Cam assisted handle system

A method of operating a sliding door system, comprising:

• placing a load on a handle of handle assembly coupled to a sliding door panel installed in a stationary door frame, the handle assembly including:
• a handle spindle extending into a vertical stile of the sliding door panel, the handle being coupled to the handle spindle;
• and
• a cam coupled to the handle spindle within the vertical stile and movable between a stowed position and an extended position;
• pivoting the handle about a pivot axis extending through the handle spindle from a first position to a second position and thereby moving the cam to the extended position and into engagement with the stationary door frame;
• and
• forcing the sliding door frame away from the stationary door frame with the cam and thereby moving the sliding door frame from the closed position to the open position.

A handle assembly for a sliding door panel of a sliding door system, comprising:

• a handle spindle extendable into a vertical stile of the sliding door panel;
• a cam coupled to the handle spindle and configured to be positioned within the vertical stile and movable between a stowed position and an extended position;
• and
• a handle coupled to the handle spindle and rotatable about a pivot axis extending through the handle spindle between a first position and a second position,
• wherein rotating the handle from the first position to the second position causes the cam to move from the stowed position to the extended position and protrude from the vertical stile.