WO2017203518A1

WO2017203518A1 - A glass door and an assembling method thereof

Info

Publication number: WO2017203518A1
Application number: PCT/IL2017/050567
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mordechai Harari
Original assignee: Mordechai Harari
Priority date: 2016-05-22
Filing date: 2017-05-22
Publication date: 2017-11-30
Also published as: IL245772A0; IL245772B

Abstract

In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a glass door, comprising: a plurality of glass plates (10, 10a, 10b), disposed adjacently each above the other; two first vertical profiles (14) disposed along the glass plates, each disposed at an opposite side of the plurality of glass plates, each firmly glued to the glass plates; two second vertical profiles (16), each hooked to one of the first profiles (14), for providing vertical strength to the glass door; and at least one horizontal bar (18), connected to the second profiles (16), for (a) generating an indirect connection of the second vertical profiles (16) to each other, and (b) providing horizontal strength to the glass door.

Description

A GLASS DOOR AND AN ASSEMBLING METHOD THEREOF

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to the field of closet doors. More particularly, the invention relates to a glass door and a method for assembling thereof.

BACKGROUND ART

Fig. 1 is a front view that schematically illustrates a closet having two sliding glass doors, according to the prior art.

The left sliding door comprises glass plates 10a and 10b, and the right sliding door comprises glass plates 10c, lOd.

Each of glass plates 10a, 10b, 10c and lOd comprises a frame 12a, 12b, 12c and 12d, respectively. The frames are an essential part of the glass plates, as they support the glass plates.

One of the drawbacks of the prior art is the use of frames, as it defects the appearance of the closet. Actually, there is a trend in minimizing the size of the frames as much as possible. It is an object of the present invention to provide a solution to the above-mentioned and other problems of the prior art.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description proceeds. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a glass door, comprising:

- a plurality of glass plates (10, 10a, 10b), disposed adjacently, each above the other;

- two first vertical profiles (14) disposed along the glass plates, each disposed in an opposite side of the plurality of glass plates, each firmly glued to the glass plates;

- two second vertical profiles (16), each hooked to one of the first vertical profiles (14), for providing vertical strength to the glass door; and

- at least one horizontal bar (18), connected to the second profiles (16), for (a) generating an indirect connection of the second vertical profiles (16) to each other, and (b) providing horizontal strength to the glass door.

The glue used for the firm gluing may be, for example, the "SUPER 7" glue, which is available on the Israeli market.

According to one embodiment of the invention, each of the first vertical profiles (14) comprises a hole (26) in a hook form, to be filled with fluid glue, thereby when the glue is hardened, the first profile is firmly attached to the glass plates.

The hook form may be a T form, an Omega (Ω) form, and so on. According to one embodiment of the invention, each two adjacent glass plates are connected to each other at the mutual horizontal border line by a connection. According to one embodiment of the invention, the connection comprises: a Π profile (33), a male / female connector profile, a flat profile firmly glued to both sides of the border line (34), and so on. The advantage of a Π profile (33), and a male / female connector profile is that the door can be dismantled and mantled again.

In another aspect, the present invention is directed to a method for firmly attaching a profile to a glass plate (10), the method comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a profile (14, 31, 32) having a hook form hole (26); (b) attaching the profile to the glass plate (10) by an instant glue;

(c) injecting glue in a fluid aggregation state into the hole (26); and

(d) letting the fluid glue dry, thereby generating from the glue in the hole (26) a hook attached to the glass plate (10), which additionally hooks the profile (14, 31, 32).

The hook form may be in a T form, Ω form, and so on.

The reference numbers have been used to point out elements in the embodiments described and illustrated herein, in order to facilitate the understanding of the invention. They are meant to be merely illustrative, and not limiting. The foregoing embodiments of the invention have been described and illustrated in conjunction with systems and methods thereof, which are meant to be merely illustrative, and not limiting. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention are described herein in conjunction with the following drawings:

Fig. 2 is a front view that schematically illustrates a closet having two sliding glass doors, according to one embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 3a is a top view which schematically illustrates a closet glass door, according to one embodiment of the invention. Fig. 3b is a top view on the second profile 16.

Fig. 3c is a top view on the first profile 14.

Fig. 3d schematically illustrates the first and second profiles in a situation in which the profiles are hooked to each other.

Fig. 3e is a back view of the glass door assembly. Fig 4a is a top view that pictorially illustrates a glass door, according to one embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 4b is a perspective top view thereof.

Fig. 4c is a perspective back view thereof.

Fig. 5 is a side view of a glass door, according to one embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 6 is a top view which schematically illustrates a first profile 14, according to one embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 7 is a top view which schematically illustrates how the second profile 16 is hooked to the first profile 14, according to one embodiment of the invention.

Each of Figs. 8a to 8e schematically illustrates a stage in assembling a closet glass door, according to one embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 9 is a perspective front-perspective view on a glass door, according to one embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 10 is a perspective bottom view of a glass door, according to embodiment of the invention. Figs. 11a to llg schematically illustrate a mechanism and method for attaching the edges of two adjacent glass plates to each other. It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The present invention will be understood from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments ("best mode"), which are meant to be descriptive and not limiting. For the sake of brevity, some well-known features, methods, systems, procedures, components, circuits, and so on, are not described in detail.

As illustrated, the glass plates do not comprise frames.

Fig. 3a is a top view which schematically illustrates a closet glass door, according to one embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 3e is a back view thereof.

The glass door comprises two glass plates 10a and 10b disposed adjacently to each other, such that a horizontal septum 22 is disposed between the adjacent glass plates. The septum is optional.

Along the adjacent glass plates is disposed a first vertical profile 14 firmly glued to the glass plates. A second vertical profile 16 is hooked to the first profile 14, as detailed hereinafter. The object of the second profile 16 is to provide vertical stiffness to the glass door, i.e., to make the door structure more resistant to vertical bending. On each glass plate lOi (i=a, b) is disposed at least one horizontal bar 18, which is connected to profiles 16 by screws 20. The horizontal bar 18 provides (a) horizontal stiffness to the door assembly, and (b) keeps the second profiles 16 connected to each other. As mentioned, second profiles 16 are hooked to first profiles 14.

Fig. 3b is a top view of the second profile 16; Fig. 3c is a top view of the first profile 14; and Fig. 3d schematically illustrates the first and second profiles in a situation in which the profiles are hooked to each other.

Fig. 3e is a back view of the glass door assembly. It should be noted that the mechanism that keeps the glass plates connected to each other is disposed only at the back side of the door, thereby leaving the front side free of objects.

Fig 4a is a top view that pictorially illustrates a glass door, according to one embodiment of the invention; Fig. 4b is a perspective top view thereof; and Fig. 4c is a perspective back view thereof.

As illustrated, the second profile 16 is attached to glass plates 10a and 10b. A horizontal septum 22 is disposed between glass plates 10a and 10b. The horizontal septum 22 is optional.

Fig. 6 is a top view which schematically illustrates a first profile 14, according to one embodiment of the invention. The first profile comprises two vertical holes 26, in a form of the letter T, and a hook 28. In this figure is illustrated a glass plate 10, to which the first profile 14 is firmly glued.

The firm gluing process is carried out as follows: At the first step, the first profile 14 is attached to the glass plate 10 via instant gluing means, such as double-sided gluing film. Usually, instant gluing means providing a weak gluing solution; however, such gluing means is adequate for holding the profile attached to the glass plate while being firmly glued. Next, fluid glue is injected into the T holes, and the glued parts are left until the fluid glue hardens.

When the fluid glue hardens, it generates an additional T profile which is firmly glued to the glass plate 10. In addition, as a result of the T form, the T profile hooks profile 14 to the glass plate.

Using relatively strong fluid glue with this process results in firmly attaching profile 14 to the glass plate 10. More specifically, as the leg of the T holes comes into contact with the glass plate 10, the leg is the part that is firmly attached to the glass plate. As a result of the T form (actually a hook form), the upper side of the T hole (in the figure's orientation) which is filled with hardened glue is hooked to the glass. This process generates a firm attachment of the first vertical profiles 14 to the glass plate.

The hook 28 is used to hook the second profile (not illustrated in this figure) to the space between the hook 28 of the first profile.

Fig. 7 is a top view which schematically illustrates the way the second profile 16 is hooked to the first profile 14, according to one embodiment of the invention.

Hook 28 of the first profile 14 mates with a corresponding depression 30 in the second profile 16.

In the first step, as illustrated in Fig. 8a, the glass plates are placed on a flat surface adjacent to each other (the flat surface is not illustrated).

In the second step, as illustrated in Fig. 8b, the first profiles 14 are glued by instant gluing means to the glass plates. Then, fluid glue is injected into the T holes of the first profile 14. The door assembly is left in this situation until the glue hardens, and therefore is firmly hooked to glass plates 10. The firm gluing stage may take, for example, between 6 to 12 hours, until the fluid glue hardens. In the third step, as illustrated in Fig. 8c, the second profiles 16 are placed on the glass plates.

In the fourth step, as illustrated in Fig. 8d, the second profiles 16 are pushed towards each other, in order to mate with first profiles 14 (Fig 7 illustrates a zoomed view thereof).

In the fifth step, as illustrated in Fig. 8e, each horizontal bar 18 is placed between second profiles 16, and fixed into position by threading screws 20.

One of the benefits of the disclosed technology of closet glass doors is the fact that the door assemblies can be mounted at the user site. The parts can be assembled in the factory, each part being marked in order to be placed in the same location at the customer site, and then the doors are dismantled. At the customer site, the parts are assembled again as in the factory.

Fig. 9 is a front-perspective view of a glass door, according to one embodiment of the invention.

The glass door comprises two glass plates, 10a and 10b. As illustrated, there are no frames that surround the glass plates 10a and 10b.

Also illustrated are the first profiles 14 and the second profiles

16. Fig. 10 is a perspective bottom view of a glass door, according to one embodiment of the invention.

The glass door comprises two glass plates 10a and 10b. First vertical profiles 14 are vertically glued to the glass plates. Second vertical profiles 16 are hooked to the first vertical profiles 14. The horizontal bars 18 provide horizontal stiffness to the structure. Additionally, they connect left vertical profile 16 to right vertical profile 16. The screws 20 have not been screwed in.

Some doors are relatively wide, e.g., 2 meters. In this case, adjacent glass plates may bend differently as a result of different deformations in the profiles to which the horizontally adjacent glass plates are connected.

In order to overcome this obstacle, according to one embodiment of the invention the adjacent edges of two glass plates are horizontally attached to each other, thereby rendering equal the distance between two adjacent edges. Figs. 11a to l lg illustrate such a technique, according to one embodiment of the invention.

Figs. 11a to llg schematically illustrate a mechanism and method for attaching the edges of two adjacent glass plates to each other.

Fig. 11a is a top view of two adjacent glass plates, a left glass plate 10a, and a right glass plate 10b, in the figure's orientation. The border between the edges of these adjacent plates is marked by reference numeral 34. Fig. l ib is a top view illustrating a left profile 31 (in the orientation of Figs. Hi, i=a...g). The profile is to be attached to the left glass plate 10a (as illustrated in Figs, l ie to l lg). Profile 31 comprises two T holes (as in profile 14, illustrated and described hereinabove), and a hook 35.

Fig. 11c is a top view illustrating a right profile 32 (in the orientation of Figs. 1 li, i=a...g). The profile is to be attached to the right glass plate 10b (as illustrated in Figs, l ie to l lg). Profile 32 comprises two T holes (as in profile 14 illustrated and described hereinabove), and a hook 36.

Fig. 1 Id is a top view illustrating a connector profile 33.

Fig. l ie is a top view schematically illustrating the way profiles 31 and 32 are connected by a connector profile 33, which hooks to both profile 31 and 32. Fig. 1 If is a top view schematically illustrating the way glass plates 10a and 10b connect to each other by profiles 31, 32 and 33, and Fig. 1 lg is a zoomed view thereof.

The connecting process includes the following steps:

At the first step, profiles 31 and 32 are approached to each other, and connected by hooking profile 33 to profiles 31 and 32. Then, the connected profiles 31, 32 and 33 are "instantly" glued along border line 34 between the glass plates 10a and 10b, from both sides of the border line. The instant gluing may be carried out, for example, by double- sided gluing film.

Next, fluid glue is inserted into the T holes of profiles 31 and 32. After the fluid glue dries, the T form of the interior side of profiles 31 and 32 hardens, and firmly attaches profiles 31 and 32 to the glass plates. Since the connector profile 33 connects profile 31 to profile 32, the adjacent edges of glass plates 10 and 10b remain attached to each other despite possible deformations in the glass plates.

In the figures and/or description herein, the following reference numerals (Reference Signs List) have been mentioned: ^■ each of numerals 10, 10a, 10b, ..., denotes a glass plate;

^■ each of numerals 12, 12a, 12b, ..., denotes a glass plate frame;

^■ numeral 14 denotes a first vertical profile;

^■ numeral 16 denotes a second vertical profile;

^■ numeral 18 denotes a horizontal bar;

■ numeral 20 denotes a screw;

numeral 22 denotes a horizontal septum;

numeral 26 denotes a T and Ω form hole in profile 14, as an example to a hook;

numeral 28 denotes a hook of first profile 14; and

numeral 30 denotes a female depression of the second profile 16, correspondingly to hook 28 of first profile 14;

numeral 31 denotes a left profile (in the orientation of Figs. Hi, ^■ numeral 32 denotes a right profile (in the orientation of Figs, l li, i=a...g);

- numeral 33 denotes an "omega" connector;

- numeral 34 denotes a border line between glass plates 10a and 10b; ^■ numeral 35 denotes a hook of profile 31 ; and

^■ numeral 36 denotes a hook of profile 32.

The foregoing description and illustrations of the embodiments of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the above description in any form.

Any term that has been defined above and used in the claims, should to be interpreted according to this definition.

The reference numbers in the claims are not a part of the claims, but rather used for facilitating the reading thereof. These reference numbers should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any form.

Claims

A glass door, comprising:

- a plurality of glass plates (10, 10a, 10b), adjacently disposed each above the other;

- two first vertical profiles (14) disposed along said glass plates, each disposed in an opposite side of said plurality of glass plates, each firmly glued to said glass plates;

- two second vertical profiles (16), each hooked to one of said first profiles (14), for providing vertical strength to said glass door; and

- at least one horizontal bar (18), connected to said second profiles (16), for (a) generating an indirect connection of said second vertical profiles (16) to each other, and (b) providing horizontal strength to said glass door.

A glass door according to claim 1, wherein each of said first vertical profiles (14) comprises a hole (26) in a hook form to be filled with fluid glue, thereby when said glue is hardened, said first profile is firmly attached to the glass plates.

A glass door according to claim 2, wherein said hook is in a T form.

A glass door according to claim 2, wherein said hook is in a Ω form.

A glass door according to claim 1, wherein each two adjacent glass plates are horizontally connected to each other at the mutual border line (34) by a connection.

6. A glass door according to claim 5, wherein said connection comprises:

- two horizontal profiles (31, 32), each firmly attached to one of said plates from an opposite side of said border line; and

- a connector (33), for connecting said horizontal profiles (31, 32).

7. A glass door according to claim 6, wherein said connector is in a Π profile (33).

8. A glass door according to claim 6, wherein said connector is in a male / female connector profile.

9. A glass door according to claim 6, wherein said connector is in a flat profile, firmly glued to both sides of said border line (34).

10. A method for firmly attaching a profile to a glass plate (10), the method comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a profile (14) having a hole (26) in a hook form;

(b) attaching said profile to said glass plate (10) by an instant glue; (c) injecting glue in a fluid aggregation state into said hole (26); and

(d) letting said glue to dry, thereby generating from said glue in said hole (26) a hook attached to said glass plate (10), and additionally hooking said profile (14).

11. A method according to claim 10, wherein said hook is in a T form.

12. A method according to claim 10, wherein said hook is in a Ω form.