GB2502336A

GB2502336A - A sealing member for the meeting stiles of a sliding door

Info

Publication number: GB2502336A
Application number: GB1209206.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Adrian Redshaw
Original assignee: HL Plastics Ltd
Current assignee: Liniar Ltd
Priority date: 2012-05-25
Filing date: 2012-05-25
Publication date: 2013-11-27
Anticipated expiration: 2032-05-25
Also published as: GB2502336B; GB201209206D0

Abstract

A sealing member 10 for use in a sliding door assembly 70 which has at least one fixed pane 78 and at least one slidable pane, the two panes including respective meeting stile portions 86 (78 Fig 4) which abut one another when the sliding door assembly is in a closed position. The sealing member comprises a sealing member body (12 Fig 1) which has a first seal formation 14 co-operable with one end 98 of a meeting stile seal formation 94 coupled with the meeting stile of one of the fixed or slidable pane to extend the sealing function of the meeting style seal 94 to an extremity of the other of the fixed or slidable pane. Preferably a second seal which performs the same function as the first but with respect to the other meeting stile portion. A third and fourth seal (26 32) connect the first and second seals with a seal associated with the threshold of the door panes. Preferably the sealing member is secured to an outer frame member of the door assembly.

Description

A SEALING MEMBER

This invention relates to a sealing member for use in a sliding door assembly having at least one fixed pane and at least one slidable pane slidable relative to the fixed pane, a pair of such sealing members, and a sliding door assembly including at least one such sealing member.

Conventional sliding door assemblies include at least one fixed pane and at least one slidable pane which is slidable relative to the fixed pane. Where such panes interface with one another each pane includes a corresponding meeting style portion. The respective meeting style portions abut one another when the sliding door assembly is in a closed position.

Typically each meeting style portion includes a meeting style seal formation and, in use, the meeting style seal formation of one of the fixed pane or the slidable pane cooperates with the other of the slidable pane or the fixed pane to provide a degree of sealing between the fixed and slidable panes. Such sealing is, however, only partial and it is necessary to undertake bespoke modification of a given sliding door assembly in order to limit the ingress of fluids such as cold air, rain and the like, through the sliding door assembly when it is in a closed position.

There is, therefore, a need to simplify the manner in which more complete sealing of a sliding door assembly may be provided which obviates the need for extensive modification the assembly.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a sealing member, for use in a sliding door assembly having at least one fixed pane and at least one slidable pane slidable relative to the fixed pane, the fixed pane and the slidable pane including respective meeting style portions which abut one another when the sliding door assembly is in a closed position, the sealing member comprising a sealing member body having a first seal formation protruding therefrom, the first seal formation being cooperable with one end of a meeting style seal formation coupled with a meeting style portion of one of the fixed pane or the slidable pane to extend the sealing function of the meeting style seal formation to an extremity of the other of the fixed pane or the slidable pane.

The inclusion of a first seal portion which extends the sealing function of a meeting style seal formation of one of the fixed pane or the slidable pane to an extremity of the other of the fixed pane or the slidable pane readily assists in providing a complete seal between the fixed and slidable panes without the need to modify the remaining structure of the sliding door assembly.

Optionally the sealing member body includes a second seal formation protruding therefrom, the second seal formation being cooperable with one end of the meeting style portion of one of the fixed pane or the slidable pane to provide a seal which extends between the said meeting style portion and an extremity of the corresponding fixed pane or slidable pane of which the meeting style forms a part.

Having a second seal formation which extends between a given meeting style portion and an extremity of the fixed or slidable pane of which the meeting style forms a part helps to further seal the interface between the fixed and slidable panes so as to reduce further the ease with which fluids are able to pass through the said interface.

Preferably the second seal formation lies opposite the first seal formation. The provision of such an arrangement means that the first and second seal formations are interchangeable with one another in terms of their functionality, depending on the configuration of the sliding door assembly in which they are located. For example, the first and second seal formations may adopt the functionality described hereinabove when a sliding door assembly has a first configuration in which the slidable pane is arranged on an external side of the sliding door assembly installation, but may assume the functionality of one another when the sliding door assembly has a second configuration in which the slidable pane is arranged on an internal side of the sliding door assembly installation. In other words, with the sliding door assembly in a second configuration the first seal formation described hereinabove becomes the second seal formation described hereinabove and vice versa.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the sealing member body includes a third seal formation protruding therefrom, the third seal formation extending between the first seal formation and a first end face of the sealing member body, the third seal formation in use interconnecting the first seal formation with a threshold seal formation coupled with a threshold portion of a sliding door assembly arranged in a first configuration in which the slidable pane lies on an external side of the slidable door assembly installation.

The ability to interconnect the first seal formation with a threshold seal formation creates a complete seal between the threshold portion and a slidable pane movable relative thereto. Such a complete seal helps to prevent the ingress of fluid passing through, e.g. drainage holes in an outer frame member on which the slidable pane slides, between the slidable pane and the threshold portion and therefore improves the overall resistance of the sliding door assembly to such ingress.

The sealing member body may include a fourth seal formation protruding therefrom, the fourth seal formation extending between the second seal formation and the first face of the sealing member body, the fourth seal formation in use interconnecting the second seal formation with a threshold seal formation coupled with a threshold portion of a sliding door assembly arranged in a second configuration in which the slidable pane lies on an internal side of the slidable door assembly installation.

Such an arrangement provides flexibility in the deployment of the sealing member since it is able similarly to create a complete seal between the threshold portion and a slidable pane movable relative thereto when the sliding door assembly is arranged in a second configuration.

Preferably the sealing member body includes a first abutment face which is cooperable with the slidable pane to inhibit movement of the slidable pane towards an outer frame member of the sliding door assembly when the sliding door assembly is arranged in a first configuration in which the slidable pane lies on an external side of the slidable door assembly installation.

Optionally the sealing member body includes a second abutment face which is cooperable with the slidable pane to inhibit movement of the slidable pane towards an outer frame member of the sliding door assembly when the sliding door assembly is arranged in a second configuration in which the slidable pane lies on an internal side of the slidable door assembly installation.

In each instance the ability to inhibit movement of the slidable pane towards an outer frame member of the sliding door assembly improves the security of the sliding door assembly since it prevents unauthorised lifting of the slidable pane within the outer frame to affect its removal therefrom.

The second abutment face may lie opposite the first abutment face. Such an arrangement provides flexibility in the deployment of the sealing member since it is able to prevent unauthorised lifting of the slidable pane irrespective of whether the sliding door assembly is arranged in a first or a second configuration.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention the sealing member body includes a base portion having a shape complementary to the cross-sectional profile of a receiving channel in an outer frame member of the sliding door assembly, the base portion being cooperable with the receiving channel to inhibit the passage of fluid between the sealing member body and the receiving channel.

Such an arrangement helps to ensure that the portion of outer frame member below a threshold portion of the sliding door assembly remains free of fluid, e.g. rain or other water, which would otherwise be unsightly.

Optionally the sealing member body includes a retention element to permit securing of the sealing member to an outer frame member of the sliding door assembly. The inclusion of such a retention elements permits ready securing of the sealing member within a sliding door assembly, e.g. to an outer frame member, during installation of the assembly.

The retention element may be located on an opposite side of the sealing member body to the side in which the first seal formation is located. Such an arrangement allows for shrouding of the retention element by, e.g. a threshold portion, so as to prevent unauthorised removal of the sealing member and (where appropriate) unauthorised lifting and subsequent removal of the slidable pane.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention the sealing member body is formed from first and second mutually engagable body portions. Forming the sealing member body in such a manner facilitates the insertion and retention of the or each seal formation within the sealing member body.

One body portion may be slidably received within the other body portion. Providing such first and second body portions allows for their ready manufacture, e.g. by injection moulding, while proving the aforementioned ease of inserting and retaining the or each seal formation.

Preferably the sealing member body indudes a second end face which defines an alignment formation which in use lies adjacent to a centreline of a sliding door assembly.

Such a feature assists an installer in correctly positioning the sealing member so as to help ensure proper alignment of the or each seal formation with the corresponding seal formation located within the sliding door assembly.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a pair of first and second sealing members as set out hereinabove having opposite-handed configurations.

The provision of such a pair of sealing members allows the supply to installers of standard sliding door assembly kits comprising uniform modular construction elements within which the respective sealing members can be fixed in each of a lower threshold position and an upper lintel position.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a sliding door assembly including at least one sealing member as described hereinabove. The sliding door assembly of the invention shares the advantages of the sealing member of the invention.

There now follows a brief description of preferred embodiments of the invention, by way of non-limiting example, with reference being made to the following drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view from a first side of a sealing member according to a first embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 shows a perspective view from a second side opposite the first side of the sealing member shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a schematic view of a portion of a sliding door assembly including the sealing member shown in Figure 1 installed in a lower threshold position; Figure 4 shows a more detailed plan view from above of the sliding door assembly shown in Figure 3; Figure 5 shows a more detailed, partially-sectioned elevational view of the sliding door assembly shown in Figure 3; Figure 6 shows a perspective view from a first side of a sealing member according to a second embodiment of the invention; Figure 7 shows a perspective view from a second side opposite the first side of the sealing member shown in Figure 6; Figure 8 shows a shows a plan view from below of a sliding door assembly including the sealing member shown in Figure 6 installed in an upper lintel position; and Figure 9 shows a partially-sectioned elevational view of the sliding door assembly shown in Figure 8.

A sealing member according to a first embodiment of the invention is designated generally by reference numeral 10.

The first sealing member 10 has a sealing member body 12 which includes a first seal formation 14 protruding therefrom. In the embodiment show the first seal formation 14 is a brush formation. In other embodiments (not shown) the first seal formation 14 may be or include a different formation such as, for example, a deformable blade fomiation or the like.

The first seal formation 14 extends along a curved, first abutment face 16 from adjacent an upper surface 18 of the sealing member body 12 to a base portion 20 of the sealing member body 12. More particularly the first seal formation 14 extends substantially perpendicularly to each of the upper surface 18 and the base portion 20, so as to lie in use substantially vertically.

In addition the sealing member body 12 includes a second seal formation 22 which protrudes therefrom and which lies opposite the first seal formation 14. In particular, the second seal formation 22 is a mirror image of the first seal formation 14 about a plane which bisects the sealing member body 12 along the length of the upper surface 18. To this end the second seal formation 22 extends along a curved, second abutment face 24.

The sealing member body 12 further includes a third seal formation 26 which protrudes therefrom and extends between the first seal formation 14 and a first end face 26 of the sealing member body 12. More particularly the third seal formation 26 extends from a first end 30 of the first seal formation 14 (which lies adjacent to the upper surface 18 of the sealing member body 12) and substantially parallel with the upper surface 18. As such in use the third seal formation 24 lies substantially horizontal.

The sealing member body 12 additionally includes a fourth seal formation 32 which protrudes therefrom and which lies opposite the third seal formation 26. The fourth seal formation 32 is similarly a mirror image of the third seal formation 26 about a plane which bisects the sealing member body 12 along the length of the upper surface 18.

Each of the second, third and fourth seal formations 22, 26, 32 is a brush formation, although other such seal formations are possible.

In addition to the foregoing the sealing member body 12 further includes a retention element 34. In the embodiment shown the retention element 34 takes the form of a tab 36 in which is located a tapered aperture 38 through which a screw or other fastener (not shown) may pass to fix the sealing member body 12 within an associated sliding door assembly. The retention element 34 lies adjacent to the second abutment face 24, and more particularly extends substantially perpendicularly from the portion of the first end face 28 lying adjacent to the second abutment face 24. In other words, the retention element 34 is located on an opposite side of the sealing member body 12 to the side in which the first seal formation 14 is located.

The sealing member body 12 is formed from first and second mutually engagable body portions 40, 42. The second body portion 42 is slidably received within the first body portion 40.

The first and second body portions 40, 42 also together define respective first, second, third and fourth rebated slots 44, 46, 48, 50, each of which receives and retains the corresponding first, second, third and fourth seal formation 14, 22, 26, 32, In other embodiments of the invention (not shown) the first and second body portions 40, 42 may together define fewer than or greater than four rebated slots.

The sealing member body 12 also includes a second end face 52 which defines an alignment formation 54. In the embodiment shown and indicator 56 in the form of an arrow facilitates identification of the alignment formation 54 by an installer.

Figures 3 to 5 show various views of a first sliding door assembly 70, according to another embodiment of the invention, in which the first sealing member 10 is located in a lower threshold position. In Figure 4 the first, second, third and fourth seal formations 14, 22, 26, 32 have been omitted for clarity.

As shown in Figure 5, the base portion 20 of the sealing member body 12 has a shape which complements the cross-sectional profile of a receiving channel 72 in an outer frame member 74, and more particularly a threshold outer frame member 76, of the sliding door assembly 70.

The sliding door assembly 70 also includes a fixed pane 78 and a slidable pane 80, each of which are formed from respective frame and pane elements 82, 84.

The fixed pane 78 includes a first meeting style portion 86 and the slidable pane 80 includes a second meeting style portion 88. Each of the first and second meeting style portions 86, 88 includes respective mutually cooperable formations 90, 92 which cooperate with one another to resist prising apart of the fixed and slidable panes 78, 80 when the sliding door assembly 70 is in a closed position, as shown.

The first and second meeting style portions 56, 88 also each includes a corresponding first or second meeting style seal formation 94, 96 which in use abuts a vertical frame element 82 of the opposed fixed or slidable pane 78, 80, as shown in Figure 4.

As shown in Figure 3, in use the first seal formation 14 cooperates with a first end 98 of the first meeting style seal formation 94 (i.e. the meeting style seal formation 94 coupled with the first meeting style portion 86 of the fixed pane 78), and more particularly lies at a first end 98 of the first meeting style seal formation 94. As such the first seal formation 14 extends the sealing function of the first meeting style seal formation 94 to an extremity of the slidable pane 80, as further shown in Figure 5.

As also shown in Figure 5, the second seal formation 22 in use cooperates with a first end 102 of the first meeting style portion 86 of the fixed pane 78. More particularly the second seal formation 22 lies at a first end 102 of the first meeting style portion 86 of the fixed pane 78. In this manner the second seal formation provides a seal which extends between the first end 102 of the first meeting style portion 86 and an extremity 104 of the fixed pane 78.

The sliding door assembly 70 also includes a threshold portion 106 to which is coupled a threshold seal formation 108 (see Figure 3). In use the third seal formation 26 interconnects the first seal formation 14 and the threshold seal formation 108. The third seal formation 26 provides this interconnecting functionality when the sliding door assembly 70 is arranged in a first configuration in which the slidable pane 80 lies on an external side 110 of the slidable door assembly installation.

When the sliding door assembly 70 is arranged in a second configuration in which the slidable pane 80 lies on an internal side of the slidable door assembly installation (not shown) the fourth seal formation 32 similarly interconnects the second seal formation 22 and a similar threshold seal formation.

Figure 5 also illustrates that the first abutment face 16 cooperates with the slidable pane 80, and more particularly that the curved shape of the first abutment face 16 complements the shape of the frame element 82 which forms part of the slidable pane 80.

The first abutment face 16 lies opposed to the slidable pane 80 and in this manner inhibits movement of the slidable pane 80 towards the associated outer frame member 74, ie. the threshold outer frame member 76.

When the sliding door assembly 70 is arranged in a second configuration in which the slidable pane 80 lies on an internal side of the slidable door assembly installation (not shown) the second abutment face 16 lies opposed to the slidable pane 80 (and has a similar complementary shape) to again inhibit movement of the shdable pane 80 towards the associated outer frame member 74, e.g. the threshold outer frame member 76.

As also shown in Figure 5, the base portion 20 of the sealing member body 12 cooperates with the receiving channel 72 to inhibit the passage of fluid between the sealing member body and the receiving channel 72. Such cooperation may be enhanced by adhering the base portion 20 into the receiving channel 72, and/or by applying a mastic or other sealant to the interface between the base portion 20 and the receiving channel 72.

As illustrated in Figure 4, the alignment formation 54 of the sealing member body 12 lies adjacent to a centreline CL of the sliding door assembly 70.

Figures 6 and 7 show a sealing member 120 according to a second embodiment of the invention. The second sealing member 120 is almost identical to the first sealing member except that it is opposite-handed thereto. As such identical reference numerals are used to identify like features in the second sealing member 120 Such a second sealing member 120 is particularly well-suited to complementing the installation of a first sealing member 10 in a lower threshold position (as described hereinabove) when installed in an upper lintel position, as shown in Figures 8 and 9.

More particularly, Figures 8 and 9 show the second sealing member 120 installed in a lintel outer frame member 122 which lies directly above the aforementioned threshold outer frame member 122 (but which is otherwise identical to the threshold outer frame member 76).

S

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A sealing member, for use in a sliding door assembly having at least one fixed pane and at least one slidable pane slidable relative to the fixed pane, the fixed pane and the slidable pane including respective meeting style portions which abut one another when the sliding door assembly is in a closed position, the sealing member comprising a sealing member body having a first seal formation protruding therefrom, the first seal formation being cooperable with one end of a meeting style seal formation coupled with a meeting style portion of one of the fixed pane or the slidable pane to extend the sealing function of the meeting style seal formation to an extremity of the other of the fixed pane or the slidable pane.
2. A sealing member according to Claim 1 wherein the sealing member body includes a second seal formation protruding therefrom, the second seal formation being cooperable with one end of the meeting style portion of one of the fixed pane or the slidable pane to provide a seal which extends between the said meeting style portion and an extremity of the corresponding fixed pane or slidable pane of which the meeting style forms a part.
3. A sealing member according to Claim 2 wherein the second seal formation lies opposite the first seal formation.
4. A sealing member according to any preceding claim wherein the sealing member body includes a third seal formation protruding therefrom, the third seal formation extending between the first seal formation and a first end face of the sealing member body, the third seal formation in use interconnecting the first seal formation with a threshold seal formation coupled with a threshold portion of a sliding door assembly arranged in a first configuration in which the slidable pane lies on an external side of the slidable door assembly installation.
5. A sealing member according to Claim 2 or Claim 3 wherein the sealing member body includes a fourth seal formation protruding therefrom, the fourth seal formation extending between the second seal formation and the first face of the sealing member body, the fourth seal formation in use interconnecting the second seal formation with a threshold seal formation coupled with a threshold portion of a sliding door assembly arranged in a second configuration in which the slidable pane lies on an internal side of the slidable door assembly installation.
6. A sealing member according to any preceding claim wherein the sealing member body includes a first abutment face which is cooperable with the slidable pane to inhibit movement of the slidable pane towards an outer frame member of the sliding door assembly when the sliding door assembly is arranged in a first configuration in which the slidable pane lies on an external side of the slidable door assembly installation.
7. A sealing member according to any preceding claim wherein the sealing member body includes a second abutment face which is cooperable with the slidable pane to inhibit movement of the slidable pane towards an outer frame member of the sliding door assembly when the sliding door assembly is arranged in a second configuration in which the slidable pane lies on an internal side of the slidable door assembly installation.
8. A sealing member according to Claim 7 wherein the second abutment face lies opposite the first abutment face.
9. A sealing member according to any preceding claim wherein the sealing member body includes a base portion having a shape complementary to the cross-sectional profile of a receiving channel in an outer frame member of the sliding door assembly, the base portion being cooperable with the receiving channel to inhibit the passage of fluid between the sealing member body and the receiving channel.
10. A sealing member according to any preceding claim wherein the sealing member body includes a retention element to permit securing of the sealing member to an outer frame member of the sliding door assembly.
11. A sealing member according to Claim 10 wherein the retention element is located on an opposite side of the sealing member body to the side in which the first seal formation is located.
12. A sealing member according to any preceding claim wherein the sealing member body is formed from first and second mutually engagable body portions.
13. A sealing member according to Claim 12 wherein one body portion is slidably received within the other body portion.
14. A sealing member according to any preceding claim wherein the sealing member body includes a second end face which defines an alignment formation which in use lies adjacent to a centreline of a sliding door assembly.
15. A pair of first and second sealing members according to any preceding claim having opposite-handed configurations.
16. A sliding door assembly including at least one sealing member according to any of Claims ito 14.
17. A sealing member generally as herein described with reference to and/or as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
18. A pair of sealing members generally as herein described with reference to and/or as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
19. A sliding door assembly generally as herein described with reference to and/or as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.