EP2094925B1 - Device for switching a sliding panel from a closed position to an open position and conversely, and assembly including at least one panel and one device of the above type - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has a movable circulating rail (3) serving to slide a door panel (1A) between closed and open positions. A parking rail (4) forms a point or a parking zone of door panel sliding/rolling units i.e. drive wheels (2), in panel's closed position. The rails are subjected to relative displacement during a sequence relative to a panel's movement from the closed position to a shifted closed position such that the rails are arranged, in end-to-end, in an active position of the device. The rails form a panel's traveling path between the shifted and open positions, in the active position. An independent claim is also included for an assembly comprising a sliding door panel and a sliding door panel moving device.

Description

The present invention relates to a device for the passage from a closed position to a closed position shifted then to an open position and vice versa of a sliding panel and an assembly comprising at least one panel and at least one device of the aforementioned type.

Closing spaces by means of sliding doors within or on lower and / or upper rails forming a raceway is a well-known technique to date. However, most doors today slide along differentiated raceways so that in the closed position the doors are offset relative to each other in a direction perpendicular to the vertical plane constituting the doors. To change this positioning of the doors so that the doors occupy a coplanar position in the closed position, different devices have been developed.

Most of these devices are sophisticated, as illustrated by the patent FR-2726854 , in particular to allow simultaneous handling of two doors making their implementation complex and expensive. As a result, such devices have not been generalized. It is the same with the device described in the patent EP-1034999 which requires lifting the panel to bring it from the closed position to the closed position shifted or vice versa.

An object of the present invention is therefore to propose a device for the passage from a closed position to an open position and vice versa of a sliding panel which, in the closed position, extends in a first so-called closure plane and is coplanar with the element or elements that it adjoins, whose design allows its realization in the form of a set of reduced cost ready to pose.

Another object of the present invention is to propose a set of the type comprising a sliding panel and at least one device of the aforementioned type whose designs allow easy assembly of the assembly.

For this purpose, the invention relates to a device for the passage from a closed position to a closed position shifted then to an open position and vice versa of a sliding panel which, in the closed position, extends in a first plane, said closing, and is generally coplanar with the element or elements that it adjoins, said device comprising at least one rail, said parking, forming point or parking zone of the panel, in the closed position of the panel and at least one rail, called circulation, used for sliding of the panel equipped with rolling or sliding means between offset closed position and open position, characterized in that it further comprises at least one additional rail integral in displacement of the parking rail, the additional rail and the parking rail on the one hand, and at least a part of the circulation rail on the other hand, being mounted movable relative to each other so as to be animated by at least a relative displacement between a so-called inactive position of the device in which the additional rail is able to form at least a part of the circulation rail of the element or of at least one movable element adjoining said panel and a so-called active position of the device in which the parking rail and the circulation rail, arranged end-to-end, form a so-called continuous path of circulation of the panel between the closed position offset and the open position, the rail or the rail (s) of parking and the the additional rail (s) being, for their relative displacement with respect to the running rail, mounted on a movable support, solidarisable in displacement of the panel during the passage from the closed position to the closed position shifted from the panel and vice versa, and releasable in displacement of said panel in the active position of the device.

In other words, the device further comprises at least one additional rail integral in displacement of the parking rail, the additional rail and the circulation rail being preferably arranged end to end in a so-called inactive position of the device corresponding to the closed position of the panel. The parking rail and at least a portion of the rail circulation are, for the passage from the closed position to the closed position offset from the panel corresponding to the passage from the inactive position to an active position of the device, able to be driven by a relative movement, this relative displacement causing the circulation rail and rail end-to-end parking means corresponding to a so-called active position of the device in which the circulation rail and the parking rail form a so-called continuous flow path of the panel between the closed position and the open position. The parking rail (s) and the additional rail (s) are, for their relative displacement relative to the circulation rail, mounted on a mobile support, solidarisable in displacement of the panel during the transition from the closed position to the closed position offset from the panel and vice versa, and releasable in displacement of said panel in the active position of the device.

The passage thus comprises at least a first sequence which consists, from the closed position, of shifting the panel transversely to an off-center closed position or a non-coplanar closed position, with a view to permitting an axial displacement of said panel and a second sequence in which the panel can, by means of rolling or sliding means, slide axially at least along, or on, at least one said circulation rail and thus be moved from the closed position shifted to the open position.

As mentioned above, the parking rail and the additional rail mounted on a support form an assembly, movable relative to the circulation rail, able to pass at least a so-called inactive position in which on the one hand, the rail additional and the circulation rail are preferably arranged end to end in a position corresponding to the closed position of the panel, on the other hand, the circulation rail and the parking rail are offset relative to each other , at a so-called active position in which the traffic rail and the parking rail in end-to-end arrangement form a so-called continuous path of circulation of the panel between the closed position shifted and the open position while the circulation rail and the additional rail are offset with respect to each other. In this so-called active position of the device, the panel is detachable in displacement of its rail from slidable parking along the circulation path formed by the parking rail and the traffic rail, between the closed position offset and open position. The traffic rail and the parking rail thus form in end-to-end arrangement a so-called continuous flow path of the panel between the closed position and the open position. By end-to-end arrangement is meant an arrangement in which the element or elements constituting the parking rail and the element or elements constituting the circulation rail are arranged one after the other in any order. It is thus possible to obtain a solution in which a section of the parking rail is interposed between two sections of the circulation rail or else a solution in which the circulation rail and the parking rail are arranged one after the another or a solution in which the sections of the parking rail are arranged on either side of the circulation rail. All these solutions will be considered equivalent in what follows. A rail forming point or parking area means a rail on which the rolling or sliding means are arranged on hold. The parking rail and at least the part of the circulation rail with which the parking rail is driven by a relative movement are therefore able to occupy two positions, one said inactive position of the device in which they are shifted one. relative to each other and the other said active position of the device in which they are positioned end to end and form a so-called continuous flow path of the panel.

It is thus possible to obtain a continuous flow path in the open or closed position of the panel through the cooperation in the open position of the parking rail with the circulation rail and in the closed position of the circulation rail with the additional rail.

Preferably, the support is resiliently biased toward the closure plane in a position in which additional rail and circulation rail are arranged end to end and is lockable in at least one position corresponding to the active position of the device.

Generally, the support is immobilized by means of an elastic immobilizing member biased in the locked position of the support and unlockable by moving the panel from the open position to the closed position shifted or from the closed position shifted to the closed position. The support is, during its driving movement between the positions corresponding to the displacement of the panel between the closed position and the closed position shifted, guided in displacement along a generally stationary guide path.

The guide path may be formed by a guide structure of varied design. Guiding structure, support, circulation rail, parking rail and additional rail can be realized in the form of a ready-to-install assembly by simply fixing in the upper part, such as the ceiling, or low, such as the floor of the floor. space to be closed by said panel.

The circulation rail, the parking rail and the additional rail are indifferently each made in the form of a continuous element or a discontinuous element. Generally, the parking rail and the additional rail are rails parallel to each other which move parallel to the circulation rail.

The parking rail is a movable rail movable in displacement of the panel during the sequence corresponding to the movement of the panel between the closed position and the closed position shifted or in other words the passage of the device from the inactive position to the active position or conversely and releasably dislodged in displacement of the panel in the operative position of the device, this parking rail cooperating, in the uncoupled state in displacement of the panel, with the circulation rail and forming therewith the circulation path of said panel between closed position shifted and open position.

Generally, at least a portion of the circulation rail is a movable solidarable rail moving the movable element adjacent said panel, said circulation rail forming the additional rail of a similar device constituting the device for the passage from the closed position to the closed position shifted then to the open position and vice versa of the element or of at least one movable element, such as a panel, adjoining the panel.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the rail forming point or parking area of the rolling or sliding means of the panel cooperates with anti-derailment means outside the active position of the device. The device therefore comprises anti-derailment means of the panel of the parking rail in the closed position of the panel and during the passage of the panel from the closed position to the closed position shifted.

Preferably, the rail of the device forms at least a portion of the circulation rail of at least one other similar device constituting the device for the passage from the closed position to the closed position shifted then to the open position and vice versa of the element. or at least one movable element, such as a panel, adjoining the panel.

• deux panneaux coulissants équipés de moyens roulants ou glissants, chaque panneau étant mobile entre une position fermée, dans laquelle ledit panneau s'étend dans un premier plan, dit de fermeture, et est généralement coplanaire avec le panneau qu'il jouxte et une position ouverte, dans laquelle ledit panneau s'étend de manière décalée par rapport au panneau ou à au moins un panneau qu'il jouxte,
• au moins deux dispositifs pour le passage d'une position fermée à une position fermée décalée puis à une position ouverte et inversement d'un panneau coulissant, chaque dispositif étant associé à un panneau,

caractérisé en ce que chaque dispositif est du type précité.The invention further relates to a set of the type comprising at least:

• two sliding panels equipped with rolling or sliding means, each panel being movable between a closed position, in which said panel extends in a first plane, said closing, and is generally coplanar with the panel which it adjoins and an open position wherein said panel extends offset from the panel or at least one adjacent panel thereof,
• at least two devices for the passage from a closed position to a closed position shifted then to an open position and vice versa of a sliding panel, each device being associated with a panel,

characterized in that each device is of the aforementioned type.

Preferably, the assembly comprises at least two panels each equipped along their transverse edges, said lower and upper, rolling or sliding means and, per panel, at least two devices for the transition from a closed position to an open position and vice versa of the sliding panel, each device cooperating with the rolling or sliding means equipping a transverse edge of said panel.

It is also possible to envisage an embodiment in which the circulation rail is on at least part of its length common to at least two devices.

Preferably, in said assembly, the additional rail of a device forms the circulation rail of at least one other device.

In a preferred embodiment, the additional rail and the circulation rail of a device of a first panel respectively form the circulation rail and the additional rail of a device of a second panel coplanar with said first panel in the closed position. said panels.

• la figure 1 représente une vue partielle en perspective d'un premier mode de réalisation d'un ensemble comportant au moins deux panneaux et quatre dispositifs conformes à l'invention, lesdits panneaux ayant été représentés en position fermée coplanaire correspondant à la position inactive du dispositif ;
• la figure 2 représente, sous forme de vue partielle en perspective, le déplacement du panneau 1A lors de la première séquence correspondant au passage de la position fermée à la position fermée décalée ;
• la figure 3 représente sous forme de vue partielle en perspective, le panneau 1A en position fermée décalée ;
• la figure 4 représente une vue partielle en perspective d'un ensemble formé d'au moins deux panneaux et d'au moins quatre dispositifs dans une position dans laquelle le panneau 1 A peut coulisser axialement et être déplacé de la position fermée décalée à la position ouverte ;
• la figure 5 représente une vue en perspective d'un premier mode de réalisation d'un dispositif, dit de type tiroir, conforme à l'invention, le panneau et sa roue ayant été représentés partiellement ;
• la figure 6 représente une vue en perspective du dispositif de la figure 5 en position active verrouillée du support 7, l'organe roulant 2 du panneau et le panneau ayant été omis ;
• la figure 7 représente une vue partielle en perspective d'un dispositif conforme à l'invention en position dite inactive du dispositif ;
• la figure 8 représente une vue en perspective du dispositif de la figure 5 en position éclatée des éléments le constituant ;
• la figure 9 représente une vue partielle en perspective d'un autre mode de réalisation d'un ensemble comprenant au moins deux panneaux et au moins quatre dispositifs (deux inférieurs et deux supérieurs) ;
• les figures 10A à 10G représentent, sous forme d'une succession de vues de dessus schématiques fonctionnelles, les différentes phases de déplacement d'un panneau dans le cas d'un dispositif de passage conforme au mode de réalisation représenté aux figures 1 à 8 ;
• les figures 11 A à 11 F représentent sous forme de vues de dessus schématiques fonctionnelles les différentes étapes de déplacement d'un panneau dans le cas d'un mode de réalisation d'un dispositif conforme à celui représenté à la figure 9 ;
• les figures 12A à 12F représentent sous forme de vues de dessus schématiques fonctionnelles les différentes phases de déplacement des panneaux d'un ensemble comprenant au moins trois panneaux disposés dans un seul plan ;
• les figures 13A à 13D représentent, sous forme de vues de dessus schématiques fonctionnelles, les déplacements d'un panneau d'un ensemble comprenant au moins deux panneaux dans un autre mode de réalisation de l'invention ;
• les figures 14A à 14D représentent, sous forme de vues de dessus schématiques fonctionnelles, les différentes phases de déplacement d'un panneau d'un ensemble comportant au moins deux panneaux dans un autre mode de réalisation du dispositif ;

The invention will be better understood on reading the following description of exemplary embodiments, with reference to the appended drawings in which:

• the figure 1 is a partial perspective view of a first embodiment of an assembly comprising at least two panels and four devices according to the invention, said panels having been shown in coplanar closed position corresponding to the inactive position of the device;
• the figure 2 represents, in partial perspective view, the displacement of the panel 1A during the first sequence corresponding to the transition from the closed position to the closed position shifted;
• the figure 3 represents in the form of partial perspective view, the panel 1A in closed position shifted;
• the figure 4 is a partial perspective view of an assembly formed of at least two panels and at least four devices in a position in which the panel 1A can slide axially and be moved from the closed position shifted to the open position;
• the figure 5 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a device, said drawer type, according to the invention, the panel and its wheel having been partially represented;
• the figure 6 represents a perspective view of the device of the figure 5 in the locked active position of the support 7, the rolling member 2 of the panel and the panel having been omitted;
• the figure 7 represents a partial perspective view of a device according to the invention in said inactive position of the device;
• the figure 8 represents a perspective view of the device of the figure 5 in exploded position of the constituent elements;
• the figure 9 is a partial perspective view of another embodiment of an assembly comprising at least two panels and at least four devices (two lower and two upper);
• the Figures 10A to 10G represent, in the form of a succession of functional schematic top views, the different phases of movement of a panel in the case of a passage device according to the embodiment shown in FIGS. Figures 1 to 8 ;
• the Figures 11 A to 11 F represent, in the form of functional schematic top views, the different steps of moving a panel in the case of an embodiment of a device conforming to that shown in FIG. figure 9 ;
• the Figures 12A to 12F represent in the form of functional schematic top views the different phases of movement of the panels of an assembly comprising at least three panels arranged in a single plane;
• the Figures 13A to 13D represent, in the form of functional schematic top views, the displacements of a panel of an assembly comprising at least two panels in another embodiment of the invention;
• the Figures 14A to 14D represent, in the form of functional schematic top views, the different phases of displacement of a panel of an assembly comprising at least two panels in another embodiment of the device;

Various embodiments of the invention will now be described in detail below. As mentioned above, the device, object of the invention, is intended to allow the passage from a closed position to a closed position shifted then an open position and vice versa of a sliding panel 1 A which, in the closed position , extends in a first plane called closure and is generally coplanar with the element or elements, such as panels 1B, 1C similar that it adjoins. This passage comprises at least a first sequence consisting, from the closed position, in transversely shifting the panel 1A with respect to the closure plane in order to bring it into an offset closed position permitting axial displacement of said panel and a second sequence in which the panel can, by means of 2 rolling or sliding means, slide axially at least along, or on at least one rail 3 said circulation and thus be moved from the closed position shifted to the open position. Obviously, this device allows the realization of a third sequence during which the panel is moved axially from the open position to the closed position shifted and a fourth sequence in which the panel is moved transversely to return to a position in which said panels extend in the plane of closure and are coplanar.

Generally, a panel is associated with at least two devices of the aforementioned type. The panel has indeed 2 rolling or sliding means disposed on each of its transverse edges, said one lower, the other higher. The devices, said respectively upper and lower, are in turn arranged one in the upper part, the other in the lower part of the space to be closed by said panel, or the upper device (s) cooperating with the rolling or sliding means equipping the upper transverse edge of said panel while the lower device (s) (s) cooperates (s) with the rolling means equipping the lower transverse edge of the panel.

However, the solution in which the panel is a suspended panel having at least one device only at its upper edge is also within the scope of the invention. In this case, only one of the transverse edges of said panel is equipped with rolling or sliding means 2.

The rolling or sliding means of the panel can affect a large number of shapes. In the examples shown, these means 2 are made in the form of wheels that could have, in an equivalent manner, affect the shape of pads. The transverse edge of each panel could also have, in an equivalent manner, be profiled to form rolling or sliding means of said panel directly integrated therewith. The number of rolling or sliding means 2 can be arbitrary. The sliding panel which, in the closed position, extends in a first plane, said closure and is coplanar with the elements it adjoins, can indifferently be adjoined stationary or mobile elements without the design of the device associated with said panel be modified. However, in a preferred embodiment corresponding to the examples shown, the sliding panel is adjoined by at least one other panel, said panels forming a movable facade. The panels are capable of passing from a closed position in which they are coplanar to an offset closed position in which they extend non-coplanarly parallel to one another and side by side and then to an open position, in which they are arranged one behind the other parallel to each other and vice versa. These panels are generally used for the closure or partitioning of various spaces, especially storage spaces or furniture, such as wardrobe, closet. The assembly described below will include two panels to facilitate the description. However, the number of panels is in no way limited as shown in figure 12 illustrating a facade with three panels. The unlimited number of panels is one of the advantages of the device object of the invention.

In a first embodiment of the invention, in accordance with Figures 1 to 6 , the set comprises two panels 1 A and 1 B and four devices per panel: two in the upper part, two in the lower part of the panel. Only the devices equipping the lower part or lower transverse edge of the panel have been represented. Each device comprises at least one rail 3 of circulation fixed to the ground and serving for sliding of at least one panel in open position and at least one rail 4 forming point or parking area 2 rolling or sliding means in the closed position of the panel 1A . This device also comprises an additional rail 6 extending here in parallel arrangement of the rail 4 parking. This additional rail 6 is integral in displacement of the rail 4 of parking. It is arranged end to end with the circulation rail 3 in the position of the device corresponding to the closed position of the panels. In the example shown in figure 1 it extends either to one end of the circulation rail 3 or between two sections of rail 3 for circulation in an interruption 5 of circulating rail 3 and in each case cooperates with the rail 3 to form a continuous path, of circulation of the panel, in the closed position of the panel with which it is associated. The parking rail 4 and the additional rail 6 are integral in displacement of the panel during movement of the panel between the closed position and the closed position shifted corresponding to the passage of the device from the inactive position to the active position and vice versa. They are releasable in displacement of the panel when the rail 4 of parking is in end-to-end arrangement with the circulation rail 3 and forms with the latter the circulation path of the panel between closed position shifted and open position. To make it possible to detach the parking rail 4 and the additional rail 6 from the panel in displacement, immobilization means of the parking rail 4 are activated when the parking rail 4 is in end-to-end arrangement with the rail 3. of circulation. These immobilization means are able to move from an active position to an inactive position in which they release the parking rail 4 and consequently the additional rail 6, parking rail 4 and additional rail 6 are then returned to the closed position of the panel by a spring 8.

In the example shown in figure 1 , the parking rail 4 and the additional rail 6 are mounted and arranged in parallel on a common platinum-type support 7, guided in displacement along at least one slideway 13 extending substantially orthogonally to the closure plane. This support 7 is biased in the closed position of the panel by a spring 8 which extends between an edge of the support 7 and a connecting cross of the slides between them. Support 7, parking rail 4 and additional rail 6 form the equivalent of a drawer moving along slides 13 in a direction substantially orthogonal to the closure plane. These slides 13 form the anti-derailment means of the parking rail 4 and prevent the exit of the wheels 2 from the rolling parking rail 4 between the closed position of the panel and the closed position offset from the panel. This drawer, secured in displacement of the panel when the device is not in the active position, moves against the spring 8 when passing from the closed position to the closed position offset from the panel to which the drawer is associated. This drawer is locked in an offset closed position in which the drawer parking rail 4 is end-to-end with the circulation rail 3 by a spring loaded lever 9, one end of which is housed in a notch 10 of the support 7. This lever 9 is unlocked by the movement of the panel from the open position towards the closed position offset, the panel coming to act on a projection 11 of the lever 9 as shown in FIG. figure 5 . Unlocking the lever 9 allows the drawer to return to the position corresponding to the closed position of the panel in which the circulation rail 3 and the rail 6 additional are aligned. Lever 9 could have been replaced, in an equivalent manner, by a "push-type" system, the unlocking being effected by pushing on the panel during the passage from the closed position shifted to the closed position. This system is already known for drawers.

The detail of a complete cycle of opening / closing of the panel shown at 1A in the figures will now be described.

As mentioned above, the lower devices of the two panels are preferably installed on a common plate fixed in the lower part of the space to be closed while the upper devices of the two panels are installed on a common board fixed at the top such that the ceiling of the space to be closed by said panels. This results in a simplicity of assembly of the assembly. In the fixed state, the circulation rails 3 as well as the parking rails 4 and the additional rails 6 are aligned with a lower device or greater than another lower or upper device, respectively. At the same time, the circulation rails 3 of the lower devices are positioned vertically above the circulation rails 3 of the upper devices. The same is true of the parking rails 4 and the additional rails 6. As a result, the panels 1A, 1B, each equipped with two wheels 2 on each of their transverse edge, are easily positioned. It is sufficient to position the wheels 2, said lower, panels 1A, 1B on the rail 4 parking of the lower devices and the wheels 2, said higher, on the rail 4 parking of the upper devices. The assembly is extremely simple and fast and implements standard doors. Once the wheels 2 are positioned on the parking rails 4, the panels are then coplanar in the closed position and the passage of each panel from a closed position to an open position and vice versa can be considered. If we refer to the figure 1 which is seen interior side of the space such as closet to close, to open the panel 1 A, it is, at first, subjected to a thrust for example by a user placed outside the cabinet for the move against the spring 8. It should be noted that this thrust can be manual or automatic. Indeed, he can an actuating member, such as a jack, is provided capable of shifting the panel transversely relative to the closure plane in order to bring the panel into a plane in which it can be moved axially. During the displacement of this panel, from the closed position to a so-called closed off position, the support 7 carrying the parking rail 4 and the additional rail 6 of each device associated with the panel is driven in displacement, the wheels 2 of the transmitting panel the movement of the panel to the parking rail 4 and consequently to the support 7 of the associated device. The displacement of the panel and the support 7 of each device which is exerted against the action of the spring 8 is continued until immobilization of the support 7 in a position corresponding to the closed position offset from the panel in which the rail 3 and the parking rail 4 are arranged end to end, the parking rail 4 being immobilized in said position by the locking lever 9 acting on the support 7 (see figures 3 and 4 ). Note that in the figures, the panel 1A is shifted transversely so that the support 7 of a first device of the panel is locked before locking the support of a second device fitted to said panel. These interlocks could have, equivalently, operated simultaneously if the panel had been moved parallel to itself during the transition from the closed position to the closed position shifted. In the closed off position, in accordance with the figure 3 , the panel 1A can be moved along the traffic path formed by the cooperation of the circulation rails 3 and 4 parking since, in this position, nothing prevents the wheels from rolling from the rail 4 parking on the rail 3 circulation arranged in extension of the rail 4 of parking. Indeed, it is noted that the slides 13 or anti-derailment means of the panel of the rail 4 of parking which served to guide the support 7 and prevented the exit of the wheels 2 of the rail 4 of parking are interrupted at the level of the rail 3 to not to interfere with an axial displacement of the panel 1 A by rolling the wheels 2 on the rails 3 of circulation and 4 of parking in end-to-end arrangement. The rail 4, which forms a parking rail of the wheels 2 in the closed position of the panel, has become a circulation rail in the closed position offset from the panel. The panel can therefore, by axial displacement, be brought from the closed position shifted to the open position in which it extends behind the panel 1 B seen outside the cabinet.

To move from the open position to the closed position of the same panel, it is sufficient to bring back, by axial displacement, the panel closed position shifted, the wheels 2 coming to reposition on the rail 4 parking. During this movement of the panel, the lever 9 is unlocked to allow movement of the support 7 in the direction of the closure plane of the panels under the action of the spring 8. The support 7 causes during its movement, a parallel movement of the panel 1 A. This movement continues until the panel 1 A occupies its closed position in which it is arranged substantially coplanar with the panel 1 B. In this closed position of the panel 1 A, the rails 6 additional devices of the panel 1 A are in end-to-end arrangement with the circulation rails 3 to allow a subsequent movement of the panel 1 B according to a principle similar to that just described for the panel 1 A. Thus, during the passage of the position closed to the closed position offset from the panel, the circulation rail 3 passes from an end-to-end arrangement with the additional rail 6 to an end-to-end arrangement with the station rail 4 which at least partially occupies the place (shown in 5 in the figures) left free by the additional rail 6.

The figure 9 illustrates another embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, each transverse edge of the panel is associated with a single device for the passage from a closed position to an open position of said panel and vice versa. The parking rail 4 and the additional rail 6 each extend from one longitudinal edge to the other longitudinal edge of the panel and are again in parallel arrangement and integral in displacement of the panel to which they are associated during the passage of the panel from the closed position to the closed position offset and vice versa. The additional rail 6 of the panel 1 A serves as the circulation rail 3 of the panel 1B while the additional rail 6 of the panel 1 B serves as the circulation rail 3 of the panel 1 A. The rails 4 of parking and 6 additional of the same device are again mounted on a support 7 formed here by two simple rails connecting rails 4 and 6 between them, this support 7 sliding inside slides extending substantially orthogonal to the closure plane. This support 7 is, in the same manner as previously, recalled in the closed position of the panels and immobilisable in a position in which the rails 3 of circulation and 4 of parking are end-to-end and extend here substantially parallel to the plane of closure . The passage between the different positions is similar to that described for the previous example and comprises for the passage from the closed position to the open position a first sequence consisting of the closed position transversely shift the panel 1 A to a closed position shifted in order to allow axial displacement of said panel 1 A and a second sequence in which the panel 1 A can, via the rolling means 2, slide axially at least along, or on the circulation rail 3 and thus be moved from the closed position shifted to the open position. It also comprises, for the passage from the open position to the closed position, a sequence during which the panel is slid axially at least on the rail 3 from the open position to the closed position shifted in which the wheels 2 s extend on the parking rails 4 and a sequence consisting in transversely moving the panel 1 A with respect to the closure plane until it is brought into the closing plane corresponding to the closed position.

The FIGS. 10A to 10G and 11A to 11F illustrate, in the form of functional schematic top views, the movement of the panel 1 A from the closed position to the shifted closed position ( FIGS. 11A, 11B and FIGS. 10A to 10C ), moving the panel from the closed position shifted to the open position ( Figures 11C, 11D; Figures 10C, 10D ), the passage of the panel from the open position to the closed position ( Figures 11D, 11 E; Figures 10D, 10E ), the passage of the panel from the closed position shifted to the closed position ( Figures 11 E, 11 F; Figures 10E, 10F, 10G ). It should be noted that the axial displacement of the panel between the open position and the offset closed position can be automated by making the 2-wheel drive, for example. We obtain a fully automatic actuating device when the movement of the panel from the closed position to the closed position shifted is also automated.

The figure 12 illustrates another embodiment with three panels, each panel being provided with a parking rail 4 and two additional rails 6 cooperating with a rail 3 of circulation formed by the additional rail 6 devices fitted to the other two panels. The operating principle is similar to that described above.

The figure 12A represents the panels in the closed position in which they extend coplanarly.

The figure 12B represents the medial panel 1B in the closed position offset in which it can be moved axially to be positioned either behind the panel 1 A or behind the panel 1C.

The figure 12C illustrates the position in which the median panel 1 B occupies an open position behind the panel 1C, the panels 1A and 1C being in the closed position.

The figure 12D illustrates the position in which the panels 1 B and 1 A are in the open position behind the panel 1C in the closed position.

The figure 12E illustrates a configuration in which the panels 1C and 1B are in the open position, the panel 1A is in the closed position, the panels 1B and 1C being arranged parallel to the panel 1 A at the rear of the latter.

The figure 12F represents a configuration in which the end panels 1A and 1C are in the open position, the median panel 1B being in the closed position, the end panels being positioned in parallel and behind the median panel 18.

This example shows that it is thus possible, in the case of a facade with three panels, to open said facade on 2/3 of its width or on 1/3 of its width according to the movements retained. In general, a movable panel facade may be open at (n-1) / n of its width.

The Figures 13A to 13D illustrate a variant in which the parking rail 4 in end-to-end arrangement with the circulation rail 3 forms a broken line requiring either to equip the panel with pivoting wheels about a vertical axis, or to flare the rails or modify the profile wheels to prevent interference at the connection point.

The Figures 14A to 14D further illustrate a variant in which the supports 7 of the parking rails 4 and 6 additional move during the transition from the closed position to the closed position shifted along a curved line and not straight as in the figure 1 .

The above examples show that the number of panels, devices fitted to each panel, can vary as well as the intrinsic design of each device without departing from the scope of the invention based on the end-to-end of a rail of circulation and a parking rail rolling or sliding members of a panel during the passage of the panel from a closed position to a closed position shifted to ensure in the active position of the device the continuity of a traffic path of the panel when axial displacement of the latter.

Other more complex embodiments of transversely shifting a panel and then axially moving the other panel are also conceivable and are within the scope of the invention.

As illustrated by the examples, the parking rail 4 and the circulation rail 3 can be formed each time of a single continuous element or of several elements forming a discontinuous assembly without departing from the scope of the invention.

The circulation rail 3 can, when it is formed of several elements, present stationary parts and other mobile or exclusively moving parts or even exclusively stationary parts.

The description that is made with vertical panels cooperating with horizontal rails can be applied in the same way to vertical rails or to a set of panels and rails arranged in a horizontal plane.

Claims (11)

1. A device for transitioning from a closed position to an offset closed position and then to an open position and vice-versa a sliding panel (1A) which, in the closed position, extends in a first so-called closing plane, and is generally coplanar with the element(s) to which it is adjacent, said device comprising at least one so-called parking rail (4), forming a parking point or zone of the panel (1), in the closed position of the panel (1A), and at least one so-called running rail (3), for sliding of the panel (1A), fitted with means (2) rolling or sliding between offset closed position and open position,
   characterized in that it further comprises at least one additional rail (6) movingly attached to the parking rail (4), wherein the additional rail (6) and the parking rail (4) on the one hand, and at least one part of the running rail (3) on the other hand, are movingly mounted with respect to each other so that they can be driven by a relative displacement at least between a so-called inactive position of the device, in which the additional rail (6) is capable of forming at least one part of the running rail of the element or at least one movable element adjacent to said panel (1A), and a so-called active position of the device, in which parking rail (4) and running rail (3), arranged end-to-end, form a so-called continuous running path of the panel (1A) between the offset closed position and the open position, the parking rail(s) (4) and the additional rail(s) (6) being, for the relative displacement thereof with respect to the running rail (3), mounted on a movable carrier (7), which can be movingly attached to the panel (1A) when transitioning from the closed position to the offset closed position of the panel (1A) and vice-versa, and which can be movingly detached from said panel (1A) in the active position of the device.
2. The device according to claim 1,
   characterized in that the carrier (7) is elastically returned towards the closing plane in a position, in which preferably the additional rail (6) and running rail (3) are arranged end-to-end, and can be stopped releasably in at least one position corresponding to the active position of the device.
3. The device according to claim 2,
   characterized in that the carrier (7) is stopped via an elastic stopping member (9) returned to the locked position of the carrier (7) and releasable by the displacement of the panel (1A) from the open position to the offset closed position or from the offset closed position to the closed position.
4. The device according to claim 3,
   characterized in that the carrier (7), when driven in displacement between the positions corresponding to the displacement of the panel (1A) between the closed position and the offset closed position, is guided in displacement along a generally fixed guiding path (13).
5. The device according to any of claims 1 to 4,
   characterized in that the running rail (3), the parking rail (4), and the additional rail (6) are each equally embodied as a continuous element or a discontinuous element, the parking rail (4) and the additional rail (6) being rails which are preferably parallel to each other.
6. The device according to any of claims 1 to 5,
   characterized in that at least one part of the running rail (3) is a movable rail which can be movingly attached to the movable element adjacent to said panel (1A), said running rail (3) forming the additional rail (6) of a similar device constituting the device for transitioning from the closed position to the offset closed position, and then to the open position and vice-versa, the element or at least one movable element, such as a panel (1B, 1C), adjacent to the panel (1A).
7. The device according to any of claims 1 to 6,
   characterized in that the rail (4) forming a parking point or zone of the rolling or sliding means (2) of the panel (1A) cooperates with means for stopping derailment from the active position of the device.
8. The device according to any of claims 1 to 7,
   characterized in that the rail (6) of the device forms at least one part of the running rail (3) of at least one other similar device constituting the device pour transitioning from the closed position to the offset closed position, and then to the open position and vice-versa the element or at least one movable element, such as a panel (1B, 1C), adjacent to the panel (1A).
9. An assembly of the type comprising at least:

   - two sliding panels (1A, 1B) fitted with rolling or sliding means (2), each panel being movable between a closed position, in which said panel (1A, 1B) extends in a first so-called closing plane, and is generally coplanar with the panel (1B, 1A) to which it is adjacent, and an open position, in which said panel (1A, 1B) extends with an offset with respect to the panel (1B, 1A) or at least one panel to which it is adjacent,

   - at least two devices for transitioning from a closed position to an offset closed position, and then to an open position and vice-versa a sliding panel (1A, 1B), each device being associated with a panel,

   characterized in that each device is according to any of claims 1 to 8.
10. The assembly according to claim 9,
    characterized in that the additional rail (6) of one device forms the running rail (3) of at least one other device.
11. The assembly according to any of claims 9 and 10,
    characterized in that it comprises at least two panels, each fitted along the so-called lower and upper transverse edges thereof, with rolling or sliding means (2) and, for each panel (1A, 1B), at least two devices for transitioning from a closed position to an open position and vice-versa of the sliding panel, each device cooperating with the rolling or sliding means (2) equipping a transverse edge of said panel.

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