Assembly for closing an opening

Abstract

An assembly for closing an opening comprising a door panel adapted for sliding movement between an open position and a closed position, a first extendable member located at a first edge of the opening and extendable towards an opposed second edge of the opening, and a second extendable member located at the second edge of the opening and extendable towards the first edge of the opening, and wherein the door panel includes a stop member attached thereto and movable therewith, the location of the stop member defining the limit of movement of the first extendable member towards the second edge of the opening, and the limit of movement of the second extendable member towards the first edge of the opening.

Claims

1. An assembly for closing an opening comprising: a first extendable member located at a first edge of the opening and extendable towards an opposed second edge of the opening, a second extendable member located at the second edge of the opening and extendable towards the first edge of the opening, and a sliding door panel adapted for sliding movement between an open position and a closed position in a direction parallel to a plane defined by the direction of travel of the first extendable member or the second extendable member, wherein the sliding door panel includes two opposing ends, an obverse surface and an opposed, reverse surface, the obverse surface oriented toward the first extendable member or the second extendable member, and a stop member attached thereto and movable therewith, the stop member protruding from the obverse surface and including a first abutment surface defining the limit of movement of the first extendable member towards the second edge of the opening, and a second abutment surface defining the limit of movement of the second extendable member towards the first edge of the opening, and further wherein the first extendable member and the second extendable member are adapted for movement relative to the first edge and the second edge of the opening independently of the stop member and the sliding door panel along a common track.

2. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein the assembly comprises a plurality of door panels, one of which is said sliding panel.

3. An assembly according to claim 2 wherein the plurality of door panels includes a fixed door panel fixed at or adjacent the first edge or the second edge of the opening, and said sliding door panel is slidable relative to the fixed door panel.

4. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein the stop member comprises a projection extending from a surface of the sliding door panel.

5. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein the stop member is located on a stile.

6. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein the stop member is located within a head track or sill.

7. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein the first and second extendable members comprise elongate flexible members.

8. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein the first extendable members comprises a screen and the second extendable member comprises a blind.

9. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein at least one of the first extendable member and the second extendable member is adapted to be retained in abutment with the stop member.

10. An assembly according to claim 9 wherein said at least one of the first extendable member and the second extendable member is adapted to be retained in magnetic engagement with the stop member.

11. An assembly according to claim 9 wherein a movement of the sliding door panel produces an automatic movement of said at least one of the first extendable member and the second extendable member when said at least one of the first extendable member and the second extendable member is retained in abutment with the stop member.

12. An assembly according to claim 3 wherein the fixed door panel is fixed at or adjacent the first edge of the opening.

13. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein the first and second edges of the opening are vertical edges of the opening.

14. An assembly for closing an opening comprising: a first extendable member located at a first edge of the opening and extendable towards an opposed second edge of the opening, a second extendable member located at a third edge of the opening and extendable towards an opposed fourth edge of the opening, and a door panel adapted for sliding movement between an open position and a closed position in a direction parallel to a plane defined by the direction of travel of the first extendable member or the second extendable member, wherein the door panel includes two opposing ends, an obverse surface and an opposed, reverse surface, the obverse surface oriented toward the first extendable member or the second extendable member, and a stop member attached thereto and movable therewith, the location of the stop member protruding from the obverse surface and including a first abutment surface defining the limit of movement of the first extendable member towards the second edge of the opening, and a second abutment surface defining the limit of movement of the second extendable member towards the fourth edge of the opening, and further wherein the first extendable member and the second extendable member are adapted for movement relative to the edges of the opening independently of the stop member and the door panel.

15. An assembly according to claim 14 wherein the first and second edges of the opening are substantially parallel to one another, and the third and fourth edges of the opening are substantially parallel to one another.

16. An assembly according to claim 14 wherein the first and second edges of the opening and the third and fourth edges of the opening are substantially perpendicular to one another.

17. An assembly according to claim 14 wherein the first extendable member comprises a screen.

18. An assembly according to claim 14 wherein the second extendable member comprises a blind.

19. An assembly according to claim 18 wherein the blind is a roller blind, Venetian blind or Roman blind.

20. An assembly according to claim 3 wherein the plurality of door panels further includes a second sliding door panel that is slidable relative to the fixed door panel.

21. An assembly according to claim 12 wherein the first extendable member is a blind.

22. An assembly according to claim 14, wherein the first extendable member and the second extendable member are adapted for movement relative to the first edge and the second edge of the opening independently of the door panel along a common track.

23. An assembly for closing an opening comprising: a. a fixed door panel fixed at or adjacent a first edge of the opening; b. an extendable blind member located at the first edge of the opening and extendable towards an opposed second edge of the opening; and c. an extendable screen member located at the second edge of the opening and extendable towards the first edge of the opening; and d. a door panel adapted for sliding movement between an open position and a closed position in a direction parallel to a plane defined by the direction of travel of the first extendable member or the second extendable member, the sliding door panel including two opposing ends, an obverse surface and an opposed, reverse surface, the obverse surface oriented toward the first extendable member or the second extendable member, and a stop member attached thereto and movable therewith, the stop member protruding from the obverse surface and including a first abutment surface that defines the limit of movement of the extendable blind member towards the second edge of the opening such that the extendable blind member is precluded from overlying a gap formed between the stop member and the second edge of the opening, and a second abutment surface that defines the limit of movement of the extendable screen member towards the first edge of the opening when the door panel is not in the closed position; wherein the extendable blind member and the extendable screen member are adapted for movement relative to the first edge and the second edge of the opening independently of the stop member and the door panel along a common track.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

(1) Various embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the following drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic view of an assembly for closing an opening according to an embodiment of the present invention.

(3) FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic view of an assembly for closing an opening according to an embodiment of the present invention.

(4) FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic view of an assembly for closing an opening according to an embodiment of the present invention.

(5) FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic view of an assembly for closing an opening according to an embodiment of the present invention.

(6) FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic view of an assembly for closing an opening according to an embodiment of the present invention.

(7) FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic view of an assembly for closing an opening according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

(8) FIG. 7 illustrates an isometric view of an assembly for closing an opening according to an embodiment of the present invention.

(9) FIG. 8 illustrates an isometric view of an assembly for closing an opening according to an embodiment of the present invention.

(10) FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate detailed views of a portion of an assembly fir closing an opening according to an embodiment of the present invention.

(11) FIG. 10 illustrates an isometric view of an assembly for closing an opening according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

(12) FIGS. 11A to 11C illustrate schematic views of assemblies for closing an opening according to various embodiments of the present invention.

(13) Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the invention in any way.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

(14) In FIG. 1 there is shown a schematic view of an assembly for closing an opening according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this Figure, a sliding door assembly 10 is shown located in an opening 11 and comprising a fixed door panel 12 and a sliding door panel 13 that slides relative to the fixed door panel 12 in the direction indicated by arrow 14, The fixed panel 12 is fixed to the jamb 13 at the edge of the opening using any suitable technique.

(15) The sliding door panel 13 is provided with a stop member 16 that extends from the surface of the sliding door panel 13. The stop member 16 is in the form of an elongate member that extends along at least a portion of the height of the sliding door panel 13.

(16) At a first end 17 of the opening 11 there is provided an extendable member in the form of a blind 18. The blind 18 is in the form of an elongate flexible member that is wound around a rod 19 when in the retracted position as shown in FIG. 1.

(17) At a second end 23 of the opening 11 there is provided an extendable member in the form of a screen 20, The screen 20 is in the form of an elongate flexible member that is wound around a rod 21 when in the retracted position as shown in FIG. 1.

(18) FIG. 2 there is shown a schematic view of the sliding door assembly 10 of FIG. 1. In this Figure, the sliding door panel 13 has been opened by sliding it to the first end 17 of the opening 11 where it abuts the jamb 13.

(19) When the sliding door panel 13 is in the position illustrated in FIG. 2, a portion of the opening 11 is open, meaning that insects, leaves and other debris can enter the structure through the opening 11.

(20) In FIG. 3, the sliding door assembly 10 of FIG. 2 is shown in which the open portion of the opening 11 shown in FIG. 2 has been closed by extending the screen 20 towards the first end 17 of the opening 11. When the leading edge 22 of the screen 20 reaches the position of the sliding door panel 13, further movement towards the first end 17 of the opening 11 is prevented by the presence of the stop member 16. The leading edge 22 of the screen 20 abuts the stop member 16, meaning that the opening is closed, but that the screen 20 cannot extend beyond the open position of the sliding door panel 13.

(21) In FIG. 4, the sliding door assembly 10 of FIG. 3 is shown, in which the blind 18 has been extended towards the second end 23 of the opening 11. In this Figure, the extension of the blind 18 towards the second end 23 of the opening 11 is limited by the location of the stop member 16 due to the fact that the leading edge 24 of the blind 18 abuts the stop member 16. Thus, the location of the stop member 16 defines the limit of the extension of both the screen 20 and the blind 18. For this reason, the blind 18 and the screen 20 are unable to overlap one another. This allows the screen 20 and the blind 18 to be provided on the same track, thereby making the assembly 10 relatively compact compared to more conventional assemblies.

(22) In FIG. 5, the sliding door panel 13 has been moved to the second end 23 of the opening 11 to close the opening 11. Due to the movement of the stop member 16 with the sliding door panel 13, the screen 20 retracts around the rod 21, as the screen 20 cannot extend beyond the stop member 16.

(23) In this Figure, it may be seen that the blind 18 has been extended to adjacent the second end 23 of the opening. In this position, the blind 18 is at the limit of its extension.

(24) In FIG. 6, an alternative embodiment of the invention is illustrated in which the assembly comprises a fixed door panel 12 and a pair of sliding door panels 13a, 13b. When the door assembly 10 of FIG. 6 is in the closed position, sliding door panel 13b will abut the door jamb 25. Thus, it is sliding door panel 13b that is provided with the stop member 16.

(25) In FIG. 6 the door assembly 10 is shown in the open position, and the screen 20 is in the fully extended position such that the leading edge 22 of the screen 20 abuts the stop member, thereby closing the opening 11.

(26) In addition, the blind 18 may be extended until its leading edge 24 abuts the stop member 16.

(27) In FIG. 7 there is illustrated an isometric view of an assembly for closing an opening according to an embodiment of the present invention. The assembly of FIG. 7 is largely identical to the sliding door assembly 10 shown in FIG. 1.

(28) The assembly 10 comprises a fixed door panel 12 and a sliding door panel 13 that slides relative to the fixed door panel 12. The fixed panel 12 is fixed to the jamb 15 at a first end 17 of the opening 11 which also houses a flexible extendable member in the form of a blind 18 that is wound about a rod (obscured) housed within the jamb 15. The blind 18 is shown partially extended from the jamb 15.

(29) The sliding door panel 13 includes a stop member (obscured in this Figure) that defines the limit of movement of the blind 18 towards the second end 23 of the opening 11. The jamb 30 also house an extendable member in the form of a screen (obscured) which is precluded from movement towards the first end 17 of the opening 11 by the fact that the stop member is positioned adjacent the second end 23 of the opening 11.

(30) In FIG. 8 there is illustrated an isometric view of an assembly for closing an opening according to an embodiment of the present invention. The assembly of FIG. 8 is largely identical to the sliding door assembly 10 shown in FIG. 6.

(31) The assembly 10 comprises a fixed door panel 12 and a pair of sliding door panels 13a, 13b that slide relative to the fixed door panel 12. The fixed panel 12 is fixed to the jamb 15 at a first end 17 of the opening 11 which also houses a flexible extendable member in the form of a blind 18 that is wound about a rod (obscured) housed within the jamb 15. The blind 18 is shown partially extended from the jamb 15.

(32) The sliding door panel 13b includes a stop member (obscured in this Figure) that defines the limit of movement of the blind 18 towards the second end 23 of the opening 11. The jamb 30 also house an extendable member in the form of a screen (obscured) which is precluded from movement towards the first end 17 of the opening 11 by the fact that the stop member is positioned adjacent the second end 23 of the opening 11.

(33) In FIGS. 9A and 9B there are illustrated detailed views of a portion of an assembly for closing an opening according to an embodiment of the present invention. In these Figures an upper portion of a sliding door panel 13 is shown, and it may be seen that a stop member 16 is positioned in the upper region of the sliding door panel 13. The stop member 16 is positioned so as to be located in use within an upper track 31 of the sliding door assembly 10. In this way, the stop member 16 is not visible to a user, and the aesthetic appeal of the sliding door assembly 10 is not disturbed. It will be noted that the stop member 16 is located at or adjacent a leading edge 32 of the sliding door panel 13.

(34) In FIG. 9A an extendable member in the form of a blind 18 is shown in a partially extended state. In FIG. 9B, the blind 18 is extended further until it abuts the stop member 16. Thus, the stop member 16 defines the extent of movement of the blind 18 in its direction of extension. In this way, the blind 18 is prevented from extending beyond the sliding door panel 13. This ensures that the blind 18 is protected from wind, water of flying debris from outside the structure in which the assembly 10 is located.

(35) In FIG. 10 an isometric view of an assembly for closing an opening according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown. The assembly is a sliding door assembly 10 comprising a fixed door panel 12 and a sliding door panel 13 that slides relative to the fixed door panel 12. The sliding door panel 13 is provided with a stop member 16 in the form of a stile that extends along a length of the leading edge 32 of the sliding door panel 13. In this embodiment of the invention, a screen (obscured) is located within the jamb 30 and is extendable towards the first end 17 of the assembly 10. The stop member 16 defines the limit of movement of the screen (obscured) in the direction in which the sliding door panel 13 slides.

(36) In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 10, a second extendable member in the form of a roller (Holland) blind 33 is shown. The roller blind 33 extends in a direction that is perpendicular to the direction of movement of the sliding door panel 13 and the screen (obscured) (i.e. the roller blind 33 extends in a substantially vertical direction). However, the roller blind 33 is prevented from extending vertically downwardly by an upper portion of the stop member 16 against which the leading edge of the roller blind 33 abuts when the sliding door panel 13 is in an open condition.

(37) It is envisaged that, when the sliding door panel 13 is in a closed condition (i.e. when the leading edge 32 of the sliding door panel is adjacent the second end 23 of the assembly 10, the roller blind 33 will be free to extend downwardly.

(38) In FIGS. 11A to 11D there are shown schematic views of assemblies for closing an opening according to various embodiments of the present invention.

(39) In FIG. 11A there is shown a sliding door panel 13 including a stile 34 to which is attached a stop member 16. The stop member 16 defines the limit of movement of a blind 18 towards the right of FIG. 11A and a screen 20 towards the left of FIG. 11A. It will be noted that the stop member 16 is located substantially equidistant between opposed vertical edges 35A, 35B of the stile 34.

(40) In this embodiment of the invention, the stile 34 and the stop member 16 are provided with magnets 36 on the surface thereof. The blind 18 and the screen 20 are also provided with magnets (obscured) that, when brought into close proximity with the magnets 36 on the stile 34 and stop member 16, retain both the blind 18 and screen 20 in magnetic engagement with the stile 34 and stop member 16. In this way, movement of the sliding door panel 13 in either direction produces an automatic movement of the screen 20 and the blind 18.

(41) The blind 18 and the screen 20 are also provided with sealing members 40 that seal against the stile 34 when the blind 18 and the screen 20 are brought into close proximity to the stop member 16. The sealing members 40 may be of any suitable form, such as a weatherstrip or the like, and may be fabricated from any suitable material. The sealing members 40 assist in preventing the ingress of insects, leaves or other debris into the building between the stile 34 and the blind 18 or screen 20, and also assist in keeping light out of the building.

(42) In FIG. 11B, the stop member 16 is located adjacent vertical edge 35A of the stile 34. As a result, the blind 18 is retained in magnetic engagement with the stop member 16 through a magnet 36, and no seal is formed between the blind 18 and the stile 34. However, the screen 20 is retained in magnetic engagement with the stop member 16 through magnet 36 and a seal is formed between the stile 34 and the screen 20 through sealing member 40.

(43) FIG. 11C is essentially a mirror image of FIG. 11B. In this Figure, the stop member 16 is located adjacent vertical edge 35B of the stile 34. As a result, the screen 20 is retained in magnetic engagement with the stop member 16 through a magnet 36, and no seal is formed between the screen 20 and the stile 34. However, the blind 18 is retained in magnetic engagement with the stop member 16 through magnet 36 and a seal is formed between the stile 34 and the blind through sealing member 40.

(44) In the present specification and claims (if any), the word comprising and its derivatives including comprises and comprise include each of the stated integers but does not exclude the inclusion of one or more further integers.

(45) Reference throughout this specification to one embodiment or an embodiment means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases in one embodiment or in an embodiment in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations.

(46) In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims (if any) appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.