Patent Grant
11773636
This patent document contains material subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the reproduction of this patent document or any related materials in the files of the United States Patent and Trademark Office, but otherwise reserves all copyrights whatsoever.
This invention relates to doors, including sliding door systems and methods.
Sliding glass shower doors are popular throughout the world, in both residential shower settings and in hospitality applications. However, because most of the glass doors are frameless, the doors typically include large and bulky rail and carrier assemblies. While these assemblies may adequately support the frameless glass panels, they unfortunately detract from the desired sleek frameless appearance.
Accordingly, there is a need for a reduced-size rail and carrier system that not only supports frameless sliding glass shower doors, but that also are sleek and streamlined in appearance. There also is a need for a rail and carrier system that conceals the elements of the carrier unit within a compact housing.
Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:
In general, the system according to exemplary embodiments hereof provides a sliding panel system and its method of use. The sliding panel system includes a rail member, one or more carrier units, and one or more fitting units. The fitting units are adapted to fixedly secure a first panel to the rail member and the carrier units are adapted to moveably connect a second panel onto the rail member. In this way, the second panel may move laterally along the rail member with respect to the first panel. Each carrier unit includes a housing within which the roller units and guide structures of the carrier unit are housed and concealed. In this way, the carrier units are compact.
Referring now to
In one exemplary embodiment hereof as shown in
In general, the system 10 is adapted to secure and support one or more panels P (e.g., glass door panels) and to facilitate the sliding of the panel(s) P laterally with respect to one another. In some embodiments, the rail assembly 100 provides an elongate structure (e.g., a rail or track) to which a first panel P1 may be fixedly attached and upon which a second panel P2 may travel. The fitting assembly 300 provides structures for fixedly securing the first panel P1 to the rail assembly 100, and the carrier assembly 200 provides structures that enable the second panel P2 to travel upon the rail assembly 100 laterally. The support assembly 400 provides additional structures to support and guide the panels P1, P2 when in use.
For the purposes of this specification, the system 10 will be described predominantly with respect to its implementation as a sliding shower door system. However, it is understood that the system 10 may be implemented for use with other types of panels and that the scope of the system 10 is not limited in any way by the types of panels that it may support.
In one example as shown in
The various assemblies 100, 200, 300, and 400 will next be described in further detail.
Rail Assembly 100
In some embodiments as shown in
The elongate rail member 102 may be formed as a rod, pole, pipe, shaft, dowel, beam, or other suitable elongate forms. The rail member 102 is adapted to generally extend across a space, e.g., between two walls or other types of support structures. In the example shown, the elongate member 102 is adapted to extend between a left wall and a right wall, thereby providing a structure upon which a shower door may be arranged between the walls. Note that the walls may comprise any type of upright bearing structure including, without limitation, tiled walls, bare walls, glass walls (or panels), plastic walls (or panels), beams, other types of structures, and any combinations thereof. Also, while the walls are depicted as opposing one another and generally parallel, the walls may be oriented at offset angles with respect to one another depending on the installation. In some embodiments, one or both of the walls may not be required.
While the elongate member 102 is shown to include a generally rectangular cross-section, it is understood that the rail member 102 may include other cross-sectional shapes such as circular, oval, triangular, octagonal, other suitable cross-sectional shapes, and any combinations thereof.
In some embodiments, the elongate member 102 includes one or more through-holes 104 adapted to receive an attachment member configured with one or more fitting assemblies 300. As will be described in other sections, by attaching the fitting assembly 300 to the elongate member 102, a panel P may be fixedly attached to the elongate member 102 and held secure within the system 10.
Panel Carrier Assembly 200
In some embodiments, the carrier assembly 200 includes one or more carrier units 202, each adapted to receive and move laterally upon a portion of the elongate rail member 102.
In some embodiments as shown in
The housing 204 also includes a through channel 220 passing through its left 214 and its right 216 and through its inner volume 218 (defining its longitudinal axis C). The channel 220 is adapted to longitudinally receive a portion of the rail member 102. Accordingly, the channel 220 preferably includes a height that is slightly greater than the height of the rail member 102 so that the rail member 102 may fit and be free to move within the channel 220.
In some embodiments, the housing 204 also includes an opening 222 in its front 210 extending from its left side 214 to its right side 216 thereby providing access to the inner volume 218 and to the channel 220 therethrough. In some embodiments, a portion of the rail member 102 may be passed through the front opening 222 and into the channel 220 wherein it may be supported. In other embodiments, the carrier unit(s) 202 are preloaded onto the rail member 102 prior to mounting of the rail member 102 to the wall structures. Either way, the carrier unit 202 may be engaged with the rail member 102 for use (as shown in
In general, the carrier unit 202 includes one or more roller units 224 configured in the upper portion of the channel 220. With a portion of a rail member 102 positioned longitudinally within the channel 220, the one or more rollers 224 may rest upon an upper surface of the rail member 102. In this way, the roller(s) 224 may roll upon the rail member 102 allowing the carrier unit 202 to move laterally.
In some embodiments as shown in
In addition, the roller tire 230 and the entire roller unit 224 are preferably concealed within the inner volume 218 of the housing 204. For example, when looking at the carrier unit 202 from a viewing perspective perpendicular to its front 210 (as depicted by arrow D in
With a rail member 102 received within the channel 220, the roller tire 230 may rest on and roll upon the upper surface of the rail member 102 as the carrier unit 202 moves laterally.
In some embodiments, the roller tire 230 includes a first side and a second side opposite the first side defining its axis of rotation, and an outer circumferential surface that is smooth (preferably entirely smooth) from the first end to the second end as depicted in
In some embodiments as shown in
In some embodiments, the carrier unit 202 includes one or more upper carrier guides 232 positioned in the upper portion of the channel 220 and adapted to provide upper and/or lateral support to the carrier unit 202 and the rail member 102 as the carrier 202 engages the rail 102. As shown in
In some embodiments, the upper carrier guides 232 include a downward-facing U-shaped member aligned within the channel 220. The downward-facing inner surface of each U-shaped upper carrier guide 232 may tangentially engage with the upper surface of the rail member 102 while the side portions of the U-shaped carrier guide 232 may straddle and provide lateral support to the rail 102. In this way, the rail member 102 may be generally held within the upper carrier guides 232 as the carrier unit 202 moves along the rail 102. During use, this may align the rail member 102 with the roller unit 224 and prevent derailment of the carrier unit 202 from the rail 102.
In some embodiments as shown in
In some embodiments, the lower carrier guides 234 include an upward-facing U-shaped member aligned within the channel 220. The upward-facing inner surface of each U-shaped lower carrier guide 234 may tangentially engage with the lower surface of the rail member 102 while the side portions of the U-shaped carrier guide 234 may straddle and provide lateral support to the rail 102. In this way, the rail member 102 may be generally held within the lower carrier guides 234 as the carrier unit 202 moves along the rail 102. During use, this may prevent derailment of the carrier unit 202 from the rail 102. In some embodiments, it may be preferable that the upward-facing inner surface of each U-shaped lower carrier guide 234 be positioned slightly below the lower surface of the rail member 102 during use.
Given the above, in some embodiments, the rail member 102 may be loosely held between the two pairs of upper and lower carrier guides 232, 234 as the carrier unit 202 rolls laterally upon the rail member 102. It is preferable that the upper and/or lower carrier guides 232, 234 not obstruct the carrier unit 202 in any way as it moves upon the rail 102.
In some embodiments as shown in
In some embodiments, the upper derailment guide 236 (and the upper portion of the housing's front 210) conceals the roller unit 224 and/or the upper carrier guides 232 within the housing 202, and the lower derailment guide 238 (and the lower portion of the housing's front 210) conceals the lower carrier guides 234 within the housing 202. For example, when looking at the carrier unit 202 from a viewing perspective perpendicular to its front 210 (as depicted by arrow D in
In some embodiments, the height H2 of the cutout 222 when configured with the upper and lower derailment guides 236, 238 is less than the height H3 of the rail member 102 (see
In other embodiments, the carrier unit 202 includes multiple roller units 224. For example, as shown in
In some embodiments, a roller unit 202 with multiple roller units 224 may include a first upper carrier guide 232 to the far left of the sequential multiple roller units 224 and a second upper carrier guide 232 to the far right of the sequential multiple roller units 224. It also is contemplated that upper carrier guides 232 may be arranged between any of the multiple roller units 224 as desired.
It is understood that any and/or all of the aspects and elements described in other sections with respect to a carrier unit 202 with a single roller unit 224 (
In some embodiments, each carrier unit 202 is secured to a panel P (e.g., panel P2) using attachment members 240 that pass through the panel P. As shown in
During integration, the holes are made through the panel P and a grommet 244 is placed within each hole. The back 212 of the carrier unit 202 is then pressed against the inside surface of the panel P so that each attachment post 242 passes through its corresponding grommet 244. In this configuration, it is preferable that the distal end of each attachment post 242 be generally flush with the opposite side of the panel P. A mounting plate 246 with openings corresponding to the attachment holes at the ends of each attachment post 242 is pressed against the opposite surface of the panel P. The attachment members 240 (e.g., flat head socket cap screws) are then passed through the openings in the mounting plate 246 and screwed into the attachment holes at the distal end of each attachment post 242 and tightened. In this way, the panel P is sandwiched between the mounting plate 246 and the back side 212 of the carrier unit 202. In some embodiments, a mounting plate gaskets 248 may be positioned on either side of the panel P, e.g., between the panel P and the back 212 of the carrier unit 202 and/or between the panel P and the mounting plate 246. The gaskets 248 may cushion the elements with the panel P and provide waterproofing to the junctions.
Fitting Assembly 300
In some embodiments, a fitting assembly 300 is adapted to fixedly secure a panel P (e.g., the first panel P1) to an elongate member 102.
In some embodiments as shown in
During integration, holes are made through the panel P and a grommet 308 is placed within each hole. The back of the first mounting plate 304 is then pressed against the outside surface of the panel P so that each attachment post 306 passes through its corresponding grommet 308. In this configuration, it is preferable that the distal end of each attachment post 306 be generally flush with the opposite side of the panel P. A second mounting plate 310 with openings corresponding to the attachment holes at the ends of each attachment post 306 is next pressed against the opposite surface of the panel P.
Next, a rail member 102 is aligned with the second mounting plate 310 with the rail member's through-holes 104 aligned with the second mounting plate's openings. The third mounting plate 312 is then positioned on the opposite side of the rail member 102 with openings aligning with the rail member's through-holes 104 on the opposite side. An attachment member 314 (e.g., a flat head socket cap screw) is then passed through the openings of the third mounting plate 312, through the side openings 104 of the rail member 102, through the grommets 308 within the holes in the panel P, and into the distal end attachment holes of the first mounting plate's attachment posts 306. The attachment members 314 (screws) are then screwed into the distal end attachment openings of the attachment posts 306 and tightened. In this configuration, the panel P is sandwiched between the first and second mounting plates 304, 310, and the rail member 102 is sandwiched between the second and third mounting plates 310, 31
In some embodiments, mounting plate gaskets 316 may be positioned on either side of the panel P, e.g., between the panel P and the back of the first mounting plate 304 and/or between the panel P and the second mounting plate 310. The gaskets 316 may cushion the elements with the panel P and provide waterproofing to the junctions.
Support Assembly 400
In some embodiments as shown in
Benefits of the System 10
The benefits of the system 10 are multifold and include, without limitation:
First, in some embodiments, the roller unit 224 does not include integrated derailment guides about its outer circumferential surface of the roller tire 230. Instead, the upper carrier guides 232 and the upper derailment guide 236 are separate and distinct from the roller unit 224. Accordingly, the outer circumferential surface of the roller tire 230 may be flat. This allows the height of the roller unit 224 to be reduced thereby reducing the overall height of each carrier unit 202. Further, this also allows for the use of a needle bearing 228 with a wide and low profile. In some embodiments, the needle bearing 228 includes a length (measured along the axis upon which it rotates) that is 0.5-3 times its diameter. In some embodiments, the roller tire 230 includes a length (measured along the axis upon which it rotates) that is 0.5-3 times its diameter.
Second, the carrier unit 202 does not include a lower roller unit 224 to support a lower portion of the rail member 102. Instead, the carrier unit 202 includes individual and distinct lower carrier guides 234 as well as an individual and distinct lower derailment guide 238. This eliminates the need for a lower roller unit thereby allowing for the further reduction of the overall height of each carrier unit 202.
Third, the roller unit(s) 224 are fully concealed within each carrier housing 204 and are out of sight. For example, in some embodiments, the roller unit(s) 224 are concealed by the upper derailment guide 236.
Fourth, the upper and lower carrier guides 232, 234 are fully concealed within each carrier housing 204 and are out of sight. For example, in some embodiments, the upper and lower carrier guides 232, 234 are concealed by the upper and lower derailment guides 236, 238, respectively.
It is understood that in any of the embodiments described herein or otherwise, the configuration of the various assemblies, panels, and other elements are reversible, and that the system 10 may be configured with a slidable first panel P1 and a stationary second panel P2.
In any of the embodiments, the components of the assemblies 100, 200, 300, 400 may comprise stainless steel, other types of metals, plastics, composite materials, other suitable materials, and any combinations thereof.
It is understood that the benefits shown above are meant for demonstration and that other benefits of the system 10 may also exist. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate and understand, upon reading this description, that embodiments hereof may provide different and/or other advantages, and that not all embodiments or implementations need have all advantages.
Where a process is described herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the process may operate without any user intervention. In another embodiment, the process includes some human intervention (e.g., a step is performed by or with the assistance of a human).
As used herein, including in the claims, the phrase “at least some” means “one or more,” and includes the case of only one. Thus, e.g., the phrase “at least some ABCs” means “one or more ABCs”, and includes the case of only one ABC.
As used herein, including in the claims, term “at least one” should be understood as meaning “one or more”, and therefore includes both embodiments that include one or multiple components. Furthermore, dependent claims that refer to independent claims that describe features with “at least one” have the same meaning, both when the feature is referred to as “the” and “the at least one”.
As used in this description, the term “portion” means some or all. So, for example, “A portion of X” may include some of “X” or all of “X”. In the context of a conversation, the term “portion” means some or all of the conversation.
As used herein, including in the claims, the phrase “using” means “using at least,” and is not exclusive. Thus, e.g., the phrase “using X” means “using at least X.” Unless specifically stated by use of the word “only”, the phrase “using X” does not mean “using only X.”
As used herein, including in the claims, the phrase “based on” means “based in part on” or “based, at least in part, on,” and is not exclusive. Thus, e.g., the phrase “based on factor X” means “based in part on factor X” or “based, at least in part, on factor X.” Unless specifically stated by use of the word “only”, the phrase “based on X” does not mean “based only on X.”
In general, as used herein, including in the claims, unless the word “only” is specifically used in a phrase, it should not be read into that phrase.
As used herein, including in the claims, the phrase “distinct” means “at least partially distinct.” Unless specifically stated, distinct does not mean fully distinct. Thus, e.g., the phrase, “X is distinct from Y” means that “X is at least partially distinct from Y,” and does not mean that “X is fully distinct from Y.” Thus, as used herein, including in the claims, the phrase “X is distinct from Y” means that X differs from Y in at least some way.
It should be appreciated that the words “first,” “second,” and so on, in the description and claims, are used to distinguish or identify, and not to show a serial or numerical limitation. Similarly, letter labels (e.g., “(A)”, “(B)”, “(C)”, and so on, or “(a)”, “(b)”, and so on) and/or numbers (e.g., “(i)”, “(ii)”, and so on) are used to assist in readability and to help distinguish and/or identify, and are not intended to be otherwise limiting or to impose or imply any serial or numerical limitations or orderings. Similarly, words such as “particular,” “specific,” “certain,” and “given,” in the description and claims, if used, are to distinguish or identify, and are not intended to be otherwise limiting.
As used herein, including in the claims, the terms “multiple” and “plurality” mean “two or more,” and include the case of “two.” Thus, e.g., the phrase “multiple ABCs,” means “two or more ABCs,” and includes “two ABCs.” Similarly, e.g., the phrase “multiple PQRs,” means “two or more PQRs,” and includes “two PQRs.”
The present invention also covers the exact terms, features, values and ranges, etc. in case these terms, features, values and ranges etc. are used in conjunction with terms such as about, around, generally, substantially, essentially, at least etc. (i.e., “about 3” or “approximately 3” shall also cover exactly 3 or “substantially constant” shall also cover exactly constant).
As used herein, including in the claims, singular forms of terms are to be construed as also including the plural form and vice versa, unless the context indicates otherwise. Thus, it should be noted that as used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
Throughout the description and claims, the terms “comprise”, “including”, “having”, and “contain” and their variations should be understood as meaning “including but not limited to”, and are not intended to exclude other components unless specifically so stated.
It will be appreciated that variations to the embodiments of the invention can be made while still falling within the scope of the invention. Alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose can replace features disclosed in the specification, unless stated otherwise. Thus, unless stated otherwise, each feature disclosed represents one example of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.
The present invention also covers the exact terms, features, values and ranges, etc. in case these terms, features, values and ranges etc. are used in conjunction with terms such as about, around, generally, substantially, essentially, at least etc. (i.e., “about 3” shall also cover exactly 3 or “substantially constant” shall also cover exactly constant).
Use of exemplary language, such as “for instance”, “such as”, “for example” (“e.g.,”) and the like, is merely intended to better illustrate the invention and does not indicate a limitation on the scope of the invention unless specifically so claimed.
While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiment, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
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| Number | Date | Country | |
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| 20230012146 A1 | Jan 2023 | US |
