Sliding Panel Assemblies and Connectors

Abstract

A slidable panel assembly has a multi-component perimeter frame. The perimeter frame houses a sheet-type or panel-type structure therein. Each of the outwardly facing edge surfaces of the perimeter frame has a channel extending thereinto. The leading and trailing portions of the perimeter edge channels, adjacent the perimeter corners, define a step change in channel depth with respect to the remainder of the edge channel.

1 . A panel assembly, comprising: 
 (a) a generally planar sheet which defines an outer sheet perimeter; and    (b) a frame which houses said sheet and defines an inner frame perimeter and an outer frame perimeter, said inner frame perimeter communicating with said outer sheet perimeter; 
 (i) at least part of the inner frame perimeter defining an elongate channel extending thereinto; and  
 (ii) at least part of the outer frame perimeter defining an elongate channel extending thereinto;  
 said outer frame perimeter channel defines a channel depth which varies along at least a portion of the length of said channel and correspondingly defines a channel depth variation portion, whereby said outer frame perimeter channel has a first channel depth dimension at a first locus along its length and a second channel depth dimension at a second locus along its length.  
   
   
   
       2 . A panel assembly as in  claim 1  wherein such channel depth variation is a step-change discontinuity.  
   
   
       3 . A panel assembly as in  claim 1  wherein such channel depth variation is a continuous, non-step, change in magnitude.  
   
   
       4 . A panel assembly as in  claim 1  wherein said first channel depth dimension is defined at a medial portion along the channel length and is of relatively greater magnitude than the magnitude of said second channel depth dimension.  
   
   
       5 . A panel assembly as in  claim 1  wherein said first channel depth dimension is defined at a medial portion along the channel length and is of relatively lesser magnitude than the magnitude of said second channel depth dimension.  
   
   
       6 . A panel assembly as in  claim 1  wherein such channel depth variation portion is located generally adjacent and end of said outer frame perimeter channel.  
   
   
       7 . A panel assembly as in  claim 1 , said channel defining first and second channel such channel depth variation portions along the channel length, such first and second depth variation locations generally adjacent respective ones of first and second ends of said outer frame perimeter channel.  
   
   
       8 . A panel assembly as in  claim 1  wherein said panel assembly defines a slidable door member of an animal housing enclosure.  
   
   
       9 . A panel assembly as in  claim 1  wherein said panel assembly defines a slidable floor member of an animal housing enclosure.  
   
   
       10 . A panel assembly as in  claim 1  wherein said panel assembly defines a slidable door member of a display case.  
   
   
       11 . A panel assembly as in  claim 1  wherein said panel assembly defines a slidable floor member of a display case.  
   
   
       12 . A panel assembly as in  claim 1  wherein said generally planar sheet defines a continuous surface.  
   
   
       13 . A panel assembly as in  claim 1  wherein said generally planar sheet defines a discontinuous surface.  
   
   
       14 . A panel assembly as in  claim 13  wherein said generally planar sheet defines a mesh surface.  
   
   
       15 . A panel assembly, comprising: 
 (a) a generally planar sheet which defines an outer sheet perimeter; and    (b) a frame which houses said sheet and defines an inner frame perimeter and an outer frame perimeter, said inner frame perimeter communicating with said outer sheet perimeter; and    (c) an elongate channel which extends into said frame inner perimeter;    said elongate channel including a bottom wall, first and second sidewalls extending outwardly therefrom, and at least one elongate rib extending inwardly away from one of said first and second channel sidewalls.    
   
   
       16 . A panel assembly as in  claim 15  wherein said elongate rib is a portion of a channel lining member, said channel lining member housed within said elongate channel.  
   
   
       17 . A panel assembly as in  claim 15  wherein said elongate rib extends generally angularly downwardly from said channel sidewall, into said channel, whereby the angle between said channel sidewall and said rib is an acute angle.  
   
   
       18 . A panel assembly as in  claim 15 , said channel including first and second elongate rib members which extend in directions which generally converge toward each other.  
   
   
       19 . A panel assembly as in  claim 15  wherein said elongate rib members are made of a resiliently flexible material.  
   
   
       20 . A panel assembly, comprising: 
 (a) a generally planar sheet which defines an outer sheet perimeter; and    (b) a frame which houses said sheet and includes 
 (i) a first elongate member and a second elongate member which extend generally perpendicularly away from each other;  
 (ii) a corner member joining said first and second elongate members which has first and second outer edges, each of said first and second outer edges having a channel extending thereinto, said channels opening into each other defining a generally L-shaped void.