Abstract: A door assembly for a vehicle includes a rear door panel and a forward door panel. The rear door panel is configured to be hingedly connected to a vehicle body structure. The forward door panel is hingedly connected to the rear door panel. The forward door panel is configured to be lockingly connected to the vehicle body structure.

Abstract: A tailgate for a vehicle that includes a door body and a shield that is connected to the door body such that the shield is repositionable between a stowed (retracted) position, in which the shield is concealed by the door body, and a deployed (advanced) position, in which the shield is exposed from the door body. In various embodiments of the disclosure, it is envisioned that the shield may be pivotably (rotatably) connected to the door body or that the shield may be slidably connected to the door body.

Abstract: A rear door is movable between a door closed orientation covering a rear door opening and a gutter of a vehicle body structure, and a door open orientation exposing the rear door opening and the gutter. A four-bar linkage assembly supports the rear door for movement between the door open and the door closed orientations. The four-bar linkage includes a rearward member, a forward member and an extender. The rearward member has a first end pivotally attached to the gutter, a second end attached to the rear door and a protrusion spaced apart from the first and second ends. The forward member has a first end attached to the roof structure and a second end attached to the rear door. The extender has a lower end pivotally attached to the side wall and an upper end attached to the protrusion of the rearward member.

Abstract: A vehicle door assembly includes portions of a vehicle body structure that define an opening, a window and a movement mechanism. The window is movably connected to the vehicle body structure. The window is configured to move between a closed position at least partially closing the opening and an open position exposing the opening such that the window is at least partially disposed between a body member of the vehicle body structure and a trim element of the vehicle body structure. The movement mechanism has a movable member and a glass attachment structure attached to the movable member for pivotal movement with respect thereto. The movement mechanism is installed between the trim element and the body member and is configured to move the movable member and the window between the closed position and the open position.

Abstract: A vehicle door locking assembly includes a vehicle body structure, a door movably connected to the vehicle body structure, a fastener fixed to the door, and a locking member fixed to the vehicle body structure. The door is movable between a closed position and an open position relative to the vehicle body structure. The fastener is received by an opening in the vehicle body structure when the door is in the closed position. The locking member is configured to be received by the fastener upon an impact event to the vehicle body structure such that the door is prevented from moving from the closed position to the open position.

Abstract: A rear door assembly having a bracket, a rear door, a first movement mechanism and a second movement mechanism. The rear door has a lateral side with a slot formed therein. The first movement mechanism is attached to a rearward area of a vehicle body structure and is configured to move the bracket and the rear door from a closed orientation covering a rear opening in the vehicle body structure to at least an intermediate orientation partially uncovering the rear opening. The bracket has a pair of support pins extending in that extend into the slot with the support pins being supported on rollers within the slot. The second movement mechanism is disposed within the rear door to move the rear door relative to the support pins of the bracket along the slot.

Abstract: A rear door assembly for a vehicle includes a motor having a shaft with a gear attached thereto. A first end of a lever is rigidly fixed to the shaft for rotation therewith proximate the gear. A belt is engaged with the gear. A rear door is pivotally attached to the vehicle and is movable between a door closed orientation and a door open orientation. The rear door has a gear assembly coupled to the lever. The rear door and the gear assembly are moved by the lever upon rotation of the lever by the motor. The gear assembly receives rotary motion from the belt such that an angular displacement of the rear door caused by the rotary motion of the belt during movement of the rear door between the closed orientation and the open orientation occurs at half the rate of the angular displacement of the lever.

Abstract: A rear door assembly includes a vehicle body structure, a rear door and a four-bar linkage assembly. The vehicle body structure has a roof structure and a side wall defining a rear door opening. The four-bar linkage assembly supports the rear door for movement between open and closed orientations. The four-bar linkage includes a rearward member, a support bracket and a forward member. A first end of the rearward member is pivotally attached to an upright portion of the side wall and a second end attached to the rear door. A rearward end of the support bracket is fixed to the roof structure and is cantilevered therefrom. The forward member has a first end attached to the rearward end of the support bracket and a second end attached to the rear door inboard of the rearward member. The first end of the rearward member is outboard of the support bracket.

Abstract: A vehicle door assembly includes inner and outer door panels, first and second support brackets, a reinforcing panel, a window opening support panel and a side mirror assembly. The first support bracket is attached to the inner door panel. The reinforcing panel is attached to the first support bracket. The second support panel attached to the first support panel and the reinforcing panel. The window opening support panel is attached to the inner door panel, the second support panel and the reinforcing panel. The outer door panel is fixed to the inner door panel such that the inner door panel and the outer door panel define a door cavity therebetween. The side mirror assembly is installed along an exterior side of the outer door panel. The side mirror assembly includes fasteners that extend through the window opening support panel and the second support panel.

Abstract: A rear door assembly includes a vehicle body structure, a rear door and a four-bar linkage assembly. The vehicle body structure has a roof structure and a side wall defining a rear door opening. The four-bar linkage assembly supports the rear door for movement between open and closed orientations. The four-bar linkage includes a rearward member, a support bracket and a forward member. A first end of the rearward member is pivotally attached to an upright portion of the side wall and a second end attached to the rear door. A rearward end of the support bracket is fixed to the roof structure and is cantilevered therefrom. The forward member has a first end attached to the rearward end of the support bracket and a second end attached to the rear door inboard of the rearward member. The first end of the rearward member is outboard of the support bracket.

Abstract: A vehicle door assembly includes a vehicle body structure defining a door opening, a first door movably connected to the vehicle body structure, and a second door movably connected to the vehicle body structure. The first door is configured to move between closed and open positions. The first door is configured to move in a first direction from the closed position to the open position. The second door is configured to move between closed and open positions. The second door is configured to move in a second direction from the closed position to the open position. The second direction being different from the first direction.

Abstract: A handle base bracket has a first handle receiving section and a fastener opening that extends through the first handle receiving section. In a fully assembled state the outboard surface of the handle base bracket overlays a portion of an inboard surface of a door panel. A first fastener member extends through the first handle opening and into the fastener opening. A head portion overlays a portion of the outboard surface of the door panel adjacent to the first handle opening. A metallic bracket has a main section fixedly attached to the handle base bracket. First and second side flanges of the metallic bracket extend toward the inboard surface of the door panel. An operation handle has a grip portion outboard of the door panel and a protrusion extending into the first handle receiving section of the handle base bracket.

Abstract: A vehicle body structure includes a reinforcement member, a latch mechanism and a secondary reinforcement portion. The reinforcement member is installed to an inner door panel of a door structure and extends from a forward area of the door structure to a rearward area of the door structure. The latch mechanism is installed to the rearward area of the inner door panel and is positioned such that a section of a rearward portion of the reinforcement member is outboard and level with a portion of the latch mechanism. The secondary reinforcement portion is fixedly attached to a central area of the reinforcement member spaced apart from a forward area of the inner door panel. In response to an impact event where force is directed to a central area of the door structure, the reinforcement member deforms and contacts the latch mechanism retaining the latch mechanism in the latching orientation.

Abstract: A vehicle door assembly includes inner and outer door panels, first and second support brackets, a reinforcing panel, a window opening support panel and a side mirror assembly. The first support bracket is attached to the inner door panel. The reinforcing panel is attached to the first support bracket. The second support panel attached to the first support panel and the reinforcing panel. The window opening support panel is attached to the inner door panel, the second support panel and the reinforcing panel. The outer door panel is fixed to the inner door panel such that the inner door panel and the outer door panel define a door cavity therebetween. The side mirror assembly is installed along an exterior side of the outer door panel. The side mirror assembly includes fasteners that extend through the window opening support panel and the second support panel.

Abstract: A vehicle door assembly includes a vehicle body structure defining a door opening, a first door movably connected to the vehicle body structure, and a second door movably connected to the vehicle body structure. The first door is configured to move between closed and open positions. The first door is configured to move in a first direction from the closed position to the open position. The second door is configured to move between closed and open positions. The second door is configured to move in a second direction from the closed position to the open position. The second direction being different from the first direction.

Abstract: A door structure is moveable to and from of a closed orientation covering a door opening and an open orientation exposing the door opening of a vehicle. The door structure has an inner door panel with an interior latch handle attachment area and an attenuation slot adjacent to the interior latch handle attachment area. The attenuation slot is defined between a first slot edge and a second slot edge. The interior latch handle is installed to the interior latch handle attachment area. A portion of the interior latch handle is located adjacent to the first slot edge of the attenuation slot. In response to an impact event proximate a central area of the door structure, the door structure and the interior latch handle attachment area deform such that the first slot edge and the interior latch handle move relative to the second slot edge of the attenuation slot.

Abstract: A rear door assembly includes a motor having a shaft with a first gear attached thereto. A first end of a lever is rigidly fixed to the first shaft for rotation therewith proximate the first gear. A belt is engaged with the first gear. A rear door is pivotally supported to the vehicle and is movable between a door closed orientation and a door open orientation. The rear door has a gear assembly coupled to the lever. The rear door and the gear assembly are moved by the lever upon rotation of the lever by the motor. The gear assembly receives rotary motion from the belt such that angular displacement of the rear door caused by the rotary motion of the belt during movement between the closed orientation and the open orientation occurs at half the rate of the angular displacement of the lever.

Abstract: A rear door assembly having a bracket, a rear door, a first movement mechanism and a second movement mechanism. The rear door has lateral side with a slot formed therein. The first movement mechanism is attached to a rearward area of a vehicle and is configured to move bracket and the rear door from a closed orientation covering a rear opening in the vehicle body structure to at least an intermediate orientation partially uncovering a rear opening of a vehicle. The bracket has a pair of support pins extending in that extend into the slot with the support pins being supported on rollers within the slot. The second movement mechanism is disposed within the rear door to move the rear door relative to the support pins of the bracket along the slot.

Abstract: A vehicle body structure includes a vehicle outer panel, a trim member, a mounting bracket and a radar device. The vehicle outer panel has an outboard surface. The trim member is installed to the outboard surface of the vehicle outer panel. The mounting bracket is installed to an inboard side of the trim member. The radar device is installed to the mounting bracket.

Abstract: A door latch jamming assembly includes a vehicle door assembly having an outer door panel, a latch mechanism and a jamming mechanism. The latch mechanism has a member movable between a door closed orientation and a door open orientation. The latch mechanism is installed to the vehicle door assembly inboard of the outer door panel. The jamming mechanism is installed to the latch mechanism. The jamming mechanism has a jamming member and an end portion coupled to the jamming member. The end portion extends away from the latch mechanism toward the outer door panel. In response to an impact event impacting forces press the outer door panel against the end portion pushing the end portion toward the latch mechanism. Consequently, the jamming member is also moved by the end portion into the latch mechanism preventing the member of the latch mechanism from moving away from the door closed orientation.