WO2013057324A1

WO2013057324A1 - Coplanar casement device for closing an opening in a façade

Info

Publication number: WO2013057324A1
Application number: PCT/EP2012/070902
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jacques Philippe
Original assignee: Doordev
Priority date: 2011-10-22
Filing date: 2012-10-22
Publication date: 2013-04-25
Also published as: FR2981678A1; FR2981678B1

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for closing and exposing an opening in a façade (100), said device comprising: - two coplanar casements (101, 102) extending in a vertical plane; - an upper guide rail (112) and a lower guide rail (111); - rolling means (241, 231) fixed to the casements (101, 102), engaging with the guide rails (111, 112) to guide the casements in translation along a horizontal axis (x), parallel to the façade of said casements and according to a rotation of limited amplitude around an axis (z) parallel to the façade (100) and perpendicular to the horizontal axis (x), in such a way as to make the casements (101, 102) cross in two planes parallel to said façade (100) in order to move the casements (101, 102) from a juxtaposed position where they close the opening, called closed position, to a superimposed position, called open position; - each rolling means being connected to a casement individually by a module, called attachment module.

Description

COPLANARY VENTAL DEVICE FOR OCCULATING AN OPENING IN A FACADE

The invention relates to a device for concealing an opening in a facade, which device comprises a pair of coplanar leaves. The invention is more particularly, but not exclusively, suitable for producing cabinet doors comprising two or more leaves.

The terms "coplanar leaves" designate a closing principle comprising two leaves in the form of panels extending in a mean plane, said vertical, defined by a vertical direction and a horizontal direction, which leaves slide in this horizontal direction to achieve the occultation or exposure of the opening. The device is said to be coplanar because, in the closed position, the two leaves are juxtaposed, their two middle planes being substantially contained in the same plane. In the open position, exposure of the opening, the two leaves pass into a superposition position, their mean planes then extending parallel to each other, distant from each other in a normal direction to said middle planes.

The document FR-A-2726854 describes a device for occultation of an opening comprising two coplanar leaves. In this device of the prior art, the two leaves are guided in translation in a common guide rail, substantially U-shaped, at each of their vertical ends. The sole of said guide rail extends in a plane perpendicular to the mean planes of the leaves and in a horizontal direction. The device is symmetrical at each of its ends and comprises rolling means on the sole of the guide rail which guide the leaves in a vertical direction. Said device also comprises so-called transverse rolling means applied on the rail wings which make it possible to control the movements in a plane perpendicular to the vertical plane, and in particular to print on the leaves rotational movements about the vertical axis. and translation movements perpendicular to the horizontal axis and the vertical plane. Pressing means press these rolling means on the wings of the profile and allow, when approaching the leaves, to pass one of the leaves in superimposed position relative to the other leaf in cooperation with wedge-shaped elements, called "cams" in this document, and located at each end of leaves. This device of the prior art has several disadvantages. Indeed, the U-shaped rail is relatively deep to guide the transverse rolling means and represents a threshold height difficult to cross, which limits the application of this device to the concealment of openings that are not l object of a regular passage, for example to applications such as closet doors. Even for this type of application, the space constraints, combined with the height of the wings of the U-shaped rail that said wings lack rigidity and are likely to generate rolling noise. The guide means are mounted on a piece extending horizontally along the length of a leaf, which piece must be made to measure and machined accurately, resulting in a high cost of production. This same piece also ensures the orientation of the ventals with respect to the frame and this also during their movement of occultation-exposure of the opening. As a result, the installation and adjustment of this device are complex and require a skilled workforce comprising at least two people. The device is not motorizable without making significant changes and therefore does not allow a simple change from a mechanical device to a motorized device. Finally, the manual operation of this device of the prior art generates risks of jamming or pinching fingers of the person operating it.

The document EP 1 039 88 describes a device for occultation of an opening comprising coplanar leaves, having a particularly high threshold of height both in the upper part and in the lower part of said opening.

The present invention aims to solve the disadvantages of the prior art and proposes a device for concealing and exposing an opening in a facade, including a closet, comprising:

at. two coplanar leaves extending in a plane, said vertical, parallel to the facade;

b. an upper guide rail and a lower guide rail; vs. rolling means fixed to the leaves, cooperating with the guide rails to perform the guide in translation along an axis said horizontal parallel to the facade of said ventaux and in a rotation of limited amplitude around a vertical axis parallel to the facade and perpendicular to the horizontal axis, so as to achieve the crossing of the leaves in two planes parallel to said facade to pass the leaves of a juxtaposed position, said closed, where they hide the opening, to a superimposed position, said open; e. for each leaf, two sections, said support, extending in a horizontal direction, fixed to each vertical end of said leaf and having a hooking profile;

f. each rolling means being linked to a leaf individually by a module, said attachment module, comprising additional hooking means of the attachment profile of the support profiles.

Thus, the guide means are individually fixed by means of attachment modules on a profile which requires only a cut to length. As many guiding means as necessary and of different types can be installed along the attachment profile, the assembly can thus be easily adjusted including by a single person.

The invention can be implemented according to the advantageous embodiments described below, which can be considered individually or in any technically operative combination.

Advantageously, each leaf comprises at one of its horizontal ends a profile, called maneuvering, extending in a vertical direction and connected to said leaf by an elastic connection in a horizontal translation. Thus, this maneuver profile avoids any pinching or jamming including fingers in the context of the particular kinematics of this device. The possibility of maneuvering the device by this profile also makes it possible to avoid defiling the door panels, especially when they include mirrors.

Advantageously, the guide rails are substantially of section U-shaped having a sole extending in the horizontal direction and a tangent plane perpendicular to the facade, and the rolling means comprise a pair of adjacent rollers of vertical axis of rotation, resting against a wing of a rail guide at each end of each leaf when the leaves are in the closed position, said pair of rollers being fixed to the ventail by a coupling module. This feature makes it possible to remove the wedge-shaped pieces attached to the ends of the leaves according to the prior art and initiating the crossing movement of said leaves for the passage of the position in juxtaposition to the superposition position and vice versa. Thus, the device which is the subject of the invention is much more compact, in particular in the vertical direction, which makes it possible to use a guide rail of reduced height and thus to lower the crossing threshold of the opening and also to reduce its width in the transverse direction. The use of rollers makes it possible to preserve the friction of the possible facings placed on the leaves, and thus to avoid tearing them.

Advantageously, the device which is the subject of the invention comprises locking means, said locking means being carried by an attachment module connected to the fastening section. This feature opens the possibility of using the device object of the invention to seal access to secure spaces both closets interior or exterior door. The support means make it possible to install this function optionally, even on an existing device that does not include such a locking function. The support means and the technical possibility of using attachment modules to multiply the number of guiding means, allow the use of heavier leaves, which can thus be used to hide the access to secure spaces.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the translational movement of the maneuvering profiles controls the engagement or the erasure of the locking means.

According to a first variant, the locking means are able to lock the translation of the leaf with respect to the facade.

According to a second variant, the locking means are able to secure the two leaves together in a juxtaposed position. Advantageously, the attachment modules of the device according to the invention comprise so-called leveling means capable of adjusting the relative position of the leaf with respect to the guide rail in a vertical direction. Thus, the adjustment of the parallelism of the leaves with respect to the frame, both from a static point of view and during the movement of concealment or opening thereof is easy to achieve, including by a single person.

Advantageously, the rolling means comprise rolling support means rolling on the sole and on a guide rail according to contact points located on the sole and on a wing of said rail, and pressing means, able to press said rolling means of support against a wing of the guide rail when the leaves are in the closed position. Thus, said support rolling means participate in guiding the leaf in the vertical direction and in the transverse direction. By combining these functions, the height of the flanges of the guide rail can be reduced significantly compared with the solutions of the prior art. According to an exemplary embodiment, the rolling support means comprise a bearing ball. According to another exemplary embodiment, the rolling support means comprise a roller) articulated along a substantially vertical axis and whose tread of said roller is toroidal.

Thus, the guide of the ball or the wheel, according to the embodiment, is made on a linear contact which is thus both reduced height and also very rigid.

Advantageously, the device according to the invention comprises a bottom covering covering the sole and the wing of the rail, consisting of a material capable of limiting rolling noise of the rolling support means on the bottom of the coating. Thus, the operation of the device of the invention is silent.

Advantageously, the device which is the subject of the invention comprises pressing means comprising a connecting rod articulated at each of its ends by a pivot connection of vertical axis, connected at one of its ends to a leaf by a coupling module and at its other end to the guide rail by a roller bearing on a wing of said guide rail when the leaves are in the closed position. Thus the pressure exerted by these pressure means can be easily adjusted by adjusting the position of the pivot point associated with the module hooking thus adjusting the angle of the connecting rod. Thus also, the same length of rod can be used for a range of leaf thickness without changing the support profile.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the device which is the subject of the invention comprises means for braking a roller of the pressing means, and means for controlling said braking means triggered by the elastic translation of a maneuvering profile. . Thus, the user can by simply choosing the operating profile used, choose to move a leaf or the two leaps stacked simultaneously by operating the brake.

According to a particular embodiment, said motorized, the device of the invention comprises motorization means adapted to rotate at least one of the rollers of the pressing means. The fastening system attachment module makes it easy to achieve this engine function. This motorized version of the device opens other possibilities going beyond simple closet doors and allows to consider the use of such a device for the concealment of large openings with more than two leaves, said leaves can be made heavier materials than in the prior art, without causing difficulty in maneuvering.

Advantageously, the device according to the invention comprises, in its motorized version, a sensor adapted to actuate the drive means during the elastic movement of the operating profile. Thus, in addition to providing a mechanical anti-pinch safety the presence of this sensor, allows, by the addition of a logic control circuit means of motorization, to add a safety on the triggering or stopping of the movement of the leaves, the same sensor being then used at the end of the race, thus avoiding any risk of injury or degradation of the mechanism in the event of inadvertent blocking thereof by any obstacle. The setting of the stiffness of the elastic means and the adjustment of the stroke of these means for actuating the sensor make it possible to adjust the conditions for stopping the device in the event of a blockage.

According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, implemented for this motorized version of the device according to the invention, the leveling means are motorized and the device comprises means for measuring the leaf position in a horizontal direction. Thus, the device can work perfectly even in case of slight lack of parallelism or straightness of the frame on which are fixed the rails, which can be useful in renovation or to achieve deliberately aesthetic effects.

Advantageously, the device of the invention comprises in its motorized version a sensor adapted to actuate the drive means during the elastic movement of the operating profile.

Advantageously, the engagement and erasure of the locking means and synchronized with the actuation of the motorization means

The following detailed description describes the invention according to its preferred embodiments, in no way limiting, and with reference to FIGS. 1 to 16 in which the trihedrons (x, y, z) represented on each view are intended only to present the orientation of said view without specifying any origin or position, and in which figures:

- Figure 1 shows a front view and in perspective, the device of the invention in a closed position (1A) the leaves being superimposed, and in two open positions (1 B, 1C) the leaves being juxtaposed;

- Figure 2 shows in an end view and in perspective a device according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the leaves are in juxtaposed position;

- Figure 3 is an end detail view, in perspective and exploded, rolling means comprising two adjacent rollers mounted on a coupling module;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view from above and from the side of a guide rail in which the means of the device according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention are positioned;

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic representation, seen from above, of the various configurations of the leaves of the device according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, for the passage from a closed position (5A) of juxtaposition of the leaves to an open position (5D). ) superposition of the leaves, with the intermediate crossing phases (5B, 5C);

FIG. 6 shows an exploded view from the side and in perspective, an example embodiment of the rolling means comprising a bearing ball adapted to the lower part of the device of the invention according to one of its embodiments;

FIG. 7 shows rolling means comprising a ball, from the side and in perspective, adapted for use in the upper part according to one embodiment of the device which is the subject of the invention;

Figure 8 is an exploded end and perspective view of a guide rail comprising a bottom coating adapted to an embodiment of the device according to the invention;

FIG. 9 shows in an exploded view in perspective and at the end, an exemplary embodiment of the pressing means adapted to the device which is the subject of the invention;

Figure 10 is an end view of an attachment module installed on a support profile;

Figure 1 1 is a top view of two leaves of a device according to the invention comprising maneuvering profiles;

Figure 12 is a front view in section AA of the view of Figure 1 1;

Figure 13 is a view of the horizontal end of a leaf whose operating profile is pushed into abutment;

FIG. 14 schematically illustrates, in plan view, an exemplary embodiment of the device according to the invention comprising means for braking the roller of the pressing means;

FIG. 15 is a view according to an X-X section defined in FIG. 9 of the pressing means, in an embodiment comprising a motorization of the roller of said means;

FIG. 16 illustrates an embodiment, according to a front view and in perspective, comprising means for motorizing the leveling means;

and Figure 17 shows an exemplary embodiment of a rolling bearing element in the form of an articulated wheel and in section folded the section of the tread of said wheel. Figure 1, according to an exemplary embodiment of the device according to the invention, it is adapted to the concealment of an opening in a facade (100). The concealment is performed by an opening consisting of at least two leaves (101, 102) able to move in a horizontal direction translation (x) guided by two rails (1 1 1, 1 12) fixed to the horizontal edges of the opening and which delimit the frame of the occultation device. Each leaf extends along a median plane, said vertical, comprising the horizontal directions (x) and vertical (z). The device is said to be coplanar, because in the closed position (FIG. 1A), in which position the leaves (101, 102) conceal the entire opening, said leaves are juxtaposed, their median planes being placed in the same plane, said occultation plan. Figure 1 B, the passage in the exposure position of the opening is obtained by moving one of the ventals (101) in superimposed position with the other leaf (102), essentially by a horizontal translation (x) of said leaf, the median planes of the two leaves being then parallel, the superposition direction (y), said transverse, being normal to said planes and perpendicular to the main axis of translation (x). Half of the surface of the opening is thus exposed. 1C, alternatively, the other half of the surface of the opening can be exposed starting from the occultation position (FIG. 1A) and moving the other leaf (102), essentially in a horizontal translation (x) but of opposite direction to the previous one, so as to bring said leaf (102) in superposition position with the first (101). The passage from the juxtaposed position to the superimposed position of a leaf combines a translational movement in the horizontal direction (x) and a rotation about the vertical axis (y), the instantaneous center of rotation of which allows the passage of the edge of the leaf operated in a plane parallel to the occultation plane. According to this embodiment, the leaves (101, 102) are maneuvered by means of handles (101 1, 1012, 1021, 1022) placed near the horizontal ends of said leaves. The crossing of the leaves during opening or closing involves choosing the handles used for the maneuver to avoid any pinching during said maneuver. Thus, starting from the closed position (Figure 1A), to open one half or the other of the opening, the leaf (101, 102) maneuvered must be by the handle (101 1, 1021) of said leaf located the most close to the vertical edge of the front opening. Even under these conditions, there is a risk of pinching at the end of opening. If the first leaf (101) is maneuvered to obtain the opening (Figure 1 B), then, to achieve the concealment of the opening, the other leaf (102) can be operated either by the handle (1021 ) located closest to the half opening exposed, that is to say by the handle (1022) located closest to the edge of the facade. Under these conditions, this leaf (102) is brought in translation to the other end, in the position that was initially occupied by the first leaf (101). According to another alternative, the two leaves (101, 102) can be moved simultaneously in superimposed position so as to discover the other half-opening. According to an advantageous embodiment of the device according to the invention, the individual displacement of a leaf (102) or combined of the two leaves (101, 102) starting from a juxtaposed position, is determined by the choice of the handle used for the maneuver. Thus, according to an exemplary embodiment, starting from the configuration of FIG. 1B, the maneuvering of the handle (1022) located near the edge of the facade, controls the simultaneous movement of the two leaves (101, 102) to discover the other half of the opening, while the maneuvering of the handle (1021) located near the half open opening causes the translation of the single leaf (102) to which it is linked, in order to result in the occultation of the 'opening.

Figure 2, the translational guidance is achieved by rolling means (231, 232, 233, 241, 243) which cooperate with the rails (1 1 1, 1 12). In this figure, the vents are shown in superimposed or open position.

3, said rolling means (231) are secured to the leaves (101, 102) via a fastening section (320), which is fixed on all or part of the length of each leaf in each of its vertical ends and possibly between these two ends. Modules (330), having a profile attachment interface (331) complementary to that of the hooking profile (320), are used to secure the rolling means or other equipment. The attachment profile (320) is cut to the length of the leaves and different modules, able to support different equipment, corresponding to different technical functions, can be hung there, distributed and adjusted in position according to the length (x) of said leaf (101, 102). This feature allows a single person to install such a device for the occultation of an opening.

Returning to FIG. 2, according to an exemplary mode of operation, the installation of a device which is the subject of the invention consists first of placing and fixing the upper (1 12) and lower (1 1 1) guide rails. in order to realize the frame. The attachment rails (320) are cut to the length of the leaves and fixed thereto by any appropriate means, in particular by screwing self-drilling screws. For each leaf, all or part of the rolling means located in the lower part of the leaf is fixed to the attachment profile (320) and placed approximately thereon. The leaf thus equipped is inserted into the lower guide rail (1 1 1), a module comprising a rolling element and then snapped into the latching rail located at the upper vertical end of the leaf in order to carry out a brief maintenance of said leaf. in the sleeping frame. The other modules are then attached to the upper and lower leaf suspension profiles. The same operation is performed with the second leaf, then the rolling means of said leaves are adjusted to ensure perfect sliding. Advantageously, the rolling means (241, 243) comprising rolling support means are initially fixed to the leaves for their installation in the frame.

According to a first embodiment, said rolling means of support consist of bearing balls. According to another embodiment, said rolling support means consist of casters articulated along a substantially vertical axis. These support rolling means having a vertical adjustment, this adjustment movement, is advantageously used to allow the introduction of the leaf in the frame and its maintenance summary.

4, according to an advantageous embodiment of the device according to the invention, the guiding of the leaves in translation in the guide rails is carried out by symmetrical guiding groups in each of the horizontal ends of the leaves, in their upper and lower parts. . Such a group includes:

- a module (330), said transfer, supporting two rollers (231a, 231b) contiguous vertical axis of rotation; - a module (440) supporting a rolling device (241) comprising a support rolling element in the form of a carrier ball or an articulated wheel;

a pressing module (430) supporting a connecting rod (435) pivotably connected to a vertical axis with said module (430) at one of its ends and supporting at its other end a pressing roller (431) of vertical axis of rotation.

Means, particularly in the form of a spring, allow, by the pivoting of the rod (435), to apply the pressure roller against any surface extending vertically and facing said roller (431). ) pressing.

5, the three rolling means constituting each guide group cooperate with the guide rails and the fastening section to achieve the opening-closing kinematics of the opening of the device object of the invention. 5A, in the occultation position, for each leaf, the connecting rod (435) applies the pressing roller (431) against the vertical flange (51 1) inside the guide rail. This pressure applies the bearing balls (540) or the articulated rollers against an outer vertical flange (512) of the guide rail.

5B, by applying to one of the leaves a horizontal translation tending to bring it closer to the other leaf, the rollers of the transfer modules (330) of the two leaves cause rotation around the vertical axis of the leaf and moved according to an instantaneous center of rotation corresponding to the contact of the carrier ball (240) located at the opposite end of the contact of the transfer modules, with the vertical outer wing (512) of the guide rail. Said bearing ball (540) is held against said vertical wing (512) by the pressing means (435, 431) of the leaf thus moved in translation.

5C, continuing the translation, the rollers of the transfer module of the leaf remained stationary, acting on the lower part of the hanging section, bring the leaf moved in an orientation parallel to the horizontal direction. Then, continuing the translation, the pressing means (435, 431) of the leaf remained stationary, push the rollers of the transfer module of the moved leaf in contact with the vertical flange (51 1) inside the guide rail. 5D, in the open position, juxtaposed leaves, which corresponds to that of Figure 2, the rollers of the transfer modules of the first leaf, initially moved, are in contact with the vertical flange (511) inner of the rail of guide, applied against it by the pressing means of the other leaf acting on the attachment profile of the first. The pressing means of the first leaf act on the vertical flange (51 1) inside the guide rail. Thus, the bearing balls (540) or the flank of the articulated casters of the second leaf remain applied against the vertical flange (512) outside the guide rail.

According to an alternative embodiment, when the facings of the panels ventals allow, the rollers of the transfer module can be replaced by pads optionally articulated along a vertical axis.

Figure 6, according to an exemplary embodiment, the support module (440) of the lower bearing balls, comprises an interface (441) for attaching said module to the attachment profile. The other part of the module extends substantially perpendicular to said hooking interface and comprises an oblong bore (442). An elongated bell (645) is inserted into this bore and abuts the underside of the module (440) by a shoulder (646). Said bell comprises at its lower end, a cylindrical bore adapted to receive a support module (640) of a ball (540). At the other end of the bell (645) a threaded bore is adapted to receive a threaded plug (647) which acts on one side of the support module (640) of the ball, which face is vertically opposed to the ball. The end of the threaded plug is held in contact with the support module (640) of the ball by the weight of the leaf. Thus, by acting on said threaded plug (647) it vertically displaces the support module (640) of the ball, which slides in the cylindrical bore of the bell (645), thus allowing the adjustment of the vertical position of the leaves. The oblong shape of the bell (645) makes it possible, on the one hand, to stop the bell in rotation and also makes it possible to have two transverse positions of the ball while retaining the same support (441) and by making an introduction of the bell (645) in the bore (442) of said support rotated by 180 ° with respect to its position in FIG. 6. By these two positions of the bell, the same support (441) is adapted to two dimensions of panels, for example 16 mm and 19 mm.

Figure 17, according to an exemplary embodiment, the carrier means consists of a wheel (1740) articulated in a support module (1740) adapted along a vertical axis (1741). The tread of said wheel is toroidal and preferably consists of a low friction material such as polytetrafluoroethylene. The vertical axis articulation (1741) of the caster (1740) allows it to perform the necessary movements to the crossing of the leaves, and the toroidal section of the tread combined with the low coefficient of friction material, allows at the side of said wheel to carry out guiding against a wing of reduced height of the guide section.

Figure 7, the mounting of the carrier ball or the articulated wheel on the upper part of the leaf is realized by means of the same module (440) as for the lower part, on the upper attachment profile and uses the same elements for the bell (645), the threaded plug, and the ball support module (640) (540) or the wheel. In comparison with the mounting in the lower part of the leaf, the shoulder (646) of the bell (645) is then stopped in translation on the other side of the attachment module (440). The contact between the support module (640) and the threaded plug is provided by a spring (740) attached to the bell (645) and acting on said support module (640). The action of the threaded plug (647) on the support module support (640) thus makes it possible to adjust, both on the upper part and on the lower part, the relative distance between the end of the ball (540) or the wheel in contact with the bottom of the guide rail and the side of the shoulder (646) of the bell (645) in contact with the support module (440). Thus, this assembly makes it possible to easily adjust the level and the alignment of the leaves (101, 102) with the guide rails (11 1, 1 12).

Figure 8, the lower and upper guide rails (1 11, 1 12) are identical and comprise a profile (810) comprising a sole (81 1) horizontal when attached to the facade receiving the device object of the invention and two vertical wings (51 1, 512) extending on either side of the sole. Advantageously, said profile (810) comprises, in the vicinity of the vertical outer wing (512), a profile (815) capable of facilitating the crossing of the threshold. generated by the presence of the guide rail. Said section (810) is preferably made of an extruded aluminum alloy. In order to limit the rolling noise of the bearing balls or articulated rollers of the device according to the invention, both on the sole (81 1) and on the outer vertical flange (512), a coating base (840) constituted of a material capable of reducing rolling noise, is applied to the parts in contact with the bearing balls (540) or the sidewall of the articulated castors. Said coating base (840) is, according to an exemplary embodiment, consisting of a machined or extruded polytetrafluoroethylene (or PTFE) plate. According to a preferred embodiment, said plate is slid in the rail and comprises for this purpose two pins (841, 842) extending horizontally which cooperate with two grooves (831, 832) hollowed transversely in vertical wings of the rail.

Figure 9, the pressing means are also linked to the attachment profile by an attachment module (930) adapted. Said module (930) comprises two bores (931, 932) of axes transversely offset which receive the threaded end an axis (935) for the pivot connection of the connecting rod (435) with said attachment module (930). This threaded end is held in one of the bores (931, 932) of the attachment module (930) by a nut (938) screwed onto said end. The transverse offset of the bores (931, 932) makes it possible to shift the pivot connecting axis of the connecting rod as a function of the thickness of the leaves of the concealment device according to the invention. According to this exemplary embodiment, the offset of the bores makes it possible to adapt the position of the connecting rod for closet doors having leaves of a thickness of 16 mm or 19 mm. At the other end of the connecting rod (435) a pressure roller (431) is pivotally connected thereto. A torsion spring (937) acts on a tongue (939) cut in the body of the connecting rod and folded, which spring tends to bring the rod in an angular position substantially aligned with the transverse direction (y), that is to say ie perpendicular to the extension direction of the fastening profile.

Figure 10, according to an exemplary embodiment, the attachment profile (320) consists of an extruded aluminum alloy. It includes a sole (1055) which, after mounting said profile (320) on a leaf (101, 102) extends on one of the vertical faces of said leaf. Advantageously, said sole (1055) is supported on the face of the leaf by means of tenons (1051) protruding from the surface of the sole (1055) vis-à-vis the vertical face of the leaf ( 101, 102). Thus, the support remains stable, even in the event of a slight lack of flatness of the leaf face and said tenons (1051) contribute to the rigidity of the sole (1055). A wing (1052), said fixing, substantially perpendicular to the sole (1055), extends in section in the transverse direction (y), under the frame of the leaf (101, 102). Thus, the attachment profile (320) is fixed to the leaves (101, 102) by self-tapping screws (1031) which are housed in the lower part of the frame of said leaf (101, 102) through this wing ( 1052). Thus, the attachment profile can be fixed on hollow leaves. The face in contact with the frame of the leaf of the wing (1052) of attachment comprises teeth (1053) in protrusion which are inserted in the frame of the leaf during the tightening of the fastening profile against it and which participate in the immobilization of the attachment profile (320) relative to the leaf (101, 102) opposite the transverse translations. An upturn (1056) relative to the fastening flange (1052) and extending in section in a vertical direction (z), serves as a rolling track to the pressure roller (431) connected to the other leaf. An upturn (1037) located at the other end of the wing (1052) of attachment, substantially in the extension of the sole (1055) of the fastening section, comprises a hemispherical groove adapted to receive the end of the spring ( 937) of the pressing means related to the same fastening section. Thus, the attachment module (930) supporting said pressing means can be fixed in any longitudinal position on the fastening section (320).

According to the embodiment of FIG. 10, the attachment of the attachment modules to the attachment section (320) is carried out by two substantially L-shaped wings (1057, 1058) which extend in cross-section from the sole (1055) in a direction opposite to the attachment wing (1052). These two wings (1057, 1058) cooperate with the sole (1055) to form a complementary fixation interface to the fixing interface (331) of the hanging modules. The attachment interface (331) of the attachment modules comprises a sole (1065) substantially Q-shaped (uppercase Greek letter omega), extending in section and after mounting on the fastening section in a vertical direction (z). At one end of said soleplate, an L-shaped flange (1068) is interlocked in the corresponding L-shaped flange (1058) of the fastening profile. At the other end of the sole (1068) of the attachment module, a wing (1067) extending transversely in section, cap the wing (1057) in correspondence of the fastening section. This wing (1067) of the attachment module and pierced with one or more threaded holes adapted to receive pressure screws (1032) which act on the wing (1057) vis-à-vis the fastening section. The tension imposed by the tightening of these screws (1032) to the attachment interface (331) of the attachment module, blocks the engagement of the two wings (1058, 1068) in L of the attachment module and the profile of hooking.

1, according to an embodiment of the device according to the invention, the handles (1012, 1021) for operating the leaves (101, 102) are in the form of vertically extending maneuvering profiles and enclosing the ends horizontal of said leaves. The handles advantageously comprise anti-pinch means. To this end, each handle (1012, 1021), or operating profile, is slidably mounted on means (1 1 12, 1 121) for guiding in translation in the longitudinal direction (x), said guide means (1 1 12, 1 121) being fixed to the leaves (101, 102). According to the embodiment shown in Figure 1 1, the operating handles comprise a U-shaped profile extending over the entire height of the leaf. Said section comprises at the top of its lateral wings a shoulder (1 141) which cooperates with a shoulder (1 142) guide means for stopping the operating handle in translation.

12, according to an exemplary embodiment of the device according to the invention, the shoulders (1 141, 1 142) of the operating handle (1012, 1021) and its guide means (1 1 12, 1121) are maintained against each other by means of a leaf spring (1240) inserted between the guide section (1 1 12, 1 121) and the section (1012, 1021) constituting the operating handle. Figure 13, thus, by pushing on one or the other of the maneuver profiles

(1021), it is pushed in an elastic translation to the leaf (102) which it is secured. In addition to the anti-pinch effect, this elastic movement can be used to drive different kinematic modes of opening and closing of the leaves (101, 102), either by mechanical means or by electrical means, the displacement the operating profile is then used to close or to open an electrical contact.

FIG. 14, according to an exemplary embodiment of these means for modifying the kinematics, in a mechanical version, starting from the position of FIGS. 5D or 1B, the operating handle (1022) located on the front side, has a pusher (1422) which, in case of elastic translation of said operating handle towards the leaf (102), acts on a rod (1436), which rod is guided in translation on bearings (1437) fixed, for example, to the profile of hooking (320). This rod is connected by a pivot connection (1433) to a brake (1431), itself in sliding pivot connection of vertical axis (z) with the connecting rod (435) located closest to the operating handle (1022) . Thus, this pushing action on the rod (1436) causes the rotation of said brake (1431) relative to the connecting rod, which brings it closer to the pressing roller (431) to the contact and brakes said roller (431) preventing its rotation. Thus, by operating the leaf (102) with the maneuvering handle (1022) located closest to the front, the roller (431) being braked, the two leaves (101, 102) move together.

On the other hand, if the leaves are in identical superimposition but at the other end of the facade, then the traction on the same maneuvering handle

(1022) does not act on the rod (1436) and does not brake the roller (1431). As a result, the leaf (102) then moves individually. Finally, starting from the position of FIG. 1A where the two leaves (101, 102) are juxtaposed, the pressure rollers are then in contact with the inner flange (51 1) of the rail (1 11) so that the position angular of said rod (435) apart the rod (1436) of the pusher (1422) of the maneuvering handle (1022), the brake (1431) being separated from the contact with said roller (431) by the action of a spring (1440) acting on the rod (1436). Thus, in this position, the action on the operating handle (1022) does not brake the roller (431) and the leaf moves. A mechanism Likewise, it is mounted on the operating handle (1021) located at the other longitudinal end of the leaf (102), said mechanism acting on the other pressing assembly. However, to obtain the same effect, the rod is no longer in direct pivot connection with the brake but via a control rod in transverse axis pivot connection with the attachment profile and connected to the one of its ends at the brake and at the other end at the end of the rod. This braking device can be installed symmetrically at the two vertical ends of a leaf or at one of these ends only.

In the case of an installation of the braking device with only one vertical end, the other end, upper or lower, can receive a device comprising a rod (1436) guided on bearings fixed to the support profile by an interface of assembly and a pusher on one of the operating profiles, said rod, controlling at its end a rotary latch locking device. Such a device is distributed, according to many versions, for example by SOUTHCO® P.O. Box 01 16, 210 North Brinton Lake Road, Concordville, PA 19331-01 16 United States. The latch device is also fixed on a support module and the fixed point, in the form of a peg, can be fixed either on a support module on the other panel, or on a fixed element, linked to the facade or to one of the guide rails (1 1 1, 1 12).

Alternatively or additionally, the locking of the leaves can also be achieved by blocking the rotation of one of the balls (540) or one of the articulated rollers.

Figure 15, according to an alternative embodiment, the movement of the leaves (101, 102) can be motorized. For this purpose and according to an exemplary embodiment, a DC motor (1535) is placed on the connecting rod and drives a pressing roller (431). The rotation of the motor is triggered by an electrical control contact, detecting a pulse on the contact during the elastic translation of one of the operating handles. According to an advantageous embodiment, the motor (1535) is of the brushless type comprising hall effect sensors. Such a motor is particularly compact and the counting of the numbers of pulses on the hall effect sensors makes it possible, at any moment, to know the angular position of the motor and consequently, by using electronics with memory means, to be able to determine the longitudinal position of the leaves and their speed of movement. Advantageously, according to a particular embodiment, this position information is used to drive motorized leveling means.

Figure 16, for this purpose a geared motor (1645), for example DC, is attached to the top of the bell (645) rolling support means. This geared motor, acts in rotation on the threaded plug (647) thus making it possible to modify the distance between the ball or the articulated wheel and the attachment module (1644). The attachment module (1644) comprises an enlarged plate (1646), to allow the installation of said gear motor (1645). The rotation of the bell (645) is stopped by the oblong bore.

In such a motorized version, the locking means are advantageously electrically controlled, and their control can advantageously be achieved by an electrical contact generating a control pulse by the elastic translation of the operating profiles. The differentiation of the controls, such as the displacement and the direction of movement of the leaves, the locking or unlocking, can be achieved by the choice of operating profile actuated and / or by the number of pulses, the whole being discriminated at the level of the control electronics.

Thus, to switch from a manually controlled version of the device object of the invention to a motorized version of this device, it suffices to replace the connecting rods, by rods comprising such motorization means and to add a housing of electronic control. The change can be achieved in less than a day by a qualified technician from standardized parts, without return to the workshop of the device.

The description and examples of embodiment above clearly illustrate that the invention achieves the desired objectives. In particular, it allows for a concealment device of an opening by coplanar leaves, silent, according to an economical modular construction using many standardized elements, adaptable to any width of leaves. The device object of the invention is here presented, for reasons of ease of representation, in the case of a concealment with two leaves. From the indications previous, said device can be easily adapted in a configuration with three or more leaves by adapting the length of the rods (435) and the width of the guide rails (1 1 1, 1 12). Heavy leaves, for example to support glass frames, possibly shielded, can be easily adapted by multiplying the number of attachment modules (440) which is easily accomplished through the support profile (320).

Claims

Device for concealing and exposing an opening in a facade (100), in particular a closet, characterized in that it comprises:

two leaves (101, 102) coplanar extending in a plane, said vertical, parallel to the facade (100);

an upper guide rail (1 12) and a lower guide rail (1 1 1);

means (431, 241, 231) rolling fixed to the leaves (101, 102) cooperating with the rails (1 1 1, 1 12) for guiding in translation along an axis (x), said horizontal, parallel at the front of said vents and in a rotation of limited amplitude about an axis (z) parallel to the front (100) and perpendicular to the horizontal axis (x), so as to achieve the crossing of the leaves (101, 102) in two planes parallel to said facade (100) for passing the leaves (101, 102) of a juxtaposed position, said closed, where they hide the opening to a superimposed position, said open;

for each leaf, two sections (320), said support, extending in a horizontal direction (x), fixed to each vertical end of said leaf and having a fastening profile (1057, 1058);

each rolling means being connected to a leaf individually by a module (330, 430, 440), said attachment module, comprising means (1067, 1032, 1068) for coupling complementary to the attachment profile of the profiles of support.

Device according to claim 1, characterized in that each leaf (101, 102) comprises at one of its horizontal ends a profile (101 1, 1012, 1021, 1022), said maneuver, extending in a vertical direction (z ) and linked to said leaf by a connection elastic in a horizontal translation.

Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the guide rails (11, 1 12) are of substantially U-shaped cross-section with a sole (810) extending in the horizontal direction (x) and a tangent plane perpendicular to the facade (100), and that the rolling means comprise a pair of rollers (231a, 231b) contiguous with vertical axes of rotation (z), bearing against a wing (51 1) of a guide rail at each end of each leaf (101, 102), when said leaves are in the closed position, said pair of rollers being fixed to the leaf by an attachment module (330).

Device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises locking means, said locking means being carried by an attachment module connected to the support profile (320).

Device according to claims 2 and 4 characterized in that the translational movement of the operating profiles (101 1, 1012, 1021, 1022) controls the engagement or erasure of the locking means

Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the locking means are adapted to lock the translation of the leaf (101, 102) relative to the facade (100).

Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the locking means are adapted to secure the two leaves (101, 102) in translation, when said ventals are in juxtaposed position.

Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the rolling means comprise means (647, 640, 1742), said leveling, adapted to adjust the relative position of the leaf relative to the rails (11 1, 1 12) for guiding in a vertical direction (y). Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the rolling means comprise rolling support means (540, 1740) adapted to roll on a guide rail (1 1 1, 1 12) according to contact points located on the sole ( 81 1, 840) and on a wing (512) of said rail, and pressing means (434, 431, 937), able to press said rolling means of support against a wing (512) of the guide rail when the leaves (101, 102) are in the closed position, juxtaposed.

Device according to claim 8, characterized in that it comprises a coating base (840) covering the sole (810) and the flange (512) of the rail, consisting of a material capable of limiting the running noise of the means rolling wheels (540, 1740) on this coating bottom.

Device according to claim 9, characterized in that the rolling support means comprise a ball (540) carrier.

Device according to claim 9, characterized in that the rolling support means comprise a roller (1740) articulated about a substantially vertical axis (1741) and whose tread is toroidal.

Device according to claim 9, characterized in that it comprises pressing means (435, 431, 937) comprising an articulated connecting rod (435) at each of its ends by a pivot connection of vertical axis, connected to one its ends to a leaf (101, 102) by a coupling module (330) and at its other end to the guide rail by a roller (431) bearing on a flange (511) of said guide rail (1 1 1, 1 12) when the leaves (101, 102) are in the closed position.

14. Device according to claim 13, characterized in that the support profile (320) comprises a fixing wing (1052) and a reversal (1056) relative to the fastening flange (1052) extending in section in a vertical direction (z), which reversal is adapted to serve as a rolling track to the pressure roller (431) connected to the other leaf.

Device according to claims 2 and 13, characterized in that it comprises means (1431, 1432) for braking a roller (431) pressing means, and means (1435, 1440, 1442) for controlling said braking means triggered by the elastic translation of a section (1022) maneuver.

Device according to claim 14, characterized in that it comprises drive means (1535) capable of driving in rotation at least one of the rollers (431) of the pressing means.

Device according to claims 7 and 15, characterized in that the leveling means (540) are motorized (1645) and comprises means for measuring the position of the leaf in a horizontal direction

Device according to claims 2 and 15, characterized in that it comprises a sensor adapted to actuate the drive means (1535, 1645) during an action on the operating profile.

Device according to claims 5 and 18, characterized in that the engagement and erasure of the locking means is synchronized with the actuation of the motorization means.