GB2100780A

GB2100780A - Seal for sliding doors

Info

Publication number: GB2100780A
Application number: GB08215647A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alan Whillock
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1981-07-03
Filing date: 1982-05-28
Publication date: 1983-01-06
Also published as: GB2100780B

Abstract

The edges of door panels 12 and 13, particularly for commercial vehicles which are slidable apart and together again in a common plane are respectively fitted with H-sectioned edge strips 20, 30. Edge strip 20 provides a relatively wider channel 21 capable of receiving a relatively narrower channel 31 of edge strip 30 with a small clearance. Narrower channel 31 accommodates a resilient sealing strip 32 which, when the panels 12, 13 abut in the closed position, presses against and seals against base web 24 of edge strip 20. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Seal for sliding doors This invention concerns a seal for sliding doors.

The invention is more particularly concerned with sliding door assemblies of the kind in which a pair of door panels are slidable relative to one another in a common plane so as to be separable from one another to provide an access opening and to be brought together into a closed position in which adjacent upright edges abut. Such door assemblies are used, for instance, in domestic and other buildings between adjacent rooms; they are installed in the side and/or rear walls of commercial vehicles; and they are used in comparable locations.

As hitherto propounded, such sliding door assemblies do not usually provide very good draught-proof closure between the two abutting edges of the panels. This may not be of much consequence in domestic dwellings and like environments. However, it can be a relatively serious matter in relation to commercial vehicles, permitting access of moisture and/or dust and dirt to the contents of the vehicle.

One object of this invention is to provide a sliding door assembly which is particularly, but not exclusively, suitable for use on vehicles as aforesaid, in which the edges of the panels which abut in the closed positions of the panels are sealed in a simple, convenient, and relatively inexpensive manner.

With this object in view the present invention provides a sliding door assembly including a pair of door panels slidable in a common plane and adapted, in a relatively closed position, to abut by adjacent edges, characterised in that each of said adjacent edges carries a respective channel projecting towards the other, one of the channels being relatively wider and the other being correspondingly narrower so as to be able to enter into the wider channel in the closed position of the panels, the narrower channel accommodating a deformable sealing strip which projects therefrom to abut against and seal with the base web of the wider channel in said closed position.

Each said channel is conveniently provided on a respective edge strip secured to the respective panel, and for this purpose each said edge strip is conventionally substantially H-shaped so as to provide a second channel into which the edge of the respective panel projects.

In a preferred embodiment, the narrower channel is provided, externally, with a rib or like projection which defines its possible depth of entry into the wider channel.

The invention will be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which: Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view illustrating a commercial vehicle of which the body has one side which incorporates two sliding door assemblies according to the invention; Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic sectional plan corresponding to the line Il-Il of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary detail corresponding to the part indicated in Ill in Fig. 2; and Fig. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view corresponding to Fig. 3, but showing the panels slightly separated.

Referring firstly to Figs. 1 and 2, a commercial vehicle, indicated generally by the reference numeral 10, has a body 11 of which one side comprises two sliding door assemblies comprising firstly door panels 12 and 13 which are slidable in a common plane as defined by upper and lower tracks of which lower track 14 can be seen in Fig.

2, and secondly door panels 1 5 and 1 6 which are slidable in a respective common plane as defined by respective tracks of which lower track 1 7 can also be seen in Fig. 2.

The door panel pair 15, 16 is located in the track 1 7 which is the inner of the two tracks 14, 1 7 so that in the closed disposition of the panels as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 the front edge (considered in the forward direction of movement of the vehicle) of the plane 15 is overlapped externally by the rear edge of the panel 13 and minimises the possibility of entry of foreign matter, rainwater and draught upon forward movement of the vehicle. A brush-like or similar sliding seal 1 8 (Fig. 2) is provided between these overlapping edges.

It will be evident that the door panel assembly 12 and 13 are slidable apart for gaining access to the interior of the vehicle and are slidable together again to close them, in their common plane and the assembly 15, 16 is slidable correspondingly in their respective plane and consequently seals need to be provided at the confronting edges of the panels 12, 13 and 15, 16. Figs. 3 and 4 illustrate this for the panels 12, 13 and it will be understood that the seal between the panels 15, 1 6 is substantially identical.

As can be seen, the rear edge of the panel 12 is fitted with an H-sectioned edge strip indicated generally by the reference numeral 20 and the shape of this strip is such as to provide a relatively wider channel 21 directed outwardly of the panel 1 2 and a second channel 22 by which the edge strip 20 locates on the edge of the panel 12.

Securement of the edge strip 20 may be achieved, for instance, by adhesion, by bolting or riveting, or by a combination thereof. Shallow grooves 23 along the outer surfaces of the strip 20 defining the second channel 22 facilitate the drilling of the strip 20 if it is desired to secure it to the panel 12 by screws or bolts (not shown).

Correspondingly, provided on the leading edge of the panel 1 3 is a respective H-sectioned edge strip which is indicated generally by the numeral 30, and this is shaped to provide a respective channel 31 directed outwardly of the panel 1 3 and relatively narrow in its width so that it will enter snugly, with a small clearance, into the wider channel 21 of the edge strip 20, as can be seen in Fig. 3. This latter figure illustrates the fact that the wider channel 21 tapers very slightly towards its base web 24 and that the narrower channel 31 is externally of corresponding taper.

The narrower channel 31 accommodates a resilient sealing strip 32 which is substantially circular in its relaxed and non-compressed condition and is retained within the channel 31 by being a friction fit therein. This strip 32 protrudes from the channel 31 and, as can be seen from Fig.

3, in the closed position of the door panels 12, 13, it presses against and seals against the base web 24 of the edge strip 20. The edge strip 30 has a respective second channel 33 by which it is fitted to and fixed on the leading edge of the panel 13 in the same way as the strip 20 is fitted to the panel 12.

It will be evident from the foregoing that the arrangement of the invention provides for the two panels 12, 13 (which are disposed to slide in a common plane and to abut in their closed disposition) to seal relative to one another in a very convenient manner which prevents the passage of wind, rain or foreign matter between the panels. A similar arrangement is, of course, provided where indicated at 40 in Fig. 1.

The invention is not confined to the precise details of the foregoing example and variations may be made thereto. Thus, for instance, it is not essential that the edge strips in the assembly of the invention should be H-shaped. They can be of any cross section providing respective wider and narrower channels which interfit and of which the narrower channel carries its sealing strip to seal with the base of the wider channel.

Claims

1. A sliding door assembly including a pair of door panels slidable in a common plane and adapted, in a relatively closed position, to abut by adjacent edges, characterised in that each of said adjacent edges carries a respective channel projecting towards the other, one of the channels being relatively wider and the other being correspondingly narrower so as to be able to enter into the wider channel in the closed position of the panels, the narrower channel accommodating a deformable sealing strip which projects therefrom to abut against and seal with the base web of the wider channel in said closed position.

2. A sliding door assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein each said channel is provided on a respective edge strip secured to a respective panel.

3. A sliding door assembly as claimed in claim 2 wherein each said edge strip is substantially H-shaped so as to provide a second channel into which the edge of the respective panel projects.

4. A sliding door assembly as claimed in any of claims 1, 2 or 3 wherein the narrower channel is provided, externally, with a projection which defines its possible depth of entry into the wider channel.

5. A sliding door assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.