Door Hinge Detail Patents (Class 296/146.11)
  • Patent number: 6550845
    Abstract: A side door assembly for a vehicle includes a front pillar extending between a roof and a floor of a vehicle body of the vehicle. The side door assembly also includes a rear pillar extending between the roof and the floor and spaced longitudinally from the front pillar to define a continuous door opening in the vehicle body. The side door assembly includes a front side door having a rear end and a forward end pivotally connected to the front pillar to open and close a front portion of the door opening. The side door assembly also includes a rear side door having a forward end and a rear end. The side door assembly further includes at least one hinge assembly connected to the rear end of the rear side door and connected to the rear pillar and having a dual pivot to allow the rear side door to pivot to a first open position and a second open position and to a closed position relative to a rear portion of the door opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Brad L Pietryga
  • Publication number: 20030067188
    Abstract: When a transport system whose doors are jammed in a real-world accident, bursts into flame, passengers, trapped therein, can neither detach the doors by themselves nor be rescued by rescue workers arriving too late. To minimize the rescue time and force needed to detach doors the transport system is equipped with a door-detachment device, which is automatically or manually operated, when the transport system comes to a halt, to detach the jammed doors from its body by pulling at least one hinge pin out of the hole of hinge and/or fracturing at least one hinge member. The equations of friction and wire friction are applied to miminize the tensile forces of all wires of the door-detachment device. Thanks to low tensile force badly injured passengers can manually operate it to rescue themselves in a short time before fire engulfs the transport system. In the second feature of the invention, catch bands restrain the detached doors, which, when flying-off, endangers the life of rescue workers and non-participants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2001
    Publication date: April 10, 2003
    Inventor: Giok Djien Go
  • Publication number: 20030042757
    Abstract: In a door hinge mounting structure, a retaining member having a threaded hole formed therein is provided in the interior of a door panel or a door mounting portion on a vehicle body. A positioning bolt is screwed into the threaded hole via a positioning bolt passable hole formed in the door panel or the door mounting portion. A door hinge is positioned based on the position of the positioning bolt so mounted. In the door hinge mounting structure, the positioning bolt passable hole is formed larger in diameter than the threaded hole in the retaining member. Restrictive wall portions are provided in the interior of the door panel or the door mounting portion for restricting the movement of the retaining member within a range in which the positioning bolt passable hole and the threaded hole in the retaining member substantially coincide in position with each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Applicant: HONDA GIKEN KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Toshiya Ohba
  • Patent number: 6516495
    Abstract: A door stop which is connected to a door hinge and is intended for motor-vehicle doors comprises a holding device, which is connected to the hinge half assigned to one of the two door assembly parts, the door or door pillar, and a braking device, which is connected to the hinge half assigned to the other door assembly part. In the door stop, on the one hand, the braking device has at least two braking and holding bodies (10), which are subjected to a spring load, and, on the other hand, the holding device has at least one latching ramp (28, 29) assigned to the braking and holding bodies. Furthermore, in the door stop the holding device which has at least one latching ramp (28, 29) is formed by an at least annular body (16), which is arranged concentrically with the braking-body carrier (9), and one of the two devices, the holding device or braking device, is driven in a rotating manner as a function of the door movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Ed. Scharwaechter GmbH
    Inventor: Markus Michalak
  • Patent number: 6511120
    Abstract: A reinforcing nut plate (40) contacts one surface of an automotive vehicle body pillar (28) with hot-melt adhesive bodies (52) therebetween. A door hinge plate (15) is secured to the pillar (28) and nut plate (40) by one or more bolts (20,22) providing a predetermined mounting arrangement. On rust-proofing or other manufacturing treatment raising the door temperature a significant amount, the adhesive bodies affix the nut plate to the pillar. Now, the door may be removed from the pillar and transported to another work site for accessories to be mounted, following which the door can be readily reinstalled to the predetermined arrangement with the pillar and nut plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Richard K. Mitts
  • Patent number: 6505882
    Abstract: A hatchback lid for a motor vehicle with a top and a bottom hatchback lid part (5, 6) displaceably mounted in relation to each other. The top hatchback lid part (5) is jointed with the bottom hatchback lid part (6) in such a way that the two hatchback lid parts (5, 6) can be folded together into a completely open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Magna Europa AG
    Inventors: Nick Morbach, Carsten Hofer, Werner Schmidt, Matthias Kraus, Stephan Schutt
  • Publication number: 20020190538
    Abstract: A raised hatch door system for use with the pivoting side doors of an extended height van. The hatch door system engages with standard sized van doors and in the closed position provides a structural header that aligns substantially with the factory installed header.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2002
    Publication date: December 19, 2002
    Inventor: Thomas W. Lorentz
  • Patent number: 6477738
    Abstract: The invention relates to a door stop for motor vehicle doors which is integrated with a demountable door hinge. The door hinge is comprised of two hinge halves (1, 2) and a hinge pin (3) which is accommodated in hinge half (2) with a running fit and in the other hinge half (1) such that it can be lifted off without turning. The door stop comprises braking or holding means which are radially aligned in relation to the hinge pin axis and which interact with stopping means concentrically arranged in relation to the hinge pin axis. The door stop assembly is primarily accommodated in a door stop housing (12). Said door stop housing is placed, in an axial projection (11) of the hinge axis. The hinge pin is mounted with a running fit in the hinge half (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Ed. Scharwaechter GmbH
    Inventors: Johannes Kremer, Nils Magnus
  • Publication number: 20020089211
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for coupling a vehicle body panel partition for pivotal movement between an upright and a retracted position. A mounting includes hinge sets formed from two hinge leafs, each hinge leaf being used to retain one of the alternate ends of the torsion rod pin extending through aligned pivot portions on each pin leaf. Preferably, each hinge set is integrally formed with the torsion pin by retainers holding ends of the torsion pin with respect to each of the leafs. In the preferred embodiment, a return bent end of the torsion pin is received in an extended support member while the other end is retained in a returned bent portion of the second leaf, each end extending in a radial direction aligned at an angle to the direction of the other end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2001
    Publication date: July 11, 2002
    Applicant: M & C Corporation
    Inventor: Michael John Duffy
  • Patent number: 6386621
    Abstract: A reverse opening vehicle door is provided (10), including a door body (16) having a fore portion (18) and an aft portion (20), a catch mechanism (50), and a hinge mechanism (70). The catch mechanism (50) and the hinge mechanism (70) permit the door body (16) to move between at least three positions including a closed position (22) having a fore closed position (30) and an aft closed position (32), an intermediate position (24) having an aft intermediate position (34) located outboard and rearward of the aft closed position (32) and a fore intermediate position (36) located rearward of the fore closed position (30), and an open position (26) in which the fore portion (18) is rotated rearward about the aft intermediate position (34).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward Thomas Kozak, James A. O'Brien, II
  • Patent number: 6382704
    Abstract: An adjustable hinge assembly for swingably attaching a closure panel over a trunk space of an automotive vehicle. The hinge assembly includes a hinge strap which has a first end portion and a second end portion, wherein the first end portion is adjustably attached to two brackets that are attached to the trunk lid and the second end is rotatably attached to the vehicle body using a ball and socket joint. The brackets include rounded surfaces that are rotated and translated relative to attachment surfaces of the hinge strap, and the brackets operate in conjunction with the ball and socket joint to allow the trunk lid to be precisely fit over the trunk space opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Ion Nastasoiu
  • Patent number: 6375334
    Abstract: A rear-view mirror for a vehicle, especially for lorries, includes a mirror housing in which at least one mirror glass is arranged and an upper arm, a first end of which is connected to the mirror housing and a second end of which is connected to a door of the vehicle. A lower arm, a first end of which is connected to the mirror housing and a second end of which is connected to the door in an area located below the level at which a lower edge of a side window of the door is located, where the second end of the upper arm is connected to a hinge which connects the door to the bodywork of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: AB Volvo
    Inventors: Mikael Hildesson, Dan Frykholm
  • Patent number: 6367863
    Abstract: The invention relates to a reinforcing member for a door hinge installed at the body of the automobile to improve strength of supporting the door hinge that rotates a door open or close not only by forming a box shape to improve strength to the gravitational direction, but also by eliminating a limitation in length of a reinforcing flange, the reinforcing member comprising: a flat plate formed with a bent portion at a predetermined portion thereof to be tightly attached to the internal side of an inner panel of a door for fixation; two pieces of first wing portions faced each other and extended at both edges of the flat plate in the vertical direction thereto; and a second wing portion extended at both edges of the flat plate to be in perpendicular to the first wing portions for fixation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Kyoung-Ho Cho
  • Patent number: 6367864
    Abstract: A vehicle has a power operated liftgate and at least one power unit comprising a fixed linear guide channel and a follower that moves in the guide channel. The follower is universally connected to a rod having at one end and the opposite end of the rod is universally connected to the vehicle lift gate. A flexible drive loop which is attached to the follower wraps part way around two pulleys at opposite ends of the guide channel. The flexible drive loop is driven by a bi-directional drive unit that includes a reversible electric motor, an electromagnetic clutch and a drive wheel that engages the flexible drive loop. The flexible drive loop may be a drive cable, a drive tape, or a drive chain or a combination of cable, tape and/or chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Lloyd Walker Rogers, Jr., David A. Sedlak, Michael Antonio Ciavaglia, Ronald James Wilde, Theodore J Lindsay
  • Patent number: 6350956
    Abstract: A wire harness protector for double doors at the rear of a vehicle body is provided. The protector 10 consists of a first fixed member 11, a second fixed member 12, and a pivoting member 13. The first fixed member 11 has a tubular axle 11b protruding from the central portion of a closed-off cylindrical base face. The second fixed member 12 is approximately the same shape as the first fixed member 11. The pivoting member 13 is provided with a connecting frame 13d which connects a first cylindrical member 13a-1 and a second cylindrical member 13a-2, both of which have closed-off cylindrical upper faces and on central portions of which an outer fitting cylinder 13b-1 and an outer fitting cylinder 13b-2 are respectively provided. The tubular axles 11b and 12b of the first fixed member 11 and the second fixed member 12 are inserted into the first cylindrical member 13a-1 and the second cylindrical member 13a-2 of the pivoting member respectively, these joining in a state wherein they can swivel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Tsutomu Sakata
  • Publication number: 20020008400
    Abstract: An actuating arrangement and method for opening and closing a hinged motor vehicle panel utilizes a controllable fluid drive and an uncontrolled fluid drive. The hinged motor vehicle panel is driven during opening from a starting position to a predetermined opening angle by the controlled fluid drive and, after reaching the predetermined angle of opening, is driven into its final position exclusively by the uncontrolled fluid drive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2001
    Publication date: January 24, 2002
    Inventors: Ralf Hess, Jurgen Moczygemba, Kurt Schaible, Roland Scheurenbrand, Wolfgang Schneider
  • Patent number: 6336675
    Abstract: A hollow-body supporting arm of a swing-out hinge for a door of a motor vehicle, in which the door- and pillar-side coupling pins (5) are arranged at the free ends of the supporting arm (1). The supporting arm has two pairs of single reverse-action joints (4). In the supporting arm, the regions of the hinge pins between the single reverse-action joints, which are arranged one above the other, are left open. The supporting arm (1) is divided in such a manner that in addition to a base supporting arm (2) at least one end region having the single reverse-action joints (4) arranged on it is formed as a separate supporting-arm part (3). The mutually facing end sides of the base supporting arm (2) and of the supporting-arm parts (3) are formed in such a manner that they can be connected securely and captively to one another and when connected form a highly rigid supporting arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2002
    Assignee: Edscha AG
    Inventor: Lothar Br{overscore (u)}ckner
  • Patent number: 6312044
    Abstract: The present invention consists in giving access into transportation vehicles, by means of pivoting the major part of the body shell, on low placed lateral axes, in order to facilitate entrance and exit from three sides of the vehicle, including the front side; and without necessity of the space normally required by traditional doors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Inventor: Giorgio Vigano′
  • Patent number: 6305737
    Abstract: A vehicle door system including a door being pivotally moved about a first axis and a second axis. In another aspect of the present invention, the system provides a locking device that is slidably engaged to lock the door. Another aspect of the present invention pertains to a pair of adjacent passenger doors that open in opposite directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignee: ASC Incorporated
    Inventors: George A. Corder, James E. Tousignant, Bernard W. Schaller
  • Publication number: 20010013713
    Abstract: An automotive hinge facilitates substantially rotary motion of a closure panel relative to a fixed body structure by means of a single resilient member configured to carry all required structural and operational loadings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2001
    Publication date: August 16, 2001
    Inventor: Laurence James Holt
  • Patent number: 6267437
    Abstract: A front pillar arrangement for a motor vehicle body frame includes a front pillar with an outer part and an inner part and a door hinge attached to the outer part of the front pillar with one or more fastening elements along with at least one reinforcing element for mounting the door hinge on the outer part of the front pillar. A rigid connecting element extends between the outer part and the inner part of the front pillar and is attached to the reinforcing element by at least one fastening elements for the door hinge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2001
    Assignee: Volkswagen AG
    Inventors: Klaus-Dieter Morsch, Klaus Friedewald, Peter Pfeiffer, Arnold Ensslen, Andreas Weiss, Uwe Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 6254173
    Abstract: A motor vehicle has a safety body structure and side doors, each side being fixed to a door pillar of the safety body structure by at least one door hinge. When the vehicle receives a frontal impact, the forces which are imparted to the front section of the safety body structure are transmitted to the door pillar and are transmitted by the door to other body parts further away from the point of impact when the side door remains closed or is supported against the door pillar in the area of the door hinge without swinging outwardly. In order to prevent the front end of the door from swinging outwardly, the front end is caused to move, upon frontal impact to the vehicle, parallel to or inwardly toward a longitudinal center line of the vehicle by a controlled orientation of the deformation of a door hinge part in relation to the door pillar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: Volkswagen AG
    Inventors: Klaus Friedewald, Gert Heumann, Arnold Ensslen
  • Patent number: 6247744
    Abstract: A vehicle component sub-assembly having self-aligning appropriately fitted structural members is disclosed wherein a closure member, such as a vehicle door, hood or trunk is integrated with and becomes a structural part of a vehicle body. The sub-assembly includes mating components wherein a first mating component is mounted to the vehicle body and a second mating component is mounted to the closure member in such a manner that the first and second mating components become substantially aligned and structurally engaged with one another. The first mating component includes at least one structural key member formed thereon and the second mating component has a complementary mating receptacle therein. When the first and second mating components are aligned into interlocking engagement, the structural key members and mating receptacles are thereby structurally integrating the vehicle body and the closure member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Assignee: Joalto Design, Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Townsend, Mohamed El-Sayed
  • Patent number: 6247746
    Abstract: An agricultural tractor includes a cab frame having structural support post. The tractor also includes a hinge member having a first end portion which is pivotally coupled to the structural support post of the cab frame, and a second end portion which is opposite the first end portion. The tractor further includes a support arm secured to the second end portion of the hinge member in a substantially horizontal orientation. The support arm has a mounting boss secured thereto. The tractor further includes a window panel having a mounting aperture defined therein. The tractor further includes a fastener that is received through the mounting aperture so as to engage the mounting boss thereby securing the window panel to the support arm. Such a configuration allows for replacement of the window panel in the event of breakage thereof without the need to remove the hinge member from the structural support of the cab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey A. Brush
  • Patent number: 6234565
    Abstract: A bifold door assembly includes two foldable door panels disposed in edge adjacent relation in a door closed position and including vertically spaced hinges connected adjacent center edges of the two panels and allowing folding motion of the panels between a longitudinally aligned closed position and alternative forward and rear pivoted side by side laterally extending open positions. Each of the door panels has an upper hinge member adjacent an outer edge of the respective panel and pivotable on carrier movable along a longitudinal upper track from a first position near one end of the track to a second position spaced inward from an opposite end of the track. At least one of the door panels also has a lower hinge member adjacent an outer edge of the respective panel and pivotably connected with carrier movable along a longitudinal lower track from a first position near one end of the track to a second position spaced longitudinally from said one end of the track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Wade W Bryant, Dean N Rossman, Edmond D Upton
  • Patent number: 6234563
    Abstract: An articulation device for a hatchback mounted pivoting on a motor vehicle via a swivel rod. A structure is provided for automatically controlling the hatchback pivoting movement by a pivoting movement of a first end of a rod relative to the vehicle body structure. The hatchback pivoting direction, relative to the second end of the rod, is reversed during the first end of the rod pivoting movement between two extreme angular positions associated with extreme closed and opened positions of the hatchback.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: Renault
    Inventor: Jacques Bascou
  • Patent number: 6196618
    Abstract: A vehicle access system includes an access opening for the passenger compartment that is closed by a swinging door in combination with an access door. The access door moves through an arc without angling away from the vehicle body and is supported on a hinge assembly that attaches near the center of the door. An arm assembly guides the door throughout its range of positions and maintain the door in an orientation that is substantially parallel to the vehicle body. When the doors are open, an uninterrupted access opening is provided to the area of the second and third seat rows of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Brad L. Pietryga, Jason E. Lowery
  • Patent number: 6196608
    Abstract: A hinge assembly for a center mounted tailgate is provided. The hinge assembly includes a pair of hinge members and a hinge pin structure having a pin member and a pair of mounting brackets. The pin member includes a pair of generally cylindrical pin ends and a pin axis. Each of the mounting brackets are fixedly coupled to the pin member and include a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is spaced apart from and generally parallel to the pin axis and is adapted for mounting the hinge pin structure to a vehicle body. The second portion fixedly couples the first portion to the pin member. The hinge members include a first hinge portion and a second hinge portion. The first hinge portion has as generally hollow interior that is operable for engaging an end of the pin member to permit the first hinge portion to rotate about the pin axis. The first hinge portion may include a bearing for supporting the hinge member for rotation about the pin member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler Corporation
    Inventor: Nevill P. Ooms
  • Patent number: 6196617
    Abstract: A door structure for a vehicle has a door seated in a door jam frame at the rear end of the vehicle. The door jam fame has a first upright with an opening therein disposed nearby one side of the vehicle to provide a space between this side and the first upright. A second upright is nearby the other side of the vehicle. A hinge member is attached to the door which includes a first connecting member attached to the door member near the one side of the vehicle, a second connecting member pivotally attached to the first upright and disposed in the space between the one side of the vehicle and the first upright, and an intermediate arcuate member connected between the first and second connecting members which extends through the opening in the first upright.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Krystal Koach, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory S. Beck
  • Patent number: 6175991
    Abstract: An articulated door hinge attaching a vehicle door having an outer surface with a leading edge and an inner surface to a vehicle pillar having an outer surface and an inner surface, the door hinge including a pillar half linkage having a base rigidly attached to the pillar inner surface and a bearing surface projecting from the base supporting a pair of horizontally spaced rotary center shafts, a door half linkage having a base rigidly attached to the door inner surface and a bearing surface projecting from the base supporting a pair of horizontally spaced rotary center shafts, a forward link connecting corresponding longitudinally forward most rotary center shafts of the door half linkage to the pillar half linkage, and a rearward link connecting corresponding longitudinally rearward most rotary center shafts of the door half linkage to the pillar half linkage thereby creating an articulated door hinge, the articulated door hinge operable between a door closed position where the door outer surface leading ed
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David E. Driesman, Felix S. H. Kim, Kevin Paul Vogler, Michael H. Kim