Damper device set and cooling and/or freezing showcase

A damper device set is provided which can mount a damper device on a door that is thin and has a constraint on the mounting position. A first fastening member is used to fix a mounting plate to a door. A second fastening member placed at a position different from the first fastening member in a thickness direction of the door is used to fix, to the mounting plate, a damper device including a case and a linear damper housed in the case. At least part of the linear damper overlaps at least part of the first fastening member in plan view of the door.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a damper device set that mitigates impact when a door closes, and a cooling and/or freezing showcase using the damper device set.

BACKGROUND ART

A cooling showcase for refrigerating beverages and/or a freezing showcase for freezing frozen food are installed in a convenience store, a supermarket, or the like. Double glazing is used for a door of the cooling and/or freezing showcase to ensure heat insulation properties and make it easy to see beverages or food in the cooling and/or freezing showcase. A peripheral portion of the double glazing is held by a frame member (also called a sash) (refer to Patent Literature 1).

The door using the double glazing is supported by a hinge provided to a frame of the cooling and/or freezing showcase in such a manner as to be openable and closable. A spring device that biases the door in a closing direction is provided between the frame and the door to prevent cold air in the cooling and/or freezing showcase from being released at the time of opening and closing (refer to Patent Literature 2).

CITATION LIST

Patent Literature

Patent Literature 2: Japanese Utility Model Registration No. 2591454

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Technical Problem

When a spring device that biases a door in a closing direction is placed, the door slams shut and impact is generated. It is desired to place a damper device on the door to mitigate the impact.

However, the door is thin. In addition, a cord heater for preventing condensation on a frame member (sash) is provided inside the frame member (sash) of the door. Accordingly, it is necessary to mount the damper device, avoiding the cord heater.

Hence, an object of the present invention is to provide a damper device set and a cooling and/or freezing showcase, where a damper device can be mounted on a door or frame that is thin and has a constraint on the mounting position.

Solution to Problem

In order to solve the above problem, the present invention is a damper device set that mitigates impact of closing of a door, the damper device set including: a mounting plate fixed to either one of a door and a frame using a first fastening member; and a damper device having a case and a linear damper housed in the case, the damper device being fixed to the mounting plate using a second fastening member placed at a position different from the first fastening member in a thickness direction of the one of the door and the frame.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

According to the present invention, the damper device is not fixed directly to the door or frame, but the first fastening member is used to mount the mounting plate on the door or frame. The second fastening member different from the first fastening member in position in the thickness direction of the door or frame is used to mount the damper device on the mounting plate. Accordingly, even if the door or frame is thin and has a constraint on the mounting position, it becomes possible to mount the damper device.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

A damper device set of one embodiment of the present invention is described hereinafter on the basis of the accompanying drawings. However, the damper device set of the present invention can be embodied in various modes, and is not limited to the embodiment described in the description. The embodiment is provided with the intention of enabling those skilled in the art to fully understand the scope of the invention by fully disclosing the description.

FIG. 1is a front view of a reach-in door2of a cooling and/or freezing showcase where a damper device set1of the embodiment is incorporated (hereinafter simply referred to as the showcase).FIG. 2is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II ofFIG. 1.FIG. 3is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III ofFIG. 1.

As illustrated inFIG. 1, the reach-in door2includes a frame3and a door4that is supported by the frame3in such a manner as to be openable and closable. The frame3is formed in a rectangular shape in front view, and includes an upper frame3a, a pair of left and right side frames3b, and a lower frame3c. The door4includes double glazing5that is excellent in heat insulating properties, and a rectangular frame-shaped frame member6(also called a sash) that holds a peripheral portion of the double glazing5.

As illustrated inFIG. 2, the double glazing5includes a plurality of glass plates7aand7b, a spacer8that holds a gap between the glass plates7aand7b, and an adhesive sealant9that isolates the space between the glass plates7aand7bfrom the outside atmosphere. The frame member6is hollow, and is divided into two parts: a front side6aand a back side6b. A channel11that holds the peripheral portion of the double glazing5is provided to the front side6a. A magnet gasket12for maintaining the inside of the showcase airtightly is mounted on the back side6b. A cord heater13for preventing condensation on the frame member6is placed inside the frame member6.

As illustrated inFIG. 3, a hinge14on which the door4can open and close, a spring device15that pulls in the door4in a closing direction, and a damper device20that mitigates impact when the door4closes are provided between the upper frame3aand the door4.FIG. 3Ais a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III slightly below the upper frame3aofFIG. 1. The reference sign3cofFIG. 3Adenotes the lower frame. The spring device15is placed at a position close to the hinge14, and the damper device20at a position farther away from the hinge14than the spring device15.

The hinge14is, for example, a single-axis hinge, and supports the door4in such a manner as to be rotatable about the vertical axis.

The spring device15is, for example, a gas spring, and includes a cylinder16where a gas is sealed, and a piston rod17that can move in an axial direction with respect to the cylinder16. A proximal end portion of the cylinder16is rotatably coupled to a shaft21fixed to the frame3. A distal end portion of the piston rod17is rotatably coupled to a shaft22fixed to the door4. The gas spring is a known one that pulls out the piston rod17by use of a reactive force generated by compressing gas. The gas spring pulls out the piston rod17to bias the door4in the closing direction. Instead of the gas spring, a coil spring type, a gravity type, or a torsion bar type spring device can also be used.

The damper device20includes a case18, and an arm19that is rotatably supported by the case18. The arm19can rotate between a pull-out position illustrated inFIG. 3Awhere a distal end of the arm19points toward the inside of the showcase, and a pull-in position illustrated inFIG. 3Bwhere the arm19is parallel to the door4. A linear damper24(refer toFIG. 2) is housed in the case18, and operates when the arm19rotates in the closing direction.

As illustrated inFIG. 3A, when the door4at an open position rotates to a predetermined position in the closing direction, the arm19comes into contact with a strike plate shaft25fixed to the frame3, and the arm19starts rotating. The linear damper24operates with the rotation of the arm19. The rotation of the arm19is braked, which mitigates the impact of the closing of the door4. As illustrated inFIG. 3B, the braking of the rotation of the arm19continues until the door4closes.

FIG. 4is a perspective view of the damper device set1.FIG. 4Ais a general view, andFIG. 4Bis an enlarged view of a part b ofFIG. 4A.

As illustrated inFIG. 4, a mounting plate26is fixed to an upper surface of the frame member6of the door4. The damper device20is fixed to the mounting plate26. The mounting plate26and the damper device20configure the damper device set1. The mounting plate26and the damper device20are placed within a thickness of the frame member6of the door4in the front-and-back direction (refer toFIG. 2).

FIG. 5illustrates an exploded perspective view of the damper device set1. The reference sign26denotes the mounting plate, the reference sign20denotes the damper device, and a reference sign30denotes a strike plate. In the following description, the configuration of the damper device set1is described using directions as viewed from the back side of the door4, that is, up and down, left and right, and front and back inFIG. 5for convenience of description.

The mounting plate26is fixed to the door4, using a plurality of first screws31as first fastening members. The mounting plate26is made of metal, and includes a rectangular base plate26athat comes into contact with the upper surface of the door4, and a bent piece26bthat, together with the base plate26a, is bent into U-shape.

A plurality of through-holes26a1for the first screws31is formed in the base plate26a. The first screw31is threadedly engaged with a female screw32aof a back plate32. The frame member6is sandwiched between the base plate26aand the back plate32to fix the mounting plate26to the door4(refer toFIG. 2).

The bent piece26bincludes a side wall plate26b1that is square to the base plate26a, and an upper wall plate26b2that is square to the side wall plate26b1and is parallel to the base plate26a. The length of the bent piece26bin the left-and-right direction is shorter than the length of the base plate26ain the left-and-right direction. The length of the upper wall plate26b2of the bent piece26bin the front-and-back direction is shorter than the length of the base plate26ain the front-and-back direction. Apart of the damper device20is inserted into the bent piece26b.

The damper device20is fixed to the bent piece26b, using a plurality of second screws33as second fastening members. A plurality of through-holes26b3for the second screws33is formed in the upper wall plate26b2of the bent piece26b.

The damper device20includes the case18, the linear damper24that is housed in the case18, the arm19that is rotatably supported by the case18, and a slider37that extends and contracts the linear damper24in conjunction with the rotation of the arm19.

The case18of the damper device20includes a case body35bent into U-shape in such a manner as to accommodate the linear damper24, and a damper base36inserted into the case body35.

The case body35is made of metal, and includes a pair of opposed walls35athat oppose each other, and a coupling wall35bthat is square to the pair of opposed walls35a. A notch35a1complementary to the upper wall plate26b2of the bent piece26bis formed in the substantially rectangular opposed walls35a.

The damper base36is made of resin, and has a thickness that allows it to be inserted into the case body35. A female screw36athat is threadedly engaged with the second screw33is formed in the damper base36of the damper device20. A first wall36b, a second wall36c, and a damper receiver36dare formed stepwise at a back end portion of the damper base36. The slider37is slidably placed between the first wall36band the case body35. The linear damper24is placed between the second wall36cand the case body35. The damper receiver36dis in contact with a right end portion of a cylinder24aof the linear damper24.

A bifurcated portion36ethat sandwiches the arm19vertically is formed at one end portion of the damper base36. A shaft38is fixed by fixing means such as caulking to the case body35and the bifurcated portion36eof the damper base36. The case body35and the damper base36are integrally coupled by the shaft38and a pin39. The arm19is placed in the center of the case18in the up-and-down direction.

The linear damper24includes the cylinder24awhere oil is sealed, and a piston rod24bthat can move in the axial direction with respect to the cylinder24a. The linear damper24is a known one where when a piston of the piston rod24bmoves in the cylinder24a, the oil in the cylinder24apasses through an orifice to generate a damper force. A return spring that returns the piston rod24bto an extended position is provided in the cylinder24a.

The arm19is formed to be long in one direction. A proximal end portion of the arm19is rotatably supported by the shaft38. A coupling shaft40is mounted at a position away from the shaft38on the proximal end portion of the arm19. A resin bumper41that mitigates impact when the arm19comes into contact with the strike plate shaft25is mounted on the distal end portion of the arm19.

The slider37has a substantially cuboid shape. A blind insertion hole37awhere a distal end portion of the piston rod24bof the linear damper24is inserted is formed in the slider37. Moreover, a long hole37bwhere the coupling shaft40is movably inserted is formed in the slider37.

The strike plate30includes a washer42and the strike plate shaft25that is fixed to the washer42. The strike plate30is fixed to the frame3(refer toFIG. 3). A screw43is threadedly engaged with a back plate44. The frame3is sandwiched between the washer42and the back plate44. Accordingly, the strike plate30is fixed to the frame3.

FIG. 6illustrates a plan view of the damper device set.FIG. 7illustrates a horizontal cross-sectional view of the damper device set. InFIGS. 6 and 7, A illustrates a pull-out position of the arm19, and B illustrates a pull-in position of the arm19.

As illustrated inFIGS. 6A and 6B, the first screw31is displaced from the second screw33in the front-and-back direction of the door4. At least part of the first screw31overlaps at least part of the linear damper24. However, the spacing between the first screws31and the spacing between the second screws33are not limited.

As illustrated inFIG. 7A, the return spring of the linear damper24causes the piston rod24bto extend. Accordingly, the arm19is at the pull-out position first. When the arm19comes into contact with the strike plate shaft25and the arm19rotates in the pull-in direction, the slider37slides in the case18, and the linear damper24contracts. Consequently, a damper force is generated on the linear damper24. The rotation of the arm19is braked. As illustrated inFIG. 7B, the braking of the rotation of the arm19continues up to the pull-in position of the arm19.

A method for mounting the damper device set1is described. As illustrated inFIG. 8, firstly, the mounting plate26is fixed to the frame member6of the door4, using the first screws31. Specifically, the mounting plate26is placed on the upper surface of the frame member6of the door4, and the back plate32is inserted into the frame member6. The first screws31are then passed through the mounting plate26and the frame member6to threadedly engage the first screws31with the back plate32. Consequently, the frame member6is sandwiched between the mounting plate26and the back plate32.

Next, as illustrated inFIG. 9, the damper device20is inserted into the bent piece26bof the mounting plate26. The damper device20is fixed to the mounting plate26, using the second screws33. Specifically, the second screws33are passed through the bent piece26b. The second screws33are threadedly engaged with the damper base36of the damper device20. The damper device20can be fixed to the mounting plate26in an upside down state so that the damper device20can be used for both of a right-hand door and a left-hand door. When the damper device20is fixed to the mounting plate26, substantially the entire resin damper base36is covered by the metal case body35and the metal mounting plate26.

FIG. 10illustrates an example where the damper device set1of the embodiment is mounted on a reach-in door of another example. The configuration of the damper device set1is the same as the one illustrated inFIG. 2. Accordingly, the same reference signs are assigned and their descriptions are omitted. A reach-in door41of this example includes a frame42and a door43. The door43includes three glass plates44a,44b, and44c, that is, the outer glass plate44aplaced on the exterior side of the showcase, the inner glass plate44cplaced on the interior side of the showcase, and the middle glass plate44bplaced between the outer glass plate44aand the inner glass plate44c. A spacer45afor maintaining a gap between the outer glass plate44aand the middle glass plate44bis placed between the outer glass plate44aand the middle glass plate44b. A spacer45bfor maintaining a gap between the middle glass plate44band the inner glass plate44cis placed between the middle glass plate44band the inner glass plate44c. A holding member46holds peripheral portions of the three glass plates44a,44b, and44c. The holding member46is supported by a frame member47. A magnet gasket48is mounted on the frame member47.

A cord heater49is placed inside the frame member47. A protruding portion46athat protrudes upward up to the left of the cord heater49and is engaged with the frame member47is provided to the holding member46to increase strength. The first screw31of the damper device set1is placed at a position avoiding the cord heater49and the protruding portion46aof the holding member46.

According to the damper device set1of the embodiment, the following effect is exerted. The linear damper24is placed along the left-and-right direction of the door4or43. Accordingly, the damper device20having a great damper force can be placed on the thin door4or43. As illustrated inFIG. 2, the cord heater13is placed inside the frame member6of the door4. Moreover, as illustrated inFIG. 10, the cord heater49and the protruding portion46aof the holding member46are placed inside the frame member47of the door43. Accordingly, there is a constraint on the position where the damper device20is mounted on the door4or43. The damper device20is not fixed directly to the door4or43, but the mounting plate26is mounted on the door4or43, using the first screws31, and the damper device20is mounted on the mounting plate26, using the second screws33different from the first screws31in position in the thickness direction of the door4or43. Accordingly, even if a constraint on the mounting position is imposed on the door4or43, it becomes possible to mount the damper device20(refer to claim1).

In plan view of the door4or43, at least part of the linear damper24of the damper device20overlaps at least part of the first screw31. Accordingly, a space below the linear damper24can be effectively used as the mounting space (refer to claim2).

The case18is configured including the case body35that is bent into U-shape in such a manner as to accommodate the linear damper24, and the damper base36that is inserted into the case body35. Accordingly, it is possible to encourage a reduction in the size of the damper device20(refer to claim3).

The slider37that slides in conjunction with the rotation of the arm19is placed between the case body35and the damper base36. Accordingly, it is possible to encourage a reduction in the size of the damper device20(refer to claim4).

The damper device20can be fixed to the mounting plate26in the upside down state. Accordingly, the damper device20can be used for both of a right-hand door and a left-hand door (refer to claim5).

The bent piece26bthat is bent into U-shape is formed on the mounting plate26. Accordingly, it is easy to mount the damper device20on the mounting plate26(refer to claim6).

The frame member6or47of the door4or43is sandwiched between the mounting plate26and the back plate32. Accordingly, even if the frame member6or47is thin, the mounting plate26can be fixed to the frame member6or47(refer to claim7).

The present invention is not limited to realization of the embodiment, and can be modified to various embodiments within the scope that does not change the gist of the present invention.

In the embodiment, the example where the damper device set is mounted on the door of the showcase is described. However, it is also possible to mount the damper device set on a door of a building or a door of furniture.

In the embodiment, the damper device set is mounted on the door, and the strike plate is mounted on the frame. However, it is also possible to mount the damper device set on the frame, and mount the strike plate on the door.

In the embodiment, the frame member of the door is sandwiched between the mounting plate and the back plate. However, it is also possible to fix the mounting plate to the frame member by forming a female screw in the frame member and threadedly engaging the first screw with the female screw of the frame member. Moreover, it is also possible to use a first fastening member having a head and an enlargeable portion instead of the first screw, turn the first fastening member, enlarge the enlargeable portion, and sandwich the mounting plate and the frame member of the door between the head and the enlargeable portion of the first fastening member.

In the embodiment, the slider is disposed between the arm and the linear damper. However, it is also possible to exclude the slider and bring the arm into direct contact with the linear damper.

The description is based on JP 2017-009910 A filed on Jan. 24, 2017, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST