EP1770236B1 - Sliding door assembly and corresponding truck - Google Patents

Abstract

The assembly has a door guide rail (6) guiding a door (5) between a closed position and an open position of an enclosure. The rail is supported by connecting rods (7A, 7B) superposed in C shape for forming a connection between the rail and a vertical rod (9). The rail is telescopic and mounted on a support frame. The guide rail has an end connected to an end of the connecting rod (7A) in a rotating manner. The rod (7A) has another end mounted on the rod (9) in a rotative and sliding manner, where the rod (9) is perpendicular to the rail.

Description

The present invention relates to a sliding door assembly of the type described in the preamble of claim 1.

Such assemblies can be applied in particular to truck bodies or containers.

Sliding door assemblies commonly used are mounted on two fixed rails, one integral with the ceiling of the enclosure, the other integral with the floor of the enclosure. Generally, a third rail mounted on the outer wall of the enclosure serves to guide a roller mounted on the inner face of the door.

However, such devices have the disadvantage of a strong design and positioning constraint. Indeed, such a door, on a truck, can not be mounted in the vicinity of the wheel well. Similarly, the height of the door is imposed since the rails are provided on the truck structure, one to the ceiling of the enclosure and the other to the floor. In addition, the third rail mounted on the outer wall of the enclosure is unsightly and further increases the complexity of mounting a door on a speaker.

The document GB-A-2,298,445 discloses a sliding door assembly according to the preamble of claim 1, and provides a solution of the aforementioned type, which allows a more adaptable sizing and positioning. The door is thus opened first by rotation about the axis of rotation and then by sliding along the axis of the telescopic slide.

However, the door is not designed or adapted to be open from the outside.

The invention aims to fill this gap.

To this end, the subject of the invention is a sliding door assembly of the aforementioned type, characterized by the characterizing part of claim 1.

Other features of the invention are described in claims 2 to 10.

The invention also relates to a truck as described in claim 11.

• la figure 1 est une vue de l'intérieur en perspective d'un ensemble à porte coulissante suivant un exemple de l'invention, en position de début d'ouverture de la porte ;
• la figure 2 est une vue correspondante de l'extérieur de l'ensemble ;
• la figure 3 est une vue de face de l'intérieur de l'ensemble en position d'ouverture de la porte ;
• la figure 4 est une vue de dessus de l'objet de la figure 3 ;
• les figures 5 et 6 sont des vues en coupe selon respectivement les plans V-V et VI-VI de la figure 4 ;
• la figure 7 est une vue de l'extérieur en perspective du montage de la glissière côté fermeture ;
• la figure 8 est une vue de détail de la glissière en perspective ;
• les figures 9 et 10 sont des vues de détail de l'encadrement de support ;
• la figure 11 représente un détail de la partie inférieure de l'ensemble ;
• les figures 12 et 13 sont des vues schématiques de dessus de l'ensemble, respectivement en positions de fermeture et de début d'ouverture et en position d'ouverture de la porte ; et
• les figures 14 et 15 sont des vues schématiques de dessous de l'ensemble, respectivement en positions de fermeture et de début d'ouverture et en position d'ouverture de la porte.

The invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows, given solely by way of example and with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

• the figure 1 is a view from the inside in perspective of a sliding door assembly according to an example of the invention, in the opening position of the opening of the door;
• the figure 2 is a corresponding view of the outside of the set;
• the figure 3 is a front view of the inside of the assembly in the open position of the door;
• the figure 4 is a top view of the object of the figure 3 ;
• the Figures 5 and 6 are cross-sectional views respectively of plans VV and VI-VI of the figure 4 ;
• the figure 7 is a view from the outside in perspective of the mounting of the closure side slide;
• the figure 8 is a detail view of the slide in perspective;
• the Figures 9 and 10 are detail views of the support frame;
• the figure 11 represents a detail of the lower part of the set;
• the Figures 12 and 13 are schematic views from above of the assembly, respectively in the closed positions and the beginning of opening and in the open position of the door; and
• the Figures 14 and 15 are schematic views of the bottom of the assembly, respectively in the closed positions and the beginning of opening and in the open position of the door.

The sliding door assembly 1 shown in the drawings is intended to equip a rectangular support frame 2 integrated in a vertical wall 3 ( Figures 12 to 15 ) an enclosure, for example a truck. The wall 3 defines an inner side and an outer side with reference to the enclosure.

The assembly 1 essentially comprises a rigid frame 4 on which is mounted a sliding door 5 carried by a slide 6 horizontally upper telescopic. This slide is itself carried by two rods 7A and 7B superimposed C-shaped, forming a connection between the slide 6 and a vertical rod 9 mounted vertically in a jamb of the frame 4.

The rod 9 defines the opening side, the opposite side being the closing side, with reference to the movements of the door.

The slide 6 is also rotatably and slidably mounted on the frame 4 by its end closing side.

At the bottom of the door 5 ( Figures 14 and 15 ), a connecting rod 11 similar to the rods 7A and 7B forms a connection between the door and the vertical rod 9. More specifically, a lower rail 13 fixed horizontally to the back of the door slides on a roller 15 secured to the end of the connecting rod 11 The rail 13 is equipped with a disengageable lock 17 ( figure 11 ).

As shown in figure 3 , the frame 4 is a rigid rectangular frame formed of four pieces welded together. Each piece of the frame has a U-section ( Figures 9 and 10 ) adapted to cooperate with the management. The outer wing 18 of the U is longer than its inner wing 19, to allow insertion of the sliding door assembly in the frame. Fixing is then performed by screws inserted in holes 20 provided in the wings 18.

As we see on the figures 5 and 8 , the slideway 6 essentially consists of a rail 21 fixed to the door 5, a rail 22 fixed to a holding U 23, and an intermediate I-beam 25 slidably mounted between the rails 21 and 22, cooperating with them by ball bearings 27. The U 23 is provided, on the opening side, with two lugs 28 articulated each on the end of the connecting rod 7A, 7B corresponding.

As we see on the Figures 6 and 7 , closing side, the frame 4 carries a horizontal pin 29 on which is fixed a vertical pivot axis 31. On this axis is rotatably mounted a sliding pad 32 consisting of a polyethylene block. The pad 32 has a cross-section of that of the holding U 23 and sliding the latter.

We will now describe the operation of the set 1 by considering the schematic views of Figures 12 to 15 .

The figure 12 shows the retracted and deployed positions of the slideway 6, authorized by the movement of the rods 7A and 7B, and an intermediate position. The slide 6 is rotatably and slidably mounted at its end on the closing side, on the axis of rotation 31, which is situated slightly inward with respect to the general plane of the frame. The end of the slide 6, opening side, is articulated at one end 33 of each rod 7A and 7B, whose other end is mounted on the vertical rod 9.

To open the door 5, an external handle 34 thereof is actuated close to the vertical edge on the opening side of the door ( figure 2 ). This pulls outward the door opening side 5. This action pivots the three connecting rods 7A, 7B and 11, so that the opening end of the slide 6 comes out of the frame 4. At the same time, the skid 32 is slightly pivoted and slid on the axis 31. The door 5 is then free to slide.

The figure 13 shows, in the deployed position, the telescopic slide 6 in the open door position, in maximum extension. The door 5 then completely releases the opening of the frame 2, and forms, like the slide, a small angle α with the wall 3. By pushing on the door (arrow F), one can rotate a little more rods 7A, 7B and 11 in the same direction and substantially close the door 5 against the wall 3, as shown schematically by a dashed line.

As shown on the figure 14 at the bottom, the lower rail 13 carries at its end on the closing side a closing bolt 35 which, in the retracted position of the slideway 6, cooperates with a locking striker 37 fixed to the frame.

The movements described above are allowed by the C-shaped rods 7A, 7B and 11 and the rotational and sliding of the slide 6 on the axis 31.

As shown in figure 11 , the disengageable latch 17 is mounted on the rail 13 by a fitting 39. The latch 17 is movable about a horizontal axis of rotation 41 and latches in the deployed position of the slideway 6 and when the door 5 is fully open behind the roller 15 of the lower link 11.

Thus, with the device used according to the invention, the opening of the door is done in two stages: in a first step, the opening side of the door 5 is out of the frame 2 by a rotational movement of the three rods 7A, 7B and 11 around the axis of the rod 9. In a second step, the door 5 slides along the telescopic slide 6 which supports it, guided on the roller 15 by the lower rail 13. Once open, the door 5 can be folded against the wall 3 to obtain a minimum footprint. In this position, the door 5 is brought as close as possible to the wall 3 and completely releases the support frame 2. It is locked in the open position by the anti-lock latch 17, to prevent the door 5 from sliding towards its position. closing, for example in a situation of a sloping truck door ( figure 11 ).

To close the door 5, the latch 17 is released, the door 5 is slid by retracting the slideway 6, and the door opening side is pushed towards the enclosure 3. This action pivots the rods 7A, 7B and 11 and brings the slide 6 in the retracted position and the door 5 in the general plane of the frame 4.

It is understood that a device according to the invention allows a dimensioning and positioning of the door adaptable, since the dimensions of the assembly are not determined by the structure of the enclosure, and that the sliding system on a slide allows to move the door over obstacles, such as a wheel well.

A device according to the invention also provides a more aesthetic solution for mounting a sliding door on an enclosure, without visible rail on the outer wall of the enclosure in the closed position of the door.

Alternatively, the support slide 6 can be mounted in the low position and the rail 13 in the high position. In this case, the door 5 is supported on the slideway 6.

It is understood that the assembly described above can be adapted to a door located in a general non-vertical plane.

Claims (10)

1. Sliding door assembly (1), of the type comprising a door frame (4) and a guiding slide (6) for guiding the door between a position closing an enclosure and a position opening this enclosure, the guiding slide being telescopic and mounted on the door frame which is adapted to be mounted on a support framework (2) defining the enclosure, a first end of the guiding slide (6) being situated on the open side of the door and considered in the closed position of the door, being adapted to be moved between a position concealed inside the enclosure and a first deployed position outside the enclosure in which the door (5) may be moved between the said closed and open positions, the second end of the guiding slide, opposite the said first end, being articulated on a fixed axis of rotation (31) perpendicular to the guiding slide (6), and situated inside with respect to the general plane of the framework (2), characterised in that, to achieve the said first deployed position, the said first end of the slide is articulated solely rotatably on an end (33) of a rod (7A) whose other end is mounted on a shaft (9) fixed with respect to the door frame (4) and perpendicular to the guiding slide (6), and in that the articulation provided on the second end of the guiding slide is rotatable and slidable on the said fixed axis of rotation (31).
2. Sliding door assembly according to claim 1, characterised in that the door (5) is mounted on a door frame (4), adapted to be inserted in the support framework (2).
3. Sliding door assembly according to claim 2, characterised in that the door frame (4) is made in one piece and is asymmetric with respect to the general plane of the support framework (2).
4. Sliding door assembly according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the rod (7A) is adapted to allow by a rotational movement a second deployed position of the slide (6) in which the angle (α) formed between the slide and the general plane of the framework (2) is reduced with respect to the angle formed in the said first deployed position.
5. Sliding door assembly according to claim 4, characterised in that the rod (7) is generally C-shaped.
6. Sliding door assembly according to any preceding claim, characterised in that a runner (32) mounted on the said second end of the slide is adapted to transmit forces from the slide (6) to the axis of rotation (31).
7. Sliding door assembly according to any preceding claim, characterised in that it comprises a guide rail (13) mounted on the door (5) inside the enclosure, and sliding on a roller (15) adapted to be connected to the framework (2).
8. Sliding door assembly according to claim 7, characterised in that the roller (15) is carried by a second rod (11) mounted on the said shaft (9).
9. Sliding door assembly according to claim 7 or 8, characterised in that a releasable blocking means (17) mounted on the guide rail (13) is adapted to engage the roller (15) in the open position of the door (5).
10. A truck, characterised in that it includes a structure carrying an enclosure, an entrance defined in a partition (3) of the enclosure by a support framework (2), and a sliding door assembly (1, 5) according to claim 2 or any of claims 3 to 9 taken together with claim 2, the door frame (4) being inserted and fixed in the support framework (2).

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