Folding-type Door Patents (Class 296/146.13)
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Patent number: 12203311Abstract: A driving device is a driving device driving a door that includes an upper door and a lower door rotatably connected to the upper door, and includes: a driving portion that is provided at a position spaced apart from a connecting portion rotatably connecting the upper door and the lower door and generates a driving force for driving the upper door or the lower door; and an adjusting portion that changes a degree of folding of the lower door with respect to the upper door based on the driving force. Such a driving device can enhance the degree of freedom in designing a door.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2021Date of Patent: January 21, 2025Assignee: HI-LEX CORPORATIONInventors: Hiroyuki Takaoka, Koji Kuraoka
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Patent number: 12091097Abstract: A vehicle assembly includes, among other things, a cab back assembly having a first panel and a second panel. The first panel is pivotably coupled to a cab of a vehicle. The second panel is pivotably coupled to the first panel. A method of configuring a cab back includes selectively pivoting a first panel of a cab back assembly relative to a cab of a vehicle. The first panel is pivotably coupled to a cab of the vehicle and is configured to pivot relative to the cab about a first axis. The method further includes selectively pivoting a second panel of the cab back assembly relative to the first panel. The second panel is pivotably coupled to the first panel and is configured to pivot relative to the first panel about a second axis that is spaced from the first axis.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2020Date of Patent: September 17, 2024Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Michael Harmon, Martin Delonis
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Patent number: 11919371Abstract: A window stabilization mechanism includes a rail provided on a first cabin frame provided on one side of a window, and has a first end and a second end opposite to the first end in the lengthwise direction of the rail. A sliding member is provided on a windowpane and is configured to slide on the rail. The sliding member is located at a first end when the window is opened and at a second end when the window is closed. A lock mechanism is configured to lock the windowpane to the first cabin frame when the window is closed. A window support member is configured to abut on the windowpane when the window is closed, and to press the windowpane in an oblique direction from the windowpane toward the rail and from the second end toward the first end when the windowpane is locked by a lock mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2021Date of Patent: March 5, 2024Assignee: KUBOTA CORPORATIONInventors: Junichi Murakami, Yusuke Hada, Kohei Masui
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Patent number: 11110781Abstract: An opening structure of a tail gate and a roof may include a cross member mounted at the roof of a vehicle, a hinge mounted at the cross member and a tail gate body in white (BIW), a hinge drive motor operating the hinge, and a spindle drive expandably and contractibly mounted to move the roof. The tail gate is opened by the hinge drive motor, or a rear of the roof is moved upward by the expansion of the spindle drive after the tail gate is opened.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2019Date of Patent: September 7, 2021Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATIONInventor: Ki-Hyun Cho
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Patent number: 10780766Abstract: A vehicle door assembly according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a first door, a second door and a first hinge assembly connected to the first door and the second door. The first door is movable between a first position and a second position about the first hinge assembly, and in the second position, the first door is received against the second door.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2017Date of Patent: September 22, 2020Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Gregory Hagedorn, Cory Stuffelbeam, Craig Rackers, Johnathan Andrew Line
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Patent number: 9440519Abstract: A sliding door support apparatus of a vehicle may include a rail of which one end is mounted to be pivotably movable to a vehicle body, a slider fitted movably along the rail and coupled thereto, and connected in a pivotably movable manner to a front lower portion of a vehicle door, and a gas spring connected to the slider to apply an external force to the vehicle door through the slider through an outer side along a width direction of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2014Date of Patent: September 13, 2016Assignee: Hyundai Motor CompanyInventor: Jaehong Choi
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Patent number: 9162555Abstract: A right reinforcing rib 25 is disposed on a straight line connecting a left hinge attachment location 15 with an inner wall 17 in a region surrounded by a left hinge attachment location 15, a right end of a lower edge of a door inner panel 3, and a right virtual corner 26a. A left reinforcing rib 25 is disposed on a straight line connecting a right hinge attachment location 15 with the inner wall 17 in a region surrounded by a right hinge attachment location 15, a left end of the lower edge of the door inner panel 3, and a left virtual corner 26b.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2015Date of Patent: October 20, 2015Assignee: DaikyoNishikawa CorporationInventor: Hiroki Kodama
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Patent number: 8726465Abstract: A hinge assembly comprises a first machine part having a first axis, a second machine part having a second axis and a hinge part pivotably connecting the first machine part with the second machine part. The first machine part is connected with the hinge part via at least one first hinge point configured to permit rotation of the first machine part around the first axis relative to the hinge part. The second machine part is connected with the hinge part via at least one second hinge point configured to permit rotation of the second machine part around the third axis relative to the hinge part. The third axis is perpendicular to the second axis.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2011Date of Patent: May 20, 2014Assignee: Aktiebolaget SKFInventor: Peter Schmehr
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Patent number: 8720827Abstract: A dual function lavatory door and methods are presented. A hinged door panel comprises a doorway hinge coupled to a first side of a lavatory doorway of a lavatory. The doorway hinge positions the hinged door panel to couple to a first interior side-wall of the lavatory in a deployed position. An extendable door panel is coupled to the hinged door panel by a vertical hinge and can couple to a second side of the lavatory doorway opposite to the first side. The extendable door panel folds along the vertical hinge into an interior space of the lavatory in the deployed position. An extension panel is coupled to the extendable door panel and extends from the extendable door panel to couple to a second interior side-wall of the lavatory opposite to the first interior side-wall in the deployed position.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2012Date of Patent: May 13, 2014Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventor: Kelly L. Boren
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Patent number: 8511739Abstract: A control system for use with a vehicle's dual hinged door assembly is provided, the control system including a door switch, upper and lower door portions, primary and secondary door drive systems and a controller. The upper door portion pivots about a primary axis formed by its juncture with a structural member in the roof while the lower door portion pivots about a secondary axis formed by its juncture with the upper door portion. Primary and secondary drive systems provide independent powered motion of the upper and lower door portions. The controller monitors door switch activation and determines whether activation corresponds to a door open or door closed command; performs preset door opening and closing sequences using the drive systems; and modifies the preset door opening and closing sequences based on data from proximity sensors, pinch sensors, latch sensors, drive system motor speed and the current draw by the drive systems.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2012Date of Patent: August 20, 2013Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.Inventors: Matthew Lee Brown, Franz von Holzhausen, Peter Dore Rawlinson, Nicholas John Sampson, Michael James Eckert, David Lemire, Axel Boris Vollmer
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Patent number: 8511738Abstract: A dual hinged door assembly for a vehicle is provided, the assembly including an upper door portion and a lower door portion. The upper door portion, which may include a window, pivots about a primary axis formed by its juncture with a structural member in the roof. The lower door portion, which may include a window, pivots about a secondary axis formed by its juncture with the upper door portion. Primary and secondary drive systems may be used to provide independent powered motion of the upper and lower door portions. Each drive system may include a powered strut, e.g., a hydraulic strut, and a non-powered strut, e.g., a gas strut.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2012Date of Patent: August 20, 2013Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.Inventors: Matthew Lee Brown, Franz von Holzhausen, Peter Dore Rawlinson, Nicholas John Sampson, Michael James Eckert, David Lemire, Axel Boris Vollmer
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Patent number: 8449015Abstract: A method of controlling the operation of a vehicle's dual hinged door assembly is provided, where the dual hinged door assembly includes a first door portion hingeably coupled to a structural member within the vehicle's roof such that it pivots about a primary axis formed by its juncture with the structural roof member, a second door portion hingeably coupled to the first door portion such that it pivots about a secondary axis formed by its juncture with the first door portion, a primary drive system providing powered motion for the first door portion about the primary axis, a secondary drive system providing powered motion for the second door portion about the secondary axis, and a controller coupled to the drive systems that provides independent motion control of the first and second door portions via the primary and secondary drive systems.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2012Date of Patent: May 28, 2013Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.Inventors: Matthew Lee Brown, Franz von Holzhausen, Peter Dore Rawlinson, Nicholas John Sampson, Michael James Eckert, David Lemire, Axel Boris Vollmer
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Publication number: 20130088038Abstract: A closure assembly for a vehicle includes rails secured to a vehicle body, first joints secured to one of the rails and able to pivot about an axis through a first angle between a first reference position and a second reference position, a panel, and second joints secured to one of the rails, supporting the panel and able to pivot about a second axis through a second angle between a first reference position and a third reference position.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 6, 2011Publication date: April 11, 2013Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventor: Balakrishna Chinta
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Patent number: 8371638Abstract: A multi-part drive shaft for a transit vehicle door comprises an upper drive shaft connected to a door operating mechanism and having a door panel operating arm extending therefrom, a lower drive shaft journaled for rotation, a door panel operating arm extending therefrom and a flexible drive shaft secured at one end to the upper drive shaft and at the other end to the lower drive shaft. Rotation of the upper drive shaft will transfer torque to the lower drive shaft at the same angular speed.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2008Date of Patent: February 12, 2013Assignee: Wabtec Holding Corp.Inventor: Peter Heidrich
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Patent number: 8215691Abstract: An improved access and retention system for sedans includes a protective cover for safeguarding a lower peripheral region of a rear cargo region while loading, unloading, and transporting cargo. The protective cover can conveniently and remotely stow within the cargo region. An integral tie-down assembly, exposed by deploying the protective cover, secures cargo loaded in the rear cargo region and cargo placed along the protective cover. The system also includes a double hinging rear closure member which has a rear facing portion which can be locked in open and closed positions. Arranging the rear facing portion in the open position is particularly advantageous for hauling oversized cargo articles which may extend from the rear of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2010Date of Patent: July 10, 2012Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventor: Kip Alan Ewing
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Publication number: 20110254312Abstract: In a four-seat coupe, it is inconvenient for a rear-seat occupant to get in/out of the vehicle while a front-seat occupant is seated. In the present invention, the length of each door of the four-seat coupe is set, so that the rear-seat occupant can get off/on the vehicle while the front-seat occupant is seated. The door is provided with detachable first opening/closing means at its front and rear end portions. The first opening/closing means at the front end portion of the door is adapted to be released when the front-seat occupant gets off/on the vehicle to allow the first opening/closing means at the rear end portion of the door to support the door so that opening/closing motion can be performed. Also, the first opening/closing means at the rear end portion of the door is adapted to be released when the rear-seat occupant gets off/on the vehicle to allow the first opening/closing means at the front end portion of the door to support the door so that opening/closing motion can be performed.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2007Publication date: October 20, 2011Inventor: Takashi Yano
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Patent number: 8016345Abstract: An operator cab for a skid steer vehicle is equipped with an inwardly folding front access door that can be locked in either a fully closed position or a fully open position. A pair of over-centered cylinders assists with closing and opening of the front access door. A lever, located in the operator cab, may be used to unlock the door from either its fully open position or its fully closed position. The skid steer vehicle may be operated effectively when the front access door is locked in the fully open position.Type: GrantFiled: January 2, 2009Date of Patent: September 13, 2011Assignee: Gehl CompanyInventors: Aaron Goddard, Marvin Joray, Robert Claas, Curtiss M. Lee, Anthony Saiia
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Patent number: 7992925Abstract: A vehicle has a door system having at least a front and a rear door leaf which are each movable between an open and a closed position with respect to the cabin structure. The vehicle includes a door locking system which is provided to lock the door leaves in their closed position in case of collision of the vehicle. The locking system includes a locking mechanism and a triggering mechanism having a front operational portion which is located in vicinity of a front end of the cabin structure so as to be displaced in case the front end of the cabin structure is deformed due to a collision, the displacement mechanically triggering the locking mechanism towards an engaged position.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2006Date of Patent: August 9, 2011Assignee: Renault TrucksInventor: Jerome Lagrut
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Publication number: 20100201151Abstract: An improved access and retention system for sedans includes a protective cover for safeguarding a lower peripheral region of a rear cargo region while loading, unloading, and transporting cargo. The protective cover can conveniently and remotely stow within the cargo region. An integral tie-down assembly, exposed by deploying the protective cover, secures cargo loaded in the rear cargo region and cargo placed along the protective cover. The system also includes a double hinging rear closure member which has a rear facing portion which can be locked in open and closed positions. Arranging the rear facing portion in the open position is particularly advantageous for hauling oversized cargo articles which may extend from the rear of the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2010Publication date: August 12, 2010Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventor: Kip Alan Ewing
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Patent number: 7097237Abstract: Disclosed is a protective door for drivers' cabins, in particular for utility vehicles. The design achieves maximum flexibility for protecting the driver both against influences of weather and injury. The protective door has a first door element, with a restraining arrangement, which can be locked on a front pillar of a driver's cab for securing against the driver falling out laterally. Further included is a weather protection unit for the door.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2002Date of Patent: August 29, 2006Assignee: IWS Ingenieurgesellschaft Weine und Schroter mbHInventors: Uwe Weiner, Oliver Schröter
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Patent number: 7073847Abstract: A method and a vehicle door assembly for a vehicle with the vehicle having a cab frame. The vehicle door assembly comprises a door frame movably coupled to the cab frame. An upper door member is pivotally coupled to the door frame. The lower door member is movably coupled to the upper door member. The door frame is movable from a first position alongside the cab frame to a second position inside the cab frame. The upper door member is movable from a closed position to one of an open position and a stored position inside the cab frame.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2004Date of Patent: July 11, 2006Assignee: Oshkosh Truck CorporationInventors: Jon Morrow, Tim Meilahn, Dave Steinberger, Corey Voigt
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Patent number: 6682130Abstract: An over the highway vehicle having a body defining an occupant space and an access opening to the space is provided. A passenger access door is pivotally connected to the body. The door has pivotally connected upper and lower sections and is pivotal relative to the body between a closed position and partial and full open positions allowing unobstructed passage into and out of the space. The lower section is pivotal relative to the upper section between an aligned condition for closing the opening and a condition wherein the panels are generally juxtaposed. A tether is interposed between the cab and the lower section for limiting pivotal movement of the door when the door is in its aligned condition to the partially open position and permitting movement of the door to the full open position when the door is in the juxtaposed condition.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2002Date of Patent: January 27, 2004Assignee: Volvo Trucks North America, Inc.Inventors: James H. Lustig, David W. Conrad
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Patent number: 6543829Abstract: A utility box, of the type found on utility trucks, having a vertically-openable door which stores by resting on the top of the utility box. The door has as upper segment and a lower segment connected by a first hinge; and the upper segment is connected to the utility box top by a second hinge. The lower segment is about twice the height of the upper segment. Because of this construction, the door may be opened and closed nearby another vehicle or structure, since the maximum horizontal extension needed (from the box) to operate the door is about the same as the height of the smaller upper door segment.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2001Date of Patent: April 8, 2003Inventor: Donald D. Brown
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Patent number: 6505882Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 24, 2000Date of Patent: January 14, 2003Assignee: Magna Europa AGInventors: Nick Morbach, Carsten Hofer, Werner Schmidt, Matthias Kraus, Stephan Schutt
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Patent number: 6435596Abstract: An automotive double folding tailgate constructed to doubly fold a lid panel and a glass to position same toward floor of automobile body enabling making a cargo loading space available, the tailgate comprising: a lid panel supported on a floor of automobile body via a pivot unit, and a glass foldable at a lower end thereof via a folding unit mounted at an upper part of the lid panel and releasably mounted to a roof panel at an upper end thereof via a locking unit.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2001Date of Patent: August 20, 2002Assignee: Hyundai Motor CompanyInventor: Ha Geun Pyo
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Patent number: 6418667Abstract: A tailgate folding device for an automotive vehicle constructed to vertically fold a midsection of the tailgate and thereby to avoid an external lower end thereof from touching a ceiling when the tailgate is opened at a place where the ceiling is low, thus promoting an effective use of the tailgate even at a confined area. The device has a tailgate vertically foldable and dividable via a hinge point into an upper portion and a lower portion thereof, a manipulating unit mounted at a folded site of the tailgate to control folding of the tailgate, and a locking unit for adequately converting a relative rotation of the divided tailgate from a restricted state to a released state according to the operation of the manipulating unit.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2000Date of Patent: July 16, 2002Assignee: Hyundai Motor CompanyInventor: Kwon-Kee Moon
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Patent number: 6279988Abstract: A cab for earth-moving machines having a center of rotation and an operating radius corresponding to the maximum dimensions of the cab during the rotation of the machine, comprising a closed structure having at least an opening, and at least a door hinged to the structure in correspondence with the opening, movable from a closed position to an open position, and comprising at least a first and a second wing mutually connected in bellows-like fashion and such that, in the open position, the distance of all points of the door from the center of rotation is lesser than the operating radius. The cab can further comprise at least a guide obtained in proximity to the edge of the opening, and at least a guide element integral with the door and slidingly engaged to the guide to guide the movements of the door.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2000Date of Patent: August 28, 2001Assignee: Komatsu Utility Europe S.p.A.Inventor: Umberto Muraro
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Patent number: 6257651Abstract: The invention concerns a hatchback door (1) motor vehicle with hatchback door parts (5, 5′) displaceably mounted in relation to the hatchback door. The hatchback door parts are lamellas (5, 5′) which are rotatably mounted in relation to the hatch-back opening (3) and which can be pushed together into at least one lamella package in the open position.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2000Date of Patent: July 10, 2001Assignee: Magna Europa AGInventors: Nick Morbach, Carsten Hofer, Werner Schmidt, Matthias Kraus, Stephan Schutt
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Patent number: 6234565Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 10, 2000Date of Patent: May 22, 2001Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Wade W Bryant, Dean N Rossman, Edmond D Upton