This invention relates to an overhead door closer with slide arm assembly (1) having a toothed pinion (6) that is eccentrically supported and presents a circular rolling curve, which pinion meshes with a toothed rack (5) arranged at a piston (4). The invention concentrates on a particular embodiment of the rolling curve and of the teeth (9) of the toothed rack (5) in adaptation to a toothing of the pinion (6). Furthermore, the invention concentrates on an improved embodiment of the delayed closing operation in order to achieve an optimized movement pattern of the piston (4) within the housing (2) of the overhead door closer with slide arm assembly (1).