Improvements in storage door suspension systems

Abstract

The invention relates to improvements in suspension systems for storage doors. In particular, a system is provided that includes a pair of recirculating ball sliding support assemblies, a pair of hinges, and a synchronization mechanism for synchronously moving a receiving door relative to the pair of recirculating ball sliding support assemblies. A system is also provided that includes three ball slide support assemblies, three hinges, and a synchronization mechanism for synchronously moving the receiving door relative to the ball slide support assemblies. A system is also provided that includes a pair of ball sliding support assemblies, a pair of hinges, a synchronization mechanism for synchronously moving the receiving door relative to the sliding support assemblies, and means for aligning the sliding support assemblies relative to each other when the synchronization mechanism is provided. A sliding support assembly is also provided that resists pulling open by a lateral load. An elongated guide rail for a sliding support assembly is also provided that can be adjusted in length without affecting the ease of mounting another component to the end of the guide rail.

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a suspension system for a pocket door, in particular a suspension system for a door that can be moved between a first position and a third position (via the second position). In the first position, the door covers an opening defined in a first plane. In the second position, the door has been rotated and extends away from the opening on a first side of the first plane in a direction perpendicular to the first plane. In the third position, the door still extends in a direction perpendicular to the first plane, but has been translated in a direction perpendicular to the first plane so that it is now positioned on a second side of the first plane opposite to the first side. In the third position, the door can be stowed adjacent to a wall perpendicular to the first plane, preferably with the front edge of the door placed adjacent to the end of the wall. The door can be stowed so that the door is either against the wall or the door is positioned in a cavity defined in the wall. Background of the Invention

[0003] Storage doors are well known. They can be used in rooms with limited space so that the door can be opened and then stowed in a position against the wall. The door can sometimes be stowed in a cavity in the wall of the room. Storage doors are also used on cabinets, such as TV cabinets or kitchen cabinets, so that the door can be opened and then moved out of the room and into a storage pocket in the cabinet. Storage doors can also be used on kitchen appliances, such as ovens, where the oven door is opened and then stowed in a cavity next to or below the oven. Therefore, storage doors can be hinged along vertical side edges, and storage doors can also be hinged along horizontal bottom edges.

[0004] Many storage door suspension systems are known. For example, US 4,974,912 discloses a suspension system for a storage door, the suspension system comprising at least two telescopic sliding assemblies, a portion of each sliding assembly being attached to a supporting wall perpendicular to a first plane defined by an opening. The sliding assemblies are spaced relative to each other and fixed to the supporting wall so that they are substantially parallel to each other and are placed substantially in the same plane. The door is attached to the sliding assembly by a hinge, one blade of each hinge is attached to the pivot edge of the door, and the other blade of each hinge is attached to the movable telescopic portion of the sliding assembly to allow the door to pivot between a position perpendicular to the sliding assembly and a position parallel to the sliding assembly. By using a cable element, the door is maintained at right angles to the sliding member and the supporting wall. One end of each cable element is fixed near the rear end of the fixed portion of one sliding assembly, and the other end of each cable element is fixed near the front end of the fixed portion of the other sliding assembly. Each cable element is arranged around a pair of pulleys, one of which is attached to a corresponding one of the movable telescopic portions of the sliding assembly. Thus, as the door moves between the open and retracted positions of the door, the cable element cooperates with the pulleys on the movable portion of the sliding assembly to maintain the movable portion of the sliding assembly in a fixed right angle relationship to each other, thereby preventing skewing caused by the force of gravity on the door or any vertical force applied to the door by the user. A series of ball bearings are positioned in the upper and lower channels of the fixed portion of the sliding assembly. The fixed portion of the sliding assembly includes an elongated guide rail. The ball bearings are retained in the channels by ball retainers. The movable telescoping portion of the sliding assembly rolls along the ball bearings.

[0005] Because the channel section of the fixed portion of the slide assembly includes balls along its length, the slide assembly must be manufactured to have a predetermined length. The length of the slide assembly is determined by the distance the door must translate, which in turn is related to the overall width of the door. It is not possible for the end user to change the length of the slide assembly or suspension system for use with doors of different widths because the ball retainers are sized and shaped for specific lengths of the upper and lower channels, and neither the ball retainers nor the channels are easily adjustable. Instead, the end user must have a different suspension system for each door width they wish to manufacture or install.

[0006] There is a need for a suspension system for a storage door that can be easily adjusted or modified so that the suspension system can be used with doors of different widths. The present invention addresses this need.

[0007] There is also a need for a suspension system for a storage door that can be easily configured so that the sliding support assemblies are synchronized and aligned with each other.

[0008] There is also a need for a slide support assembly that can withstand heavier lateral loads, as heavier loads are known to pull the movable telescoping portions of the slide assembly away from and out of their elongated guide rails.

[0009] There is also a need for a quick and easy way to secure components, such as a synchronization mechanism or other components, to the ends of an elongated rail. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] In a first embodiment, the present invention provides a suspension system for a door, the suspension system comprising:

[0012] A first recycling ball sliding support assembly, the first recycling ball sliding support assembly comprising:

[0013] a first elongated rail having a first web defining a channel section and first and second flanges, the first elongated rail having a first end and a second end;

[0014] A first sliding box, the first sliding box is positioned between the first flange and the second flange so that the first sliding box, the first flange and the second flange define at least one first closed-loop track; and a first plurality of balls, the first plurality of balls are positioned within the first closed-loop track and the second closed-loop track; a second recycling ball sliding support assembly, the second recycling ball sliding support assembly comprising:

[0015] a second elongated rail having a second web defining a channel section and third and fourth flanges, the second elongated rail having a first end and a second end;

[0016] a second sliding box positioned between the third flange and the fourth flange such that the second sliding box defines at least one second closed-loop track with the third flange and the fourth flange; and

[0017] A second plurality of balls are positioned within the third closed-loop track and the fourth closed-loop track; wherein:

[0018] a first elongated rail and a second elongated rail configured to be mounted on a support wall defining a first plane such that the first recycling ball slide support assembly and the second recycling ball slide support assembly are spaced apart and parallel to one another, wherein a first end of the first elongated rail is aligned with a first end of the second elongated rail;

[0019] a first hinge including a first leaf and a second leaf, wherein the first leaf is connected to the first sliding box and the second leaf is configured to be connected to the door;

[0020] a second hinge including a third leaf and a fourth leaf, wherein the third leaf is connected to the second sliding box and the fourth leaf is configured to be connected to the door; and

[0021] A synchronization mechanism is configured to maintain the positions of the first sliding box and the second sliding box within the corresponding first elongated guide rail and the second elongated guide rail so that the distance between the first sliding box and the first end of the first elongated guide rail is always the same as the distance between the second sliding box and the first end of the second elongated guide rail.

[0022] At least one first closed-loop track may include, for example, a single track in a figure-8 configuration. Alternatively, at least one first closed-loop track may include a first closed-loop track and a third closed-loop track. At least one second closed-loop track may include, for example, a single track in a figure-8 configuration. Alternatively, at least one second closed-loop track may include a second closed-loop track and a fourth closed-loop track.

[0023] Additionally, the second end of the first elongated rail may be aligned with the second end of the second elongated rail.

[0024] The suspension system of the present invention uses two recirculating ball slide support assemblies. The balls are contained within a closed loop track defined by a slide box and corresponding flanges. Therefore, the elongated rails can be cut to their desired lengths without having to modify the slide box or the balls. Therefore, the suspension system of the present invention can be easily modified so that the suspension system can be used for doors of various different widths simply by cutting the extruded elongated rails to their desired sizes.

[0025] Recirculating ball slide support assemblies are known. See, for example, EP 3 143 298 A1. However, prior to the present invention, recirculating ball slide support assemblies have not been used in suspension systems for storage doors.

[0026] The suspension system of the present invention can be used to allow the door to move between three positions: a first position in which the door is perpendicular to the supporting wall and covers an opening defined in a first plane, and in which the first leaf of the first hinge is perpendicular to the second leaf and the third leaf of the second hinge is perpendicular to the fourth leaf, i.e., a "closed position"; a second position in which the door has been rotated and the hinges have been opened so that the first leaf and the second leaf are parallel to each other, and the third leaf and the fourth leaf are parallel to each other, so that the door extends away from the opening in a direction perpendicular to the first plane and parallel to the supporting wall, i.e., an "open position"; and a third position in which the door has been translated in a direction perpendicular to the first plane and parallel to the supporting wall until the door is abutted against the supporting wall and stowed adjacent to the supporting wall, i.e., a "stowed position". In the stowed position, the front edge of the door can be placed adjacent to the end of the supporting wall.

[0027] When the door is in its closed position, the first end of the elongated guide rail may be the end of the elongated guide rail closest to the door. When the door is in its closed position, the second end of the elongated guide rail may be the end of the elongated guide rail farthest from the door.

[0028] In the closed position and the open position, the sliding box is positioned at the first end of the corresponding elongated guide rails of the first box and the second box. In the stowed position, the sliding box is positioned near the second end of the corresponding elongated guide rail of the sliding box or at the second end of the corresponding elongated guide rail of the sliding box.

[0029] The elongate rail preferably comprises an extruded rail, more preferably an extruded aluminium rail.

[0030] Each of the first recycling ball sliding support assembly and the second recycling ball sliding support assembly may also include a corresponding first end cap mounted in or on the first end of the corresponding elongated guide rail. Each of the first recycling ball sliding support assembly and the second recycling ball sliding support assembly may also include a corresponding second end cap mounted in or on the second end of the corresponding elongated guide rail. The first end cap and / or the second end cap may be formed of molded plastic or metal material.

[0031] A self-closing mechanism may be mounted on the or each first end cap to assist in pulling the door into its closed position. Additionally or alternatively, a soft-closing mechanism may be mounted on the or each first end cap to prevent the sliding box from strongly impacting the front end cap when the door moves from its stowed position to its open position. Additionally or alternatively, a soft-closing mechanism may be mounted on the or each second end cap to prevent the door from strongly impacting the rear of the cabinet, or to prevent the sliding box from strongly impacting the respective second end cap when the door moves from its open position to its stowed position. Preferably, the system comprises a soft-closing mechanism on each second end cap and a self-closing mechanism on each first end cap.

[0032] Each flange of each elongated rail may have a fastener receiving channel formed along its length for receiving a fastener for attaching the first end cap and / or the second end cap to the first end or the second end of the corresponding elongated rail. Each elongated rail may be extruded to have a constant cross-section along its entire length. Therefore, even if the elongated rail is cut to reduce its length, the end cap or each end cap may be easily attached to one of the ends of the elongated rail. The fastener receiving channel may be open on the outer edge of the corresponding flange. Alternatively, the fastener receiving channel may be closed within the cross-section of the flange so that the cross-section of the flange has a hole located therein.

[0033] Forming a fastener receiving channel along the length of the flange is also advantageous and suitable for other applications where it may be desirable to fit an end cap or other component to the end of a channel that may be cut to length.

[0034] Thus, in a second embodiment, there is provided an elongated guide rail for a sliding support assembly, the elongated guide rail having a channel section and having a first end and a second end, the elongated guide rail comprising:

[0035] first web; and

[0036] a first flange and a second flange, wherein

[0037] The first flange defines a first channel for supporting a plurality of balls, and the second flange defines a second channel for supporting a plurality of balls, wherein

[0038] forming a first fastener receiving channel separate from the first channel along a length of the first flange, and

[0039] A second fastener receiving channel is formed along the length of the second flange, separate from the second channel, wherein

[0040] The first fastener receiving channel and the second fastener receiving channel are used to receive fasteners used to attach the end cap to the elongated rail.

[0041] The other features of the suspension system of the first embodiment may be used with the elongated rail of the second embodiment.

[0042] Each fastener receiving channel may be open on the outer edge of the corresponding flange. Alternatively, each fastener receiving channel may be closed within the cross section of the flange so that the cross section of the flange has a hole located therein. The elongated rail may be extruded so that the elongated rail has a constant cross section along its entire length. The end cap may be mounted in or on the end of the elongated rail using fasteners.

[0043] In both the first and second embodiments, the end cap or each end cap may have a first fastener receiving hole and a second fastener receiving hole formed therein, the first fastener receiving hole and the second fastener receiving hole being spaced apart by a distance equal to the distance between the fastener receiving channels formed in the flange of the corresponding elongated rail. Thus, a pair of fasteners (such as screws or rivets) may be used to connect the end cap or each end cap to the corresponding end of the corresponding elongated rail. For example, a screw may pass through each of the fastener receiving holes and then be screwed into the corresponding fastener receiving channel in the elongated rail. The size of the screw may be selected so that the screw will self-drill into the material forming the elongated rail. Alternatively, each end cap may include a pair of protrusions that fit into the corresponding fastener receiving channels. The screws may then fit into the protrusions to expand the protrusions so that the screws frictionally engage the corresponding fastener receiving channels and hold the end caps in place. The protrusions may be molded or otherwise formed as part of the end caps

[0044] In a first embodiment, the first sliding support assembly can be positioned vertically above the second sliding support assembly so that the first hinge can be connected to the upper portion of the door and the second hinge can be connected to the lower portion of the door. The first sliding support assembly and the second sliding support assembly can comprise a mirrored pair, i.e., they can have mirror symmetry about a plane positioned midway between the first sliding support assembly and the second sliding support assembly.

[0045] In a first embodiment, the first sliding box may include a first bracket extending in a direction toward the second sliding box. The second sliding box may include a second bracket extending in a direction toward the first sliding box. Thus, the first bracket may extend downward from the first sliding box and the second bracket may extend upward from the second sliding box. The first blade of the first hinge may be mounted on the first bracket. The third blade of the second hinge may be mounted on the second bracket. The first bracket and / or the second bracket may be formed in any suitable manner, for example they may be formed of a metal material such as aluminum or steel, or molded from a plastic material or a polymer.

[0046] The first bracket can be connected to the second bracket via a hinge bearing bar. The first leaf of the first hinge and the third leaf of the second hinge can be mounted on the hinge bearing bar. Alternatively, the first leaf of the first hinge can be mounted on the first bracket and the third leaf of the second hinge can be mounted on the second bracket. The system can also include at least one third hinge, the third hinge including a fifth leaf and a sixth leaf, wherein the fifth leaf is connected to the hinge bearing bar and the sixth leaf is configured to be connected to the door. A plurality of such third hinges can be connected to the hinge bearing bar via the fifth leaves of these third hinges to increase the number of connections between the door and the suspension system. Increasing the number of hinges connecting the door to the suspension system prevents the door from bending or swinging during use. The hinge bearing bar can include an extruded hinge bearing bar. The extruded hinge bearing bar can include an aluminum extruded hinge bearing bar.

[0047] Alternatively, the first bracket may have a first hinge bracket mounted to the first bracket and extending in a direction toward the second bracket. The second bracket may have a second hinge bracket mounted to the second bracket and extending in a direction toward the first bracket. The system may also include a third hinge, the third hinge including a fifth leaf and a sixth leaf, wherein the fifth leaf is connected to the first hinge bracket and the sixth leaf is configured to be connected to the door. The system may also include a fourth hinge, the fourth hinge including a seventh leaf and an eighth leaf, wherein the seventh leaf is connected to the second hinge bracket and the eighth leaf is configured to be connected to the door. In this configuration, the number of hinges near the top and bottom of the door can be increased without having to add hinge carrying rods, thereby providing a cheaper way to increase the number of hinges without the additional cost of hinge carrying rods.

[0048] In a first embodiment, the synchronization mechanism may include a cable synchronization mechanism. In particular, the first sliding box may have a first pulley mounted on the first sliding box, and the second sliding box may have a second pulley mounted on the second sliding box. When the first sliding box includes a first bracket, the first pulley may be mounted on the first bracket. When the second sliding box includes a second bracket, the second pulley may be mounted on the second bracket.

[0049] The cable synchronization mechanism may include a first cable and a second cable. The first end of the first cable may be connected to the first end of the first elongated guide rail, and the first cable may extend parallel to the first elongated guide rail, then bypass the first pulley and extend toward the second elongated guide rail, then bypass the second pulley, and then extend parallel to the second elongated guide rail. The second end of the first cable may be connected to the second end of the second elongated guide rail. The first end of the second cable may be connected to the first end of the second elongated guide rail, and the second cable may extend parallel to the second elongated guide rail, then bypass the second pulley and extend toward the first elongated guide rail, then bypass the first pulley, and then extend parallel to the first elongated guide rail.

[0050] The second end of the second cable can be connected to the second end of the first elongated guide rail. The cables can be connected to the respective ends of the elongated guide rail via a connection between the cables and the respective end caps. The connection between each cable and the respective end cap can be adjustable to provide synchronized adjustment. In particular, each cable can be connected to the respective end cap via a threaded tensioning mechanism. Other cable synchronization mechanisms are known and can be used with the system of the present invention, such as those disclosed in US 4,974,912. Alternatively, the synchronization mechanism can include a rack and pinion synchronization mechanism.

[0051] Each of the first pulley and the second pulley may include a guide surface in which the first cable and the second cable can run. Alternatively, each of the first pulley and the second pulley may include a pair of guide surfaces, wherein the first cable extends in the first guide surface and the second cable extends in the second guide surface. Each guide surface may be molded into the corresponding pulley, or formed by cutting a channel into the cylindrical surface of the corresponding pulley or by forming the corresponding pulley from a stack of different diameter disks. The cross-section of the channel may be, for example, semicircular or v-shaped.

[0052] The first and second pulleys may be mounted on the respective first and second sliding boxes via first and second bearings. The first and second bearings allow a higher tension to be applied to the cables, which improves synchronization and ensures smoother movement of the door and the sliding box along the elongated guide rail. The first and second bearings also increase the durability of the synchronization mechanism and system.

[0053] The synchronization mechanism is used to ensure that any movement of the first sliding box along the first elongated guide rail is synchronized with any movement of the second sliding box along the second elongated guide rail. That is, the distance between the first end of the first elongated guide rail and the first sliding box is the same as the distance between the first end of the second elongated guide rail and the second sliding box. The synchronization mechanism prevents the door from skewing or sagging, and the sliding box does not get stuck in the elongated guide rails of the sliding box when the door slides from its open position to its stowed position.

[0054] In order to set the sequence of the two sliding support assemblies, that is, to align the first sliding box and the second sliding box during the initial setup of the suspension system, a device can be provided for maintaining the first box and the second box in a known alignment position within the respective elongated guide rails of the first box and the second box, so that the cables of the synchronization mechanism can be easily assembled to the system and connected to the first end and the second end of the elongated guide rail without introducing any misalignment of the sliding support assemblies.

[0055] The device for holding the first and second boxes in a known aligned position is also applicable to suspension systems using a telescopic slide that does not use a recirculating ball slide support assembly. In particular, the device for holding the first and second boxes can be used with a suspension system using a ball arranged in a ball retainer that is positioned along the length of the channel defined by the first flange and the second flange.

[0056] Therefore, in a third embodiment, the present invention also provides a suspension system for a door, the suspension system comprising:

[0057] A first ball sliding support assembly, the first ball sliding support assembly comprising:

[0058] a first elongated rail having a first web defining a channel section and first and second flanges, the first elongated rail having a first end and a second end;

[0059] a first plurality of balls positioned within a first channel defined by the first flange and the second flange; and

[0060] a first sliding box positioned between the first flange and the second flange such that the first sliding box is retained between the first flange and the second flange and is slidable over the first plurality of balls within the first channel;

[0061] A second ball sliding support assembly, the second ball sliding support assembly comprising:

[0062] a second elongated rail having a second web defining a channel section and third and fourth flanges, the second elongated rail having a first end and a second end;

[0063] a second plurality of balls positioned within a second channel defined by the third flange and the fourth flange; and

[0064] a second sliding box positioned between the third flange and the fourth flange such that the second sliding box is retained between the third flange and the fourth flange and is able to slide on a second plurality of balls within the second channel; wherein:

[0065] The first elongated rail and the second elongated rail are configured to be mounted on a support wall defining a first plane such that the first ball slide support assembly and the second ball slide support assembly are spaced apart and parallel to each other, wherein first ends of the first elongated rail and the second elongated rail are aligned with each other;

[0066] a first hinge, the first hinge comprising a first leaf and a second leaf, wherein the first leaf is connected to the first sliding box and the second leaf is configured to be connected to the door;

[0067] a second hinge, the second hinge comprising a third leaf and a fourth leaf, wherein the third leaf is connected to the second sliding box and the fourth leaf is configured to be connected to the door;

[0068] a synchronization mechanism configured to maintain the positions of the first and second sliding boxes within the respective first and second elongated rails so that the distance between the first sliding box and the first end of the first elongated rail is always the same as the distance between the second sliding box and the first end of the second elongated rail; and

[0069] Means for maintaining the first and second cassettes in known aligned positions within their respective elongated guides.

[0070] Additionally, the second end of the first elongated rail and the second end of the second elongated rail may be aligned with each other.

[0071] Other features of the suspension system of the first embodiment and the elongated guide rail of the second embodiment are also applicable to the third embodiment.

[0072] In the first and third embodiments, the device for holding the first box and the second box may include a pair of holes formed in the web of each elongated guide. The pair of holes includes a first hole and a second hole. The distance between the first hole and the second hole corresponds to the length of the sliding box measured in a direction parallel to the length of the corresponding elongated guide. The distance between the first hole in the first elongated guide and the first end of the first elongated guide is the same as the distance between the first hole in the second elongated guide and the first end of the second elongated guide. The distance between the second hole in the first elongated guide and the first end of the elongated guide is the same as the distance between the second hole in the second elongated guide and the first end of the second elongated guide. Therefore, during the initial setup, a fastener or stopper can be placed in each of the first hole and the second hole to keep the first sliding box and the second sliding box in a known alignment position within the corresponding elongated guides of the first sliding box and the second sliding box. The cable of the synchronization mechanism can then be assembled to the system and connected to the first end and the second end of the elongated guide. Once the cable has been assembled and connected, the fastener or stopper can be completely removed from each of the first hole and the second hole. The first hole and the second hole may extend partially or fully through the respective webs of the elongated guide rail.This arrangement provides a simple and reliable way of setting synchronization between the two sliding support assemblies.

[0073] Alternatively, the device for holding the first box and the second box may include a first hole in the first sliding box, a corresponding second hole in the second sliding box, a third hole in the first web of the first elongated guide, and a fourth hole in the second web of the second elongated guide. The distance between the third hole and the first end of the first elongated guide is the same as the distance between the fourth hole and the first end of the second elongated guide. The first hole in the first sliding box is positioned at a first distance from the first end of the first sliding box. The second hole in the second sliding box is positioned at the same first distance from the first end of the second sliding box. Therefore, during initial setup, a first fastener or stop can be placed in the first hole and the third hole, and a second fastener or stop can be placed in the second hole and the fourth hole to hold the first sliding box and the second sliding box in a known alignment position within the corresponding elongated guides of the first sliding box and the second sliding box.

[0074] The cables of the synchronization mechanism can then be assembled to the system and connected to the first and second ends of the elongated rail. Once the cables have been assembled and connected, the fasteners or stops can be removed from each of the third and fourth holes. The fasteners or stops can then be left in place in the first and second holes, or completely removed from the box. The third and fourth holes can extend partially or completely through the corresponding webs of the elongated rail. This arrangement provides another simple and reliable way to set synchronization between two sliding support assemblies.

[0075] In both the first and third embodiments, the elongated rail may further include mounting holes, each mounting hole being positioned to receive a fastener, such as a screw, for connecting the elongated rail to a supporting wall.

[0076] In both the first and third embodiments, the first sliding box and the second sliding box may each include a locking mechanism that may interact with a receiving mechanism on the first end cap to resist the movement of the first sliding box and the second sliding box relative to the corresponding first end cap. The locking mechanism may include a tab extending from the corresponding sliding box in a direction parallel to the length of the elongated guide rail. The receiving mechanism may include a roller mounted on the first end cap. The tab may be shaped to be caught by the roller so as to increase the force required to start the first sliding box and the second sliding box along the corresponding elongated guide rail of the first sliding box and the second sliding box. In particular, the tab may have a curved portion shaped to bend around the outer cylindrical surface of the roller. The tab of the locking mechanism may extend from a bracket (such as the first bracket and the second bracket described above) mounted on the sliding box and form a part of the bracket. Alternatively, the locking mechanism may include a separate locking rod connected to the sliding box and / or the first bracket or the second bracket. The tab or the locking rod may be formed of a metal or plastic material or any other suitable material. The roller may be formed of a metal or plastic material or any other suitable material.

[0077] In the first and third embodiments, whether or not the first and second sliding boxes include a locking mechanism, the spacing rollers may be mounted on the first end cap. If a locking mechanism is present, the spacing rollers may include rollers identical to the rollers of the receiving mechanism for the locking mechanism. Alternatively, the spacing rollers may include additional rollers of the rollers of the receiving mechanism for the locking mechanism. The spacing rollers may extend away from the elongated rail in a direction perpendicular to the web of the elongated rail. The spacing rollers may extend further than the other parts of the first end cap and further than the flange of the elongated rail in this direction, so that when the door moves from its open position to its stowed position, the front surface of the door remains away from the first end cap and the elongated rail and is prevented from being scratched. The spacing rollers may be formed of a plastic material and may have a rubberized o-ring mounted around the cylindrical surface of the spacing roller to absorb any vibrations and prevent the front surface of the door from being marked by long-term use. Instead of the rubberized o-ring, the spacing roller may be molded or otherwise formed with one or more ridges to absorb any vibrations and prevent the front surface of the door from being marked. The spacer rollers may be molded or otherwise formed from a single material or two different materials such that the ridges may be formed from the same or different material as the body of the spacer rollers.

[0078] When the door moves from the open position to the closed position, the weight of the door acts to pull the ball slide box out of the channel section of the elongated guide rail in a direction perpendicular to the web of the elongated guide rail. In order to prevent the weight of the door from pulling the slide support assembly apart, and thus allow the suspension system of the first embodiment or the second embodiment to be used with much larger and heavier doors, the first slide support assembly and / or the second slide support assembly may include a snap mechanism that prevents the slide box from moving out of the channel section of the elongated guide rail in a direction perpendicular to the web of the elongated guide rail.

[0079] The above-described snap mechanism is also advantageous and applicable to slide support assemblies for other applications where heavier loads may apply lateral forces to the slide cassette causing the slide cassette to be pulled away from the web of the elongated rail.

[0080] Therefore, in a fourth embodiment, there is provided a sliding support assembly, the sliding support assembly comprising:

[0081] an elongated rail having a first web defining a channel section and a first flange and a second flange, the elongated rail having a first end and a second end;

[0082] a plurality of balls positioned within a first channel defined by the first flange and the second flange;

[0083] a slide box positioned between the first flange and the second flange such that the first slide box is retained between the first flange and the second flange and is slidable over the first plurality of balls within the first channel; and

[0084] A snap mechanism prevents the slide box from moving out of the channel section of the corresponding elongated guide rail in a direction perpendicular to the web of the elongated guide rail.

[0085] The first end cap may be mounted in or on the first end of the elongated rail.

[0086] The other features of the sliding support assembly, the elongated guide rail and the end cover of the first embodiment, the second embodiment and the third embodiment are also applicable to the fourth embodiment.

[0087] In all of the first, third and fourth embodiments, the snap mechanism may include an L-shaped snap portion, which may be formed on the first bracket and / or the second bracket.

[0088] It has two legs, wherein the first leg extends from the corresponding first bracket or the second bracket in a direction perpendicular to the web of the elongated guide rail, and the second leg is connected to the first leg and extends in a direction parallel to the web of the elongated guide rail. The capture mechanism also includes a wall formed in or formed by the first end cap, which is configured and positioned so that the second leg can be positioned behind the wall to prevent the second leg of the snap portion from moving in a direction perpendicular to the web of the elongated guide rail. The wall extends in a direction parallel to the web of the elongated guide rail. When the second leg is positioned behind the wall, the wall prevents the snap portion from moving in a direction perpendicular to the web of the elongated guide rail. Therefore, the snap mechanism prevents the weight of the door from pulling the sliding box out of the channel section of the elongated guide rail and away from the web of the elongated guide rail.

[0089] In both the first and third embodiments, the suspension system may further include a third recycling ball sliding support assembly, the third recycling ball sliding support assembly including: a third elongated guide rail having a third web defining a channel section and a fifth flange and a sixth flange, the third elongated guide rail having a first end and a second end; a third sliding box positioned between the fifth flange and the sixth flange, so that the third sliding box and the fifth flange and the sixth flange define at least one fifth closed-loop track; and a third plurality of balls positioned within at least one fifth closed-loop track. The third elongated guide rail is configured to be mounted on a wall between the first elongated guide rail and the second elongated guide rail, so that the first recycling ball sliding support assembly, the second recycling ball sliding support assembly, and the third recycling ball sliding support assembly are spaced apart and parallel to each other, wherein the first end of the first elongated guide rail, the first end of the second elongated guide rail, and the first end of the third elongated guide rail are aligned with each other. The system may further include at least one third hinge, the third hinge comprising a fifth leaf and a sixth leaf, wherein the fifth leaf is connected to the third sliding box, and the sixth leaf is configured to be connected to the door. The system may include a pair of third hinges, wherein each of the fifth leaves is connected to the third sliding box, and each of the sixth leaves is configured to be connected to the door.

[0090] Additionally, the second end of the first elongated rail, the second end of the second elongated rail, and the second end of the third elongated rail may be aligned with one another.

[0091] The at least one fifth closed-loop track may include a single track, for example, in a figure-8 configuration. Alternatively, the at least one fifth closed-loop track may include a fifth closed-loop track and a sixth closed-loop track.

[0092] The incorporation of a third slide assembly provides increased load capacity, allowing the suspension system to be used with larger and heavier doors.

[0093] The third sliding box may be connected to the first sliding box via a first rod. The first rod may include a hinge-bearing rod on which an additional third hinge may be mounted. The third sliding box may be connected to the second sliding box via a second rod. The second rod may include a hinge-bearing rod on which an additional third hinge may be mounted.

[0094] The third sliding box may include a third bracket extending from both sides of the third sliding box toward both the first sliding box and the second sliding box. Therefore, the third bracket may extend upward toward the first sliding box and extend downward toward the second sliding box. The fifth blade of the third hinge may be mounted on a portion of the third bracket extending toward the first sliding box. The fifth blade of another third hinge may be mounted on a portion of the third bracket extending toward the second sliding box.

[0095] Prior to the present invention, it was not possible to add a third central slide assembly to a suspension system for a storage door because the third slide mechanism interfered with the synchronization mechanism. The present invention solves this problem.

[0096] In particular, in a fifth embodiment, the present invention provides a suspension system for a door, the suspension system comprising:

[0097] A first ball sliding support assembly, the first ball sliding support assembly comprising:

[0098] a first elongated rail having a first web defining a channel section and first and second flanges, the first elongated rail having a first end and a second end;

[0099] a first plurality of balls positioned within a first channel defined by the first flange and the second flange; and

[0100] a first sliding box positioned between the first flange and the second flange such that the first sliding box is retained between the first flange and the second flange and is slidable over the first plurality of balls within the first channel;

[0101] A second ball sliding support assembly, the second ball sliding support assembly comprising:

[0102] a second elongated rail having a second web defining a channel section and third and fourth flanges, the second elongated rail having a first end and a second end;

[0103] a second plurality of balls positioned within a second channel defined by the third flange and the fourth flange; and

[0104] a second slide box positioned between the third flange and the fourth flange such that the second slide box is retained between the third flange and the fourth flange and is able to slide over the second plurality of balls within the second channel; and

[0105] A third ball sliding support assembly, the third ball sliding support assembly comprising:

[0106] a third elongated rail having a third web defining a channel section and fifth and sixth flanges, the third elongated rail having a first end and a second end;

[0107] a third plurality of balls positioned within a second channel defined by the fifth flange and the sixth flange; and

[0108] a third sliding box positioned between the fifth flange and the sixth flange such that the third sliding box is retained between the fifth flange and the sixth flange and is slidable over a third plurality of balls within the third channel;

[0109] in:

[0110] The first elongated rail, the second elongated rail, and the third elongated rail are configured to be mounted on a support wall defining a first plane, and the third elongated rail is configured to be mounted on the support wall between the first elongated rail and the second elongated rail such that the first ball slide support assembly, the second ball slide support assembly, and the third ball slide support assembly are spaced apart and parallel to each other, wherein first ends of the first elongated rail, the second elongated rail, and the third elongated rail are aligned with each other;

[0111] a first hinge, the first hinge comprising a first leaf and a second leaf, wherein the first leaf is connected to the first sliding box and the second leaf is configured to be connected to the door;

[0112] a second hinge, the second hinge comprising a third leaf and a fourth leaf, wherein the third leaf is connected to the second sliding box and the fourth leaf is configured to be connected to the door;

[0113] at least one third hinge including a fifth leaf and a sixth leaf, wherein the fifth leaf is connected to the third sliding box and the sixth leaf is configured to be connected to the door;

[0114] a cable synchronization mechanism configured to maintain the positions of the first sliding box and the second sliding box within the respective first and second elongated guides so that the distance between the first sliding box and the first end of the first elongated guide is always the same as the distance between the second sliding box and the first end of the second elongated guide; and

[0115] A guide member is mounted on the third slide box, wherein the guide member defines a passage through which one or more cables of the cable synchronization mechanism can pass.

[0116] Additionally, the second end of the first elongated rail, the second end of the second elongated rail, and the second end of the third elongated rail may be aligned with one another.

[0117] The other features of the first embodiment, the second embodiment, the third embodiment and the fourth embodiment are also applicable to the fifth embodiment.

[0118] The guide member can also be applied to both the first embodiment and the third embodiment. Therefore, in both the first embodiment and the third embodiment, the guide member can be mounted on the third slide box.

[0119] In the first, third and fifth embodiments, the guide member defines a channel through which the cable of the synchronization mechanism can pass. The guide member may include a channel section molded or otherwise formed from a plastic or metal material. The guide member may

[0120] Formed as part of the third bracket. In particular, the guide member may comprise a metal channel, such as steel or aluminium, formed as part of the third bracket.

[0121] The first pulley and the second pulley can be mounted on the first sliding box and the second sliding box so that the guide surface of the pulley is further away from the web of the elongated guide rail than the flange of the elongated guide rail in a direction perpendicular to the web of the elongated guide rail. Therefore, the cable can pass through the guide member on the third sliding box without interfering with the elongated guide rail of the third recycling ball sliding support assembly. The guide member prevents the cable from rubbing on the third elongated guide rail or the third sliding box during use. However, there is no functional connection between the cable of the synchronization mechanism and the third sliding support assembly. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0123] The following is a brief description of an example of a suspension system, elongated guide rail and sliding support assembly according to the present invention as shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0124] Figure 1 shows a front plan view of a suspension system according to a first example of the present invention;

[0125] Figure 2 Shows Figure 1 A front perspective view of the suspension system;

[0126] Figure 3 Shows Figure 1 Rear view of the suspension system;

[0127] Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view of a recirculating ball slide support assembly used in all examples of the present invention;

[0128] Figure 5 Shows Figure 1 A detailed perspective view of a first end cap of the suspension system; Figure 6 Shows Figure 1 A detailed perspective view of a second end cap and a portion of the elongated rail and cables of the suspension system;

[0129] Figure 7 Shows Figure 6 An exploded view of a second end cap and a portion of the elongated guide rail and the cable;

[0130] Figure 8 Shows Figure 1 an enlarged view of a portion of a suspension system;

[0131] Fig. 9 A front perspective view showing a portion of a suspension system according to a second example of the present invention;

[0132] Fig.10 Shown for Fig. 9 A detailed perspective view of the hinge carrier bar and the hinge in the second example;

[0133] Fig.11 A front plan view showing a portion of a suspension system according to a third example of the present invention;

[0134] Fig.12 Shows Fig.11 A rear perspective view of a portion of a suspension system;

[0135] Fig.13 Shows Figure 1 A rear perspective view of a portion of a suspension system;

[0136] Fig.14 Shows Figure 1 A side perspective view of a portion of a suspension system;

[0137] Fig.15a A front perspective view showing a mechanism for setting the sequence of the sliding support assembly of any of the examples of the present invention using cable synchronization; Fig.15b A front perspective view showing an alternative mechanism for setting the sequence of the sliding support assembly of any of the examples of the present invention using cable synchronization;

[0138] Fig.16a shows an exploded perspective view of an alternative suspension system having an alternative synchronization mechanism;

[0139] Fig.16b Shows Fig.16a A front view of a portion of an alternative suspension system shown in; Fig.17 A front plan view showing a suspension system according to a fourth example of the present invention;

[0140] Fig.18 Shows Fig.17 A front perspective view of a portion of a suspension system;

[0141] Fig.19 A front perspective view showing a portion of a suspension system according to a fifth example of the present invention;

[0142] Fig.20a and Fig.20b A plan view and a perspective view, respectively, show a door positioned in a first position using a suspension system according to the present invention;

[0143] Fig.21a and Figure 21b A plan view and a perspective view, respectively, show a door positioned in a second position using a suspension system according to the present invention;

[0144] Fig.22a and Figure 22b showing a plan view and a perspective view, respectively, of a door positioned in a third position using a suspension system according to the present invention;

[0145] Fig.23a and Figure 23b showing a plan view and a perspective view, respectively, of a soft-closing, self-closing or self-opening mechanism for use with any of the suspension systems of the present invention; and

[0146] Fig.24a and Figure 24b The embodiment of the invention is shown when mounted on one of the elongated rails of any of the suspension systems according to the invention. Fig.23a and Figure 23b Floor plan of the institution.

[0147] Detailed Description of the Drawings

[0148] Figures 1 to 3 A suspension system 10 for a door according to a first example of the present invention is shown. The suspension system 10 includes a first recirculating ball slide support assembly 20. The first recirculating ball slide support assembly 20 includes a first elongated rail 21 having a first web 210 defining a channel section and a first flange 211 and a second flange 212. The first elongated rail 21 has a first end 213 and a second end 214.

[0149] The first sliding box 22 is positioned between the first flange 211 and the second flange 212. Figure 4 It can be seen that the first sliding box includes a body having a cross-section configured such that the first sliding box 22 and the first and second flanges 211 and 212 define a first closed-loop track 221 and a second closed-loop track 222. The first plurality of balls 223 are positioned within the first and second closed-loop tracks 221 and 222. Alternatively, the body of the first sliding box may have a cross-section configured such that the first sliding box and the first and second flanges define a single closed-loop track in an 8-shaped configuration.

[0150] The suspension system 10 also includes a second recirculating ball sliding support assembly 30. The second recirculating ball sliding support assembly 30 includes a second elongated rail 31 having a second web 310 defining a channel section and third and fourth flanges 311 and 312. The second elongated rail 31 has a first end 313 and a second end 314.

[0151] The second sliding box 32 is positioned between the third flange 311 and the fourth flange 312. Figure 4. Therefore, the second sliding box 32 and the third and fourth flanges 311 and 312 define the third and fourth closed-loop tracks 221 and 222. The second plurality of balls 223 are positioned within the third and fourth closed-loop tracks 221 and 222. Alternatively, the body of the second sliding box may have a cross section configured such that the second sliding box and the third and fourth flanges define a single closed-loop track in an 8-shaped configuration.

[0152] The first elongated guide rail 21 and the second elongated guide rail 31 are configured to be mounted on a wall defining a first plane. Figure 1 In the example, the first plane is located in the plane defined by the x-axis and the y-axis. Figures 1 to 3 It can be seen that the first recycling ball sliding support assembly 20 and the second recycling ball sliding support assembly 30 are spaced apart and parallel to each other. In particular, they are Figure 1 The first end 213 of the first elongated guide rail 21 is aligned with the first end 313 of the second elongated guide rail 31, that is, they are spaced apart in the y direction shown in FIG. Figure 1 The second end 214 of the first elongated guide rail 21 is aligned with the second end 314 of the second elongated guide rail 31, that is, they are aligned in the x direction shown in FIG. Figure 1 However, the second ends 214, 314 do not always have to be aligned, for example in the case where the cassette stops before reaching the respective second end of the elongated rail on which it is located.

[0153] The suspension system 10 further includes a first hinge 40 including a first leaf 41 and a second leaf 42 , wherein the first leaf 41 is connected to the first sliding box 22 and the second leaf 42 is configured to be connected to a door (not shown).

[0154] The suspension system 10 further includes a second hinge 50 including a third leaf 51 and a fourth leaf 52 , wherein the third leaf 51 is connected to the second sliding box 32 , and the fourth leaf 52 is configured to be connected to a door (not shown).

[0155] The suspension system 10 also includes a synchronization mechanism 60, which is configured to maintain the positions of the first sliding box 22 and the second sliding box 32 within the corresponding first elongated guide rails 21 and the second elongated guide rails 31, so that the distance d1 between the first sliding box 22 and the first end 213 of the first elongated guide rail 21 is always the same as the distance d2 between the second sliding box 32 and the first end 313 of the second elongated guide rail 31.

[0156] Since the suspension system 10 uses two recirculating ball slide support assemblies 20, 30, all the balls 223 are contained in the closed-loop tracks 221, 222 defined by the slide boxes 22, 32 and the corresponding flanges 211, 212 and 311, 312; therefore, the elongated guide rails 21, 31 can be cut from the first end 213, 313 of the elongated guide rails 21, 31 or the second end 214, 314 of the elongated guide rails 21, 31 to the desired length of the elongated guide rails 21, 31 without modifying the slide boxes 22, 32 or the balls 223. Therefore, the suspension system 10 can be easily modified by only cutting the extruded elongated guide rails 21, 31 to the desired length of the elongated guide rails 21, 31, so that the suspension system 10 can be used for doors of various different widths.

[0157] The suspension system 10 of the present invention can be used to allow a door to move between three positions: Fig.20a and Fig.20b The first position shown, Fig.21a and 21b The second position shown and Fig.22a and 22b In the first position, the door 1000 is perpendicular to the wall 2000 and covers the opening defined in the second plane, and the first leaf 41 of the first hinge 40 is perpendicular to the second leaf 42 and the third leaf 51 of the second hinge 50 is perpendicular to the fourth leaf 52, that is, the first position is a "closed position" in which the door 1000 is located parallel to the wall 2000. Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the second position, the door 1000 has been rotated and the hinges have been opened so that the first blade 41 and the second blade 42 are parallel to each other, and the third blade 51 and the fourth blade 52 are parallel to each other, so that the door 1000 extends away from the opening 3000 in a direction perpendicular to the second plane and parallel to the wall 2000, that is, the second position is an "open position" in which the door 1000 is located parallel to the wall 2000. Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the third position, the door 1000 has been translated in a direction perpendicular to the second plane and parallel to the wall 2000 until the door 1000 is abutted against the wall 2000 and stowed adjacent to the wall 2000, i.e., the third position is the "stowed position". In the stowed position, the front edge 1100 of the door 1000 may be adjacent to the end of the wall 2000 and also adjacent to the first ends 213, 313 of the elongated guide rails 21, 31.

[0158] In the following discussion, the first end 213, 313 of the elongated guide rail 21, 31 is the end of the elongated guide rail 21, 31 closest to the door when the door is in the closed position of the door. The second end 214, 314 of the elongated guide rail 21, 31 is the end of the elongated guide rail 21, 31 farthest from the door when the door is in the closed position of the door.

[0159] In the closed position and the open position, the slide boxes 22, 32 are positioned at the first ends 213, 313 of the respective elongated rails 21, 31 of the slide boxes 22, 32. In the stowed position, the slide boxes 22, 32 are positioned at or near the second ends 214, 314 of the respective elongated rails 21, 31 of the slide boxes 22, 32.

[0160] The elongate rails 21, 31 may be formed by a number of different processes. Preferably, the extruded rails 21, 31 are extruded. The rails may be formed from any suitable material and are preferably extruded aluminium rails 21, 31.

[0161] like Figure 5 As best shown in FIG. 1 , each of the first and second recycling ball sliding support assemblies 20, 30 further includes a respective first end cap 23, 33 mounted in or on the first end 213, 313 of the respective elongated rails 21, 31. End cap 33 is a mirror image of end cap 23, as can be seen from FIG. Figure 1 Seen in.

[0162] like Figure 6 As best shown in FIG. 1 , each of the first and second recycling ball sliding support assemblies 20 and 30 further includes a respective second end cap 24, 34 mounted in or on the second end 214, 314 of the respective elongated rails 21, 31. End cap 34 is a mirror image of end cap 24, as can be seen from FIG. Figure 1 Seen in.

[0163] The first and second end caps 23, 33, 24, 34 are preferably formed of a molded plastic material.

[0164] from Figure 7It can be seen that each flange 211, 212, 311, 312 of each elongated rail 21, 31 has a fastener receiving channel 215 formed along the length of each flange 211, 212, 311, 312 for receiving a fastener (not shown), which is used to attach the first end cap 23, 24 and / or the second end cap 33, 34 to the first end 213, 214 or the second end 313, 314 of the corresponding elongated rail 21, 31. Each elongated rail 21, 31 is extruded to have a constant cross-section 216 along the entire length of each elongated rail 21, 31. Therefore, even if the elongated rails 21, 31 are cut to reduce their length, each end cap 23, 24, 33, 34 can be easily attached to one of the ends 213, 313, 214, 314 of the elongated rails 21, 31.

[0165] Figure 7 The fastener receiving channels 215 shown in the drawings are open on the outer edges of the respective flanges 211, 212. However, alternatively, the fastener receiving channels 215 may be closed within the cross-section of the flanges, such that the cross-section of the flanges has a hole (not shown) located therein.

[0166] Each end cap 23, 24, 33, 34 has a first fastener receiving hole and a second fastener receiving hole 241 formed therein, the first fastener receiving hole and the second fastener receiving hole 241 being spaced apart a distance equal to the distance between the fastener receiving channels 215 formed in the flange 211, 212 of the corresponding elongated rail 21, 31. Thus, a pair of fasteners 242 (such as screws or rivets) can be used to connect each end cap 23, 24, 33, 34 to the corresponding end 213, 313, 214, 314 of the corresponding elongated rail 21, 31. For example, a screw 242 can be passed through each of the fastener receiving holes 241 and then screwed into the corresponding fastener receiving channel 215 in the elongated rail 21, 31. The size of the screw 242 can be selected so that the screw 242 will self-tap into the material forming the elongated rail 21, 31. Alternatively, each end cap can include a pair of protrusions that fit into the corresponding fastener receiving channels. The screw 242 may then be fitted into the protrusion to expand the protrusion so that the screw frictionally engages the corresponding fastener receiving channel and holds the end cap in place. The protrusion may be molded or otherwise formed as part of the end cap.

[0167] from Figures 1 to 3It can be seen that the first sliding support assembly 20 is positioned above the second sliding support assembly 30 in the vertical direction, so that the first hinge 40 can be connected to the upper part of the door, and the second hinge 50 can be connected to the lower part of the door. The first sliding support assembly 20 and the second sliding support assembly 30 constitute a mirror image pair, that is, they can have mirror symmetry about a plane, which is as shown in FIG. Figures 1 to 3 The y-direction shown is positioned midway between the first sliding support assembly 20 and the second sliding support assembly 30 .

[0168] exist Figures 1 to 3 In the first example shown, the first sliding box 22 comprises a first bracket extending in a direction towards the second sliding box 32 . Figure 8 Similarly, the second sliding box 32 includes a second bracket 321 extending in a direction toward the first sliding box 22. As described above, the second sliding box is a mirror image of the first sliding box. Therefore, the second sliding box 32 is Figure 8 The first bracket 221 extends downward from the first sliding box 22, and the second bracket 321 extends upward from the second sliding box 32. In the first example, the first leaf 41 of the first hinge 40 is mounted on the first bracket 221. The third leaf 51 of the second hinge 50 is mounted on the second bracket 321. The hinge is not Figures 1 to 3 or Figure 8 The first bracket 221 and the second bracket 321 may be formed in any suitable manner, for example they may be formed from a metal material such as aluminum or steel, or molded from a plastic material or polymer.

[0169] like Figure 23b As shown in Fig.23a and 23b An optional self-closing mechanism 230 is shown mounted on the or each first end cap 23, 33 to assist in pulling the door into the door's closed position. The self-closing mechanism may also be used as a soft-closing mechanism 230 to prevent the sliding box 21, 31 from strongly impacting the first end cap 23, 33 when the door moves from the door's stowed position to the door's open position. Additionally or alternatively, as Fig.24a As shown, a soft closing mechanism 230 may also be installed on each second end cover 24, 34 to prevent the door from hitting the rear of the cabinet with great force, or to prevent the sliding box 22, 32 from hitting the second end cover 24, 34 with great force when the door moves from the open position of the door to the stowed position of the door. Preferably, the system includes a soft closing mechanism on each second end cover 24, 34 and a self-closing mechanism on each first end cover 23, 33. Such a self-closing or soft closing mechanism is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 7,959,242 B2.

[0170] Fig. 9A second example is shown, which is the same as the first example except that the first bracket 221 is connected to the second bracket 321 via a hinge carrying bar 80. All other features of the first example are included in the second example. In the second example, the first leaf 41 of the first hinge 40 and the third leaf 51 of the second hinge 50 are mounted on the first bracket 221 and the second bracket 321, respectively. However, the first leaf 41 of the first hinge and the third leaf 51 of the second hinge 50 may be mounted on the hinge carrying bar 80.

[0171] Fig.10 Shows Fig. 9 A second example of a hinge carrier bar 80 is provided, wherein an optional third hinge 90 includes a fifth blade 91 and a sixth blade 92 connected to the hinge carrier bar 80. The fifth blade 91 is connected to the hinge carrier bar 80, and the sixth blade 92 is configured to be connected to the door. A plurality of such third hinges 90 may be connected to the hinge carrier bar 80 via the fifth blades 91 of these third hinges 90 to increase the number of connections between the door and the suspension system 10. Increasing the number of hinges connecting the door to the suspension system 10 prevents the door from bending or swinging during use. Fig. 9 and Fig.10 In a second example, the hinge carrier bar 80 comprises an extruded hinge carrier bar 80. The extruded hinge carrier bar 80 may comprise an aluminum extruded hinge carrier bar 80.

[0172] Fig.11 and Fig.12 A third example is shown, which is the same as the first example, except that the first bracket 221 has an additional first hinge bracket 222 mounted to the first bracket 221 and extending in a direction toward the second bracket 321. The second bracket 321 also has a second hinge bracket (not shown) mounted to the second bracket 321 and extending in a direction toward the first bracket 221. All other features of the first example are included in the third example. The second sliding support 30 is a mirror image of the first sliding support 20. The system of the third example also includes a third hinge 90, which includes a fifth leaf 91 and a sixth leaf 92, wherein the fifth leaf 91 is connected to the first hinge bracket 222, and the sixth leaf 92 is configured to be connected to the door. Since the second sliding support 30 is a mirror image of the first sliding support 20, the system of the third example also includes a fourth hinge, which includes a seventh leaf and an eighth leaf, wherein the seventh leaf is connected to the second hinge bracket, and the eighth leaf is configured to be connected to the door. In this example, the number of hinges near the top and bottom of the door is increased without having to add hinge carrier bars as in the second example, thus providing a cheaper way of increasing the number of hinges without the additional expense of hinge carrier bars.

[0173] In the first example, the second example, and the third example, the synchronization mechanism 60 includes a cable synchronization mechanism. Specifically, the first sliding box 22 has a first pulley 61 mounted thereon, and the second sliding box 32 has a second pulley 62 mounted thereon. The first pulley 61 is mounted on the first bracket 221, and the second pulley 62 is mounted on the second bracket 321.

[0174] The cable synchronization mechanism 60 includes a first cable 63 and a second cable 64. The first end of the first cable 63 is connected to the first end 213 of the first elongated guide rail 21, and the first cable 63 extends parallel to the first elongated guide rail 21, then surrounds the first pulley 61 and extends toward the second elongated guide rail 31, then surrounds the second pulley 62, and then extends parallel to the second elongated guide rail 31. The second end of the first cable 63 is connected to the second end 314 of the second elongated guide rail 31. The first end of the second cable 64 is connected to the first end 313 of the second elongated guide rail 31, and the second cable 64 extends parallel to the second elongated guide rail 31, then surrounds the second pulley 62 and extends toward the first elongated guide rail 21, then surrounds the first pulley 61, and then extends parallel to the first elongated guide rail 21. The second end of the second cable 64 is connected to the second end 214 of the first elongated guide rail 21. The cables 63, 64 are connected to the respective ends 213, 313, 214, 314 of the elongated rails 21, 31 via the connections between the cables 63, 64 and the respective end caps 23, 24, 33, 34. Figure 7 As can be seen in FIG. 1 , each cable may have a projection 65 at the second end of the cable that fits into a recess 65 in the corresponding second end cap 24, 34. Figure 5 As best shown in FIG. 1 , the first end of each cable 63 , 64 may be connected to the respective first end cap 23 , 33 via an adjustable tensioning mechanism 66 , 70 including a threaded adjustment screw 67 to provide adjustment of the synchronization mechanism.

[0175] Other cable synchronization mechanisms are contemplated and may be used with the system of any of the examples of the invention. Similarly, in any of the examples of the invention, a rack and pinion synchronization mechanism may be used in place of a cable synchronization mechanism. Fig.16a and Fig.16bSuch a rack and pinion synchronization mechanism is shown in FIG. The rack and pinion synchronization mechanism includes a first rack 161 and a second rack 162, which are preferably formed of a plastic material and attached to the fixed first elongated guide rail 21 and the second elongated guide rail 31 of each of the two sliding support assemblies 20 and 30. The rack and pinion synchronization mechanism also includes a first pinion 163 and a second pinion 164, which are preferably formed of a plastic material and attached to the first movable sliding box 22 and the second movable sliding box 32. The two pinions 163 and 164 are connected to each other by a rod 165, which is preferably formed of steel. The rod 165 preferably has a "D" shaped cross-section to prevent the pinions 163 and 164 from rotating relative to the rod 165 and each other. Therefore, when one of the pinions 163 and 164 rotates, the other of the rod 165 and the pinions 163 and 164 also rotates. Thus, the movement of the slide boxes 22, 32 along the elongated rails 21, 31 respectively is synchronized by a rack, pinion and rod system.

[0176] like Fig.13 As best shown in FIG. 1 , each of the first pulley 61 and the second pulley 62 includes a guide surface 68 in which the first cable 63 and the second cable 64 can extend. Each of the first pulley 61 and the second pulley 62 may include a pair of such guide surfaces 68, such as Fig.14 68, where a first cable 63 extends in a first of the guide surfaces 68 and a second cable 64 extends in a second of the guide surfaces 68. Each guide surface 68 may be molded into the respective pulley 61, 62, or formed by cutting a channel in the cylindrical surface of the respective pulley 61, 62, or by stacking disks of different diameters into pulleys 61, 62. For example, the cross-section of the guide surface may be semicircular, u-shaped, or v-shaped.

[0177] The first and second pulleys 61, 62 are mounted on the respective first and second slide boxes 22, 32 via first and second bearings 69. The first and second bearings 69 allow a higher tension to be applied to the cables 63, 64, which improves synchronization and ensures smoother movement of the door and slide box 22, 32 along the elongated guide rails 21, 31. The first and second bearings 69 also increase the durability of the synchronization mechanism and system.

[0178] The synchronization mechanism 60 is used to ensure that any movement of the first sliding box 22 along the first elongated guide rail 21 is synchronized with any movement of the second sliding box 32 along the second elongated guide rail 31. That is, the distance between the first end 213 of the first elongated guide rail 21 and the first sliding box 22 is the same as the distance between the first end 313 of the second elongated guide rail 31 and the second sliding box 32. The synchronization mechanism prevents the door from skewing or sagging, and the sliding boxes 22, 32 will not get stuck in the elongated guide rails 21, 31 of the sliding boxes when the door slides from its open position to its stowed position.

[0179] Fig.15a and Fig.15b An alternative first and second mechanism for setting up the sequence of the two sliding support assemblies 20, 30 is shown, i.e., for aligning the first sliding box 22 and the second sliding box 32 during the initial setup of the suspension system 10. Both the alternative first and second mechanisms include means for holding the first and second boxes in known aligned positions within their respective elongated rails so that a synchronization cable can be assembled to the system and connected to the first and second ends of the elongated rails. To facilitate installation, the system can be provided with the sliding boxes 22, 32 fixed relative to the elongated rails 21, 31 so that the synchronization cable can be set without misaligning the sliding boxes 22, 32.

[0180] exist Fig.15aIn the first alternative mechanism shown in , the means for holding the first and second boxes include a pair of holes formed in the web 210, 310 of each elongated guide rail 21, 31. The pair of holes includes a first hole 100a and a second hole 100b. The distance between the first hole 100a and the second hole 100b corresponds to the length of the sliding box 22, 32 measured in a direction parallel to the length of the corresponding elongated guide rail 21, 31. The distance between the first hole 100a in the first elongated guide rail 21 and the first end 213 of the first elongated guide rail 21 is the same as the distance between the first hole 100a in the second elongated guide rail 31 and the first end 313 of the second elongated guide rail 31. The distance between the second hole 100b in the first elongated guide rail 21 and the first end 213 of the first elongated guide rail 21 is the same as the distance between the second hole 100b in the second elongated guide rail 31 and the first end 313 of the second elongated guide rail 31. Thus, during the initial setup, a fastener 101 or a stopper can be placed in each of the first hole 100a and the second hole 100b to hold the first slide box 22 and the second slide box 32 in a known alignment position within their respective elongated rails 21, 31. Then, the cables 63, 64 of the synchronization mechanism 60 can be assembled to the system 10 and connected to the first end 213, 313 and the second end 214, 314 of the elongated rails 21, 31. Once the cables 63, 64 have been assembled and connected, the fastener 101 or the stopper can be completely removed from each of the first hole 100a and the second hole 100b. This arrangement provides a simple and reliable way to set synchronization between the two sliding support assemblies 20, 30. This mechanism is applicable to all described examples.

[0181] exist Fig.15bIn the second alternative mechanism shown in , the means for holding the first and second boxes include a first hole 100c in the first sliding box 22, a corresponding second hole (not shown) in the second sliding box 32, a third hole 100d in the first web 210 of the first elongated rail 21, and a fourth hole (not shown) in the second web 310 of the second elongated rail 31. The distance between the third hole 100d and the first end 213 of the first elongated rail 21 and the distance between the fourth hole and the first end 313 of the second elongated rail 31 are the same. The first hole 100c in the first sliding box 22 is positioned at a first distance from the first end of the first sliding box 22. The second hole in the second sliding box 32 is positioned at the same first distance from the first end of the second sliding box 32. Thus, during initial setup, a first fastener or stopper 102 may be placed in the first and third holes 100c, 100d, and a second fastener or stopper (not shown) may be placed in the second and fourth holes to hold the first and second sliding boxes 22, 32 in known aligned positions within their respective elongated rails 21, 31. The cables 63, 64 of the synchronization mechanism 60 may then be assembled to the system 10 and connected to the first and second ends 213, 313, 214, 314 of the elongated rails 21, 31. Once the cables 63, 64 have been assembled and connected, the fastener or stopper 102 may be removed from each of the third and fourth holes 100d. The fastener or stopper 102 may then be left in place in the first and second holes 100c, or removed completely from the boxes 22, 32. This arrangement provides a simple and reliable way to set synchronization between the two sliding support assemblies 20, 30, and is applicable to all described examples. With this alternative mechanism, by providing a third hole 100d in the elongated guide, the elongated guide becomes achiral, so that the elongated guide can also be used with a symmetrical opposite chiral support.

[0182] In all examples, the elongated rails 21, 31 also include mounting holes 110. Each mounting hole 110 is positioned to receive a fastener (not shown), such as a screw, for attaching the elongated rails 21, 31 to a wall.

[0183] In all examples, the first sliding box 22 and the second sliding box 32 also each include a locking mechanism that can interact with a receiving mechanism on the first end caps 23, 33 to resist movement of the first sliding box 22 and the second sliding box 32 relative to the respective first end caps 23, 33. In the illustrated example, the locking mechanism includes a tab 120 extending from the respective sliding box 22, 32 in a direction parallel to the length of the elongated guide rails 21, 31. The receiving mechanism includes a roller 125 mounted on the first end caps 23, 33. The tab 120 is shaped to be caught by the roller 125 so as to increase the force required to start the movement of the first sliding box 22 and the second sliding box 32 along their respective elongated guide rails 21, 31. In particular, as Figure 8 As best shown in FIG. 15 , the tab 120 has a curved portion shaped to curve around the outer cylindrical surface of the roller 125. The tab 120 of the locking mechanism may extend from a bracket mounted on the sliding box 22, 32, such as the first bracket 221 and the second bracket 321 described above, as shown in the configuration shown in FIG. 15 . Alternatively, the locking mechanism may include a separate locking rod 121 connected to the sliding box 22, 32 and / or to the first bracket 221 or the second bracket 321. The tab 120 and / or the locking rod 121 may be formed of a metal or plastic material, and the roller 125 may be formed of a metal or plastic material.

[0184] In all examples, whether or not the first slide box 22 and the second slide box 32 include a locking mechanism, the spacing roller can be mounted on the first end cap 23, 33. If a locking mechanism is present, the spacing roller can include the same roller as the roller 125 of the receiving mechanism for the locking mechanism. Alternatively, the spacing roller can include a roller that is additional to the roller 125 of the receiving mechanism for the locking mechanism. In all examples shown in the drawings, the spacing roller and the roller of the receiving mechanism for the locking mechanism are the same roller 125. The spacing roller 125 extends away from the elongated guide rails 21, 31 in a direction perpendicular to the webs 210, 310 of the elongated guide rails 21, 31. The spacing roller 125 extends further in this direction than other parts of the first end cap 23, 33 and further than the flanges 211, 212, 311, 312 of the corresponding elongated guide rails 21, 31, so that when the door moves from the open position of the door to the stowed position of the door, the front surface of the door is kept away from the first end cap 23, 33 and the elongated guide rails 21, 31 and prevented from being scratched. The spacing roller 125 can be formed of a plastic material and as Figure 6As best shown in FIG. 1 , there may be a rubberized o-ring 126 mounted around the cylindrical surface of the spacer roller 125 to absorb any vibrations and prevent the front surface of the door from being marked over time. Alternatively, instead of using a rubberized o-ring 126, the spacer roller 125 may be molded or otherwise formed with one or more ridges to absorb any vibrations and prevent the front surface of the door from being marked. The spacer roller 125 may be molded or otherwise formed of a single material or of two different materials such that the ridges may be formed of the same or different material than the body of the spacer roller 125.

[0185] When the door moves from the open position to the closed position, the weight of the door tends to move in a direction perpendicular to the webs 210, 310 of the elongated guide rails 21, 31 of the door (in a direction such as Figure 1 In the embodiment of the present invention, the first sliding support assembly 20 and the second sliding support assembly 30 are used to pull the recycling spherical sliding box 22, 32 out of the channel section of the elongated guide rail (in the z-direction shown). This is particularly true when the upper sliding support assembly 20 is connected to the upper end of the door. In order to prevent the weight of the door from pulling the sliding support assemblies 20, 30 apart, and thereby allow the suspension system 10 to be used with much larger and heavier doors, in all described examples, the first sliding support assembly 20 and the second sliding support assembly 30 include a snap mechanism that prevents the sliding box 22, 32 from moving out of the channel section of the elongated guide rail 21, 31 in a direction perpendicular to the web 210, 310 of the elongated guide rail 21, 31. In particular, the snap mechanism includes an L-shaped snap portion 130 formed on the first bracket 221 and the second bracket 321. As shown in FIG. Figure 8 As best shown in FIG. 1 , the L-shaped snap portion 130 has two legs 131, 132, wherein the first leg 131 extends from the respective bracket 221, 321 in a direction perpendicular to the web 210, 310 of the elongated rails 21, 31, and the second leg 132 is connected to the first leg 131 and extends in a direction parallel to the web 210, 310 of the elongated rails 21, 31. The snap mechanism also includes a wall 133 formed in or by the first end cap 23, 33, the wall 133 being configured and positioned to prevent the second leg 132 of the snap portion 130 from moving in a direction perpendicular to the web 210, 310 of the elongated rails 21, 31. The wall 133 extends in a direction parallel to the web 210, 310 of the elongated rails 21, 31. When the second leg 132 is positioned behind the wall, i.e., as shown in FIG. Figure 1 In the -z direction shown, the wall 133 prevents the snap portion 130 from moving in a direction perpendicular to the webs 210, 310 of the elongated rails 21, 31. Thus, the snap mechanism prevents the weight of the door from pulling the slide box 22, 32 out of the channel section of the elongated rails and away from the webs 210, 310 of the elongated rails 21, 31.

[0186] Fig.17 and Fig.18 A fourth example of a suspension system according to the present invention is shown. In the fourth example, the first recycling ball sliding support assembly 20 and the second recycling ball sliding support assembly 30 and other common features are the same as those in the first example. However, the system 10 also includes a third recycling ball sliding support assembly 140, which includes: a third elongated guide rail 141, the third elongated guide rail 141 having a third web 142 defining a channel section and a fifth flange 143 and a sixth flange 144. The third elongated guide rail 141 has a first end 145 and a second end 146. The third sliding box 147 is positioned between the fifth flange 143 and the sixth flange 144, so that the third sliding box 147 is in contact with the fifth flange 143 and the sixth flange 144. Figure 4 The fifth closed-loop track and the sixth closed-loop track are defined in the same manner as shown in FIG. Figure 4 Alternatively, the body of the third sliding box may have a cross section configured such that the third sliding box and the fifth and sixth flanges define a single closed-loop track in an 8-shaped configuration. The third elongated guide rail 141 is configured to be mounted on the wall between the first elongated guide rail 21 and the second elongated guide rail 31, so that the first recycling ball sliding support assembly 20, the second recycling ball sliding support assembly 30 and the third recycling ball sliding support assembly 140 are spaced apart and parallel to each other, wherein the first ends 213, 313, 145 of the first elongated guide rail 21, the second elongated guide rail 31 and the third elongated guide rail 141 are aligned with each other, and the second ends 214, 314, 146 of the first elongated guide rail 21, the second elongated guide rail 31 and the third elongated guide rail 141 are aligned with each other, although the second ends 214, 314, 146 of the first elongated guide rail 21, the second elongated guide rail 31 and the third elongated guide rail 141 do not necessarily have to be aligned with each other.

[0187] Fig.17 and Fig.18 The example also includes a pair of third hinges 150, each of the pair of third hinges 150 includes a fifth leaf 151 and a sixth leaf 152, wherein the fifth leaf 151 is connected to the third sliding box 147, and the sixth leaf 152 is configured to be connected to the door.

[0188] The addition of the third slide assembly 140 provides increased load capacity, allowing the suspension system 10 to be used with larger and heavier doors.

[0189] exist Fig.17 and Fig.18In the example shown, the third sliding box 147 is connected to the first sliding box 22 via a first rod 160. The first rod 160 comprises a hinge-carrying rod on which an additional third hinge 150 can be mounted. The third sliding box 147 is also connected to the second sliding box 32 via a second rod 170. The second rod 170 also comprises a hinge-carrying rod on which an additional third hinge 150 can be mounted.

[0190] Fig.19 A portion of a fifth example of the present invention is shown. The fifth example is the same as the fourth example except that there is no first rod 160 or second rod 170 connecting the third slide box 147 to the first slide box 22 and the second slide box 32.

[0191] In both the fourth and fifth examples, the third sliding box 147 includes a third bracket 180 extending from both sides of the third sliding box 147 toward both the first sliding box 22 and the second sliding box 32. Therefore, the third bracket 180 extends upward toward the first sliding box 22 and extends downward toward the second sliding box 32. The fifth blade 151 of the third hinge 150 is mounted on a portion of the third bracket 180 extending toward the first sliding box 22. The fifth blade 151 of another third hinge 150 is mounted on a portion of the third bracket 180 extending toward the second sliding box 32.

[0192] Prior to the present invention, the possibility of adding a third central slide assembly to a suspension system for a storage door has not been proposed because the third slide mechanism would interfere with the synchronization mechanism 60. The fourth and fifth examples of the present invention solve this problem.

[0193] In the fourth and fifth examples, the guide member 190 is mounted on the third slide box 147. The guide member 190 defines a channel 191 through which the cables 63, 64 of the synchronization mechanism 60 can pass. The guide member 190 may include a channel section 190 molded or otherwise formed of a plastic or metal material. The guide member 190 may be formed as part of the third bracket 180. In particular, the guide member 190 may include a metal or plastic channel formed as part of the third bracket 180.

[0194] The first pulley 61 and the second pulley 62 are mounted on the first sliding box 22 and the second sliding box 32 in such a way that the guide surfaces 68 of the pulleys 61 and 62 are in a direction perpendicular to the webs 210, 310, 142 of the elongated guide rails 21, 31, 141, i.e., in Figure 1, further from the web 210, 310, 142 of the elongated guide rails 21, 31, 141 than the flanges 211, 212, 311, 312, 143, 144 of the elongated guide rails 21, 31, 141. Therefore, the cables 63, 64 can pass through the guide member 190 on the third slide box 147 without interfering with the elongated guide rail 141 of the third recycling ball slide support assembly 140. The guide member 190 prevents the cables 63, 64 from rubbing on the third elongated guide rail 141 or the third slide box 147 during use. However, there is no functional connection between the cables 63, 64 of the synchronization mechanism 60 and the third slide support assembly 140.

[0195] The present invention has been described above in exemplary form with reference to the accompanying drawings showing multiple embodiments and examples of the present invention. It should be understood that the features of different embodiments and examples can be combined, and this combination of the disclosed embodiments and examples also falls within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A sliding support assembly, comprising: an elongated rail having a first web defining a channel section and a first flange and a second flange, the elongated rail having a first end and a second end; a plurality of balls positioned within a first channel defined by the first flange and the second flange; a slide box positioned between the first flange and the second flange such that the first slide box is retained between the first flange and the second flange and is slidable over the first plurality of balls within the first channel; and A snap mechanism prevents the slide box from moving out of the channel section of the corresponding elongated guide rail in a direction perpendicular to the web of the elongated guide rail.

2. The sliding support assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a first end cap mounted in or on the first end of the elongated guide rail.

3. A suspension system for a door, the suspension system comprising: A first recycling ball sliding support assembly, the first recycling ball sliding support assembly comprising: a first elongated rail having a first web defining a channel section and first and second flanges, the first elongated rail having a first end and a second end; A first sliding box, the first sliding box is positioned between the first flange and the second flange so that the first sliding box, the first flange and the second flange define at least one first closed-loop track; and a first plurality of balls, the first plurality of balls are positioned within the at least one closed-loop track; a second recycling ball sliding support assembly, the second recycling ball sliding support assembly comprising: a second elongated rail having a second web defining a channel section and third and fourth flanges, the second elongated rail having a first end and a second end; a second sliding box, the second sliding box being positioned between the third flange and the fourth flange so that the second sliding box defines at least one second closed-loop track with the third flange and the fourth flange; and a second plurality of balls, the second plurality of balls being positioned within the at least one second closed-loop track; wherein: the first elongated rail and the second elongated rail being configured to be mounted on a support wall defining a first plane such that the first recycling ball slide support assembly and the second recycling ball slide support assembly are spaced apart and parallel to one another, wherein a first end of the first elongated rail is aligned with a first end of the second elongated rail; a first hinge, the first hinge comprising a first leaf and a second leaf, wherein the first leaf is connected to the first sliding box and the second leaf is configured to be connected to the door; a second hinge including a third leaf and a fourth leaf, wherein the third leaf is connected to the second sliding box and the fourth leaf is configured to be connected to the door; and A synchronization mechanism is configured to maintain the positions of the first sliding box and the second sliding box within the corresponding first elongated guide rail and the second elongated guide rail so that the distance between the first sliding box and the first end of the first elongated guide rail is always the same as the distance between the second sliding box and the first end of the second elongated guide rail.

4. A suspension system for a door, the suspension system comprising: A first ball sliding support assembly, the first ball sliding support assembly comprising: a first elongated rail having a first web defining a channel section and first and second flanges, the first elongated rail having a first end and a second end; a first plurality of balls positioned within a first channel defined by the first flange and the second flange; and a first sliding box positioned between the first flange and the second flange such that the first sliding box is retained between the first flange and the second flange and is slidable over the first plurality of balls within the first channel; A second ball sliding support assembly, the second ball sliding support assembly comprising: a second elongated rail having a second web defining a channel section and third and fourth flanges, the second elongated rail having a first end and a second end; a second plurality of balls positioned within a second channel defined by the third flange and the fourth flange; and a second slide box positioned between the third flange and the fourth flange such that the second slide box is retained between the third flange and the fourth flange and is slidable over the second plurality of balls within the second channel; and A third ball sliding support assembly, the third ball sliding support assembly comprising: a third elongated rail having a third web defining a channel section and fifth and sixth flanges, the third elongated rail having a first end and a second end; a third plurality of balls positioned within a second channel defined by the fifth flange and the sixth flange; and a third sliding box positioned between the fifth flange and the sixth flange such that the third sliding box is retained between the fifth flange and the sixth flange and is slidable over the third plurality of balls within the third channel; in: The first elongated rail, the second elongated rail, and the third elongated rail are configured to be mounted on a support wall defining a first plane, and the third elongated rail is configured to be mounted on the support wall between the first elongated rail and the second elongated rail such that the first ball slide support assembly, the second ball slide support assembly, and the third ball slide support assembly are spaced apart and parallel to each other, wherein first ends of the first elongated rail, the second elongated rail, and the third elongated rail are aligned with each other; a first hinge including a first leaf and a second leaf, wherein the first leaf is connected to the first sliding box and the second leaf is configured to be connected to the door; a second hinge, the second hinge comprising a third leaf and a fourth leaf, wherein the third leaf is connected to the second sliding box and the fourth leaf is configured to be connected to the door; at least one third hinge, the third hinge comprising a fifth leaf and a sixth leaf, wherein the fifth leaf is connected to the third sliding box and the sixth leaf is configured to be connected to the door; and a cable synchronization mechanism configured to maintain the positions of the first sliding box and the second sliding box within the respective first elongated guide rails so that the distance between the first sliding box and the first end of the first elongated guide rail is always the same as the distance between the second sliding box and the first end of the second elongated guide rail; and A guide member is mounted on the third slide box, wherein the guide member defines a passage through which one or more cables of the cable synchronization mechanism can pass.

5. A suspension system for a door, the suspension system comprising: A first ball sliding support assembly, the first ball sliding support assembly comprising: a first elongated rail having a first web defining a channel section and first and second flanges, the first elongated rail having a first end and a second end; a first plurality of balls positioned within a first channel defined by the first flange and the second flange; and a first sliding box positioned between the first flange and the second flange such that the first sliding box is retained between the first flange and the second flange and is slidable over the first plurality of balls within the first channel; A second ball sliding support assembly, the second ball sliding support assembly comprising: a second elongated rail having a second web defining a channel section and third and fourth flanges, the second elongated rail having a first end and a second end; a second plurality of balls positioned within a second channel defined by the third flange and the fourth flange; and a second sliding box positioned between the third flange and the fourth flange such that the second sliding box is retained between the third flange and the fourth flange and is slidable on the second plurality of balls within the second channel; wherein: the first elongated rail and the second elongated rail being configured to be mounted on a support wall defining a first plane such that the first ball slide support assembly and the second ball slide support assembly are spaced apart and parallel to each other, wherein first ends of the first elongated rail and the second elongated rail are aligned with each other; a first hinge including a first leaf and a second leaf, wherein the first leaf is connected to the first sliding box and the second leaf is configured to be connected to the door; a second hinge, the second hinge comprising a third leaf and a fourth leaf, wherein the third leaf is connected to the second sliding box and the fourth leaf is configured to be connected to the door; a synchronization mechanism configured to maintain the positions of the first sliding box and the second sliding box within the respective first elongated guide rails and the second elongated guide rails so that the distance between the first sliding box and the first end of the first elongated guide rail is always the same as the distance between the second sliding box and the first end of the second elongated guide rail; and Means for maintaining said first and second boxes in known aligned positions within their respective elongated guides.

6. The suspension system according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein: Each of the elongate rails comprises an extruded rail, preferably an extruded aluminium rail.

7. The suspension system according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein: Each of the ball slide support assemblies also includes a respective first end cap mounted in or on a first end of a respective elongated rail.

8. The suspension system according to claim 7, wherein: Each of the ball slide support assemblies also includes a respective second end cap mounted in or on a second end of the respective elongated rail.

9. A suspension system according to claim 7 or any claim appended thereto and further comprising a self-closing mechanism mounted on the or each first end cap.

10. A suspension system according to claim 8 or any claim appended thereto and further comprising a soft close mechanism mounted on the or each second end cap.

11. A suspension system according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein: Each flange of each elongated rail has a fastener receiving channel formed along the length of the flange for receiving a fastener used to attach a corresponding end cap to a corresponding end of the corresponding elongated rail.

12. The suspension system according to claim 11, wherein: Each fastener receiving channel is open on an outer edge of a corresponding flange.

13. The suspension system according to claim 11, wherein: Each end cap has a first fastener receiving aperture and a second fastener receiving aperture formed therein, the first fastener receiving aperture and the second fastener receiving aperture being spaced apart a distance equal to the distance between fastener receiving channels formed in the flange of the corresponding elongated rail.

14. A suspension system according to any one of claims 3 to 13, wherein: The first sliding box includes a first bracket extending in a direction toward the second sliding box, and the second sliding box includes a second bracket extending in a direction toward the first sliding box.

15. The suspension system of claim 14, wherein: The first blade is mounted on the first bracket, and the third blade is mounted on the second bracket.

16. A suspension system according to claim 14 or 15, when not dependent on claim 4, wherein: The first bracket is connected to the second bracket via a hinged carrier bar.

17. The suspension system of claim 16, wherein the first leaf and the third leaf are mounted on the hinge carrier bar.

18. A suspension system according to claim 16 or 17, and further comprising at least one third hinge, said third hinge comprising a fifth leaf and a sixth leaf, wherein: The fifth leaf is connected to the hinge carrying bar, and the sixth leaf is configured to be connected to the door.

19. The suspension system according to claim 14 or 15, wherein: The first bracket has a first hinge bracket mounted to the first bracket extending in a direction toward the second bracket, and the second bracket has a second hinge bracket mounted to the second bracket extending in a direction toward the first bracket.

20. The suspension system of claim 19, and further comprising: a fourth hinge, the fourth hinge comprising a seventh leaf and an eighth leaf, wherein the seventh leaf is connected to the first hinge bracket and the eighth leaf is configured to be connected to the door; and A fifth hinge includes a ninth leaf and a tenth leaf, wherein the ninth leaf is connected to the second hinge bracket and the tenth leaf is configured to be connected to the door.

21. A suspension system according to any one of claims 3 to 20, wherein: The synchronization mechanism includes a cable synchronization mechanism.

22. The suspension system of claim 21, wherein: The first sliding box has a first pulley mounted thereon, and the second sliding box has a second pulley mounted thereon, and the cable synchronization mechanism includes a first cable and a second cable, wherein: A first end of the first cable is connected to a first end of the first elongated guide rail, and the first cable extends parallel to the first elongated guide rail, then passes around the first pulley and extends toward the second elongated guide rail, then passes around the second pulley and extends parallel to the second elongated guide rail, wherein a second end of the first cable is connected to a second end of the second elongated guide rail; and A first end of the second cable is connected to a first end of the second elongated guide rail, and the second cable extends parallel to the second elongated guide rail, then bypasses the second pulley and extends toward the first elongated guide rail, then bypasses the first pulley and extends parallel to the first elongated guide rail, wherein a second end of the second cable is connected to a second end of the first elongated guide rail.

23. The suspension system of claim 22, wherein: The first pulley and the second pulley are mounted on the corresponding first sliding box and the second sliding box via a first bearing and a second bearing.

24. A suspension system according to any one of claims 3, 4 or 6 to 23, further comprising means for maintaining the first and second boxes in known aligned positions within their respective elongate rails.

25. A suspension system according to claim 5 or 24 or any claim dependent upon claim 5, wherein: The device for holding the first box and the second box includes a pair of holes formed in the web of each elongated guide rail, the pair of holes including a first hole and a second hole, wherein the distance between the first hole and the second hole corresponds to the length of the sliding box measured in a direction parallel to the length of the elongated guide rail.

26. The suspension system of claim 5, wherein: The distance between the first hole in the first elongated guide rail and the first end of the elongated guide is the same as the distance between the first hole in the second elongated guide rail and the first end of the second elongated guide, and the distance between the second hole in the first elongated guide rail and the first end of the elongated guide is the same as the distance between the second hole in the second elongated guide rail and the first end of the second elongated guide.

27. A suspension system according to claim 5 or 24 or any claim dependent upon claim 5, wherein: The device for holding the first box and the second box includes a first hole formed in each sliding box and a second hole formed in each web of each elongated guide, wherein each second hole is located at a first distance from the corresponding first end of its corresponding elongated guide, and each first hole is located at a second distance from the corresponding first end of its corresponding sliding box, wherein all first distances are the same and all second distances are the same.

28. A suspension system according to any one of claims 3 to 27, wherein: Each elongated rail also includes a mounting hole positioned to receive a fastener for attaching the elongated rail to the wall.

29. A suspension system according to claim 7 or any preceding claim dependent thereon, wherein: Each of the slide boxes includes a locking mechanism and each of the first end caps includes a receiving mechanism, wherein each locking mechanism is configured to interact with a corresponding receiving mechanism to resist movement of the corresponding slide box relative to the corresponding first end cap.

30. The suspension system of claim 29, wherein: Each locking mechanism includes a tab extending from a corresponding sliding box in a direction parallel to the length of the corresponding elongated guide rail, and each receiving mechanism includes a roller mounted on the corresponding first end cap, wherein the tab is configured to be caught by the roller.

31. A suspension system according to claim 29 or 30, wherein: Each locking mechanism includes a locking lever connected to a corresponding sliding box.

32. A suspension system as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 31 and further comprising spacer rollers mounted on each first end cap.

33. A suspension system according to any one of claims 30 to 32, wherein: The rollers or spacer rollers extend away from the elongated rail in a direction perpendicular to the web of the elongated rail, further than other portions of the first end cap and further than the flange of the elongated rail.

34. A suspension system according to any one of claims 30 to 33, wherein: The rollers or spacer rollers have: one or more rubberized o-rings mounted around the cylindrical surface of the roller; or One or more ridges are formed around the cylindrical surface of the roller.

35. A suspension system according to claim 3 or 5 or any one of claims 6 to 34 when dependent on claim 3 or 5, and further comprising: A third recycling ball sliding support assembly, the third recycling ball sliding support assembly comprising: a third elongated rail having a third web defining a channel section and fifth and sixth flanges, the third elongated rail having a first end and a second end; a third sliding box, the third sliding box being positioned between the fifth flange and the sixth flange, such that the third sliding box and the fifth flange and the sixth flange define at least one third closed-loop track; and a third plurality of balls, the third plurality of balls being positioned within the at least one third closed-loop track; wherein: a third elongated rail configured to be mounted on the wall between the first elongated rail and the second elongated rail such that the first, second, and third recycling ball slide support assemblies are spaced apart and parallel to one another, wherein a first end of the first elongated rail, a first end of the second elongated rail, and a first end of the third elongated rail are aligned with one another; and At least one third hinge includes a fifth leaf and a sixth leaf, wherein the fifth leaf is connected to the third sliding box and the sixth leaf is configured to be connected to the door.

36. A suspension system according to claim 4 or 35, wherein: The third sliding box is connected to the first sliding box via a first rod, wherein the first rod comprises a first hinge-bearing rod on which an additional third hinge can be mounted; and the third sliding box is connected to the second sliding box via a second rod, wherein the second rod comprises a second hinge-bearing rod on which an additional third hinge can be mounted.

37. A suspension system according to claim 14 when dependent on claim 4 or claim 35 when dependent on claim 14, wherein: The third sliding box includes a third bracket extending from both sides of the third sliding box toward both the first sliding box and the second sliding box, wherein the fifth blade of a third hinge is mounted on a portion of the third bracket extending toward the first sliding box, and the fifth blade of another third hinge is mounted on a portion of the third bracket extending toward the second sliding box.

38. A suspension system according to any one of claims 35 to 37 when dependent on claim 21, wherein: A guide member is mounted on the third slide box, wherein the guide member defines a passage through which the cable of the synchronization mechanism can pass.

39. A suspension system according to claim 38 when dependent on claim 22, wherein: The first and second pulleys are mounted on the first and second sliding boxes so that the guide surfaces of the pulleys are farther from the web of the elongated guide rail than the flange of the third elongated guide rail in a direction perpendicular to the web of the elongated guide rail.

40. A suspension system according to claim 21 when dependent on claim 4 or claim 35 when dependent on claim 21, wherein: There is no functional connection between the cable of the synchronization mechanism and the third sliding support assembly.

41. A suspension system according to any one of claims 3 to 40, wherein: Each slide support assembly includes a snap mechanism that prevents the corresponding slide box from moving out of the channel section of the corresponding elongated guide rail in a direction perpendicular to the web of the elongated guide rail.

42. A suspension system according to claim 41 when dependent on claim 7 or a sliding support assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The buckle mechanism comprises: An L-shaped snap-on portion having a first leg and a second leg, wherein the first leg extends from the sliding box in a direction perpendicular to the web of the elongated guide rail, and the second leg is connected to the first leg and extends in a direction parallel to the web of the elongated guide rail; and a wall formed in or by the first end cover, wherein the wall is configured and positioned so that the second leg can be positioned behind the wall in a direction perpendicular to the web of the elongated guide rail to prevent the second leg of the snap-on portion from moving in a direction perpendicular to the web of the elongated guide rail, wherein the wall extends in a direction parallel to the web of the elongated guide rail.

43. A suspension system according to claim 3 or any claim appended thereto, wherein: The at least one first closed-loop track includes a first pair of closed-loop tracks or a first single closed-loop track; and the at least one second closed-loop track includes a second pair of closed-loop tracks or a second single closed-loop track.

44. An elongated guide rail for a sliding support assembly, the elongated guide rail having a channel section and having a first end and a second end, the elongated guide rail comprising: first ventral plate; and a first flange and a second flange, wherein The first flange defines a first channel for supporting a plurality of balls, and the second flange defines a second channel for supporting a plurality of balls, wherein forming a first fastener receiving channel separate from the first channel along a length of the first flange, and A second fastener receiving channel is formed along the length of the second flange, separate from the second channel, wherein The first fastener receiving channel and the second fastener receiving channel are used to receive fasteners used to attach the end cap to the elongated rail.

45. The elongated guide rail according to claim 44, wherein: Each fastener receiving channel is open on an outer edge of a corresponding flange.

46. ​​The elongated guide rail according to claim 44, wherein: Each fastener receiving passage is closed within the cross-section of the flange such that the cross-section of the flange has a hole therein.

47. An elongated guide rail according to any one of claims 44 to 46, wherein: The elongated rail is extruded such that the elongated rail has a constant cross-section along its entire length.

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