Granted Patent B2

US 8,127,494 · App. 12/203,718 · Granted Mar 6, 2012

Abstract

Claims (52)

1. A self-adjusting chain adjustment trolley comprising:

a translational assembly affixed to a chain tensioner assembly for translationally engaging a track, the translational assembly having a chain second end attachment point for engaging a chain second end; and

a door attachment point affixed to the chain tensioner assembly for engaging a sliding door;

wherein the chain tensioner assembly comprises a movable chain first end attachment point for engaging a chain first end and a force applicator attached thereto; a bar slidably receiving the movable chain first end attachment point; a bracket attached to the bar; and a rod having a first end fixedly attached to the bracket and a second end slidably engaged by the movable chain first end attachment point; the force applicator positioned between the bracket and the movable chain first end attachment point, such that the force applicator applies a predetermined amount of force to the movable chain first end attachment point to create a predetermined tension on the chain.

2. The chain adjustment trolley of claim 1 wherein the force applicator is a spring.

3. The chain adjustment trolley of claim 1 further comprising a restrictor attached to the rod second end to adjustably restrict slidability of the movable chain first end attachment point and a first and second bearing mounted to the underside of the translational assembly, the bearings of effective diameter so as to extend beyond a side of the translational assembly an effective distance to engage a side wall of the track.

4. A self-adjusting chain adjustment trolley comprising:

a stabilizer bar trolley assembly affixed to a chain tensioner assembly for translationally engaging a track, the stabilizer bar trolley assembly having a chain second end attachment point for engaging a chain second end;

a sliding door attachment point affixed to the chain tensioner assembly for engaging a sliding door;

a track engagement assembly affixed to the chain tensioner assembly for translationally engaging the track;

wherein the chain tensioner assembly comprises a movable chain first end attachment point for engaging a chain first end and a force applicator attached thereto; a bar slidably receiving the movable chain first end attachment point; a bracket attached to the bar; and a rod having a first end fixedly attached to the bracket and a second end slidably engaged by the movable chain first end attachment point; the force applicator positioned between the bracket and the movable chain first end attachment point, such that the force applicator applies a predetermined amount of force to the movable chain first end attachment point to create a predetermined tension on the chain.

5. The chain adjustment trolley of claim 4 wherein the stabilizer bar trolley assembly and the track engagement assembly further comprise rotatably attached rollers to provide the translational engagement.

6. The chain adjustment trolley of claim 4 wherein the stabilizer bar trolley assembly and the track engagement assembly are each spaced from the chain tensioner assembly a predetermined distance so as to keep the chain tensioner assembly level upon chain adjustment trolley engagement with the track.

7. The chain adjustment trolley of claim 4 wherein the force applicator is a spring.

8. The chain adjustment trolley of claim 4 further comprising a restrictor attached to the rod second end to adjustably restrict slidability of the movable chain first end attachment point and a first and second bearing mounted to the underside of the stabilizer bar trolley assembly, the bearings of effective diameter so as to extend beyond a side of the stabilizer bar trolley assembly an effective distance to engage a side wall of the track.

9. The chain adjustment trolley of claim 4 wherein the stabilizer bar trolley assembly and the track engagement assembly are not in-line.

10. A sliding door apparatus comprising:

a track for mounting to a door opening;

a door slidably attached to the track;

a chain pulley for mounting to the door opening;

a self-adjusting chain adjustment trolley adapted for translational movement within the track and attachment to the door; and

a powered chain operatively connecting the pulley and self-adjusting chain adjustment trolley;

wherein the self-adjusting chain adjustment trolley comprises

a translational assembly affixed to a chain tensioner assembly for translationally engaging a track, the translational assembly having a chain second end attachment point for engaging a chain second end; and

a door attachment point affixed to the chain tensioner assembly for engaging a sliding door;

wherein the chain tensioner assembly comprises a movable chain first end attachment point for engaging a chain first end and a force applicator attached thereto, such that the force applicator applies a predetermined amount of force to the movable chain first end attachment point to create a predetermined tension on the chain; and

the translational assembly comprises a stabilizer bar trolley assembly affixed to the chain tensioner assembly to translationally engage the track, the stabilizer bar trolley assembly having the chain second end attachment point for engaging the chain second end; and a track engagement assembly affixed to the chain tensioner assembly for translationally engaging the track.

11. The sliding door apparatus of claim 10 wherein the stabilizer bar trolley assembly and the track engagement assembly further comprise rotatably attached rollers to provide the translational engagement.

12. The sliding door apparatus of claim 10 wherein the stabilizer bar trolley assembly and the track engagement assembly are each spaced from the chain tensioner assembly a predetermined distance so as to keep the chain tensioner assembly level upon chain adjustment trolley engagement with the track.

13. The sliding door apparatus of claim 10 wherein the chain tensioner assembly comprises a bar slidably receiving the movable chain first end attachment point; a bracket attached to the bar; and a rod having a first end fixedly attached to the bracket and a second end slidably engaged by the movable chain first end attachment point; the force applicator positioned between the bracket and the movable chain first end attachment point.

14. The sliding door apparatus of claim 13 wherein the force applicator is a spring.

15. The sliding door apparatus of claim 13 further comprising a restrictor attached to the rod second end to adjustably restrict slidability of the movable chain first end attachment point and a first and second bearing mounted to the underside of the stabilizer bar trolley assembly, the bearings of effective diameter so as to extend beyond a side of the stabilizer bar trolley assembly an effective distance to engage a side wall of the track.

16. The sliding door apparatus of claim 10 wherein the stabilizer bar trolley assembly engages a track inner channel and the track engagement assembly engages a track outer channel.

17. The sliding door apparatus of claim 16 further comprising a first and second bearing mounted to the underside of the stabilizer bar trolley assembly, the bearings of effective diameter so as to extend beyond a side of the stabilizer bar trolley assembly an effective distance to engage a side wall of the side track inner channel.

18. The sliding door apparatus of claim 10 wherein the stabilizer bar trolley assembly and the track engagement assembly engages the track in-line.

19. A method for self-tensioning a chain used to operate a sliding door slidably mounted to a track comprising the steps of:

a. installing a self-adjusting chain adjustment trolley within the track, wherein the chain adjustment trolley comprises

a translational assembly affixed to a chain tensioner assembly for translationally engaging a track, the translational assembly having a chain second end attachment point for engaging a chain second end; and

a door attachment point affixed to the chain tensioner assembly for engaging a sliding door;

wherein the chain tensioner assembly comprises a movable chain first end attachment point for engaging a chain first end and a force applicator attached thereto, such that the force applicator applies a predetermined amount of force to the movable chain first end attachment point to create a predetermined tension on the chain; and

the translational assembly comprises a stabilizer bar trolley assembly affixed to the chain tensioner assembly to translationally engage the track, the stabilizer bar trolley assembly having the chain second end attachment point for engaging the chain second end; and a track engagement assembly affixed to the chain tensioner assembly for translationally engaging the track;

b. attaching the door to the sliding door attachment point;

c. attaching the chain second end to the chain second end attachment point;

d. applying to the movable chain first end attachment point a second force which is opposite in direction to and greater than the predetermined amount of force;

e. attaching the chain first end to the movable chain first end attachment point; and

f. removing the second force.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein the stabilizer bar trolley assembly and the track engagement assembly further comprise rotatably attached rollers to provide the translational engagement.

21. The method of claim 19 wherein the stabilizer bar trolley assembly and the track engagement assembly are each spaced from the chain tensioner assembly a predetermined distance so as to keep the chain tensioner assembly level upon chain adjustment trolley engagement with the track.

22. The method of claim 19 wherein the chain tensioner assembly comprises a bar slidably receiving the movable chain first end attachment point; a bracket attached to the bar; and a rod having a first end fixedly attached to the bracket and a second end slidably engaged by the movable chain first end attachment point; the force applicator positioned between the bracket and the movable chain first end attachment point.

23. The method of claim 22 wherein the force applicator is a spring.

24. The method of claim 22 further comprising a restrictor attached to the rod second end to adjustably restrict slidability of the movable chain first end attachment point and a first and second bearing mounted to the underside of the stabilizer bar trolley assembly, the bearings of effective diameter so as to extend beyond a side of the stabilizer bar trolley assembly an effective distance to engage a side wall of the track.

25. The method of claim 19 wherein the stabilizer bar trolley assembly and the track engagement assembly are not in-line.

Assignments (8)