IE53655B1

IE53655B1 - Improvements in sliding doors or windows

Info

Publication number: IE53655B1
Application number: IE271682A
Authority: IE
Original assignee: Adeptal Systems Ltd
Priority date: 1981-11-21
Filing date: 1982-11-15
Publication date: 1989-01-04
Also published as: GB2111669A; GB2111669B; IE822716L

Abstract

In a sliding door or window, the head section 1 of the fixed frame has an outside wall 2 and an inside wall 3 and a transverse wall 4 extends spaced above the top of a fixed panel 14 between the walls 2 and 3. The head section is divided into two longitudinal compartments by a partition 7. The inner compartment forms a duct 12 opening to atmosphere through aperture(s) 19 in the wall 4 and opening to the interior of the building through vent opening(s) 23 in the inside wall 3. An obturator e.g. a control flap 24 mounted for pivotal movement is associated with the opening 23. The gap "a" between the fixed panel 14 and the transverse wall 4 provides an air path.

Description

This invention concerns improvements in sliding doors or windows and has particular application to arrangements of sliding doors or windows which are commonly called patio doors.

Such sliding doors or windows may be arranged in various ways, often depending on the dimensions of the aperture in the building structure and the requirements of the purchaser. Conventionally there is one or more sliding glazed panels and one or more fixed glazed panels. These panels are mounted in an outer frame which is fixed to the building structure. The outer frame includes a cill, opposed jambs and a head section with the head section and cill defining at least one track for the slidable panel(s). The cill and head section are arranged so that the fixed panel (s) are located between the cill and the head section and the sliding panel(s) are mounted by suitable means such as rollers for movement on the track. When a sliding panel is moved on the track, it overlies at least part of a fixed panel whilst still being confined within the boundary of the head section which provides a weatherhood or like exterior wall within which the head rails of the panels are located. The fixed panel(s) may be ? located adjacent the inside of the building with the sliding panel(s) to the exterior, this being a common arrangement in the installations employed in the United Kingdom. However, the alternative arrangement is also used in some sliding door or window installations.

For convenience hereinafter, such sliding doors or windows as just described will be referred to as sliding doors of the kind specified. -3In many installations of sliding doors of the kind specified it is required to provide ventilation without opening the slidable panel. For instance, ventilation at night may be required whilst maintaining the sliding panel(s) securely locked, or means for ventilation may be prescribed under Building Regulations where no other ventilation for the room in building is provided.

It is already known to provide ventilators in the frame of the panel itself, whether the panel be slidable or fixed. However, these ventilators increase the dimensions of the frame for the panel, reduce the glazed area, and generally detract from an aesthetically pleasing appearance. It has also been proposed previously to provide in the outer frame a separate hood section arranged with internal ducting and control means for regulating ventilation through the hood section.· This hood section is assembled to the head section and overlies same across the entire width of the opening.

The construction of sliding doors of the kind specified is commonly of metal, usually of extruded aluminium alloy sections, and the lengths of sections required for the outer frame and the frame for the panels are supplied to an installer for cutting to size, assembling and subsequent installation. It is therefore preferable to provide the minimum number of different sections for constructing the sliding door installation, and the optional requirement for a hood section to incorporate a ventilator increases stock30 holding and manufacturing requirements.

Furthermore, as will be appreciated, the separate hood section increases the overall height of the installation, and to maintain the panels to conventional door heights the aperture in the building -4structure has to be increased in height. In some cases where the dimensions of the building aperture cannot be increased, the door(s) have to be made to a size to suit thereby reducing the glazed area and increasing the sight lines of the outer frame and panel frame(s).

It is an object of this invention to provide in a sliding door of the kind specified, a ventilating arrangement which avoids the use of a separate hood section or providing a ventilator mounted in a panel.

It is another object of this invention to provide a construction of a sliding door of the kind specified wherein by a special form of head section and arrangement of the panel(s), an integral means for ventilation is incorporated in the installation.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a simple construction of a sliding door of the kind specified wherein adequate ventilation can be incorporated as required.

Other objectives and merits of this invention will be apparent from the description and statements hereinafter following.

According to this invention, we provide in a sliding door of the kind specified, a head section having an outside wall and an air path provided between the head rail of a panel located adjacent the inside of the building and the underside of a transverse wall of the head section, said transverse wall extending between said outside wall and an inside wall of said head section formed with a vent opening, and said / transverse wall extending spaced above the said head rail and having an aperture formed therein for air to flow into a duct extending lengthwise of the head section remote from said outside wall and defined by the inside wall and ah internal partition of the head -5section extending intermediate the inside and ouside walls thereof, and the inside wall mounting an obdurator for closing the vent opening in the inside wall to control the flow of ventilating air passing through the duct to or from the aperture above the head rail.

By the arrangement of this invention, the head section provides the duct which extends the whole length of the head section, that is the width of the outer frame including the sliding panel(s) and fixed panel(s). The duct opens to the inside of the building structure through the vent opening in the inside wall of the head section, and ventilation is controlled by the obdurator.

Preferably, the vent opening comprises a series of holes or slots pierced or formed in the inside wall of the head section and these are spaced apart along the length of the inside wall. Accordingly, by controlled movement of the obdurator, the extent of ventilating flow along the length of the head section can be controlled at will.

It is also preferable for there to be a series of apertures in the transverse wall of the head section, each aperture providing a communication opening to the duct inside the head section. Thus the cross-sectional areas of the apertures and vent openings may be chosen to provide maximum draught or ventilation, and the obdurator may be manually controlled to vary this as desired.

The obdurator may be provided by a pivotal flap mounted on the inside wall of the head section and extending the length thereof. However, the inside wall may mount more than one pivotal flap, each flap being arranged to close over at least one vent opening in the -6head section inside wall and providing a plurality of independently operable flaps to allow a range of vent openings to be selected as desired.

The aperture or apertures in the transverse wall of the head section may be covered by a grille to obviate the ingress of flies or detritus into the duct in the head section.

As the duct for the flow of ventilating air is within the head section, and the obdurator is mounted in the inside wall of the head section, and the aperture opening to the exterior is also in the head section, the entire ventilation is provided integrally within the installation so that it is not necessary to provide separate and special means for the installer or eventual customer to allow for ventilation.

Preferably in the sliding door or window installation according to this invention, the panel located adjacent the inside of the building is a fixed panel. In this arrangement, the air path between the head rail of the fixed panel and the transverse wall of the head section is preferably provided by selecting the height of the fixed panel so that the top edge of the head rail of the fixed panel is spaced significantly below the transverse wall of the head section but still enclosed by dependent flanges extending from the inner and outer walls of the head section to define a channel in which the top portions of the fixed panel and the sliding panel(s) are housed. The sliding panel(s) are located to the exterior of the building.

The installer may select the position of the one or more obdurators to suit the position preferred by the customer, and as the duct extends over the whole length of the head section, the obdurator does not have -7to be aligned with the position of the fixed panel.

This means that a greater range of installation requirements can be met from standard stock-holding of the necessary sections.

Other features of this invention will be described with reference to an exemplary embodiment depicted in the accompanying drawing wherein:FIGURE 1 is a perspective detail view, partly sectioned, of a head section and the top portion of a , fixed panel in an installation of a sliding door of the kind specified and incorporating the ventilating means according to this invention.

With reference to the drawing, the head section 1 is arranged to extend across the top of an opening in a building structure (not shown) and to be fixed thereto by suitable means. In known manner the head section may underlie a lintel.

The head section 1 is an extruded section of aluminium alloy having a profile and configuration defining an outside wall 2 which, in the installation is exposed to the exterior of the building. The head section also defines an inside wall 3 which extends interiorly of the building. Extending between the outside and inside walls of the head section there is a transverse wall 4.

The inside wall 3 has a dependent flange portion 5 and the outside wall has a dependent flange portion 6, the two flange portions 5 and 6 extending parallel to each other and to substantially the same distance below the transverse wall 4 so as to define a channel-shaped recess therebetween.

The head section 1 further includes a partition wall 7 upstanding from the transverse wall 4 and extending intermediate the inside and outside walls of -8the head section. The outside wall 2 has an upper chamfered edge portion 8 for bedding in or seating on the building structure, and adjacent this there is an inwardly directed flange 9 for use in securing the head section to the structure. Similarly, the inside wall 3 has an inwardly directed flange 10 and the upper edge is provided with psuedo-mould or trim edge bead 11 for a neat interior finish or providing a plaster ground.. The free edge of each flange 9,10 is formed with a respective screw channel 9a,10a. In known manner, each screw channel 9a,10a provides an entry for receiving a screw when the head section 1 is assembled to opposed jamb members (not shown) of the outer frame.

It will be understood that when the head section is installed in situ, the top of the head section is closed and divided into two hollow compartments extending lengthwise and separated by the interior partition wall 7. The compartment adjacent to the inside wall provides a duct 12 and the other compartment 13 is left as a void.

In known manner the channel-shaped recess between the two dependent flanges 5 and 6 provides the head clearance for a sliding panel (not shown) and a fixed panel 14, the sliding panel being arranged by a suitable track or sliding gear to move relative to the fixed panel 14 to overlie same when· the sliding panel is opened. The fixed panel 14 includes conventional frame elements of which only the head rail 15 and stile 16 are shown, and the frame mounts a glazing unit 17. The fixed panel 14 engages a pile seal 18 carried in a groove formed in the outward face of the flange portion 5.

The transverse wall 4 is formed with at least one aperture 19 opening into the duct 12. Conveniently, a -9series of such apertures may be provided spaced apart along the length of the head section, and each aperture is disposed so as to open into the duct.

A grille 20 extends over the aperture 19 .to 05 prevent the ingress of flies or detritus, and short ribs 21 and 22 extending inwardly respectively from the inside wall 3 and the partition wall 7 form respectively opposed grooves in which the opposed edges of the grille 20 are located. The grille 20 may be a strip of suitable material inserted in the grooves so as to extend the whole length of the head section, or individual pieces may be located over each aperture 19.

The inside wall 3 is formed with a vent opening 23 providing a communication with the duct 12, and as desired a series of such vent openings may be provided in the inside wall spaced apart along the length of the head section.

A control flap 24 is mounted on the exterior of the inside wall adjacent to the bead 11 and is 20 pivotally supported by a part-circular section bead 25 received in a complementary groove extending underneath the bead 11. The control flap 24 includes an obdurator portion 26 arranged to extend over and close the vent opening 23. The control flap 24'further includes a cranked section 27 for use as a handle to move the flap, and there is a flipper seal 28 mounted on the flap to engage the head section when the control flap is closed. The control flap 24 may have a magnetic catch to hold it closed, and a spring or other means may be provided to hold the flap in the open or partially open position.

The height of the fixed panel 14 is arranged with respect to the transverse wall 4 of the head section 1 to be spaced therefrom by a significant clearance a. -10This clearance a provides an air path extending between the head rail of the fixed panel 14 and the aperture 19 overlying the head rail and opening into the duct 12.

Accordingly, when the control flap 24 is opened from the inside of the building, air may flow through the duct 12 for ventilation, the direction of the air flow depending on the prevailing conditions. The duct 12 extends along the whole length of the head section and is continuously open to the exterior through the aperture(s) 19, and the air flow is controlled by the extent of opening of the control flap 24.

Conveniently, instead of providing one long control flap extending along the whole length of the head section, the control flap may be divided into separate sections, each controlling at least one vent opening 23 so that one or more flaps can be opened at selected positions to control the degree of ventilation.

It is notable that with such an arrangement the duct so provided in the head section extends for the whole length of the head section. By the provision of the preferred series of apertures along the transverse wall and the series of openings along the inside wall, the ventilation may be obtained along the whole length of the head section even when the sliding panel or panels is/are closed. . This aspect is important when considering the flow rates desired for night ventilation.

The shape and configuration of the head section may be modified to suit different requirements of depth, fixing, type and arrangement of sliding or fixed panels whilst retaining the principle of this invention -11wlth the integral duct within the head section providing the air path for air flow between the exterior over the top of the panel adjacent to the interior of the building to or from the interior of the building with the flow being separately controlled by a suitable obdurator.

It is envisaged that it is not essential to have a pivotal flap as an obdurator, and a suitable slide or gate plate could be employed to close over one or more openings formed in the inside wall.

Other modifications to suit changes in the style or relative proportions of the head section to suit the installer or customer requirements may be incorporated whilst still permitting simple integral ventilation means in the completed installation.

Claims

1. Clalms;

1. In a sliding door of the kind specified, a ventilating arrangement comprising a head section having an outside wall and an air path provided between the head rail of a panel located adjacent the inside of the building and the underside of a transverse.wall of the head section, said transverse wall extending between said outside wall and an inside wall of said head section being formed with a vent opening, and said transverse wall extending spaced above the said head rail and having an aperture formed therein for air to flow into a duct extending lengthwise of the head section remote from said outside wall and defined by the inside wall and an internal partition of the head section extending intermediate the inside and outside walls thereof, and the inside wall mounting an obdurator for closing the vent opening in the inside wall to control the flow of ventilating air passing through the duct to or from the aperture above the head rail.

2. A ventilating arrangement according to claim 1 wherein the vent opening comprises a series of holes or slots pierced or formed in the inside wall of the head section and these are spaced apart along the length of the inside wall.

3. A ventilating arrangement according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein a series of apertures are provided in the transverse wall of the head section, each aperture providing a communication opening to the duct inside the head section.

4. A ventilating arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the obdurator comprises at least one pivotal flap mounted on the inside wall of the head section and extending the lengthwise thereof. 53555 -135. A ventilating arrangement according to claim 4 wherein the inside wall mounts a plurality of pivotal flaps, each flap being arranged to close over at least one vent opening in the head section inside wall and 05 providing a plurality of independently operable flaps to allow a range of vent openings to be selected as desired.

5. 6. A ventilating arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the aperture or apertures 10 in the transverse wall of the head section are covered by a grille to obviate the ingress of flies or detritus into the duct in the head section.

6. 7. A ventilating arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the panel located adjacent 15 the inside of the building is a fixed panel.

7.

8. A ventilating arrangement according to claim 7 wherein the fixed panel has a head rail spaced significantly below the transverse wall of the head section to define an air path. 20

9. A ventilating arrangement according to claim 8 wherein the head section has dependent flanges extending from the inner and outer walls of the head section to define a channel in which the top portions of the fixed panel and the sliding panel(s) are housed. 25

10. In a sliding door of the kind specified, a ventilating arrangement substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.