EP0027749A1 - Sliding door - Google Patents

Abstract

The sliding door (1) comprises a series of rectangular panels (2) articulated on one another, the opposite edges of the panels (2) being guided by slideways (5) extending on each side of the aperture (8) and towards the inside of the latter. This door (1) comprises, furthermore, a device (42) for balancing the weight of the door and having at least one helical spring (49) connected to the door. This spring (49) is stressed under compression by the weight of the door during the closing of the latter and operates by relaxing during the opening of this door, the mechanical connection (30) between the door and the spring comprising a fixed pulley block (43) interacting with a movable pulley block (44) defining with the latter a hoist, this movable pulley block being connected to the spring (49) by means of a rod (50). The invention is used particularly on garage doors.

Description

The present invention relates to a sliding door intended to close various premises, in particular garages and warehouses, the access of which requires large doors.

Sliding doors are known comprising a series of rectangular panels hinged with respect to each other by hinges. The opposite edges of these panels are guided by means of slides cooperating with rollers fixed to the panels. These slides extend substantially vertically on each side of the opening associated with this door and extend beyond the upper edge of this opening towards the inside of the latter. In the fully open position, the door completely clears the opening, being fully supported by the part of the slides which generally extends in a substantially horizontal plane above the upper edge of the opening towards the inside of the latter. .

Such doors generally include a device to compensate or balance the weight of the door, that is to say to reduce the effort required to open the latter.

Such a device comprises in known manner a helical spring disposed above the upper edge of the door, this spring being biased in torsion by the weight of the door. This spring is for this purpose mounted around an axis comprising a pulley driven in rotation by means of a cable connected to the door and which accompanies the opening and closing movement of the door.

When the door is fully closed, the entire weight of the door is balanced by the torsional torque of the spring. When this door is opened, the spring gradually relaxes, the weight exerted by the door being gradually reduced due to that the panels of the latter engage successively on the generally horizontal upper part of the slides.

Such a balancing spring stressed in torsion presents a serious danger for users. Indeed in case of rupture of this spring the door is no longer retained, so that it closes falling suddenly under the effect of its own weight, which risks seriously injuring people crossing the door.

Furthermore, the pulley made integral with the spring and which is rotated when the door is moved is of complex construction. It is generally conical in shape and has a helical groove with turns of variable diameter receiving the cable which is connected to the door. This groove has a total length which corresponds to the travel of the door. This length is therefore necessarily important since the total stroke of the door can reach several meters, so that the pulley must necessarily have a large section. This pulley is therefore bulky. The space available between the top of the door and the ceiling must therefore be large, which may not always be the case.

The object of the present invention is to remedy the drawbacks of the aforementioned known embodiment, by creating a door comprising a reliable balancing device, of simple construction, of small bulk, requiring only a space of reduced size between the top of the door and the ceiling and above all offering absolute security vis-à-vis people crossing the door.

The sliding door targeted by the invention comprises a series of hinged rectangular panels relative to each other, the opposite edges of the panels being guided by slides extending on each side of the opening associated with the door, these slides extending beyond the upper edge of this opening towards the interior side of the latter, this door further comprising a device for balancing the weight of the door and comprising at least one helical spring connected to the door.

According to the invention, this door is characterized in that the aforementioned spring is stressed in compression by the weight of the door when the latter is closed and operates in rebound when the door is opened, the mechanical connection between the door and the spring comprising a fixed block cooperating with a movable block defining with the latter a hoist, this block being made integral with the spring.

Because the balancing spring is stressed in compression, the door does not risk closing suddenly in the event of the spring breaking. Security vis-à-vis objects, people and mobiles crossing this door is ensured.

The use of a spring operating in compression when the door is closed and in rebound when the latter is opened is possible thanks to the insertion of mittens defining a hoist between the spring and the connection proper with the door. In fact, these mittens make it possible to considerably reduce the spring stroke so that the latter can have a very small footprint. Without these mittens, the spring should have a travel of several meters corresponding to that of the door, which is completely unthinkable.

Furthermore, this spring can be housed elsewhere than above the upper edge of the door, so that the space available between the top of the door and the ceiling can be significantly reduced.

Other features and advantages of the invention will appear in the description below.

• - La figure 1 est une vue en perspective d'une porte équipée d'un dispositif d'équilibrage conforme à l'invention;
• - la figure 2 est une vue en plan, à échelle agrandie et avec arrachements de la porte conforme à l'invention;
• - la figure 3 est un schéma d'une variante de palan du système d'équilibrage de la porte conforme à l'invention;
• - la figure 4 est une vue latérale de la porte et d'une glissière montrant le système d'équilibrage lors de la fermeture complète de la porte;
• - la figure 5 est une vue analogue à la figure 4, la porte étant partiellement ouverte;
• - la figure 6 est une vue en élévation avec arrachements d'une porte coulissante comportant une variante du dispositif d'équilibrage;
• - la figure 7 est une vue à plus grande échelle du dispositif d'équilibrage représenté sur la figure 6;
• - la figure 8 est une vue en plan du dïsposi- tif selon la figure 6.

In the appended drawings, given by way of nonlimiting examples:

• - Figure 1 is a perspective view of a door equipped with a balancing device according to the invention;
• - Figure 2 is a plan view, on an enlarged scale and with cutaway of the door according to the invention;
• - Figure 3 is a diagram of a variant hoist of the door balancing system according to the invention;
• - Figure 4 is a side view of the door and a slide showing the balancing system when the door is completely closed;
• - Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4, the door being partially open;
• - Figure 6 is an elevational view with cutaway of a sliding door comprising a variant of the balancing device;
• - Figure 7 is an enlarged view of the balancing device shown in Figure 6;
• FIG. 8 is a plan view of the device according to FIG. 6.

In the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2, the sliding door 1 comprises a series of rectangular panels 2, hinged with respect to each other by means of hinges 3. The opposite edges 4 of the panels 2 are guided by rails 5. The edges opposite 4 of the panels 2 for this purpose have rollers 6 engaged in the raceway defined by these slides 5. Each slide 5 has a substantially vertical portion 7 which extends from each side of the opening 8 associated with the door 1. This vertical portion is extended by a substantially horizontal part 9 which extends above the edge 8a of the opening 8. The substantially vertical parts 7 of the slides 5 are connected to the substantially horizontal parts 9 by curved parts 10.

The door shown comprises two balancing devices 11 and 12 each comprising a helical spring 13. The balancing device 11 is, in the example shown in Figure 1, fixed along the substantially vertical part 7 of the slide 5 , while the device 12 is fixed along the substantially horizontal part 9 of this slide.

In the example of FIG. 2, the two balancing devices 11 and 12 are arranged along the substantially vertical parts 7 of the slides 5.

In each balancing device, the helical spring 13 is subjected to compression by the weight of the door 1 when it is closed and operates in rebound when the door is opened as will be explained in more detail when describing the operation of the present invention.

Furthermore, the sliding of the door 1 cooperates with a fixed block 14 connected to a movable block 15 defining with the latter a hoist 16. This movable block 15 is made integral with the helical spring 13 by means of a connecting rod 17.

• Un axe 18 s'étendant au-dessus du bord supérieur 8a de l'ouverture 8 est monté en rotation entre les chapes fixes 19 et 20 des moufles fixes 14 des dispositifs d'équilibrage respectifs 11 et 12. Aux extrémités de cet axe 18 est montée une roue dentée 21 autour de laquelle est engrenée une chaîne 30 dont l'extrémité 30a est fixée à la base de la porte 1.

The sliding of the door 1 cooperates with the mittens 14 and 15 of each of the balancing devices 11 or 12 in the following manner:

• An axis 18 extending above the upper edge 8a of the opening 8 is rotatably mounted between the fixed yokes 19 and 20 of the fixed mittens 14 of the respective balancing devices 11 and 12. At the ends of this axis 18 is mounted a toothed wheel 21 around which is meshed a chain 30 whose end 30a is fixed to the base of the door 1.

In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the fixed block 14 comprises a series of wheels 22, 23, 24 mounted idly and free with respect to each other on the axis 18 to which the toothed wheel is fixed 21. The movable block 15 connected in spring 13 by rod 17, comprises a series of wheels 25, 26, 27, 28 also mounted loose and free with respect to each other on a common axis 29 made integral with the yoke 15a of the movable block 15. The wheels 22 to 28 are made for example of a rigid plastic material such as polyamide and are preferably separated from each other by anti-friction means (not shown) such as a ball bearing to allow free rotation of the wheels compared to others.

The chain 30 fixed to the base of the door 1 and meshed on the toothed wheel 21 successively surrounds the wheels 25, 22, 26, 23, 27, 24 and 28. The end 30b of the chain 30 is fixed to the yoke 1 -9 of the fixed block 14.

The mittens 14 and 15 shown in Figures 1 and 2 can be replaced by the alternative embodiment according to Figure 3. According to this variant, the wheels 31, 32, 33 and 34 of the yoke 35 of the muffle 36, and the wheels 37 , 38, 39 of the yoke 40 of the movable block 41 are rotatably mounted around separate axes, and the set of wheels is substantially in the same plane.

The advantage of the muffle system 36, 41 compared to that of FIGS. 1 and 2 is that the different strands of the chain 30 are in the same plane, whereas in the case of FIG. 1 and 2, the strands have between them a certain inclination capable of causing friction with respect to the corresponding wheels. However, the advantage of the arrangement according to FIGS. 1 and 2 compared to that of FIG. 3 is that each block 14 or 15 has a smaller overall size than that of the blocks 36, 41.

In the embodiment of Figure 4 there is shown a simplified balancing device 42 in which the fixed block 43 and the movable block 44 each have only two wheels designated respectively by the references 45, 46 and 47, 48. These wheels rotate all around distinct axes. The chain 30, the end 30a of which is fixed at the bottom of the door 1, is successively wound around the wheel 45 which turns around the axis 18 then around the wheel 47, the wheel 46 and the wheel 48. L the other end 30b of the chain 30 is fixed at 30b to the lower part of the fixed block 43.

The movable block 44 is connected to a helical spring 49 by means of a rod 50 which is engaged in this spring 49 and is fixed at 49a to the lower part of the latter. The opposite end 49b of the spring 49 is in abutment against a fixed stop 51 which is crossed by the rod 50.

In the position of Figure 4, the door is closed. The weight of the door 1 is exerted on the chain 30 which by means of the mittens 43 and 44 biases the spring 49 in compression. This spring 49 is calculated so that its compression balances the weight exerted by the door 1 in the closed position .

We will now explain the operation of the device according to the invention. With reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.

To open door 1, you will move manually ment or by means of an electric motor mounted on the axle 18 of the wheel 45, so that it slides upwards on the slides 5 (see arrow F in FIG. 5). As it rises, the weight of door 1 decreases, because the panels 2 gradually engage on the horizontal parts 9 of the slides 5. To restore balance with respect to the weight of door 1, the spring 49 relaxes, while the distance between the two mittens 43 and 44 increases. The length of the spring 49 increases by a value L (corresponding to the increase in the distance between the two mittens 43 and 44), which is significantly smaller than the opening height h of the door 1.

It is thus understood that, thanks to the mittens 43 and 44, the spring 49 has a total rebound stroke which is significantly less than the total stroke of the door 1. Therefore, the entire balancing device 42 can be accommodated easily along a vertical edge of the door 1 or along a horizontal part 9 of the slides 5.

On the other hand, since the spring 49 operates in relaxation when the door 1 is opened, in the event of the spring 49 breaking when the door 1 is open, the latter is not likely to close suddenly. Indeed, in case of rupture of the spring 49, the latter contracts only over a distance corresponding to the pitch of a turn, which is negligible. In Figure 4, we see that there is a distance d between the upper edge 1a of the door 1 and the upper edge 8a of the opening 8 associated with this door. This distance d is normally necessary to allow the opening of the door 1, that is to say the sliding of the latter, without the edge 1a of the door abutting against the edge 8a of the open ture 8.

To remove this distance d, that is to say to allow the door 1 to completely close the opening 8, coming substantially into abutment against the upper edge 8a of the latter, one can adopt several known solutions.

Referring to Figures 6 and 8, the door 100 slidably mounted on side rails 101 by means of rollers 102, comprises a balancing device 103. This device comprises two helical springs 104 parallel and identical arranged above the edge upper 100c of door 100 and parallel to this edge.

The opposite ends 104a, 104b of the springs 104 are connected to movable mittens 105a, 105b each associated with a fixed muffle 106a, 106b. Each fixed block 106a, 106b is connected to the lower edge 107 of the door 100 by a cable 108. This cable 108 is wound on a deflection pulley 109 disposed above the upper edge 100c of the door 100, substantially in line with its side edges 100a and 100b.

The two fixed mittens 106a, 106b are mounted on a common fixed yoke 110 placed at equal distance between the opposite ends 104a and 104b of the two springs 104.

Furthermore, the two movable mittens 105a, 105b fixed to the opposite ends of the springs 104, are made integral with a carriage 111a, 111b by means of connecting rods 112a, 112b. The carriages 111a, 111b are slidably mounted on slides 113 extending in the axis of the springs 104. The opposite ends 113a, 113b of the slides 113 are fixed above the upper edge 100c of the door 100 by means of '' brackets 114.

In the example shown, each fixed block 106a, 106b has three pulleys 115, 116, 117 and each mobile block 105a, 105b has three pulleys 118, 119, 120. The cable 108 is wound successively on the pulleys 115, 118, 116 , 119, 117 and 120. Furthermore, the end 108a of the cable 108 is fixed to the yoke 110 of the two mittens 106a, 106b.

On the other hand, the pulley 115 of the fixed block 106a is connected in rotation with the pulley 115b of the block 106b by two pinions 121a and 121b (see FIG. 3) meshed one inside the other and thus allowing the pulleys 115 and 115b to rotate at equal speeds in opposite directions.

We will now describe the operation of the balancing device 103.

In the position shown in Figure 6, the door 100 is closed. The door 100 is suspended from the cable 108 extending along its lateral edges 100a, and 100b and the springs 104 are compressed between the two carriages 111a, 111b. The compression of these two springs 104 balances the weight of the door 100. Furthermore, the movable mittens 105a, 105b are brought as close as possible to the fixed mittens 106a, 106b.

When the door is opened, the springs 104 gradually relax as the weight of the door decreases and the movable mittens 105a, 105b move symmetrically away from the mittens 106a, 106b in the direction of the arrows F ( see figure 6). At the end of the stroke, that is to say, when the door 100 is fully opened, the movable mittens 105a, 105b occupy the positions 105c, 105d indicated in dotted lines in FIG. 1. The total stroke L of each muffle mobile 105a, 105b is equal to H / 6, H being the total opening height of the door. This 1/6 ratio is obtained that each block system has six pulleys. When the door is closed, the springs 104 work on the contrary in compression. Since these springs work in compression, in case of rupture of the latter, the door is not likely to close suddenly.

The opening and closing of the door 100 can be controlled automatically by means of one or two hydraulic or pneumatic jacks fixed for example to the carriages 111a, 111b and placed between the pairs of slides 113. These jacks can have a power relatively reduced since the device 103 at all times balances the weight of the door.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples which have just been described and numerous modifications can be made to them without departing from the scope of the invention.

Thus, the parts 9 of the slides 5, instead of being horizontal, can be oblique with respect to the vertical parts 7 of this slide, when there is sufficient space between the upper edge of the opening 8 and the ceiling 63.

On the other hand, the mittens 14, 15, 43, 44 may have a number of wheels greater than that indicated in the examples, depending on the stroke of the helical spring 13 or 49 which one wishes to use.

Furthermore, the chain 30 can be replaced by a cable. The use of a chain is however preferred since it allows a much more positive motorized control due to the absence of slippage. In addition, the chain provides much greater security in the event of a break. In addition, the spring of the balancing device may consist of several parts of different lengths to allow easy adjustment of the set of the assembly in the event, for example, of a change in the weight of the door by adding or removing accessories.

Likewise, the cable 108 can be replaced by a chain and the pulleys 109 and 115 to 120 by cogwheels.

The springs 104 can be replaced by a single spring of larger cross section.

The number of pulleys, movable mittens 105a, 105b and fixed mittens 106a, 106b can of course be less than or greater than three depending on the weight of the door 100 and / or the opening height of the latter.

The compression springs can all be arranged on the same side with respect to a central return. This arrangement has the advantage of a smaller footprint and allow the use of different springs. In addition, the opening and closing of the door can be controlled by an electric motor acting directly on one of the conjugation pinions 121a or 121b.

Claims (14)

1. Sliding door (1, 100), comprising a series of rectangular panels (2, 100) hinged with respect to each other, the opposite edges of the panels being guided by slides (5, 101) extending on each side of the opening (8) associated with the door and towards the inside of the latter, this door further comprising a device (11, 42, 103) for balancing the weight of the door and comprising at least one helical spring (13 , 49, 104) connected to the door, characterized in that this spring (13, 49, 104) is stressed in compression by the weight of the door (1, 100) when the latter is closed and operates in rebound during the opening of this door, the mechanical connection between the door and the spring comprising a fixed block (14, 43, 105a, 105b) cooperating with a movable block (15, 44, 106a, 106b) defining with the latter a hoist, this movable block being made integral with the spring (13, 49, 104). 2. Door according to claim 1, characterized in that the spring (13, 49) is arranged along a substantially vertical part (7) of one of the guides (5) for guiding the panels (2). 3. Door according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises two springs (13) disposed respectively along the substantially vertical parts (7) of the two slides (5) for guiding the panels (2 ). 4. Door according to claim 2, characterized in that it comprises two springs (13), the second of these springs being disposed along the part (9) of a slide which extends beyond the edge upper (8a) of the opening (8) of the door to the inside of the latter. 5. Door according to any one of claims 1 to 4, and comprising an axis (18) rotatably mounted above the upper edge (8a) of the opening (8), this axis comprising a toothed wheel (45 ) meshed with a chain (30) fixed to the lower part of the door (1), in order to drive this axis in rotation during the movement of this door, characterized in that the mittens (43, 44) each comprise a series of wheels (46, 47, 48) mounted in free rotation with respect to each other, the chain meshed with the toothed wheel (45) being wound alternately on a wheel (47, 48) of the movable block (44) and on a wheel ( 46) of the fixed block and the end of the chain (30) being fixed to the fixed block (43). 6. Door according to claim 5, characterized in that each series of wheels comprises at least two wheels. 7. Door according to any one of claims 5 or 6, characterized in that the wheels of each series are mounted in free rotation with respect to each other on a common axis. 8. Door according to any one of claims 5 or 6, characterized in that the wheels (31, 32, 33, 34; 37, 38, 39) are rotatably mounted on separate axes, all of the wheels teeth substantially in the same plane. 9. Door according to any one of claims 1 or 6, characterized in that the balancing device (103) of the door (100) comprises at least one spring (104) disposed above the upper edge (100c ) of the door and parallel to the latter, each end (104a, 104b) of this spring being connected to a movable block (105a, 105b) associated with a fixed block (106a, 106b), each fixed block being connected to the edge lower (107) of the door (100) by a cable (108) or chain, cooperating with a return pulley (109) disposed above the upper edge (100c) of the door substantially in line with its lateral edges (100a , 100b). 10. Sliding door according to claim 9, characterized in that the two fixed mittens (106a, 106b) are mounted on a common yoke (110) disposed between the two opposite ends (104a, 104b) of the spring (104). 11. Sliding door according to any one of claims 9 or 10, characterized in that the balancing device (103) comprises two parallel and identical springs (104). 12. Sliding door according to any one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that the two movable mittens (105a, 105b) fixed to the opposite ends (104a, 104b) of the spring (s) (104) are made integral with a carriage (11a, 111b) slidably mounted on slides (113) extending in the axis of the spring or springs. 13. Sliding door according to any one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that the opening of the door (100) is controlled by at least one jack connected to a movable block (105a, 105b). 14. Sliding door according to any one of claims 9 to 13, characterized in that the two fixed blocks (106a, 106b) comprise two pulleys (115, 115a) connected in rotation by two pinions (121a, 121b) meshed l 'one in the other.

Images