[0001] The present invention relates to a finger protection assembly for a sliding door. In particular, the present invention relates to a finger protection assembly associated with a handle of a sliding door.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] In many sliding door systems, a recessed handle is provided on a sliding panel to assist users in sliding the panel relative to a door frame.

[0003] In some circumstances, however, these recessed handles can present a safety hazard. This is because, as the portion of the door on which the recessed handle is located slides past another panel, or into a jamb, a pinch point for the user' s fingers is created. If a user is not vigilant during operation of the door, their fingers may get caught in the pinch point, potentially causing injury, particularly when the door panel is relatively heavy.

[0004] Some attempts have been made to overcome this issue. For instance, in some sliding door systems, panels are prevented from fully sliding past one another so as to preclude the formation of a pinch point. However, this means that adjacent panels are horizontally offset from one another when the sliding door is opened, which is not only aesthetically unappealing, but means that the area of the opening formed when the sliding door is open is reduced.

[0005] Thus, there would be an advantage if it were possible to provide a sliding door assembly that not only maximised the area of the opening when the door was open, but also reduced or precluded the likelihood of injury to a user's fingers.

[0006] It will be clearly understood that, if a prior art publication is referred to herein, this reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms part of the common general knowledge in the art in Australia or in any other country.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0007] The present invention is directed to finger protection assembly for a sliding door, which may at least partially overcome at least one of the abovementioned disadvantages or provide the consumer with a useful or commercial choice.

[0008] With the foregoing in view, the present invention in one form, resides broadly in a finger protection assembly for a sliding door, the finger protection assembly including a recess in a sliding door panel adapted to at least partially receive a user' s fingers, one or more ejection members positioned at least partially within the recess and moveable between a use condition and an ejected condition in which the user's fingers are precluded from entering the recess, one or more actuation members rotatably mounted to the sliding door panel in an upper region thereof, and one or more intermediate members interconnecting the actuation members and the ejection members, wherein the one or more actuation members include a spool portion about which a portion of the one or more intermediate members is wound as the actuation members move from an inactive condition to an active condition, and wherein movement of the actuation members from the inactive condition to the active condition causes the one or more ejection members to move between the use condition and the ejected condition.

[0009] The sliding door may be of any suitable size, shape or configuration, although it will be understood that the sliding door comprises at least one sliding door panel on which the finger protection assembly is located.

[0010] In some embodiments of the invention, the sliding door panel may slide relative to a door jamb, such that, when the door is open, the sliding door panel is at least partially housed within the door jamb. More preferably, the sliding door panel may slide relative to one or more fixed panels. In some further embodiments of the invention, the sliding door panel may slide relative to one or more fixed panels and one or more additional sliding panels.

[0011] The recess may be of any suitable size, shape or configuration, and a skilled addressee will understand that the size, shape, depth and so on of the recess is not critical provided that a user may at least partially insert their fingers into the recess.

[0012] Preferably, the recess is located on a front or rear face of the sliding panel. In this embodiment of the invention, it is envisaged that the recess may extend into the panel in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the direction of travel of the sliding panel. In addition, locating the recess on a front or rear face of the sliding panel ensures that a user may gain access to the recess when the door is in the closed position. In some embodiments, a recess may be located on both the front and rear faces of the sliding panel.

[0013] Preferably, the recess is located at or adjacent a leading edge of the sliding panel. It will be understood that by "leading edge" it is meant the edge of the sliding panel located in abutment with the jamb when the sliding door is in the closed position. Thus, it is envisaged that the leading edge of the sliding panel will be the last part of the sliding panel to overlap a fixed panel or adjacent sliding panel when the door moves to the open position.

[0014] The recess may be provided at any suitable height on the sliding panel. In addition, it is envisaged that two or more recesses may be located on the same face of the sliding panel so that users of different heights may readily access a recess.

[0015] It is envisaged that, in some embodiment of the invention, the recess may comprise an opening located at the surface of the sliding panel, one or more side walls extending into the sliding panel from the surface thereof and a base wall defining the limit to which the recess extends into the sliding panel.

[0016] The one or more ejection members may be of any suitable form. Preferably, however, when the one or more ejection members are in the use condition, the ejection members are located such that a user's fingers may still gain access to the recess. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the one or more ejection members may be located adjacent the base wall of the recess when in the use condition. Similarly, it is envisaged that, when the ejection members are in the ejected condition, a user's fingers will be substantially precluded from gaining access to the recess. Thus, in the ejected condition, it is envisaged that the one or more ejection members may be positioned substantially level with the opening of the recess, or may protrude beyond the opening of the recess.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the one or more ejection members at least partially cover the opening to the recess when in the ejected condition. More preferably, however, the one or more ejection members substantially cover the entire opening to the recess when in the ejected condition. Thus, it is envisaged that the one or more ejection members may be of a similar size and shape to the opening of the recess.

[0018] The one or more ejection members may move between the use condition and the ejected condition in any suitable manner. For instance, the ejection members may comprise one or more flaps that move between the use condition and the ejected condition through sliding movement, pivotal movement or the like. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the ejection members comprise one or more plates. It is envisaged that, in some embodiments of the invention, the one or more plates may be located adjacent the base wall of the recess in the use condition such that a user may insert their fingers into the recess. In this way, when the ejection members are in the use condition, the ejection members may define the limit to which a user may insert their fingers into the recess.

[0019] It is envisaged that, in the use condition, the ejection members may be oriented substantially parallel to the opening of the recess. Thus, in this embodiment, it is envisaged that the ejection members may move in a substantially linear manner between the use condition and the ejection condition.

[0020] As the ejection members move between the use condition and the ejection condition, it is envisaged that the motion of the ejection members will push or eject the user's fingers out of the recess. The movement of the ejection members between the use condition and the ejection condition may occur at any suitable speed, although it may be preferred that the movement is relatively rapid so as to ensure that the user's fingers are ejected from the recess before the sliding panel reaches a pinch point. In addition, it is envisaged that a rapid movement of the ejection members between the use condition and the ejection condition may surprise the user and result in an involuntary withdrawal of fingers away from the sliding panel.

[0021] While the movement of the ejection members between the use condition and the ejected condition may be sufficient to encourage a user to withdraw their fingers from the recess, it is envisaged that additional techniques may be used to ensure that a user removes their fingers from the recess prior to the sliding panel reaching a pinch point. For instance, an audible signal (such as an alarm or siren) may sound as the ejection members move between the use and ejected conditions. Similarly, as the ejection members move into the ejected condition, a sound (such as a snapping sound or the like) may be made, such as through contact of a portion of the ejection members with a portion of the sliding panel or the like.

[0022] In other embodiments of the invention, movement of the ejection members between the use condition and the ejected condition may be accompanied by a mild electric shock that is transferred to the user' s fingers.

[0023] In a most preferred embodiment of the invention, a single ejection member may be provided. In this embodiment, it is envisaged that the single ejection member may substantially the same size and shape as the opening of the recess.

[0024] It is envisaged that movement of the ejection members between the use condition and the ejected condition may occur as the sliding panel moves into an open condition in which the sliding panel slides past another panel or slides into a jamb, thereby creating a pinch point for a user's fingers. Preferably, the ejection members move between the use condition and the ejected condition prior to the recess sliding past the adjacent panel or jamb, so that the user's fingers are removed from near the pinch point. However, it is also preferable that the user's fingers are not ejected from the recess too early in the movement of the sliding panel so that moving the sliding panel becomes difficult due to a lack of access to a handle created by the recess.

[0025] Thus, it is envisaged that the movement of the ejection members between the use condition and the ejection condition may be actuated when the sliding door panel reaches a specific point in its sliding movement into an open condition. In this embodiment of the invention, the actuation of the ejection members may occur relatively close to the point at which recess slides past an adjacent panel or jamb (thereby creating a pinch point). In this way, sufficient distance is provided to ensure that the user's fingers are ejected from the recess prior to the pinch point being reached, but at the same time the user's fingers are only ejected from the recess once the sliding panel has almost completed its movement, thereby ensuring that the user has access to the recess for use as a handle during the majority of the sliding movement of the sliding panel.

[0026] The movement of the ejection members between the use condition and the ejected condition may be actuated using any suitable technique. For instance, movement of the ejection members may be actuated through magnetic attraction. In this embodiment of the invention, it is envisaged that the ejection members may be at least partially fabricated from magnetic material (or may have one or more magnets located thereon) such that the ejection members may move between the use condition and the ejected condition under a magnetic attraction to one or more magnets located on an adjacent panel, a jamb, a track member, a sill member or the like, or any suitable combination thereof.

[0027] In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the movement of the ejection members between the use condition and the ejected condition may be actuated electrically or electronically. For instance, the ejection members may be actuated for movement between the use condition and the ejected condition when the sliding panel comes into contact with, or proximity to, one or more sensors (proximity sensors or the like) located on an adjacent panel, a jamb, a track member, a sill member or the like, or any suitable combination thereof.

[0028] In other embodiments of the invention, the finger protection assembly may further comprise one or more biasing members adapted to bias the ejection members between the use condition and the ejected condition. Any suitable biasing members may be provided, such as one or more springs, tubes of compressed material or the like, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments of the invention, the biasing members may comprise scissor springs.

[0029] The biasing members may be associated with the ejection members in any suitable manner. Preferably, however, the ejection members are maintained in the use condition under the natural bias of the biasing members.

[0030] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the one or more biasing members are positioned between the ejection members and the base wall of the recess. In this embodiment of the invention, it is envisaged that the biasing members may be attached to a rear surface of the ejection members using any suitable technique. For instance, the biasing members may be connected to the ejection members using one or more fasteners (bolts, screws, nails, rivets or the like), an adhesive, or may be connected thereto by welding, brazing or the like.

[0031] In other embodiments of the invention, the ejection members may be provided with a connection portion to which the biasing members may be connected using any suitable technique.

[0032] It is envisaged that, in this embodiment of the invention, movement of the ejection members from the use condition to the ejected condition may be achieved when the natural bias of the biasing members is overcome.

[0033] The natural bias of the biasing members may be overcome using any suitable technique. In some embodiments of the invention, for instance, one or more actuation members may be provided such that, as the sliding panel moves toward the open condition, the actuation members cause the natural bias of the biasing members to be overcome, and move the ejection members from the use condition to the ejected condition.

[0034] Actuation of the actuation members may be achieved using any suitable technique. In a preferred embodiment, however, actuation of the actuation members may occur when the actuation members come into contact with one or more contact members, thereby resulting in the movement of the ejection members from the use condition to the ejected condition.

[0035] The one or more contact member may be of any suitable form, and may be located at any suitable location. Preferably, however, the one or more contact members may be fixed in position, such as on a fixed panel, a jamb, a track member or a sill member. Most preferably, a single contact member is provided in the track member of a sliding door. By fixing the one or more contact members in position, the location at which the actuation of the ejection members occurs may be set.

[0036] The contact members may be of any suitable form. However, in a preferred embodiment of the invention the contact members comprise a member against which at least a portion of the actuation members abuts as the sliding panel moves into the open condition. It is envisaged that the contact between the contact member and the actuation member will not impede the movement of the sliding panel, but may result in movement of the actuation members from an inactive condition (in which the ejection members are in the use condition) to an active condition (in which the ejection members move into the ejected condition) when brought into contact with the contact members.

[0037] It is envisaged that the one or more actuation members may be located on the sliding panel, such that movement of the sliding panel into the open condition brings the actuation members into contact with the contact members (thereby overcoming the natural bias of the biasing members and moving the ejection members into the ejected condition), while movement of the sliding panel into the closed condition brings the actuation members out of contact with the contact members (thereby returning the ejection members to the use condition under the natural bias of the biasing members).

[0038] It will be understood that the actuation members may be located in a position whereby they are able to come into contact with the contact members. Thus, for instance, when the contact members are located in a track member, the actuation members may be located in an upper region of the sliding panel, such as an upper edge of the sliding panel. Similarly, if the contact members are located in a sill member, the actuation members may be located in a lower region of the sliding panel, such as a lower edge of the sliding panel.

[0039] The one or more actuation members may act directly or indirectly on the biasing members. For instance, the actuation members may be connected directly to the biasing members, such that actuation of the actuation members causes movement of the ejection members. More preferably, however, the actuation members and the biasing members may be interconnected via one or more intermediate members.

[0040] Any suitable intermediate members may be provided, although in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the one or more intermediate members comprise elongate members (such as one or more cables, wires, ropes, chains or the like) that extend at least between the biasing members and the actuation members.

[0041] As previously stated, when the actuation members come into contact with the contact members, the actuation members move between an inactive condition and an active condition. The actuation members may move between the inactive condition and the active condition in any suitable manner (sliding, pivoting etc.). However, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the actuation members may be rotatably connected to the sliding panel such that, upon contact with the contact members, the actuation members rotate between the inactive condition and the active condition. Movement of the actuation members may then create a force on the elongate members interconnecting the actuation members and the biasing members, overcoming the natural bias of the biasing members and moving the ejection members from the use condition to the ejected condition.

[0042] Thus, it is preferred that the elongate members are fabricated from a relatively flexible material, such that the elongate members may rotate with the actuation members. Thus, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the actuation members may include a spool portion, about which a portion of the elongate members may be wound as the actuation members move from the inactive condition to the active condition.

[0043] Similarly, in embodiments of the invention in which the actuation members are located on an upper (or lower) edge of the sliding panel and the biasing members are located on an side edge of the sliding panel, it is preferred that the elongate member is relatively flexible so that a change in direction from vertical to horizontal may be achieved, such as by guiding the elongate member about a pulley located in an upper region of the sliding panel.

[0044] In some embodiments of the invention, the elongate members may be at least partially fabricated from an extensible material, such as plastic, rubber or the like. In this way, the movement of the actuation members may cause an extension of the elongate members, resulting in overcoming the natural bias of the biasing members.

[0045] Alternatively, the elongate members may be fabricated from a relatively inextensible material (such as metal). In this embodiment, it is preferred that the elongate members are connected at a first end thereof to the actuation members and at an opposed second end thereof to an anchoring member. Preferably, the anchoring member may be positioned such that the recess is located between the anchoring member and the actuation member. Thus, the elongate member may extend through the recess.

[0046] The anchoring member may be of any suitable form. However, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the anchoring member is a biased member (such as a spring or the like) such that, as the actuation member moves between the inactive condition and the active condition, movement of the elongate member is achieved through overcoming the bias of the anchoring member.

[0047] In embodiments of the invention in which an anchoring member is present, the biasing members that move the ejection members between the use condition and the ejected condition may not have a natural bias that must be overcome to move the ejection members between the use condition and the ejected condition. Instead, the biasing members may simply bias the ejection members between the use condition and the ejected condition once the natural bias of the anchoring member is overcome by the actuation member moving between the inactive and active conditions. Thus, in this embodiment of the invention, it is envisaged that as the elongate members overcome the natural bias of the anchoring member, the ejection members will move between the use condition and the ejection condition under actuation of the biasing members.

[0048] In this embodiment of the invention, the biasing members may be of any suitable form adapted to move the ejection members between the use condition and the ejected condition. For instance, the biasing members may comprise biasing assemblies, such as one or more scissor assemblies, telescoping assemblies, expanding assemblies or the like, or a combination thereof.

[0049] In this embodiment of the invention, one or more stop members may be provided. The stop members may be of any suitable form and placed at any suitable location. However, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the one or more stop members may be located between the anchoring member and the recess. It is envisaged that, during actuation of the actuation members, the stop members may be prevented from entering the recess. In this way, overextension of the elongate member may be prevented, as the stop member defines the limit of extension of the intermediate member (and therefore, the limit of rotation of the actuation member). By limiting the rotation of the actuation member, the ejection members may be prevented from projecting outwardly from the surface of the sliding panel a sufficient distance to come into contact with the adjacent panel or jamb past which the sliding panel is sliding.

[0050] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a single actuation member connected to a single elongate member is provided. In this embodiment, it is envisaged that the elongate member will be connected to the biasing members. However, in other embodiments of the invention, the biasing members may be mounted to a support member. In embodiments of the invention in which a support member is present, it is envisaged that a first elongate member may extend between the actuation member and a first end of the support member, while a second elongate member may extend between a second end of the support member and the anchor member. In this embodiment of the invention, the biasing members may be mounted to both the ejection members and the support member.

[0051] Preferably, the intermediate members are located within the sliding panel, so as to improve the aesthetics of the assembly, as well as to prevent damage to the assembly by housing the working of the assembly within the sliding panel. However, it will be understood that, if preferred, the intermediate members could be located externally to the sliding panel. For instance, the intermediate members may run along the external edges of the sliding panel.

[0052] The present invention has numerous advantages over the prior art. Firstly, the present invention provides a mechanism through the ejection members that physically prevents a user's fingers from remaining in the recess when the sliding panel approaches the pinch point between adjacent panels or the sliding panel and the jamb, thereby preventing possible serious injury to the user's fingers. Thus, the present invention provides improved safety over the prior art.

[0053] Although the present invention has been described in terms of a sliding door assembly, it will be understood that the present invention could be applied equally to a sliding window assembly. It will also be understood that the sliding window assembly could include an assembly in which a sliding panel slide horizontally or vertically. In embodiments of the invention in which the sliding panel slides vertically, it will be understood that the recess will preferably be located on an upper or lower edge of the sliding panel (depending on the direction in which the panel slides between the open and closed conditions). It will also be understood that, in this embodiment of the invention, the actuation member will preferably be located on the vertical edge of the sliding panel, while the contact member will preferably be located on a jamb, rather than on a track or sill member.

[0054] In addition, by removing the danger associated with the pinch point between adjacent panels, the present invention allows adjacent panels to be completely overlapped with one another in the open position, and not offset from one another (which is also aesthetically unappealing). In this way, the area of an opening may be maximised.

[0055] Any of the features described herein can be combined in any combination with any one or more of the other features described herein within the scope of the invention.

[0056] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0057] 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. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows:

[0058] Figure 1 illustrates a side view of a finger protection assembly for a sliding door according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0059] Figure 2 illustrates a side view of a finger protection assembly for a sliding door according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0060] Figures 3A to 3C illustrates steps in the actuation of a finger protection assembly for a sliding door according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0061] Figures 4A to 4D illustrates steps in the actuation of a finger protection assembly for a sliding door according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0062] In Figure 1 a side view of a finger protection assembly 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. The assembly 10 comprises a recess 11 located in a front face 12 of a sliding panel 13, the recess 11 having an opening 14 and being defined by a base wall 15 and side walls 16 extending between the opening 14 and the base wall 15.

[0063] Located within the recess 11 is an ejection member in the form of a plate 17. The plate is positioned adjacent the base wall 15 and is positioned parallel to both the base wall 15 and the opening 14.

[0064] In Figure 1, the plate 17 is shown in the use condition, such that a user may insert their fingers into the recess 11 and use the recess 11 as a handle to slide the sliding panel 13 relative to a fixed panel 18.

[0065] Attached to the plate 17 and located between the rear of the plate 17 and the base wall 15 are a pair of biasing assemblies in the form of a scissor mechanism 19. The scissor mechanisms 19 are naturally biased by spring 25 to retain the plate 17 in the use condition as shown in Figure 1.

[0066] In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 1, the finger protection assembly 10 further comprises an actuation member 20 located in an upper region of the sliding panel 13. The actuation member 20 is mounted for rotational movement relative to the sliding panel 13 about pin 21.

[0067] An elongate member in the form of a cable 22 is attached at one end thereof to the actuation member 20, such that, upon rotation of the actuation member 20, the cable 22 is partially wrapped about a spool portion 23 of the actuation member 20.

[0068] The cable 22 passes about a pulley 24 located in an upper portion of the sliding panel 13, the pulley 24 being adapted to enable the cable 22 to change direction from horizontal between the pulley 24 and the actuation member 20 to vertical between the pulley 24 and the plate 17.

[0069] The cable 22 is connected at a second end thereof to a support member 26 to which the scissor mechanisms 19 are attached. A second cable 27 then extends between the support member 26 and an anchor member in the form of a spring 25 located in a lower region of the sliding panel 13. In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 1, the opposed ends of the support member 26 project through the side walls 16 of the recess 11.

[0070] In Figure 1 a first stop member 28 is provided on the cable 22 and, in the use condition, defines the limit of movement of the cable 22 towards the recess 11 through an abutment of the first stop member 28 with a side wall 16 of the recess 11.

[0071] In Figure 2 there is illustrated a side view of a finger protection assembly 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this Figure, the assembly 10 has moved from the use condition shown in Figure 1 to the ejected condition during the movement of the sliding panel 13 from the closed condition in Figure 1 into an open condition where the sliding panel 13 slides pas the fixed panel (obscured). This has been achieved by actuation of the actuation member 20, causing its rotation about pin 21 such that the cable 22 wraps partially around the spool portion 23 of the actuation member 20.

[0072] The rotation of the actuation member 20 results in a force being exerted on the cable 22 which in turn overcomes the natural bias of spring 25, resulting in a vertically upward movement of the support member 26. The limit of the upward movement of the support member 26 is defined by a second stop member 29 located in a lower region of the support member 26 and to which the second cable 27 is attached. As the support member 26 moves vertically upward, the second stop member 29 abuts a side wall 16 of the recess 11, thereby preventing further upward movement of the support member 26. [0073] Upward movement of the support member 26 also actuates the scissor mechanisms 19 and extends biasing spring member 25. This is because the upper scissor mechanism 19a abuts a side wall 16 of the recess, meaning that upward movement of the support member 26 results in overcoming the natural bias of the spring 25 and scissor mechanisms 19. The plate 17 to which the scissor mechanisms 19 are attached then moves from the use condition to the ejected condition in which the plate 17 is positioned level with the opening (obscured) of the recess 11. The plate 17 also covers the entire opening of the recess 11 meaning that a user cannot gain access to the recess 11 while the plate 17 is in the ejected condition.

[0074] As the plate 17 moves between the use condition of Figure 1 and the ejected condition of Figure 2, a user' s fingers are effectively ejected from the recess 11 by the plate 17 meaning that a user cannot catch their fingers in the pinch point created by the sliding panel 13 sliding past the fixed panel (obscured).

[0075] In Figures 3A to 3C there are shown steps in the actuation of a finger protection assembly 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In Figure 3A the assembly 10 is shown in the use condition, and the sliding panel 13 is in the closed condition. The plate 17 is positioned adjacent the base wall 15 of the recess 11 under the natural bias of the spring 25 and scissor mechanisms 19 such that a user can access the interior of the recess 11 through the opening 14.

[0076] It will be seen in Figure 3A that a contact member 30 is fixed in position in the track 31 of the sliding door. The contact member is adapted to come into contact with the actuation member 20 and cause rotation of the actuation member 20 such that the plate 17 moves between the use condition and the ejected condition. It will be noted that the contact member 20 includes an angled or ramped leading edge 32, the purpose of which is to assist with the smooth rotation of the actuation member 20 and also to reduce or eliminate the jolt or bump felt by the user as the actuation member 20 comes into contact with contact member 30.

[0077] In Figure 3B, movement of the sliding panel 13 between the closed condition and the open condition has occurred. During this movement, the actuation member 20 comes into contact with the contact member 30, causing rotation of the actuation member in the direction of arrow 33. This rotation causes a portion of the cable (not shown) to wrap about a spool portion 23 of the actuation member, resulting in movement of the support member 26 in the direction of arrow 34.

[0078] The movement of the support member 26 actuates the scissor mechanisms 19, resulting in movement of the plate 17 towards the opening 14 of the recess 11. This movement of the plate 17 also results in a user's fingers being ejected from the recess 11.

[0079] In Figure 3C the sliding panel 13 is now in the open condition wherein it overlaps the fixed panel (obscured). When the sliding panel 13 reaches this position, the plate 17 is in the ejected condition such that the plate 17 is now level with the opening (obscured) of the recess 11 and also substantially flush with the front face 12 of the sliding panel 13. As the plate 17 covers the entire opening (obscured) a user is unable to insert their fingers into the recess 11, thereby preventing a user from catching their fingers in the pinch point created by the sliding panel 13 sliding past the fixed panel (obscured).

[0080] In addition, it should be noted that, as the plate 17 moved between the use condition and the ejected condition, the plate 17 remains substantially parallel to the opening (obscured) at all times. In this way, it is not possible for a user to get their fingers caught in the recess 11 during the movement of the plate 17.

[0081] In Figures 4A to 4D there are illustrated steps in the actuation of a finger protection assembly 10 according to an embodiment of the invention. In Figure 4A the sliding panel 13 is in the closed condition, wherein the sliding panel 13 is located adjacent a jamb 38. In this condition, the recess 11 is accessible by a user's fingers 35. To open the sliding panel 13, a user inserts the fingers 35 into the recess 11 and applies a force to the sliding panel 13 in the direction of arrow 36.

[0082] In Figure 4B, the user's fingers 35 continue to apply a force in the direction of arrow 37. As the sliding panel 13 approaches the fixed panel 18 a pinch point 39 between the fixed panel 18 and the sliding panel 13 is formed. However, in order to prevent the user's fingers 35 from getting caught in the pinch point 39, the contact member 30 and the actuation member 20 are brought into abutment with one another.

[0083] In Figure 4C, the actuation member 20 has been brought into abutment with the contact member 30 such that the actuation member 20 rotates in the direction of arrow 40. Thus, while the user's fingers 35 continue to apply a force to the sliding panel 13 in the direction of arrow 41, the actuation of the actuation member 20 causes the plate 17 to move from the use condition towards the ejected condition in the direction of arrow 42. In this way, access to the recess 11 is prevented and the user's fingers 35 are ejected from the recess 11 prior to reaching the pinch point 39 between the sliding panel 13 and the fixed panel 18.

[0084] In Figure 4D, the sliding panel 13 is now in the open condition in which the sliding panel 13 and the fixed panel 18 overlap one another. As the sliding panel 13 reaches the open condition, the plate 17 moves into the ejected condition whereby access to the recess (not shown) is now prevented. As the plate 17 moves into the ejected condition, the user's fingers 35 are ejected from the recess (not shown) preventing them from becoming caught in the pinch point 39 between the sliding panel 13 and the fixed panel 18.

[0085] 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.

[0086] 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.

[0087] 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.