Door Hinge Detail Patents (Class 296/146.11)
  • Patent number: 11587392
    Abstract: An upright gaming machine includes a game determination component that facilitates a wager-based game result, input/output devices coupled to the game determination component, a gaming machine cabinet housing various gaming machine components, and lower and cash access doors located about the gaming machine cabinet. The lower door can be fully removable from the gaming machine, can facilitate access to an internal belly region, and can include a tethered locking arrangement having rotary latches, stationary pins, and a tether. The cash door includes a virtual pivot hinge opening arrangement that moves the cash door in a swivel motion from a closed position to an open position, where the swivel motion of the cash door is about a virtual axis having a center of rotation for which no physical component passes therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: AGS LLC
    Inventors: James Ely Tillery, Kevin Berwick Green
  • Patent number: 11365578
    Abstract: An automated door system includes a hinge assembly having a movable hinge portion coupled to a door and a fixed hinge portion coupled to a vehicle body at a hinge pillar. The movable hinge portion includes first and second mounting portions. The first mounting portion is rotatably connected to the fixed hinge portion for rotation about a hinge axis of the hinge assembly. A power assist device is coupled to the fixed hinge portion and further coupled to the second mounting portion of the movable hinge portion by a drive shaft. The power assist device includes a motor that is configured to drive the drive shaft for providing at least one of an opening and a closing movement of the door about the hinge axis of the hinge assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Tracy Christopher Bakos, Suresh Narayan, Kristopher Karl Brown, Paul Repp, Larry Dean Elie
  • Patent number: 11225185
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a chassis and a vehicle body coupled to the chassis. The vehicle body includes a cab disposed on a forward end of the chassis and a cargo body disposed on a rear end of the chassis. The cab includes a front door that is slidably engaged to the cab. The cargo body includes a side door that is slidably engaged to the cargo body. The front door and the side door are disposed on the same side of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: Oshkosh Corporation
    Inventors: David C. McGraw, Andrew Drach, James Benner, Paul Schmidt, Annette Rantanen, Robby Lamers
  • Patent number: 11180199
    Abstract: A system of connected body elements for a motor vehicle includes a first body element and a second body element. The first body element has at least one duct on a surface, wherein a shoulder is formed next to the duct. The system furthermore includes an adhesive which is arranged at least partially in the duct and at least partially on the shoulder and adhesively bonds the first body element to the second body element. A connection region, directly adjoining the shoulder, of the surface of the first body element is free here from adhesive. A first space between shoulder and second body element and a second space between connection region and second body element are open towards each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: SIKA TECHNOLOGY AG
    Inventors: Noah Munzinger, Denis Souvay, Urs Rheinegger
  • Patent number: 11085225
    Abstract: A system for controlling the operation of a window installed in a door of a vehicle, comprising a control module, a vehicle door configured to move upwardly from a closed position to a fully open position, a window configured to move between a first up position and a second down position in which the window is stored in the vehicle door, and a mechanism to move the window between the first up position and the second down position. The control module is configured to direct the mechanism to move the window into the second down position when the control module has received a signal indicating that action has been taken to move the vehicle door towards the fully open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: KARMA AUTOMOTIVE LLC
    Inventor: Todd Maurice George
  • Patent number: 11028626
    Abstract: Mounting strategies for locating and securing roof hinge covers to vehicle roofs. An exemplary roof hinge cover may be mounted relative to a roof component (e.g., roof panel, body side panel, bracket, etc.). A locator may be received through the roof hinge cover and into a locating hole of the roof component. One or more clips that are connected to the roof hinge cover may be received within locating openings of a bracket. The bracket supports at least a portion of the roof hinge cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Scott Mayville, Patrick Reed, James Brian Slemons, David James Spolyar, Rong Yao
  • Patent number: 10767402
    Abstract: The door check includes a retaining bar (20) which can be connected to one of the two door assembly parts, i.e. the door (8) or the door frame (6), and a retaining housing (13) which can be connected to the other door assembly part. In order to design a door check that allows a vehicle door to be reliably and safely blocked in an automated manner, a threaded bar (50) can be accommodated in an axially movable fashion in a cavity of the retaining bar (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: EDSCHA ENGINEERING GMBH
    Inventors: Peter Hoffmann, Gundolf Heinrichs, Torsten Meissner, Matthias Brinker, Heiner Ackers, Dietmar Rehborn
  • Patent number: 10737560
    Abstract: A vehicle door includes a door panel slidably operable between a secured position within a door aperture and a staging position partially distal from the door aperture. A latch is engaged with a striker path during operation of the door panel between the secured and staging positions, and is selectively disengaged from the striker path to define open and closed positions of the door panel when the door panel is in the staging position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Howard Paul Tsvi Linden, Ronald Patrick Brombach, Kosta Papanikolaou, Christopher Matthew Radjewski, Henry W. Hausler, John Thomas Ricks, George Anthony Bernwanger, Jr., Donald P. Iacovoni, Paul L. Heirtzler, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10407966
    Abstract: A drive arrangement comprising an adjustment drive for adjusting a component, in particular a tailgate, said adjustment drive comprising an output shaft which extends concentrically about an output axis and can be rotated about the output axis in and against a direction of rotation, and comprising a hinge which has a first hinge arm and a second hinge arm that can be rotated with respect to the first hinge arm about a hinge axis, wherein the adjustment drive is provided to rotate the second hinge arm, wherein the hinge axis and the output axis are disposed in alignment with one another and wherein the second hinge arm is connected to the output shaft in a rotationally fixed manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Roland Braun, Wolfgang Greis, Franz Schwendemann, Hans-Juergen Oberle
  • Patent number: 10100562
    Abstract: A pop-up device for a grip handle that is mounted in a butterfly door, the pop-up device may include a grip handle device including a first end portion formed to protrude in a handle shape from a door trim of the butterfly door, a guide device fixed at a predetermined position in the door trim and configured to guide the grip handle device, and a first drive device configured to drive the grip handle device in response to a signal of opening or closing the butterfly door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Won-Gyo Seo
  • Patent number: 9869119
    Abstract: A system for closing carriage doors of a vehicle may include first and second carriage doors configured to open and close via respective first and second actuators. The system may also include a controller configured to receive signals indicative of angles of the first and second doors relative to closed positions. The controller may also be configured to determine respective first and second velocity profiles for the first and second carriage doors based on the angles of the first and second doors. In addition, the controller may be configured to control operation of at least one of the first and second actuators based on the first and second angles, such that the first carriage door and the second carriage door stay farther apart from one another than a predetermined threshold distance while closing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: FARADAY&FUTURE INC.
    Inventors: Matthew R. Partsch, Ryan B. Wonfor, Cian J. F. Brogan, Padmanabhan Kumar
  • Patent number: 9834974
    Abstract: An automated door system includes a door pivotally coupled to a vehicle body at a hinge axis defined by at least one hinge assembly. A power assist device is coupled to the hinge assembly and further coupled to the door. The power assist device is configured to slow movement of the door along a door swing path from an initial velocity to a slow close velocity when the initial velocity exceeds a predetermined threshold velocity, thereby providing a slow and controlled close when a user attempts to slam the door. The power assist device is further configured to power opening and closing movement of the door as initiated by a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Larry Dean Elie, Timothy J. Potter, Robert F. Novak, John Wayne Jaranson, Jeff A. Wallace, Michael M. Azzouz
  • Patent number: 9815434
    Abstract: A wheeled vehicle includes a rear opening that is formed in a rear surface of a vehicle body, a tailgate that is provided to open and close the rear opening, a sub door opening that is formed in a transverse portion of the tailgate, and a sub door that is provided to open and close the sub door opening. In the tailgate, a tailgate side window panel is provided on the tailgate, and a sub door side window panel is provided on the sub door. These tailgate side window panel and the sub door side window panel are made substantially level with each other while being disposed continuously in a transverse direction. The control unit prohibits the operation of a wiper device that moves over the individual window panels so as to clean and remove water therefrom, with the sub door left open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Taisuke Goto
  • Patent number: 9676256
    Abstract: A power assist device for a vehicle includes a door is pivotally coupled to a vehicle body. A hinge assembly is coupled between the vehicle body and the door to define a hinge axis for the door. A motor is coupled to the door and includes a drive shaft extending outwardly from the motor. A first spool is disposed on the drive shaft for rotation therewith. A second spool is mounted on the hinge assembly at a spool axle. A cable is operably couples the first spool to the second spool and the motor is configured to drive the first spool in a rotational movement, and the cable is configured to translate the rotational movement of the first spool to the second spool. The movement of the second spool drives an opening and closing movement of the door at the hinge axis of the hinge assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Larry Dean Elie, Timothy J. Potter, Robert F. Novak, John Wayne Jaranson, Jeff A. Wallace
  • Patent number: 9636979
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a cross-member and a hinge. The cross-member has a horizontal surface converging with a vertical surface. The vertical surface has a generally flat profile and defines at least one curved recess proximate to a hinge support area located on the horizontal surface. The cross-member has a yield strength that is greater proximate to the curved recess relative to the remaining generally flat profile. The hinge is secured to the hinge support area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ezequiel Alvarez Ruiz, Cynthia Wetzel, Siavash Osooli
  • Patent number: 9637173
    Abstract: A ridgeline portion is provided at a pillar inner panel such that the ridgeline portion extends substantially vertically from a side sill (a roof side rail), and a load-transmission restraint portion is provided between the ridgeline portion and a welding portion of a pillar end portion where the pillar inner panel is welded to a pillar outer panel or a pillar reinforcement, and the side sill (the roof side rail), the load-transmission restraint portion being configured to have a longitudinal width which is wider than that of a central portion, in the vertical direction, of a center pillar and be substantially flat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshikazu Nishimura, Katsuhito Kouno
  • Patent number: 9573447
    Abstract: A back door device includes a hinge, a back door, and a damper stay. The hinge is provided on a roof of a vehicle and arranged at a position forward of a rear edge of the roof. The back door is configured to pivot vertically about the hinge to selectively open and close a door opening and includes a back door rear end portion and a back door roof portion. The back door roof portion includes a storage projection, which projects upward from an upper surface of the back door roof portion. The damper stay includes a first end, which is connected to the roof at a position rearward of the hinge, and a second end, which is connected to an inner wall of the storage projection. When the back door is closed, the damper stay is stored in the storage projection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA JIDOSHOKKI
    Inventors: Katsuya Maruyama, Yusuke Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 9526131
    Abstract: A microwave oven having a hood is provided. The microwave oven may more efficiently suction air containing contaminants, thereby more efficiently preventing diffusion of air containing contaminants. In addition, the microwave oven may tilt a tilting hood using a simplified construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Wontae Kim, Sungbae Song, Taeho Ji
  • Patent number: 9027979
    Abstract: A rotary damper has a cylindrical housing. A rotor is rotatably supported inside the housing for rotation with respect to the housing by a first bearing and a second bearing. The second bearing has a greater length in the axial direction of the rotor than the first bearing. The rotary damper can be employed in an opening and closing mechanism for a vehicle door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Somic Ishikawa
    Inventors: Keigo Ozaki, Tatsuya Kitada
  • Patent number: 9022455
    Abstract: A vehicle slide door for covering an opening in a vehicle body includes a door trim panel having a slot extending in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle body. A linkage arm operably connects the vehicle door to the vehicle body. The linkage arm slides within the slot of the door trim panel as the vehicle door is moved between a closed position and an opened position. A garnish panel is separate from the door trim panel and is engaged with the linkage arm. The garnish panel at least partially covers a section of the slot of the door trim panel in the closed position of the vehicle door. The garnish panel has a portion movable relative to the door trim panel in a lateral direction of the vehicle body due to an obstruction between the door trim panel and the garnish panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Steven R. Thiele
  • Patent number: 8998289
    Abstract: A vehicular door assembly includes a door and at least one hinge structure. Each of the at least one hinge structure includes a knuckle and a bushing. The knuckle extends away from the door. The door and the knuckle of each of the at least one hinge structure are integrally formed as a unitary structure. The knuckle of each of the at least one hinge structure includes an upper surface and a lower surface, and defines a bore extending through the knuckle and opening onto each of the upper surface and the lower surface. The bushing defines a hinge aperture and a hinge axis. At least a substantial portion of the bushing is positioned within the bore defined by a respective one of the knuckles. Each of the at least one hinge structure is configured for coupling with a frame of a vehicle. Vehicles are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael Vincent Peterson, John B. Jones
  • Patent number: 8999474
    Abstract: A device includes at least one built-in flexible portion (1) between two stiffer portions (10) that are made of a stiff composite material, the flexible portion (11) being suitable for forming a flexible hinge and made of a flexible material including a reinforcing armature that includes at least one connecting layer (13) common to the material(s) forming each stiff portion (10). The device has end surfaces (20) that oppose each other when extended, the opposing end surfaces being arranged to be suited to serve as a longitudinal compression abutment while enabling the thus-made hinge to fold back at least in a direction away from the extended state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales (CNES)
    Inventor: Christophe Casteras
  • Patent number: 8938852
    Abstract: A device for checking the door of a vehicle that includes a fixing member that is attached to a vehicle body; a checker arm, an edge of which is hinge combined with the fixing member to be rotated and is located between a door and the vehicle body; and a door checker that is attached to the door to maintain the door in a stop-state at a position on a moving path of the door while sliding in a length direction of the checker arm by accommodating the checker arm therein, wherein the door checker includes: a housing in which an accommodation space is formed; a transformation element that is accommodated in the housing and transforms a straight line motion of the checker arm into a rotational motion by being engaged with the checker arm; a rotation element that is disposed within the housing, rotates by being engaged with the transformation element, and includes a friction plate; a fixing element that is fixedly installed in the housing and restricts the rotation member by attracting the friction plate of the rot
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: KWANGJIN Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Seung Tae Kim
  • Patent number: 8925248
    Abstract: A vehicle door structure comprises a slide door panel for opening and closing a front region of a rear door opening of a vehicle body and a swing door panel for opening and closing a rear region of the rear door opening in cooperation with the slide door panel, swing door panel lock mechanisms for locking the swing door panel with respect to the vehicle body when the swing door panel is fully closed, and slidability setting mechanisms provided with the vehicle body. Slide rails are provided in upper and lower parts of the vehicle body, while rollers are attached to upper and lower parts of the slide door panel. The slidability setting mechanisms permit the rollers to be introduced to the slide rails only when the swing door panel is locked with respect to the vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Jidoshokki
    Inventors: Katsuya Maruyama, Yoshio Ojima
  • Patent number: 8919858
    Abstract: An assembly of a swing type tailgate checker includes: a checker assembly including a first base bracket on a vehicle body and having a hole at one side and an arm locking member at an outer side of the first base bracket to form a fitting space together with the first base bracket and partially bent toward the first base bracket; and an arm assembly including a second base bracket on a tailgate of a vehicle and including an arm extended from the second base bracket toward the vehicle body and having an arm roller provided at an end portion, wherein at the time of opening the tailgate, the arm roller is temporarily fixed while being locked by the arm locking member at a primary open angle and passes through the arm locking member to thereby be unlocked, such that it is completely opened while being again rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Hee Tae Lee
  • Patent number: 8882173
    Abstract: A support mechanism for a vehicle closure panel is provided. The support mechanism includes a connection rod and a counterbalancing device. The connection rod is configured to secure the closure panel in a second position and control the speed of the closure panel as it moves between a first position and a second position. The counter balancing device includes a connection rod base structure, at least one guide block, of a first material, at least one resistance member, of a second material, and at least one spring element. The guide block interacts with the resistance member. The interaction of the first material of the guide block and the second material of the resistance member creates a resistance force of variable force output to counterbalance the weight of the closure panel as the closure panel moves between the first position to the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Scott W. Thorpe, Henry J. Nykiel, Himanshu H. Mehta, Peter M. Snede
  • Patent number: 8870260
    Abstract: A side protection device for a motor vehicle with a body and an opening for at least one passenger to access the vehicle, including: a side protection element, configured to be shifted from a closed position to an open position; an internal skeleton including a structural module of plastic and a stiffener tube of metal, the structural module including a multi-ribbed first portion, configured to receive the stiffener tube, and a second open portion, configured to define a frame for a translucent panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: RENAULT s.a.s.
    Inventors: Francois Le Duc, Guillaume Le Jaouen
  • Patent number: 8863359
    Abstract: A vehicle and a hinge assembly for a storage compartment of the vehicle are disclosed. The assembly includes a first component adapted to be attached to the vehicle and a second component. The second component includes a first end portion coupled to the first component and a second end portion spaced from the first end portion. The second component is movable relative to the first component between a first position and a second position such that the second end portion is disposed above the first component when in the second position. The assembly further includes a link coupled to the second component and movable with the second component as the second component moves between the first and second positions. The link extends away from the second component to a distal end. The assembly includes a guard attached to the link and covering at least a portion of the distal end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Gary W. Krajenke, Himanshu H. Mehta
  • Patent number: 8857889
    Abstract: A door check system includes a rod interconnecting a door assembly and a body of a vehicle. The door check system secures the position of the door assembly at any location along a swing path of the door assembly, between a fully open position and a fully closed position. A coil spring is disposed about the rod, with the rod extending through a central aperture thereof. An actuator is coupled to the coil spring and configured for tightening and loosening the coil spring about the rod. When the actuator tightens the spring about the rod, the spring grasps the rod and secures the position of the door assembly relative to the body. When the actuator loosens the spring from about the rod, the door assembly is free to move along the swing path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Carl W. Wellborn, Timothy Saunders, Erik Rasmussen, Mary Ellen DeCaluwe, Thomas E. Houck
  • Patent number: 8850748
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cable feed device for a flat cable, or a flat cable connection, respectively, on a vehicle door, wherein the flat cable is provided being extended between the vehicle door that can be moved relative toward a vehicle chassis and the vehicle chassis, or along a component, respectively, which is substantially firmly attached to the vehicle chassis, wherein at least one seal is disposed between the vehicle door and the vehicle chassis, or the component, respectively, and further wherein the flat cable is disposed in a feed through of the seal between the seal and the vehicle door in a closed state of the vehicle door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Interiors GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Detlef Zimmermann, Alexander Schidan, Hans-Helmut Mieglitz, Vedat Nuyan, Jesus Galan, Thomas Schweiker
  • Patent number: 8827348
    Abstract: A self locking hinge is disclosed which can index a door to multiple open positions and hold it in place. The door may be closed by opening it completely and then returning it to the closed position or by lifting the door to clear a portion of a locking mechanism and simultaneously closing it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Trisha L. Oyen
  • Publication number: 20140225394
    Abstract: A self locking hinge is disclosed which can index a door to multiple open positions and hold it in place. The door may be closed by opening it completely and then returning it to the closed position or by lifting the door to clear a portion of a locking mechanism and simultaneously closing it.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventor: Trisha L. Oyen
  • Publication number: 20140217774
    Abstract: A vehicular door assembly includes a door and at least one hinge structure. Each of the at least one hinge structure includes a knuckle and a bushing. The knuckle extends away from the door. The door and the knuckle of each of the at least one hinge structure are integrally formed as a unitary structure. The knuckle of each of the at least one hinge structure includes an upper surface and a lower surface, and defines a bore extending through the knuckle and opening onto each of the upper surface and the lower surface. The bushing defines a hinge aperture and a hinge axis. At least a substantial portion of the bushing is positioned within the bore defined by a respective one of the knuckles. Each of the at least one hinge structure is configured for coupling with a frame of a vehicle. Vehicles are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael Vincent Peterson, John B. Jones
  • Patent number: 8794692
    Abstract: A gull wing door assembly for an all-terrain utility vehicle (UTV) includes a hinge assembly configured to attach to an upper portion of the cage of the UTV, the hinge assembly having a rotational axis substantially parallel to the ground when attached to the cage, and a door configured to movably attach to the hinge assembly. The door may have a frame, one or more panels, a latch, and a lift-assist device such as a gas-strut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Inventor: Christopher Marshall Burke
  • Patent number: 8757707
    Abstract: An end-side portion of a front door is pivotably mounted to a hinge base portion of a door hinge member. A link portion of the door hinge member is formed integrally with the hinge base portion, and links between a rear end-side mounting portion of a fender panel, and a front pillar. The link portion is provided with a fender fastening portion to which the rear end-side mounting portion of the fender panel is fastened, and which serves a purpose of positioning the rear end-side mounting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hitoshi Hamasaki
  • Patent number: 8746777
    Abstract: At a back door structure, a back door, that is rotatably supported at a rear roof header via a pair of door hinges, rotates around hinge shafts and opens and closes a rear opening portion. The back door is held in a fully open posture that opens the rear opening portion, by a single damper that is provided only at a right side with respect to the rear opening portion. In the back door structure, a fit posture of the back door is corrected due to a vertical position of a mounting surface of the door hinge at the right side being set at an upper side with respect to a mounting surface of the door hinge at a left side in a state of not supporting the back door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Iwano, Kosuke Ebina
  • Patent number: 8713852
    Abstract: A sliding door may include a rail slidably supported by a rail anchor, a body part fixed to the rail, a main arm hinge-connected with the body part, a driving bar hinge-connected with the body part, a first link hinge-connected with the main arm and the driving bar, a second link hinge-connected with the main arm and a first slot of the driving bar, a door part hinge-connected with the main arm and having a second slot hinge-connected with the second link through the first slot, a gear part of the main bar, a first drum engaged to the gear part, a first cable connected with the first drum and the rail anchor, a second drum rotatably mounted at the rail, a second cable wound around the second drum and connected with the first drum, and a third cable connected with the second drum and the rail anchor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Jae Hong Choi
  • Publication number: 20140097644
    Abstract: A vehicle body rear structure that is able to rotatably support a tailgate at a left hinge attachment section of a rear outer panel with a left hinge member therebetween. The left hinge member is provided with: a vehicle-body-side hinge section affixed to the left hinge attachment section; and a door-side hinge section connected rotatably to the vehicle-body-side hinge section. A left rear combination lamp is provided to the rear outer panel in a manner so as to cover the vehicle-body-side hinge section from the outside of the vehicle body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2012
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Makoto Kurita, Yasuyuki Katou, Norihiro Obama, Yosuke Kimura, Makoto Watanabe
  • Patent number: 8678486
    Abstract: A damping stop for damping the rotation of two members connected by a hinge shaft is formed by a block of elastomeric material. The damping stop includes a fastening zone inserted forcibly into a seat situated between the first member and the hinge shaft, a contact zone that enters into contact with the second member after pivoting thereof around the hinge shaft in the direction of the first member, and a compression zone formed by a material void in the interior of the block of elastomeric material. The material void extends over the entire length of the damping stop in a direction parallel to the hinge shaft when the damping stop is inserted into the seat. The damping stop is used in a hinge of a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Renault s.a.s.
    Inventors: Olivier Chaufour, Fabrice Tomas, Alain Gitton
  • Patent number: 8672383
    Abstract: The present invention is a moveable connector for connecting two components on a vehicle. The connector has a body portion, and a first end formed as part of the body portion. The connector is movable about at least one axis located at the first end of the body portion. The connector is also connected to a first vehicle component, such as a carrier, using the first end of the body portion. There is also a second end formed as part of the body portion. The second end is operable for being connected to a second vehicle component, such as a fender. During assembly, the first vehicle component is positioned relative to the second vehicle component, and the connector is pivoted about the axis to allow the second end of the body portion to be connected to the second vehicle component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Magna International Inc.
    Inventors: Michael W. Crane, Martin R. Matthews, Gari Schalte
  • Patent number: 8662562
    Abstract: A door overload protection device for a vehicle door, especially for an armored vehicle door is disclosed. The door overload protection includes a door leaf, a door frame and at least one hinge, the device being made such that it can act against a compressive force which has arisen from the weight of the door leaf and which is applied in a vertical and/or a horizontal direction in its moving, opening and closing state. A method for producing a door overload protection device is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Inventor: Klaus Ackermann
  • Patent number: 8646834
    Abstract: A vehicle body structure includes a roof ditch that is defined by a recessed support surface, first and second wall surfaces that extend longitudinally along sides of the recessed support surface. A cover includes a top portion that spans a width of the roof ditch between respective top edges thereof. The cover includes a cover attachment section and a molding attachment section. The cover attachment section couples the cover at a fixed position relative to the vehicle body panel. A molding member extends in a lengthwise direction along the roof ditch between the first and second wall surfaces. The molding member includes an attachment member mating with the molding attachment section of the cover to form a lengthwise movement connection that retains the cover to the molding member with a predetermined amount of movement along the lengthwise direction of the roof ditch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventors: David Coakley, John-Paul LaPorte, Michael Kowaczyk, Adam Jones
  • Publication number: 20140035310
    Abstract: A rotary damper has a cylindrical housing. A rotor is rotatably supported inside the housing for rotation with respect to the housing by a first bearing and a second bearing. The second bearing has a greater length in the axial direction of the rotor than the first bearing. The rotary damper can be employed in an opening and closing mechanism for a vehicle door.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA SOMIC ISHIKAWA
    Inventors: Keigo Ozaki, Tatsuya Kitada
  • Patent number: 8616558
    Abstract: An overlay component (such as a seal) is provided for mounting to an elongated vehicle structure (such as a door check link) without passing the overlay over the end of the structure. The overlay component has a first body section and a second body section comprised of resilient material. The first body section has a first structure receiving portion and a first interlocking portion. The second body section has a second interlocking portion complementary with the first interlocking portion. The first and second interlocking portions resiliently deform as they are interlocked while the elongated vehicle structure is being received by the first structure receiving portion, thereby retaining the overlay component on the elongated vehicle structure without adhesives or fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: David R. Fischer
  • Patent number: 8613478
    Abstract: A vehicle has a deck lid for closing a vehicle luggage compartment. The deck lid is mounted on a hinge assembly including a hinge lever pivoted on a vehicle body and a hinge arm attached to the deck lid. A trim panel lines the luggage compartment and has an oversize aperture creating a gap through which the hinge arm travels freely without interference with the trim panel during the opening and closing movement of the deck lid. A closeout panel is mounted on the hinge assembly to travel therewith. The closeout panel is sized larger than the size of the oversize aperture and upon the deck lid reaching the open position, the closeout panel will have moved with the hinge assembly to a position closely adjacent the backside of the trim panel so that the closeout panel closes the gap and prevents an observer from seeing through the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Gary W. Krajenke, Edward L. Schulte, Alvin N. Standard
  • Patent number: 8607416
    Abstract: A decklid hinge assembly for a vehicle includes a counterbalance torque system having a torque storing assembly. The torque storing assembly includes a torque rod having a first axial end and a second axial end, and a torque tube having a first axial end and a second axial end. The first axial end of the torque rod is attached to a linkage system in torque transmitting engagement for transmitting torque therebetween, the second axial end of the torque rod is attached to the second axial end of the torque tube in torque transmitting engagement for transmitting torque therebetween, and the first axial end of the torque tube is attached to a hinge box in torque transmitting engagement for transmitting torque therebetween. The torque storing assembly is pre-loaded with a moment to generate a torque for assisting movement of the support member from a closed position into an open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Gary W. Krajenke, Alvin N. Standard, Graham S. Foulkes
  • Patent number: 8608226
    Abstract: A vehicle with a door that provides an opening for more easily accessing a storage space and greater utility of a storage space. The door includes a portion of a side wall and a portion of a back wall and is hingedly connected to a side wall of the vehicle at a position that is offset from the back end of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Cristian Farcas
  • Patent number: 8567844
    Abstract: A car having: a frame provided with two external vertical posts, which are arranged facing each other on opposite sides of the car, and two internal vertical posts, which are arranged between the two external vertical posts and at a given distance from the external vertical posts; a passenger compartment; a sun roof, which is supported by the frame and can be set in an open position or a closed position with respect to the passenger compartment; a housing for containing the sun roof when the sun roof itself is set in the open position; a movable cover for closing the housing; and a rear window, which is mounted in a sliding manner so as to move between an extracted position, in which the rear window projects from the car body, and a withdrawn position, in which the rear window is housed inside the car body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Ferrari S.p.A.
    Inventor: Riccardo Ugolini
  • Patent number: 8556329
    Abstract: A door panel that has a double-panel structure comprising an outer panel and an inner panel and is capable of ensuring sufficient strength at portions where hinges are attached is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Caterpillar Sarl
    Inventor: Ryoji Uto
  • Patent number: 8556330
    Abstract: A hinge assembly may include first and second hinge portions, a pivot pin, and a retaining member. The first hinge portion may be secured to one of a vehicle body and a door, and may include a first aperture and a protrusion. The second hinge portion may be secured to another of the vehicle body and the door, and may include a second aperture and a first detent. The protrusion may engage the first detent when the door is in an open position. The pivot pin may selectively engage the first and second apertures to provide relative rotation between the first and second hinge portions. The retaining member may engage a portion of the pivot pin and may be axially movable relative to one of the first and second apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventors: Robert R. Lazarevich, Richard M. Kleinhoffer