FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the general field of pivot mounts of the type used for hanging a door, gate, window or other panel-like object. More particularly the invention relates to a top or bottom pivot mount having means for lateral adjustment of a door, gate, window or other panel-like object.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

When installing a folding door arrangement, it is typically necessary to make lateral adjustment to one or more of the door panels so as to compensate for any minor deviation of the jambs, head and sill from the desired strictly square arrangement. Adjustment may also be necessary to account for any small variations in the width of door panel(s) of the arrangement Typically, the adjustment is made at the first door panel of the arrangement, being the panel adjacent the door jamb.

In prior art mounting means, a pivot body is provided through which a pivot shaft extends. The pivot body slides laterally within a channel of some description that is fixed to the head (for a top pivot) or sill (for a bottom pivot). Lateral adjustment of the pivot shaft (and therefore the door panel swinging about the shaft) is effected by sliding the pivot body within the channel.

Once the required adjustment is made, the pivot body is fixed in position relative to the channel.

While generally effective, this adjustment means can be frustrating to use given the need to manually tap the pivot body left and right a number of times in order to obtain the desired position. In some instances very fine lateral adjustment is required such being virtually impossible using prior art adjustment means.

The prior art provides some improvement over the basic adjustment means described supra. For example, it is known to use a screw threaded through an aperture in a mounting member, the end region of the screw journaled in a block which slides within the mounting member.

Some prior art adjustment means lack the ability to make very precise lateral adjustments. Some prior art adjustment means require that adjustment is made by approaching an adjustment screw or other contrivance from the side. Other problems with the prior art include damage or breakage of adjustment means during use, or corrosion of parts.

It is an aspect of the present invention to overcome of ameliorate a problem of the prior art by providing improved adjustable means for pivot mounting a door panel. It is a further aspect to provide a commercially useful alternative to prior art pivot mounts.

The discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles and the like is included in this specification solely for the purpose of providing a context for the present invention. It is not suggested or represented that any or all of these matters formed part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present invention as it existed before the priority date of each claim of this application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect, but not necessarily the broadest aspect, the present invention provides a pivot mount for a panel, the pivot mount comprising: a pivot body, a pivot shaft and/or a pivot shaft retaining means, a first gear, and a second gear in meshed arrangement with the pinion gear, wherein the pivot mount is configured such that, in use, actuation of the first gear causes lateral displacement of the second gear with respect to the first gear or vice versa, which lateral displacement in turn causes lateral displacement of the pivot shaft and/or the pivot shaft retaining means.

In one embodiment of the first aspect, the first gear is a pinion gear, and the second gear is a rack gear, and the pinion gear is actuated by axial rotation thereof.

In one embodiment of the first aspect, the pivot body and the rack gear are in fixed spatial relationship such that the pinion gear is displaced laterally along the rack gear by axial rotation of the pinion gear.

In one embodiment of the first aspect, the pinion gear has an axial shaft having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the axial shaft acts on the pivot shaft or the pivot shaft retaining means such that rotation of the pinion gear causes lateral displacement of the pivot shaft or pivot shaft retaining means relative to the pivot body. In one embodiment of the first aspect, the pivot shaft retaining means is configured to receive the first end of the axial shaft. In one embodiment of the first aspect, the pivot body has a linear track and the second end of the axial shaft extends into the linear track.

In one embodiment of the first aspect, the first or second end of the axial shaft is configured to engage with a tool adapted to axially rotate the axial shaft.

In one embodiment of the first aspect, the pivot shaft retaining means comprises an aperture allowing the pivot shaft to extend therethrough.

In one embodiment of the first aspect, the pivot shaft or the pivot shaft retaining means is in lateral sliding engagement with the pivot body.

In one embodiment of the first aspect, the pivot shaft comprises a head portion configured to prevent the pivot shaft from moving through the aperture. In one embodiment of the first aspect, the pivot comprises locking means configured to prevent lateral movement of the pivot shaft and/or pivot shaft retaining means relative to the pivot mount body.

In one embodiment of the first aspect, the locking means comprises a clamping plate configured to retain the pinion gear in position so as to prevent lateral displacement of the pinion gear.

In one embodiment of the first aspect, the pivot mount comprises a hinge bracket mounted on the pivot shaft. In one embodiment of the first aspect, the pivot mount comprises vertical adjustment means comprising threaded means arranged coaxial with the pivot shaft, wherein in use rotation of the threaded means displaces the pivot shaft axially with reference to the hinge bracket. In a second aspect, the present invention provides a panel having fixed thereto the pivot mount of any embodiment of the first aspect.

In one embodiment of the second aspect, and where the panel comprises a hinge bracket, a planar region of the hinge bracket is fixed to an edge surface of the panel.

In one embodiment of the second aspect, the panel is a door, a panel of a multi-panel folding door, a gate or a window. In a third aspect, the present invention provides an installation comprising an opening having a jamb, a sill and a head, the jamb having fixed thereto the pivot mount of any embodiment of the first aspect.

In one embodiment of the third aspect, the pivot body is fixed to the sill (where the pivot mount is configured as a bottom pivot mount) or the head (where the pivot mount is configured as a top pivot mount).

In one embodiment of the third aspect, the installation comprises a panel fixed to the pivot mount.

In one embodiment of the third aspect, the panel is a door, a panel of a multi-panel folding door, a gate or a window.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 A shows in perspective view and in exploded form a preferred upper pivot mount of the present invention.

FIG. IB shows in perspective view and in exploded form the pivot body and associated components of the embodiment of FIG. 1 A magnified to more clearly show certain features.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view from below the upper pivot mount of FIG. 1 in assembled form. FIG. 3 shows a cross sectional view of the upper pivot mount of FIG. 1A, the plane of the cross section being the central longitudinal plane.

FIG. 4 shows in perspective view and in exploded form a preferred bottom pivot mount.

FIG. 5A is a bottom view of an upper track extrusion configured to receive the pivot mount of FIG. 2. This view is consistent with that presented to an installer preparing to insert the pivot mount into the hollow of the upper track extrusion. FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view of the upper track extrusion of FIG. 5A, taken through the line A- A'

FIG. 5C is a cross-sectional view of the upper track extrusion of FIG. 5A, taken through the line B-B'

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION INCLUDING PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

After considering this description it will be apparent to one skilled in the art how the invention is implemented in various alternative embodiments and alternative applications. However, although various embodiments of the present invention will be described herein, it is understood that these embodiments are presented by way of example only, and not limitation. As such, this description of various alternative embodiments should not be construed to limit the scope or breadth of the present invention. Furthermore, statements of advantages or other aspects apply to specific exemplary embodiments, and not necessarily to all embodiments covered by the claims.

Throughout the description and the claims of this specification the word "comprise" and variations of the word, such as "comprising" and "comprises" is not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.

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, appearances 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, but may.

It is not represented that any embodiment disclosed herein has all advantages disclosed herein. Some embodiments may have a single advantage while others may represent merely a useful alternative to the prior art.

The present invention is predicated at least in part on the Applicant's finding that a gearing mechanism may be used to effect lateral adjustment of a top or bottom pivot mount for a folding door. Very precise adjustments may be made, and typically without and gross overshooting the target adjustment. Moreover, gear mechanisms are typically robust in construction and generally dependable.

The present invention may utilise any one or two types of gear, so long as the actuation of one gear leads to actuation of the second gear, and the second gear either directly or indirectly causes lateral displacement of some other structure, or is indeed laterally displaced itself. In a preferred embodiment a first gear is a pinion gear, and a second gear is a rack gear with rotation of the pinion gear (by the user seeking to make a lateral adjustment in a door panel) causing lateral displacement of the rack gear relative to the pinion gear (or vice-versa). The rack gear is typically connected directly or indirectly in some manner to the door panel, and so lateral movement of the rack gear causes lateral movement of the door panel.

For reasons of simplicity and economy at least, rack and pinion gearing arrangements are preferred, however other gearing arrangements are contemplated to be useful. For example, a pinion gear and a ring gear may be used, with the edge of the rotating ring gear frictionally engaging with a member which is moved laterally by the ring gear. Alternatively, an epicyclic gear arrangement could be used with a linear member extending radially from the centre of one of the sun gears to translate movement of the sun gear around the ring gear into lateral motion. The following description is directed to a rack and pinion gearing arrangement, which is a preferred form of the invention.

Reference is made to FIG. 1A which shows a complete pivot mount 10 including pivot shaft 15 and hinge bracket 20, configured for use as a top pivot mount. A central feature of the pivot mount 10 is the pivot body 25, which is typically moulded from a plastic material. A magnified view of the body 25 with associated structures is shown in FIGS. IB and 1C to more clearly demonstrate the features discussed infra.

The body 25 acts to hold the rack gear 30 in a fixed position. The rack gear 30 has dovetail surfaces 35 which slide downwardly onto reciprocal surfaces 40 so as to fixedly occupy space in the pivot body 25.

A pinion gear 45 is in meshed arrangement with the rack gear 30. Referring now to the greater detail shown in FIG. IB, the pinion gear 45 has an axial shaft comprised of a first end 50 and a second end 55. The first end 50 is configured to engage with a tool such as a hex key (in which case a coaxial hex hole is provided) or a screw driver (in which case a slot or star hole is provided) so as to allow for rotation of the pinion gear by a user. As will be appreciated from the drawing, because the rack gear 30 is maintained fixedly in the pivot body 25 rotation of the pinion gear 45 causes lateral movement of the pinion gear 45 across the face of the rack gear 30.

The first end 50 of the axial shaft is snugly received into aperture 60 of clamping plate 65, yet allows for unimpeded axial rotation of the pinion gear 45. As shown more clearly shown in FIG. 1C, the lower face of the pivot body 25 is open, thereby making the end face of the first end 50 accessible for a tool to engage from beneath.

It will be appreciated from FIG. IB that the clamping plate 65 acts to support the pinion gear 45 at the correct level to ensure proper meshing with the rack gear 30. The clamping plate 65 is in turn maintained in position by the screws 70 which extend through apertures 75 and finally threadingly engage with screw holes 85 of the overlying pivot mount plate 80.

The pivot mount plate includes aperture 90 which snugly receives the second end 55 of the pinion gear 45 shaft, while allowing for unimpeded axial rotation of the pinion gear 45. A much larger aperture 95 with associated guide 100 is provided to snugly receive and keep vertical the pivot shaft 15 (not shown in this drawing). The head 17 prevents the pivot shaft from moving downwardly and through the larger aperture 95. When installed, the pivot mount 10 is disposed within a track extrusion mounted superior to the door panel. Reference is made to FIGS. 5A and 5B which show a suitable track extrusion 400. The track extrusion 400 has a cut-out section 405 on the lower face 410 to allow loading of the pivot mount 10 upwardly and into the hollow 407 of the extrusion. Once in the hollow 407, the pivot mount 10 is slid to the left (as drawn) to the region marked 415. To fix the pivot mount 10 into position, screws (not shown) are passed into the apertures 420 and into the receiving holes 72 of the pivot body 25. The screws tap into the pivot body 25, thereby fixing the pivot body 25 to the track 400. After fixing the pivot mount, the cut-out section 405 may be closed over with a panel (not shown).

Once the pivot mount 10 is secured to the upper track extrusion 400, lateral adjustment of the door panel (which is fixed to the pivot mount 10 by way of screw holes 120) is made. During lateral adjustment of the pivot mount 10, the screws 70 are loosened such that the clamping plate 60 is in sliding engagement along the track 105 (defined by side walls 110). The user then engages the first end 50 of the pinion gear 45 shaft with a tool (such as a hex key) so as to rotate the pinion gear 45 clockwise or anti-clockwise. Lateral displacement of the pinion gear 45 by virtue of its rotation translates to lateral displacement of the pivot plate 80, relative to the pivot body 25. Because the hinge bracket 20 is fixed to the edge of the door panel via screw holes 120, adjustment of the gap between the jamb and the door panel lateral edge is made by rotation of the pinion gear 45.

Once the lateral door panel adjustment is made, the user then tightens screws 70 such that the heads of the screws 70 bear against the clamping plate 65 and the lower face of the top pivot plate 80 is pulled downwardly onto the upper surface 130 of the pivot body 25 so as to prevent relative movement of the top pivot plate 80 (and therefore also the pivot shaft 15) relative to the pivot body 25 (and therefore also a door panel to which the body is fixed). Where subsequent adjustment is needed in the future (as is often the case in folding door installations), the screws 70 are loosed, the pinion gear 45 rotated as required to provide the desired lateral movement, and the screws 70 tightened again.

It will be appreciated that the gearing provides for very controlled and precise lateral adjustment to the door panel. The precision of adjustment may be increased by increasing the density of gear teeth on the pinion gear (with a concomitant increase for teeth density on the rack gear).

It is often desired to make vertical adjustments to a door panel, and accordingly some embodiments of the invention include such facility. To describe the optional vertical adjustment means reference made now back to FIG. 1 , which shows an knurled cap adjusting screw 220 passing through a collar 225 and threadingly engaging with an axial screw hole extending 230 into the pivot shaft 15. The collar 225 comprises inwardly extending protrusions 235 which insert in the depressions 240 of the pivot shaft 15 to prevent the pivot shaft 15 from rotating. Thus, when the adjusting screw 220 is rotated the pivot shaft 15 is moved either upwardly or downwardly, moving along with it the collar 225, which in turns bears against the hinge bracket 20, so as to vertically adjust the door panel with reference to the jamb.

A set screw 45 threadingly engages with a screw hole (not shown) in the collar 225 wall. When turned inwardly, the set screw 245 locks the adjusting screw 220 in place once vertical adjustment is completed.

Other hardware includes a washer 250 and a rubber O-ring 255. In terms of preferred materials, the pivot shaft 15 is machined stainless steel. The pivot plate 80, rack gear 35, pinion gear 45, clamp plate 65, and collar 225 are each made of cast stainless steel. The pivot body 25 is moulded from a plastic resin in this embodiment. In other embodiments, the rack gear 30 may be integrally moulded into the pivot body 25. The hinge bracket 20 and washer 250 are each pressed stainless steel. The screws 70, 220 and 245 are each stainless steel. The O-ring 250 is fabricated from a natural or synthetic rubber.

The preferred embodiment of the drawings is suitable for use as a top pivot (i.e. forming a pivot at the top of a door panel.). Of course, the present invention may be used as a bottom pivot. One exemplary form of a bottom pivot is shown a FIG. 4, in which a base 300 member is fixed into a sill (not shown) by screw fasteners inserted through apertures 310. The pinion gear 315 is placed into the recess 320 so as to mesh with the integral rack gear 325. The sliding plate 330 is placed over the base 300 and clamping screws 335 inserted through slots 340 and into screw holes 345. A pivot shaft (not shown) inserts into the recess 350 of the sliding plate 330. To adjust, the user loosens the screws 335 and inserts a hex key via aperture 355 into the hex hole of the pinion gear 315. The user rotates the pinion gear 315 clockwise or anti-clockwise so as to displace the sliding plate 330 laterally. Once in the desired position, the sliding plate is clamped in place by tightening screws 335.

It will be understood that the invention is not limited to any particular embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. Equivalents, extensions, variations, deviations, etc., of the various exemplified embodiments will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s) based on the teachings contained herein. Such equivalents, extensions, variations, deviations, etc., are within the scope and spirit of the present invention.

It will be further appreciated that any of the features of any aspect of the invention disclosed herein are all combinable with each other in any number and in any combination without any limitation whatsoever. The ability to combine any features in any number to provide a range of combinations extends to features defined in the following claims.