Specific Door Or Door Opening Edge Feature Patents (Class 296/146.9)
  • Patent number: 6814393
    Abstract: The sealing strip of the present invention includes a retention section having an upper hub, a first retention leg, a second retention leg rearward of the first retention leg, an upper recess rearward of the upper hub, and first and second lower recesses. The first lower recess is positioned between the first and second retention legs and the second lower recess is positioned rearward of the second retention leg. The sealing strip also includes a sealing section formed with the retention section. The invention is also related to a vehicle panel assembly including a first panel having a channel, a second panel, and a sealing strip coupled to the first panel. The sealing strip includes a retention section having an upper hub, a first retention leg, a second retention leg, an upper recess, and first and second lower recesses. The sealing strip again includes a sealing section which is integrally formed with the retention section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideyuki Nagata
  • Patent number: 6811194
    Abstract: A garnish cooperates with weather strip material to seal an opening in a vehicle body portion. The garnish has a plurality of slots formed in selected portions thereof. In one illustrative embodiment, the garnish is attachable to a door sash frame. The door sash frame is provided with a outer weather strip seal and a plurality of seal clips which are inserted through selected slots in the garnish, thereby concurrently affixing both the garnish and outer weather strip seal to the door sash frame, to contribute to a secure, efficient, and quiet seal for the vehicle opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Brent Gaertner, Kazuo Onodera, Lawrence Geise
  • Patent number: 6810624
    Abstract: A structure of a molding part of a weather strip for use in a rear door by firmly attaching the molding part in the rear door so as to reduce weight and manufacturing costs and ensures sufficient sealing property. The molding part is attached to a recess together with a slide arm 4. The recess is formed at the front lower end of the rear door. The molding part comprises merely a plate insert except sealing function parts. The sealing function parts elastically contact a car body side. The plate insert is fixed to the rear door by bolts and nuts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Nishikawa Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshio Fujimura, Isao Nakagawa, Yukihisa Matsuda, Yoshio Itou
  • Patent number: 6808225
    Abstract: A double door structure which has front and rear doors opening outward to form an uninterrupted opening to front and rear seats has an impact load carrying assembly for forming a side body reinforcing structure for protecting passengers against a side collision. The impact load carrying assembly includes an impact bar extending to and overlapping a side sill of a vehicle body, an upper bracket fixedly mounted to the impact bar and located to overlap a roof side rail of the vehicle body and a lower bracket fixedly mounted to the impact bar. The upper bracket mounts a latch and a belt anchor of a seatbelt system thereon and the lower bracket mounts catch pins forming part of a door catch mechanism operative to prevent movement of the door upon an occurrence of a side collision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventor: Yukihiro Moriyama
  • Patent number: 6802551
    Abstract: In certain embodiments, a thermal barrier can be removably attached to portals such as trailer doors, partitions, bulkheads, and the like. In one embodiment, a flexible thermal barrier having an associated flexible seal is attached to an interior surface of a roll-up trailer door in a refrigerated trailer to insulate the cargo area from the ambient air. In other embodiments, seals mounted to the trailer wall cooperate with an insulating blanket disposed on a portal such as a roll-up door. In still other embodiments, wall mounted seals are used alone, without a blanket, to provide peripheral thermal sealing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Inventor: Chad Nelson
  • Publication number: 20040189044
    Abstract: The sealing strip of the present invention includes a retention section having an upper hub, a first retention leg, a second retention leg rearward of the first retention leg, an upper recess rearward of the upper hub, and first and second lower recesses. The first lower recess is positioned between the first and second retention legs and the second lower recess is positioned rearward of the second retention leg. The sealing strip also includes a sealing section formed with the retention section. The invention is also related to a vehicle panel assembly including a first panel having a channel, a second panel, and a sealing strip coupled to the first panel. The sealing strip includes a retention section having an upper hub, a first retention leg, a second retention leg, an upper recess, and first and second lower recesses. The sealing strip again includes a sealing section which is integrally formed with the retention section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2003
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Inventor: Hideyuki Nagata
  • Patent number: 6793269
    Abstract: The invention provides a vehicle door assembly including two entrances. Both entrances are surrounded by a frame assembly for mounting on the vehicle. One of the entrances is at about the height of the vehicle floor, while the other is lower than the vehicle floor and opens into a stairwell that leads up and into the vehicle. The floor-level door may be suitable for use with an appliance for assisting passengers to enter the vehicle, such as a lift or a ramp. The door assembly includes doors for closing the entrances. The door assembly may be mass-produced as a modular component and mounted on a conventional vehicle that has been specially modified to accept the door assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: The Braun Corporation
    Inventors: Michael R. Pugh, Ned McCormick, Christopher Lease
  • Patent number: 6783171
    Abstract: When a sealing portion at an end portion of an extruded weatherstrip is cut out by a fixed length and a main body and a lip are set on a metal mold for die forming, concave portions are formed on a lower surface and side surface of the main body to be set on the metal mold, and are latched, respectively with convex portions of the metal mold to restrict movement. Thus a problem in external appearance caused by movement or bending of a part of the main body including the lip due to a molding pressure is eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignees: Nishikawa Rubber Co., Ltd., Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Minoru Teishi, Takashi Yamashita, Takashi Ogawa
  • Patent number: 6779829
    Abstract: An automotive door assembly (10) includes an inner door (30) having an inner panel (40). The inner panel (40) has a first seat (44) and a second seat (46) integrally formed therein. The first seat (44) has a first side member (50) fixedly attached thereto for separating an exterior of the door assembly (10) from a door cavity thereof. The first side member (50) also reinforces the automotive door assembly (10). Likewise, the second seat (46) a second side member (90) has fixedly attached thereto for separating the exterior of the door assembly (10) from the door cavity thereof. The second side member (90) also reinforces the automotive door assembly (10). The inner panel (40), the first side member (50), and the second side member (90) have an outer door (18) attached thereto for enclosing the door cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Laurent Bernard Chappuis, Michael William Danyo
  • Patent number: 6779831
    Abstract: One large opening (1) formed in a car body side portion and continuous in a back-and-forth direction is opened and closed by front and rear side doors (11, 12). When the side doors (11, 12) are closed, a lap portion (15) is formed where a rear end of the front side door (11) overlaps a front end of the rear side door (12) externally in a direction of car width. A reinforcing member (25) extending in a vertical direction is disposed on the rear side door (12) in the vicinity of the lap portion (15). The rear end of a front impact bar (27) disposed in the front side door (11) extends to the lap portion (15). The front end of a rear impact bar (26) disposed in the rear side door (12) is connected to the reinforcing member (25).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventor: Yukihiro Moriyama
  • Patent number: 6776450
    Abstract: An attachment structure of a slide rail cover for covering a slide rail fixed to a side of a vehicle body from the outside to the vehicle body, has a main body cover including a slide rail attachment portion and a vehicle body attachment portion, the slide rail attachment portion being adapted to support the main body cover with rigidity, and the vehicle body attachment portion being adapted to regulate the position of the main body cover in vertical and lateral directions. The position of at least one of the vehicle body attachment portion and the slide rail attachment portion is regulated in a forward or rearward direction of the main body cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroshi Okubo, Hiroshi Tokuyama
  • Publication number: 20040145213
    Abstract: A door opening trim weather strip for a motor vehicle, which exhibits excellent noise insulating properties between a door opening portion of a vehicle body and a door of a motor vehicle, and requires a small force for closing the door, thereby improving feelings in closing the door. The door opening trim weather strip includes a trim portion in which a flange provided in the door opening portion is adapted to be inserted, and a tubular seal portion for sealing between the door opening portion and the door.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Publication date: July 29, 2004
    Inventor: Hiroya Watanabe
  • Patent number: 6764124
    Abstract: A car body structure for a convertible car that has a folding roof and a transparent windshield covering an front window opening comprises a door opening and closing a door opening in a side body section and a pillar member extending almost vertically from the side body section so as to support each side of the transparent windshield. The pillar member is positioned behind the front window opening so that the transparent windshield extends near besides occupants sitting on a seat of the car.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Isao Tohda, Haruo Ohe, Naohiro Imaoka
  • Publication number: 20040135395
    Abstract: The invention provides a vehicle door assembly including two entrances. Both entrances are surrounded by a frame assembly for mounting on the vehicle. One of the entrances is at about the height of the vehicle floor, while the other is lower than the vehicle floor and opens into a stairwell that leads up and into the vehicle. The floor-level door may be suitable for use with an appliance for assisting passengers to enter the vehicle, such as a lift or a ramp. The door assembly includes doors for closing the entrances. The door assembly may be mass-produced as a modular component and mounted on a conventional vehicle that has been specially modified to accept the door assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Applicant: The Braun Corporation
    Inventors: Michael R. Pugh, Ned McCormick, Christopher Lease
  • Patent number: 6749253
    Abstract: A hook and catch assembly for use in securing a door to a body of a vehicle. The hook and catch assembly includes a hook that is secured to the door, a rocker panel that the door engages, a catch that is secured to the rocker panel upper surface, and a rocker panel garnish that is disposed over the rocker panel upper surface and the catch. The hook is positioned such that, when the door is in a closed position, the hook extends through a slot in the rocker panel garnish and is received between the catch and said rocker panel upper surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Robert G. Zummallen, Shawn L. Tarr, Andrew K. Swayne, Masahiro Ishikawa, Pete Cardimen, Skye Malcom, Henry Dicato, Matt Wolfe, Kenichi Kitayama, Matthew Plett, Kris Lemmon
  • Publication number: 20040104595
    Abstract: A vehicle 7 is provided having a vehicle body 10 with an opening 16 having first and second ends 18, 20. The vehicle body 7 has a first door 22 and a second door 28, which has a latch connection 42 with the vehicle body between the opening 16 first and second ends 18, 20. A release handle mechanism 54, accessible from an interior of the vehicle body is provided for the second door 28. The release handle mechanism 54 is also accessible from an exterior of the vehicle body when the first door 22 is open.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2003
    Publication date: June 3, 2004
    Inventors: Matthew Carey, Donald G. Mikolai, Muhammed Ayub
  • Publication number: 20040070230
    Abstract: A vehicle door has a stop that can move between an urging position, in which it maintains a constant distance between a lower part of the door and the vehicle body when the door is closed, and a retracted position in which the stop does not maintain this constant distance between the lower part of the door and the vehicle body when the door is closed. The stop improves contact between the vehicle window surround and the vehicle body while the vehicle is moving, and can be retracted to make it easier to close the door.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2003
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Inventors: Frederic Burkat, Jean Marc Belmond, Michel Mounie
  • Patent number: 6719365
    Abstract: An integrated molding of an automobile and a method of manufacturing thereof, into which separated conventional molding pieces manufactured hitherto in various ways, such as a drip rail molding and a rear piece drip rail molding, are incorporated, and which is integrally manufactured in a unified single manufacturing way including the insert-injection molding and pressing. In the integrated molding, clips, which are separately manufactured from and assembled with conventional moldings and assembled with a vehicle frame or a drip rail attached to the vehicle frame or assembling holes formed through the vehicle frame, are integrally with the integrated molding by insert-injection molding, so that the integrated molding can be assembled with an automobile simply by inserting the clips into holes formed through the vehicle frame. Therefore, the process of manufacturing the integrated molding is simplified, and the integrated molding can effectively prevent wind noise and water-introduction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Inventor: Hwan Deok Lee
  • Publication number: 20040056509
    Abstract: One large opening (1) formed in a car body side portion and continuous in a back-and-forth direction is opened and closed by front and rear side doors (11, 12). When the side doors (11, 12) are closed, a lap portion (15) is formed where a rear end of the front side door (11) overlaps a front end of the rear side door (12) externally in a direction of car width. A reinforcing member (25) extending in a vertical direction is disposed on the rear side door (12) in the vicinity of the lap portion (15). The rear end of a front impact bar (27) disposed in the front side door (11) extends to the lap portion (15). The front end of a rear impact bar (26) disposed in the rear side door (12) is connected to the reinforcing member (25).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2003
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Applicant: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventor: Yukihiro Moriyama
  • Patent number: 6705665
    Abstract: An electromotively activated locking system for a motor vehicle door includes an outer door opener, at least one inner door opener, a lock mechanism that can be regulated by a motor drive and an element separating the wet and dry areas. The lock parts of the primary lock mechanism (3) are located in the damp area. An electrical device for determining the locking state of the primary and secondary lock mechanisms (3, 5) and the motor drive (2) are located in the dry area. For controlling the locking system, a logic alignment is carried out between the locking states of the primary locking mechanism and the locking states of the secondary locking mechanism and certain lock functions are then released or blocked for control in dependence on this logic alignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. KG, Coburg
    Inventors: Rolf Buecker, Juergen Seeberger, Joerg Uebelein
  • Patent number: 6692065
    Abstract: A framing structure around a vehicle door opening has a hydraulically tube-formed tubular framework disposed inside the vehicle door opening to form a basic framing. The outer panel and the tubular framework are joined directly together by welding. The inner side of the tubular framework is an inner wall within the vehicle. The outer side of the tubular framework, facing the outer panel, is a stiffening wall. The stiffening wall is hidden within a closed space between the outer panel and the inner wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Marujun Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuo Yamamoto, Naoki Hori, Akihiro Ito
  • Patent number: 6692057
    Abstract: A trunk lid or back door of a vehicle includes an inner panel and an outer panel, and a gap is formed between the inner panel and the outer panels. A reinforcement member is provided outside the inner panel at a position corresponding to an attachment unit of a latch. An extending portion of the reinforcement member extends to the outer panel and is provided with an attachment portion which is fixed on the outer panel. The latch is provided inside the inner panel and a latch disengaging lever is attached to the latch at the outer side thereof in a rotatable manner. In addition, the extending portion of the reinforcement member is positioned directly above the latch disengaging member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Igarashi, Hiroyuki Imakama
  • Patent number: 6682130
    Abstract: An over the highway vehicle having a body defining an occupant space and an access opening to the space is provided. A passenger access door is pivotally connected to the body. The door has pivotally connected upper and lower sections and is pivotal relative to the body between a closed position and partial and full open positions allowing unobstructed passage into and out of the space. The lower section is pivotal relative to the upper section between an aligned condition for closing the opening and a condition wherein the panels are generally juxtaposed. A tether is interposed between the cab and the lower section for limiting pivotal movement of the door when the door is in its aligned condition to the partially open position and permitting movement of the door to the full open position when the door is in the juxtaposed condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: Volvo Trucks North America, Inc.
    Inventors: James H. Lustig, David W. Conrad
  • Patent number: 6676201
    Abstract: A wedge system for stabilizing a liftgate of a vehicle relative to vehicle structure of the vehicle includes a first member for mounting on one of the liftgate and the vehicle structure. The wedge system also includes a second member for mounting on the other of the liftgate and the vehicle structure. The wedge system further includes a third member disposed between the first member and the second member and being movable and adjustable relative thereto to accommodate a gap between the liftgate and the vehicle structure and to stabilize the liftgate by providing a load path from the liftgate to the vehicle structure when the liftgate is in a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Kee Hyuk Im, Ravikumar Parthasarathy, Peter R. Scholar, Scott W. Thorpe, Paul L Yetter
  • Patent number: 6668490
    Abstract: A lightweight door for vehicles comprises a door box having a top portion delimited by inner and outer window gutter profiles. A lightweight window frame is coupled to the door box and is formed of light metal or light metal alloy. The window frame is formed from an extruded bent profile that has a closed hollow chamber and at least one mounting formation. The mounting formation may include a mounting groove or a clip-on strip. The mounting formation continuously follows a length of the profile and is for receiving at least one add-on component. A plastic molded panel module is coupled to the frame. The module has a support surface and outer panels formed as a single piece along the frame adjacent a roof rail and a B-pillar of the motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Wagon Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Hock, Stefan Marutschke, Jürgen Hock, Vuong Huy
  • Patent number: 6655698
    Abstract: A sealing member to be attached along a periphery of a door with a continuous good sealing performance against a facing opening portion even in a corner of the periphery of the door. A bar-shaped magnet is provided in a tubular seal portion of the sealing member so as to extend in a longitudinal direction thereof in close contact with an inside surface of a contacting part of a seal wall, which contacts the facing opening portion. The bar-shaped magnet has a cross-sectional shape of which the width gradually decreases from the side of the contacting part of the seal wall inwardly of the tubular seal portion, thereby reducing the cross-sectional area of the magnet, and enabling the magnet to be readily bent along a corner of the periphery of the door. And the bar-shaped magnet has an outwardly curving contacting surface, which contacts the contacting part of the seal wall, thereby improving contacting properties between the sealing member and a corner of the opening portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignees: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd., Takechi Kogyo Gomu Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Nozaki, Katsunori Kawai
  • Patent number: 6644718
    Abstract: A structure of a roof-side portion of a motor vehicle has a roof-side garnish composed of a synthetic resin, which is attached to the roof-side portion including a front pillar. The garnish has a band-shaped main portion, and an attaching portion which protrudes inwardly from about a widthwise center of an inside surface of the main portion in a direction perpendicular thereto. The attaching portion is secured to a door-opening surface of the roof-side portion, which defines a door opening in a vehicle body, such that an upper part of the main portion covers a roof-side surface of the roof-side portion, and a lower part of the main portion extends downwardly of an outside end of the roof-side surface. A retainer is secured to the attaching portion of the garnish on the inner side of a closed door glass so as to face the lower part of the garnish through the closed door glass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masahiro Nozaki
  • Patent number: 6641205
    Abstract: An assembly for sealing a front door and a rear door in a door opening on a vehicle lacking a conventional, separate B-pillar. The front door carries an adaptor at a lower rear end thereof that defines a generally sharp corner over which a portion of the front door seal extends. The rear door defines a sealing surface that is engaged by the portion of the front door seal extending over the adaptor. The rear door includes a rear door seal, a portion of which extends over an outer surface of the rear door and is engaged a sealing surface provided by the front door. At least a portion of the rear door seal and sealing surface are integrally formed by a sealing boot disposed over a lower end of the rear door so as to create a seal-to-seal type engagement between the front and rear doors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Stephen Russell, John Collins, Kazuo Onodera, Tony Kmeid
  • Patent number: 6641204
    Abstract: A molding attaching structure includes a sash provided on an automobile door, an outer sash mounted to the sash, and a molding mounted to the outer sash. When a door glass of the door is fully closed, the molding has its one side end laid over an edge of the door glass. The molding has its outer surface substantially flush with an outer surface of an automobile body. The outer sash includes a molding attachment part projecting outwardly therefrom. The molding attachment part includes an extension part and an edge part. The edge part includes a first portion extending from the extension part away from the door glass and having a distal end bent back, and a second portion extending from the distal end across the extension part towards the door glass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignees: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Sankei Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Ogawa, Mikio Suzuki, Takeshi Yamamoto, Takashi Yamanaka, Hideaki Sugimoto, Kazunari Iida
  • Patent number: 6637764
    Abstract: A transportation unit is provided for the secure and efficient collection, storage, and hauling of waste. The unit consists of a fully enclosed containment area that is secured to a frame and supported by wheels. The containment area is equipped with a dual access sliding door system to facilitate the convenient loading and unloading of waste.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Inventor: Jason C. Novakowski
  • Patent number: 6631940
    Abstract: A door for a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, having a face designed to be orientated towards the interior of the vehicle or interior face, and a face designed to be orientated towards the exterior of the vehicle, or exterior face. The door permitting the installation of one or more fittings at least partially located, in particular, between the interior and exterior faces. The door is constituted by a reinforcement, capable of supporting the fitting or fittings, and by means for cladding the reinforcement, defining with the reinforcement, on either side thereof, interior and exterior compartments enabling the fitting or fittings to be accommodated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jean Dauvergne, Delphine Montavon
  • Patent number: 6619725
    Abstract: A side impact structure for incorporation between an outer shell and an inner door panel of a door of a motor vehicle, includes an elongate section member having an attachment element. Secured to the attachment element is a blocking element which at least partially bridges a spacing between the outer shell and the inner door panel to thereby prevent access to the actuating mechanism of the door lock via a gap in the outer shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Benteler Automobiltechnik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Ludger Gehringhoff, Stefan Gossmann
  • Publication number: 20030168883
    Abstract: A wedge system for stabilizing a liftgate of a vehicle relative to vehicle structure of the vehicle includes a first member for mounting on one of the liftgate and the vehicle structure. The wedge system also includes a second member for mounting on the other of the liftgate and the vehicle structure. The wedge system further includes a third member disposed between the first member and the second member and being movable and adjustable relative thereto to accommodate a gap between the liftgate and the vehicle structure and to stabilize the liftgate by providing a load path from the liftgate to the vehicle structure when the liftgate is in a closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2002
    Publication date: September 11, 2003
    Inventors: Kee Hyuk Im, Ravikumar Parthasarathy, Peter R. Scholar, Scott W. Thorpe, Paul L. Yetter
  • Patent number: 6612641
    Abstract: A vehicle door with a door casing includes an inside door panel (1) of a shell-like design. The inside door panel (1) is closed by a replaceable outside door shell (2) toward the outside of the vehicle door. To achieve that moisture is prevented in a simple manner from entering the interior space of the vehicle from the door casing, the inside door panel (1) is connected from its side facing the outer shell (2) to a plastic support part. The plastic part is provided with fastening elements (13), which carry the door components to be arranged in the door casing. The structural elements (9, 10, 10′) of the vehicle door, which protrude into the interior space of the vehicle, are fastened to the inside door panel (1). The openings (5, 6) necessary in the inside door panel (1) for the structural elements (9, 10, 10′) protruding into the interior space of the vehicle are sealed, e.g., by the plastic support part (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Acts GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Stephan Schütt, Nick Morbach, Sven Ludwig, Steffen Karl
  • Patent number: 6612639
    Abstract: A side door structure for a vehicle is composed of a main body and a rear side reinforcement member provided in the main body. The main body is formed by an inner panel and an outer panel connected to the inner panel. The rear side reinforcement member connects the inner panel and the outer panel in the main body, and the rear side reinforcement member forms a rigid part with a closed hollow cross section at a rear part of the main body by cooperation with the inner panel and the outer panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Mamoru Ishikawa
  • Publication number: 20030122400
    Abstract: A beam (2, 22) is provided for use as an A-pillar (21) and roof rail (1) of a vehicle. The beam is a closed profile elongated element defining a longitudinally extending recess (3, 23) for housing a weather strip (4, 24). The recess (3, 23) includes a base (14, 34), an inner wall (15, 35) and an outer wall (16, 36) and the weather strip (4, 24) is attached to the recess (3, 23). The weather strip (4, 24) is attached to the base (14, 34) of the recess by a double-sided adhesive tape (17, 37) pre-applied to the weather strip (4, 24) which adheres to the base of the recess on contact or by application of pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2002
    Publication date: July 3, 2003
    Applicant: Accra Teknik AB
    Inventors: Goran Berglund, Ingemar Wallstrom, Mats Lindberg
  • Patent number: 6561573
    Abstract: A vehicle body having a floor panel and at least one post projecting from the floor panel; the body being characterized in that the post is defined by a box member having an inner cavity and formed in one piece by means of a casting process employing cores of sand or similar filler material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Ferrari S.p.A.
    Inventor: Carlo Carcioffi
  • Publication number: 20030071482
    Abstract: An automotive door sash construction has a sash main body attached to a door panel main body, an auxiliary sash provided on the sash main body for holding a corner glass and a reinforcement member disposed along the auxiliary sash. The reinforcement member is disposed either on an passenger compartment side or on a non-passenger compartment side of the auxiliary sash.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Applicant: HONDA GIKEN KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kentaro Shimizu
  • Patent number: 6536834
    Abstract: A door weather strip with seal lips attached thereto, fitted to a door sash, and provided with a gap of a given magnitude on a vertical plane between edges of respective seal lips of both an extrusion molded part on the side of a roof and an extrusion molded part on the side of a center pillar, a reinforcing rib is provided over the whole length of a seal lip of a molded part, which connects the extrusion molded parts with each other to form a corner section. The reinforcing rib is located on the interior side of an automobile where no elastic contacts with a body panel is being made, thereby preventing the waving from occurring to the molded part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignees: Nishikawa Rubber Co., Ltd., Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Yamashita, Masaki Soda
  • Patent number: 6536833
    Abstract: A weather strip has a base portion and seal lips. The base portion has a base bottom portion attached to a door frame, side wall portions extending from substantially opposite sides of the base bottom portion, and a bridge portion connecting the opposite side wall portions. A hollow portion is formed by these portions. An exterior-side seal lip is provided to extend from a substantially border portion between the exterior-side side wall portion and the bridge portion. An interior-side seal lip is provided to extend from the bridge portion more interior than the exterior-side seal lip. In the bridge portion, the opposite sides of the root portion of the interior-side seal lip are formed into thin portions respectively. Thus, when the door is closed, even if the gap is narrowed, the interior-side seal lip is bent and the bridge portion is deformed easily in the thin portions so that the repulsion stress is restrained from increasing conspicuously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masahiro Nozaki
  • Patent number: 6533346
    Abstract: A vehicle door guard apparatus for providing protection against damage to a door exterior due to impact with outside objects. The apparatus includes a door handle pivotally attached to a vehicle door and pivotally attached to a first end of a rod using a pivot. A second end of the rod is fixedly connected to a vehicle body, wherein when the vehicle door is opened, the door handle is caused to be rotated outwards to protrude from the vehicle door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Inventor: Zu-Sheng Yu
  • Patent number: 6530618
    Abstract: A sealing structure for forming a seal between a weather strip attached to a door opening portion of a vehicle body, and a periphery of a vehicle door. The weather strip includes a base portion having a generally U-shaped cross-section for attachment to the door opening portion, and a tubular seal portion which expands from an outer side wall of the base portion. A projection is formed in the weather strip so as to project from the outer side wall of the base portion into an interior of the tubular seal portion so as to be spaced from an inner surface of a projecting top of a sealing wall of the tubular seal portion. When the vehicle door is closed, an inside surface of a periphery of a door panel contacts and presses the projecting top of the sealing wall, which faces the projecting end of the projection, while an inside surface of a door frame contacts and presses a side part of the sealing wall apart from the projecting top of the sealing wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignees: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd., Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masahiro Nozaki, Kiyotaka Tamaoki, Katsunori Kawai, Hidehiro Ito
  • Publication number: 20030042755
    Abstract: A structure of a roof-side portion of a motor vehicle has a roof-side garnish composed of a synthetic resin, which is attached to the roof-side portion including a front pillar. The garnish has a band-shaped main portion, and an attaching portion which protrudes inwardly from about a widthwise center of an inside surface of the main portion in a direction perpendicular thereto. The attaching portion is secured to a door-opening surface of the roof-side portion, which defines a door opening in a vehicle body, such that an upper part of the main portion covers a roof-side surface of the roof-side portion, and a lower part of the main portion extends downwardly of an outside end of the roof-side surface. A retainer is secured to the attaching portion of the garnish on the inner side of a closed door glass so as to face the lower part of the garnish through the closed door glass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventor: Masahiro Nozaki
  • Publication number: 20030042756
    Abstract: A molding attaching structure includes a sash provided on an automobile door, an outer sash mounted to the sash, and a molding mounted to the outer sash. When a door glass of the door is fully closed, the molding has its one side end laid over an edge of the door glass. The molding has its outer surface substantially flush with an outer surface of an automobile body. The outer sash includes a molding attachment part projecting outwardly therefrom. The molding attachment part includes an extension part and an edge part. The edge part includes a first portion extending from the extension part away from the door glass and having a distal end bent back, and a second portion extending from the distal end across the extension part towards the door glass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Applicant: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Ogawa, Takeshi Yamamoto, Mikio Suzuki, Takashi Yamanaka, Hideaki Sugimoto, Kazunari Iida
  • Patent number: 6520563
    Abstract: A weather strip for sealing an opening portion around an opening in a vehicle body against a periphery of a closing member for closing the opening in the vehicle body. The weather strip includes a base portion and a tubular seal portion which projects outwardly from an outer surface of the base portion. The tubular seal portion includes a pair of leg portions which project outwardly from the base portion, extending portions which extend from ends of the leg portions in opposite directions along the outer side wall to have an L-shaped cross-section with the leg portion, and a seal wall for connecting ends of the extending parts into an arc-shaped cross-section. The base portion and the leg portions are composed of a solid material while the seal wall is composed of a sponge material. A boundary between the solid material and sponge material is located in each of the extending portions of the tubular seal portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masahiro Nozaki
  • Publication number: 20030020301
    Abstract: When a sealing portion at the end portion of an extruded weatherstrip is cut out by a fixed length and a main body and a lip are set on a metal mold for die forming, concave portions 13 and 14 are formed, from the lower surface and side surface, on the main body 11 to be set on the metal mold, and are latched, respectively, with convex portions of the metal mold to restrict movement, whereby a problem in external appearance caused by movement and a bend of a part including the lip due to a molding pressure is eliminated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2002
    Publication date: January 30, 2003
    Inventors: Minoru Teishi, Takashi Yamashita, Takashi Ogawa
  • Patent number: 6494519
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a retractable door assembly in a panel van type of vehicle comprising a cargo area having at least one door opening for access thereto. The retractable door assembly is positioned in at least one door opening, with the retractable door assembly comprising a flexible door member slideable between open and closed positions within opposing track assemblies. Access to the cargo area is provided by selectively sliding the flexible door to the open position. The vehicle conversion system comprises a retractable door assembly of predetermined dimensions, and a frame assembly selectively secured in a door opening of a vehicle. The retractable door assembly is mounted to the frame assembly to substantially close the door opening. A method of vehicle conversion is also set forth, comprising the steps of providing a door opening in a vehicle, and securing a frame assembly in association with the door opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: L&P Management Co.
    Inventors: Todd Sturgin, Mark P. Gordon
  • Patent number: 6464286
    Abstract: A door or other body part of a motor vehicle comprises an inner skin panel (5) and a preferably painted outer skin (2), which is fastened to the inner skin panel. To improve such a door or another such body part, the outer skin (2) is fastened to the inner skin panel (5) by using punch rivets (11) or other metal fastening elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: DURA Automotive Plettenberg Entwicklungs-und Vertriebs GmbH
    Inventor: Gerhard Heuel
  • Patent number: 6443519
    Abstract: A sealing system on a motor vehicle is disclosed which includes two sealing profile sections on two adjacent body parts and in which each of the two sealing profile sections can be moved relative to one another. In addition, each of the two sealing profile sections has at least one channel for carrying water that at least partially overlap when the body parts are adjoined to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Webasto Vehicle Systems International GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Betzl
  • Patent number: 6435597
    Abstract: A profiled seal for sealing between a vertically sliding window pane and a roof frame of a convertible automobile comprises a length of profiled elastomer which is co- extruded with a metal reinforcement. The profiled seal has a three-dimensional shape and can be fixed to connection parts of the roof frame. A holding section having a U-shaped cross-section is part of the length of profiled elastomer and contains the embedded reinforcement which is likewise U-shaped in cross-section. A sealing section is formed laterally as one on a first limb of the holding section which can be placed in a self-clamping and sealing manner on an attachment flange. A foot formed as one on the first limb comprises on a first longitudinal edge adjacent to a free longitudinal edge of the first limb a longitudinal groove into which a dimensionally stable edge flange of a roof of the convertible engages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Meteor Gummiwerke K.H. Bädje GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Jens Anders, Martin Gentemann