Self adjusting track chain adjustment trolley

A self-adjusting chain adjustment trolley comprising:

• a stabilizer bar trolley assembly affixed to a chain tensioner assembly for translationally engaging a track, the stabilizer bar trolley assembly having a chain second end attachment point for engaging a chain second end;
• a sliding door attachment point affixed to the chain tensioner assembly for engaging a sliding door;
• a track engagement assembly affixed to the chain tensioner assembly for translationally engaging the track;
• wherein the chain tensioner assembly comprises a movable chain first end attachment point for engaging a chain first end and a force applicator attached thereto;
• a bar slidably receiving the movable chain first end attachment point;
• a bracket attached to the bar;
• and a rod having a first end fixedly attached to the bracket and a second end slidably engaged by the movable chain first end attachment point;
• the force applicator positioned between the bracket and the movable chain first end attachment point, such that the force applicator applies a predetermined amount of force to the movable chain first end attachment point to create a predetermined tension on the chain.

A sliding door apparatus comprising:

• a track for mounting to a door opening;
• a door slidably attached to the track;
• a chain pulley for mounting to the door opening;
• a self-adjusting chain adjustment trolley adapted for translational movement within the track and attachment to the door;
• and
• a powered chain operatively connecting the pulley and self-adjusting chain adjustment trolley;
• wherein the self-adjusting chain adjustment trolley comprises
• a translational assembly affixed to a chain tensioner assembly for translationally engaging a track, the translational assembly having a chain second end attachment point for engaging a chain second end;
• and
• a door attachment point affixed to the chain tensioner assembly for engaging a sliding door;
• wherein the chain tensioner assembly comprises a movable chain first end attachment point for engaging a chain first end and a force applicator attached thereto, such that the force applicator applies a predetermined amount of force to the movable chain first end attachment point to create a predetermined tension on the chain;
• and
• the translational assembly comprises a stabilizer bar trolley assembly affixed to the chain tensioner assembly to translationally engage the track, the stabilizer bar trolley assembly having the chain second end attachment point for engaging the chain second end;
• and a track engagement assembly affixed to the chain tensioner assembly for translationally engaging the track.

A method for self-tensioning a chain used to operate a sliding door slidably mounted to a track comprising the steps of:

• a. installing a self-adjusting chain adjustment trolley within the track, wherein the chain adjustment trolley comprises
• a translational assembly affixed to a chain tensioner assembly for translationally engaging a track, the translational assembly having a chain second end attachment point for engaging a chain second end;
• and
• a door attachment point affixed to the chain tensioner assembly for engaging a sliding door;
• wherein the chain tensioner assembly comprises a movable chain first end attachment point for engaging a chain first end and a force applicator attached thereto, such that the force applicator applies a predetermined amount of force to the movable chain first end attachment point to create a predetermined tension on the chain;
• and
• the translational assembly comprises a stabilizer bar trolley assembly affixed to the chain tensioner assembly to translationally engage the track, the stabilizer bar trolley assembly having the chain second end attachment point for engaging the chain second end;
• and a track engagement assembly affixed to the chain tensioner assembly for translationally engaging the track;
• b. attaching the door to the sliding door attachment point;
• c. attaching the chain second end to the chain second end attachment point;
• d. applying to the movable chain first end attachment point a second force which is opposite in direction to and greater than the predetermined amount of force;
• e. attaching the chain first end to the movable chain first end attachment point;
• and
• f. removing the second force.