Patent Publication Number: US-2023160247-A1

Title: Sliding closet door assembly and method of assembling a sliding closet door

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a sliding closet door assembly and to a method of assembling a sliding closet door. 
     BACKGROUND 
     WO2018206885A1 suggests a sliding closet door comprising a plurality of panels arranged within a door frame. 
     There is however a need for a sliding closet door which is easier to install. 
     SUMMARY 
     It is an object of the present invention to solve, or at least mitigate, parts or all of the above mentioned problems. To this end, there is provided a sliding closet door assembly comprising a first door panel; and a door frame assembly comprising at least a first side edge strip arrangement, a second side edge strip arrangement, a top edge strip arrangement and a bottom edge strip arrangement. The first side edge strip arrangement, second side edge strip arrangement, top edge strip arrangement, and bottom edge strip arrangement are configured to define a door frame extending in a door frame plane, wherein the door frame is adapted to receive and hold said first door panel. The door frame is configured to receive said first door panel in a door panel insertion direction transversal to the door frame plane, i.e. along a direction crossing the door frame plane. Thereby, said first door panel may be mounted within the door frame after the door frame has been raised to a vertical posture, and optionally been connected to or suspended in a door guide rail. This reduces the effort of mounting the door to the door rail, since the weight of said first door panel does not add to the weight of the door frame when mounting the door frame in the door guide rail. The sliding closet door assembly defined above also allows making any fine-tuning of the door position, e.g. by adjusting the position(s) of any riders configured to ride in the door guide rail, or the position of the door guide rail itself, prior to mounting said first door panel, which even further facilitates installation. According to embodiments, the door frame may be configured to enable inserting said first door panel, when oriented parallel to the door frame plane, in a door panel insertion direction perpendicular to the door frame plane. Typically, the door frame as well as said first door panel may have a substantially rectangular shape, even though other shapes are also possible. 
     According to embodiments, at least one of the first side edge strip arrangement, second side edge strip arrangement, top edge strip arrangement, and a bottom edge strip arrangement may comprise an attachment arrangement configured to attach said first door panel to the door frame. The attachment arrangement may configured to releasably attach said first door panel to the door frame, such that the door panel may easily be replaced. 
     According to embodiments, said first door panel may be lockable to the door frame via a snap-lock. 
     According to embodiments, at least one of said first side edge strip arrangement, second side edge strip arrangement, top edge strip arrangement, and bottom edge strip arrangement may comprise a respective support strip configured to be rigidly connected to adjacent strip arrangements of said first side edge strip arrangement, second side edge strip arrangement, top edge strip arrangement, and bottom edge strip arrangement, and a respective lock strip movable in relation to said support strip between an open position, in which the lock strip allows free passage of a respective door panel edge, of said first door panel, into the door frame, and a lock position, in which the lock strip locks said respective edge of said first door panel within the door frame. The lock strip may be configured to remain attached to the support strip in each of the open and lock positions. 
     According to embodiments, said respective lock strip may be pivotally connected to the respective support strip, to pivot about a respective pivot axis parallel to the respective support strip, between said open position and said lock position. 
     According to embodiments, said at least one of said first side edge strip arrangement, second side edge strip arrangement, top edge strip arrangement, and bottom edge strip arrangement may further comprise a compressible sealing strip configured to be squeezed between said first door panel and at least one of said respective support strip and said respective lock strip. The sealing strip may thereby take up any play between said first door panel and the at least one of said respective support strip and said respective lock strip, which eases manufacturing tolerances. According to embodiments, the sealing strip may be configured as a bulb strip. Such a strip may provide substantially the same pressure against the door panel over a large range of door panel thicknesses. Rubber is an exemplary suitable material for the sealing strip. 
     According to embodiments, at least one of said respective support strip and said respective lock strip may be configured as an extruded profile. By way of example, said respective support strip, said respective lock strip, or both, may be configured as a respective profile of extruded aluminium or plastic. The extruded profile(s) may engage to define a hinge enabling pivoting the lock strip relative to the support strip. 
     According to embodiments, the lock strip may be lockable in the locking position by an interlocking engagement between a support strip locking portion and a mating lock strip locking portion. The interlocking engagement may form a snap-lock as defined hereinabove. Such a snap-lock may comprise a locking portion of the lock strip configured to slidingly pass over a locking cam of the support strip. 
     According to embodiments, a shape of said extruded profile of said at least one of said respective support strip and said respective lock strip may define said at least one of said support strip locking portion and said lock strip locking portion. Thereby, no subsequent machining of said at least one of said respective support strip and said respective lock strip is required to form the respective locking portion. According to embodiments, both the respective support strip and the respective lock strip may be configured as an extruded profile, respective shapes of their respective extruded profiles defining their respective locking portions. 
     According to embodiments, said respective lock strip may be configured to cover, when in said lock position, an outside face of said respective door panel edge. 
     According to embodiments, at least one of said first side edge strip arrangement, second side edge strip arrangement, top edge strip arrangement, and bottom edge strip arrangement may be configured as a lock strip-less strip arrangement. Clearly, none of the strip arrangements needs a respective lock strip. The sliding closet door assembly may comprise other means of attaching said first door panel to the door frame, such as clips or the like. Moreover, said first door panel does not need to be attached to the door frame at all edges. By way of example, the door panel may be attached at two edges, or at two opposite corners. 
     According to embodiments, one of said first side edge strip arrangement, second side edge strip arrangement, top edge strip arrangement, and bottom edge strip arrangement may be configured as a fixed-groove strip arrangement comprising a fixed groove configured to receive a respective door panel edge in an edge insertion direction along the door frame plane. Such a strip arrangement may constrain the respective panel edge within the door frame plane without the need for a movable lock strip or other attachment means. Thereby, a lower manufacturing cost and/or a higher strength of the sliding door may be obtained. In particular, the bottom edge strip arrangement may be configured as a fixed-groove strip arrangement, such that the weight of said first door panel may be carried by the fixed-groove strip arrangement. 
     According to embodiments, said door frame may be configured to, after having received said first door panel, vertically support said first door panel prior to locking the door panel to the door frame. 
     According to embodiments, the sliding closet door assembly may be configured to define an inside face facing an interior of a closet, and an opposite outside face facing an exterior space, wherein the door frame is configured to receive said first door panel in a door panel insertion direction from the exterior space. 
     According to embodiments, the sliding closet door assembly may further comprise a second door panel; and a divider strip configured to divide the door frame into a first subframe and a second subframe, the first subframe configured to hold said first door panel and the second subframe configured to hold said second door panel. The first and second door panels may have the same or different panel thicknesses. 
     According to embodiments, the divider strip may be configured to straddle an edge of at least one of the first and second door panels. Thereby, the divider strip may engage both an inner and an outer face of the respective door panel(s), and prevent the door panel(s) from moving in a direction perpendicular to the door frame plane. Clearly, the divider strip may straddle both the first and second door panels. 
     According to embodiments, the divider strip may be configured to be positioned on top of said first door panel, and the second door panel is configured to be positioned on top of the divider strip. 
     According to embodiments, the divider strip may be configured to be attached to at least one of said first and second side edge strip arrangements. Such an arrangement may increase the stability and rigidity of the sliding door. According to embodiments, the divider strip may be configured to be attached to the first side edge strip arrangement as well as the second side edge strip arrangement, which may even further increase the stability of the door. 
     According to embodiments, the divider strip may be configured to be attached to said at least one of said first and second side edge strip arrangements via a clamping arrangement. Such an arrangement may provide a simple means of attaching the divider strip. Moreover, a clamping arrangement may be configured to be operated by moving a clamping actuator along the door frame plane, to press a clamp of the clamping arrangement in a clamping direction perpendicular to the door frame plane, such that no clamping parts need to be visible from outside the closet. The clamping arrangement may be arranged on a longitudinal end of the divider strip. Still further, if the divider strip is configured to clamp to a portion of at least one of said first and second side edge strip arrangements which has a uniform profile along the length of the at least one of said first and second side edge strip arrangements, the clamping arrangement may be clamped to the at least one of said first and second side edge strip arrangements at an arbitrary and steplessly selectable height. 
     According to embodiments, the clamping arrangement may comprise a first expanding arrangement configured to ride in a groove along the length of said first side edge strip arrangement, the expanding arrangement being configured to be expanded to clamp against inner faces of the groove. Clearly, the clamping arrangement may also comprise a second expanding arrangement riding in a groove along the length of said second side edge strip arrangement. The expanding arrangement(s) may be configured to be expanded by inserting a plug in an plug insertion direction along the door frame plane. Thereby, the plug may be less visible from the outside of the closet. 
     According to embodiments, the clamping arrangement may be provided with barbs which, when clamped, lock the divider strip to the at least one of said first and second side edge strip arrangements. Clearly, the clamping arrangement may be provided with barbs at both longitudinal ends of the divider strips for locking, when clamped, the divider strip to each of said first and second side edge strip arrangements. 
     According to embodiments, two longitudinal ends of the divider strip may be configured to, when mounted in the door frame, be inserted in respective grooves extending along the respective first and second side edge strip arrangements. 
     According to embodiments, said first door panel may be tool-less attachable to the door frame. For example, any lock strip or clamping arrangement may be configured to be operated without any tools. 
     According to embodiments, the sliding closet door assembly may further comprise a rider arrangement configured to ride in, and be guided by, a door guide rail extending along the door frame plane. The rider arrangement may comprise one or more top riders configured to ride in a top guide rail adjacent to the top edge strip arrangement of the door, and/or one or more bottom riders configured to ride in a bottom guide rail adjacent to the bottom edge strip arrangement of the door. The rider(s) may be wheels configured to roll in the door guide. Alternatively or additionally, the sliding closet door assembly may comprise other further components, such as door handles, a door guide rail, attachment brackets for attaching the door guide rail to a closet, etc. 
     According to a second aspect, parts or all of the above mentioned problems are solved, or at least mitigated, by a method of assembling a sliding closet door, the method comprising providing a door frame extending in a door frame plane; connecting the door frame to a door guide rail configured to enable sliding the door frame along a vertical plane coinciding with the door frame plane; and, after connecting the door frame to the door guide rail, mounting a first door panel in the door frame. Connecting the door frame to a door guide rail may comprise suspending the door frame in at least one of a top guide rail configured to guide a top edge of the door, and a bottom guide rail configured to guide a bottom edge of the door. The weight of the door may be carried by either or both of a top guide rail and a bottom guide rail. 
     According to embodiments, the method may further comprise, after having connected the door frame to the door guide rail and prior to mounting said first door panel in the door frame, operating an adjustment arrangement to adjust the position of the door frame in relation to the door guide rail. 
     According to embodiments, mounting said first door panel in the door frame may comprise inserting the at least one door panel into the door frame in an insertion direction transversal to the door frame plane. 
     According to embodiments, the method may further comprise mounting a first divider strip to the door frame, the first divider strip dividing the door frame into a first subframe and a second subframe, the first subframe holding said first door panel; and mounting a second door panel in said second subframe. 
     It is noted that embodiments of the invention may be embodied by all possible combinations of features recited in the claims. Further, it will be appreciated that the various embodiments described for the sliding closet door assembly are all combinable with the various embodiments of the method as defined in accordance with the second aspect, and vice versa. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the present invention, will be better understood through the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed description of preferred embodiments of the present invention, with reference to the appended drawings, where the same reference numerals will be used for similar elements, wherein: 
         FIG.  1    is a view in perspective of a closet with sliding doors; 
         FIG.  2    is a view in perspective of parts of a sliding door assembly for assembling a door frame of a sliding door of the closet of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  3    is a perspective view of the sliding door assembly of  FIG.  2    in an intermediate state of assembly, in which the door frame has been assembled; 
         FIG.  3 A  is a magnified view of a portion of the sliding door assembly of  FIG.  3   , illustrating the connection of a top edge strip arrangement of the sliding door assembly to a first side edge strip arrangement of the sliding door assembly; 
         FIG.  3 B  is a magnified view corresponding to the view of  FIG.  3 A , after having connected the top edge strip arrangement to the first side edge strip arrangement; 
         FIG.  4 A  is a magnified view of a portion of the sliding door assembly of  FIG.  3   , illustrating the attachment of a top rider to the door frame; 
         FIG.  4 B  is a magnified view corresponding to the view of  FIG.  4 A , after having attached the top rider to the door frame; 
         FIG.  5    is a perspective view of the closet of  FIG.  1   , illustrating the suspension of the door frame of  FIG.  3    - 4B to the closet by engaging the top riders of  FIGS.  4 A-B  with a top guide rail of the closet; 
         FIG.  5 A . illustrates a section of a portion of the view of  FIG.  5   , the section taken along the vertical plane indicated by the line V-V of  FIG.  5   ; 
         FIG.  5 B  is a section corresponding to the view of  FIG.  5 A , and illustrates the closet of  FIG.  5    after having engaged the top riders with the top guide rail; 
         FIG.  6    is a perspective view of the closet of  FIG.  5    after having suspended the door frame to the closet; 
         FIG.  6 A  is a section of a portion of the view of  FIG.  6   , the section taken along the vertical plane indicated by the line VI-VI of  FIG.  6   , and illustrates the attachment of a bottom rider to the door frame; 
         FIG.  6 B  is a section corresponding to the view of  FIG.  6 A , and illustrates the closet of  FIG.  6    after having attached the bottom rider to the door frame; 
         FIG.  7    is a perspective view of the closet of  FIG.  6   , and illustrates a preparation of the door frame for receiving door panels, wherein top and side edge strip arrangements of the door frame are flipped open by moving respective lock strips from a lock position to an open position; 
         FIG.  7 A  is a magnified view of a portion of the view of  FIG.  7   , the magnified view illustrating a door frame corner between the first side edge strip arrangement and the top edge strip arrangement; 
         FIG.  7 B  is a section of the first side edge strip arrangement, the section taken along the horizontal plane indicated by the line VIIB-VIIB of  FIG.  7   , and illustrates the opening of the respective lock strips from the lock position to the open position; 
         FIG.  8 A  is a perspective view of the closet of  FIG.  7   , and illustrates the insertion of a first door panel into the door frame; 
         FIG.  8 B  is a section of the first side edge strip arrangement and the door panel, the section taken along the horizontal plane indicated by the line VIIIB-VIIIB of  FIG.  8 A ; 
         FIG.  8 C  is a perspective view of a section of a right-hand portion of the closet, the section taken along the vertical plane indicated by the line VIIIB-VIIIB of  FIG.  8 A , along with a magnified view of a lower edge of the door frame and first door panel; 
         FIG.  9 A  is a view in perspective of the door frame of  FIG.  8 C , with an upper portion of the door frame broken away, the door frame having received the first door panel, the view illustrating the positioning of a first divider strip on top of the first door panel; 
         FIG.  9 B  is a perspective view of a section of the first side edge strip arrangement and the first divider strip of  FIG.  9 A , the section taken along a horizontal plane indicated by the line IXB-IXB indicated in  FIG.  9 A ; 
         FIG.  9 C  is a section of the first side edge strip arrangement and the first divider strip of  FIG.  9 B , the section taken along a horizontal plane at the same vertical position in relation to the divider strip as that of  FIG.  9 B , and illustrates a first intermediate state of attaching the first divider strip to the first side edge strip arrangement; 
         FIG.  9 D  is a section of the first side edge strip arrangement and the first divider strip of  FIG.  9 C , the section taken along a horizontal plane at the same vertical position in relation to the divider strip as that of  FIG.  9 C , and illustrates a second intermediate state of attaching the first divider strip to the first side edge strip arrangement; 
         FIG.  9 E  is a section of the first side edge strip arrangement and the first divider strip of  FIG.  9 D , the section taken along a horizontal plane at the same vertical position in relation to the divider strip as that of  FIG.  9 D , and illustrates a third intermediate state of attaching the first divider strip to the first side edge strip arrangement; 
         FIG.  9 F  is a perspective view of a section of the first side edge strip arrangement and the first divider strip of  FIG.  9 E , with a top face of the divider strip partly broken away, the section taken along a horizontal plane just above the divider strip, and illustrates a final state of attaching the first divider strip to the first side edge strip arrangement; 
         FIG.  9 G  is a view in perspective of the door frame, first door panel and first divider strip of  FIG.  9 A , with an upper portion of the door frame broken away, illustrating the door frame after the first door panel and the first divider strip have reached their final positions; 
         FIG.  9 H  is a perspective view of a section of the first divider strip and an upper portion of the first door panel of  FIG.  9 G , the section taken along a vertical plane indicated by the line IXH-IXH in  FIG.  9 G ; 
         FIG.  10 A  illustrates a section of a leftmost portion of the door frame of  FIG.  9 H  after having received all respective door panels and divider strips illustrated in  FIG.  1   , the section taken along a horizontal line indicated by the line X-X in  FIG.  9 G , wherein the first side edge strip arrangement is illustrated in an open position; 
         FIG.  10 B  is a section view corresponding to that of  FIG.  10 A , wherein the first side edge strip arrangement is illustrated in a lock position; 
         FIG.  11    is a perspective view of the closet of  FIG.  5    after having completed assembly of a first door, illustrating the suspension of a second door frame to the closet by engaging top riders of the door frame with the top guide rail of the closet; 
         FIG.  11 A  illustrates a section of a portion of the view of  FIG.  11   , the section corresponding to the view of  FIG.  5 B  and taken along the vertical plane indicated by the line V-V of  FIG.  5   , and illustrates the closet of  FIG.  11    after having engaged the top riders of the second door frame with the top guide rail; 
         FIG.  11 B  illustrates a section of a portion of the view of  FIG.  11   , the section corresponding to the view of  FIG.  6 A  and taken along the vertical plane indicated by the line VI-VI of  FIG.  6   , and illustrates the attachment of a bottom rider to the door frame; 
         FIG.  11 C  is a section corresponding to the view of  FIG.  11 B , and illustrates the closet of  FIG.  11    after having attached the bottom riders to the door frame; and 
         FIG.  12    is a flow chart illustrating a method of assembling a sliding closet door. 
     
    
    
     All the figures are schematic, not necessarily to scale, and generally only show parts which are necessary in order to elucidate the embodiments, wherein other parts may be omitted. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG.  1    illustrates a closet  2  comprising a closet frame  3  defined by a pair of parallel outer side walls  4 , a top wall  6 , a floor  8 , a divider wall  9  parallel to the side walls  4 , and a back wall  10 . The top wall  6  is formed by a pair of adjacent, coplanar top panels, and the floor  8  is formed by a pair of adjacent, coplanar floor panels, wherein only one of each is visible in the view of  FIG.  1   . The closet  2  further comprises a first sliding door  12  and a second sliding door  14 , which are movable relative to the closet frame  3 , one outside the other. The first sliding door  12  is guidedly suspended in a top guide rail  16  attached to the closet frame  3  to enable movement along a first door plane P 1  of the first sliding door  12 . The first sliding door  12  is also guided in a bottom guide rail  18 , which is attached to the closet frame 3. Likewise, the second sliding door  14  is guidedly suspended in the top guide rail  16 , and is guided in the bottom guide rail  18 , to enable movement along a second door plane P2 of the second sliding door  14 . The second door plane P2 is parallel to the first door plane P 1 , but the planes P 1 , P2 do not coincide, such that the first and second doors  12 ,  14  can freely pass each other. 
     The first sliding door  12  comprises a first door frame  20  and a plurality of door panels, the plurality of door panels comprising a first door panel  22   a , a second door panel  22   b , a third door panel  22   c , and a fourth door panel  22   d . As illustrated, the door panels  22   a - d  may be different from each other. By way of example, they may be painted in different colours, and/or be made of different materials, such as wood, glass, plastic, etc. They may also have mutually different thicknesses. A typical exemplary thickness of the door panels  22   a - d  may be between 2 mm and 4 mm. Similar to the first sliding door  12 , the second sliding door  14  comprises a second door frame  21  corresponding to the first door frame  20  of the first door  12 , and a plurality of door panels  22   a - d . The door planes P 1 , P2 also define the planes of the respective door frames  20 ,  21 , and will in the following instead be referred to as door frame planes. Each door  12 ,  14  has a respective inside face  15  facing the interior of the closet, and an opposite outside face  17  facing an exterior space. 
       FIG.  2    illustrates a door frame assembly  24  for assembling the first door frame  20  of the sliding closet door  12  of  FIG.  1   . The door frame assembly  24  comprises a first side edge strip arrangement  26   a , a second side edge strip arrangement  26   b , a top edge strip arrangement  28  and a bottom edge strip arrangement  30  configured to define the first door frame  20  ( FIG.  1   ). The door frame assembly further comprises four frame joint members  32  for joining the strip arrangements  26   a ,  26   b ,  28 ,  30 . 
       FIG.  3    illustrates how the strip arrangements  26   a ,  26   b ,  28 ,  30  are joined using the frame joint members  32 ; in particular,  FIGS.  3 A and  3 B  illustrate the joining of the first side edge strip arrangement  26   a  with the bottom edge strip arrangement  30  using a frame joint member  32 . Each of the strip arrangements  26   a ,  30  has a respective pre-mounted screw  34 , which is inserted in a keyhole slot  36  of the frame joint member  32 , and tightened. 
       FIGS.  4 A and  4 B  illustrate the attachment of a first top rider  38  at the interface between the top edge strip arrangement  28  and the first side edge strip arrangement  26   a . The top rider  38  comprises a guide wheel  40  configured to ride along a first guide track (not illustrated) in the top guide rail  16  ( FIG.  1   ). The top rider  38  is attached to the first door frame  20  by means of screws  42  through elongate attachment and adjustment holes  44  of the top rider  38 . A second, identical top rider (not illustrated) is attached at the interface between the top edge strip arrangement  28  and the second side edge strip arrangement  26   b . 
       FIG.  5   , along with the detail views of  FIGS.  5 A and  5 B , illustrate how the first door frame  20  is hooked onto the top guide rail  16  by positioning the guide wheels  40  in a first, outer guide track  46  of the top guide rail  16 , and pivoting the first door frame  20  about a horizontal pivot axis defined by the line of engagement between the guide wheels  40  and the top guide rail  16 . After having suspended the first door frame  20  in the top guide rail  16 , corresponding to the position of  FIG.  5 B , the top riders  38  lock the first door frame  20  to the top guide rail  16  such that the first door frame  20  can only be translated along a guide direction defined by the guide rail  16 ; in particular, translation in a direction transversal to the first door frame plane P 1  ( FIG.  1   ) is prevented. 
     After suspending the first door frame  20 , and now with reference to  FIGS.  6 A and  6 B , bottom riders  48  are hooked into a first, outer guide track  50  of the bottom guide rail  18 , and attached to the bottom corners of the first door frame  20  by screwing to the respective frame joint members  32  ( FIG.  2   ) in a manner similar, mutatis mutandis, to the attachment of the top riders  38 . The bottom riders  48  hang freely in the bottom guide rail  18 , but prevent accidental pivoting of the first door frame  20  about the top guide rail  16  ( FIG.  5   ). 
     Referring back to  FIG.  4 A , after hanging the first door frame  20  in the top guide rail  16 , the exact position of the first door frame  20  may be finely adjusted by loosening the attachment screws  42  slightly, and adjusting the position of the top rider  38  within the range permitted by the elongate attachment and adjustment holes  44 . 
     Now turning to  FIG.  7   , and to the magnified view of  FIG.  7 A , each of the first side edge strip arrangement  26   a , the second side edge strip arrangement  26   b , and the top edge strip arrangement  28  is openable and closable, for receiving the door panels  22   a - d  ( FIG.  1   ) in a manner which will be illustrated in greater detail. 
       FIG.  7 B  illustrates a section of the first side edge strip arrangement  26   a , the section being taken along the horizontal plane VIIB-VIIB indicated in  FIG.  7 A . The first side edge strip arrangement  26   a  comprises a respective support strip  52 , which is firmly and rigidly attached to the adjacent strip arrangements  28 ,  30  ( FIG.  3   ) of the first door frame  20  via the frame joint members  32 , and a respective lock strip  54 , the purpose of which will be elucidated in the following. The lock strip  54  is pivotally connected to the support strip  52  to permit pivoting about a pivot axis A, parallel to the respective support strip  52 , between an open position, illustrated in  FIG.  7 B , and a lock position illustrated in  FIG.  10 B . Continuing with reference to  FIG.  7 B , the support and lock strips  52 ,  54  are configured as extruded profiles, and the pivot axis A is defined by a hinge formed directly by the respective extruded profiles. The second side edge strip arrangement  26   b  and the top edge strip arrangement  28  are made up in a similar manner, and each comprise a respective support strip  52  and a respective lock strip  54 , albeit with a different orientation in space, as is apparent in the view of  FIG.  7   . Curved arrows in  FIGS.  7 ,  7 A and  7 B  illustrate how the respective strip arrangements  26   a ,  26   b  and  28  are opened by pivoting the respective lock strips  54  about respective pivot axes A, thereby preparing the first door frame  20  for receiving the door panels  22   a - d  ( FIG.  1   ). 
       FIG.  8 A  illustrates the insertion of the first door panel  22   a  into the first door frame  20 . Now that the lock strips  54  are open, they allow, while holding the first door panel  22   a  parallel to the first door frame plane P 1 , free passage of the first door panel  22   a  from the exterior space outside the closet  2 , into the first door frame  20  along an insertion direction T which is perpendicular to the first door frame plane P 1  ( FIG.  1   ). 
       FIG.  8 B  illustrates the same situation in a horizontal section taken along VIIIB-VIIIB indicated in  FIG.  8 A . The support strip  52  is provided with an outer frame edge  56  extending perpendicular to the first door frame plane P 1  ( FIG.  1   ), which outer frame edge  56  defines, together with similar outer frame edges of the other strip arrangements  26   b ,  28 ,  30  ( FIG.  3   ), a rectangular outer perimetric boundary of a rectangular door panel space  58  for receiving the first door panel  22   a  once inserted. A perimetric edge  23  of the first door panel  22   a  freely passes the lock strip  54  to be received in the door panel space  58 . 
     A compressible sealing strip  60  is configured to be squeezed between the first door panel  22   a  and the respective support strip  52 . The sealing strip  60  takes up any play between said first door panel  22   a  and the respective support and lock strips  52 ,  54 , which eases manufacturing tolerances. The sealing strip  60  comprises, as seen in the cross-section of  FIG.  8 B , a bulb  60   a  configured to seal in the direction perpendicular to the first door frame plane P 1  ( FIG.  1   ), a lip  60   b  configured to seal in a direction along the first door plane P 1 , and a foot  60   c  holding the sealing strip  60  to the support strip  52 . 
     Now turning to  FIG.  8 C , after inserting the first door panel  22   a  in the first door frame  20  ( FIG.  3   ), the first door panel  22   a  is moved downwards along the first door frame plane P 1  along a sliding direction S to come to a vertical rest within the bottom edge strip arrangement  30 , such that the weight of said first door panel  22   a  is carried by the bottom edge strip arrangement  30 . The bottom edge strip arrangement  30  is not provided with a lock strip. Instead, it comprises a bottom support strip  62  which is rigidly joined to the adjacent strip arrangements  26   a ,  26   b  ( FIG.  3   ), again via frame joint members  32 . The bottom support strip  62  defines a fixed, U-shaped panel support groove, the groove opening of which faces upwards in the direction of the first door frame plane P 1 . The panel support groove is configured to receive a bottom edge  64  of the first door panel  22   a  in an edge insertion direction along the door frame plane, the edge insertion direction corresponding to the sliding direction S. The bottom edge strip arrangement  30  may also comprise a sealing strip (not illustrated), which may be located in the panel support groove. 
     In the view of  FIG.  8 C , the bottom edge  64  of the first door panel  22   a  is confined within the first door frame plane P 1  by the bottom edge strip arrangement  30 , but the first door panel  22   a  is still free to pivot about the line of engagement with the bottom edge strip arrangement  30 . The attachment of the top edge  66  of the first door panel  22   a  to the first door frame  20  will now be described in detail with reference to  FIGS.  9 A- 9 H . 
     Starting with  FIG.  9 A , a first divider strip  68   a  is inserted into the first door frame  20  and positioned on top of the first door panel  22   a . The first divider strip  68   a  is slightly longer than the horizontal distance D between the first and second side edge strip arrangements  26   a ,  26   b , such that the first divider strip  68   a  has an inclined posture when inserted into the first door frame  20 . 
       FIG.  9 B  illustrates the section IXB-IXB, indicated in  FIG.  9 A , in perspective and in greater detail. The first divider strip  68   a  is configured as an extruded profile. A first longitudinal end  70   a  of the first divider strip  68   a  has a male lock insert  72  configured to be inserted in a respective lock groove  74  extending along the length of the support strip  52  of the first side edge strip arrangement  26   a . For clarity of illustration, a portion of the top face of the first divider strip  68   a  is broken away; the actual extent of the top face is illustrated in  FIG.  10 A . The second longitudinal end  70   b  ( FIG.  9 A ) of the first divider strip  68   a  has the same shape and function as the first longitudinal end  70   a , albeit in a mirror configuration, to be inserted into a respective similar lock groove extending along the length of the support strip of the second side edge strip arrangement  26   b  ( FIG.  9 A ). The lock grooves  74  of the side edge strip arrangements  26   a ,  26   b  face towards each other, such that the male lock inserts  72  of the longitudinal ends  70   a ,  70   b  ( FIG.  9 A ) of the first divider strip  68   a  will be pressed into the respective opposite lock grooves  74  of the first and second side edge strip arrangements  26   a ,  26   b  ( FIG.  9 A ) when the first divider strip  68   a  is brought to a horizontal posture on the top edge  66  of the first door panel  22   a . Front trim extensions  76 , forming longitudinal extensions of a front trim portion  77  of the first divider strip  68   a , extend longitudinally beyond the respective male lock inserts  72 , along outside faces  79  of the support strips  52 . 
     The sections of  FIGS.  9 C- 9 E  illustrate the positioning and attachment of the divider strip  68   a  as seen straight from above. Again, a portion of the top face of the first divider strip  68   a  is broken away to expose a major portion of the male lock insert  72 . The male lock insert  72  is configured as a resiliently compressible, V-shaped crocodile clamp comprising a pair of spring arms  78  extending alongside each other. The free ends of the spring arms  78  are provided with compression ramps  82  and barbs  80 , whereas the spring arm ends opposite to the free ends are joined with each other and attached to the first divider strip  68   a  by a rivet  84 . 
       FIG.  9 C  illustrates with an arrow the insertion of the male lock insert  72  into the lock groove  74  of the support strip  52 . 
       FIG.  9 D  illustrates with arrows how the compression ramps  82  of the male lock insert  72  are pressed together, against the bias of the spring arms  78 , by opposite edges  86  ( FIG.  9 C ) of the lock groove  74 . 
       FIG.  9 E  illustrates a position in which the male lock insert  72  has been pressed even further into the lock groove  74 . 
     The perspective view of  FIG.  9 F  illustrates the final position of the first divider strip  68   a  on top of the first door panel  22   a . Once inside the lock groove  74 , the free ends of the spring arms  78  have sprung back towards their original position prior to insertion, such that the barbs  80  ( FIG.  9 C ) engage with the edges  86  ( FIG.  9 C ) of the lock groove  74 , thereby locking the first end  70   a  of the first divider strip  68   a  to the support strip  52  of the first side edge strip arrangement  26   a . This position is locked in yet a further locking step, in which a clamping actuator configured as a plug  88  is inserted into a plug socket between the spring arms  78 , so as to prevent inadvertent compression of the male lock insert  72  ( FIG.  9 C ). 
       FIG.  9 G  also illustrates the final position of the first divider strip  68   a . As is apparent from the view of  FIG.  9 G , once installed, the first door panel  22   a  and the front trim extensions  76  of the first divider strip  68   a  cover most of the outside faces  79  of the support strips  52  of the first and second side edge strip arrangements  26   a ,  26   b . 
       FIG.  9 H  in greater detail illustrates the section indicated by IXH-IXH in  FIG.  9 G . As is apparent from the section, the first divider strip  68   a  defines a downwards-facing first panel locking groove  90  which straddles the upper edge  66  of the first door panel  22   a , thereby locking the upper edge  66  of the first door panel  22   a  to the door frame plane P 1  ( FIG.  1   ), and preventing the first door panel  22   a  from moving in a direction perpendicular to the first door frame plane P 1 . The first panel locking groove  90  is provided with a rubber sealing strip  92  for sealing between the first panel locking groove  90  and the first door panel  22   a , thereby warranting a tight fit without any rattling over a wide range of door panel thicknesses. The first divider strip  68   a  is also provided with an upwards-facing second panel locking groove  94 , which is configured to receive and straddle a bottom edge of the second door panel  22   b  ( FIG.  1   ). The second panel locking groove  94  has the same support and locking function for the second door panel  22   b  ( FIG.  1   ) as the panel support groove of the bottom support strip  62  ( FIG.  8 C ) has for the first door panel. Consequently, after the first divider strip  68   a  has reached its final position of  FIG.  9 G , the second door panel  22   b  ( FIG.  1   ) can be mounted into the first door frame  20  ( FIG.  3   ) on top of the first divider strip  68   a  in the manner described for the first door panel  22   a  with reference to  FIGS.  8 A- 8 C , and locked to the first door frame  20  ( FIG.  3   ) using a second divider strip  68   b  ( FIG.  1   ), which may be identical to the first divider strip  68   a , in the manned described with reference to  FIGS.  9 A- 9 F . Referring back to  FIG.  1   , the procedure may be iterated for as many door panel  22   a - d  and divider  68   a - c  strips as desired, such that the first door frame  20  defined by the side edge strip arrangements  26   a - b ,  28 ,  30  is divided into rectangular subframes by the divider strips  68   a - c , each subframe enclosing a respective door panel  22   a - d . The top edge of the uppermost door panel  22   d  ( FIG.  1   ) does not need to be locked by a divider strip, as it will instead be locked to the first door frame plane P 1  by the lock strip  54  ( FIG.  7 A ) of the top edge strip arrangement  28  in a manner which will be apparent from the below description with reference to  FIGS.  10 A and  10 B . 
       FIGS.  10 A and  10 B  illustrate the door after having received all door panels  22   a - d  and divider strips  68   a - c  ( FIG.  1   ). The door is illustrated in a section along a horizontal plane indicated by the line X-X of  FIG.  9 G , i.e. at the height of the second door panel  22   b  ( FIG.  1   ). Even though  FIGS.  10 A and  10 B  illustrate the first side edge strip arrangement  26   a , it will be appreciated that the second side edge strip arrangement  26   b  and the top edge strip arrangement  28  operate in the same manner, mutatis mutandis. Starting with  FIG.  10 A , which illustrates the lock strip  54  in the open position, the interface between the lock strip  54  and the support strip  52  comprises a support strip locking portion configured as a spring clip  98 , which resiliently cams against a lock strip locking portion configured as a snap tongue 100 of the lock strip  54  to define a snap function for the lock strip’s  54  rotary position about the pivot axis A. In order to go from the open position of  FIG.  10 A  to the lock position of  FIG.  10 B , the lock strip  54  is pressed against the bias of the spring clip  98  until reaching the lock position of  FIG.  10 B , wherein the spring clip  98  snaps to a seated position behind the snap tongue 100. When in the lock position of  FIG.  10 B , the lock strip  54  locks the perimetric edge  23  of the door panels  22   a - d  ( FIG.  1   ) within the door frame  20 . In order to finalize the first sliding door  12 , the lock strips  54  of the second side edge strip arrangement  26   b  and the top edge strip arrangement  28  are locked in the same manner, mutatis mutandis, such that all perimetric edges of each door panel  22   a - d  are locked to the first door frame plane P 1  by a lock strip  54 , a divider strip  26   a - c , or a fixed-groove strip  30 . 
     Having reached the position of  FIG.  11    following the assembly method illustrated hereinabove, all door panels  22   a - d  have been attached to the door frame  20  without the use of any tools, which provides for a simple and convenient assembly of the first sliding door  12 . Referring back to  FIG.  1   , the second sliding door  14  can be assembled in the very same manner. First, a second door frame  21  is assembled in the manner illustrated for the first door frame  20  in  FIG.  2   -4B. Thereafter, with reference to  FIG.  11    and the detail view of  FIG.  11 A , the second door frame  21  is hooked onto the top guide rail  16  by positioning the guide wheels  40  of the second door frame  21  in a second, inner guide track  47  of the top guide rail  16 , and pivoting the second door frame  21  about a pivot axis defined by the line of engagement between the guide wheels  40  and the top guide rail  16 . After having suspended the second door frame  21  in the top guide rail  16 , corresponding to the position of  FIG.  11 A , the top riders  38  of the second door frame  21  lock the second door frame  21  to the top guide rail  16  such that the second door frame  21  can only be translated along a guide direction defined by the guide rail  16 ; in particular, translation in a direction transversal to the first door frame plane P 1  is prevented. After suspending the second door frame  21 , and now with reference to  FIGS.  11 B and  11 C , bottom riders  48  are hooked into a second, inner guide track  50  of the bottom guide rail  18 , and attached to the bottom corners of the second door frame  21  by screwing to the respective frame joint members  32  ( FIG.  2   ) in a manner similar, mutatis mutandis, to the attachment of the top riders  38 . The bottom riders  48  hang freely in the bottom guide rail  18 , but prevent accidental pivoting of the second door frame  21  about the top guide rail  16  ( FIG.  11 A ). 
     After hanging the second door frame  21  in the top guide rail  16 , the exact position of the second door frame  21  may be finely adjusted by loosening the attachment screws  42  ( FIG.  4 A ) slightly, and adjusting the position of the top rider  38  within the range permitted by the elongate attachment and adjustment holes  44 . After having adjusted the position of the second door frame  21 , door panels  22   a - d  ( FIG.  1   ) may be attached to the second door frame  21  in the same manner as that described for the first door frame  20  with reference to  FIG.  7   -10B. 
       FIG.  12    illustrates a method of assembling a sliding closet door, for example the first sliding closet door  12  of  FIG.  1   . The method comprises the steps 
       1201 : providing a door frame  20  extending in a door frame plane P 1 ; 
       1202 : connecting the door frame  20  to a door guide rail  16  configured to enable sliding the door frame  20  along a vertical plane coinciding with the door frame plane P 1 ; 
       1203 : operating an adjustment arrangement  42 ,  44  ( FIG.  4 A ) to adjust the position of the door frame  20  in relation to the door guide rail  16 : 
       1204 : mounting a first door panel  22   a  in the door frame  20  by inserting the door panel  22   a  into the door frame  20  in an insertion direction T ( FIG.  8 A ) transversal to the door frame plane P 1 ; 
       1205 : mounting a first divider strip  68   a  to the door frame  20 , the first divider strip  68   a  dividing the door frame  20  into a first subframe and a second subframe, the first subframe holding said first door panel  22   a ; and 
       1206 : mounting a second door panel  22   b  in said second subframe. 
     The invention has mainly been described above with reference to a few embodiments. However, as is readily appreciated by a person skilled in the art, other embodiments than the ones disclosed above are equally possible within the scope of the invention, as defined by the appended patent claims. For example, even though, in the illustrated embodiments, the door has been suspended in a top guide rail, the door may equally well rest upon a bottom guide rail. Moreover, a sliding closet door suspended in a designated closet frame, which may be positioned as a stand-alone closet within a room, has been described in detail hereinabove. However, the teachings herein are equally applicable to a sliding closet door guided in rails attached to the floor, ceiling, and/or walls of the room as such, for example in a so-called floor-to-ceiling installation. 
     In the claims, the word “comprising” does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article “a” or “an” does not exclude a plurality.