ITRM20080320A1 - RECALL AND DAMPING DEVICE FOR SLIDING DOORS, DRAWERS AND SIMILARS - Google Patents

Abstract

A return and damping device for sliding doors, drawers and the like comprising a sliding rail or profile for sliding shutters 204 and a shutter 200, between which the device is interposed to accompany the shutter or door to be received at the full opening or closing stop position of the shutter. Said damping device 1 comprises a shock absorber 4 of the piston type, connected by a first end 42 to the rail and pivotally at the second end 41 to a hook 5. The hook 5 is adapted to slide in a guide between a first position, in which the shock absorber 4 is retracted and the door is in a distal position, and a second position in which the shock absorber is extended and the door is in a proximal position with respect to the device 1. The hook 5 is adapted to keep the door blocked. In particular, it is caused by the guide to rotate about said end 41 close to the sliding position in which the shock absorber is retracted, so as to release the shutter, while in some intermediate positions until the extended position of the shock absorber, the door remains secured to the hook which, by cooperating with the shock absorber, accompanies it in a damped manner to the full opening or closing.

Description

Description of the industrial invention entitled: "Return and damping device for sliding doors, drawers and the like"

Field of the invention

The present invention refers to a return and damping device for sliding doors, drawers and the like.

State of the art

Accessories are known for dampening the closing of sliding doors or doors, but also of drawers and in general of movable panels.

Accessories are also known for recalling doors or leaves in the closed and / or open position, in order to hold the door or leaf in the fully open or closed position.

These accessories represent two distinct categories of functional elements, in fact, one and the other are mounted separately by the installer with the obvious problems that arise from manual operations, linked to the imprecision of the result and the cost of the operation. The return is made, according to the known technique, by means of a spring which appears to be in the extended position when the door or leaf is opened and in the rest position during closing.

The shock absorber or decelerator, according to the best solutions proposed by the known art, is of the piston type charged with gas, oil or air and, when it accepts the door or leaf, whether it is opening or closing, the rod is extended, i.e. it is said that the device is disarmed.

The fact of accepting the door takes place in the closed position of the door for the closing damper and in the open position for the opening damper.

So the technical problem is that of having to find two distinct functional elements and assemble them separately together with the movable element to control the closed position and two additional elements to control the open position.

Summary of the invention

The object of the present invention is to provide a return and damping device suitable for solving the aforementioned problem.

This object is achieved by means of the device of the present invention which, according to claim 1, comprises a piston-type shock absorber, a movable element able to receive an engagement element, said engagement element being able to be directly or indirectly connected to the door or to be part of the door; said shock absorber being able to be constrained by a first end thereof to a sliding profile and being rotatably constrained by a second end to said movable element, the damper being in an extended condition when the engagement element is in a proximal position of receiving with respect to said movable element (5) and in retracted condition when the engaging element is in a distal position with respect to it, and in which the movable element comprises a hook.

Said device can be integrated into rails or sliding profiles for sliding doors, or it can be enclosed in a shell to be applied more simply to general and non-generic sliding profiles for sliding doors.

The dependent claims describe preferred embodiments of the invention, forming an integral part of this description. Brief description of the Figures

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become more evident in the light of the detailed description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of a return and damping device for sliding doors, drawers and the like, illustrated by way of non-limiting example, with the help of the joined drawing tables in which:

Fig.1 represents the diagram of a sliding door with a track or sliding profile including the device of the invention;

Fig.2 shows an enlarged detail of the device of the invention; Fig. 3 represents another enlarged detail of the device of the invention;

Fig. 4 depicts the device in a condition of complete relaxation of the shock absorber, ie in correspondence with the complete opening or closing of the door;

Fig. 5, shows the device in an intermediate condition of relaxation of the shock absorber in which the door is bound by the carriage to the hook that cooperates with the shock absorber accompanies it in release or in block; Fig. 6 depicts the device in the condition in which the shock absorber is fully retracted and the carriage is released;

Fig.7 shows the device of figure 2 with in perspective an element of engagement with the device, integral with a roller support of the door; Fig.8 shows a perspective view of an exploded view of the device;

Fig. 9 shows an enlargement of a detail of the previous figure;

Fig. 10 represents an opposite perspective view of the exploded view of figure 7;

Fig. 11 represents the operation of a hooked element comprised by the hook cooperating with the shock absorber to ensure the restoration of the ordinary operating conditions of the device, ie with the shock absorber retracted and the leaf in a distal position and the shock absorber extended with the leaf in a proximal position;

Fig. 12 represents the sectional view of a sliding profile in which the device of the invention is inserted.

The same reference numbers and letters in the figures identify the same elements or components.

Detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention

In accordance with Figure 1, the use of a first device, object of the present invention, is shown to cushion the approach of a door leaf to a position of complete opening, while a second device 1 'is used to cushion the same door close to complete closure.

The present invention, according to Figure 2, comprises a piston-type shock absorber 4, configured to act as a return for a door or leaf, connected by a first end 42 to a sliding profile 204 of a leaf or sliding door 200 and rotatable in the second end 41 to a hook 5, so that the shock absorber is retracted or armed when the leaf is in the distal position, and extended or disarmed when the leaf is in the proximal and locking position. In particular, the locking position is achieved by said hook 5, which by sliding in a special guide is induced to rotate around said second end 41, holding the door in any proximal sliding position, accompanying it dampenedly up to the disarming condition which preferably corresponds to the complete closing or opening of the door.

Said guide, track or sliding profile can be made directly in the frame or in the support structure of the door or sliding door 200.

The device 1 is described, only for convenience, in an example in which it comprises an outer shell 230 for easier use in the sliding profiles, even pre-existing ones.

Said outer shell 230 comprising at least two right 2 and left 3 bodies; figure 2 shows the device with the left body 3 removed for a better understanding.

Said hook 5 is connected, rotatably by means of a pin 6c in a plane for the axis of the shock absorber, to the first end 41 of the shock absorber 4, while the second end 42 of the shock absorber is connected to the shell 230 or to one of the bodies 2 and 3 that make it up.

Both said first and second ends 41 and 42 of the shock absorber 4 form, in the example, a fork with transversal holes.

Two L-shaped grooves 21 and 31 are obtained in the two bodies, mirroring each other, which define a guide, within which two sliding pins 511, 512 through which protrude from a first side of the hook 5 and from the opposite side are forced to slide. see figure 3. It is possible to replace these pins with two single pins on each side integrally formed in relief in the block constituting the hook 5, for example by molding the plastic. Said grooves are connected, i.e. they do not have sharp edges, so as to avoid any jamming in the sliding of said sliding pins 511, 512.

The grooves 21 and 31, which are composed of a rectilinear portion which has at one end a portion of the groove arranged at an angle other than zero with respect to the rectilinear portion, form a guide for sliding pins 511, 512 such that the application of an external force that moves the leaf, and with it the carriage 202 away from the device 1, causes the hook 5 to be first dragged in translation by the carriage 202, arming the shock absorber 4. Then, in proximity of the condition of complete rearming of the shock absorber 4, the hook 5 is induced to rotate by the action of the path section 211 and 311 arranged at an angle to the guide, so that the hook 5 releases the carriage 202. Vice versa, when an external action leads to the acceptance of the carriage 202 by the device 1, which is equivalent to saying when the carriage 202 approaches the device 1 in a proximal position, the thrust imposed on the leaf causes the hook 5 to rotate, in the opposite direction compared to the one mentioned before, by hooking to one end 2019 of the carriage 202 which is accompanied up to the limit switch while the shock absorber 4 disarms. During the rearming and disarming operations of the shock absorber 4, this performs its function of damping the energy possessed by the moving leaf. See the withdrawal sequence in Figures 4 to 6, which becomes welcoming if considered in reverse sequence.

Since the carriage 202 remains constrained to the movement of the shock absorber 4 by the hook 5, then a recall function of the leaf 200 is added to the damping function.

Therefore, the hook 5 performs the function of retaining the door through the carriage 202, for a part of it 2019, during a proximal position of reception by the device 1, carrying out, in cooperation with the shock absorber 4, the return of the door.

The part 2019 of the carriage 202 comprises an elongated element 2020, oriented towards the device 1, of substantially flat shape, which comprises on each of the two faces a respective pin 2021 and 2022, one symmetrical to the other with respect to the flat shape of the 'elongated element 2020. In the preferred embodiment in the figure, said part 2019 represented by the elongated element is connected or integrated in the carriage 202. In the example shown in the figures and described so far, the variant in which the sliding door 200 is suspended has been illustrated through several carriage supports 202 adapted to slide along the track 204 to allow the opening and closing of the door itself.

This preferred embodiment is not to be considered limiting, in fact, for the invention to effectively perform its function, it is sufficient that the function of the hook itself constituted by the part 2019 is fixed or incorporated in another suitable point in the door itself or in one of its supports. For example, in a variant not shown, it can be made in the form of a plate fixed in a suitable point of the door and on which suitable hooks are obtained such as the two pins 2021 and 2022. Another variant, not illustrated, could provide on the hook 5 a hooked element shaped to grip directly in a recess made on an upper surface of the door 200. Said hooked element can also be connected directly on the door 200 rather than being integrated into the trolley support 202.

The hook 5 comprises a transversal groove 51 suitable for receiving the two pins 2021 and 2022. In particular, when the hook 5 is in any point of the track section 204 along which it moves, it is angularly positioned so that the groove transverse 51 holds the pins within itself. When the hook 5 is dragged by the leaf 200 through the carriage 202 in its end-of-stroke position in which the shock absorber 4 is reinforced, the pin 512 slides into the section 211 and 311 of the guides 21 and 31, while the pin 511 it remains in the rectilinear portion of the guide 21 and 31. This translation of the hook 5 is accompanied by an angular rotation thereof of sufficient magnitude so that the pins 2021 and 2022 can slip out of the transverse groove 51 and the carriage 202 is released.

The flat element 2020 can also include a single pin 2021, consequently said hook 5 is shaped to cling to a single pin.

Since the pins 2021 and 2022 are mounted on the elongated element 2020 of the carriage 202, then, to make their engagement possible in the transverse groove 51, a longitudinal split 53 substantially medial is obtained in the hook 5.

In an advantageous variant, the hook 5 comprises a hooked element or reset lever 52, also equipped with a longitudinal gap 53 so as not to interfere with said elongated element 2020, so that in an anomalous operating situation, that is, the carriage 202 is away from the device 1 in the disarmed position, for example immediately after the door has been assembled, then the reset lever 52, thanks to its elasticity, is able to allow the sliding of the pins 2021 and 2022 on its external surface, see figure 11, until they are committed. In this way, when the carriage 202 is moved away from the device 1, this drags the hook 5 with it, which has the ability to arm the shock absorber 4.

It should be noted that during the normal operation of the device 1, when this is armed and the carriage 202 is far from it, the hooked element 52 is raised so as not to interfere with the engagement of the pins 2021 and 2022 with the groove 52 of the hook 5. The assembly of the two bodies 2 and 3 is made possible by the engagement elements, which in the example include toothed tabs 22 and respective slots 32. Furthermore, the assembly is completed by means of the threaded dowel 6a, adapted to engage the perforated and / or threaded tongues 23 and 33 respectively of the right 2 and left 3 body and also the end 42 of the shock absorber 4 which can be threaded, and by the threaded dowel 6b, able to engage the perforated tongues 24 and 34 respectively of the right 2 and left 3 shells. The shell can be made of various materials with suitable characteristics. In the case in which the shell is of plastic material, it is preferred to obtain a seat 241 for a nut 641b, in the body of the tongue 24, so that the threaded dowel 6b works on metal also for the reasons that will be clarified later. It should also be noted that the access for both said threaded dowels 6a and 6b is made accessible on the same side of the device 1 where the slot of the track 204 is located.

Advantageously, the device 1 is able to gently accompany the reception of a door, door, drawer and the like, holding it in the rest position, i.e. in complete opening or closing.

The stroke portion of the leaf in which it is accompanied in receiving or moving away depends on the stroke of the shock absorber 4. The engagement of the part of the leaf 200 by the hook 5 can be structured so that a single central pin 2021 , fixed on a fork for example, while the transverse groove 51 does not have the longitudinal gap 53.

But these are believed to be only equivalent variants. Just as an equivalent variant would be to have a hook 5 integral with the door and have an elongated element equipped with at least one pin and connected with the shock absorber 4, so that, induced to slide and rotate, it engages in the hook to recall the carriage 202.

With reference to Figure 12, the shell of the device 1 can be advantageously shaped, with suitable sliding means, to slide longitudinally in the track 204, so that the position of the device 1 with respect to the receiving point of the trolley 202 can be fixed by acting on said threaded dowels 6a and 6b, which block the sliding of the device 1 in the track by contrast between this and the ridges 2031 which will be described below. Typically, when using the device in the rails of sliding doors, said grains are easily accessible from below with respect to the upper horizontal element of the rail 204, allowing for adjustment until the end of the assembly of the same. It is possible to size the shell 230 so that at the maximum extension of the shock absorber 4 the hook 5 does not impact with the wall defined by the juxtaposition of the perforated tabs 24 and 34 of the right and left shells. Or, alternatively, a compressible element can be interposed, such as a rubber or cloth pad, or a bellows, designed to cushion the noise that would be produced by the aforementioned impact.

Said sliding means comprise, in the example, ridges 2031 obtained along the internal walls of the track 204 and grooves 231 in the shell 230. Said ridges and relative grooves are positioned in such a way as to allow, net of tolerances, a perfect mutual alignment of the device 1 inside track 204.

The return and damping device comprising the shell can also be mounted externally to the track, for example in the case of pre-existing sliding door tracks that do not have sufficient internal space, the operating principle remains entirely the same.

The track 204 of figure 12, substantially with double C, together with said ridges 2031, can be easily obtained by extrusion or by milling. The seat in it to accommodate the device does not require special holes for the application of the device 1 to the track, since the grains 6a and 6b affect the track itself.

Of course, the shape of the track 204 can take on other shapes of its cross section. The shape of the section of the track 204 is generally appropriately chosen according to the type of trolley that is used, for example there are trolleys that can slide inside a track, and trolleys that can slide outside a track. According to another aspect of the invention, the guide defined by said grooves 21 and 31 can be made directly in the track, for example through the milling of the side walls of the track, or the milling of plates subsequently applied to the internal or external walls of the track. Then, if the device without the external shell 230 is applied, the first end 41 of the shock absorber 4 is bound directly to the track, for example, by means of a pin and a spacer bush, so that the shock absorber 4 you work substantially parallel to the inner or outer walls of the track. Other constructive solutions are possible.

Furthermore, the shock absorber 4 is preferably gas. Although it does not guarantee the same performance, it can be hydraulic or spring-loaded. And, since the piston shock absorbers on the market are of the normally open or disarmed type, then, the presented configuration offers a better behavior of the device during the approaching operations with decelerated return or removal of the leaf from a fully open position and / or closure.

The other additional advantages deriving from the application of the present invention are:

- halving the number of elements to be stored to obtain the combination of the damped recall effects of a door and its holding on opening or closing;

- the simplification of the assembly of the device of the invention on the door or door or drawer;

- the possibility of applying the device to pre-existing tracks or sliding profiles;

- lower visual impact to gain the aesthetic aspect;

- absence of the need to make adjustments and assembly of plates on the door

- simplicity of the first installation by operating from the bottom, therefore without having to remove the track or sliding profile if already present. The particular embodiments described here do not limit the content of this application which covers all the variants of the invention defined by the claims.

Claims (15)

CLAIMS 1. Damping device for sliding doors, drawers and the like, in particular to cushion the reception towards an opening or closing position of a sliding element (200) such as a door, comprising a piston-type damper (4), an element mobile (5) adapted to accommodate an engagement element (2019), said engagement element (2019) being able to be directly or indirectly bound to the door (200) or to be part of the door; said shock absorber (4) being able to be constrained by a first end (42) thereof to a sliding profile (204) and being rotatably constrained by a second end (41) to said mobile element (5), the damper being in an extended condition when the engagement element (2019) is in a proximal receiving position with respect to said movable element (5) and in a retracted condition when the engagement element is in a distal position with respect to it, and in which the The movable element comprises a hook (5). 2. Device according to claim 1, in which sliding means (511, 512, 21, 31) are provided for slidingly binding the mobile element (5); being said sliding means (511, 512, 21, 31) able to cause a rotation of the hook (5), when the shock absorber (4) is close to the retracted condition, so that said rotation carries the hook (5) to engage / disengage the engagement element (2019) .. 3. Device according to claim 2, wherein said rotation in a first direction is adapted to bring the hook (5) to engage said engagement element (2019), when the engagement element approaches the hook (5) to induce a relaxation of the shock absorber (4); and in a second direction to disengage said engagement element (2019) for a complete retraction of the shock absorber (4). 4. Device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein said hook (5) comprises a hooked element (52) adapted to be hooked by said hooking element (2019) when the shock absorber (4) is extended, so as to be able to drag with it the hook (5) when the carriage (202) is moved in the distal direction and to arm the shock absorber (4). 5. Device according to claim 4, wherein the engagement element (2019) comprises an elongated element (2020) of flat shape, incorporating at least one pin (2021, 2022) on one face 6. Device according to claim 5, wherein said hook (5) comprises a longitudinal slit (53) particularly suitable for being engaged by said elongated element (2020) of the engagement element (2019). 7. Device according to claim 6, wherein said hook (5) comprises a transverse groove (51) adapted to be engaged by said at least one pin (2021, 2022). 8. Device according to claim 2, in which said sliding means comprise at least two sliding pins (511, 512) integral with said hook (5), and two L-shaped grooves (31 and 21), which are mirrored to each other said sliding pins (511, 512). Device according to claim 8, wherein fastening means (6a and 6b) are provided for fastening to the sliding profile (204). 10. Device according to claim 9, in which a shell (230) is provided comprises two half-shells (2, 3) mutually assembled by means of toothed tabs (22) and perforated tabs (23, 24) and comprising holes, in which fastening means are engaged (6a and 6b). 11. Device according to claim 2, in which said engagement element (2019) is obtained in the door (200) itself. 12. Device according to claim 2 in which said engagement element (2019) is separated from the door and fixed integrally to it. 13. Device according to claim 12 in which the coupling element (2019) is an integral part of a trolley (202) able to slide inside or outside the sliding profile (204). 14. Support trolley (2029) for a leaf or sliding door, comprising an engagement element (2019) suitable for engaging with a hook (5) of a damping device conforming to any of the preceding claims. Support for a leaf or sliding door comprising a sliding profile (204) suitable for engaging a damping device according to any one of claims 1 to 13.