Suspension device

Details Suspension device Suspension device

2000-10-12

2002-07-16

Knight, Anthony (Department: 3676)

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

Panel hangers, travelers and/or tracks

Guide rollers

C016S087200, C049S409000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06418588

ABSTRACT:

The invention relates to a suspension device.
In order to close off or divide rooms use is frequently made of sliding doors which, as shown in
FIG. 1
, are connected to a running mechanism
6
guided in a rail. Running mechanisms of this type are described, for example, in EP 0 733 766 or EP 0 679 788. The normally U-profile-shaped rail
4
has running surfaces
5
along which the rollers
8
of the running mechanism
6
are guided. A buffer device
100
is furthermore provided in the rail
4
, by means of which buffer device the running mechanism
6
can be cushioned and secured. For this purpose, the body
101
of the buffer device
100
has an elastic element
102
and a retaining spring
103
which, in
FIG. 1
, engages in a hub diameter provided in the rollers
8
and consequently secures the running mechanism
6
at the end of the rail.
The door element
2
which is shown in
FIG. 1
is connected to the running mechanism
6
by a connecting screw
1
which is screwed at one end into a threaded drill-hole
9
provided in the running mechanism
6
and at the other end is fitted with the head piece
1
a
into a securing means
3
which is attached to the upper side of the door element
2
by screws
3
a
. The securing means
3
shown has upwardly directed clasp elements
3
b
′,
3
b
″,
3
b
′″ which enclose a cavity
3
c
into which the head
1
a
of the connecting screw
1
can be introduced frontally or else, as shown in
FIG. 1
a
, laterally. The head
1
a
of the connecting screw
1
is provided with drill-holes
1
b
and is connected to a square plate
1
c
which bears against the clasp elements
3
b
′,
3
b
″,
3
b
′″. A tool can be inserted into the drill-holes
1
b
and can be used to rotate the head
1
a
until the connecting screw
1
, or the distance of the door element
2
from the rail
4
, is correctly adjusted. However, each time the tool is inserted, with the result that the connecting screw
1
can only be rotated by about 90°, with the result that the adjustment procedure takes up a considerable amount of time. During the adjustment procedure the screw head
1
a
is generally displaced within the cavity
3
c
, with the result that the door element
2
has to be realigned before the connecting screw
1
can be fixed by a screw nut
20
.
In addition, the securing means
3
is a diecast part which has to be produced with a correspondingly high outlay. Furthermore, diecast parts are generally sensitive to impact and are not corrosion resistant. In this arrangement, the relatively delicate clasp elements
3
b
′,
3
b
″,
3
b
′″, which are subjected to a high load, are particularly at risk. So that the head
1
a
of the connecting screw
1
is of a sufficient strength and can be grasped with a tool, it has to be manufactured in an appropriate size. This results in an installation height for the securing means
3
that requires a relatively large distance between the rail
4
and securing means
3
or door element
2
.
The present invention is therefore based on the object of providing a cost-effective and stable suspension device for a door element, which device can be produced from rust-free materials, can be fitted in a simple manner, can easily be adjusted and can be connected in such a manner to a running mechanism guided in a rail that only a small distance is required between the door element and rail.
This object is achieved by the measures specified in claim
1
. Advantageous refinements of the invention are specified in further claims.
The suspension device comprises a connecting screw and a securing means which can both be produced cost-effectively. The securing means can be manufactured by punching from a metal plate in a few working steps. The space required by the securing means between the door element and running mechanism is extremely small and corresponds approximately to twice the height of the head piece of the connecting screw, which can easily be adjusted stepwise after the door element provided with the securing means is fitted, and can be arrested, without the securing means being laterally displaced. It is particularly advantageous that the tool provided for the adjustment procedure does not act on the relatively narrow head, but on the easily accessible shank of the connecting screw.


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patent: 2917771 (1959-12-01), Labrie
patent: 3829929 (1974-08-01), Folz et al.
patent: 4288887 (1981-09-01), Johnson
patent: 4945605 (1990-08-01), Haab et al.
patent: 5461829 (1995-10-01), Lehto et al.
patent: 5907890 (1999-06-01), Redaelli
patent: 6209171 (2001-04-01), Pelletie et al.
patent: 430 486 (1965-12-01), None
patent: 0 502 285 (1992-09-01), None
patent: 0679788 (1995-11-01), None
patent: 0733766 (1996-09-01), None
patent: 0 753 637 (1997-01-01), None

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