JP7828637B2 - Runner unit, and interlocking opening/closing unit equipped with this runner unit - Google Patents

Description

This invention relates to a runner unit for guiding a door panel along a guide rail installed above, and to an interlocking opening and closing unit equipped with said unit. More particularly, it relates to a runner unit in which a connecting shaft protruding from the upper end of the door panel is detachably held by a runner that travels along the guide rail, and to an interlocking opening and closing unit equipped with said unit.

This type of runner unit is disclosed, for example, in Patent Document 1 (Title of Invention: Sliding Door). In Patent Document 1, the runner unit is composed of a door roller (runner) that moves along a rail and a connecting member (connecting shaft) that is fixed to the upper surface of the sliding door (door panel) and connected to the door roller. The door roller includes a rail engaging member equipped with a plurality of rollers and a sliding member that can slide relative to the rail engaging member in the direction of movement of the sliding door. The sliding member is provided with a roughly keyhole-shaped hole with a large diameter portion and a small diameter portion in a continuous manner, and the rail engaging member is provided with a through hole that penetrates vertically and is approximately the same diameter as the large diameter portion of the hole. The sliding member can reciprocate between a position where the small diameter portion of the hole overlaps with the through hole and a position where the large diameter portion of the hole overlaps with the through hole, and is normally biased toward the former position by a spring. The connecting member is provided with a flange portion at its upper end that is smaller than the large diameter portion and the through hole, but larger than the small diameter portion of the hole, and a shaft portion smaller than the small diameter portion of the hole is provided below the flange portion. A locking mechanism is provided between the rail engagement member and the slide member, consisting of a stepped portion and a projection that engages with the stepped portion, which prevents relative movement between the slide member and the rail engagement member when the slide member is positioned so that the smaller diameter portion of its hole aligns with the through hole.

In Patent Document 1, when connecting the connecting member and the door roller, that is, when hanging the sliding door, first, the sliding member is pushed upward against the rail engaging member to release the locking mechanism, and the sliding member is slid against the spring to move it to a position where the large diameter portion of the hole overlaps with the through hole. Next, while holding the moved sliding member, the sliding door is supported upright and the connecting member and the through hole of the rail engaging member are aligned, and then the sliding door is pushed upward toward the rail. When the holding of the sliding member is released while maintaining this pushed-up state of the sliding door, the sliding member returns to a position where the small diameter portion of the hole overlaps with the through hole due to the biasing force of the spring. Finally, when the pushed-up state of the sliding door is released, the flange portion is supported by the edge of the small diameter portion, and the connecting member and the door roller are connected.

Japanese Patent Publication No. 2006-336368

The door panel installation process described in Patent Document 1 requires maintaining the position of the released sliding member against the spring while simultaneously pushing the sliding door upwards toward the rail. However, the sliding door is too heavy to support with one hand, and it is not easy to hold the sliding member with one hand while pushing the sliding door upwards with the other, making it difficult to perform the installation alone. Even if the sliding door could be supported with one hand, the series of installation operations while supporting a heavy object with one hand would easily become unstable, making it impossible to ensure the safety of the work.

This invention was made to solve the problems of conventional runner units as described above. Its purpose is to provide a runner unit that allows for the simple and rapid suspension of a door panel by connecting the connecting shaft and runner solely through operation on the door panel side, and an interlocking opening/closing unit equipped with this runner unit.

The present invention relates to a runner unit 6 that is positioned between a door panel 1 and a guide rail 2 extending horizontally and installed above, and guides the door panel 1 along the guide rail 2. The runner unit 6 comprises a connecting shaft 7 protruding from the upper end of the door panel 1 and a runner 8 that can run along the guide rail 2 while detachably holding the connecting shaft 7. The connecting shaft 7 comprises a base shaft portion 11 extending upward from the upper surface of the door panel 1 and an expanded shaft portion 12 provided at the upper end of the base shaft portion 11 and extending horizontally outward. The runner 8 comprises a runner body 19 that holds the connecting shaft 7 and a holder 20 that restricts the displacement of the connecting shaft 7 held by the runner body 19. The runner body 19 has an insertion recess 24 formed upward from the lower surface into which the connecting shaft 7 is inserted from below, and a receiving portion 25 formed recessed to the left or right inside the insertion recess 24 to receive the expanded shaft portion 12 of the connecting shaft 7 from below. The holder 20 is supported by the runner body 19 so as to be vertically movable between a lower restricting position that restricts the lateral displacement of the expanding shaft portion 12 between the insertion recess 24 and the receiving portion 25, and an upper release position that allows lateral displacement of the expanding shaft portion 12 between the insertion recess 24 and the receiving portion 25. Normally, it is in the restricting position. When the connecting shaft 7 is inserted into the insertion recess 24, the holder 20 changes its position from the restricting position to the release position, causing the expanding shaft portion 12 to displace from the insertion recess 24 to the receiving portion 25. The displaced expanding shaft portion 12 is then received by the receiving portion 25, causing the holder 20 to change its position from the release position to the restricting position. With the expanding shaft portion 12 received by the receiving portion 25, the connecting shaft 7 is held in place by the holder 20, which has changed its position to the restricting position, thus connecting the connecting shaft 7 and the runner 8.

The holder 20 is supported so as to be able to swing up and down around a pivot axis 28, which is a horizontal axis, while traversing the insertion recess 24. A biasing member 29 is provided between the runner body 19 and the holder 20, biasing the holder 20 downward toward the restricted position.

A guide surface 30 is provided on the lower surface of the holder 20 facing the insertion recess 24. This guide surface contacts the expanding shaft portion 12 inserted into the insertion recess 24 and guides the connecting shaft 7 toward the receiving portion 25.

The holder 20 has a holding surface 31 that contacts the expanding shaft portion 12, which is received by the receiving portion 25 in the restricted position, from the side. The holding surface 31 is provided continuously upward from the guide end of the guide surface 30.

The runner 8 is equipped with a release piece 32 that, when pushed toward the runner body 19, changes the position of the holder 20 from a restricted position to a released position. The release piece 32 is integrally formed with the holder 20 and protrudes below the lower surface of the guide rail 2.

The lower surface of the expanding shaft portion 12, which is received by the receiving portion 25, is formed in a partially spherical shape with the center of the sphere positioned on the axis of the base shaft portion 11.

Furthermore, the present invention relates to an interlocking opening and closing unit 60 that enables the front door panel 1A, rear door panel 1B, and middle door panel 1C, which are guided along a guide rail 2, to open and close in conjunction. The interlocking opening and closing unit 60 is characterized by comprising: the runner units 6, 6 provided between the guide rail 2 and the upper left and right sides of the middle door panel 1C; a runner holder 35 provided between the left and right runners 8, 8, which connects both runners 8, 8 to enable integral movement; pulleys 27, 27 rotatably mounted around a vertical axis on the runner bodies 19, 19 of each runner 8, 8; a transmission body 57 wrapped in a loop around the left and right pulleys 27, 27; and front and rear connecting pieces 58, 58 provided on the front and rear straight portions 57S, 57S of the loop-wound transmission body 57, which connect to the front door panel 1A and the rear door panel 1B, respectively.

The runner 8 consists of a first runner 8A positioned on one end of the runner holder 35 and a second runner 8B positioned on the other end of the runner holder 35. The direction in which the receiving portion 25A (25) is formed, recessed within the insertion recess 24A (24) of the first runner 8A (8), and the direction in which the receiving portion 25B (25) is formed, recessed within the insertion recess 24B (24) of the second runner 8B (8), are set to the same direction. The distance between the axes (L1) of the left and right connecting shafts 7, 7 is configured to coincide with the distance (L2) between the insertion recesses 24A (24) and 24B (24) formed on the left and right first and second runners 8A (8) and 8B (8), and the distance (L3) between the receiving portions 25A (25) and 25B (25).

Identical runners 8 are provided on the left and right sides of the runner holder 35, in opposite orientations. The direction of formation of the receiving portion 25, which is recessed within the insertion recess 24 of each runner 8, is set to be opposite to that of the other runners 8. When the distance between the axes of the left and right connecting shafts 7, 7 is defined as L1, the distance between the insertion recesses 24, 24 of the left and right runners 8, 8 is defined as L2, and the distance between the receiving portions 25, 25 of the left and right runners 8, 8 is defined as L3, an expandable/contractable structure 63 is provided that allows the runners 8 to be displaced away from or closer to the runner holder 35 at a receiving position where the distance L1 and distance L3 coincide, and at an insertion position where the distance L1 and distance L2 coincide.

The pulleys 27A (27) and 27B (27) attached to each runner 8A (8) and 8B (8) are positioned closer to the tip of each runner body 19A (19) and 19B (19) than the insertion recesses 24A (24) and 24B (24).

The diameter (D1) of each pulley 27A (27) and 27B (27) in the portion around which the transmission body 57 is wound is formed to be larger than the maximum dimension of the expanded shaft portion 12 in a plan view.

In the runner unit 6 of the present invention, the door panel 1 can be suspended using the following procedure. First, the door panel 1 is raised upright and the connecting shaft 7 is aligned with the insertion recess 24. Then, the door panel 1 is pushed upward toward the runner 8, so that the connecting shaft 7 is inserted into the insertion recess 24. Next, the door panel 1 is gently shaken from side to side so that the expanding shaft portion 12 is displaced toward the receiving portion 25, thereby connecting the connecting shaft 7 and the runner 8. The suspension of the door panel 1 can be completed using the above procedure. Thus, with the runner unit 6 of the present invention, there is no need to operate the door roller side (runner 8 side) as in the conventional method, allowing one worker to perform the suspension work simply and quickly. Furthermore, since the suspension work can be performed while firmly supporting the door panel 1 with both hands, the suspension work can be carried out more safely.

The holder 20 is supported so as to be able to swing up and down around a pivot axis 28, which is a horizontal axis, while crossing the insertion recess 24. A biasing member 29 is provided between the runner body 19 and the holder 20 to bias the holder 20 downward toward the restricted position. Therefore, even if vibrations occur due to the movement of the runner 8 while the connecting shaft 7 and the runner 8 are connected, the holder 20 can be reliably held in the restricted position. This prevents the holder 20 from unnecessarily releasing its position-holding mechanism for the connecting shaft 7 during the opening and closing operation of the door panel 1, thus preventing the door panel 1 from falling off the runner 8.

If the lower surface of the holder 20 facing the insertion recess 24 has a guide surface 30 that contacts the expanded shaft portion 12 inserted into the insertion recess 24 and guides the connecting shaft 7 toward the receiving portion 25, then during the hanging operation of the door panel 1, the connecting shaft 7 guided by the guide surface 30 can be displaced toward the receiving portion 25 simply by pushing up the door panel 1. This eliminates the need to intentionally shake the door panel 1 from side to side during the hanging operation, allowing the hanging operation of the door panel 1 to be performed with less effort and more quickly.

The holder 20 has a holding surface 31 that contacts the expanding shaft portion 12, which is received by the receiving portion 25 in the restricted position, from the side. Since the holding surface 31 is provided continuously upward from the guide end of the guide surface 30, the connecting shaft 7, guided by the guide surface 30, is displaced towards the receiving portion 25. As the holder 20 changes its position from the released position to the restricted position, the side surface of the expanding shaft portion 12 contacts the holding surface 31. Therefore, during the lifting operation, the portion of the expanding shaft portion 12 that contacts the holding surface 31 can be smoothly transitioned from the guide surface 30 to the holding surface 31. Consequently, unnecessary rattling during the lifting operation can be eliminated, thus facilitating the lifting of the door panel 1 and preventing the operation from becoming unstable.

The runner 8 is equipped with a release piece 32 that, when pushed toward the runner body 19, changes the orientation of the holder 20 from a restricted position to a released position. The release piece 32 can be integrally formed with the holder 20 and protrude below the lower surface of the guide rail 2. This allows the holder 20 to be released with a simple operation of pushing in the release piece 32 protruding from the guide rail 2. This releases the holder 20 from holding the connecting shaft 7 in place, allowing the expanding shaft portion 12 to be removed via the mounting recess 24, thus separating the runner 8 from the connecting shaft 7. Therefore, the removal of the door panel 1 can be easily performed. Furthermore, there is no need to provide a separate dedicated structure for changing the orientation of the holder 20, thus simplifying and miniaturizing the runner unit 6 while suppressing the complexity, size, and cost increase of the runner 8.

If the lower surface of the expansion shaft portion 12, which is received by the receiving portion 25, is formed in a partially spherical shape with the sphere's center positioned on the axis of the base shaft portion 11, then the shape of the lower surface of the expansion shaft portion 12 remains constant even when the connecting shaft 7 rotates around its axis. Therefore, the connecting shaft 7 can be installed on the door panel 1 without worrying about its orientation around its axis relative to the door panel 1. Furthermore, even if the height adjustment structure of the door panel 1 is configured to change the hanging height by rotating the connecting shaft 7, the connecting shaft 7 and the runner 8 can be connected without any problems.

Furthermore, in the interlocking opening and closing unit 60 configured as described above, including the runner units 6, 6, in an interlocking sliding door configured with multiple door panels 1A, 1B, 1C and the interlocking opening and closing unit 60, it is necessary to suspend the multiple door panels 1A, 1B, 1C. However, since the middle door panel 1C can be suspended from the interlocking opening and closing unit 60 easily and quickly, the effort required for suspension work in an interlocking sliding door can be reduced.

The runner 8 consists of a first runner 8A positioned on one end of the runner holder 35 and a second runner 8B positioned on the other end of the runner holder 35. The direction in which the receiving portion 25A (25) is formed in the recess 24A (24) of the first runner 8A (8) and the direction in which the receiving portion 25B (25) is formed in the recess 24B (24) of the second runner 8B (8) are set to the same direction. It is preferable that the distance between the axes (L1) of the left and right connecting shafts 7, 7 coincides with the distance (L2) between the insertion recesses 24A (24) and 24B (24) formed on the left and right first and second runners 8A (8) and 8B (8), and the distance (L3) between the receiving portions 25A (25) and 25B (25).

With the interlocking opening/closing unit 60 configured as described above, the connecting shafts 7 and 7 can be connected to the first runner 8A and the second runner 8B without changing the relative distance between them, which are connected by the runner holder 35. Therefore, with the interlocking opening/closing unit 60, with all components except the connecting shafts 7 and 7 integrated, assembled to the guide rail 2, the connecting shafts 7 and 7 can be connected to the first and second runners 8A and 8B.

Furthermore, a configuration can be adopted in which two identical runners 8 are provided on the left and right sides of the runner holder 35, respectively, in opposite orientations. The direction of formation of the receiving portion 25, which is recessed within the insertion recess 24 of each runner 8, is set to be opposite to that of the other runners 8. When the distance between the axes of the left and right connecting shafts 7, 7 is defined as L1, the distance between the insertion recesses 24, 24 of the left and right runners 8, 8 is defined as L2, and the distance between the receiving portions 25, 25 of the left and right runners 8, 8 is defined as L3, then an expandable/contractable structure 63 can be provided that allows the runner 8 to be displaced away from or closer to the runner holder 35 at a receiving position where the distance L1 and distance L3 coincide, and at an insertion position where the distance L1 and distance L2 coincide.

With the interlocking opening and closing unit 60 configured as described above, by making the runner 8 provided on the left side and the runner 8 provided on the right side of the runner holder 35 the same configuration, it is not necessary to prepare two types of runners 8 with different configurations, thus reducing the overall cost increase of the interlocking opening and closing unit 60. In addition, since the left and right runners 8 have the same configuration, there is no chance of incorrectly assembling the left and right runners 8 to the runner holder 35, thus saving time during the assembly of the interlocking opening and closing unit 60. In addition, the telescopic structure 63 allows the runner 8 to be displaced to either a position where the distance L1 between the axes of the left and right connecting shafts 7,7 coincides with the distance L2 between the insertion recesses 24,24 of the left and right runners 8,8, and a position where the distance L1 between the axes of the left and right connecting shafts 7,7 coincides with the distance L3 between the receiving portions 25,25 of the left and right runners 8,8. Therefore, during the lifting operation, both connecting shafts 7,7 can be inserted into both insertion recesses 24,24 simultaneously, and both connecting shafts 7,7 can be received by both receiving portions 25,25, allowing the runner 8 and connecting shafts 7 to be connected without any problems.

If the pulleys 27A (27) and 27B (27) provided on each runner 8A (8) and 8B (8) are positioned closer to the tip of each runner body 19A (19) and 19B (19) than the insertion recesses 24A (24) and 24B (24), then the pulleys 27A and 27B are positioned closer to the outside of the runner bodies 19A and 19B, allowing the pulleys 27A and 27B to be positioned close to the left and right ends of the interlocking opening and closing unit 60. As a result, compared to the case where each pulley 27A and 27B is positioned on the runner holder 35 side of each runner body 19A and 19B rather than on the insertion recess 24A and 24B, the connecting pieces 58 and 58 provided on the straight portions 57S and 57S of the transmission body 57 can be positioned closer to the end of the interlocking opening/closing unit 60. Therefore, the overlap between the front door panel 1A and the middle door panel 1C, and the rear door panel 1B and the middle door panel 1C, which are adjacent to each other front and rear, can be reduced by the amount that the connecting pieces 58 and 58 are closer to the end of the interlocking opening/closing unit 60.

If the diameter (D1) of each pulley 27A (27) and 27B (27) in the portion around which the transmission element 57 is wrapped is larger than the maximum dimension of the expanded shaft portion 12 in a plan view, the spacing between the transmission elements 57 passing through the lower front and rear of the insertion recesses 24A and 24B can be made larger than the maximum dimension of the expanded shaft portion 12. Therefore, when inserting the connecting shafts 7 and 7 into the insertion recesses 24A and 24B, contact between the expanded shaft portions 12 and 12 of the transmission element 57 can be avoided. Consequently, the lifting operation of the middle door panel 1C can be performed quickly without worrying about the transmission element 57. Furthermore, it is possible to prevent the transmission element 57 from being cut by contact between the expanded shaft portion 12 and the transmission element 57.

This diagram shows a first embodiment of an interlocking sliding door to which an interlocking opening and closing unit equipped with the runner unit of the present invention is applied, and is a longitudinal cross-sectional front view of the main part of the interlocking opening and closing unit. This is a front view showing the entire interlocking sliding door system. This is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in Figure 2. This is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B in Figure 3. This is an exploded perspective view of the runner located on the right side of the interlocking opening and closing unit. This is an exploded perspective view of the runner located on the left side of the interlocking opening and closing unit. This is a bottom view of the interlocking opening and closing unit. This is a cross-sectional view taken along the line C-C in Figure 1. This is a cross-sectional view taken along line D-D in Figure 1. This is a vertical cross-sectional front view showing the runner unit of the door panel located on the front side. This is a longitudinal cross-sectional front view showing the linked shaft and runner separated in the interlocking opening/closing unit. This is an explanatory diagram showing how to connect the runner units. (a) is a longitudinal front view and enlarged view showing the first stage of connection, and (b) is an enlarged view of the part corresponding to the enlarged view of (a), showing the second stage of connection. This is an explanatory diagram showing how to separate the runner unit. This diagram shows a second embodiment of an interlocking sliding door to which an interlocking opening and closing unit equipped with the runner unit of the present invention is applied, and is a longitudinal cross-sectional front view of the interlocking opening and closing unit with the runner unit separated. This diagram shows a third embodiment of an interlocking sliding door to which an interlocking opening and closing unit equipped with the runner unit of the present invention is applied, and is a partially broken front view showing the interlocking opening and closing unit with the runner unit separated. This diagram shows a fourth embodiment of an interlocking sliding door to which an interlocking opening and closing unit equipped with the runner unit of the present invention is applied, and is a partially broken front view showing the runner unit separated from the interlocking opening and closing unit.

(First Embodiment) Figures 1 to 13 show a first embodiment in which the runner unit according to the present invention and the interlocking opening/closing unit equipped with the unit are applied to an interlocking sliding door having three door panels 1 (1A, 1B, 1C) that open and close the entrance to a room or the like. In this embodiment, front/back, left/right, and up/down refer to the intersecting arrows shown in Figures 1 to 6 and the front/back, left/right, and up/down indications written near each arrow. In Figure 2, the interlocking sliding door in the closed state comprises a front door panel 1A (door panel 1) located on the front left side of the entrance, a rear door panel 1B (door panel 1) located on the rear right side of the entrance, and a middle door panel 1C (door panel 1) located between the front and rear door panels 1A and 1B. Each door panel 1A, 1B, and 1C is guided to open and close by a guide rail 2 extending in the left-right direction, which is installed on the upper frame of a gate-shaped opening frame provided at the entrance.

In Figure 4, the guide rail 2 comprises a front rail 2A that guides the opening and closing of the front door panel 1A, a rear rail 2B that guides the opening and closing of the rear door panel 1B, and a middle rail 2C that guides the opening and closing of the middle door panel 1C. Each rail 2A, 2B, and 2C has a C-shaped cross-section with a rail opening on its lower side. The guide rail 2 is made of an aluminum strip, with adjacent front rails 2A and middle rail 2C, and rear rail and middle rail 2C, connected at their upper ends and integrated. Each door panel 1A, 1B, and 1C is restricted from swaying in the front-to-back direction by a vibration-retaining structure provided between it and the floor surface. In Figure 4, the vibration-retaining structure consists of vibration-retaining rollers 3 provided on the floor surface and at the front and rear of the lower end of the middle door panel 1C, and vibration-retaining grooves 4 guided by the vibration-retaining rollers 3.

Each door panel 1A, 1B, and 1C is guided along the guide rail 2 by a runner unit 6. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the runner unit 6 is positioned between the upper left and right ends of each door panel 1A, 1B, and 1C and each rail 2A, 2B, and 2C. It comprises a connecting shaft 7 protruding from the upper end of each door panel 1A, 1B, and 1C, and a runner 8 that detachably holds the connecting shaft 7 while being able to move along each rail 2A, 2B, and 2C.

As shown in Figure 11, the connecting shaft 7 comprises a base shaft portion 11, which is a round shaft extending upward from the upper surface of the door panel 1 (front door panel 1A, rear door panel 1B, middle door panel 1C), and an expanded shaft portion 12 provided at the upper end of the base shaft portion 11 and projecting horizontally outward. A male threaded portion 13 is formed on the lower half of the base shaft portion 11. The expanded shaft portion 12 is formed from a lower hemispherical spherical shaft, and the lower surface of the expanded shaft portion 12 is partially spherical, with the center of the sphere positioned on the axis of the base shaft portion 11. Nut bodies 14 having female threaded holes, such as threaded inserts, are embedded and fixed to the upper surface of the door panel 1 (1A, 1B, 1C). The connecting shaft 7 is temporarily fixed to the door panel 1 by screwing the male threaded portion 13 of the base shaft portion 11 into the nut bodies 14. In the temporarily fixed state, the connecting shaft 7 can be rotated around its axis to change the projection dimension from the upper surface of the door panel 1. Furthermore, even when the connecting shaft 7 rotates around its axis, the shape of the lower surface of the expanding shaft portion 12, which is formed by a lower hemispherical spherical shaft, remains constant.

In Figure 11, etc., reference numeral 15 denotes a fixing nut. After adjusting the protrusion dimension of the connecting shaft 7, the connecting shaft 7 can be permanently fixed to the door panel 1 by tightening the fixing nut 15 toward the nut body 14. By adjusting the protrusion dimension of the connecting shaft 7 that protrudes from the door panel 1, the height at which the door panel 1 is hung relative to the guide rail 2, that is, the gap between the lower surface of the guide rail 2 and the upper surface of the door panel 1, can be adjusted. In this way, the nut body 14 is embedded and fixed in the upper surface of the door panel 1, and the connecting shaft 7 is screwed into the nut body 14. Therefore, the connecting shaft 7 can be installed without processing the end grain (left and right sides) of the door panel 1, resulting in a clean appearance for the door panel 1.

The following describes the general configuration of the runner 8. In Figure 1, the runner 8 comprises a runner body 19 that pivotally supports rollers 18 and is guided along the guide rails 2 (front rail 2A, rear rail 2B, middle rail 2C) by the rolling of the rollers 18, and a holder 20 for detachably holding the connecting shaft 7 in the runner body 19. The runner body 19 is formed by joining a pair of front and rear halves 23, each pivotally supported by a pair of left and right rollers 18, 18 (see Figures 5 and 6), and has an insertion recess 24 formed upward from its lower surface into which the connecting shaft 7 is inserted from below, and a receiving part 25 formed recessed to the left or right inside the insertion recess 24 to receive the expanded shaft portion 12 of the connecting shaft 7 from below. The runners 8, 8, which are arranged between the middle rail 2C and the left and right sides of the middle door panel 1C, are arranged below the runner body 19 and have a pulley 27 that is rotatably supported around a pulley shaft 26 which is a vertical axis.

The retainer 20 is supported by the runner body 19 and can swing up and down around a horizontal pivot axis 28 between a lower restricting position (shown in Figure 1) that restricts the lateral displacement of the connecting shaft 7 relative to the runner body 19, and an upper release position (shown in Figure 12(a)) that allows lateral displacement of the connecting shaft 7 relative to the runner body 19. In its normal state, the retainer 20 is held in the lower restricting position by the biasing force of a compression spring (biasing element) 29 provided between the runner body 19 and the retainer 20.

In the restricted and released positions, the retainer 20 is positioned above the insertion recess 24 and the receiving portion 25, traversing both. The lower surface of the retainer 20 facing the insertion recess 24 is provided with a guide surface 30 that, in the released position, contacts the expanding shaft portion 12 and guides the connecting shaft 7 toward the receiving portion 25. The retainer 20 also has a retaining surface 31 that contacts the expanding shaft portion 12, which is received by the receiving portion 25 in the restricted position, from the side. The retaining surface 31 is provided continuously upward from the guide end of the guide surface 30. The retainer 20 in the restricted position can be changed to the released position against the biasing force of the compression spring 29 using a release piece 32 provided on the retainer 20.

As shown in Figure 1, the left and right runners 8,8 that guide the middle door panel 1C are integrally connected to a runner holder 35 made of a hollow square pipe located between the two runners 8,8, and are configured to move integrally with the runner holder 35. In Figure 1, reference numeral 36 denotes a rivet for fixing each runner 8,8 to the runner holder 35, and reference numeral 37 denotes a rivet hole for inserting the rivet 36.

The runners 8 that make up the runner unit 6 consist of a first runner 8A and a second runner 8B, which share common constituent components but differ in some component shapes. The runners 8 positioned between the front rail 2A and the left and right sides of the front door panel 1A, the runners 8 positioned between the rear rail 2B and the left and right sides of the rear door panel 1B, and the runner 8 positioned between the middle rail 2C and the right side of the middle door panel 1C are composed of the first runner 8A. The runner 8 positioned between the middle rail 2C and the left side of the middle door panel 1C is composed of the second runner 8B. Next, the first runner 8A and the second runner 8B will be described. To clearly distinguish between the components of the first runner 8A and the second runner 8B, components with similar functions will be distinguished by adding "A" after the numerical code for those constituting the first runner 8A, and by adding "B" after the numerical code for those constituting the second runner 8B.

In Figure 1, the first runner 8A is positioned on the right end (one end on the left or right) of the runner holder 35. As shown in Figure 5, the runner body 19A (19) of the first runner 8A comprises a main body block 39A (39) in which an insertion recess 24A (24) and a receiving portion 25A (25) are formed, and a connecting block 40A (40) integrally formed on the left side of the main body block 39A. In the pair of half-parts 23A, 23A (23, 23), the part corresponding to the main body block 39A is divided front to back, and the part corresponding to the connecting block 40A is divided up to down. The joint surface of the split body 23A, which corresponds to the main block 39A, has recesses formed in half of the insertion recess 24A (24) and half of the receiving portion 25A (25). Furthermore, half of the housing portion 41A (41), which houses the retainer 20A (20) in a state communicating with the other half of the insertion recess 24A and the other half of the receiving portion 25A, is also recessed. The housing portion 41A is open on the top, bottom, and right sides of the runner body 19A, and a shaft hole 42A (42) for the retainer 20A is recessed at the right end of the housing portion 41A.

A boss 43A (43) is provided on the lower right end of the rear half-section 23A. In the first runner 8A, positioned between the middle rail 2C and the right side of the middle door panel 1C, the male threaded portion of the pulley shaft 26A (26) is screwed into an upwardly recessed female threaded hole in the boss 43A, thereby supporting the pulley 27A (27) on the runner body 19A. The aforementioned rivet 36 is inserted through a connecting hole 44A (44) formed vertically through the half-section 23A, which corresponds to the connecting block 40A.

The holder 20A of the first runner 8A includes a first arm 47A (47) extending upward to the left, a second arm 48A (48) extending to the left from the left end of the first arm 47A, a third arm 49A (49) extending downward from the left end of the second arm 48A, and a fourth arm 50A (50) extending to the left from the lower end of the third arm 49A. The pivot shaft 28A (28) is provided protruding from the front and rear surfaces of the right end of the first arm 47A, and the pivot shaft 28A is pivotally supported in the shaft hole 42A, allowing the holder 20A to pivot up and down within the housing 41A. The compression spring 29A (29) that biases the holder 20A is positioned between the fourth arm 50A and the upper wall of the housing 41A. The downward swing of the holder 20A due to the compression spring 29A is restricted by the second arm 48A being received by the lower wall of the housing 41A on the right side of the insertion recess 24A (see Figure 11). In Figure 5, reference numeral 52A denotes a spring shaft protruding from the upper surface of the fourth arm 50, which prevents displacement of the compression spring 29.

The first runner 8A can be assembled by placing the holder 20A and the compression spring 29A into the housing portion 41A of the rear (one) half-body 23A, covering it with the front (other) half-body 23A, and then fastening both half-body 23A together with fixing screws (not shown). As shown in Figures 7 and 8, when the first runner 8A is assembled, the insertion recess 24A is formed as a substantially elliptical hole when viewed from the bottom, and the receiving portion 25A is formed as a recess towards the left inside the insertion recess 24A. Furthermore, the receiving portion 25A is formed as a quarter-spherical concave spherical surface 53A (53) whose lower surface coincides with the partial spherical surface on the lower side of the expanding shaft portion 12, and a notch 54A (54) is formed in a part of the concave spherical surface 53A closer to the insertion recess 24A (to the right) to avoid interference with the base shaft portion 11. The fourth arm 50A of the holder 20A of the assembled first runner 8A protrudes from the lower surface of the runner body 19A.

As shown in Figure 1, the lower left side of the second arm 48A of the holder 20A is provided with an upwardly recessed step portion 55A (55). In the restricted position, the right wall of the step portion 55A is a holding surface 31A (31) that contacts the expanding shaft portion 12 received by the receiving portion 25A and restricts the displacement of the connecting shaft 7 toward the insertion recess 24A. In the restricted position, the holder 20A is positioned so that the lower right side of the second arm 48A adjacent to the step portion 55A faces the insertion recess 24A, and the lower right side of the second arm 48A facing the insertion recess 24A is held approximately horizontally (see Figure 11). During the connection operation between the first runner 8A and the connecting shaft 7, the holder 20A is pushed upward by the connecting shaft 7 inserted into the insertion recess 24A, and its position changes from the restricted position to the released position. At this time, the pivot axis 28A, which is the pivot center of the holder 20A, is positioned to the right of the second arm 48A. Therefore, when the holder 20A changes its orientation to the released position, the lower right surface of the second arm 48A becomes an upward-sloping surface with the left end higher than the right end (see Figure 12(a)). This sloped surface functions as a guide surface 30A that guides the connecting shaft 7 in the leftward direction along the sloped surface, that is, towards the receiving portion 25A which is recessed to the left from the insertion recess 24A. When the connecting shaft 7 and the first runner 8A are connected, the pivot axis 28A of the holder 20A and the guide surface 30A are located at approximately the same height in the vertical direction.

In Figure 1, the second runner 8B is positioned on the left end (the other end) of the runner holder 35. As shown in Figure 6, the runner body 19B (19) of the second runner 8B comprises a main body block 39B (39) in which an insertion recess 24B (24) and a receiving portion 25B (25) are formed, and a connecting block 40B (40) integrally formed on the right side of the main body block 39B. In the pair of half-parts 23B, 23B (23, 23), the part corresponding to the main body block 39B is divided front to back, and the part corresponding to the connecting block 40B is divided up to down. The joint surface of the split body 23B, which corresponds to the main block 39B, has recesses formed in half of the insertion recess 24B (24) and half of the receiving portion 25B (25). Furthermore, half of the housing portion 41B (41), which houses the retainer 20B (20) in a state communicating with the other half of the insertion recess 24B and the other half of the receiving portion 25B, is also recessed. The housing portion 41B is open on the upper and lower surfaces of the runner body 19B, and a shaft hole 42B (42) for the retainer 20B is recessed at the right end of the housing portion 41B.

A boss 43B (43) is provided on the lower right end of the front half-section 23B. In the second runner 8B, positioned between the middle rail 2C and the left side of the middle door panel 1C, the male threaded portion of the pulley shaft 26B (26) is screwed into an upwardly recessed female threaded hole in the boss 43B, thereby supporting the pulley 27B (27) on the runner body 19B. The aforementioned rivet 36 is inserted through a 44A (44) formed vertically through the half-section 23B corresponding to the connecting block 40B.

The holder 20B of the second runner 8B comprises a first arm 47B (47) extending downward to the left, a second arm 48B (48) extending to the left from the left end of the first arm 47B, a third arm 49B (49) extending upward from the left end of the second arm 48B, and a fourth arm 50B (50) extending to the left from the upper end of the third arm 49B. The pivot shaft 28B (28) is provided protruding from the front and rear surfaces of the right end of the first arm 47B, and the pivot shaft 28B is pivotally supported in the shaft hole 42B, allowing the holder 20B to pivot up and down within the housing 41B. The compression spring 29B (29) that biases the holder 20B is positioned between the second arm 48B and the upper wall of the housing 41B. The downward swing of the holder 20B due to the compression spring 29B is restricted by the tip (left end) of the fourth arm 50B being received by the left wall surface of the housing 41B (see Figure 11). In Figure 6, reference numeral 52B denotes a spring shaft protruding from the upper surface of the second arm 48B, which prevents displacement of the compression spring 29B.

The second runner 8B can be assembled by placing the retainer 20B and the compression spring 29B into the housing portion 41B of the rear (one) half-body 23B, covering it with the front (other) half-body 23B, and then fastening both half-body 23Bs together with fixing screws (not shown). As shown in Figures 7 and 9, when the second runner 8B is assembled, the insertion recess 24B is formed as a substantially elliptical hole when viewed from the bottom, and the receiving portion 25B is formed as a recess towards the left inside the insertion recess 24B. Furthermore, the receiving portion 25B is formed as a quarter-spherical concave spherical surface 53B (53) whose lower surface coincides with the partial spherical surface on the lower side of the expanding shaft portion 12, and a notch 54B (54) is formed in a part of the concave spherical surface 53B closer to the insertion recess 24B (to the right) to avoid interference with the base shaft portion 11. The second arm 48B of the holder 20B of the assembled second runner 8B protrudes from the lower surface of the runner body 19B.

As shown in Figure 1, the lower left side of the fourth arm 50B of the holder 20B is provided with an upwardly recessed step portion 55B (55). In the restricted position, the right wall of the step portion 55B is a holding surface 31B (31) that contacts the expanding shaft portion 12 received by the receiving portion 25B and restricts the displacement of the connecting shaft 7 toward the insertion recess 24B. In the restricted position, the holder 20B is positioned so that the lower right side of the fourth arm 50B adjacent to the step portion 55B faces the insertion recess 24B. The lower right side of the fourth arm 50B facing the insertion recess 24B is held by an upward sloping surface where the right end is higher than the left end (see Figure 11). During the connection operation between the second runner 8B and the connecting shaft 7, the holder 20B is pushed upward by the connecting shaft 7 inserted into the insertion recess 24B, and its position changes from the restricted position to the released position. At this time, the pivot axis 28B, which is the pivot center of the holder 20B, is positioned to the right of the fourth arm 50B. Therefore, when the holder 20B changes its orientation to the released position, the lower right surface of the fourth arm 50B becomes an upward-sloping surface, with the left end being higher than the right end. This sloped surface functions as a guide surface 30B that guides the connecting shaft 7 in the leftward direction along the sloped surface, that is, towards the receiving portion 25B which is recessed to the left from the insertion recess 24B. When the connecting shaft 7 and the second runner 8B are connected, the pivot axis 28B of the holder 20B and the guide surface 30B are located at approximately the same height in the vertical direction.

The first runner 8A, which guides the middle door panel 1C, is connected to the runner holder 35 by inserting the connecting block 40A of the assembled first runner 8A into the right end of the runner holder 35 and fastening the two (connecting block 40A and runner holder 35) together with rivets 36 via rivet holes 37 and connecting holes 44A. Similarly, the second runner 8B, which also guides the middle door panel 1C, is connected to the runner holder 35 by inserting the connecting block 40B of the assembled second runner 8B into the left end of the runner holder 35 and fastening the two (connecting block 40B and runner holder 35) together with rivets 36 via rivet holes 37 and connecting holes 44B. In this way, the first runner 8A, the second runner 8B, and the runner holder 35 can be assembled as a single unit. As shown in Figure 7, a wire transmission element 57 is wrapped in a loop around the pulley 27A of the first runner 8A and the pulley 27B of the second runner 8B of the integrated three components (first runner 8A, second runner 8B, and runner holder 35). A pair of front and rear connecting pieces 58, 58, which connect to the front and rear door panels 1A and 1B, are attached to the wrapped transmission element 57.

The transmission element 57 is formed in a loop shape by fixing both ends to one of the connecting pieces 58. Specifically, as shown in Figure 3, the connecting piece 58 is formed in an oval shape in plan view, and a screw 59 for fixing the transmission element 57 is provided near one end. The transmission element 57 is wrapped around the screw 59 of the front connecting piece 58 (the connecting piece 58 connected to the front door panel 1A) at approximately its middle section. After wrapping the transmission element 57, which extends in two directions from this connecting piece 58, around the pulleys 27A and 27B respectively, both ends of the transmission element 57 are fixed to the screw 59 of the rear connecting piece 58 (the connecting piece 58 connected to the rear door panel 1B). In this way, the transmission element 57 is formed in a loop shape, and each connecting piece 58 is positioned on the front and rear straight sections 57S and 57S of the transmission element 57 wrapped around the pulleys 27A and 27B, respectively.

As described above, the first runner 8A and the second runner 8B, which constitute a pair of left and right runner units 6 that guide the middle door panel 1C positioned between the front and rear door panels 1A and 1B, are integrally formed by a runner holder 35. A pair of pulleys 27A and 27B, a transmission body 57 wrapped around both pulleys 27A and 27B, and a pair of connecting pieces 58 and 58 are provided on the integrated first runner 8A, second runner 8B, and runner holder 35. These integrated components are then configured as an interlocking opening and closing unit 60 that interlocks the opening and closing of the three (or more) door panels 1A, 1B, and 1C.

When the interlocking opening/closing unit 60 is running along the middle rail 2C, the bosses 43A and 43B of each runner body 19A and 19B are positioned at the rail opening portion of the middle rail 2C. As shown in Figure 1, each pulley 27A and 27B, the transmission body 57 wrapped around both pulleys 27A and 27B, and the connecting pieces 58 and 58 attached to the transmission body 57 are positioned on the underside of the middle rail 2C and exposed to the outside of the guide rail 2.

Furthermore, as shown in Figure 1, when the interlocking opening/closing unit 60 is running along the middle rail 2C, the fourth arm 50A of the holder 20A, which protrudes from the lower surface of the runner body 19A, is configured to protrude downward from the rail opening of the middle rail 2C (guide rail 2). By pushing this fourth arm 50A, which protrudes downward from the rail opening, upward toward the runner body 19A, the holder 20A can be forcibly changed from a restricting position to a released position. This allows the connecting shaft 7, which is received by the receiving portion 25A, to be displaced toward the insertion recess 24A, thereby releasing the holding of the connecting shaft 7 by the first runner 8A. Thus, the fourth arm 50A of the holder 20A functions as a release piece 32A.

Similarly, as shown in Figure 1, when the interlocking opening/closing unit 60 is running along the middle rail 2C, the second arm 48B of the holder 20B, which protrudes from the lower surface of the runner body 19B, is configured to protrude downward from the rail opening of the middle rail 2C (guide rail 2). By pushing this second arm 48B, which protrudes downward from the rail opening, upward toward the runner body 19B, the holder 20B can be forcibly changed from a restricting position to a released position. This allows the connecting shaft 7, which is received by the receiving portion 25B, to be displaced toward the insertion recess 24B, thereby releasing the holding of the connecting shaft 7 by the second runner 8B. Thus, the second arm 48B of the holder 20B functions as a release piece 32B.

As shown in Figure 7, the pulley 27A of the first runner 8A is positioned to the right (end side) of the runner body 19A relative to the insertion recess 24A, and the pulley 27B of the second runner 8B is positioned to the left (end side) of the runner body 19B relative to the insertion recess 24B. In this embodiment, the pulleys 27A and 27B are positioned at the left and right ends of the interlocking opening/closing unit 60, respectively. Furthermore, the diameter dimension D1 of each pulley 27A and 27B in the portion around which the transmission body 57 is wound is formed to be larger than the maximum dimension of the expanded shaft portion 12 in a plan view. In other words, the spacing between the front and rear straight portions 57S and 57S of the transmission body 57 wound around the pulleys 27A and 27B in the front-rear direction is formed to be larger than the maximum dimension of the expanded shaft portion 12 in a plan view.

Since the first and second runners 8A and 8B are integrally connected by the runner holder 35, the distance L2 between the insertion recesses 24A and 24B of both runners 8A and 8B is configured to coincide with the distance L1 between the axes of the left and right connecting shafts 7 and 7. Furthermore, the distance L3 between the receiving portions 25A and 25B of both runners 8A and 8B is also configured to coincide with the distance L1 between the axes of the left and right connecting shafts 7 and 7. In order to make the distance L1 between the axes of the left and right connecting shafts 7 and 7 coincide with the distance L3 between the receiving portions 25A and 25B, as mentioned above, the receiving portions 25A and 25B of both the first and second runners 8A and 8B are both formed with a recess towards the left. This allows the connecting shafts 7, 7 to be simultaneously inserted into the insertion recesses 24A, 24B of the first and second runners 8A, 8B during the connection operation of the runner units 6, 6 in the middle door panel 1C, and the expanding shaft portions 12, 12 to be simultaneously received by the receiving portions 25A, 25B.

As shown in Figures 3 and 10, the runners 8,8 of the left and right runner units 6,6 positioned between the front door panel 1A and the front rail 2A, and between the rear door panel 1B and the rear rail 2B, are composed of first runners 8A,8A without pulleys 27A attached. The first runner 8A positioned on the left side is assembled to the front rail 2A and rear rail 2B in a reversed state, and both first runners 8A,8A (8,8) are not connected and can run independently. The front connecting piece 58 of the interlocking opening/closing unit 60 is fixed with a fixing screw 61 to the boss 43A of the runner body 19A that constitutes the right runner unit 6 which guides the front door panel 1A, and is connected to the front door panel 1A via the first runner 8A. The rear connecting piece 58 of the interlocking opening/closing unit 60 is fixed with a fixing screw 61 to the boss 43A of the runner body 19A of the left runner unit 6 which guides the rear door panel 1B, and is connected to the door panel 1B via the first runner 8A.

The method of connecting the connecting shafts 7,7 and the runners 8,8 (8A, 8B), that is, the method of suspending the door panels 1 (1A, 1B, 1C) onto the guide rails 2 (2A, 2B, 2C), will be explained with reference to Figures 11 and 12. The suspension work onto the guide rails 2 is performed by first suspending the middle door panel 1C, followed by the front door panel 1A and the rear door panel 1B. Note that the order in which the front door panel 1A and the rear door panel 1B are suspended does not matter. Before the suspension work, confirm that the connecting pieces 58,58 of the interlocking opening/closing unit 60 are connected to the right-side first runner 8A that runs within the front rail 2A, and to the left-side first runner 8A that runs within the rear rail 2B. If they are not connected, the front connecting piece 58 is fastened and secured with fixing screws 61 to the first runner 8A that constitutes the right-side runner unit 6 of the front door panel 1A. Similarly, the rear connecting piece 58 is fastened and secured with fixing screws 61 to the first runner 8A that constitutes the left-side runner unit 6 of the rear door panel 1B.

First, as shown in Figure 11, the middle door panel 1C is raised upright, and the pair of left and right connecting shafts 7, 7 are positioned directly below the insertion recesses 24A, 24B of the first and second runners 8A, 8B. At this time, the insertion recesses 24A, 24B located in the upper middle rail 2C, and the connecting shafts 7, 7 protruding from the upper surface of the middle door panel 1C, can be easily seen even while the middle door panel 1C is being supported, so the position of the middle door panel 1C can be easily adjusted. Next, when the middle door panel 1C is pushed upward toward the guide rail 2, the connecting shafts 7, 7 are inserted into the insertion recesses 24A, 24B, and then the expanding shaft portions 12, 12 contact the guide surfaces 30A, 30B of the retainers 20A, 20B, which are in a restricted position, and the interlocking opening and closing unit 60 is pushed upward together with the middle door panel 1C. Furthermore, it should be noted that the interlocking opening/closing unit 60 is only pushed up by the amount of the gap between the upper end of the roller 18 and the inner surface of the guide rail 2, and since this gap is small, it does not move significantly enough to be visible.

Furthermore, when the middle door panel 1C is pushed upward, as shown in Figure 12(a), the rollers 18 of both runners 8A and 8B are received by the upper wall of the middle rail 2C. Subsequently, the holders 20A and 20B change their position from a restricted position to an upward release position, allowing the expansion shafts 12 to be displaced from the insertion recesses 24A and 24B to the receiving portions 25A and 25B. At this time, the guide surfaces 30A and 30B of the holders 20A and 20B, which have changed their position to the release position, switch to an upward-sloping surface to the left, and the middle door panel 1C being pushed upward is displaced to the left along the guide surfaces 30A and 30B, which are made up of the upward-sloping surface to the left (first stage).

As the middle door panel 1C is displaced to the left, the connecting shafts 7 and 7 slide toward the receiving portions 25A and 25B, and the expanding shaft portions 12 and 12 are displaced to the position of the stepped portions 55A and 55B. As shown in Figure 12(b), the expanding shaft portions 12 and 12 move away from the guide surfaces 30A and 30B and are received by the upper surfaces of the stepped portions 55A and 55B, while the right sides of each expanding shaft portion 12 and 12 come into contact with the respective holding surfaces 31A and 31B (second stage). Finally, when the pushing operation of the middle door panel 1C is released, as the middle door panel 1C descends, the holding bodies 20A and 20B change their posture from the released position to the lower restricting position, and while the contact between the holding surfaces 31A and 31B and the expanding shaft portions 12 and 12 is maintained, the lower sides of the expanding shaft portions 12 and 12 come into contact with the concave spherical surfaces 53A and 53B of the receiving portions 25A and 25B. As a result, the expansion shafts 12, 12 are held in position by being received by the receiving parts 25A, 25B and the holding surfaces 31A, 31B, and the connecting shafts 7, 7 are connected to the first and second runners 8A, 8B, completing the lifting operation of the middle door panel 1C. Furthermore, if the lower surfaces of the expansion shafts 12, 12 come into direct contact with the concave spherical surfaces 53A, 53B due to the left-right movement of the runners 8A, 8B, the holding bodies 20A, 20B change their position from the released position to the lower restricting position simultaneously with the contact, without lowering the middle door panel 1C, and the connecting shafts 7, 7 are connected to the first and second runners 8A, 8B.

The method for lifting the front door panel 1A and rear door panel 1B is basically the same as that for the middle door panel 1C, and is a simple operation of pushing the door panels 1 (1A and 1B) upwards toward the guide rail 2. The movement during lifting is the same as the movement of the right-side runner unit 6 of the middle door panel 1C. However, since the first runners 8A and 8A of the front door panel 1A and the first runners 8A and 8A of the rear door panel 1B are not connected, the left and right runner units 6 and 6 can be connected simultaneously or individually.

When the door panels 1A, 1B, and 1C are hung, the three door panels 1A, 1B, and 1C are configured as an interlocking sliding door by the interlocking opening/closing unit 60. When the front door panel 1A, in the closed position shown in Figure 2, is slid to the right, the middle door panel 1C can be opened along with the front door panel 1A. Conversely, when the front door panel 1A, in the open position, is slid to the left, the middle door panel 1C can be closed along with the front door panel 1A.

When performing maintenance on the interlocking opening/closing unit 60 and runner 8, remove the door panels 1 (1A, 1B, 1C) from the guide rails 2 (2A, 2B, 2C). When removing the door panels 1, first remove the front door panel 1A and the rear door panel 1B, then remove the middle door panel 1C. Note that the order in which the front door panel 1A and the rear door panel 1B are removed does not matter.

To remove the front door panel 1A, first separate one of the left or right runner units 6, 6 of the front door panel 1A. For example, when first releasing the connection of the right runner unit 6, insert a tool such as a screwdriver between the release piece 32A and the upper surface of the front door panel 1A, and push the release piece 32A upward. This releases the holding surface of the retainer 20A from the side of the expanding shaft portion 12 held by 31A, allowing the connecting shaft 7 to be displaced toward the insertion recess 24A. At this time, slightly lifting the side of the front door panel 1A being removed will prevent the front door panel 1A from falling suddenly.

Next, while holding up the release piece 32A, sliding the front door panel 1A to the right causes the connecting shaft 7 to displace from the receiving portion 25A towards the insertion recess 24A. In this state, lowering the front door panel 1A allows the connecting shaft 7 to be removed from the insertion recess 24A, releasing the connection between the connecting shaft 7 and the first runner 8A, and separating the runner unit 6. Since the orientation of the first runner 8A is reversed on the left side of the runner unit 6, sliding the front door panel 1A to the left while holding up the release piece 32A allows the runner unit 6 to be separated, completing the removal of the front door panel 1A. Removal of the rear door panel 1B can be performed using the same procedure as for the front door panel 1A.

When removing the middle door panel 1C, it is necessary to slide the middle door panel 1C relative to the interlocking opening/closing unit 60, similar to the front and rear door panels 1A and 1B. However, since the first and second runners 8A and 8B are connected by the runner holder 35, the displacement restriction of the connecting shafts 7 and 7 by the left and right retainers 20A and 20B must both be released before the middle door panel 1C can be slid relative to the interlocking opening/closing unit 60. Therefore, when working alone, first, insert a tool such as a screwdriver between, for example, the release piece 32A of the right runner unit 6 and the middle door panel 1C to push the release piece 32A upward. In this state, insert a spacer between the release piece 32A and the middle door panel 1C to maintain the retainer 20A in the released position. Note that even if one retainer 20A is in the released position, the middle door panel 1C cannot slide relative to the interlocking opening/closing unit 60, so the middle door panel 1C will not fall suddenly.

Next, while supporting the middle door panel 1C, insert a tool such as a screwdriver between the release piece 32B of the left runner unit 6 and the middle door panel 1C to push the release piece 32B upward, changing the position of the retainer 20B to the released position. This releases the displacement restriction of the connecting shafts 7, 7 by the left and right retainers 20A and 20B, as shown in Figure 13. The middle door panel 1C can then be slid to the right, releasing the connections between the connecting shaft 7 and the first runner 8A, and between the connecting shaft 7 and the second runner 8B, respectively, allowing the runner units 6, 6 to be separated. Because this removal process requires extra steps for one person, it is preferable to have two people remove the middle door panel 1C. Having two people work together allows for safer removal of the middle door panel 1C.

As described above, in the runner unit 6 of this embodiment, the lifting operation of the door panel 1 (1A, 1B, 1C) is performed by raising the door panel 1, aligning the connecting shaft 7 with the insertion recess 24, pushing the door panel 1 upwards toward the runner 8, and then operating the door panel 1 so that the expanding shaft portion 12 is displaced toward the receiving portion 25 while the connecting shaft 7 is inserted into the insertion recess 24. This connects the connecting shaft 7 and the runner 8, allowing the door panel 1 to be lifted. Furthermore, since there is no need to operate the door roller side (runner 8 side) as in conventional lifting operations, even when working alone, the door panel 1 can be firmly supported with both hands during the lifting operation. Therefore, with the runner unit 6 of this embodiment, the connecting shaft 7 and runner 8 can be connected and the door panel 1 lifted simply and quickly by operating the door panel 1 alone. In addition, the entire lifting operation can be performed safely without instability.

A biasing member 29 is provided between the runner body 19 and the holder 20, biasing the holder 20 downward toward the restricted position. Therefore, even if vibrations occur due to the movement of the runner 8 while the connecting shaft 7 and the runner 8 are connected, the holder 20 can be reliably held in the restricted position. Consequently, the position-holding of the connecting shaft 7 by the holder 20 is not unnecessarily released during the opening and closing operation of the door panel 1, preventing the door panel 1 from falling off the runner 8.

The lower surface of the holder 20 facing the insertion recess 24 is in contact with the expanded shaft portion 12 inserted into the insertion recess 24, and a guide surface 30 is provided to guide the connecting shaft 7 toward the receiving portion 25. Therefore, during the installation of the door panel 1, the connecting shaft 7, guided by the guide surface 30, can be displaced toward the receiving portion 25 simply by pushing up the door panel 1. Consequently, the installation of the door panel 1 can be performed with less effort and more quickly.

Since the holding surface 31 of the holder 20 is provided continuously upward from the guide end of the guide surface 30, the connecting shaft 7, which is guided by the displacement of the guide surface 30, is displaced toward the receiving portion 25. Simultaneously, the holder 20 changes its position from the released position to the restricted position, and at the same time, the side surface of the expanding shaft portion 12 comes into contact with the holding surface 31. Therefore, the portion of the expanding shaft portion 12 that comes into contact during the lifting operation can be smoothly transitioned from the guide surface 30 to the holding surface 31. This eliminates unnecessary rattling during the lifting operation, smooths the lifting of the door panel 1, and prevents the operation from becoming unstable.

The runner 8 has a release piece 32 that changes the position of the retainer 20 from a restricted position to a released position. This release piece 32 is integrally formed with the retainer 20 and protrudes below the lower surface of the guide rail 2. Therefore, the retainer 20 can be released by simply pushing in the release piece 32 protruding from the guide rail 2. Consequently, the position retention of the connecting shaft 7 by the retainer 20 can be released, and the expanding shaft portion 12 can be removed via the mounting recess 24, separating the runner 8 from the connecting shaft 7. This facilitates the removal of the door panel 1. Furthermore, there is no need to provide a separate dedicated structure for changing the position of the retainer 20, thus simplifying and miniaturizing the runner unit 6 while suppressing the complexity, size, and cost increase of the runner 8.

Since the lower surface of the expansion shaft portion 12, which is received by the receiving portion 25, is formed in a partially spherical shape with the sphere's center positioned on the axis of the base shaft portion 11, the shape of the lower surface of the expansion shaft portion 12 remains constant even when the connecting shaft 7 rotates around its axis. Therefore, the connecting shaft 7 can be installed on the door panel 1 without worrying about its orientation around its axis relative to the door panel 1. Furthermore, even in a configuration where the hanging height of the door panel 1 is adjusted by rotating the connecting shaft 7, as in this embodiment, the connecting shaft 7 and the runner 8 can be connected without any problems.

Furthermore, since the interlocking opening/closing unit 60 of this embodiment is configured to include the runner units 6, 6 described above, in an interlocking sliding door system comprising multiple door panels 1A, 1B, 1C and the interlocking opening/closing unit 60, the middle door panel 1C can be easily and quickly suspended from the interlocking opening/closing unit 60, thus reducing the effort required for suspension work in interlocking sliding doors. Moreover, it offers superior safety by ensuring that the suspension work is not unstable.

The direction in which the receiving portion 25A(25) is formed recessed inside the insertion recess 24A(24) of the first runner 8A(8) and the direction in which the receiving portion 25B(25) is formed recessed inside the insertion recess 24B(24) of the second runner 8B(8) are set to be the same direction. Furthermore, the distance between the axes (L1) of the left and right connecting shafts 7, 7 is configured to match the distance (L2) between the insertion recesses 24A(24) and 24B(24) formed on the left and right first and second runners 8A(8) and 8B(8), and the distance (L3) between the receiving portions 25A(25) and 25B(25). As a result, the connecting shafts 7, 7 can be connected to the first runner 8A and the second runner 8B without changing the relative distance between the first runner 8A and the second runner 8B connected by the runner holder 35. Therefore, with the interlocking opening/closing unit 60, which integrates all components except the connecting shafts 7 and 7, mounted on the guide rail 2, the connecting shafts 7 and 7 can be connected to the first and second runners 8A and 8B.

Conversely to the configuration of this embodiment, if the formation direction of the receiving portions 25,25 is set to be in opposite directions for the left and right runners 8,8 (both the left and right runners 8,8 are composed of either the first runner 8A or the second runner 8B), then only one of the distance L2 between the insertion recesses 24,24 or the distance L3 between the receiving portions 25,25 will match the distance L1 between the axes of the connecting shafts 7,7. Therefore, it is necessary to change the relative distance between the two runners 8,8 connected by the runner holder 35 when connecting the connecting shafts 7,7 and the runners 8,8. Specifically, when inserting the connecting shafts 7, 7 into the insertion recesses 24, 24, the distance L2 between the insertion recesses 24, 24 must be matched to the distance L1 between the axial centers of the left and right connecting shafts 7, 7. When receiving the expanding shaft portions 12, 12 with the receiving portions 25, 25, the distance L3 between the receiving portions 25, 25 must be matched to the distance L1 between the axial centers of the left and right connecting shafts 7, 7. Furthermore, as the relative distance between the left and right pulleys 27, 27 changes when the two runner units 6, 6 are connected, the relative distance between the left and right pulleys 27, 27 is altered, making it impossible to wrap the transmission body 57 around the left and right pulleys 27, 27.

Since the pulleys 27A(27) and 27B(27) provided on each runner 8A(8) and 8B(8) are positioned closer to the tip of each runner body 19A(19) and 19B(19) than to the insertion recesses 24A(24) and 24B(24), the pulleys 27A and 27B can be positioned closer to the left and right ends of the interlocking opening and closing unit 60. As a result, compared to the case where the pulleys 27A and 27B are positioned closer to the runner holder 35 side of each runner body 19A and 19B than to the insertion recesses 24A and 24B, the connecting pieces 58 and 58 provided on the straight portions 57S and 57S of the transmission body 57 can be positioned closer to the ends of the interlocking opening and closing unit 60. Therefore, the overlap between the front door panel 1A and middle door panel 1C, and the rear door panel 1B and middle door panel 1C, which are adjacent to each other front and rear, can be reduced by the amount that the connecting pieces 58 and 58 are closer to the ends of the interlocking opening and closing unit 60.

The diameter (D1) of each pulley 27A (27) and 27B (27) in the portion around which the transmission element 57 is wrapped is made larger than the maximum dimension of the expanded shaft portion 12 in a plan view. Therefore, the spacing between the transmission elements 57 passing through the lower front and rear of the insertion recesses 24A and 24B is made larger than the maximum dimension of the expanded shaft portion 12. This prevents the expanded shaft portions 12 from contacting the transmission elements 57 when the connecting shafts 7 and 7 are inserted into the insertion recesses 24A and 24B. Consequently, the lifting operation of the middle door panel 1C can be performed quickly without worrying about the transmission elements 57. Furthermore, it prevents the transmission elements 57 from being cut by contact with the expanded shaft portion 12.

(Second Embodiment) Figure 14 shows a second embodiment of the runner unit according to the present invention and an interlocking opening/closing unit equipped with the unit. This embodiment is another embodiment of the interlocking opening/closing unit 60, differing from the first embodiment in that both the left and right runners 8, 8 in the interlocking opening/closing unit 60 are composed of first runners 8A, 8A.

In the interlocking opening/closing unit 60, when first runners 8A and 8A are provided on the left and right sides, the direction in which the receiving portion 25A is formed relative to the insertion recess 24A differs between the left and right first runners 8A and 8A. Therefore, when the distance L1 between the axes of the left and right connecting shafts 7 and 7 is matched with the distance L3 between the receiving portions 25A and 25A formed on the left and right first runners 8A and 8A, the distance L2 between the insertion recesses 24A and 24A formed on the left and right first runners 8A and 8A becomes larger than the distance L1 between the axes. Therefore, during suspension, it is necessary to match the distance L2 to the distance L1 between the axes of the left and right connecting shafts 7 and 7. In this embodiment, the first runner 8A constituting the right runner unit 6 is configured to be displaceable in the left-right direction relative to the runner holder 35. Alternatively, the first runner 8A constituting the left runner unit 6 may also be configured to be displaceable in the left-right direction relative to the runner holder 35.

Specifically, the right-hand first runner 8A is positioned relative to the runner holder 35, and an expandable/contractable structure 63 is provided that allows the runner holder 35 and the runner 8 to be displaced between a receiving position where the axial distance L1 and distance L3 coincide, and an insertion position where the axial distance L1 and distance L2 coincide. The expandable/contractable structure 63 consists of the runner holder 35, a connecting block 40A of the runner body 19A inserted into the runner holder 35, a rivet 36 for fixing the first runner 8A to the runner holder 35, a spring seat 65 formed by bending the upper and lower walls of the square pipe constituting the runner holder 35 inward, and a compression coil type extrusion spring 66 provided between the spring seat 65 and the connecting block 40A, biasing the first runner 8A inserted into the runner holder 35 in a pushing direction.

The rivet hole 37 on the right side of the runner holder 35 is formed as an elongated hole, allowing the runner holder 35 to slide left and right by the amount that the rivet hole 37 can move. In the normal state, the first runner 8A is biased to the right by the extrusion spring 66, and the rivet 36 is received at the right end of the rivet hole 37, with the right-side first runner 8A in the receiving position. In this state, the distance L3 between the receiving portions 25A, 25A of the left and right first runners 8A coincides with the distance L1 between the axes of the left and right connecting shafts 7, 7, and the distance L2 between the insertion recesses 24A, 24A of the left and right first runners 8A, 8A is greater than the distance L1 between the axes of the left and right connecting shafts 7, 7.

When the right-side first runner 8A is moved to the left, or displaced closer to the runner holder 35, against the biasing force of the extrusion spring 66, from the receiving position, the right-side first runner 8A is displaced to the insertion position. In this state, the distance L2 between the insertion recesses 24A, 24A of the left and right first runners 8A, 8A, decreases, and this distance L2 coincides with the distance L1 between the axes of the left and right connecting shafts 7, 7. When the force that displaced the first runner 8A closer to the runner is released, the biasing force of the extrusion spring 66 causes it to return to the receiving position.

When suspending the middle door panel 1C, pushing the right-side first runner 8A against the biasing force of the push-out spring 66 allows the right-side first runner 8A to retract (proximity displacement) relative to the runner holder 35. When the right-side first runner 8A is retracted, the distance L1 between the axes of the left and right connecting shafts 7, 7 can be made to match the distance L2 between the insertion recesses 24A, 24A formed on the left and right first runners 8A, 8A. While maintaining the pushed-in operation of the first runners 8A, the middle door panel 1C is raised, and the pair of left and right connecting shafts 7, 7 are positioned directly below the insertion recesses 24A, 24A of each first runner 8A, 8A. By pushing the middle door panel 1C upwards towards the guide rail 2, the connecting shafts 7, 7 can be inserted into the insertion recesses 24A, 24A of each first runner 8A, 8A.

Furthermore, when the middle door panel 1C is pushed up and the holders 20A, 20A are changed to the release position, releasing the push-in operation of the first runner 8A causes the relative distance between the left and right first runners 8A, 8A to widen due to the biasing force of the push-out spring 66, and the receiving parts 25A, 25A are displaced toward the expanding shaft parts 12, 12, allowing the system to transition to the second stage of the lifting operation described earlier. Finally, when the push-up operation of the middle door panel 1C is released, as the middle door panel 1C descends, each holder 20A, 20A changes position from the release position to the lower restricting position, and while the contact between the holding surfaces 31A, 31A and the expanding shaft parts 12, 12 is maintained, the lower surfaces of the expanding shaft parts 12, 12 come into contact with the concave spherical surfaces 53A, 53A of the receiving parts 25A, 25A. As a result, the expansion shafts 12, 12 are held in position by being received by the receiving parts 25A, 25A and the holding surfaces 31A, 31A, and the connecting shafts 7, 7 are connected to both first runners 8A, 8A, completing the lifting operation of the middle door panel 1C. Furthermore, if the lower surfaces of the expansion shafts 12, 12 come into direct contact with the concave spherical surfaces 53A, 53A due to the left-right movement of the runners 8A, 8A, the holding bodies 20A, 20B change their position from the released position to the lower restricting position simultaneously with the contact, without lowering the middle door panel 1C, and the connecting shafts 7, 7 are connected to both first runners 8A, 8A.

To remove the middle door panel 1C, after changing the position of both retainers 20A, 20A to the release position, the right-side first runner 8A should be pushed in against the biasing force of the extrusion spring 66. Since the other configurations and effects are the same as in the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are used for the same components, and their descriptions are omitted.

During the above suspension operation, the pair of first runners 8A, 8A are operated in a direction that brings them closer together. Therefore, even if the transmission element 57 is wrapped around both pulleys 27A, 27A, the pushing operation can be performed without any problems. However, care must be taken to prevent the transmission element 57 from falling off each pulley 27A, 27A. For example, it is advisable to secure each pulley 27A and the transmission element 57 with adhesive tape or similar to prevent the transmission element 57 from falling off.

In this embodiment, since identical first runners 8A and 8A are provided on the left and right sides of the runner holder 35, there is no need to prepare two types of runners 8 with different configurations, thus reducing the overall cost increase of the interlocking opening and closing unit 60. Furthermore, since the left and right runners 8 and 8 are composed of the first runner 8A, there is no risk of incorrect assembly of the left and right runners 8 and 8 with respect to the runner holder 35, thus saving time during the assembly of the interlocking opening and closing unit 60. In addition, the telescopic structure 63 allows the runner 8 to be displaced to move away from or closer to the runner holder 35, so that it can be moved to an insertion position where the distance L1 between the axes of the left and right connecting shafts 7,7 coincides with the distance L2 between the insertion recesses 24,24 of the left and right runners 8,8, and to a receiving position where the distance L1 between the axes of the left and right connecting shafts 7,7 coincides with the distance L3 between the receiving parts 25,25 of the left and right runners 8,8. Therefore, during the lifting operation, both connecting shafts 7,7 can be inserted into both insertion recesses 24,24 simultaneously, and both connecting shafts 7,7 can be received by both receiving parts 25,25 to connect the runner 8 and the connecting shaft 7. Furthermore, even in a suspension method where the connecting shaft 7 is first connected to either the left or right first runner 8A, and the remaining first runner 8A is retracted into the runner holder 35 before connecting the connecting shaft 7, the connecting shafts 7 can still be inserted into the insertion recesses 24A and 24A of the first runners 8A.

Conversely, the left and right runners 8,8 in the interlocking opening/closing unit 60 can be configured with second runners 8B,8B, so that one of them, for example, the second runner 8B constituting the right runner unit 6, can be pulled out (displaced) relative to the runner holder 35. In this case, since the pair of first runners 8B,8B need to be operated in the direction that increases their relative distance, the pull-out operation cannot be performed when the transmission body 57 is wrapped around both pulleys 27A,27A. Therefore, the lifting operation requires the extra step of removing the transmission body 57.

(Third Embodiment) Figure 15 shows a third embodiment of the runner unit according to the present invention and an interlocking opening/closing unit equipped with the unit. This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the method of fixing the connecting shaft 7 provided on the door panel 1 (1A, 1B, 1C) is changed.

The connecting shaft 7 is configured as a connecting shaft unit 70. The connecting shaft unit 70 includes a holder case 71 that is mounted and fixed in mounting recesses formed in the upper left and right corners of the door panel 1 (1A, 1B, 1C), and a shaft holder 72 that is detachably mounted on the holder case 71. The shaft holder 72 includes a base holder block 73, a locking pin 75 that engages with a locking recess 74 in the holder case 71, a release lever 76 for unlocking the locking pin 75, and an adjustment shaft 77 that is rotatably supported by the shaft holder 72.

The connecting shaft 7 is inserted downward from the upper surface of the shaft holder 72, allowing for vertical movement but preventing relative rotation. A height adjustment nut 78 is screwed onto the male threaded portion 13 of its base shaft 11. The holder block 73 is supported by the upper surface of the height adjustment nut 78 and suspended from the connecting shaft 7. When the shaft holder 72 is mounted in the holder case 71, the lock pin 75 engages with the lock recess 74, integrating the holder case 71 and the shaft holder 72. By mounting the shaft holder 72 in the holder case 71, the connecting shaft 7 can be provided on the door panels 1A, 1B, and 1C.

A rotary transmission structure 79, consisting of a pair of bevel gears, is provided between the adjustment shaft 77 and the height adjustment nut 78. When the adjustment shaft 77 is rotated, the screw-in position of the adjustment nut 78 relative to the male threaded portion 13 moves up and down. This allows the protrusion dimension of the connecting shaft 7, which protrudes upward from the holder block 73, to be changed, thereby adjusting the protrusion dimension of the connecting shaft 7, which protrudes from the door panel 1.

(Fourth Embodiment) Figure 16 shows a fourth embodiment of the runner unit and the interlocking opening/closing unit equipped with the unit according to the present invention. This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the left-side connecting shaft 7 (one of the left and right connecting shafts 7, 7) provided on the door panel 1C(1) is slidable in the left-right direction. The left-side connecting shaft 7 is screwed into a cylindrical nut body 14 with a flange wall 82 protruding from the upper and lower center, and the nut body 14 is supported so as to be slidable left and right by a slide case 83 embedded and fixed in the door panel 1C. The slide case 83 is configured in a front-to-back split shape, and a support groove 84 is recessed on its inner surface to receive the flange wall 82 and guide the nut body 14 to slide. Note that the connecting shaft 7 that can slide left and right may be on the right side.

After aligning the flange wall 82 and the support groove 84, the nut body 14 is sandwiched between the divided slide case 83, and the slide case 83 is fixed to the recessed fixing hole 85 in the door panel 1C. This allows the nut body 14 to be mounted on the door panel 1C in a state where it can slide left and right. By screwing the connecting shaft 7, with the fixing nut 15 threaded onto the nut body 14 mounted on the door panel 1C, the connecting shaft 7 is also mounted on the door panel 1C in a state where it can slide left and right.

In the first embodiment, the distance L1 between the axes of the left and right connecting shafts 7, 7, the distance L2 between the insertion recesses 24A, 24B formed on the left and right first and second runners 8A, 8B, and the distance L3 between the receiving portions 25A, 25B were configured to coincide. Therefore, it was necessary to insert both the left and right connecting shafts 7, 7 into the insertion recesses 24A, 24B simultaneously. In this embodiment, however, the nut body 14 can be slid to the left and right to change the distance L1 between the axes of the left and right connecting shafts 7, 7. This allows, for example, the door panel 1C to be hung by inserting the left connecting shaft 7 into the insertion recess 24A, receiving the expansion shaft portion 12 with the receiving portion 25A, and then inserting the right connecting shaft 7 into the insertion recess 24B, receiving the expansion shaft portion 12 with the receiving portion 25B. Conversely, the right connecting shaft 7 may be inserted first.

As described above, the connecting shafts 7 and 7 are provided in such a way that the distance L1 between the axes of the left and right connecting shafts 7 and 7 can be changed. Therefore, when suspending the door panel 1C, it is not necessary to lift the entire door panel 1C; the suspension work can be carried out by lifting either the left or right side of the door panel 1C. However, if the distance L1 between the axes of the left and right connecting shafts 7 and 7 is set to match the distance L2 between the insertion recesses 24A and 24B, it is also possible to suspend the door panel 1C by lifting the entire panel.

In addition to the above, the expanding shaft portion 12 does not need to be hemispherical; it may be spherical, ellipsoidal, or rectangular. The important thing is that, in a plan view, it should have a larger diameter than the base shaft portion 11 and be able to be received by the receiving portion 25. The base shaft portion 11 may also be an axis with a polygonal cross-section. The runners 8 constituting the left and right runner units 6,6 of the front door panel 1A and rear door panel 1B may also be composed of a second runner 8B.

1 Door panel 1A Front door panel 1B Rear door panel 1C Middle door panel 2 Guide rail 6 Runner unit 7 Connecting shaft 8 Runner 8A First runner 8B Second runner 11 Base shaft part 12 Expanding shaft part 19 (19A, 19B) Runner body 20 Holder 24 (24A, 24B) Insertion recess 25 (25A, 25B) Receiving part 27 (27A, 27B) Pulley 28 Swivel shaft 29 Biasing body (Biasing spring)
30 Guide surface 31 Holding surface 32 Release piece 35 Runner holder 57 Transmission body 57S Straight portion of transmission body 58 Connecting piece 63 Telescopic structure L1 Distance between the axes of the left and right connecting shafts L2 Distance between the insertion recesses formed on the left and right first and second runners L3 Distance between the receiving parts formed on the left and right first and second runners D1 Diameter dimension of the pulley

Claims (11)

A runner unit positioned between a guide rail (2) extending horizontally and installed above and a door panel (1), which guides the door panel (1) along the guide rail (2),
The door panel (1) includes a connecting shaft (7) protruding from its upper end, and a runner (8) that detachably holds the connecting shaft (7) and can travel along the guide rail (2).
The connecting shaft (7) comprises a base shaft portion (11) extending upward from the upper surface of the door panel (1), and an expanding shaft portion (12) provided at the upper end of the base shaft portion (11) and extending outward in the horizontal direction.
The runner (8) comprises a runner body (19) that holds the connecting shaft (7) and a holder (20) that restricts the displacement of the connecting shaft (7) held by the runner body (19).
The runner body (19) has an insertion recess (24) formed upward from the bottom surface into which the connecting shaft (7) is inserted from below, and a receiving portion (25) formed recessed to the left or right inside the insertion recess (24) to receive the expanded shaft portion (12) of the connecting shaft (7) from below.
The holder (20) is supported by the runner body (19) so as to be able to move up and down between a lower restricting position that restricts the lateral displacement of the expanding shaft portion (12) between the insertion recess (24) and the receiving portion (25), and an upper release position that allows lateral displacement of the expanding shaft portion (12) between the insertion recess (24) and the receiving portion (25), and is normally in the restricting position.
The runner unit is characterized in that, by inserting the connecting shaft (7) into the insertion recess (24), the holder (20) changes its orientation from a restricted position to a released position, the expanding shaft portion (12) is displaced from the insertion recess (24) to the receiving portion (25), the displaced expanding shaft portion (12) is received by the receiving portion (25), the holder (20) changes its orientation from a released position to a restricted position, and with the expanding shaft portion (12) received by the receiving portion (25), the connecting shaft (7) is held in position by the holder (20) which has changed its orientation to a restricted position, thereby connecting the connecting shaft (7) and the runner (8). The holder (20) is supported so as to be able to swing up and down about a pivot axis (28) which is a horizontal axis, while passing across the insertion recess (24).
The runner unit according to claim 1, wherein a biasing member (29) is provided between the runner body (19) and the holder (20) to bias the holder (20) downward toward a restricted position. The runner unit according to claim 2, wherein the lower surface of the holder (20) facing the insertion recess (24) is provided with a guide surface (30) that contacts the expanding shaft portion (12) inserted into the insertion recess (24) and guides the connecting shaft (7) toward the receiving portion (25). The holder (20) has a holding surface (31) that contacts the expanding shaft portion (12), which is received by the receiving portion (25) in the restricted position, from the side.
The runner unit according to claim 3, wherein the retaining surface (31) is provided continuously upward from the guide end of the guide surface (30). The runner (8) is equipped with a release piece (32) that, when pushed toward the runner body (19), changes the posture of the holder (20) from a restricted posture to a released posture.
The runner unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the release piece (32) is integrally formed with the holder (20) and protrudes below the lower surface of the guide rail (2). The runner unit according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the lower surface of the expanding shaft portion (12) received by the receiving portion (25) is formed in a partially spherical shape with the center of the sphere positioned on the axis of the base shaft (11). An interlocking opening and closing unit is configured to enable the opening and closing of a front door panel (1A), a rear door panel (1B), and a middle door panel (1C) that are guided along a guide rail (2),
A runner unit (6,6) according to any one of claims 1 to 6 is provided between the guide rail (2) and the upper left and right of the middle door panel (1C),
A runner holder (35) is provided between a pair of runners (8,8) that make up the left and right runner units (6,6), and connects both runners (8,8) so that they can run as a single unit.
Each runner body (19, 19) constituting the left and right runners (8, 8) is provided with a pulley (27, 27) that is rotatable around a vertical axis,
A transmission body (57) is wrapped around the left and right pulleys (27, 27) in a loop,
An interlocking opening and closing unit characterized by comprising front and rear connecting pieces (58, 58) provided on the front and rear straight sections (57S, 57S) of a loop-shaped transmission body (57), and connected to the front door panel (1A) and the rear door panel (1B), respectively. The runner (8) consists of a first runner (8A) positioned on one end of the runner holder (35) and a second runner (8B) positioned on the other end of the runner holder (35).
The direction in which the receiving portion (25A (25)) is formed in the recess (24A (24)) of the first runner (8A (8)) and the direction in which the receiving portion (25B (25)) is formed in the recess (24B (24)) of the second runner (8B (8)) are set to be the same direction.
The interlocking opening and closing unit according to claim 7, wherein the distance between the axes (L1) of the left and right connecting shafts (7, 7) is matched with the distance (L2) between the insertion recesses (24A (24) and 24B (24)) formed on the left and right first and second runners (8A (8) and 8B (8)) and the distance (L3) between the receiving portions (25A (25) and 25B (25)). Identical runners (8) are provided on the left and right sides of the runner holder (35), respectively, in opposite orientations, and the direction in which the receiving portion (25) is formed in the recess (24) of each runner (8) is set to be opposite to that of the other.
When the distance between the axes of the left and right connecting shafts (7,7) is defined as (L1), the distance between the insertion recesses (24,24) of the left and right runners (8,8) is defined as (L2), and the distance between the receiving portions (25,25) of the left and right runners (8,8) is defined as (L3),
The interlocking opening and closing unit according to claim 7, wherein an expandable/contractable structure (63) is provided that allows the runner (8) to be displaced away from or closer to the runner holder (35) at a receiving position where the distance between the axial centers (L1) and the distance (L3) coincide, and at an insertion position where the distance between the axial centers (L1) and the distance (L2) coincide. The interlocking opening and closing unit according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the pulleys (27A (27) and 27B (27)) provided on each runner (8A (8) and 8B (8)) are positioned closer to the tip of each runner body (19A (19) and 19B (19)) than the insertion recess (24A (24) and 24B (24)). The interlocking opening/closing unit according to claim 10, wherein the diameter dimension (D1) of each pulley (27A (27) and 27B (27)) in the portion around which the transmission body (57) is wound is formed to be larger than the maximum dimension of the expanded shaft portion (12) in a plan view.