EP1640540A1

EP1640540A1 - Door closing device of sliding door

Info

Publication number: EP1640540A1
Application number: EP04730023A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Masahiro Shimodaira Hardware Co. Ltd. NAGATA
Original assignee: Shimodaira Hardware Co Ltd
Current assignee: Shimodaira Hardware Co Ltd
Priority date: 2003-06-30
Filing date: 2004-04-28
Publication date: 2006-03-29
Also published as: WO2005001227A1; CN1780968A; KR100695771B1; JP2005023615A; HK1092512A1; EP1640540A4; JP3930459B2; CN100526588C; KR20050051689A

Abstract

The present invention relates to a door closing device for sliding doors used in a range of storage furniture such as cupboards, bookcases and showcases, which is designed so that, when the sliding door is moved closer to the door closing side end part of the sliding door in particular, the sliding door is forcibly pulled to the door closing side end part and the speed of the sliding door is decelerated appropriately to realize an excellent door closing motion at the completion of the closing of the door. A turnable hook member 2 is turnably mounted in a slide member 1 that slides along the appropriate region in a casing A mounted in the end part location of the guide rail 17, and the abovementioned slide member 1 is urged to the door closing side by way of an elastic member 3. A guide moving body B that moves along a guide rail 17 is moved along the sliding region of the abovementioned slide member 1 in the direction of door closing from a state in which it is engaged with the abovementioned hook member 2 by a resistance force T produced by a buffer member 4 that reduces the elastic force of said elastic member 3.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a door closing device for a sliding door used in a variety of storage furniture such as cupboards, bookcases and showcases and the like in which an excellent door closing motion is produced by, when the sliding door is moved closer to the door closing side end part of the sliding door in particular, the pulling of the sliding door forcibly nearer to the door closing side end part and, at the completion of the closing of the door, the appropriate deceleration of the speed of the sliding door.

BACKGROUND ART

Sliding door devices of the prior art include the device disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 2002-138739. In addition, most sliding doors mounted in various storage furniture such as cupboards, bookcases and showcases comprise a glass door. These sliding doors may be of a very simple structure in which, provided the front facade of the storage furniture is not large, guide rails are formed in positions at the top and bottom of the front facade and the upper and lower end parts of a glass plate are inserted in these guide rails. Exclusive furniture demand that the opening and closing motion of the sliding door be both dignified and elegant. However, because large furniture also have large sliding doors and, in addition, because the weight of the doors themselves is very heavy, it is difficult to produce an opening and closing motion using the sliding door of the structure of the prior art as described above that is both dignified and elegant.
In addition, with large sliding doors such as this there is the additional concern that, due to the impetus of the sliding door created by its heavy weight when it first begins to move, be a collision-like abutting of the sliding door against the door closing end part will occur with large impact. A condition such as this reduces the quality of the furniture and, therefore, it cannot be deemed exclusive. Ultimately, to prevent the collision-like condition during the closing of the sliding door at the door closing side end part as described above, the impetus of the door closing motion of the sliding door must be minimized as far as possible. In doing this however, and imperfect door closed state of the sliding door is liable to be formed.
This too is a factor in the reduction of the quality of a furniture. Furthermore, although sliding doors comprising door closing devices with a buffer function for the door closing motion of the sliding door are also available, in most cases these devices are large and, as a result, the door closing device is evident in the exterior of the sliding door, extra space is required, and there is a loss of external appearance.
It is an object of the present invention to produce an excellent door closing motion by, when the sliding door is moved closer to the door closing side end part of the sliding door in particular, the forcible pulling of the sliding door nearer to the door closing side end part and, at the completion of the closing of the door, the appropriate deceleration of the speed of the sliding door, and it is a further object thereof to minimize the space required for the assembly of the door closing device in the sliding door device by compacting the door closing device and assembling it directly in the guide rail of the sliding door.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

Thereupon, as a result of the earnest and sustained research of the inventors carried out in order to resolve the above-described problems, the present invention provides a door closing device for a sliding door in which a hook member is turnably mounted on a slide member that slides along an appropriate region in a casing mounted in an end part position of a guide rail; the slide member is urged to the door closing side by way of an elastic member; and a guide moving body that moves along a guide rail is moved along the sliding region of the slide member in the direction of door closing from a state in which it is engaged by the hook member, by a resistance force produced by a buffer member that reduces the elastic force of said elastic member, whereby an excellent door closing motion can be produced by the forcible pulling of the sliding door nearer to the door closing side end part and, during the completion of the door closing, the appropriate deceleration of the speed of the sliding door. Furthermore, the space required for the assembly of the door closing device in the sliding door device can be minimized by the compacting of the door closing device and the direct assembly thereof in the guide rail of the sliding door. Accordingly, the above-described problems are resolved.
More particularly, the smooth door closing motion of the sliding door can be achieved by the method for affixing the abovementioned door closing device of the sliding door. This refers to the fact that the hook member is slidably provided due to a pivotal connection between the buffer member and the hook member. In addition, although the force at which the slide member moves along the casing in the direction of closing of the door is produced by the elastic force of the elastic member, because of the provision of the buffer member for reducing this elastic force, the sliding door can be moved in the direction of closing of the door by the guide moving body at a force that is equivalent to the resistance force of the buffer member deducted from the elastic force of the elastic member and, accordingly, a very smooth, stable and excellent door closing motion can be performed.
In addition, a door closing device for a sliding door according to the present invention comprises a slide member; a hook member comprising a turning base part pivotally connected to the slide member, an engaged piece, an abutted piece and an engage part that is projected upward by the turning motion of the turning base part; an elastic member that urges said slide member elastically in the door closing side direction; a buffer member that generates a resistance force that reduces the elastic force of said elastic member; a main guide part in which the slide member, hook member, elastic member and buffer member are mounted and in which the slide member is guided in the horizontal direction; a casing mounted on a guide rail and having an engaged surface part formed in a position of said main guide part more toward the door opening; and a guide member provided in a guide moving body that moves along the guide rail and having a locking part that engages with the engaged piece and that abuts against the abutted piece, the locking part being formed in the tip end of an arm-shaped part that extends in the direction of movement, wherein the hook member is formed so that the slide member swings only at the end part position at the door opening side and so that the engage part is engagable with the abovementioned engaged surface part. Thereby, an excellent door closing motion can be produced by, when the sliding door is moved closer to the door closing side end part of the sliding door, the forcible pulling of the sliding door nearer to the door closing side end part and, at the completion of the closing of the door, the appropriate deceleration of the speed of the sliding door. Furthermore, the space required for the assembly of the door closing device in the sliding door device can be minimized by the compacting of the door closing device and the direct assembly thereof in the guide rail of the sliding door.
In a more detailed description of the effect thereof, the hook member in which the engaged piece and abutted piece are formed is swingable with respect to the slide member and, in addition, the engage part is designed to project upward by the turning motion of the turning base part. The hook member is formed so that the slide member swings only at the end part position at the door opening side and so that the engage part is engagable with the engaged surface part. Accordingly, in the door closing motion, a temporary stopped state is formed in the initial state in which the hook member is in a stable state at the door opening side. That is to say, when the swing motion of the hook member is implemented little sway thereof occurs in the left and right directions whereby, accordingly, the likelihood of a breakdown thereof occurring is very small.
Furthermore, although the engagement that takes place when the locking part of the guide moving body attempts to engage the hook member is smooth and the slide member and hook member are moved in the direction of closing of the door by the elastic member, the resistance force of the buffer member acts on the elastic member at this time to reduce the elastic force thereof, and the slide member along which the guide moving body is moved and the hook member can be moved at the appropriate smooth speed in the casing. In addition, in the present invention, the slide member and hook member move in the casing along the longitudinal direction of the casing, and the movement direction thereof is the same as the direction of movement of the guide moving body in the guide rail. Accordingly, the casing of the present invention can be mounted in the end part in the longitudinal direction for the guide moving body and, as a result, an essential integration with the guide rail and simplification of the mounting of the device of the present invention and minimizing of the space in the position of mounting thereof can be achieved. In addition, a door closing device for a sliding door according to the present invention is designed, based on the abovementioned configuration, such that the engage part and the engaged surface part are formed in a circular arc-shaped convex face part and a circular arc-shaped concave face part that turn about a pivotally-connected part, whereby, when the hook member moves from the main body part to the position of the engaged surface part to afford the engagement of the engage part and the engaged surface part, the turning motion of the hook member can be performed very smoothly.
In addition, a door closing device for a sliding door according to the present invention is designed, based on the abovementioned configuration, such that a rack part is formed in the slide member; and the buffer member comprises a tooth gear part that meshes with the rack part and that generates a resistance force in response to the movement of the slide member in the door closing side direction produced by the elastic, whereby the deceleration of the sliding door can be performed simply and satisfactorily.
In addition, a door closing device for a sliding door according to the present invention is designed, based on the abovementioned configuration, such that a slide member operating piece and hook operating piece that project to the exterior of the casing are formed in the slide member and hook member respectively, whereby, even if, due to inexact motion, only the hook member is within the casing in a state in which the locking part of the guide moving body is not engaged by the hook member, the hook member can be projected to the exterior of the casing by the slide member operating piece and the hook operating piece.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1A is a front view showing, partially in cross section, the main part of the door closing device of the present invention in a state in which it is mounted in a sliding door;
Figure 1B is a front view of the main part of the door closing device of the present invention;
Figure 1C is an exploded perspective view of the slide member and hook member;
Figure 1D is a perspective view of the buffer member;
Figure 2A is a side view of the main part of the door closing device as seen from the first casing part side;
Figure 2B is a side view of the main part of the door closing device as seen from a second casing part side;
Figure 3A is a cross-sectional view along the line of the arrows X₁-X₁ of Figure 2A;
Figure 3B is a cross-sectional view along the line of the arrows X₂-X₂ of Figure 2A;
Figure 4A is a side view of the slide member and the hook member;
Figure 4B is a perspective view of the slide member and the hook member;
Figure 5A is an expanded side view of the hook member in the state in which it is inclined with the slide member;
Figure 5B is an expanded side view of the slide member and the hook member;
Figure 6 is a side view of a first casing part;
Figure 7A is an operational diagram of the state in which the hook member is positioned in the main guide part;
Figure 7B is an operational diagram of the state in which the hook member is positioned in the engaged surface part;
Figure 8A is an expanded operational diagram in the state in which the hook member is positioned in the main guide part;
Figure 8B is an expanded operational diagram of the state in which the hook member is positioned in the engaged surface part;
Figure 9A is a perspective view of the guide moving member;
Figure 9B is a vertical cross-sectional view of the sliding door device in which the door closing device of the present invention is mounted;
Figure 10A is an operational diagram of the state in which a locking part of a guide moving body is approaching the hook member of the casing;
Figure 10B is an operational diagram of the state in which the locking part of the guide moving body is abutting the abutment piece of the hook member of the casing;
Figure 10C is an operational diagram of the state in which the locking part of the guide moving body is engaged by the hook member of the casing;
Figure 11A is an operational diagram in which the temporary stopped state produced by the engagement of the locking part of the guide moving body with the hook member of the casing is released;
Figure 11B is an operational diagram of the state in which the door closing has been completed;
Figure 12A is an operational diagram of the initiation of door closing in which the locking part of the guide moving body is engaged by the hook member of the casing;
Figure 12B is an operational diagram of the state in which the sliding door has been moved in the door opening direction to afford the movement of the hook member to the door opening end part;
Figure 12C is an operational diagram in which the locking part of the guide moving body is detached from the hook member of the casing and a temporary stopped state of the hook member is produced;
Figure 13 is an expanded view of the state in which a rack part of the slide member and a tooth gear part of the slide member are engaged; and
Figure 14 is an operational schematic diagram for illustrating the motion of the sliding door of the present invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

A description of the embodiment of the present invention is given below with reference to the diagrams. The present invention is principally configured from door closing device component parts comprising, for example, a slide member 1, a hook member 2, an elastic member 3, a buffer member 4 and a casing A fixed to a guide rail side, and a guide moving body B mounted on a sliding door 18 side. First, as shown in Figure 1C, Figure 4A and Figure 4B and so on, a rack part 1b of the abovementioned slide member 1 is formed along the longitudinal direction of an approximately square shaft-shaped slide main body part 1a. The rack part 1b, which is formed from a large number of teeth, constitutes the position at which a later-described engagement of the buffer member 4 with a resistance tooth gear occurs.
As is shown in Figure 1C, a pivotally-connected part 1c is formed in one end side in the longitudinal direction of the slide main body part 1a. A connecting shaft piece 1c₁ is formed in the pivotally-connected part 1c and, by way of the connecting shaft piece 1c₁, as shown in Figure 1B, is pivotally-connected with the later-described hook member 2. Furthermore, a guide protruding piece 1d is formed in the vicinity of the abovementioned pivotally-connected part 1c in the end surface in the longitudinal direction of the abovementioned slide main body part 1a. As is shown in Figure 1C, the guide protruding piece 1d, of which the upper surface thereof is formed flat, constitutes a region that protrudes in the horizontal direction in such a way as to be approximately orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the slide main body part 1a.
The guide protruding piece 1d constitutes the region that slides along a later-described main guide part 6 of the casing A. Furthermore, a later-described elastic member connection part 1e to which the end part of the elastic member 3 is fastened is formed in the lower part of the abovementioned guide protruding piece 1d. In addition, a slide member operating piece 1f is formed in such a way as to project downward from the position of the guide protruding piece 1d. In addition, a later-described slide-regulating protrusion 1g that engages with a slide-regulating part formed in the casing A side is formed in the abovementioned slide main body part 1a. The slide-regulating protrusion 1g, which is formed in the end part toward the door closing side in the longitudinal direction of the slide member 1, is formed to protrude in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the slide member 1.
In addition, a projecting part 1h that protrudes upward is formed in the door opening side end part of the slide member 1 and, by the abutting of the tip end of the projecting part 1h against the later-described hook member 2, serves the role of regulating the range of swing of the hook member 2. It should be noted that, in the explanation of the door closing side and the door opening side given here, the door closing side refers to the direction in which the sliding door 18 is moved when closed which, in Figure 1A, is the direction from the left side to the right side. In addition, the door opening side in Figure 1A is the direction from the right side to the left side. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 1B, the side to the right of the casing A is the door closing side and the side to the left is the door opening side.
Next, the hook member 2 comprises a turning base part 2a, hook part 2b, and an engage part 2c that is projected upward by the swing motion of the abovementioned turning base part 2a. The hook part 2b comprises an engaged piece 2b₁ and abutted piece 2b₂, and the engaged piece 2b₁ and abutted piece 2b₂ are formed in an approximately parallel state. The engaged piece 2b₁, as shown in Figure 5A and Figure 5B, is formed to a dimension that is less in the height direction than the abutted piece 2b₂.
In addition, the shape between the engaged piece 2b₁ and abutted piece 2b₂ describes an approximately U-shaped recess part 2b₃, and a later-described locking part 15b of the guide moving body B can be inserted in this recess part 2b₃. By the formation in the abovementioned slide member 1 of a pivoting hole 2a₁ in which the connecting shaft piece 1c₁ formed in the pivotally-connected part 1c is inserted, and the insertion of the abovementioned connecting shaft piece 1c₁ in the pivoting hole 2a₁, the slide member 1 and hook member 2 are connected at the turning base part 2a and the hook member 2 is formed to be turnable in the vertical direction with respect to the slide member 1 (see, for example, Figure 1B, Figure 4A and Figure 5). The abovementioned engage part 2c constitutes a region that is formed in a circular arc shape about the pivoting hole 2a₁ of the abovementioned turning base part 2a. More specifically, the engage part 2c constitutes the region that forms the outer circumferential side face of the turning base part 2a. The engage part 2c constitutes a section that in a circular arc turnably approaches or contacts a later-described engaged surface part 7 formed in the casing A. As is described above, the swing of the pivotally-connected part 1c of the connecting shaft piece 1c₁ for the hook member 2 and the slide member 1 using the pivoting hole 2a₁ is about the arc of the abovementioned engage part 2c.
In addition, a guide protrusion 2d may be formed in the hook part 2b of the hook member 2. By the insertion of the guide protrusion 2d in a later-described auxiliary guide part 12 formed in the casing A, excellent movement of the hook member 2 along the longitudinal direction of the casing A is facilitated, and an excellent and precise turning motion of the hook member 2 can be performed.
Furthermore, as shown in, for example, Figure 1C and Figure 4A, a hook operating piece 2e is formed facing downward from the abovementioned turning base part 2a. The hook operating piece 2e serves a role that allows, where the hook member 2 is held in the casing A as a result of an inexact motion, the forcible movement thereof to the exterior of the casing A by way of the hook operating piece 2e. The hook operating piece 2e projects to the exterior of the casing A together with the abovementioned slide member operating piece 1f so that an operation to forcibly move the slide member 1 and hook member 2 to the exterior of the casing A can be performed (see Figure 1A). Furthermore, a locking protrusion piece 2f is formed in the position of the apex part of the abovementioned turning base part 2a in such a way as to describe a right angle with the width direction of the hook part 2b. The locking protrusion piece 2f moves so that, when the hook member 2 moves along the later-described main guide part 6 together with the slide member 1, the abovementioned locking protrusion piece 2f abuts the main guide part 6.
Next, the casing A, which is divided into two halves, is configured from a first casing part A₁ and a second casing part A₂. Figure 6 is the view as seen from the interior side of the first casing part A₁. The main guide part 6 is formed in the inner part side of the first main body 5 of the first casing part A₁. The main guide part 6 constitutes an area formed linearly along the longitudinal direction of the first casing A₁, and the lower surface side thereof is formed flat. More specifically, the main guide part 6 describes an expanding shape from the outer surface of the first main body 5 toward the inner side.
In addition, the abovementioned main guide part 6 is formed in a region that occupies approximately half of the door opening side of the abovementioned first main body 5 in the longitudinal direction. The main guide part 6 of which, as described above, the lower surface side is formed flat, abuts the upper end surface of the guide protruding piece 1d of the abovementioned slide member 1 and, in addition, the locking protrusion piece 2f of the abovementioned hook member 2 also abuts the main guide part 6. The engaged surface part 7 is formed in the end part position of the main body part 6 in the direction of opening. As shown in, for example, Figure 6 and Figure 8, the engaged surface part 7 is formed in a circular arc shape. More specifically, the abovementioned hook member 2 describes a convex circular arc shaped face, that is to say, a circular arc shaped convex surface part, and the abovementioned engaged surface part 7 describes a concave circular arc shaped face, that is to say, an arc shaped concave surface part. The radiuses of curvature of the abovementioned engage part 2c and the abovementioned engaged surface part 7 are approximately equal, whereby the abovementioned engage part 2c is able to perform a smooth turning motion along the engaged surface part 7.
When the hook member 2 moves along the main guide part 6 and arrives at the position of the engaged surface part 7, movement of the engage part 2c in such a way as to slide along the engaged surface part 7 and swing motion of the hook member 2 can be performed. By the engaging of the engage part 2c of the abovementioned hook member 2 with the abovementioned engaged surface part 7, the hook member 2, resisting the elastic force of the elastic member 3, comes to a temporary stopped state in the position of the engaged surface part 7. This temporary stopped state refers to a state in which, although there is no motion due to vibration and the like, stoppage to the extent that movement is possible when the locking part 15b abuts the guide moving body B is able to be maintained.
At this time the hook member 2 is in an inclined state with the upper end of the engaged piece 2b₁ lower than the upper end of the abutted piece 2b₂. In this state, the locking part 15b of the guide moving body B forms a state in which it is retractable between the engaged piece 2b₁ and the abutted piece 2b₂. Furthermore, a buffer member affixing part 8, in which the buffer member 4 is mounted, is formed in the first casing part A₁, and the buffer member affixing part 8 is mounted in the casing A by way of the buffer member 4. The guide protruding piece 1d of the abovementioned slide member 1 abuts the lower side of the main guide part 6. Although it is conditional that the elastic force F of the abovementioned elastic member 3 is larger than the resistance force T generated by the buffer member 4, the difference between the elastic force F and resistance force T is a value that is set as appropriate.
Next, a description will be given of the second casing part A₂. In Figure 1B, which is the view as seen from the interior of the second casing A₂, the slide member 1, hook member 2, elastic member 3 and buffer member 4 are mounted therein. Figure 2B is a view of the second casing part A₂ as seen from the exterior. It should be noted that Figure 2A, which constitutes a diagram of the combining of the second casing A₂ and the first casing A₁, is a view as seen from the first casing A₁ side.
A slide-regulating part 11 and auxiliary guide part 12 are formed in this second main body 10. The slide-regulating part 11 is linear in shape, and a slide-regulating protrusion 1g of the abovementioned slide member 1 is inserted therein for regulating the range of movement of the slide member 1 in the casing A. That is to say, this serves the role of ensuring that the slide member 1 can be moved properly through the casing A, and of ensuring that the slide member 1 and hook member 2 do not fall out to the exterior of A. In addition, proper movement of the slide member 1 refers to movement in the range in which the hook member 2 pulled in the door opening direction by the locking part 15b of the guide moving part B can be temporarily stopped at the position of the engaged surface part 7. The abovementioned slide-regulating part 11, which is formed in slit shape, is grooved to the extent that allows the smooth movement of the slide-regulating protrusion 1g of the abovementioned slide member 1.
Next, the abovementioned auxiliary guide part 12 constitutes a region that, by the insertion of the guide protrusion 2d of the abovementioned hook member 2, facilitates the guide of the moving and swinging operations of the hook member 2 in a stabilized state in the longitudinal direction of the casing A. The auxiliary guide part 12 is configured from a linear slide guide part 12a formed in a linear slit shape and a swing guide part 12b along which the hook member 2 swings. The abovementioned linear slide guide part 12a serves the role of supporting the movement of the hook member 2 when the hook member 2 moves in the longitudinal direction along the casing A together with the slide member 1. In addition, the swing guide part 12b is formed so, when the swing motion of the hook member 2 is performed, movement in a stable state is possible.
The auxiliary guide part 12 serves the role of ensuring greater reliability in the motion of the hook member 2 and the slide member 1 produced by the main guide part 6 and engaged surface part 7 of the abovementioned first casing part A₁. Accordingly, the auxiliary guide part 12 need not necessarily be provided. In addition, although it is possible for just the auxiliary part 12 to be provided without the abovementioned main guide part 6 and the engaged surface part 7, if this is the case a separate guide part must be provided for the purpose of facilitating the slide of the slide member 1.
A mounting protrusion part 13 for mounting in the end part of a later-described guide rail 17 is formed in the second casing part A₂. The mounting protrusion part 13, by the insertion thereof along the longitudinal direction from the end part in the longitudinal direction of the guide rail 17, facilitates the maintenance of the casing A in a stable state in the guide rail 17. In addition, by the formation of the swing guide part 12b of the abovementioned auxiliary guide part 12 in the mounting protrusion part 13, a stable swing motion can be performed in a state in which a part of the hook member 2 protrudes from the casing A. It should be noted that, at the position of juncture of the abovementioned first casing part A₁ in the lower end of the second casing part A₂, a notch part 10a, in a line shape, is formed to facilitate the formation of an operating slit through which the abovementioned slide member operating piece 1f and hook operating piece 2e protrude to the exterior of the casing A.
Next, the abovementioned elastic member 3 comprises an elastic part 3a and connecting parts 3b, 3b formed in both sides in the longitudinal direction of said elastic part 3a, and one of these connecting parts 3b connects to an elastic member connection part 14 of the second casing part A₂ and the other connecting part 3b connects to an elastic member connection part 1e of the slide member 1. The abovementioned elastic member 3a constitutes a coil spring. A spring housing part 25, in which the elastic part 3a is able to be stretchably housed, is formed in the second casing part A₂ and, as shown in Figure 1B, the elastic part 3a is housed in a folded formation in such a way as to describe an essentially U-shaped character across its width.
Next, the buffer member 4 serves the role of reducing the elastic force F of the abovementioned elastic member 3. More specifically, as shown in Figure 1D, a tooth gear part 4a is mounted in a buffer receptacle 4b, and flanges 4c, 4c are formed in said buffer receptacle 4b. The buffer receptacle 4b is mounted in the first casing part A₁ by way of the flanges 4c, 4c. A mechanism, by way of example, a substance of high viscosity such as grease provided in the interior, is provided in the buffer receptacle 4b for generating a resistance force T with respect to the rotation of the abovementioned tooth gear part 4a, a plate piece specifically for stirring is mounted on the shaft of the tooth gear part 4a, and the resistance force T is generated in response to the external force that is transmitted by the tooth gear part 4a.
The buffer member 4, as shown in Figure 1B and Figure 13 and so on, generates a resistance force T with respect to the elastic force F that moves the slide member 1 to the door closing side as a result of the engagement of the tooth gear part 4a with the rack part 1b of the abovementioned slide member 1 whereupon, by a door closing force P equivalent to the deduction of the resistance force T from the elastic force F, the slide member 1 and hook member 2 are moved to the door closing side. That is to say, the guide moving body B which supports the sliding door 18 is moved at a force equivalent to F-T = P and, as shown in Figure 14, using the door closing force P from the state in which the locking part 15b of the guide moving body B is engaged with the hook member 2 until completion of the door closing, an initial speed Vn of the sliding door 18 can be formed as a low speed Vm. It should be noted that, although the buffer member 4 is a type that generates a resistance force T by way of the tooth gear part 4a as shown in Figure 1D, a cylinder type may also be used.
Next, the guide member 15 is configured from an arm-shaped part 15a mounted on the guide moving body B that extends along the direction of movement of said guide moving body B, and a locking part 15b formed in the tip end of said arm-shaped part 15a, and this locking part 15b is formed to protrude in a hook shape in the horizontal direction with respect to the longitudinal direction of the abovementioned arm-shaped part 15a. In addition, in the door closing motion, the locking part 15b abuts the abutted piece 2b₂ of the hook member 2 which is in the temporary stopped state in the abovementioned engaged surface part 7 causing the hook member 2 to move from the engaged surface part 7 to the main guide part 6 and, while held between the engaged piece 2b₁ and abutted piece 2b₂, engages with the abovementioned hook member 2.
The abovementioned guide member 15 constitutes the connecting region with the guide moving body B and, more specifically, is mounted on a moving part 16 which constitutes the principal region of the guide moving body B. The abovementioned guide moving body B, as shown in Figure 9, serves the role of moving the sliding door 18 along the guide rail 17. Guide rails 17 are provided in a position below the sliding door 18 and in a position above the sliding door 18. One or a plurality of rail parts 17a, 17a are formed in these two guide rails 17. Guide openings 17a₁ are formed below all the rail parts 17a, 17a of these guide rails 17, and rail parts 17a₂, 17a₂ are formed in one or both sides of these guide openings 17a₁.
The abovementioned guide moving body B which is formed to correspond to the upper guide rail 17 is a hang-roller type, and the moving part 16 is configured from a moving main body part 16a and roller parts 16b, 16b. The moving main body part 16a comprises a support shaft part 16c that serves the role of regulating the position of the sliding door 18 in the vertical direction, and a connecting tool 19 for connecting with the sliding door 18 is mounted in the lower part of said support shaft part 16c. The connection tool 19 affords connection between the guide moving part B and the sliding door 18.
In addition, a guide moving body B is also mounted in the lower part side of the sliding door 18. This lower part side guide moving body B, that is mounted on the lower guide rail 17 and is essentially the same as the guide moving body B mounted on the upper side guide rail 17, forms a structure by which the lower guide moving body B lower slides within the abovementioned guide rail 17. A door closing tool is also mounted in the lower side guide rail 17 and, in addition, a guide member 15 is provided in the lower side guide moving body B. The structure for the mounting of the guide member 15 in the lower side guide moving body B is essentially the same as that for the mounting of the guide member 15 in the upper guide moving body B.
It should be noted that a door closing tool is mounted in the upper guide rail 17 but, if the guide member 15 is mounted in the guide moving body B, there is no particular necessity for a door closing tool to be mounted in the lower guide rail 17. In addition, the door closing device of the present invention may be mounted on the lower guide rail 17 without the door closing device of the present invention mounted on the upper guide rail 17. It should be noted that Figure 14 shows a furniture that,comprises a sliding door device in which the door closing device of the present invention is mounted.
Next, a description will be given of both the door closing and door opening operations of the sliding door 18 afforded by the door closing device of the present invention. First, in an explanation of the door closing motion of the sliding door based on Figure 10 and Figure 11, as shown in Figure 10A, the hook member 2 is pivotally connected with the slide member 1 and, in the initial state thereof, lies in a temporary stopped state which describes the state in which the engage part 2c of the hook member 2 is engaged with the engaged surface part 7 of the casing A (first casing part A₁). In addition, when the sliding door 18 in an opened state is moved in the direction of door closing (from left side to right side direction in Figure 10A), as shown in Figure 10B, the.tip end of the locking part 15b of the guide member 15 gradually approaches the hook member 2 and abuts the abutted piece 2b₂ of the hook member 2.
Furthermore, when the guide moving body B is moved in the direction of door closing, the locking part 15b acts in such a way as to press against the abutted piece 2b₂ and, as the turning base part 2a of the hook member 2 turns with respect to the slide member 1, the abovementioned engage part 2c is separated from the engaged surface part 7 of the casing A to release the temporary stopped state of the hook member 2. More specifically, as the turning base part 2a in Figure 7B and Figure 8B rotates in the clockwise direction, the engage part 2c is detached from the engaged surface part 7. At this time, the locking part 15b of the guide moving body B, by way of the process illustrated by Figure 10C and Figure 11A, is held in the approximately U-shaped recess between the engaged piece 2b₁. and abutted piece 2b₂ while abutting the abutted piece 2b₂ of the hook member 2.
The engagement motion between the locking part 15b and hook member 2 is implemented and the temporary stoppage state of the hook member 2 is released and, essentially simultaneously therewith, the guide protrusion 2d of the hook member 2 formed in a flat shape is moved to a state in which it is in contact with the main guide part 6, and the slide surface part 2d of the hook member 2, together with the guide protruding piece 1d of the abovementioned slide member 1, is moved in the direction of closing of the door by the elastic force F of the abovementioned elastic member 3. During the movement motion of the slide member 1 and hook member 2 in the direction of closing of the door produced by the elastic member 3, the resistance force T produced by the engagement of the rack part 1b formed in the slide member 2 and the tooth gear part 4a of the buffer member 4 acts in the direction of elastic urging produced by the elastic force of the elastic member 3. As a result, the force formed by the deduction of the resisting force T of the buffer member 4 from the elastic force F of the elastic member 3,'that is to say, the force equivalent to F-T, produces the actual door closing force P. The abovementioned deceleration of the sliding door 18 from the initial door closing speed of Vn created by the door closing motion of an individual is created by this door closing force P so that the door closing motion is implemented at a smooth speed Vm produced as a result of this door closing force P and the door is forcibly moved to the door closing side whereupon, upon arrival at the end part in direction of door closing, the door closing motion is completed (see Figure 11B).
Next, a description will be given of the door opening operation of the sliding door 18 based on Figure 12. First, the hook member 2, as shown in Figure 12A, is positioned in the initial state toward the door closing side [toward the right side in Figure 12A), and the guide member 15 mounted in the abovementioned guide moving body B lies in an engaged state with the engaged piece 2b₁ of the hook member 2. In addition, as shown in Figure 12B, by the movement of the abovementioned sliding door 18 in the door opening direction (in the direction from the right side to left side in Figure 12B) in such a way that the guide member 15 mounted in the guide moving body B pulls the engaged piece 2b₁ of the hook member 2 in the engaged state, the hook member 2 and slide member 1 are forcibly moved to the door opening side along the main guide part 6.
Furthermore, when the sliding door 18 is moved in the door opening direction and the hook member 2 arrives at the position of the engaged surface part 7, the slide-regulating protrusion 1g abuts the end part in the door opening side of the slide-regulating part and, serving the role of a stopper for the slide operation of the slide member 1, stops the slide of the slide member 1. At this time, the engage part 2c of the hook member 2 arrives at the position of the engaged surface part 7.. Furthermore, when the door opening operation of the abovementioned sliding door 18 is continued, the engaged piece 2b₁ of the hook member 2 is pulled out by the locking part 15b of the guide moving body B to afford the rotation of the hook member 2 by way of the turning base part 2a. More specifically, as shown in Figure 7B, Figure 8B and Figure 12C, the hook member 2 rotates in the anticlockwise direction about the turning member 2a, and the engage part 2c moves and engages with the engaged surface part 7. The hook member 2, due to the slide member 1 and the elastic force of the elastic member 3 that is connected to the slide member 1, maintains the state in which the engage part 2c and the engaged surface part 7 are engaged and abutted by an appropriate pressure and, as a result, the hook member 2 is formed in a temporary stoppage state at the position of the engaged surface part 7.
By virtue of the fact that the hook member 2 describes an inclined state at the door opening side, the locking part 15b of the guide moving body B, by the lowering of the position of apex part of the engaged piece 2b₁, detaches from the engaged piece 2b₁ whereupon the engagement state between the locking part 15b and the hook member 2 is released, and the sliding door 18 is moved further to the opening side to complete the opening operation. It should be noted that in Figure 10 to Figure 12, because the main guide part 6 and engaged surface part 7 are formed in the first casing part A₁ side, the main guide part 6 and engaged surface part 7 are described using virtual lines.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The door closing device for a sliding door of the present invention can be utilized to produced an excellent door closing motion by the forcible pulling of the sliding door is nearer to the door closing side end part and, at, the completion of the closing of the door, the appropriate deceleration of the speed of the sliding door and, more particularly, by the compacting of the door closing device and the direct assembly thereof in the guide rail of the sliding door, the space required for the assembly of this door closing device can be minimized. That is to say, a simplification of the mounting of the device of the present invention and a minimizing of the space at the position of mounting can be achieved.

Claims

Door closing device for a sliding door, characterized in that:
a hook member is turnably mounted on a slide member that slides along an appropriate region in a casing mounted in an end part position of a guide rail;

the slide member is urged to the door closing side by way of an elastic member; and

a guide moving body that moves along a guide rail is moved along the sliding region of the slide member in the direction of door closing from a state in which it is engaged by the hook member, by a resistance force produced by a buffer member that reduces the elastic force of said elastic member.
Door closing device for a sliding door comprising:
a slide member;

a hook member comprising a turning base part pivotally connected to the slide member, an engaged piece, an abutted piece and an engage part that is projected upward by the turning motion of the turning base part;

an elastic member that urges said slide member elastically in the door closing side direction;

a buffer member that generates a resistance force that reduces the elastic force of said elastic member;

a main guide part in which the slide member, hook member, elastic member and buffer member are mounted and in which the slide member is guided in the horizontal direction;

a casing mounted on a guide rail and having an engaged surface part formed in a position of said main guide part more toward the door opening; and

a guide member provided in a guide moving body that moves along the guide rail and having a locking part that engages with the engaged piece and that abuts against the abutted piece, the locking part being formed in the tip end of an arm-shaped part that extends in the direction of movement,

wherein the hook member is formed so that the slide member swings only at the end part position at the door opening side and so that the engage part is engagable with the engaged surface part.
Door closing device for a sliding door comprising:
a slide member;

a hook member comprising a turning base part pivotally connected to the slide member, an engaged piece, an abutted piece and an engage part that is projected upward by the turning motion of the turning base part;

an elastic member that urges said slide member elastically in the door closing side direction;

a buffer member that generates a resistance force that reduces the elastic force of said elastic member;

a main guide part in which the slide member, hook member, elastic member and buffer member are mounted and in which the slide member is guided in the horizontal direction;

a casing mounted on a guide rail and having an engaged surface part formed in a position of said main guide part more toward the door opening; and

a guide member provided in a guide moving body that moves along the guide rail and having a locking part that engages with the engaged piece and that abuts against the abutted piece, the locking part being formed in the tip end of an arm-shaped part that extends in the direction of movement,

wherein the hook member is formed so that the slide member swings only at the end part position at the door opening side and so that the engage part is engagable with the engaged surface part, and the engage part and the engaged surface part are formed in a circular arc-shaped convex face part and a circular arc-shaped concave face part that turn about a pivotally-connected part.
Door closing device for a sliding door comprising:
a slide member;

a.hook member comprising a turning base part pivotally connected to the slide member, an engaged piece, an abutted piece and an engage part that is projected upward by the turning motion of the turning base part;

an elastic member that urges said slide member elastically in the door closing side direction;

a buffer member that generates a resistance force that reduces the elastic force of said elastic member;

a main guide part in which the slide member, hook member, elastic member and buffer member are mounted and in which the slide member is guided in the horizontal direction;

a casing mounted on a guide rail and having an engaged surface part formed in a position of said main guide part more toward the door opening; and

a guide member provided in a guide moving body that moves along the guide rail and having a locking part that engages with the engaged piece and that abuts against the abutted piece, the locking part being formed in the tip end of an arm-shaped part that extends in the direction of movement,

wherein the hook member is formed so that the slide member swings only at the end part position at the door opening side and so that the engage part is engagable with the engaged surface part;

a rack part is formed in the slide member; and

the buffer member comprises a tooth gear part that meshes with the rack part and that generates a resistance force in response to the movement of the slide member in the door closing side direction produced by the elastic member.
Door closing device for a sliding door comprising:
a slide member;

a hook member comprising a turning base part pivotally connected to the slide member, an engaged piece, an abutted piece and an engage part that is projected upward by the turning motion of the turning base part;

an elastic member that urges said slide member elastically in the door closing side direction;

a buffer member that generates a resistance force that reduces the elastic force of said elastic member;

a main guide part in which the slide member, hook member, elastic member and buffer member are mounted and in which the slide member is guided in the horizontal direction;

a casing mounted on a guide rail and having an engaged surface part formed in a position of said main guide part more toward the door opening; and

a guide member provided in a guide moving body that moves along the guide rail and having a locking part that engages with the engaged piece and that abuts against the abutted piece, the locking part being formed in the tip end of an arm-shaped part that extends in the direction of movement,

wherein the hook member is formed so that the slide member swings only at the end part position at the door opening side and so that the engage part is engagable with the engaged surface part;

the engage part and the engaged surface part are formed in a circular arc-shaped convex face part and a circular arc-shaped concave face part that turn about a pivotally-connected part;

a rack part is formed in the slide member; and

the buffer member comprises a tooth gear part that meshes with the hook part in the buffer member and that generates a resistance force in response to the movement of the slide member in the door closing side direction produced by the elastic member.
Door closing device for a sliding door comprising:
a slide member;

a hook member comprising a turning base part pivotally connected to the slide member, an engaged piece, an abutted piece and an engage part that is projected upward by the turning motion of the turning base part;

an elastic member that urges said slide member elastically in the door closing side direction;

a buffer member that generates a resistance force that reduces the elastic force of said elastic member;

a main guide part in which the slide member, hook member, elastic member and buffer member are mounted and in which the slide member is guided in the horizontal direction;

a casing mounted on a guide rail and having an engaged surface part formed in a position of said main guide part more toward the door opening; and

a guide member provided in a guide moving body that moves along the guide rail and having a locking part that engages with the engaged piece and that abuts against the abutted piece, the locking part being formed in the tip end of an arm-shaped part that extends in the direction of movement,

wherein the hook member is formed so that the slide member swings only at the end part position at the door opening side and so that the engage part is engagable with the engaged surface part; and

a slide member operating piece and hook operating piece that project to the exterior of the casing are formed in the slide member and hook member respectively.
Door closing device for a sliding door a slide member;
a hook member comprising a turning base part pivotally connected to the slide member, an engaged piece, an abutted piece and an engage part that is projected upward by the turning motion of the turning base part;

an elastic member that urges said slide member elastically in the door closing side direction;

a buffer member that generates a resistance force that reduces the elastic force of said elastic member;

a main guide part in which the slide member, hook member, elastic member and buffer member are mounted and in which the slide member is guided in the horizontal direction;

a casing mounted on a guide rail and having an engaged surface part formed in a position of said main guide part more toward the door opening; and

a guide member provided in a guide moving body that moves along the guide rail and having a locking part that engages with the engaged piece and that abuts against the abutted piece, the locking part being formed in the tip end of an arm-shaped part that extends in the direction of movement,

wherein the hook member is formed so that the slide member swings only at the end part position at the door opening side and so that the engage part is engagable with the engaged surface part;

the engage part and the engaged surface part are formed in a circular arc-shaped convex face part and a circular arc-shaped concave face part that turn about a pivotally connected part; and

a slide member operating piece and hook operating piece that project to the exterior of the casing are formed in the slide member and hook member respectively.