U.S. patent application number 10/495031 was filed with the patent office on 2004-12-23 for supporting and guiding device for holding movable, hanging door or wall elements.
Invention is credited to Wehrspann, Lars.
Application Number | 20040255550 10/495031 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27797708 |
Filed Date | 2004-12-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040255550 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wehrspann, Lars |
December 23, 2004 |
Supporting and guiding device for holding movable, hanging door or
wall elements
Abstract
The invention relates to a supporting and guiding device for
holding movable, hanging door or wall elements that are mounted in
runner rails (1) which are shaped as hollow boxes and are provided
with a continuous recess on the bottom thereof. Said runner rails
(1) are fixed to the ceiling of a building via a hanging
construction (14, 21). In order to exclude impairments as far as
possible in connection with mounting such a supporting and guiding
device, an intermediate profile (2) is arranged between the runner
rail (1) and the hanging construction (14,21).
Inventors: |
Wehrspann, Lars; (Bad
Salzuflen, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
COHEN, PONTANI, LIEBERMAN & PAVANE
551 FIFTH AVENUE
SUITE 1210
NEW YORK
NY
10176
US
|
Family ID: |
27797708 |
Appl. No.: |
10/495031 |
Filed: |
May 10, 2004 |
PCT Filed: |
March 12, 2003 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP03/02548 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/749.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E05Y 2900/142 20130101;
E05D 15/0652 20130101; E05Y 2201/684 20130101; E05D 15/0613
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
052/749.1 |
International
Class: |
E04D 015/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 12, 2002 |
DE |
102 10 812.9 |
Claims
1-25. (cancelled).
26. A support and guide device for a suspended element having
rollers, the device comprising: a roller rail from which an element
having rollers can be suspended for guided movement on said rail; a
suspension system for suspending said roller rail from a ceiling;
and an intermediate profile between the suspension system and the
roller rail.
27. A support and guide device as in claim 26 wherein said
intermediate profile is a double T-support having an upper flange,
a lower flange, and a web between said flanges, said roller rail
being connected to said lower flange.
28. A support and guide device as in claim 27 wherein said
intermediate profile has a screw channel located centrally and
extending longitudinally.
29. A support and guide device as in claim 27 wherein said lower
flange has a pair of side edges, one of said side edges having a
longitudinally extending lateral screw channel.
30. A support and guide device as in claim 29 wherein both of said
side edges have longitudinally extending lateral screw
channels.
31. A Support and guide device as in claim 29 further comprising a
retaining device which can be fixed to said intermediate profile by
screwing to said lateral screw channel.
32. A support and guide device as in claim 27 wherein said web
comprises a central channel.
33. A support and guide device as in claim 27 wherein said upper
flange has an upper screw channel located centrally and extending
longitudinally.
34. A support and guide device as in claim 33 wherein said upper
flange has at least one centering groove extending parallel to said
upper screw channel.
35. A support and guide device as in claim 34 wherein said upper
flange has a pair of centering grooves extending parallel to said
upper screw channel, on either side of and equidistant from said
upper screw channel.
36. A support and guide device as in claim 27 wherein said web has
at least one centering groove.
37. A support and guide device as in claim 27 wherein said upper
flange has a pair of side edges, at least one of said edges being
provided with at least one U-shaped slot.
38. A support and guide device as in claim 37 wherein U-shaped
slots are distributed uniformly along the length of said at least
one edge.
39. A support and guide device as in claim 38 wherein said U-shaped
slots are distributed uniformly along each of said edges, the
U-shaped slots on one edge being offset from the U-shaped slots on
the other edge.
40. A support and guide device as in claim 26 wherein said
intermediate profile is provided with longitudinally extending
screw channels, each said screw channel having screw-thread
undercuts into which threaded screws and be screwed.
41. A support and guide device as in claim 26 wherein said
suspension system comprises at least one of threaded rods and
lateral bracing.
42. A support and guide device as in claim 41 further comprising a
locking plate for holding a threaded rod in position on the
intermediate profile.
43. A support and guide device as in claim 33 further comprising a
locking plate which is retained against said upper flange by a
screw received in said upper screw channel.
44. A support and guide device as in claim 33 further comprising a
locking plate having a bent edge which is received in said upper
screw channel.
45. A support and guide device as in claim 42 wherein said locking
plate comprises at least one tab located opposite from said
threaded rod for hinged support of lateral bracing.
46. A support and guide device as in claim 45 wherein said lateral
bracing comprises a pair of telescoping members.
47. A support and guide device as in claim 46 wherein said
telescoping members comprise rectangular tubes.
Description
[0001] The invention pertains to a support and guide device for
holding movable hanging door or wall elements, which are held
movably in stationary roller rails, where the roller rails are
attached directly or by suspension systems to the ceiling of a
building.
[0002] A support and guide device of this type is known from DE 40
41 925 C1. In this support and guide device, a roller rail, which
holds the door or wall element in such a way that it can travel on
rollers, is attached to the ceiling of a building by way of a
substructure. So that the roller rail can be attached to the
substructure, holes must be drilled into the rail and the
substructure at the construction site. The chips that are thus
produced can fall into the rail and remain there. This can impair
the rolling behavior of the door element and often causes damage to
the rollers or even causes them to fail, which leads to
complaints.
[0003] It is therefore the task of the invention to provide a
support and guide device of the type indicated in the introductory
clause of claim 1 which excludes the possibility of any
interference with functionality which could result from the
installation process.
[0004] This task is accomplished by means of the features of claim
1. Advantageous elaborations can be derived from the subclaims.
[0005] The solution according to the invention offers the advantage
that an intermediate profile (with screw channels) can be provided
with all the necessary holes or subjected to any other necessary
processing steps first, either on site or during production, after
which it can then be attached to the suspension systems on the
ceiling before the roller rail is attached to the intermediate
profile. This excludes the possibility that drilling chips or other
chips can fall into the rail and interfere with the movement of the
door or wall elements. Even if it were necessary to drill holes
through the roller rail so that it could be attached to the
intermediate profile, this would still not be disadvantageous,
because these drilling chips would be able to fall out of the rail,
which is open at the bottom. But even this possibility is avoided,
because the roller rail has already been provided with a row of
holes during its production.
[0006] Thus the support and guide device according to the invention
can ensure a high degree of functionality.
[0007] According to an advantageous elaboration, the intermediate
profile is designed as a double-T support, which is connected by
way of its lower flange to the closed side of, for example, a
hollow box-like roller rail. Because of its high moment of inertia,
a double-T support ensures good dimensional stability. Especially
advantageous use can be made of this dimensional stability by
attaching the roller rail to the lower flange of the support.
[0008] So that the roller rail can be attached easily to the
double-T support, the double-T support has, according to a
preferred elaboration, a lower screw channel, which serves to
establish the connection with the rail. This channel is located
essentially in the center part of the lower flange and extends
longitudinally down the length of the double-T support. It is
therefore very easy to attach the rail.
[0009] To provide the double-T support with additional attachment
options, so that it can be attached to, for example, a suspended
ceiling, it is provided according to the invention that the lower
flange is equipped on at least one side edge with a lateral screw
channel extending longitudinally down the length of the double-T
support.
[0010] This design can be advantageously supplemented by the
measure of providing a lateral screw channel extending
longitudinally down both side edges of the lower flange, which has
the effect of creating attachment options on both sides of the
double-T support.
[0011] According to an advantageous elaboration, a holding device,
designed preferably as an angle, can be inserted, especially
screwed, into the lateral screw channel. An angle of this type can
serve, for example, as a support surface for a plasterboard panel,
which can form the suspended ceiling.
[0012] To save weight, the web of the double-T support can, in
accordance with a preferred embodiment, be provided with a central
channel. This central channel, however, can also serve to accept
objects such as electrical lines, etc. In addition, it would also
be possible to place or to insert an additional stiffening element
in this central channel.
[0013] According to an advantageous elaboration, the upper flange
has an upper screw channel, which is located essentially in the
middle of the upper flange and which extends longitudinally down
the length of the double-T support. This screw channel improves the
attachment options of the intermediate profile, so that, for
example, the suspension system can be attached to it easily,
quickly, and securely.
[0014] For reasons of symmetry, it is preferable for the lower
screw channel and the upper screw channel to be aligned with each
other and for them to be arranged in the central area of the
double-T support.
[0015] According to a preferred elaboration, at least one centering
groove is provided in the upper flange, parallel to the upper screw
channel. This centering groove greatly facilitates and improves the
processing of the double-T support, because fixed reference lines
are therefore already provided.
[0016] Processing can be facilitated and improved even more when,
in accordance with another advantageous elaboration, two centering
grooves are provided, which are parallel to each other and which
are preferably equidistant laterally from the upper screw
channel.
[0017] So that a fixed reference line is also available with
respect to the web of the double-T support, the web has at least
one additional centering groove.
[0018] According to an advantageous embodiment, U-shaped slots are
provided on at least one side of the upper flange, the longitudinal
dimension of these slots being perpendicular to the longitudinal
direction of the double-T support. These slots make it especially
easy to connect the intermediate profile to the suspension systems,
because the suspension systems can be easily engaged in the
slots.
[0019] So that the rails can be suspended from the suspension
systems in a grid-like manner, it is provided according to the
invention that the U-shaped slots are distributed uniformly over
the length of the double-T support.
[0020] The intermediate profile can be supported in an especially
secure manner when, according to another advantageous elaboration,
U-shaped slots are provided on both sides of the upper flange, and
the U-shaped slots on the one side of the flange are offset from
those on the other side.
[0021] So that all the attachments can be completed easily,
quickly, and without a great deal of effort, is it provided in
accordance with an advantageous elaboration that the screw channels
already have profile-drawn screw thread undercuts, into which
threaded screws can be screwed without any extra work. Thus screws
can be screwed directly on-site into the screw channels without the
need for any additional processing such as the drilling of
holes.
[0022] According to an advantageous elaboration, the suspension
systems consist of threaded rods and/or lateral bracing. Threaded
rods are readily available stock items; they can be easily and
quickly cut to any length and are especially suitable because of
the ease with which they can engage in the U-shaped slots. Lateral
bracing increases the stability of the overall construction and
helps to suppress vibrations.
[0023] For installation, the threaded rods are engaged in the
U-shaped slots, which means that the intermediate profile can be
attached easily to the ceiling.
[0024] So that the threaded rods cannot slip unintentionally out of
the slots, each rod is, in accordance with an advantageous
elaboration, secured in its position on the double-T support by a
locking plate.
[0025] According to one alternative, the locking plate can be
screwed to the central screw channel of the upper flange. This is
especially advantageous when a nonpositive connection is desired
between the intermediate profile and the threaded rod.
[0026] According to another alternative embodiment, the locking
plate can have a bent part, which engages in the upper screw
channel. This is especially advantageous when a positive connection
between the intermediate profile and the threaded rod is
desired.
[0027] The locking plate can also be used advantageously to support
the lateral bracing. For this purpose, the locking plate is
provided according to the invention with a tab on the side opposite
the threaded rod, which tab supports the lateral bracing in a
hinge-like manner. Thus the lateral bracing can be oriented at any
desired angle to the intermediate profile.
[0028] So that the components can be adapted and oriented
accurately to suit the local conditions, the suspension and lateral
bracing are designed to be variable in length, specifically to be
variable in a telescoping manner.
[0029] It is advantageous for the lateral bracing to consist of at
least two tubular or square profiles that telescope into each
other. These standard profiles are easy to acquire and can be
adapted easily to span any desired distance.
[0030] The shape of the roller rail is arbitrary. The intermediate
profile can be adapted to the geometry of the rail.
[0031] Additional features and advantages of the invention can be
derived from the following description of a preferred exemplary
embodiment:
[0032] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the support and guide
device according to the invention;
[0033] FIG. 2 shows another perspective view of the support and
guide device according to the invention;
[0034] FIG. 3 shows a view of the support and guide device
according to the invention from above; and
[0035] FIG. 4 shows an end view of the support and guide device
according to the invention.
[0036] FIGS. 1-4 show and explain a preferred exemplary embodiment
of the support and guide device according to the invention.
[0037] For the sake of clarity, the door or wall elements guided
movably on the support and guide device have been omitted.
[0038] The support and guide device according to the invention has,
for example, a roller rail 1, designed essentially as a U-shaped
profile in the form of a hollow box, which is open at the bottom.
Guide rollers or the like (not shown), which are supported so that
they can move back and forth in the longitudinal direction of the
rail 1, are provided in the roller rail 1. One or more door or wall
elements (not shown) are held by support rollers on these guide
rollers.
[0039] The roller rail 1 can be made of any suitable material such
as aluminum, light metal, etc., and can be produced in the form of
an extruded section, for example. During the production of the
roller rail 1, all of the necessary ribs, webs, grooves, etc., can
be formed directly on it. In addition, a row of holes can also be
provided in the surface opposite the open side. These holes allow
the roller rail 1 to be attached to the suspension system, as will
be explained in detail further below. This row of holes preferably
extends longitudinally down the center of the roller rail 1
[0040] The roller rail 1 is attached to an intermediate profile 2.
The intermediate profile 2 is designed as a double-T support, which
can also be produced as an extruded section. The double-T support
has an upper flange 3, a central web 4, and a lower flange 5.
Essentially the entire surface of the lower flange 5 rests on the
side of the rail 1 opposite the open side. So that it can be
attached to the roller rail 1, the intermediate profile 2 is
provided with a lower screw channel 6, which is adjacent to the web
4 and extends longitudinally down the center of the double-T
support. The lateral surfaces of the screw channel 6 are provided
with grooves, so that a fixing screw 7, e.g., a hex-head screw, can
be screwed directly into the screw channel 6 without any
preparatory work. Thus the roller rail can be screwed quickly and
easily to the lower screw channel via the fixing screws 7. This
means of attachment also makes it possible to replace the rail 1
without the need to change the substructure.
[0041] The web 4 of the double-T Support is preferably provided
with a rectangular central channel 8, extending longitudinally down
the length of the intermediate profile 2. This central channel 8
can serve merely to save weight, but it can also be used to hold
cables, electrical lines, etc. In addition, it can also be used to
accept an additional stiffening element (not shown), which can be
pushed into the central channel 8. This is advisable in cases where
it is difficult to slide the wall elements along the rail.
[0042] On each of the two side edges of the lower flange 5, a
lateral screw channel 9 is provided, which, like the lower screw
channel 6, has grooved lateral surfaces and extends longitudinally
down the length of the double-T support. Any desired type of
retaining or support elements can be fastened in these lateral
screw channels 9. As shown in FIG. 4, appropriate screws 10, for
example, can be used to attach an L-shaped angle 11 as a support
surface for a plasterboard panel (not shown), which forms part of a
suspended ceiling. It would also be possible, however, to omit the
angle 11 and to push the plasterboard panel directly into the
lateral screw channel 9. In this case, the threads in the lateral
screw channel 9 would be nonfunctional.
[0043] The upper flange 3 of the double-T support is also provided
with a screw channel 12. This upper screw channel 12 parallels the
lower screw channel 6 and is thus also adjacent to the web 4 and
extends longitudinally down the length of the intermediate profile
2. The upper flange 3 is also provided with U-shaped slots 13,
which are introduced from the side into the upper flange 3; the
longitudinal dimension of these slots is perpendicular to the
longitudinal dimension of the intermediate profile 2. The U-shaped
slots 13 are spaced at equal distances apart along the two
longitudinal edges of the upper flange 3 in such a way that the
slots 13 on one side are staggered with respect to those on the
other. It would also be possible in principle for the slots 13 to
be situated directly opposite one another.
[0044] The slots 13 accept, for example, threaded rods 14, by means
of which the intermediate profile 2 and thus the roller rail 1 can
be suspended from the ceiling of a building (not shown). For this
purpose, a threaded rod 14, as indicated by the arrows in FIG. 2,
is pushed from the side into one of the U-shaped slots 13 in the
upper flange 3. One or more nuts 15, which are screwed onto the end
of the threaded rod 14, serve to supports the threaded rod on, or
to attach it to, the intermediate profile 2. So that the threaded
rod 14 cannot slip laterally out of the slot 13, a locking plate 16
is provided. This locking plate 16 is provided with a hole, through
which the threaded rod 14 can pass. At the end of the locking plate
16 facing away from the hole, a bent edge 17 is provided in
accordance with one of the embodiments, so that the locking plate
16, when seen from the side, describes an L-shaped form, the
shorter sidepiece forming the bent edge 17. The bent edge 17 of the
locking plate 16 fits into the upper screw channel 12 (compare FIG.
1), so that the threaded rod 14 is securely held in the slot
13.
[0045] According to another embodiment, also shown in FIG. 1, the
locking plate 16 can also be provided with a threaded hole 18
(compare FIG. 2), so that the locking plate 16 can be secured in
position in the upper screw channel 12 by a retaining screw 19.
[0046] So that the intermediate profile 2 and therefore the roller
rail 1 as well can be supported securely not only in the vertical
direction (by the threaded rods 14) but also in the lateral
direction, the locking plate 16 can be extended beyond the threaded
hole 18 and provided with a tab 20 at this extended end. A lateral
brace 21 is attached to this tab 20. In the exemplary embodiment
shown here, the lateral brace 21 consists of two rectangular
profiles 22, which slide into each other in a telescoping manner,
but it could also consist of corresponding tubes or the like.
Instead of a telescoping design, other designs are also possible as
long as they allow the overall length of the brace to be
adjusted.
[0047] The two telescoping rectangular profiles 22 can be fixed in
position by clamping screws 23. In addition, the rectangular
profiles 22 are also attached to the ceiling (not shown) by any
desired type of construction. This construction can consist, for
example, of two angles 24, hinged to the rectangular profiles 22,
which angles are then screwed by fixing screws 25 to the
ceiling.
[0048] Because the lengths of the threaded rods 14 and of the
lateral bracing 21 can be adapted to any possible set of
circumstances in the building, it is ensured that, no matter what
the conditions, it will always be possible to attach the inventive
support and guide device securely in position.
[0049] One or more centering grooves 26 are provided on the top of
the upper flange 3 and on the lateral surfaces of the web 4. In the
exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 1 and 2, two centering
grooves 26 are provided in the upper flange, which are parallel to
each other and also parallel to and equidistant from the upper
screw channel 12, i.e., one on the right, the other on the left of
the channel. Two centering grooves 26, which are parallel to each
other, are also located on the web 4, one on each side.
[0050] The preceding description of the exemplary embodiment of the
present invention serves only to illustrate the invention, not to
limit it in any way. Within the scope of the invention, various
changes and modifications are possible without abandoning the scope
of the invention or its equivalents.
List of Reference Numbers
[0051] 1 roller rail
[0052] 2 intermediate profile
[0053] 3 upper flange
[0054] 4 web
[0055] 5 lower flange
[0056] 6 lower screw channel
[0057] 7 fixing screw
[0058] 8 central channel
[0059] 9 lateral screw channel
[0060] 10 screws
[0061] 11 L-shaped angle
[0062] 12 upper screw channel
[0063] 13 U-shaped slot
[0064] 14 threaded rod
[0065] 15 nut
[0066] 16 locking plate
[0067] 17 bent edge
[0068] 18 threaded hole
[0069] 19 retaining screw
[0070] 20 tab
[0071] 21 lateral bracing
[0072] 22 rectangular profiles
[0073] 23 clamping screw
[0074] 24 angle
[0075] 25 fixing screw
[0076] 26 centering groove
* * * * *