The present invention relates to sliding doors, and more specifically to sliding doors used in marine applications.

It is known that certain marine regulations require some external doors to meet particular requirements in respect of their watertightness. The leaves of these doors are therefore generally provided with fixed gaskets. These gaskets are placed around the frame of each leaf in such a way that, when the leaves are closed onto the main door frame, they create a watertight seal between the leaf frames and the main door frame, and between the frame of one leaf and the frame of the leaf adjacent to it.

In this context, it has been found that the most critical area for the possible penetration of water through the interstices of doors is the upper part of the door. On the other hand, the relevant standards such as UNI EN ISO 12216 are imposing increasingly stringent requirements for watertightness.

In view of this, the object of the present invention is to improve the performance of doors, especially those used in marine applications, in respect of watertightness.

The object of the invention is therefore a door having the characteristics defined in Claim 1.

Preferred embodiments of the door are described in the dependent claims.

These and other objects and advantages will be made clearer by the following detailed description of a preferred, but not restrictive, embodiment of the invention, which refers to the attached drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a front view of a sliding door according to the present invention, in the closed position;

Figure 2 is a front view of the door of Figure 1 in the open position;

Figure 3 is a sectional view of the door in the closed position, taken along the line III- III in Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a sectional view of the door in the open position, taken along the line IV-

IV in Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a sectional view of the door in the closed position, taken along the line V-

V in Figure 1 ;

Figure 6 is an enlarged view of a detail indicated by VI in Figure 5;

Figure 7 is an enlarged view of a detail indicated by VII in Figure 5;

Figure 8 is a sectional view of the door in the closed position, taken along the line VIII-VIII in Figure 1;

Figure 9 is an enlarged view of a detail indicated by IX in Figure 8;

Figure 9a is a simplified perspective view of a detail of a component of the door according to the invention;

Figure 10 is an enlarged view of a detail indicated by X in Figure 8;

Figure 11 is a sectional view of the door in the closed position, taken along the line XI-XI in Figure 1;

Figure 12 is an enlarged view of a detail indicated by XII in Figure 3 ;

Figure 13 is an enlarged view of a detail indicated by XIII in Figure 3 ;

Figure 14 is a simplified perspective view of a detail of the door in the closed position, indicated by XIV in Figure 1 ;

Figure 15 is a simplified perspective view of a detail of the door in the closed position, indicated by XV in Figure 1 ;

Figure 16 is a view in longitudinal section, taken in the area of the detail indicated by Xrv in Figure 1;

Figure 17 is a view in longitudinal section, taken in the area of the detail indicated by XV in Figure 1 ;

Figure 18 is an enlarged view of a detail of the door in the open position, indicated by

XVIII in Figure 4; and

Figure 19 is an enlarged view of a detail of the door in the open position, indicated by

XIX in Figure 4.

With reference to the drawings, these show a sliding door 1 for fitting on an outer wall (not shown) of a cabin of a boat. The door 1 comprises a main frame 10, for mounting on the aforesaid wall in such a way as to surround an aperture formed in this wall. It should be noted that the side of the door 1 shown in Figures 1 and 2 is the side intended to face outwards. The main frame 10 comprises a pair of vertical elements or uprights 11, 12, and a pair of horizontal elements or cross-members 13, 14, at the top and bottom respectively, which interconnect the uprights 11, 12 at their opposite ends.

The uprights 11, 12 and the cross-members 13, 14 are formed from sectional members, and have a cross section such that, in combination, they form a main frame 10 which has, across its depth, a front (outer) section 17, which is referred to below as the moving leaf housing section, where the aperture formed by the main frame 10 is larger, and a rear (inner) section 18, which is referred to below as the fixed leaf housing section, where the aperture formed by the main frame 10 is narrower. More specifically, the sectional members of the uprights 11, 12 and 13, 14 are shaped so as to have a step at the transition point between the moving leaf housing section 17 and the fixed leaf housing section 18.

As is clearly shown in Figures 3 and 4, a fixed leaf 20 is mounted fixedly in the fixed leaf housing section 18. This fixed leaf 20 comprises a fixed leaf upright 21, which is formed by a sectional member and is mounted on the main frame 10 so as to interconnect the cross-members 13 and 14, in a predetermined position between the uprights 11 and 12 of the main frame 10. A panel 22 of transparent or translucent material is mounted between the fixed leaf upright 21 and one of the uprights 11 of the main frame 10 and the portions of the cross-members 13 and 14 lying between these.

A first (outer) and a second (inner) moving leaf, 30 and 40, are mounted slidably with respect to the main frame 10, in the moving leaf housing section 17. Each of these moving leaves 30, 40 comprises a secondary frame 30a, 40a, which can be mounted slidably on the main frame 10. Each of the secondary frames 30a, 40a also comprises a pair of vertical elements or uprights 31-32, 41-42, and a pair of horizontal elements or cross-members 33- 34, 43-44, which interconnect these uprights 31-32, 41-42 at opposite ends. The uprights and the cross-members of each leaf have a substantially box-shaped cross section, and are designed to have corresponding panels 35, 45 of transparent or translucent material mounted in them. The first moving leaf 30 is provided with a handle 36 and with a locking part 37, intended to interact with another locking part 38 (visible in Figure 2) installed on the main frame 10 to enable the door to be locked shut. As can be seen in Figures 12, 13, 18 and 19, an arresting element 23 is fixed to the upright 21 of the fixed leaf to form a stop point for the upright 41 of the second moving leaf 40 which is closer to the fixed leaf 20 in the closed position, and for the other upright 42 of the second moving leaf 40 in the open position, while a driving element 46 is fixed to the upright 42 of the second moving leaf 40 which is closer to the first moving leaf 30 so that this element can be engaged by the upright 31 of the first moving leaf 30 which is closer to the second moving leaf 40, to enable this second moving leaf to be driven to the closed position, while this element can be engaged by the other upright 32 of the first moving leaf 30 to enable the second moving leaf to be driven to the open position.

A first and a second upper guide 50, 60 and a first and a second lower guide 70, 80 are positioned on the lower cross-member 14 and on the upper cross-member 13, respectively, of the main frame 10, to guide the sliding of the moving leaves 30 and 40, the structure of which is described more fully below. The guides are positioned in such a way that, in the closed position shown in Figures 1 and 3, the moving leaves 30, 40 are positioned, together with the fixed leaf 20, in a staggered relationship to each other, so as to close completely the aperture formed by the main frame 10, while, in the open position shown in Figures 3 and 4, these leaves are practically fully superimposed on each other. The first upper guide 50 and the first lower guide 70 therefore extend over practically the whole width of the aperture, so as to allow the first moving leaf 30 to move from a position in which it bears against the right-hand upright 11 to a position in which it bears against the left-hand upright 12. Accordingly, the second upper guide 60 and the second lower guide 80 extend over approximately two thirds of the whole width of the aperture, so as to allow the first moving leaf 30 to move from a position in which it bears against the right-hand upright 11 to a position in which it bears on a point approximately in the centre of the aperture. An outer covering element 16 is mounted on the upper cross-member 13 of the main frame 10, on the opposite side from the fixed leaf housing section 18, and extends along the upper cross-member 13 to cover and/or conceal the upper guides 50 and 60.

As shown in Figures 6 and 9, an upper shell-like covering element 130 is mounted on the upper cross-member 13 of the main frame 10, and, across the depth of the door, this element covers the upper cross-member 13 of the main frame 10 in the area of the fixed leaf housing section 18 and of part of the moving leaf housing section 17 adjacent to the fixed leaf housing section 18, and extends (in the direction of the length of the cross- member 13) partially (with the part indicated by 131 in Figures 6 and 9) between one of the uprights, 12, of the main frame 10 and the upright 21 of the fixed leaf 20, and partially (with the part indicated by 132 in Figure 9) between one of the uprights, 12, of the main frame 10 and one end of the second upper guide 60. hi other words, the upper shell-like covering element 130 is an element (formed from a sectional member) made in one piece, but formed by two parts having different lengths, such that it covers, on the upper cross- member 13, the spaces of different lengths left free by the fixed leaf 20 and by the second moving leaf 40 in the closed position. Figure 9a shows, in perspective, the transition point between the two parts 131 and 132 of the upper covering element 130. At this point, the end of the shorter part 132 is sealed by a cover 132a, on which is placed a gasket 132b of expanded material which can be engaged by an upper corner part of the second moving leaf 40.

As shown in Figures 3, 4, 6 and 7, a lower shell-like covering element 140 is mounted on the lower cross-member 14 of the main frame 10, and, across the depth of the door, this element covers the lower cross-member 14 of the main frame 10 in the area of the fixed leaf housing section 18 and of part of the moving leaf housing section 17 adjacent to the fixed leaf housing section 18, and extends (in the direction of the length of the cross- member 14) partially (with the part indicated by 141) between one of the uprights, 12, of the main frame 10 and the upright 21 of the fixed leaf 20, and partially (with the part indicated by 142) between one of the uprights, 12, of the main frame 10 and one end of the second lower guide 80. hi other words, the lower shell-like covering element 140, like the upper shell-like covering element 130, is an element (formed from a sectional member) made in one piece, but formed by two parts having different lengths, such that it covers, on the lower cross-member 14, the spaces of different lengths left free by the fixed leaf 20 and by the second moving leaf 40 in the closed position.

With reference to Figures 5, 6, 8 and 9, the first upper guide 50 is formed by a sectional member 501 mounted along the upper cross-member 13 of the main frame 10 and by the upper shell-like covering element 130. In particular, the sectional member 501 of the guide 50 has a C-shaped cross section over approximately two thirds of its length, and an L- shaped cross section in the portion corresponding to the closed position, in which the sectional member 501 is adjacent to the upper shell-like covering element 130. One portion of the first upper guide 50 is therefore formed by opposing flanges 502 and 503, on the outer and inner sides respectively, of the sectional member 501, while another portion of the first upper guide 50 is formed by the outer flange 502 of the sectional member 501 and by a first lateral wall 133 of the upper shell-like covering element 130. The inner flange 503 of the sectional member 501 is therefore aligned with this first lateral wall 133 of the upper shell-like covering element 130.

With reference to Figures 5 and 6, the second upper guide 60 is formed by the inner flange 503 of the sectional member 501 and by a second lateral wall 134 of the upper shell-like covering element 130.

To ensure that the first and second moving leaves 30 and 40 are correctly guided by the first and second upper guides 50 and 60, each of these leaves comprises a corresponding upper transverse part 301, 401, extending from one upright 31, 41 to the other 32, 42 of the moving leaf in question, and projecting into the first or second upper guide 50, 60 respectively. In the illustrated embodiment, these upper transverse parts 301 and 401 are made in the form of C-shaped sectional members whose backs are fixed, respectively, to the upper cross-member 33 of the first moving leaf 30 and to the upper cross-member 43 of the second moving leaf 40. One or more guide plates 302, 402 are fixed to each of these C- shaped sectional members, these plates having a width slightly smaller than the width of the corresponding upper guide, thus enabling the moving leaves to be guided correctly. The upper transverse parts 301, 401 of the first and second moving leaves 30, 40 support on opposite sides (in other words, on each of the flanges of the sectional members) longitudinal brush gaskets 303, 403 which engage, respectively, the first and second upper guides 50, 60 (these gaskets, like the other gaskets described below, are shown in an unstressed condition in the drawings, for the sake of simplicity. In reality, they are compressed between the corresponding door components when in use). These gaskets extend in a linear way over practically the whole length of the upper transverse parts 301, 401 of the first and second moving leaves 30, 40 respectively. The longitudinal brush gaskets 303, 403 not only serve to provide a seal against draughts, water and dirt which might penetrate into the guides, but also have a guiding function, since they provide a support for the corresponding upper transverse parts of the moving leaves with respect to the walls of the upper guides.

The first and second lower guides 70, 80 are made in a conventional way in the form of rail elements, on which the moving leaves 30, 40 bear with sliding pads 341, 441 mounted inside the lower cross-members 34, 44 of these moving leaves. The lower cross-members 34, 44 of the moving leaves 30, 40 also support, on their inward-facing sides, corresponding longitudinal brush gaskets 343, 443 for engaging corresponding lateral walls of the lower shell-like covering element 140. These gaskets extend in a linear way over substantially the whole length of the lower cross-members 34, 44 of the first and second moving leaves 30, 40 respectively. The longitudinal brush gaskets 343, 443 serve to provide a seal against draughts, water and dirt which might penetrate towards the inner face of the door.

The door 1 also comprises, in a conventional way, a plurality of vertical gaskets (in other words, linear gaskets positioned vertically) placed in specific positions on the leaf and on the main frame, as shown in particular in Figures 11, 12, 13, 18 and 19. More specifically, a vertical brush gasket 201 is fixed on the fixed leaf 20, this gasket being positioned in an area corresponding to the upright 21 of this leaf, facing the second moving leaf 40, so as to engage this second moving leaf 40. The vertical brush seal 201 extends substantially over the whole height of the fixed leaf 20. Additionally, a vertical brush gasket 411 is fixed on the second moving leaf 40, this gasket being positioned on the upright 41 which is closer to the fixed leaf, on the side facing the latter, so as to engage the fixed leaf 20. This vertical brush seal 411 extends substantially over the whole height of the second moving leaf 20. In the closed condition shown in Figure 13, the aforesaid vertical gaskets 201 and 411 engage with each other. Additionally, a further vertical brush gasket 421 is fixed on the second moving leaf 40, on the side facing the first moving leaf 30, this gasket being positioned on the upright 42 which is closer to the first moving leaf 30, so as to engage the first moving leaf 30. This vertical brash seal 421 extends substantially over the whole height of the second moving leaf 40. Accordingly, a vertical brash gasket 311 is fixed on the second moving leaf 30, this gasket being positioned on the upright 31 which is closer to the second moving leaf 40, on the side facing the latter, so as to engage the moving leaf 40. This vertical brash seal 311 extends substantially over the whole height of the first moving leaf 30. In the closed condition shown in Figure 12, the vertical gaskets 421 and 311 of the second moving leaf 40 and of the first moving leaf 30 engage with each other. Finally, an elastomeric vertical gasket 321 is placed along the upright 32 of the first moving leaf 30 which is intended to engage with the main frame 10 of the door 1 for the purpose of closing the door.

In order to increase further the tightness of the door, additional gaskets are provided on the corner parts of the moving leaves 30 and 40 and of the main frame 10. Figures 14 and 16 show the moving leaves 30 and 40 at their point of overlap in the closed condition of the door. The main frame 10 is omitted from Figure 14 for the sake of simplicity, and Figure 16 shows a cross section taken along a longitudinal plane of the first moving leaf 30. A terminal portion 305 of the transverse guide part 301 of the first moving leaf 30 can be seen in the corner part of the first moving leaf 30 shown in these figures. Three sides of this terminal portion 305 facing the corresponding surfaces of the first upper guide 50 have corresponding brash gaskets 306 fixed to them, the axis of extension of these gaskets being perpendicular with respect to the direction of sliding of the moving leaf 30. These gaskets are positioned so as to surround the terminal portion 305 along its perimetric part facing the first upper guide 50. Figures 15 and 17 show the corner part of the second moving leaf 40 which is intended to overlap the upright 21 of the fixed leaf 20 in the closed condition of the door. The fixed leaf 20 and the main frame 10 are omitted from Figure 15 for the sake of simplicity (although some parts of this frame are visible), and Figure 17 shows a cross section taken along a longitudinal plane of the second moving leaf 40. A terminal portion 405 of the transverse guide part 401 of the second moving leaf 40 can be seen in the corner part of the second moving leaf 40 shown in these figures. Three sides of this terminal portion 405 facing the corresponding surfaces of the second upper guide 60 have corresponding brash gaskets 406 fixed to them, the axis of extension of these gaskets being perpendicular with respect to the direction of sliding of the moving leaf 40. These gaskets are positioned so as to surround the terminal portion 405 along its perimetric part facing the second upper guide 60. A gasket of elastomeric material, which can be engaged by the brush gaskets of the terminal portion 405 of the upper transverse part 401 of the second moving leaf 40 opposite it, is fixed on the base of the second upper guide 60 at the position occupied by the terminal portion 405 of the upper transverse part 401 of the second moving leaf 40 when the door is in the closed condition. Additionally, as explained above with reference to Figure 9a, the gasket 132a of expanded material is fixed on the upper shell-like covering element 130 and can be engaged by one end of the upper transverse part 401 of the second moving leaf 40. Finally, as shown in Figure 11, a gasket 121 of expanded material, which can be engaged by one end of the upper transverse part 301 of the first moving leaf 30, is fixed on the upper corner of the upright 12 of the main frame 10 which can be engaged by the first moving leaf 30.

Figures 14, 15 and 17 also show details of an arresting device, although this is not essential for the purposes of the invention, hi particular, the device is a snap-locking arresting device associated with the second moving leaf 40 and serving to arrest this leaf in its open position. The first moving leaf 30 is also provided with an arresting device (not shown) similar to that of the second moving leaf, which will not be described further. As shown in Figure 14, the arresting device comprises a pin 601 which can penetrate into a corresponding housing 602 positioned inside the second upper guide 60. The pin 601 is mounted in a vertically slidable way inside the upright 42 of the second moving leaf 40 which is closer to the first moving leaf 30, and is stressed by spring means (not shown) towards the base of the second upper guide 60. A strip 603 of material with a low coefficient of friction and good wear resistance, on which the head of the pin 601 slides during the movement of the leaf, is therefore placed on the base of the second upper guide 60. The housing 602 is formed inside the plate 603, as shown in Figure 17, in such a way as to form a stop for the moving leaf 40 in its open position, hi the illustrated example, this housing 602 is formed by dividing the strip 603 into two separate portions 603 a and 603b, the first of which, indicated by 603b, is the terminal portion, forming a stop for the pin 601, and is positioned next to the gasket 407 (this terminal portion is shown in Figure 15 only). As mentioned above, the positioning of the arresting device for the first moving leaf 30 is entirely identical to that of the second moving leaf described here. A sliding door according to the invention can provide high levels of watertightness. In particular, the applicant has constructed sliding doors having an arrangement of guides and gaskets as described above, which has met the requirements of European Standard UNI EN ISO 12216.