Abstract: A sliding door system for a motor vehicle. The vehicle has a body portion defining an aperture. The sliding door system includes a door assembly slidably movable along a path from a fully opened position to a fully closed position. A guide track is coupled to the body portion for guiding the door assembly. A guide assembly is coupled to the door assembly. The guide assembly includes a guide roller disposed in the track for guiding the door between the fully open position and the fully closed position. A track stabilizer is coupled to the guide track for opposing movement of the door assembly relative to the vehicle in a generally cross-car direction when the door assembly is closed.

Abstract: A golf cart screen assembly (30) comprises first and second mutually spaced apart rail members (34, 36), at least one protective panel member (38, 40) provided between the first and second rail members, the at least one panel member and the first and second rail members together defining a doorway. The golf cart screen assembly further comprises a door (56) slideably coupled between the first and second rail members and arranged for slideable movement between an open state, in which the doorway is open, and a closed state, in which the doorway is closed.

Abstract: A power latching mechanism having a latch ratchet, a pawl member, a latch sector and a drive assembly. The latch ratchet is configured to selectively engage or disengage a member to secure the vehicle door to or release the vehicle door from the vehicle body. The latch ratchet is operable between a fully unlatched position and a fully latched position. The latch sector is pivotably coupled to the latch ratchet and is operable between a first extended position, a neutral position and a second extended position. The drive assembly is coupled to the latch sector and operable for selectively moving the latch sector from the neutral position to the first and second extended positions. Placement of the latch sector in the neutral position does not effect the operation the latch ratchet. Accordingly, the latch ratchet may be actuated manually to either latch or unlatch the vehicle door when the latch sector is in the returned position.

Abstract: A door opener for a roll-type door in a cargo van includes a shaft that is mounted for rotation within the cargo van body and is coupled with the door such that shaft rotation causes the door to move between opened and closed positions. The shaft is rotated by a motor that is mounted outside of the cargo van body and is coupled to the rotatable shaft by a drive system that extends through the cargo van body. This arrangement allows a relatively large conventional motor to be used without extending into the door opening or compromising the height of the door opening.

Abstract: A vehicular slide door apparatus includes a slide door which opens and closes an opening formed in the lateral side of the vehicle body 2. A brake device is provided at the lateral side of the vehicle body to apply a braking force to the slide door. The brake device is under the control of an electronic control device.

Abstract: A vehicular slide door apparatus includes a slide door which opens and closes an opening formed in a lateral side of a vehicle body. A brake device is provided at the lateral side of the vehicle body to apply a braking force to the slide door to adjust or control the speed of movement of the sliding door.

Abstract: A door system for a railway car which provides for both high and low level access. The door system comprises a sliding door, a platform displaceable between raised and lowered positions for respectively clearing and covering the stairwell of the railway car, and a threshold extending laterally outwardly of the sliding door to provide a continuation of the platform when displaced to its lowered position. The threshold is releasably connected to the sliding door for co-linear movement with the sliding door when the platform is raised, while remaining stationary in a functional position when the platform is lowered for enabling high level boarding.

Abstract: A door structure for covering an access opening provided through a body member of a vehicle is disclosed. The door structure comprises a door panel, a pair of sliding means, and at least one supporting means. Each of the pair of sliding means includes a stationary track mounted on the body member along the side of the access opening, and a movable post mounted in said stationary track. The movable post is pivotally coupled with the top end portion of the door panel at its top end so that the bottom end of the door panel is adapted to swing out of the body member.

Abstract: In a mounting structure for a center rail, a recess extending horizontally along the lower edge of a window opening of a lateral face of a vehicle body is formed, and the center rail is disposed in the recess to guide a slide door. The center rail is divided in the vertical direction and thus composed of an upper rail member and a lower rail member. The upper rail member is securely fitted to an upper part of the recess and covered with an opaque elongation of the lower edge of a window glass. After mounting the slide door to the lateral face of the vehicle body and painting the vehicle body, the lower rail member painted in a color different from that of the vehicle body is mounted so as to cover a lower part of the recess.

Abstract: A vehicular slide door apparatus includes a slide door that is movable along a lengthwise direction of the vehicle body for opening and closing an opening area formed in the lateral side of the vehicle body, a rail secured to the lateral side of the vehicle body to extend in the lengthwise direction of the vehicle body, and a driving device for moving the slide door. The rail possesses first and second side walls and a roller operatively connected to the slide door is slidably fitted in the rail. A guide pipe extends along the rail and is secured to a surface of one of the side walls of the rail to strengthen the rail. A cable passes through the guide pipe in a movable manner and includes one end connected to the driving device and an opposite end connected to the slide door.

Abstract: A bifold door assembly includes two foldable door panels disposed in edge adjacent relation in a door closed position and including vertically spaced hinges connected adjacent center edges of the two panels and allowing folding motion of the panels between a longitudinally aligned closed position and alternative forward and rear pivoted side by side laterally extending open positions. Each of the door panels has an upper hinge member adjacent an outer edge of the respective panel and pivotable on carrier movable along a longitudinal upper track from a first position near one end of the track to a second position spaced inward from an opposite end of the track. At least one of the door panels also has a lower hinge member adjacent an outer edge of the respective panel and pivotably connected with carrier movable along a longitudinal lower track from a first position near one end of the track to a second position spaced longitudinally from said one end of the track.

Abstract: A cable drive for a motor vehicle having a body and a door slidable outside the body has a rotatable shaft projecting through the body and having an outer end outside the vehicle adjacent the door and an inside end inside the vehicle. A drum outside the vehicle is mounted on the outside end and a cable wholly outside the vehicle is wound around the drum and connected to the door so that rotation of the drum and shaft in one direction slides the door into a closed position and opposite movement slides it into an open position. A motor unit wholly inside the vehicle is connected to the inside shaft end to rotate the shaft.

Abstract: A stabilizer for firmly holding a sliding door of an automotive vehicle in a closed position. The stabilizer has a female part adapted to be secured to the “B” pillar of the vehicle and a male part adapted to be secured to the door. The female part has a socket portion to receive a projection on the male part. The socket portion is in the form of a pocket having spaced confronting side walls and a bottom wall. Each side wall has spaced slots extending from the opening of the pocket toward the bottom wall. Ribs of an elastomeric material are bonded in the slots and press against the projection on the male part when the door is closed and the projection enters the pocket.

Abstract: Disclosed is a sliding door locking device for a vehicle. The sliding door locking device for a vehicle comprises a striker secured to a sliding door to be integrally reciprocated along with the sliding door; a housing fastened to a body of the vehicle and having a slot into which the striker is inserted when the sliding door is closed; and a latch lock pivotally fixed to and inside the housing and having an engaging piece which is connected with a fuel filler lid through a cable, the latch lock being formed with a latch groove which functions to prevent the striker inserted into the slot of the housing from being moved out of the slot when the fuel filler lid is opened, thereby locking the striker inside the slot.

Abstract: The present powered sliding device comprises a wire drum, a motor for rotating the drum, and a clutch means provided between the drum and the motor. The clutch means has a coupled state for rotating the drum, an uncoupled state, and a brake state. The clutch means is displaced from the coupled state to the brake state when the wire drum is rotated at an over speed. The clutch means in the brake state transmits the over speed rotation of the wire drum to the motor.

Abstract: A vehicle access system includes an access opening for the passenger compartment that is closed by a swinging door in combination with an access door. The access door moves through an arc without angling away from the vehicle body and is supported on a hinge assembly that attaches near the center of the door. An arm assembly guides the door throughout its range of positions and maintain the door in an orientation that is substantially parallel to the vehicle body. When the doors are open, an uninterrupted access opening is provided to the area of the second and third seat rows of the vehicle.

Abstract: A device for preventing a pinched or sandwiched condition includes a first member having therein an opening area; a second member opening and closing the opening area of the first member; and an electronic control device detecting a sandwich condition between the first member and the second member which is in movement at a speed for closing the opening area of the first member when a deceleration side condition of the speed of the second member exceeds a threshold value which is obtained based on an acceleration side condition of the speed of the second member.

Abstract: A pivot and slide door system for an automotive vehicle includes a door adapted to be disposed in a door opening of a vehicle body. The pivot and slide door system also includes a pivot assembly attached to the vehicle body and cooperating with the door to pivot the door from a closed position to a pivot position. The pivot and slide door system further includes a slide assembly cooperating with the pivot assembly to slide the door from the pivot position to an open position.

Abstract: A sliding door system for maintaining electrical communication between a sliding door and a vehicle body.

Abstract: A vehicle has a body with a track beneath a side opening and a sliding side door for closing the side opening that has a roller assembly that engages the track. A flexible electric cable that connects electrical components on the sliding side door to a power source in the body includes a flat cable and a flexible stiffener attached to the flat cable inside an outer sheath. A clamp attaches an inner portion of the flexible electric cable to the track in cantilever fashion, and a second clamp attaches an outer portion of the flexible electric cable to the roller assembly of the sliding side door in cantilever fashion. The flexible electric cable has a vertical loop portion attaching a free end of the inner portion to a free end of the outer portion. The first clamp includes an attachment strip that is attached to the flat cable and the flexible stiffener inside the sheath and that has a portion projecting out of the sheath through a slot in the sheath for attachment to the track.

Abstract: A slide door device for an automotive vehicle includes a slide door that is adapted to move between a closed position and an open position, a driving mechanism, and a cable connected between the slide door and the driving mechanism. Turning the driving mechanism on causes the cable to slide along a guide rail, thereby moving the slide door to uncover and cover the opening area in the vehicle body.

Abstract: A drive arrangement roller for a motor vehicle sliding door includes a guide rail, a drive reel, a carriage, a pair of cables extending from the drive reel to the roller carriage and a return roller all of which are assembled in a module which is attached to the outside of a vehicle wall. A plug-in connection to a drive motor inside the vehicle wall is provided by a drive shaft for the drive reel.

Abstract: A vehicle sliding door is movable in forward and rearward directions between opened and closed positions with respect to a vehicle body. The rear door has a cavity formed therein. An armrest is pivotally movable about a pivot axis between a horizontal position for use as an armrest and a vertical position for storage within the cavity. The pivot axis is substantially parallel to the forward and rearward directions. The armrest includes an actuator for automatically moving the armrest between the vertical and horizontal positions as the door moves between the opened and closed positions, respectively. The actuator may comprise a pneumatic drive system, a flexible drive cable or an electric motor for automatically pivoting the armrest between stowed and use positions.

Abstract: An opening and closing device comprises a powered sliding unit, a powered closing unit in the slide door, a first terminal connected to a battery on the body, a second terminal connected to the closing unit, a handle switch provided in the door for detecting actuation of an open handle, a controller provided in the body for operating the sliding unit, a wireless apparatus for transmitting a radio signal to the controller when the switch detects the actuation of the handle. The second terminal electrically contacts with the first terminal when the door is closed. The device has a wire apparatus composed of a first wire line for connecting the first terminal and the controller, and a second wire line for connecting the second terminal and the handle switch.

Abstract: A sliding door system including a guide track, a door assembly, a power drive assembly operable for propelling the door assembly between an open position and a closed position, a power latching mechanism operable for selectively positioning the door assembly between a fully latched position and a fully unlatched position, a control module operable for controlling the operation of the power drive assembly and power latching mechanism and a wire harness electrically coupling the power drive assembly, the power latching mechanism and various other vehicle devices and switches to the control module. The guide track, power drive unit, power latching mechanism and door assembly are configured in a manner which provides improved performance of the power door system, as well as permitting the vehicle door system to be readily upgraded from one which is completely manual in operation to one which may be actuated automatically.

Abstract: A motor vehicle has a body, electrical devices including a controller and a power supply mounted in the body, a door slidable on the body between a closed position and an open position, and electrical devices mounted in the door. The devices in the body and in the door are interconnected by an electrical-cable connecting system that has a nonrotatable pivot pin fixed on the body adjacent the door, a drum rotatable about the pin, and a flexible multiconductor electrical cable wound in the closed position of the door about the drum and having an inner end fixed to the pin and connected to the devices mounted in the body and an outer end fixed to the door and connected to the devices mounted in the door. A winder connected between the body and the drum rotatably biases the drum to rotate in a direction winding the cable onto the drum and urging the door into the closed position.

Abstract: A vehicle has a side opening that is closed by a sliding door. The door has an articulating lower roller assembly at the front end that translates in a track adjacent the bottom of the side opening. The roller assembly is attached to the door by a slide mechanism that allows the door to open further after the roller assembly reaches the end of the track. The slide mechanism is controlled by a spring biased clutch pin that is retracted by a cam on the vehicle body to release the slide mechanism as the door travels to the open position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sub-frame assembly for a truck body having a roll-up door, a radius top header formed with a radius on its lateral axis, an extruded top cross-piece, an extruded corner post formed with an integral door-track groove, an extruded bottom cross-piece, and an extruded bottom rail. The subframe assembly includes a structural top corner casting body which has a roll-up door track segment formed integrally with the top corner casting body, a top gusset stiffener plate formed integrally with the top corner casting body, and a radius top header edge formed integrally with the top corner casting body, the radius top header edge being formed to abut the radius top header at a juncture that will permit the radius top header to be lap-welded to the radius top header edge.

Abstract: A blocker member is mounted on the vehicle body adjacent the floor mounted door track and includes a housing and a blocker lever which is pivotally mounted on the housing. The blocker lever is operably connected to the fuel filler door by a cable. When the fuel filler door is opened, the cable is tensioned and pivots the blocker lever to an extended position in which the blocker lever extends into the path of sliding movement the door. Thus, whenever the fuel filler door is open, the sliding door is blocked from sliding open into engagement with the fuel filler door. The blocker member preferably includes a resilient bumper against which the blocker lever seats in order to absorb energy when the door is slid into engagement with the blocker lever.

Abstract: A cable drive for a motor-vehicle sliding door has a pair of cable sections of predetermined diameter and each having one end attached to the vehicle and an opposite end, a pin fixed on the vehicle, defining an axis, and having a screwthread of a pitch at least equal to the cable diameter, and a gear having a core threaded onto the pin. A pair of coaxial drums having smooth outer surfaces are axially coupled to but rotatable on the core and are each connected to a respective one of the opposite ends of the cable sections. A spring is engaged between and urges the drums rotationally oppositely to tension the cable sections. Interengaging formations on the gear and on the drums rotationally couple the drums to the gear and a reversible drive motor coupled to the gear simultaneously rotates the gear about the axis, axially displaces the gear on the pin, winds up one of the cable sections on the surface of the respective drum, and unwinds the other of the cable sections from the surface of the respective drum.

Abstract: A vehicle body has front and rear door openings defined by front, middle and rear pillars and by the vehicle roof. A bi-fold door includes upper and lower door portions, each of which extends full length from the front pillar to the rear pillar. An upper hinge acts between the roof and the upper edge of the upper door portion. A door panel hinge acts between the adjacent edges of the upper and lower door portions. A track extends vertically along the middle pillar and a track follower is carried by the lower door portion at the lower edge adjacent the bottom thereof and is engaged in the track. A door beam is mounted within the lower door portion and extends the full length of the door from the front to the rear pillar. A first door latch is mounted on the front pillar and a second door latch is mounted on the rear pillar. Latch strikers are mounted respectively on the front and rear ends of the lower door portion to engage with the first and second door latches.

Abstract: A device for holding a vehicle sliding door at full-open position comprises a striker fixed to a vehicle body and a latch rotatably mounted on the sliding door. The latch has a U-shaped groove for engaging with the striker when the sliding door is fully opened. The latch is displaceable between a first position in which the U-shaped groove is disengaged with the striker and second position in which the U-shaped groove is engaged with the striker. A resilient member is disposed at a location between the latch and the sliding door for holding the latch in either one of the first position and the second position by resilient force thereof. The resilient member is always in contact with the latch directly.

Abstract: A sliding door attached to a vehicle is supported on the body of the vehicle by way of a sliding door supporting apparatus, which comprises a center guide mechanism, an upper guide mechanism, and a lower guide mechanism. The center guide mechanism is provided with a holdback mechanism for restraining the sliding door from shifting its position in the transverse direction when the door is moved to a fully open position. The holdback mechanism includes a vertical wall formed on a center rail, inside and outside holdback rollers of which the positions in the transverse direction are restrained by the vertical wall. The upper and lower guide mechanisms are provided, respectively, with upper and lower check mechanisms for holding the sliding door in the fully open position. The center and lower guide mechanisms are each provided with a roller for supporting vertical load of the sliding door.

Abstract: An upwardly retracting vehicle door is disclosed, such as for use on the rear of a mini-van. The door includes a lower primary door panel and an upper secondary door panel, such as a glass window, that is retractable into the primary door panel. The primary door panel includes rollers on both side edges for slidably mounting the primary door panel on channels located on the vehicle body. When the primary door panel is opened, the window retracts into the primary door panel while the primary door panel travels upward toward the window and along an arcuate path preferably into a pocket within the vehicle roof. In a first embodiment of the invention, a single weather seal is used for both the primary door panel and window on each side with the primary door panel sliding over the seal when opening and closing. In a second embodiment, separate seals for the primary door panel and window are used on each side.

Abstract: An initially opening device for a vehicle sliding door comprises an output member rotated by a motor, a winch lever rotated from a stand-by position to an initial-open position, a connecting lever for connecting the output member to the winch lever, a press member provided in the sliding door and connected to the winch lever, a ratchet lever connected to a latch unit provided at rear portion of the door for engaging a striker fixed to a vehicle body, and a contact surface formed in the ratchet lever and brought into contact with the winch lever for rotating the ratchet lever when the winch lever is rotated toward the initial-open position. The press member is brought into contact with the vehicle body to move the rear portion of the sliding door in an initial opening direction when the winch lever is displaced from the stand-by position to the initial-open position.

Abstract: An arrangement guides a swing-out sliding door of a vehicle body without a center guide rail which is visibly disposed on the outside on the vehicle body side wall. One linearly constructed guide rail respectively is fixed within the door opening on its upper and lower edge on the vehicle body side. A roller carriage to which the sliding door is linked by way of a control arm parallelogram travels in each guide rail. One closing roller respectively guided in each guide rail travels at the end of the door closing sliding movement into a circular closing groove branching off the guide rail in the direction of the sliding door. The closing roller is fixed to one of the control arms of the control arm parallelogram. The closing groove is constructed such that its curvature center in the door closing position of the roller carriage coincides with the roller-carriage-side hinge axis of the control arm carrying the closing rollers.

Abstract: A powered sliding device for a sliding door comprises a wire drum rotated by a motor, a wire cable connecting the wire drum and the sliding door, a clutch mechanism provided between the wire drum and the motor. The clutch mechanism has a first coupling state for opening the door, a second coupling state for closing the door, and an uncoupling state. The wire drum has a cylindrical shape having a substantially closed end and an opposite open end, and an inner space formed inside thereof. The clutch mechanism is substantially provided within the inner space. The clutch mechanism is displaced into the first coupling state when the motor rotates in a given direction and displaced into the second coupling state when the motor rotates in a direction opposite to the given direction.

Abstract: An interlock mechanism, for an automotive vehicle having a fuel filler door and a sliding door on a same side of the vehicle body, has a sensor mounted proximate the filler door for sensing movement thereof, a latch for releasably latching the sliding door in a closed position when the filler door is open, and a cable connected between the sensor and the latch for communicating the position of the filler door to the latch. The latch has a cam member mounted to the vehicle body, a pivotable pawl for preventing movement of the cam when the filler door is open and disengaged from the cam member when the filler door is closed, and a key extending from the sliding door for engagement with the cam member when the sliding door is in a closed position and for disengagement from the cam member when the sliding door is moved to an open position. The sliding door is locked in a closed position when the filler door is opened.

Abstract: An arrangement for mounting a sliding door to a vehicle body for movement between an open position and a closed position. The arrangement includes a guide track mounted to the sliding door, a carriage support arrangement carried by the sliding door and a swing arm. The swing arm is connected to the carriage for pivotal movement about a first axis and to the body for pivotal movement about a second axis. With the sliding door unlatched, the swing-arm rotates the carriage support arrangement and the sliding door through an obtuse swing angle, thereby reducing longitudinal tipping forces on the sliding door. Further, when the swing-arm and sliding door are in the full-open position, the sliding door's center of gravity is only slightly offset aft of the carriage support arrangement, thereby reducing the force needed to remove the swing-arm, carriage support arrangement and vehicle sliding door to a fully-closed position.

Abstract: A door bumper assembly for an automotive vehicle sliding door has an adjustable bumper head with a door face for mating with a door inner surface when the door is in a closed position to provide a predetermined lateral load to the door. A bumper base is mounted between the bumper head and a vehicle body surface at a rearward end of a door track and has a hinge face for contacting a door hinge to prevent door rearward longitudinal movement when the door is moved to a fully open position. A bolt threaded on both ends is attached on a first end to the bumper head to allow lateral adjustment with respect to the bumper base, and passes through the bumper base for attachment on a second end to a vehicle body portion.

Abstract: A motor vehicle has a body provided with at least one generally horizontal rail having a bent end portion and along which a sliding door is displaceable between a closed position in against the body and an open position out from the body. A sliding-door assembly has a door drive on the body including a flexible toothed belt extending along the rail and having an end and a link assembly fixed to the door, riding along the rail, connected to the belt end, and engaged in the bent end portion of the rail in the closed position of the door. A guide extends along the rail and laterally confines the belt so an actuator on the body can displacing the belt in one sense and thereby tension the belt and move the door in one direction and displace the belt in the opposite sense and thereby longitudinally compress the belt and move the door in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A motor vehicle has a body, a door movable on the body between a closed position and an open position, an electric power source mounted in the body, and a latch having interengageable parts on the vehicle body and on the door engageable in a latched position to retain the door in the closed position, and an electrical actuator energizable to put the latch in an unlatched position. A drive on the body connected to the door is energizable from the source for moving the door between the open and closed positions and a battery is provided in the door separate from the body-mounted power source. An electronic controller in the door powered by the battery is connected to the latch actuator for operating same to unlatch the door and to a transmitter for transmitting a signal indicating the position of the door and of the latch.

Abstract: A powered sliding device for a vehicle sliding door comprises a motor, a wire drum rotated by the motor, a wire cable provided between the wire drum and the sliding door, an optical sensor for outputting a detecting signal when the wire drum rotates, a controller for calculating from the detecting signal at least one of a rotational speed of the wire drum, a rotational amount of the wire drum and a rotational direction of the wire drum, a latch unit provided in the sliding door and engageable with a striker, a power supply switch for supplying electric power to the optical sensor. The power supply switch stops supplying the power to the optical sensor while the door is being closed.

Abstract: A post carriage for a box-shaped cargo body having a cargo platform and two side bars extending along the cargo platform and supported on the platform by a plurality of posts including at least one post releasably secured to the platform and displaceable along a side bar, the post carriage including a connection plate for connecting the at least one post to the post carriage, a pair of track rollers displaceable along a guide rail provided on the side bar, and a roller trolley for supporting the track rollers.

Abstract: A combination linear and circular motion roller bearing assembly have a rail and a pair of tracks, each located along a side wall of the rail. The rail forms a contiguous path having both linear and circular portions. A slider bearing assembly is movably attached to the rail. The slider bearing assembly has internal continuous paths that correspond to the tracks. Each internal path has a plurality of ball bearings therein. Each internal path has an opening adjacent the corresponding track and a tapered insert therein for exposing a predetermined number of ball bearings to the track to allow rolling movement with a respect to the track as the slider bearing assembly moves along the rail.

Abstract: A motor vehicle chassis is disclosed wherein a conventionally hinged door is integrated with and becomes a structural part of the main chassis when the door is closed. Wedge-shaped structural keys located on the forward and rearward edges of the door engage mating receptacles on the door jamb to transmit compressive, tensile, and torsional forces across the door opening when the door is closed. Preferably, the door hinges are separated when the door is closed so that all forces are transmitted through the keys and receptacles without interference from the hinges. The inventive technology can also be used with other vehicle door panels such as sliding side van doors, hoods, trunks, liftgates and tailgates to form a stronger, stiffer vehicle chassis that is less susceptible to deformation during impact.

Abstract: In an automotive vehicle having a body opening closable by a sliding door, a door bumper wedge for restraining longitudinal and lateral movement of the sliding door has a wedge member attached to a door mating surface of the body opening, a receptacle member attached on a body mating edge of the sliding door defining a receptacle pocket, a pair of flexible, opposed prongs extending from the receptacle member a predetermined distance into the receptacle pocket, and a bumper member positioned within the receptacle pocket.

Abstract: An interlock mechanism for a vehicle having a sliding door and a fuel filler door on the same side of the vehicle has three positions: a first, neutral position in which either the sliding door or the filler door can be opened, a second position in which the sliding door is open and the filler door is prevented from opening, and a third position in which the filler door is open and the sliding is prevented from opening. The interlock mechanism has a sliding door latch, a filler door latch, and a cable between the two. The sliding door latch has a striker on a rear edge of the sliding door to interact with a cam which locks the filler door closed when the sliding door is moved to an open position and allows the filler door to open when the sliding door is in a closed position. The cable is connected to the filler door latch and is prevented from movement by the cam when the sliding door is open, but is allowed to moves when the sliding door is shut.

Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatus of the automatic covering and uncovering of a defined space within which a load of goods is disposed. The space may be the bed of a tractor-trailer, or stationary, and the apparatus includes a framework disposed about and over the space to be covered; a flexible cover disposed about the framework, a cabling system, including cables which movably secures the cover to the frame work, and a motor secured to the cabling system for moving the cables to move the cover to uncover and cover the load of goods.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle body has a side opening that is opened and closed by a sliding door. The door is operated with a power drive mechanism that is pivotally mounted thereon and extends through the side opening. The power drive mechanism includes a reversible electric motor driven friction drive wheel and is spring biased to forcibly engage this wheel with a drive/guide track that is located beneath the vehicle floor and attached to the vehicle body. The friction drive wheel rides on the drive/guide track to open and close the door and also helps guide and stabilize its sliding movement. The spring load on the friction drive wheel is limited so as to provide sliding door operation with the motor under normal conditions and allow slippage at the friction drive wheel to cease door movement when the door encounters a physical object in the door opening.