With Means To Accommodate Window Accessory; E.g., Automobile-type Door Patents (Class 49/502)
  • Publication number: 20140259955
    Abstract: An access port for a shrink film barrier that can be installed after installation of the shrink film barrier without removal of the shrink film barrier, and permits selective access to a window or door covered by the barrier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: SHURTECH BRANDS, LLC
    Inventors: Brian A. Vulpitta, Daniel Eric Festa, SR., Vageesh Bakhshi
  • Publication number: 20140252796
    Abstract: A modular upper-door assembly including a standard geometric corner component and a standard geometric B-pillar component for all vehicle model doors. Each header, belt and window-track has a different length and bend geometry for each vehicle model door while each respective component shares a standard geometric cross-section. All headers may connect to the corner component and B-pillar component in the same locations for each vehicle model door. All belts may connect to the corner component in the same location for each vehicle model door, but the attachment location on the B-pillar may vary from vehicle to vehicle. A stationary-glass or mirror-sail may also be overmolded into the assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Mathias A. Huber, David Arthur Wade, Paul Elia
  • Patent number: 8827027
    Abstract: A motor car (10) has windows (28, 49) which can have a first H1 fully closed position and a lower H2 position in which water tightness is still provided but opening of a frameless window assembly/door assembly can be achieved more quickly from the point in time in which the door handle 44, 46) is operated. The Hi position may be selected as the vehicle accelerates above a given speed and the H2 position may be selected when the vehicle door is closed, and the window may also have a short-drop H3 lower re-spool H4 position or in the case of a rear window a three quarter lowered H5 position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Aston Martin Lagonda Ltd.
    Inventors: Andrew John Syvret, Adrian Charles Morgan Jenkins, William Manuel Walsh
  • Patent number: 8793938
    Abstract: A glass guiding system is provided comprising first and second glass pieces, each having an inboard surface, a front edge and a rear edge. The system also includes a first guiding assembly comprising a guide bonded to the inboard surface of the first piece and a retaining structure having a channel to slideably retain the guide, wherein the rear edge of the first piece and the front edge of the second piece engage when the first piece is fully raised.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory James Grudzinski, Chester Stanislaus Walawender
  • Patent number: 8789314
    Abstract: Active seal architectures adapted for producing a variable sealing and/or closing force between a closure panel and perimeter, includes a mounting clip, a flexible outer layer fixedly connected to the clip, defining an interior space, and longitudinally extending along the perimeter; and an interior structure comprising and reconfigurable by an active material disposed within the space, and operable to impart differing first and second forces upon the layer and panel when the material is activated and deactivated respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, The Regents of the University of Michigan
    Inventors: Paul W. Alexander, Diann Brei, Jonathan E. Luntz, Monica Cristina Toma, Alan L. Browne, Nancy L. Johnson
  • Patent number: 8782955
    Abstract: A sealing structure, of which an upper end part makes elastic contact with a roof weather strip which is installed along a side edge of a roof and extending in a front and rear direction, includes an installation base member installed on a quarter sash provided on a front side of a quarter window glass of a retractable roof vehicle, (that lifts and lowers together with the quarter window glass). The sealing structure also includes a hollow seal part which makes elastic contact with a side window glass, and a seal lip, An upper end part has a seal wall formed thereon, which covers a front side corner part of the upper end part from an inner-cabin side, which is protrudingly formed toward an outer-cabin side and makes elastic contact with the side window glass from an inner-cabin side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Nishikawa Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kousuke Mori, Hirofumi Ogawa, Shinya Murakami
  • Patent number: 8776438
    Abstract: A door module for installation in a motor vehicle door is provided. The door module comprising a door module carrier to be installed in a motor vehicle door and a plurality of functional components of a motor vehicle door pre-installed on the door module carrier that are to be installed together with the door module carrier in the motor vehicle door. There is at least one guide rail of a motor vehicle window lifter amongst the functional components pre-installed on the door module carrier that can be fixed in an operating position at fastening points on the door module carrier side such that it extends in the operating position along the adjustment direction of the window pane to be adjusted by means of the window lifter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. KG, Hallstadt
    Inventors: Eberhard Pleiss, Ralph Hebe
  • Patent number: 8763308
    Abstract: A structural door module for a motor vehicle door, comprising of a carrier plate with a plurality of door hardware components mounted to the dryside and wetside surfaces of the carrier plate. The carrier plate includes a number of preformed components that allow door subsystems to be pre-mounted to the door module and tested prior to mounting the structural door module in the motor vehicle door body. An energy absorbing area is molded into the carrier plate. Additionally, a protruding arm rest support is designed to collapse during a side-impact collision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Intier Automotive Closures Inc.
    Inventors: Pierre-Xavier Roy, Douglas G Broadhead, Ed Fortin, Traian Miu
  • Patent number: 8764099
    Abstract: A door frame for a vehicle includes a pillar portion, a main frame portion, an envelope portion provided at the main frame portion, serving as a framework of the main frame portion and opening to a vehicle outer side, a fixing portion, a bottom wall provided at the envelope portion and positioned at a vehicle inner side, an upper wall provided at the envelope portion and extending from an end portion of the bottom wall at a vehicle upper side towards the vehicle outer side, a lower wall provided at the envelope portion and extending from an end portion of the bottom wall at a vehicle lower side towards the vehicle outer side, and at least one reinforcement rib formed at the envelope portion, the reinforcement rib extending from the bottom wall towards the vehicle outer side and connecting the upper wall and the lower wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shunsuke Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8739466
    Abstract: A system for emergency opening of a door or window of a vehicle comprises an opening mechanism for forcing the door or window to open by means of pressure of hydraulic fluid, and an unlocking mechanism, which by means of hydraulic fluid is configured to unlock a lock of the door or window. The system may be connected to the brake system of a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Durban AB
    Inventor: Mats Kristerson
  • Patent number: 8727420
    Abstract: The frontal crash load is transmitted from a front pillar to a center pillar in a reliable manner so that a bending moment caused by the frontal crash load is favorably supported, and the deformation of the door is avoided. A beam member attached to an inner panel includes a S shaped cross section member. An upper channel section of the S shaped cross section member extends along the lower edge of a window opening, and a lower channel section extends adjacent to and in parallel to the lower edge of a window opening in a rear part of the door and is offset toward a lower part of the vehicle body in a rear part of the door, with a front end being located at a same elevation as an upper door hinge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeto Yasuhara, Shingo Segawa
  • Patent number: 8720977
    Abstract: In a door (25) of a cabin for work vehicle, which door (25) opens and closes an entrance of the cabin and includes a door main body (25A) having a plurality of accessories (A), the door main body (25A) is formed as a hollow welded unified structure having a door cavity (25B), by welding an inner panel (27) to an outer panel (28) each made of a press-molded sheet-metal. An accessory attaching portion (B) is integrally molded with the inner panel (27), and the outer panel (28) has an opening (28J) formed therein for part assembly which allows the accessories (A) to be brought into the door cavity (25B) and assembled to the accessory attaching portion (B). The outer pane (28) is further provided with a decorative cover (60) for closing the opening (28J).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Norimi Nakamura, Koji Nada, Hiroaki Kitaguchi
  • Patent number: 8708396
    Abstract: A system and method is provided to index the door window glass of a vehicle to disengage the glass from the window sealing interface prior to opening the door. A door latch including an unlatching lever selectively connectable to the inside and outside door handles is configured such that moving either handle to actuate the latch causes an initial change in the position of the unlatching lever prior to latch release. A sensor in the latch detects the initial change in position of the unlatching lever and signals an indexing mechanism to move the glass to the indexed position prior to latch release, such that the glass does not substantially interfere with the sealing interface when the door is moved from a closed position. The system may be configured such that the door lock mechanism must be unlocked prior to the indexing mechanism moving the window to an indexed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Jeffrey L. Konchan
  • Publication number: 20140059942
    Abstract: A door-sash hook member is attached to a surface of a door sash of a vehicular door. The door-sash hook member includes a superposed surface superposed on the surface of the door sash, and a circumferential wall surface standing from the superposed surface to form a circumferential edge of the superposed surface. At least a part of the circumferential wall surface is a welded face weldable to the surface of the door sash with a welding material. The circumferential wall surface includes a projecting portion adjacent to the welded face, and the projecting portion protrudes outwardly compared to the welded face along a plane of the superposed surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD
    Inventor: Joji Goto
  • Patent number: 8661738
    Abstract: A door frame for a vehicle includes a door frame, a window regulator mounted to the door frame for opening and closing a window pane, and a door lining mounted to the door frame. A plurality of mounting apertures is defined in the door frame, including at least one first mounting aperture for mounting the window regulator and at least one second mounting aperture for mounting the door lining. An isolating aperture is defined in the door frame between the at least one first aperture and the at least one second aperture for isolating the at least one second aperture from the at least one first aperture to thereby reduce lateral forces imparted to the door frame from the window regulator from transferring to the door lining.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Trent Bozzo, Kozo Kusumoto, Kenichi Kitayama
  • Patent number: 8661735
    Abstract: The invention, in certain embodiments, specifies an actuation method for an electric window winder (10) of a front window (1) of a vehicle (3) without a B-pillar and with a moveable rear window (2), which actuation method allows all the windows to be closed in a particularly rapid and reliable manner. According to the method, provision is made for the front window (1) to be closed by the window winder (10), taking into consideration a trapping-prevention means (25). Furthermore, a closing condition is checked during the actuation method. If, on account of this closing condition, it can be assumed that trapping prevention-related reversing of the front window (1) has been caused by a collision with the rear window (2), the front window (1) is closed again after the trapping prevention-related reversing operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co., KG., Hallstadt
    Inventor: René Zellmer
  • Patent number: 8656646
    Abstract: A vehicle door includes a vehicle bodywork and a door lining. The vehicle door has a sealing region between the vehicle bodywork and the door lining. The door lining is mounted on the vehicle bodywork by means of attachment elements which can be moved in a mounting direction in order to bring about attachment. In the sealing region, a sealing profile is provided which is provided in a seal-forming fashion via a contact pressure force after the sealing profile has been brought to bear either against the vehicle bodywork or against the door lining. The sealing profile is provided in such a way that the contact pressure force is provided rising monotonously over a contact pressure distance which runs parallel to the mounting direction and with a positive gradient of less than approximately 5 Newton per millimeter contact pressure distance and a length of extension of the sealing profile per centimeter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Interiors GmbH & Co KG
    Inventors: Hans-Joachim Mieglitz, Thorsten Meyer, Alexander Schidan
  • Patent number: 8651557
    Abstract: A door frame for a vehicle includes a vertical portion fixed to an upper end portion of a door body, and a main frame portion connected to an upper end of the vertical portion and fixed to the upper end portion of the door body. The vertical portion includes an envelope portion and a fixing portion. The envelope portion includes a bottom wall, an outer wall extending in an outward direction of the vehicle from an end portion of the bottom wall at an outer side of the door frame, and an inner wall extending in the outward direction from an end portion of the bottom wall at an inner side of the door frame. The bottom wall of which a width in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle is greater in a vicinity of the door body than at an upper end side of the vertical portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shunsuke Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8650802
    Abstract: An automobile flush glass assembly is provided that includes a moveable glass piece having an inboard surface, a front edge and a rear edge and a first glass guide operably connected to the inboard surface of the glass piece proximate the front edge. The assembly also includes a second glass guide operably connected to the inboard surface of the glass piece proximate the rear edge and retaining structures, each having a channel configured to slideably retain the glass guides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory James Grudzinski, Chester Stanislaus Walawender
  • Patent number: 8646215
    Abstract: A glass guiding system is provided comprising first and second glass pieces, each having an inboard surface, a front edge and a rear edge. The system also includes a first guiding assembly comprising a guide bonded to the inboard surface of the first piece and a retaining structure having a channel to slideably retain the guide, wherein the rear edge of the first piece and the front edge of the second piece engage when the first piece is fully raised.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory James Grudzinski, Chester Stanislaus Walawender
  • Patent number: 8632118
    Abstract: A body panel assembly and a method for manufacturing a body panel assembly are disclosed herein. In a non-limiting embodiment, the body panel assembly includes, but is not limited to, an inner panel having a lower portion. The body panel assembly further includes an outer panel that is connected to the inner panel. The outer panel has a main portion, a transitional portion, and a bent portion. The main portion and the bent portion are positioned on opposite sides of the lower portion. The main portion, the transitional portion, and the bent portion are arranged to form a cavity having an elongated configuration below the inner panel. The bent portion defines an opening extending therethrough. The opening is positioned at least partially below the lower portion of the inner panel. The opening provides ventilation to the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Guangling Song
  • Patent number: 8615932
    Abstract: A barrier element for protecting an interior vehicle door panel comprises a body shaped to fit over the vehicle door interior panel and to block access to at least one of an interior door handle, a lock control and a window control. The barrier element is removably securable to the vehicle door or to the vehicle door panel such that the barrier element can be removed to expose the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Inventor: Terry L. Setina
  • Patent number: 8616611
    Abstract: A door assembly for a vehicle includes a door frame and a door lock. A force transmitting mechanism has one end connected to the door lock and another end is premounted on a door module housing. The door module housing is mounted to the door frame and a trim panel secured to the door frame. A method includes the steps of premounting the door module to the door frame, securing the door panel to the door frame and connecting an door opening mechanism to the force transmitting mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Johnson Controls GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Alexander Schidan, Milan Skultety, Thorsten Meyer, Hans-Helmut Mieglitz, Frank Zagromski
  • Patent number: 8595979
    Abstract: A vehicle rear door includes a door panel, a door frame, a division bar, and a movable window. The movable window has a flange portion formed with teeth. The division bar includes upper and lower division bars which are separately arranged and respectively guide the flange portion so that a part of the teeth is exposed between the upper and lower division bars. Each of the upper and lower division bars has a guide wall that guides an end surface of the flange portion which is opposite to the teeth. Each of the upper and lower division bars has a mount portion. The vehicle rear door further includes a motor unit bracket fixed to the mount portions of the upper and lower division bars and supporting a pinion that is engaged with the exposed teeth between the upper and lower division bars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Jidoshokki
    Inventors: Yasushi Iimori, Kenji Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8590210
    Abstract: An electric window lifter of a vehicle with a vehicle door having a frameless window is actuated according to a novel, low-wear actuation method. An entry signal is acquired that allows a conclusion to be drawn about whether a person has entered through this vehicle door. In this case, the window pane that is associated with the window of this given vehicle door is lowered by a short stroke by way of the window lifter in response to a central exit signal only when the entry signal was first identified. The window lifter or power window assembly includes an associated actuation unit with a query module that is configured for automatically carrying out the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft, Hallstadt
    Inventors: Thomas Schindhelm, Christian Vetter
  • Patent number: 8584792
    Abstract: A door module of a vehicle door is provided. The door module comprising a carrier plate, a drive unit arranged on the carrier plate for driving a power-operated adjustment device of the door module, and a decoupling means arranged on the carrier plate for attenuating an acoustic excitation of the carrier plate in operation of the drive unit. The decoupling means is formed by at least one slot, which partly separates a portion carrying the drive unit from another portion of the carrier plate and extends around the drive unit or around a fastening point of the drive unit on the carrier plate in a circumferential direction, and at least one web, which connects the portion carrying the drive unit with the other portion of the carrier plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. KG, Hallstadt
    Inventors: Olaf Kriese, Joachim Müller, Markus Schultz, Werner Stammberger
  • Patent number: 8584494
    Abstract: A door handle has an elongated member pivotally connected with a plate member. The elongated member has a toe portion which interacts with the plate member. In this way, the elongated member is at least partially retained by the plate member at each end. The door handle provides an anti-ligature design that thwarts suicide attempts by persons attempting to affix or hang ligatures on the door handle. The door handle is also easily operable by those with disabilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Accurate Lock and Hardware Co., LLC
    Inventors: Ronald Salvatore, Rodd Salvatore, Francis Colligan
  • Patent number: 8585123
    Abstract: A door trim for a vehicle includes a trim body and an armrest. The trim body has an armrest mount hole, a mount member arranged in an edge area of the armrest mount hole, and a support member. The armrest is fitted in the armrest mount hole. The armrest has a mount base to which the mount member is mounted. The mount base has a weak portion and is configured to be supported by the support member. The weak portion has lower rigidity than another portion of the mount base. The support member is configured to guide the mount base toward an outer side of an interior of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Boshoku Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Itou, Yutaka Kimoto
  • Patent number: 8572898
    Abstract: A method for assembling an automobile door is provided that comprise providing a lower frame comprising a movable glass piece disposed within an inner panel and an outer panel, a daylight opening module comprising a glass guide, a retaining structure having a channel to slideably retain the glass guide and first and second openings. The method also includes sliding the module downward until a portion of the module contacts the inner panel. The method further includes securing the module to the inner panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory James Grudzinski, Chester Stanislaus Walawender
  • Patent number: 8561354
    Abstract: An automobile door assembly is provided that includes an outer panel, an inner panel, a moveable glass piece having an inboard surface, wherein the moveable glass piece is disposed between the outer panel and the inner panel. The assembly also includes a glass guiding member operably connected to the inboard surface of the glass piece. The assembly further includes a retaining structure having a channel configured to slideably retain the glass guiding member, wherein the retaining structure is operably connected to the inner panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory James Grudzinski, Chester Stanislaus Walawender
  • Patent number: 8561353
    Abstract: A quarter window attached to a door frame of a vehicle rear door includes a quarter window panel and a window frame. The quarter window panel is made of a synthetic resin material. The window frame includes a division bar and a sealing portion. The division bar is configured such that a glass run can be fitted to the division bar and a part of the division bar serves as a part of the sealing portion. The sealing portion is integrally coupled to the quarter window panel so as to extend along the periphery of a side of the quarter window panel that faces inside of the vehicle. A part of the sealing portion is capable of being fitted to the door frame. The quarter window panel and the window frame are integrally molded. The window frame is made of a synthetic resin having a high rigidity. A fixing portion for fixing the window frame to the door frame is integrally formed with the window frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Jidoshokki, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideaki Terai, Yukio Matsuda
  • Patent number: 8556332
    Abstract: A vehicle door includes a door main body having a hollow portion, a work hole, a door hole seal that covers the work hole, a door trim, a protruding member provided so as to protrude from the door trim toward the vehicle interior side surface, and a harness routed through the door hole seal to the door trim side. The door hole seal is provided with a general surface, a bulging portion facing the protruding member and bulging from the general surface toward the inside of the hollow portion, and a harness pull-out hole through which the harness is passed. The bulging portion has an inclined surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Atsushi Nakashima, Hitoshi Ohki
  • 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: 8555550
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a window regulator includes the step of providing a cable, a window connection on the cable, sheaths for protecting the cable, cable direction-changers, a cable winding drum, a drum support plate, and springs. The method further includes the steps of passing the cable between the direction-changers, inside the springs, inside the sheaths, and around the drum. The method further includes the steps of tensioning a first cable run extending through a first sheath between a first direction-changer and the drum, tensioning the first cable run urging the first sheath against the drum support plate, and compressing a first spring between the first sheath and the support plate. The method further includes the steps of locking the drum against rotation, compressing a second spring between a second sheath and the support plate, and locking the second spring. A window regulator can include the above features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Inteva Products France SAS
    Inventors: Jean-Louis Robalo, Michel Mounie
  • Publication number: 20130263517
    Abstract: A door of a vehicle having a door inner panel, a door latch assembly mounted to the inner panel adjacent to a fish mouth opening, with the latch assembly having a lock lever; and a door trim panel mounted on the inner panel including a lock hole on a surface of the trim panel. A manual lock assembly has a mounting bracket, a button cap, a main shaft and a cam. The mounting bracket is mounted to the door trim panel. The button cap telescopically slides in the bracket and has an end extending through the lock hole. The main shaft slides in the bracket, engages with the button cap and extends into contact with the cam. The cam engages the lock lever to cause locking of the latch assembly when the button cap is pushed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2012
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Lisa J. Dodson, Jeffrey L. Konchan, Richard K. Mette, Carolyn J. Thor, Frank J. Arabia, JR.
  • Publication number: 20130263518
    Abstract: The vehicle door construction includes a bezel carrying a door release lever and linkage connected by a pair of first attachments to a door trim panel and by a second attachment to a door inner panel. The pair of first attachments includes a collar with an aperture for receiving a fastener to attach the bezel via the collar to the door trim panel. A small tab integrally connects the collar to a main portion of the bezel and defines a rupturable area when force is exerted on the door causing the door trim panel to separate from the door inner panel. The tabs rupture to allow the door trim panel to separate from the door inner panel while maintaining the bezel and the door release lever and linkage fixedly attached to the door inner panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2012
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Applicant: Toyota Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerritt B. Meyers, Tiffany Beech, Jeff Pehler
  • Patent number: 8544211
    Abstract: The invention relates to a door sash having a cross-sectional shape including a design portion and a hollow portion formed on an inboard side with respect to the design portion and connected to the design portion, and is intended to provide a door sash which achieves weight reduction. The hollow portion is an extrusion mold of light metal, the design portion is a product having a variable cross-sectional shape in which the shape in the direction of the width of a vehicle is increased in length as it gets close to a waist line of a door, and the hollow portion is integrated with the design portion. The door sash further includes: a glass run holder positioned on an outboard side with respect to the hollow portion and configured to hold a glass run which a window glass comes into abutment with, the glass run holder being adjacent to the design portion, and a bracket which connects the glass run holder and the hollow portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Shiroki Corporation
    Inventors: Makoto Yamada, Takayuki Okada
  • Patent number: 8544210
    Abstract: A mounting structure for mounting a frame garnish on a door window frame of a vehicle is disclosed. The door window frame includes a vertical portion extending in a generally vertical direction so as to overlap a center pillar of the vehicle. The door window frame is formed to surround a door window glass of the vehicle. The vertical portion includes a hooking hole formed in an upper part of the vertical portion and an insertion hole formed in a lower part of the vertical portion. The frame garnish includes a main portion, a hooking portion, and an insertion portion. The insertion portion is inserted into the insertion hole in the vertically downward direction, and the hooking portion is inserted into and hooked to the hooking hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiromichi Okuda, Masaru Toyota, Hiroaki Yamasaki, Koji Yoshida, Masanori Kawano
  • Patent number: 8544935
    Abstract: A door impact beam for a motor vehicle includes a pot-shaped member made from a metal sheet and extending over a major part of a length of the beam to define two legs and a bridge interconnecting the legs. The bridge has a central length portion which is formed with an embossment defined by a depth, with a ratio of the depth of the embossment to a height of the pot-shaped member in midsection ranging between 1:3 and 1:6. The pot-shaped member has side flanges extending transversely from lower longitudinal edges of the legs in the central length portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Benteler Automobiltechik GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Wille, Dariusz Straznikiewicz, Andreas Schiller
  • Patent number: 8540306
    Abstract: Wide brackets of door impact beams are formed in a Z shape such that beam contact parts are extended horizontally in one direction above oblique force support parts and wide overlap parts are extended horizontally in the opposite direction below the oblique force support parts. Therefore, while an overlap section of a door with respect to a B pillar is further widened, a body frame and a B pillar of a 2-door coupe vehicle exhibit the same safety performance as a body frame and a B pillar of a 4-door sedan vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Yongha Han
  • Patent number: 8522481
    Abstract: A glass run mounting assembly (“mounting assembly”) for a vehicle door. The mounting assembly includes an elongated stepped bracket and an elongated plate attached to the bracket. The plate and the bracket define a channel with a glass run retention member therein. The plate has an outer surface, an inner surface, and a wall thickness therebetween. The outer surface of the plate has an appliqué thereto. The elongated plate offsets the appliqué from the glass pane substantially by one of wall thickness of the elongated plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies
    Inventors: Robert Brancaleone, Michael Kozak
  • Patent number: 8522485
    Abstract: A center-channel protector for a vehicle sash door is arranged between a main sash and a center channel. A body of the protector has an H-shaped upper-end surface which is compatible to cover the upper end of the center channel. The body integrally includes a pair of branch covering portions corresponding to a pair of branch portions constituting the center channel and a middle covering portion disposed between the branch covering portions so as to connect the both branch covering portions therewith. An engaging portion is provided with the body and is mechanically engaged, in a direction intersecting a vertical direction, with an engaged portion which is provided with a center channel side. In collaboration with the engaged portion, the engaging portion constitutes a fastening mechanism by which the protector is fastened on the center channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Katayama Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chikara Yamashita, Akihiro Terai, Hiromichi Torihata, Tsuyoshi Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 8510997
    Abstract: A door construction includes a door, comprising an outer panel, and adapted to cover an opening formed in a vehicle body; a side impact bar, disposed in an interior of the door, and extending in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle body; a window regulator, disposed in the interior of the door, and operable to raise and lower a window glass; and a plate-shaped member, disposed in the interior of the door, and adapted to support the window regulator. The plate-shaped member is connected to the side impact bar. The plate-shaped member has a shape following the outer panel. A width of the side impact bar and a width of the window regulator are overlapped with each other in a width direction of the vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo K.K.
    Inventors: Yoji Nakamori, Yutaka Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 8484900
    Abstract: A system for controlling an access opening in a vehicle body includes first and second doors arranged to selectively open and close first and second portions of the opening. The system also includes a device operatively connected to the first door and configured to be selectively retracted before at least one of the first and second doors is opened. The device is also configured to be protracted when the first and second doors are closed to thereby seal the first and second portions of the access opening. The system additionally includes a controller configured to selectively retract and protract the device. Furthermore, the system includes a sensor arranged on the vehicle and configured to detect an impact exceeding a threshold intensity on the body and communicate a signal indicative of the impact to the controller. The controller retracts the device upon receipt of the signal from the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Scott P. Charnesky, James S. Netherland, III, Graham J. Spence
  • Patent number: 8459723
    Abstract: A body sealing system for an associated automotive vehicle door that has an associated door panel (including a sliding door, lift gate, or tailgate) includes a trim panel dimensioned to overlie at least a portion of the associated door panel, an interconnecting means connected to the trim panel and extending from adjacent a periphery of the trim panel, and a sealing member secured to the trim panel via the interconnecting means. An associated method of assembling a trim panel and seal to an associated automotive vehicle door includes providing an automotive sealing system, providing a trim panel, and integrating the seal with the trim panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Cooper-Standard Automotive Inc.
    Inventor: Steve Stoll
  • Patent number: 8458959
    Abstract: A vehicle door frame structure has an upper sash member located along a roof panel of a vehicle body and also has a vertical pillar sash member located along a center pillar of the vehicle body. The upper sash member has, at its linear end joined to the vertical pillar sash member side, an aesthetically designed section and an inner frame portion. The aesthetically designed section is located on the outer side of the door, and the inner frame portion is located closer to the vehicle interior than the aesthetically designed section and is shorter in length than the aesthetically designed section. The vertical pillar sash member has at its upper end a superposed contact section that is superposed, in the direction of the thickness of the door, on an end of the inner frame portion of the upper sash member, and the superposed contact section and the inner frame portion are joined together while being superposed on each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Shiroki Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Ohtake, Kenji Murata, Shigenobu Ohsawa, Jiro Yoshihara
  • Patent number: 8454078
    Abstract: One embodiment includes a lightweight automotive vehicle door construction including an inner panel partially formed from a lightweight metal casting. The casting provides a toe pan, hinge pillar and beltline. A lightweight stamping connected with the casting provides a remainder of the inner skin. The stamping provides an opposite pillar and latch mount. A header connected to the casting along a first end and with the beltline at a second end provides a window frame. A side intrusion beam extends between the hinge pillar and the opposite pillar. An outer panel is connected with the inner panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Anil K. Sachdev, Chih-Cheng Hsu, Sooho Kim, Raja K Mishra
  • Patent number: 8454077
    Abstract: A pair of opposing hinged doors includes a first door and a second door having a first window panel and a second window panel respectively. The first window panel moves along a first path that initially guides the first window panel away from the second window panel and then guides the first window panel vertically downward when moving from an extended position into a retracted position. Similarly, the second window panel moves along a second path that initially guides the second window panel away from the first window panel and then guides the second window panel vertically downward when moving from an extended position into a retracted position. The movement of the first window panel and the second window panel along the first path and the second path respectively allows for the first door and the second door to be independently openable relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Scott P. Charnesky, Kerry A. Charnesky
  • Patent number: 8443552
    Abstract: A vehicle has a mounting structure for mounting a door guard bar. An insertion hole is formed in an upper portion of a trim pad, and a lever-handle accommodating hole is formed in a side portion of the trim pad below the insertion hole. An end portion of a lever handle is inserted into the lever-handle accommodating hole. A cover portion of a bezel is disposed on the inner side of the lever-handle accommodating hole, and covers a part of the lever-handle accommodating hole while exposing an operation portion of the lever handle to the inner side of the vehicle. A door guard bar is inserted into the insertion hole, and fixed to the inner door panel of the vehicle door. The cover portion of the bezel covers the portion of the door guard bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Isuzu Motors Limited
    Inventors: Kouji Kinoshita, Kazuhisa Chiba, Yukihito Suzuki, Hiroki Okada
  • Publication number: 20130118090
    Abstract: A vehicle door may include a door outer panel defining an exterior surface of the vehicle door; a common door inner panel located inboard of the door outer panel and configured to mount door hardware, with the common door inner panel having a periphery; and a panel extension extending around essentially all of the periphery of the common door inner panel, the panel extension being attached to the periphery of the common door inner panel and attached to the door outer panel to secure the common door inner panel to the door outer panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2011
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: James C. O'Kane, Anil K. Sachdev