Movable or removable closures – Mounted for multidirectional or oblique movement – Initial or terminal movement transverse to sliding movement...
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-17
2001-09-11
Redman, Jerry (Department: 3634)
Movable or removable closures
Mounted for multidirectional or oblique movement
Initial or terminal movement transverse to sliding movement...
C049S213000, C049S211000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06286261
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a van type vehicle sliding door assembly, and more particularly to a track and guide assembly to allow for movement for a sliding door between a first position along a fixed non-linear path wherein the sliding door is generally parallel to and adjacent to a side of a vehicle, and a second position wherein the sliding door closes an opening in a side of the vehicle and generally lies flush with the side of the vehicle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Van type vehicles typically include sliding door assemblies with a bracket mounted on the door supporting a plurality of cylindrical rollers having axes of rotation disposed either parallel to one another and/or normal to one another to support the door in the vertical and horizontal directions. Typically, the sliding door is guided along a non-linear fixed path of travel between an open position and a closed position along an upper track, an intermediate track, and a lower track. The different relative positions of the track with respect to the door typically requires each track to have a unique cross sectional configuration, and requires a specific bracket and roller assembly for engagement with the particular track. Typically, a conventional bracket includes two rollers rotatably mounted about a vertical axis of rotation and a support roller mounted about a horizontal axis of rotation. These rollers engage a track disposed horizontally along the vehicle and allows the door to be moved between the open position and closed position.
The track is required to be curved inwardly toward the vehicle center along the terminus to allow the door to be closed as the rollers supported by the bracket follow the track to cause the trailing edge of the door to sealingly engage the corresponding periphery of the opening. Typically, the rollers are small in diameter to allow the rollers to negotiate the curve in the track. The current requirement of different cross sectional configurations for the upper, intermediate, and lower tracks, as well as the added requirement of different brackets and rollers for each track configuration, unnecessarily complicates the assembly requirements in the assembly plant. In addition, each part requires a significant amount of storage space in the assembly facility, as well as any repair facility for the vehicles.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It would be desirable to provide a vehicle sliding door system having a track configuration, where each track is identical in cross-section to the other tracks. It would also be desirable in the present invention to provide a sliding door configuration where the bracket for the sliding door supported at least one roller having a semi-spherical surface for supporting the door in both the vertical and horizontal directions. It would be desirable in the present invention to provide a support bracket for the sliding door having at least one slide with a semi-spherical surface for supporting the sliding door in both vertical and horizontal directions. It would be desirable in the present invention to provide a vehicle sliding door system that included a bracket supporting at least one roller, or at least one slide, or a combination of at least one roller and at least one slide.
The present invention is for use in a sliding door system for a vehicle having an opening in at least one side thereof. The sliding door is connected to the vehicle for non-linear movement along a fixed path of travel between an open position and a closed position with respect to the opening. The fixed path is defined by an upper guide track, a lower guide track, and an intermediate guide track. According to the present invention, each elongate guide track has an identical generally C-shaped cross-section with an elongate slot opening through a lower surface. At least one guide member is engageable within each track for guiding the sliding door while moving between the open position and the closed position with respect to the opening in the side of the vehicle.
The guide member can include at least one roller engagable within each track, where each of the rollers has a track-engaging surface in rolling contact with an interior surface of the track. Alternatively, or additionally, the guide member can include at least one slide engagable within each track, where each slide has a track-engaging surface in sliding contact with an interior surface of the track.
The present invention discloses an apparatus for suspending and guiding a moveable door panel through a non-linear path for opening and closing an opening in a motor vehicle. The present invention includes a bracket connectible to the moveable door panel. At least one elongate non-linear track is connectible to the motor vehicle. The track has a generally C-shaped cross-section with an elongate slot opening downwardly through the track. The track has first and second guide-engaging surfaces on inner surfaces of the track with the elongate slot disposed between the first and second guide-engaging surfaces. At least one guide element is attached to the moveable door panel by the bracket. The guide element is operable in cooperating engagement with a first and second guide-engaging surfaces of the elongate track.
Other objects, advantages and applications of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art when the following description of the best mode contemplated for practicing the invention is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
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Redman Jerry
Young & Basile P.C.
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