Abstract: An entry assembly includes a frame and a gate. The frame has a first side and a second side. The gate is connected to the frame. The gate defines a demarcation between the first side and the second side of the frame. The gate is pivotable about the frame along at least two axes of rotation. Each axis of rotation intersects at least one of the at least two axes of rotation.

Abstract: A vehicle rear door unsequenced articulating mechanism including one or more articulating hinge assemblies having one or more hinge arms pivotally mounted to a vehicle C-pillar at one end thereof via a C-pillar hinge mount and pivotally mounted to a vehicle rear door at another end thereof via a door hinge mount. The hinge arm may include a generally J-shaped profile between the ends thereof for permitting unsequenced articulation of the rear door up to approximately 180° from a rear door closed position. The door hinge mount may include a door stop engageable with a stop surface on the hinge arm for limiting pivotal movement of the vehicle rear door.

Abstract: A vehicle rear door articulating and sliding mechanism including an articulating hinge assembly having a hinge arm pivotally mounted to a vehicle C-pillar at one end thereof, and a vehicle rear door pivotally and slidably mounted to the hinge arm at an opposite end of the hinge arm. A guide track may be mounted to the rear door, and a slide block may be pivotally mounted to the hinge arm and slidably attached to the guide track. The hinge arm may be disposed at first and second angular positions relative to the guide track when the rear door is respectively disposed in closed and opened positions, and the slide block may be disposed at first and second positions along a length of the guide track when the rear door is respectively disposed in the closed and opened positions, to thus provide articulating and sliding movement of the rear door.

Abstract: A vehicle rear door unsequenced articulating mechanism including one or more articulating hinge assemblies having one or more hinge arms pivotally mounted to a vehicle C-pillar at one end thereof via a C-pillar hinge mount and pivotally mounted to a vehicle rear door at another end thereof via a door hinge mount. The hinge arm may include a generally U-shaped profile between the ends thereof for permitting unsequenced articulation of the rear door up to 180° from a rear door closed position. The door hinge mount may include a door check engageable with a stop on the hinge arm, for limiting pivotal movement of the vehicle rear door to a first intermediate open position from the rear door closed position, upon pivotal movement of the door check relative to the hinge arm.

Abstract: A vehicle door articulating mechanism including an articulating hinge assembly having a hinge arm pivotally mounted to a vehicle structure at one end thereof, a vehicle door pivotally mounted via first and second hinge mounts to the hinge arm at an opposite end of the hinge arm, a first cam mounted to the first hinge mount at one end of the hinge arm, a second cam mounted to the second hinge mount at an opposite end of the hinge arm, and a belt encircling both first and second cams. The hinge arm is disposed at first and second angular positions when the vehicle door is respectively disposed in closed and opened positions. The vehicle door articulating mechanism allows the door to articulate away independent of an adjacent vehicle door during initial and continued opening of vehicle door.

Abstract: A simultaneous movement system for a vehicle door is provided. The system includes a simultaneous movement system comprising first and second primary hinge arms, first and second secondary hinge arms, primary and secondary rails and guide track. The second primary hinge arm and the second secondary hinge arm are pivotally mounted to a vehicle body structure on one end and are pivotally mounted to a primary slide and a secondary slide at the other ends respectively. The first primary hinge arm includes a guide track region and a rail region. The primary rail receives a primary slide. The secondary rail receives a secondary slide. The guide track receive the guide track region of the primary hinge arm thereby allowing the primary hinge arm to travel along both the guide track and the primary rail simultaneously through the guide track region and the rail region of the primary hinge arm.

Abstract: A vehicle tailgate side mounted step assist mechanism attachable to a vehicle including a vehicle bed coupled to a pillar and a tailgate pivotally attached to the vehicle bed for providing access to the vehicle bed in a tailgate open position and securing contents of the vehicle bed in a tailgate closed position. The mechanism may include generally parallel supports rotatably mountable to a side of the tailgate, the supports capable of being deployed when the tailgate is in the tailgate open position and stowed when the tailgate is in the tailgate closed position. A tailgate step is disposable between the supports at a predetermined distance from the side of the tailgate, and a lockout device prevents the tailgate from returning to the tailgate closed position when the tailgate step is deployed.

Abstract: A simultaneous movement system for a vehicle door includes a vehicle door having a door inner panel, first and second outboard members, first and second inboard members, first and second guide tracks, a third curved guide track, first and second points on the second outboard member, and first and second slide members. The first and second guide tracks are operatively mounted to the vehicle door. The third curved guide track may be operatively mounted to the vehicle door and is configured to receive a second point on the second outboard hinge arm. The first point on the second outboard hinge arm may be pivotally mounted on a second slide member.

Abstract: A simultaneous movement system for a vehicle door is provided. The system includes a simultaneous movement system comprising first and second primary hinge arms, first and second secondary hinge arms, primary and secondary rails and guide track. The second primary hinge arm and the second secondary hinge arm are pivotally mounted to a vehicle body structure on one end and are pivotally mounted to a primary slide and a secondary slide at the other ends respectively. The first primary hinge arm includes a guide track region and a rail region. The primary rail receives a primary slide. The secondary rail receives a secondary slide. The guide track receive the guide track region of the primary hinge arm thereby allowing the primary hinge arm to travel along both the guide track and the primary rail simultaneously through the guide track region and the rail region of the primary hinge arm.

Abstract: A simultaneous single rail movement system for a vehicle door includes a first hinge arm, a second hinge arm, a rail and a guide track. The first hinge arm is pivotally mounted to a vehicle body structure at the body end. The second hinge arm is pivotally mounted to a vehicle body structure. The rail is operatively configured to receive the slide member. The slide member is pivotally mounted to the slide member region of the first hinge arm and the door end of the second hinge arm. The guide track receives the guide track region of the first hinge arm.

Abstract: A door system includes a vehicle frame defining a door opening. A forward opening door is disposed in the door opening and has a forward edge hingedly connected to a forward support pillar and a rearward edge securely engageable with an intermediate support pillar. A rearward opening door is disposed in the door opening and has a rearward edge hingedly connected to a rearward support pillar and a forward edge securely engageable with the intermediate support pillar. A latching system has frame latches that removably attach the intermediate support pillar to the vehicle frame and door latches that removably connect the intermediate support pillar to one of the forward opening door and rearward opening door, such that the intermediate support pillar is connected to one or more of the vehicle frame, forward opening door, and rearward opening door at all times.

Abstract: A vehicle rear door articulating and sliding mechanism including an articulating hinge assembly having a hinge arm pivotally mounted to a vehicle C-pillar at one end thereof, and a vehicle rear door pivotally and slidably mounted to the hinge arm at an opposite end of the hinge arm. A guide track may be mounted to the rear door, and a slide block may be pivotally mounted to the hinge arm and slidably attached to the guide track. The hinge arm may be disposed at first and second angular positions relative to the guide track when the rear door is respectively disposed in closed and opened positions, and the slide block may be disposed at first and second positions along a length of the guide track when the rear door is respectively disposed in the closed and opened positions, to thus provide articulating and sliding movement of the rear door.

Abstract: An entry assembly comprises a frame and a gate. The frame has a first side and a second side. The gate is connected to the frame. The gate defines a demarcation between the first side and the second side of the frame. The gate is pivotable about the frame along at least two axes of rotation. Each axis of rotation intersects at least one of the at least two axes of rotation.

Abstract: A vehicle door articulating mechanism including an articulating hinge assembly having a hinge arm pivotally mounted to a vehicle structure at one end thereof, a vehicle door pivotally mounted via first and second hinge mounts to the hinge arm at an opposite end of the hinge arm, a first cam mounted to the first hinge mount at one end of the hinge arm, a second cam mounted to the second hinge mount at an opposite end of the hinge arm, and a belt encircling both first and second cams. The hinge arm is disposed at first and second angular positions when the vehicle door is respectively disposed in closed and opened positions. The vehicle door articulating mechanism allows the door to articulate away independent of an adjacent vehicle door during initial and continued opening of vehicle door.

Abstract: A door system includes a vehicle frame defining a door opening. A forward opening door is disposed in the door opening and has a forward edge hingedly connected to a forward support pillar and a rearward edge securely engageable with an intermediate support pillar. A rearward opening door is disposed in the door opening and has a rearward edge hingedly connected to a rearward support pillar and a forward edge securely engageable with the intermediate support pillar. A latching system has frame latches that removably attach the intermediate support pillar to the vehicle frame and door latches that removably connect the intermediate support pillar to one of the forward opening door and rearward opening door, such that the intermediate support pillar is connected to one or more of the vehicle frame, forward opening door, and rearward opening door at all times.

Abstract: A simultaneous movement system for a vehicle door includes a vehicle door having a door inner panel, first and second outboard members, first and second inboard members, first and second guide tracks, a third curved guide track, first and second points on the second outboard member, and first and second slide members. The first and second guide tracks are operatively mounted to the vehicle door. The third curved guide track may be operatively mounted to the vehicle door and is configured to receive a second point on the second outboard hinge arm. The first point on the second outboard hinge arm may be pivotally mounted on a second slide member.

Abstract: A simultaneous single rail movement system for a vehicle door includes an outboard hinge arm, an inboard hinge arm, a rail, and a guide track. The outboard hinge arm includes a first outboard end and a second outboard end. The outboard hinge arm is pivotally mounted to a vehicle body structure at the first outboard end. The outboard hinge arm includes a first region or point, and a second region or point. The inboard hinge arm includes a first inboard end and a second inboard end. The inboard hinge arm is pivotally mounted to a vehicle body structure at the first inboard end. The rail may be mounted to a vehicle door and is configured to receive the slide member. The slide member is pivotally mounted to the first point of the outboard hinge arm and the second inboard end. The guide track is adjacent to the rail and is configured to receive the second region or point of the outboard hinge arm. The guide track includes a substantially curved portion and a substantially linear portion.

Abstract: A vehicle door articulating and sliding mechanism is provided that includes a swing arm pivotally mounted via a first bracket to a vehicle structure at one end and a sliding assembly comprising a rotating second bracket mounted at an opposite end of the swing arm. The sliding assembly is slidably engaged to a vehicle door. The mechanism also includes a first flexible link at least partially encircling a first sprocket connected to the vehicle structure and a second sprocket fixed to the vehicle door. The mechanism further includes a second flexible link fixed to the vehicle door at one end and fixed to the vehicle structure at the opposite end. The second flexible link at least partially encircles a cam, wherein the first flexible link and cam provide a catch that engages the cam to accelerate movement of the door during opening.

Abstract: A vehicle tailgate side mounted step assist mechanism attachable to a vehicle including a vehicle bed coupled to a pillar and a tailgate pivotally attached to the vehicle bed for providing access to the vehicle bed in a tailgate open position and securing contents of the vehicle bed in a tailgate closed position. The mechanism may include generally parallel supports rotatably mountable to a side of the tailgate, the supports capable of being deployed when the tailgate is in the tailgate open position and stowed when the tailgate is in the tailgate closed position. A tailgate step is disposable between the supports at a predetermined distance from the side of the tailgate, and a lockout device prevents the tailgate from returning to the tailgate closed position when the tailgate step is deployed.

Abstract: A vehicle rear door unsequenced articulating mechanism including one or more articulating hinge assemblies having one or more hinge arms pivotally mounted to a vehicle C-pillar at one end thereof via a C-pillar hinge mount and pivotally mounted to a vehicle rear door at another end thereof via a door hinge mount. The hinge arm may include a generally U-shaped profile between the ends thereof for permitting unsequenced articulation of the rear door up to 180° from a rear door closed position. The door hinge mount may include a door check engageable with a stop on the hinge arm, for limiting pivotal movement of the vehicle rear door to a first intermediate open position from the rear door closed position, upon pivotal movement of the door check relative to the hinge arm.