AU2003227052A1

AU2003227052A1 - Supporting and guiding device for holding movable, hanging door or wall elements

Info

Publication number: AU2003227052A1
Application number: AU2003227052A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Lars Wehrspann
Original assignee: Dorma Deutschland GmbH
Current assignee: Dorma Deutschland GmbH
Priority date: 2002-03-12
Filing date: 2003-03-12
Publication date: 2003-09-22
Anticipated expiration: 2023-03-12
Also published as: ATE360127T1; WO2003076747A1; RU2310730C2; US20040255550A1; NO326786B1; RU2003136734A; DE10210812B4; AU2003227052B2; EP1485563A1; DE50307079D1; PT1485563E; ES2286448T3; NO20035004D0; DE10210812A1; EP1485563B1

Abstract

The invention relates to a supporting and guiding device for holding movable, hanging door or wall elements that are mounted in runner rails (1) which are shaped as hollow boxes and are provided with a continuous recess on the bottom thereof. Said runner rails (1) are fixed to the ceiling of a building via a hanging construction (14, 21). In order to exclude impairments as far as possible in connection with mounting such a supporting and guiding device, an intermediate profile (2) is arranged between the runner rail (1) and the hanging construction (14,21).

Description

CERTIFICATE OF VERIFICATION I, GUNHILD HENLEY of 7/40 BATMAN STREET, WEST MELBOURNE 3003 I, Gunhild Henley, of German-French Language Services, of 7/40 Batman Street, West Melbourne, Victoria 3003, Australia, do solemnly and sincerely declare that I am conversant with the English and German languages and am a competent translator thereof, and that the following is, to the best of my knowledge and belief, a true and correct English translation of the PCT Application filed under No. PCT/EPO3/02548. Dated: 8 September 2004 Signature of Translator: - Internal Ref.: 2002022 PC 1 Title: Support and guiding device for holding and supporting moveable, 5 suspended door or wall elements The present invention relates to a support and guiding device for holding and supporting moveable door or wall elements which are displaceably suspended 10 from fixed roller rails, where the roller rails are fastened to a ceiling of a building either directly or via a suspension structure. A support and guiding device of this type is known from DE 40 41 925 Cl. In this support and guide system, a roller rail, from which the door or wall element is 15 moveably suspended, is fastened to a building ceiling via a substructure. To allow the roller rail to be fastened to the substructure, the roller rail and the substructure must, on site, be provided with boreholes. The drilling chips resulting in this process are likely to be spun off into the roller rail and remain there. This can result in impaired rolling behaviour and frequently lead to damage or failure of 20 the rollers and consequently to customer complaints. It is an object of the present invention to provide a support and guiding device of the type described in the preamble of Claim 1 whereby assembly-related deficiencies and after-effects may be obviated. 25 The object of the invention is achieved by the features described in Claim 1. Advantageous further developments are described in the subclaims. The solution in accordance with the invention offers the advantage that an 30 intermediate section (screw channels) is, either on the installation site or already Internal Ref.: 2002022 PC 2 during manufacture, provided with all necessary boreholes or subjected to any other processing steps and then fastened to the building ceiling together with the suspension structure prior to the roller rail being fastened to the intermediate section. For this reason, it is impossible for drilling chips or other chips to be spun 5 off into the roller rail and cause problems. Even if the roller rail still needs to be provided with boreholes to fix it to the intermediate section, this would not be particularly disadvantageous, since the drilling chips would be able to fall downwardly from the roller rail which is open at the bottom. However, even this particular situation is avoided, since the roller rail is already, during its 10 manufacture, provided with a row of boreholes. Hence, a high degree of functional efficiency can be guaranteed by employing the support and guiding device in accordance with the present invention. 15 In accordance with an advantageous further development, the intermediate section is designed as a double-T-beam which, via its lower flange, is connected with the closed side of a box-shaped roller rail, for instance. A double-T-beam ensures a good stability of shape by virtue of its high moment of inertia. By attaching the roller rail at its lower flange, this stability of shape is utilised in a particularly 20 advantageous manner. To facilitate fastening of the roller rail to the double-T-beam in an uncomplicated manner, the double-T-beam, in accordance with a preferred further embodiment, has a lower screw channel to connect it to the roller rail, which screw channel is 25 essentially disposed centrally in the lower flange and extends in the longitudinal direction of the double T-beam. This allows for a particularly simple mounting of the roller rail. To provide further fastening options for components to be mounted at the double 30 T-beam, such as for instance mounting of a suspended ceiling, it is proposed in Internal Ref.: 2002022 PC 3 accordance with the present invention that the lower flange be provided at least at one front face with a lateral screw channel extending in the longitudinal direction of the double T-beam. 5 This design may be advantageously complemented by a measure according to which the lower flange is provided at both front faces with a lateral screw channel each extending in the longitudinal direction, since thereby fastening options are created on both sides of the double T-beam. 10 In accordance with an advantageous further development, it is particularly easy to insert, in particular to screw, into the lateral screw channel a holding device preferably in the form of an angle. Such an angle can for instance be employed as a support for a "Rigips" board (gypsum plasterboard) which may serve to form the suspended ceiling. 15 In a preferred embodiment, the web of the double T-beam can be provided with a central channel for the purpose of weight saving. This central channel can however also serve to accommodate items, such as wires, cables and the like. Furthermore, an additional reinforcement element can be arranged or inserted into 20 this central channel. In accordance with an advantageous further development, the upper flange has an upper screw channel which is essentially arranged centrally in the upper flange and extends in the longitudinal direction of the double T-beam. This screw 25 channel further enhances the fastening options at the intermediate section so that for instance the suspension structure can be fastened easily, securely and speedily. For reason of symmetry, a preferred design is for the lower screw channel and the upper screw channel to be aligned and arranged in the central region of the double 30 T-beam.

Internal Ref.: 2002022 PC 4 In accordance with a preferred further development, there is provided in the upper flange at least one centring groove extending parallel to the upper screw channel. Such a centring groove allows for a significantly simplified and improved 5 handling and working of the double T-beam, since fixed reference lines are thereby given. The workability is even further simplified and improved if, in accordance with an advantageous further development, two centring grooves are provided which 10 extend parallel to each other and are preferably arranged on both sides equidistant from the upper screw channel. To provide a fixed reference line also with regard to the web of the double T beam, the web has at least one further centring groove. 15 In accordance with an advantageous embodiment, there are provided, in the upper flange on at least one side, U-shaped milled out portions which have a longitudinal extension directed perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the double T-beam. These milled out portions allow for a particularly easy connection 20 of the intermediate section to the suspension structure since the suspension structure can simply be hung in these milled out portions. To facilitate a grid like suspension at the suspension structure, it is proposed in accordance with the invention that the U-shaped milled out portions be evenly 25 distributed over the length of the double T-beam. If, in accordance with an advantageous further development, there are additionally provided, on both sides of the upper flange, U-shaped milled out portions and the U-shaped milled out portions on the one side of the flange are disposed in an Internal Ref.: 2002022 PC 5 offset arrangement to those on the other side of the flange, a secure mounting of the intermediate section is guaranteed. To ensure that all attachments can be made easily, swiftly and without complex 5 processes, it is proposed, in accordance with an advantageous further embodiment, that the screw channels have profiled prefabricated thread grooves into which the threaded screws can be screwed without any further work steps. Consequently, the screws can be screwed into the screw channels on site without any further preparatory treatment, such as for instance thread tapping. 10 In accordance with an advantageous development, the suspension structure consists of thread bars and/or lateral supports. Thread bars are freely commercially available; they can be easily and simply shortened to the required length and are particularly well suited for easy hanging in U-shaped milled out 15 portions. Lateral supports increase the stability of the entire structure and aid in damping vibrations. In the assembled state, the thread bars engage the U-shaped milled out portions and thus allow for a fastening of the intermediate section to the building ceiling 20 without any difficulties. To prevent the thread bars from slipping from out of the milled out portions unintentionally, in an advantageous further development the thread bars are each secured in position at the double T-beam via a locking plate. 25 In accordance with one alternative, the locking plate can be screwed in place in the central screw channel of the upper flange. This is of advantage in particular when a force-closed connection between the intermediate section and the thread bar is desired. 30 Internal Ref.: 2002022 PC 6 In accordance with an alternative embodiment, the locking plate can also have an angular portion with which it engages the upper screw channel. This is of advantage in particular when a form-fitted connection between the intermediate section and the thread bar is desired. 5 The locking plate can also be used in an advantageous manner for carrying the lateral support. In accordance with the invention, on the side opposite the thread bar, the locking plate is provided with a joint piece onto which the lateral support is hinged. Consequently, the lateral support can be orientated toward the 10 intermediate section at any angle desired. To facilitate an exact adaptation and orientation to the local conditions, the suspension and lateral support can be designed to be variable in length, in particular in a telescopic manner. 15 Advantageously, the lateral support consists of at least two telescopic pipe sections or square sections. These standardised sections are commercially available and easily adapted to any desired length. 20 The roller rail can be of any shape. An adaptation of the intermediate section to the geometry of the roller rail is possible. Further features and advantages of the invention are explained in the following description of a preferred embodiment example. 25 Shown are in Figure 1: a perspective view of the support and guiding device in accordance with the invention; 30 Internal Ref.: 2002022 PC 7 Figure 2: a further perspective view of the support and guiding device in accordance with the invention; Figure 3: a top view of the support and guiding device in accordance with the 5 invention; Figure 4: a front view of the support and guiding device in accordance with the invention. 10 Figures 1 to 4 show and detail the support and guiding device by reference to a preferred embodiment example. For the sake of clarity, the door or wall elements which are displaceably suspended from the support and guiding device are not illustrated. 15 The support and guiding device in accordance with the invention for instance has a roller rail 1 which is a substantially U-shaped box section whose opening is directed downwardly. In the roller rail 1 there are displaceably mounted guide rollers (not shown) or the like in the longitudinal direction of the roller rail 1 at 20 which one or more door or wall elements (not shown either) are supported via carrying rollers. The roller rail 1 can be made of a suitable material, such as aluminium, light metal or the like, for instance as an extrusion moulded part. In the manufacture of the 25 roller rail 1, all required ribs, webs, grooves etc. for instance can be integrally moulded. Furthermore, in the surface opposite the open side, a row of boreholes can be provided which serve the attachment of the roller rail 1 to the suspension device which will be described in greater detail below. This row of boreholes preferably extends centrally and in the longitudinal direction of the roller rail 1. 30 Internal Ref.: 2002022 PC 8 The roller rail 1 is fastened to an intermediate section 2. The intermediate section 2 is designed as a double T-beam which can also be an extrusion moulded section. The double T-beam has an upper flange 3, a central web 4 and a lower flange 5. The lower flange 5, with its entire surface, substantially bears against the surface 5 of the roller rail 1 which is opposite the open side. For the purpose of fastening to the roller rail 1 there is disposed, in the intermediate section 2, a lower screw channel 6 which is provided in the area of the web 4 and extends centrally in the longitudinal direction of the double T-beam. This screw channel 6 is provided with grooves at its lateral surfaces so that a fastening screw 7, for instance a 10 hexagonal head screw, can be screwed into the screw channel 6 directly and without any further preparation. Thus, the roller rail 1 can be speedily and easily screwed into the lower screw channel 6 via fastening screws 7. This method of fastening also facilitates a speedy replacement of the roller rail 1 without any need of altering the substructure. 15 The web 4 of the double T-beam is preferably provided with a rectangular central channel 8 which extends in the longitudinal direction of the intermediate section 2. On the one hand, this central channel 8 can be provided for the purpose of saving weight, but on the other hand it can serve to accommodate cables, lines or 20 the like. Furthermore it can also be used to receive additional reinforcing elements (not shown), which can for instance be inserted into the central channel 8, for instance for very heavy movable wall elements. At each front face of the lower flange 5 there is provided a lateral screw channel 9 25 which, like the lower screw channel 6, is provided with grooves at its lateral surfaces and extends in the longitudinal direction of the double T-beam. In these lateral screw channels 9, any of a variety of holding or carrying elements can be fastened. As shown in Fig. 4, for instance via corresponding screws 10, an L shaped angle 11 can be screwed in place to serve as bearing for a plasterboard 30 (not shown) which serves as a suspended ceiling. On the other hand it would be Internal Ref.: 2002022 PC 9 possible, whilst foregoing the option of using the angle 11, to insert the board directly into the lateral screw channel 9. In this case, the screw thread in the lateral screw channel 9 would not serve any function. 5 The upper flange 3 of the double T-beam is also provided with a screw channel 12. This upper screw channel 12 extends parallel to the lower screw channel 6 within the region of the web 4 in the longitudinal direction of the intermediate section 2. The upper flange 3 is furthermore provided with U-shaped milled out portions 13, which are inserted into the upper flange 3 from the side and whose 10 longitudinal extension is orientated to be perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the intermediate section 2. The U-shaped milled out portions 13 are arranged to be equidistant along the two longitudinal rims of the upper flange 3 such that the milled out portions 13 on the one side are arranged offset to those on the other side. In principle, it is however possible to arrange the milled out 15 portions to be directly opposite one another. The milled out portions serve to receive for instance the thread bars 14, by means of which the intermediate section 2 and therefore the roller rail 1 can be suspended from a building ceiling (not shown). For this purpose, a thread bar 14, 20 as is indicated by the arrows in Figure 2, can be pushed from the side into one of the U-shaped milled out portions 13 in the upper flange 3. One or more nuts 15 screwed onto the end of the thread bar 14 serve as supports or for fastening the thread bar 14 to the intermediate section 2. To prevent the thread bar from slipping laterally from the milled out portion 13, a locking plate 16 is provided. 25 This locking plate 16 is provided with a borehole for the passage of the thread bar 14. At the end of the locking plate 16, which is turned away from the borehole, a fold 17 is provided in accordance with one embodiment, so that the locking plate 16 when viewed from the side has an L-shape wherein the shorter leg defines the fold. This fold 17 allows the locking plate 16 to engage the upper screw channel Internal Ref.: 2002022 PC 10 12 (see Figure 1), so that the thread bar 14 is securely retained in the milled out portion 13. In accordance with a further embodiment, also shown in Figure 1, the locking 5 plate 16 can also be provided with a bolt hole 18 (see Figure 2) so that the locking plate 16 can securely be held in place in the upper screw channel 12 via a screw 19. To achieve that the intermediate section 2 and the roller rail 1 are not only 10 securely mounted in the vertical direction (via thread bars 14) but also in the lateral direction, the locking plate 16 can be extended beyond the bolt hole 18 and provided at this extended end with a joint piece 20. This joint piece 20 has a lateral support 21 hinged to it. The lateral support 21, in the embodiment example illustrated, consists of two telescopically arranged square sections 22; it can 15 however also consist of corresponding pipes or the like. Instead of a telescopic arrangement, other designs are possible as long as they allow for a variable change of length. The two square sections 22 inserted into each other can be fixed in place in their 20 respective positions relative to each other. Furthermore, the square sections 22 are fastened via any type of construction to the building ceiling (not shown). This construction can for instance consist of two angles 24 hinged to the square sections 22, which angles 24 are screwed to the building ceiling via fastening screws 25. 25 Since the thread bar 14 and the lateral support 21 can have their length adapted as required by the conditions on site, it is ensured that a secure fastening of the support and guiding device in accordance with the invention is possible under all conditions. 30 Internal Ref.: 2002022 PC 11 On the top side of the upper flange 3 as well as at the lateral surfaces of web 4, one or more centring grooves 26 are provided. In the embodiment example in accordance with Figures 1 and 2, two centring grooves 26 are provided in the upper flange 3, which run parallel to each other and parallel in equidistance from 5 the upper screw channel 12 to its right and its left. Web 4 is also provided on each side with two centring grooves 26 which are arranged parallel to each other. The foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been provided for the purposes of illustration and not for the purposes of 10 limiting the invention. Many modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention and the following claims and their equivalents.

Internal Ref.: 2002022 PC 12 References 1 roller rail 5 2 intermediate section 3 upper flange 4 web 5 lower flange 6 lower screw channel 10 7 fastening screw 8 central channel 9 lateral screw channel 10 screws 11 L-shaped angle 15 12 upper screw channel 13 U-shaped milled out portion 14 thread bar 15 nut 16 locking plate 20 17 fold 18 bolt hole 19 screw 20 joint piece 21 lateral support 25 22 square section 23 locking screw 24 angle 25 fastening screw 26 centring groove 30

Claims

1. A support and guiding device for holding and supporting moveable 5 door or wall elements which are displaceably suspended from fixed roller rails, where the roller rails are fastened to a ceiling of a building via a suspension structure, characterised in that an intermediate section (2) is provided between the roller rail (1) and the suspension structure (14, 21). 10

2. The support and guiding device in accordance with Claim 1, characterised in that the intermediate section (2) is designed as a double T-beam which is connected via its lower flange (5) to the roller rail (1). 15

3. The support and guiding device in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the intermediate section (2) for connecting it to the roller rail (1) has a screw channel (6), which is arranged essentially centrally in the lower flange (5) and extends in the 20 longitudinal direction of the intermediate section (2).

4. The support and guiding device in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the lower flange (5) is provided on at least one front face with a lateral screw channel (8) extending in 25 the longitudinal direction of the intermediate section (2).

5. The support and guiding device in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the lower flange (5) is provided at both front faces with one lateral screw channel (8) each extending in 30 the longitudinal direction. Internal Ref.: 2002022 PC 14

6. The support and guiding device in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that into the lateral screw channel (8) a holding device can be inserted, in particular can be screwed in, 5 preferably in the form of an angle (11).

7. The support and guiding device in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the web (4) of the intermediate section is provided with a central channel (8). 10

8. The support and guiding device in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the upper flange (3) has an upper screw channel (12) which is essentially arranged centrally in the upper flange (3) and extends in the longitudinal direction of the 15 intermediate section (2).

9. The support and guiding device in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the lower screw channel (6) and the upper screw channel (12) are in alignment with each other. 20

10. The support and guiding device in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that in the upper flange (3) at least one centring groove (26) is provided which extends parallel to the upper screw channel (12). 25

11. The support and guiding device in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that two centring grooves (26) are provided which extend parallel to each other and are preferably arranged on both sides at equidistance from the upper screw channel 30 (12). Internal Ref.: 2002022 PC 15

12. The support and guiding device in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the web (4) has at least one further centring groove (26). 5

13. The support and guiding device in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that in the upper flange (3) there are provided on at last one side U-shaped milled out portions (13) whose longitudinal extensions are directed perpendicular to the longitudinal 10 direction of the intermediate section.

14. The support and guiding device in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the U-shaped milled out portions (13) are evenly distributed over the length of the intermediate 15 section.

15. The support and guiding device in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that on both sides of the upper flange (3) there are provided U-shaped milled out portions (13) and the U 20 shaped milled out portions (13) on the one side of the flange (3) are arranged offset to those on the other side of the flange (3).

16. The support and guiding device in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the screw channels (6, 9, 12) are 25 profiled finished thread grooves into which threaded screws can be inserted without any further preparatory work steps.

17. The support and guiding device in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the suspension structure consists 30 of thread bars (14) and/or lateral supports (21). Internal Ref.: 2002022 PC 16

18. The support and guiding device in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the thread bars (14) in the mounted condition engage the U-shaped milled out portions (13). 5

19. The support and guiding device in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the thread bars (14) are secured in position to the intermediate section via a locking plate (16). 10

20. The support and guiding device in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the locking plate (16) is screwed into the upper screw channel (12) of the upper flange (3).

21. The support and guiding device in accordance with any one of the 15 preceding claims, characterised in that the locking plate (16) has a fold (17) with which it engages the upper screw channel (12).

22. The support and guiding device in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the locking plate (16) on the 20 side opposite the thread bar (14) is provided with a joint piece (20) onto which the lateral support (21) is hinged.

23. The support and guiding device in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the lateral support (21) and the 25 thread bars (14) are designed to be variable in length, in particular to be telescopic.

24. The support and guiding device in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the lateral support (21) consists Internal Ref.: 2002022 PC 17 of at least two pipe sections or square sections (22) which are inserted into each other in a telescopic manner.

25. The support and guiding device in accordance with any one or several 5 of the preceding claims, characterised in that the intermediate section (2) consists of a light metal.