Patent ID: 6286261
Filing Date: 2001-09-11
Classification: E05D,E05Y

Abstract:
In a sliding door for a vehicle having an opening in at least one side thereof, the sliding door connected to the vehicle for non-linear movement along a fixed path between an open position and a closed position with respect to the opening, the fixed path defined by an upper guide track, a lower guide track and an intermediate guide track, the improvement comprising:each elongate guide track having an identical generally C-shaped cross-section with an elongate slot opening through a lower surface; andat least one spherical guide member engageable within each track for guiding the sliding door while moving between the open position and the closed position with respect to the opening in the vehicle, wherein the at least one spherical guide member includes at least one spherical roller engageable within each track and having a horizontal axis of rotation, each of said rollers having a track-engaging surface in rolling contact with an interior surface of the track.