Breakaway sliding door system
An exemplary sliding door system, generally includes a frame assembly and a door assembly. The frame assembly is configured for mounting to a wall, and includes a top rail and a guide mechanism. The door assembly is mounted to the frame assembly for sliding movement between a closed linear position and an open linear position, and includes a movable rail and a wing. The movable rail is movably supported by the top rail, and the wing is pivotably mounted to the movable rail. A bottom edge of the wing includes a channel, and the guide mechanism projects into the channel and guides movement of the wing.
1. A breakaway sliding door system, comprising:
a frame assembly configured for mounting to a wall, the frame assembly comprising a top rail; and
a door assembly mounted to the frame assembly for sliding movement between a closed linear position and an open linear position, the door assembly comprising:
a movable rail movably supported by the top rail;
a wing pivotably mounted to the movable rail;
a first bracket coupled to the movable rail; and
a second bracket coupled to the wing;
wherein the first bracket and the second bracket are operable to engage one another such that the wing hangs from the movable rail; and
wherein at least one of the first bracket or the second bracket comprises a ramp configured to lift the wing during closing pivotal movement of the wing.
2. The breakaway sliding door system of claim 1 , wherein, with the door assembly in the closed linear position, the wing is pivotable about a pivot axis defined at least in part by the guide mechanism.
3. The breakaway sliding door system of claim 2 , wherein the wing is pivotably coupled to the movable rail via a pivot hinge; and
wherein, with the door assembly in the closed linear position, the pivot hinge is aligned with the guide mechanism and further defines the pivot axis.
4. The breakaway sliding door system of claim 1 , further comprising a detent mechanism operable to discourage pivotal movement of the wing relative to the movable rail.
5. The breakaway sliding door system of claim 4 , wherein the detent mechanism comprises a ball detent mechanism.
6. The breakaway sliding door system of claim 1 , further comprising a latch operable to selectively prevent pivotal movement of the wing relative to the movable rail.
7. The breakaway sliding door system of claim 1 , wherein the sliding door system lacks a bottom track.
8. The breakaway sliding door system of claim 1 , wherein the guide mechanism comprises a vertically-oriented post and a bearing member mounted to the post.
9. The breakaway sliding door system of claim 8 , wherein the bearing member is rotatable about the post.
10. The breakaway sliding door system of claim 1 , wherein the frame assembly further comprises a guide mechanism;
wherein a bottom edge of the wing comprises a channel; and
wherein the guide mechanism projects into the channel and guides movement of the wing.
11. A breakaway sliding door system, comprising:
a frame assembly configured for mounting to a wall, the frame assembly comprising a top rail; and
a door assembly mounted to the frame assembly for sliding movement between a closed linear position and an open linear position, the door assembly comprising:
a movable rail movably supported by the top rail;
a wing pivotably mounted to the movable rail, wherein the wing is selectively pivotable relative to the movable rail between a closed pivotal position and an open pivotal position; and
a latch operable to selectively retain the wing in the closed pivotal position, wherein the latch is movable between a blocking position and an unblocking position, wherein the latch in the blocking position retains the wing in the closed pivotal position, and wherein the latch in the unblocking position does not retain the wing in the closed pivotal position;
wherein the latch is configured to permit the wing to move from the closed pivotal position toward the open pivotal position only when the door assembly is in the closed linear position.
12. The breakaway sliding door system of claim 11 , further comprising a detent mechanism operable to discourage movement of the wing from the closed pivotal position toward the open pivotal position.
13. The breakaway sliding door system of claim 11 , wherein, with the latch in the unblocking position, the wing is configured to pivot toward the open pivotal position in response to a pushing force applied to a first side of the door, and to pivot toward the open pivotal position in response to a pulling force applied to an opposite second side of the door.
14. The breakaway sliding door system of claim 11 , wherein, with the latch in the unblocking position, the wing is operable to pivot toward the open position without requiring manual actuation of an actuator.
15. The breakaway sliding door system of claim 11 , wherein, with the latch in the blocking position, a portion of the latch projects beyond a distal edge of the wing; and
wherein the portion of the latch is configured to engage the frame assembly as the door assembly approaches the closed linear position to thereby drive the latch to the unblocking position.
16. The breakaway sliding door system of claim 11 , wherein the latch is mounted for pivotal movement between the blocking position and the unblocking position.
17. The breakaway sliding door system of claim 11 , wherein the latch is biased toward the blocking position.
18. The breakaway sliding door system of claim 17 , wherein the latch is biased toward the blocking position by gravity.
19. The breakaway sliding door system of claim 11 , wherein the latch is inoperable to prevent linear movement of the door assembly.
20. The breakaway sliding door system of claim 11 , wherein the frame assembly further comprises a guide that projects into a channel formed on a bottom edge of the wing to thereby guide both linear movement of the wing and pivotal movement of the wing.