Sliding door lower track stabilizer

Details Sliding door lower track stabilizer Sliding door lower track stabilizer

1998-07-21

1999-08-10

Stodola, Daniel P.

Movable or removable closures

With operator for movably mounted closure

Operator drives closure along guide

49279, E05F 1100

Patent

active

059340223

ABSTRACT:
An apparatus that stabilizes vehicle sliding doors when transitioning to and from a closed position, wherein the sliding door is guided along a track by a guide wheel contacting internal surfaces of the track. The apparatus stabilizes the sliding door by limiting movement of the guide wheel in cross-car and vertical directions. The apparatus is coupled to the track and limits movement of the guide wheel by contacting a shaft of the guide wheel as well as top and bottom surfaces of the guide wheel. Shaft and bottom surface contact is provided by a plurality of parallel members extending along a first and second side of the shaft of the guide wheel. Top surface contact of the guide wheel is provided by a longitudinal member, preferably having a longitudinal cavity for energy absorption and dissipation. The plurality of parallel members further define a curved receptacle which substantially mates with the shaft of the guide wheel. Thus, when the sliding door is transitioning to and from the closed position, improved alignment as well as increased energy absorption are achieved. Furthermore, the unified structure of the lower track stabilizer improves cost effectiveness by reducing manpower and component costs.

REFERENCES:
patent: 1924419 (1933-08-01), Sinden
patent: 3501865 (1970-03-01), Hormann
patent: 4569553 (1986-02-01), Speth et al.
patent: 4901421 (1990-02-01), Takarabe et al.
patent: 5360272 (1994-11-01), Schmale et al.
patent: 5398988 (1995-03-01), DeRees et al.
patent: 5580180 (1996-12-01), DeBisschop et al.
patent: 5832668 (1998-11-01), Faubert et al.

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