"BIFOLD DOOR/WINDOW"

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to multi-fold window and/or door assemblies. In particular, the present invention is directed to a multi-fold arrangement adapted to lend itself to a more expansive opening configuration compared to alternative arrangements. BACKGROUND

Typical bifold assemblies as disclosed in our New Zealand Patent Specification No. 336696, are capable of being folded or opened to the edge of the window or door opening. In such instances the folded windows or door panels create an obstruction of sorts, be it visual or otherwise. Such prior art arrangements do not allow the entire wall opening to be fully utilised as they are constrained by hinges built into tracking arrangements. It would be an advantage for multi-fold panel assemblies to have the prospect of clearing the opening ^" of the panels when in the opened condition. Our New Zealand Patent Specification No. 505958 sought to achieve this outcome by releasing the distal pivot axis from the tracks or track in the plane of the opening. The procedure of our New Zealand Patent Specification No. 505958 is effective for the purpose but does require sturdy mounts as, in the open folded condition against the building structure away from the opening, loadings of the panel pairs is carried through the sole remaining pivot axis.

Our PCT application WO 2004/016893 describes a fully framed bifold assembly _. where a skewed track is mounted by the head frame member in a condition that allows it to fully support one or more door panels of the range of motion between closed and fully open. However, since the skewed track makes a very shallow angle to the plane of the opening (and with which the frame of the assembly is parallel to) in order to accommodate the skewed track in a manner that allows for generally clean visual incorporation of the skewed track to occur, certain parts of the assembly need to assume shallow angled surfaces. Such shallow angles then allow for flush engagement with complementary surfaces of the skewed track. For example, figure 1 shows a skewed track (500) seen from below looking up towards the head frame and a trim cap (501) that sits against the skewed track at a surface thereof that is shallow to its elongate direction "L". Figure 2 is a cross sectional view of the head area of the invention described in WO 2004/016893 at one distal

end of the track. It shows a trim plate (85). At the other distal end (as seen in figure 3) the trim plate (85) is much smaller in width. As is common during installation of aluminium window and door joinery, the entire assembly is fabricated to suit a particular sized opening in the building structure where the joinery is to be located. Such fabrication includes the cutting of aluminium extrusion to the appropriate size, including the main frame extrusions. As the width of the opening can vary, the angle that the skewed track makes with the plane of the opening varies as well. This is because the position of the end of the track is preferably always maintained at a set distance from the plane of the opening. As such, the trim plate is also fabricated to suit the angles that are established. Accurately and cleanly cutting the trim plate from a rectangular precursor plate, at shallow angles, can be difficult. Given that the cut needs to be made along the entire length of the precursor plate, it can also be time consuming to cut the trim plate.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a multi-fold window and/or door assembly that overcomes the above mentioned problems and/or that will at least provide the public with a useful choice.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is therefore directed to an arrangement, for at least a bifold panel (glazed or otherwise) structure, and whether for door or window purposes or a hybrid of both, whether top or bottom mounted (supported), which alone or in conjunction with a mirrored arrangement can provide an alternative to existing multifold panel systems. As used therein and herein the term "plane of the opening" preferably includes a straight plane but may include a curved or other shaped opening and consequendy the "plane of the opening" should be interpreted as including any form of opening capable of being tracked substantially to the shape of the opening. Where reference herein is made to the "mutual disalignment" of panels it is meant a positioning of the panels in a non co-planar condition. Such mutual disalignment is preferably in the form of a concertina like condition where the at least two panels are in a substantially overlying position.

In one aspect the present invention consists in a closure assembly of an opening of or in a building or like structure, said closure assembly including at least two mutually pivoted panels (glazed or otherwise) mounted by a closure frame that includes a head frame

member, with the mutual pivot axis at least substantially vertical and so as to be movable between: a closed condition whereby said at least two panels at least substantially in mutual alignment provide at least a partial closure of said opening in or substantially parallel to the plane of the opening, and an opened condition whereby said at least two panels, mutually disaligned by having pivoted mutually towards each other, are substantially clear of the plane of the opening and where one of each, or all of at least two panels, lie at an acute angle or parallel with respect to the plane of the opening, wherein one of said panels (the "proximate panel") is pivoted by an at least substantially vertical pivot axis substantially in the plane of the opening at and/or adjacent a vertical periphery of said opening ("the proximal periphery"), and wherein the distal region of the other panel (the "distal panel") is supported by at least one supporting runner, wherein the supporting runner running on a support track which, at least in part is skewed, angled or angling, cranked or curved (hereafter "skewed") with respect to the plane of said opening, has the affect of spacing the supporting runner out of the plane of said opening at/or adjacent said proximal periphery, said support runner vertically supported by a plurality of discrete and spaced apart support brackets that are operationally positioned between and engaged to the head frame member and the support track.

Preferably said one support bracket is located proximate most the distal end of the support track adjacent the proximal periphery.

Preferably another support bracket is located proximate most the opposite distal end of the support track.

Preferably there is at least one intermediate support bracket.

Preferably the or each support bracket includes a base that is mounted to the head frame member, and an arm that extends from the base to the support track.

Preferably each support bracket includes a base that is mounted to the head frame member, and an arm that extends from the base to the support track and the arm of each support bracket is of a different size.

Preferably each support bracket is the same in cross sectional shape save for the shape of the arm.

Preferably said head frame member can carry the or each support bracket in a slidable manner relative thereto. Preferably the or each support bracket can be selectively fastened to said head frame member.

Preferably the head frame member includes a slot into which a slider of the or each support bracket is located.

Preferably the slider is engaged to the base by a threaded fastener that can adjust the distance between the slider and the base, the drawing of the slider towards the base resulting in a clamping of the slider and the base to the head frame member.

Preferably intermediate of each support bracket is a spacer that abuts against the adjacent said support brackets.

Preferably the or each spacer is of at least a substantial part, the same cross sectional shape as the base of each support bracket.

Preferably the or each spacer is positioned to be in cross sectional alignment with the base of each support bracket.

Preferably the or each spacer is engaged to the head support.

Preferably said head frame member carries the or each spacer in a slidable manner relative thereto.

Preferably each spacer can be selectively fastened to said head frame member.

Preferably the head frame member includes a slot or slots into which a slider of the spacer is located.

Preferably the slider is engaged to the spacer by a threaded fastener that can adjust the distance between the slider and the spacer, the drawing of the slider towards the spacer resulting in a clamping of the slider and the spacer to the head frame member.

Preferably the slot for the slider of the base is the same slot as for the slider for the spacer.

Preferably the slot is defined by and at the bottom of the head frame member. Preferably the head frame member is an extrusion of a constant cross section.

Preferably an end member is provided, identical to the cross section of the spacer and mounted to the head frame member in the same way, to sit adjacent the support

bracket distal most from the proximal end on that side thereof distal from the proximal end, said end member extending from the support bracket to or towards a location at where the support track intersects (in plan view) with the head frame member.

Preferably the support track is an extrusion of a constant cross section. Preferably the support track includes a longitudinally extending slot that can receive a slider of the support bracket.

Preferably the slider is engaged to the arm of the support bracket by a threaded fastener.

Preferably the slider and threaded fastener and arm of the support bracket have a similar relationship to the support track as the slider and threaded fastener in relation to the base of the support bracket.

Preferably the proximate panel is pivoted by a substantially vertical pivot axis fixed relative to said opening.

Preferably said proximate panel is pivoted by a substantially vertical pivot axis horizontally movable relative to and within the plane of the opening.

Preferably said supporting runner includes a wheeled bogie engaged with the support track.

Preferably said support runner includes a vertical axis pivot to allow said wheeled bogie to pivot relative to said distal panel about a vertical axis. Preferably said vertical axis of said pivot of said wheeled bogie is located at the mid thickness of said distal panel.

Preferably the support track is substantially rectilinear in form and is at an acute angle with respect to the plane of the opening.

Preferably the support track is at least in part rectilinear in form and said part is at an acute angle with respect to the plane of the opening.

Preferably the support track is rectilinear in form and parallel with the plane of the opening (preferably in the plane of the opening) save for that part thereof immediately proximal to the proximal periphery, where said track is angled to the plane of said opening to step the supporting runner out of the plane of the opening. Preferably the distal region of the distal panel is supported by one supporting runner affixed at either the top or bottom (the "vertical supported location") of the distal panel.

Preferably the support tunner includes an articulation means extending in a pivotal manner between the distal panel (at or towards the distal region) said articulation means being further pivotally associated with said guiding track via a runner bogie located with and guided by the guiding track, thereby providing said extensile association. Preferably said articulation means is a rigid arm.

Preferably said rigid arm extends perpendicular to said plane of said opening when said panels are in said open condition.

Preferably the support runner is provided at the top of the distal panel.

Preferably the proximal panel is pivoted by a fixed vertical pivot axis at the proximal periphery.

Preferably said panels in an open position, lie substantially parallel to the plane of the opening.

Preferably the closure assembly is fully framed.

Preferably the perimeter of said closure assembly is defined by a frame structure of a size commensurate to being received in said opening of or in said building or like structure.

Preferably the perimeter of said closure assembly is defined by a frame structure of a size commensurate to being received in said opening of or in said building or like structure said frame including a top frame extrusion, and a bottom frame extrusion parallel to said top frame extrusion and to extend horizontally in use, and two side frame extrusions affixed to and extending between said top and bottom frame extrusion and parallel to each other and to in use extend vertically.

Preferably said frame is at least in part an assembly of extruded forms.

In a further aspect the present invention consists in a building including a closure assembly as herein before described. To those skilled in the art to which the invention relates, many changes in construction and widely differing embodiments and applications of the invention will suggest themselves without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. The disclosures and the descriptions herein are purely illustrative and are not intended to be in any sense limiting. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred forms of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which;

Figure 1 (prior art) shows a bottom view of a framed skewed track of that which may be used in accordance with the invention described in WO2004/016893,

Figure 2 (prior art) shows a cross sectional end view of a bogie in a support track,

Figure 3 (prior art) shows a cross sectional end view of a bogie in a support track, Figure 4A illustrates an exterior view of a multi-fold panel assembly of the present invention in a simplified form,

Figure 4 B-E show plan views of various configurations of panels, and

Figure 5 is a plan sectional elevation of a multi-fold door consisting of two panels together with a third panel hinged there of, in both the open and closed condition guided there between by utilising the skewed track situated along axis 51 of the present invention,

Figure 6 shows an assembly perspective view of the skewed track and its support brackets and associated framing,

Figure 7 shows an assembly perspective view of an alternative skewed track and its support brackets and associated framing, Figure 8 is a perspective view of two panels in the open condition, depicting the skewed track and its independent support brackets from above,

Figure 9 is a perspective view of two panels in the open position, depicting the skewed track and its independent support brackets from below,

Figure 10 is a plan view of a support bracket for the skewed track, Figure 11 is a cross sectional end view of the skewed track and its support brackets,

Figure 12 is a perspective view of the skewed track and its support brackets,

Figure 13 A-G shows plan views of the various combinations of panel configurations,

Figure 14 is a cross sectional end view of the skewed track, a support bracket and a door panel with the surrounding framing,

Figure 15 is a cross sectional end view of the bogie, the support track and a door panel with the surrounding framing,

Figure 16 is a cross sectional end view of the sill a door panel with the surrounding framing, and Figure 17 is a cross sectional end view of the sill a door panel with the surrounding framing. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

When using a door consisting of multiple panels to close or partially close a door way consideration needs to be given to the not in consequential weight of such assemblies. The panels comprising the door are often glazed and thus in conjunction with the panel frame can weigh a significant amount. This weight poses more problems as the door is folded out of cover of the opening. Support of one or more of the panels by suspending from above or supporting from below can alleviate this problem. Such support can also guide the door in and between its open and closed positions. However to make the most of the space available the door needs also to fold flat and to present minimal protrusion from the building, also preferably parallel with the building envelope, when opened. The present invention utilises a guide track for example at the top of the door frame to allow the door to be sufficiently supported and guided as well as folding clear out of the way of the opening.

As shown in Figure 4A, a multi-fold panel assembly 40 consists of a first panel 41, a second panel 42 and optionally a third panel 43. The third panel 43 is located from the distal end of the second panel 42 away from the first panel via a hinge 44B. The preferred arrangement of Figure 4A would be referred to as a three panel configuration. Other configurations such as a 2 panel configuration where panels 41 and 42 alone are provided are considered also. Other configurations can be envisaged such as a mirror image of panels 41 and 42 to the right of panel 43 opening away and to the right on a similar skewed track (a so called three - two configuration). Other configurations such as a two — two configuration (panels 41 and 42 fold away to the left hand side and mirror images of 41 and 42 folding away to the right hand side), and other such configurations of three, two and one panels are possible also. The first panel 41 may be hung off the surrounding frame 45 via a hinge 46, where subsequent panels are hung off the first and second panel via hinges 44A and 44B. Openings could also be spanned with multiple sets of multi-fold panel assemblies, e.g. one assembly from the left hand side and one from the right. Each hinge alternates on its' side of the door so that the assembly of the multi-fold panel may be folded in die concertina like manner. Depicted in the preferred embodiment of the present invention the centre section of each panel (41, 42 or 43) is glazed 49, though any means for filling the opening may be used such as opaque or translucent materials, or solid materials to form barriers or at least to partially close the opening.

The closure assembly of the present invention is preferably a fully framed item and can be handled as a unit for insertion into an opening of a building. The entire assembly can be positioned into the opening without the need for any additional at least structural components and/or hanging of doors subsequent to the engagement at the opening of the structure.

Given that openings in buildings are of various widths, the frame of the door or window of the present invention also needs to be adjusted in width. The head frame member 208, trimmed to size will define the width of the window or door capable of support from the head frame member 208 are support brackets 209, 210 and 211. The number of support brackets provided may depend on the length of the skewed track 206 to be carried by the support brackets 208. Each support bracket includes a support arm 213. The support arm of each bracket is preferably of a different size so as to present its mounting point 214 at a different distance from the base portion 215 of the support bracket 209 (210/211). At the mounting location 214, is where the support bracket engages with the skewed track 216. In the preferred form the skewed track at its remote distal end 218 is positioned at a fixed distance D from the head frame 208. This distance D is the distance at where the end most panel supported by the skewed track 208 is supported and will be supported in the fully folded back position of the window or door. With varying width openings, it can be seen at the angle 87 that the skewed track may make relative the plane 54 of the closure varies. At shorter widths of a window, the angle will be greater than at greater widths of the window.

Each support bracket 209/210/211 is positioned at a spaced apart location along the head frame member 208. Their positioning is dependent on the size of the support arm 213. Intermediate of adjacent support brackets, are spaces 220. The spaces but up against the flanking support brackets and are of a profile to be substantially similar to the support brackets, save for their support arms. The spaces are of a length to abut each flanking supporting arm when in their appropriate location. The spaces 220 provide, visually, and as can be seen with reference to Figure 9, a substantially continuous look to the exposed bottom regions of the door or window frame. The support brackets provide point support to the skewed guide rail 206 from the head frame member 208. The support brackets are preferably located to the head support frame 208 by the use of a slider 230 and fasteners 231 as for example shown with reference to support bracket 209. The slider 230 locates

within a slot of the head support frame 208 and the fasteners 231, passing through apertures of the support bracket 209 can fasten with the tapped apertures of the slider 230 as shown in Figure 11. Likewise the support arm 213 at its mounting 214 can engage with the skewed guide rail 206 by the use of fasteners 233 and slider 234 that can locate within a slot of the skewed guide rail 206. By supporting the support brackets with the use of sliders, each slideably locatable within complementary slots or guides, the position of the support brackets can be adjusted along the head frame member 208 and the skewed guide rail 206. The provision of spacers, cut to a size that can be defined by a formula, table, or a spreadsheet, can allow for such to be cut to a size so that they can engage with the head frame member 208 can be pushed to a reference point (such as the very end or towards the very end 238 of the frame 208) and then have its fasteners fastened to the clamp components in place.

An end spacer 226 may also be provided with an appropriately shaped end cap 241 that may be fastened by fasteners 242, to the end member 226.