The invention relates to an adjustable mounting device for a sliding element, particularly a sliding door that is held by two carriages that are slidably held in a running rail and to a sliding device with such mounting devices.
A mounting device for this purpose is known from [1], EP0818598A1. This mounting device comprises a holding rail that is connectable to the sliding door and that serves for receiving a holding device, which is connectable via a connecting screw with a carriage. The holding rail is inserted into a recess, which is provided on one end on the upper side of the sliding door. The holding device comprises a holding block that is held in the holding rail in a form-locking manner, that is axially movable within the holding rail, and that can be fixed at a desired position by means of a the edge. This fixing position is selected in such a way, that the carriage reaches at a location a buffer device provided in the running rail, at which location the sliding door exhibits a desired distance to the door frame. However, if the holding block is not fixed at this position, then the sliding door reaches the door frame before the carriage has reached the buffer device or is being held in a larger distance therefrom, so that an undesirable gap between the door frame and the sliding door remains open.
Within the holding block the head of the connecting screw is rotatably held and can be fixed by means of a fixing screw. In order to align the upper edge of the sliding door horizontally and to adjust the connecting screw accordingly, the holding block is moved out of the holding rail until the fixing screw can be released and the connecting screw can be grasped with a tool and can be turned. After the adjustment of the connecting screw, the holding block is shifted again into the holding rail and is fixed at the predetermined position, in order to obtain the desired distance between the sliding door and the door frame. Hence, the process of precisely adjusting the mounting device requires time and skills.
[2], WO2011063535A1, discloses a mounting device with a holding rail that serves for receiving a holding device that is connected via connecting screw to a carriage. In this case, the connecting screw can only be adjusted, when the holding device has been taken out of the holding rail.
[3], WO2011161707A1, discloses a mounting device with connecting screws with screw heads that are traversed by an adjusting screw. By turning the adjusting screw the connecting screws are guided along a wedge and thus displaced horizontally and vertically. Consequently after the height adjustment, the end position of the sliding door requires readjustment.
[4], WO9738198A1, and [5], DE3338146A1, disclose further mounting devices, which require readjustment of the end position of the sliding door after height adjustment has been performed.
[6], WO2004040091A1, discloses a mounting device with a connecting bolt which connects a sliding door with a carriage that is held in the running rail. The connecting bolt, which is held vertically displaceable in a guide member, is provided with a horizontally aligned cross bolt, which is held in tracks of a track body. The track body can be moved horizontally, causing a vertical displacement of the cross bolt and the connecting bolt.
In this mounting device the device parts are exposed to severe load and stress, wherefore after a longer period of operation abrasive wear and deformation of continuously contacted parts can occur.
The cross bolt needs to have a small diameter so that it can be guided through the connecting bolt. Hence, with the occurrence of a high load e.g. after the installation of a heavy sliding door the relatively thin cross bolt can get bent. Further the cross bolt is supported by a minimal bearing area with a correspondingly high support pressure, wherefore the guide tracks can get deformed. After such damages have occurred smooth adjustment of the device is no longer possible. Further, the connecting bolt can get disengaged from the track body, when it is turned.
It is important to note, that not only the whole load of the sliding door acts on the thin cross bolt, but also even higher forces, e.g. when the sliding door hits an obstacle such as a rail buffer, which forces would lead to the destruction of the mounting device if it is not designed stable enough.
Disadvantageous is further that the connecting bolt can only be displaced over a short vertical distance, wherefore a small adjusting range results.
Since the cross bolt is held within the track body, the cross bolt can only be turned together with the complete holding device. Since running rails are typically mounted close to a building wall, which inhibits turning of the holding device, a connection of the holding device to a carriage is only possible, if the carriage is taken out of the running rail. However, in the event that the carriage is firmly enclosed in the running rail mounting is not possible.
Hence, the present invention is based on the object of providing an improved mounting device that can be connected to a sliding element and via an adjustable connecting bolt to a carriage that is guided in a running rail. Further an improved sliding element equipped with at least one inventive mounting device shall be created.
The mounting device shall be suitable for installing heavy sliding doors and shall be operable without wear, particularly deformations. Smooth adjustments of the mounting device shall be possible even after longer periods of operation.
Thereby, the connecting bolt shall be adjustable without moving the holding device out of the holding rail.
Further, the mounting device shall be adjustable in such a way, that the connecting bolt is moved axially only and an adjustment of external device parts, such as external buffer devices is not required.
In a further preferred embodiment the mounting device shall be designed in such a way, that an external buffer device is not required.
This object is reached with a mounting device and a sliding door that comprise the features of claims 1 or 15 respectively.
The mounting device comprises a connecting bolt, with which a plate-shaped sliding element is connectable to a carriage that is held displaceable in a running rail. The mounting device comprises a holding rail, which is mountable in a recess provided at the upper side of the sliding element, and a holding device that is held releasably in the holding rail and that comprises a bearing device, in which an adjustment screw is rotatably held, which adjustment screw comprises a screw shaft that, aligned along a screw axis, engages in a threaded member of a track body, which is movable along the screw axis and which comprises two track walls that are aligned in parallel to one another and that comprise each a track element, in which guide elements are engaged that are connected to the connecting bolt, which is held in a guide member displaceable along a guide axis.
According to the invention a track sledge is provided that is equipped on opposite sides with the guide elements that are engaged, preferably in a form-locking manner, in the track element of the track body and wherein the connecting bolt comprises a first connecting part that is held in the track sledge, a second connecting part that is held in the guide member and a third connecting part that is connectable to the carriage.
The use of the track sledge allows a stable connection of the connecting bolt to the track body.
The guide elements extend preferably along a section of the track elements, so that the guide elements and the track elements abut in a plane on one another.
In this manner, a relatively small support pressure results even then, when heavy sliding doors are suspended on the mounting devices. Deformations of device elements, which could disturb adjustment procedures, are avoided. Furthermore, due to the small support pressure adjustment procedures can be executed with little force applied.
The use of a track sledge allows advantageous mounting of the connecting bolt, which can be mounted in movable or rotatable around the guide axis.
The connecting bolt can advantageously be turned into a carriage body without the requirement of turning the whole mounting device. The mounting device can therefore be connected to carriages that are enclosed in a running rail that is mounted close to a building wall.
Furthermore, the track sledge can easily be inserted into the track body and is held stable therein.
In a preferred embodiment, the guide elements are held by the track elements on both sides, so that the guide elements cannot get decoupled from the track elements and cannot get turned. Hence, the track sledge can only move linearly forth and back in a specific alignment. E.g., wing-shaped guide elements engage in groove-shaped track slots. Hence, the track sledge is linearly guided and held and can even under the impact of force, e.g. when the sliding door hits an obstacle, not leave its track.
The holding rail is normally mounted at one end on the upper side of the sliding element and preferably is arranged within a recess. This recess can particularly easy be provided in a sliding element that is made of wood. If, e.g. when using a glass door, no recess is provided, then the holding rail is placed on the upper side of the sliding door, e.g. the glass plate, and is connected there with by means of known connecting elements. E.g., an opening is provided in the sliding door, through which a holding bolt is guided, that is held by flange elements that are connected to the holding rail.
The sliding device preferably comprises two mounting devices, which are mounted at opposite ends on the upper side of the sliding element or the sliding door and which are connected to carriages that are guided in the running rail. With the mounting devices the height of the sliding door can selectively be adjusted at both ends, so that the sliding door can be lifted to a desired height and can be aligned horizontally. I.e., with the two mounting devices, which are preferably mounted in recesses provided at the opposite ends on the upper side of the sliding door, the sliding door can be lifted to a desired height. Subsequently it is examined, whether the upper side of the sliding door is horizontally aligned. Remaining deviations can be corrected with a final adjustment of the one or other mounting device.
The adjustment of the mounting device is done by actuating the adjustment screw, whose head is facing the front side of the sliding door and can be grasped with a tool, without removing the holding device from the holding rail. Hence the adjustment can conveniently and precisely be executed with little effort.
By turning the adjustment screw the track body is moved along the screw axis, whereby the track sledge is shifted vertically thereto along the track elements. The track sledge is held by the connecting bolt, which is held by the guide member and can therefore be shifted along the guide axis always perpendicularly to the screw axis. During the movement of the track body with the track elements relative to the track sledge, the track sledge is lifted or lowered, i.e. vertically shifted along the guide axis.
During the adjustment of the connecting bolt the distance between the upper edge of the sliding element and the running rail changes. However, a shift of the sliding door or of the carriage in running direction relative to the running rail is avoided. Hence, the distance from the sliding door after reaching the end stop to the lateral door frame remains unchanged after the adjustment of the connecting bolt.
The bearing device comprises a holding arm, which is provided with at least one holding element that can interact in a form-locking manner with at least one fixing element, which is provided on the holding rail.
The holding rail preferably exhibits a U-profile with a centerpiece and sidewalls connected thereto. On the inner sides of the sidewalls, shaped elements are provided that are facing one another and that are extending in parallel to the longitudinal axis of the holding rail. The holding device is inserted along the shaped elements into the holding rail, which is open on the upper side, and is fixed at a position where the holding element can engage into the fixing element.
In a preferred embodiment a plurality of holding elements and/or a plurality of fixing elements are provided, which engage into one another according to the displacement of the holding device within the holding rail. The holding elements and the fixing elements preferably act as catch elements that correspond to one another.
In preferred embodiments, the fixing elements are provided as catch openings, catch edges or catch recesses on the inner side of the centerpiece of the holding rail. E.g., a group of von catch edges may be provided which exhibit catch planes, into which complementary holding elements can be engaged at selected positions. The holding elements are accordingly designed catch elements, such as cams, catch edges or catch planes.
The holding arm is bendable, so that the at least one holding element can be released from the fixing element by impact of force onto the holding arm. Hence, the holding device can be inserted into the holding device and is automatically fixed at the predetermined position or is moved to a desired position, at which the holding elements engage into the fixing elements.
By bending the holding arm can be released. This can be done easily with a functional cover that is pivotally connected to the bearing device and that comprises a functional lever, which is rotatable against the holding arm when the functional cover is opened, so that holding arm is releasably from the holding rail under impact of force. Hence, the holding device can be released with a grip of the hand and can be removed from the holding rail.
In a preferred embodiment the bearing device comprises a mounting flange, which overlaps the related front side of the holding rail at the entrance of the recess and which is connected firmly or resiliently with the connecting bolt. Hence, as soon as the carriage hits an obstacle the kinetic energy of the sliding element can be transferred via the holding rail and the mounting flange to the connecting bolt and therefore to the carriage and a the rail buffer.
With the functional cover, which can be rotated e.g. by 90°, on the one hand a tool channel can be opened, through which a tool can be guided towards the adjustment screw. On the other hand with the preferably designed functional cover the holding arm can be actuated. In a preferred embodiment, the functional cover is slightly pre-tensioned by the holding arm via the integrated functional lever, so that the functional cover sits in closed position always tight at the mounting flange.
The head of the adjustment screw is held axially immovable in the bearing device and is facing the functional cover, which after opening provides access to the head the adjustment screw. After opening the functional cover the engineer can access the adjustment screw and can turn it with a tool as required.
The bearing device preferably comprises a guide arm, which holds the guide member, through which the connecting bolt can be moved is.
In a preferred embodiment, the holding arm and/or the guide arm are designed elastically or telescopically or resiliently held, so that they are extendable under impact of force. Hence, forces, which are received via the guide arm, when the sliding door hits an end stop, can be compensated by the holding arm or elastic elements connected thereto.
By this measure the function of an external buffer device can be integrated into the inventive mounting device. However, in the running rail a simple end stop can be provided.
The bearing device can be designed in one piece or can comprise a first bearing member provided with the holding arm preferably made from public plastic and a second bearing member with the guide arm preferably made from metal.
The design of the bearing device in two parts advantageously allows implementing the functions of the bearing device. In the first bearing member made of plastic the elastic holding arm and elastic catch elements can be implemented, which interact with the second bearing member.
The second bearing member made from metal can advantageously be provided with the guide member, which serves for the stable seating and holding of the connecting bolt. Further, the second bearing member can advantageously be provided with stable, shaped elements, such as a mounting shoulder, with which the holding device can be held in a form-locking manner within the holding device.
The two bearing members can advantageously be connected in a form-locking manner with elastic catch elements, which are provided at the first bearing member and which can engage in thereto complementary catch elements provided at the second bearing member.
Below the invention is described in detail with reference to the drawings. Thereby show:
In a below described preferred embodiment and elastic element, which can absorb the kinetic energy of the sliding door 4, is integrated into the holding device 1.
In the detailed view D1 of
In the detailed view D2 of
In the shown embodiment, the holding device 1 comprises a two-part bearing device 11, 12 with a first bearing member 11 and a second bearing member 12, an adjustment screw 13, a track body 14 and the connecting bolt 5 that is held by a track sledge 15 (see
In a preferred embodiment the functional cover 19 serves for actuating the holding arm 112. For this purpose the functional cover 19 is provided with a functional lever 191, that engages with the guide arm 112 or a release lever 114 connected thereto (see
In this embodiment the holding rail 6 comprises a U-profile with a centerpiece 62 and sidewalls 61 connected thereto, which on the sides facing one another are provided with shaped elements 611, that extend in parallel to the longitudinal axis of the holding rail 6 and that exhibit a hook-shaped cross-section. The shaped elements 611 serve for holding the holding device 1 in a form-locking manner. The second bearing member 12 of the holding device 1 comprises a plate-shaped guide arm 122, which is provided on both sides each with a mounting shoulder 123. When inserting the holding device 1 into the holding rail 6, the mounting shoulders 123 are guided along the shaped elements 611, wherefore the holding device 1 is held in a form-locking manner and axially movable only.
The two bearing members 11, 12 comprise each a bearing body 111, 121 with tooth elements 116, 126, which are engaged into one another in a form-locking manner. The first bearing member 11 is further provided with catch elements 118, which engage in catch openings 129 provided in the second bearing member 12 and which are locked there in a catch seat 128.
Hence, the two bearing members 11, 12 are connected with one another in a form locking manner and can get released from one another only by releasing the catch elements 118.
The two bearing members 11, 12 can be produced more easily than a unitary bearing device. By selecting suitable materials, the functions of the two bearing members 11, 12 can advantageously be implemented. The first bearing member 11 is preferably made from plastic, so that an elastic holding arm 112 can be made, which is bendable for the purpose of releasing the holding element 113 and preferably also extendable for the purpose of absorbing the kinetic energy of the sliding door 4 when reaching the end stop, thus avoiding a high load on the device parts and disturbing sound.
The second bearing member 12 is shown separately with the second bearing body 121, which comprises the tooth elements 126, the catch openings 129 and the guide arm 122 with the mounting shoulders 123 provided on both sides. At the front end the guide arm 122 is provided with the guide member 125, which has a guide opening 1250, through which the connecting bolt 5 can be inserted into the holding device 1.
The connecting bolt 5 comprises a first connecting part 51 that is insertable into the track sledge 15, a second connecting part 52 that is held vertically shiftable in the guide member 125 and a third connecting part 53 that is connectable to the carriage 2 and that preferably comprises a screw thread, which can be turned into the body 21 of the related carriage 2.
The track sledge 15, which is seated slidably within the track body 14, comprises a receiving opening 151 for receiving the first connecting part 51 of the connecting bolt 5 as well as wing-shaped or cuboidal first and second guide elements 152A, 152B on opposite sides.
The track body 14 comprises a threaded member 141 with a threaded bore, in which the screw shaft 132 of the adjustment screw 13 can engage. The track body 14 further comprises a first and a second track wall 143A; 143B, which on the sides facing one another are provided with first and second track elements 142B (142A is not shown). The track elements 142A, 142B, which are formed as guide grooves or track slots carved into the track walls 143A, 143B, are extending in parallel to one another and are inclined to the longitudinal axis of the adjustment screw 13 or the screw axis y, respectively.
The two track walls 143A, 143B enclose a track body channel 140, in which the track sledge 15 can be inserted in such a way, that its guide elements 152A, 152B engage in the rail-shaped track elements 142A, 142B. Hence, the track sledge 15 can be moved within the track body channel 140 inclined to the screw axis y from bottom to top.
The bearing device 11, 12 is held in a form-locking manner by the shaped element 611, which is provided on the sidewall 61 of the holding rail 6 and which abuts the second bearing member 12 or second bearing body 121, respectively, and the guide arm 122.
The holding device 1 is axially movable within the holding rail 6 until the holding element 113 engages in the selected fixing element 63a, as shown in the detailed view D3 of
The holding element 113 comprises a flank 630 that is inclined at the side facing the holding rail 6. When the holding device 1 is inserted into the holding rail 6 the flank 630 is guided over the upper front edge of the centerpiece 62 of the holding rail 6, whereby the holding arm 112 is lifted upwards. In this manner the holding device 1 can be shifted into the holding rail 6, without lifting the holding arm 112 with other means. Alternatively the centerpiece 62 of the holding rail 6 can be provided at the front side with an inclined plane, over which the holding element 113 can slide into the holding rail 6 and at the same time can lift the holding arm 112. In this case, a holding element 113 can be used that is fully adapted to the fixing element 63a and that is securely held by the fixing element 63a.
Detailed view D4 of
It is shown that the connecting bolt 5 has been moved axially only along the guide axis x, while the track body 14 has been moved axially only along the screw axis y.
With reference to
At the lower end of the connecting bolt 5 A second tool coupling 55 is provided, into which a tool of a screw driver T2 can be inserted for turning the connecting bolt 5.
Hence, the holding device 1 can easily be coupled with a carriage that is already enclosed in a running rail, by turning the connecting bolt 5 manually or with the first or second tool T1, T2 into the carriage body. This adjustment of the connecting bolt is preferably performed, when the track sledge 15 is in the position shown in
For connecting the connecting bolt 5 to the track sledge 15 the first connecting part 51 is provided with a ring groove 511, in which a plurality of holding seats 512 are provided. A bolt-like coupling element 7 has been inserted into the track sledge 15, which is provided with a spring channel 71 and a spring-loaded ball 72, which is pressed into an adjacent holding seat 512. When turning the connecting bolt 5, then the spring-loaded ball 72 is forced out of the holding seat 512, and can enter the next holding seat 512 e.g. after a half turn or a quarter turn of the connecting bolt 5. Hence, in this preferred embodiment the connecting bolt 5 can stepwise be turned from a first to a second position, varied is fixed again.
Hence, the fork-shaped embodiment of the track sledge 15 allows receiving a connecting bolt 5 that is designed as a single piece and holding the connecting bolt 5 rotatable in the ring groove 511.
It should be noted that several interacting device parts are interchangeable without changing the function of interaction. E.g., the connecting bolt 5 can also be provided with the holding flange and the track sledge 15 can be provided with the holding groove. As well the embodiments of the guide elements 152 of the track sledge 15 and the track elements 142 of the track body 14 can be interchanged.
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13185056 | Sep 2013 | EP | regional |
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