EP1045100A2

EP1045100A2 - Sliding mechanism

Info

Publication number: EP1045100A2
Application number: EP00107710A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Mats Bergdahl; Nils-Göran Stenberg
Original assignee: Ido Kylpyhuone Oy
Current assignee: Ido Kylpyhuone Oy
Priority date: 1999-04-16
Filing date: 2000-04-10
Publication date: 2000-10-18
Also published as: CN1278580A; FI990856L; NO20001963L; NO20001963D0; FI990856A0

Abstract

A sliding mechanism (7) for a sliding door, which sliding mechanism comprises sliding elements (8,9) arranged for movement along a sliding rail. In order to provide for user security and reliable function a sliding element (8,9) is provided with dismountable protective means (10,11,12,13) substantially enclosing the sliding element and slidingly engaging with the sliding rail.

Description

The invention relates to a sliding mechanism means for a sliding door or the like, which sliding mechanism means comprise sliding elements arranged for movement along a sliding rail or the like according to the preamble of claim 1.
There are different kinds of sliding doors, or for example sliding walls, and sliding mechanisms used therewith. The same problems, however, usually arise, i.e. that the sliding door easily falls of or derails from the sliding rail and that the sliding mechanism attracts dust and dirt, which results in certain risks and malfunctions when handling the door, and not at the least hygienic and esthetic drawbacks.
Especially, if the sliding door is supported on its upper sliding elements, the derailing of these sliding elements may be particularly hazardous in that the door may, as it is moved back and forth, easily disengage from the sliding rail and thereby fall on and thus hurt the user.
These problems are accentuated with regard to shower installations, for example shower cabins or the like. First of all, the doors often are of glass, whereby they are relatively heavy, and secondly, such a wet space is particularly susceptible from a hygienic viewpoint.
The object of the present invention is to achieve means by which the above mentioned drawbacks are avoided in an easy and advantageous way in view of manufacturing. This is attained by means according to the invention the main characteristics of which given in claim 1.
The invention is based on the idea that the sliding mechanisms means comprise a dismountable protective means is configured so that it performs two functions at the same time; protects the sliding element by covering the same, thus functioning as a protective cover, and keeps the sliding element in place at the sliding rail, thus preventing a lifting off of the sliding element. This provides for an enhanced user security and at the same time the need for cleaning and maintenance is lessened.
In a sliding door which is supported, usually by sliding elements at its upper edge, for example roller elements running along an upper sliding rail, it is advantageous that the upper sliding elements are provided with protective means. This ensures that the sliding door is kept in place and is not lifted off the sliding rail, whereby a lower sliding element is mainly needed for a guiding or supporting function.
The protective means is preferably formed of two substantially symmetrical parts and comprises a cover portion arranged to substantially enclose the sliding element and a hook portion arranged to slidingly lock the sliding element to the sliding rail. The two parts may conveniently be mounted on and dismounted from the sliding element from each side of the same, which in this manner does not cause additional steps in installing the sliding door itself and which also provides for easy access to the sliding element, if so desired. The protective means forms a casing or enclosure for the sliding element and may move along the sliding rail with the sliding element.
The present invention is preferably used together with a shower installation, for example a shower cabin or the like, whereby the security aspects are emphasized particularly in that the sliding door normally is of glass, which makes it relatively heavy, and whereby the hygienic aspects are apparent. Therefore it is sufficient, if the lower sliding element only provides a guiding means, which can follow for example a lower sliding rail provided at the foot list or the like of the shower installation.
The lower sliding element or guiding element preferably comprises a supporting portion for fastening the same to the sliding door and a pin portion which easily can be arranged to engage with the lower sliding rail.
Depending on the construction of the shower installation the sliding door may be further furnished with a second lower sliding element functioning as a guiding element, e.g. depending on the configuration of the shower installation, i.e. the sliding track of the door.
Also it has shown that it is most effective to provide the sliding elements according to the invention at the corner areas of the sliding door.
The sliding rails are preferably of metal or corresponding material, which gives them appropriate resistance to wear and rigidity.
The sliding elements and the protective means may preferably be of plastic or corresponding material, which makes them light and noiseless.
The invention is described more closely in the following by way of example with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings with figures as given below.
Fig. 1 shows a shower cabin where the invention is applied.
Fig. 2 shows the sliding door of the shower cabin.
Fig. 3 shows how the sliding door is mounted.
Fig. 4 shows the sliding element according to the invention.
Fig. 5 shows the sliding element according to the invention more in detail.
Fig. 6 shows the sliding element according to the invention with an assembled protective means.
Fig. 7 shows a guiding element according to the invention in cross-section.
Fig. 8 shows the guiding element according to the invention in perspective.
In Fig. 1 a shower cabin is indicated by reference numeral 1. The shower cabin 1 is installed in a corner of a wet space, for example a bathroom, and borders against a floor 2 and walls 3 of the bathroom by a foot list 4 comprising a sliding rail. The upper part of the shower cabin is framed by an upper list or cross bar 5, also comprising a sliding rail, which abuts against the walls 3. Furthermore, the shower cabin 1 comprises a sliding door 6, which is supported from its upper edge on the cross bar 5 by two sliding elements 7 (shown more in detail in Figs. 2,3,4 and 5) and which is guided by a lower sliding element 14 (shown in detail in Figs. 2,7 and 8) along the foot list 4.
Fig. 2 shows the sliding door 6 with the two upper sliding elements 7 and the lower sliding element 14. The upper sliding elements comprise roller elements 7 and the lower sliding element a guiding means 14. The sliding elements are placed at the corner areas of the sliding door, at its upper and lower edge.
In Fig. 3 is mainly shown how the sliding door 6 is intended to be mounted or supported on the cross bar 5, which comprises a sliding rail. In practice the cross bar is or comprises a profile (not shown; cf. below), whereby the profile functions as a sliding rail, along which the sliding elements 7 or roller elements are intended to run. The configuration of the profile and the sliding elements for said purpose is within the knowledge of a person skilled in the art and is therefore not explained in detail in this context.
Figs. 4, 5 and 6 show closer in detail how the upper sliding element or roller element 7 is configured. The roller element 7 comprises a support portion 8 fastened at the corner of the sliding door 6 and carrying a roller pair 9. The roller element is intended to be enclosed in a easily mountable and dismountable protective means 10 (firstly shown mounted 10 and secondly dismounted or opened 11,11 in Fig. 6) comprising two substantially symmetrical parts 11. Each part comprises a cover portion 12 intended to enclose the roller element 7,8,9, i.e. actually half of the roller element in this example, and a pin portion 13 intended to engage with the upper sliding rail 5 in order to slidingly lock the roller element to the same. The profile or sliding rail hereby provide a sliding or rolling track for the roller element, whereby the hook portion of the protective means engages with the profile or sliding rail so that the roller element cannot be lifted off the same. The protective means thus forms a casing or enclosure for the sliding element which may move along the sliding rail along with the sliding element.
Figs. 7 and 8 show the lower sliding element 14, which provides a guiding means. The lower sliding element is intended to run along the foot list 4, which comprises a slide rail. In practice the foot list is made of or comprises a profile 17, whereby the profile functions as a sliding rail. The configuration of the profile and sliding elements for said purpose is within the knowledge of a person skilled in the art and is therefore not explained in detail in this context, except for the profile 17 shown by way of example in Fig. 7. The lower sliding element 14 comprises a support portion 15, which is fastened to the sliding door and a pin portion 16, which is intended to slidingly engage with the foot list 4, i.e. with the profile 17 arranged at the foot list 4. The opposite lower corner area of the sliding door 6 may be furnished with a corresponding guiding means, if necessary.
Above the invention has been disclosed in connection with a specific shower installation. The invention may however be applied to other installations as well, for example sliding doors or sliding walls for bath tubs, closets, balconies or the like. The placing of the sliding elements and the thereto attached protective means may be chosen according to demand.
The drawings and the thereto adhering specification are only intended for clarifying the inventive concept. With regard to details, for example configuration of sliding rails, sliding elements, protective means and materials for the manufacturing of the same, etc., the invention may vary within the scope of the claims.

Claims

A sliding mechanism means for a sliding door (6) or the like, which sliding mechanism means comprises sliding elements (7,14) arranged for movement along a sliding rail (4,5) or the like, characterised in that at least one of the sliding elements (7) is provided with dismountable protective means (10), which is arranged to substantially enclose the sliding element and to slidingly engage with the sliding rail (5).
Means according to claim 1, characterised by two sliding elements (7) provided at the upper edge of the sliding door (6) and by one sliding element (14) provided at the lower edge of the sliding door (6), in that the two upper sliding elements comprise roller elements (8,9), which are arranged for movement along an upper sliding rail (5), and in that each of the upper sliding elements (7) comprises a protective means (10).
Means according to claim 2, characterised in that the protective means (10) comprise two substantially symmetrical parts (11), which are arranged to be mounted on the sliding element (7) from opposite sides of the same, and in that the protective means (10) comprise a cover portion (12) arranged to substantially enclose the sliding element (7) and a hook portion (13) arranged to slidingly lock the sliding element to the upper sliding rail (5).
Means according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the sliding door (6) is provided at a shower installation (1), for example a shower cabinet or the like, and that the lower sliding element (14) provides a guiding means arranged to engage with a lower sliding rail (4).
Means according to claim 4, characterised in that the lower sliding element (14) comprises a supporting portion (15) intended to be fastened to the sliding door (6) and a pin portion (16) intended to slidingly engage with the lower sliding rail (4).
Means according to claim 4, characterised by a second lower sliding element providing a second guiding means arranged to engage with the lower sliding rail.
Means according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the sliding elements (7,14) are arranged substantially at the corner areas of the sliding door (6).
Means according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the sliding rails (4,5) are of metal or corresponding material.
Means according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the sliding elements (7,14) and the protective means substantially are of plastic or corresponding material.