GB2039313A

GB2039313A - Sliding panels

Info

Publication number: GB2039313A
Application number: GB7900700A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Beckett Laycock & Watkinson
Current assignee: Beckett Laycock & Watkinson
Priority date: 1979-01-09
Filing date: 1979-01-09
Publication date: 1980-08-06

Abstract

A sliding panel in particular a horizontally sliding window for the cab of a commercial vehicle, whose height exceeds its width or which has a side edge having a high rake is inclined to pivot or tilt end thus jam instead of slide. The invention provides a panel having a rigid elongated member (21) attached at or adjacent its edge, the member being a sliding fit in a groove (19) in an outer frame member so that, in use, the interengagement of the member and the groove prevents substantial movement of the panel in its own plane except in the sliding direction <IMAGE>

Description

< CIFICATION Sliding panels This invention relates to sliding panels. More particularly but not exclusively, the invention relates to sliding windows, for example, the side windows of a cab of a commercial vehicle.

It is known to provide a sliding window comprising a pane of glass which slides in a felt channel fitted into a longitudinal groove of an outer frame member. However, especially in a case in which the height of the glass pane exceeds its width andlor when the leading and/or trailing edge of the glass pane is inclined at a large angle to the vertical, one corner of the pane tends to dig into the felt channel when the pane is slid causing the pane to pivot or tilt and thus jam. The same can occur with any similarly fitted sliding panel, for e tample, a cupboard door.

According to the invention a sliding panel comprises a panel and a rigid elongated member attached to the panel at or adjacent one edge of the panel which extends in the sliding direction, the member extending parallel to said edge and at least part of the member being adapted to be a sliding fit in a groove in an outer frame member so that, in use, said interengagement of said member and said groove prevents substantial movement of the panel in its own plane except in the sliding direction.

Preferably the panel is a glass pane.

It is also preferred that the member is a longitudinal strip adapted to be attached to the panel, and the member has 3 longitudinal projection comprising said part which, in use, interengageswith said groove in an outer frame member. In one embodiment the member is a length of extrusion. Alterna- tively, the member may be a moulded member having a handle for sliding the panel moulded integrally therewith or attached thereto.

The invention also provides a window having at east one sliding pane, their each sliding pane crimprising a sliding panel as defined above.

Preferably said member of the/or each sliding is isattached to the respective pane at or adjacent its S bottom edge.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the window is a side window of the cab of a commercial vehicle, in which the window has two panes and the height of each pane exceeds its maximum width.

By way of example, a specific embodiment in accordance with the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which :- Figure 1 is an external elevation of a side window of the cab of a commercial vehicle, the window having two sliding panes; Figure2 is an enlarged section along line 2-2 in Figure 1; Figure 3 is an enlarged section along line 3-3 in Figure 1; and Figure 4 is an enlarged section along line 4-4 in Figure 1.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a side window of the cab of a commercial vehicle which, in this embodiment, has two sliding panes 10, 11, each pane having a heighnt which exceeds its maximum width. Also, the forward edge 12 of the pane 10 which is nearer the front of the vehicle has a high backward rake.

The panes 10, 11 are mounted for sliding movement in an outer fixed frame 13 having an inwardly projecting flange 14 which allows the frame to be readily mounted in an aperture in the respective door 15 of the vehicle by spring clips 30 (one of which is shown in Figure 3) in the manner described in our British Patent Application No 958/78. The frame 13 also has two inwardly facing channels 16, 17 for receiving the panes 10,11 respectively, and is conveniently formed from two lengths of extruded material joined together by braces 18 in order to allow assembly of the panes 10, 11 within the frame.

Each channel 16, 17 is also undercut on both sides to provide grooves for reception of, in a conventional window, a felt channel within which the respective pane slides.

In accordance with this invention, part of the undercut of each channel 16, 17 forms a groove 19 for reception of a longitudinal flange 20 of a rigid elongated member 21 attached, in this embodiment, by screws 22 along the bottom edge of the respective pane 10, 11 (see Figure 4), the flange 21 being a sliding fit within the groove 19. Each screw 22 is retained in a plastics nut 31 which acts also as a bush in the respective hole in the glass. Within the remainder of each channel, at least along that portion which receives the respective pane, there is fitted the conventional felt channel 29 (see Figure 3).

In the case of the front pane 10, the member 21 is an extruded length which passes beneath the pane to provide a sliding surface for the pane within the channel, and the pane is slid by a handle 33 attached to the inside surface of the pane.

The member 21 for the rear pane 11 may also comprise an extruded length, but, in this embodiment, the member for the rear pane is a moulded member to provide an upstanding portion 23 for supporting a handle 24 which is also capable of locking both panes 10,11. The handle 24 has a latch 25 which is urged by a spring 26 through a hole in the portion 23 into an aligned recess in the front pane 10 formed by a blind plastics bush 32, when the handle is horizontal as shown in full lines in Figure 1, and thereby locks both panes. To withdraw the catch, the handle 24 is rotated into its vertical position to decompress the spring 26. Either pane may then be opened.

The rear edge of the front pane 10 is provided with a channel 27 to which a weather strip 28 is attached.

It will be appreciated that, in use, any tendency for either pane 10, 11 to pivot or tilt and consequently jam instead of slide is prevented by the interengagement of the flange 20 of the respective member 21 and the associated groove 19.

The invention is not restricted to the specific details of the embodiment described above. For example, both members 21 may be moulded members. Additionally each member 21 may be attached to its respective pane by rivets or adhesive instead of the screws 22.

Also, one or each of the members 21 may be attached to the upper edge of the respective pane, in which case the channels 29 of felt would extend along the bottom edges of the panes.

if desired the window may have only one sliding pane, the other pane being fixed. In this case, of course, only the sliding pane would have the member 21 attached thereto.

Furthermore, the invention is equally applicable to sliding panels generally and is not restricted to sliding windows. For example, the invention may be applied to a sliding door of a cupboard, the member 21 being attached to the door at or adjacent either its top or bottom edge.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A sliding panel comprising a panel and a rigid elongated member attached to the panel at or adjacent one edge of the panel which extends in the sliding direction, the member extending parallel to said edge and at least part of the member being adapted to be a sliding fit in a groove in an outer frame member so that, in use, said interengagement of said member and said groove prevents substantial movement of the panel in its own plane except in the sliding direction. 2. A sliding panel as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the panel is a glass pane. 3. A sliding panel as claimed in Ciaim 1 or Claim 2. wherein the member Is a logittjdirai strip adapted to be attached to the panel, and the member has a longitudinal projection c.onpr;sing said part which, in use, interengages with said groove in an outer frame member. 4. A stiling panel as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, vwheretn the member is a length of extrusion. 5. A sliding panel as clalrneci in any one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the member is a moulded member having a harldie for sliding the panel moulded integraliv therewith or attached thereto. 6. A window having at least one sliding pane, wherein the or each spring pane comprises a sliding panel as claimed In any one of the preceding claims. 7 A window as claimed In Clam 6, wherein said member of the neac eactI siding oane is attached to the respective pane at or adjacent its bottom edge. 8. A winciow as ciaimed in Claim 6 or Claim 7, wherein the wiroow is a side window of the cab of a commercial ventcte the window having two panes, and wherein the neight of each pane exceeds its maximum wdtrr. 9. A sliding panel substantially as hereinbefore described witn reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings. 10. A window siiiistantialiy as hereinbefore de scribed with refe-erlce to and as shown In the accompanying drawings New claims or amendments to claims fiied on 30.10.79. Superseded claims i-10 New or amended claims:- 1-11 CLAIMS

1. A sliding panel comprising a panel and a rigid elongated member rigidly attached to the panel at or adjacent one edge of the panel which extends in the sliding direction, the member extending parallel to said edge and at least part of the member being adapted to be a sliding fit in a groove in an outer frame member so that, in use, said interengagement of said member and said groove prevents substantial movement of the panel in its own plane except in the sliding direction.

2. A sliding panel as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the panel is an unframed glass pane.

3. A sliding panel as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the member is a longitudinal strip adapted to be rigidly attached to the panel, and the member has a longitudinal projection comprising said part which, in use, interengageswith said groove in an outer frame member.

4. A sliding panel as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the member is a length of extrusion.

5. A sliding panel as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the member is a length of extrusion.

6. A sliding panel as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 5, wherein the member is a moulded member having a handle for sliding the panel moulded integrally therewith or attached thereto.

7. A window having at least one sliding pane, wherein the/or each sliding pane comprises a sliding panel as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.

8. A window as claimed in Claim 7, wherein said member of the/or each sliding pane is attached to the respective pane at or adjacent its bottom edge.

9. A window as claimed in Claim 7 or Claim 8, wherein the window is a side window of the cab of a commercial vehicle, the window having two panes, and wherein the height of each pane exceeds its maximum width.

10. A sliding panel substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

11. A window substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.