GB2461742A

GB2461742A - Hinge plate cranked relative to hinge pin arrangement

Info

Publication number: GB2461742A
Application number: GB0812713A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Richard Dancer
Original assignee: HILLALDAM COBURN SYSTEMS
Current assignee: HILLALDAM COBURN SYSTEMS
Priority date: 2008-07-11
Filing date: 2008-07-11
Publication date: 2010-01-20
Also published as: GB0812713D0

Abstract

A hinge plate 18, 38, 52, 54 is cranked relative to a hinge pin arrangement 20, 40, 60. The hinge plate 18, 38, 52, 54 may form part of a weatherproof, in-line sliding and folding door system (figure 5, figure 8A-AB) comprising a frame and at least one pair of door leaves that can be hingedly connected together to enable the door leaves to fold together, the door leaves defining a pair of vertical edges. The system comprises at least one bottom roller assembly and at least one top guide that are fitted to at least one of the vertical edges. The bottom roller assembly and top guide each comprise a bracket 12, 32 to which is fitted at least one roller 14, 16, 34, 36 to allow the door to slide along the frame, a hinge pin arrangement extending from the bracket, and a hinge plate 18, 38 pivotally fitted to the hinge pin arrangement 20, 40 and being arranged to be securable to the vertical edge of the door leaf. The hinge plates are cranked relative to the hinge pin arrangements so that the hinge pin arrangement is set back relative to the vertical edge of the door. A frame-to-door hinge may comprise first and second hinge plates 52, 54 which are cranked relative to a hinge pin arrangement 60.

Description

SLIDING AND FOLDING DOOR SYSTEM

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a sliding and folding door system, and in particular, to a weatherproof, in-line sliding and folding door system, as well as to hardware for use within such a system.

The term weatherproof door system" refers to a system in which the doors have rebates or seals between the doors at their vertical joints, as well as a rebated frame with seals into which the doors seat when closed. In addition, an in-line sliding and folding door system comprises top andlor bottom tracks and channels that are in-line/aligned with the doors so that they are concealed when the doors are closed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Typical weatherproof, in-line sliding and folding door systems comprise at least one pair of door leaves that are hingedly connected together and arranged to slide along upper and lower rails defined by a frame. An end door leaf is connected to the end pair of door leaves, which can then be secured to the frame so as to lock the door to the frame. A drawback with this arrangement is that, due to its design, these sliding and folding door systems can only accommodate odd numbers of door leaves.

Typically, three, five or seven door leaves can fold to one side or either way within the frame.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a weatherproof, in-line sliding and folding door system that can address the shortcomings described above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In broad terms, the present invention provides hardware for a weatherproof, in-line sliding and folding door system comprising an even number of door leaves, the hardware comprising a bottom roller assembly including a cranked hinge, a top guide including a cranked hinge and an adjustable frame-to-door hinge with cranked hinges to match the geometry of operation of the roller and guide.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a sliding and folding door system, the system comprising: a frame; at least one pair of door leaves that can be hingedly connected together to enable the door leaves to fold together, the door leaves defining a pair of vertical edges; at least one bottom roller assembly fitted to at least one of the vertical edges, the bottom roller assembly comprising a bracket to which is fitted at least one roller to allow the door to slide along a bottom portion of the frame, a hinge pin arrangement extending from the bracket, and a hinge plate pivotally fitted to the hinge pin arrangement and being arranged to be securable to the vertical edge of the door leaf, wherein the hinge plate is cranked relative to the hinge pin arrangement so that the hinge pin arrangement is set back relative to the vertical edge of the door: and at least one top guide fitted to at least one of the vertical edges, the top guide comprising a bracket to which is fitted at least one roller to allow the door to slide along a top portion of the frame, a hinge pin arrangement extending from the bracket, and a hinge plate pivotally fitted to the hinge pin arrangement and being arranged to be securable to the vertical edge of the door leaf, wherein the hinge plate is cranked relative to the hinge pin arrangement so that the hinge pin arrangement is also set back relative to the vertical edge of the door so as to accommodate the geometry of the at least one bottom roller assembly.

In an example embodiment, the sliding and folding door system further comprises a frame4o-door hinge to allow a vertical edge of a door leaf to be hingedly secured to a vertical edge of the frame, the frame-to-door hinge comprising a pair of hinge plates that are rotatably fitted to a hinge pin arrangement, the pair of hinge plates being cranked relative to the hinge pin arrangement.

In an example embodiment, the bracket of the bottom roller assembly is fitted with either an additional roller or a stabilizer.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a bottom roller assembly that can be fitted to a vertical edge of a door that can form part of a sliding and folding door system, the bottom roller assembly comprising: a bracket to which is fitted at least one roller; a hinge pin arrangement extending from the bracket; and a hinge plate pivotally fitted to the hinge pin arrangement, wherein the hinge plate is cranked relative to the hinge pin arrangement so that the hinge pin arrangement is set back relative to the vertical edge of the door.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a top guide fitted to a vertical edge of a door that can form part of a sliding and folding door system, the top guide comprising: a bracket to which is fitted at least one roller; a hinge pin arrangement extending from the bracket; and a hinge plate pivotally fitted to the hinge pin arrangement, wherein the hinge plate is cranked relative to the hinge pin arrangement so that the hinge pin arrangement is set back relative to the vertical edge of the door.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a frame-to-door hinge to allow an end door to be hingedly secured to a door frame, the frame-to-door hinge comprising: a first hinge plate rotatably connected to a hinge pin arrangement; and a second hinge plate rotatably connected to the hinge pin arrangement, wherein the first arid second hinge plates are cranked relative to the hinge pin arrangement.

In an example embodiment, the first hinge plate is substantially U-shaped and is arranged to accommodate the second hinge plate when both hinge plates are in line.

In an alternate example embodiment, the first hinge plate is adjustably fittable to a securing bracket that can be connected to the door frame.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention there is provided a pair of doors for a sliding and folding door system, the pair of doors being hingedly connected together to enable the doors to fold together, the doors defining a pair of vertical edges, with at least one bottom roller assembly being fitted to at least one of the vertical edges, the bottom roller assembly comprising a bracket to which is fitted at least one roller, a hinge pin arrangement extending from the bracket, and a hinge plate pivotally fitted to the hinge pin arrangement and being arranged to be securable to the vertical edge of the door, wherein the hinge plate is cranked relative to the hinge pin arrangement, and with at least one top guide being fitted to at least one of the vertical edges, the top guide comprising a bracket to which is fitted at least one roller, a hinge pin arrangement extending from the bracket, and a hinge plate pivotally fitted to the hinge pin arrangement and being arranged to be securable to the vertical edge of the door, wherein the hinge plate is cranked relative to the hinge pin arrangement.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 shows various views of a top guide, according to an example embodiment, for use with a timber door that may form part of a sliding and folding door system; Figure 2 shows various views of a bottom roller, according to an example embodiment, for use with a timber door that may form part of a sliding and folding door system; Figure 3 shows various views of a frame-to-door hinge without adjustment, according to a first example embodiment, for use with a door that may form part of a sliding and folding door system; Figure 4 shows various views of a frame-to-door hinge with adjustment, according to a second example embodiment, for use with a door that may form part of a sliding and folding door system; Figure 5 shows various views of a sliding and folding door system comprising two spaced apart pairs of door leaves, according to an example embodiment, the door system utilizing some of the components illustrated in Figures 1 to 4; Figure 6 shows various views of a top guide, according to an example embodiment, for use with an aluminium door that may form part of a sliding and folding door system; Figure 7 shows various views of a bottom roller, according to an example embodiment, for use with a aluminium door that may form part of a sliding and folding door system; and Figure 8 shows various views of a sliding and folding door system comprising two spaced apart pairs of door leaves, according to an example embodiment, the door system utilizing some of the components illustrated in Figures 3, 4, 6 and 7.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In broad terms, the present invention provides hardware for a weatherproof, in-line sliding and folding door system comprising an even number of door leaves, the hardware comprising a bottom roller assembly including a cranked hinge, a top guide including a cranked hinge and an adjustable frame-to-door hinge with cranked hinges to match the geometry of operation of the roller and guide. In an example embodiment, all rollers, guides and hinges are made from aluminium, stainless steel and other non-corrosive materials. The aluminium may be surface treated by the processes of anodising or powder-coating.

Turning now to FIgure 1, a top guide 10 for a timber door comprises an upper, substantially L-shaped, bracket 12 from which a pair of rollers 14, 16 extends. A hinge plate 18 is connected to a sleeve 20 that in turn is rotatably fitted to a hinge pin arrangement 22 extending from the bracket 12. In an example embodiment, the hinge plate 18 and the sleeve 20 are one component, as indicated by arrow 23. The hinge plate 18 defines a plurality of apertures 24 to allow the hinge plate 18, and thus the top guide 10, to be secured to a door, as will be explained in more detail further below. The rollers 14, 16 in turn allow the door to be sildably carried on a frame.

The hinge plate 16 is cranked relative to the hinge pin arrangement 22, as can be seen in the Top View arid in the view indicated by arrow 23. This cranked arrangement substantially allows the edge of a door fitted to the hinge plate 18 to abut against either an adjacent door or a door frame, thereby ensuring that the sliding and folding door system can accommodate an even number of doors of the same width. This aspect will become clearer further on in the specification. The hinge plate 18 and hinge pin arrangement 22 allow the rollers 14, 16 to define a plane along which the door may slide, with the hinge pin arrangement 22 defining an axis, spaced apart from the plane, about which the door may pivot.

Figure 2 shows various views of a bottom roller 30, according to an example embodiment, that may be fitted to a door that is fitted with the top guide 10 described above with reference to Figure 1. The bottom roller 30 comprises a lower, substantially L-shaped in cross-section, bracket 32. The bracket 32 defines a pair of recesses to receive a pair of rollers 34, 36. A hinge plate 38 is connected to a sleeve that in turn is rotatably fitted to a hinge pin arrangement 42 extending from the bracket 32. In an example embodiment, the hinge plate 38 and the sleeve 40 are one component, as indicated by arrow 43. The hinge plate 38 defines a plurality of apertures 44 to allow the hinge plate 38, and thus the bottom roller 30, to be secured to a door, as will be explained in more detail further below. The rollers 34, 36 in turn allow the door to slide along the bottom portion of the frame.

The hinge plate 38 is cranked relative to the hinge pin arrangement 42, as can be seen in the Top View and in the view indicated by arrow 43. As Indicated above, this cranked arrangement substantially allows the edge of a door fitted to the hinge plate 38 to abut against either an adjacent door or a door frame, thereby ensuring that the sliding and folding door system can accommodate an even number of doors of the same width. The hinge plate 38 and hinge pin arrangement 42 allow the rollers 34, 36 to define a plane along which the door may slide, with the hinge pin arrangement 42 defining an axis, spaced apart from the plane, about which the door may pivot.

Figures 3 and 4 show two embodiments of a frame-to-door hinge to allow an end door to be hingedly secured to a frame. The embodiment shown in Figure 3 has a fixed configuration, thereby not allowing much adjustment between the door and the frame, whereas the embodiment shown in Figure 4 is arranged to allow adjustment between the door and the frame.

Referring first to Figure 3, a frame-to-door hinge 50 without adjustment comprises a pair of hinge plates 52, 54, each connected to respective sleeves 56, 58, that in turn are rotatably fitted to a hinge pin arrangement 60. In an example embodiment, hinge plate 52 is substantially U-shaped and is arranged to accommodate hinge plate 54 when both hinge plates 52, 54 are in line as shown in the Perspective View in Figure 3. In an example embodiment, hinge plate 52 defines apertures 60 so as to enable the hinge plate 52 to be secured to a door frame, with hinge plate 54 defining apertures 62 so as to enable the hinge plate 54 to be secured to a door.

The hinge plates 52, 54 are cranked relative to the hinge pin arrangement 60, as can be seen in the iop View, the Perspective View and in the view indicated by arrow 63.

As mentioned above, this cranked arrangement substantially allows the edge of a door fitted to the hinge plate 54 to abut against the door frame, Typically, the edge of the door sits within a recess defined in the door frame, so as to provide the desired weatherproof feature. The cranked arrangement is also needed so as to match the cranked arrangements of the top guide 10 and the bottom roller 30 described above.

Turning now to Figure 4, a frame-to-door hinge 70 with adjustment comprises a pair of hinge plates 72, 74, each connected to respective sleeves 76, 78, that in turn are rotatably fitted to a hinge pin arrangement 80. The hinge plate 72 defines a plurality of apertures 82 to enable it to be secured to a door.

An L-shaped securing bracket 84 is adjustably fitted to the hinge plate 74. The L-shaped securing bracket 84 defines a plurality of apertures 86 that allow it to be secured to a door frame. The L-shaped securing bracket 84 is fitted to the hinge plate 74 by means of at least one fastener 88 (typically 4 fasteners are used), with this arrangement allowing the hinge plate 74 to be adjusted in the directions indicated by arrows "A" in the figure.

The hinge plate 72 further defines an elongate aperture 90 that is arranged to receive a guide 92 that extends from the L-shaped securing bracket 84.

The hinge plates 72, 74 are cranked relative to the hinge pin arrangement 80, as can be seen in the 2 Top Views and in the perspective view. In an example embodiment, hinge plate 72 is cranked similarly to the cranked hinge plates indicated by arrows 23, 43 and 63 in Figures 1, 2 and 3 respectively. Hinge plate 74 is cranked differently, as indicated by arrow 93, out of necessity so as to accommodate the cranked arrangements of the other components described above.

The hardware described above will now be described in use with reference to Figure 5, in which a sliding and folding door system 100 is shown. The sliding and folding door system 100, as shown in Figure 5A, comprises two spaced apart pairs 102, 104 of door leaves 102A, 102B, 104A and 104B, and a frame 106 to slidingly accommodate the pairs of door leaves.

In Figure 5B a bottom roller 108, similar to the bottom roller 30 shown in Figure 2, is shown fitted to a door 110. The bottom roller 108 may be fitted to circled section 112 of the door leaf 104A shown in Figure 5A. In the example embodiment illustrated in Figure 5B, the bottom roller 108 is arranged to roll along a track 118 that has been fitted within a rebated cill 120. In Figure 5B, a top guide 122, similar to the top guide shown in Figure 1, is shown fitted to the door 110. In an example embodiment, the top guide 122 may be fitted to circled section 124 of the door leaf 104A shown in Figure 5A. In the version illustrated in Figure 5B, the top guide 122 is arranged to roll within a U-shaped guide channel 126 fitted within the top section of the door frame 106.

Figures 5C and 5D show top views of the door leaves I 02A, I 02B, 1 04A and I 040 in an opened and closed configuration, respectively, with the left drawing of each figure showing the top guide 122 and the right drawing showing the bottom roller 108.

These figures clearly show the use of a frame-to-door cranked hinge 128, similar to the hinge 70 shown in Figure 4.

In the example embodiment shown in Figures 5C and 5D, a hinge plate of the frame-to-door cranked hinge 128 is fitted to both the top and bottom edges of the door leaf 1 02A. Door leaf I 02A is in turn hingedly connected to door leaf 1020 by means of a conventional hinge 130. Door leaf 102B is connected to the top guide 122. A similar arrangement applies to door leaves 1 04A and I 04B, and will thus not be repeated.

It can be clearly seen from Figure 5D how the cranked hinge plates of the top guides 122 and the bottom rollers 108 with, for example the hinge pin arrangements sitting back from the door edges, allow the door leaves 1 02B and I 04A to substantially abut against each other. This design allows the roller and guide to fold into the line of the door when the doors are in the closed position shown in Figure 5D, as indicated by broken line 132. This design also means that the bottom track and top guide channel are in line with the doors and hidden from view. The bottom roller for the timber door application is partially hidden when the doors are closed, but is contained within the thickness of the door, and in particular, within a cutout defined in the bottom corner of the door. In addition, the top guides are hidden from view when the doors are 30. closed. It can also be seen that by providing cranked hinge plates in the door-to-frame hinge 128, not only does this accommodate the cranked hinge plates of the top guides 122 and the bottom rollers 108, but also allows door leaves 102B and 104A of similar widths to be used. Finally, it can also be seen how the extreme edges of the door leaves 102A and 1046 are accommodated within a recess in the vertical door frames so as to provide a weatherproof arrangement.

Turning now to Figure 6, a top guide 200 for an aluminium door comprises an upper, substantially L-shaped, bracket 212 from which a pair of rollers 214, 216 extends. A hinge plate 218 is connected to a sleeve 220 that in turn is rotatably fitted to a hinge pin arrangement 222 extending from the bracket 212. In an example embodiment, the hinge plate 218 and the sleeve 220 are one component, as indicated by arrow 223. The hinge plate 218 defines a plurality of apertures 224 to allow the hinge plate 218, and thus the top guide 2101 to be secured to a door, as will be explained in more detail further below. The rollers 214, 216 in turn, and as described above, allow the door to be slidably carried on a frame.

The hinge plate 218 is cranked relative to the hinge pin arrangement 222, as can be seen in the Top View and in the view indicated by arrow 223. The reason for this cranked arrangement has already been described in detail above, and will thus not be repeated.

Figure 7 shows various views of a bottom roller 230, according to an example embodiment, that may be fitted to a door that is fitted with the top guide 210 described above with reference to Figure 6. The bottom roller 230 comprises a lower, substantially L-shaped in crosssection, bracket 232. The bracket 232 defines a recess to receive a roller 234 and a stabilizer 235. A hinge plate 238 is connected to a sleeve 240 that in turn is rotatably filled to a hinge pin arrangement 242 extending from the bracket 232. In an example embodiment, the hinge plate 238 and the sleeve 240 are one component, as indicated by arrow 243. The hinge plate 238 defines a plurality of apertures 244 to allow the hinge plate 238, and thus the bottom roller 230, to be secured to a door, as will be explained in more detail further below.

The roller 234 in turn allows the door to slide along the bottom portion of the frame.

The hinge plate 238 is cranked relative to the hinge pin arrangement 242, as can be seen in the Top View and in the view indicated by arrow 243. Again, the reason for this cranked arrangement has already been described in detail above, and will thus not be repeated.

The hardware described above with respect to Figures 6 and 7 will now be described in use with reference to Figure 8, in which a sliding and folding door system 300 is shown. The sliding and folding door system 300 in an opened configuration is shown in Figure 8A, with the system 300 comprising two spaced apart pairs 302, 304 of door leaves 302A, 302B, 304A and 304B.

The door leaves 302A, 302B, 304A and 304B, with reference now to Figure 8B, may be arranged to slide in a frame 306 similar to the frame 106 shown in Figure 5A. In Figure 88, a bottom roller 308, similar to the bottom roller 230 shown in Figure 7, is shown fitted to a door 310. In the version illustrated in Figure 88, the roller 306 is arranged to roll along a track 314 defined by the bottom section of the door frame 306. In Figure 8B, a top guide 322, similar to the top guide 200 shown in Figure 6, is shown fitted to the door 310. In the version illustrated in Figure 8B, the top guide 322 is arranged to roll within a U-shaped guide channel that forms part of the top section of the door frame 306.

Referring back to Figure 8A, the use of a frame-to-door cranked hinge 324, similar to the hinge 50 shown in Figure 3, may be seen. In the example embodiment shown in Figure 8A, a hinge plate of the frame-to-door cranked hinge 324 is fitted to both the top and bottom edges of the door leaf 302A. Door leaf 302A is in turn hingedly connected to door leaf 302B by means of a conventional hinge 326. Door leaf 302B is connected to the bottom roller 308. A similar arrangement applies to door leaves 304A and 3048, and will thus not be repeated.

The use of rebate seals 328 may be clearly seen in Figure 8B.

The closed configuration of the system 300 is shown in Figures 8C and 8D.

The Unique features described above with reference to Figures 5A to 5E apply to Figures 8A to 8D too, namely the use of cranked hinges that allow the roller and guide to fold into the line of the door when the doors are in the closed position and that also allow the bottom track and top guide channel to be in line with the doors and hidden from view. The bottom roller for the aluminium door application is completely hidden when the doors are closed, with the top guides being hidden from view when the doors are closed.

The present invention thus provides a set of hardware that allows sliding and folding doors to be configured in even pairs by using cranked hinge arrangements. In example embodiments, two, four or six door leaves may be arranged to fold to one side, or two, four or six door leaves may be arranged to fold to each side of the door frame. In an example embodiment, the door leaves may all be located within a rebated frame which makes the doors fully weather proof when closed. Finally, the use of cranked hinge arrangements ensures that door leaves of the same width can be used.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A weatherproof, in-line sliding and folding door system, the system comprising: a frame; at least one pair of door leaves that can be hingedly connected together to enable the door leaves to fold together, the door leaves defining a pair of vertical edges; at least one bottom roller assembly fitted to at least one of the vertical edges, the bottom roller assembly comprising a bracket to which is fitted at least one roller to allow the door to slide along a bottom portion of the frame, a hinge pin arrangement extending from the bracket, and a hinge plate pivotaily fitted to the hinge pin arrangement and being arranged to be securable to the vertical edge of the door leaf, wherein the hinge plate is cranked relative to the hinge pin arrangement so that the hinge pin arrangement is set back relative to the vertical edge of the door; and at least one top guide fitted to at least one of the vertical edges, the top guide comprising a bracket to which is fitted at least one roller to allow the door to slide along a top portion of the frame, a hinge pin arrangement extending from the bracket, arid a hinge plate pivotally fitted to the hinge pin arrangement and being arranged to be securable to the vertical edge of the door leaf, wherein the hinge plate is cranked relative to the hinge pin arrangement so that the hinge pin arrangement is also set back relative to the vertical edge of the door so as to accommodate the geometry of the at least one bottom roller assembly.
2. The sliding and folding door system of claim 1, which further comprises a frame-to-door hinge to allow a vertical edge of a door leaf to be hingedly secured to a vertical edge of the frame, the frame-to-door hinge comprising a pair of hinge plates that are rotatably fitted to a hinge pin arrangement, the pair of hinge plates being cranked relative to the hinge pin arrangement.
3. The sliding and folding door system of either claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the bracket of the bottom roller assembly is fitted with either an additional roller or a stabilizer.
4. A bottom roller assembly that can be fitted to a vertical edge of a door that can form part of a weatherproof, in-line sliding arid folding door system, the bottom roller assembly comprising: a bracket to which is fitted at least one roller; a hinge pin arrangement extending from the bracket; and a hinge plate pivotally fitted to the hinge pin arrangement, wherein the hinge plate is cranked relative to the hinge pin arrangement so that the hinge pin arrangement is set back relative to the vertical edge of the door.
5. A top guide fitted to a vertical edge of a door that can form part of a weatherproof, in-line sliding and folding door system, the top guide comprising: a bracket to which is fitted at least one roller; a hinge pin arrangement extending from the bracket; and a hinge plate pivotally fitted to the hinge pin arrangement, wherein the hinge plate is cranked relative to the hinge pin arrangement so that the hinge pin arrangement is set back relative to the vertical edge of the door.
6. A frame-to-door hinge to allow an end door to be hingedly secured to a door frame, the frame-to-door hinge comprising: a first hinge plate rotatably connected to a hinge pin arrangement; and a second hinge plate rotatably connected to the hinge pin arrangement, wherein the first and second hinge plates are cranked relative to the hinge pin arrangement.
7. The frame-to-door hinge of claim 6, wherein the first hinge plate is substantially U-shaped and is arranged to accommodate the second hinge plate when both hinge plates are in line.
8. The frame-to-door hinge of claim 6, wherein the first hinge plate is adjustably fittable to a securing bracket that can be connected to the door frame.
9. A pair of doors for a weatherproof, in-line sliding and folding door system, the pair of doors being hingedly connected together to enable the doors to fold together, the doors defining a pair of vertical edges, with at least one bottom roller assembly being fitted to at least one of the vertical edges, the bottom roller assembly comprising a bracket to which is fitted at least one roller, a hinge pin arrangement extending from the bracket, and a hinge plate pivotally fitted to the hinge pin arrangement and being arranged to be securable to the vertical edge of the door, wherein the hinge plate is cranked relative to the hinge pin arrangement, and with at least one top guide being fitted to at least one of the vertical edges, the top guide comprising a bracket to which is fitted at least one roller, a hinge pin arrangement extending from the bracket, and a hinge plate pivotaUy fitted to the hinge pin arrangement and being arranged to be securable to the vertical edge of the door, wherein the hinge plate is cranked relative to the hinge pin arrangement.
10. A weatherproof, in-line sliding and folding door system, substantially as herein described with reference to and illustrated in Figures 5A to 5D or Figures BA to 8D.
11. A bottom roller assembly substantially as herein described with reference to and illustrated in Figure 2 or Figure 7.
12. A top guide substantially as herein described with raference to and illustrated in Figure 1 or Figure 6.
13. A frame-to-door hinge to allow an end door to be hingedly secured to a door frame, substantially as herein described with reference to and illustrated in Figure 3 or Figure 4.
14. A pair of doors for a weatherproof, in-line sliding and folding door system, substantially as herein described with reference to and illustrated in Figures 5A to 5D or Figures 8A to 8D.