Technical Field The present invention relates to a panel system, particularly for hanging panels that are able to cover a window or doorway as an alternative to a curtain arrangement.

Background Art

Sliding panel systems are known which run on parallel tracks mounted adjacent a top edge of a window frame. In order for the panels to be "stacked" neatly on one side the window multiple tracks are necessary, each providing a degree of sliding movement to a panel mounted in the track.

Disclosure of the Invention

In one broad aspect the present invention there is provided a panel system including a plurality of panel mounting elements each adapted to slide against an adjacent panel mounting element and including a hanging means configured to enable the panel mounting elements to hang from a common axis as they slide against one another.

Preferably each hanging means is incorporated with or includes a ring able to be threaded onto a pole mounted above a window or the like. To hang multiple panels each hanging means may be configured to extend a different distance or direction from the common axis; i.e. offset. For example, an outermost panel is suspended from a mounting element that hangs, by virtue of the hanging means, at a distance more spaced from the common axis than a next adjacent (more inward) panel mounting element . As an alternative to a curtain ring or like structure threaded on a pole each hanging means may be adapted to slide within a single common track (which in itself could be integrated into a pole) . Multiple panels (four or more) may be mounted in such a way.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figures 1 to 5 illustrate a first embodiment of panel system according to the invention;

Figures 6 and 7 illustrate a second embodiment;

Figures 8 and 9 illustrate a third embodiment;

Figure 10 illustrates a coupling mechanism for panel mounting elements according to the invention;

Figures 11 to 15 illustrate alternative arrangements on a pole;

Figures 16 to 20 illustrate alternative arrangements on a track; and

Figures 21 to 26 illustrate a further embodiment according to the invention.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

According to the first embodiment illustrated by Figures 1 to 5 (which should also be considered with reference to Figure 10) a panel system is shown utilising a pole P (preferably of a conventional type) upon which a series of panel mounting elements 11 are threaded. The elements 11 incorporate a ring 12, sized to be threaded on pole P, which serves as (or is part of) a hanging means.

As seen in Figure 3 the mounting elements 11 overlap each other and slide against an adjacent element. In this way a total of three (for example) panel mounting elements can span the length of a pole P mounted by brackets K or the like to a wall, e.g. above a window. As illustrated by Figures 4 and 5, each element 11 is offset from an adjacent element such that they are able to hang from a single common axis X, yet be relatively balanced for movement. Specifically, element A is offset to the left of element B, whereas element C is offset to the right of element B. In this way when a panel N is hung from the broad width of a mounting element (Figures 13 and 15) then these panels overlap and cascade across a window space below the pole P. As illustrated in Figure 5 each ring 12 can be moulded with an integral extending mounting track 13 in the offset position. Referring to Figure 10, this track 13 is able to accommodate a roller 14 from an adjacent element 11. The track 13 includes a stopper at both ends to contain roller 14. The stopper may be either a plug device 15 or a protrusion 16 moulded with the mounting element.

Each section of panel length is shown broken in Figure 10 for compactness. In practice a length L of track 13 is likely to be about 60cm.

It will be apparent from Figures 1, 2, 3 and 10 that at least one of the mounting elements 11(C) must have two hanging means, e.g. rings 12, so it is completely supported by pole P, whereas other elements 11(B) and 11(A) are only directly supported at one end by the pole and the other end is suspended by its coupling with the next element, e.g. by roller 14 into track 13. In an alternative embodiment the outermost element 11(C) could have an end fixed and extending from the finial Q of the pole P.

A number of different variations of the hanging mechanism are possible. For example Figure 10 shows a hook type extension 17 from the mounting element that engages with a ring 12, while, firstly, Figures 6 and 7 show a C-shaped ring integrated with the element 11 and, secondly, Figures 8 and 9 show an inverted T-shaped extension T internally on a ring 12, gliding within a track Y in the pole P. These ring constructions are otherwise known methods of mounting a ring on a curtain pole P, but not in combination with a panel mounting element according to the invention. Dependent on the distance to be covered (i.e. length of pole P) the panel system may have any number of panel mounting elements. These can be arranged in a single cluster of any number (e.g. in Figure 4 there is only three mounts) or two clusters where the panel mounts are arranged on each side of the pole P, as in Figures 14 and 15.

Figures 16 to 18 illustrate an alternative embodiment where the panel mounting element incorporates the hanging means for direct coupling with a single track 18, providing the common hanging axis, instead of a pole P; although the track section itself could also be inserted or integrated into a pole. In this embodiment there are six offset mounting elements 11 each with a runner/roller 19 to be received within track 18. The coupling of the mounting elements A-F to each other otherwise utilise a roller 14 in a track 13 similar to Figure 10 for operation of the panel system. As in Figures 11 and 12, the track system can be arranged to draw from left to right or right to left, or both.

Figure 19 illustrates a more simple glider element 20 instead of a roller 18 and a return to three offset elements A-C as shown in previous figures.

Figure 20 illustrates a variation where a hook 21 is received by an eyelet 22 extending from the roller or glider for the purposes of disengageably hanging the mounting element 11. This system is able to be utilised with the embodiments of previous figures. Likewise the higher number (i.e. six) of offset mounting elements 11 is also able to be incorporated with the ring embodiments previously described.

Figures 21 to 26 illustrate a variation of the C-shape ring system previously shown in Figures 6 and 7. In such an embodiment, an opening 0 in the C-shaped ring 12 is sufficient to receive the diameter of pole P (Figure 23) so that a mounting element 11 (Figure 24) can be hung from a mounted pole P, i.e. without demounting and threading the pole through a complete ring.

The mounting elements 11A, 11B and 11C including parallel tracks 13 (Figure 22) are each offset in the way previously described, however, these components are attached by a pivotable mounting 23 to respective C-shaped rings 12, enabling additional hanging freedom, especially to avoid rings 12 unintentionally demounting from the pole P during movement of the panels etc.

Furthermore, as seen in Figures 22 and 23, a fixed ring 24 (with a diameter corresponding to the pole diameter, i.e. smaller than rings 12) is provided at a location toward an end of the pole, i.e. outboard of the rings 12 but inboard of the bracket K. Fixed ring 24 provides a stable ring mounting position relative to the pole, such that a ring 12 may be accommodated in a channel 25 on its surface and thereby will not be subject to any lateral movement along the pole. Fixed ring 24 may include a closed bridge portion 26 over the channel, forming an aperture that is able to receive a leading edge of C-shaped ring 12 during assembly. This feature prevents ring 12 from "jumping" out of channel 25 in normal use.

The illustrated ring 12 also incorporates an internal contact face insert material 27 that facilitates sliding on the pole P, preventing damage to the pole and excessive noise.

Figure 25 illustrates a moulding piece 28 which performs the joining/offset-from-centre-axis function between a ring 12 and a suspended track 13. Specifically, as seen in Figure 24, moulding 28 is installed on panel mounting element 11C which has a second moulding 29 at a distal end such that the track is suspended by rings at both ends.

According to Figure 26, element 11C with both ends suspended by rings 12 supports a leading panel (not illustrated) which moves in the direction of arrow M along pole P. This is in contrast to, say, Figures 1 and 2 where element 11C is effectively stationary and supported by two rings. The adjacent tracks for elements 11B and 11A move by virtue of rollers 14 as previously described. Element 11A is effectively stationary by virtue of its mounting on ring 24 as best seen in Figures 21 and 22. Rollers 14 are mounted for rotation upon end pieces 15.

Industrial Applicability All embodiments of the invention can be manufactured from available materials and, in the case of pole P and track 18, can utilise some existing components without the need for special tracks or support surfaces.