SUPPORTING DEVICE FOR A SLIDING DOOR MECHANISM AND SLIDING DOOR MECHANISM COMPRISING SUCH A SUPPORTING DEVICE

Abstract

 This invention relates to a supporting device (1) for a sliding door mechanism, comprising:
- a running profile (2) for installation in a ceiling (3), which comprises a running surface (4), for the hereon rollable fitting of a trolley, and which, over a certain length, is free of this running surface (4), so that the running profile (2) comprises over this length on its bottom side a removal opening (5), through which the trolley can be brought in and out of the running profile (2);
- and an insert (6), which along the bottom side is releasably fastenable in the running profile (2), in the removal opening (5), and which comprises a running surface (7), for the hereon rollable fitting of the trolley, wherein this running surface (7) of the insert (6), following fastening of the insert (6) in the running profile (2), connects to the running surface (7) of the running profile (2).
This invention additionally relates to a sliding door mechanism, comprising a sliding door leaf, such a supporting device (1) and trolleys for the suspension of the sliding door leaf such that this is rollable in the supporting device.

Description

[0001] This invention relates to a supporting device for a sliding door mechanism, comprising a running profile for the herein rollable suspension of a trolley of the sliding door mechanism, wherein the running profile is provided for installation in a ceiling and comprises at least one running surface, for the hereon rollable fitting of the said trolley.

[0002] In addition, this invention relates to a sliding door mechanism comprising a sliding door leaf, a supporting device and trolleys for the suspension of the sliding door leaf such that this is rollable in the supporting device.

[0003] In such a supporting device, typically two or more trolleys are fittable in a rollable manner. Such trolleys can for this purpose comprise one or more wheels. The running profile of the supporting device then comprises one or two running surfaces, on which these one or more trolleys are rollable. From these trolleys is typically suspended, through a downwardly directed through opening in the running profile, a sliding door leaf, so that this sliding door leaf is suspended rollably with respect to the supporting device in order herewith to be able to close off and to be able to open an opening in a wall.

[0004] The running profile of a supporting device to which this invention relates is provided for installation in a ceiling. In typical applications for such supporting devices, the ceiling will be constructed, for example, substantially of panels. These panels are typically plasterboards. Such plasterboards can then further also be provided with a plaster layer or be finished off with a filling and levelling layer at the edges. The ceiling can however also be made of other materials, such as, for example, wood or stone, etc.

[0005] In such installation applications, it is endeavoured to set the running profile almost fully into the ceiling, so that this running profile itself, following installation, is scarcely visible, and without making use of mouldings or the like, connects almost seamlessly to the ceiling. Typically, the aim is that only a through opening remains visible, through which the sliding door leaf is suspended from the trolleys in the running profile.

[0006] A problem with this is that if, for maintenance, repair or restoration, it is wished to remove the trolleys from the running profile, the ceiling needs in such cases to be broken open.

[0007] Typically, for this purpose, a part of the ceiling next to the running profile needs to be knocked out in order to disassemble the trolleys via an end of the running profile. In order to avoid this, next to this running profile is often provided an opening, which is finished off with a detachable inspection hatch or a trim plate. Aesthetically, such a solution is often, however, undesirable. Moreover, there is not always sufficient space available next to a running profile to provide such space for the (dis)assembly of the trolleys via the end of the running profile.

[0008] As described in EP 2 217 782 B1 and EP 2 886 769 A1, the running profile of a sliding door mechanism can also be constructed in several parts, wherein a piece of the running profile can be disassembled to enable the trolleys to be fitted in the running profile or removed from the running profile. The running profiles which are described herein are provided for construction applications.
Variants of these running profiles which are used for installation are typically provided with stops, which extend in the longitudinal direction of the running profile on both sides of the through opening, transversely to the running surfaces, such that the ceiling butts against these stops. Following installation, at least that part of the ceiling which butts against the removable piece of the running profile then needs to be knocked out in order to be able to disassemble this removable piece so as subsequently to be able to remove the trolleys from the running profile. When the trolleys are mounted back in the running profile, it is afterwards not easy to put back the removable piece and neatly align it with respect to the rest of the running profile. The running surface then often displays a kink at the level of this removable piece, which can result in noise pollution or can ensure that the sliding door can be less smoothly opened and/or closed.
In DE 197 46 208 A1, a variant of these running profiles for installation is described, which variant embraces all the characteristics from the preamble of the first claim, wherein, following installation, at least a part of the ceiling which extends next to the insert needs to be knocked out in order to be able to disassemble this insert and subsequently be able to remove the trolleys from the running profile.

[0009] The object of this invention is to provide a supporting device which is suitable for installation in a ceiling, and wherein the trolleys can easily be brought into or out of the running profile without the ceiling needing to be appreciably broken open for this, and without an aesthetically undesirable inspection hatch or undesirable trim plate needing to be provided for this purpose.

[0010] This object of the invention is achieved by providing a supporting device for a sliding door mechanism, comprising a running profile for the herein rollable suspension of a trolley of the sliding door mechanism, wherein the running profile is provided for installation in a ceiling and comprises at least one running surface, for the hereon rollable fitting of the said trolley, wherein the running profile, over a certain length, is free of the said running surface, so that the running profile comprises over this length, on its bottom side, a removal opening, through which the said trolley can be brought in and out of the running profile, and wherein the supporting device comprises at least one insert, wherein this insert is releasably fastenable in the running profile in the removal opening, only via the bottom side of the running profile, and comprises a running surface, for the hereon rollable fitting of the said trolley, wherein this running surface of the insert, following fastening of the insert in the running profile, connects to the running surface of the running profile.

[0011] Following installation of such a supporting device, the bottom side of the running profile will be arranged at the bottom when the direction of gravity is considered.
In most embodiments, in a sliding door mechanism having such a supporting device the bottom side of the running profile will be on the side of the sliding door leaf which is suspended displaceably in this running profile.
When such a supporting device is installed in a horizontal ceiling, this bottom side of the running profile will typically coincide with the bottom side of this ceiling.

[0012] A detachable insert of this type, which is integrated in the running profile, can be designed much more aesthetically than an inspection hatch or a trim plate next to such a running profile.
A base part of the running profile extends in a supporting device according to the invention over the full length of the running profile. Just one insert or a plurality of inserts are removably provided. Hence, a complete piece of the running profile no longer needs to be disassembled, but only one or more inserts. By providing the removal opening only on the bottom side of the running profile, the ceiling then no longer needs to be drastically broken open in order to be able to disassemble these one or more inserts. Since the base part runs continuously through, it is also easier, when the one or more inserts are reinstalled following disassembly, to mutually align the various parts of the running profile such that the running surface of each insert neatly connects to the corresponding running surface of the running profile in order to together form a continuous running surface without kinks.

[0013] If the running profile of a supporting device according to this invention comprises a plurality of running surfaces, then this running profile is preferably, over the said length, free of any running surface thereof.

[0014] In order to fasten the one or more inserts releasably in the running profile, such an insert can be fastened in the running profile, for example with the aid of screws. Preferably, such an insert is then fastened with the aid of set screws, so that this insert can be easily aligned with respect to the running profile in order to ensure that the corresponding running surfaces connect neatly to one another. Such screws are preferably mounted almost vertically.
Alternatively, such an insert can be releasably fastened in the running profile, for example, with the aid of a click connection.

[0015] In order to provide the insert such that it is easily mountable in the running profile, the running profile preferably delimits a cavity for the herein rollable fitting of the trolley, wherein the insert is fastenable to the running profile on the top side of this cavity.

[0016] In a preferential embodiment, the running profile of a supporting device according to this invention comprises a stop, which extends in the longitudinal direction of the running profile, transversely to its running surface, for the abutment of the ceiling against this stop.

[0017] With such a stop, the ceiling can be connected almost seamlessly to the running profile, wherein as little as possible of the running profile remains visible next to the through opening. Such an embodiment can find application, for example, if the ceiling is plastered up to the running profile or if a filling and levelling layer is applied up to the running profile.

[0018] Still more preferentially, in such an embodiment, the running profile, over the length over which this running profile is free of the said running surface, is also free of the said stop, and the insert comprises a stop, which extends transversely to its running surface, for the abutment of the ceiling against this stop. In this way, it can be ensured that only a minimal part of the supporting profile remains visible following installation.
Alternatively, the stop of the running profile can extend over the full length of the running profile. However, the running surface of the running profile then needs to extend between this stop and the through opening in order to be able to provide the insert, with its hereto connecting running surface, removably next to the stop. In this way, a large part of the running profile next to the through opening remains visible, however, following installation in the ceiling. It is also possible to arrange the stop of the running profile next to the insert right next to the through opening, so that the running surface of the running profile, following installation, is no longer visible and only at the level of the insert to stagger this stop in steps, so that the insert, with its running surface, is removable next to this stop. However, this will generally be perceived as less desirable from an aesthetic aspect.

[0019] If the running profile comprises a stop and is free of this stop over the said length, then the insert is preferably provided with a stop which, following fastening of the insert in the running profile, connects to the stop of the running profile, so that on one side the opening next to this stop displays a continuous line and/or so that on the other side the ceiling can connect coherently to both stops.

[0020] In a particularly preferential embodiment of a supporting device according to this invention, the running profile comprises on its bottom side a through opening, which extends in the longitudinal direction of the running profile, for the suspension of a sliding door leaf of the sliding door mechanism from the trolley through this opening, and the insert comprises a corresponding through opening, which, following fastening of the insert in the running profile, connects to the through opening in the running profile. Following installation, these through openings play an important role in the aesthetic image of the supporting device. Through the mutual alignment of these through openings, they together form a single line, which is generally perceived as particularly aesthetic.

[0021] In a specific such embodiment of a supporting device according to this invention, the running profile comprises two running surfaces, which extend in the longitudinal direction of the running profile on both sides of its through opening, and the insert comprises two corresponding running surfaces, which extend on both sides of its through opening, wherein, following fastening of the insert in the running profile, these running surfaces of the insert connect to the respective running surfaces of the running profile.
If on both sides of the through openings a running surface is provided, the forces which are exerted on the running profile when a sliding door leaf is suspended from a trolley fitted in this running profile and when the trolley is displaced in this running profile are more evenly distributed over this running profile.

[0022] A supporting device according to this invention can comprise a plurality of the said inserts. These can however be arranged one behind another, viewed in the longitudinal direction of the running profile. If the running profile comprises two said running surfaces, two inserts, viewed in the longitudinal direction of the running profile, can also, for example, be provided side by side, wherein each insert comprises a running surface which connects to a respective running surface of the running profile. With a view to ease of assembly, a supporting device according to this invention, however, preferentially comprises just one single insert.

[0023] The object of this invention is further also achieved by providing a sliding door mechanism comprising a sliding door leaf, a supporting device and trolleys for the suspension of the sliding door leaf such that this is rollable in the supporting device, wherein the supporting device is an above-described supporting device according to this invention.

[0024] This invention is now explained in greater detail on the basis of the hereinafter following detailed description of a preferential supporting device according to this invention. The aim of this description is solely to provide illustrative examples and to indicate further advantages and particularities of this invention, and thus cannot be interpreted as a limitation of the scope of the invention or of the patent rights claimed in the claims.

[0025] In this detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings by means of reference numerals, wherein in

• Figure 1 an embodiment of a running profile of a supporting device according to this invention, having two running surfaces and stops, is represented in cross section;
• Figure 2 the running profile from Figure 1 is represented in cross section, at the level of the part which is free of the running surfaces and the stops of this running profile;
• Figure 3 an embodiment of a supporting device according to this invention, having the running profile from Figures 1 and 2, is represented in cross section, installed in a ceiling and at the level of the insert of this supporting device;
• Figure 4 the embodiment of the supporting device from Figure 3 is represented in perspective, installed in a ceiling.

[0026] The depicted supporting device (1) comprises a running profile (2) and an insert (6) which is fastenable in the running profile (2).

[0027] The running profile (2) comprises a substantially U-shaped base part, which extends over the full length of the running profile (2), with the opening of the U-shape directed downwards.
At the end of the legs of the U-shape extend, with respect to this U-shaped base part, two inwardly directed parts of the running profile (2), which each form a running surface (4), as can be seen in Figure 1. At the end of these inwardly directed parts extend two downwardly directed flanges (8), which form a stop (8) for the abutment of a ceiling (3) against this same. This stop (8) of the running profile (2) is provided with ribs (12) in order to ensure a good bond between any finishing layers of the ceiling (3) and this profile part (8).
Extending between the said inwardly directed parts and downwardly directed flanges is a through opening (10).
The said inwardly directed parts and downwardly directed flanges of the running profile (2) extend in the longitudinal direction of the running profile (2), but not over the full length of this running profile (2). At one end, the running profile (2), over a certain length, is free of these inwardly directed parts and downwardly directed flanges, and thus also free of the running surfaces (4), as can be seen in Figure 2. This can be realized, for example, by at this end milling away the said parts from an extruded profile having a cross section as depicted in Figure 1, in order thus to form the part as depicted in Figure 2. At this end, a removal opening (5) is thus formed.

[0028] In the described removal opening (5), the insert (6) is releasably fastenable in the running profile (2), as can be seen in Figures 3 and 4. This can be realized, for example, with the aid of set screws. This insert (6) is of substantially U-shaped design, with the opening of the U-shape directed downwards, and comprises two running surfaces (7), and two stops (9) for the abutment of the ceiling (3) against these same. Extending between the running surfaces (7) and the stops (9) is a through opening (11). Following fastening of the insert (6) in the running profile, the running surfaces (7) of the insert (6) connect to the running surfaces (4) of the running profile (2), the stops (9) of the insert (6) connect to the stops (8) of the running profile (2), and the through opening (11) of the insert (6) connects to the through opening (10) of the running profile (2). If the insert (6) is fastened to the running profile (2) with the aid of set screws, it can be ensured by adjustment of the set screws that the said parts connect to each other without a kink. The through openings (10, 11) therefore connect to each other in a continuous line. The said set screws are preferably vertically mounted. With these set screws, the insert (6) is then preferably fastened to this running profile (2) on the top side of the cavity (13) of the running profile (2). The stops (9) of the insert (6) are preferably not provided with similar ribs (12) to the stops (8) of the running profile (2), so that the insert (6) does not sit anchored in the ceiling (3) and thus can easily be released back out of the ceiling (3) without a part of the ceiling (3) needing to be broken open for this purpose.

[0029] The depicted supporting device (1) forms part of a sliding door mechanism.
This sliding door mechanism comprises trolleys (not depicted), which are fittable into the cavity (13) of the running profile (2) via the removal opening (5) and can be removed back out from this running profile (2) via this removal opening (5). These trolleys comprise wheels, with which they are rollably fittable in the running profile (2), on the running surfaces (4). Following fitting of the insert (6) in the insertion opening (5) and fastening of this insert (6) to the running profile (2), at least one of these trolleys is also rollable on the running surfaces (7) of the insert (6). From these trolleys can be suspended a sliding door leaf (not depicted) of the sliding door mechanism. To this end, the said sliding door leaf can typically be suspended from the trolleys with the aid of shafts, which here extend through the said through openings (10, 11). Following fitting of the trolleys in the running profile (2), following fastening of the insert in the removal opening (5) and following suspension of the sliding door leaf from these trolleys, this sliding door leaf is then displaceable from an open position, in which it opens up an opening in a wall, into a closed position, in which it closes off the said opening.

Claims

1. Supporting device (1) for a sliding door mechanism, comprising a running profile (2) for the herein rollable suspension of a trolley of the sliding door mechanism, wherein the running profile (2) is provided for installation in a ceiling (3) and comprises at least one running surface (4), for the hereon rollable fitting of the said trolley, wherein the running profile (2), over a certain length, is free of the said running surface (4), so that the running profile (2) comprises over this length a removal opening (5), through which the said trolley can be brought in and out of the running profile (2), and wherein the supporting device (1) comprises at least one insert (6), wherein this insert (6) is releasably fastenable in the running profile (2), in the removal opening (5), and comprises a running surface (7), for the hereon rollable fitting of the said trolley, wherein this running surface (7) of the insert (6), following fastening of the insert (6) in the running profile (2), connects to the running surface (4) of the running profile (2), characterized in that the running profile (2) is provided on its bottom side with the said removal opening (5), so that the insert (6) is fastenable in this running profile (2) only via the bottom side of the running profile (2).

2. Supporting device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the running profile (2), over the said length, is free of any said running surface (4).

3. Supporting device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the running profile (2) delimits a cavity for the herein rollable fitting of the trolley, and in that the insert (6) is fastenable to the running profile (2) on the top side of this cavity.

4. Supporting device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the running profile (2) comprises a stop (8), which extends in the longitudinal direction of the running profile (2), transversely to its running surface (7), for the abutment of the ceiling (3) against this stop.

5. Supporting device (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the running profile (2), over the length over which this running profile (2) is free of the said running surface (4), is also free of the said stop (8), and in that the insert (6) comprises a stop (9), which extends transversely to its running surface (4), for the abutment of the ceiling (3) against this stop.

6. Supporting device (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the stop (9) of the insert (6), following fastening of the insert (6) in the running profile (2), connects to the stop (8) of the running profile (2).

7. Supporting device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the running profile (2) comprises on its bottom side a through opening (10), which extends in the longitudinal direction of the running profile (2), for the suspension of a sliding door leaf of the sliding door mechanism from the trolley through this opening, and in that the insert (6) comprises a corresponding through opening (11), which, following fastening of the insert (6) in the running profile (2), connects to the through opening (10) in the running profile (2).

8. Supporting device (1) according to claim 2 and 7, characterized in that the running profile (2) comprises two running surfaces (4), which extend in the longitudinal direction of the running profile (2) on both sides of its through opening (10), and in that the insert (6) comprises two corresponding running surfaces (7), which extend on both sides of its through opening (11), wherein, following fastening of the insert (6) in the running profile (2), these running surfaces (7) of the insert (6) connect to the respective running surfaces (4) of the running profile (2).

9. Sliding door mechanism comprising a sliding door leaf, a supporting device (1) and trolleys for the suspension of the sliding door leaf such that this is rollable in the supporting device (1), characterized in that the supporting device (1) is a supporting device (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 8.

Drawing