Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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LOCK AND SEAL SYSTEM FOR SLIDING DOORS
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. The Field of the Invention
[0001] Implementations of the present invention relate generally to systems
and
components for sealing and locking doors, including sliding doors for use with
modular
walls.
2. Background and Relevant Art
[0002] Office space can be relatively expensive, not only due to the basic
costs
of the location and size of the office space, but also due to any construction
needed to
configure the office space in a particular way. For example, an organization
might
purchase or rent a large open space in an office complex, and then subdivide
or partition
the open space into various offices, conference rooms, or cubicles, depending
on the
organization's needs and size constraints. Rather than having to find new
office space
and move as an organization's needs change, it is often necessary to have a
convenient
and efficient means to reconfigure the existing office space. Many
organizations
address their configuration and reconfiguration issues by dividing large, open
office
spaces into individual work areas using modular walls and partitions.
[0003] In particular, at least one advantage of modular systems is that they
are
relatively easy to configure. In addition, another advantage is that modular
systems can
be less expensive to set up, and can be reconfigured more easily than more
permanently
constructed office dividers. For example, a set of offices and a conference
area can be
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carved out of a larger space in a relatively short period of time with the use
of modular
systems. If needs change, the organization can readily reconfigure the space.
[0004] In general, modular office partitions typically include a series of
individual wall modules (and/or panels). The individual wall modules can
either be
free-standing or rigidly attached to one or more support structures. In
addition, the wall
modules are typically designed so that they can be assembled together to form
a range
of different configurations. In particular, a manufacturer or assembler can
usually align
and join the various wall modules together in almost any particular design,
and then
secure the design in place with any number of fasteners. These designs can
include
anything from large conference spaces to individual offices. A "finished" look
is
generally completed by adding gaskets or trim pieces in the joints between
wall
modules.
[0005] One will appreciate that modular wall systems may also include door
openings to allow a person to enter and exit rooms or other enclosures defined
by the
modular wall systems. Closure apparatuses, such as doors, can facilitate
opening and
closing the door openings. In some cases, a manufacturer or designer will opt
for a
conventional swinging door, while in other cases, the manufacturer might opt
for a
sliding door configuration, whether for various aesthetic or space-saving
purposes.
[0006] As will be appreciated, it is often desirable to isolate rooms and
other
enclosures created by modular systems from light and/or sound from outside
sources.
Gaps associated with doors, however, are often difficult to seal because doors
open and
close, and lack a static location to seal. This tends to be true for sliding
doors used in
modular wall systems as well in that gaps between a sliding door and a movable
wall
panel may be difficult to seal.
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[0007] In the past, modular wall system manufacturers have placed astragal or
other sealing beads along the lead edge of sliding doors to provide a seal
between the
sliding door and a surface with which the sliding door comes into contact when
closed,
whether that contact is with another door or a movable wall. Although this
approach
may provide a successful seal along the lead edge of the sliding door when the
door is
closed, it does not provide a seal elsewhere around the perimeter of the
sliding door,
and it requires the door to be fully closed to function properly. Furthermore,
such
sealing devices remain visible when the door is open, and may be unsightly.
[0008] One will appreciate that regardless of the type of door used, it is
often
desirable to secure doors in an open or closed position. For example, one may
wish to
secure a door in a closed position in order to secure a room and any articles
contained
therein. One will also appreciate that securing doors and spaces in a modular
wall
system presents a particularly difficult challenge due to the reconfigurable
and non-
permanent nature of the modular wall system. For example, it may be difficult
to
secure a sliding door used in conjunction with a modular wall system if the
sliding door
does not interface with a permanent structure.
[0009] To address the need to secure doors used in modular wall systems,
conventional modular wall systems incorporate latches that may be located
along the
top or bottom of the sliding door. The latches may engage features in the
floor or
ceiling, such as holes. In order to engage the latch, the person must either
reach down
to turn a thumb lock (or similar device) along the bottom of the door, or
reach up to the
top of the door to engage a similar mechanism. In addition to being difficult
to engage,
such devices often do not provide a secure and stable position for the door.
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[0010] Accordingly, these are a number of difficulties with securing and
sealing
doors in modular environments that can be addressed.
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BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] Implementations of the present invention overcome one or more
problems in the art with systems, methods, and apparatuses configured to
provide
flexibility in the design of modular wall systems including sliding doors. In
particular,
implementations of the present invention provide for aligning and locking a
sliding door
in place, while simultaneously providing a non-obtrusive sealing mechanism
between
the door and other components.
[0012] For example, a locking system is provided including a sliding door
having one or more receiving channels. The receiving channels can be
configured to
receive a pin extending from a support surface. The sliding door can further
comprise a
locking mechanism configured to selectively capture the pin when received by
the
receiving channel. In at least one implementation, the operating means of the
locking
mechanism can be located near a standard handle location to facilitate
operation of the
locking mechanism by a user. As a result, a user can operate the locking
mechanism to
capture the pin within the receiving channel and thereby secure the sliding
door in a
closed position.
[0013] In addition, a sealing system, in accordance with an implementation of
the present invention, for sealing a gap between a modular wall and an
adjacent sliding
door can include a sliding door coupled to the modular wall. The sliding door
can be
configured to open and close a doorway in the modular wall. In at least one
implementation, the sliding door can define one or more transverse gaps
between the
sliding door and the modular wall. In particular, the transverse gaps can be
perpendicular to the direction of travel of the sliding door. A gasket seal
can be coupled
to the modular wall and configured to seal the transverse gaps.
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[0014] A further implementation can include a method of providing a locking
and sealing system for a sliding door. In particular, the method can include
identifying
a doorway in a modular wall system and coupling a sliding door to the doorway,
for
opening and closing the doorway. The sliding door can include one or more
receiving
channels. The receiving channels can be configured to receive a pin extending
vertically from a support surface. In addition, the sliding door can include a
locking
mechanism configured to selectively drive a shaft to capture and release the
pin when
received by the receiving channel. In at least on implementation of the
present
invention, the method can include attaching the pin to a support surface
proximate the
doorway. In addition, the pin can be configured to engage the receiving
channel of the
sliding door when the sliding door is in a closed position. In a further
implementation,
the method can include coupling a gasket seal to a modular wall. The gasket
seal can be
configured to seal one or more transverse gaps between the sliding door and
the
modular wall when the sliding door is in a closed position.
[0015] Additional features and advantages of exemplary implementations of the
invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will
be obvious
from the description, or may be learned by the practice of such exemplary
implementations. The features and advantages of such implementations may be
realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinations
particularly
pointed out in the appended claims. These and other features will become more
fully
apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned
by the
practice of such exemplary implementations as set forth hereinafter.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] In order to describe the manner in which the above-recited and other
advantages and features of the invention can be obtained, a more particular
description
of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to
specific
embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings.
Understanding
that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are
not
therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will be
described and
explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the
accompanying
drawings in which:
[0017] Figure 1 illustrates an elevation view of a lock and seal system for
sliding doors in accordance with an implementation of the present disclosure;
[0018] Figures 2A illustrates a first step of the operation of a locking
system in
accordance with an implementation of the present disclosure;
[0019] Figures 2B illustrates a second step of the operation of a locking
system
in accordance with an implementation of the present disclosure;
[0020] Figures 2C illustrates a third step of the operation of a locking
system in
accordance with an implementation of the present disclosure;
[0021] Figures 2D illustrates a final step of the operation of a locking
system in
accordance with an implementation of the present disclosure; and
[0022] Figure 3 illustrates a partial cross sectional view of a sealing system
in
accordance with an implementation of the present disclosure.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0023] The present invention extends to systems for locking and sealing
sliding
doors in a modular wall enviromnent. In particular, implementations of the
present
invention provide for aligning and securing a sliding door (or "barn door") in
place,
while simultaneously providing a non-obtrusive sealing mechanism between the
door
and other components.
[0024] As will be more fully understood herein, the sliding door of the system
can include a receiving channel configured to receive a pin. An assembler can
couple
the pin of the system to a support surface proximate the door, such as a floor
or ceiling.
In addition, the system can include a locking mechanism configured to capture
a pin
that has engaged the receiving channel in order to secure the sliding door in
a closed
position. The locking mechanism can include an operating means located at a
standard
door handle height, so that a user can conveniently lock and unlock the door
without
having to bend down or reach up to engage the locking mechanism.
[0025] In addition, the system can include a means for sealing a gap between a
sliding door and other components. For example, the system can include a
sealing
gasket configured to seal a gap between the sliding door and an adjacent
modular wall.
The sealing gasket can be integrated into an existing component, such as a
connecting
extrusion configured to connect a vertical trim to a modular wall, thereby
reducing the
quantity of parts required for the entire assembly. In addition, the sealing
gasket can be
attached to the modular wall, rather than the door itself, which can improve
the
aesthetics of the system, as well as provide the functional benefit of an
improved light
and sound barrier between modular spaces separated by the sliding door.
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[0026] Referring now to the Figures, Figure 1 illustrates an elevation view of
a
locking and sealing system 100 according to at least one implementation of the
present
invention. As shown in Figure 1, the locking and sealing system 100 can be
practiced
in an architectural design environment including one or more modular walls
110. One
will appreciate that an assembler/manufacturer of modular wall systems may
desire to
include a doorway 120 in a modular wall 110 so as to allow exit and entry into
a
modular space defined, at least in part, by the modular wall 110. In order to
improve
the aesthetics of the doorway 120, an assembler/manufacturer can include
framing
components such as vertical trim 122 coupled to the exposed vertical edges of
the
modular wall 110 and/or a doorframe header 124 spanning the upper portion of
the
doorway 120.
[0027] As further illustrated in Figure 1, an assembler can associate a
sliding
door 130 with the doorway 120. In particular, the assembler can configure the
sliding
door 130 to open and close the doorway 120 as desired by a user of the system
100. To
facilitate opening and closing the sliding door 130, the assembler can couple
a door pull
132 to a left or right side of the sliding door 130 with respect to the
doorway 120.
Accordingly, a user can operate the door pull 132 to open and close the
sliding door 130
as desired.
[0028] To further facilitate opening and closing the sliding door 130, the
system
can include a mounting track 126 coupled to the modular wall 110 and/or
doorframe
header 124. An assembler can then insert the mounting hardware (not shown) of
the
sliding door 130 into the mounting track 126 in order to couple the sliding
door 130 to
the mounting track 126. In at least one implementation, an
assembler/manufacturer can
configure the mounting track 126 for sliding the sliding door 130 along the
mounting
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track 126 in order to open and close the doorway 120. For example, in at least
one
implementation, the mounting track 126 can include a roller track configured
to receive
and allow travel along the mounting track 126 of rollers coupled to the
sliding door 130.
[0029] In the illustrated example of Figure 1, the sliding door 130 has a left
"handed" configuration. In other words, a user operates the door pull 132
located on
the left side of the sliding door 130 and slides the sliding door 130 from
left to right to
open the sliding door 130. One will appreciate, however, that an assembler or
manufacturer can practice the present invention using a door with either a
left or right
handed door configuration.
[0030] As shown in Figure 1, the system 100 can include a pin 138 extending
from a support surface proximate the doorway 120. In the illustrated example,
the pin
138 extends from a support surface of the floor. One will appreciate, however,
that the
pin 138 can extend from any nearby support surface, such as that of a ceiling.
In
addition, in at least one implementation, the pin 138 can extend from the
mounting track
126 itself. Accordingly, although Figure 1 illustrates the receiving channel
136 being
located along the bottom edge of the sliding door 130 to coincide with the
location of
the pin 138 on the support surface of the floor, one will appreciate that the
receiving
channel can be located at any location along an edge of the sliding door 130
to
correspond with the location of the pin 138. For example, a manufacturer can
locate the
receiving channel 136 near the top edge of the sliding door 130 if the pin 138
is
configured to extend from the mounting track 126 or from a support surface of
the
ceiling. In any event, a manufacturer can form the pin 138 using any number of
materials, including metallic and plastic materials. In at least one
implementation, for
example, a manufacturer can form the pin 138 using an alloy steel.
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[0031] Figure 1 further illustrates that a manufacturer can configure the pin
138
to engage a receiving channel 136 associated with the sliding door 130. In at
least one
implementation of the present invention, the pin 138 engages the receiving
channel 136
when the sliding door 130 is in a closed position. An assembler can further
configure
the pin 138 and the receiving channel 136 to achieve a desired alignment of
the sliding
door 130 when the sliding door 130 is in a closed position.
[0032] In at least one implementation, the system 100 can further comprise a
locking mechanism 140 coupled to the sliding door 130. In particular, a
manufacturer
can configure the locking mechanism 140 to capture the pin 138 once it engages
the
receiving channel 136. As a result, a user can secure the sliding door 130 in
a closed
position by sliding the sliding door 130 until the pin 138 engages the
receiving channel
136 and then operating the locking mechanism 140 to capture the pin 138 within
the
receiving channel 136.
[0033] The locking mechanism 140 of the present invention can comprise an
operating means. In at least one implementation, the operating means comprises
a pin
tumbler lock 141, also known as a key tumbler lock. In particular, as
illustrated in
Figure 1, a manufacturer can locate the pin tumbler lock 141 of the locking
mechanism
140 at a location near the door pull 132 of the sliding door 130 so as to
facilitate
operation of the locking mechanism 140 by a user.
[0034] In at least one implementation, the assembler can couple the pin
tumbler
lock to a tie rod (not shown) extending from the location of the pin tumbler
lock 141 to
a point near the receiving channel 136. As a result, a manufacturer can couple
the tie
rod to a shaft (e.g., 142, Figures 2A-2D) configured to capture and release
the pin 138.
Accordingly, once the pin 138 engages the receiving channel 136, a user can
operate the
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locking mechanism 140 to lower the shaft and prevent the pin 138 from
disengaging the
receiving channel 136, thereby securing the sliding door 130 in a closed
position.
[0035] Although the system 100 illustrated in Figure 1 is configured for
securing the sliding door 130 in a closed position, one will appreciate that a
manufacturer can alternatively configure the system 100 to secure the sliding
door 130
in an open position if desired. For example, the manufacturer can locate the
receiving
channel 136 and the pin 138 on the opposite side of the sliding door 130 with
respect to
the doorway 120, and further configure the pin 138 to engage the receiving
channel 136
when the sliding door 130 is in an open position.
[0036] As previously mentioned, a manufacturer can configure the system 100
to include multiple pins 138 and receiving channels 136 on opposite sides of
the sliding
door 130 such that the sliding door 130 can be secured in either an open or
closed
position with respect to the doorway 120. Furthermore, a manufacturer can
include pins
138 near a top and bottom of the doorway 120 to simultaneously engage multiple
receiving channels 136 near a top and bottom of the sliding door 130. To
facilitate the
use of multiple receiving channels 136, the locking mechanism 140 can further
comprise multiple tie rods extending from the operating means to the multiple
receiving
channels 136 in order to capture and release multiple pins 138. In a further
embodiment, the sliding door 130 can include multiple locking mechanisms 140
to
interact with the multiple receiving channels 136 and pins 138.
[0037] These and other components/mechanisms for locking the sliding door
130 are shown in greater detail in Figures 2A-2D. For example, Figures 2A-2D
illustrate step by step views of a pin 138 engaging the receiving channel 136
of a sliding
door 130. In particular, Figure 2A illustrates a receiving channel 136 of a
sliding door
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130 prior to engaging a pin 138. In at least one implementation, and as
illustrated by
Figure 2A, the sliding door 130 can include an end cap 135 coupled to a corner
or end
of the sliding door 130. In turn, the end cap 135 can include the receiving
channel 136
formed therein. As is further illustrated by Figure 2A, the receiving channel
136 can
include chamfered or radiused edges 137 to help guide a pin 138 or other
protrusion
into engagement within the receiving channel 136. For example, radiused or
chamfered
edges provide a larger initial opening of the receiving channel 136 for easily
receiving
the pin 138. The radiused or chamfered edges can then gradually narrow to the
ultimately desired width of the receiving channel 136, thereby guiding the pin
138 into
engagement with the receiving channel 136.
[0038] Figure 2B illustrates the pin 138 in alignment to engage the receiving
channel of the sliding door 130. As is illustrated, the exterior dimensions of
the pin 138
can be similar to the interior dimensions of the receiving channel 136. For
example, the
outside diameter and height of the pin 138 can be similar, albeit smaller
than, the width
and height of the receiving channel 136. As a result, the pin 138 and
receiving channel
136 can securely interface together to secure the position of the sliding door
130.
[0039] Thereafter, and as illustrated in Figure 2C, a user can slide the
sliding
door 130 forward such that the pin 138 engages the receiving channel 136. In
at least
one implementation, the pin 138 engages the receiving channel 136 when the
door has
reached its fully closed position.
[0040] As illustrated by Figure 2D, once the receiving channel 136 receives
the
pin 138, a user can activate the locking mechanism (e.g., 140, Figure 1) to
capture the
pin 138 and secure the sliding door 130. In particular, the user can activate
the locking
mechanism (e.g., 140, Figure 1) causing a shaft 142 to drop down and capture
the pin
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138 within the receiving channel 136. By capturing the pin 138 within the
receiving
channel 136, the locking mechanism (e.g., 140, Figure 1) can secure the
sliding door
130 in a closed position.
[0041] In at least one implementation, and referring again to Figure 1, a
manufacturer can locate the operating means of components of the locking
mechanism
140 near a location common for locating a handle or door pull 132 to
facilitate
operation of the locking mechanism 140 by a user. For example, the locking
mechanism 140 can include a standard and commonly available component such as
a
pin tumbler lock 141 located near the door pull 132. In at least one
implementation, the
pin tumbler lock 141 of the locking mechanism 140 can include an asymmetrical
cam
for driving additional components of the locking mechanism 140.
[0042] In particular, a manufacturer can couple the pin tumbler lock 141 of
the
locking mechanism 140 to a tie rod (not shown) extending from the pin tumbler
lock
141 to the receiving channel 136. In at least one implementation, the sliding
door 130
can include a cavity extending from the pin tumbler lock 141 to the receiving
channel
136, through which the tie rod can pass. As previously mentioned, in at least
one
implementation, the sliding door 130 can include multiple receiving channels
136
configured to receive multiple pins 138. In such a case, the sliding door 130
can further
comprise multiple cavities extending from the pin tumbler lock 141 to the
receiving
channels 136. In turn, the locking mechanism 140 can include multiple tie rods
extending through the cavities to the receiving channels 136.
[0043] As a result, an assembler can further couple a tie rod to a shaft 142
for
driving the shaft 142. In at least one implementation, the shaft 142 has a
hexagonally-
shaped cross section and includes threading at one end for attachment to the
tie rod.
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The hexagonally-shaped cross section of the shaft 142 allows a manufacturer to
configure the shaft 142 so that a flat, rather than rounded, surface of the
shaft 142
interfaces with the pin 138 to securely capture the pin 138 within the
receiving channel
136. Furthermore, a manufacturer can configure the shaft 142 to pass through a
hexagonally-shaped housing or hole (not shown) so as to maintain the
orientation of the
shaft 142 with respect to the receiving channel 140 and pin 138.
[0044] Accordingly, a user can operate the pin tumbler lock 141 of the locking
mechanism 140 to drive the tie rod, which in turn drives the shaft 142. By so
doing, the
user is able to capture and release a pin 138 within the receiving channel
136. As
previously discussed, this allows the user to secure and release the sliding
door 130 in
an easy, reliable, and efficient manner.
[0045] Figure 1 also illustrates a system for sealing a sliding door 130 in a
modular wall system. For example, Figure 1, the system can include one or more
gasket seals 129 for reducing/blocking the amount of light and sound passing
through
the doorway 120 when the sliding door 130 is in a closed position. In
particular, a
manufacturer can configure the gasket seal 129 to seal a gap between the
sliding door
130 and other components, such as the modular wall I10. As shown in Figure 1,
an
assembler can include the seal 129 along the entire height of the modular wall
110 to
provide a seal along the full height of the sliding door 130. In at least one
implementation, the system can also include a gasket seal 129 on each side of
a
doorway 120 so as to seal gaps on both sides of the sliding door 130.
[0046] These and other components/mechanisms for sealing the sliding door are
shown in greater detail in Figure 3. Figure 3 illustrates a partial cross-
sectional view of
a sliding door 130 in sealing contact with a modular wall I 10. In particular,
Figure 3
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illustrates the edge of a modular wall 110 where the modular wall 110 meets a
doorway
120. As shown, the sliding door 130 defines a transverse gap between the
modular wall
110 and the sliding door 130. Specifically, the gap is perpendicular to the
direction of
travel of the sliding door 130.
[0047] As further illustrated by Figure 3, an assembler can couple vertical
trim
122 to the edge of the modular wall 110 for improving the aesthetics of the
doorway
120. Specifically, an assembler can connect the vertical trim 122 to the
modular wall
110 using one or more connectors 128a-b (or "connecting extrusions"). In at
least one
implementation of the present invention, a manufacturer can configure the
connectors
128a-b to engage with a standard detail on a connection plate 112 of the
modular wall
110, and with a similar detail on the vertical trim 122.
[0048] One will appreciate that the connection plate 112 can be an integrated
part of the modular wall 110, or can be a separate component. In at least one
implementation of the present invention, the connection plate 112 extends
along the full
height of the modular wall 110 and/or doorway 120.
[0049] In general, a manufacturer/assembler can repeat the connection of the
connection plate 112 of the modular wall I 10 and the vertical trim 122
multiple times
from the bottom to the top of the modular wall 110, depending on the height of
the
modular wall 110 and/or the need for stability. In at least one
implementation, a
manufacturer/assembler can continuously connect the connectors 128 to the
connector
plate 112 and/or the vertical trim 122 along the full height of the modular
wall 110.
[0050] After coupling a sliding door 130 to the doorway 120, as illustrated by
Figure 3, the manufacturer/assembler can then seal the gaps between the
modular wall
I 10 and sliding door 130 for various privacy concerns, such as light and
sound, in any
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number of ways. As shown in Figure 3, the manufacturer/assembler can include a
gasket seal 129 to seal the gap between the sliding door 130 and the modular
wall 110
when the door is in a closed position. As a result, the manufacturer/assembler
can
provide an acoustical and/or light seal between the modular wall 110 and the
sliding
door 130 as desired.
[0051] As further illustrated by Figure 3, the gasket seal 129 can be
integrated
into one of the connectors (e.g., 128b). By integrating the gasket seal 129
into an
already necessary part, such as the connector 128b, a manufacturer can reduce
the
number of parts necessary to assemble the system while still providing an
acoustical
and/or light seal around the sliding door 130. In addition, by locating the
gasket seal
129 in a non-obtrusive location, such as coupled directly to the modular wall
110 rather
than directly to the sliding door 130, the manufacturer/assembler can provide
the
acoustical and/or light seal desired while maintaining the aesthetics of the
system 100.
[0052] Along these lines, Figure 3 shows that the connector 128b can include
the integrated gasket seal 129 as an extended feature on one side of the
connector 128b.
Otherwise, connector 128b can be similar to standard connector 128a. In either
case,
the gasket seal 129 can include a closed cell portion 129a that interfaces
with the
surface of the sliding door 130 for sealing the gap between the sliding door
130 and the
modular wall 110. The closed cell portion 129a, which is illustrated as being
triangular
in Figure 3, can also be generally circular in shape. Although Figure 3 only
illustrates
one side of the doorway 120, one will appreciate that a manufacturer/assembler
can
install the gasket seal 129 along the vertical edges of the modular wall 110
on both sides
of the doorway 120. As a result, the manufacturer/assembler can provide a seal
on both
sides of the sliding door 130.
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[0053] In at least one implementation, the material used to manufacture the
gasket seal 129 comprises any number of flexible plastic, rubber, or metallic
materials.
However configured, the manufacturer chooses the flexible material to optimize
a seal.
For example, the manufacturer can configure the gasket seal 129 to maintain a
seal
between the modular wall 110 and the sliding door 130 through the sliding
door's 130
travel into a closed position. In at least one implementation, a manufacturer
can form
the gasket seal 129, particularly the closed cell portion 129a of the gasket
seal 129,
using a flexible PVC material, while the the connectors 128 are formed using a
rigid
PVC material.
[0054] In addition to the foregoing, implementations of the present invention
can also be described in terms of one or more steps in a method of
accomplishing a
particular result. For example, at least one implementation of the present
invention
comprises a method of providing a locking and sealing system for a sliding
door. This
method is described more fully below.
[0055] For example, at least one method in accordance with the present
invention can comprise an act of determining a doorway to be locked and
sealed. This
act can include identifying a doorway in a modular wall system. For example,
an
assembler can identify a doorway 120 in a modular wall 110.
[0056] The method can also comprise an act of mounting a sliding door to the
doorway. This act can include coupling a sliding door to the doorway, wherein
the
sliding door is configured to open and close the doorway. In particular the
sliding door
comprises one or more receiving channels. Each receiving channel is configured
to
receive a pin extending vertically from a support surface. The sliding door
also
comprises a locking mechanism configured to selectively drive a shaft to
capture and
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release the pin, when received by the receiving channel, to secure and release
the door.
For example, an assembler can mount a sliding door 130 to a roller track 126
coupled to
the upper portion of the doorway 120, such that sliding the sliding door 130
along the
roller track 126 opens and closes the doorway 120. The sliding door 130 can
include a
receiving channel 136 along a bottom edge of the sliding door 130, configured
to
receive a corresponding pin 138. The assembler can further include a locking
mechanism 140 configured to capture the pin 138 when received by the receiving
channel 136 to secure the sliding door 130 in a closed position.
[0057] In addition, the method can comprise an act of coupling a pin to a
support structure. This act can include attaching a pin to a support surface
proximate
the doorway, wherein the pin is configured to engage the receiving channel of
the
sliding door when the sliding door is in a closed position. For example, an
assembler
can couple the pin 138 to the floor's surface so that it engages the receiving
channel 136
when the sliding door 130 is closed.
[0058] Furthermore, the method can comprise an act of installing a gasket seal
around the doorway. This act can include coupling a gasket seal to a modular
wall,
wherein the gasket seal is configured to seal one or more transverse gaps
between the
sliding door and the modular wall when the sliding door is in a closed
position. The
gaps sealed by the gasket seal are perpendicular to the direction of travel
for the sliding
door. For example, an assembler can use connector 128b, including an
integrated
gasket seal 129, to couple the vertical trim 122 to the connector plate 112 of
the
modular wall 110. As a result, the gasket seal 129 can seal the transverse gap
between
the sliding door 130 and the modular wall 110.
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CA 02634410 2008-06-06
[0059] The present invention can be embodied in other specific forms without
departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described
embodiments are to
be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The
scope of the
invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the
foregoing
description. All changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency
of the
claims are to be embraced within their scope.
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