EP0635613B1

EP0635613B1 - A sliding door stopper device

Info

Publication number: EP0635613B1
Application number: EP94110494A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Kouji Ishida
Original assignee: Ryobi Ltd
Current assignee: Ryobi Ltd
Priority date: 1993-07-19
Filing date: 1994-07-06
Publication date: 1998-01-21
Anticipated expiration: 2014-07-06
Also published as: JP3031653B2; DE69408051D1; JPH0782942A; DE69408051T2; EP0635613A1

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a sliding door stopper device, more specifically, a structure of the device for sliding door which opens and closes along with a door rail attached to a wall surface.

2. DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

Fig. 1A shows a schematic view of a sliding door, Fig. 1B, Fig. 2A, Fig. 2B and Fig. 2C respectively show conventional sliding door stopper devices. As shown in Fig. 1A, two roller(s) 100 are attached to the sliding door 10, the roller(s) 100 being mounted on a door rail 120 attached on a wall surface 30. When the sliding door 10 opens or closes by an operator, the rollers 100 rotate on the door rail 120 to move the sliding door 10 to direction 90 or direction 91 smoothly.

Once the sliding door 10 opens toward the direction 90, the sliding door 10 is supposed to be closed to the direction 91 automatically. A structure for automatic door closer is realized by following mechanism. For instance, attachment of the door rail 120 inclines to the closing direction, so that, the sliding door 10 is closed automatically by own weight. Another structure for automatic door closer is realized by utilizing a closer (not shown) using a spring or the like to cause a reset force toward direction 91 to close the sliding door 10 automatically. Under these structure, it is not necessary to close the sliding door 10 manually when operating the door, so that, it helps for operating the sliding door.

Related with opening the sliding door 10, there is a case that the sliding door 10 needs to be stopped in predetermined position during an opening motion. Fig. 1B shows an example in the conventional structure to stop the sliding door during the opening motion (Japanese Patent Publication No. H4-176983). Fig. 1B is a cross sectional view illustrating the roller attached to the sliding door 10.

A roller shaft 101J is fixed to a door attachment 103 (Fig. 1A), the roller 101 is rotated by centering around the roller shaft 101J.

Pressurize pins

105 and 106 are respectively installed in the roller 101 at three places, these pins are pressed inwardly by an elastic belt 107. Also, a needle bearing 104 is positioned between the

pressurize pin

105, 106 and the roller shaft 101J. When the needle bearing 104 is substantially positioned between center of the pressurize pin 105 and the pressurize pin 106, the roller shaft 101J receives inward pressure therefrom.

For instance, when the sliding door 10 opens toward the direction 90, the roller 101 moves to the direction 92 on the door rail 120 with maintaining its' rotation. By rotating the roller 101 to the direction 92, the needle bearing 104 contacts to the pressurize pin 105. In the meantime, when the sliding door 10 stops at a predetermined position, the needle bearing 104 is pressurized inwardly by the pressurize pin 105 on receiving pressure of elastic belt 107. That is, the needle bearing 104 returns to substantially center between the

pressurize pin

105 and 106 from a position shown in Fig. 1B, and providing pressure to the roller shaft 101J. As a result, the sliding door 10 stops at predetermined position.

As described above, when the sliding door 10 stops at the predetermined position, the needle bearing(s) 104 are positioned at three places between the pressurize pin 105 and pressurize pin 106 to apply pressure toward the roller shaft 101J for stop rotating and fixing the roller. In case of close the sliding door 10 from a stop position, a force is given to the sliding door 10 toward the direction 91. Thereupon, fixture of the roller shaft 101J is released, since the needle bearing(s) 104 contact with side of the pressurize pin 106, so that the sliding door can be moved toward close position.

The second example of a sliding door stopper device in the conventional structure (Japanese Utility Patent Publication No. H4-4171) is shown in Fig. 2A. A stopping means 200 is attached to a bracket 205 of the sliding door besides the roller 100. The stopping means 200 is rotatable by centering around the roller shaft 200J, also a stopping roller 201 is mounted at a head of the stopping means 200. The stopping means 200 has a built-in spring, so that the stopping roller 201 applies a pressure to the door rail 120 toward the direction 94 by the built-in spring.

Fig. 2A shows a condition of the stopping means 200 when the sliding door 10 opens toward the direction 90. That is, the stopping means 200 inclines to opposite direction (toward direction 91) in accordance with the movement of the sliding door 10 toward direction 90. Also, when the sliding door 10 stops at a desired position, the sliding door 10 maintains its stoppage at the position due to the stopping roller 201 which acts as a brake, even though automatic closing force occurs toward the direction 91.

Further, in case of close the sliding door 10 from the stop position, a force is given to the sliding door 10 toward the direction 91. So that, the stopping means 200 is tumbled toward a direction 93 by centering around a stopping means shaft 200J due to compression of the spring located in the stopping means 200. Therefore, the stopping means 200 inclines toward opposite direction (not shown). Since the stopping means 200 inclines toward the opposite direction, the stopping roller 201 does not act as a brake anymore, thereafter, the sliding door 10 slides toward the direction 91 by automatic closing force.

Subsequently, the third example of a sliding door stopper device in the conventional structure (Japanese Patent Publication No. H3-286080) is shown in Fig. 2B. Fig. 2B is a plane view of a wall surface 30, the sliding door 10 and other components, a space 30S is being spaced between the wall surface 30 and the sliding door 10. A supporting shaft 300 is mounted in the sliding door 10, also a manual control part 301 is fixed to the supporting shaft 300. The manual control part 300 is exerted from the sliding door 10. Fig. 1A shows an exerted position 301H of the manual control part 301.

A friction member 302 formed with an elastic member is fixed at upper end of the supporting shaft 300. When the sliding door 10 is opened and stopped at predetermined position, the manual control part 301 is rotated toward a direction 95. Related with the rotation, the supporting shaft 300 is also rotated toward the direction 95. Finally, the sliding door 10 is fixed at a stopping position, due to the friction member 302 contacts to the wall surface 30 as shown in Fig. 2C. Moreover, Fig. 1A also shows a fixed position 302H by the friction member 302.

However, the sliding door stopper device in the conventional structure has following problems. Initially, in the first example of the conventional structure shown in Fig. 1B, the roller shaft 101J is always pressed by the needle bearing 104 when the sliding door 10 stops at a position, the sliding door 10 is supposed to stop at the position. Further, as to the second example of the conventional structure shown in Fig. 2A, the sliding door 10 maintains stoppage, due to the stopping roller 201 of stopping means 200 which always acts as a brake, when the sliding door 10 stops.

So that, when the operator intend to open the sliding door toward direction 90 once, then to close it immediately toward direction 91, the sliding door 10 stops at a position uncontrollably. To close the sliding door, a force must be given to the sliding door 10 toward the direction 91 in every operation. So that it requires too much time.

On the contrary, in the third example shown in Fig. 2B and Fig. 2C, the friction member 302 does not contact to the wall surface 30 (Fig. 2B). So that, the sliding door 10 is closed automatically by reset force toward the direction 91 caused by closer or the like, when the sliding door 10 opens toward direction 90. Consequently, the problems caused in above examples are not observed in this example.

On the other hand, in the third example, the manual control part 301 must be rotated toward the direction 95 when the operator tries to stop the sliding door 10. So that, operation of the sliding door 10 does requires much time and labor. Also, it is not helpful to have these functions for an operator who does not know how to stop the sliding door 10. Moreover, because of exertion of the manual control part from the sliding door, it impairs appearance of the sliding door.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a sliding door stopper device which maintains stop position of the sliding door as required, besides carrying out automatic closure of the sliding door without special operation and the sliding door stopper device which does not mar the appearance.

This object is solved by a sliding door stopper device as defined in claim 1.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1A is a schematic view illustrating a sliding door.

Fig. 1B is a view illustrating the first example of a conventional sliding door stopper device.

Fig. 2A is a view illustrating the second example of the conventional sliding door stopper device.

Fig. 2B is a view illustrating the third example of the conventional sliding door stopper device.

Fig. 2C is a view illustrating the third example of the conventional sliding door stopper device.

Fig. 3 is a schematic view illustrating first embodiment of the sliding door stopper device in the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a front partial cross sectional view illustrating a sliding door stopper device shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a bottom partial cross sectional view illustrating a sliding door stopper device shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a front partial cross sectional view illustrating a sliding door stopper device shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 7 is a front partial cross sectional view illustrating a sliding door stopper device shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 8 is a bottom partial cross sectional view illustrating a second embodiment of the sliding door stopper device in the present invention.

Fig. 9 is a front view illustrating a third embodiment of the sliding door stopper device in the present invention.

Fig. 10 is a schematic view illustrating a fourth embodiment of the sliding door stopper device in the present invention.

Fig. 11 is a front partial fragmentary view illustrating the sliding door stopper device shown in the Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is a bottom partial fragmentary view illustrating the sliding door stopper device shown in Fig. 10.

Fig. 13A is a side view illustrating the sliding door stopper device shown in Fig. 10.

Fig. 13B is a detailed view illustrating a cap screw.

Fig. 13C is a detailed view illustrating a cap screw.

Fig. 14 is a schematic view illustrating a fifth embodiment of the sliding door stopper device in the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [The first embodiment of the present invention]

Fig. 3 is a schematic view illustrating a sliding door 10, the sliding door stopper device 8 in the present invention and peripherals.

Roller

2, 3 are attached to a

roller attachment

52, 53 fixed to the sliding door 10. The

rollers

2, 3 are mounted on a door rail 5 attached to a wall surface 30. Also, the sliding door 10 opens (slides toward direction 90) or closes (slides toward direction 91) by tumbling the roller 2 and the roller 3.

One end of a timing belt 4 is fixed to a belt fitting member 55 of the roller attachment 53, the other end of the timing belt 4 is fixed to the belt fitting member 54 of the roller attachment 52. Further, the timing belt 4 is spanned between a door closer rotator 7 and a driven pulley 6. The door closer rotator 7 and the driven pulley 6 are attached to the wall surface 30 and located at both end of the door rail 5. In this embodiment, the timing belt 4 maintains enough tension by screw mechanisms built in the belt fitting member 54.

When the sliding door 10 opens toward direction 90, the door closer rotator 7 and the driven pulley 6 are rotated toward direction 96 by the timing belt 4. If the application of a force toward the sliding door 10 is released, the door closer rotator 7 is rotated reversely toward direction 97 and reset by power spring mechanisms built in the door closer. So that, the sliding door 10 is closed automatically (toward direction 91).

In this embodiment, the driven pulley 6 acts as a rotating part, also the sliding door stopper device 8 is attached to the driven pulley 6. Stoppage of the sliding door 10 is carried out by pressure motion of a stopping arm 9 which act as an arm for stoppage of the sliding door stopper device 8 restricts rotation of the driven pulley 6. In this embodiment, the driven pulley 6 is pressed by the stopping arm 9 through the timing belt 4, so that, rotation of the driven pulley 6 is restricted. Detail structure of the driven pulley 6 and sliding door stopper device 8 are shown in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5. Fig. 4 illustrates a front view and Fig. 5 illustrates a bottom view.

A slider 50 which is movable toward direction 98 and direction 99 is installed into the sliding door stopper device 8. The slider 50 is pressed to direction 99 by a pressing spring 13 acting as a pressing part. A pressing force caused by the pressing spring 13 can be adjusted with a adjustable screw 14 acts as an adjustment part.

A stopping arm shaft 9J as an one end of center is installed in the slider 50, also the stopper arm 9 is supported rotatably. The stopping arm shaft 9J is inserted into a guide hole 8a formed in slot shaped (see Fig. 3). Also the stopping arm shaft 9J is located on a standard line L1 which passes center of a driven pulley shaft 6J and a point P1 at the external surface of the driven pulley. That is, the stopping arm shaft 9J can be moved reciprocally on the standard line L1 by the sliding motion within length of the guide hole 8a ( Fig. 3).

Further, a lock pin Fl is installed in the slider 50, a tension spring 12 as a biasing part is spanned between the lock pin F1 and an arm pin F2. Since the lock pin F1 which is installed in the slider 50 is also located on the standard line Ll, so that an arm head 9H of the stopping arm 9 as the other movable end which rotates reciprocally is biased to a direction access to the standard line L1.

As shown in the figure, the arm head 9H always contacts with the timing belt 4 located on a external surface of the driven pulley 6 by the bias of the tension spring 12. By utilizing the sliding door stopper device 8, the sliding door 10 can be closed or opens automatically with ordinal operation by an operator. It will be disclosed when the sliding door 10 is closed automatically and the sliding door maintains open position.

(1) In case of closing the sliding door 10 automatically

A force is given toward to the sliding door 10 toward direction 90 by the operator (see Fig.3). In this case, the driven pulley 6 is moved toward direction 96 in according to a motion of the timing belt 4. Also, the arm head 9H of the stopping arm 9 is springed up by the timing belt 4 as shown in Fig. 4.

Subsequently, once the sliding door 10 opens at predetermined position by the operator, the operator immediately releases the force to the sliding door. So that, the sliding door 10 is closed automatically toward direction 91 (see Fig. 3) by a function of the door closer, simultaneously the driven pulley 6 is rotated reversely toward direction 97 in according to a motion of the timing belt 4.

The arm head 9H of the stopping arm 9 is once located on the standard line L1 by rotation of driven pulley 6 toward direction 97 and the bias force of the tension spring 12 as shown in Fig. 6. Then, the arm head 9H of the stopping arm 9 is pulled down to opposite side between the standard line L1 by momentum for rotation of the driven pulley 6. The arm head 9H pulled down to the opposite side is shown in Fig. 7. When the arm head 9H is located on the standard line L1 as shown in Fig. 6, the slider 50 is moved backward toward direction 98 by pressure to the pressurized spring 13 for backward length S1 due to the pressing spring 13 is pressurized.

After pulling down the arm head 9H as shown in Fig. 7, the sliding door 10 is closed automatically toward direction 91 (Fig. 3) by the door closer. As disclosed above, the sliding door 10 is automatically closed when the sliding door opens then the force against the sliding door is immediately released by the operator.

(2) In case of maintaining a stop position

When the operator tries to maintain a stop position of the sliding door, the operator opens the sliding door 10 toward direction 90 (see Fig. 3). At this time, the stopping arm 9 is located at the position as disclosed above and shown in Fig. 4. Thereafter, the operator opens the sliding door 10 to predetermined position, then the sliding door 10 is held at the position for predetermined duration for instance duration of 1 to two seconds.

During the time, although the driven pulley 6 is not rotated, the arm head 9H of the stopping arm 9 is located on the standard line L1 by the bias force of the tension spring 12 (Fig. 6). Subsequently, the operator releases the force to the sliding door 10. In that case, the sliding door maintains the condition shown in Fig. 6, since the arm head 9H is not pulled down as shown in Fig. 7 because of the driven pulley 6 does not have much rotating momentum, which is different from the condition in case of releasing the force to the sliding door 10 immediately.

That is, the rotation of the driven pulley 6 is stopped by pressure of both the driven pulley 6 and the timing belt 4 caused by the arm head 9H of the stopping arm 9, as a result of the slider 50 is pressurized toward direction 99 by the pressing spring 13. So that, the sliding door 10 maintains the condition.

As disclosed above, when the operator stops the sliding door 10 for 1 to 2 second at predetermined position under the ordinal operation, the sliding door 10 maintains stoppage at the position. Referring to close the sliding door 10 from stoppage, the arm head 9H is pulled down as shown in Fig. 7, when a slight force is given toward direction 91. Upon given the slight force, the sliding door 10 is closed automatically by the door closer.

(3) Adjustment of pressing spring 13 by adjustable screw.

As disclosed above, the sliding door 10 is closed automatically or maintains stop position by the pressurize force of the stopping arm 9 against the driven pulley 6. The pressing force of the stopping arm 9 is adjusted by adjusting the adjustable screw 14. So that, it is possible to obtain an optimum pressing force against a turning force of the driven pulley 6 caused by the door closer.

Also, in case of given an higher pressing force to the stopping arm 9, the sliding door 10 can be adjusted to stop at a position where the operator releases a force to the sliding door immediately upon opening the sliding door 10. On the contrary, it is possible to control the sliding door works as a sliding door not installed the sliding door stopper device by adjusting the adjustment screw 13 as adjusting the pressurize force in zero, without detaching the device.

[Second embodiment]

Second embodiment of the present invention is shown in Fig. 8. In this embodiment, a roller for stopping 60 functions as a rotating part. The roller for stopping 60 is fixed to the driven pulley 6 and rotate with the driven pulley 6 as one part. Also, the stopping arm 9 of the sliding door stopper device 8 is attached with the roller for stopping 60. Stoppage of the sliding door 10 is carried out by stopping the rotation of the roller for the stopping 60. As to structure and function of the sliding door stopper device 8 in this embodiment is identical to the above disclosed embodiment.

[Third embodiment]

The third embodiment of the sliding door stopper device in the present invention is shown in Fig. 9. In this embodiment, the door closer rotator 7 functions as a rotating part, the sliding door stopper device 8 is attached to the door closer rotator 7. That is, the stopping arm 9 of the sliding door stopper device 8 is connected with the door closer rotator 7, so that stop operation of the sliding door 10 is carried out by stop rotating the door closer rotator 7. As to structure and function of the sliding door stopper device 8 in this embodiment is identical to the above disclosed embodiment.

[Fourth embodiment]

Subsequently, the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be disclosed based on Fig. 10, Fig. 11, Fig. 12 and Fig. 13. As shown in Fig. 10, since the sliding door stopper device has a bevel gear mechanism, pressing force of the sliding door stopper device can be adjusted from a lower position of the device by utilizing a screw driver 89 or the like. In this embodiment, the adjustment part consists of a cap screw 80, a bevel gear 81 and an adjustable bevel gear 82.

Details of the sliding door stopper device in this embodiment are shown in Fig. 11 and Fig. 12. Fig. 11 illustrates a front view and Fig. 12 illustrates a bottom view of the sliding door stopper device. As shown in Fig. 11, the bevel gear 81 is attached rotatably to back of the sliding door stopper device 8. An hole for screw is formed at center of the bevel gear 81, the cap screw 80 is screwed through the hole for screw. Head of the cap screw 80 which screwed through the bevel gear 81 is also goes through a back wall 8E of the sliding door stopper device 8, then the head of the bevel gear 81 pressurizes the pressure spring 13 as the adjustable screw 14 does in above disclosed embodiment (see Fig. 4 and Fig, 5). Fig. 13A is a view illustrating the sliding door stopper device 8 from rear side.

Fig. 13 B illustrates a side view of the cap screw 80. A screw part 80a of the cap screw 80 is screwed through the hole for screw of the bevel gear 81, a screw head 80b goes through the back wall 8E of the sliding door stopper device 8. Fig. 13C is a view from head of the cap screw 80. As shown in Fig. 13C, the screw head 80b is formed in flat shape.

Besides, an hole locates at the back wall where the screw head 80b goes through is formed correspondently with the screw head 80b of the cap screw 80. That is, the cap 80 can not be rotated, since the screw head 80b of the cap screw 80 and the hole of the back wall 8E are formed in flat shape. So that, when the bevel gear 81 is rotated, the cap screw 80 is moved either toward direction 98 or direction 99 to corresponds with rotation of the bevel gear 81.

As shown in Fig. 11, the bevel gear 81 is working with the adjustable bevel gear 82 which acts as the screw part. The adjustable bevel gear 82 is held rotatably by a stopper ring 82R through a fitting attachment 83. Also, a ditch 82K is formed on head of the adjustable bevel gear 82 and the adjustable bevel gear can be rotated by utilizing the screw driver 89 or the like (Fig. 10). Center line L2 of the adjustable bevel gear 82 is positioned substantially vertical toward a pressing direction L3 of the pressure spring 13.

When the adjustable bevel gear 82 is rotated, the rotation is conveyed to the bevel gear 81. Then, the cap screw 80 moves either toward direction 98 or direction 99 under corresponding with rotation of the bevel gear 81. As disclosed above, it is possible to control the pressurize force of the stopper arm 9 against the driven pulley 6 by adjusting rotating direction and rotation volume of the adjustable bevel gear 82, because of the cap screw 80 can be moved to a desired direction and amount through the adjustment.

As disclosed, the adjustable bevel gear 82 is rotatable from lower position of the device (see Fig. 10) to adjust the pressurize force of the stopper arm 9 in this embodiment. For example, in each embodiment of the sliding door stopper device 8 such as the first embodiment shown in Fig. 3, the second embodiment shown in Fig. 8 and the third embodiment shown in Fig. 9, it is necessary to screw the adjustable screw 14 from side of the device when adjusting the pressing force of the stopping arm 9. In these cases, sometimes, it is difficult to screw the adjustable screw 14 by the screw driver or the like, when the device is attached on a wall surface, pillar(s) or frame(s), depends on a place where the device is attached. Also, in case of using a large size sliding door, it is necessary to step on a table or the like when a person who adjust the adjustable screw 14, since the sliding door stopper device itself is attached to higher place than the above cases.

On the other hand, in the sliding door stopper device in this embodiment, the adjustable bevel gear 82 can be rotated from a lower position of the device. So that, it is easy to carry out the adjustment even though wall surface, a pillar and a frame exist. Once a large sized screw driver or the like is utilized, it is not necessary to step on the table or the like for the person who carries out adjustment. As to structure and function of the sliding door stopper device 8 are the identical to the first embodiment shown in Fig. 3.

Further, in this embodiment, the center line L2 of screw for the adjustable bevel gear 82 is positioned substantially vertical toward a pressing direction L3 of the pressing spring 13. At the same time, it is not restricted to position the adjustable bevel gear 82 vertically toward the pressurized direction L3, it is preferred for the sliding door stopper device 8 to hold the adjustable bevel gear 82 at a position where the gear rotates smoothly and efficiently, depending on the installed place of the device.

[Fifth embodiment]

Subsequently, fifth embodiment of the sliding door stopper device in the present invention is shown in Fig. 14. In this embodiment, the sliding door stopper device 8 is installed under the driven pulley 6. So that, it is possible to adjust pressurize force of the stopping arm 9 by rotating the adjustable screw 14 from lower position of the device as disclosed in the fourth embodiment. As to structure and function of the sliding door stopper device 8 is identical to the first embodiment shown in Fig. 3.

Further, the sliding door stopper device 8 can be installed under the roller for stopping 60 as shown in the second embodiment (see Fig. 8), as well as installment of the sliding door stopper device 8 under the door closer roller 7 shown in the third embodiment (see Fig. 9).

[Other embodiment]

Beside above disclosed embodiments, the sliding door stopper device 8 can be installed against the roller 2 or the roller 3 (see Fig. 3). Also, it is possible to use other structure for following components such as the stopping arm 9 act as the arm for stopping, the tension spring 12 act as the biasing part and the pressing spring 13 act as the pressing force part, as long as these components support maintaining automatic operation and stoppage of the sliding door carrying out by corresponding ordinal operation of the operator.

In addition, although the sliding door 10 is closed automatically by the door closer in above disclosed embodiment, it is possible to incline the rail 5 for automatic door closer.

[Advantage of the present invention]

In the sliding door stopper device of the present invention, the arm for stopping is positioned on the standard line which passes center of the rotating part and a point at the external surface of the rotating part. The one end of center in the stopping arm is moved reciprocally on the standard line, the other movable end of the stopping arm is moved reciprocally between both sides of the standard line with facing to the external surface of the rotating part.

Also, the other movable end of the arm for stopping is biased toward a direction accessed to the standard line by the biasing part. In addition, the stopping arm is pressed toward the external surface of the rotating part by the pressing part, so that when the other movable end of the stopping arm is positioned on to the standard line and rotation of the rotating part stops for predetermined duration, stoppage of the rotating part is maintained by the bias causing the bias part.

That is, when the operator gives a force toward a direction to open the sliding door in addition to stop the sliding door at a desired position for predetermined duration, stoppage of the rotating part is maintained by the pressing of the stopping arm, so that the sliding door stops at the position.

On the other hand, when the operator does not open the sliding door for predetermined duration and immediately releases the force to open the sliding door, the other movable end of the arm moves toward out from the standard line by a moving force of the sliding door which has tendency to close the door automatically. So that, the sliding door is closed automatically.

The sliding door keeps open position when the operator keeps opening the sliding door for predetermined duration then release the door. On the contrary, the sliding door is closed automatically when the operator does not keep opening the sliding door for the duration. Consequently, the sliding door is closed automatically or maintains open position without additional operation beside ordinal operation. Also, since the manual control part is not required for the sliding door, it does not mar the appearance of the sliding door.

In the sliding door stopper device of the present invention, the adjustment part adjusting the pressing force of the pressing part is attached. That is, pressing force of the arm for stopping toward the external surface of the rotating part can be adjusted and controlled.

Therefore, it is possible to control the stable opening condition when the sliding door stops for predetermined duration by adjusting the pressurize force. For instance, although the operator release the pressurize force to open the sliding door immediately after opening by strengthen the pressurize force, it is possible to control for maintaining open position of the sliding door. On the contrary, the operator can switch and operate the sliding door easily in either way whether the sliding door stopper device functions as stated above or not by adjusting the pressing force as zero at the sliding door stopper device.

Also the sliding stopper device in the present invention, the adjustment part comprises the screw part for adjusting the pressing force of the pressing part. The screw part is positioned that the center line of the screw is substantially vertical toward a pressing direction of the pressing part. That is, the pressing force of the pressing part can be adjusted with the screw part from the different direction of the pressing direction of the pressing part.

Therefore, the screw part of the adjustment part can be positioned with corresponding to a position of the sliding door stopper device. For instance, when the sliding door stopper device is installed upper side of the sliding door, the screw part is faced downward. As a result, it is possible to adjust the pressing force of the pressing part easily by adjusting the screw part.

Although the invention has been described in its preferred form with a certain degree of particularly, it is understood that the present disclosure of the preferred form has been combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, in the claims and/or in the accompanying drawings may, both separately and in any combination thereof, be material for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims

A sliding door stopper device (8) installed to a sliding door (10), said door movable from an open position in a closing direction automatically, the device having a rotating part (6) allowing a rotating movement corresponding to the closing and the opening of the door along a rail (5) attached to a wall surface (30), the device comprising:

a) a stopping arm (9) pivoting on a standard line (L1) which passes through the center of the rotating part (6) and lying in a plane which is parallel to the rail (5), a first end of the stopping arm being movable reciprocally across the standard line (L1) and a second movable end being movable reciprocally across the standard line (L1), the second end facing to the external surface of the rotating part (6);

b) a biasing part (12) which biases the first movable end of the arm in alignment with the standard line;

c) a pressing part (13) maintaining a stop position of the rotating part (6) by a pressing force, by which the stopping arm (9) is pressed toward the external surface of the rotating part (6) when rotation of the rotating part (6) stops for a predetermined duration and in a condition that the first movable end of the stopping arm is located on the standard line (L1).
A sliding door stopper device (8) in accordance with claim 1, wherein the standard line (L1) is parallel to the rail (5).
A sliding door stopper device (8) in accordance with claim 1, wherein the standard line (L1) is substantially perpendicular to the rail (5).
A sliding door stopper device (8) in accordance with any of claims 1 to 3, which further comprises an adjustment part (14) adjusting a pressing force of the pressing part (13).
A sliding door stopper device (8) in accordance with claim 4, wherein the adjustment part (14) comprises a screw part (80) for adjusting a pressing force of the pressurized part (13), the screw part (80) is positioned to substantially vertical toward the center line of a pressing direction (23) of the pressing part (13).