Top hung sliding panel apparatus and method

• US 8,850,659 B2
• Filed: 11/03/2011
• Issued: 10/07/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 11/03/2011
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ewing K. Bradley
• Original Assignee: Ewing K. Bradley
• Inventors: Ewing, K. Brad
• Primary Examiner(s): Batson, Victor
• Assistant Examiner(s): San, Jason W
• Application Number:
  US13/288,330
• Publication Number:
  US 20130111702A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,069 Days
• Field of Search: 16/94.R, 16/94.D, 16/95.R, 16/96.D, 16/97, 16/98, 161/05, 161/06, 161/07, 16/91, 160/196.1, 160/197, 160/199, 160/200, 160/201, 160/222, 160/223, 494/09, 494/25, 494/20, 494/21, 494/27
• US Class Current: 16/91
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 15/0634 with height adjustment
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 15/0656 Bottom guides
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/628 Bearings
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/638 Cams; Ramps
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/132 Doors
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

A hanger assembly for an architectural door or panel utilizes a head track connected to an overhead structural member with two concave tracks for receiving the convex wheel bearings which are attached to a hanger extending downwardly from the wheel bearings. The bottom of the hanger has a head which is inserted into a housing by way of an open groove. The housing is mounted to the frame of the door or panel. Rubber neoprene spacers are mounted between the head and the housing to adjust the vertical height of the door or panel relative to the head track and structural member. Additional wheel bearings may be added to the hanger as is necessary.

Claims

1. An apparatus for moving a hanging panel or door assembly comprising a head track operable to be securely mounted to an overhead structural member under which said hanging panel or door assembly moves, at least one pair of wheel bearings forming a bearing assembly mounted for movement within said head track, a hanger extending from said bearing assembly and having a head which is operably positioned within and movable relative to a housing, said housing being attachable to said panel or door assembly and spacers removably mounted between said head and said housing to allow adjustment of the relative position of said head relative to said housing by varying the number of spacers.

2. The apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the wheel bearings have an axis and wherein the hanger has a length and wherein the vertical distance between said head of said hanger and said axis of said wheel bearings is substantially constant throughout said length of said hanger.

3. The apparatus as in claim 2 wherein said head track has a pair of concave tracks and wherein said wheel bearings have a convex circumference, said wheel bearings being operably mounted for movement within said tracks.

4. The apparatus as in claim 3 wherein said hanger is an extrusion.

5. The apparatus as in claim 4 wherein said housing has an open groove operable to allow the insertion of said hanger and said head into said housing.

6. The apparatus as in claim 5 wherein said spacers are neoprene rubber material.

7. A method of hanging a panel or door from an overhead structural member while allowing said panel or door to slide axially relative to said member, said method comprising hanging a head track from said overhead structural member, inserting at least one pair of wheel bearings with an attached hanger having a head portion into said head track, inserting said hanger and head portion into a housing, which housing is securely mounted to a door or panel and inserting or removing shims mounted between said head and said housing to allow adjustment of the relative position of said head relative to said housing by varying the number of shims.