Folding door device and rotary seal member

Abstract

To provide a rotating seal member that can seal the gap formed between a folding door and a lower frame when the folding door is extended to thereby prevent rainwater from outside and wind from entering.SOLUTION: A rotating seal member 1 is supported by a shaft part 5 in a pivotal manner provided on a lower frame 2 for rotation. When the rotating seal member is erected, a seal member 6 fitted to one tip edge abuts on the surface of a folding door, and the other tip approaches the inner surface of a storage groove 8 in which the rotating seal member 1 is accommodated upon fall thereof, and the distance from the shaft part 5 to the outer surface is made smaller than between both the tips.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a folding door device in which folding doors, each of which is a plurality of doors connected in a flexible manner, are arranged on a frame body, and the frame body can be opened by folding and opening the folding doors, and to a rotary sealing member attached to the folding door device. [Background technology]

[0002] A folding door is made up of multiple doors connected to each other via joints so that they can be flexibly moved. A hoist attached to the upper end of the main joint moves along the upper rail, while a slider extending downward from the lower end of the main joint is loosely fitted into a guide groove in the lower rail and is guided. A handle is provided at the tip (free end) of the folding door, and by grasping and pulling the handle it can be extended, and by pressing it it can be folded, allowing the opening to be opened or closed. When the folding door is folded, the secondary joint portion that does not have the hoist and slider can extend outward from the frame.

[0003] In recent years, barrier-free structures that eliminate steps and partitions and make it easier for people to move through building openings onto outdoor decks or balconies, or when entering indoor spaces from decks or balconies, have become popular. For this reason, buildings are increasingly being designed so that the top surface of the lower frame of the frame body to which the folding door is attached, the indoor floor surface, and the outdoor deck or balcony floor surface are all roughly flush and continuous.

[0004] However, in a structure in which the top surface of the lower frame of the frame body to which the folding door is attached is flush with the indoor floor surface and the outdoor deck or balcony floor surface, it is difficult to prevent wind and rain from outdoors from entering the interior. The bottom frame of a conventional folding door is designed with a step so that the indoor side is higher and the outdoor side is lower. Therefore, when the folding door is extended to close the opening, it abuts against the stepped surface of the bottom frame, making it easy to ensure airtightness and watertightness between indoors and outdoors.

[0005] In this way, in a barrier-free structure, the upper surface of the lower frame of the frame body is configured to be in a substantially horizontal state, but if there is no gap between the folding door and the lower frame, the folding door cannot be folded. However, if there is a gap, the problem arises that it is not possible to maintain airtightness and watertightness between the folding door and the lower frame. Therefore, when the folding door is folded to open the opening, the floor surface around the lower frame is flat, but when the folding door is extended to close the opening, a sealing member that seals the lower frame and the floor surface protrudes.

[0006] A sealing member is attached to the lower frame of the folding door device, and is configured so that the sealing member can rotate when an operating rod provided on the folding door is pushed downward. The "Lower Frame Structure of a Door Frame in a Folding Door Device" according to JP 2006-188908 A is a folding door device in which a guide groove 6 for guiding the folding door is formed on the outdoor side of the lower frame 1b of the door frame, a storage groove 14 is formed on the indoor side of the guide groove 6 via an intermediate groove 17, a sealing member 15 is rotatably supported inside the storage groove 14, and when the protruding edge 20 of the sealing member 15 is pressed down by a lock rod 24, the sealing member 15 rotates and comes into contact with the indoor side of the lower part of the folding door, thereby connecting the floor surface and the folding door.

[0007] The "folding door device" disclosed in JP 2006-118196 A can ensure airtightness and watertightness from the outside, as well as the integrity of the interior, even though it has a barrier-free structure. That is, a storage groove 25 is formed along the indoor side of the bottom frame 1b of the door frame, and a sealing member 26 that can be rotated to protrude above the storage groove is stored inside this storage groove.

[0008] Figure 6 shows a folding door device equipped with a rotary sealing member (A). The rotary sealing member (A) in the figure stands up as shown by the solid line, sealing the gap formed between the folding door (B) and the bottom frame (C), preventing rainwater and wind from entering from the outside. The outer circumferential surface (D) of the rotary sealing member (A) is arc-shaped, and it is rotatable by being supported by a shaft (E) attached to the bottom frame (C). A rod (not shown) that moves up and down is attached to the folding door (b), and when the rod descends, the pressing piece (f) is pushed down, causing the rotating sealing member (a) to rotate and stand up.

[0009] The outer surface (D) of the rotary seal member (A) forms a smooth arc with a uniform radius centered on the shaft (E), and the corner gap (G) between it and the lower frame (C) is small. Therefore, if a small stone (H) gets caught in this gap (G), the rotary seal member (A) will not be able to rotate. (a) in the figure shows the case where a pebble (H) is stuck in the gap (G), and (b) shows the case where the floor material (R) moves in the direction of the arrow, eliminating the gap (G) and coming into contact with the outer surface (D) of the rotating sealing member (A). [Patent Document 1] "Lower frame structure of a door frame in a folding door device" according to JP 2006-188908 A [Patent Document 2] "Folding door device" according to JP 2006-118196 A DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0010] As described above, rotary seal members having a smooth arc-shaped outer peripheral surface have the problems described above. The problem that this invention aims to solve is this problem, and to provide a rotary seal member and a folding door device that prevents pebbles and the like from getting caught in the corner gap between the outer peripheral surface and the lower frame and prevents the floor material from moving and eliminating the gap. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] The rotary sealing member of the present invention does not have an approximately sector-shaped cross section with an outer peripheral surface that forms an arc of a constant radius, so that even if pebbles, sand, etc. become caught in the corner formed between the tip of the rotary sealing member and the storage groove of the lower frame, the rotation of the rotary sealing member is not hindered, and the trapped pebbles, etc. can fall into the storage groove by rotating. For example, by making the cross section approximately triangular or approximately L-shaped, the distance from the rotating shaft is large at the tip, and the distance in other regions is smaller.

[0012] The rotary sealing member is supported by a shaft provided on the lower frame and rotates, and when in a collapsed position it is stored in a storage groove and is almost flush with the floor surface, and when in an upright position the leading edge on one side abuts against the surface of the folding door, sealing the gap formed between the folding door and the lower frame. However, the specific structure of the folding door and the specific cross-sectional shape of the lower frame are not limited.

[0013] As with conventional rotary seal members, a pressing piece is provided, and when a rod attached to the folding door is lowered, the pressing piece is pressed down, allowing the rotary seal member stored in the storage groove to rotate and stand up. A seal material is attached to the edge of the rotary seal member so that it abuts against the surface of the folding door without any gaps. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] The rotary seal member according to the present invention does not have a smooth arc-shaped outer peripheral surface, but rather has a roughly triangular or L-shaped cross section. As a result, the outer peripheral surface is linear or concave, but when the member is in the upright position, the seal material attached to the leading edge abuts against the surface of the folding door, sealing the gap formed between the lower frame and the bottom end of the folding door. This allows the member to function in the same way as a conventional rotary seal member with an arc-shaped cross section.

[0015] If pebbles or debris get caught in the corner gap formed between the outer surface of the rotary sealing member and the lower frame, the outer surface of the rotary sealing member is not an arcuate surface, so it rotates and falls without any hindrance, and is stored in the storage groove, and at the same time the pebbles or debris fall out. Of course, if there are pebbles or dirt on the fallen rotary seal member, it can be raised up without any problems. Furthermore, even if the floor surface moves toward the lower frame, the rotational movement of the rotary seal member is not impeded. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] 1 is an embodiment of a folding door device equipped with a rotary sealing member according to the present invention. [Figure 2] Specific example of a rotary seal member. [Figure 3] 10 is another embodiment showing a folding door device equipped with a rotary sealing member according to the present invention. [Figure 4] When the rotating seal member, which has a roughly triangular cross section, rotates, pebbles fall to the bottom of the storage groove. [Figure 5] When the rotating seal member, which has an approximately L-shaped cross section, rotates, pebbles fall to the bottom of the storage groove. [Figure 6] Operation of a conventional rotary seal member having an arcuate surface. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a rotary sealing member 1 according to the present invention, which is attached to a bottom frame 2 of a folding door device. As shown in the figure, the rotary sealing member 1 is a long piece with a roughly triangular cross section, and is molded from resin or aluminum. The outer surface 3 of the rotary sealing member 1 is flat, and bearings 4 formed at the vertices of the triangle are fitted onto and supported by shafts 5 provided on the lower frame 2, allowing the rotary sealing member 1 to rotate around the shafts 5.

[0018] The rotary sealing member 1 shown in the same figure is in an upright state, with the sealing material 6 attached to one end edge abutting tightly against the surface of the folding door 7, and the other end edge being close to the inner surface 17 of the storage groove 8 provided in the lower frame 2. If the rotary sealing member 1 stands up in this way, the gap 9 formed on the lower side of the folding door 7 is blocked, and rainwater and wind will not get inside.

[0019] A rod (not shown) is attached to the folding door 7, and when the folding door 7 is extended and the rod descends and fits into the insertion groove 11, the pressing piece 10 extending from the bearing 4 is pressed down, allowing the rotary sealing member 1 to stand up. When the extended folding door 7 is folded, if the rod that has been lowered rises, the rotary sealing member 1 rotates and falls down. That is, due to the weight imbalance around the bearing 4, the rotary seal member 1 rotates clockwise and is accommodated in the accommodation groove 8, and the pressing piece 10 becomes almost horizontal so as to block the entrance of the fitting groove 11.

[0020] FIG. 2 is a detailed cross-sectional view showing the rotary seal member 1. As shown in FIG. The rotary seal member 1 has a roughly triangular cross section, and is constructed by attaching a surface cover material 20 to a main body 19. Of course, the two can be made into an integrated structure, but by making the surface cover material 20 a detachable two-piece structure, the shape of the outer surface 3 can be changed by simply replacing the surface cover material 20. For example, instead of the flat surface shown in the figure, it is possible to make it a slightly smooth convex surface, or conversely, a slightly smooth concave surface, so that pebbles placed on the outer surface 3 can easily fall off.

[0021] FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of the present invention. The rotary sealing member 12 shown in the figure is a long member having a substantially L-shaped cross section, and is shown in an upright state. A sealant 6 is attached to one of the leading edges, and the sealant 6 abuts against the surface of the folding door 7, while the other leading edge is close to the inner surface of a storage groove 8 provided in the lower frame 2. The rotary seal member 12 has a generally L-shaped cross section and an outer surface 13 that is concave.

[0022] The rotary sealing members 1, 12 according to the present invention are configured to be able to rotate smoothly without small stones or the like getting caught, and the rotary sealing members 1, 12 shown in Figures 1 and 3 are merely illustrative examples. In other words, the outer surfaces 3, 13 are formed so that when the member rotates and falls, the gap formed between the member and the inner surface 17 of the storage groove 8 expands, and the member is not an arc surface with a constant radius centered on the shaft portion 5 as in conventional rotary sealing members.

[0023] 4(a), (b) and (c) show the case where the rotary sealing member 1 having a roughly triangular cross section shown in FIG. 1 rotates. 1(a) shows the case where the rotary sealing member 1 is standing, and the sealing material 6 attached to the leading edge on one side is in contact with the surface of the folding door 7. The other leading edge is close to the inner surface 17 of the storage groove 8. In this way, when the rotary sealing member 1 is upright, if a pebble 16 gets caught in the corner 15 formed between the tip 14 and the inner surface 17, and the outer peripheral surface is an arc surface of a certain radius centered on the shaft portion 5, the rotary sealing member (i) may become unable to rotate.

[0024] However, with the rotary sealing member 1 of the present invention, which has a roughly triangular cross section, it can rotate smoothly as shown in (b). That is, the gap at the corner 15 is smallest when the rotary sealing member 1 is standing up, and as it rotates clockwise, the gap widens, allowing the trapped pebble 16 to fall. 1(c) shows the case where the pebble 16 slides on the outer surface 3 of the rotary seal member 1 and falls to the bottom of the accommodation groove 8.

[0025] In this way, if the rotary sealing member 1 falls over, the upper opening of the storage groove 8 is blocked by the rotary sealing member 1, and the upper opening of the fitting groove 11 is blocked by the pressing piece 10. By blocking the storage groove 8 and the fitting groove 11 formed in the lower frame 2, a surface that is approximately the same as the floor surface 18 is formed. If a pebble 16 falls on the fallen rotary seal member 1, the member 1 will rotate counterclockwise to stand up, and the rotation can be performed without any hindrance.

[0026] FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of the movement of the rotary seal member 12 having a generally L-shaped cross section. Delivery A small stone 16 is sandwiched between the corner 15 of the groove 8 and the inner surface 17 of the groove 8 . However, as shown in (b), when the rotary sealing member 12 rotates clockwise, the gap between the tip 14 and the inner surface 17 widens, so that the rotation of the rotary sealing member 12 is not hindered and the pebble 16 falls and hits the bottom of the storage groove 8. [Explanation of symbols]

[0027] 1 Rotating seal member 2 Bottom frame 3 Outer surface 4 bearings 5 Shaft 6 Sealing material 7 Folding door 8 Storage groove 9. Gap 10 Presser foot 11 Inset groove 12 Rotating seal member 13 Outer surface 14 Tip 15 Corner 16 Pebbles 17 Inner 18 Floor 19 Main Unit 20 Surface covering material

Claims

1. A rotary sealing member that can close the gap formed between the folding door and the lower frame when the folding door is extended, thereby preventing the intrusion of rainwater and wind from outside. The rotary sealing member is supported by an axis provided on the lower frame and rotates, and when the rotary sealing member is upright, a sealing material attached to one tip edge abuts against the surface of the folding door, and the other tip is close to the inner surface of a storage groove into which the rotary sealing member is stored when it is collapsed, and the distance from the axis to the outer surface is smaller than that of both tips.

2. 2. The rotary seal member according to claim 1, wherein the rotary seal member has a structure in which a surface cover material is detachably attached to a main body.

3. 3. A rotary seal member according to claim 1, wherein the cross section of said rotary seal member is approximately triangular.

4. 3. A rotary seal member according to claim 1, wherein the cross section of said rotary seal member is substantially L-shaped.

5. A folding door device in which a rotary sealing member is attached to the lower frame, which can close the gap formed between the folding door and the lower frame when the folding door is extended, thereby preventing the intrusion of rainwater and wind from outside. The folding door device is characterized in that the rotary sealing member is supported on an axis provided on the lower frame and rotates, and when the rotary sealing member is upright, a sealing material attached to one tip edge abuts against the surface of the folding door, and the other tip is close to the inner surface of the storage groove into which the rotary sealing member is stored when it is collapsed, and the distance from the axis to the outer surface is shorter than that of both tips.

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