Improved counterframe for sliding doors particularly of a type that are out of sight when not in use

Abstract: They are composed by two series of elements of which the first is destined to be an integrated part and the second usable only in the phase when the door is not being used or when it must be reused, characterized in that the fixed elements are composed of: a large case (B) being obtained with at least one preformed metal sheet; a base traverse (E) and a profile under the case (B) which is the base of the large case, being that the lower end of said large case is attached to said profile; an upper traverse (C) longitudinal runner, on one side connected to the large case, on the other supported by at least one mullion (D); at least one mullion (D), defining the amplitude of the door, on one side supporting the end of said longitudinal runner (C), on the other anchored to the base traverse (E); anchorage means consisting of at least one net (13), fixed to the large case associated with it.

Description: The object of this invention is a counterframe for sliding doors particularly of a type that are out of sight when not in use. The innovation finds particular, even if not exclusive, application in the sector of doorframes for buildings. In prior art are known sliding door frames for disappearing sliding doors that consent the application of the respective frames in the walls of buildings. In particular are known counterframes to be integrated in building structures which realize a means of support and anchorage for the frame of said door. Among these are known also sliding doors of a type that are out of sight when not in use (disappearing sliding doors) and that can be substantially of two kinds, the first, more traditional, provides a single wall in which there is a longitudinal seat to close away a sliding door by means of a pair of upper (US-A-2220400; US-A-4561210; DE-A-2001846) and/or lower runners (AU-D-86334; US-A-2026886). An analog door that is out of sight when not in use is also obtained by means of the realization between the two walls of the respective receiving seat, consenting equally an embedding function. Such solutions, even though being quite efficient, involve different problems, first of all the fact that they require a long time to be installed, consequently determining high realization costs with particularly complex structures and not always possible due to the difficulty of space. To resolve in particular the above said problems, counterframes have been integrated in wall building structures which involve the use of some elements in preformed metal sheets combined in various ways and in particular comprising: a door case to be attached to the wall with a mullion in a counterposition to the door case which delimits the opening and on which upwardly is attached, being screwed to said supporting structure, a longitudinal runner. In a lateral position to said door case a net is then attached in a successive phase on both sides by means of the gripping power of the final layer, in this case the plaster. The fixation of the net to the door case is generally obtained by means of fixations somewhat empiric with some vertical staves directly obtained to press on the metal sheet sides, a kind of a Greek fret on said case. A second system consists in the association of the net to the box without spacer elements by means of welded points, a method that is mainly utilized for very thin nets. However also these solutions are not exempt from drawbacks, noticeable particularly in the assembly of the single components, which require a long time for installation and in the last cases cited, the possibility, moreover somewhat frequent, that in the weld points of the net to the box, as time goes past, form rust causing the detachment of the net and consequently the crumbling or the formation of cracks in the plaster. The aim of said invention is to resolve the above mentioned drawbacks. This aim is reached with said innovation according to characteristics of the annexed claims solving the exposed problems by means of an improved counterframe for sliding doors particularly of a type that are out of sight when not in use, according to claim 1. In such a way, by this important creative contribution that realizes an immediate technical progress, different advantages are achieved, among them of which is less time for the execution of the supporting structure and the obtainment of such a simplified solution which has an evident qualitative increase. In other words, defining minor realization costs along with particular detailed advantages evident in the anchorage system of the net to the case, which excludes the possibility of the formation of rust, due to the absence of contact points obtaining furthermore a perfect coplanar of the net. These and other advantages will appear in the following specified description of the preferential solutions for the realization with the help of the enclosed schematic drawings of which execution details are not to be considered limitative but only exemplificative. Figure 1 represents a prospective view of the counterframe integrated in building structures Figure 2 represents a full view of the counterframe which in the previous Figure is dissociated from the building structure. Figures 3 and 4 represent the prospective views of a door case in the two versions with and without vertical wood laths. Figure 5 represents a view of a section of the two preformed metal sheets for the realization of the door case in the previous Figures; Figure 6 represents a view of a section of the two preformed metal sheets combined to realize said case in enlarged view. Figure 7 represents a front view of a stave spacer of the type to be associated to the door case for the spaced support of the net. Figure 8 represents a front view of the net attached with some meshes on a stave spacer. Figure 9 makes evident a section of a stave spacer with the flaps to fold inserted between the mesh of the net. Figures 10 and 11 represent respectively the prospective views of a mullion defining the opening of the case, and of a cover that closes the entrance of the door case when the sliding door is not being used. Figure 12 represents a prospective view of an upper traverse longitudinal runner and of a runner for the sliding door associated to it. Figure 13 represents a view of a section of the single element components of said upper traverse longitudinal runner and said runner of the previous Figure. Fig. 14 represents a view of a section of the elements so assembled. Figure 15 represents a prospective view of the base traverse. Figure 16 represents a view of a section of the door case assembled to said base traverse and the profile under the door case, and also to the upper traverse runner guide. Figure 17 represents a view of a section of a profile of the lower part of the door case. Figure 18 represents a prospective view of the profile of the lower part of the door case. Figure 19 represents a view of a section of the base traverse held in correspondence at the end of the coupling of the base traverse to said mullion. Figure 20 represents a particular, prospective view of the net to be attached to the door case. Making reference also to the Figures, it is disclosed that an improved counterframe (A) for sliding doors, particularly of a type that are out of sight when not in use, is made substantially of two series of elements and in particular the first fixed ones being destinated to be integrated as part of the building's structure and the second ones only to be used when the sliding door is not in use or must be reused. The first series essentially consists of a door case (B), obtained by means of the association of two metal sheets (1) preformed with an L-shape, and clamped longitudinally (2), being that this side is connected to the building's structure in which said counterframe is incorporated. The ends which are opposite to the longitudinal clamps (2) are furthermore bent with a conformation essentially like a "C", to accommodate a wood lath (3) which allows the fixation of a frame and "cover" for the embellishment of the frame. Some holes are made in correspondence with the upper side of the door case (4) on both the metal sheets that consent the orthogonal fixation of a traverse (C) by means of screws (4'). The traverse in particular is composed of three elements: a first upper profile support (5) with the length of the traverse, conformed like a 'C" and with the ends bent to 90°, an underlying counterprofile (5') associable to the first with a length at least equal to the amplitude of the door and a runner (5") also this the same length. Said three elements are assembled by means of screws (6) of a type in stainless steel to avoid oxidation. The counterprofile (5') has on the opposite side of that of which is fixed to the door case (B), some little teeth (7) which are to be inserted in the opposite fissures (7') made on the ends of the mullion (D). This last provides a profile with the form of a "C" whose flanges are bent out orthogonally at the ends to allow the vertical association of a pair of wood laths, while along said profile some cramps are also obtained to wall (8), that form the other side, opposite to that of the door case (B) in contact with the building structure. The lower part of the profile (D) has some analog fissures (7") to allow the association of a base traverse (E ). Also this is composed in two parts: a base traverse with a profile substantially with the form of a "C" (9) on the door opening, and a counterprofile (10) into and under the door case (B) conveniently connected to the first. The profile under the case (10) shaped like a "C", has its flanges folded back on themselves, leaving one space between the wall of the profile and the edge folded like this to some millimeters in a way to form a longitudinal seat (11) to hold, on both the sides, the lower edge of the door case (B) which is disposed under this. Furthermore the base traverse (9) forms on one end a small plate (12) with relative cog teeth (7) to fit in corresponding fissures (7'') provided under the mullion (D). When the structure is completed, to allow the coating of the door case (B), for example with some plaster, as a gripping means, a net is applied on the external surface of the same (13) of a zinc plated type and electrowelded. The net (13) is anchored to the door case (B) by means of traversal staves (14) or spacer elements, secured laterally on the metal sheets (1) coplanar in respect to the level of the door case (B) and parallel, by means of riveting (15) or another equivalent means. The cross-section of each of said staves (14) is such to obtain a base (14') to fix the stave to the metal sheets of the door case (B) where in this point the riveting is made and a pair of symmetric flaps, (14") obtained in correspondence of two counter profile spacers, in respect to the surface (14'). The distance between the two symmetric flaps (14") is such to allow in this case their insertion into the interior of the mesh of the relative net (13), and more in particular the flaps are disposed (14") alternatively in proximity of the horizontal rods. Successively the flaps (14") are folded on said horizontal rods (13') of the net, fixing them. Finally the elements necessary when the counterframe is not in use (A), but are considered to be reused, include: a cover (16) as a closure means of the large case (B) to be disposed in correspondence of the opening of the case, and to take away as soon as the counterframe is anchored to the building structure; at least one template (17), of the known type to be attached in the opportune pockets, made on one side on said cover and on the other on the mullion (D).

Claims: A COUNTERFRAME FOR SLIDING DOORS PARTICULARLY OF A TYPE THAT ARE OUT OF SIGHT WHEN NOT IN USE to allow the sliding door to disappear when opened, said counterframe being able to be integrated in wall building structures, and comprising a first series of fixed elements, namely door case (B) and runners (C), which are destined to be an integrated part of the wall, and a second series of removable elements (16, 17) which are usable only in the phase when said counterframe has to be integrated in the wall, said door case (B) being made of preformed metal sheets, cooperating with a mullion (D) connected by a longitudinal runner (C) to said door case such that the longitudinal runner (C) covers said door case (B); said door mullion (D) defining the amplitude of the door opening and supporting the end of said longitudinal runner (C); said door case (B) being covered on both sides by a net (13), characterized in that the fixed elements have the following characteristics: a base traverse (E) is realized in two parts, one part (9) in the door opening being connectable at one side to said mullion (D) and at the other side to a second part base profile (10) forming the second part of said base traverse (E) and fixed in said door case (B) at the underside of said door case (B); said upper traverse longitudinal runner (C), is realized in one part one side being connected on said door case (B) to cover it and the other being supported by said door mullion (D); a plurality of horizontal anchorage stave means (14) fixed to said door case (B), are provided to distance and support at least one net (13). A counterframe according to claim 1, characterized in that said door case (B), is obtained by means of the combination of two preformed metal sheets (I) L-shaped, and longitudinally cramped (2), and of which the opposite ends are furthermore folded with a conformation essentially like a "C", having the possibility to accommodate vertically a wood element (3). A counterframe according to claim 1, characterized in that said upper traverse longitudinal runner (C) is composed of three elements: a first upper profile support (5) with the length of the upper traverse longitudinal runner (C) and having the length of the door opening plus the respective door-case; an underlying counterprofile (5'), fixed in correspondence to said door opening and having the length of said door opening; a runner (5") of the type for a sliding door with the same length as the upper traverse longitudinal runner (C) and in which said elements are assembled one to the other by means of screws (6). A counterframe according to claims 1 and 3, characterized in that the counterprofile (5') has on the side opposite to that of the fixation to said door case (B), teeth means (7) that are to be inserted in provided fissures (7') made on both the ends of said mullion (D). A counterframe according to claim 1, characterized in that said mullion (D) is composed of a "C" shaped profile whose flanges are bent out orthogonally at the ends realizing a seat for eventual wood laths. A counterframe according to claim 1, characterized in that said base traverse (E) is composed in two parts, one of a "C" shaped profile (9), and the other realizing a "C" shaped counterprofile under the said door case (10) combined with the first, and in that the profile under the said door case (10) has its flanges folded back on themselves, to form a longitudinal seat (11) to accommodate on both sides the lower edge of said door case (B). A counterframe according to claims 1 and 6, characterized in that a small plate is provided on said base traverse (12) with relative cog teeth to fit in corresponding fissures (7') made in said mullion (D). A counterframe according to claim 1, characterized in that on the external surface of said door case (B) a metallic net is attached (13) being anchored by means of said horizontal staves (14) which are parallel. A counterframe according to claims 1 and 8, characterized in that the cross-section of each of said staves (14) has a base (14') to be fixed to the metal sheet of said door case (B), and a pair of symmetric flaps, (14") obtained in correspondence to two counterprofile spacers, in respect to the surface (14'). A counterframe according to claim 9, characterized in that the distance between the two symmetric flaps (14") is slightly less than the amplitude of the meshes. A counterframe according to the claims 9 or 10, characterized in that said staves (14) are attached to said door case (B) by means of riveting (15). A counterframe according to the claims 9 or 10, characterized in that the flaps (14") are bent on the horizontal rods (13') of said net (13). A counterframe according to the previous claims, characterized in that said removable elements (A) which may be reused, include a cover (16) as a closure means of the said door case (B) to dispose in the inner vertical door-side opening of said case (B); at least one template (17), of the type to be attached in opportune pockets, obtained on one side by the said cover (16) and on the other on said mullion (D).

Inventors: DE FAVERI LUIGI, DE FAVERI, LUIGI
Applicants: FAVERI SRL, DE FAVERI S.R.L.
Application year: 1991
Main classification: E06B3
IPC codes: E06B3