SLIDE AND TURN DOOR ASSEMBLY AND SUPPORT MECHANISM THEREFOR

Abstract

 The invention relates to a slide and turn door assembly, and to a support mechanism therefor. There is provided a slide and turn door assembly for an opening (4) having a top edge (5) and a bottom edge (6), the assembly comprising a first door panel (1) mounted for hinged movement relative to the top and bottom edges and a second door panel (2) mounted for translational movement relative to the top and bottom edges and for swinging movement relative to the top and bottom edges. The second door panel (2) has a captive edge (12) and a free edge (14), and has a first set of rollers (24) for the captive edge and a second set of rollers (40) for the free edge, the respective sets of rollers supporting the second door panel as it moves translationally relative to the top and bottom edges.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to a slide and turn door assembly, and to a support mechanism therefor.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

[0002] Slide and turn door assemblies (sometimes referred to simply as "slide and turn doors" or "slide and swing doors") are a particular form of opening panel and an example is shown in Figs.1-6.

[0003] The slide and turn door assembly of Figs. 1-6 comprises a set of door panels 1, 2 and 3 which are located in an opening 4 in the wall of a building (not shown). In Figs.1-6 there are three door panels 1,2,3, though it will be understood that a slide and turn door assembly can comprise two or more door panels, the number and size of the door panels being chosen to fit the opening.

[0004] As shown in Figs. 1-6, typically the door panels will be of a height to span the distance between the top edge 5 and the bottom edge 6 which define the top and bottom of the opening 4, so that the set of door panels comprises the required number of panels arranged side by side to span the width of the opening 4.

[0005] In addition to the top edge 5 and the bottom edge 6, the rectangular opening 4 is bordered by upright stiles 7 and 8.

[0006] The door panel 1 is mounted to the stile 7 by a number of hinges (not seen), so that it can swing or pivot between its closed position as shown in Fig.1 and its open position of Fig.2. The opening and closing movement of the door panel 1 does not require any movement of the door panels 2 and 3 and if entry or egress is required through the opening 4 it is possible to open and close only the door panel 1. The door panel 1 is often referred to as the "traffic door" to reflect the fact that it is often used alone for entry and egress.

[0007] Though not shown in the drawings, the door panel 1 will carry an operating handle and locking componentry so that it may be retained and locked in the closed position of Fig.1. The locking componentry can engage the panel 2, or the top and bottom edges 5, 6, or both, as desired. The locking componentry of the door panels 2 and 3 is similarly not shown in the drawings, but will be readily apparent to a person of skill in this art.

[0008] The door panels 1,2,3 each comprise a substantially rigid frame 9 surrounding a glazing panel 10.

[0009] The mounting of the door panels 2 and 3 differ from that of the door panel 1. Specifically, each of the door panels 2, 3 is mounted to the edges 5,6 as explained in detail below. The door panels 1-3 are not permanently connected to each other, but they are arranged to be sufficiently close together in the closed position of Fig.1 so that suitable seals (not shown) which lie between neighbouring door panels can provide the desired weatherproofing.

[0010] As above explained, the slide and turn door assembly may be used with only the door panel 1 being opened and closed. Alternatively, the door panel 2, and if desired also the door panel 3, may also be opened, as shown in Figs. 2-6.

[0011] After the first door panel 1 has been swung open to the position of Fig.2, the second door panel 2 may be moved translationally (slid) along the edges 5,6 to its swinging or opening position as shown in Fig.3. Once in its opening position, the door panel 2 may be turned to its swung-open position as shown in Fig.4.

[0012] If it is also desired to open the door panel 3, that panel may subsequently be slid along the edges 5,6 to its swinging or opening position as shown in Fig.5 and then turned to its swung-open position as shown in Fig.6.

[0013] Slide and turn door assemblies have the particular advantage that they maximise the size of the opening which is available for ventilation or access. A set of patio doors, for example, will typically comprise one fixed panel and one sliding panel. Since only the sliding panel is movable, a fully-opened set of patio doors can provide slightly less than half of the opening for ventilation or access. A slide and turn door assembly on the other hand can provide almost all of the opening 4 for ventilation or access as seen in Fig.6.

[0014] Accordingly, slide and turn doors are particularly beneficial for buildings containing private swimming pools for example, and also for restaurants having indoor and outdoor areas which can be separated when desired by closing the doors, or combined into substantially a single area when the doors are opened.

[0015] The door panels 1-3 are typically double-glazed, and the weight of the door panels is therefore substantial. The componentry which permits the door panels 2 and 3 to slide along the edges 5, 6 and then swing to the open position, must therefore be robust if the slide and turn door assembly is to undergo many cycles of operation without failure. It is also critical that the door panels 2 and 3 are correctly moved to their opening position before then can swing, and they must be held securely in that position whilst they are open. It is therefore necessary that the door panel 3 does not move to the left as drawn in Fig.6 before it is swung closed, as otherwise the momentum of the closing panel could cause significant damage to the supporting componentry.

[0016] One known slide and swing door assembly utilises magnets to retain the door panels 2 and 3 in position relative to the door panel 1, particularly when in their opening and swung-open positions. Specifically, a set of magnets holds the edge 11 of the door panel 3 against the edge 12 of the door panel 2, so that the edge 11 remains in the opening position until it is moved by the user.

[0017] Similarly, a set of magnets holds the edge 13 of the door panel 3 against the edge 14 of the door panel 2, and another set of magnets holds the edge 14 of the door panel 2 against the edge 15 of the door panel 1, so that the slide and turn door assembly is held in its fully opened position.

[0018] Magnets are relatively heavy, and their use requires the edges 5, 6, the stiles 7, 8 and the supporting componentry of the door panels to be sufficiently robust to support the weight of the door panels including the magnets.

[0019] For ease of understanding, the edges 11, 12 of the door panels 2, 3 (which are retained in alignment with the top edge 5 and the bottom edge 6) are referred to below as the "captive" edges of the door panels, and the edges 13 and 14 of the door panels (which can swing away from the top edge 5 and the bottom edge 6) are referred to as the "free" edges of the door panels.

[0020] In the known arrangement, the doors panels 2 and 3 are mounted to the top and bottom edges 5, 6 by a wheeled carriage adjacent to the captive edges 11, 12, and by respective skids adjacent to the free edges 13, 14. The carriages carry a respective post or the like upon which the door panel can swing

[0021] The provision of skids to support a large proportion of the weight of the panels 2, 3 is disadvantageous. Even though the skids are designed to slide along the bottom edge 6 (and also along the top edge 5) there is inevitably frictional resistance to such movement. The resistance to movement increases if dirt and debris lies between the skid and the bottom edge (in particular). The force required to move the panels 2, 3 can therefore be significant, and can increase over time as the skid becomes worn or damaged. Also, when moving the door panels 3 and 2 to their closed position, the user has to overcome the initial resistance caused by the magnets which seek to hold the door panels together.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0022] The inventors have sought to provide a slide and turn door assembly which avoids or reduces the disadvantages of the known arrangements.

[0023] According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a slide and turn door assembly for an opening having a top edge and a bottom edge, the assembly comprising a first door panel mounted for hinged movement and a second door panel mounted for sliding movement along the top and bottom edges and for swinging movement relative to the top and bottom edges, the second door panel having a captive edge and a free edge, the second door panel being supported relative to the bottom edge by way of a first set of rollers adjacent to the captive edge and by a second set of rollers adjacent to the free edge.

[0024] The second panel is therefore supported by two sets of rollers rather than by one set of rollers and a skid as in the prior art arrangement. It will be understood that a set of rollers is considerably more durable than a skid, offers less frictional resistance to movement, and is less likely to be affected or damaged by dirt or debris lying upon the bottom edge.

[0025] Preferably, the second door panel is also supported at the top edge, preferably by a similar pair of first and second sets of rollers adjacent to the captive and free edges respectively. Thus, whilst the top edge is not required to support the weight of the second door panel, it is necessary that the door panel remain in alignment with the top edge, and it is desirable to use similar componentry at the top and bottom of the door panels in order to reduce the mechanical complexity and minimise stockholding.

[0026] Desirably, the bottom edge has a primary rail along which the first set of rollers can move. Preferably, the bottom edge has two parallel primary rails for the first set of rollers.

[0027] Preferably the bottom edge has a secondary rail along which the second set of rollers can move, the secondary rail being spaced from the primary rail(s).

[0028] The primary rail(s) are substantially continuous along the bottom edge so that the first set of rollers is in continuous engagement with the primary rail(s) regardless of its position along the bottom edge. Specifically, the first set of rollers of the second door panel is in engagement with the primary rail(s) when the second door panel is in its closed position, and also when the second door panel is in its opening position, (and in all intermediate positions).

[0029] On the contrary, the second set of rollers can move out of engagement with the secondary rail. This is necessary during swinging of the second door panel, during which the free edge of the door panel moves away from the top and bottom edges.

[0030] The primary rail(s) are preferably located within a recess of the bottom edge, the first set of rollers preferably including side rollers which engage the side walls of the recess to maintain the alignment of the first set of rollers with the bottom edge (in particular during swinging movement of the second door panel).

[0031] Each set of rollers can comprise one or more rollers. Ideally, each set of rollers comprises a plurality of rollers, preferably two or four rollers. The second set of rollers preferably comprises two rollers, the peripheries of which are aligned so that the rollers can engage a single (secondary) rail.

[0032] The first set of rollers preferably comprises four rollers arranged in two pairs, the rollers in each pair having a common axis of rotation, one of the rollers in each pair having a periphery which is aligned with the periphery of a roller in the other pair. The rollers therefore take the form of a "four wheeled bogie", and can move along two parallel primary rails.

[0033] Each of the rollers in each set of rollers preferably has a rim or lip which extends alongside the respective rail to partially surround the load-bearing surface of the rail and help to align the roller with the rail. The rollers in the second set of rollers preferably have a rim to one side only of the secondary rail, so that the rollers can move sideways off the secondary rail (in the direction with the rim leading). The ability of the second set of rollers to move sideways off the secondary rail avoids the requirement for the second set of rollers to move off the end of the rail before the second door panel is swung relative to the rail.

[0034] Desirably, the second door panel has a guide bar adjacent to the second set of rollers and which can lie alongside the secondary rail. Desirably, the guide bar lies to the opposite side of the secondary rail to the rim of the roller(s) in the second set. Accordingly, the guide bar and the rim lie to opposing sides of the secondary rail and together prevent sideways movement of the second set of rollers relative to the bottom edge. In such embodiments, it is necessary that the guide bar moves beyond the end of the secondary rail when the second door panel is in its swinging or opening position so that the second door panel can swing relative to the bottom edge.

[0035] Preferably, the slide and turn door assembly includes a third door panel, the third door panel having a captive edge and a free edge and engaging the bottom edge by way of a respective first set of rollers adjacent to the captive edge and a second set of rollers adjacent to the free edge. The mounting position of the second set of rollers upon the third door panel can differ from the mounting position of the second set of rollers upon the second door panel to cater for the different opening positions of the second and third door panels within the assembly. The slide and turn door assembly can include fourth and fifth door panels (similarly each supported by two sets of rollers), as desired.

[0036] According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a slide and turn door assembly for an opening having a top edge and a bottom edge, a first door panel mounted for hinged movement and a second door panel mounted for sliding movement along the top and bottom edges and for swinging movement relative to the top and bottom edges, the second door panel having an opening position, the second door panel being able to swing relative to the top and bottom edges only when it is located in its opening position, the second door panel having a mechanical latch mechanism to temporarily secure the second door panel in its opening position.

[0037] The present invention therefore utilises a mechanical latch mechanism rather than a set of magnets to locate and retain the second door panel in its opening position.

[0038] The mechanical latch mechanism can comprise a resilient clip providing a physical detent. The resilience of the clip is preferably sufficient to alert the user that the second door panel has moved to its opening position, but is not so great as to make releasing of the latch mechanism difficult for the user.

[0039] Ideally, discrete mechanical latch mechanisms are located adjacent to the top edge and to the bottom edge, so that the second door panel is retained in its opening position at its top and bottom.

[0040] Preferably, the resistance to movement of the second door panel which is provided by the mechanical latch mechanism differs depending upon whether the second door panel has been swung. It will be understood that it is of paramount importance that the second door panel does not move from its opening position when it has been swung open. It is therefore arranged that the resistance to movement from the opening position is maximised when the second door panel has been swung open. The resistance to movement can be lower, and indeed can be very small, when the second door panel is parallel with the top and bottom edges.

[0041] There is also provided a support mechanism for a slide and turn door assembly, the support mechanism comprising a first set of rollers and a separate second set of rollers for each of the door panels of the assembly.

[0042] Preferably the second set of rollers is mounted to a carriage which is adapted for securement to a second door panel. Desirably the carriage also has a fixed guide adapted to lie alongside the secondary rail of the bottom edge and to maintain the alignment of the second set of rollers with the secondary rail. Preferably also the second set of rollers comprises two rollers which are tangentially aligned.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0043] The invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig.1

shows a perspective view of a slide and turn door assembly having three door panels, with all of the door panels in their closed positions;

Fig.2

shows a view as Fig.1, but with the first door panel moved to its swung-open position;

Fig.3

shows a view as Fig.2 but with the second door panel moved to its opening position;

Fig.4

shows a view as Fig.3 but with the second door panel moved to its swung-open position;

Fig.5

shows a view as Fig.4 but with the third door panel moved to its opening position;

Fig.6

shows a view as Fig.5 but with the third door panel moved to its swung-open position;

Fig.7

shows a view similar to that of Fig.3, but with the frame and glazing panel of the second door panel removed;

Fig.8

represents a view from underneath the slide and turn door assembly in the position of Fig.3;

Fig.9

shows a section through the bottom edge of the slide and turn door assembly;

Fig.10

is similar to Fig.8 with the second door panel partially swung open;

Fig.11

is similar to Fig.9 with the second door panel in its swung-open position;

Fig.12

shows a view of the slide and swing door assembly with the first and second door panels in their swung-open positions, and with the third door panel approaching its opening position;

Fig.13

shows a side view and an underneath view of the first carriages of the second and third door panels in their positions of Fig.12;

Fig.14

shows an underneath perspective view of the first carriages of the second and third door panels in their positions of Fig.12; and

Fig.15

shows an underneath view of part of the slide and swing door assembly in the position of Fig.6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0044] The description of Figs. 1-6 is set out above and will not be repeated.

[0045] Fig.7 shows a first carriage 20 having a first set of rollers and a second carriage 22 having a second set of rollers which together support the second door panel 2, the frame and glazing of which has been removed for ease of understanding.

[0046] The first carriage 20 is located adjacent to the captive edge 12 of the second door panel 2. In this embodiment the first set of rollers comprises four rollers 24a-d, which are better seen in Figs.13 and 14. The four rollers 24 are arranged in two pairs, the first pair 24a,b being mounted on a common axle (not seen) and the second pair 24c,d being mounted upon another common axle (also not seen). The rollers 24a,d are tangentially (peripherally) aligned to move along one primary rail 26 (see Fig.9) and the rollers 24b,c are tangentially aligned to move along the other (parallel) primary rail 28.

[0047] The carriage 20 also has a mounting bracket 30 which has a number of fixing holes 32 by which it may be secured to the frame of the second door panel 2, in known fashion.

[0048] The mounting bracket 30 is mounted upon a post 34 which can pivot through approximately 90° relative to the rollers 24, whereby to allow the second door panel 2 to swing through approximately 90°.

[0049] The second carriage 22 has two rollers 40a,40b which are shown in more detail in Fig. 10. The rollers 40a,b are tangentially (peripherally) aligned to move along the secondary rail 42 (see Fig.9).

[0050] The carriage 22 is mounted adjacent to the free edge 14 of the second door panel 2. It will therefore be understood that the second door panel 2 is supported by the first set of rollers of carriage 20 adjacent to its captive edge 12, and by the second set of rollers of carriage 22 adjacent to its free edge 14. The first and second sets of rollers are therefore spaced apart, in this embodiment by a distance similar to the width of the second door panel 2. The respective sets of rollers thereby facilitate the sliding (rolling) movement of the second door panel 2 along the top and bottom edges 5,6, with a minimum of frictional resistance and with minimum wear.

[0051] Whilst it is not necessary to support the weight of the door panel 2 at the top edge 5, in this embodiment the door panel has another first carriage 20 and another second carriage (not seen) which support the door panel 2 at the top edge 5. The form of the carriages 20, 22 is identical at the top and bottom edges to reduce the mechanical complexity, and the top edge 5 has a set of primary and secondary rails which are identical to the rails 26, 28 and 42 respectively.

[0052] Fig.7 also shows a fixed slide member 44 which is mounted upon the second door panel 2 adjacent to the carriage 22 (and moves with the second door panel 2), for the purpose described below.

[0053] The rails 26, 28 and 42 are ideally metallic, and the rollers 24 and 40 are also ideally metallic. The rails and rollers are therefore able to withstand many cycles of use without damage or wear, despite the considerable weight of the second door panel 2.

[0054] As represented in Fig.8, the first carriage 20 is mounted to move (to the left and right as drawn) along the primary rails 26, 28, between the positions of the second door shown in Figs. 2 and 3. The primary rails 26, 28 are continuous along the bottom edge and the first set of rollers 24 remain in contact with the primary rails throughout the opening and closing movements. In other embodiments the primary rails can terminate before the ends of the top and bottom edges, but provided they terminate beyond the range of movement of the first sets of rollers that is of no consequence to the invention.

[0055] As also represented in Fig.8, the second carriage 22 is mounted to move (to the left and right as drawn) along the secondary rail 42. Importantly, however, the secondary rail 42 terminates part way along the bottom edge 6, and in particular terminates close to the position occupied by the free edge 14 of the second door panel 2 when the second door panel is in its swinging or opening position (as shown in Figs. 3 and 8). In this position, the roller 40a has moved off the end of the rail 42 and is no longer supported by the rail. The roller 40b still overlies the secondary rail 42 and is also no longer supported by the rail because the weight of the second door panel 2 has been transferred from the carriage 22 to a fixed slide 46 which is mounted to the bottom edge 6.

[0056] The fixed slide 46 is better seen in Fig.10, and it will be understood that in the position of Fig.8 the slide 44 mounted to the second door panel 2 engages the slide 46 mounted to the bottom edge 6, the slides having cooperating tapered lead-ins and being configured to lift the free edge 14 of the second door panel 2 by a small distance (perhaps less than 1mm for example) as the second door panel approaches its opening position. Lifting the free edge 14 by even such a small distance is, however, sufficient to transfer the weight of the second door panel 2 from the second set of rollers 40 and rail 42 to the slides 44,46 prior to swinging of the second door panel.

[0057] It will be observed from Fig. 9 that the rollers 40a,b each have a rim 50 which can lie alongside the secondary rail 42 and help to align the second carriage 22 with the secondary rail. Also, the second carriage 22 has a fixed guide 52 which projects alongside the secondary rail and also helps to align the second carriage 22 with the secondary rail. Alternatively stated, the rim 50 resists movement of the second carriage 22 (and therefore also the free edge 14 of the door panel 2) to the left as drawn in Fig.9 and the fixed guide 52 resists movement of the second carriage 22 to the right as drawn. However, it is arranged that when the second door panel 2 is in the swinging or opening position as in Figs. 8 and 10 the fixed guide 52 has moved beyond the end of the secondary rail and the free edge 14 of the second door panel 2 can be swung (to the right as drawn in Fig.9) to and beyond the position shown in Fig. 10.

[0058] It will be understood that when the second door panel 2 is moved back from its swung-open position, it moves through the partially swung-open position of Fig.10 to the position of Fig.8. The slides 44 and 46 cooperate (with suitable tapering surfaces) to lift the free edge 14 sufficiently for the roller 40b to pass above the secondary rail 42 as the second door panel is moved back into alignment with the top and bottom edges 5,6. Also, the fixed guide 52 passes the end of the secondary rail 42. The second door panel 2 can then be moved back along the primary and secondary rails (to the left as drawn in Fig.8) to its closed position of Fig.2. It will be understood that during the initial stage of that movement, the slides 44, 46 move out of engagement and part of the weight of the second door panel 2 transfers back to the second carriage 22.

[0059] It will be seen from Fig.9 that the first carriage 20 lies partially within a recess 48 in the bottom edge 6. The first carriage 22 also has side rollers 54 which rotate about axes which are substantially perpendicular to the rotational axes of the rollers 24 (the rotational axes of the side rollers being substantially vertical in use). The side rollers engage and roll along the side walls of the recess 48. This "sideways" support of the captive edge is particularly important at both the top and bottom edges 5, 6 to support the offset weight of the door panel when it is in its swung-open position.

[0060] Figs. 8 and 10 also show the mechanical latch mechanism 60 for the second door panel 2, and the mechanical latch mechanism 62 for the third door panel, which are described in more detail in relation to Figs. 13 and 14.

[0061] In Figs. 13 and 14 the first carriages 20 of the second door panel 2 and the third door panel 3 are distinguished by the references 20a and 20b, but these carriages may be physically identical, at least in all relevant respects.

[0062] Mounted upon the first carriage 20a of the second door panel 2 is a resilient clip 62a. The clip has bifurcated end 64 which provides a spring slip which can pass around a boss 66b of the first carriage 20b of the third door panel 3. The boss 66b is acircular, in this embodiment substantially rectangular with rounded corners, and is a continuation of the post 34b which carries the mounting bracket 30b of the second carriage 20b. Accordingly, as the mounting bracket 30b rotates during swinging of the door panel 3, the boss 66b rotates similarly.

[0063] Fig.13 represents the situation close to that of Fig.5, specifically with the second door panel 2 in its swung-open position and the third door panel 3 moved close to (but not at) its opening position. Fig.14 represents the artificial situation in which the second door panel 2 and the third door panel 3 are both close to (but not at) their respective opening positions.

[0064] It will be observed that in Fig.13 the boss 66a of the second door panel 2 is aligned substantially perpendicularly to its carriage 20a, whereas the boss 66b of the third door panel 3 is aligned substantially parallel with its carriage 20b. In this embodiment each boss 66 is a continuation of the respective post 34 and rotates between these respective positions as the door panel to which it is connected swings towards and away from the top and bottom edges 5, 6.

[0065] A similar spring clip 60 is connected to a fixed stop 70 which is mounted to the bottom edge 6. During sliding movement of the second door panel 2 (from the position of Fig.14 to the position of Fig.13), the boss 66a enters the bifurcated end 64 of the latch mechanism 60 to define the swinging or opening position for the second door panel 2. It can be arranged that the latch mechanism 60 provides a small detent so that the user is made aware that the second door panel 2 is in its opening position.

[0066] As the second door panel 2 is swung open, the boss 66a rotates within the bifurcated end of the latch mechanism 60. It will be seen from Fig.9 that the latch mechanism 60 lies within an additional recess 58 of the bottom edge 6, the bifurcated end of the latch mechanism being a close sliding fit within the recess 58. It is arranged that when the boss 66a is rotated to the position of Fig.13 (i.e. in the swung-open position of the door panel 2) the boss 66a cannot be removed from the bifurcated end of the latch mechanism 60, i.e. the outwards movement of the bifurcated end 64 which would be necessary to remove the boss 66a is prevented by the walls of the additional recess 58. The second door panel 2 is thereby secured in its swinging or opening position and can only move from that position when the second door panel has been swung back parallel to the top and bottom edges 5, 6 (and the boss 66a is aligned with its carriage 20a).

[0067] It will be understood that as the third door panel 3 is moved to the right as drawn in Fig.13, its boss 66b enters the bifurcated end 64 of the latch mechanism 62a, and can be similarly secured in its opening position.

[0068] The first carriage 20b also has a latch mechanism 62b, which could be used to retain a fourth door panel if present.

[0069] Fig.15 shows that the second carriage 20b of the third door panel 3 must be located farther from its free edge than is the second carriage 20a of the second door panel 2. This is because the second carriages 20a, b both engage the secondary rail 42, and the swinging or opening position of the third door panel 3 is spaced from the swinging or opening position of the second door panel 2 by the effective thickness Y of the second door panel 2 (and so on for additional door panels).

[0070] The arrangement of the latch mechanisms 60, 62 is replicated at the top edge 5 so that each door panel 2,3 is retained and secured in its opening position at the top and bottom edges.

[0071] Though not shown in these drawings, the slides 44, 46 can if desired (in cooperation with other slides) lift the first and/or second sets of rollers off their respective rails when the door panels 2,3 are in their closed positions (or can at least remove part of the weight of the door panels from those rollers). It is understood that the door panels 2 and 3 will likely remain in their closed positions for extended periods of time and it may be disadvantageous for the entire weight of the door panels to remain upon specific parts of the rollers and rails during those periods (the engagement between the rollers and rails having a small contact area). Removing some or all of the weight of the door panels from the rollers and rails will reduce the likelihood of damage to the rollers and/or rails due to sustained load bearing.

Claims

1. A slide and turn door assembly for an opening (4) having a top edge (5) and a bottom edge (6), the assembly comprising a first door panel (1) mounted for hinged movement relative to the top and bottom edges and a second door panel (2) mounted for translational movement relative to the top and bottom edges and for swinging movement relative to the top and bottom edges, the second door panel (2) having a captive edge (12) and a free edge (14), the second door panel having a first set of rollers (24) for the captive edge and a second set of rollers (40) for the free edge.

2. The slide and turn door assembly according to claim 1 having at least one primary rail (26, 28) along which the first set of rollers (24) can move.

3. The slide and turn door assembly according to claim 1 or claim 2 having a secondary rail (42) along which the second set of rollers (40) can move, the secondary rail being spaced from the primary rail(s) (26, 28).

4. The slide and turn door assembly according to any one of claims 1-3 in which each set of rollers (24; 40) comprises a plurality of rollers (24a-d; 40a-b).

5. The slide and turn door assembly according to claim 4 in which the second set of rollers (40) comprises two rollers (40a, 40b), the peripheries of the two rollers being substantially aligned.

6. The slide and turn door assembly according to claim 4 or claim 5 in which the first set of rollers (24) comprises four rollers (24a-d), the four rollers being arranged in two pairs, the rollers (24a,b; 24c,d) in each pair having a common axis of rotation, one of the rollers in each pair having a periphery which is aligned with the periphery of a roller in the other pair.

7. The slide and turn door assembly according to any one of claims 1-6 in which the first set of rollers (24) is mounted upon a carriage (20), and in which the carriage has side rollers (54) which rotate about an axis substantially perpendicular to the rotational axis of the first set of rollers.

8. The slide and turn door assembly according to any one of claims 1-7 in which the rollers (24, 40) in each set of rollers has a projecting rim (50).

9. The slide and turn door assembly according to claim 8 in which the rollers (40) in the second set of rollers have a projecting rim (54) to one side of the roller only.

10. The slide and turn door assembly according claim 9 in which the second door panel (2) carries a guide bar (52) adjacent to the second set of rollers (40) and spaced from the projecting rim (54).

11. The slide and turn door assembly according to any one of claims 1-10 in which the second door panel (2) has a mechanical latch mechanism (62, 64, 66) to temporarily secure the second door panel in its opening position.

12. The slide and turn door assembly according to claim 11 in which the mechanical latch mechanism comprises a resilient clip.

13. The slide and turn door assembly according to claim 12 in which the resilient clip is adapted to engage a projection of a carriage.

14. The slide and turn door assembly according to claim 13 in which the carriage has a mounting member for a door panel, the mounting member being adapted for rotation relative to the carriage, the projection being acircular and being mounted to rotate with the mounting member.

15. A support mechanism for a slide and turn door assembly, the support mechanism comprising a first carriage (20) with a first set of rollers (24) and a separate second carriage (22) with a second set of rollers (40) for each of the slide and swing doors of the assembly.

Drawing