EP2402534B1

EP2402534B1 - Wall lower guide device for sliding door

Info

Publication number: EP2402534B1
Application number: EP11171446.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Carlo Fabris
Original assignee: IK-INTERKLIMAT SpA
Current assignee: IK-INTERKLIMAT SpA
Priority date: 2010-06-29
Filing date: 2011-06-27
Publication date: 2018-04-11
Anticipated expiration: 2031-06-27
Also published as: ITMI20101178A1; IT1401674B1; EP2402534A1

Description

The present invention relates to combination of a wall guide device for a sliding door and of such a door, in accordance with the introduction to the main claim.
A sliding door is known to be used for many applications, such as closures for apertures in walls of common environments (dwellings), of sterile environments (such as those in hospitals, laboratories or the like) or of environments at controlled temperature and/or atmosphere, such as cold-storage rooms. Such doors generally comprise a body with opposing flat surfaces defining an (inner) first face of the door which moves frontally to the wall and an outer second face distant from the wall, lateral faces connecting this first and second surface or face together, and a top side and bottom side which move along a plane or floor extending upwards from which there is the wall provided with the access aperture to said environment. Along the edges of the inner first surface of the door a seal element is usually present which, when the door is closed, rests against the wall in proximity to the aperture, to thus form a seal along the edge thereof. The door generally moves along an upper guide (positioned to correspond with the upper side of the door) fixed to the wall or to an upper surface (ceiling) parallel to the floor, and along a lower guide which can be associated with the wall, more or less close to the floor. Alternatively, the lower guide can be a guide associated with the floor.
In the case of a guide fixed to the wall, the door is coupled to this lower guide by a pin, possibly associated with a bracket projecting from the body of the door and slidable within the guide itself. This latter also presents in proximity to the aperture a terminal portion curved towards the wall and inclined to the floor, to guide the door during closure onto the aperture and to withdraw it therefrom during opening. During closure, any seal element is hermetically pressed against the wall. These movements (closure and opening) are always obtained by moving the door parallel to itself, towards the door.
A terminal guide element associated with the floor or wall finally carries the door into its closure position against the wall and onto the aperture of this latter.
These known lower guide arrangements present various drawbacks. With regard to the wall lower guide, the need to provide the curved terminal part leads to a very bulky guide. Moreover the wall guide can be used only in combination with a door counter-frame of adequate thickness, greater than or at least equal to that of the guide provided with the terminal portion (which is situated at the counter-frame). All this results in a high cost both of the guide and of the door and counter-frame.
The ground lower guide (associated with the floor) has instead the problem of interfering with the movement of trucks which pass through the aperture in the wall, and can collect dirt.
DE25337665 describes a door slidable relative to the plane of a wall, in particular for vehicles; it is connected to a trolley slidable along a guide rigid with this wall via a double acting hinge member. This hinge member comprises a first part fixed to the door at one end and hinged at a second end to a second part connected by an independent hinge to the trolley. This hinge member is therefore unable to rotate about the point at which it is fixed to the door.
It follows that the movement involved in withdrawing this latter from the wall, when closed on itself, is achieved by a rotation about a point (that connecting the first and the second part of the hinge member) which is distant from the door. It follows that during opening, the door can slide along the wall on separating it therefrom.
This movement can however create problems if the door supports perimetral seal elements, because these can undergo damage during their sliding on the adjacent wall.
Moreover the hinge member of the prior patent comprises a spring disposed within it to assume a position lying in the plane containing the two hinges of this member connecting its parts, when the door is closed onto the wall. This spring is of considerable size, which affects the size of the hinge member.
DE2218678 describes a sliding door system in which two doors are mounted on parallel guide tracks. A first of these doors can move along only one track, while the second can pass from one track to the other by a mechanism comprising a pair of arms supporting the door and each hinged at a first end to this latter and at a second end to a support element slidable along one of these tracks. This is provided in union with each arm, and is connected to the support element.
Because of the presence of the spring on the outside of each arm, the mechanism of the prior patent has large overall dimensions. Moreover the presence of the spring on the outside of each arm implies rotations of the second door, movable from one track to the other, which can lead to relative slippage between it and the first door slidable along only one track, in particular because the first door could possibly move along this latter track. This slippage can damage any seal elements positioned on a perimeter of one or the other door.
GB 738,486 relates to a support for a door or window for example a door of a vehicle; it comprises in combination an arm hinged to the framing of the door aperture, a member pivotally carried at the free end of the arm, a guide secured to the door and slidably mounted on the member and an intermediate member carrying anti-friction member and located between the member and the guide. According to this patent, the door may be disengaged partly or completely by pivotal movement of the arm and then moved clear of the door aperture by displacement of the guide relative to the member. The door is mounted on the bodywork of the vehicle by upper and lower supporting means each comprising a bracket housed in a recess in a post. The bracket carries rotatably a hinge pin to which is fixed the arm provided with a pin. The pin carries a rotatably-mounted boss secured to the channel-shaped member. The guide is slidably mounted on the member with the interposition of the members and balls. The guide is fixed to the inner face of the car door. The hinge pins are connected by a tube on which is mounted a helical spring so that it acts to urge the door when unlatched away from the framing of the door opening. The door can then be slid to one side so that the door opening is completely unobstructed.
Means may be provided at the bottom of the door to prevent undue swinging movement about the pins when the door is disengaged from the opening, such means comprising a bracket fixed to the door and carrying an arm connected to a plate with three rollers slidably engaging a guide member.
An object of the present invention is to provide a combination of a lower guide device of the wall type for a sliding door and of such a door, which represents an improvement over existing similar combination.
A particular object of the combination is to provide a small-dimension device of the aforesaid type which can be adapted to different door dimensions and sizes.
Another object is to provide a combination of the aforesaid type which can be used on apertures which are not provided with a counter-frame for the sliding door, said combination hence being universally usable independently of the type of construction of the wall (and aperture) along which the door slides.
Another object is to provide a combination of the aforesaid type which enables the door to be withdrawn while being opened and during sliding, to a distance sufficient to prevent its inner first surface, or the seal element carried by it, from rubbing against the wall, to prevent damage to this surface or wear to said element.
A further object is to provide a combination of the stated type which ensures hermetic closure of the wall aperture.
A further object is to provide a combination of the stated type which is of adjustable assembly and use, to ensure simple utilization on every type of door and/or seal element.
These and other objects which will be apparent to the expert of the art are attained by a combination of a wall-type guide device and of a sliding door in accordance with the accompanying claims.
The present invention will be more apparent from the accompanying drawings, which are provided by way of non-limiting example and in which:

Figure 1 is a view of a device according to the invention seen from above;
Figure 2 is a front view of the device of Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a view from above of the device of Figure 1 applied to a sliding door shown in its open position;
Figure 4 shows a sliding door similar to that of Figure 3, but with the door closed; and
Figure 5 is a section through a sliding door on the line 5-5 of Figure 3.

With reference to said figures, a device of a combination according to the invention is indicated overall by 1 and is arranged to slidably secure a door 2 to a guide or wall lower guide element 3 associated with a wall 4 provided with an aperture 5 to be closed by said sliding door 2.
This latter comprises a body 8 having an inner first surface or face 9 facing the wall 4 and an outer surface or face 10 opposing the first. The body 8 comprises vertical opposing lateral faces connecting the surfaces 9 and 10 together (only the face 11 is shown in the figures), an upper side and a lower side (neither shown), this latter being close to a surface or floor (also not shown) along which the door slides. In the embodiment shown in the figures, a seal element or gasket 13 of known type is associated with the inner surface 9 to sealedly close the aperture 5 (by deformedly resting on the wall 4) when the door is closed thereonto.
The guide 3 comprises a body 3K of small thickness substantially close to the diameter of a pin 15 of the device 1 which is movable (slidingly and about its longitudinal axis) within a guide recess 16 closed at a free end 17 of the guide by a closure piece 18. The pin 15 can rotate within the guide 3 as will be described and as is apparent from Figure 4.
The guide 3 is fixed to the wall 4 in known manner, for example by as screw or similar threaded piece 20.
The device 1 comprises a connection member 21 to connect the door 2 to the wall 4. In a preferred embodiment of the invention shown in the figures, this member 21 comprises an L-shaped body 22 presenting a first and second free end 23 and 24. The first end 23 is fixed to the pin 15, while a pin 26 is fixed to the other (second) end to rotatably connect the member 21 to the door 2. The pin 26 is rigid with a support 27 presenting a flat portion 28 to be adjustably fixed, for example by screws 29 inserted through elongated holes 60 perpendicular to the longitudinal plane of the door, to the lateral face 11 of the door 2; from the portion 28 two parallel spaced elements 30 and 31 project, provided with coaxial holes 33 and 34 (containing members such as bearings or antifriction bushes) into which corresponding opposing ends 26A and 26B of the pin 26 are inserted. Said ends are axially locked in these holes by known restraining means, such as split rings or the like 35.
More particularly, the pin 26 is fixed in known manner to the second end 24 of the body 22. This end pertains to a first portion 22A of said body fixed adjustably to a second portion 22B of the body presenting the first end of this latter to which the pin 15is connected. These first and second portions are connected together in an adjustable manner. The adjustment is achieved by providing in one of said portions (for example the second 22B) slots or elongated through holes 39 through which screws 40 are inserted into corresponding holes in the other portion (for example the first portion 22A), these screws being locked by nuts 41 (or by a plate with threaded holes) to hence clamp said portions one against the other. By relatively moving the screws 40 within the slots 39 the distance of the first portion 22A from the end 23 of the body 22 can be varied, hence varying the distance of the door 2 (rigid with this first portion 22A) from the wall 4 (to which the second portion 22B is secured by the pin 15 in the guide 3).
To facilitate detachment of the door 2 from the wall 4 (towards which it is usually deviated during its sliding by a usual guide element on the floor), at least one elastic return element is provided about the pin 26. In the example, this return element is defined by a pair of spiral springs 45, 46 disposed about the pin 26 in proximity to its opposing ends 26A, 26B. Each spring 45, 46 comprises a first end 49 resting against the portion 28 of the support 27 and a second end 50 positioned along the second end 24 of the body 22. These springs facilitate detachment of the door 2 from the wall 4 (the door being knowingly heavy).
In fact, if the user moves the door slightly away from the wall 4, the springs 45 and 46 urge it open, without force by the user. It should be noted that the second portion 22B of the body 22 presents a travel stop 53 at its end 24 to block further door opening when in a position, parallel to the closed position (attained by a movement which maintains the door always parallel to itself), at a predetermined distance from the wall 4.
This opening is obtained by virtue of the rotation of the pins 15 and 26 respectively within the guide 3 and in the holes 33 and 34, as can be appreciated from the different positions assumed by the end 23 and the end 24 of the member 21 in Figures 3 and 4. This rotation brings said member from a position with the end 23 disposed in a plane inclined to the wall 5 to a position in which this end lies in a plane perpendicular to said wall, positions attained by said rotations of the pins 15 and 26.
According to another variant, instead of two springs a single elastic element can be used, for example a single spiral spring positioned about the pin 26 or another type of spring disposed between the body 22 and the door.
By virtue of the invention, a wall lower guide device for a sliding door is obtained which is of very small overall dimensions compared with known guides, and is of easy and universal assembly (in this respect, the door does not require a backing frame on the wall). The invention also enables amplification of the door movement relative to the wall, and allows easy adjustment of its open and closed position relative to be wall.
Various embodiments of the invention have been described. Others are possible in the light of the preceding description and are to be considered as falling within the scope of the ensuing claims.

Claims

A combination of a wall lower guide device for a sliding door (2) and of a door moving along said guide, the door comprising a body (8) having an inner first surface or face (9) movable frontally to a wall (4) to which the guide is associated, opposing lateral faces (11) connecting said first surface (9) to an outer second surface or face (10) of the door (2), an upper side, and a lower side which is movable over a plane or floor from which said wall (4) rises and over which the door (2) slides, a guide element (3) of the wall lower guide device being positioned in proximity to said plane and along said wall (4) to guide the movement of said door (2) along said wall (4), in this latter there being provided an aperture (5) to be closed by said door (2), said wall lower guide device comprising a connection member (21), said connection member (21) comprising a L-shaped body (22) presenting a first free end (23) and a second free end (24), said ends (23, 24) being fixed to corresponding first and second pins (15, 26), the first pin (15) being respectively movable slidingly and rotatingly within the guide element (3) and the second pin (26) being hinged to the door (2), said connection member (21) guiding the door (2) directly along the guide element (3) and parallel to itself towards the wall (4) when the door (2) is in a position corresponding with said aperture (5) such as to close it, elastic return means (45, 46) being provided to facilitate detachment of the door (2) from the wall (4) and to maintain it detached therefrom, said elastic return means (45, 46) being associated with said connection member (21), said elastic return means being at least one spiral spring, preferably two spiral springs (45, 46), disposed about said second pin (26), for the second pin (26) a support (27) associated with the door being provided, said support (27) presenting a portion (28) adjustably fixed to one (11) of the lateral faces of the door (2), the body (22) of said connection member (21) comprising a first and a second portion (22A, 22B) connected together, the first portion (22A) having the second end (24) of the connection member (21) carrying the second pin (26), the second portion (22B) having the first end (23) of the connection member (21) carrying the first pin (15), the first portion (22A) being close to the door, the second portion (22B) being close to the wall (4), said first and second portions (22A, 22B) being connected together in an adjustable manner, the inner first surface or face (9) of the door (2) supporting a seal element or gasket (13) arranged to sealedly close the aperture (5) when the door (2) is closed thereonto, each elastic return means (45, 46) having a first end (49) resting against the support (27) for said second pin (26) and a second end (50) positioned along the second end (24) of the body (22) of said connection member (21), at least one and preferably two projections (30, 31) jutting from the portion (28) of the support (27) and adapted to support the second pin (26) being provided, said projections presenting coaxial holes (33, 34) to receive corresponding ends (26A, 26B) of the second pin (26), said ends being axially locked in these holes (33, 34), said first and second portions (22A, 22B) of the connection member body (22) being coupled together by screws (40) and corresponding nuts (41) or a corresponding plate with threaded holes, said screws (40) being inserted through elongated holes or slots (39) provided in one (22B) of said first and second portions (22A, 22B), said screws (40) being inserted into corresponding holes of the other (22A) of said portions, said engagement enabling said portions (22A, 22B) to undergo relative movement and enabling the distance of the first portion (22A) from the wall (4), and hence of the door (2) from this latter, to be varied.