Rotatable Floor Bridge Sealing for Sliding Door Thresholds

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing thresholds for sliding door and window systems, particularly lift-and-slide systems, are too high and inflexible, failing to accommodate varying floor materials and heights, and current height adjustment profiles are cumbersome to install and limited in orientation.

Innovation Solution

A floor bridge with a connecting part and bridging part, featuring a joint head and joint socket that allows for rotational adjustment, enabling easy installation and flexibility to bridge gaps between the threshold and the floor, adaptable to different height differences.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If height adjustment profiles are used to bridge gaps between threshold and floor, then adaptability to varying floor heights is improved, but installation complexity increases and orientation flexibility is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to varying floor heightsVSAvoidinstallation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The floor bridge is divided into two separate parts: a connecting part that attaches to the threshold and a bridging part that bridges the gap to the floor. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized independently and simplifies installation, as the parts can be installed separately rather than as a single complex assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The joint head and joint socket create a rotatable connection between the connecting part and bridging part. This dynamic joint allows the bridging part to be rotated into different orientations during installation and operation, providing flexibility to accommodate varying floor conditions and ensuring proper sealing without requiring precise pre-positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If height adjustment profiles are used to bridge gaps, then adaptability to varying floor heights is improved, but the profile is limited in orientation options

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to varying floor heightsVSAvoidorientation flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The rotatable joint connection between the connecting part and bridging part enables the bridging part to assume multiple orientations. The joint head can rotate within the joint socket to accommodate different angular positions, allowing the floor bridge to adapt to various floor conditions and installation scenarios while maintaining proper sealing and function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If a single-piece threshold design is used, then structural simplicity is improved, but ability to accommodate varying floor conditions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidability to accommodate varying floor conditions
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The floor bridge is divided into two separate parts: a connecting part that attaches to the threshold and a bridging part that bridges the gap to the floor. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized independently and simplifies installation, as the parts can be installed separately rather than as a single complex assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The joint head and joint socket create a rotatable connection between the connecting part and bridging part. This dynamic joint allows the bridging part to be rotated into different orientations during installation and operation, providing flexibility to accommodate varying floor conditions and ensuring proper sealing without requiring precise pre-positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4592482A1Floor bridge, sill, sliding door and/or sliding window system
Publication Date: 2025.07.30 SALAMANDER IND PROD GMBH
  • EP4592482A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4592482A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4592482A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a seal for a threshold for a sliding door and/or sliding window system, in particular a lift-and-slide door and/or lift-and-slide window system, which has a wing, in particular a sliding or lift-and-slide wing, and a sliding or lift-and-slide wing which is movable in a displacement direction (V) relative to the wing, comprising a connecting part with a joint head for attachment, in particular in a form-fitting and/or force-fitting manner, to a lateral end face of the threshold extending in the displacement direction and a sealing part with a sealing lip for sealing against a subsurface or floor and a joint socket which, in order to couple the sealing part and the connecting part together, engages around the joint head, in particular in a form-fitting manner, and is rotatable relative to the joint head when the sealing part and the connecting part are coupled to one another.