[0001] The present invention relates to an improved disappearing sliding door.
[0002] More specifically, the invention concerns a sliding door particularly studied and
realised so that, when in the closure position, it can vary its thickness so as to
be confused or camouflaged with the wall on which it is installed.
[0003] As it is well known, many systems for sliding doors exist at present. Said systems
have been initially realised in order to recover space, also taking into consideration
tendency to live in always more reduced spaces. Mainly in big cities, in fact, said
solutions are wide!y used for storeroom, kitchens and bathrooms.
[0004] Said sliding doors have been recently also employed in not domestic environments,
such as hotels and restaurants, permitting realisation and designing of more spacious
and comfortable rooms.
[0005] This kind of doors is mainly comprised of at least a sliding wing and at least a
counter frame. Said counter frame is comprised of a metallic box, a sliding crosspiece
and an upright.
[0006] Metallic box replaces with its dimensions the part of the wall on which said door
is provided. When the door is closed, its wing completely enters within the metallic
box.
[0007] At present, sliding doors became an important design element, also in view of modern
tendency of interior architecture. Therefore, they have been used not only to save
space but more generally for creating a separation between domestic spaces used in
different moments of the day.
[0008] Just in view of the above tendency, sliding doors systems developed in order to reduce
dimensions and finishing fittings, making sliding doors always less visible as well
adapted for curved walls.
[0009] Doors are presently available on the market permitting avoiding use of doorposts
or frames in order to cover profiles, as those described in the
Italian Patent Application n° FO2002A000009 filed by the same applicant. In the above solution, sliding system is anchored to
a frame housed within the upper edge of the door wing. This permits partially inserting
the upper side of said wing, when the door is installed, within the wall, thus covering
the sliding mechanisms.
[0010] However, by the above systems, door wing, even when closed against the swingdoor,
is visible with respect to the wall. In fact, it has a thickness in any case lower
than the containment box thickness, and thus than the wall thickness.
[0011] Object of the present invention is therefore that of providing a sliding door of
the kind suitable to be inserted within a box, providing at least a wing with variable
thickness that, when closed is equivalent to the thickness of the wall in which the
door is provided.
[0012] A second object of the present invention is that of providing necessary devices for
varying the door thickness.
[0013] A third object of the present invention is that of providing the door with mechanical
and/or electrical actuation and motion means.
[0014] A further object of the present invention is that of permitting a high mounting and
use versatility.
[0015] It is therefore specific object of the present invention an improved disappearing
sliding door, to be provided on a wall, said door comprising at least a wing, a counter-frame
providing a box suitable to contain said at least a wing in the open position of the
sliding door, and sliding means provided on said at least a wing, suitable to guide
said wing between said open position and a plurality of partial closure positions
up to a total closure position, wherein it completely closes the wall part destined
to the door, and vice versa, said door being characterised in that said at least a
wing is comprised of a first and a second panel, spaced substantially parallel each
other, and in that it provides motion means of said first and second panels between
a first maximum proximity position, in correspondence of said door open position and
a second maximum distance position, corresponding to the thickness of the wall on
which the door is positioned, in correspondence of said total closure position, wherein
it completely closes the wall part destined to the door.
[0016] Always according to the invention, at least one of said panels can have a substantially
cross section broken line "C" shape, said panels being provided in such a way that
their concavity are faced each other.
[0017] Still according to the invention, each one of said panels can have a substantially
cross-section broken line "C" shape.
[0018] Advantageously, according to the invention, said second panel can be contained within
said second panel when said wing is in the open position, or the vertical lateral
edges of said first and second panels can match when said wing is in the open position.
[0019] Still according to the invention, said motion means can comprise a plurality of actuators
placed on said first and second panel surfaces.
[0020] Advantageously according to the invention, said actuators can be electro-mechanical
actuators and can comprise an electric motor.
[0021] Preferably according to the invention, said actuators can comprise a piston - cylinder
assembly.
[0022] Furthermore, according to the invention, said actuators can comprise a spring.
[0023] Always according to the invention, said door can comprise means for dragging said
at least a wing, e.g. a piston - cylinder assembly, preferably installed in correspondence
of the counter-frame transverse bar.
[0024] Still according to the invention, said door can comprise means for actuating motion
means, said actuation means comprising a logic unit, suitable to coordinate actuation
of said motion means and of said dragging means.
[0025] Furthermore according to the invention, said actuation means can comprise interface
means, such as an activation button for opening and closing said at least a wing.
[0026] Always according to the invention, said motion means ca comprise at least a rotatably
mounted worm screw, and at least a pantograph spacer connected with surfaces of said
first and second panels, said pantograph spacer approaching or moving away said first
and second panels due to the rotation of the worm screw.
[0027] Advantageously, according to the invention, said motion means can comprise a plurality
of pantograph spacers mounted on the same worm screw.
[0028] Preferably, according to the invention, said actuation means can comprise a bevel
gear pair coupled with said worm screw.
[0029] Still according to the invention, said actuation means can comprise a key, possibly
a removable key, for activating said bevel gear pair.
[0030] Always according to the invention, said actuation means can comprise a handle, preferably
a foldable handle, for activation of said bevel gear pair.
[0031] Furthermore, according to the invention, said at least a wing can have a plane surface
or it can be curved.
[0032] Still according to the invention, said door can have one wing or two wings.
[0033] Advantageously according to the invention said door can provide a lower sliding track.
[0034] The present invention will be now described, for illustrative but not limitative
purposes, according to its preferred embodiments, with particular reference to the
figures of the enclosed drawings, wherein:
figure 1A is a top section view of a wing of the disappearing sliding door according
to the present invention when in its maximum thickness configuration;
figure 1B is a top section view of a wing according to figure 1A when in its minimum
thickness configuration;
figure 1C is a top section view of a wing according to figure 1A when inserted within
the box;
figure 2A is a top section view of a second embodiment of a wing of the disappearing
sliding door according to the present invention when in its maximum thickness configuration;
figure 2B is a top section view of a wing according to figure 2A when in its minimum
thickness configuration;
figure 2C is a top section view of a wing according to figure 2A when inserted within
the box;
figure 3 is a front section view of the door according to the invention when closed;
figure 4 is a front section view of the door according to the invention when open;
figure 5A is a top section view of a third embodiment of a wing of the disappearing
sliding door according to the present invention when in its maximum thickness configuration;
figure 5B is a top section view of a wing according to figure 5A when in its minimum
thickness configuration;
figure 5C is a top section view of a wing according to figure 5A when inserted within
the box;
figure 6 is a front section view of the door according to the invention when closed;
figure 7 is a front section view of the door according to the invention when open;
figure 8 is a perspective view of the door according to the present invention when
open; and
figure 9 is a perspective view of the door according to the present invention when
closed.
[0035] Making reference to figures 1A, 1B and 1C, it is possible observing a wing 1 of the
door according to the present invention.
[0036] Said wing 1 is comprised of two panels 2, 3 with a substantially cross section broken
line "C" shape, and with their concavity faced each other. Panel 2 has surface dimension
bigger than panel 3, so as to completely contain the same.
[0037] A cavity 4 is created between said panels 2 and 3, enclosed within wing 1 volume,
a plurality of actuators 5 being fixed within said cavity 4, said actuators 5 being
suitable to reduce the wing 1 thickness, and consequently, cavity 4 volume, approaching
said panel 3 to the panel 2, thus making the former entering within the latter.. wing
1, reducing its thickness, can be housed within a box 6, said wing sliding along direction
A.
[0038] Analysing more specifically the figures, it is possible observing that in the embodiment
described actuators 5 are of the kind comprising a piston - cylinder assembly 7 and
an electric motor 8.
[0039] By a switch (not shown in the figures), electric motor 8 is activated and actuator
5 piston - cylinder assembly 7 permits approaching (moving away) of panels 2, 3. actuators
5 are activated at the same time, so as to permit a uniform and dynamically constant
reduction of the door 1 thickness.
[0040] Figures 2A, 2B, 2C show a second embodiment of variable thickness wing 1 of the door
according to the invention, wherein a different kind of actuator 5 is provided, comprising
a spring 9, maintaining panels 2, 3 spaced each other.
[0041] Electro-mechanical actuator 5 is placed along the axis of the spring 7. The following
effects are obtained by the action of said spring:
- during the wing 1 thickness extension, spring tends to amortize actuator 5 action,
avoiding, after the opening of said wing 1, possible acceleration between the panels
2, 3;
- during the wing 1 thickness reduction, spring 9 tends to facilitate the actuator action,
thus also permitting a power saving.
[0042] Figures 3 and 4 show a front section view of a door with one wing 1 when closed.
Actuators 5 are distributed all along the inner surface of the wing 1.
[0043] From the figure, it is possible observing also the structure of the door counter-frame,
comprised of the box 6, a sliding bar 10 and a vertical rod 11. It is also possible
observing network 6' of containment box 6.
[0044] Wing 1 can slide among a lower track (not shown in the figures) by wheels 1' provided
under said wing 1.
[0045] Actuators 5 placed within the door 1, on panels 2, 3 surfaces, are connected by electric
wires 12, provided within a box 13, possibly containing transformer (not shown in
the figures). Supply cable 14 is kinked, so as to reduce or increase its length when
the wing 1 is closed or open.
[0046] A further actuator 5 is provided above the door 1, in correspondence of the bar 10,
said actuator providing a piston - cylinder assembly. Said actuator 15 permits dragging
of wing 1from/within said box 6.
[0047] By the control 16 provided on the wall P, the user can open or close the door suitably
activating actuators 5 and 15.
[0048] Particularly, in order to pass from the open configuration to the closure configuration,
electro-mechanical actuators 5 first reduce wing 1 thickness and then actuator 15
drags the same wing within the box 6, making it sliding on said wheels along the lower
track.
[0049] Making reference to figures 5A, 5B and 5C, it is possible observing an embodiment
wherein actuators 5 are replaced by a mechanical system provided between the panels
2, 3.
[0050] Said system provides a worm screw 17 and pantographs 18 coupled with said worm screw
17 by inertly threaded cylinders 19. Rotating said worm screw 17, cylinders 19, the
inner threading of which is suitably oriented, tendon to move away or approaching
according to directions B. Thus, pantographs 18 narrow or extend, respectively approaching
or moving away panels 2, 3.
[0051] Worm screw 17 is actuated from outside, i.e. by the user, by a key 20 or by a suitable
handle, suitable to act on a rotating transmission element, such as a bevel gear pair
21.
[0052] Key 20 can be of the extractable kind, as shown in figure 5B, or of the foldable
type, in order to prevent any obstruction after the insertion of wing 1 within box
6.
[0053] Obviously, it is possible providing electrically activated actuators along with the
above mechanic system. Particularly, the latter can be used in emergency situations,
e.g. in case of failure of the electricity supply, permitting in any case the opening
of the door 1.
[0054] Observing figures 6 and 7, it can be noted that door according to the invention,
when open, is absolutely equivalent to a standard sliding door. When said wing 1 is
closed, it has the same thickness of the wall P, thus obtaining a noticeable aesthetic
effect.
[0055] Wing door can provide on its outer surface the same decoration of the wall P, thus
making he same not visible.
[0056] From figures 8 and 9 it is possible appreciating the above, observing a section of
the door taken substantially along bar 10.
[0057] Particularly, from figure 8 it is possible observing wing 1 between the closed and
the open positions. Thickness of said wing is the minimum thickness and panel 3 is
completely contained within panel 2.
[0058] As it can be observed, wall P and wing 1, when the latter is closed, have the same
thickness.
[0059] It is possible providing within the scope of the present invention a control logic
unit (non shown in the figures), possibly provided with batteries, permitting coordination
of actuators during transition from open configuration to closure configuration and
vice versa.
[0060] On the basis of the previous specification, it can be observed that basic feature
of the present invention is that of permitting the variation of the door wing thickness
in the open configuration, thus obtaining a increase of the disappearing effect with
respect to the known sliding doors.
[0061] An advantage of the present invention is that of permitting the use of smaller boxes
that are also lighter.
[0062] A second advantage of the present invention is possibility of completely automatise
opening and closure of the door as claimed.
[0063] A third advantage of the present invention is that of permitting the realisation
of doors providing more than one wing, or of curved doors.
[0064] A further advantage of the present invention is possibility of applying to said door
the same decoration of the wall on which it is provided, thus permitting its optimum
adaptation to the environment.
[0065] The present invention has been described for illustrative but not limitative purposes,
according to its preferred embodiments, but it is to be understood that modifications
and/or changes can be introduced by those skilled in the art without departing from
the relevant scope as defined in the enclosed claims.
1. Improved disappearing sliding door, to be provided on a wall, said door comprising
at least a wing, a counter-frame providing a box suitable to contain said at least
a wing in the open position of the sliding door, and sliding means provided on said
at least a wing, suitable to guide said wing between said open position and a plurality
of partial closure positions up to a total closure position, wherein it completely
closes the wall part destined to the door, and vice versa, said door being characterised in that said at least a wing is comprised of a first and a second panel, spaced substantially
parallel each other, and in that it provides motion means of said first and second panels between a first maximum
proximity position, in correspondence of said door open position and a second maximum
distance position, corresponding to the thickness of the wall on which the door is
positioned, in correspondence of said total closure position, wherein it completely
closes the wall part destined to the door.
2. Door according to claim 1, characterised in that at least one of said panels have a substantially cross section broken line "C" shape,
said panels being provided in such a way that their concavity are faced each other.
3. Door according to claim 2, characterised in that each one of said panels has a substantially cross-section broken line "C" shape.
4. Door according to claim 2 or 3, characterised in that said second panel is contained within said second panel when said wing is in the
open position.
5. Door according to claim 3, characterised in that vertical lateral edges of said first and second panels match when said wing is in
the open position.
6. Door according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said motion means comprise a plurality of actuators placed on said first and second
panel surfaces.
7. Door according to claim 6, characterised in that said actuators are electro-mechanical actuators.
8. Door according to claim 6 or 7, characterised in that said actuators comprise an electric motor.
9. Door according to one of the preceding claims 6 - 8, characterised in that said actuators comprise a piston - cylinder assembly.
10. Door according to one of the preceding claims 6 - 9, characterised in that said actuators comprise a spring.
11. Door according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said door comprise means for dragging said at least a wing.
12. Door according to claim 11, characterised in that said dragging means comprise a piston - cylinder assembly, preferably installed in
correspondence of the counter-frame transverse bar.
13. Door according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said door comprises means for actuating said motion means.
14. Door according to claim 13, characterised in that said actuation means comprise a logic unit, suitable to coordinate actuation of said
motion means and of said dragging means.
15. Door according to claim 13 or 14, characterised in that said actuation means comprise interface means, such as an activation button for opening
and closing said at least a wing.
16. Door according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said motion means comprise at least a rotatably mounted worm screw, and at least
a pantograph spacer connected with surfaces of said first and second panels, said
pantograph spacer approaching or moving away said first and second panels due to the
rotation of the worm screw.
17. Door according to claim 16, characterised in that said motion means comprise a plurality of pantograph spacers mounted on the same
worm screw.
18. Door according to claim 16 or 17, characterised in that said actuation means comprise a bevel gear pair coupled with said worm screw.
19. Door according to claim 18, characterised in that said actuation means comprise a key for activating said bevel gear pair.
20. Door according to claim 19, characterised in that said key is a removable key.
21. Door according to claim 18, characterised in that said actuation means comprise a handle, preferably a foldable handle, for activation
of said bevel gear pair.
22. Door according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said at least a wing has a plane surface.
23. Door according to one of the preceding claims 1 - 21, characterised in that said at least a wing has a curved surface.
24. Door according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said door has one wing.
25. Door according to one of the preceding claims 1 - 23, characterised in that said door has two wings.
26. Door according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said door provides a lower sliding track.
27. Door according to each one of the preceding claims, substantially as illustrated and
described.