Abstract: An emergency mechanism for manually opening a powered door that includes a hold-close latch that holds the door in a closed position. During the manual operation, a manually operated handle for actuating only the hold-closed latch is manually moved from a non-actuating position to an actuating position, which actuates the hold-close latch to release the door from the closed position. The handle is held in the actuating position until it is moved back to the non-actuating position during a subsequent powered operation, thus allowing a user to move the door to an opened position using both hands.

Abstract: An opening/closing assembly for a door configured to actuate certain latches during a powered operation and to actuate not all the same latches during a manual (emergency) operation. The assembly operates to decouple the operation of levers associated to the various latches of the door. The assembly is configured such that a hold-close latch is actuated for both a powered operation and a manual operation, while a hold-open latch is not actuated during the manual operation and is only actuated during the powered operation.

Abstract: An emergency mechanism for manually opening a powered door that includes a hold-close latch that holds the door in a closed position. During the manual operation, a manually operated handle for actuating only the hold-closed latch is manually moved from a non-actuating position to an actuating position, which actuates the hold-close latch to release the door from the closed position. The handle is held in the actuating position until it is moved back to the non-actuating position during a subsequent powered operation, thus allowing a user to move the door to an opened position using both hands.

Abstract: An assembly for use in a vehicle door that can include a weather strip, a door flange, a weatherstrip datum formation, and a flange datum formation. The weatherstrip can include a mounting member that extends along a length axis of the weatherstrip. The mounting member can include a side wall that extends along the length axis. The side wall can include the weatherstrip datum formation. The door flange can be configured to integrate with an inner door panel. The door flange can include a flange datum formation. The weatherstrip datum formation can be engageable with the flange datum formation so as to position the weatherstrip relative to the door flange.

Abstract: An assembly for use in a vehicle door that can include a weather strip, a door flange, a weatherstrip datum formation, and a flange datum formation. The weatherstrip can include a mounting member that extends along a length axis of the weatherstrip. The mounting member can include a side wall that extends along the length axis. The side wall can include the weatherstrip datum formation. The door flange can be configured to integrate with an inner door panel. The door flange can include a flange datum formation. The weatherstrip datum formation can be engageable with the flange datum formation so as to position the weatherstrip relative to the door flange.

Abstract: Some embodiments are directed to a vehicle door assembly that includes a vehicle door, which defines an interior and is connected to the motor by the linkage, such that actuation of the actuator engages the motor, which thereby moves the vehicle door via the linkage. The vehicle door assembly also includes a powered door override. At least a portion of the powered door override can be disposed within the interior of the vehicle door. The powered door override is configured to disconnect the linkage from the motor so as to isolate the motor from the vehicle door and thereby enable the vehicle door to be moved manually. An interior panel is connected to the vehicle door so as to cover at least a portion of the interior of the vehicle door, such that the powered door override is at least partially enclosed between the interior panel and the vehicle door.

Abstract: Some embodiments are directed to a vehicle door assembly that includes a vehicle door, which defines an interior and is connected to the motor by the linkage, such that actuation of the actuator engages the motor, which thereby moves the vehicle door via the linkage. The vehicle door assembly also includes a powered door override. At least a portion of the powered door override can be disposed within the interior of the vehicle door. The powered door override is configured to disconnect the linkage from the motor so as to isolate the motor from the vehicle door and thereby enable the vehicle door to be moved manually. An interior panel is connected to the vehicle door so as to cover at least a portion of the interior of the vehicle door, such that the powered door override is at least partially enclosed between the interior panel and the vehicle door.

Abstract: A bolt retention system includes a bolt and a receiver. The bolt has a head formed at the end having a radial thickness greater than an adjacent neck and a threaded portion having a plurality of external bolt threads. The receiver has a spring section, a threaded section, and a bracket section. The spring section has a distal end that springs outwardly from a longitudinal axis of the bolt as the head of the bolt passes through the spring section, the distal end of the spring section being biased to maintain contact with the neck of the bolt after the head of the bolt passes through the spring section to create an interference fit with the head of the bolt. The threaded section of the receiver is adapted to receive the threaded portion of the bolt for securing the bolt to the work piece.

Abstract: A center roller assembly for a vehicle slide door includes a support arm having a first end portion hingedly connected to the vehicle slide door and a second end portion. A roller unit includes a load roller rotatably connected to the second end portion by a load roller shaft and first and second guide rollers flanking the load roller and rotatably connected to the second end portion by first and second guide roller shafts. A first drive cable has a first attachment member secured to an end portion thereof and directly connected to the first guide roller shaft. A second drive cable has a second attachment member secured to an end portion thereof and directly connected to the second guide roller shaft. The first and second guide roller shafts are each configured to prevent disengagement of the first and second attachment members from the first and second guide roller shafts.

Abstract: A center roller assembly for a vehicle slide door includes a support arm having a first end portion hingedly connected to the vehicle slide door and a second end portion. A roller unit includes a load roller rotatably connected to the second end portion by a load roller shaft and first and second guide rollers flanking the load roller and rotatably connected to the second end portion by first and second guide roller shafts. A first drive cable has a first attachment member secured to an end portion thereof and directly connected to the first guide roller shaft. A second drive cable has a second attachment member secured to an end portion thereof and directly connected to the second guide roller shaft. The first and second guide roller shafts are each configured to prevent disengagement of the first and second attachment members from the first and second guide roller shafts.

Abstract: A side door extension support assembly for a vehicle includes a side door movably mounted on a vehicle body of the vehicle and an extension member mounted to the vehicle body. The side door is longitudinally moveable between a closed position and an open position. The extension member is moveable between a retracted position and an extended position for supporting the side door. Movement of the extension member corresponds to movement of the side door such that the extension member moves to the extended position when the side door is moved from the closed position to the open position, and the extension member moves to the retracted position when the side door is moved from the open position to the closed position.

Abstract: A side door extension support assembly for a vehicle includes a side door moveably mounted on a vehicle body of the vehicle for longitudinal movement between a closed position and an open position and an extension member mounted to the side door and moveable between a retracted position and an extended position for supporting the side door. Movement of the extension member corresponds to longitudinal movement of the side door such that the extension member moves to the extended position when the side door is moved from the closed position to the open position, and the extension member moves to the retracted position when the side door is moved from the open position to the closed position.

Abstract: A vehicle slide door for covering an opening in a vehicle body includes a door trim panel having a slot extending in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle body. A linkage arm operably connects the vehicle door to the vehicle body. The linkage arm slides within the slot of the door trim panel as the vehicle door is moved between a closed position and an opened position. A garnish panel is separate from the door trim panel and is engaged with the linkage arm. The garnish panel at least partially covers a section of the slot of the door trim panel in the closed position of the vehicle door. The garnish panel has a portion movable relative to the door trim panel in a lateral direction of the vehicle body due to an obstruction between the door trim panel and the garnish panel.

Abstract: A vehicle slide door for covering an opening in a vehicle body includes a door trim panel having a slot extending in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle body. A linkage arm operably connects the vehicle door to the vehicle body. The linkage arm slides within the slot of the door trim panel as the vehicle door is moved between a closed position and an opened position. A garnish panel is separate from the door trim panel and is engaged with the linkage arm. The garnish panel at least partially covers a section of the slot of the door trim panel in the closed position of the vehicle door. The garnish panel has a portion movable relative to the door trim panel in a lateral direction of the vehicle body due to an obstruction between the door trim panel and the garnish panel.

Abstract: A side door extension support assembly for a vehicle includes a side door movably mounted on a vehicle body of the vehicle and an extension member mounted to the vehicle body. The side door is longitudinally moveable between a closed position and an open position. The extension member is moveable between a retracted position and an extended position for supporting the side door. Movement of the extension member corresponds to movement of the side door such that the extension member moves to the extended position when the side door is moved from the closed position to the open position, and the extension member moves to the retracted position when the side door is moved from the open position to the closed position.

Abstract: An automotive sliding door supported by an upper rail that eliminates the need for a middle rail opening in a vehicle body. The sliding door hangs from an upper guide member or members that support the door along its length in both an open and closed position. The upper guide members support the full weight of the door without a middle rail for support thereby eliminating rail gash in rear quarter panel.

Abstract: A vehicle assembly comprises a motorized door movable between an open position and a closed position and a pressure-activated sensor assembly. The sensor assembly includes a switch component, a flexible component and an engagement component. The switch component actuates upon pressure contact with an associated obstructing object. The flexible component substantially surrounds the switch component. The engagement component is connected with the door and extends from the flexible component towards the door. An exterior garnish member is connected to the door and laterally offset from the flexible component. The garnish member is configured to at least partially inhibit contact of the flexible component by an occupant during occupant ingress and egress of the vehicle.

Abstract: A cover for an automatic vehicle door latch. The cover comprises a first wall having a free top and bottom edge, and a second edge intersecting an edge of a second wall. The second wall also includes top, free and bottom edges, wherein the bottom and top edge of the first and second walls are contiguous. The first and second walls are angled relative to one another at the intersecting edges. A top ridge protrudes from the walls adjacent the top edges, and a second ridge protrudes from the wall between the top and bottom ridges such that the top ridge and the second ridge define a channel therebetween.

Abstract: An upper roller assembly for a sliding vehicle closure system includes a first bracket secured to a sliding vehicle closure. A ball-type roller is secured to the first bracket at a location spaced apart from the sliding vehicle closure for engaging and moving along an upper guide rail during opening and closing of the sliding vehicle closure. The ball-type roller is fixed in position relative to the sliding vehicle closure during opening and closing thereof. A second bracket is connected to first bracket. The second bracket is moveable relative to the sliding vehicle closure during opening and closing thereof. Guide rollers guide movement of the sliding vehicle closure during opening and closing thereof. The guide rollers are rotatably connected to the second bracket for engaging and moving along the upper guide rail during opening and closing of the sliding vehicle closure.

Abstract: An upper roller assembly for a sliding vehicle closure system includes a first bracket secured to a sliding vehicle closure. A ball-type roller is secured to the first bracket at a location spaced apart from the sliding vehicle closure for engaging and moving along an upper guide rail during opening and closing of the sliding vehicle closure. The ball-type roller is fixed in position relative to the sliding vehicle closure during opening and closing thereof. A second bracket is connected to first bracket. The second bracket is moveable relative to the sliding vehicle closure during opening and closing thereof. Guide rollers guide movement of the sliding vehicle closure during opening and closing thereof. The guide rollers are rotatably connected to the second bracket for engaging and moving along the upper guide rail during opening and closing of the sliding vehicle closure.