WO1997046780A2

WO1997046780A2 - Sliding flipper door

Info

Publication number: WO1997046780A2
Application number: PCT/US1997/009886
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael J. Veihl; Brenda E. Wozny; Thomas J. Newhouse
Original assignee: Herman Miller Inc
Current assignee: MillerKnoll Inc
Priority date: 1996-06-07
Filing date: 1997-06-06
Publication date: 1997-12-11
Anticipated expiration: 1998-12-07
Also published as: JP2000511803A; EP0954668A2; CN1221324A; CA2254981A1; WO1997046780A3; AU3479897A

Abstract

A flipper door mechanism for allowing a door (28) to be moved from a closed position to an open position and having a cabinet side panel (24) with a hem (74), wherein said cabinet side and top panels (24, 26) in part define a cabinet space, and a door (28) having a guide (102) with a slot (114). The mechanism further includes a movement device (76) attached to the frame (22) and the door (28) that has a pivoting device (84) that allows the door (28) at the open position to move relative to the cabinet top panel (26) to a retracted position exclusive of the cabinet space. At the open position, the hem (74) is inserted into the slot (114) so as to guide the door (28) during the movement.

Description

SLIDING FLIPPER DOOR

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field Of The Invention

This invention relates to a flipper door which is capable of pivoting from a closed position to an open position in which the door is in a non-retracted position. The door is capable of translationally moving from the open but non-retracted position to an open and retracted position.

Discussion Of Related Art

Prior art flipper doors are typically used to provide access to the interior of a cabinet. Some designs include pinion gears attached to the door to allow the door to pivot to an open and horizontal position. Such pinion gears engage horizontal racks attached to the side walls of the cabinet. The pinion gears move along the racks resulting in the door being retracted into the cabinet. However, such prior art flipper doors involve using complicated movement mechanisms such as toothed racks, pinion gears, idler wheels, links and brackets. Furthermore, such flipper doors can be subject to racking where the door is jammed. Examples of such flipper door mechanisms are described in United States Patents Nos. 4,265,502 to Blodee et al. , 4,591,214 to Reuter et al. , 4,600,254 to Whalen, and 4,615,570 to Goodman.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention involves a flipper door mechanism for allowing a door to be moved from a closed position to an open position and having a frame with a hem, wherein the frame defines an interior space, and a door having a guide with a slot. The mechanism further includes a movement device attached to the frame and the door that has a pivoting device to allow the door to be pivoted from the closed position to the open position and a sliding device that allows the door at the open position to translationally move relative to the frame to a retracted position exclusive of the interior space. At the open position, the hem is inserted into the slot so as to guide the door during the translational movement.

Another aspect of the present invention involves a method of operating a flipper door mechanism for a cabinet having a first wall and a second wall attached to a panel so as to define an interior space therebetween and a door movable from a closed position to an open position. The method employs the steps of positioning the door at the closed position and then pivoting the door so that the door is substantially parallel to the panel. Next, the door is inserted into the first wall and the second wall and the door is slid parallel to the panel to a retracted position that is exclusive of the interior space.

Both aspects of the present invention present a simple mechanism and method for opening and closing a door of a cabinet.

Both aspects of the present invention present a mechanism and method for opening and closing a door of a cabinet in which the door is unhindered during its pivotal and translational movement.

Both aspects of the present invention lessen excessive racking of a flipper door during the opening and closing of a door of a cabinet. Another advantage common to both aspects of the present invention is that it prevents a door from unexpectedly closing.

The foregoing features and advantages of the present invention will be further understood upon consideration of the following detailed description of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a cabinet employing an embodiment of the present invention when the door is in a closed position;

FIG. IB is a side view of the cabinet of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a cabinet employing an embodiment of the present invention when the door is opened to an intermediate position but not in a retracted position;

FIG. 2B is a side view of the cabinet of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a cabinet employing an embodiment of the present invention when the door is opened and is moved toward a retracted position;

FIG. 3B is a side view of the cabinet of FIG. 3A when the door is further moved to a retracted position;

FIG. 4A is an interior side view of a side wall of the cabinet of FIGS. 1-3;

FIG. 4B is a side cross-sectional view of the side wall of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 5A is a top perspective view of an anti- dislodgement clip to be used with the side wall of FIGS. 4A- B;

FIG. 5B is a top view of the anti-dislodgement clip of FIG. 5A;

FIG. 5C s a side cross-sectional view of the anti-dislodgement clip of FIGS. 5A-B; FIG. 6 s a rear view of a door to be used with the cabinet of FIGS. 1-5;

FIG. 7A is a top view of a mounting bracket to be used with the door of FIG. 6;

FIG. 7B is a s de cross-sectional view of the anti-dislodgement clip of FIG. 7A;

FIG. 8 s a side cross-sectional view of the interior of the cabinet of FIGS. 2A-B when the door is m the open but not in a retracted position;

FIG. 9 is a front cross-sectional view of the interior of the cabinet of FIGS. 2A-B and 8 when the door is in the open but not in a retracted position;

FIG. 10 is a perspective v ew of a cross-section taken along line 10-10 of the cabinet of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 11 is a front cross-sectional view of a left siαe of the cabinet of FIG. 3B when the αoor is in a retracted position;

FIG. 12A s a left side view of an embodiment of a channel track to be used with the cabinet of FIGS. 1-11;

FIG. 12B is a right side view of the channel track of FIG. 12A;

FIG. 12C is a front cross-sectional view of the channel track of FIGS. 12A-B;

FIG. 13A is a bottom perspective view of a cabinet employing an enbodiment of the present invention when the door is opened but not m a retracted position;

FIG. 13B is a cross-sectional view of the top front of the cabinet of FIG. 13A;

FIG. 14A is a left side view of an embodiment of a guide to be used with the cabinet of FIGS. 1-13;

FIG. 14B is a right side view of the guide of FIG. 1 A;

FIG. 14C is a front cross-sectional view the guide taken along line 14-14 of FIG. 14A; FIG. 15 is front cross-sectional view of the left side of a second embodiment of a configuration between the channel and top panel;

FIG. 16 is front cross-sectional view of the left side of a third embodiment of a configuration between the channel and top panel;

FIG. 17 is front cross-sectional view of the left side of a fourth embodiment of a configuration between the channel and top panel;

FIG. 18A is a side cross-setional view of a movement device to be used with the cabinets of FIGS. 1-17;

FIG. 18B is a top view of the movement device of FIG. 18A; and

FIG. 18C is a front view of the movement device of FIGS. 18A-B.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A preferred embodiment of the present flipper door mounting mechanism invention s illustrated in FIGS. 1-14 and 18. In FIGS. 1-3, the various movements of the flipper door mounting mechanism are shown. The flipper door mounting mechanism of the present invention preferably is employed with a cabinet having one or more drawers. The cabinet may either be a separate entity or in combination with a paneling system such as The Q-System™ which will be commercialized by Miller-SQA, Inc. after the filing of the present application.

As shown in FIGS 1-3, the cabinet 20 is made of a frame 22 that includes a pair of parallel side walls or panels 24, a top wall or panel 26, and a door 28. The frame 22 of the cabinet 20 further includes a rear wall 30 so that the frame 22 defines an interior space 32. Several embodiments for rear wall 30 are possible. In one embodiment, rear wall 30 is a panel 34 of a paneling system ^*-^ which side and top walls 24 and 26, respectively, are attached. An example of a paneling system to which the side walls 24 are attached is disclosed in U.S. Patent

Application Serial No. entitled "Wall Panel System" and filed on June 7, 1996 (attorney docket no. 5280/26) , the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. As shown in FIGS. 1A, 2A, 3A and 4A, each side wall 24 has one or more L-shaped hooks or teeth 36 which are inserted through corresponding slots 38 of rear panel 30. The side walls 24 are then attached to the rear wall 30 by lowering the side walls 24 until the teeth 36 contact the bottom edges of slots 38. The side walls 24 are further secured by using two or more anti-dislodgement clips 40 as shown in FIGS. 5A-C. Each clip 40 has a planar base 42 with one or more stepped rectangular stop elements 44 having a stop 46 protruding approximately 90° from the base 42. For each side wall 24, a clip 40 is attached to the interior by inserting the stop elements into the tongue-like slots 48 so that the closed end of the slot 48 is positioned between the base 42 and a screw 50. This results in the lower stop 46 lying above the bottom tooth 36. Stop 46 prevents the bottom tooth 36 from being lifted a sufficient distance so it can be removed from its corresponding slot 38 in the rear wall 30. Thus, clip 40 locks the side wall 24 onto the rear wall 30.

In another embodiment, not shown, the rear wall 30 is a separate independent piece attached to the side and top walls 24 and 26, respectively, in a well known manner such as by screws or rivets .

Attached to each of the side walls 24 is a bottom shelf 52 (FIGS. 1A, 2A, 3A) which allows various items to be supported thereon. Bottom shelf 52 is made of a sturdy material, such as sheet metal. Bottom shelf 52 has a generally rectangular bottom surface 54 that is parallel to the top wall 26. Integrally formed with the bottom surface 54 s a return flange 56 that extends vertically upward. Door 28 is used to either allow or deny access to those items supported on the bottom shelf 52. Preferably, walls 24, 26, 30, door 28, and bottom shelf 52 are each made of a structurally sound material, such as steel, wood, particle board, or plastic. Furthermore, the above- mentioned walls, door, and shelf are substantially rectangular in shape wherein their dimensions are chosen so as to enable one to store various items, such as file folders.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1A-B, door 28 is in a closed vertical position in which door 28 blocks access to the interior space 32 of cabinet 20 defined by side walls 24, top wall 26, rear wall 30, and bottom shelf 52. In the closed position, the door 28 is preferably substantially perpendicular to both the side walls 24 and the top wall 26. Side walls 24, top wall 26, door 28 and bottom shelf 52 are preferably made of a single sheet of a durable material, such as steel. As shown in FIG. 6, door 28 may also include a separate steel stiffener 58 that is rectangular in shape and is welded or screwed onto the inside surface of the door 28 to provide added strength. A locking mechanism 60 for locking the door 28 in the closed position is attached to the side of the door 28 facing the interior space 32 of the cabinet 20. Locking mechanism 60 preferably includes a plug that has an insert such that when a key is inserted therein and rotated, a locking bar is moved out of engagement with bottom shelf 52 and, thus, allowing the door 28 to be pivoted to an open position. A possible embodiment for locking mechanism 60 is the same as that employed in Ethospace^® Flipper Door manufactured by Herman Miller, Inc.

As shown in FIGS. IB, 2B, 3B, 8-11 and 13B, each side wall 24 has a channel track 62 that is attached thereto on the side facing the interior space 32. As shown in FIGS. 12A-C, channel track 62 is generally rectangular in shape having a length of approximately 13.5" and a width of approximately 0.5". Each channel track 62 is made of a resilient material such as commercial class 1 cold rolled steel having a thickness of .044"/.048". Each channel track 62 is attached to a corresponding side wall 24 by having screws inserted through side holes 64 in side wall 24, through each of the L-shaped slots 66 and through corresponding openings in top panel 26. Each channel track 62 is attached along the side of top panel 26 by inserting flanges or hooks 68 into corresponding openings 70 along the side edge of top panel 26. As shown in FIG. 12C, the flanges 68 have slots 72 into which a bottom edge of opening 70 is inserted. Thus, channel track 62 is hung from the top panel 26 via the flanges 68.

Each channel track 62 includes an insertion piece, such as hem 74, that is preferably integrally formed therefrom and extends along the entire length of channel track 62 and is positioned substantially perpendicular to channel track 62 and side wall 24. The width of hem 74 can have a range of values such as 0.500". The function of hem 74 will be discussed below.

Door 28 is capable of performing a pivoting motion about a horizontal axis through the use of one or more movement devices 76 attached to the top panel 26 and the door 28. An example of movement device 76 is a device available as part no. NJ2074-14" manufactured by Repon Industrial Company, Ltd. The pivoting device allows the door 28 to pivot from the closed position shown in FIGS. 1A- B to the intermediate open position shown in FIGS. 2A-B. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 13B, the movement device 76 preferably includes a pivoting device, such as hinge 78. Hinge 78 has a front bracket 80 that is attached to a front face 82 of the top panel 26 in a well known manner such as by self- tapping sheet metal screws. Hinge 78 has a rear bracket (not shown) that is attached to the top of panel 26 in the same manner of attachment as the front bracket 80. Movement device 76 also includes a sliding device 84 that allows the door 28 at the intermediate open position shown in FIGS. 2A-B to translationally move relative to the top panel 26 to a retracted position that is located above the top panel 26 as shown in FIG. 3B. Sliding device 84 includes one or more rectangularly shaped guideways 86 that are attached to the exterior surface 101 of mounting brackets 100 by metal screws 88 as shown m FIGS. 6, 7 and 18A. The mounting brackets 110 are likewise attached to the interior of the door by well known means such as screws 103. The guideway is attached to the inside of the door 28 via screws 88 as well. The guideway 86 has a pair of generally vertical and parallel walls 90 that have a length of approximately 0.375" and extend parallel to the side edges 92 of the top panel 26. The walls 90 may either be separately attached pieces or integrally part of a ϋ-shaped guide piece as shown in FIGS. 18A-C. Guideway 86 can have a variety of lengths and widths. For example, guideway 86 can have a length of approximately 13.88" and a width of approximately 1.5". Walls 90 can have a height of approximately 0.375".

The guideway 86 defines an opening 94 that is sized so as to receive a rectangular U-shaped slide 96. Once slide 96 is within the opening, a number of ball bearings 97 mounted m the side walls 99 of slide 96 engage the walls 90. Guideway 86 may be shaped in a variety ways, such as by roll-forming, so that the slide 96 can be removed only by sliding along the opening. Thus, the slide 96 can securely move relative to guideway 86.

As shown m FIGS. 18A-C, hinge 78 is attached to a rectangular U-shaped slide 101. Slide 101 s inserted into the rectangular opening defined by slide 96 so that the ball bearings 97 engage the vertical walls 103 of slide 101. Thus, when the door 28 is being moved from the intermediate position of FIG. 2 to the retracted position of FIG. 3, the door 28 will slide over the top panel 26.

As shown m FIGS. 2A-B, when the door 28 is pivoted about hinge 78 to an open position, the slide 96 is generally aligned with the opening of guideway 86. To ensure alignment, the door 28 includes a guide 102 located at each side. As shown m FIGS. 9 and 14A-C, the guide 102 has a three-prong shape where each prong extends along and parallel to the side of the door 28 for a distance of approximately 2.00". The two top prongs 104 and 106 are inserted into a side opening 108 formed in the door 28. Since the opening 108 has a height less than the distance separating prongs 104 and 106, the top prongs 104 and 106 will expansively engage the door 28 when inserted into the side opening 108. Note that besides expansive engagement, guide 102 can be attached by screwing or riveting to the coor 28.

Once inserted in s de opening 108, the bottom prong 110 and the door 28 form a U-shaped guide 112 w th a slot 114 that faces the frame 22 and the side wall 24. At the intermediate open position shown in FIGS. 2A-B, proper insertion of the slide 96 into the opening of guideway 86 is assured when the slot 114 s aligned with the hem 74 so that the hem 74 can be inserted into the slot 114. Note that .• en the hem 74 is inserted into the slot 114 the bottom prong 110 is trapped between the unαer s de of the hem 74 and the top panel 26.

Of course, the guide 102 can have other shapes v thout departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the guide 102 can have only two prongs as shown m FIGS. 11 and 13B. In this case, the top prong 104 of guide 102 is attached to an underside 116 in a variety of ways, such as screwing, riveting or snapping into place. Once the hem 74 is inserted into the slot 114, slide 96 will automatically be inserted into the opening of - li ¬ the guideway 86. As shown in the intermediate open position of FIGS. 2A-B, the door 28 is positioned above and substantially parallel to the top panel 26. At this position, the hem 74 and the slide 96 are engaged by the slot 114 and the guideway 86, respectively, such that the door 28 is unable to pivot and so the door 28 is prevented from unexpectedly closing.

At the intermediate position, the door 28 is then pushed at end 118 so that the door 28 slides above the top panel 26 to an open and retracted position as shown in FIG. 3B. The slot 114, thus, acts to guide the door 28 during its translational movement above the top panel 26 and helps to lessen excessive racking of the door 28 when it is slid toward or away from the retracted position.

Note that various configurations between the ne " and the top panel 26 are possible. For example, as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the side wall 24 and channel track 62 can be integrated and shapeα so that the top panel 26 s positioned below the hem 74. In the embodiment of FIG. 17, integrated side wall 24 and channel track 62 are shaped so that the top panel 26 is parallel to the hem 74.

It is also possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention to provide a door 28 which pivots about a vertical axis positioned near a side wall 24 of cabinet 20. In such an emoodiment, the door 28 pivots towards the s de wall 24 nearest tne vertical axis until the αoor 28 is parallel to the side wall 24. The door 28 is tnen retracted parallel to the exterior side of the side wall 24. In such an embodiment, the flipper door mechanism would be similar to that shown in FIGS. 1-14 except that those components in the emboαiment of FIGS. 1-14 attached to the side wall 24 and the top panel 26 would be interchanged so that they are attached to top panel 26 and side wall 24, respectively. Operation of the above described invention is best understood upon a review of FIGS. 1-3. As shown in FIGS. 1A-B, the door 28 is positioned at a closed position where items located within interior space 32 are inaccessible. Access to the items is accomplished by grabbing and lifting up the end 118 of the door 28. This results in the door 28 pivoting about a horizontal axis to an intermediate open position shown in FIGS. 2A-B where the door 28 is substantially parallel to the top wall 26. During the pivoting to the intermediate open position shown in FIGS. 2A-B, the hem 74 and the slide 96 are not inserted in the slot 114 and the opening of the guideway 86, respectively. Thus, translational movement of the door 28 relative to the top wall 26 is prevented during the pivoting of the door 28. However, when the hems 74 of walls 24 and the slide 96 are aligned with and inserted into the slot 114 and the guideway 86, respectively, the door 28 is horizontally pushed at the end 118 so that it slides above and parallel to the top wall 26 to the retracted and open position as shown m FIGS. 3A- B. The guideway 86 and the guide 112 prevent the door 28 from pivoting during the translational movement. At the retracted position of FIG. B, the cabinet 20 is open and the αoor 28 is located in an area that is exclusive of the interior space 32. Closing of the cabinet 20 is accomplished by reversing the steps mentioned above.

The foregoing αescription s provided to illustrate the invention, and is not to be construed as a limitation. Numerous additions, substitutions and other changes can be made to the invention without departing from its scope as set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

WE CLAIM :

1. A flipper door mechanism for allowing a door of a cabinet to be moved from a closed position to an open position comprising:

a cabinet comprising:

a side wall comprising a hem; and

a top panel attached to said side wall;

the flipper door mechanism further comprising: a door having a guide with a slot;

a movement device attached to said top panel and said door, wherein said movement device comprises a pivoting device to allow said door to be pivoted from said closed position to said open position, and a sliding device that allows said door at said open position to translationally move relative to said top panel to a retracted position that is located above said top panel, and

wherein at said open position said hem is inserted into said slot so as to guide said door during said

translational movement.

2. The flipper door mechanism of claim 1, wherein said hem is substantially perpendicular to said side wall

3 . The flipper door mechanism of claim 2, wherein at said open position said slot is aligned with said hem.

4 . The flipper door mechanism of claim 1, wherein at said open position said door is positioned substantially parallel to said top panel.

5. The flipper door mechanism of claim 1, wherein at said closed position said door is substantially perpendicular to both said side wall and said top panel .

6. The flipper door mechanism of claim 1, wherein said guide is U-shaped.

7. The flipper door mechanism of claim 6, wherein said slot faces said side wall.

8. The flipper door mechanism of claim 1, wherein said pivoting device comprises a hinge.

9. The flipper door mechanism of claim 8, wherein said movement device comprises a slide that is attached to said door and is able to move relative to said door.

10 . The flipper door mechanism of claim 1 , wnerein said top panel is below said hem.

11. The flipper door mechanism of claim 1, wherein said top panel is parallel to said hem.

12. The flipper door mechanism of claim 2, wherein said top panel is below said hem.

13. The flipper door mechanism of claim 2, wnerein said top panel is parallel to said hem.

14. The flipper door mechanism of claim 1, wherein said door pivots about a horizontal axis.

15. A flipper door mechanism for allowing a door to be moved from a closed position to an open position comprising:

a frame having a hem, wherein said frame defines an interior space;

a door having a guide with a slot; a movement device attached to said frame and said door, wherein said movement device comprises a pivoting device to allow said door to be pivoted from said closed position to said open position, and a sliding device that allows said door at said open position to translationally move relative to said frame to a retracted position

exclusive of said interior space; and

translational movement.

16. The flipper door mechanism of claim 15, wherein said hem is substantially perpendicular to said side wall.

17. The flipper door mechanism of claim 15, wherein at said open position said door is positioned above said top panel.

18. The flipper door mechanism of claim 15, wherein at said open position said door is positioned substantially parallel to said top panel.

19. The flipper door mechanism of claim 15, wnerein said guide is U-shaped.

20. The flipper door mechanism of claim 19, wherein said slot faces said frame.

21. The flipper door mechanism of claim 19, wherein said door pivots about a horizontal axis.

22. The flipper door mechanism of claim 19, wherein said door pivots about a vertical axis.

23. A flipper door mechanism for allowing a door to be moved from a closed position to an open position comprising:

a first side wall comprising a hem;

a second side wall comprising a second hem, wherein said first side wall and said second side wall define a space therebetween;

a top panel attached to said first side wall and said second side wall;

a door between said first side wall and said second side wall and having a first guide with a slot and a second guide with a slot;

a movement device attached to said top panel and said door, wherein said movement device comprises a pivoting device to allow said door to be pivoted from said closed position to said open position, and a sliding device that allows said door to translationally move relative to said top panel to a retracted position that is located above said top panel; and

wherein at said open position said first hem is inserted into said slot of said first side wall and said second hem is inserted into said slot of said second side wall so as to guide said door during said translational movement.

24. The flipper door mechanism of claim 23, wherein said door pivots about a horizontal axis.

25. The flipper door mechanism of claim 23, wherein at said open position said door is above said top panel.

26. A method of operating a flipper door

mechanism for cabinet having a first wall and a second wall attached to a panel so as to define an interior space therebetween and a door movable from a closed position to an open position, said method comprising the steps of:

positioning said door at said closed position; pivoting said door so that said door is substantially parallel to said panel;

inserting said door into said first wall and said second wall; and

sliding said door parallel to said panel to a retracted position that is exclusive of said interior space.

27. The method of operating a flipper door mechanism of claim 26, wherein translational movement of said door relative to said panel is prevented during said pivoting step.

28. The method of operating a flipper door mechanism of claim 26, wherein pivoting movement of said door is prevented during said sliding step.

29. The method of operating a flipper door mechanism of claim 27, wherein pivoting movement of said door is prevented during said sliding step.

30. The method of operating a flipper door mechanism of claim 26, wherein said door slides above said panel during said sliding step.