NZ556113A - Sliding door closer - Google Patents

Abstract

Apparatus for closing a sliding door is disclosed. The closer includes a track 16 mountable to a sliding door P and a wheel engaged for movement along the track. The wheel is coupled to a moving mechanism located in a housing 11 to apply, via the wheel, a closing force to the sliding door. The wheel is at least in part located in a cover 17. The cover has projections that engage the sides and returns of the track to prevent the wheel from disengaging from the track.

Description

556113 *10055955249* NEW ZEALAND Patents Act 1953 Complete After Provisional No. 556113 filed 25 June 2007 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION SLIDING DOOR CLOSER We, ASSA ABLOY NEW ZEALAND LIMITED a New Zealand company of 6 Armstrong Road, North Harbour Industrial Estate, Albany 0632, Auckland, New Zealand do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a Patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed to be particularly described in and by the following statement:- /J* 14 m 55gl13 Title of the invention This invention relates to a sliding door closer.

Background to the invention Closing devices for the closing of sliding doors are known. The present invention more particularly relates to a sliding door closer of a type which is fitted onto the door frame rather than fitted into the frame or into the building structure into which the door frame is fitted.

Known sliding door closers suffer from a variety of drawbacks. For example, with a closer device which is mounted onto the frame in which the sliding door is mounted, the closer device needs to be of a non-intrusive design so as to not adversely impact on the aesthetic appearance of the door and door frame. This is not always achieved with known constructions of sliding door closers.

Also, it is highly desirable that the sliding door closer be adjustable so that it may be useable with sliding doors of different widths. Some known constructions of sliding door closers are not able to provide such an adjustment. If adjustment is, however, achievable it is often only by set increments and therefore the amount of adjustment which is possible does not encompass all possible widths of sliding doors.

Another draw back with known sliding door closers arises from the force required to close the sliding door. This force can sometimes become intrusive as it impacts on the force required to open the door. This can particularly arise as a result of adjustment that may be made to the sliding door closer in order to adjust the force and speed of closing of the door. 55^113 Consistency of operation is also a desired aspect of a sliding door closer. For example, it is known with some designs of door closers for the connection between the sliding door closer and the sliding door to become disengaged. This can be particularly so when the sliding door closer employs awheel which is engaged with a track mounted or coupled to the sliding door.

Summary of the Invention It is an object of the present invention to provide a sliding door closer which overcomes one or more of the above identified draw backs that can arise with sliding door closers, or at least to provide the public with a useful choice Broadly according to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a sliding door closer which includes a track mountable to a sliding door and a wheel engaged for movement along the track, the wheel being coupled to a moving means to apply, via the wheel, a closing force to the sliding door and a cover within which the wheel is at least in part located, the cover having engagement means engageable with the track to prevent the wheel disengaging from the track.

In a preferred form of the invention the track is of a generally U-shape with distal ends of the side walls thereof having inwardly opposed returns. The engagement means includes one or more projections which are engageable with the returns.

In a preferred form of the invention the one or more projections are also arranged to be engageable with the side walls of the track.

According to a preferred form of the invention the track can include a longitudinally extending rib on which a grooved peripheral edge of the wheel is engaged. The cover can include a clearance through which the rib extends.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF N.Z.

H AUG 2009 RECEIVED ^6113 In a preferred form of the invention the wheel is mounted by a stub axle to a generally L-shaped connector arm which is coupled to a drive arm which is mounted for movement about a pivot axis. Preferably the connect arm is adjustably coupled to the drive arm. The moving means is coupled to the drive arm.

In the preferred form the moving means is a hinged door closer mechanism of known construction.

The drive arm is preferably coupled to an axle which is coupled to the moving means.

Preferably the axle has two opposite ends to either of which the drive arm can be mounted.

In a preferred form of the invention a preload is applied to the drive arm.

Preferably the axis of rotation of the wheel, when the door closer is in a position corresponding to the closed position of a door associated with the door closer, is disposed a vertical distance below the axis about which the drive arm rotates.

Brief Description of the Drawings In the following more detailed description of the invention according to one preferred embodiment, reference will be made to the accompanying drawings in which:- Figure 1 is an isometric view of the sliding door closer according to the present invention, §3113 Figure 2 is an exploded isometric view of the sliding door closer as shown in Figure 1, Figure 3 is a top plan view of the sliding door closer as shown in Figure 1 but with the closer mounted to a door frame and coupled to a sliding door panel, the door panel being shown in the closed position, Figure 4 is a front elevation view of the arrangement shown in Figure 3, Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4 but showing the sliding door partially open, Figure 6 is yet a further front elevation view but showing the door in a half open position, Figure 7 is a still further front elevation view but showing the door in a fully open position, Figure 8 is a close up view of the wheel and track of the sliding door closer, Figure 9 is a further close up view of the wheel and track but with a cover element in position, Figure 10 is a perspective view of the wheel, track and cover construction Description of Preferred Embodiments of the Invention The sliding door closer according to the present invention and according to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings, includes a housing 11. The housing 11 and the internal drive mechanism located therein is simply a known hinged door closer §3113 unit and thus is of a known construction. Consequently, as will hereinafter be apparent to the skilled person, the hinged door closer unit is adapted for use with a sliding door which means, according to the invention, a different arm mechanism and installation method.

The invention includes a drive arm 12 which is coupled to the output shaft of the closer mechanism. As will hereinafter be described the drive arm 12 extends in the closed position of the sliding door closer forwardly of one end of the housing 11 (see e.g. Figure 1 of the drawings). The arm 12 is attached to the protruding end of an axle 1 3 mounted within the housing 11. The arm is thus able to be pivotaliy moved about an axis of the axle 13.

A connecting arm 14, which is of substantially "L" shape, is adjustably connected to the drive arm 12. A distal end of the foot of the L shaped connector arm 14 is coupled to a wheel 15. The wheel 15 is configured to be moveable along a track 16. A cover 17 is provided for disguising the wheel but, as will be described, has the further function of preventing the wheel 15 from being able to disengage from the track 16.

The housing 11 is provided with a removable cover 18. This provides not only access to valves that control the speed of the sliding door closer (i.e. of the mechanism which drives the drive arm 12) but also a series of apertures 19 through which screws 20 can engage in order to mount the housing 11 to the door frame.

The axle 1 3 is mounted transversely within the housing 11 and has squared ends 13a which protrude from each side 11a of the housing 11. The drive arm 12 has a square opening 21 and is thus able to be mounted onto either of the ends 13a. The arm 12 can thus be mounted depending on which side of the housing 11 the drive arm 12 is required to be positioned in order to achieve the correct orientation relative to the direction in which the sliding door P is to slide open and closed. ^6113 A spacer 22 is provided for positioning between the side 11a and the end of the drive arm 12. A threaded nut 23 engages into a threaded opening in the end of 1 3a of the axle 13 to fixedly mount the drive arm 1 2 to the axle 1 3.

A cover 24 is provided for fitment to the exposed other end 1 3a of axle 1 3. This is for aesthetic purposes so as to disguise the unused end 1 3a of the axle 1 3.

Connector arm 14 is provided with one or more slots 25. Bolts 26 can engage through these slots 25 to fit into threaded openings 27 in the drive arm 12. In this way connector arm 14 is length adjustably coupled to drive arm 1 2.

Wheel 1 5 is rotatably mounted with a stub axle 28 which in turn is mounted to the distal end 29 of the connector arm 14. This is achieved by a bolt 30 which engages through an opening in the distal end 29 and into a threaded bore of the stub axle 28.

As can be seen more clearly in Figures 8 and 9, the track 16 is essentially of U-shape in cross-section with the side walls 32 thereof having inwardly projecting returns 33. An upwardly projecting rib 34 extends longitudinally along the floor of the U-shape track 16. Onto the rib 34 engages the grooved peripheral edge 35 of the wheel 1 5.

The wheel 1 5 is rotatably mounted by a bolt 30a to the distal end of the shaft 28.

The cover 17 engages about the stub shaft 28, this being achieved by the opposing side walls of the cover 17 being provided with open ended slots 36 (Fig 10). Extending about the peripheral edge of the open end of the cover 17 is a ledge 37. This is interrupted by the slots 36 and also a pair of opposed open ended slots 38 which form a clearance for the rib 34 (see Figure 9). ^113 The ledge 37 (which could be comprised of a series of projections) is configured so as to fit within the confines of the track 16 yet provide a suitable clearance between the floor of the channel, the walls 32 and the returns 33. In this way free sliding movement of the wheel 15 along the track 16 is acheived. A suitable clearance is also provided between the edge of the open ended slots 38 and the projecting rib 34.

The cover 1 7 is thus not mechanically fixed. It is held horizontally in place by the track 16 in two dimensions and is able to move up and down the track only due to the concentricity of the semicircular end of the slots 36 with the diameter of axle 28.

As previously described the drive arm 12 is able to be fitted to either end of the axle 13. Thus the closer is non-handed and can be used on either right-hand or left-hand opening doors. Thus prior to instalment, the drive arm 12 will be fitted to the appropriate end of the axle 13.

The housing 11 is, as noted above, fitted to the door frame by the screws 20. The closer is therefore of a non-intrusive design as the housing, with associate drive arm 12 and connector arm 14, tucks up under the joinery reveal when the door is closed. This can be seen, for example, from Figure 4.

The sliding door closer according to the present invention can be supplied with an assembled door construction or it can be retrofitted.

Because of the adjustable coupling of the connector arm 14 to the drive arm 12, the closer is infinitely adjustable for sliding doors to the extent permissible by the slotted portions 25 of the connector arm 14. In a preferred commercial embodiment of the invention, the closer will be adjustable for sliding doors between 900mm and 1200mm wide. §6113 The sliding door closer when fitted to a door frame F is coupled to the door panel P slidingly mounted therewith by the mounting of the track on the vertical edge of panel P. This is shown in Figure 4. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that Figure 4 is a front elevation with the door fully closed with the view being from inside looking out.

It will be observed that the location of the closer housing 11 is centrally above the stationary panel P' of the sliding door system. This means that the arm 1 2 will not sweep past the face of the user as the door P is opened. As is evident from Figures 4 to 7, the arms 12/14 sweep over the fixed panel P'.

In the preferred form of the invention a preload is applied to the drive arm 12. Thus a 10° preload can be applied to the drive arm 12 when it sits horizontally (i.e. in the closed position). This removes any backlash in the system.

During opening of the door P the wheel 15 will move down along the track 16 and the drive arm 12 will likewise move downwardly (see Figure 5). As the door opens further (Figure 6), the wheel 15 moves further down the track 16 and the drive arm 12 moves further downwardly.

When the door has moved to its fully open position (Figure 7) the drive arm 12 will have reached the bottom of its sweep and will have moved upwardly as does the wheel 15 move upwardly on the track 16. The movement of the drive arm 12 thus "loads up" the mechanism within housing 11 so that the mechanism can apply a restorative torque to the arms 12 and 14.

The wheel 15 (which preferably has a ball-bearing hub) is located a distance (e.g. about 100mm) vertically below the pivot point (as defined by axle 13) of the closer when the door is in the closed position. This is in order to be able to create a moment about the pivot point as the door P is opened. ^§113 The closer mechanism, according to its convention construction, applies a rotational moment to axle 13 which moves the drive arm 12 and connector arm 14 about a pivot (the axis of axle 1 3) to the wheel 1 5 on the track 16 on the rear edge of the sliding door P. This pushes the door shut. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that this pushing of the door shut occurs after an external force on the door P is removed e.g. a user removes his or her hand from the door handle H.

The force and speed of closing is adjustable in a known manner by adjustment of valves in housing 11 but does not affect the force required to open the door P.

As mentioned above, the cover 1 7 disguises the wheel 1 5. This is achieved by the wheel 1 5 being substantially enclosed within the cover 1 7 and the cover extending into the track 16. The cover 17, however, also prevents the wheel 15 from being able to disengaged from the track. This is achieved by the peripheral ledge 37 of the cover 1 7 locating within the confines of the track 16. Movement of the wheel 1 7 relative to the track, which might result in the wheel 1 5 disengaging from the track, is prevented by virtue of the ledge 37 engaging with the inward projections 33 or laterally with engagement with wall 32 and the longitudinal rib 34.

Consequently, the cover 17 adds to the aesthetic appeal of the closer yet has a mechanical function in preventing the wheel from being able to disengage from the track.

The sliding door closer according to the present invention is open to modification within the scope of the invention as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. For example, a different method of providing longitudinal adjustment of the effective length of the arm between the pivot axis and the wheel 15 can be employed. For instance, a telescoping arm construction is a possible alternative. gpj>ii3 It will also be appreciated that the configuration of the track 16 and the cover 17 could be altered yet still provide the functionality of the track 16 and cover 17 as illustrated and described herein. For example rather than the cover 1 7 running inside the track 16 it could span over the track and have inwardly directed opposing ledges 37. The track 16 would have outwardly directed projections 33 interacting with the ledges 37. Other means of achieving the interacting cover and track will be apparent to the skilled person and fall within the scope of the invention.

Other modifications within the scope of the invention will be apparent to the skilled person. £g113

Claims (7)

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:-

1. A sliding door closer which includes a track mountable to a sliding door and a wheel engaged for movement along the track, the wheel being coupled to a moving means to apply, via the wheel, a closing force to the sliding door and a cover within which the wheel is at least in part located, the cover having engagement means engageable with the track to prevent the wheel disengaging from the track.

2. A sliding door closer as claimed in claim 1 wherein the track is of a generally U cross sectional shape with distal ends of the side wails thereof having opposed returns.

3. A sliding door closer as claimed In claim 2 wherein the engagement means includes one or more projections which are engageable with the returns.

4. A sliding door closer as claimed in claim 3 wherein the one or more projections are also arranged to be engageable with the side walls of the track.

5. A sliding door closer as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the track includes a longitudinally extending rib on which a grooved peripheral edge of the wheel is engaged.

6 A sliding door closer as claimed in claim 5 wherein the cover includes a clearance through which the rib extends.

7. A sliding door closer as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the wheel is mounted by a stub axle to a generally L-shaped connector arm which is coupled to a drive arm which is mounted for movement about a pivot axis. 5f§113 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. A sliding door closer as claimed in claim 7 wherein the connector arm is adjustably coupled to the drive arm. A sliding door closer as claimed in claim 8 wherein the moving means is coupled to the drive arm. A sliding door closer as claimed in claim 9 wherein the moving means is a hinged door closer mechanism of known construction. A sliding door closer as claimed in claim 9 or 10 wherein the drive arm is coupled to an axle which is coupled to the moving means. A sliding door closer as claimed in claim 11 wherein the axle has two opposite ends to either of which the drive arm can be mounted. A sliding door closer as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 12 wherein a preload is applied to the drive arm. A sliding door closer as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 1 3 wherein the axis of rotation of the wheel, when the door closer is in a position corresponding to the closed position of a door associated with the door closer, is disposed a vertical distance below the axis about which the drive arm rotates. A sliding door closer substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. ASSA ABLOY NEW ZEALAND LIMITED By its Attorneys DON HOPKINS & ASSOCIATES Pei tffeLLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF N.Z. 1 * Al'S 3339 RECEIVED