Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02719834 2010-11-04
SLIDING DOOR SYSTEM FOR GLASS DOORS
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This patent is a divisional of Canadian Patent
Application 2,698,611, which is a divisional of Canadian
Patent Application No. 2,668,218, filed on June 4, 2009, by
the present applicant.
FIELD OF THE APPLICATION
[0002] The present application relates to sliding door
systems for glass doors, and more particularly to a roller
unit to support the glass door and allow the sliding motion
of the door.
BACKGROUND OF THE ART
[0003] Nowadays, glass and similar see-through or
translucent materials are used as structural components. In
that glass allows light to pass through, doors, walls and
structures made from glass represents an esthetic and
elegant solution. However, in these instances, the glass
components must have minimum thicknesses, as they serve a
structural function.
[0004] Accordingly, hinges and sliding door mechanisms
must be capable of handling the weight of movable components
(e.g., doors). On the other hand, due to the highly
esthetic value of glass doors and structures, and the fact
that they are often transparent, sliding door mechanisms
must be visually appealing.
SUMMARY OF THE APPLICATION
[0005] It is therefore an aim of the present disclosure
to provide a novel roller unit for use with glass sliding
door systems.
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[0006] It is a further aim of the present disclosure to
provide a sliding door system for glass doors that addresses
issues associated with the prior art.
[0007] Therefore, in accordance with the present
application, there is provided a structural transom for a
sliding door comprising: a glass panel body adapted to be
supported above an opening to define a structural transom
for a door; and at least one slot in the glass panel body,
the at least one slot being generally horizontal when the
glass panel body defines the structural transom, the at
least one slot having a height for receiving at least one
moving unit of a sliding door, and a length for allowing a
translation of the sliding door to open/close the opening by
movement of the at least one moving unit in the slot.
[0008] Further in accordance with the present
application, there is provided a sliding door system
comprising: a door made of a glass panel; at least one
roller unit connected to the door and projecting from a
plane of the glass panel of the door; and a structural
transom with a glass panel body adapted to be supported
above an opening to define a structural transom for the
door, with at least one slot defined in the glass panel
body, the at least one slot being generally horizontal when
the glass panel body defines the structural transom, the at
least one slot having a height for receiving a portion of
the roller unit such that the door is supported by the
structural transom, and a length for allowing a translation
of the door to open/close the opening by movement of the at
least one roller unit in the slot.
[0009] Further in accordance with the present
application, there is provided a roller unit for a sliding
door comprising: a connector assembly adapted to be secured
to a structure or to a door, the connector assembly
comprising a spindle; and an annular wheel body
operationally mounted to the spindle of the connector
assembly for rotation about the spindle, the annular wheel
body defined by a first wheel ring, a second wheel ring and
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a spacer between the first wheel ring and the second wheel
ring to define a pair of flanges separated by a groove on a
circumferential surface of the annular wheel body, the
circumferential surface defining a shape corresponding to
the shape of an edge portion of the door or structure
engaged in the annular wheel body by the spacer selected as
a function of a desired width of the annular wheel body, the
connector assembly being connected to one of the door and
the structure while the wheel receives an edge portion of
the other of the door and the structure, whereby the roller
unit holds the door and structure face to face while
allowing sliding movement of the door with respect to the
structure by rotation of the wheel about the spindle.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] Fig. 1 is a front view of a sliding door system in
accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0011] Fig. 2 is an exploded view of a roller unit of the
sliding door system of Fig. 1, with a spacer;
[0012] Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the roller unit of
Fig. 2, without a spacer;
[0013] Fig. 4 is a side elevation view of a glass sliding
door supported by the roller units of Fig. 2, with a
transom-supported door; and
[0014] Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a glass sliding
door supported by the roller units of the sliding door
system of Fig. 1, with a slot-supported door.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0015] Referring to the drawings and more particularly to
Fig. 1, a sliding door system in accordance with the present
disclosure is generally shown having a pair of sliding doors
made of glass panels, or any other suitable panel
material, or any combination of see-through or translucent
materials and structural materials (e.g., wood, metal). The
sliding doors 10 translate to open/close an opening in a
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structure 11, in the directions shown by A. The structure
11 is typically made of glass panels as well, but may also
consist of any other suitable materials or combination of
materials.
[0016] The doors 10 are top-hung by roller units 12 to a
transom 14. The transom 14 may be part of the structure 11,
and typically made of glass panels as well, but may also
consist of other materials. The transom 14 is secured to
the structure 11 by connectors 16, above a door opening
defined by the structure 11. Although the transom 14 is
illustrated as being supported by three of the connectors
16, more or fewer connectors 16 may be used.
[0017] In Fig. 1, the doors 10 are each shown supported
by a set of four roller units 12. However, any appropriate
number of roller units 12 may be used to support a sliding
door. Moreover, the roller units 12 are not restricted to
being used with a top-hung sliding door as in Fig. 1, as
will be described hereinafter. For instance, the roller
units 12 may support a bottom edge of sliding panels,
amongst other possibilities.
[0018] Referring concurrently to Figs. 2 and 3, one of
the roller units 12 is shown in greater detail. The roller
unit 12 has a connector assembly rotatably supporting a
wheel. The roller unit 12 has an end cap 20. The end cap
20 is visible when the roller unit 12 is assembled to a
door, whereby the end cap 20 may have any appropriate
ornamental features: paint, finish, ornaments. Moreover,
the end cap 20 may have other shapes than that of a disk.
[0019] Referring to Fig. 3, a shoulder 21 may be defined
between a circumferential surface of the end cap 20 and one
of its two circular surfaces. The shoulder 21 receives an
O-ring, as will be described hereinafter.
[0020] A neck 22 projects from one of the circular
surfaces of the end cap 20, and is on the same side as the
shoulder 21. The neck 22 has a tapped bore 23, preferably
not extending through the cap 20. In the illustrated
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embodiment, the neck 22 and the tapped bore 23 are
concentric with the end cap 20.
[0021] Referring to Figs. 2 and 3, another end cap 30 is
provided on the opposed end of the roller unit 12. The end
cap 30 is visible when the roller unit 12 is assembled to a
door, whereby the end cap 20 may have any appropriate
ornamental features. The end cap 30 has a neck 31, and a
spindle 32 projecting concentrically form the neck 31. The
neck 31 and spindle 32 are preferably concentric with the
end cap 30. The spindle 32 has a tapped bore 33.
[0022] The rolling components of the roller unit 12 are
positioned between the end caps 20 and 30. The end caps 20
and 30 define the visible face portions of the roller
units 12.
[0023] Referring to Figs. 2 and 3, the roller unit 12 has
a middle disk 40. The middle disk 40 has a pair of necks 41
on opposite circular surfaces. A shoulder 42 may be defined
between a circumferential surface of the middle disk 40 and
one of the two circular surfaces. The shoulder 42 receives
an 0-ring, as will be described hereinafter.
[0024] A tapped throughbore 43 passes through the necks
41. Alternatively, each neck 41 may have an own tapped
bore. The tapped throughbore 43 is concentric with the
necks 41.
[0025] In order to secure the roller unit 12 to a bore in
a structural panel or in a door, the end cap 20 and middle
disk 40 are positioned on opposite sides of the bore, in
such a way that the necks 22 and 41, respectively, enter
into the bore and may contact one another. O-rings 50 are
placed in the shoulders 21 and 42 beforehand, whereby the
circular surfaces of the disks 20 and 40 do not come in
direct contact with the structural panel. Moreover, the
O-rings 50 are preferably made of a soft resilient material,
to generally dampen transmission of vibrations between the
panel and the roller unit 12. The O-rings 50 also prevent
water infiltration between the disks 20 and 40 and the
structural panel. The O-rings or like rings of resilient
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material may be received in grooves on the circular surfaces
alternatively to the shoulders 21 and 42.
[0026] A threaded rod 51 interconnects the disks 20 and
40. In the embodiment of Fig. 3, the middle cap 40 has a
throughbore 43, whereby the threaded rod 51 also
interconnects the end cap 30 to the middle disk 40. Other
constructions are also considered. For instance, the middle
disk 40 may be optionally in the connector assembly.
Moreover, the connector assembly may consist of any other
means that is securable to a door or structure, with a
spindle to rotatably support a wheel.
[0027] Referring to Figs. 2 and 3, a wheel 60 of the
roller unit 12 is between the end cap 30 and the middle disk
40. The wheel 60 has a bearing 61, which may be any
suitable type of bearing (e.g., roller bearing, ball
bearing), and preferably of rolling-element bearing as
opposed to sleeve bearings. Alternatives to rolling-element
bearings may be used as well, such as annular rings of low-
friction materials (e.g., PTFE) and the like. The bearing
61 is mounted on the spindle 32 of the end cap 30, although
the spindle 32 could be integral with the middle disk 40 as
well.
[0028] A first wheel ring 62 has an annular body and is
positioned adjacent to the end cap 30 when the roller unit
12 is assembled. The wheel ring 62 has a cylindrical
surface portion 63 and a flared surface portion 64. The
flared surface portion 64 is positioned adjacent to the end
cap 30 when the roller unit 12 is assembled. An inner
shoulder 65 projects radially inwardly from the flared
surface portion 64, in the opening of the wheel ring 62.
The inner shoulder 65 is provided to define a seat in the
wheel ring 62 for the bearing 61. Tapped bores 66 are
defined in an axial surface of the wheel ring 62, and are
used to connect a second wheel ring 67 to the first wheel
ring 62.
[0029] Referring to Figs. 2 and 3, the second wheel ring
67 has an annular body and is positioned adjacent to the
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middle disk 40 when the roller unit 12 is assembled. The
wheel ring 67 has a flared surface portion 68. Countersink
holes 69 are defined axially through the wheel ring 67, and
are spaced apart so as to be in register with the tapped
bores 66. Accordingly, with appropriate fasteners (e.g.,
with a countersunk head), the first wheel ring 62 and the
second wheel ring 67 are secured to one another. An inner
diameter of the wheel ring 67 is similar to that of the
inner shoulder 65, and smaller than an outer diameter of the
bearing 61, whereby the bearing 61 is held captive in the
first wheel ring 62.
[0030] As shown in the embodiment of Fig. 2, a spacer 70
may be provided to increase the width of the wheel 60. The
spacer 70 has a cylindrical ring body having an outer
diameter similar to that of the cylindrical surface portion
63 of the first wheel ring 62. The width of the wheel 60 is
selected as a function of the thickness of the panels.
Axial throughbores 71 are defined in the spacer 70, to allow
the connection of the first wheel ring 62 and the second
wheel ring 67 with fasteners, as described above.
[0031] The wheel 60 therefore has the shape of a sheave,
with the flared surface portions 64 and 68 acting as
flanges, and the cylindrical surface portion 63, and
optionally the spacer 70 forming the groove between the
flanges. Accordingly, when a panel having the appropriate
shape is in contact with the wheel 60, it is held captive by
the sheave shape.
[0032] Although a modular construction of the wheel 60 is
described, it is pointed out that the wheel 60 may be an
integral piece (e.g., cast, machined, or the like).
However, the modular construction allows the wheel 60 to be
adapted to various thicknesses of panels (e.g., 6 mm to
25 mm), by simply selecting appropriate spacer width.
Accordingly, the modular construction addresses inventory
issues. It is pointed out that through the description,
reference is made to tapped bores and throughbores. This
includes self-tapping bores.
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[0033] Now that the examples of construction of roller
units have been described, a use of the roller units 12 in a
door system is set forth.
[0034] Referring to Fig. 4, the door 10 is shown top-hung
by roller units 12 on the transom 14. In the side view of
Fig. 4, only two of the roller units 12 are visible,
although more of the roller units 12 may be used (e.g., as
shown in Fig. 1). There is provided roller units 12 for
contact with an upper edge of the transom 14, and roller
units for contact with a lower edge of the transom 14.
[0035] For esthetic and practical reasons, it is
preferred that the door 10 be as close as possible to the
structural panel 11. In the transom-supported configuration
of Fig. 4, it is the thickness of the transom 14 that
defines the gap between the door 10 and the structural panel
11. In order to minimize the width taken by the transom 14
between the door 10 and the structural panel 11, the top and
bottom edge surfaces of the transom 14 have a given shape.
More specifically, the top and bottom edge surfaces of the
transom each have beveled edge surfaces, namely a sequence
of a longitudinal slanted edge surface 14A (i.e., a beveled
edge), a longitudinal flat edge surface 14B, and another
longitudinal slanted edge surface 14C (i.e., another beveled
edge).
[0036] Referring concurrently to Figs. 3 and 4, when the
roller units 12 contact the transom 14, the cylindrical
surface portion 63 of the roller units 12 is in contact with
the flat edge surface 14B, and optionally with the spacer 70
if a spacer 70 is present in the roller units 12. The
roller unit 12 is selected as a function of the thickness of
the transom 14, and more particularly as a function of the
width of the cylindrical surface portion 63. Therefore, the
flared surface portions 64 and 68 of the wheel 60 are
against the slanted edge surfaces 14A and 14C when the
roller units 12 are top-hung to the transom 14. It is
however observed that the slanted edge surface 14A projects
beyond the flared surface portion 64. The gap between the
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slanted edge surface 14A and the structural panel 11
accommodates a portion of the end cap 30.
[0037] Therefore, in the embodiment of Figs. 3 and 4, the
horizontal thickness of the portion of the transom 14 that
features the slanted edge surface 14A is at least equal to
the combined width of the flared surface portion 64 and the
end cap 30. This ensures a minimum gap between the door 10
and the structural panel 11.
[0038] Similarly, the horizontal thickness of the portion
of the transom 14 that features the slanted edge surface 14C
is at least equal to the combined width of the flared
surface portion 68 and the end disk 20. An additional space
may be provided for a head of the connectors 14C, if
necessary, as shown in Fig. 4. This construction allow the
minimization of the gap between the door 10 and structural
panel 11.
[0039] Referring to Fig. 5, an alternative embodiment is
shown in which the door 10 is top-hung by the roller units
12 to a slot 11A in the structural panel 11. The slot 11A
preferably has slanted edge surfaces, as was described for
the top and bottom edge surfaces of the transom 14 (Figs. 3
and 4). Therefore, the gap between the door 10 and the
structural panel 11 is even further reduced with the
configuration of Fig. 5.
[0040] In the embodiments of Figs. 4 and 5, the roller
units 12 roll on the edge surfaces of the transom 14
(Fig. 4) or the slot 11A (Fig. 5) . The door 10 moves in a
translational fashion, which is referred to as a sliding
movement. Therefore, even if roller units 12 are used
causing a rotational movement transmission, the door 10 is
referred to as a sliding door. It is considered to install
a magnetic layer on the rolling edge surfaces of the transom
14 (Fig. 4) or the slot 11A (Fig. 5), to facilitate the
translational movement of the door 10. Moreover, despite
the fact that top-hung solutions are illustrated, it is
considered to use the roller units 12 in other door-
supporting configurations.
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