10 further includes a holding member 20 which can be a longitudinal member having a first side portion 22a coupled to a second side portion 22b and being spaced apart from the first side portion 22a defining thereby a channel 24 therebetween. The channel 24 is configured for receiving therein at least a segment 17 of the panel 15.

(27) The holding member 20 is transversely disposed with respect to the path 7 in a location along path 7. That is to say, if, for example, the path 7 substantially horizontally extends along a doorway, and the panel 15 is configured to close the doorway by selectively sliding rightward and leftward, the holding member 20 is substantially vertically disposed at any point along the path 7. The holding member 20 is so disposed along the path such that when the panel 15 slid and reaches the holding member 20 a segment 17 thereof slides through the channel 24. The holding member 20 can extend along the height of the panel, such that substantially the entire edge segment of the panel 15 can be disposed inside the channel 24.

(28) According to the illustrated example, the holding member 20 is integrally formed with the second profile 14, such that the holding member 20 is disposed adjacent the edge of the path 7, i.e. the jamb of the doorway.

(29) According to other examples, however, the holding member 20 can be disposed at any other location along the path 7, such as adjacent the first profile 12, or spaced apart from the first or second profiles 12 and 14.

(30) According to other examples, the path 7 can extend vertically, for example along an opening of a window, and the panel 15 can be configured to close the opening, by selectively sliding upwardly and downwardly, such as a vertical sliding window. According to this example, the holding member 20 can be substantially horizontally disposed at any point along the path 7. Similar to the previous example, the holding member 20 is so disposed along the vertical path such that when the panel 15 slides and reaches the holding member 20 a segment 17 thereof slides through the channel 24.

(31) According to this example, the first profile 12 is mounted at the top of the opening of the vertical sliding window while the second profile 14 is mounted at the bottom of the opening of the vertical sliding window. The holding member 20 can be coupled to the second profile 14, such that the holding member 20 is disposed adjacent the edge of the path 7, i.e. the bottom of the window.

(32) It is noted that in this example, the holding member 20 can extend along the width of the panel 15, such that substantially the entire edge segment of the panel 15 can be disposed inside the channel 24.

(33) As can best be seen in FIG. 2A, the holding member 20 further includes an abutting portion 26 transversely extending inside the channel 24 from the first side portion 22a defining an opening 25 between an edge thereof and the second side portion 22b. The opening 25 is configured to allow sliding of the segment 17 therethrough into the channel 24.

(34) It is appreciated that in case the holding member 20 is mounted away from the first and second profiles 12 and 14 the opening 25 and channel 24 are configured such that the panel 15 can be slid therethrough from the first profile 12 towards the second profile 14 and vice versa. Thus the width of the opening 25, i.e. the distance between the edge of the abutting portion 26 and the second side portion 22b, is configured to allow sliding the panel therethrough.

(35) The sliding door 10 further includes a stop member 30 disposed in the channel 24 such that it engages the abutting portion 26 and the first side portion 22a.

(36) In the present example the segment is an edge of the panel extending along one dimension of the panel, for example the height thereof. The dimension is transversely disposed with respect to the path. Similarly the holding member 20 and the channel 24 extend along the height of the panel 15, thus, the stop member 30 can be an elongated rod disposed inside the channel 24 along the length thereof. The stop member 30 can thus be configured to engage the majority or the entire length of the abutting portion 26 and the first side portion 22a. As shown in FIGS. 2A and 3A, the second profile 14 includes a sealing element 28a which can be disposed in a groove 29a (best seen in FIG. 2A) defined inside the channel 24. The groove 29a is defined such that the sealing element 28a is aligned with the path 7 along which the panel 15 slides. This way, the edge of the panel 15 is configured to abut the sealing element 28a, precluding air flow therebetween. Similarly, the second side portion 22b includes a sealing element 28b which can be disposed in a groove 29b defined inside the channel 24 and being configured to abut the face of the segment of the panel 15.

(37) It is appreciated that the sealing elements 28a and 28b can be replaced with shock absorbing members, or can be configured to provide sealing and shock absorbent properties, disposed inside the grooves 29a and 29b. The shock absorbing element can be disposed in the groove 29a (best seen in FIG. 2A) such that the shock absorbing element is aligned with the path 7 along which the panel 15 slides. This way, the edge of the panel 15 is configured to abut the shock absorbing element 28a, providing protection thereto. Similarly, the second side portion 22b can include a shock absorbing element which can be disposed in a groove 29b defined inside the channel 24, configured to abut the face of the segment of the panel 15. As shown in FIG. 2B, the stop member 30 according to the illustrated example has a rectangular cross section having a first end 32a configured to abut the abutting portion 26 and the first side portion 22a, and a second end 32b configured to abut the segment 17 of the panel 15.

(38) Attention is now made to FIGS. 3A through 4C, the stop member 30 is displaceable within the channel 24 between an engaged state in which the second end 32b of stop member 30 engages the segment 17 of the channel 15 (FIGS. 3A and 4A) and a disengaged state in which the second end 32b of the stop member 30 disengages the segment 17 (FIGS. 3B and 4B).

(39) In the illustrated example, the rectangular stop member 30 is configured to be rotated about an axis between the disengaged states and the engaged state. Accordingly, in the disengaged state, as shown in FIG. 3B the rectangular cross section of the stop member 30 is disposed substantially in parallel to the segment 17, such that the edge segment 17 of the panel 15 can slide inside or through the channel 24. In the engaged state, however, the rectangular cross section of the stop member 30 is disposed in an angle with respect to the panel 15 such that the first end 32a thereof engages the abutting portion 26 and the first side portion 22a, while the second end 32b thereof engages the segment 17 of the panel 15.

(40) According to this example, the edge segment 17 of the panel can include a shoulder portion 19 protruding from the surface of the panel 15 towards the stop member 30. The shoulder portion 19 is configured such that in the engaged state of the stop member 30, the second end 32b thereof engages the segment 17 and the shoulder portion 19. The stop member 30 is thus configured such that in the engaged state compressive forces are exerted on the segment 17 and the shoulder portion 19 and the stop member 30. The compressive forces according to this example are formed in the engaged state between the corner of the first side portion 22a and the abutting portion 26, on one hand and the second side portion 22b on the other hand, while a segment of the panel 15 and the stop member 30 are securely held therebetween.

(41) As a result, in the engaged state sliding of the panel 15 towards the abutting portion 26 is opposed, such that the securing mechanism is in the secured position and the panel is locked in place. In this position, the segment 17 which is pushed by the stop member 30 towards the second side portion 22b can abut the sealing element 28b on the second side portion 22b. In the disengaged state however, the securing mechanism is released and the panel is free to slide towards the abutting portion 26 and out of the channel 24, and consequently to the open position of the door, as shown in FIGS. 3C and 4C.

(42) It is appreciated that displacement of the stop member 30 between an engaged and disengaged states can be a rotation thereof about a fixed axis, as in the present example, or otherwise the displacement can be a lateral movement thereof. It is further appreciated that in the case of a rotational displacement, the stop member includes a cross section having a rotational asymmetry. The rotational asymmetry is configured such the stop member 30 can be rotated between a first and a second orientations. In the first orientation of the stop member a portion thereof engages the segment of the panel, while in a second orientation of the stop member it disengages the panel.

(43) It is appreciated that either in the example of a lateral displacement of the stop member 30 or in the example of a rotational displacement thereof, the abutting portion 26 and the first side portion 22b are configured such that stop member 30 maintains an engagement therewith at least in the engaged state. This way, in the engaged state the stop member 30 and the segment 17 of the panel 15 are compressed between the first side portion 22a and the abutting portion 26, on one hand and the second side portion 22b on the other hand.

(44) As indicated hereinabove, in the present example the holding member 20, the channel 24, and the stop member 30 extend along the height of the panel 15, such that the stop member 30 engages the entire height of the panel, or at least large portions thereof. It is appreciated that engaging large portion of the panel facilitate securing thereof in place, without exerting major forces in one location, i.e the forces exerted on the panel are spread along portions of the height thereof.

(45) The stop member 30, according to the example of FIG. 1, can be pivotally mounted on a hinge 35 disposed close the first end 32a thereof and secured to the holding member 20 adjacent the corner of the abutting portion 26 and the first side portion 22a. The hinge 35 facilitate the rotation of the stop member 30 between the engaged and disengaged states.

(46) It is appreciated that according to other examples the hinge 35 can be mounted elsewhere inside the channel 24 so long as the stop member 30 can be rotated between the engaged in which sliding of the panel 15 towards the abutting portion 26 is opposed, and a disengaged states in which the panel is free to slide towards the abutting portion 26 and out of the channel 24.

(47) It is appreciated that the axis of rotation of the stop member 30 can be defined away from the first end 32a thereof, so long as the engaged and disengaged states are maintained as described herein above.

(48) Displacement of the stop member 30 between the engaged and disengaged states can be carried out by a handle 38 coupled thereto. The handle 38 can be configured to protrude out of the channel 24 through a bore 40 facilitating thereby displacement of the stop member 30. According to the example illustrated in FIG. 2B, the handle 38 is mounted to the stop member 30 in close proximity to the second end 32b thereof while the hinge 35 is mounted in close proximity to the first end 32a thereof. This way, rotation of the stop member 30 about the hinge 35 is facilitated by the handle 38.

(49) The stop member 30 can be further provided with return mechanism, such as a spring 42 configured to urge the stop member 30 to be normally disposed at the engaged state thereof. The spring 42 is configured such that one end thereof bears against the inner surface of the first side portion 22a, while the opposing end thereof bears against the stop member 30.

(50) This way, the panel 15 can be slide along the path 7 such that the edge segment 17 thereof is inserted into the channel 24. The edge of the panel 15 engage the stop member 30 which is urged to the engaged state thereof, i.e. is disposed in diagonal inside the channel, having an angle with respect to the panel 15. Thus, the shoulder portion 19 at the edge segment 17 of the panel IS pushes the stop member 30 towards the first side portion 22a, against the force exerted by the spring 42. Once the edge segment 17 with the shoulder portion 19 are fully inserted inside the channel 24, passed the second end 32b, the stop member 30 is free to be urged back by the spring to the enraged position thereof. At this position the panel 15 is secured by the stop member 30 and cannot be slid in the direction towards the opening 25 of the channel. This way, in a case of a sliding door, the door is closed and locked. Unlocking the door can be carried out by pulling the handle 38 through the bore 40 overcoming the forces exerted by the spring 42 and displacing the stop member 30 to the disengage state thereof. This way the shoulder portion 19 and the edge segment 17 are no longer engaged by the second end 32b, the stop member 30, and the panel is free to be slid towards the first profile, i.e. opening the door or the window.

(51) Reference is now made to FIG. 5, showing a sliding door 50 having a stop member in accordance with another example of the presently disclosed subject matter. The sliding door 50, for which the same elements as in the previous example are designated with the same reference numerals, is configured for closing an opening 55, such as a window, defined between a first profile 52 and a second profile 54. According to the illustrated example the opening further includes a bottom profile 56 disposed between the bottom edge of the first profile 52 and the bottom edge of the second profile 54. The bottom profile 56 defines a path 57 along which the panel 15 can slide. The path 57, according to the present example, is an elongated groove defined in the bottom profile 56 and extending between the first profile 52 and a second profile 54 such that the panel 15 can slide therein.

(52) The sliding door 50 further includes a holding member 20 which can be identical to the one shown in FIGS. 1 and 2A, and can be a longitudinal member integrally formed with the second profile 54, and can include a first side portion 22a coupled to a second side portion 22b and being spaced apart from the first side portion 22a defining thereby a channel 24 therebetween. The channel 24 is configured for receiving therein at least a segment 17 of the panel 15, which according to the present example can be provided without a shoulder portion.

(53) As in the previous example, the holding member 20 further includes an abutting portion 26 transversely extending inside the channel 24 from the first side portion 22a defining an opening 25 between an edge thereof and the second side portion 22b. The opening 25 is configured to allow sliding of the segment 17 therethrough into the channel 24.

(54) The sliding door 50 further includes a stop member 60 disposed in the channel 24 such that it engages the abutting portion 26 and the first side portion 22a.

(55) As shown in FIGS. 5B and 5C, the stop member 60 according to the illustrated example has an asymmetric oval cross section having a first end 62a configured to abut the abutting portion 26 and the first side portion 22a, and a variable radius profile 61 extending to a second end 62b configured to abut the segment 17 of the panel 15. The asymmetric oval cross section of the stop member 60 has a rotational asymmetry which is configured such the stop member 60 can be rotated between a first and a second orientations. In the first orientation of the stop member 60, the variable radius profile 61 extending to the second end 62b of the stop member is configured to engage the segment 17 of the panel 15 located between the edge of a major surface of the panel and the center of the major surface of the panel, while in a second orientation of the stop member 60 it is configured to disengage from the panel.

(56) According to the illustrated example the asymmetric oval cross section includes a circular portion defined first end 62a of the stop member 60 and a protruding portion defined at the second end 62b. The protruding portion is configured to selectively engage the segment 17 of the panel 15.

(57) The stop member 60, according to the present example, is pivotally mounted on a hinge 65 disposed close to the first end 62a thereof, and secured to the holding member 20 adjacent the corner of the abutting portion 26 and the first side portion 22a. It is appreciated that the hinge 65 is mounted such that the axis of rotation thereof is in parallel with an axis with respect to which the cross section of the stop member 60 has a rotational asymmetry. For example, the hinge 65 can be mounted at the center of the circular portion defined at the first end 62a of the stop member 60. The hinge 65, thus, facilitate the rotational displacement of the stop member 60, and selectively shifts the protruding portion defined on the second end 62b thereof between the engaged and disengaged states.

(58) As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the second profile 54 and the second side portion 22b can include sealing element 28a and 28b which, as in the previous example, can be disposed in grooves 29a and 29b defined inside the channel 24.

(59) As in the previous example, the holding member 20 and the channel 24 can extend along the height of the panel 15, thus, the stop member 60 can be an elongated rod disposed inside the channel 24 along the length thereof. The stop member 60 can thus be configured to engage the entire length of the abutting portion 26 and the first side portion 22a.

(60) As in the previous example, the displacement of the stop member 60 between the engaged and disengaged states can be carried out by a handle 68 coupled thereto. The handle 68 can be configured to protrude out of the channel 24 through an elongated bore 40 facilitating thereby displacement of the stop member 60. According to the illustrated example the handle 68 is coupled to the first end 62a, i.e. the circular portion of the stop member 60. This way sideward displacement of the handle 68 through the elongated bore 40 causes the rotation of the stop member 60 about the hinge 65 such that the second end 62b is selectively shifted between the engaging state and the disengaging state.

(61) The stop member 60 can be further provided with return mechanism, such as a spring 72 configured to urge the stop member 60 to be normally disposed at the engaged state thereof. The spring 72 is configured such that one end thereof bears against the inner surface of the first side portion 22a, while the opposing end thereof bears against a bearing protrusion 74 extending from the stop member 30.

(62) It is appreciated that the handle according to another example, can be mounted on the panel and can be configured to actuate the displacement of the stop member. For example, the handle can be configured to displace the stop member to the disengaged state thereof such that the panel can be slid. According to an example, the handle can be configured such that actuation of the stop member is carried out by pulling the handle in the sliding direction of the panel along the path. For example, the handle can be configured to be pulled in the same direction as the sliding of the panel when the sliding door is opened.

(63) Attention is now made to FIGS. 6A through 7C, the stop member 60 is displaceable within the channel 24 between an engaged state in which the protruding portion at the second end 62b of stop member 60 engages the segment 17 of the channel 15 (FIGS. 6A and 7A) and a disengaged state in which the protruding portion at the second end 62b of stop member 60 disengages the segment 17 (FIGS. 6B and 7B).

(64) As a result, in the engaged state sliding of the panel 15 towards the abutting portion 26 is opposed, such that the panel is locked in place. In this position, the segment 17 which is urged by the protruding portion at the second end 62b of the stop member 60 towards the second side portion 22b can abut the shock absorbing element 28b on the second side portion 22b. In the disengaged state however the panel is free to slide towards the abutting portion 26 and out of the channel 24, as shown in FIGS. 6C and 7C.

(65) FIG. 8A shows a sliding door 80 having a securing mechanism in accordance with another example of the presently disclosed subject matter. The sliding door 80, for which the same elements as in the previous examples are designated with the same reference numerals, is configured for closing an opening, such as a window, defined between a first profile 12 and a second profile 114. A panel 15 is slidably mounted between first profile 12 and a second profile 114.

(66) As in the sliding doors of the previous examples, the sliding door 80 further includes a holding member coupled to the second profile 114 having a first side portion 82a coupled to a second side portion 82b and being spaced apart from the first side portion 82a defining thereby a channel 24 therebetween. The channel 24 is configured for receiving therein at least a segment 17 of the panel 15. According to the present example, the segment 17 is provided with an engaging edge 90, here illustrated as a U-shaped portion configured to allow insertion of the edge segment 17 of the profile 15 therein.

(67) As in the previous example, the holding member 20 further includes an abutting portion 86 transversely extending inside the channel 24 from the first side portion 82a defining an opening between an edge thereof and the second side portion 82b. The opening is configured to allow sliding of the segment 17 therethrough into the channel 24.

(68) According to the present example, the abutting portion 86 and the first side portion 82a define together a rounded seat 88. The rounded seat is configured to hold therein a stop member 92 which can be the same as the one shown in FIGS. 5B and 5C, i.e. having an asymmetric oval cross section. The stop member 92 can thus include a circular portion 94a defined at a first end thereof and a protruding portion 94b defined at the second end thereof. The circular portion 94a is configured to be rotatably disposed inside the seat 88, while the protruding portion 94b protrude out of the seat 88. That is to say, the seat is configured with a shape substantially conforming the outer counter of the circular portion 94a facilitating thereby the rotational displacement of the stop member therein.

(69) The protruding portion 94b is configured to selectively protrude out of the seat 88 in a direction towards the edge segment 17 of the panel 15 or slightly away from the edge segment 17, this way the stop member 92 is selectively shifted between an engaged and disengaged states, as illustrated in FIGS. 8B and 8C respectively.

(70) According to the present example, the engaging edge 90 includes a depression 96 configured to engage the protruding portion 94b in the engaged state thereof. The depression 96 can be configured to further oppose sliding the segment 17 of the panel 15 out of the channel 24. That is to say the depression 96 can be configured to cooperate with the compression forces acting on the panel such that in the engaged state of the stop member the panel 15 is maintained with the segment 17 locked inside the channel 24.

(71) According to another example the stop member can be transversely disposed with respect to the path adjacent a location along the path without a holding portion. For example, the stop member can be pivotally mounted on a hinge extending between a top profile and a bottom profile of a window. The stop member can thus be displaceable between an engaged state in which the stop member engages a segment of the panel precluding thereby sliding of the panel and a disengaged state in which the stop member disengages the segment allowing thereby sliding of the panel.

(72) Those skilled in the art to which the presently disclosed subject matter pertains will readily appreciate that numerous changes, variations, and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention, mutatis mutandis.