Patent Application
20120005964
1. Field of the Invention
The invention generally relates to an adjustable glide apparatus and, more specifically, to an adjustable glide apparatus for a sliding panel assembly.
2. Description of the Related Art
Traditional sliding panel assemblies include a panel such as a window or a door that moves between an open and a closed position. Generally, the panel is moved along a track with a guide ridge extending from the track. Typically, the panel includes rollers for rolling the panel between the open and closed positions. The traditional sliding panel assemblies also typically include an adjustable roller apparatus for adjusting a distance between the rollers and the panel. Adjusting the distance between the rollers and the panel spaces the panel from the track to prevent the panel from binding within the track.
The rollers are disposed on opposite sides of the panel for rolling the panel along the guide ridge between the open and closed positions. The rollers have a contact surface presenting a circular configuration that rotatably contacts the guide ridge of the track as the sliding panel is rolled between the open and closed positions. Ideally, the rollers would allow the panel to roll smoothly between the open and closed positions. However, the contact surface of the rollers may be out of round or a portion of the roller may become damaged, which prevents the rollers from rolling smoothly along the track. Additionally, because of their circular shape, the rollers have limited engagement with the guide ridge of the track. Therefore, the rollers may be easily dislodged from the guide ridge resulting in the panel becoming difficult to move. Furthermore, because of the limited engagement between the rollers and the guide ridge, the rollers are impacted by any imperfections in the guide ridge, which prevents the rollers from rolling smoothly along the track. Alternatively, debris may accumulate on the rollers over time and the debris can interfere with the engagement between the contact surface and the guide ridge, which also prevents the rollers from rolling smoothly along the track.
Traditionally, the rollers are formed from a plastic material using a mold. The formation of the rollers with the mold can result in parting lines being formed on the contact surface. Parting lines on the contact surface of the rollers interferes with the engagement between the rollers and the guide ridge, which prevents the rollers from rolling smoothing along the track. Additionally, the plastic material has a tendency to wear out over time. Once the rollers wear out, the panel becomes difficult to move.
An adjustable glide apparatus is for a sliding panel to slide along a track between an open and a closed position. The adjustable glide apparatus comprises a housing defining a cavity with at least one receiver disposed within the cavity. An adjustment stem has an end disposed within the cavity with the end having a thread. A cam is rotatably supported within the cavity and coupled to the receiver for moving the receiver relative to the housing. The cam comprises a plurality of teeth disposed about a periphery of the cam for engaging the thread to rotate the cam as the adjustment stem is rotated thereby moving the receiver relative to the housing. A glide is coupled to the receiver and comprises a contact surface. The contact surface is adapted for sliding engagement with the track to slide the sliding panel between the open and the closed positions. A distance between the contact surface and the housing is adjusted as the receiver is moved by the cam.
The glide prevents the sliding panel from becoming easily dislodged from the track. Additionally, the glide allows the sliding panel to slide smoothly along the track without the sliding panel binding even if a portion of the glide becomes damaged.
Other advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated, as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:
Referring to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views, a sliding panel assembly 20 is generally shown. With reference to
The sliding panel assembly 20 operates in conjunction with a track 32. More specifically, the sliding panel 22 of the sliding panel assembly 20 slides along the track 32 between an open and a closed position. Generally, an opening is defined within a structure 34, such as a wall of a building, and the track 32 is mounted within the opening. As shown in
With reference to
The bottom plate 38 and the guide ridge 40 are preferably formed as a single integral component. However, the guide ridge 40 may be discrete from the bottom plate 38 with the guide ridge 40 coupled to the bottom plate 38 by fasteners, welding, a snap-fit connection, or any other suitable method of coupling. The track 32 may comprise any suitable material including, but not limited to, metals and plastics. For example, the track 32 may comprise aluminum, stainless steel, vinyl, or fiberglass. The track 32 may be formed by any suitable process such as molding, roll forming, and PullTrusion.
With reference to
With reference to
The at least one adjustable glide apparatus 44 may be further defined as a first adjustable glide apparatus 44A and a second adjustable glide apparatus 44B. The first and second adjustable glide apparatuses 44A, 44B are typically disposed within the bottom rail 24 for contacting the guide ridge 40 of the track 32 to guide the sliding panel 22 between the opened closed positions. The at least one adjustable glide apparatus 44 may also be defined as a third adjustable glide apparatus 44C and a fourth adjustable glide apparatus 44D. The third and fourth adjustable glide apparatuses 44C, 44D are typically disposed within the top rail 26 for contacting the guide ridge 40 of the second track 42 to guide the sliding panel 22 between the opened closed positions. Alternatively, the sliding panel assembly 20 may include rollers disposed along the top rail 26 to contact the second track 42 and guide the sliding panel 22 between the open and closed positions. It is to be appreciated that any combination of the adjustable glide apparatuses 44A-44D may be used and the adjustable glide apparatuses 44A-44D do not have to be used in pairs. For example, the sliding panel assembly 20 may include only one of the adjustable glide apparatuses 44A-44D.
The sliding panel 22 defines at least one pocket 46 for receiving the adjustable glide apparatus 44. Said differently, the adjustable glide apparatus 44 is disposed in the pocket 46 of the sliding panel 22. Generally, the pocket 46 is defined by the sliding panel 22. More specifically, the pocket 46 is defined by either of the rails 24, 26 proximate one of the first and second stiles 28, 30 of the sliding panel 22. For example, when either of the first and second adjustable glide apparatuses 44A, 44B are present, the bottom rail 24 defines the pocket 46 for each of the first and second adjustable glide apparatuses 44A, 44B. When the third and fourth adjustable glide apparatuses 44C, 44D are present, the top rail 26 defines the pocket for each of the third and fourth adjustable glide apparatuses 44C, 44D. It is to be appreciated that when only one of the adjustable glide apparatuses 44A-44D is used, the pocket 46 is typically defined by the bottom rail 24 adjacent the second stile 30.
With particular reference to
The housing 52 may define a pair of support holes 54. Each of the halves 52A, 52B of the housing 52 may define one of the support holes 54. The support holes 54 are aligned with each other thereby defining an axis 56 through a center point of the support holes 54. The housing 52 may include a pair of arms 58 extending from the housing 52 for engaging the interior wall of the sliding panel 22 to secure the housing 52 within the pocket 46. The housing 52 also defines an access hole 60 for allowing access to the cavity.
An adjustment stem 62 is disposed within the cavity of the housing 52. The adjustment stem 62 has a first end 64 disposed within the cavity and a second end 66 extending from the housing 52 with a body portion 68 disposed between the first and second ends 64, 66. The body portion 68 of the adjustment stem 62 extends through the access hole 60 of the housing 52 with the adjustment stem 62 free to rotate within the cavity. With reference to
The adjustable glide apparatus 44 comprises a cam 74 rotatably supported within the cavity of the housing 52. The cam 74 may include support bosses 76 for mating with the support holes 54 of the housing 52 to secure the cam 74 within the cavity of the housing 52. The mating of the support bosses 76 with the support holes 54 allows the cam 74 to rotate about the axis 56.
The cam 74 comprises a plurality of teeth 78 disposed about a periphery of the cam 74. The teeth 78 of the cam 74 are for engaging the thread 72 of the adjustment stem 62 to rotate the cam 74 as the adjustment stem 62 is rotated. It is to be appreciated that the adjustment stem 62 may rotate the cam 74 without the use of the thread 72 and the teeth 78 so long as rotation of the adjustment stem 62 is translated into rotation of the cam 74.
The adjustable glide apparatus 44 also comprises at least one receiver 80 disposed within the cavity of the housing 52. The cam 74 is coupled to the receiver 80 for moving the receiver 80 relative to the housing 52 as the cam 74 is rotated. The receiver 80 has a first position wherein the receiver 80 is fully within the cavity of the housing 52, as shown in
The receiver 80 may comprise a post 84 extending from the receiver 80. If the receiver 80 comprises a post 84, the cam 74 may define a slot 86 presenting a spiral configuration. Said differently, the slot 86 of the cam 74 defines a centerline and the centerline of the slot 86 is progressively spaced from the axis 56 that the cam 74 rotates about. The post 84 of the receiver 80 is disposed within the slot 86. The post 84 slides along the slot 86 as the cam 74 rotates to move the receiver 80 relative to the housing 52 between the first and second positions. Said differently, the post 84 is in sliding engagement with the slot 86. The sliding of the post 84 along the slot 86 adjusts (i.e., increases or decreases) a spacing between the post 84 and the axis 56 thereby moving the receiver 80 between the first and second positions. Because the slot 86 has a spiral configuration, the receiver 80 moves from the first position toward the second position as the post 84 slides along the slot 86 when the adjustment stem 62 is rotated in a clockwise direction. Alternatively, when the adjustment stem 62 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction, the post 84 slides along the slot 86 thereby moving the receiver 80 from the second position toward the first position.
The at least one receiver 80 may be further defined as a first receiver 80A and a second receiver 80B coupled to the first receiver 80A. The first receiver 80A includes a first boss 88 and defines a first orifice 90. The second receiver 80B includes a second boss 92 and defines a second orifice 94. The bosses 88, 92 mate with the orifices 90, 94 to couple the first and second receivers 80A, 80B together. Said differently, the first boss 88 of the first receiver 80A is pressed into the second orifice 94 of the second receiver 80B and the second boss 92 of the second receiver 80B is pressed into the first orifice 90 of the first receiver 80A to couple the first and second receivers 80A, 80B together.
The adjustable glide apparatus 44 comprises a glide 96 coupled to the receiver 80. Preferably, the glide 96 is adapted for sliding along the guide ridge 40 as the sliding panel 22 moves between the open and closed positions. With reference to
The glide 96 comprises a contact surface 102 adapted for sliding engagement with the track 32 to slide the sliding panel 22 between the open and the closed positions. The glide 96 allows the sliding panel 22 to move smoothly between the open and the closed positions. The contact surface 102 may be defined by the base 98 and the legs 100. At least a portion of the contact surface 102 of the glide 96 contacts the guide ridge 40 with the guide ridge 40 supporting the sliding panel 22 via the adjustable glide apparatus 44. Although not required, the contact surface 102 is disposed about the guide ridge 40 such that the base 98 and the legs 100 guide the sliding panel 22 along the guide ridge 40 between the open and closed positions.
The contact surface 102 of the glide 96 typically has an entire length of at least 1.0, and more typically about 2.5 inches. However, the entire length of the contact surface 102 of the glide 96 may extend for an entire width of the sliding panel 22. As illustrated in
Although not required, the contact surface 102 may contact the guide ridge 40 of the track 32 over the entire length of the contact surface 102. Typically, the contact surface 102 contacts the track 32 over an engagement length of at least 1.0, and more typically of from about 2.5 to 5.0 inches. It is to be appreciated that the engagement length may be the entire length of the contact surface 102. The engagement of the contact surface 102 with the guide ridge 40 over the engagement length allows the contact surface 102 to span any imperfections in the guide ridge 40 to ensure the glide 96 slides smoothly along the track 32. Additionally, the engagement of the contact surface 102 with the guide ridge 40 over the engagement length prevents the build up of debris on the contact surface 102, which also ensures the glide 96 slides smoothly along the track 32. Furthermore, the engagement of the contact surface 102 with the guide ridge 40 over the engagement length prevents the glide 96 from becoming dislodged from the guide ridge 40 of the track 32, which ensures the glide 96 slides smoothly along the track 32.
With particular reference to
The glide 96 may comprise any suitable material. For example, the glide 96 may comprise a metal, such as steel or aluminum. Alternatively, the glide 96 may comprise a thermoplastic material. Typically, the glide 96 is roll formed from the metal. However, the glide 96 may be formed by any suitable process using any suitable material.
To facilitate sliding movement of the glide 96 along the guide ridge 40, a layer of polymeric material 108 may be secured to the contact surface 102 of the glide 96. The layer of polymeric material 108 reduces friction between the glide 96 and the track 32. The layer of polymeric material 108 may be extruded onto the contact surface 102 of the glide 96 using an extrusion process. Said differently, the layer of polymeric material 108 may be extruded onto the base 98 and the legs 100 of the glide 96. The layer of polymeric material 108 can be extruded in conjunction with roll forming of the glide 96. An example of a process which extrudes the layer of polymeric material 108 in conjunction with roll forming of the glide 96 is known as RollTrusion®. However, the application of the polymeric material onto the contact surface 102 of the glide 96 is not limited to being extruded in conjunction with the roll forming process and may include any suitable application process. It is to be appreciated that the layer of polymeric material 108 may also be secured to the guide ridge 40 of the track 32. Additionally, when the layer of polymeric material 108 is secured to the contact surface 102 of the glide 96, a second layer of polymeric material may be secured to the guide ridge 40 of the track 32 with the first layer of polymeric material 108 sliding along the second layer of polymeric material to further reduce friction between the glide 96 and the track 32.
The layer of polymeric material 108 may comprise a thermoplastic. Examples of suitable thermoplastics include polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polyamides. Examples of suitable polyamides include nylons, such as nylon-6, nylon-6,6, and combinations thereof. Although not required, the polyamide may include homopolymers, copolymers, and combinations thereof. It is to be appreciated that the polymeric material is not limited to PVC or polyamides and may include any suitable type of polymeric material that facilitates sliding movement of the glide 96 along the guide ridge 40.
If the glide 96 comprises the metal, an adhesive may be disposed between the layer of polymeric material 108 and the contact surface 102 of the metal glide 96 for adhesively securing the layer of polymeric material 108 to the metal glide 96. The adhesive acts as a tie-layer to secure the layer of polymeric material 108 to the contact surface 102 of the metal glide 96. The adhesive is applied between the glide 96 and the layer of polymeric material 108 during the RollTrusion® process. Said differently, as the layer of polymeric material 108 is being extruded, the adhesive is extruded such that it is between the contact surface 102 of the glide 96 and the layer of polymeric material 108. However, the method of applying the adhesive to the glide 96 is not limited to extrusion and may be secured by any acceptable method.
If present, the adhesive may comprise a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE). An example of a suitable thermoplastic elastomer includes thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPV). Examples of suitable TPVs are commercially available from Advanced Elastomer Systems, of Akron, Ohio, under their line of Santoprene® TPVs. It is to be understood that the TPV is a TPE having a rubber-like phase that is chemically cross-linked. Although not required, the TPV is typically produced by a dynamic vulcanization process where a thermoplastic polymer is melt mixed with a suitable reactive, rubber-like polymer. As alluded to above, the adhesive, preferably the TPV, functions as a tie-layer to adhesively bond the layer of polymeric material 108 to the contact surface 102 of the glide 96.
While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.
