Channel device to hold bottom of sliding door

Abstract

A channel device to hold a sliding door at its bottom. A U-channel beam attached to the bottom of the sliding door confines a roller bearing attached to an angle bracket on a door frame at the open end. The sliding door bottom is maintained adjacent to the door frame and the floor with the roller bearing traversing the U-channel beam. A large sliding door, such as a barn door, can thus be kept manageable for closing and opening.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A channel device to hold a bottom edge of a sliding door supported on rollers along a top edge of the door in a door frame, comprising: 
 a U-shaped channel having elongated front and rear flanges and an elongated center plate joining the front and rear flanges to define a U-shape in transverse cross-section, the rear flange being adapted for attachment to an inside bottom surface of a sliding door with the channel opening upward;    an angle bracket having a vertical flange and a horizontal flange having a greater length than the vertical flange, the vertical flange being adapted for attachment to a door frame adjacent the sliding door, the horizontal flange extending above the channel; and    a rotatable roller bearing depending from the horizontal flange of said angle bracket, the roller bearing extending into the channel so that the roller bearing rolls against the front and rear flanges of the channel when the sliding door is opened and closed;    whereby the bottom of the sliding door is held a fixed distance from the door frame.    
     
     
         2 . The channel device according to  claim 1 , wherein the roller bearing is mounted on a threaded shaft, the shaft being fastened to the horizontal flange of said angle bracket.  
     
     
         3 . The channel device according to  claim 1 , wherein the vertical flange of said angle bracket has a pair of apertures defined therein for securing said angle bracket to the door frame.  
     
     
         4 . The channel device according to  claim 1 , wherein the U-shaped channel is made from a rolled form steel.  
     
     
         5 . The channel device according to  claim 1 , wherein the angle bracket is made from hardened metal.