Suspension mechanism for sliding doors

Claim 2

Linear ball bearing suspension mechanism for mounting a sliding door on a structure having a door opening therein, and comprising a unified two part track extending transversely across an upper end portion of such door opening, said track comprising, a track base portion having a track rod seat extending lengthwise thereof, a circular track rod portion seated to the base seat, means securing the track rod portion in seated relation to its seat to form a unified two part track, track mounting means connecting only each end of the two-part track to the support structure above such door opening with said track extending laterally beyond the door opening a distance of the order of the width of a door to be suspended from the two-part track, a door of a size and shape to cover a selected portion of such door opening, a door hanger of generally C-shape cross section having a Cshaped open linear motion ball bearing bushing mounted therein, therebeing one said hanger mounted adjacent each end of the top of the door and fitted in axially rolling engagement on the circular track rod portion, and guide means acting between the support structure and a lower portion of the door for positioning and guiding the door as the latter moves in suspended relation along the circular track rod portion between open and closed position.

Claim 3

Door suspensIon mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein the base seat is a groove shaped to seat the track rod therein.

Claim 4

Door suspension mechanism as claimed in clam 1 wherein the means securing the track rod in seated relation to its seat comprises a plurality of screws inserted in counterbored holes provided in the track base and screwed into threaded holes provided in the track rod portion to register therewith.

Claim 5

Door suspension mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein the track base portion is of a channel shape with a truncated ridge extending lengthwise therein, and the track seat comprises a groove extending lengthwise in the truncated top surface of the ridge and shaped to seat the track rod portion therein.

Claim 6

Suspension mechanism for mounting a sliding door on a structure having a door opening therein, and comprising a unified two part track extending transversely across an upper end portion of such door opening, said track comprising, a track base portion having a track rod seat extending lengthwise thereof, said track base portion being of channel shape with a truncated ridge extending lengthwise therein, said track seat comprising a groove extending lengthwise in the truncated top surface of the ridge and shaped to seat the track rod portion therein, a track rod portion seated to the base seat, means securing the track rod portion in seated relation to its seat to form a unified two part track, track mounting means connecting only each end of the two-part track to the support structure above such door opening with said track extending laterally beyond the door opening a distance of the order of the width of a door to be suspended from the two-part track, a door of a size and shape to cover a selected portion of such door opening, a door hanger mounted adjacent each end of the top of the door and fitted in axially slidable relation on the track rod portion, each said door hanger comprising a C-shape portion extending clear of the top of the door on which it is mounted and having a bore with an open type linear type bearing mounted therein with the bearing mounted for free, axial, sliding movement on the track rod portion and the ridge located within, and clear of, the end portions of the C-shape hanger portion and the end portions defining the open portion of the open type bearing, and guide means acting between the support structure and a lower portion of the door for positioning and guiding the door as the latter moves in suspended relation along the track rod portion between open and closed position.

Claim 7

Suspension mechanism for mounting a sliding door on a structure having a door opening therein, and comprising a unified two part track extending transversely across an upper end portion of such door opening, said track comprising, a track base portion having a track rod seat extending lengthwise thereof, said track base portion being of channel shape with a truncated ridge extending lengthwise therein, said track seat comprising a groove extending lengthwise in the truncated top surface of the ridge and shaped to seat the track rod portion therein, a track rod portion seated to the base seat, means securing the track rod portion in seated relation to its seat to form a unified two part track, track mounting means connecting only each end of the two-part track to the support structure above such door opening with said track extending laterally beyond the door opening a distance of the order of the width of a door to be suspended from the two-part track, a door of a size and shape to cover a selected portion of such door opening, a door hanger mounted adjacent each end of the top of the door and fitted in axially slidable relation on the track rod portion, each said door hanger comprising a C-shape portion extending clear of the top of the door on which it is mounted and having a bore with an open type linear type bearing mounted therein with the bearing mounted for free, axial, sliding movement on the track rod portion and the ridge located within, and clear of, the end portions of the C-shape hanger portion and the end portions defining the open portion of the open type bearing, and guide means acting between the support structure and a lower portion of the door for positioning and guiding the door as the latter moves in suspended relation along the track rod portion between open and closed position.

Claim 8

Door suspension mechanism as claimed in claim 5 wherein the bearing is an open type, linear motion ball bearing.

Claim 9

Door suspension mechanism as claimed in claim 5 wherein track mounting means connecting one end of the two part track to the support structure comprises a pivotal support with the track free for limited pivotal adjustment thereon, and track mounting means connecting the other end of the two part track to the support structure comprises a bolt extending through aligned holes in one track portion and an element of the support structure, one of such holes being slotted, and threaded adjusting means operatively interposed between said other end of the track and a support structure element for limited adjustment of the track about the pivotal support for said one end of the two part track upon freeing said bolt.

Claim 10

Door suspension mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein said guide means comprises a downwardly open channel mounted in the bottom of the door, and a pair of rollers mounted on the support structure laterally beyond the lower end of a door opening for which the door is provided, the rollers being located within said channel with their axes of rotation parallel to the sides of the channel and perpendicular to the longitudinal center line of the channel for free rolling, guiding relation with the sides of the channel.

Claim 11

Door suspension mechanism as claimed in claim 8 wherein tHe guide rollers are mounted in laterally spaced relation on a support plate, and means releasably securing the support plate to the support structure for combined angular and lateral adjustment upon release of said releasable securing means, whereby the support plate and the rollers thereon is adjustable selectively laterally to adjust the lower end of the door outwardly and inwardly, and angularly relative to the mid-plane of the channel in which the rollers are mounted to adjust pre-loading of the rollers against opposite sides of the channel.

Claim 12

Door suspension mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein two of the two part tracks are mounted in aligned, relatively end-for-end reversed relation with their adjacent ends substantially centered over such door opening, and a separate door is suspended from the rod portion of each two part track, each door being of a size to close one half of such door opening when the doors are moved convergently into edge-to-edge engagement with each other toward the adjacent ends of their respective tracks.

Claim 13

Linear ball bearing suspension mechanism for mounting a sliding door on a structure having a door opening therein, and comprising; a circular track rod, circular track rod mounting means connecting only each end of the circular track rod to the support structure above such door opening with said track extending laterally beyond the door opening, a door of a size and shape to cover a selected portion of such door opening, and a door hanger of generally ''''C'''' shape cross section having a linear motion ball bearings mounted therein, therebeing one said hanger mounted adjacent each end of the top of the door and fitted in axially rolling engagement on the circular track rod.

Claim 14

Linear ball bearing suspension mechanism for mounting a sliding door on a structure having a door opening therein, and comprising; a circular track rod, circular track rod mounting means connecting only each end of the circular track rod to the support structure above such door opening with said track extending laterally beyond the door opening, a door of a size and shape to cover a selected portion of such door opening, and a door hanger of generally ''''C'''' shape cross section having a linear motion ball bearings mounted therein, therebeing one said hanger mounted adjacent each end of the top of the door and fitted in axially rolling engagement on the circular track rod.