Door Or Window With Specified Vehicle Feature Patents (Class 296/146.1)
  • Patent number: 7311350
    Abstract: A door device has a plurality of doors that open or close a single opening in a vehicle. The doors have mutually opposing opening ends. A door interlock mechanism interlocks the opening ends of the doors when the doors receive an impact from the exterior of the vehicle while both the doors are in closed states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Mitsui Mining & Smelting Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jiro Mitsui, Hiroki Hattori
  • Patent number: 7309100
    Abstract: A latch device for an access panel door comprises an open lever and a ratchet release lever which are pivotally mounted on a base plate by a first shaft, a coupling spring to resiliently link the open lever to the release lever, a door detection lever being rotated in response to abutment against a rear panel of a front door, and a lock lever pivotally mounted on the plate by a second shaft and displaceable in response to the rotation of the detection lever. The lock lever is configured so as to mechanically abut against the ratchet release lever when displaced to a locked position and be able to restrict the rotation of the release lever. The coupling spring has a first leg to urge the open lever to a first direction and a second leg to bias both of the open lever and the release lever to a second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Mitsui Mining & Smelting Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yukio Sawajiri
  • Patent number: 7281753
    Abstract: Door assembly includes a doorframe that can be secured to the vehicle, and a preferably rigid door that is movable between an open and closed position. The door can be secured to the vehicle in the open position so that the passengers have the option of riding in the vehicle while the door remains open. A hinge system minimizes the clearance necessary to open and close the door, and provides an optional assist feature that helps urge or bias the door to the open or closed position and maintain it there.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: Curtis Industries LLC
    Inventors: Fred Curtis, Jr., Gary Orrell
  • Publication number: 20070228768
    Abstract: A door handle device (S) has a handle-side connector (30) fixed to a door handle (10) that is hinged to a handle frame (20). Thus, the door handle device (S) is displaceable as the door handle (10) is turned. A frame-side connector (40) is located in the handle frame (20) and is connectable with the handle-side connector (30) for displacement with the handle-side connector (30) as the door handle (10) is turned. A clamp (60) has a wire retaining portion (61) for retaining a wire group (80) drawn out through an end surface of the frame-side connector (40) and a handle attaching portion (62) continuous with the wire retaining portion (61) for attachment to the door handle (10). Thus, a relative position of the wire retaining portion (61) to the door handle (10) is invariable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2007
    Publication date: October 4, 2007
    Applicant: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Tomohiko Kobayashi
  • Publication number: 20070222255
    Abstract: A ventilation device for use with vehicle windows is provided. This device includes an adjustable frame mountable within a vehicle window; an insert mountable within the frame; and an adapter, wherein adapter is attachable to the frame and further includes a plurality of score lines formed therein for facilitating changing the dimensions of the adapter, if necessary, based on the dimensions of the window opening in which the device is being used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2006
    Publication date: September 27, 2007
    Inventor: Dan Grindle
  • Patent number: 7245205
    Abstract: The invention concerns a vehicle with a window pane, especially a front window, a rear window, a side window or a roof window, for covering of the internal space of the vehicle. The transparency of the window pane is adjustable, and the vehicle includes a control for automatic adjustment of the transparency of the window pane as a function of an operating state of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Sven Strohband, Arne Stoschek, Annegret Matthai
  • Patent number: 7234755
    Abstract: A cargo container door lock assembly including a resiliently biased door locking member movable between locked and unlocked conditions and adapted to be mounted to an interior surface of a cargo door on a cargo container including a rigid door frame. The door frame defines an opening configured to receive and accommodate a portion of the door locking member when the cargo container door is moved into a closed position. The opening in the door frame has a closed margin which interengages with the door locking member, when the cargo door is moved to a closed position, to prevent movement of the cargo door toward an open position. With the cargo container door in the closed position, the resiliently biased door locking member is accessible to being moved into an unlocked condition, thus allowing said cargo door to be moved to the open position, only from an underside of the door locking member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Powerbrace Corporation
    Inventor: Brian A. Senn
  • Patent number: 7228610
    Abstract: A door module includes a bracket having a hinge portion which permits alignment of the handle support of the door module with a door shell attachment portion. The hinge portion of the bracket comprises a flexible strip that allows the bracket to flex between a first and installed position. To install the door module, the hinge portion of the bracket is flexed to the first position such that additional clearance is provided between the door module and the door shell. The door module is located in the door shell and aligned with the door shell attachment portion. The hinge portion is released to the installed position and the handle support is secured to an outside handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: ArvinMeritor Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Eluid David Carter, Thomas Risner, James Campbell, Jr., Santhosh Karumuri
  • Patent number: 7192076
    Abstract: A modular lock (1) for a door (2) of a motor vehicle is provided with a closure module (16) and a control module (17). The closure module (16) is provided with a first support body (18) which is integral with the door (2), and a closure mechanism (19) which is supported by the first support body (18) and can be connected to a striker (3) which is integral with an upright of the door (2), in order to give rise to closure of the door (2) itself. The control module (17) is provided with a second support body (20) which is integral with the door (2), and with an actuating assembly (21) which is supported by the second support body (20), and can control release of the closure mechanism (19) from the striker (3). The lock (1) is also provided with a flexible transmission (23) for remote connection between the actuating assembly (21) and the closure mechanism (19), in order to permit remote positioning of the closure module (16) and the control module (17) on the door (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Intier Automotive Closures S.p.A.
    Inventor: Franco G. Ottino
  • Patent number: 7182392
    Abstract: This latch device for an access panel door includes an open lever and a ratchet release lever pivotally mounted on a base plate by a first shaft, a lock lever pivotally mounted on the base plate by a second shaft, and a sliding pin displaceable between an engaged position and a disengaged potion. The release lever has first and second arms extending in a radial direction of the first shaft and connected to latch units. The lock lever shifts the sliding pin to an engaged position when the lock lever is in the unlocked position and shifts the sliding pin to a disengaged position when the lock lever is in the locked position. The sliding pin is slidably mounted in a slot formed on the first arm or the second arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Mitsui Mining and Smelting Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yukio Sawajiri
  • Patent number: 7175227
    Abstract: A sensor system for protecting a door of a vehicle from damage includes an electronic sensor operable to detect when an object external to the vehicle is within close proximity to the door of the vehicle. The sensor system provides a signal indicative of the proximity of the external object. The sensor system also includes a blocking hinge mechanism coupled with the signal. The hinge mechanism blocks the opening of the door beyond a distance wherein the vehicle door would strike the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Temic Automotive of North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert J. Menard
  • Patent number: 7172237
    Abstract: A gas spring is mounted through a unique mount structure including a socket joint. The socket joint is mounted in a yoke for rotation through 180° about an axis of the yoke. The inventive structure provides greater freedom of movement than the prior art, and in many applications will allow rotation for more than 180°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: AVM Industries
    Inventors: Walter Douglas Bauman, David Merritt
  • Patent number: 7172238
    Abstract: A vehicle door has a supportive frame (10). A waist rail (14) and a side impact guard beam (22) are formed integrally with the supportive frame. The entire frame is made of high strength sheet steel. The door is produced by hot stamping a steel sheet blank into the shape of a supportive door frame that includes an integral waist rail (14) and a side impact guard beam (22), and hardening the shaped door frame while the frame remains in the shaping tools, and fastening an outer panel (31) to the finished door such that the side collision guard beam (22) of the frame will lie close to the outer panel (31).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Gestamp Hardtech AB
    Inventors: Hans Bodin, Martin Jonsson
  • Patent number: 7168752
    Abstract: The invention relates to fastener means for fastening a closure hatch to a bodywork part for the purpose of closing an opening which is provided in said bodywork part and from which a moving member can be caused to project, the closure hatch being provided with assembly means which serve to assemble it to the moving member. The fastener means include assembly means suitable for co-operating with the assembly means of the hatch for the purpose of securing the hatch to said fastener means, and securing means for securing said fastener means to the bodywork part. The invention also relates to an assembly comprising a hatch and such fastener means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Compagnie Platic Omnium
    Inventor: Faicel Bourennane
  • Patent number: 7152373
    Abstract: A glass run channel assembly for mounting on the door frame of an automotive vehicle and for accommodating a glass run seal and a glass window comprising a glass run channel upper frame, a glass run guide, and a glass run lower frame frame, each having a bottom wall and two side walls disposed on either side of the bottom wall, forming a U-shape. In operation, the lower frame is slidably engaged within the guide until the lower frame converges with a lower frame stop formed by a side wall of the guide. A tab locator is formed in each of the two side walls of the upper frame to guide the guide as it slidably engages within the upper frame. Upon sliding within the upper frame, a channel upper stop formed in a side wall of the guide converges with one of the tab locators on the upper frame locator, thereby preventing the guide from sliding too far into the upper frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Decoma International Inc.
    Inventors: Belton Hoffman, Davinder Singh
  • Patent number: 7147266
    Abstract: A hinge locking system comprising: (a) a first component; (b) a second component relating to the first component; (c) at least one hinge system pivotally coupling the first and second components together, such that at least one of the first and second components is rotatable between a starting and ending or an open and closed position; and (d) means for locking the hinge system, wherein the means may be selectively actuated to support the first and second components in one of a plurality of desired positions relative to one another and anywhere within their range of motion. In an exemplary embodiment, means for locking comprises a ratchet system, such as a ratchet clutch that provides one or two-way locking of the hinge system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Inventors: Laren K. Huntsman, Thomas S. Martin
  • Patent number: 7144064
    Abstract: A forward facing rear door assembly for a motor vehicle includes a forward facing rear door having a forward end and a rear end. The forward facing rear door assembly also includes a hinge connected to the rear end of the forward facing rear door and for connection to a “C” pillar of a vehicle body to allow a forward end of the rear door to open and close a door opening in the vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Musa Azzouz, Michael David Pevovar
  • Patent number: 7111893
    Abstract: A door module includes a bracket having a hinge portion which permits alignment of the handle support of the door module with a door shell attachment portion. The hinge portion of the bracket comprises a flexible strip that allows the bracket to flex between a first and second position. To install the door module, the hinge portion of the bracket is flexed to the first position such that additional clearance is provided between the door module and the door shell. The door module is located in the door shell and aligned with the door shell attachment portion. The hinge portion is released to a second position and the handle support is secured to an outside handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: ArvinMeritor Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Eluid David Carter, Thomas Risner, James Campbell, Jr., Santhosh Karumuri
  • Patent number: 7111894
    Abstract: An automobile door structure of this invention is formed by joining an outer panel and inner panel to each other. The inner panel has an opening portion. A resin-made carrier plate which supports accessories of a door is attached to the inner panel so as to cover the opening portion. An upper trim portion extending to cover a vehicle compartment side of a belt portion of the door is integrally molded on an upper portion of the carrier plate. A trim plate is attached to a portion of the carrier plate which is below the upper trim portion so as to cover the vehicle compartment side of the carrier plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignees: Mazda Motor Corporation, Hirotec Corporation, GP Daikyo Corporation
    Inventors: Fumihiro Kora, Norifumi Inoue, Haruki Ota, Takahiro Tochioka, Ikuo Nishikawa, Shinji Gasami
  • Patent number: 7097229
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a body and a door closure system. The closure system includes a first door pivotably connected with respect to the vehicle body for selective movement between open and closed positions. A second door is movably connected with respect to the vehicle body. In a first configuration, the first door is in the closed position such that the first door obstructs a first portion of a body opening and the second door is in a first position such that the second door obstructs a second portion of the body opening. In a second configuration, the first door is in the closed position and the second door is in a second position such that at least a portion of the second door inner surface opposes the first door outer surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Adrian B. Chernoff
  • Patent number: 7086693
    Abstract: A vehicle roof assembly is provided including a glass roof that has an outer surface, an opposing inner surface and edge surfaces defining a periphery therebetween. Trim members are configured to abut the edge surfaces when the glass roof is supported at the inner surface. The glass roof and trim members are preferably of sufficient size to extend from the front windshield to a rear window of the vehicle when the trim members abut the edge surfaces. Additionally, a method of retrofitting a vehicle is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: Classis Design Concepts, LLC
    Inventor: George Huisman
  • Patent number: 7077450
    Abstract: A sound-absorbing material is attached to the bottom edge of a periphery of the lower portion of a car door 30. The material is positioned above the seal member 1 which makes a resilient contact with a body panel 20, and carries out the seal between the outside and the inside of the car. The material is made of a foam 10 having specific gravity of about 0.05–0.4. The material restrains the noise. The foam 10 may be provided with a plurality of protrusions 12 on the surface thereof, or it may be provided with a hollow part 13 along the longitudinal direction thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Nishikawa Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Kohara, Tatsuo Kobayashi, Syuuji Raisu
  • Patent number: 7073841
    Abstract: A vehicle door includes a door edge, a cable harness that powers electrical components, such as a window regulator inside the door, and runs along the door edge, and a seal or molding that masks the cable harness along the door edge. During assembly, a sub-assembly including a window glass carrier and a window regulator is introduced inside a door hollow box section through an opening. The cable harness can then be introduced into the hollow box section through the opening without forming a supplementary opening through the door edge and require the operator to work blindly. The cable harness runs and connects to the electrical components of the door more simply and less expensively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: ArvinMeritor Light Vehicle Systems - France
    Inventors: Francois-Paul Meurou, Emmanuel Huber, Michel Mounie
  • Patent number: 7059653
    Abstract: A drive assembly moves a vehicle closure panel from an open to a closed condition. The drive assembly has a housing and a motor mounted on the housing. A drum and gear assembly is rotatably mounted on the housing. The drum and gear assembly has a drum having a helical groove, a gear in driving engagement with the motor, and a spring biasing the drum in a winding direction relative to the gear. The drum and gear have a lost motion connection therebetween. A cable has an end connected to the closure panel and an opposite end connected to the drum about the helical groove in the winding direction. The drum rotates in the winding direction relative to the stationary gear as the closure panel is manually moved from the open to the closed condition with the spring maintaining a cable tension. The drum and gear rotate together in the winding direction upon energizing the motor effecting powered movement of the closure panel to the closed condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Intier Automotive Closures Inc.
    Inventor: G. Clarke Oberheide
  • Patent number: 7059654
    Abstract: A door system includes a front door and a rear door that are configured to shut together a continuous opening in a vehicle body; a striker configured to be inserted in both the front door and the rear door so as to couple the front door and the rear door when the continuous opening is shut by the front door and the rear door. When at least one of the front door and the rear door is opened, the striker is drawn out from one of the front door and the rear door so as to cancel the coupling between the front door and the rear door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Mitsui Mining & Smelting Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Mikio Ichinose
  • Patent number: 7055887
    Abstract: A water and acoustic barrier positionable between a vehicle trim piece and a vehicle body member includes a sheet having a first layer formed of an interpolymer material and a second sheet layer formed of a polyethylene material. A raised rib is formed about at least a portion of a sheet perimeter. The raised rib having an adhesive bead forms a seal between the sheet and the vehicle body member. A raised form positioned adjacent the raised rib but oppositely oriented from the raised rib acts to substantially equalize a sealing pressure along the length of the raised rib. A plurality of apertures define fastener attachment points to connect the barrier to the vehicle trim piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Cadillac Products Automotive Company
    Inventors: Michael P Williams, II, Michael C Restaino, Andrew DeWolfe, Jeffrey R Masters, George L Bellairs
  • Patent number: 7044533
    Abstract: This wrapped bolster seal comprises at least two door panels, where one is a wet side door panel and another is a dry side door panel disposed opposite the wet side door panel; at least one rib extending from the side of the wet side door panel disposed proximate the dry side door panel; and at least one edge layer wrapped about a top edge of the wet side door panel and extending at least partially along the side of the wet side door panel disposed proximate the dry side door panel. When the wet side door panel and dry side door panel are joined, the rib creates a seal disposed between the wet side door panel and the dry side door panel adapted to reduce moisture from contacting the edge wrapped layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Alan Dry, Salvatore DeAngelo, Dave Dooley
  • Patent number: 7044537
    Abstract: A duct assembly for a vehicle. The duct assembly includes a trim panel and an air duct. A seal having multiple seal portions is disposed on the air duct to inhibit air leakage. The seal portions are integrally connected and formed from a common material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Michael P. Schoemann, John D. Youngs, Glenn A. Cowelchuk, Randy S. Reed
  • Patent number: 7029054
    Abstract: An outside handle device includes a handle portion provided at the outside of a vehicle door, a handle frame fixed to the vehicle door and supporting the handle portion via an arm portion provided on the handle portion. The arm portion is provided with an engaging means, and the handle frame is provided with an engaged means which designates an assembling direction of the arm portion by engaging with the engaging means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Norikazu Kobayashi, Koichi Hirota
  • Patent number: 7029057
    Abstract: The invention relates to an external module for equipping a motor vehicle of the type that includes components to control the locking of the closed position of a movable part, such as a tailgate, with respect to a fixed part of the vehicle structure. The external equipment module includes a sealed external body which is received in a complementary housing in the movable part in which it is mounted from the outside of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Valeo Systèmes d'Essuyage
    Inventors: Vincent Izabel, Laurent Simon
  • Patent number: 7017973
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided in which a motor 11 with reduction gears, a clutch 12 and a gas stay are provided between a vehicle body 2 and a tailgate 1 so that a fully opened position of the tailgate can be held by virtue of a thrust of the gas stay only, and in this apparatus, when a closure of the tailgate from its own weight is detected after the motor with reduction gears is disconnected, the motor with reduction gears is connected to the tailgate to drive to forcibly close it after the tailgate is driven to be opened to the fully opened position thereof. By this construction, when the holding force of the opened position is short, since the tailgate is closed after it is opened to the fully opened position once, cargo loading and unloading work can be completed while the tailgate is so closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Osamu Sera, Toshihisa Omori, Kazunari Ochi
  • Patent number: 7000976
    Abstract: A forward facing rear door assembly for a motor vehicle includes a forward facing rear door having a forward end and a rear end. The forward facing rear door assembly also includes a hinge connected to the rear end of the forward facing rear door and for connection to a “C” pillar of a vehicle body to allow a forward end of the rear door to open and close a door opening in the vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Musa Azzouz, Michael David Pevovar
  • Patent number: 6976726
    Abstract: An outside handle device for a vehicle door comprises a handle main body provided at the outside of the vehicle door, a handle frame fixed to the vehicle door, a first connector provided at a vehicle body side and electrically connected with an electric signal cable at the vehicle body side, and a second connector provided at the handle main body and electrically connected with the electric component accommodated in the handle main body. The first connector and the second connector are placed with a predetermined distance when the handle main body is assembled in the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koichi Hirota, Norikazu Kobayashi, Yuichi Watanabe, Yoshimi Nakatani
  • Patent number: 6973754
    Abstract: A windowpane is supported in a gasket by a support member so that a space for allowing the windowpane to shift therein is ensured between an end surface of the windowpane and a surface in a channel of the gasket facing the end surface, the gasket having the channel for receiving a peripheral edge of the windowpane, and the support member being removable from the gasket. The windowpane can be easily removed from a body panel by removing the support member and shifting the windowpane into the space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: Asahi Glass Company, Limited
    Inventors: Shigehiko Iguchi, Nobuyuki Tamai, Nobutaka Kojima
  • Patent number: 6966600
    Abstract: A side door structure of a vehicle of which side openings are covered by a front door swingably supported by a door hinge located at the front of the front door and by a rear door swingably supported by a door hinge located at the rear of the rear door. The side door structure includes a door checker for holding the front door at an open position situated slightly on the outside of a swing trajectory of the rear door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventor: Yukihiro Moriyama
  • Patent number: 6942276
    Abstract: A vehicle door includes a hollow box section, a window glass module projecting from the hollow box section, and a cable harness near the region where the window glass module exits from the hollow box section. A sub-assembly including the window glass module and a window regulator is introduced inside the hollow box section through an opening. The cable harness powers electrical components (such as a window regulator inside the door) and can then be introduced into the hollow box section through the opening without forming a supplementary opening through the door edge and require the operator to work blindly. The cable harness connects to the electrical components of the door more simply and less expensively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: ArvinMeritor Light Vehicle Systems- France
    Inventors: Francois-Paul Meurou, Emmanuel Huber, Michel Mounie
  • Patent number: 6928735
    Abstract: A plurality of interior door components such as a window lift mechanism, a lock assembly, and a horizontal energy absorbing member are coupled to a door substructure. A finished exterior door panel having a class-A surface is adhesively bonded to the substructure, disposing the door interior components between the finished exterior door panel and a portion of the door substructure. The assembled door is coupled to a previously painted vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: David J. Malik, Hamid G. Kia, Lei Zhang, Li Yu, Dexin Wang, Xie Cheng, Shengxiang Zuo, Yongcheng Li
  • Patent number: 6915571
    Abstract: An automobile assembly system 1 for assembling plural types of automobiles including a type equipped with a slide door and/or a tailgate, comprising: a front door sub-line 7 for assembling front door assemblies; a rear door sub-line 8 for assembling rear door assemblies or slide door assemblies; a tailgate sub-line 9 for assembling tailgate assemblies; and a main line for assembling the front door assembly, the rear door assembly or the slide door assembly and the tailgate assembly with a vehicle body F.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kouichi Hosono, Kenichi Matsuo
  • Patent number: 6913308
    Abstract: A forward facing rear door assembly for a motor vehicle includes a forward facing rear door having a forward end and a rear end. The forward facing rear door assembly also includes a single hinge connected to the rear end of the forward facing rear door and for connection to a “C” pillar of a vehicle body to allow a forward end of the rear door to open and close a door opening in the vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Musa Azzouz, Michael David Pevovar
  • Patent number: 6913309
    Abstract: A vehicle 7 is provided having a vehicle body 36 with an opening 16 having first and second ends 18, 20. The vehicle body 7 has a first door 22. A second door 28 has a latched connection 42 with the vehicle body between the opening 16 first and second ends 18, 20. The second door 28 has a window regulator 250 to move a window pane 254 in and out of a window opening 212.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Donald G. Mikolai, Matthew Carey, Muhammed Ayub, Stanley Liu, Kelly Kohlstrand, Stephen L. Bruford, David Glickman
  • Patent number: 6908140
    Abstract: A door module with a cable holder that includes a latch bracket attached to a door panel and a door latch, and a handle bracket attached to the door latch and a handle support. The handle support connects to an external door handle and personal identification keypad through a door shell. The keypad utilizes a cable for operation. The cable runs through the door module that includes a cable holder that routes and retains the cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: ArvinMeritor Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Eluid David Carter, Santhosh Karumuri, Thomas Risner
  • Patent number: 6908142
    Abstract: A module includes a frame having opposed first and second ends. First and second mounts are associated with each of the first and second frame ends for mounting at least one of a plurality of components to the frame. In one aspect, the frame is formed of a flexible material allowing offset of the first and second ends relative to each other during mounting of the frame to a vehicle liftgate. In another aspect, the frame is formed as a rigid member. In one aspect, the mounts are separate mounting brackets or mounting flanges carried on the components, which are separably attachable to the frame. In the rigid frame aspect, the mounts are end portions of the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: Valeo Electrical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Philippe Gougeon, William Ethan A. McClure, William C. Romesburg, Leonida S. Vaitus
  • Patent number: 6886874
    Abstract: A switch that implements or removes operation restrictions of a keyless entry system for a back door or trunk is easily mounted on a door panel. A finisher for a vehicle includes: an elongated body; a plurality of mounting portions that are formed protruding from a rear surface side of the body, mounting members that are mounted on a vehicle body being either held by or fixed to the mounting portions; and a bracket formed in an elongated shape and having a switch in a vicinity of a center portion in a longitudinal direction thereof. The bracket is aligned along a longitudinal direction of the body, and two end portions of the bracket are each mounted on the mounting portions in such a manner that a bridge is formed between two adjacent mounting portions from among the plurality of mounting portions, and the switch is able to be operated from a vehicle exterior side of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Hashimoto Forming Industry Co.
    Inventor: Yasuyuki Abe
  • Patent number: 6883856
    Abstract: A vehicle door has a stop that can move between an urging position, in which it maintains a constant distance between a lower part of the door and the vehicle body when the door is closed, and a retracted position in which the stop does not maintain this constant distance between the lower part of the door and the vehicle body when the door is closed. The stop improves contact between the vehicle window surround and the vehicle body while the vehicle is moving, and can be retracted to make it easier to close the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: ArvinMeritor Light Vehicle Systems - France
    Inventors: Frederic Burkat, Jean Marc Belmond, Michel Mounie
  • Patent number: 6877791
    Abstract: A device for automatically actuating a vehicle door (1), in particular a side door or a tailgate of the motor vehicle, including: A control device (12) and a drive (4;4?) having a motor (5) with a gearing (6) connected downstream and at least one transmission element (8;20) located between the gearing 6 (6) and thevehicle door (1). The invention facilitates the manual actuation of an automatically actuated vehicle door (1) that is in an open position. To achieve this, a load sensor (10) is mounted on the drive (4). When a predetermined load on the open vehicle door (1) has been reached, the sensor generates a control signal, which is fed to the control device (12) for activating the motor (5), or for decoupling a coupling (18) that is located between the gearing (6) and the transmission element (8;20), the load on the open vehicle door (1) being produced e.g. by a corresponding manual pressure on the vehicle door (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Valeo Sicherheitssysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Ingo Greuel, Dietmar Orth, Holger Schiffer, Bernd Ulbricht
  • Patent number: 6869127
    Abstract: A temporary replacement allows a sheet of material to be affixed in place of the glass portion of a vehicle door window. The sheet of material may also be held in place using magnetic strips, that effectively fasten the material to the metal portion of the vehicle door. The material used may be transparent, translucent, or a mesh design, that allows the free flow of air. The temporary replacement window may have a single sheet configuration, or have a bag like configuration. The single sheet configuration is placed on the outer or external side of the vehicle window, with the sheet wrapping around the window frame. An elastic strap, defined around the sheet's peripheral edge restricts the diameter of its opening to a measurement less than the window frame. A bottom elastic strip may be used to hold the bottom of the sheet against the bottom of the window frame. Another configuration uses a bag, having a mouth that is able to allow the insertion of the vehicle window frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Inventor: Bobby A. Dohle
  • Patent number: 6834901
    Abstract: A handle fitting for a vehicle door has a support attached to the inner side of the door. A turret member provided on the support projects with a turret end inwardly and a slide secures the turret end on the support. A screw is arranged in the slide and moves the slide between mounting and locking positions. In the mounting position the turret member is inserted into the support; in the looking position the turret member is secured on the support. The inner screw end is located outside of a turret member recess in the mounting position. When the screw moves the slide into the locking position, a stop of the screw is supported on the support. In the locking position, the recess receives the inner end of the screw so that the screw acts as a locking bar moved into the turret member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignee: Huf Hülsbeck & Fürst GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Matthias Löw
  • Publication number: 20040251710
    Abstract: A motor vehicle door with a door lock unit located on the edge side with mechanical latching elements such as a latch and ratchet, with a preferably electrical opening drive for triggering the latching elements which is preferably integrated into the door lock unit, with a mechanical inside actuating element for emergency mechanical triggering of the latching elements, which is mechanically connected to the door lock unit, and with an the electrical inside actuating element for normal operational triggering of the opening drive for actuating the latching elements, which is connected by electrical-control technology to the opening drive. It is structurally optimized in that the mechanical inside actuating element is located on the inside of the motor vehicle door in the immediate vicinity of the door lock unit, its preferably being connected directly or only with a minimum intermediate mechanism to the inside actuating lever of the door lock unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2004
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Applicant: Brose Schliesssysteme GmbH and Co. KG
    Inventor: Checrallah Kachouh
  • Publication number: 20040251709
    Abstract: An outside handle device includes a handle portion provided at the outside of a vehicle door, a handle frame fixed to the vehicle door and supporting the handle portion via an arm portion provided on the handle portion. The arm portion is provided with an engaging means, and the handle frame is provided with an engaged means which designates an assembling direction of the arm portion by engaging with the engaging means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2004
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Norikazu Kobayashi, Koichi Hirota
  • Patent number: 6823632
    Abstract: An apparatus installed in an inner side surface of an entrance door of a driving room for safely preserving a subglass when the subglass, which is detachably installed in a lower portion of a front surface of a driving room of a heavy equipment, is separated based on a working environment. The apparatus includes a lower bracket attached to a lower portion of the door, forming a mounting groove upwardly opened for inserting a lower portion of the subglass therein, and supports the subglass inserted in the mounting groove; an upper bracket installed on the upper portion of the lower bracket of the door supporting an upper portion of the inner surface of the subglass inserted in the lower bracket; and a locking apparatus installed in an upper portion of the door, which detachably supports an upper portion of the outer surface of the subglass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: Volvo Construction Equipment Holding Sweden AB
    Inventor: Chun Jin Yun