EP3219892B1 - Rolling device for sliding panel - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is in the field of movable panels, particularly sliding panels, in particular for constituting closet doors. More particularly, the invention relates to a rolling device intended to be fixed at the bottom of a panel to allow its movement on the ground, and a panel equipped with such a device. The invention also relates to a closet equipped with such a panel by constituting a sliding door, and a method of installing a panel as a closet door, using a rolling device according to the invention.

STATE OF THE ART

The panels intended to constitute sliding doors of cupboards are manufactured industrially, in series or on measure. The theoretical dimensions and actual dimensions of these panels are not always exactly the same. The same is true of the dimensions of closet openings. These manufacturing inaccuracies lead to a need for precise height adjustment with respect to the floor of the cabinet doors, on site, during their installation.

In addition, most sliding panels used for home furnishings are equipped in the lower part of so-called rolling devices, comprising rolling means, such as wheels, intended to move on the ground, usually in a rail, while the part The top of the panels must be inserted in a profile fixed against the upper face of the cupboard, and intended to keep the panels in place in a vertical plane. In this configuration, if necessary to adjust the height of the panel relative to the ground surface, is added the need to allow the insertion of the panel into the profile in the upper part of the cupboard, and the rolling means in the ground rail .

For this purpose, it has been proposed by the prior art to fix the rolling devices on the panel in place after placing the panel in its operative position, in particular after having inserted its upper part inside the upper profile. This solution is however not practical, because it requires maintaining the panel at the right height relative to the ground while fixing the rolling devices, the operation in front of the vast majority of cases to be carried out in a cramped place and flush with floor, possibly inside a closet, this posing problems of accessibility. In addition, it is very tedious to disassemble and reassemble a sliding panel thus adjusted. It is also more convenient to fix the rolling device to the panel at the factory during its manufacture.

It has thus been proposed by the prior art to configure the rolling device in two elements, one element being fixed on the lower part of the panel, the other element being connected to the rolling means, these two elements being connected to each other. other by means of adjusting the vertical spacing between them, so that the vertical spacing between the rolling means and the panel is modifiable under the effect of a vertical axis torque exerted on the rolling device. Thus, it is possible to increase or decrease the height of a closet door relative to the ground, when the rolling means of the device rest on the ground, exerting a torque on the rolling means with the aid of a tool adapted as a screwdriver. This also makes it possible, for the installation of the panel, to retract the rolling means upwards in order to be able to insert the panel into the profile, then to deploy these rolling means downwards so that they take up position in the rail, in support on the floor of the cupboard so that the panel can slide. But for aesthetic reasons, the rolling means are always fixed against the inner face of the panels, that is to say the face located inside the cupboards. And operating a tool along a panel in a place as tight as the interior of a closet can be very complicated, if not quite impossible, for example when the closet is cluttered, it has shelves, and moreover, when it is dark or small, and only one arm can be entered to blindly adjust the height of the panel to the ground.

It has also been proposed by the prior art, in particular in the patent application CN 103 643 849 A , rolling devices inserted in the thickness of the panel, for which the adjustment of the vertical spacing between an element fixed in the lower part of the panel and a element linked to the rolling means can be effected from the outside of the cabinet, by exerting a pair along an axis perpendicular to the plane of the panel. This solution has the drawbacks of being as inelegant as it is expensive in terms of manufacture, since it is necessary to smash the bottom of the panel to insert the rolling devices, which are then visible to the user from outside the closet. In the case of a glass panel, the routing operation is even more complicated and expensive.

The demand FR 2 485 074 A1 discloses the features of the preamble of claim 1 and discloses a rolling door rolling device comprising rolling means attached to the surface of a panel, at the bottom of the latter, via a plate, and means for adjusting the vertical spacing between said plate and the rolling means by exerting a torque along an axis.

The demand JP 2002 070404 A discloses a rolling device inserted in the thickness of a panel, similar to the arrangement disclosed in the application CN 103 643 849 A but for a rolling means arranged in the upper part of the panel, the adjustment of the vertical spacing being effected between an element fixed in the upper part of the panel and an element connected to the rolling means, exerting a torque along an axis.

The present invention aims to overcome the disadvantages of the solutions proposed by the prior art for adjusting the height of the sliding panels with respect to the ground, by proposing a rolling device, intended to equip the panels, which allows to easily adjust, simply and quickly the vertical spacing between the panel and the ground surface.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

• un premier élément dit élément statique comportant des moyens pour sa fixation audit panneau,
• un deuxième élément dit élément ajustable comportant des moyens roulants adaptés à se déplacer dans un plan dit horizontal XY, l'élément ajustable étant apte à se translater le long, notamment à l'intérieur, de l'élément statique suivant un axe dit vertical Z orthogonal au plan XY,
• des moyens de réglage de l'espacement suivant l'axe vertical Z entre l'élément ajustable et l'élément statique, lesdits moyens de réglage étant aptes à, c'est-à-dire configurés pour, modifier cet espacement sous l'effet d'un couple leur étant exercé suivant ledit axe vertical Z,

To this end, the invention relates first of all to a rolling device intended to be fixed in the lower part of a panel to allow it to move on the ground, comprising:

• a first element said static element comprising means for its attachment to said panel,
• a second element said adjustable element comprising rolling means adapted to move in a so-called horizontal plane XY, the adjustable element being able to translate along, especially inside, the static element along a so-called vertical axis Z orthogonal to the XY plane,
• means for adjusting the spacing along the vertical axis Z between the adjustable element and the static element, said adjustment means being adapted to, that is to say, configured to modify this spacing under the effect a torque being exerted along said vertical axis Z,

The device comprises a face, referred to as the rear face, registering generally in a plane parallel to the XZ plane, the means for fixing the static element to the panel being configured to fix said static element to the panel in a position in which said face back is opposite the panel, and preferably against the panel.

Said device further comprises an angular gear member adapted to, that is, configured to convert a torque being exerted thereto along a so-called transmission axis T forming an angle between 10 ° and 90 ° with said vertical axis Z in a pair of vertical axis Z exerted on said adjustment means, the transmission axis T not being perpendicular to the XZ plane.

Panel means a plate, which can be made of wood, glass, plastic, a metal material or any other material, and intended in particular to constitute a door, in particular a closet door.

The XZ plane will be referred to in this description as the "XZ vertical plane".

The rear face of the device is defined in the present description as the face of the static element which is intended to be positioned vis-à-vis the panel, preferably fixed against the panel, in an operative position of the device. In the majority of configurations of the device, it is the face which comprises the fixing means of the static element to the panel. In all cases, when these fixing means are implemented, this rear face is opposite the panel, and preferably against the panel. The rear face of the device belongs in particular to the static element.

Is meant by the fact that the rear face of the device is generally in a plane parallel to the XZ plane, that this rear face is entirely in this plane, or, when this face is not flat, that some of its zones, in particular the most protuberant zones which it comprises (which are intended to be applied against the panel in particular embodiments of the device according to the invention), define such a plane, other zones of this face can then be out of this plane.

In general, when the device is attached to the panel, the vertical plane XZ is substantially parallel to the plane of the panel.

By having means for attachment to the panel, it is meant that the static element comprises a portion adapted to be rigidly fixed to said panel by screws or any other conventional fastening means in itself, and to withstand the forces due to the weight and the movements of the panel. These means may consist of one or more parts of the static element, perforated or not, which can be glued, screwed, bolted or fixed by another fastening means on the panel. These parts may be adapted to be fixed against the lower part of one of the faces of the panel, and / or on its lower edge.

By rolling means is meant means adapted to allow movement in a plane defined in the present description as the horizontal plane XY. These means can consist of a wheel or roulette in rotation around a fixed axis relative to the adjustable element, in a wheel or caster in rotation relative to an axis being fixed in a movable arm relative to the adjustable element, in a ball without a fixed axis of rotation, further includes in the term "rolling means" means capable of allowing a displacement other than rolling, for example by sliding, such as pads allowing movement on the ground without rolling. The rolling means can be adapted to roll along a single horizontal axis X, in a rail or not, or to allow movement in several directions or all directions of the horizontal plane XY, this plane being defined in all cases by the lower range rolling means. Moreover, the rolling means are preferably arranged at a fixed height relative to the body of the adjustable element.

By vertical spacing along the Z axis between the adjustable element and the static element is meant the relative position of one element relative to the other along the vertical axis Z, it being understood that the adjustable element and the static element are always at least partly opposite each other.

Spatial adjustment means means mechanical means capable of keeping the vertical relative position along the Z axis of the adjustable element and of the static element constant with respect to each other when no torque is applied to said adjustment means, and being able to modify this relative position along the Z axis under the effect of a torque being exerted along the vertical axis Z.

By non-perpendicular means that the transmission axis T and the vertical plane XZ form an angle between 0 ° and 80 °.

The device according to the invention has the advantage of allowing to simply adjust the vertical spacing between the panel and the rolling means by the action of a torque being exerted on the rolling device along the transmission axis T, c ' that is to say along an inclined axis with respect to the vertical axis Z, and not perpendicular to the vertical plane XZ. Thus, the device according to the invention makes it possible to adjust the vertical spacing of the adjustable element with respect to the static element along the axis Z, by an action exerted along a transmission axis T different from the axis Z, which advantageously has the effect of facilitating the operations necessary for this adjustment when the device equips a panel mounted in a closet door, in conditions in which access to the adjustment means is difficult according to the vertical axis Z.

In the present description, the term "angle return member" is understood to mean both a member formed in one piece, with different elements always integral with each other, and always operative, than a set of distinct elements which are found in certain conditions in a position relative to each other which is operative to provide the angle transmission, that is to say the transmission of a torque which is exerted on one of these elements following the transmission axis, in a pair of vertical axis Z exerted on the means for adjusting the spacing along the vertical axis Z of the adjustable element and the static element.

According to particular embodiments, the invention also fulfills the following characteristics, implemented separately or in each of their technically operating combinations.

In particular embodiments of the invention, the transmission axis T is parallel to the vertical plane XZ.

By parallel means that the transmission axis T forms with the vertical plane XZ an angle of about 0 degrees, manufacturing tolerances close, for example between 0 ° and 10 °.

In particular embodiments of the invention, the rolling means are configured to allow the translation of the device along the single axis X, and the transmission axis T is not perpendicular to the axis X.

The transmission axis T is then preferably parallel to the axis X, that is to say that it forms with the axis X, in a plane parallel to the plane XY, an angle of about 0 degrees, to manufacturing tolerances close, for example between 0 ° and 10 °.

In a particular advantageous embodiment, said transmission axis T forms an angle of between 45 ° and 90 °, preferably substantially equal to 90 °, with the vertical axis Z. By substantially equal to 90 °, it is understood that Transmission axis T forms with the vertical axis Z an angle of about 90 °, to a few degrees, in particular due to manufacturing inaccuracies, for example 90 ° ± 5 °.

According to the configurations of the cabinet whose panel carrying the rolling device according to the invention is equipped, exerting a torque on the rolling device along a transmission axis T forming an angle of 90 ° with the vertical axis Z may prove much easier than to exert this torque along the vertical axis Z. In particular, this vertical axis Z is parallel to the plane of the panel and is very close when the device is fixed on the face of the panel, so that it is not practical to approach and rotate a tool such as a screwdriver along this vertical axis Z. On the contrary when the rolling device is fixed in a corner of the panel, which is very often the case, the configuration all Advantageously, the device according to the invention makes it possible to carry out the adjustment by means of a tool that can be arranged substantially horizontally, and offset on the side of the panel, thus with more visibility and space to maneuver this tool.

• un premier arbre s'étendant selon ledit axe de transmission T, comportant à une première extrémité longitudinale un premier pignon, et comportant une tête de vis à une deuxième extrémité opposée et/ou à ladite première extrémité, de préférence une tête de vis à ladite première extrémité et une tête de vis à ladite deuxième extrémité,
• un deuxième arbre s'étendant selon l'axe vertical Z, comportant à une première extrémité un deuxième pignon apte à venir en prise avec ledit premier pignon, et dont une deuxième extrémité opposée est adaptée à transmettre du couple d'axe vertical Z auxdits moyens de réglage.

In a particular embodiment, said angular gear member is of the gear type, and comprises:

• a first shaft extending along said transmission axis T, having at a first longitudinal end a first gear, and having a screw head at an opposite second end and / or at said first end, preferably a screw head at said first end; first end and a screw head at said second end,
• a second shaft extending along the vertical axis Z, having at a first end a second pinion capable of coming into engagement with said first pinion, and a second opposite end of which is adapted to transmit torque of vertical axis Z to said means adjustment.

The embodiment of the angular return member according to this embodiment of the invention advantageously constitutes a simple, robust and inexpensive solution. According to the embodiments, the second pinion may be permanently engaged with the first pinion, or be it only under certain conditions, in which the adjustment of the height of the element adjustable with respect to the static element, following the vertical axis Z is then possible.

In a particular embodiment, said first end of the second shaft further comprises a screw head adapted to allow to apply vertical axis Z couples directly on said second shaft.

This embodiment has the advantage of leaving the choice to the person performing the adjustment of the vertical spacing between the adjustable element and the element. statically rolling device: it can do either by applying to the means of adjustment of the device a vertical torque along the Z axis, or by applying to the angular gear member a torque along the transmission axis T. L The operator can thus advantageously apply the torque along the axis which appears to him the most practical according to the particular configuration of the installation.

In a particular embodiment, the second end of the second shaft is integral with said adjustment means, the adjustment means comprising a threaded screw rod being engaged in a fixed threaded hole relative to the adjustable element.

Said threaded orifice may consist of a nut made of a metallic material, or plastic material, or any other suitable material for this purpose. Said tapped hole may otherwise simply consist of a blind tapped hole formed in the mass of the adjustable element, and in which is inserted the screw.

In a particular embodiment, the device further comprises a so-called anti-derailment mechanism, comprising elastic return means exerting on the static element and / or on the adjustable element a force tending to increase the spacing according to the invention. vertical axis Z between the static element and the adjustable element. The device according to the invention is then advantageously configured so that the spacing along the vertical axis Z between the static element and the adjustable element can vary freely around the value set by the adjustment means, between a minimum height vertical deflection and a maximum height of vertical deflection, including when a force is exerted against the elastic return means.

When the rolling device is operatively attached to a sliding panel so that the rolling means rest on the ground, this anti-derailment mechanism advantageously allows to immediately push back to the ground the adjustable element linked to the rolling means to the descent d an obstacle on which the rolling means are passed. This reduces the risk of derailment of the rolling means, in the case where they are arranged to roll in a rail.

In a particular embodiment, the angular return member is connected at least by a part of the elements that make it up to the static element.

In a particular embodiment, the static element comprises a plate formed in a single piece to which is connected the member forming an angle gear, or at least part of the elements that compose it. This plate may in particular have been obtained by folding operations, stamping, drilling.

The device according to the invention according to this embodiment is advantageously robust and inexpensive to manufacture because of simplified production.

According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a panel which is fixed at least one rolling device as described above. The rolling device is preferably attached to the panel in such a manner that the vertical spacing along the Z axis of the adjustable element relative to the static element can be adjusted so that the rolling means can protrude below the lower edge of the panel, so as to be able to rest on the ground without the lower edge of the panel itself touching the ground.

The rolling device is further attached to the panel, by the fixing means, in a position in which its rear face is opposite the panel, and preferably pressed against the panel.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a closet equipped with at least one panel according to the present invention as described above by forming a sliding door, said rolling device being fixed against a face of the panel located inside the door. cupboard.

This configuration has a better aesthetic since the rolling device is thus hidden from view inside the closet.

The invention may advantageously be implemented in the field of sliding closet doors. Indeed, the invention makes it possible to adjust the vertical spacing between the panel and the rolling means of a closet door by using a tool disposed along an axis substantially perpendicular to the vertical axis Z, which is much more convenient when the cupboard is cluttered, has shelves, which is when it is dark or small and can only enter one arm to make the blind adjustment of the height relative to on the floor of the door panels.

• fixation d'au moins un dispositif roulant selon l'invention, répondant à l'une ou plusieurs des caractéristiques ci-avant ou ci-après, contre une face dite interne et en partie basse dudit panneau, la face arrière du dispositif étant notamment disposée en vis-à-vis du panneau, et de préférence contre le panneau,
• mise en place du panneau dans le plan d'ouverture du placard, de sorte que les moyens roulants du dispositif reposent sur la surface du sol du placard, et application d'un couple suivant l'axe de transmission T sur l'organe de renvoi d'angle dudit dispositif roulant de manière à régler l'espacement vertical suivant l'axe Z entre l'élément ajustable et l'élément statique et à placer par là-même le panneau à la hauteur souhaitée au-dessus de la surface du sol du placard.

In another aspect, the invention also relates to a method of installing a panel as a sliding door of a closet, comprising steps of:

• fixing of at least one rolling device according to the invention, responding to one or more of the above characteristics or hereafter, against a so-called internal face and at the bottom of said panel, the rear face of the device being arranged in particular vis-à-vis the panel, and preferably against the panel,
• placing the panel in the closet opening plane, so that the rolling means of the device rest on the floor surface of the cabinet, and applying a torque along the transmission axis T on the return member angle of said rolling device so as to adjust the vertical spacing along the Z axis between the adjustable element and the static element and to thereby place the panel at the desired height above the ground surface cupboard.

The application of the torque may in particular be carried out by inserting a suitable tool, which may be for example a screwdriver, into one of the screw heads of the above-mentioned angle-of-contact member, and then applying a moment of force on this tool so as to transmit a mechanical torque to the screw head.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

• La figure 1 illustre un mode de réalisation particulier d'un dispositif selon l'invention, vu de trois quarts,
• La figure 2 illustre le dispositif de la figure 1, vu suivant l'axe X, d'un côté,
• La figure 3 illustre le dispositif de la figure 1, vu suivant l'axe X, de l'autre côté,
• La figure 4 illustre une porte de placard comportant un panneau sur lequel sont fixés deux dispositifs suivant un mode de réalisation particulier de l'invention,
• La figure 5 illustre l'organe formant renvoi d'angle d'un dispositif selon un mode particulier de réalisation de l'invention,
• La figure 6 illustre un autre mode de réalisation particulier d'un dispositif selon l'invention, comportant un mécanisme dit anti-déraillement.

Other advantages, aims and features of the present invention will emerge from the description which follows, made for explanatory and non-limiting purposes with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

• The figure 1 illustrates a particular embodiment of a device according to the invention, seen from three quarters,
• The figure 2 illustrates the device of the figure 1 , seen along the X axis, on one side,
• The figure 3 illustrates the device of the figure 1 , seen along the X axis, on the other side,
• The figure 4 illustrates a cabinet door having a panel on which are fixed two devices according to a particular embodiment of the invention,
• The figure 5 illustrates the device forming an angle of a device according to a particular embodiment of the invention,
• The figure 6 illustrates another particular embodiment of a device according to the invention, comprising a mechanism called anti-derailment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLES OF THE EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

As of now, we note that the figures are not to scale.

The invention finds its place in the context of movable panels 4, in particular sliding panels 4 which may be intended to constitute closet doors.

A rolling device 1 intended to be fixed at the bottom of a panel 4 to allow its movement on the ground, according to a particular embodiment of the invention, is shown schematically on the figure 1 .

In this embodiment, this device 1 consists of a housing whose rolling means 6 protrude from a so-called lower surface face 101 , which is the face intended to be located facing the ground in the operative position of the device 1, c ' that is to say when it is fixed in the lower part of a panel 4 intended to slide on the ground.

The face of the housing opposite the lower face is said upper face 102 , it corresponds to the face at the top of the housing when the device 1 is in its operative position.

By convention, the device 1 will be defined hereinafter as follows:
When the device 1 is in its operative position, that is to say when it is fixed at the bottom of a panel 4 intended to slide on the ground, the face of the housing being opposite the panel will be said rear face 103. The face opposite the rear face will be said front face 104.

For an observer who would look at the front face 104 of the housing being in its operative position, the face between the front face 104 and the rear face 103, on the left of the housing, will be said left side 105 , and the face between the face before 104 and the rear face 103, on the right of the housing, will be said right face 106.

The device 1 comprises an element called adjustable element 5 . In one embodiment, said adjustable element 5 is mainly in the form of a block of plastic material, for example of substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape.

The adjustable element 5 comprises rolling means 6 adapted to move in a horizontal plane XY.

In one embodiment, the rolling means 6 are configured to allow only the translation of the device 1 in a direction parallel to the axis X and included in the horizontal plane XY. In one embodiment, these rolling means 6 consist of a plastic caster being freely rotatable about an axis of rotation parallel to the horizontal axis Y, said caster being able to translate in a single horizontal direction X perpendicular to said axis Y.

In one embodiment, said wheel is adapted to be placed in a rail to move along the X axis.

In one embodiment, the axis of rotation of the wheel is fixed relative to the adjustable element 5, so the wheel is at a constant position with respect to said adjustable element 5.

The device 1 comprises an element called static element 2 comprising means for its attachment 3 to the panel 4.

The adjustable element 5 is able to translate along the static element 2 along a so-called vertical axis Z orthogonal to the XY plane. It may as well be in contact with the static element 2 by at least a portion of its surface, only slightly spaced. In one embodiment, the static element 2 comprises a plate 14, for example formed of metal material, preferably formed in one piece and extending substantially over its entire height. This plate 14 may in particular have been shaped by cutting, drilling and folding. In one embodiment, the respectively opposite left and right edges 141 of this plate 14 are folded towards the front face of the housing, forming a T-shaped inner section slideway extending along the vertical axis Z, in which is inserted and can slide the adjustable element 5.

The rear face 103 is intended to be fixed against the panel 4. The means for the attachment 3 are preferably configured to allow the attachment of said rear face 103 against the panel 4.

In the particular embodiment shown on the figure 1 , the rear face 103 of the device 1 comprises at least three points coming into contact with the panel 4 when the fastening means 3 are implemented. The plane defined by these three points of the rear face 103 is a plane parallel to the vertical plane XZ, in which the rear face 103 generally falls.

The rear face 103 is generally in a vertical plane XZ, but this does not exclude that it may include hook, opening, roughness, rail, handle, extra thickness, chamfer, groove, tongue, nipple, throat, collar, base, flat, or any other element which slightly differentiates its shape from that of a perfect plane, and which extends out of the global plane in which it is inscribed.

When the device 1 is fixed to the panel 4, the vertical plane XZ is substantially parallel to the plane of the panel 4.

• une patte 301 s'étendant dans le plan horizontal XY, sensiblement au niveau du bord inférieur de ladite plaque 14, sur la face arrière 103 du boîtier ; cette patte 301 constitue un support destiné à être positionné sous la tranche du panneau 4, pour permettre un meilleur positionnement par rapport au panneau 4 du dispositif 1. Cette patte 301 est illustrée sur la figure 3 ,
• deux prolongements gauches 302 de ladite plaque 14, s'étendant au niveau de la face gauche 105 du boîtier, chacun étant percé d'une encoche 3021 pour le passage d'une vis de fixation au panneau 4,
• deux prolongements droits 303 de ladite plaque 14, s'étendant au niveau de la face droite 106 du boîtier, chacun étant percé d'une encoche 3031 pour le passage d'une vis de fixation au panneau 4,

In a particular embodiment, the means for fixing 3 of the static element 2 to the panel 4 consist of:

• a tab 301 extending in the horizontal plane XY, substantially at the lower edge of said plate 14, on the rear face 103 of the housing; this tab 301 is a support intended to be positioned under the edge of the panel 4, to allow better positioning relative to the panel 4 of the device 1. This tab 301 is illustrated on the figure 3 ,
• two left extensions 302 of said plate 14, extending at the left face 105 of the housing, each being pierced with a notch 3021 for the passage of a fixing screw to the panel 4,
• two straight extensions 303 of said plate 14, extending at the right face 106 of the housing, each being pierced with a notch 3031 for the passage of a fixing screw to the panel 4,

The device 1 comprises means for adjusting the spacing along the vertical axis Z between the adjustable element 5 and the static element 2, said adjustment means being capable of modifying this spacing under the effect of a torque. being exerted along said vertical axis Z.

In one embodiment, said adjustment means comprise a metal rod, having a constant vertical position relative to the static element 2, and whose lower end comprises a thread being gripped on at least one part of its height in a blind tapped hole in the plastic block of the adjustable element 5.

In this way, in the absence of torque exerted on said rod, in particular metal, the static element 2 and the adjustable element 5 retain the same vertical spacing, whereas when a torque is exerted on said metal rod, the position of the latter relative to the tapped hole varies, and the spacing along the Z axis between the static element 2 and the adjustable element 5 is thereby changed.

The device 1 further comprises an angle-of-transmission member 9 capable of converting a torque that is exerted on it along a so-called transmission axis T, forming an angle of between 10 ° and 90 ° with said vertical axis Z, in a pair of pairs. vertical axis Z exerted on said adjustment means.

The transmission axis T is not perpendicular to the vertical plane XZ.

In one embodiment, the transmission axis T is substantially parallel to the vertical plane XZ.

In an embodiment illustrated by the figure 1 , the rolling means 6 are configured to allow the translation of the device 1 along the single axis X, and the transmission axis T is substantially parallel to the axis X.

• un premier arbre 10 s'étendant selon ledit axe de transmission T, comportant à une première extrémité longitudinale un premier pignon 11, et comportant une tête de vis 16 à une deuxième extrémité opposée, ainsi qu'une tête de vis 16' à ladite première extrémité,
• un deuxième arbre 12 s'étendant selon l'axe vertical Z, comportant à une première extrémité un deuxième pignon 13 en prise avec ledit premier pignon 11, et dont une deuxième extrémité opposée est solidaire de la tige des moyens de réglage, de sorte qu'elle est apte à transmettre du couple d'axe vertical Z à ladite tige.

In an embodiment illustrated by the figure 2 and figure 5 said corner-forming member 9 is geared, and comprises:

• a first shaft 10 extending along said transmission axis T, having at a first longitudinal end a first pinion 11 , and having a screw head 16 at a second opposite end, and a screw head 16 ' to said first pin end,
• a second shaft 12 extending along the vertical axis Z, having at a first end a second pinion 13 engaged with said first pinion 11, and a second opposite end of which is integral with the rod of the adjusting means, so that it is able to transmit vertical axis torque Z to said rod.

The screw heads 16, 16 'present on the opposite ends of the first shaft 10 make it possible to apply torques along the transmission axis T at one or the other end of the first shaft 10.

In one embodiment, the first end of the second shaft 12 further comprises a screw head which makes it possible to apply vertical axis Z torques directly to the second shaft 12.

In the particular embodiment shown in the figures, the transmission axis T forms an angle substantially equal to 90 ° with the vertical axis Z.

The angle-forming member 9 is thus adapted to convert a torque being exerted on the second shaft 12, or on one or the other end of the first shaft 10, in a pair of vertical axis Z being exerted on the rod of the adjustment means.

In one embodiment, the static element 2 comprises a support formed of a portion of said plate 14, located on the upper face 102 of the housing. In the embodiment shown on the Figures 1 to 5 , the angle-forming member 9 is integral with this support. In one embodiment, said support comprises a vertical tab 143 visible for example on the figure 2 , and extending in the plane YZ. This tab 143 is pierced with a notch, in which is inserted the first shaft 10.

In one embodiment, the second end of the second shaft 12 is integral with said metal rod included in the means for adjusting the vertical spacing between the adjustable element 5 and the static element 2. The torques exerted on the first end of the second shaft 12 or on one or other of the ends of the first shaft 10 are thus converted into a pair of vertical axis Z being exerted on said second shaft 12, that is to say on the adjustment means the spacing along the vertical axis Z between the adjustable element 5 and the static element 2.

It is therefore possible to exert a torque on the device 1 along the transmission axis T on one or the other side, or on the device 1 along the vertical axis Z, to modify the spacing along the vertical axis Z between the adjustable element 5 and the static element 2.

The rolling devices 1 are intended to be fixed on the lower part of a panel 4, so as to form a closet sliding door, the devices 1 being fixed on the face of the panel 4 located inside the cabinet, as illustrated. over there figure 4 .

In such a configuration, a tool adapted as a screwdriver, disposed along the transmission axis T on one side 23 of the panel 4, or arranged along the transmission axis T on the other side 24 of the panel 4, or disposed along the vertical axis Z 25, allows a torque on the device 1, this to easily adjust the vertical spacing along the Z axis between the device 1 rolling and the panel 4, by adjusting the height of the adjustable element 5 carrying the wheel 6, with respect to the static element 2 fixed to the panel 4.

In a different embodiment, illustrated on the figure 6 , the device 1 comprises a housing as described above, comprising a static element 2 comprising means for its attachment 3 to the panel 4, and an adjustable element 5 comprising rolling means 6 as described above. The second embodiment differs from the previous embodiment in that the device 1 further comprises a so-called anti-derailment mechanism, adapted to allow the rolling means 6 to be pressed against the ground, including very quickly after they have encountered an obstacle.

In this second embodiment, the second shaft 12 of the angular return member 9 does not have a constant vertical position relative to the static element 2. The second shaft 12 is free in vertical translation with respect to the static element 2, between a minimum height of vertical travel and a maximum height of vertical travel. In one embodiment, the difference between this minimum vertical clearance height and this maximum vertical displacement height is approximately 12mm. The second shaft 12 can not mechanically exceed these minimum and maximum heights.

When the second shaft 12 is at its maximum height of vertical deflection, the second pinion 13 being at the first end of said second shaft 12 is engaged with said first pinion 11 located at the first longitudinal end of the first shaft 10. In such a In the configuration, the corner-forming member 9 is formed and functional in the same manner as described in the previous embodiment. When the second shaft 12 is below its maximum vertical clearance height, the second pinion 13 and the first pinion 11 are no longer engaged with each other. In this case, the forming member 9 is no longer functional, it is no longer able to convert the torque being exerted along the transmission axis T.

In this second embodiment, the second end of the second shaft 12 may also be secured to the rod of the means for adjusting the vertical spacing between the adjustable element 5 and the static element 2. The lower end of this rod may comprise a thread clamped over at least part of its height in a blind tapped hole in the plastic block of the adjustable element 5.

In this second embodiment, the device 1 comprises, for example, two springs 8 engaging at one end on a horizontal surface formed on the static element 2, and at an opposite end on a horizontal surface formed on the adjustable element 5, so as to exert a force tending to increase the vertical spacing along the vertical axis Z between the static element 2 and the adjustable element 5.

• lorsque les ressorts 8 sont comprimés, par exemple sous l'effet du poids exercé par le panneau 4 sur l'élément statique 2, les moyens roulants 6 étant en appui sur le sol, le deuxième arbre 12 est à sa hauteur maximum de débattement vertical, le premier pignon 11 et le deuxième pignon 13 sont en prise l'un avec l'autre, et le dispositif 1 fonctionne de la même manière que décrite dans le premier mode de réalisation,
• Lorsque les ressorts 8 sont détendus, par exemple quand le dispositif 1 n'est pas fixé à un panneau 4 et n'est pas en appui sur le sol, le deuxième arbre 12 est à sa hauteur minimum de débattement vertical, le premier pignon 11 et le deuxième pignon 13 ne sont pas en prise, et l'organe formant renvoi d'angle 9 n'est pas fonctionnel.

In this way, there are two main modes of operation:

• when the springs 8 are compressed, for example under the effect of the weight exerted by the panel 4 on the static element 2, the rolling means 6 being supported on the ground, the second shaft 12 is at its maximum height of vertical deflection the first pinion 11 and the second pinion 13 are engaged with each other, and the device 1 operates in the same manner as described in the first embodiment,
• When the springs 8 are relaxed, for example when the device 1 is not fixed to a panel 4 and is not resting on the ground, the second shaft 12 is at its minimum vertical clearance height, the first pinion 11 and the second pinion 13 are not engaged, and the angular gear 9 is not functional.

The stiffness of these two springs 8 is chosen so that when the rolling device 1 is fixed at the bottom of a panel 4, the weight of said panel 4 is sufficient to compress at the maximum said springs 8. Thus, when the device 1 rolling is fixed in the lower part of a panel 4 and in the absence of obstacle encountered by the rolling means 6 on the ground, the operation of the device 1 according to this embodiment is identical to the operation of the device 1 according to the first mode embodiment having no anti-derailment mechanism.

• l'ensemble formé par le dispositif 1 fixé au panneau 4 monte sur l'obstacle au sol. Cet ensemble étant rigide, en l'absence de couple exercé sur l'organe formant renvoi d'angle 9, et les ressorts 8 étant compressés par le poids du panneau 4,
• puis l'ensemble formé par le dispositif 1 fixé au panneau 4 redescend de l'obstacle sur le sol, les ressorts 8 se détendent alors pendant un court instant, augmentant temporairement l'espacement vertical entre l'élément statique 2 et l'élément ajustable 5 dans la limite du débattement vertical possible, ceci ayant pour effet de plaquer au sol immédiatement les moyens roulants 6 liés à l'élément ajustable 5, permettant ainsi d'éviter un déraillement,
• après cette courte phase dynamique, et en l'absence d'autre obstacle dans le rail, le poids du panneau 4 compresse à nouveau les ressorts 8, et l'espacement vertical entre l'élément statique 2 et l'élément ajustable 5 retourne à sa position d'avant l'obstacle, qui a été réglée par les moyens de réglage de l'espacement vertical évoqués plus haut.

When the rolling means 6 of the device 1 according to this second embodiment being fixed in the lower part of a panel 4 meet an obstacle on the ground, such as a pebble:

• the assembly formed by the device 1 attached to the panel 4 mounts on the obstacle to the ground. This assembly being rigid, in the absence of torque exerted on the angle-forming member 9, and the springs 8 being compressed by the weight of the panel 4,
• then the assembly formed by the device 1 fixed to the panel 4 back down from the obstacle on the ground, the springs 8 then relax for a short time, temporarily increasing the vertical spacing between the static element 2 and the adjustable element 5 within the limit of the possible vertical deflection, this having the effect of immediately leveling the rolling means 6 linked to the adjustable element 5, thereby avoiding a derailment,
• after this short dynamic phase, and in the absence of any other obstacle in the rail, the weight of the panel 4 compresses the springs 8 again, and the vertical spacing between the static element 2 and the adjustable element 5 returns to its position before the obstacle, which has been adjusted by the means of adjusting the vertical spacing mentioned above.

Such an embodiment advantageously allows, when the rolling means 6 are arranged in a rail, to avoid derailment in the event of an obstacle, such as a pebble, located in the rail.

Claims (11)

1. Rolling device (1) intended to be fixed at the bottom of a panel (4) to allow its movement over the ground, comprising:

   - a first element called the static element (2) comprising means for fixing it (3) on said panel (4),

   - a second element called the adjustable element (5) having rolling means (6) adapted to move in a XY horizontal plane, the adjustable element (5) being adapted to shift along the static element (2) along a vertical Z axis that is orthogonal to the XY plane,

   - adjustment means of the spacing along the vertical Z axis between the adjustable element (5) and the static element (2), said adjustment means being adapted to constantly maintain the relative vertical position along the Z axis of the adjustable element and the static element in relation to each other when no torque is applied to said adjustment means and being adapted to modify this spacing under a torque effect being exerted on them along the said vertical Z axis,

   the device (1) comprising a side, called the rear side (103), generally in line with a plane parallel to the XZ plane, the means for fixing (3) the static element (2) on the panel (4) being configured to fix said static element (2) on the panel (4) in a position wherein said rear side (103) is located vis-à-vis the panel (4),
   and said device (1) comprising a component forming an angle transmission (9) adapted to convert a torque being exerted on it along a said transmission axis T forming an angle between 10° and 90° with the said vertical Z axis, in a vertical Z axis torque exerted on said adjustment means, the transmission axis T and the vertical XZ plan forming an angle between 0° and 80°, characterised in that said component forming an angle transmission (9) is geared, and comprises:

   - a first shaft (10) extending along said transmission axis T, comprising a first pinion gear (11) at a first longitudinal end, and having a screw head (16) at an opposite second end, and/or at the said first end,

   - a second shaft (12) extending along the vertical Z axis, having a second pinion gear (13) at a first end, adapted to engage with said first pinion gear (11), and of which a second opposite end is adapted to transmit torque of the vertical Z axis to said adjustment means, said first end of the second shaft (12) further comprising a screw head adapted to apply torques of the vertical Z axis directly on said second shaft (12).
2. Device according to Claim 1, characterised in that the transmission axis T is parallel to the XZ plane.
3. Device according to one of the claims 1 to 2, characterised in that the rolling means (6) are configured to enable the shifting of the device (1) along the single X axis, and the transmission axis T is not perpendicular to said X axis.
4. Device according to Claim 3, characterised in that the transmission axis T is parallel to X axis.
5. Device according to one of the claims 1 to 4, characterised in that said transmission axis T forms an angle roughly equal to 90° with the vertical Z axis.
6. Device according to any one of the claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the second end of the second shaft (12) is interlocked with said adjustment means, said adjustment means comprising a threaded screw rod engaged into a threaded opening fixed in relation to the adjustable element (5).
7. Device according to any one of the claims 1 to 6, characterised in that it further includes an anti-derailment mechanism comprising elastic recall means (8) exerting a force on the static element (2) and the adjustable element (5) tending to increase the spacing along the vertical Z axis between the static element (2) and the adjustable element (5).
8. Device according to claim 7, characterised in that the static element (2) comprises a plate (14) casted in single piece to which the component forming an angle transmission (9) is connected.
9. Panel (4) to which at least one rolling device (1) is fastened according to any one of the claims 1 to 8.
10. Cabinet equipped with at least one panel (4) according to claim 9 forming a sliding door of said cabinet, the said rolling device (1) being fastened on one side of the panel (4) located within the said cabinet.
11. A method of installing a panel (4) as a sliding door of a cabinet, comprising the following steps:

    - attaching at least one rolling device (1) according to any one of the claims 1 to 8 against an inner side and on the bottom part of said panel (4),

    - installing said panel (4) on the opening plane of the cabinet, so that the rolling means (6) of the device (1) rest on the ground surface of said cabinet,

    - and applying a torque along the transmission axis T on the angle transmission component (9) of said rolling device (1) so as to adjust the vertical spacing along the Z axis between the adjustable element (5) and the static element (2) and to instal the panel (4) at the desired height above the ground surface of the cabinet.

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