Abstract:
A sliding door guide for motor vehicles, in particular vans and utility vehicles, includes an upper, lower and a central guide mechanism to hold the door in place. The door is flush with the side panel of the vehicle when closed and extends beyond the side of the side panel when open and can essentially be moved parallel to the side panel. The central guide mechanism includes a carriage and sliding rails. The sliding rails are arranged on the inside of the door, in which the carriage is hinge-mounted on a reversing lever and in turn the reversing lever is hinge-mounted on a pillar of the vehicle body. A first anchor is mounted in front of the carriage when seen in the direction of opening, and a second anchor is mounted in the side panel approximately half way along the path of opening. Together with the first anchor, this second anchor automatically activates a mechanical coupling or trap on reaching the corresponding opening positing, forming a further fixing point for the door-guide mechanism at the location of the second anchor.