Buffer device

Details Buffer device Buffer device

2000-10-12

2002-08-27

Knight, Anthony (Department: 3676)

Miscellaneous hardware (e.g., bushing, carpet fastener, caster,

Closure checks

Spring

C016S08600R, C016S08760W, C049S424000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06438795

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF INVENTION
The invention relates to a buffer device for running mechanisms guided in rails with a damping element for cushioning and a retaining spring for retaining a running mechanism guided on the rail.
Foldable or slidable room dividers for dividing rooms, as depicted in
FIG. 8
(see also WO 96/21788), have at least one displaceable door element which is connected to at least one further door element, generally by means of hinges, and is retained and guided rotatably on one door side in an upper running rail and a lower running or guide rail.
FIG. 8
shows, by way of example, a room opening which can be closed by means of a door
201
and three door elements
2
,
2
′,
2
″ which are connected to one another via three hinges
209
in each case and can be folded relative to one another. As seen from the first door element
2
, in folding doors normally every other door element
2
,
2
″, . . . is suspended and guided at the bottom. The door elements
2
and
2
″ are therefore guided at the top in a running rail
4
and at the bottom in a guide groove
208
. The door elements
2
,
2
′,
2
″ can consequently be displaced along the rail
4
while folded together.
DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART
In order to guide the door elements
2
,
2
′,
2
″, use is made, for example, of rails
4
and running mechanisms
6
, as shown in FIG.
9
and disclosed in EP 0 733 766 A1. The rail
4
, which is fastened to a wall
206
by means of a clip
211
and two screws
212
,
213
, has a downwardly open U-profile with feet pieces
402
along whose running surfaces
5
the wheels
8
of the running mechanism
6
roll.
FIG. 1
shows the rail
4
and the running mechanism
6
in the section A—A illustrated in
FIG. 9. A
door element
2
is connected to the running mechanism
6
by means of a fitting assembly comprising a securing means
3
and a connecting screw
1
. The securing means
3
is connected to the door element
2
by four screws. The connecting screw
1
, which is mounted rotatably in the securing means
3
, is screwed into a thread
9
provided in the body
7
of the running mechanism
6
.
FIG. 1
furthermore shows a known buffer device
100
which has a body
101
which is connected to a damping element
102
and a retaining spring
103
. The buffer device
100
serves for the controlled stopping of the running mechanism
6
if the door element
2
is guided as far as the stop. This prevents the door element
2
from striking against the frame
202
. The first door element
2
is frequently to be retained on the stop or in the frame, so that the further door elements
2
′,
2
″, . . . can be unfolded in order to close the opening. In order to retain the door element
2
or the running mechanism
6
which -corresponds t is made of the retaining spring
103
which has been connected to the body
101
of the buffer device
100
. If the running mechanism
6
runs up against the buffer device
100
or the damping element
102
, the retaining spring
103
is run up on a cam
29
arranged in the form of a ramp on the running mechanism body
7
, and snaps in behind it as soon as the running mechanism
6
contacts against the damping element
102
.
The buffer device
100
which is shown comprises, as described above, a plurality of parts and has consequently to be produced and assembled with considerable outlay in various operations. The connection between the retaining spring
103
and the body
101
is regularly subjected to the action of a considerable force, which is why wear phenomena and deficient operational capability may occur prematurely.
The door element
2
is held firmly against a stop by the retaining spring
103
and can only be made to move again by the action of a force. The retaining force exerted by the retaining spring
103
may be too low or too high, depending on the application.
There is therefore fundamentally a relatively high outlay on maintenance in these known devices. Furthermore, the installation procedure is associated with a not inconsiderable outlay. This is because in order to instal the buffer device drill-holes have to be provided in the rail
4
, through which drill-holes screws are guided which are connected to the buffer device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is therefore based on the object of providing a cost-effective and stable buffer device which can be fitted in a simple manner and enables a door element which is mounted in a displaceable manner to be cushioned while running and to be retained in a designated position.
This object is achieved by a buffer device with an approximately U-profile-shape body with a damping element for cushioning and a retaining spring for retaining a running mechanism which is guided on a rail. The body is punched from a metal element and has a tongue-shaped extension and a first wing piece and a second wing piece. The tongue-shaped extension forms a retaining spring for retaining a running mechanism. The two wing-shaped pieces retain the damping element. Further advantageous refinements of the invention are discussed below.
The buffer device according to the invention, which can be fitted in a convenient manner with little outlay, enables running mechanisms which are connected to displaceable door elements to be cushioned while running and to be retained in a designated position in such a way that a flush connection of the first door element to the frame is assured as being maintained while door elements are being opened and closed. Only by a relatively powerful pulling movement can the first door element be detached again from the buffer device and slid away. The buffer device can be manufactured cost-effectively from a single metal plate and can be completed by a damping element. Since the retaining spring is preferably a component part of the body of the buffer device, in addition to the outlay on production being reduced the device is highly stable. Furthermore, the retaining spring can be produced separately from the body of the buffer device, which body is formed according to the invention, and can subsequently be connected to said body in a non-positive manner, preferably by rivets or screws.
In a preferred refinement of the invention, the retaining spring can optionally be prestressed, allowing the force with which the door element
2
is retained against the stop to be adjusted.


REFERENCES:
patent: 1768267 (1930-06-01), Phillips
patent: 3536120 (1970-10-01), Kellems
patent: 5085261 (1992-02-01), Bortoluzzi
patent: 5450693 (1995-09-01), Tarrega
patent: 6052867 (2000-04-01), Haab et al.
patent: 6253417 (2001-07-01), Rusiana
patent: 657 415 (1986-09-01), None
patent: 196 12 125 (1996-11-01), None
patent: 0 444 378 (1991-09-01), None
patent: 0 502 285 (1992-09-01), None
patent: 0 733 766 (1996-09-01), None

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