Patent ID: 8806807
Filing Date: 2014-08-19
Classification: E05D,E05Y

Abstract:
1. A sliding panel structure, comprising: A) a plurality of sliding panels, each panel defining top edge and a bottom edge, and a first vertical edge and a second vertical edge on opposite sides of the panel, and each sliding panel adapted to slide horizontally leftward and rightward and pivot about a panel pivot axis located near the first vertical edge, with each of said plurality of sliding panels comprising a top cylindrical pivot space in the top edge near the first vertical edge and a bottom cylindrical pivot space in the bottom edge near the first vertical edge and aligned with the top cylindrical pivot space, said top and bottom cylindrical pivot spaces defining the panel pivot axis, B) an upper support track having an upside down U shaped cross section with two flanges at the bottom of the support track on each of two sides of the upper support track extending toward each other and defining an upper guide space between the two flanges, C) a plurality of upper support carts, each upper support cart defining an upper bogie, each of said upper bogies: D) a lower guide rail, having an upright U shaped cross section with two flanges at or near the top of the lower rail guide extending toward each other to define a groove running down the middle of the lower guide rail, E) a plurality of lower support carts, each lower wheeled support carts defining a lower bogie, with each of the lower bogies: F) a plurality of panel roller elements each panel roller elements being wherein the upper support track and lower guide rail limit ranges of motion of the upper and lower bogies such that when each of the panels are in a process of being slid toward an opened direction, the range of the lower bogie is curtailed before the range of the upper bogie is curtailed so that when the lower range is curtailed the mutual attraction between the magnetic element of the upper bogie and the magnetic element of another upper bogie will apply a magnetic force sufficient to tilt the panel about a fulcrum position located at the bottom of the first vertical edge of the panel such that the extension element of the panel roller element will clear the groove running down the middle of the lower guide rail so as to permit the panel to be pivoted about the panel pivot axis to an open position.