GB2348231A

GB2348231A - Sliding cupboard door

Info

Publication number: GB2348231A
Application number: GB9904194A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Howard G Cookson
Original assignee: DELLCHAPEL Ltd
Current assignee: DELLCHAPEL Ltd
Priority date: 1999-02-24
Filing date: 1999-02-24
Publication date: 2000-09-27
Anticipated expiration: 2019-02-24
Also published as: GB2348231B; GB9904194D0

Abstract

A cupboard door comprises a frame 10 supporting a central panel 12. An outside edge of the frame includes a rebate within which is disposed a wheel mounting means 34, for example an extrusion with a wheel 38 mounted thereon. The frame may be substantially rectangular and formed from four members joined at their ends. The frame may be formed from medium density fibre board (MDF) wood or the like. Preferably the rebate is formed in the lower member, may extend the entire length of the lower member and is formed in the rear surface of the member. The mounting means is preferably U shaped and substantially fills the rebate, so that it is flush with the surface of the lower member.

Description

CUPBOARDDOOR The present invention relates to a cupboard door and particularly, although not exclusively, to a sliding wardrobe door.

Cupboard and wardrobe doors are generally constructed from a rectangular frame surrounding a panel.

GB 2304361 describes such a door, comprising a rectangular frame and central panel supported therein. The frame is formed by four metal stiffening elements secured to each other at respective corners. Decorative door styles and door rails are mounted on the metal frame, to conceal it.

To enable the door to run in grooves of a surrounding framework two wheels are provided at the bottom of the frame. Each of the wheels is mounted on a separate wheel unit. These are rivetted adjacent to the metal frame.

The metal frame is provided to stiffen the door, apparently so that less stiff materials such as medium density fibre board (MDF), which can be easily shaped, can be used to form the door styles and rails. However this increases the complexity and hence cost of producing the door since a frame must first be produced and then covered with the decorative styles and rails and the wheel units rivetted to the frame. This is expensive and/or inconvenient.

It is an object of the present invention to address these, and other problems, and to provide a door which is easier and more economic to assemble yet is still structurally stable.

According to the present invention there is provided a cupboard door comprising a frame supporting a central panel, an outside edge of the frame having a rebate within which is disposed a wheel mounting means with a wheel mounted thereon.

The door may be a wardrobe door. The frame is preferably substantially rectangular and formed from four members, upper and lower horizontal members and two vertical members joined at their respective ends. The members are preferably formed from medium density fibre board (MDF) or the like. The members preferably have a front surface intended to be visible from the outside of a cupboard on which the door is mounted and a rear surface not intended to be so visible. The front surface may be decorative.

The central panel is preferably mounted in slots formed in the frame.

The panel is preferably secured in the slots by way of an insert which acts to wedge the panel against the frame. Alternatively the panel could be arranged to fit into a slot with an interference fit with no need for a wedge.

The panel could also be glued into the slot. Mounting the panel securely in slots can improve rigidity of the door. The panel may comprise a mirror.

The rebate is preferably formed in the lower member, more preferably in the rear surface of the lower member. The rebate preferably extends along the entire length of the lower member.

The wheel mounting means preferably substantially fills the rebate so that its outer surfaces lie flush with those of the lower member. The mounting means preferably comprises an extrusion, more preferably a UPVC extrusion, although a metal extrusion, for example an aluminium extrusion could be used. The extrusion is preferably generally of a square U-shape and mounted so that the open part of the rebate projects downwardly in use. Preferably there are at least two wheels mounted on the extrusion.

The wheels are preferably mounted within the extrusion and project out of the extrusion so that when mounted in the rebate part of the wheels project below the frame. This enables the door to be slidably mounted on a suitable framework.

Where the rebate is formed in the rear of the door the extrusion will, when in use, be concealed by the front of the lower member.

The present invention enables wheels to be easily and discretely fitted to a cupboard door. The extrusion may help stiffen the door. Indeed, it is possible and preferred that the members forming the frame are formed exclusively from MDF wood or the like, including any inserts. Such materials are economical and easy to mould yet it is found that they are able to give sufficient rigidity to a door especially when an extrusion is mounted along one edge.

In order that the invention may be more clearly understood an embodiment thereof will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a front view of a door; Figure 2 shows a rear view of the door of Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a section taken along the line A-A of Figure 1; Figure 4 shows a section taken along line C-C of Figure 1; and Figure 5 shows a section taken along line D-D of Figure 1.

Referring to the figures a door comprises a substantially rectangular frame 10 in which there is mounted a central panel 12, which may be mirrored. Alternatively, the panel could be formed from MFC (melamine faced chipboard). The frame is formed from four lengths of MDF (medium density fibre board) joined at their respective ends by fasteners 14 (shown removed). Each length of MDF has a decorative moulded surface 16, presented to the front side of the door and a plain rear surface 18. Each length of MDF also includes a slot 20 for receiving the panel 12. The slot 20 is stepped and comprises a wider outer portion 22 and a narrower inner portion 24. The panel is received into the inner portion and an MDF insert 26 is received into the outer portion, to wedge the panel in place.

Alternatively a thicker panel, say an MFC panel, could be received into the outer portion 22 of the slot and glued into place.

The length of MDF forming the top rail 28 of the door inclues a guide means 30 on the uppermost surface. The guide means 30 comprises a UPVC extrusion secured to the top of the rail 30 and extending a short distance down either side of the rail. The purpose of the guide means 30 is to guide the door within a frame in which it is mounted for sliding movement. The guide means 30 reduces wear to the top panel of the door through use. The extrusion is faced on its back and front edges with selfadhesive woodpile to reduce sliding noise. The guide means could take other forms to that shown, so that the door could be mounted in different frames.

The bottom rail 32 has a rebate formed along the entire length of the lower edge of its rear surface. A UPVC extrusion 34 is mounted in the rebate, where it is secured by screws 36. The extrusion 34 is substantially of a squared U-shape and is so dimensioned that it fills the rebate and lies flush with the surfaces of the bottom rail 32. The front moulded surface of the bottom rail conceals the extrusion from view when the door is installed.

Two wheels 38 are mounted in the extrusion and protrude below the surface of the lower rail, to enable the door to be slidably mounted within a framework.

The use of such an extrusion enables wheels to be easily affixed to the door frame. The extrusion adds strength to the lower rail of the door, particularly to the front face of the rebated bottom rail 32, which can help strengthen the whole frame. It is found that an MDF frame including an aluminium extrusion in the lower rail is sufficiently stiff to support a mirrored centre panel which are usually the heaviest type of panel employed. The extrusion can also provide a rigid fastening for the lengths of MDF forming the frame.

The above embodiment is described by way of example only, many variations are possible without departing from the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A cupboard door comprising a frame supporting a central panel, an outside edge of the frame having a rebate within which is disposed a wheel mounting means with a wheel mounted thereon.
2. A cupboard door as claimed in claim 1, wherein the frame is substantially rectangular and formed from four members, upper and lower horizontal members and two vertical members, joined at their respective ends.
3. A cupboard door as claimed in claim 2, wherein the members are formed from medium density fibre board (MDF) or the like.
4. A cupboard door as claimed in claim 3, wherein the members forming the frame are formed exclusively from MDF wood or the like.
5. A cupboard door as claimed in any of claims 2 to 4, wherein the rebate is formed in the lower member.
6. A cupboard door as claimed in claim 5, wherein the rebate extends along the entire length of the lower member.
7. A cupboard door as claimed in either claim 5 or 6, wherein the members have a front surface intended to be visible from the outside of a cupboard on which the door is mounted and a rear surface not intended to be so visible and the rebate is formed in the rear surface of the lower member.
8. A cupboard door as claimed in any of claims 5 to 7, wherein the wheel mounting means preferably substantially fills the rebate so that its outer surfaces lie flush with those of the lower member.
9. A cupboard door as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the central panel is mounted in slots formed in the frame.
10. A cupboard door as claimed in claim 9, wherein the panel is secured in the slots by way of an insert which acts to wedge the panel against the frame or wherein the panel is arranged to fit into a slot in the frame with an interference fit.
11. A cupboard door as claimed in either claim 9 or 10, wherein the panel is glued into a slot in the frame.
12. A cupboard door as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the mounting means comprises an extrusion.
13. A cupboard door as claimed in claim 12, wherein the extrusion is generally of a square U-shape and mounted so that the open part of the rebate projects downwardly in use.
14. A cupboard door as claimed in either claim 12 or 13, wherein the members forming the frame are formed exclusively from MDF wood or the like.
15. A cupboard door substantially as herein described with reference to figures 1 to 5 of the accompanying drawings.