Patent Application
20230175298
Generally, sliding doors have a door panel that is supported within tracks in a head and/or still of a door frame by a roller assembly that enables the sliding door panel to slidingly open and close. The roller assembly can include a pair of rollers that are adjustable within a housing so as to define how far the rollers extend out from the housing. By retracting the rollers relative to the housing, the sliding door panel may be more easily installed. Once inserted into the door frame, the rollers can be extended so as to set the position of the sliding door panel within the tracks. However, the retracted position of the rollers within the housing is difficult to maintain during installation because the roller assembly is not supporting the weight of the sliding door panel. As such, even when the rollers are retracted within the roller assembly, the rollers are known to often undesirably move towards an extended position during installation and/or removal of the sliding door panel from the door frame.
In an aspect, the technology relates to a sliding door roller including: a housing defining a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis, the longitudinal axis orthogonal to the transverse axis, the housing defining an opening oriented substantially along the transverse axis; a slide defining a transverse opening enlarged along a direction corresponding to the transverse axis and slidably disposed within the housing, the slide selectively moveable along the longitudinal axis, the slide having a first surface; a truck assembly disposed at least partially within the slide, the truck assembly including: at least one support plate having a second surface; at least one roller rotatably coupled to the at least one support plate; and a pin coupled to the housing and the slide at the transverse opening, wherein the truck assembly is selectively rotatable about the pin relative to the slide and selectively slidable within the transverse opening; and one or more detent dimples extending from the first surface or the second surface, wherein the truck assembly is moveable via the slide between at least a retracted position and an extended position with respect to the opening of the housing, and wherein in the retracted position, the truck assembly is retained via the one or more detent dimples such that the truck assembly is restricted from dropping out of the opening of the housing along the transverse axis.
In an example, in the retracted position, the truck assembly is retained via the one or more detent dimples such that the truck assembly is restricted from rotating about the pin. In another example, the one or more detent dimples includes a first dimple and a second dimple, the first dimple disposed on a first side of the transverse opening and the second dimple disposed on a second side of the transverse opening, the first and second sides defined with respect to the longitudinal axis. In still another example, the first and second dimples extend from the first surface. In yet another example, when the truck assembly is in the retracted position, the first and second dimples engage with an end of the at least one support plate positioned closest to the opening of the housing. In an example, when the truck assembly is in the retracted position, the first and second dimples engage with an end of the at least one support plate positioned farthest from the opening of the housing.
In another example, the one or more detent dimples are a single dimple aligned with the pin along a direction corresponding to the transverse axis. In still another example, the single dimple extends from the second surface, and when the truck assembly is in the retracted position, the single dimple engages with an end edge of the transverse opening. In yet another example, the single dimple extends from the first surface, and when the truck assembly is in the retracted position, the single dimple engages with an end of the at least one support plate positioned closest to the opening of the housing. In an example, the slide includes a pair of wing extensions, and when the truck assembly is in the retracted position, the pair of wing extensions engages with the truck assembly. In another example, the slide includes a protrusion having a first extension distance, the one or more detent dimples having a second extension distance, the first extension distance greater than the second extension distance.
In another aspect the technology relates to a sliding door roller including: a housing defining a longitudinal axis; a slide disposed within the housing and selectively slidable along the longitudinal axis, wherein the slide defines a transverse opening; an adjustment fastener coupled between the slide and the housing, the adjustment fastener configured to selectively move the slide along the longitudinal axis; and a truck assembly disposed at least partially within the slide and at least partially slidable and rotatable with respect to the slide, the truck assembly including: a pair of support plates; a pair of rollers rotatably coupled between the pair of support plates; and a pin slidably engaged with both the housing and the slide at the transverse opening, the pin defining a rotation axis for the truck assembly, wherein the truck assembly is moveable between at least a retracted position and an extended position with respect to the housing via the adjustment fastener and the slide, and wherein in the retracted position, the truck assembly is releasably engaged with the slide such that the truck assembly is restricted from dropping out of the housing and rotating therein.
In an example, a pair of dimples extends from an inner surface of the slide that engage with the truck assembly when in the retracted position. In another example, the pair of dimples are disposed on opposite sides of the transverse opening relative to the longitudinal axis. In still another example, a dimple extends from an outer surface of one or more of the pair of support plates that engages with an end of the transverse opening when the truck assembly is in the retracted position. In yet another example, a pair of dimples extends from an inner surface of the slide to engage with a curved top edge of the truck assembly when in the retracted position. In an example, a single dimple extends from the inner surface of the slide to engage with a straight bottom edge of the truck assembly when in the retracted position.
In another example, the slide includes a pair of opposing extensions configured to engage with axles of the truck assembly when in the retracted position. In still another example, a dimple extends from an inner surface of the slide that engages with the truck assembly when in the retracted position.
In another aspect, the technology relates to a sliding door roller including: a housing defining a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis, the longitudinal axis orthogonal to the transverse axis, the housing defining an opening oriented substantially along the transverse axis; a slide defining a transverse opening enlarged along a direction corresponding to the transverse axis and slidably disposed within the housing, the slide having a first surface; an adjustment fastener coupled between the slide and the housing, the adjustment fastener configured to selectively move the slide along the longitudinal axis; a truck assembly disposed within the slide, the truck assembly including: at least one support plate having a second surface; at least one roller rotatably coupled to the at least one support plate; and a pin coupled to the housing and the slide at the transverse opening, wherein the truck assembly is selectively rotatable about the pin relative to the slide and selectively slidable within the transverse opening; and one or more detent dimples extending from the first surface or the second surface, wherein the truck assembly is moveable via the slide between at least a retracted position and an extended position with respect to the opening of the housing, and wherein in the retracted position, the truck assembly is retained via the one or more detent dimples such that the truck assembly is restricted from dropping out of the opening of the housing along the transverse axis and is restricted from rotating about the pin.
There are shown in the drawings, examples that are presently preferred, it being understood, however, that the technology is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.
Sliding door rollers are mounted on a sliding door panel so that the sliding door panel can slide within a door frame. The sliding door roller has one or more rollers that slide along a track within the door frame in order to facilitate sliding operations. The rollers are adjustable within the sliding door roller so as to adjust how far the rollers extend at least partially out of a housing of the sliding door roller. During installation and/or removal of the sliding door panel from the door frame, the rollers are desired to be retracted within the housing. This roller position makes the installation/removal process more efficient. Once the sliding door panel is within the door frame, the rollers are extended so as to set the position of the sliding door panel. However, when the rollers are retracted within the housing, this retracted position is known to be difficult to maintain during the installation/removal process of the sliding door panel. As such, the sliding door rollers described herein include detent features that facilitate retaining the rollers within the housing when retracted. When the rollers are being extended, the detent features are able to be overcome so that the rollers can extend and the detent features do not interfere with normal operation of the sliding door rollers.
The sliding door rollers described herein include the housing, a slide, and a roller assembly that include the rollers. Movement of the slide sets the position of the roller assembly and the extension distance of the rollers. The detent features are formed between the slide and the roller assembly so as to retain the roller assembly with respect to the slide when the rollers are retracted. In some aspect, the detent features allow for the roller assembly to snap into and out of the retracted position so as to assist installers in determining the position of the rollers.
In the example, the top 121 and the bottom 123 of the housing 106 relate to the orientation of the sliding door roller 100 as illustrated in
The truck assembly 104 includes a pair of rollers 126, 128 spaced apart along the longitudinal axis 116 and rotatably supported between a pair of support plates 130, 132 via axles 134. The rollers 126, 128 enable the sliding door roller 100 to roll along tracks in a header and/or a sill of a door frame (not shown) and allow the sliding door panel to slidingly open and close. The rollers 126, 128 are configured to extend out of the bottom opening 127 of the housing 106 so as to engage with the tracks of the door frame. In the example, the truck assembly 104 is configured to move relative to the housing 106 so that an extension distance 136 of the rollers 126, 128 out of the bottom 123 of the housing 106 is adjustable. The extension distance 136 is in a vertical direction of the sliding door roller 100 and is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis 116. In the example, the extension distance 136 is in a direction of the transverse axis 125.
Each support plate 130, 132 includes a first or bottom end 129 that is positioned closest to the opening 127 and closest to the bottom 123 of the housing 106. In the example, the bottom end 129 is substantially straight (e.g., planar, linear). An opposite second or top end 131 is positioned farthest from the opening 127 and closest to the top 121 of the housing 106. In the example, the top end 131 is substantially curved. Each support plate 130, 132 also has an outer surface 133 that is opposite from the position of the rollers 126, 128. The truck assembly 104 is configure to couple to the slide 102 and is disposed at least partially therein.
The slide 102 may be a U-shaped plate with side walls 138 and an end wall 140. A vertical or transverse opening 142 is defined within the side walls 138 and is elongated in the direction of the transverse axis 125. Additionally, a protrusion 144 extends outwards from the side walls 138. The protrusion 144 extends a distance 135 outwards from the side walls 138. In the example, the transverse opening 142 is spaced from the protrusion 144 along the longitudinal axis 116. The protrusion 144 may be positioned towards the top 121 of the housing 106. The side walls 138 have an inner surface 137 that faces one another. Each side wall 138 includes a cutout 139 disposed at least partially below the protrusion 144.
Turning back to the truck assembly 104, the truck assembly 104 includes a pin 146 that extends through the support plates 130, 132 proximate the top end 131. In an aspect, the pin 146 may be positioned at a midpoint between the rollers 126, 128. The pin 146 at least partially projects from the outer surface 133 of the support plates 130, 132 and is configured to be received within the transverse openings 142 of the slide 102. This coupling enables the truck assembly 104 to move relative to the slide 102 in the vertical direction and along the transverse axis 125. The pin 146 also defines a rotation axis for the truck assembly 104 so that the truck assembly 104 can pivot around the pin 146. For example, when the truck assembly 104 pivots, the roller 126 may extend further from the housing 106 than the roller 128, or the roller 128 may extend further from the housing 106 than the roller 126. This configuration facilitates keeping the rollers 126, 128 on the track when the sliding door panel slides.
The slide 102 is coupled to the housing 106 and disposed therein. The side walls 138 are disposed adjacent to the side plates 108, 110 and the end wall 140 is disposed adjacent to one of the end brackets 112, 114. The protrusion 144 is slidably received at least partially within the longitudinal opening 118 and the slide 102 is configured to selectively move along the longitudinal axis 116 within the housing 106. The truck assembly 104 is also engaged with the housing 106 and the pin 146 is slidably received at least partially within the oblique openings 120. Additionally, an adjustment fastener 148 (e.g., threated bolt) is coupled between the slide 102 and the housing 106. In the example, the adjustment fastener 148 extends through the adjuster opening 122 of one of the end brackets 112, 114 and engages with the end wall 140 of the slide 102. The adjustment fastener 148 is used to drive movement of the slide 102 along the longitudinal axis 116. For example, upon rotation of the adjustment fastener 148, the slide 102 is configured to move away from and towards the end bracket 114 within the housing 106 and along the longitudinal axis 116.
In operation, the pin 146 of the truck assembly 104 engaging with both the slide 102 at the transverse openings 142 and the housing 106 at the oblique openings 120 determines the extension distance 136 of the rollers 126, 128. As illustrated in
During installation of the sliding door panel, the sliding door roller 100 is positioned in its retracted most configuration as illustrated in
Additionally, the truck assembly 104 is configured to at least partially rotate around the pin 146. This configuration enables both rollers 126, 128 to always be in contact with the tracks of the door frame. As such, when the truck assembly 104 is in its retracted most configuration, the truck assembly 104 may undesirably rotate around the pin 146 which extends one of the rollers 126, 128 out from the bottom of the housing 106 more than the other. This partial drop of the truck assembly 104 is also undesirable because it makes the installation of the sliding door panel more difficult.
Given the foregoing, the sliding door roller 100 described herein provides features that reduce or prevent the truck assembly 104 from dropping out of its retracted most position and/or rotating while in its retracted most position. Additionally, these features still allow for the sliding door roller 100 to be adjustable as described herein and once the sliding door panel is installed into the tracks in the head and/or sill of the door frame. As described below, the truck assembly 104 and the slide 102 at least partially engage while the truck assembly 104 is retracted therein so as to reduce or prevent dropping and/or rotating relative to the opening 127 of the housing 106. Furthermore, the truck assembly 104 and the slide 102 can be released from this engagement by use of the adjustment fastener 148 so that the extension distance 136 of the rollers 126, 128 can be set as described herein.
The dimples 150, 152 are spaced apart along the longitudinal axis 116 (shown in
Additionally, unintentional rotation of the truck assembly 104 in the retracted position is reduced or prevented as the dimples 150, 152 are positioned on opposite sides of the pin 146. For example, the dimple 150 is disposed on a first side 154 of the transverse opening 142, while the dimple 152 is disposed on an opposite second side 156, the sides 154, 156 of the transverse opening 142 defined with respect to the longitudinal axis 116. Because the dimples 150, 152 are positioned on both sides 154, 156 of the transverse opening 142, the truck assembly 104 pivoting around both directions of the pin 146 is restricted. In an aspect, the dimples 150, 152 are not positioned directly below the transverse opening 142 or the pin 146 in the direction of the transverse axis 125.
The dimples 150, 152, however, do not prohibit all extension movement of the truck assembly 104. Using the adjustment fastener 148 still enables the slide 102 to slide within the housing 106 and move the support plate 132 over the dimples 150, 152 so as to extend the rollers 126, 128 as required or desired. In an aspect, disengagement of the dimples 150, 152 from the bottom end 129 of the support plate 132 does not add a significant amount of rotational torque at the adjustment fastener 148. As such, the dimples 150, 152 do not inhibit all movement of the truck assembly 104 within the slide 102. Rather, only unintentional dropping and rotation of the truck assembly 104 is reduced or prevented.
In an example, at least a portion of one or more of the dimples 150, 152 may positioned at least partially above the rollers 126, 128 when viewed from the side and as illustrated in
In an aspect, the dimples 150, 152 have a curved dome-like shape so as to allow the support plate 132 to slide past when desired. In an aspect, both of the dimples 150, 152 may have the same shape and size. In other examples, the dimples 150, 152 may have different shapes and/or sizes as required or desired. The dimples 150, 152 have substantially smooth curved surfaces so that the truck assembly 104 may still slide relative to the slide 102 and in both directions (e.g., both extension and retraction directions of the truck assembly 104). In contrast, features such as punched flanges or hooks may not enable the truck assembly 104 to still slide within the slide 102 as required for operation of the sliding door roller 100 as described herein.
In the example, the slide 102 is the only component including the dimples 150, 152 for engaging with the truck assembly 104. The truck assembly 104 does not include any dimples.
The dimple 204 is spaced apart and aligned below the pin 146 on the truck assembly 200 along a direction corresponding to the transverse axis 125 (shown in
Similar to the example described above, using the adjustment fastener 148 still enables the slide 202 to slide within the housing 106 and move the dimple 204 under the slide 202 so as to extend the rollers 126, 128 as required or desired. In an aspect, disengagement of the dimple 204 from the transverse opening 142 does not add a significant amount of rotational torque at the adjustment fastener 148. As such, the dimple 204 dose not inhibit all movement of the truck assembly 200 within the slide 202. Rather, only unintentional dropping and rotation of the truck assembly 200 is reduced or prevented.
In an example, at least a portion of the dimple 204 may be positioned between the axles 134 when viewed from the side as in
In this example, the ends (e.g., top and bottom 206) of the transverse opening 142 are curved and the dimple 204 is positioned at the apex of the curve for engagement in the retracted position. In other examples, two dimples may be positioned on both sides of the transverse opening 142 and at the transition between the parallel sides and the curved portion. In still other examples, the dimple 204 may have other shapes and sizes, for example, square, triangle, elongated lines, or a shape that corresponds to at least a portion of the perimeter of the transverse opening 142. The dimple 204 may be positioned directly below the pin 146. In this example, the slide 202 does not include any dimples for engaging with the truck assembly 200. Rather, it is the truck assembly 200 that only includes the dimple 204. The dimple 204 is positioned proximate the bottom end 129 of the support plate 132.
The dimples 304, 306 are spaced apart along the longitudinal axis 116 (shown in
The dimple 308, similar to the dimples 150, 152 shown in
In this example, the combination of the three dimples 304, 306, 308 work together to restrict or prevent rotation and drop of the truck assembly 300, with the dimples 304, 306 restricting rotation and the dimple 308 restricting drop when the truck assembly 300 is in the retracted position. It is appreciated that in some examples, the dimples 304, 306 may be used independently from the dimple 308 so that only rotation or only drop is restricted. While the third dimple 308 is a single dimple, in other examples, more than one lower dimple may be used as required or desired.
The wing extensions 404, 406 are spaced apart along the longitudinal axis 116 (shown in
The dimple 410, similar to the dimple 308 shown in
It is appreciated that in some examples, the wing extensions 404, 406 may be used independently from the dimple 410 so that only rotation or only drop is restricted. While the dimple 410 is a single dimple, in other examples, more than one lower dimple may be used as required or desired.
The materials utilized in the manufacture of the sliding door rollers described herein may be those typically utilized for door hardware, e.g., zinc, steel, aluminum, brass, stainless steel, etc. Molded plastics, such as PVC, polyethylene, etc., may be utilized for the various components. Material selection for most of the components may be based on the proposed use of the sliding door rollers. Appropriate materials may be selected for components used on particularly heavy panels, as well as on components subject to certain environmental conditions (e.g., moisture, corrosive atmospheres, etc.).
While there have been described herein what are to be considered exemplary and preferred examples of the present technology, other modifications of the technology will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the teachings herein. The particular methods of manufacture and geometries disclosed herein are exemplary in nature and are not to be considered limiting. It is therefore desired to be secured in the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the spirit and scope of the technology. Accordingly, what is desired to be secured by Letters Patent is the technology as defined and differentiated in the following claims, and all equivalents.
This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/285,262, filed Dec. 2, 2021, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63285262 | Dec 2021 | US |
