Abstract:
A device ( 10; 10   a ) for guiding and limiting the travel of a sliding door element ( 1 ) has a receiving and stop element ( 12; 12   a   ; 12   b   ; 12   c ) which cooperates by positive engagement with a centering element ( 11; 11   a ). It is proposed that the centering element ( 11; 11   a ) be embodied with a wedge-shaped portion ( 18; 29 ) and that the receiving and stop element ( 12; 12   a   ; 12   b   ; 12   c ) be embodied with a V-shaped portion ( 19; 40 ). The device ( 10; 10   a ) is especially simply embodied and requires only little effort for assembly.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to a device for guiding and limiting the travel of a sliding door element. One such device is already known that has a guide, fastened in the bottom region of a post of a guard fence, with a stop serving the purpose of travel limitation. The guide, embodied of an L-shaped steel profile, cooperates with a roller body, fastened to a cantilever, which body is secured to the sliding door element and can be introduced between the post and one leg of the steel profile A disadvantage here is that the known device comprises many parts, so that besides the relatively high production costs, major effort of assembly is also required. Furthermore, because of the half-round shape, toward the guide, of the roller body, although introducing the sliding door element between the post and the leg of the steel profile is possible, even if the sliding door element is not in an exactly aligned position because of variations in the sliding door guide, nevertheless the mechanical stress on the plastic roller body and its bearing is quite high. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The device according to the invention for guiding and limiting the travel of a sliding door element, has the advantage over the prior art that an especially secure, gentle introduction of the centering element into the receiving and stop element is made possible. 
     In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the centering element and the receiving and stop element are embodied in such a way that locking of the sliding door element is possible without additional parts. 
     In a further preferred embodiment, damping elements are provided, by which quiet introduction of the centering element into the receiving and stop element can be attained with simultaneous shock-absorbing action. 
     It is expedient, for these damping elements, to provide a through opening in a wall of a recess, in which through opening an extension can be disposed for securing the damping element in the recess. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawing and will be described in further detail below. Shown are: 
     FIG. 1, a perspective view of first device for guiding and limiting the travel of a sliding door element; 
     FIG. 2, a perspective view of a second device for guiding and limiting the travel of a sliding door element; 
     FIG. 3, a plan view on the connecting elements of the device of FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 4, a perspective view of a receiving and stop element; 
     FIG. 5, a perspective view of a modified receiving and stop element; 
     FIG. 6, a view taken along the section lines VI—VI in FIG. 5; and 
     FIG. 7, a section analogous to that of FIG. 6, through a further modified receiving and stop element. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The device  10  shown in FIG. 1 serves to guide and limit the travel of a sliding door element  1 . Such sliding door elements  1  are used as a component of guard fences, for example to prevent access to security-related areas inside business premises. The sliding door element  1  is assembled from profile bars  2 ,  3  and a guide rail  4 , which form a rectangular frame  5 . A protective grid is disposed inside groove openings  6  of the profile bars  2 ,  3 . The sliding door element  1  is displaceable in the direction X by known guide means, in particular rollers guided in guide rails, so that in the open state it allows access to the area bounded by the guard fence. In the closed state of the sliding door element  1 , effected by a closing device, the profile bar  2  is located in the immediate vicinity of a post  7 , which is a component of a stationary guard fence  8 , not shown in further detail. 
     The device  10  includes a centering element  11 , disposed on the sliding door element  1 , and a receiving and stop element  12 , disposed on the post  7  and aligned with the centering element  11 . The centering element  11  and the receiving and stop element  12  are fastened, vertically adjustably, in longitudinal grooves  9  of the profile bar  3  and of the post  7  by means of screws  13  and sliding blocks  14 ; for receiving the screws  13 , bores  16  are made in the centering element  11  and the receiving and stop element  12 . As a rule, the centering element  11  and the receiving and stop element  12  are disposed in the lower or ground region of the sliding door element  1  and post  7 . However, it is also possible for a plurality of devices  10  to be distributed over the height of the sliding door element  1  and the post  7 . 
     The block-like centering element  11 , which extends over virtually the full width of the profile bar  3 , has two portions  17 ,  18 . While one portion  17  is rectangular in cross section, the other portion  18  has a wedge-shaped form. This wedge-shaped portion  18  cooperates with a portion  19 , cut out in a the shape of a V, of the also block-like receiving and stop element  12 . The portion  19  is adjoined by a rectangular portion  21 , so that the two portions  19 ,  21  together have a length L, which is virtually equal to the width B of the post  7  (which is square in cross section). The width B of the receiving and stop element  12  can also advantageously he approximately equal to the width A of the centering element  11 . What is essential is that the wedge angle α of the portion  18  be equivalent to the opening angle β of the portion  19 , so that the cooperating faces  22 ,  23  and  24 ,  25  of the portions  18 ,  19  rest in plane fashion on one another, when the centering element  11  and receiving and stop element  12  are aligned with one another. The size of the gap between the profile bar  3  or the sliding door element  1  and the post  7 , offset from it, of the guard fence  8  is thus determined by the length c of the portion  17 . 
     Upon closure of the sliding door element  1 , it is as a rule possible, because of the variations in the sliding door guide and its design, to move the sliding door element  1  transversely to the direction of motion X, so that the introduction of the centering element  11  with its wedge-shaped portion  18  into the receiving and stop element  12  takes place offset from the V-shaped portion  19  thereof. Consequently, the tip  26  of the wedge slides along one of the faces  24 ,  25  of the portion  19 , and the centering element  11  is centered toward the receiving and stop element  12 . What is essential for the lateral offset between the tip  26  of the wedge and the V-shaped portion  19  is that the offset be no greater than half the width a, so that the tip  26  of the wedge will still meet one of the faces  24 ,  25  of the portion  19 . 
     To enable quiet introduction of the centering element  11  into the receiving and stop element  12  with simultaneous shock-absorbing action, the centering element  11  and/or the receiving and stop element  12  is of plastic, or is provided on at least one pair of faces,  22 ,  23  or  24 ,  25  with a damping layer  27 , such as rubber or PUR. This damping layer  27  can be press-fitted with positive engagement or vulcanized on, and furthermore it can be shaped geometrically such that in the final position of introduction, fixation occurs by easy snapping into place between the elements  11  and  12 . 
     In the second exemplary embodiment of the invention, shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the centering element  11   a  and the receiving and stop element  12   a  of the device  10   a  are modified compared with the first exemplary embodiment. The centering element  11   a  has a block-like base region  28 , which is adjoined by the substantially wedge-shaped guide portion  29 . Above and below the guide portion  29 , there is one receptacle each for a fastening screw  30  in the base region  28 . Each fastening screw  30  cooperates with a sliding block, disposed in the longitudinal groove  9  of the profile bar  2 , and with the aid of the sliding block, the centering element  11   a  can be fastened to the profile bar  2 . A longitudinal slit  31 , which opens into a longitudinal bore  32 , is embodied in the longitudinal axis of the guide portion  29 . The longitudinal slit  31  divides the guide portion  29  into two beak-shaped guide halves  33 ,  34 . Each guide half  33 ,  34  has an oblique guide face  35 , a center face  36  disposed parallel to the direction of motion X, and a retaining region  37  that widens again after the center face. The two guide faces  35  form an angle α*, and the two retaining regions  35  each have a radius r on the side remote from the base region  28 . 
     The receiving and stop element  12   a  also has a base region  38  with recesses for fastening screws  30 . The receiving region  40 , offset from the base region  38 , has a height H, which is equivalent to the height h of the guide portion  29 . On the side toward the centering element  11   a , the receiving region  40  has a substantially V-shaped receptacle with two receiving bevels  41 , converging toward one another, which form an angle β*. An essential feature is that the angle β* is greater than the angle α* at the guide portion  29 . Two insertion bevels  42 , which form an angle that corresponds to the wedge angle α* at the guide portion  29 , adjoin the two receiving bevels  41  in the receiving region  40 . The insertion bevel  42  is adjoined by a portion  43  disposed parallel to the direction of motion X. The spacing between the two portions  43 , which represents the narrowest point of the receiving region  40 , is somewhat greater than the outer spacing between the two center faces  36  on the guide portion  29 . The two portions  43  merge with a common receiving opening  45 , in which the two retaining regions  37  of the guide portion  29  can be disposed with little play (FIG.  3 ). 
     FIG. 3 also shows that the receiving and stop element  12   a  and the centering element  11   a  have centering extensions  46 , which can be disposed in the grooves  9 . As a result, an exact alignment on the profile bars  6 ,  7  is possible. Furthermore, a protection against twisting is assured after assembly. 
     When the centering element  11   a  is introduced into the receiving and stop element  12   a , the two retaining regions  37  of the centering element  11   a  slide along the receiving bevels  41  into the region of the insertion bevels  42 . Depending on the speed with which the retaining regions  37  strike the receiving bevels  41 , a deformation of the guide halves  33 ,  34  occurs as a consequence of the longitudinal slit  31 , which is equivalent to a damping of the impact motion of the sliding door element  1 . For further introduction of the centering element  11   a  into the receiving and stop element  12   a , the two guide halves  33 ,  34  must be elastically deformed, in such a way that the two retaining regions  37  can move past the region of the portions  43 , so that they can enter the receiving opening  45  that follows. The resistance to be overcome to that end is dependent in particular on the spacing of the two portions  43  and on the dimensioning and material of the guide portion  29 . If the two retaining regions  37  are located inside the receiving opening  45  of the receiving and stop element  12   a , then the sliding door element  1  is secured or locked with respect to the direction of motion X in such a way that to re-open the sliding door element  1 , a resistance must first be overcome in order to move the retaining regions  37  back out of the receiving opening  45  again. Therefore, whenever all that has to be guarded against is access by mistake to some portion of business premises, it is conceivable to dispense with additional closing devices on the sliding door element  1 . 
     In FIG. 4, compared to the first exemplary embodiment, a modified receiving and stop element  12   b  with damping elements  48  is shown in an exploded view. The damping elements  48  are an alternative but analogous possibility, compared with the damping layer  27  already described, for making it possible to achieve quiet introduction of the centering element  11  of the first exemplary embodiment into the receiving and stop element  12   b  with simultaneous shock-absorbing action. 
     In the receiving and stop element  12   b , beginning at the faces  24 ,  25 , two recesses  50  are formed, which in the present exemplary embodiment have a rectangular cross-sectional shape. However, it is also possible for the recesses  50  to have some other cross-sectional shape, such as round or oval. The recesses  50  serve to receive the damping elements  48 , whose shape is adapted for this purpose to the shape of the recesses  50 . The damping elements  48  have a V-shaped first portion  52 , which is adjoined by a second, rectangular portion  54 . The opening angle ε of the V-shaped portion  52  corresponds essentially to the opening angle β of the V-shaped portion  19  of the receiving and stop element  12   b . The damping elements  48  disposed in the recesses  50  protrude somewhat past the faces  24 ,  25 , and as a result the damping ensues upon introduction of the centering element  11  into the receiving and stop element  12   b . The damping elements  48  are preferably made of a soft material. This can be polyurethane, rubber, or some other suitable plastic. 
     For assembly, the damping elements  48  are inserted, with the second portions  54  leading, into the recesses  50 , in which they preferably have a slight press fit. However, the damping elements  48  can also be fastened by means of adhesive. Nevertheless, a suitable press fit makes an easy replacement of worn damping elements  48  possible. 
     Instead of the two damping elements  48  shown, some other number can also be provided. With respect to the damping elements  48 , it is possible for the receiving and stop element  12   b  and/or the centering element  12   b  to have at least one damping element  48 . The damping element  48  is disposed here in a recess  50 , which is embodied in the receiving and stop element  12   b  and/or in the centering element  11 . 
     In FIGS. 5 and 6, a modified receiving and stop element  12   c  compared with the previous exemplary embodiment is shown in an exploded view. In a side wall  56  of the recess  50 , a through opening  58  is made. However, it can also be merely an indentation. A through opening  58 , nevertheless, is easier to produce from a production standpoint. In the direction of motion X, the through opening  58  has a length a. 
     The two damping elements  48   c , of which there should be at least one, have at least one extension  60  embodied on them for securing the damping element  48   c  in the recess  50 , and this extension can be disposed in the through opening  58 . It is also possible for two extensions  60  facing one another in mirror symmetry to be provided on the damping element  48   c . Preferably, the extension  60  is embodied on one long side of a branch  61  of the portion  52  and ideally has an insertion bevel  62  for the sake of easier assembly. In the direction of motion X, the extension  60  has a length b. The length a of the through opening  58  is preferably greater than the length b of the extension  60 , so that the damping element  48   c  is axially displaceable in the recess. 
     A spring element  66  is disposed between the bottom  62  of the recess  50  and the damping element  48   c , or more precisely the face end  64  of the damping element  48   c . This produces an additional resilient property. However, the spring element  66  can also be dispensed with. 
     For assembly of the receiving and stop element  12   c , the spring elements  66  are first placed in the recesses  50 . Then the damping elements  48   c , with the second portions  54  leading, are thrust into the recesses  50 , in which the damping elements  48   c  preferably have a clearance fit. When the insertion bevels  62  of the extensions  60  come to rest on the wall  56  and the damping elements  48   c  are thrust further into the recesses  60 , the branch  61  of the V-shaped portions  52  is pressed toward the middle of the damping elements  48   c . As a result, the damping elements  48   c  can easily be thrust all the way into the recesses  50 . As soon as the extensions  62  enter the region of the through openings  58 , the branches  61  of the V-shaped portions  52  snap in the direction of the through openings  58 . The extensions  60  are disposed in the through openings  58 , and as a result the damping elements  48   c  in the recesses  50  are secured against falling out. Because the length a of the through openings  58  is greater than the length b of the extensions  60 , the damping elements  48   c  can be displaced somewhat in the direction of motion X, which produces better damping and spring properties. It should also be noted that the spring elements  66  act upon the damping elements  48   c  in the unloaded state in such a way that the damping elements  48   c  protrude somewhat past the faces  24 ,  25 . 
     For disassembly of a worn damping element  48   c , pressure must merely be exerted from outside against the extension  60 . The damping element  48   c  can immediately be removed easily from the recess  50 . 
     FIG. 7 shows an alternative embodiment of a damping element  48   d . Through a slit  68 , which extends through the damping element  48   d , the damping element can also be pressed together in such a way that it can easily be introduced into the recess  50 . As a result, the extension  60  can also be provided even on a portion  52  that is not V-shaped.