ADAPTIVE THRESHOLD FOR SLIDING DOORS

Abstract

The patent consists of a flap which can be employed for covering the cavity corresponding to the lower profile of a sliding window when the sash opens. Said system subsequently allowing automatic withdrawal of said flap in a side-by-side position and not interfering with the sliding of said door during closing: said automatic withdrawal thus taking place in correspondence with the sliding in the opposite direction of the same door. This double synchronized movement with opening and closing of said sliding door favors the crossing of the threshold by users but above all by wheelchairs, trolleys, pushchairs and similar. The system object of the patent proposal is based on a mechanism controlled directly by the sliding of said sliding door which allows the automatic movement of said flap from a first horizontal position covering the frame track to a second lateral position next to the sliding door and vice versa.

Claims

1. Adaptive threshold for sliding door (5) equipped with at least one sliding leaf (6); said sliding door (6) being capable of passing from an open position (OPEN) to a closed position (CLOSE) by sliding along a track (4) housed in the lower profile (3) of said sliding door (5) said flap (1) being capable of passing from a first horizontal position to said adaptive threshold including at least one flap (1) used to cover a second lateral and inclined position alongside said sliding leaf (6) and being capable of returning by gravity to said first horizontal position; said flap (1) being guided by the movement of said sliding door (6) by means of a leverage (7) housed within a unit (8) applied to the side of said lower profile (3); said leverage (7) further comprising: at least one contact hook (11) anchored to the lower part of said sliding leaf (6) and dragged during said opening (OPEN) and closing (CLOSE) movements; a translatory motion converter into rotational motion (13) used to intercept the motion of said contact hook (11) and transfer it to a crank connecting rod converter (16); an axis (17) provided at the end with a connection terminal (19) comprising a slot (20); said axle (17) being connected to said crank connecting rod converter (16) and being able to slide along at least two support brackets (18); a bush (21) provided with lateral return springs (22), (23); said bush being keyed on said axis (17) in an intermediate position between two of said support brackets (18); a boomerang connecting rod (24) connected at its first end with said slot (20) and at its second end with a pin (26); said pin being positioned at rest under the seat of said flap (1) when arranged horizontally.

2. Adaptive threshold according to claim 1 wherein said crank rod converter (16) determines a traction pulse on said axis (17) when said sliding leaf (6) slides towards said closed position (CLOSE).

3. Adaptive threshold according to claim 1 in which said crank rod converter (16) determines a thrust pulse on said axis (17) when said sliding leaf (6) slides towards said opening position (OPEN).

4. The adaptive threshold according to claim 1 wherein said boomerang connecting rod (24) rotates about a fulcrum (25) and vertically lifts said pin (26) when said axis (17) is subjected to traction.

5. Adaptive threshold according to claim 1 wherein said first end of said boomerang connecting rod (24) slides within said slot (20) when said axle (17) is pushed.

6. Adaptive threshold according to claim 1 wherein said contact hook (11) is anchored to said lower part of said sliding leaf (6) by means of a plate (12) equipped with vertical adjustment means (11a) and horizontal adjustment means (12a).

7. Adaptive threshold according to claim 1 wherein said translational to rotational motion converter (13) includes a lever (14) capable of pivoting about a fulcrum (15); said lever (14) being provided with means for vertical realignment.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0020] Further characteristics and advantages of the proposed technical solution will be more evident in the following description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment, represented, by way of non-limiting example, in the 6 attached tables of drawings wherein:

[0021] FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show in section and side view the elements of the system represented in equilibrium configuration with system at rest, horizontal flap and open sliding door;

[0022] FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 are sectional and side views of the elements of the system shown during closing of the door with corresponding tilting of the flap into a position favorable for sliding of the door;

[0023] FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 represent in section and in side view the elements of the system during the opening of the door with the corresponding fall of the flap due to gravity.

[0024] It should be noted that the aforementioned attached figures illustrate only some possible embodiments of the system, in order to better understand the advantages and characteristics described. These embodiments are therefore to be understood as purely illustrative and not limiting to the inventive concept for which protection is requested.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0025] With reference to the attached drawings, the adaptive threshold system for sliding doors according to the invention is shown.

[0026] Said system comprising a flap (1) used to cover the cavity (2) of the lower profile (3) with track (4) of a sliding door (5); said profile with track being used to guide and facilitate the sliding of at least one sliding door (6) capable of moving between an opening (OPEN) and a closed (CLOSE) position. Said folding flap (1) being operated by means of a leverage (7) contained in a unit (8) having a shape preferably similar to said lower profile (3) of said sliding door (5) and applicable contiguously to the same and, if necessary, recessed with respect to at floor level (9); said leverage (7) being actuated and piloted by the translation motion of said leaf (6) during the common opening (OPEN) and closing (CLOSE) operations of the sliding door (5). Said system allowing to close by gravity and automatically said flap (1) on said profile (3) with rail (4) during the opening of the door (6) and to tilt said flap (1) by means of a pin (26) in when closing the leaf (6) in order to avoid obstructing the sliding of said leaf. Said flap (1) closing on said profile (3) and therefore on the cavity (2) containing said track (4) of the sliding door (5) by simple gravity and overturning in an adjacent and lateral position (therefore not interfering) if said sliding door (6) slides on said track (4) in the act of closing the sliding door (5) and regardless of how this closure is determined (manually or motorized). Said synchronism being determined as anticipated by a suitable leverage (7) which allows during the closing phase of the sliding door (5) to convert the kinetic energy of said leaf (6) into a mechanical impulse which overturns said flap and places it in a position side and alongside the sliding door (6). Said leverage (7) then allowing the gravity fall of said flap (1) if said sliding door (6) returns to an open position. Said leverage (7) comprising: [0027] 1. An accessory element (10) made integral with said sliding door (6) and used to exploit the translational motion of said door (6) and transfer it to the actuation mechanism of the flap (1). Said accessory element (10) comprising a contact hook (11) adjustable in height (11a) integral with a plate (12) for hooking to said door (6), said plate (12) being equipped with left and right adjustment means (12a). These adjustments being useful not only to facilitate the application of the system on existing leaves but also to regulate the excitation of the overall system by the sliding leaf (hook point, intensity of the impulse generated on contact). [0028] 2. An element (13) for converting translational motion into rotary motion consisting of a transfer lever (14) normally in a vertical position and capable of rotating around a central fulcrum (15); said lever (14) being used to intercept the motion of said contact hook (11) and converting the translational motion of the leaf (6) into a rotary motion used to operate the remaining part of the leverage (7). This transfer between the leaf (6) and the leverage (7) taking place in both directions of the translational motion of the leaf (6) as it slides along the track (4),: [0029] during the closing phase of the sliding leaf when there is an anti-clockwise rotation of the transfer lever (14) with respect to the fulcrum (15) [0030] during the opening phase of the sliding leaf (6) when there is a clockwise rotary movement of the lever (14) with respect to the fulcrum (15). [0031] 3. A motion converter of the crank rod type (16) connected to said transfer lever (14) and further to an axis (17) supported by suitable brackets (18); said axis (17) being capable of sliding within said brackets (18) and moving left to right and vice versa in correspondence with the movement of said connecting rod converter. Said crank rod converter (16) being used to convert the clockwise and counterclockwise rotary motion of the transfer lever (14) into a translational thrust and traction motion of the axle (17) respectively. Said axle (17) comprising at its opposite end (opposite to the crank connecting rod converter) a connection terminal (19) with the remaining part of the leverage; said connection terminal (19) being characterized by a slot (20). [0032] 4. A bush (21) keyed on said axis of movement (17) and on the sides of which there are two springs (22), (23); said springs and said keyed bushing (21) being positioned between two of said axle (17) support brackets (18) so that, as a result of the aforementioned opposite thrust and traction movements of the axle, a first spring (22) goes respectively to compress and the second spring (23) to expand (and vice versa). This alternating and reversible compression and rest mechanism of the springs (22), (23) taking place in correspondence with each of the two directions of translational motion of the axis (17) and thus causing each of said movements (dx sx and vice versa) a reaction contrary to the translation motion of the axis (17) which tends, in the absence of the stimulus provided by the sliding of the leaf, to bring the overall mechanical system back towards a point of equilibrium. Said stimulus being limited in time since it is limited by the short contact time between said contact hook (11) and said transfer lever (14) during the opening and closing phases of the sliding leaf. Said system of springs (22), (23) in push-pull proving particularly useful for restoring the balance of the system whenever the stimulus that the opening or closing of the leaf (6) produces on the leverage (7) ceases.

[0033] 5. A so-called boomerang connecting rod (24) hinged to a fulcrum (25) and connected at one end to the slot (20) of said terminal (19) and connected to its other end to a thrust pin (26) vertical; said boomerang connecting rod (24) being able to rotate with respect to said fulcrum (25) when solicited by a traction movement of the axle and due to the effect of this rotation and its specific shape, lift said pin (26) upwards by push; this impulsive movement (of the duration of the brief stimulus originally imposed by the dragging of the door (6) on the transfer lever (14) causing the impulsive lifting of the pin (26) and the overturning of the flap (1) in an upright position and alongside the sliding door (6) in a position that does not interfere with the sliding of said door.

[0034] As a consequence of the structure described above, the operation of the device can easily be traced back to two states of equilibrium: [0035] Flap (1) lowered to cover the cavity (2) containing said rail (4) in order to facilitate the crossing of the threshold; this condition occurs when the sliding door (5) is fully opened; [0036] Flap (1) in vertical position of stable balance and more precisely in a position alongside the leaf (6) during its sliding during the closing and opening phase of the sliding door (5) or when the leaf (6) is at slide in the portion of the track (4) intended to be covered by the flap (1).

[0037] Furthermore, the device according to the proposed patent is characterized by two transition moments between said equilibrium states; [0038] The flap (1) falls due to gravity when the sliding door (5) is fully opened; [0039] The flap (1) is lifted by the thrust pin (26) by means of the leverage (7) by the closing action of the sliding leaf (6) and, particularly, in correspondence with the counterclockwise actuation of the transfer lever (14) when the contact hook (11) integral with said sliding door (6) intercepts said transfer lever (14) during the closing phase of the sliding door (5).

[0040] Finally, with reference to the overall functioning of the system, it should be noted that while the closing motion of the sliding leaf (6) produces the lifting of the pin (26), the closing motion does not generate thrust (which would be harmful to the system) but rather favors the repositioning in a lowered and non-interfering position of the pin (26) itself.

[0041] This happens because the traction phase of the axle (17) consequent to the counterclockwise rotation of the transfer lever (14) takes place in a direct kinematic chain, with immediate passage of the thrust to the pin (26) while the expansion phase consequent to the clockwise rotation Di said lever (14) is attenuated by the sliding of the terminal (19) with respect to the boomerang connecting rod (24) thanks to the presence of the slot (20). Said sliding preventing the transfer of motion to the pin (26). Said slot (20) and in particular its length being therefore sized to obtain this effect and not actuate the pin (26) which on the contrary can return to its withdrawn position due to the effect of the aforementioned springs (22), (23) which, as mentioned, have the system in equilibrium when any excitation received by the leverage (7) ceases in both directions, both during the opening and during the closing of the sliding door (5).

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0042] While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, some preferred embodiments have been shown in the drawings and described in detail in the preceding paragraph. It is to be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific embodiment illustrated, but, on the contrary, it is intended to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents which fall within the scope of the invention such as defined in the attached claims.

[0043] Use of for example, etc., or preferably indicates non-exclusive alternatives without limitation unless otherwise indicated.

[0044] In particular, the invention may be implemented with technical equivalents, with supplementary materials or devices suitable for the purpose and the field of application.

[0045] Conformation and sizing of the constituent parts and of the products made to implement the solution the solution may vary in an appropriate manner, but consistent with the proposed solution.

[0046] By way of non-limiting example, it should be noted that the dimensions, geometric shapes of the parts involved, their reciprocal positioning and the specific shape and some functions of the system may be further varied: the general layout may in fact be revisited without leaving the ambit of the claimed patent depending on the type of installation and window, said adaptations being required by the field of application and reasonably not available and not even foreseeable at the time of writing of this patent application but nevertheless easily achievable according to the prior art

[0047] In any case, said necessary modifications to the system object of the invention and to its characterizing parts, inclusive of adjustments and sizing suitable for the single installation, will be deducible by an adequately trained technician in the sector and without leaving the scope of protection of the claimed patent. Furthermore, the system can be adapted and possibly expanded to provide further and additional services and further equipped with systems and accessories to integrate its operation and increase its potential and areas of use such as for example remote control systems and automatic or motorized activation. Finally, the Applicant reserves and claims the right to protect the invention even if partially implemented.