TOP HUNG SLIDING DOOR SYSTEM FOR INTERIOR USE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a top hung sliding door system for interior use in which a slidable panel suspended by roller assemblies is slidingly moving along a rail fitted onto the top edge of one or more vertical fixed panels, the slidable panel moved either to an opened position for an entrance or a closed position for an entrance.

DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

Present day sliding doors consists of a fixed door panel and a movable door panel, built on rails affixed to the ground, the movable door panel move horizontally towards the fixed door panel to close and away from the fixed door panel to open. The movable door panel sits on one or more grooved, horizontal guide members shiftably receiving the lower margin of the movable door panel. In addition, there may be bearing elements acting as spacers to maintain the door out of engagement with the guide member and as silencers to minimize the sound associated with the sliding action of the door.

An example of a patent typically for sliding doors for interior use is US Patent No. 3 653 157. The sliding glass door assembly described therein has a

frameless glass panel with a pair of spaced bearing elements at its lower margin, the panel movable in a vertical plane and its lower margin retained in a longitudinal groove of a horizontal guide member. The bearing elements are proximal and bear against the side of the groove to keep the panel out of contact with the guide member and to minimize sound arising from movement of the panel.

Sliding doors such as those used between rooms can also be suspended from a hung beam. Such sliding doors consist of a fixed door panel and a movable door panel, the movable door panel hung from the beam. The construction of such sliding doors is similar to those of those sliding doors movable along the ground, as described in US Patent No. 3 653 157.

One drawback of such sliding door panels is the use of many parts and consequently more time is taken for the installation. Another drawback is the requirement for a strong support for the weight of the sliding door. A third drawback the possibility that the movable door panel would slip out of the rail guide from which the movable door panel is hung from or sits on.

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

The proposed top hung sliding door system for interior use consists of one or more vertical fixed panels and one or more slidable panels, which could be made of glass or other material. A rail is fitted into the top edge of the vertical fixed panel(s). Each end of the rail is connected at right angles to each end of

a vertical side of an opening or an entrance, A slidable panel, which forms a door, is connected by one or more roller assemblies, moving along the rail. The slidable panel is thus hung by the one or more roller assemblies in vertical plane adjacent to the vertical fixed panels. The slidable panel is slided open or close by operation of the roller assemblies sliding horizontally on the rail. It can be seen that the vertical fixed panel and the rail forms a T-girder structure which is very strong and rigid, the T-girder structure supporting the weight of the movable panel or panels.

The top hung sliding door system for interior use is simple in design and simple to construct, yet safe and strong. The top hung sliding door system also uses fewer parts for support and strength since most of the weight of the top hung sliding door system is supported through the T-girder structure formed by the vertical fixed panels and the rail.

By using more than one vertical fixed panels and one or more slidable panels, a multi-door system could be erected e.g. along a row of offices, the multi-door system being installed with a few entrances for use within an interior of buildings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A first object of the invention is a top hung sliding door system for interior use for at least one entrance comprising :- a vertical fixed panel having a top edge and a bottom edge, said bottom edge secured to the ground;

a rail fitted onto the top edge of the vertical fixed panel; a roller assembly movable along the rail; a slidable panel; such that the vertical fixed panel and the rail are aligned across the entrance to form a T-structure to support the slidable panel, said slidable panel suspended vertically by the roller assembly, and movable along the rail, the slidable panel movable to an opened position for the entrance or a closed position for the entrance.

A second object of the invention is to have a top hung multi-sliding door system having one or more entrances for interior use, the one or more entrances having a first vertical side and a second vertical side which extends from a floor, the top hung sliding door system consisting:- one or more vertical fixed panels, each vertical fixed panel having a top edge and a bottom edge secured onto the floor ; a rail with an upper surface and a bottom channel along its length, the entire length of the bottom channel fitted into the top edge of the one or more vertical fixed panels; one or more roller assemblies fitted onto the upper surface of the rail, one or more slidable panels, the slidable panels connected to and hung vertically by the one or more roller assemblies, the slidable panels aligned vertically adjacent to the one or more vertical fixed panels; the vertical fixed panels and rail are aligned across the entrance to form a T- structure to support the slidable panels;

characterized in that each slidable panel is moved from a closed position for an entrance when the slidable panel is between the one or more vertical fixed panels to an opened position for an entrance when the slidable panel is entirely adjacent to any one of the vertical fixed panels, the slidable panel moved to either the closed position or open position by operation of the one or more roller assemblies sliding horizontally and along the rail.

Preferably the slidable panel for a top hung sliding door system can be hung on either side of the rail, such that the slidable panel can be on either side of the vertical fixed panel.

Preferably the vertical fixed panel has a top edge and a bottom edge, the top edge fitted into the rail.

Preferably the bottom edge of the vertical fixed panel is received by a U channel installed onto the floor.

Preferably the vertical fixed panel has a first vertical side and a second vertical side, the first vertical side connected to the first vertical side of the entrance by one or more connectors.

Preferably a first vertical fixed panel has one of its vertical sides connected to the first vertical side of the entrance by one or more connectors and a second vertical fixed panel has one of its vertical sides connected to the second vertical side of the entrance by one or more connectors and a third or fourth vertical fixed

panels could be installed connected to the floor by the U channel and connected to the bottom inverted U channel of the rail.

Preferably, the rail is connected at right angles to the first vertical side by a first rail support and a second end connected at right angles to the second vertical side by a second rail support, the first and second rail supports secured on the first vertical side and the second vertical side of the entrance by bolts.

Preferably, the rail has a first end connected at right angles to the first vertical side and a second end connected at right angles to the second vertical side of the entrance.

Alternatively, the rail has a H-shaped cross section, the upper portion of the H- shaped rail receiving the roller assembly and the lower portion of the H-shaped rail fitted into the top edge of the vertical fixed panel.

Alternatively, the rail has a circular cross section, the upper portion of the circular cross section receiving the roller assembly and the lower portion of the circular cross section fitted into the top edge of the vertical fixed panel.

Preferably, the slidable panel is taller than the vertical fixed panel by an additional top margin.

Preferably the slidable panel is suspended by one or more roller assemblies, the slidable panel connected at right angles to one or more roller assemblies fixed at the additional top margin of the slidable panel.

Preferably the weight of the slidable panel rests on the rail, which takes support from the rigidity of the vertical fixed panel.

Preferably the door guide is aligned to guide the sliding movement of the slidable door panel from an opened position to a closed position or from a closed position to an opened position.

Additionally, there is a door guide installed as a middle door guide before the end of the second vertical side of the vertical fixed panel.

Alternatively, there are at least three door guides, a first door guide installed before the end of the first vertical side of the vertical fixed panel, a second door guide installed before the second vertical side of the entrance, and a middle door guide installed before the end of the second vertical side of the vertical fixed panel, the three door guides aligned to guide the sliding movement of the slidable panel from an opened position to a closed position or from a closed position to an opened position.

Preferably, each roller assembly is installed to the slidable panel by a T bolt, the T bolt inserted at right angles to the roller assembly.

Preferably, each roller assembly has an anti-dislodge guard, the anti-dislodge guard having an upper end and a lower end, the upper end connected to the end of the T bolt, and the lower end extending past the outer side of the rail, the lower end having an outer surface and an inner concave surface, the inner

concave surface covering the side edge of the rail, which acts to prevent any dislodgement of the slidable panel.

Preferably, the vertical fixed panel and slidable panel are made of glass.

Alternatively the vertical fixed panel and slidable panel are made of plastic material.

Preferably the rail is made of stainless steel.

Alternatively the rail is made of metal.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the invention, its advantages, and the objects attained by its use, reference should now be made to the accompanying drawings. The accompanying drawings illustrate one or more embodiments of the invention and together with the description herein, serve to explain the workings and principles of the invention.

Fig. 1 is a front view of the top hung sliding door system of a first embodiment of the invention, in a closed position.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the top hung sliding door system of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a typical cross section of the top hung sliding door system of the first embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 4 is a cross section view of the top hung sliding door system of the first embodiment of the invention, taken along the line 1 - 1.

Fig. 5 is cross section view of the top hung sliding door system of the first embodiment of the invention, taken along the line 2 - 2.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the top hung sliding door system of the first embodiment of the invention, when the slidable panel is opened slightly.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the invention, when the slidable panel is slided fully.

Fig. 8 is a cross section view of the first embodiment of the invention, when the slidable panel is slided fully open and adjacent to the vertical fixed panel, the view taken along the line 2 - 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A first embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig.1 is a front view of the first embodiment of the top hung sliding door system

1. The top hung sliding door system 1 in the first embodiment could be used as

a sliding door system for an opening in a confined place like a shower or could be used as an opening between rooms such as a sliding door system for a room in an office or in an apartment. The first embodiment describes herein has one vertical fixed panel 10 and one slidable panel 11. Typically the vertical fixed panel 10 is secured and rigidly connected to the side of the opening by panel connectors 14.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the first embodiment, showing the one vertical fixed panel 10 and the one slidable panel 11 forming the top hung sliding door system 1 in a closed position. Both panels can be made of glass or other material such as wood or plastic or fiber glass. The vertical fixed panel 10 and slidable panel 11 in this embodiment are substantially of the same width. However, the slidable panel 11 is slightly taller than the vertical fixed panel 10, the additional portion of the slidable panel 11 higher than the top edge of the vertical fixed panel 10 to allow for installation of one or more roller assemblies 13. The slidable panel 11 is connected at right angle to the one or more roller assemblies 13 and hung vertically adjacent to the vertical fixed panel 10. The slidable panel 11 is thus suspended or hung by the one or more roller assemblies 13 and therefore is vertically adjacent to the vertical fixed panel 10.

Fig. 3 is a typical cross section of the first embodiment of the top hung sliding door system 1 of the invention.

A vertical fixed panel 10 is firstly installed vertically on one side of an opening. The vertical fixed panel 10 is securely and rigidly connected to the side of the opening by panel connectors (not shown in this figure) and to the floor of

the opening by a bottom U shaped channel 18. A rail 12 which ordinarily forms the top frame of a door is then securely installed with each end of the rail 12 connected at right angles to each end of the opening. The rail 12 has a channel or grove along its entire length. When the rail 12 is mounted length-wise onto the top edge of the vertical fixed panel 10, the bottom entire length of the rail 12 fits securely into the entire length of the top edge of the vertical fixed panel 10. Each end of the rail 12 is further securely received by an end rail support 18, which is securely installed to the each vertical side of the entrance 20 or the vertical side of the opening 24 by use of by a bolt. The rail 12 is therefore securely fixed onto both ends of the opening and sits securely on the vertical fixed panel 10. The rail 12 and the vertical fixed panel 10 thus forms a solid, rigid and strong T-girder structure which can support strong weight of a top hung slidable panel 11 even if the panel material is safety glass or solid wood.

The rail 12 can therefore receive and support a substantial weight such as a slidable panel 11 suspended at right angles from one or more roller assembly 13. The entire vertical fixed panel 10 and rail 12 which forms the T-girder structure length wise is in turn able to support the weight of the slidable panel 11 as it moves along the length of the rail 12 either in bringing the slidable panel 11 next to the vertical fixed panel 10 (in closing the entrance) or in bringing the slidable panel 11 adjacent to the vertical fixed panel 10 (in opening the entrance). By this method of installation, the rail 12 and the vertical fixed panel 10 or panels forms a T structure, which is very strong and rigid. The entire weight of a hung slidable panel 11 (acting as a door) suspended by the roller assemblies 13 onto the rail 12 can move along the rail 12 easily without the use of additional strengthening structures to bear the weight of the hung slidable

panel 11. Through this method of installation, the entire sliding door system is not just aesthetically attractive but also simple to construct, has fewer parts and is very safe and secure.

To further ensure safety in use, an anti dislodge guard 34 can be connected to the roller assembly 13. The roller assembly 13 is secured to the slidable panel 11 by a bolt 34. To further ensure stability of the slidable panel 11 , bottom guides can be installed on the floor of the opening. A bottom guide can be installed at the first end 31 , a bottom guide can be installed at the second end 32 and a mid guide 33 can be installed in the middle of the opening, where the free end of the vertical fixed panel 10 meets the one end of the slidable panel 11 when the slidable panel 11 is moved to a closed position. These guides 31 , 32, 33 and the anti-dislodge guard 34 is to further ensure the slidable panel 11 is not dislodged from the rail 12 when the slidable panel 11 is pulled or pushed forcefully such that it does not move in a vertical plane adjacent to the vertical fixed panel 10.

For additional safety, the vertical fixed panel 10 is also secured to the bottom of the floor by means of bolts and further secured by a U shaped bottom channel 18.

Fig. 4 is a cross section view of the top hung sliding door system 1 of the invention, taken along the line 1 - 1. The top hung sliding door system 1 consisting of the slidable panel 11 and vertical fixed panel 10 is in a closed position. The rail 12 is received by an end rail support which is securely bolted to the end of the opening.

Fig. 5 is cross section view of the top hung sliding door system 1 of the invention, taken along the line 2 - 2. The top hung sliding door system 1 consisting of the slidable panel 11 and vertical fixed panel 10 is in a closed position. The vertical fixed panel 10 is secured to the first side of the opening by a panel connector (not shown in this figure). The slidable panel 11 moves from a closed position to an open position or vice versa along its track with the help of guides installed on the floor, positioned at the second end of the opening and mid way between the first end and second end of the opening. A minimum of one guide is needed at the location where the slidable panel 11 meets the vertical fixed panel 10 when the top hung sliding door system 1 is in a closed position.

A description of how the top hung sliding door system 1 works is given by reference to Fig. 6, 7 and 8.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the top hung sliding door system 1 when the slidable panel 11 is opened slightly. The slidable panel 11 is slidingly moved away from the second opening. Since the slidable panel 11 sits on the rail 12 by the roller assemblies 13, vertical movement of the slidable panel 11 is by way of rolling the roller assemblies 13 away from the second opening, the said roller assemblies 13 rolling along the rail 12. As the slidable panel 11 is moved away from the second opening, it also moves out of the bottom second end guide 32, in a straight line towards the mid floor guide 33.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the top hung sliding door system 1 when the slidable panel 11 is slided fully. As the slidable panel 11 reaches past the

mid floor guide 33 and reaches the first end floor guide 31 , the movement of the slidable panel 11 is stopped. The slidable panel 11 is now fully opened.

Fig. 8 shows a cross section view of the top hung sliding door system 1 when the slidable panel 11 is slided fully open and adjacent to the vertical fixed panel 10, the view taken along the line 2 - 2. In the open position, the slidable panel 11 is adjacent to the vertical fixed panel 10. The slidable panel

11 cannot crash into the side of the first opening because the first bottom end guide 31 at the first opening receives the bottom corner side of the slidable panel 11 and stops it. In addition, the bottom mid guide 33 and anti-dislodge guard 34 prevents the slidable panel 11 from coming off its vertical alignment and falling down.

A second embodiment of the invention, with more than one entrance, is described now. A typical example of the use of a top hung multi-sliding door system 1 with more than one entrance/exit, is in meeting rooms where a few slidable panels 11 can be hung, offering flexibility in locations of entrances/exits, depending on user requirements. Alternatively, the top-hung multi-sliding door system 1 could be installed for a row of offices whereby a few slidable panels 11 can be hung to form the entrance to these offices. The top hung multi-sliding door system 1 can be installed with two or more sliding panels 11 for entrances to two or more rooms in an apartment.

The slidable panel 11 can be suspended by the roller assembly 13 on either side of the vertical fixed panel 10. A third embodiment of the invention is the location of

the slidable panel 11 on the other side of the rail 12, facing the exterior of the entrance.

Various embodiments of the roller assembly 13 are also envisaged. The roller assembly 13 can be a roller or a circular wheel or a round bearing. If the rail 12 is square or rectangular in cross section, the roller assembly 13 which can be a circular wheel or a round bearing of appropriate dimension, the circular wheel or round bearing moving slidingly along the upper side of the rail 12.

Different types of shapes of the rail 12 are also envisaged in this invention. The rail 12 can be circular in cross section or square or rectangular in cross section or H shaped in cross section.

The vertical fixed panels 10 can be made of thick safety glass or other strong and sturdy material suitable for interior use. The slidable panels 11 can be made of glass or other suitable material. The rail 12 can be made of stainless steel or aluminium or other metals of suitable strength.

Due to the flexibility in design, two or more vertical fixed panels 10 can be used together with a slidable panel 11 instead of one vertical fixed panel 10 and a slidable panel 11.

While an embodiment of the invention have been described in detail, and various other embodiments discussed briefly, it should be apparent, however, that other modifications, rearrangements, substitutions alterations and adaptations in addition to these embodiments may occur to persons skilled in the art with the attainment of some

or all of the advantages of the present invention. Accordingly, it should be clearly understood that the present invention is not intended to be limited by the particular features and structures hereinbefore described and depicted in the accompanying drawings. It is therefore intended to cover all such modifications, alterations and adaptations without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION

A top hung sliding door system is both rigid, strong and safe yet simple to construct and has fewer parts.

The top-hung multi-sliding door system with a few slidable panels and a corresponding number of entrances is aesthetically good looking, yet simple and efficient to construct.