EP2935745A1

EP2935745A1 - A sliding door arrangement

Info

Publication number: EP2935745A1
Application number: EP13811185.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Cemal Guler; Erdal BEKCI; Sevginar Kasapoglu; Mustafa ASKAN; Neslihan Urhan
Original assignee: Arcelik AS
Current assignee: Arcelik AS
Priority date: 2012-12-24
Filing date: 2013-12-17
Publication date: 2015-10-28
Also published as: WO2014102087A1; TR201718935T3

Abstract

The present invention relates to a sliding door arrangement (1) used in the closets or cabinets that store display devices like television and computer and that comprises one or more than one door (2) that is opened and closed by being moved in the horizontal direction, a frame (3) wherein the door (2) moves and that carries the door (2), one or more than one rail (4) connected to the frame (3), whereon the door (2) performs sliding movement and that guides the movement of the door (2), a handle (5) mounted to the door (2) and that allows the user to move the door (2) and a brake mechanism (9) that provides the door (2) to be stopped by the user during the movement thereof.

Description

A SLIDING DOOR ARRANGEMENT

The present invention relates to a sliding door arrangement used in closets and cabinets that store items.
The sliding doors used in the cabinets that store display devices like television and computer are moved in the horizontal direction between the rails disposed at the top and bottom sides inside a frame. The sliding door moves by accelerating in an uncontrolled manner when driven at high speed and causes noise and damage by hitting at a high speed to the edge column of the frame in which it operates. The user can insert his/her hand between the frame and the sliding door and the door that hits at a high speed can cause injuries. In the state of the art brake mechanisms are used that prevent the sliding doors from hitting the frame at high speed. These mechanisms absorb the movement of the door driven at high speed and provide the door to be stopped by decreasing the speed thereof. Known brake systems are used generally for preventing the frame edge or the obstruction at the end of the path through which the door is driven from being damaged and do not stop the door at the desired position once the door is moved and do not provide protection if the hand/foot of the user is on the driving path. Retardation systems including dampers that aim to slow down the movement of the door from the start are also known; however, these types of retardation systems for doors makes the movement of the door difficult and cause the user to apply excessive force in order to drive the door.
In the Japanese Patent Application No. JP2007186987, a brake mechanism is explained that prevents a sliding door from closing immediately.
In the Japanese Patent Application No. JP2008208586, a brake mechanism is explained that provides a sliding door to be automatically closed and prevents the sliding door from causing noise and damage when slid at high speed.
In the Japanese Patent Application No. JP2011184981, a brake mechanism is explained that applies braking force depending on the movement speed of a sliding door.
The aim of the present invention is the realization of a sliding door arrangement that enables the sliding door used in furniture like closet or cabinet to be stopped at the desired position during the movement thereof.
The sliding door arrangement realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention, explicated in the first claim and the respective claims thereof comprises a door that is moved inside a frame, on the rails in the horizontal direction by the user holding a handle. A trigger that is connected to the brake mechanism and that enables the movement of the door to be controlled by the user is disposed on the handle.
A brake shoe providing the door to be braked is disposed in the brake mechanism. When the trigger is released, the brake shoe stops the door by applying pressure on the friction surface inside the frame.
In the brake mechanism, when the brake shoe is moved upwards by applying force to the trigger, the contact of the brake shoe with the friction surface is interrupted and the door is released and can be moved on the rails.
The brake mechanism is composed of a stationary block mounted to the handle flange from the rear of the door, a movable block moving upwards/downwards together with the trigger, at the lower side of which the brake shoe is disposed as well as springs placed between the stationary block and the movable block.
In an embodiment of the present invention, a friction layer produced from rubber is fixed onto the brake shoe, contacting the friction surface in the braking position and that can be easily changed when abraded.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the sliding door arrangement comprises more than one hole formed consecutively on the lower surface of the frame along the movement path of the door. In the brake mechanism, a protrusion extending downwards from the brake shoe provides the door to be blocked by being inserted into the hole whereto the protrusion corresponds in the braking position whereat the trigger is released.
In another embodiment of the present invention, a locking mechanism is disposed inside the handle providing the activation and deactivation of the brake mechanism. The door is kept fixed in the locking position. In order to move the door, the lock is released and the brake mechanism is activated at the same time.
In the sliding door arrangement of the present invention, a trigger whereon force is easily applied from the handle on the door and a brake mechanism connected to the trigger provide the door to be moved in a controlled manner. The door can be stopped at the desired position and damage and injuries are prevented.
The sliding door arrangement realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention is illustrated in the attached figures, where:
Figure 1 – is the perspective view of a sliding door arrangement.
Figure 2 – is the partial perspective view of a sliding door arrangement in the braking position of the door.
Figure 3 – is the view of detail D in Figure 2.
Figure 4 – is the partial perspective view of a sliding door arrangement in the released position of the door.
Figure 5 – is the partial perspective view o a sliding door arrangement in the braking position of the door in another embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 6 – is the partial perspective view of a sliding door arrangement in the released position of the door in another embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 7 – is the perspective view of a brake mechanism in the locking position.
Figure 8 – is the perspective view of a brake mechanism in the released position.
Figure 9 – is the perspective view of the lid mounted at the back of the brake mechanism in a sliding door arrangement.
The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:

Sliding door arrangement
Door
Frame
Rail
Handle
Trigger
Friction surface
Brake shoe
Brake mechanism
Flange
Stationary block
Movable block
Spring
Friction layer
Hole
Protrusion
Locking mechanism
Latching means
Lid
Stopper

The sliding door arrangement (1) used in the closets or cabinets that store display devices like television and computer comprises one or more than one door (2) that is opened and closed by being moved in the horizontal direction, a frame (3) wherein the door (2) moves and that carries the door (2), one or more than one rail (4) connected to the frame (3), whereon the door (2) performs sliding movement and that guides the movement of the door (2) and a handle (5) mounted to the door (2) and that allows the user to move the door (2).
The sliding door arrangement (1) of the present invention comprises
- a trigger (6) connected to the handle (5) and that enables the movement of the door (2) to be controlled by the user,
- a horizontal friction surface (7) extending along the lower edge of the frame (3) and
- a brake mechanism (9) having a brake shoe (8) that provides the door (2) to be stopped at the desired position during the movement thereof by applying pressure on the friction surface (7) and that moves upwards/downwards together with the trigger (6).
When the trigger (6) is pressed by the user, the brake mechanism (9) changes to the moving position, provides the contact of the brake shoe (8) with the friction surface (7) to be interrupted and allows the door (2) to move.
When the trigger (6) is released by the user, the brake mechanism (9) changes to the braking position, provides the contact of the brake shoe (8) with the friction surface (7) and stops the door (2).
The brake mechanism (9) is changed to the active and passive position by means of the trigger (6), allows the door (2) to be moved by the user on the rail (4) in the horizontal direction or provides the door (2) to be stopped by being braked at the desired position during the movement thereof on the rail (4). The user moves the door (2) by holding down the trigger (6) on the handle (5). In the braking position in which no force is applied on the trigger (6), the brake shoe (8) moves downwards and thus presses on the friction surface (7) and prevents the door (2) from moving. In the movement position in which no force is applied on the trigger (6), the brake shoe (8) moves upwards and thus the contact of the brake shoe (8) with the friction surface (7) is interrupted and the brake shoe (8) allows the door (2) to move on the rail (4) by releasing the door (2). In the sliding door arrangement (1), the brake mechanism (9) is changed by the user to the moving and braking positions by means of the trigger (6), the door (2) that moves on the rail (4) is provided to be stopped at the desired position and moved by the user.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the sliding door arrangement (1) comprises a flange (10) that provides the handle (5) to be mounted to the door (2) and the brake mechanism (9) is mounted to the door (2) by being connected to the flange (10) from the rear side of the door (2).
In another embodiment of the present invention, the brake mechanism (9) comprises a stationary block (11) mounted to the flange (10) from the rear of the door (2), a movable block (12) produced as a single piece with the trigger (6), moving upwards/downwards together with the trigger (6), at the lower side of which the brake shoe (8) is disposed, and at least one spring (13) placed between the movable block (12) and the stationary block (11) (Figure 7, Figure 8).
When the trigger (6) is moved upwards by the user, the movable block (12) moves upwards together with the trigger (6) and the springs (13) between the movable block (12) and the stationary block (11) are compressed. When the trigger (6) is moved upwards, the brake shoe (8) also moves upwards together with the movable block (12) and the contact thereof with the friction surface (7) is interrupted. Thus, when the trigger (6) is moved upwards, the door (2) is released and can be moved in the horizontal direction. When the trigger (6) is released, the movable block (12) is also released and thus moves downwards both with the effect of its own weight and that of the pushing force applied by the springs (13) and the brake shoe (8) is provided to press on the friction surface (7). Thus, the door (2) is braked when the trigger (6) is released.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the brake mechanism (9) comprises a friction layer (14) produced from a material having high coefficient of friction, for example rubber, that is fixed onto the brake shoe (8), contacting the friction surface (7) in the braking position (Figure 3, Figure 4, Figure 7, Figure 8). Abrasion of the brake shoe (8) is prevented and long time usage is provided.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the sliding door arrangement (1) comprises more than one hole (15) formed consecutively on the frame (3) friction surface (7) along the movement path of the door (2) and the brake mechanism (9) having a protrusion (16) extending downwards from the brake shoe (8) and that provides the door (2) to be stopped by being blocked by being inserted to the hole (15) whereto the protrusion (16) corresponds in the braking position whereat the trigger (6) is released during the movement of the door (2) (Figure 5, Figure 6).
During the movement of the door (2) in the horizontal direction, at the moment the trigger (6) is released, the protrusion (16) moves downwards together with the brake shoe (8) and is inserted into the hole (15) across therefrom and provides the door (2) to be stopped. In this embodiment, when an obstruction (for example the hand or foot of the user) is seen on the movement path of the door (2) and thus the trigger (6) is released, the brake mechanism (9) immediately stops the door (2), does not allow the door (2) to slide with the effect of the inertia thereof and provides a safe usage.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the sliding door arrangement (1) comprises a locking mechanism (17) mounted into the handle (5), providing the activation and deactivation of the brake mechanism (9) (Figure 3, Figure 4, Figure 5, Figure 6).
The locking mechanism (17) comprises a latching means (18) disposed between the stationary block (11) and the movable block (12), preventing the trigger (6) from moving the movable block (12) upwards by pressing on the movable block (12) in the locking position to which the latching means (18) is changed by being rotated by means of a key and which enables the brake shoe (8) to remain pressed on the friction surface (7) and the door (2) to be kept stationary (Figure 7, Figure 8).
When the brake mechanism (9) is desired to be activated, the movable block (12) is changed to the released position by the latching means (18) in the locking mechanism (17) being rotated by the key and thus the door (2) can move and when desired braking can be performed by means of the brake mechanism (9) by using the trigger (6).
The sliding door arrangement (1) furthermore comprises a lid (19) mounted at the back of the brake mechanism (9), covering the movable block (12), the stationary block (11) and the springs (13) and that guides the movable block (12) (Figure 9).
The sliding door arrangement (1) furthermore comprises one or more than one stopper (20) disposed on the frame (3) and that limits the movement path of the door (2) (Figure 2, Figure 3, Figure 4).
In the sliding door arrangement (1) of the present invention, the brake mechanism (9) that is changed to the active and passive positions by means of a trigger (6) integrated to the handle (5) on the door (2) enables the door (2) to be moved in a controlled manner. The user can stop the door (2) by braking the door (2) at the desired position by means of the trigger (6) during the movement thereof and the door (2) is prevented from hitting an obstruction on the movement path thereof or the frame (3) edge and possible injuries are avoided.

Claims

A sliding door arrangement (1) comprising one or more than one door (2) that is opened and closed by being moved in the horizontal direction, a frame (3) that carries the door (2), one or more than one rail (4) connected to the frame (3) and that guides the movement of the door (2) and a handle (5) mounted to the door (2), characterized in that

- a trigger (6) connected to the handle (5) and that provides the movement of the door (2) to be controlled by the user,

- a horizontal friction surface (7) extending along the lower edge of the frame (3) and

- a brake mechanism (9) having a brake shoe (8) that provides the door (2) to be stopped at the desired position during the movement thereof by applying pressure on the friction surface (7) and that moves upwards/downwards together with the trigger (6).
A sliding door arrangement (1) as in Claim 1, characterized in that the brake mechanism (9) that provides the contact of the brake shoe (8) with the friction surface (7) to be interrupted and allows the door (2) to move when the trigger (6) is pressed by the user and that enables the brake shoe (8) to contact the friction surface (7) and stops the door (2) when the trigger (6) is released.
A sliding door arrangement (1) as in Claim 1or 2, characterized in that a flange (10) that provides the handle (5) to be mounted to the door (2) and the brake mechanism (9) that is mounted to the door (2) by being connected to the flange (10) from the rear of the door (2).
A sliding door arrangement (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized in that the brake mechanism (9) comprising a stationary block (11) mounted to the flange (10) from the rear of the door (2), a movable block (12) moving upwards/downwards together with the trigger (6), at the lower side of which the brake shoe (8) is disposed and at least one spring (13) placed between the movable block (12) and the stationary block (11).
A sliding door arrangement (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized in that the brake mechanism (9) comprising a friction layer (14) produced from a material having high coefficient of friction, that is fixed onto the brake shoe (8), contacting the friction surface (7) in the braking position.
A sliding door arrangement (1) as in any one of the Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that more than one hole (15) formed consecutively on the frame (3) friction surface (7) along the movement path of the door (2) and the brake mechanism (9) having a protrusion (16) extending downwards from the brake shoe (8) and that provides the door (2) to be blocked by being inserted to the hole (15) whereto the protrusion (16) corresponds in the braking position whereat the trigger (6) is released.
A sliding door arrangement (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized in that a locking mechanism (17) mounted into the handle (5), providing the activation and deactivation of the brake mechanism (9).
A sliding door arrangement (1) as in Claim 7, characterized in that the locking mechanism (17) comprising a latching means (18) disposed between the stationary block (11) and the movable block (12), preventing the trigger (6) from moving the movable block (12) upwards by pressing on the movable block (12) in the locking position to which the latching means (18) is changed by being rotated by means of a key.