Patent ID: 6061961
Filing Date: 2000-05-16
Classification: E05D,E05F,E05Y,E06B

Abstract:
A door assembly for mounting to a casing, the door assembly comprising:a frame adapted for connection to the casing, the frame including an upper guide track and a lower guide track spaced from the upper guide track;a first panel having a top edge, a bottom edge, and leading and trailing edges extending between the top and bottom edges, the first panel being connected to the upper and lower guide tracks;a second panel having a top edge, a bottom edge, and leading and trailing edges extending between the second panel top and bottom edges, the second panel being slidably connected to the upper and lower guide tracks for sliding movement with respect to the first panel between a retracted position wherein the first and second panels are in opposing relationship, and an extended position wherein the trailing edge of the second panel is proximal the leading edge of the first panel, said second panel being free of the bottom track in an area proximal the bottom and leading edges of the second panel;said lower guide track having a length that is approximately equal to a distance between the trailing edge of the first panel and the leading edge of the second panel with the second panel in the extended position;the upper guide track having a length that is approximately equal to a distance traveled by the second panel between the retracted and extended positions;a first bearing assembly mounted proximal the top and leading edges of the second panel;a second bearing assembly mounted proximal the top and trailing edges of the second panel;a third bearing assembly mounted proximal the bottom and trailing edges of the second panel;where the first and second bearing assemblies are operably connected to the upper guide track and the third bearing assembly is operably connected to the lower guide track to thereby permit slidable movement between the second panel and the frame; andwherein the upper guide track has a first end proximal the trailing edge of the second panel in the retracted position and a second end proximal the leading edge of the second panel in the extended position, and further wherein the upper guide track includes an upper curved section proximal the second end thereof for moving at least the leading edge of the second panel generally inwardly toward the casing during movement of the second panel toward the extended position.