A MOUNTING ASSEMBLY FOR A SLIDING DOOR
20250188778 ยท 2025-06-12
Inventors
- Eric Charles MACKAY (Hamilton, NZ)
- Jonathon James GEE (Hamilton, NZ)
- Lorne Richard MACKAY (Hamilton, NZ)
Cpc classification
International classification
Abstract
An assembly for mounting a door to a rail to move between open and closed positions, the assembly including a carriage, a mounting plate configured to be mounted to the top of the door, a pin extending between the carriage and the mounting plate, a connection member attached to or formed with the pin to connect the pin to the mounting plate, the connection member comprising a head and a neck, wherein the mounting plate has a slot, the slot including a lower portion and an upper portion, the upper portion dimensioned to receive the neck and the lower portion dimensioned to receive the head, and wherein the head is too wide to be received in or pass through the upper portion so that in use the door hangs from the mounting assembly with the mounting plate bearing on the head of the connection member.
Claims
1. An assembly for mounting a door to a rail to move between open and closed positions, the assembly comprising: a carriage; a mounting plate configured to be mounted to the top of the door; a securing plate configured to attach to the mounting plate; a pin extending between the carriage and the mounting plate; and a connection member threadably attached to the pin to adjustably connect the pin to the mounting plate, the connection member comprising a head, a neck and a nut portion; wherein the mounting plate includes an open ended slot, the slot comprising a lower portion and an upper portion, the upper portion dimensioned to receive the neck and the lower portion dimensioned to receive the head, and wherein the head is too wide to be received in or pass through the upper portion so that in use the door hangs from the mounting assembly with the mounting plate bearing on the head of the connection member, and further wherein the securing plate comprises an open ended slot and wherein, when the securing plate is attached to the mounting plate, the slot in the securing plate is aligned with the slot in the mounting plate so as to form a closed slot which receives the connection member, and wherein one or more sidewalls of the slot in the securing plate are configured to engage with the nut portion to prevent rotation of the connection member in use.
2. The assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein a height of the head is commensurate with a height of the lower portion of the slot.
3. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mounting plate comprises a pair of tabs at an end of the mounting plate, the tabs spaced apart to present an entry or alignment slot aligned with the lower portion of the slot.
4. The assembly as claimed in claim 3, wherein the entry slot has the same width as the lower portion of the slot.
5. The assembly as claimed in claim 3, wherein the height of the tabs is the same as the height of the lower portion of the slot.
6. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the assembly comprises a locking member to lock the securing plate to the mounting plate.
7. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the securing plate has a slot to receive the connection member, lateral sides of the securing plate slot engaging one or more said flat surfaces on the nut portion on the connection member to prevent rotation of the connection member relative to the securing plate.
8. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connection member is attached to the pin by a threaded engagement to provide for height adjustment of the door.
9. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the carriage comprises a chassis and the assembly comprises a joint between the chassis and the pin to allow the pin to pivot relative to the chassis.
10. The assembly as claimed in claim 9, wherein the joint allows for the pin to pivot or rotate relative to the chassis.
11. The assembly as claimed in claim 10, wherein the joint allows for the pin to pivot or rotate relative to the chassis about a pivot axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the pin and parallel to the rail.
12. The assembly as claimed in claim 9, wherein the chassis comprises a socket, and the pin comprises a ball at an upper end received in the socket to form the joint.
13. The assembly as claimed in claim 12, wherein a pair of diametrically opposed members are provided between the ball and chassis on a central axis of the ball perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the pin.
14. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the carriage comprising a chassis and one or wheels rotationally mounted to the chassis.
15. A two-part mounting and securing plate assembly, for hanging a door carriage assembly which includes a connection member, the two-part mounting comprising: a mounting plate which includes an open ended first slot, and an open ended second slot, configured to receive the door carriage assembly; a securing plate, which includes an open ended securing slot which is configured to: connect to the top of a slider door; and overlay, at least partially, with the mounting plate so the open ended second slot, and the open ended securing slot align to create a closed ended slot or aperture; wherein the securing slot has sides and a terminal end thereof which are adapted to in-use engage with and prevent rotation of a connection member.
16. The two-part mounting assembly of claim 15, wherein the open ended first slot and/or the open ended second slot on the mounting plate are positioned substantially centrally on the mounting plate.
17. The two-part mounting assembly of claim 16, wherein the securing slot is positioned substantially centrally on the securing plate.
18. The two-part mounting assembly of claim 15, wherein the connection member comprises a hex nut, which engages with a threaded carriage pin.
19. The two-part mounting assembly of claim 15, wherein the securing plate is configured to engage with an upper surface and a lower surface of the mounting plate.
20. A securing plate, which includes an open-ended securing slot which is configured to, in use: connect to the top of a slider door; and overlay, at least partially, with the mounting plate so the open ended second slot, and the open-ended securing slot align to create a closed ended slot or aperture; wherein the securing slot has sides and/or a terminal end thereof which are adapted to in-use engage with and prevent rotation of a connection member.
21. A securing plate as claimed in claim 20, wherein the connection member includes a nut portion.
22. A securing plate as claimed in claim 21, wherein the securing member includes sides and/or a terminal end which engage and hold a nut portion on a connection member therein.
23. A use of securing plate as claimed in claim 20 to rotate the nut portion forming part of a connection member to adjust the height at which a carriage assembly supports a sliding door.
24. A connection member which includes, a nut portion, a head and a neck which joins the nut and head; wherein a threaded aperture passes through the nut, head and neck; and wherein the lateral dimensions of the head are greater than those of the nut portion which are greater than those of the neck.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0073] One or more embodiments of the invention will be described below by way of example only, and without intending to be limiting, with reference to the following drawings, in which:
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0085] A cavity sliding door assembly 100 is shown in
[0086] A mounting assembly 1 for mounting the door 101 to the rail 103 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown in
[0087] The mounting assembly 1 comprises a carriage to carry the door along the rail. The carriage has wheels 2. The wheels 2 engage the rail 103 to roll (slide) along the rail 103. The carriage has a chassis 3 to which the wheels are rotationally mounted. The illustrated embodiment has two pairs of wheels. The wheels are mounted on axles 25 extending through the chassis 3. Other carriage configurations are possible, for example there may be one or more wheels and alternative wheel mounting arrangements, and/or the carriage may comprise alternative sliding elements.
[0088] The assembly 1 comprises a mounting plate 4 configured to be attached to the top edge of the door. A carriage pin 5 extends between the carriage chassis 3 and the mounting plate 4, to connect the door 101 to the carriage 3 to slide on the rail 103. The mounting plate 4 has apertures 6 to receive fasteners (not shown) therethrough to attach the plate 4 to the top of the door.
[0089] An upper end of the pin 5 is received in a socket 7 within the chassis. The pin 5 comprises a ball 8 at the upper end, to be received in the socket 7. As best shown in
[0090] The use of a ball-and-socket mounting arrangement may advantageously allow for multi-axial rotation of the door relative to the cavity and carriage to which is it mounted, for example the ball-and-socket arrangement may allow for longitudinal tilting of the door, i.e. in the axis of movement of the door, together with lateral movement of the door, i.e. perpendicular to the axis of movement of the door. This arrangement may advantageously allow for self-centering of the door within the cavity, (for example by way of free lateral movement) as well as allowing for each end of the door to be mounted to the carriage separately. For example, a first end of a door, may be lifted and the door mounting hardware attached, while the opposing end of the door remains at rest on the ground. Accordingly, the engaged end of the door may be higher, than the opposing end of the door, which is at rest on the ground. Once attached, the second end of the door may be raised and connected to the mounting hardware thereby levelling out the door within the cavity. This can advantageously reduce the total weight that an installer may need to lift, reduce the number of people required to mount the door, may the mounting system better suited for frail people, or those with disabilities and/or reduce the likelihood of heath and safety incidents occurring during installation, such as the door falling onto the user's toes and feet.
[0091] A pair of diametrically opposed members (grub screws) 10 are provided to the ball 8 on a central axis of the ball perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the pin 5. The members 10 are received in complementary recesses or grooves 11 provided to the chassis 3 adjacent the socket 7 to restrict movement of the pin 5 relative to the chassis 3 to pivot or rotate about a pivot axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the pin 5, i.e. about a horizontal axis. The pivot axis is parallel to a longitudinal axis of the rail 103 and/or is in a plane of the door 101 in use. Other joint arrangements may be provided to connect the pin 5 to the chassis 3 while allowing for the door 101 to pivot relative to the rail 103 about an axis parallel to a longitudinal axis of the rail.
[0092] The assembly further comprises a connection member 12 attached to or formed with the pin 5. The connection member 12 connects the pin 5 to the mounting plate 4 to thereby couple the door 101 to the carriage.
[0093] The mounting plate 4 is best illustrated in
[0094] To insert the connection member 12 into the slot 13, the head 12a is vertically aligned with the wider lower portion 13a of the slot 13. The connection member 12 is moved along the open ended slot 13 to receive the head 12a of the connection member 12 in the lower portion 13a of the slot and the neck 12b of the connection member 12 in the narrow upper portion 13b of the slot, to couple the pin 5 to the mounting plate 4, as shown in
[0095] In the illustrated embedment, the slot 13 is open ended, i.e. the opening is provided through an end of the mounting plate 4, to allow the connection member 12 to be inserted into the slot 13 from an end of the mounting plate 4, for example from an open end of the slot.
[0096] In the illustrated embodiment, the mounting plate comprises a set of low-profile opposing arms which are directly mounted to the top of the door in use using fasteners inserted through apertures 6. This configuration can reduce the overall height profile of the mounting system allowing for a smaller gap between the top of the door and the carriage, and therefore a more compact, and less visible mounting system. Furthermore, by directly mounting the arms to the top of the door via fasteners in the apertures 6 means the loading weight of the door may be directly transferred through the fasteners, reducing the stresses imparted to the mounting plate 4 which may result in deformation of the mounting plate over time.
[0097] In the illustrated embodiment, the mounting plate 4 has a pair of tabs 14 at an end of the mounting plate 4. The tabs 14 are spaced apart to present an entry or alignment slot 15 also referred to herein as a first open ended slot. The first open ended slot 15 is aligned with the lower portion 13a of the slot 13. The entry slot has the same width as the lower portion 13a of the slot 13. In the illustrated embodiment, the height of the tabs 14 is the same as the height of the lower portion 13a of the slot 13. To insert the neck 12b of the connection member 12 into the upper portion 13b of the slot 13, the head 12a is initially placed in the entry slot 15 (with the neck 12b above the tabs 14). The connection member 12 can then be moved along the entry slot 15 to then move the head 12a into the lower portion 13a of the slot and the neck 12b into the upper portion 13b of the slot, to connect the mounting place 4 to the carriage. Thus, the entry slot 15 forms a guide, to align the connection member 12 in a horizontal direction with the slot 13 so that the neck 12b and head 12a are easily received into the 13 slot (the connection slot) of the mounting plate 4.
[0098] In the illustrated embodiment, the height of the head 12a is commensurate with (matched to) the height of the lower portion 13a of the connection slot 13, so that the head 12 is configured to engage a surface immediately below the lower portion 13a of the slot 13 to vertically align the head 12a with the lower and the neck 12b with the upper portion of the slot. In the illustrated embodiment, the upper portion 13b of the slot extends through an upper surface of the mounting plate 4 and the lower portion 13a of the slot extends through a lower surface of the mounting plate 4. In use, with the mounting plate 4 mounted to a top of the door 101, the top edge of the door provides a surface immediately below the lower portion 13a of the slot 13. To insert the connection member 12 into the slot 13, the head 12a of the connection member may be placed against the top edge of the door, i.e. by lifting the door 101 to contact the head 12. The connection member 12 can then be moved along the top edge surface of the door 101 until the head and neck are received in the lower and upper portions 13a, 13b of the slot. Thus, the configuration of the mounting plate assists with aligning the connection member with the mounting plate slot in a vertical direction.
[0099] The mounting assembly further comprises a securing plate 16. The securing plate is best illustrated in
[0100] The assembly 1 comprises a locking member 18 in the form of an M4 6 mm screw to lock the securing plate 16 to the mounting plate 4. The illustrated embodiment has an aperture 17a in the mounting plate and a corresponding aperture 17b in the securing plate 16, refer
[0101] With the securing plate 16 positioned on the mounting plate 4 to capture the connection member 12, the aperture 17b of the securing plate 16 is aligned with the aperture 17a on the mounting plate 4. As shown in
[0102] The locking member 18 is a pin or rod that is configured to be dropped into the aligned apertures 17a, 17b. A screw type fastener may be used as the pin or rod, as illustrated in
[0103] The illustrated embodiment has an aperture 17a, 17b adjacent each longitudinal edge of each of the mounting plate 4 and the securing plate 16 so that there the aperture 17a, 17b to receive the locking member 18 is accessible from each side of the door 101 for easy access by an installer. A locking member 18 may be provided to one pair of aligned apertures 17a, 17b only.
[0104] The mounting plate 4 comprises a recess 19 to receive a corresponding projection 20 of the securing plate 16, to couple the securing plate 16 to the mounting plate 4 in a vertical direction. With reference to
[0105] Additionally, projection 20 on the underside of the securing plate 16 has lateral side wall dimensions (shown by double headed arrow X in
[0106] Accordingly, in the illustrated examples the securing plate is configured to engage with an upper surface portion 4U of the mounting plate, and a lower surface of the mounting plate via recesses 19, in use.
[0107] The mounting plate and securing plate assembly has a height of, or around, 10.25 mm as shown by double headed arrow Z in
[0108] With reference to
[0109] The securing plate 16 comprises a feature to engage a complementary feature on the connection member 12 to prevent the connection member 12 from rotation relative to the securing plate 16 and therefore the mounting plate 4. For example, the connection member may comprise a hex nut, or other suitable fastener head which can be rotated in use to adjust the height of the door. Rotation of the carriage and carriage pin 5 relative to the rail 103 about a vertical axis is largely prevented by engagement between the carriage and the rail 103, with the carriage received on the rail 103. Further, the door 101 is largely prevented from rotation relative to the rail 103 about a vertical axis by members (refer members 104 in
[0110] The securing plate 16 presents lateral surfaces 23A and converging surfaces 23B, such as sides and ends of the securing slot 24 to in use engage a diametrically opposed flat surfaces 22A on the nut portion 22 of the connection member 12 to prevent rotation of the connection member 12 relative to the securing plate 16. The lateral surface 23 of the securing plate 16 engages a flat 22 of the hex on the connection member 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the securing plate 16 has a recess or slot 24 herein referred to as a securing slot, which is configured to receive the connection member 12 when the securing plate 16 is attached to the mounting plate 4. Lateral sides 23 of the securing plate slot 24 engage diametrically opposed flats 22 on the connection member 12 to rotationally couple the connection member 12 to the securing plate 16 to prevent relative rotation therebetween. In the illustrated embodiment, a closed end of the securing plate slot 24 is configured to engage two flats 22 on the connection member 12. Thus, in the illustrated embodiment, the securing plate 16 engages four flats on the connection member 12 (as shown in
[0111] In use, the with the securing plate 16 installed, the connection member 12 is prevented from rotating, and as such the height of the door cannot sag or drop over time. Should a user wish to adjust the height of the door, they can simply remove the securing plate by removing the fasteners in the apertures 17b, and slide the securing plate away from the connection member, thereby disengaging the side and/or end walls of the securing slot 24 from the connection member, and allowing rotation of the connection member for adjustment.
[0112] It should be appreciated, that with the securing plate removed, the present technology, allows the height of the door to be adjusted, while the door remains connected to the carriage assembly. Accordingly, the securing plate 16 can be removed without affecting the positioning or attachment of the door. In other words, the mounting plate of the present technology is configured to take the full weight of the door, while adjustments are being made.
[0113] Components of the present invention including but not limited to the mounting plate 4, securing plate 16, pin 5, and connection member 12 are preferably constructed of a rigid material, such as a metal, or more preferably a steel such as stainless steel. The use of metals may advantageously improve the wear resistance, total loading supported by the door, and/or prevent failure over time, for example due to plastic degradation.
[0114] Embodiments of the present invention provide one or more of the following benefits: [0115] Installation of a sliding door to a rail is simplified and allows for a quick installation by a single person. Disassembly is correspondingly also simplified. [0116] The connection member on the carriage pin is easily aligned with the slot in a vertical direction by lifting the door to contact the top edge of the door with the connection member. [0117] The slot is open to an end of the mounting plate so that the connection member can be moved along the top of the door to be received into the open end of the slot. [0118] Height adjustment of the door relative to the door jamb is simply achieved by rotation of the connection member at the top of the door. [0119] The carriage pin is easily captured at the mounting plate by the installation of the securing plate. The securing plate is simply slid into place on the mounting plate. [0120] No tools are required to lock or attach the securing plate to the mounting plate. The securing plate is locked to the mounting plate by simply sliding the securing plate into place on the mounting plate and dropping a pin into the aligned apertures in the securing plate and mounting plate. [0121] A height adjustment thread is provided between the connection member and the pin, rather than between the pin and the ball of the ball joint at the carriage. This allows for a larger thread to be provided compared to a thread size that can be accommodated at the ball, and therefore provides a more robust connection of the door to the carriage. [0122] The engagement of the securing plate to the connection member prevents creep or vertical movement of the door over time. Accelerated life cycle testing has proven no change or creep in height setting of the door over 1 million cycles (500 thousand open/close operations). The door mounting arrangement is therefore expected to be largely maintenance free. [0123] A door mounting system which is suitable for being retrofit to existing doors, with minimum modifications to the door, which can be done in situ. [0124] A securing plate which attaches to the mounting plate both on an underside, and upper side of the mounting plate. Accordingly, in the event of a failure in the mounting plate, the securing plate can advantageously assist in retaining the connection member within the corresponding slots. For example, any stresses imparted to the securing plate may be transferred both to the door through the fasteners in apertures 6, as well as through the flanged projections 20A, and recesses 19.
[0125] Where in the foregoing description reference has been made to integers or components having known equivalents thereof, those integers are herein incorporated as if individually set forth.