Sliding door assembly
First Claim
1. A door assembly comprising a stationary frame having at least one door mounted for translational movement in opposite directions relative to the frame, self-moving means for said door including a flexible tubular member, means for affixing one end of said tubular member to said frame, a follower secured to the other end of said tubular member for loose positioning in an active position adjacent a side of said door for urging said door in one direction of movement and follower engagement means mounted on a corner of said door for engaging said follower when in said active position and for moving said follower to an inactive position as an incident to movement of said door to a predetermined position between fully opened and fully closed positions, said follower engagement means being made of resilient material that deforms to permit passage of said corner of the door relative to said follower when said follower is moved to said inactive position.
11 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A door assembly describing a stationary frame having doors mounted therein for relative translational movement. Each door includes a self-closing mechanism comprising a flexible tubular member affixed at one end to the frame and a follower secured to the other end of the tubular member for loose positioning in an active position adjacent a side of the door for urging the door in a closed position, and a self-opening means comprising a similar flexible tubular member affixed at one end to the frame and a follower secured to the other for loose positioning in an active position adjacent an opposite side of the door for urging the door to a fully open position. The self-closing and self-opening mechanisms both are adapted to be deactivated as an incident to positioning the door to respective locations within the mounting frame. The illustrated frame includes two telescopic inner fitting frame members that are adapted for mounting on variable thickness cabinet walls and which provide an inherent thermal barrier between the cabinet wall and the doors of the assembly.
45 Citations
24 Claims
- 1. A door assembly comprising a stationary frame having at least one door mounted for translational movement in opposite directions relative to the frame, self-moving means for said door including a flexible tubular member, means for affixing one end of said tubular member to said frame, a follower secured to the other end of said tubular member for loose positioning in an active position adjacent a side of said door for urging said door in one direction of movement and follower engagement means mounted on a corner of said door for engaging said follower when in said active position and for moving said follower to an inactive position as an incident to movement of said door to a predetermined position between fully opened and fully closed positions, said follower engagement means being made of resilient material that deforms to permit passage of said corner of the door relative to said follower when said follower is moved to said inactive position.
Specification