This application claims priority from Australian Patent Application Number AU2014903783, the contents of which are incorporated by reference.
The present invention relates to a pivot block for a folding panel.
It is known to support a hanger bolt of a folding panel in an overhead track using a pivot block, which is installed in the track and fixed in place with a clamp or screw. The location of the block in the track may need to be adjusted so that the bolt is properly aligned and positioned for operation of the folding panel. This adjustment can be achieved manually by releasing and then sliding the block along the track. Once in the preferred location, the block is again fixed in position by either bolting or screwing the block in place.
The present invention seeks to provide a pivot block with an alternative means of adjustment.
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a pivot block including a first part for holding a pivot bolt of an associated folding panel, and a second part that is able to be fixed to a track so as to position the first part and the pivot bolt at a location whereby the folding panel is able to pivot about the pivot bolt, wherein the first part is moveable relative to the second part lengthwise of the track, for adjustment of the position of the pivot bolt.
Preferably, the first and second parts are connected for telescopic movement.
Preferably, the pivot block includes a fastener to secure the first and second parts together.
Preferably, the pivot block includes a cam mechanism that operates between the first and second parts to drive the lengthwise movement of the first part relative to the second part.
Preferably, the mechanism includes a cam mounted to one of the parts and a follower provided in the other part.
Preferably, the cam has a shaft that can be accessed through a base of one of the parts and an eccentric boss associated with the shaft that drives the follower when the shaft is rotated.
Preferably, the follower is in the form of a lateral groove in the other one of the parts.
Preferably, one of the parts has a slide that moves in and out of a channel formed in the other one of the parts when the parts are moved telescopically under action of the cam mechanism.
Preferably, the fastener passes through the slide and into a lock nut that clamps against the slide and fixes the parts together.
Preferably, the pivot block includes one or more connectors that pass through the second part to lock the pivot block to the track.
Preferably, the first part includes a threaded passage for screw-threaded engagement of the bolt and a lock assembly to secure the bolt against rotation and height adjustment.
Preferably, the lock assembly includes a collar that registers with flats of the bolt and a keeper for selectively holding the collar against rotation.
Preferably, the keeper is biased into engagement with the collar.
Preferably, the keeper includes a push button actuator that allows the keeper to be moved against the bias and out of engagement with the collar, to thereby accommodate rotation of the bolt for height adjustment.
Preferably, the first part has a base, recessed to house the keeper and the collar, and a cover plate fitted over the base, wherein the cover plater includes openings for the push button and for receipt of the bolt.
Preferably, a cover plate is also fitted over the base of the second part, with apertures to provide access to the cam mechanism and fastener.
In another aspect, the pivot block, as described above, is provided in combination with dress plate. The pivot block is configured to carry a bolt and be mounted in a track. The dress plate is adapted to be fitted onto the track after the pivot block is fixed in position and the first part adjusted relative to the second part. The dress plate serves to hide the pivot block from view and includes an elongate slot to accommodate various positions of the bolt, resulting from adjustment of the first part.
In another aspect, there is provided a pivot block, as described above, in combination with a bolt mounted in the first part of the pivot block.
The invention is described by way of non-limiting example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
The first part 1 has a body 3 with winged side flanges 4 and a raised section 5 with a through passage 6 that has internal threading 7. A slide 8 extends forwardly of the body 3. The slide 8 has a central slot 9, with a rebated shoulder 11 to receive a square lock nut 12.
The second part 2 has a body 13, also with side flanges 14, and a channel 15 to receive the slide 8 of the first part 1. A cam 16 is fitted into a base 37 of the second part 2 and is held in place with a cover plate 17. The cam 16 has an eccentric boss 18 and a shaft 19 that can be accessed through an aperture 20 in the cover plate 17.
The plate 17 also has an opening 21 for a fastener 22 that is arranged to pass through the slide 8, the lock nut 12 and into an aligned opening 23 in a top 24 of the second part 2.
A base 28 of the first part 1 is also provided with a cover plate 29 that covers a lock mechanism 30 housed within the base 28. The lock mechanism 30 includes a push button actuator 31 that projects through an aperture 32 in the plate 29. The actuator 31 is used to selectively engage a collar 32 that is fitted to flats 33 of a hanger bolt 34 (shown in truncated form for ease of description) introduced into the passage 6. The operation of the lock mechanism 30 is described in more detail later.
Once the correct position has been obtained, the fastener 22 is used to fix the first and second parts 1, 2 together.
Referring now to the lock mechanism 30, the actuator 31 forms part of a keeper 40 that is recessed into the base 28 of the first part 1, together with the collar 32. The keeper 40 is biased into engagement with the collar 32 by a spring 41 or any other form of suitable biasing means, to prevent rotation of the collar 32. To release the collar 32, the actuator is pressed, to move the keeper 40 out of engagement with the collar 32 and into a receiving space 42.
The collar 32 is fitted onto the flats 33 of the bolt 34 and when the keeper 40 is disengaged, the collar 32 is free to rotate with the bolt 34 to allow for screw threaded height adjustment of the bolt 34 in the passage 6 in the raised section 5. When the actuator 31 is released, the collar 32 is again locked against rotation, in order to also prevent the bolt 34 from rotating, which secures the bolt 34 from unintended height adjustment.
Lastly,
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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2014903783 | Sep 2014 | AU | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/IB2015/057278 | 9/22/2015 | WO | 00 |
Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
WO2016/046733 | 3/31/2016 | WO | A |
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Number | Date | Country |
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2013202862 | Feb 2014 | AU |
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Entry |
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International Search Report corresponding to PCT/IB2015/057278 dated Sep. 22, 2015, three pages. |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20170247921 A1 | Aug 2017 | US |