Door Hinge Detail Patents (Class 296/146.11)
  • Patent number: 7798557
    Abstract: A vehicle rear door articulating and sliding mechanism including an articulating hinge assembly having a hinge arm pivotally mounted to a vehicle C-pillar at one end thereof, and a vehicle rear door pivotally and slidably mounted to the hinge arm at an opposite end of the hinge arm. A guide track may be mounted to the rear door, and a slide block may be pivotally mounted to the hinge arm and slidably attached to the guide track. The hinge arm may be disposed at first and second angular positions relative to the guide track when the rear door is respectively disposed in closed and opened positions, and the slide block may be disposed at first and second positions along a length of the guide track when the rear door is respectively disposed in the closed and opened positions, to thus provide articulating and sliding movement of the rear door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Adrian N. A. Elliott, Justin T. Johnson, Jason Falenski, Henry Hausler, Dave M. Lechkun
  • Patent number: 7770960
    Abstract: Various embodiments of this invention disclose a biaxial rear door hinge of a vehicle that allows the vehicle door to open outward and then upward. This biaxial hinge system allows the rear door in a sedan to mimic the look of a vertically pivoting front door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Inventor: Dan Greenbank
  • Patent number: 7762608
    Abstract: A motor vehicle includes a trunk, in which the trunk has a body cutout opening which can be closed off by a two-part trunk lid which is composed of an upper trunk lid and a lower trunk lid. The upper trunk lid can be pivoted downward by an angle from, in each case, one closed position into, in each case, one open position. The lower trunk lid has at least one pivot lever, which is arranged such that it can be pivoted by way of a pivot axle formed on a lower body section. In the open position of the lower trunk lid, the pivot lever is in engagement with the lower body section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Klaus Gersmann, Andreas Clausen-Schaumann, David Evans
  • Publication number: 20100180399
    Abstract: An assembly to pivotally connect an external vehicle closure panel to a vehicle body includes a first hinge member that is constructed to be mounted to one of the external vehicle closure panel and the vehicle body, a second hinge member that is constructed to be mounted to the other of the external vehicle closure panel and the vehicle body, a shaft that is constructed to pivotally connect the first hinge member to the second hinge member, and a viscous rotary damper. The damper includes a cover, a rotor, and a viscous material. The shaft connects to the rotor such that rotation of the external vehicle closure panel between a closing position and an opening position causes relative motion between the rotor and the cover of the viscous damper to provide a resistance for controlling the velocity of the external vehicle closure member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2010
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Applicant: Ventra Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Brad F. PATZER, Michael D. J. SMITH, Stanislav MAGOVSKI, David W. SHAW, Joaquin HUNG
  • Patent number: 7748768
    Abstract: A door hinge for a motor vehicle has a column console that can be arranged on a door frame and a door console that can be attached to a vehicle door, wherein the door console and the column console are connected together as counterpieces at two bearing points arranged spaced from each other in a pin-jointed manner and separable for disassembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Automotive Group ISE Innomotive Systems Europe GmbH
    Inventors: Dennis Hofacker, Jakob Löwen, Johann Olfert
  • Patent number: 7725990
    Abstract: Hinge reinforcement (10), for a motor vehicle door hinge, has a shape corresponding to the shape of the hinge bracket (6) and is able to be joined to the hinge bracket. The first end (11) of the reinforcement (10) facing the hinge pin (5) is provided with a fork-like shape so that it can be placed against the hinge pin (5) from below the bracket onto the hinge pin between the bearing arms (9) of the bracket, and on its side facing the bracket a cam (12) engages a recess (13) of the hinge bracket (6) to prevent the hinge reinforcement (10) from falling out. The second end (14) of the reinforcement is connected to the hinge bracket (6) by a fastening element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Valeo Sicherheitssysteme GmbH
    Inventor: Matthias Patzold
  • Publication number: 20100127530
    Abstract: A simultaneous movement system for a vehicle door includes a vehicle door having a door inner panel, first and second outboard members, first and second inboard members, first and second guide tracks, a third curved guide track, first and second points on the second outboard member, and first and second slide members. The first and second guide tracks are operatively mounted to the vehicle door. The third curved guide track may be operatively mounted to the vehicle door and is configured to receive a second point on the second outboard hinge arm. The first point on the second outboard hinge arm may be pivotally mounted on a second slide member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2008
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Inventors: Adrian Nicholas Alexander Elliott, Jason Falenski, Dave Michael Lechkun, Craig Blust
  • Patent number: 7717493
    Abstract: A sliding door system for a motor vehicle, including a door that is configured to be disposed within a door opening that is formed in the vehicle body, a trim panel connected to the door, and an opening formed through the trim panel. A hinge arm extends through the opening in the trim panel and has a first end connected to the vehicle body and a second end slidably connected to the door for movement of the door between a closed position and an open position. A closure panel is moveable between a deployed position, wherein the closure panel obstructs at least a portion of the opening in the trim panel, and a stowed position, wherein the closure panel does not obstruct the opening in the trim panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Nissan Design America, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Plavetich
  • Publication number: 20100109376
    Abstract: A vehicle door structure includes a vehicle structure formed with an opening, an interior panel and an exterior door. The interior panel is supported to the vehicle structure for pivotal movement by a first hinge arrangement about a first pivot axis. The exterior door is supported to the vehicle structure for pivotal movement by a second hinge arrangement about a second pivot axis that is spaced apart from the first pivot axis. The exterior door is also supported to the interior panel such that the interior panel and the exterior door move together as the exterior door is moved between an open position and a closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2008
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: NISSAN DESIGN AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Richard Plavetich
  • Patent number: 7690715
    Abstract: An open-close portion structure of a vehicle body includes: an open-close member which opens and closes an opening of the vehicle body; a first hinge member provided on the vehicle body; a second hinge member provided on the open-close member, being pivoted with the first hinge member; and a stretchable stay provided between the vehicle body and the open-close member and biasing the open-close member to open, wherein an end of the stretchable stay is coupled to the second hinge member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koki Hakamata, Tomofumi Ichinose
  • Patent number: 7677639
    Abstract: An adjustable closure hinge assembly, includes a first hinge portion having a first aperture, a second hinge portion having a second aperture coaxially aligned with the first aperture, a hinge member disposed in the first and second apertures for joining the first and second hinge portions, wherein the hinge member further comprises a spacer intermediate walls defining the first and second apertures and the hinge member, wherein the spacer comprises an active material, and an activation device in operative communication with the active material, wherein the activation device is operable to selectively apply an activation signal to the active material and effect a reversible change in at least one property of the active material, wherein the change in the at least one property is effective to provide up to six degrees of freedom to the hinge member and less than or equal to two degrees of freedom in the absence of the activation signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Cafeo, Alan L. Browne, Gary L. Jones, Nancy L. Johnson
  • Patent number: 7673928
    Abstract: An integrated rear spoiler and hinge cover that covers a flip-glass window hinge that is not attached to the flip glass window hinge and rotates from a fully closed position to a fully open position substantially simultaneously with the flip-glass window hinge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Christopher Walker, Akihiko Kuribayashi, Takuji Ohara, Ryo Inoue, Bob Tamarapoo, Joshua Morrow
  • Patent number: 7673927
    Abstract: In a motor vehicle having a tail gate (10) affixed to a lateral, rear pillar of the vehicle structure by means of at least one hinge so as to be pivotable about a substantially vertical axis (A-A), a hinge part that swings out together with the tail gate is located in an area of a lateral tail light (18) of the vehicle when the tail gate (10) is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Wilhelm Karmann GmbH
    Inventors: Franz-Ulrich Brockhoff, Winfried Bunsmann, Jochen Klein, Wolfgang Nentwig, Markus Grave
  • Patent number: 7673929
    Abstract: An assembly to pivotally connect an external vehicle closure panel to a vehicle body includes a first hinge member that is constructed to be mounted to one of the external vehicle closure panel and the vehicle body, a second hinge member that is constructed to be mounted to the other of the external vehicle closure panel and the vehicle body, a shaft that is constructed to pivotally connect the first hinge member to the second hinge member, and a viscous rotary damper. The damper includes a cover, a rotor, and a viscous material. The shaft connects to the rotor such that rotation of the external vehicle closure panel between a closing position and an opening position causes relative motion between the rotor and the cover of the viscous damper to provide a resistance for controlling the velocity of the external vehicle closure member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Ventra Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Brad F. Patzer, Michael D. J. Smith, Stanislav Magovski, David W. Shaw, Joaquin Hung
  • Patent number: 7669916
    Abstract: A rear door is supported at a rear end of a vehicle by a hinge assembly, which includes a hinge base part and a door hinge part. The hinge base part is provided in a groove formed at a joint between a roof panel and a side panel of a vehicle body, and the door hinge part is attached to the rear door and swingably supported by the hinge base part. The hinge base part includes an anchor portion fixed to a bottom of the groove, a swing motion support portion disposed in a position aligned in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle with the anchor portion and separate from the anchor portion to support the door hinge part, and a connecting portion extending between the anchor portion and the swing motion support portion to fix the swing motion support portion relative to the anchor portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichi Munenaga, Fumiyoshi Mizutani
  • Patent number: 7651153
    Abstract: A vehicle has a body and at least two trailing arm suspensions, one proximate each side of the body. Each trailing arm suspension has a swing arm pivotably mounted at one end to the body and a fluid suspension extending between the swing arm and the body. A wheel is rotatably mounted to a free end of each swing arm. A power plant is provided for powering each wheel and a control system is provided for controlling a volume of fluid in each fluid suspension. The vehicle may have a longitudinally extending body with a sliding side door riding along a track configured such that said door has an open position extending transversely of said body. The vehicle may have a monocoque body with at least substantially planar sides and at least one parcel shelf extending along an inside of, and attached to, each of the sides for stiffening the sides and resisting torsion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Unicell Limited
    Inventors: Roger Martin, Scott J. Vader
  • Publication number: 20090322120
    Abstract: A system and method for assembling a closure for a vehicle. The system includes first, second and third closure manipulators adapted to engage different areas of the closure, a first hinge manipulator configured to receive and fasten a first hinge to the closure, and a nab pin manipulator configured to position and secure a nab pin in a fixed position relative to the door and the hinge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2008
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Applicant: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Richard Daniel Pastrick, Anthony Peter Young, Paul Temple
  • Publication number: 20090295187
    Abstract: An improved vehicle door hinge allows a door to swing open in a horizontal plane in order to clear the vehicle frame, this rotation is accomplished by a hinge. A curved rail mounted on the door then allows the hinge portion to move upward, the curvature of the rail allowing a small amount of motion of the rail to cause a twist of the door as it moves, and the twist causes the door to move clear of the doorway of the vehicle frame. The rail comprises roller races on each edge, the rail races have running on them a set of four rollers, two rollers on each edge of the rail. The hinge is located on one end of the rail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Inventor: Demetrius Calvin Ham
  • Patent number: 7618084
    Abstract: A rear structure of a vehicle body in which a tailgate is mounted on a rear part of the vehicle body so as to be openable and closable includes a hinge member having a hinge base fixed into a groove extending in the length of the vehicle body and a gate hinge rotatably connected to the hinge base and fixed to the tailgate; a hinge cover having a rear wall to cover an upper portion and a rear portion of the hinge base by closing a rear end of the groove, the rear wall covering the rear portion of the hinge base and having: a notch allowing the gate hinge to pass therethrough, and a rear shielding member fixed to the tailgate to cover an upper portion of the gate hinge, wherein the notch is covered with the rear shielding member in a state where the tailgate is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yosuke Kimura
  • Publication number: 20090261618
    Abstract: A car provided with: a chassis supporting a pair of front wheels which turn about a first horizontal rotation axis and a pair of rear wheels which turn about a second horizontal rotation axis; a passenger compartment obtained between the front wheels and the rear wheels; and at least one pair of front doors, each of which is hinged to the chassis by means of a hinge to turn about a third rotation axis between an opening position and a closing position of the passenger compartment; the hinges of the front doors are arranged in proximity to the first rotation axis of the front wheels so that the projection on a horizontal plane of the hinges is within the rectangular area comprised between the two front wheels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2009
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Applicant: FERRARI S.p.A
    Inventor: Giovanni Stefani
  • Patent number: 7594690
    Abstract: A vehicle having a closure system that includes a closure structure, a body structure component, and a hinge pin. The closure structure is configured to pivot with respect to the body structure component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventor: Gregory Thomas Hedderly
  • Patent number: 7585013
    Abstract: A temporary checking device is provided that works in conjunction with elements of a vehicle hinge that remain in the vehicle's final configuration. The hinge includes a hinge pin rotatably connecting a door hinge bracket to a pillar hinge bracket. The checking device includes a spring portion that is disposed between the door hinge bracket and the pillar hinge bracket. The spring portion is compressed during movement of the door hinge bracket relative to the pillar hinge bracket from either of two rest positions. The spring portion urges the vehicle door affixed thereto back into one of the rest positions, thus allowing manufacturing operations such as painting, etc., to be performed on the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mark Brown, Marc Iman, Cindy Tran, James Ritchie, Ohno Takahiro, Ogawa Takashi, Ishikawa Takeshi
  • Publication number: 20090167053
    Abstract: An integrated rear spoiler and hinge cover that covers a flip-glass window hinge that is not attached to the flip glass window hinge and rotates from a fully closed position to a fully open position substantially simultaneously with the flip-glass window hinge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2008
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Inventors: Christopher Walker, Akihiko Kuribayashi, Takuji Ohara, Ryo Inoue, Bob Tamarapoo, Joshua Morrow
  • Publication number: 20090151125
    Abstract: A vehicle including an integrated vehicle door hinge and interior handle is disclosed. The integrated vehicle door hinge and interior handle may comprise a door hinge and an interior door release handle, with the door hinge having a hinge support flange pivotally coupled with a vehicle body, and an exposed hinge arm extending from the hinge support flange. The interior door release handle may include a pull handle configured for gripping by a vehicle occupant, and a handle pass through arm extending from the pull handle and connected to the exposed hinge arm, with the handle pass through arm mounted to the door.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2007
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Kelly G. Craigo, Wade W. Bryant, Therese A. Tant
  • Patent number: 7546663
    Abstract: A vehicle body hinge mechanism includes at least one hinge set carried by a support plate that retains a pivot pin and a retainer bar in a cantilevered manner. Preferably, the plate is stamped, and the pivot pin supports a lever, such as a gooseneck arm, that will be coupled to the hood. The plate includes a mount that will be carried by peripheral body structure around the hood opening. The retainer bar carries a helically wound spring that secures one end of the spring for resistance to rotation about the axis of the bar. The other end of the spring engages a linkage that urges the lever to pivot toward the open position. Preferably, a stop limit is integrally incorporated in the linkage carried by the plate to stop the lever at a desired hood opening limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: M & C Corporation
    Inventor: Michael J. Duffy
  • Patent number: 7540554
    Abstract: A hinge for a vehicle flap is provided which includes a first hinge part (2), mounted on one of the door arrangement elements flap and flap frame, a second hinge part (3), mounted on the other door arrangement element, a hinge pin (4) which is linked with the first hinge part (2) and the second hinge part (3) so as to be pivoted about a first pivoting axis (S), and a lever arrangement (17), coupling the first hinge part (2) with the second hinge part (3). The lever arrangement comprises at least on first lever (20), the lever (20) being linked with the hinge part (2) located on the flap so as to be pivoted. The hinge allows for a safe and controlled opening and closing of an automotive flap. For this purpose, a fixing device (24) for a motor (16) is provided on the hinge part (2) disposed on the flap and the first lever (20) of the lever arrangement (17) is rotationally driven by the motor (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: Edscha AG
    Inventor: Jochen Bals
  • Publication number: 20090134662
    Abstract: A vehicle door that opens from a point of rotation in a scissors like motion is provided. When the door is unlatched, it moves away from the side of the vehicle and swivels upward in a scissors like motion traveling along an arcuate path which parallels the curvature of the vehicle. It is suitable for use with any vehicles including four door sedan, two door coupe, two or four door convertible, pick-up truck, van, minivan and minibus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2007
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Inventor: Simon Gojcaj
  • Patent number: 7533920
    Abstract: A selectively detachable tailgate hinge assembly connects a tailgate to a vehicle. The hinge assembly has a hinge mechanism, a first wiring harness, and a second wiring harness. At least a first portion of the hinge mechanism may be selectively detached from a second portion of the hinge. The first wiring harness operatively connects to at least one component within a tailgate and further has a first electrical contact that is positioned within the first portion of the hinge mechanism. The second wiring harness operatively connects to a power source positioned in the vehicle and further has a second electrical contact that is positioned within the second portion of the hinge mechanism. The electrical contacts are electrically engaged with one another when the hinge mechanism is assembled and electrically disengaged when the first portion of the hinge mechanism is detached from the second portion of the hinge mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Nissan Technical Center North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Benjamin G. Ohly
  • Patent number: 7530623
    Abstract: A cab for a vehicle, such as an all terrain vehicle, a tractor, or small construction vehicle, is constructed of twin-sheet plastic panels that can be easily assembled, preferably with snap-together interlocking features. One of the panels can be a door panel having a door hinged to a door frame to control passage through a doorway. Both the door and the door frame have spaced apart hinge knuckles that interleave along a hinge axis to allow the door to pivot about a hinge pin. The door and door frame can be molded in a single twin-sheet panel. The two walls of the panel are fused together along the outer periphery of the panel door portion and the inner periphery of the panel door frame portion. The door is separated from the door frame by cutting the each of the walls along a door perimeter between the door and door frame portions of the molded panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Inventor: Lance T. Hampel
  • Publication number: 20090096246
    Abstract: An assembly to pivotally connect an external vehicle closure panel to a vehicle body includes a first hinge member that is constructed to be mounted to one of the external vehicle closure panel and the vehicle body, a second hinge member that is constructed to be mounted to the other of the external vehicle closure panel and the vehicle body, a shaft that is constructed to pivotally connect the first hinge member to the second hinge member, and a viscous rotary damper. The damper includes a cover, a rotor, and a viscous material. The shaft connects to the rotor such that rotation of the external vehicle closure panel between a closing position and an opening position causes relative motion between the rotor and the cover of the viscous damper to provide a resistance for controlling the velocity of the external vehicle closure member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2008
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Applicant: Ventra Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Brad F. Patzer, Michael D.J. Smith, Stanislav Magovski, David W. Shaw, Joaquin Hung
  • Patent number: 7517003
    Abstract: An opening and closing apparatus for an opening and closing body of a vehicle. The opening and closing apparatus includes a reciprocating member movable along a plane perpendicular to a hinge shaft. A connecting member is provided having a first end section fixed to the opening and closing body, and a second end section pivotally attached to the reciprocating member through a connecting shaft. The opening and closing body is moved to open and close through the connecting member upon a movement of the reciprocating member. In the opening and closing apparatus, the connecting member includes two side wall sections apart from each other in a direction parallel with the axis of the connecting shaft. A suppression member is disposed to a stationary body in the vehicle and so engaged between the two side wall sections as to be relatively movable to the connecting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Mitsui Mining & Smelting Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Okada, Nao Mizumoto
  • Publication number: 20090072582
    Abstract: A vehicle rear door unsequenced articulating mechanism including one or more articulating hinge assemblies having one or more hinge arms pivotally mounted to a vehicle C-pillar at one end thereof via a C-pillar hinge mount and pivotally mounted to a vehicle rear door at another end thereof via a door hinge mount. The hinge arm may include a generally J-shaped profile between the ends thereof for permitting unsequenced articulation of the rear door up to approximately 180° from a rear door closed position. The door hinge mount may include a door stop engageable with a stop surface on the hinge arm for limiting pivotal movement of the vehicle rear door.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Inventors: Adrian N. A. Elliott, Justin T. Johnson, Jason Falenski, Craig Blust, Dave M. Lechkun
  • Publication number: 20090070960
    Abstract: A vehicle rear door unsequenced articulating mechanism including one or more articulating hinge assemblies having one or more hinge arms pivotally mounted to a vehicle C-pillar at one end thereof via a C-pillar hinge mount and pivotally mounted to a vehicle rear door at another end thereof via a door hinge mount. The hinge arm may include a generally U-shaped profile between the ends thereof for permitting unsequenced articulation of the rear door up to 180° from a rear door closed position. The door hinge mount may include a door check engageable with a stop on the hinge arm, for limiting pivotal movement of the vehicle rear door to a first intermediate open position from the rear door closed position, upon pivotal movement of the door check relative to the hinge arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Inventors: Adrian N. A. Elliott, Justin T. Johnson, Jason Falenski, Craig Blust
  • Patent number: 7503612
    Abstract: A trailer includes a ramp having an end attached to the trailer for pivotal movement of the ramp between a raised gate position and a lowered, inclined loading position. An elongate support is attached to the trailer adjacent to the end of the ramp, and a tension spring encircles the support and has a first tag end coupled to the end of the ramp and a second tag end coupled to the trailer and winding and unwinding in response to movement of ramp between the raised gate position and the lowered, inclined loading position, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Inventor: Ricky Taylor
  • Patent number: 7503618
    Abstract: A wheeled automotive vehicle including a body structure, including a driver compartment and including an opening into the compartment. A door is cooperatively dimensioned and configured to close the opening, the opening being formed by portions of the body structure at the front and rear side of the opening. A hinge is pivotably holding the door, in a first position, at one of the front and rear side of the opening. A guide system is provided along a lower portion of the door on the same side of the opening as the hinge. During opening, the door is maneuverable upwardly along the guide system until it reaches the first position. From the first position, the door is pivotally movable around an axis, propagating in the transverse direction of the vehicle, and in a direction away from the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations Inc.
    Inventors: Mattias Geyrhofer, Patrick Verhée, Alex Daniel
  • Publication number: 20090056076
    Abstract: A pivot device has a first hinge part and a second hinge part pivotably connected to the first hinge part about a pivot axis. A blocking device secures the first and second hinge parts in a pivoted position relative to one another against backward and forward pivoting out of the pivoted position. The blocking device has first and second friction surfaces that, when pivoting the first and second hinge parts relative to one another, glide across one another and move axially relative to one another in an axial direction of the pivot axis as a pivot angle between the first and second hinge parts increases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2007
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventors: Hans-Peter Goller, Richard Morawetz
  • Publication number: 20090058131
    Abstract: A motion assist hinge mechanism includes a first and second hinge part mounted to the tailgate and vehicle body, respectively. The first hinge part includes a first cam having a sloped engagement surface engaged with a sloped engagement surface of a second cam of the second hinge part, under the bias of a resilient member, for moving axially along a pivot axis. The second cam is fixed to the vehicle body against pivotal movement relative to the pivot axis. When the tailgate is moved from a lowered, open position towards a raised, closed position, the resilient member translates a torque assisting force to the tailgate. The surface of the second cam may also include a detent that mates with the surface of the first cam to lock the tailgate at an angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2008
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Applicant: Ventra Group Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. J. SMITH, Bradley F. PATZER, Stanislav MAGOVSKI
  • Publication number: 20090051194
    Abstract: A vehicle rear door articulating and sliding mechanism including an articulating hinge assembly having a hinge arm pivotally mounted to a vehicle C-pillar at one end thereof, and a vehicle rear door pivotally and slidably mounted to the hinge arm at an opposite end of the hinge arm. A guide track may be mounted to the rear door, and a slide block may be pivotally mounted to the hinge arm and slidably attached to the guide track. The hinge arm may be disposed at first and second angular positions relative to the guide track when the rear door is respectively disposed in closed and opened positions, and the slide block may be disposed at first and second positions along a length of the guide track when the rear door is respectively disposed in the closed and opened positions, to thus provide articulating and sliding movement of the rear door.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Inventors: Adrian N. A. Elliott, Justin T. Johnson, Jason Falenski, Henry Hausler, Dave M. Lechkun
  • Patent number: 7488029
    Abstract: An automotive vehicle is disclosed with a pillarless door opening for occupant ingress and egress. The first door is pivotally connected to the vehicle at a first end with a second end that extends to a central region of the door opening in the closed position. A second door has a first end translatably connected to the vehicle and a second end translatably connected to the vehicle adjacent to the central region of the opening at a closed position. The first door and the second door cooperate to close the opening. The second door can be translated relative to the vehicle to an intermediate position for providing clearance from the first door. One of the second door ends is detachable from the vehicle for pivoting the second door to an open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David M. Lechkun, John M. Beranek, Richard J. Wells
  • Publication number: 20090015036
    Abstract: A temporary checking device is provided that works in conjunction with elements of a vehicle hinge that remain in the vehicle's final configuration. The hinge includes a hinge pin rotatably connecting a door hinge bracket to a pillar hinge bracket. The checking device includes a spring portion that is disposed between the door hinge bracket and the pillar hinge bracket. The spring portion is compressed during movement of the door hinge bracket relative to the pillar hinge bracket from either of two rest positions. The spring portion urges the vehicle door affixed thereto back into one of the rest positions, thus allowing manufacturing operations such as painting, etc., to be performed on the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Mark Brown, Marc Iman, Cindy Tran, James Ritchie, Ohno Takahiro, Ogawa Takashi, Ishikawa Takeshi
  • Patent number: 7472942
    Abstract: A vehicle side portion structure, which is applied to a vehicle body, has a pillar that is arranged at the side of a vehicle body and which extends in the substantially up and down directions of the vehicle; and a side door turnably supported around a door hinge attached to pillar. A preset gap is set between the surfaces of the pillar and the side door that face each other. A load-conveying component is provided at the gap or vicinity thereof, and this suppresses the rotational displacement of the pillar around the door hinge when a frontal collision load is input and makes the frontal collision load act upon the side door as an axial force towards the rear side of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroki Yamasaki
  • Patent number: 7469953
    Abstract: A gooseneck hinge assembly for a closure of a vehicle includes a body side bracket adapted to be connected to a vehicle body of the vehicle and a closure side bracket having a gooseneck shape adapted to be connected to a closure for closing an aperture in the vehicle body. The gooseneck hinge assembly also includes a pivot pin to pivotally connect the closure side bracket to the body side bracket to allow rotational movement therebetween. The gooseneck hinge assembly further includes a torque rod adapted to be connected to another one of the closure side bracket, and a torque rod assembly connected to the body side bracket and the torque rod and being infinitely adjustable to counterbalance a weight of the closure when opening and closing the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Heath, David T. Renke
  • Publication number: 20080309120
    Abstract: An automotive vehicle includes one or more swinging doors which may be immobilized in a number of positions, so as to allow the door to be used, for example, to assist passengers in entering and leaving the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Inventors: Kelly M. Kohlstrand, Christina M. Sammut, Ronald J. Brzuch, James L. Van Gilder, Brian L. Dunlavy, Michael J. Vinarcik
  • Publication number: 20080303307
    Abstract: A method and assembly line (10) for vehicle door mounting provides initial door installation for painting and subsequent reinstallation as previously positioned.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2008
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Applicant: UTICA ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventor: Mark A. Savoy
  • Patent number: 7455137
    Abstract: A counterweighted fork-lift truck has a vehicle frame (1) with a frame segment (2) having a lateral frame opening (2b). A pivoting door (3) covers the frame opening (2a). The door (3) is connected to the vehicle frame (1) by a double hinge (5). Protection against buckling is provided such that when the door (3) is in the closed position, an intermediate door leaf (3a) located between the axes of rotation (A1, A2) can be blocked in position with respect to an adjacent main leaf (3b). The protection against buckling has a spring element (24) with which, in the closed position of the door (3), the intermediate leaf (3a) is biased toward the open position and is in engagement with a stop (25), which is fastened to the main leaf (3b). The intermediate leaf (3a) and the main leaf (3b) enclose an obtuse angle (S).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Linde Material Handling GmbH
    Inventor: Peter Magsaam
  • Patent number: 7445267
    Abstract: A hinge device for a flap of a motor vehicle includes a piston/cylinder unit arranged between a fixed structural part and a first flap which is pivotable about an axis of rotation. A second flap is likewise pivotable about the axis of rotation and can be connected releasably to the first flap. The piston/cylinder unit is arranged between a first leg, firmly connectable to the fixed structural part, and a second leg carrying the first flap, of a hinge 6. A third leg carries the second flap, wherein the first leg, the second leg, and the third leg 9 are pivotably arranged on a common hinge axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Stabilus GmbH
    Inventors: Jean-Noél Charon, Rolf Mintgen
  • Patent number: 7441827
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a rear support (12) for a vehicle (24) that is to be fitted to the rear end of the body (22) of the vehicle (24) in the vicinity of a door (14) movable to pivot about an axis that is substantially horizontal, pivoting being enabled by at least one hinge (16) having a stationary portion and a portion secured to the door, said portion being movable relative to the stationary portion, the support (12) being shaped to receive the stationary portion of at least one hinge (16) and to enable it to be secured to the body (22), and also to receive at least one item of functional equipment (32, 34, 36) of the vehicle (24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Compagnie Plastic Omnium
    Inventors: Eric Bonneau, Francis Cordebar
  • Patent number: 7429075
    Abstract: There is provided an alternative construction of driver's cab (1) for a load-handling vehicle and in particular an alternative construction of door (5) for a driver's cab. The door (5) is pivotally mounted on one of the uprights (13) of the driver's cab (1) and does not protrude outwardly from the driver's cab when opened or closed. The door (5) is mounted so that it effectively pivots about its own substantially vertical plane. The door (5) is provided with a locking mechanism that allows the door to be secured in position relative the upright (13) without the need for additional locking members being mounted on another of the uprights (13) on the driver's cab. The construction of driver's cab is lightweight and compact and allows for a more simplified manufacture by virtue of the omission of additional components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Assignee: Moffett Research and Development Limited
    Inventors: Kevin Turnbull, Barry McGrane
  • Patent number: RE41143
    Abstract: A door hinge assembly is mounted between a door mounting pillar of the vehicle body and a door to swingably mount the door to the door mounting pillar. The door hinge assembly includes an upper hinge and a lower hinge with a double pivot pin arrangement, and a torsion bar extending substantially vertically between the upper and lower hinges. The upper and lower hinges are fastened at interior fastening points on an inner side wall of the door mounting pillar and at exterior fastening points on an exterior wall portion of the door mounting pillar with longitudinal fastening axes that extend in a substantially orthogonal direction to the inner side wall and the exterior wall portion of the door mounting pillar. The interior fastening points are disposed rearwardly of the torsion bar and the exterior fastening points are disposed forwardly of the torsion bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nandkumar Rangnekar, William Bowes, Gary Nylander, William Spencer Evans, Takehito Ichino
  • Patent number: RE41560
    Abstract: An automotive closure panel which is rotatable about a pivot axis has an axial locator insert situated within a pivot bearing insert bore to set a margin extending between the closure panel and a vehicle body. This system is particularly useful for closure panels such as tailgates having torsion bar or motorized lift assist, because such systems are not easily disassembled for the purpose of setting the closure panel margins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Scott G. Miller, Jeff A. Firzlaff