SUSPENSION MECHANISM FOR NESTABLE SLIDING DOORS

Abstract: The improvements consist of the establishment, in the cavity of each one of the supports (8) intended for the attachment of the mechanism to the related wagon or element, of a special axis (7) provided with an upper threaded end (12), which plays inside a likewise threaded orifice (13), of the upper branch of the support, in such a way, that this axis (7) acts as a worm shaft, on activation on its lower head (15), dragging with it the corresponding small connecting-rod (4), and in consequence the door, since this small connecting-rod is keyed to the axis (7) by means of a lower bushing (10) on which the axis abuts through a stepped recessing, and by means of an upper nut (11) attached to the actual threaded section (12) of the axis (7). A locking screw (17) immobilises the adjustment means, at the end of the adjustment phase during the assembly operation of the door or doors.

Description: OBJECT OF THE INVENTION The present invention refers to various improvements introduced in the suspension mechanism of fitting, sliding, doors which constitute the object of Spanish Patent No. 9501451, these improvements being directed towards permitting an easy adjustment of the mechanism, with which it is possible to conduct a perfect adjustment in the height of the door or doors, associated to this mechanism. The mechanism is applicable to doors used in railroad wagons or the like, maintaining the functional effectiveness of the same, and practically maintaining the same simplicity. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Specifically, in the field related to railroad wagons, as well as in other practical examples in which similar functions are required, folding doors create different types of problems which have determined that at present, they are to be found completely in disuse, sliding doors being much more practical. Different solutions exist for moving these sliding doors, which range from a simple external runner over which these doors are displaced, parallel to the wall of the related wagon or element, up to doors which in addition to being sliding doors, are also fitting doors, passing through doors which slide inside the cavity of a double wall established on the actual wagon. Without doubt, the fitting and sliding doors are the most suitable in the field of railroads, since, as is obvious, a sliding door does not allow the establishment of a perfectly adjusted locking, which is capable of being obtained when the door, after its sliding movement which places it in a closed position, describes a slight frontal movement, fitting into the gap to be closed, where it can exert pressure on the corresponding joint. Currently, the fitting, sliding doors remain generally suspended from a horizontal and upper guide, established on the external side of the related wagon or element, which permits the movement of the door towards the location confronting the gap to be closed, position in which the indicated guides finish off in short guides, perpendicular to the former ones, which allows the final frontal movement of the door for its complete closure. This poses a problem with a double aspect, on one hand, the longitudinal guides are visible during closed positions, with negative repercussion on the aesthetic looks of the related wagon or element, simultaneously constituting elements which break its aerodynamic smoothness, with the possible production of noise, especially, when the train moves at high speed, whilst on the other hand, the short guides, perpendicular to the former ones, demand very accurate adjustments, which consequently have a negative repercussion both at the moment of construction of the door and during its subsequent maintenance, also creating problems during the handling, when, as is generally the case, the activation of these doors is automatic. A solution to the previously indicated problem is known in prior art which consists in a mechanism, in which a telescopic guide participates, based on various sections which slide one with the other, on one of which, at the terminal section, the referenced door is attached, on which, at the initial section, and with the collaboration of end supports, a pair of small articulated connecting-rods are attached, which in turn are joined, articulated to other supports made solid with the fixed structure of the related wagon or element, in such a manner, that through these connecting-rods, and with the collaboration of appropriate activation means, the assembly, constituted by the telescopic guide and the door, is capable of fitting and detaching from its gap, and in a detached position, the door may move sideways between the limit open and closed positions, by means of the extending and retracting of the telescopic guide. In prior art is also known a mechanism, which permit two doors to hang from one same mechanism, working in combination, fittable into one same gap, common to both, from which they are also simultaneously detachable in order to slide in opposite directions. Both in one or another case, and in order to correct possible assembly errors or misadjustments, the suspension arms shall act as height adjustment elements for the door or doors, in order to conveniently adjust them as regards the gap of the wagon. Document EP-A-134971 discloses a suspension mechanism for fitting and sliding doors that comprises a screw-axis that is mounted on a connecting rod in order to be able to adjust the height of the doors. Said height adjustment screw-axis is located in the closer end of the connecting rod to the door. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The improvements proposed by the invention constitute a simple and totally effective solution for performing this adjustment in height. To achieve this, and in a more specific manner, these improvements consist in the assembly of each one of the small connecting-rods of the mechanisms on the corresponding inside cornice forked support of the upper zone of the gap of the related wagon or element, through a special axis, to which this small connecting-rod is advantageously keyed, this axis being made up of a screw which is advantageously threaded to one of the transversal branches of the forked support, in such a manner, that when it activates on the screw head, in one or another direction, it acts in turn as a worm shaft which moves axially in vertical direction, dragging along, the corresponding small connecting-rod and, in consequence, causing the rise or fall of the door or doors, for its positional adjustment. According to another of the characteristics of the invention, it has been provided, that this special axis be assisted by a locking screw, which, after the advantageous adjustment of the locking at the end of its assembly operation, finally immobilises the system. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In order to complement this description, and with the object of helping to achieve a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, this present Specification is attached with a single sheet of drawings forming integral part of it, in which, with illustrative and non limitative character, and in its single figure, a side elevational view, in partial section, of the mechanism's connecting-rods has been represented with their corresponding supports and accessories, in compliance with the improvements which are the object of the present invention. PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION In the indicated figure, the forked support has been referenced with (1), on which the telescopic guide which is not referenced, is to be attached, for example according to the attachment points represented in an exploded view with broken lines (2), establishing between the side branches of this forked support (1), an axis (3), around which the small connecting-rod (4) rotates or tilts, with a ball bearing (5) in interposition, at the same time as this small connecting-rod (4), on its other end, and through the other ball bearing (6), rotates around an axis (7) assembled in turn on a forked support (8), intended in turn to be attached, by screwing or by any other means, according to the exploded view lines (9), to an inside cornice operationally established on the upper zone of the gap of the referenced wagon or element. Thereby, parting from this basic and conventional structure, the improvements of the invention center on the fact that the end of the connecting-rod (4) corresponding to the support (8) for attachment to the related wagon or element, is keyed to this axis (7), in such a way, that it may tilt freely as regards this axis, though it remains absolutely unmoveable in axial direction, this keyed position being conducted by means of a lower bushing (10) and an upper nut (11), this nut being attached to the axis (7) whereby this axis is a special axis, with a threaded section (12), through which it receives the indicated nut (11) for keying of the connecting-rod (4) and through which the actual special axis (7) forms a solid part of the upper branch of the forked support (8), specifically inside a threaded orifice (13) which is operationally performed on the latter. The lower bushing (10) plays freely inside an orifice (14) of the lower branch of the support (8), and is crossed by a sector (15) of the axis (7) with a reduced diameter prior to its activating head (16), in such a way, that when it acts on this head (16), the special axis (7) rotates jointly with the bushing (10), the nut (11) and the internal and corresponding section of the bearings (6), acting as a worm shaft on the nut (13), which is moved vertically, dragging with it, the small connecting-rod (4), which may thus vary its working height as regards the support (8), in consequence permitting the adjustment of the position of the door or doors height, associated to this connecting-rod (4) and its twin. Obviously, this adjustment operation is generally conducted only once, at the moment of assembly of the door or doors, and in order to prevent that in time, lack of adjustments are produced in the mechanism, it has been provided that on one of the side branches of the support (8), preferably on the lower branch, a locking screw (17) is established which immobilises the axis (7), keeping the mechanism absolutely stable.

Claims: Suspension mechanism for fitting sliding doors such as those used in railroads wagons, comprising a connecting rod (4) having a first end that is pivotally connected to a first support (1) mountable to the door and having a second end that is pivotally connected to a second forked support (8) mountable to the wagon, characterised in that it comprises a special axis (7) located at the end of the connecting rod (4) which is privotally connected to the support (8), special axis (7), to which the connecting rod (4) remains advantageously keyed, the activating head (16) of which, is assembled free to rotate around the lower branch of the support (8), and its upper and free end being provided with a threaded sector (12) which plays inside a threaded orifice (13) of the upper branch of this support (8), this special axis acting in the manner of a worm shaft. Suspension mechanism for fitting, sliding, doors, according to claim 1, characterized in that the small connecting-rod (4) remains keyed to the special axis (7) with the collaboration of a lower bushing (10), which plays with free rotation inside an orifice (14) operationally performed on the lower branch of the support (8), bushing (10) on which the axis (7) abuts through a stepped recessing, and an upper nut (11) which is attached to the actual threaded section (12) of the axis (7), remaining axially unmoveable between the bushing (10) and the nut (11), the set of bearings (6) which relate the connecting-rod (4) with the axis (7).

Inventors: CARRION ESPELTA JUAN, CARRION ESPELTA, JUAN
Applicants: FAIVELEY ESPANOLA, FAIVELEY ESPANOLA, S.A.
Application year: 1996
Main classification: E05D15
IPC codes: E05D7, E05D15