US3857199A

US3857199A - Seal for a sliding door, a sliding window or the like

Info

Publication number: US3857199A
Application number: US00306590A
Authority: US
Inventors: W Frach; B Janke
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1971-11-22
Filing date: 1972-11-15
Publication date: 1974-12-31
Anticipated expiration: 1991-12-31
Also published as: JPS5648674B2; GB1413537A; FR2160909B1; NO133721B; IT975804B; ATA916372A; NO133721C; DE2157832A1; DE2157832C3; JPS4859649A; FR2160909A1; AT329248B; DE2157832B2

Abstract

Mechanism for a sliding door, window and the like, comprising a frame with at least one sash slidable therein, and an elastic profiled sealing strip provided on the sash and/or the frame around it, wherein at least the pressing region of the sealing strip is movable transversely in relation to the plane of the sash or the frame, there being provided a setting device for the sealing strip, by means of which device the pressing region of the strip can be pressed laterally against another frame.

Description

O United States Patent 1 [111 3,857,199

Frach et a1. Dec. 31, 1974 [54] SEAL FOR A SLIDING DOOR, A SLIDING 3,241,198 3/1326 Bagrmann 49/489 X KE 3,475,866 11 1 9 Jo ansen WINDOW OR THE Ll 3,694,962 10/1972 McDonald et a1. 49/477 [76] Inventors: Werner Frach, Friedenstr. l6;

Bernhard Janke, Humboldtsm 4 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS both of 8580 Bayreuth, Germany 950,062 2/1964 Great Britain 49/477 [22] Filed: Nov. 15, 1972 Primary Exam1nerPh1lip C. Kannan [21] Appl' 306,590 Attorney, Agent, or FirmWaters, Roditi, Schwartz &

Nissen [30] Foreign Application Priority Data Nov. 22, 1971 Germany 2157832 [57] ABSTRACT Mechanism for a sliding door, window and the like, 49/477 i gi i fi2 comprising a frame with at least one sash slidable [58] Fieid 480 481 therein, and an elastic profiled sealing strip provided 49/493 6 6 on the sash and/or the frame around it, wherein at least the pressing region of the sealing strip is movable [56] R f Ct d transversely in relation to the plane of the sash or the e erences frame, there being provided a setting device for the UNITED STATES PATENTS sealing strip, by means of which device the pressing 2,527,084 10/1950 Smith 49/477 X region of the strip can be pressed laterally against an- 2,859,987 11/1958 Emley,Jr 49/477 th f 3,100,918 8/1963 Coverley 49/477 3,131,441 5/1964 Cornell 49/493 X 12 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures X HHiNIfU Uiilli 1 19H SHEET 2 0F 5 Pmmw m H914 SHEEI 30F 5 FIG. 3

Fi-JENTED 1974 3. 857. 199

SHEET u UF 5 (III, M

SYSTEM FLUID- PRESSURE FATENTEDUEBWQH 3.857.189

SHEET 50? 5 SEAL FOR A SLIDING DOOR, A SLIDING WINDOW OR THE LIKE Sliding windows, sliding doors or the like are known in which the outside edge of the sash and/or the inside edge of the surrounding frame is coated with a profiled rubber sealing strip. The sashes extend on guides which are so dimensioned that the profiled sealing strip always remains in frictional contact with the edge of the other frame. Due to this, sliding doors, sliding windows or the like are extremely difficult to move. Moreover, the profiled sealing strip is subjected to considerable wear by abrasion. The difficulty of movement and the abrasive wear can be obviated only at the expense of the sealing efficiency.

The method has therefore been adopted of providing on sliding windows, sliding doors or the like a lifting mechanism which lifts the leaf in order that it may be slid, in such manner that it is no longer in sliding contact in the region of its lower edge with the opposite edge of the surrounding frame. The upper edge region of the sash is dovetail-shaped and rests in a corresponding dovetail-shaped groove in the upper edge of the surrounding frame. The dovetailed groove is of such depth that the sash can be lifted, the dovetail flanks being simultaneously lifted one from the other. For the sealing of the upper edge region, the profiled sealing strip is secured to the dovetail flanks. As a result of the lifting of the sash, the frictional contact of the profiled sealing strip on the dovetail flanks is also eliminated. After the sliding, the sash is lowered again.

This form of construction is extremely complex and costly owing to the lifting mechanism. Moreover, in the manufacture of such sliding windows, sliding doors or the like, high tolerance accuracies must be maintained, because only then can it be ensured that the profiled sealing strip is seated in fluid-tight manner both at the top and at the bottom when the sash has again been lowered.

The two aforesaid known forms of construction are attended by the further disadvantage that the sealing on the vertical sides of the sash can only be effected by simply pushing the sash against the corresponding sides of the surrounding frame. Since there is no sealing pressure here, gaps are generally formed, which place in question the whole sealing expenditure. Such formation of gaps is promoted by uneven wear on the guides and by distortion of the frames (especially in the case of wood frames).

Finally, the known forms of construction described in the foregoing have a further disadvantage, which resides in that the seal does not extend in a plane. While the profiled sealing strip can be provided on three sides of a sash on the outer edge thereof, it must be laterally secured on the fourth side, which does not bear against a corresponding side of the surrounding frame in the closed position, in order to effect the necessary sealing with a corresponding side of another sash or a cross piece of a surrounding frame. This means that the profiled sealing strip is offset at the corresponding corners of the sash, and satisfactory sealing is not ensured at these offset points.

The invention therefore has for its object so to design a mechanism for a sliding window, a sliding door or the like, comprising a seal that does not impede the sliding of a sash slidable in a frame, and that the sealing (the quality of the seal) is improved. The measures necessary for this purpose are intended to be less complicated and costly than, for example, the abovedescribed lifting mechanism.

The solution according to major features of the invention ensures that a profiled sealing strip is disposed in a plane. Lack of tightness due to offsetting thus can no longer occur. A sliding door, a sliding window or the like designed in accordance with the invention not only obviates the aforesaid disadvantage, but can also be more cheaply produced than a form of construction provided with the above-described complicated lifting mechanism.

The invention basically provides a mechanism for a sliding door, window and the like, comprising a frame with at least one sash slidable therein, and an elastic profiled sealingstrip provided on the sash and/or the frame around it, which can thus be designated the operative member of the mechanism, wherein at least the pressing region of the sealing strip is movable transversely in relation to the plane of the operative member, there being provided a setting device for the sealing strip, by means of which device the pressing region of the strip can be pressed laterally against another frame.

The solution according to the invention also renders possible substantially greater tolerances in manufacture than have been possible with the forms of construction hitherto known. Since the profiled sealing strip laterally engages the frames, changes in the dimensions of the latter due to thermal expansion or warping (especially due to the natural working" of wood when used as frame material) are also of no importance.

A convenient possible means for the movable mounting, at least of the pressing region of the profiled sealing strip, by allowing that region to rock along a corresponding edge.

A hydraulic or pneumatic setting device, employing a pressure hose, ensures uniform direct application of the profiled sealing strip around the entire periphery of the frame. instead of a hydraulic or pneumatic device, a mechanical setting device may also be employed.

The invention also provides that the widening of the cross-section of the pressure hose can be converted into a pressing movement of the profiled sealing strip. Since such widening is relatively small, while the desired pressing movement of the profiled sealing strip is relatively great, appropriate means are provided for taking into account these two conditions.

If the profiled sealing strip, anchored to the respective frame, is directly subjected to the action of a pressure hose with the necessary setting force, without the interposition of a rigid pressure transmission part, the danger exists, owing to the elasticity of the profiled sealing strip, that the desired setting movement will not occur at the corner points of the frame on inflation of the pressure hose, because the latter is creased at the corner bend and does not undergo at this point the same cross-sectional widening as at the remaining parts of the frame.

The advantageous effect of a pressure transmission part will be seen therefrom. The pressure transmission part (if one is employed) ensures that the profiled sealing strip is uniformly deflected over the entire length of the frame side in question, regardless of the fact that the compressive action of the hose on the corner points of the frame is reduced. However, since it is assumed in the case of this form of construction that no pressure transmission part is to be employed, the aforesaid prob lem must be solved in another way.

A possible solution to the last-mentioned problem is constituted, according to the invention, by the provi' sion of a cavity within the sealing strip, and also in that additionally corner connecting elements are placed into each cavity, each element preferably consisting of two mandrells, preferably with a barbed profile.

Embodiments of the invention are described in the following by way of example with reference to the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front elevation of a sliding window having two sashes, embodying the inventive mechanism,

FIG. 2 is a section along the line IIII through the sliding window of FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a section along the line III-III through the sliding window of FIG. 1,

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a sealing portion IV of FIG. 2, with a modified form of the resetting extension on a profiled sealing strip,

FIG. 4a is a schematic view similar to FIG. 4 to illustrate how at least part of the pressure fluid is fed from an inflatable pressure hose to a hollow profile region on the sealing strip,

FIG. 5 shows the sealing portion illustrated in section in FIG. 4, performing its sealing function,

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the sealing portion modified as compared with FIGS. 4 and 5,

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the sealing portion modified as compared with FIGS. 4 to 6, and

FIG. 8 is a front elevation of a corner connection of the profiled sealing strip illustrated in section in FIG. 7.

The sliding window illustrated in FIG. 1, which embodies the inventive mechanism, consists of a window frame I and two sashes 2, 3, which are slidably mounted in the window frame in guides offset from one another. FIG. I shows the sashes in the closed position. For opening the sliding window, the sashes 2, 3 must be shifted in the direction of the arrows shown. As may be seen from FIGS. 2 and 3, the frame 1 consists of section bars with a central web 4 and guides 6. The two sashes 2, 3 run on the guides 6 by means of rollers 10. The sashes 2, 3 are provided at the top with forked guiding elements 12 extending around an upper guide 8.

The window frame 1 comprises at the centre a web 5 (not shown in FIG. I), which has undercut portions 7 on both vertical edges, and a surface 11 capable of acting as a counter-surface. Each of the two sashes is provided on its vertical inside limb with a claw porjection 9 which engages in the corresponding undercut portion 7 in the closed position. This ensures that the limbs do not bend out under the pressure sealing, which will be more fully described in the following.

The construction and the manner of operation of the pressure seal will now be more fully explained with reference to the sealing portion IV (of FIG. 2) which is shown to a larger scale in FIGS. 4 and 5.

Situated in the outside edge of the sash limb 3 are two grooves, the cross-section of which is larger at the base than at the axis aperture. Fitted in a groove 15 is a mushroom-shaped extension 14 of a pressure hose 13, by which the latter is anchored in the groove 15. Fitted in a groove 16 is a mushroom-shaped projection 29 of a pressure transmission part 25 constructed as a section bar.

A portion of the hose 13 is disposed and held in the groove 15, while the terminal portion 29 of the bar 25 is similarly disposed in the groove 16. The terminal portion acts as a pivot for attaching the bar. The grooves constitute means for supporting the hose between the operative member (frame or sash) and the bar.

The pressure transmission part comprises a lever arm 28 and a pressing arm 26. The lever arm 28 lies above the pressure hose 13 and is bent at its free end. The pressure arm 26 is formed with a groove 27 which is also wider at the base than at its axis aperture.

Disposed in the groove 27 is a mushroom-shaped thickened portion 24 of a profiled rubber sealing strip 20. The profiled sealing strp 20 has a pressing Zone 21 laterally offset from the pressing arm 26. The pressing zone 21 is provided with a sealing face 23, which in the present example is slightly inclined in relation to the plane of the sash. The sealing face 23 is intended to bear against a lateral face 18 of the window frame I, the face 18 also being capable of performing the function of the counter-surface against which the strip 20 is pressed by the bar or transmission part 25.

The profiled sealing strip 20 is furthermore provided with a resetting extension which is directed laterally towards the window frame 1. The resetting extension bears against an abutment 17 on the sash 3. In FIG. 2, the resetting extension consists of a narrow solid profile region directed obliquely in the manner of a finger in relation to the plane of the frame, while in FIGS. 4 and 5 it is formed by a hose-like hollow profile region 32 which is filled with air or displaced hydraulic fluid.

In FIG. 4a, the same parts are shown as in FIG. 4, but with an added fluid-pressure system 13A for the hose 13, for communication with the profile region 32, so that at least part of the pressure fluid is fed from the hose 13 to the profile region 32 when the former is emptied.

In FIG. 5 is may be seen how the scaling is effected. For this purpose, the pressure hose 13 is pneumatically or hydraulically inflated. The inflation is effected by manual actuation ofa hand lever 19, by means of which an action is exerted on a pump (not shown), to which the pressure hose is connected. The pressure hose 13 thus presses on the lever arm 28 of the pressure transmission part 25 and rocks it about an axis extending substantially in the region of the mushroom-like thickened portion 29. The profiled sealing strip 20 is thus pressed against the central web 4 of the window frame 1.

As will be seen, the sealing area 23 of the pressing zone 21, constructed in the form of a lip, bears flush against the lateral bearing face 18 of the central web 4. Due to the rocking of the pressure transmission part 25, the hollow profile region 32 of the profiled sealing strip 20 is elastically compressed. When the pressure medium is removed from the pressure hose 13, the hollow profile region 32 tends to return to its normal form, illustrated in FIG. 4. Consequently, it rocks the pressure transmission part 25 with the profiled sealing strip 20 away from the window frame 1. The hose-like hollow profile region 32 may communicate with the hydraulic or pneumatic pressure system for the pressure hose, in such manner that an equalisation of the pressure medium takes place between the hollow profile region and the pressure hose.

When the pressure hose 13 is to be inflated, pressure medium is extracted from the hollow profile region 32 and pumped into the pressure hose 13. The resetting force of the hollow profile 32 is thereby simultaneously reduced, whereby the rocking of the pressure transmission part 25 is promoted by the force exerted by the pressure hose 13. On the other hand, when the pressure transmission part 25 is to be rocked back, pressure medium is pumped out of the pressure hose 13 into the hollow profile region 32, whereby the restoring force of the hollow profile region 32 is assisted.

The finger-like solid profile extension 22 employed in FIG. 2 instead of the hollow profile region 32 performs the resetting function by virtue of the fact that it is outwardly bent and tensioned when the pressure transmission part 25 is rocked.

It will be clear from the preceding description to those skilled in the art that the elastic profiled sealing strip can be provided on the sash 2 or 3, or the surrounding frame 1, the strip being movable transversely in relation to the plane of either the frame or the sash, which can best be designated an operative member of the inventive mechanism. The pressure transmission part which consists of a substantially rigid material may be rockably anchored in the edge of the operative member. In the optional arrangement including return spring means for urging a pressing region of the strip 20 away from the counter-surface 11, 18 in the open position, a recessing extension 22 may be provided for which there is an abutment 17 on the operative member, that is either on the frame 1 or on the sash 2, 3. These details constitute what is generally known as a kinematic reversal of the interengaging elements of the inventive mechanism.

In the form of construction illustrated in FIG. 6, the profiled sealing strip 20 is secured directly to the sash 3. The sash 3 comprises for this purpose a groove 47 which is wider at its base than at its admission aperture. There is pushed into the said groove 47 a correspondingly widened region of the profiled sealing strip 20. The anchoring thus effected is rigid. The pressure transmission part 25 is also somewhat differently anchored to the sash 3. It is provided with a hooked extension 49 which engages in a groove 46.

This connection permits a rocking movement of the pressure transmission part 25. The pressing part 26 of the pressure transmission part 25 bears only loosely against the pressing region 21 of the profiled sealing strip 20. The pressing region 21 is connected to a securing region 44 of the profiled sealing strip 20 by means of a curved, thin neck region which permits a resilient deflection of the pressing region 21. The resetting here takes place by means of the inherent resilience of the profiled sealing strip 20.

The constructional forms according to FIGS. 4 to 6 have in common the feature that the distance between the anchoring of the pressure transmission part 25 to the frame and the point or region at which the pressure hose 13 bears against the pressure arm 28 is smaller than the distance between the anchoring and the pressing region 21 of the profiled sealing strip 20. This ensures that the relatively small cross-sectional expansion of the pressure hose is converted into a relatively large pressing movement of the profiled sealing strip.

The resultant reduction of force has no effect, because the compressive force which can be produced by the pressure hose is extremely high. Owing to the relatively large pressing movement, there can remain between the profiled sealing strip and the corresponding frame, in the unsealed condition, a relatively large distance which ensures a sliding movement without friction and without wear even with large manufacturing tolerances and subsequent working" of the wood of the frame.

In the further modifed form of construction as illustrated in FIG. 7, the pressure transmission part is employed, but the pressure hose 13 acts directly. In this case, a widened region 54 of the profiled sealing strip 20 is pushed into a groove 56 in the sash 3. The anchoring region 54 and the groove 56 are so dimensioned that the profiled sealing strip 20 is firmly gripped in the sash 3. The pressing region 21 is at some distance from the gripping point and is connected to the anchoring region 54 through a curved portion 57. The curved por tion 57 of the profiled sealing strip 20 permits a rocking movement of the pressing region 21 when the pressure hose 13 is inflated. Due to the firm gripping, the resetting is here again effected by the natural resilience of the profiled sealing strip 20.

Since no separate pressure transmission part is employed in the form of construction illustrated in FIG. 7, there is a danger that the deflection of the pressing region 21 may not take place in the desired manner at the corner points of the frame, because at these corner points the pressure hose is bent and does not undergo the same cross-sectional expansion under the action of a pressure medium as, for example, midway along the sides of the frame. This can be remedied by fixedly connecting together the abutting edges of the profiled sealing strip 20 at the corner points of the frame. The profiled sealing strip illustrated in FIG. 7 is therefore provided with a cavity 58 which serves to receive corner connecting elements 60.

In the constructional form illustrated in FIG. 7 also, the distance between the anchoring of the profiled sealing strip 20 and the point or region of the profiled sealing strip against which the pressure hose 13 bears is smaller than the distance between the anchoring and the pressing region 21 of the profiled sealing strip 20.

Such a corner connecting element is illustrated in FIG. 8. It consists of two push-in

mandrels

61, 62 connected together and extending at a right angle to one another, which are provided with barbs 63, as seen in longitudinal section. These push-in mandrels are introduced into the cavity 58 in two sealing strip ends which abut one another at the corner of a frame. The barbs 63 ensure that the connection is durable. Since the push-in mandrels consist of a rigid material, they transmit the deflection of the profiled sealing strip from a region in which the pressure hose is still fully effective to the sealing strip corner connection, also to a full extent.

We claim:

1. A mechanism for a sliding door, window and the like, comprising: a stationary frame; a profiled elastic sealing strip and a circumferential pressure hose inflatable by a pressure fluid; a pressure transmission bar mounted by way of a pivot, arranged at least partly between and contacting both said hose and said strip; said bar having a surface which is substantially normal to the plane of said frame and is subjected to the action of said hose, said bar pressing said strip against a counter-surface associated with said strip; at least one sash slidable in said frame; wherein one of said frame and said sashes constitutes an operative member having a lateral surface thereon, substantially parallel to said plane, which surface constitutes said counter-surface;

means for supporting said hose between said operative member and said bar; and a lever arm associated with said bar substantially parallel to said lateral countersurface; and wherein a component of a pivotal movement performed by said lever arm, directed transversely to said plane, is utilized for pressing said strip, wherein terminal portions of said hose and said bar are held by said supporting means in said operative mem ber, a terminal portion of said bar constituting said pivot.

2. The mechanism as defined in claim 1, wherein said supporting means is constituted by two grooves in said operative member respectively holding therein the terminal portions of said hose and said bar.

3. The mechanism as defined in claim 1, further comprising an extension for anchoring said operative member, said extension being mushroom-shaped and fitted into a groove which widens towards its base.

4. The mechanism as defined in claim 3, wherein said extension is provided in at least one of said hose, said bar and said strip.

5. The mechanism as defined in claim 1, wherein said bar is a rigid profiled rail having a pressure receiving arm which points away from said pivot and is directed substantially transversely in relation to said plane of the frame, and includes said bar surface, and wherein said bar has a pressure arm which points away from said pivot and is directed substantially parallel to said plane of the frame, and constitutes a lever arm.

6. The mechanism as defined in claim 5, wherein said strip is mounted on said pressure arm of the bar.

7. The mechanism as defined in claim 5, wherein said pressure receiving arm is curved for fitting the shape of said hose.

8. The mechanism as defined in claim 1, wherein said strip has a pressing surface which, together with said counter-surface, forms an acute angle in the open position, said acute angle being such that said pressing surface and said counter-surface are substantially parallel in a sealing position and in a position closely adjacent thereto.

9. The mechanism as defined in claim 1, further comprising return spring means for urging a pressing region of said strip away from said counter-surface in the open position.

10. The mechanism as defined in claim 9, wherein said return spring means is constituted by a resetting extension which is integral with said strip and is likewise elastic, said extension bearing against said operative member, which also supports said bar.

11. The mechanism as defined in claim 10, wherein said extension is formed by a hose-like hollow profile region on said strip, which region can be filled with the pressure fluid.

12. The mechanism as defined in claim 1], wherein said profile region communicates with a fluid-pressure system for said hose so that at least part of the pressure fluid is fed from said hose to said profile region when said hose is emptied.

Claims

1. A mechanism for a sliding door, window and the like, comprising: a stationary frame; a profiled elastic sealing strip and a circumferential pressure hose inflatable by a pressure fluid; a pressure transmission bar mounted by way of a pivot, arranged at least partly between and contacting both said hose and said strip; said bar having a surface which is substantially normal to the plane of said frame and is subjected to the action of said hose, said bar pressing said strip against a countersurface associated with said strip; at least one sash slidable in said frame; wherein one of said frame and said sashes constitutes an operative member having a lateral surface thereon, substantially parallel to said plane, which surface constitutes said counter-surface; means for supporting said hose between said operative member and said bar; and a lever arm associated with said bar substantially parallel to said lateral counter-surface; and wherein a component of a pivotal movement performed by said lever arm, directed transversely to said plane, is utilized for pressing said strip, wherein terminal portions of said hose and said bar are held by said supporting means in said operative member, a terminal portion of said bar constituting said pivot.

12. The mechanism as defined in claim 11, wherein said profile region communicates with a fluid-pressure system for said hose so that at least part of the pressure fluid is fed from said hose to said profile region when said hose is emptied.