Rack-and-pinion 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 rack housing installed within a vertical stile of the sliding door panel;
• and
• a rack positioned within the rack housing and movable between a stowed position and an extended position, wherein the handle is operatively coupled to a pinion engageable with the rack;
• pivoting the handle about a pivot axis from a first position to a second position and thereby moving the rack 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 rack 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 rack housing configured to be installed within a vertical stile of the sliding door panel;
• a rack configured to be positioned within the rack housing and movable between a stowed position and an extended position;
• and
• a handle operatively coupled to a pinion engageable with the rack, the handle being pivotable about a pivot axis between a first position and a second position,
• wherein rotating the handle from the first position to the second position causes the pinion to move the rack to the extended position and protrude from the rack housing and the vertical stile.