Patent GB-735723-A (GB)
Title: A new or improved sliding door for vehicles
IPC: B60J5/06
Filed: 1952-12-13
Abstract: 735,723. Door-operating apparatus; bolt fastenings; multiple fastenings. WEATHERSHIELDS, Ltd., and SMITH, H. A. G. March 5, 1954 [Dec. 13, 1952], No. 31650/52. Classes 44 and 65(1). [Also in Group XXXII] In a sliding door for vehicles of the type which when closed lies in the plane of the door opening and is adapted to pivot about one vertical edge which is guided for sliding in or on guides inclined at a small angle to the plane of the door opening, the other edge of the door being adapted to be moved by means carried by the door into and out of the plane of the door opening and being guided for sliding in guides or tracks substantially parallel to the opening, said other edge is supported by a rigid link or strap of substantial depth pivotally connected to the door and to a carriage slidably guided on the vehicle body at the rear of the door opening, and a peg on the link adjacent to its connection to the door co-operates with a cam slot in a handleoperated plate which is slidably mounted on the door and carries a bolt adapted to engage in a socket or striking plate in the frame at the rear of the door opening. As shown, the rear edge of the sliding door 10 is supported by a sliding carriage comprising horizontal members 11, 12 connected by a vertical channel-section member 13, the lower member 11 carrying a roller 14 and a hardened shoe 15 for movement in a guide 16 and the upper member 12 carrying a hardened shoe adapted to slide in a guide 18. The rear edge of the door is pivotably coupled to the carriage by a skeleton link comprising two vertical angle members 19, 20 connected by two horizontal cranked members 21, 22 of channel section. The member 20 is provided with a lug 29 which extends into a gap cut in the inner panel of the door. A peg 30 fixed to the lug works in a cam slot 31 in a horizontal plate 32 slidably mounted in the door. The plate has a bolt 33 adapted to enter a socket 36 in the body pillar 37, and is formed with a slot engaging a stud 38 fixed in the door. The plate is connected to a link 42 slidably mounted at its front end in a housing 43, which is slotted at 45 to receive a peg 44 mounted in the link. The peg is received in a slot 47 in the lower end of a pivoted lever 48 provided with an operating handle 50. The lever has a peg 51 adapted to engage in one or other of two notches 52, 58 in a latch member 53. One end of the latch member is coupled by a strip 55 to a bolt 56 guided for vertical movement on the door and pressed upwardly by a spring 57. To open the door, the handle 50 is moved anti-clockwise, so that the peg, 51 engages the inclined edge 59 of the notch 52 and causes withdrawal of the bolt 56 from a socket in the cantrail. Further movement of the handle draws the plate 32 forwardly and the bolt 33 is withdrawn, then as the peg 30 enters the inclined part of the slot 31, the rear edge of the door swings out of the plane of the door opening. Continued pressure on the handle causes the door to slide rearwardly, with the sliding carriage moving in the guides 16, 18. Specification 709,914, [Group XXXII], is referred to.