Pendant From Horizontal Guide Patents (Class 49/409)
  • Patent number: 6026612
    Abstract: An apparatus having a sliding leaf, a slide member, at least two rail wheels mounted on respective spindles, a mounting mechanism affixed to the slide member and extending in a direction perpendicular to a plane of the sliding leaf, and fixing lugs affixed to and extending outwardly from a lower edge of the slide member at respective ends of the slide member. The slide member is a casing having two sets of recesses. The recesses in each set of recesses increase in height from a center of the casing to a respective end of the casing. The recesses in each set extend from the lower edge of the casing towards an upper wall of casing. The spindles have ends received by respective recesses of the two sets of recesses. The recesses have a narrowing so as to lock onto a respective end of the spindles. The casing is secured in a slot formed in a lower edge of the sliding leaf. The mounting mechanism enables the casing to rock within the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: Ferco International Ferrures et Serrures de Batiment Societe Anonyme,
    Inventors: Richard Strassel, Gerard Prevot
  • Patent number: 5966879
    Abstract: The privacy screen provides a simple, effective solution to provide visual privacy for the traditional open workstations of office panelling systems. The privacy screen can easily be retrofitted to existing systems without the need for specialized panels or overhead mounting structure at an opening threshold. The privacy screen is mounted to overlap with a face of a panel adjacent a panel and extend there beyond to close the entryway to the workstation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: Teknion Furniture Systems
    Inventors: Steve Verbeek, Lorie Marangoni, Harry Ayvazyan
  • Patent number: 5920956
    Abstract: For mounting a folding/sliding door, a support is connected to a hinge arm of a hinger mounted in the upper outer end area of an outer door leaf in a position in which the side of the retaining part that attaches to the hinge arm is located in the extension of the bearing part. The folding/sliding door can then be joined by its inner leaf via hinges, preferentially standard double-link hinges, to a side panel of the body. The pre-fitted support, already connected to the hinge arm of the outer door leaf, can then be introduced and locked into the guide channel together with its carriage part. First, the carriage part is swiveled through 90 degrees around the retaining part so as to position the carriage part within the longitudinal slot of the guide channel. The carriage part is then locked in place by turning the hammer-shaped head through 90 degrees by means of its supporting pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: Arturo Salice S.p.A.
    Inventor: Luciano Salice
  • Patent number: 5901874
    Abstract: A refuse container having features which adapt it to comply with federal laws and regulations facilitating use by handicapped individuals. The dumpster may have any or all of the standard commercially available features of a front-end or rear-end loaded refuse bin for automatic overhead emptying of the trash from the bin into a garbage truck. Access for deposit of trash by non-disabled individuals is provided by at least one top lid hinged to the body of the bin over a deposit opening, preferably in a top wall of the dumpster. For access by disabled individuals, a gliding door covering a second deposit opening in a side wall of the dumpster is provided at a height no greater than 34 inches from the point of contact with the ground. The tracks of the gliding door are specially configured to prevent or minimize the collection of debris and ice which could hamper the ability of a disabled individual of minimal manipulative abilities to open the gliding door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: Breakthrough Marketing, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas E. Deters
  • Patent number: 5852837
    Abstract: A door system includes a sill having a ledge extending across the bottom of an opening to a bathing enclosure and having a raised lip along an exterior side of the ledge. A pair of parallel tracks are above the opening with a first door suspended from and slidable along the first track freely above the ledge. A second door and a third door are suspended from and slidable along the second track being freely suspended above the ledge. A pair of door retainers are attached to the first door and engage the other doors to prevent the doors from swinging into each other. A stop member is attached to the sill on an interior side of the ledge to retain three doors above the ledge between the stop member and the raised lip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1998
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Husting
  • Patent number: 5826377
    Abstract: A mechanism for the powered opening and closing of household panels such as windows and doors comprises a worm drive screw, small enough to be mounted within and along the upper track of a sliding panel. A nut threaded on the drive screw moves axially along the screw when the screw is rotated. Motion of the nut is transmitted to the panel by means of a coupling bolt, slidingly mounted within a cavity in the top of the panel. The bolt slides up to engage the nut for powered operation, and slides down to disengage from the nut during manual operation. The position of the bolt can be secured through locking means. A resilient, dielectric transmission accouplement between the drive screw and the motor provides electrical and vibrational isolation, and scalability. A second extendible bolt mounted on an opposite end of the frame hinders pitch deflection of the panel during powered operation. Worm gearing and a solenoid based brake locks the motor and the position of the nut when no power is applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Inventors: Anton K. Simson, Todd A. Simson
  • Patent number: 5724770
    Abstract: A top guide assembly for connection to a sliding door formed of a panel, a pair of horizontal rails, and a pair of vertical stiles. The top guide assembly comprises a pair of bracket assemblies connected generally to the upper corners of the sliding door. A top guide is provided and includes a vertical stem slidably engaged with the respective bracket assemblies, and a follower assembly is mounted on the top of the stem, is sized for making a close fit within the upper track and includes at least one deflectable tab for ensuring two point contact with the inner wall of the upper track during movement of the sliding door. A pair of bottom bracket assemblies are also provided and are connected to the sliding door adjacent the lower corners thereof. Each such assembly is formed with a downwardly opening channel which slidable receives therein a wheel mount which rotatably mounts at the lower end thereof a wheel for rolling engagement with the lower track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1998
    Inventor: Thomas H. McAfee
  • Patent number: 5667039
    Abstract: A roller for use in a roller guide for sliding elevator doors may include a resilient element for effecting quieter elevator operation. The resilient element may form a roller body with a bowl shaped annular casing of sheet steel to run along a carrier section including a preferably greased rail running surface. The roller body may be dimensioned such that the spring effect of the resilient element is stressed only within the elastic range or limit of the sheet steel. To obtain optimum spring effect, a radius of the rail running surface may be slightly greater than a radius of the roller body. Also, the roller body may include an open side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1997
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventor: Peter Spiess
  • Patent number: 5657581
    Abstract: A door system includes a sill with a ledge extending across the bottom of an opening to a bathing enclosure and with a raised lip along an exterior side of the ledge. A pair of parallel tracks are above the opening with a first door suspended from and freely slidable along the first track above the ledge. A second door and a third door are suspended from and slidable along the second track being freely suspended above the ledge. A pair of door guides are attached to the first door and engage the other doors to prevent the doors from swinging into each other. Similar door guides are attached to the second and third doors and interlock with one of the door guides on the first door to prevent the doors from sliding entirely past each other. A stop member is attached to the sill and retains the doors above the ledge between the stop member and the raised lip. Detent blocks also are disclosed for holding the doors in a closed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1997
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Husting
  • Patent number: 5655626
    Abstract: A roller guide for use with sliding elevator doors may include elements for effecting quieter sliding door running by reducing noise associated with the rollers running along the roller guide. The roller guide may by formed by a convex running surface made from a hose-like covering of sheet metal producing a spring effect. The hose-like covering may be dimensioned to utilize the spring effect within an elastic range or limit of the sheet metal, with the optimum spring effect occurring when a radius of the rail running surface is slightly less than a radius of a running surface. An elastic material, to dampen running noise, may be inserted between the hose-like covering and a carrier section. The carrier section may also include spaces for clamping respective ends of the hose-like covering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1997
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventor: Peter Spiess
  • Patent number: 5655462
    Abstract: An apparatus for securing a free edge of a security cover relative to a free edge of a finery case containing jewelry, precious metals and the like. The apparatus includes an elongate coupling member having first and second open channels formed therein. The free edge of the security cover is fastened within the first open channel. An elongate locking channel includes an elongate coupling edge and a J-shaped cross section, with the coupling edge fastened within the second open channel of the coupling member. The second open channel of the coupling member and the coupling edge of the locking channel include correspondingly-shaped cross sections having corners to enable the coupling edge to interlock within the coupling member. The locking channel is configured and dimensioned to interlock around the free edge of the finery case when the cover is placed against a sidewall of the case and further secured relative to the case, to thereby secure the free edge of the cover relative to the free edge of the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1997
    Inventor: John L. Holler
  • Patent number: 5606826
    Abstract: A cable drive for elevator doors has first and second drive pulleys eccentrically mounted 180.degree. out-of-phase on the same drive motor shaft so that the cable feed rate is greater at the middle, than at the start and end of each drive cycle. Feeder pulleys arranged below the drive pulleys ensure that cable angle of feed to tension pulleys positioned at opposite ends of the door travel remains constant, regardless of rotational position of the drive pulleys. The doors travel along guide tracks provided with downwardly directed flanges, behind which upwardly directed flanges of door sheave assemblies are captured. The sheave assemblies also include downwardly directed flanges that are captured behind upwardly directed rails of the tracks. In a single-slide door or center-opening two door arrangement, each door panel has two sheave assemblies and two facing tracks are provided, the sheave of each assembly riding on a different track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1997
    Inventor: Burton B. Calhoun
  • Patent number: 5605016
    Abstract: A pocket door track assembly having a track with an adjustment to angle up or down the portion of the track over the doorway indepedently of a fixed portion of the track in the door pocket. The track has a flexible center portion enabling adjustment of the hanging position of the door when closed independent of the hanging position of the door when open. An adjustment screw is used to raise or lower one end of the track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1997
    Inventor: Albert C. Pollard
  • Patent number: 5598666
    Abstract: A door system for a bathing enclosure which includes a track extending above an opening of the enclosure with the track having a rail with an upper surface having a longitudinal groove. A door has first and second rollers which ride in the rail groove, so that the door is suspended from and slidable along the track. A separate stop is associated with each roller with each stop having a first locking bracket fixed to the door and a member is movably attached to the locking bracket. The members are adjustable between a first position at which the first roller may be removed from the groove and a second position at which the first member strikes the track before the first roller can be removed from the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1997
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventor: Michael J. Kurth
  • Patent number: 5584142
    Abstract: Threshold profile member for the guidance of door leaves. The threshold profile member is built in a modular manner and comprised of guide profile members, spacers and separators, with two oppositely directed guide profile members and a spacer together forming a guide groove, with the separators serving for adjustment relative to the door leaf, the latter being provided with slide members and supports, in a recess provided in a building, with the guide profile members, spacers and separators being frictionally interconnected with the door leaf thickness and door gap being adjusted via the use of different separators, with the spacers being arranged only in the region of a screw connection, in order to ensure maintenance of the guide groove width, with the spacers and the separators being horizontally inclinable relative to a door frame side and the separators optionally being comprised of a tough transparent material for the mounting thereunder of lighting and/or information display purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1996
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventor: Peter Spiess
  • Patent number: 5494137
    Abstract: A reciprocating elevator cab door is mounted on a guide track assembly which is fixed to the cab. The cab door is provided with guide rollers which travel along the upper surface of the guide track as the door opens and closes. The door is also provided with at least one upthrust roller which engages the lower surface of the guide track so as to stabilize the door against rocking motion as it moves back and forth over the guide track. The upthrust roller is preferably spring biased against the guide track. Use of the upthrust roller allows greater flexibility of door drive systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1996
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Thomas M. Kowalczyk, Jerome F. Jaminet, Thomas M. McHugh, Edward E. Ahigian, Thomas He, Richard E. Peruggi, Richard E. Kulak, David W. Barrett
  • Patent number: 5461829
    Abstract: A trolley rail system (10) for supporting and guiding a sliding cooler door (14) of a walk-in type cooler. The system has a guide rail (27) having two linear segments (29,30) and two deviation ramp portions (33,34), and an auxiliary rail (38). The system also has a leading trolley (41) and a trailing trolley (42). The leading trolley has a wheel (51) supported upon the guide rail. The trailing trolley has a primary wheel (52) supportable upon the guide rail and an auxiliary wheel (53) supportable upon the auxiliary rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1995
    Assignee: Kason Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Eino M. Lehto, Burl Finkelstein
  • Patent number: 5450693
    Abstract: A mechanism for assembling sliding glass doors, comprising an upper track (3), a lower parallel guide (5) between which are arranged fixed sheets (1) and moveable sheets (2). The track (3) has an inverted L-shaped cross section and its vertical member is provided with means (16) for fastening stops, the lower part of said member ending in an inverted groove (14) with an upper rib (15) on which slides the wheel (30) of the suspension heads which comprise two plates (20 and 21) that can be opposed and fixed together, with the interposition of a pivot (27) to regulate the separation between said plates. The horizontal member (8) of the L-shape is provided at the end with a channel (18) for fixing a shape (19) to restricts the lifting of the sheet (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1995
    Assignee: Klein Iberica S.A
    Inventor: Miguel A. Tarrega
  • Patent number: 5404675
    Abstract: The upper portion of a panel can be slidably suspended in an elongated guide rail at the underside of an elongated support by connecting the upper portion of the panel with two spaced-apart carriers each of which is provided with an upwardly extending follower including one or more pairs of rollers extending into the interior of the rail from below. The carriers can be separably attached to and are then turnable in bearings which are recessed into the upper portion of the panel, or each carrier can be provided with an anchoring device having one or more knives which penetrate into the material of the panel when a main portion of a carrier is received in a recess of the panel and the anchoring device is thereupon turned relative to its carrier. The overhead support can be provided with clips which releasably hold the panel in either of two end positions and/or with stops which can arrest the panel in a preselected end position relative to the guide rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1995
    Assignee: Eku AG
    Inventor: Heinz Schmidhauser
  • Patent number: 5357651
    Abstract: A programming system is provided for passing or blocking the movement of operable room divider panels along overhead tracks supporting the panels. The programming system employs separate characterized gates which pass or deny passage to separate panels which are moved along the track. By providing gates at intersections panels from one track leg can be passed or blocked to one or more intersecting legs as desired. The gates may be in the form of keyed or characterized inserts at the intersections of tracks or channels supporting the panels. The inserts may have different keyed or characterized openings which receive mating guide pins on selected panels which permit passage past the gate and block panels having male guide pins with a different key or characterized configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1994
    Assignee: Kwik-Wall Company
    Inventors: Norman P. Jones, Michael L. Saathoff
  • Patent number: 5347754
    Abstract: Apparatus for use in determining the position of an object such as a sash door of a laboratory fume hood which has an elongated base member for attachment to the fume hood adjacent the sash doors. It includes an electrical switching means having an elongated electrical resistance means that provides a signal indicative of the position of a sash door, and an actuator means associated with each sash door adapted to move when the sash door is moved. The actuator means includes an actuator assembly positioned to operate the switching means at a switch location that varies as the sash door is moved. The actuator means includes a linkage means that permits accurate operation even though there is undesirable movement of the door relative to the base member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1994
    Assignee: Landis & Gyr Powers, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven D. Jacob
  • Patent number: 5322339
    Abstract: A guide mechanism for a slidable access element, such as a sliding door of an automotive vehicle, includes a slide mounted in a groove formed by a vehicle body stamping in proximity to a glass surface or the like. The groove is designed and dimensioned such that the glass surface rests on a gasket fastened to the body in the vicinity of an edge of the groove. The edge is located on the side of the glass surface. The glass surface extends past the gasket in the direction of the other edge of the groove until it covers approximately one half of the groove and the slide. The mechanism is particularly applicable to lateral sliding doors of vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1994
    Assignees: Automobiles Peugeot, Automobiles Citroen
    Inventor: Yves Dubernard
  • Patent number: 5272839
    Abstract: A pivotable glazing structure for covering an opening comprising sheets forming sections. Each sheet having a bottom edge and a top edge and each sheet is supported by its tip or bottom edge to a first bearing rail mounted on a structure and an opposite edge is supported at one supporting point to a second bearing rail mounted on a structure. The sheets can be individually moved to an edge of the opening covered by the sheets on sheet supporting points and pivoted through 90 degrees on first sheet hinge pines which are positioned at supporting points in alignment with each other so as to expose an outwardfacing surface of the sheet. A second hinge pin of the sheet is provided with a latch for locking the second hinge pin in position as the sheet is being pivoted on hinge pins. The latch comprises a jutting member made of a flexible material and the jutting member is adapted to engage with a toothed portion attached to or formed integrally with the bearing rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1993
    Assignee: Nikai Innovaatio Oy
    Inventor: Niilo Karhu
  • Patent number: 5253452
    Abstract: Swivel-sliding door system for a vehicle, having a door leaf situated in the vehicle wall in the closed state, and situated on the outside in front of the vehicle wall in the open state, and having drive means, transverse guide means and longitudinal guide means which make possible a swivel-sliding movement of the door leaf. The longitudinal guide means comprise a bearing rail which extends over the width of the door opening and which is coupled to drive members which can cause the bearing wheel to execute a movement transversely to the vehicle wall (3). The bearing rail is provided with a first set of rollers (62,63) which run in the bearing rail and which are mounted on a coupling member (65) which is provided with a second set of rollers (66,67) which are situated in a lower position and which interact with a door rail (6) attached to the top of a door leaf (1,2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1993
    Assignee: T.B.L. Beheer B.V.
    Inventor: Horst Goldbach
  • Patent number: 5197225
    Abstract: A door closure mechanism comprising a frame and sliding door adapted to close a doorway to effect a shield against electromagnetic radiation and other environmental conditions. The sliding door is suspended for lateral movement and is adapted to bear against the frame and be secured to it to effect a seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1993
    Assignee: Panashield, RF and Audio Shielding, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Yff
  • Patent number: 5189758
    Abstract: A flexible closure support system comprising two end brackets secured to walls with a rail therebetween and supported thereon. A plurality of carriers are carried by the rail and are freely movable the length of the rail. The carriers have button assemblies hooked to one end and roller assemblies hooked to the other end of a symmetric shank. The flexible closure is fastened to the carriers by buttons on the button assemblies; the roller assemblies slide and roll in a roller channel in the rail. Pivoting, pendulum locks attached to the end brackets limit upward movement of the rails when engaging the upper surface of the rail but can be rotated out of the way with the thumb to remove the rail. Optional, resilient accent strips can be pressed into a channel running the length of the rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1993
    Inventor: James F. Levy
  • Patent number: 5172518
    Abstract: This specification discloses an automatic linear-motor-type driving apparatus for doors applied to windows, walls, opening portions as doorways of houses or vehicles, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1992
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Mitsuji Yoshino
  • Patent number: 5165142
    Abstract: A runner guide for an elevator door includes a ramp member at an end of travel position along a guide rail for engaging a roller attached to the door and running on the guide rail. The roller has a rim disc which engages a surface on the ramp member to move an insert in the roller out of engagement with the rail thereby relieving the load on and preventing flattening of the running surface on the insert when the door is at rest. The insert is formed of a non-metallic and hard elastic material to reduce running noise. The door is supported by a pair of such rollers, each having a pair of rim discs, and one roller is asymmetric with one of the rim discs being of a smaller diameter to move past the ramp member associated with the other roller without contact during opening and closing of the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1992
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventor: Richard H. Pilsbury
  • Patent number: 5121817
    Abstract: The device is applicable to elevator telescopic two-speed doors, using either two panels with opening towards one side or else using four panels with opening in the center, the rolling device being foreseen to be mounted on a single track as a sliding guide. The rolling device includes a case which encloses rollers and counter rollers which roll along the track. The case is formed from two parts connected together and to a bracket on the door by a pair of fasteners. The fasteners form the axles of the rollers. The track can be circular in section and the rollers can be linear ball bearings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1992
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Alfonso Garrido, Juan Martin, Jose Sevilleja
  • Patent number: 5110234
    Abstract: An angle joint piece for the joining together of two frame battens in a sliding door that runs on rolls at an angle of 90.degree.. The angle joint piece is fitted against the face of the frame battens that is parallel to the door plane. The face of the angle joint piece that is fitted against the frame battens is provided with at least two projections (6, 6'), which can be pressed into longitudinal grooves provided in the frame battens to be joined together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1992
    Inventor: Mauri Makinen
  • Patent number: 5090171
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a movable partitioning panel which can be moved along a hanger rail disposed in a ceiling to thereby form a suitable partitioning wall within a room. Runner devices arranged within the hanger rail are rotatable irrespective of the attitude of a panel body and can be smoothly moved with the hanger rail. In addition, the panel body can be simply moved at a branch path, a bend in the path and the like through upper and lower guide rollers and a controller device for the runner devices. Furthermore, the panel body in its horizontal attitude can be closely positioned with respect to a fixed wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1992
    Assignee: Komatsu Wall Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Minoru Kano, Kiyoshi Negami, Mikio Nakatani
  • Patent number: 5079872
    Abstract: A transom assembly for a bathing enclosure or the like is disclosed. Preferably, multiple sliding transom panels are supported only at their lower end by two upwardly facing channels formed in the lintel or header of the door assembly. The panels may be positioned to overlap and thus create a transom of variable length. Locking ridges in the panels fit locking ridges in the channels to hold the panels against vertical movement. A sealing strip fits within the channels and is held by the locking channels to seal the open portions of the channel when the panels are positioned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1992
    Assignee: Sterling Plumbing Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin G. Short
  • Patent number: 5072898
    Abstract: An aircraft cowling (20) is comprised of a cowling body (22), forward and aft bearings (24,25) disposed on the cowling body (22), corresponding sets of guides (29,30) disposed on and conforming with the shape of the aircraft (26), a screw fastener assembly (74), latches (82), and complementary interaction between the cowling edges (68,70) and aircraft edges (69,71) to provide lateral support for the cowling (20). The aft bearing (25) is comprised of two rollers (44) and two roller supports (46) which are disposed on the cowling body (22) in a manner permitting lateral motion and coupled by a shaft (50) with right-hand threads (56) on one end and left-hand threads (58) on the other end. The shaft (50), due to the opposing threads (56,58), restricts the roller supports (46) to convergent and divergent movements and prevents movement in a common direction, thereby providing lateral support to the cowling (20) during opening and closing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1991
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Armand F. Amelio
  • Patent number: 4998304
    Abstract: A bathroom accessory attaches to the shower door frame assembly by means of a horizontal slot incorporated into the frame. The slot is preferably on the header and has a generally arcuate cross-section from front to back to accept a similarly dimensioned arcuate flange on the bathroom accessory. Rotation of the bathroom accessory about an axis normal to its direction of insertion engages the slot and flange. The accessory may be positioned horizontally along the shower stall by lifting it slightly and sliding the flange within the slot. The header piece also carries a track to guide the shower door and means to keep the accessory frame from interfering with door movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1991
    Assignee: Sterling Plumbing Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce M. Sauter, Kevin G. Short
  • Patent number: 4991257
    Abstract: A sliding door apparatus for installation in a structural opening, having overhead runway rails with tracks or runways in which guide rollers of the sliding doors are mounted in a displaceable arrangement, additional cylindrical guide pins (pilots) (14) being provided as guides on switches which project downwardly into the runways (20) and which have centers that lie on assumed center lines of the runways (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 12, 1991
    Assignee: Dorma - Glas Gesellschaft fuer Glastuer - Beschlaege und-Konstruktionen GmbH
    Inventor: Peter Eutebach
  • Patent number: 4987638
    Abstract: A sliding door assembly comprising a door hanger, a hanger sheave, an upthrust roller and a track, wherein the hanger sheave assembly and the uptrust roller are rotatably mounted on the door hanger. The track provides a first rolling surface for the hanger sheave and a second rolling surface for the upthrust roller. The track also preferably captures the upthrust roller thereby preventing the assembly from leaving the track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 29, 1991
    Inventor: Nickolas Ribaudo
  • Patent number: 4936049
    Abstract: An airtight door of the type including at least one sliding panel mounted in a guide track and supported by a plurality of rollers and sealed by a seal structure and provided with a heat wire, tape or strip to establish a frost free seal. The structure disclosed is adapted for use in a door as illustrated and also is adapted for use in sliding windows or similar closures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 26, 1990
    Inventor: Leslie N. Hansen
  • Patent number: 4909093
    Abstract: This invention relates to a friction drive mechanism for a motorized sliding door. The door is suspended by a first rail and its movement guided by a third rail. A second rail is flexibly coupled to the first and biased against a motorized driving roller by a simple tensioning mechanism. The tensioning mechanism maintains the friction contact between the driving roller and the second rail. The flexible coupling joining the first and second rails compensates for any misalignment in the mounting of the componentry. The flexible mounting also allows for the door to be driven around curves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 20, 1990
    Assignee: Arcware Doors and Automatics Limited
    Inventor: David A. J. Mudford
  • Patent number: 4887394
    Abstract: An adjustment apparatus for supporting a slidable door is disclosed that has a bar-like pivotable frame member. A pair of track followers, such as rollers, are mounted adjacent the ends of the frame member. A door has upper and lower edges, and opposite side edges. The upper door edge is pivotally connected to a central portion of the pivot frame member. A pair of stems are pivotally fastened to the frame member adjacent the ends of the frame member. Each stem is also mounted in a sliding relationship with respect to the side edges of the door. In this way, the frame member can pivot with respect to the upper door edge. When installing the slidable door, this pivot action allows the door to be flush against the frame structure, even though the wall or frame may be out-of-plumb. Final adjustment of the apparatus simply requires tightly fastening a central bolt and at least one screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 19, 1989
    Assignee: Sterling Plumbing Group, Inc.
    Inventor: James L. Marlowe
  • Patent number: 4884371
    Abstract: Corner connector brackets, for connecting rails and stiles applied to a panel to form a sliding door, and for supporting arms carrying rollers or guides for the door, have snap in connections to the rails and stiles to be connected, and are positively retained in engagement with the corner of the panel, in a manner resistant to torsional forces about a vertical axis, so as to maintain correct alignment of the rollers or guides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1989
    Assignee: DSH
    Inventor: Laurent Gagnon
  • Patent number: 4881346
    Abstract: A barn door includes vertical members at its ends and lateral members extended between the vertical members which the vertical and lateral members being interlocked where they meet. To this end, the vertical members are channel-shaped, each having a front and a rear wall along with a end wall that connects the front and rear walls, it being formed integral with both. Each vertical member has vertical ribs which project toward each other from its front and rear walls. The lateral members, on the other hand, have vertical slots in their side walls. The ribs of the vertical members snap into the slots of the lateral members and this interlocks the vertical and lateral members. The joints so formed are rendered more secure with screws which pass through the front and end walls of the vertical members and into the side walls of the lateral members. A siding material is attached to the lateral members and at its ends projects under a lip on the front walls of the vertical members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1989
    Assignee: C. Hager & Sons Hinge Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Gordon S. Block
  • Patent number: 4876765
    Abstract: A door apparatus includes a door movable between a closed position and an open position with respect to a stationary structure, and a support device for supporting the door. The support device includes a magnet mounted on one of the door and the stationary structure, and a member of a magnetic material mounted on the other of the door and the stationary structure. The magnet and said magnetic member cooperates with each other to produce a magnetic force therebetween to support at least part of the weight of the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1989
    Assignee: Shinko Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Mitsuji Karita
  • Patent number: 4872287
    Abstract: A track has walls which enclose a hollow interior and among these walls are two laterally directed flanges which are separated by a slot that opens downwardly out of the track for the full length of the track. The track contains trolleys having wheels which roll along flanges of the track and the trolleys carry hangers which depend through the slot in the track and are attached to a door or some other suspended device. One of the trolleys also carries a latching mechanism which engages a keeper located within the track to secure the trolleys and suspended device in a predetermined position along the track. The latching mechanism includes a latch bar which pivots on the trolley between engage and release position and a spring which urges the bar to its engage position--the position in which it will engage the keeper upon encountering the keeper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1989
    Assignee: C. Hager & Sons Hinge Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Gordon S. Block
  • Patent number: 4854078
    Abstract: A curved sliding door assembly for a transit vehicle such as a subway car which is particularly useful in retrofitting many cars having prior art hanger assemblies which employ a split tube having three circumferentially spaced raceways therein and which was subject to "chattering", the improved hanger assembly including a pair of opposed ball bearing raceways slidably supporting a horizontally elongated hanger member equipped with end bores for the receipt of pivot pins, the pivot pins being carried by a hanger bar slidably inserted into the prior art door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1989
    Assignee: Morton Manufacturing Co.
    Inventor: George R. DePrima
  • Patent number: 4829631
    Abstract: The suspended travel device for panels includes traveling rails, crossing rails provided where the traveling rails cross each other (in a cross-like manner), and suspended vehicles suspended from these rails and adapted to travel and turn along the rails. The crossing rail is equipped with wheel bottom walls arranged substantially at the same height as wheel bottom surfaces of traveling rail, reception wheels arranged in a direction inclined with respect to the traveling direction of a vehicle body and vehicle bases adapted to rotatably support the reception wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1989
    Assignee: Comany Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kuniharu Araya
  • Patent number: 4819297
    Abstract: An integral plastics body mounted on a corner connector for a door can serve as either a hanger or guide. As a hanger, the assembly supports the weight of a door for sliding along a horizontal overhead track having a downwardly extending L-shaped limb. If used as a guide with such a track, the plastics body can move vertically relative to the corner connector. Rigid posts extend upwardly from the body for encompassing opposite sides of the foot of the L-shaped limb on the track. A flexible finger extending upwardly from the body has a hook that fits over the top of the foot on the L-shaped limb for safely latching the plastics body to the track, thereby preventing toppling of the door. A tab on the finger permits it to be manually flexed to withdraw the hook from over the foot and release the plastics body from the track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1989
    Assignee: Acme General Corportion
    Inventors: Kenneth Jacobs, Torsti T. T. Jerila
  • Patent number: 4811520
    Abstract: An enclosure for a tub or shower comprising a header having first and second exterior faces with each face having a decorative configuration. Panel doors, each having an interchangeable towel rack or handle, are connected to said header. Each towel rack or handle has a decorative configurations which is the same as or corresponds with one of the decorative configurations on the header exteriors such that a towel rack or handle and a header exterior face have matching decorative configurations when viewed from either the inside or outside of the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1989
    Assignee: Universal-Rundle Corporation
    Inventors: John A. Duggan, Robert P. Gombas
  • Patent number: 4785485
    Abstract: A sliding panel closure having three panels suspended from a header with three parallel tracks, has a sill disposed under the header with a sill channel opening downwardly and inwardly toward a bath enclosure or the like. A first of the door panels has a lower edge straddling the sill channel. The second and third of the panels have lower edges provided with guide means including outriggers slidable in the sill channel. A C-shaped guide positions the second panel relative to the sill, the outrigger being one of the legs of the C-shape. A E-shaped guide positions the second and third panels relative to one another and relative to the sill channel. The panels preferably have means along their vertical edges that allow the panels to lap but prevent adjacent panels from passing completely by one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1988
    Assignee: Keller Industries
    Inventor: Mehran Etesam
  • Patent number: 4775127
    Abstract: A member for mounting a suspension rail for hanging exhibits such as paintings is adapted to be secured to a wall near the ceiling by screws. The member has a base plate and a supporting projection extending horizontally from the base plate. The base plate has a pair of inclined surfaces at both sides of the supporting projection. The projection is formed with a horizontal slit to form an elastic piece to facilitate the engagement of the suspension rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1988
    Inventor: Masazo Nakamura
  • Patent number: 4769948
    Abstract: A track supports a sliding door for movement into and out of a cavity formed in a wall. The end region of the track within the door-receiving cavity rests on a supporting surface to which it is unattached. The door moves between jambs with lower ends provided with vertical slots which receive tongues which extend upwardly from the opposite sides of a horizontal plate attached to the floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1988
    Inventor: Roy W. Carmichael