Abstract:
A modular wall assembly includes a frame assembly that includes at least one vertical frame member and at least one horizontal frame member, wherein the frame assembly is configured to define a door opening, a door member slidably operable between a closed position, wherein the door member is at least partially located within the door opening, and an open position, wherein the door member is at least partially removed from with the door opening to allow ingress and egress through the door opening, and a support assembly that includes a sliding support member that slidably supports the door member between the open and closed positions, and at least one mounting arrangement coupling the sliding support member, wherein the at least one mounting arrangement allows vertical adjustment of the sliding support member with respect to the frame assembly.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/029,164, filed on Sep. 17, 2013, entitled SLIDING DOOR ASSEMBLY, which also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/702,018, filed Sep. 17, 2012, entitled “FLOOR-TO-CEILING PARTITION WALL ASSEMBLY”. This application is further related to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/702,008, filed Sep. 17, 2012, entitled “VERTICALLY ADJUSTABLE DOOR ASSEMBLY”; U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/701,977, filed Sep. 17, 2012, entitled “MONITOR MOUNT ASSEMBLY”; and U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/701,969, filed Sep. 17, 2012, entitled “SLIDING DOOR ASSEMBLY”, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a sliding door assembly, and in particular to a sliding door assembly employable within a floor-to-ceiling wall partition assembly. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     One aspect of the present invention is to provide a modular wall assembly that comprises a frame assembly including at least one vertical frame member and at least one horizontal frame member, wherein the frame assembly is configured to define a door opening, a door member slidably operable between closed and open positions, and a support assembly that includes a sliding support member that slidably supports the door member between the open and closed positions, and at least one mounting arrangement releasably coupling the sliding support member to the frame assembly, wherein the at least one mounting arrangement allows vertical adjustment of the sliding support member with respect to the frame assembly. 
     Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a modular wall assembly that comprises a frame assembly including at least one vertical frame member and at least one horizontal frame member, wherein the frame assembly is configured to define a door opening, a door member slidably operable between closed and open positions, and a support assembly that includes a sliding support member that slidably supports the door member between the open and closed positions, and at least one mounting arrangement coupling the sliding support member to the frame assembly, wherein at least one of the at least one vertical frame member and the at least one horizontal frame member includes a plurality of apertures, and wherein the at least one mounting arrangement engages the plurality of apertures to removably couple the at least one mounting arrangement with the frame assembly. 
     Still yet another aspect of the present invention is to provide a modular wall assembly that comprises a frame assembly including at least on vertical frame member and at least one horizontal frame member, wherein the frame assembly is configured to define a door opening, a door member slidably operable between closed and open positions, and a seal arrangement extending along a lower edge of the door member and including a housing having a first portion attached to the lower edge of the door member, and a second portion selectively engageable with the first portion between a plurality of vertically-spaced positions, the seal arrangement further including a seal member extending downwardly from the second portion of the housing and adapted to abut a floor surface. 
     These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following specification, claims, and appended drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a floor-to-ceiling wall partition assembly including a sliding door assembly embodying the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an enlarged perspective view of the area II,  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a front elevational view of the sliding door assembly, wherein a door member is shown in a closed position in solid line and an open position in dashed line; 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of the sliding door assembly; 
         FIG. 5A  is a cross-sectional view of a sliding rail assembly taken along the line V-V,  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5B  is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the sliding rail assembly; 
         FIGS. 6A-6C  are perspective views of mounting assemblies of the sliding door assembly; 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of an alternative transom or mid-height mounted sliding rail assembly; 
         FIGS. 8A-8C  are perspective views of mounting assemblies of the alternative transom or mid-height mounted rail assembly; 
         FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of a drop seal arrangement taken along the line IX-IX;  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective cross-sectional view of the drop seal arrangement; 
         FIG. 11A  is a perspective cross-sectional view of the drop seal arrangement, with a drop seal member in an uppermost position; 
         FIG. 11B  is a perspective cross-sectional view of the drop seal arrangement, with a drop seal member in a lowermost position; 
         FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the drop seal arrangement; 
         FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view of a vertical seal arrangement taken along the line XII-XII,  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 14A  is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the vertical seal arrangement; and 
         FIG. 14B  is a cross-sectional view of a second alternative embodiment of the vertical seal arrangement. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in  FIG. 1 . However, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative orientations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise. 
     The reference numeral  10  ( FIG. 1 ) generally designates a floor-to-ceiling partition wall assembly that includes a frame assembly  11  supporting a plurality of panel assemblies  12 , including opaque or solid panel assemblies  14  and translucent or glass panel assemblies  16 , and a sliding door assembly  18  embodying the present invention. The frame assembly  11  includes a plurality of vertical frame members  20  and a plurality of horizontal frame members  22  extending between and coupled with the vertical frame members  20 . Each of the vertical frame members  20  ( FIG. 2 ) and the horizontal frame members  22  have an H-shaped cross-sectional configuration and include channels  24  defining a web portion  26  therebetween, and a pair of oppositely disposed outer portions  28  each having a rectangularly-shaped cross-sectional configuration and a plurality of mounting slots  30  spaced longitudinally along the length of the associated frame member  20 ,  22 . The horizontal frame members  22  are coupled with the associated vertical frame members  20  by a plurality of L-shaped corner brackets  32  that are received within the channels  24  and are secured to the frame members  20 ,  22  by a plurality of mechanical fasteners such as screws  34 . 
     The sliding door assembly  18  ( FIGS. 1 and 3 ) is movable in a direction  19  between an open position A allowing ingress and egress through a doorway opening  36 , and a closed position B, wherein the door assembly  18  covers the doorway opening  36 . In the illustrated example, the sliding door assembly  18  includes a glass door panel  40 , a sliding rail assembly  42 , and a drop seal assembly  44 . The glass door panel  40  includes an upper portion  46  having a top edge  48  ( FIG. 4 ), a lower portion  50  having a bottom edge  52  ( FIG. 9 ), and a pair of side portions  54  each including a side edge  56 . 
     In the illustrated example, the sliding rail assembly  42  ( FIGS. 4 and 5A ) includes a runner rail  58  ( FIG. 5A ) supporting a roller assembly  60  and housing the top edge  48  of the door panel  40 , a mounting rail  62  supporting the runner rail  58 , a reinforcement member  64  reinforcing the mounting rail  62 , and a plurality of mounting assemblies  66 A,  66 B,  66 C spaced along the length of the mounting rail  62  and supporting the mounting rail  62  from the associated vertical frame members  20  of the frame assembly  11 . The runner rail  58  has a downwardly opening, C-shaped cross-sectional configuration and includes a first channel  68  that slidably receives the roller assemblies  60  therein, and a second channel  70  that houses the upper portion  46  of the door panel  40  as the door panel  40  moves between the open and closed positions A, B. Each roller assembly  60  is attached to a first attachment bracket  72  having an L-shaped cross-sectional configuration and cooperating with a second attachment bracket  74  and is coupled thereto via a plurality of mechanical fasteners  76 , thereby sandwiching the upper portion  46  of the door panel  40  between the first and second attachment brackets  72 ,  74  and supporting the door panel  40  from the roller assemblies  60 . Each roller assembly  60  includes a rolling damper  61  that dampens the sliding motion of the door panel  40  as it approaches the fully open and fully closed positions A, B, and is actuated via a damping actuator  63 . In the illustrated example, each damping actuator  63  is connected to an associated stop member  65  that prevents the door panel  40  from moving beyond the fully open and fully closed positions A, B. 
     In those applications where the runner rail  58  spans a plurality of vertical frame members  20 , each mounting rail  62  is provided with an L-shaped cross-sectional configuration including a horizontal leg  78  and a vertical leg  80 , wherein the runner rail  58  is coupled to the vertical leg  80  of the mounting rail  62  and a mounting portion  84  of one of the mounting assemblies  66 A,  66 B,  66 C by a plurality of mechanical fasteners such as screws  82  (as described below). In the illustrated example, the runner rail  58  and the mounting rail  62  may be provided as multiple pieces spanning different lengths depending on the distance between vertical frame members  20  from which the sliding rail assembly  42  is supported. In certain other applications, the span between vertical frame members  20  is significant enough that the reinforcement member  64  is provided to reinforce the runner rail  58  and the mounting rail  62 . The reinforcement member  64  is provided an L-shaped cross-sectional configuration similar to the mounting rail  62 . The mounting rail  62  is supported from the vertical frame members  20  of the frame assembly  11  by the plurality of mounting assemblies  66 . In certain configurations, the runner rail  58  may be mounted directly to the mounting assemblies  66 A,  66 B,  66 C and utilized without the mounting rail  62  and/or the reinforcement member  64 . As best illustrated in  FIG. 5B , an alternative embodiment of the sliding rail assembly  42 ″ is shown as including the runner rail  58 ″ and the reinforcement member  64 ″. Since the rail assembly  42 ″ is similar to the rail assembly  42 , similar parts appearing in  FIGS. 5A and 5B , respectively, are represented by the same, corresponding reference numeral except for “″” in the numerals of the latter. The sliding rail assembly  42 ″ is similar in construction and configuration to the sliding rail assembly  42  with the most notable exception being the configuration of the runner rail  58 ″ and the reinforcement member  64 ″. In the illustrated example, the runner rail  58 ″ includes a relatively thicker sidewall  59 ″ that is secured to the mounting portion  84 B″ of the mounting assembly  66 B″ via the screws  82 ″, such that the sidewall  59 ″ of the runner rail  58 ″ directly abuts the mounting portion. The reinforcement member  64 ″ has an elongated planar configuration and is secured to an upper wall  61 ″ of the runner rail  58 ″ via a plurality of mechanical fasteners such as screws or bolts (not shown). 
     As best illustrated in  FIGS. 6A-6C , the mounting assemblies are provided in various configurations, including a right side mounting assembly  66 A, a center mounting assembly  66 B and a left side mounting assembly  66 C. Since each of the mounting assemblies  66 A,  66 B,  66 C are similar in construction and assembly, similar parts appearing in  FIGS. 6A-6C  are represented by the same, corresponding reference numeral, except for the suffixes “A” “B” and “C” after the numerals respectively. By way of example, the mounting assembly  66 A includes a planar mounting portion  84 A and a support portion  86 A extending downwardly and perpendicularly from the mounting portion  84 A. The mounting assembly  66 A further includes the hook member  88 A having a body portion  90 A with a plurality of elongated apertures  92 A spaced along the length thereof, and a plurality of downwardly-extending hooks  94 A extending rearwardly from the body portion  90 A and spaced longitudinally along the length thereof. 
     In assembly, each mounting assembly  66 A,  66 B,  66 C is assembled with the associated vertical frame members  20  by inserting the hooks  94 A,  94 B,  94 C into the slots  30  of the vertical frame members  20 . The relative vertical position of the mounting portion  84 A,  84 B,  84 C of each mounting assembly  66 A,  66 B,  66 C is then adjusted by aligning the mounting portion  84 A,  84 B,  84 C with components of the frame assembly  11 . A plurality of mechanical fasteners, such as screws  96 A,  96 B,  96 C are then tightened, thereby securing the support portion  84 A,  84 B,  84 C of the hook assembly  66 A,  66 B,  66 C at the selected vertical position. The hook assemblies  88 A,  88 B,  88 C are then removed from engagement with the vertical frame members  20  and attached to the remaining components of the slider rail assembly  42 . The door panel  40  and the slider rail assembly  42  are then assembled, and the overall door assembly  18  is hung from the vertical frame members  20  by the mounting assemblies  66 A,  66 B,  66 C, thereby allowing the door assembly  18  to be mounted in a proper relationship with respect to a ceiling structure. 
     As best illustrated in  FIGS. 7-8C , the sliding rail assembly  42 ′ may also be configured to support the sliding door assembly  18  at a transom height, i.e., a height below the uppermost horizontal frame member  22 , or a position spaced from an associated ceiling height. Since the sliding rail assembly  42 ′ is similar to the previously described sliding rail assembly  42 , similar parts appearing in  FIGS. 5 and 6A-6C  and  FIGS. 7-8C , respectively are represented by the same, corresponding reference numeral, except for the “′” in the numerals of the latter. In the illustrated example, the mounting assemblies  66 A′,  66 B′,  66 C′ are each configured such that the mounting portion  84 A′,  84 B′,  84 C′ are positioned at a midpoint along the length of the support portion  86 A′,  86 B′,  86 C′, respectively. 
     As best illustrated in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , the drop seal assembly  44  includes a housing  100  including an upwardly opening channel that receives the lower portion  50  of the door panel  40  therein and which includes a plurality of longitudinally extending slats  104  each having a T-shaped cross-sectional configuration and defining a plurality of slots therebetween. The drop seal assembly  44  further includes an alignment member  108  having a vertically extending body portion  110  and an alignment portion  112  extending perpendicularly from the body portion  110  and abutting the bottom edge  52  of the panel  40 . In the illustrated example, the body portion  110  includes a plurality of longitudinally extending slats  114  each having a T-shaped cross-sectional configuration and defining a plurality of slots  116  therebetween. In assembly, the slats  114  and slots  116  of the alignment member  108  engage the slots  106  and slats  104  of the housing  100 , thereby allowing the drop seal assembly  44  to be vertically positioned at a select height between an uppermost position C ( FIG. 11A ) and a lowermost position D ( FIG. 11B ) with respect to the bottom edge  52  of the door panel  40 . 
     The reference numeral  44 D ( FIG. 12 ) generally designates another embodiment of the drop seal assembly. Since the drop seal assembly  44 D is similar to the drop seal assembly  44 , similar parts appearing in  FIGS. 9 and 10  and  FIG. 12  are represented by the same, corresponding reference numeral, except for the suffix “D” in the numerals of the latter. The drop seal assembly  44 D is similar to the drop seal assembly  44  with the most notable exception being the configuration of the housing  100 D and it attachment to the associated door panel  40 D. In the illustrated example, the housing  100 D includes a first portion  101 D facing an exterior of the door panel  40 D, and a second portion  103 D facing an interior of the door panel  40 D. The first portion  101 D includes an upper portion  105 D having a C-shaped channel  107 D, while the second portion  103 D includes an upper portion  109 D that cooperates with the upper portion  105 D of the first portion  101 D to sandwich the lower portion  50 D of the door panel  40 D therebetween. The first portion  101 D and the second portion  103 D are each preferably secured to the door panel  40 D via an adhesive, however, other suitable attachment methods may also be utilized. The first portion  101 D of the housing  100 D further includes a ball  111 D of an elongated ball-and-socket type arrangement, while the second portion  103 D includes a socket  113 D of the elongated ball-and-socket arrangement that snappingly receives the ball  111 D therein, thereby attaching the first portion  101 D to the second portion  103 D. The first portion  101 D further includes a downwardly-extending T-shaped tab  115 D received within an upwardly-opening, longitudinally-extending channel  124 D. 
     Referring to the embodiment of the housing  100  as illustrated in  FIGS. 9-11B , the housing  100  further includes longitudinally extending, downwardly opening channel  118  which houses a seal member  120  therein. A longitudinally extending seal support member  122  includes an upwardly opening C-shaped channel  124  that engages the longitudinally extending, T-shaped tab  126 , and a downwardly opening channel  128  that receives the U-shaped, flexibly resilient seal member  120  therein, such that the seal member  120  abuts an associated floor surface. Alternatively, the seal member  120  may be replaced with a plate-like member for those configurations requiring vertical adjustment of the assembly  44 , but not requiring an acoustical seal. 
     A pair of guide members  130  engage a second downwardly extending channel  132 , thereby guiding the sliding door assembly  18  as it is moved between the open and closed positions A, B. Specifically, each guide member  130  is provided a C-shaped cross-sectional configuration including a body portion secured to a trim member  136  covering an associated vertical frame member  20 , and a guide portion  138  that is received within the channel  132 . 
     As best illustrated in  FIG. 13 , the sliding door assembly  18  further includes a vertical seal arrangement  140  sealing the side portions  54  of the door panel  40  with respect to the frame assembly  11 . A pair of cooperating vertical trim members  142  are attached to an associated vertical frame member  20  by an attachment arrangement  144 . One of the vertical trim members  142  includes a longitudinally extending, outwardly opening channel  146  that supports a seal member  148  therein. Specifically, the flexibly resilient seal member  148  extends vertically along the trim member  142  and includes a first portion  150  having a pair of tabs  152  that engage the channel  146 , thereby mounting the seal member  148  to the vertical trim member  142 . The seal member  148  includes a second portion  154  that abuts an L-shaped trim strip  156  abutting a side edge  56  of the door panel  40  and secured to the door panel  40  by an adhesive. It is noted that the trim strip  156  extends inwardly from an inner surface of the door panel  40  and that second portion  154  of the seal member  148  is adapted to abut the trim strip  156  when the sliding door assembly  18  is in the closed position B, and that the second portion  154  is spaced from and does not abut the inner surface of the door panel  40  as the door assembly  18  is moved between the open and closed positions A, B. Alternatively, the trim member  142 E is provided as a single, unitary extruded member that is aesthetically finished via a trim cover  160 E. In the illustrated example, the trim member  142 E is secured to the associated vertical frame member  20  via a plurality of mechanical fasteners, such as bolts  162 E, and includes a pair of laterally-opening, elongated channels  164 E and an outwardly-opening channel  166 E. Each of the channels  164 E includes a longitudinally-extending tab  168 E. The trim member  142 E includes a pair of inwardly and longitudinally extending, flexibly resilient engagement portions  172 E that are received within the channels  164 E of the trim member  142 E and releasably engage the corresponding tabs  168 E, thereby removably securing the trim cover  160 E to the trim member  142 E. The trim cover  160 E further includes an inwardly-turned tab portion  174 E that wraps about an end wall  170 E of the trim member  142 E. In assembly, a C-shaped member  148 E is secured to the end wall  170 E of the trim member  142 E via an adhesive, although other suitable attachment arrangements could be utilized. 
     The reference numeral  148 F ( FIG. 14B ) generally designates an alternative embodiment of the seal member. Since the overall trim member  142 F and the trim cover  160 F is similar to the previously described trim member  142 E and the trim cover  160 E, similar parts appearing in  FIG. 14A  and  FIG. 14B  respectively are represented by the same corresponding reference numeral, except of the suffix “F” in the numerals of the latter. In the illustrated example, the seal member  148 F includes the first portion  150 F comprising a relatively hard polypropylene and the second portion  154 F comprising a relatively soft ethylene propylene diene monomer or EPDM rubber, wherein the second portion includes longitudinally-extending first, second and third living hinges  171 F,  173 F,  175 F. 
     In the foregoing description, it will readily appreciated by those skilled in the art that modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the concepts as disclosed. Such modifications are to be considered as included in the following claims, unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.