Door Frame Or Shell Patents (Class 296/146.5)
  • Patent number: 6464286
    Abstract: A door or other body part of a motor vehicle comprises an inner skin panel (5) and a preferably painted outer skin (2), which is fastened to the inner skin panel. To improve such a door or another such body part, the outer skin (2) is fastened to the inner skin panel (5) by using punch rivets (11) or other metal fastening elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: DURA Automotive Plettenberg Entwicklungs-und Vertriebs GmbH
    Inventor: Gerhard Heuel
  • Patent number: 6450565
    Abstract: In a side wall construction of a vehicle body, including an annular frame structure composed of a front pillar portion, a rear pillar portion, a roof side portion connecting upper ends of the front and rear pillar portions with one another, and a locker portion connecting lower ends of the front and rear pillar portions with one another, and a door adapted to selectively open or close the framed door opening, the door is longitudinally reinforced by a longitudinal reinforcement so that, when the front pillar portion is biased toward the rear pillar portion by a force longitudinal to the vehicle body, a larger part of the force is transmitted through the door than through the roof side portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Ryouichi Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 6422639
    Abstract: An elastomeric web cap (15) for securing to a web (14) of a frameless door (10), more particularly a motor vehicle door (10). The web cap (15) is secured to the web (14) by at least one anchoring element (24; 31; 41) arranged in the middle of the web cap (15) to thus make for a reliable anchoring of the web cap (15) whilst achieving an enhanced overall visual appeal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: Metzeler Automotive Profiles GmbH
    Inventor: Stephan Hemauer
  • Patent number: 6416113
    Abstract: An applique for a pillar (e.g., B-pillar) of a vehicle is disclosed, wherein the applique is a decorative member which is fastened to a vehicle surface (e.g., to a door frame structure adjacent a pillar) in order to add styling and/or to functionally cover unsightly portions of the vehicle. In certain embodiments of this invention, the applique includes a glass receiving channel defined in a portion thereof, as well as a hook-shaped retainer member extending from one wall of the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: Guardian Industries Corp.
    Inventor: Michael Page
  • Patent number: 6412852
    Abstract: A water and sound attenuating barrier for positioning between the interior surface of a vehicle door exterior panel and the door interior trim panel. The barrier is formed of a sheet of semi-rigid material having an inner face and an outer face. A thick layer of sound attenuating material is bonded to the sheet inner face and pressure sensitive adhesive is applied upon the sheet outer face. The sheet and trim panel are fastened together with the layer against the trim panel and with the adhesive bearing face exposed, to form a unitary module. To assemble the module with the door panel, the module exposed face is pressed against the door panel interior surface for securing the adhesive on the sheet outer face thereto. Mechanical fasteners removeably secure the sheet and the trim panel together and, also, secure the trim panel to the door panel during the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignees: Foamade Industries, Inc., General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Chi Hong Koa, Imad F. Bazzi, Mary K. Felstead, Elizabeth A. Hochey Merritt
  • Publication number: 20020073627
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a lightweight door for motor vehicles, using the hidden bar-element construction technique. It is characterised by the supporting frame being made in a single piece from a metal sheet of minimum thickness; said metal sheet being a pressed part or a deepdrawn part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Inventor: Michael Hock
  • Publication number: 20020073625
    Abstract: A closure assembly for a motor vehicle has a pre-painted outer panel and a pre-painted inner panel. A first of a plurality of peripheral edges of the outer panel is defined by a first flange extending along the first edge and folded back toward the inner surface of the outer panel. The flange defines a gap between itself and the inner surface. The inner panel has an inner surface disposed against the inner surface of the outer panel. The inner panel has a plurality of peripheral edges substantially corresponding to the plurality of peripheral edges of the outer panel. A first of the inner panel peripheral edges has a first flange extending therefrom received by the gap of the outer panel. A second of the inner panel peripheral edges has a second flange overlaying and joined to a second of the peripheral edges of the outer panel. A third of the inner panel peripheral edges has a flange disposed over and extending no further than a third of the peripheral edges of the outer panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2001
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Inventor: Daniel E. Jennings
  • Patent number: 6390533
    Abstract: A vehicle door outer panel formed through a gas assist injection molding method has a panel main body and an elongated hollow reinforcement projection on an inner surface of the panel main body and extending in a longitudinal direction of a vehicle body so as to oppose a side sill of a vehicle body frame. Accordingly, it is possible to absorb a collision load from a side of a vehicle body by allowing the collision load to be transmitted to the vehicle body frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshinobu Furuse
  • Patent number: 6381906
    Abstract: A door includes a door shell coupled to a door module. The door shell includes an outer panel secured to an inner panel, the inner panel having an opening therein. The door shell defines a hollow cavity. The door module includes a cassette and an interior trim panel coupled to the cassette. The door module further includes an attachment mechanism for securing the door module to the door shell. The attachment mechanism is visually hidden during operation of the door. The inner panel is cooperative with the door module to provide a positive rest position for the door module prior to securing the door module to the door shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: The Budd Company
    Inventors: John P. Pacella, Joseph E. Mrozowski, Larry A. Mercier, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6367202
    Abstract: A door module for instillation into a door of an automotive vehicle, one embodiment of which comprises: a generally rigid hollow interior enclosure having an interior chamber opposed generally vertical inboard and outboard walls, opposed generally vertical forward and rearward walls, a generally horizontal bottom wall and a top wall. The enclosure is configured such that the top wall transitions from a generally horizontal portion thereof proximate the rearward wall to a generally inclined portion thereof proximate the forward wall. The inboard wall includes a hole defined therein for sealably receiving an audio assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel P Reed, Michele Ann Feath
  • Publication number: 20020030383
    Abstract: A motor vehicle door with a lower door element is provided into which an outer window channel reinforcement is integrated. This window channel reinforcement comprises a profiled section and is supported on the interior side on the outside door panel. Additional stiffenings of the profiling are formed by transversely extending indentations in the profilings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Publication date: March 14, 2002
    Inventor: Harald Gerber
  • Patent number: 6354651
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a door wire harness capable of passing through the inside of a door frame without being splashed with water. A door harness is provided from a body side of a vehicle over a door side and reaches to the inside area of a door frame by passing through a first penetration hole provided in the body of the vehicle to a second penetration hole provided in a side panel area of a hinge installation area of the door frame, is pulled out between the door frame and trim cover by passing through a third penetration hole provided in the inner panel area of the door frame. The area of the door harness that extends from the first penetration hole over to the third penetration hole is passed through the inside of consecutive grommets, and joint areas provided in the grommets are connected with the first penetration hole, second penetration hole, and third penetration hole, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Keisuke Mori
  • Patent number: 6354652
    Abstract: A module (3) for the door (1) of an automobile vehicle comprises a window raiser mechanism (4) of the type having two substantially parallel rails (5) and driving cables (6) arranged in the form of an X between these rails and slidable relative to the latter, and a support for this mechanism. This support (9) has a generally X shape connecting the upper ends (5a) to the lower ends (5b) of the rails and enveloping the cables. This support may be, for example, formed by an X-shaped tubular structure rigidly interconnecting the two rails and enveloping the cables (6) whose sheaths, which were otherwise necessary, may be eliminated. The tubular structure (9) protects the cables against aggression and deterioration due to transport and mounting in the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: Meritor Light Vehicles System, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Laurent Arquevaux, Carlo Bertolini
  • Patent number: 6354653
    Abstract: A vehicle door has a door outside panel and a door inside panel provided with a large surface area cut-out recess which is covered by a support plate in a sealed manner, so that the door body is divided into a wet cell lying between the door outside panel and the support plate, and a dry cell lying between the support plate and an adjoining door inside trim. There are electrical and/or electronic components prefitted on the support plate, and electrical plug connectors which are arranged on the support plate on the dry cell side. Further, switch elements are mounted on the dry cell side of the support plate for manually controlling the electrical and/or electrical components. No electrical connection exists between the switch elements and the door inside trim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co., KG Coburg
    Inventors: Jürgen Seeberger, Gerhard Jürjens
  • 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: 6328373
    Abstract: A closure member for a closing an aperture in a vehicle body. The closure member includes a frame structure and a seal member. The frame structure has an upper frame member that defines a window aperture. The seal member is formed onto at least a portion of the frame member and includes a body seal portion and a window seal portion. The body seal portion forms a seal between the vehicle body and at least a portion of the upper frame member. The window seal portion forms a seal between the at least a portion of the upper frame member and a window member that is movable relative to the frame structure. A method for forming a closure member is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: The Budd Company
    Inventors: John P. Pacella, Joseph E. Mrozowski, Earl E. Kansier
  • Publication number: 20010038228
    Abstract: A modular door assembly for a vehicle is disclosed having a door frame and a carrier secured to the door frame. A door entry system is secured to the carrier to operate the vehicle door. A window carrier assembly includes a window regulator and motor secured to the carrier. A window pane is attached to the window regulator and is adjustable relative to the carrier in the vehicle door frame. A method of assembling the modular door assembly for a vehicle is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2000
    Publication date: November 8, 2001
    Inventors: Gerald O. Morrison, Lewis B. Duff, Iris Drew, James F. Ventimiglia, Eric Hoisington
  • Patent number: 6305738
    Abstract: A door frame for motor vehicles includes a window channel laterally defined by an outer door panel and an inner door panel, wherein the outer door panel and the inner door panel are provided adjacent of the window opening with longitudinally extending stiffening or reinforcement members located in the window channel. The reinforcement members are circumferentially closed tubular sections having an essentially oval cross-section, wherein the reinforcement members are adapted in their shape to the inner surfaces of the outer door panel and the inner door panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignee: Benteler AG
    Inventors: Ludger Gehringhoff, Christian Smatloch, Dieter Töpker
  • Patent number: 6302472
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle door which, in a known manner, is comprised of a door outer panel (5), a door inner panel (1), a movable window pane (12), a module support (4) having accompanying functional elements, and an inner lining (3). The module support and the functional elements supported by the module support are located in the interior door space formed between the door inner panel and the inner lining.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: Sommer Allibert-Lignotock GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Rahmstorf, Lydia Creutz
  • Patent number: 6301835
    Abstract: The invention relates to a one-piece door module for motor vehicles, encompassing a self-supporting metal carrier panel, which also encompasses, as integral constituents, a multiplicity of plastic functional components which are connected securely and permanently to the metal carrier panel in one operation by the outsert technique.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: Ticona GmbH
    Inventors: Bernhard Pfeiffer, Ulrich Haack, Frank Reuter
  • Patent number: 6283534
    Abstract: A closure member assembly for a vehicle having a vehicle body that defines an aperture. The closure member assembly is positionable between a first position wherein the closure member assembly substantially closes the aperture and a second position wherein the closure member assembly substantially clears the aperture. The closure member assembly includes a first structure, a second structure and a drive mechanism. The first structure is movably coupled to the vehicle body. The second structure is pivotably coupled to the first structure about a generally horizontal pivot axis. The drive mechanism is coupled to one of the first and second structures and operable in an actuated condition for pivoting the second structure about the generally horizontal pivot axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: The Budd Company
    Inventors: Joseph E. Mrozowski, John P. Pacella, Earl E. Kansier
  • Patent number: 6241307
    Abstract: A tailgate structure for automotive vehicle and manufacturing method thereof adapted to join an inner panel of a tailgate via a plurality of panels each having a different thickness by way of laser welding, thereby ruling out waste of materials, preventing concentration of stress through uniformity of joined areas and promoting a reinforcement of structural strength at respective members, the tailgate having an inner panel centrally forming an opening, an outer panel coupled to the inner panel to centrally form an opening and a door glass installed on the openings of the inner panel and the outer panel, wherein the inner panel comprises lateral members having a relatively heavy thickness and corresponding to left and right portions of the opening; and upper and lower members vertically connecting the lateral members and each having a relatively thinner in thickness thereof than those of the lateral members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Ki-Chang Kim
  • Patent number: 6231112
    Abstract: A vehicle door assembly includes a door inner panel having a hinge attachment portion on which is to be mounted a pair of door hinge devices and a lock attachment portion on which is to be mounted a door lock device. A base panel has four arm portions that connect the base panel to the door inner panel. The four arm portions include first and a second arm portions fixed to the hinge attachment portion of the door inner panel, and a third arm portion attached to the lock attachment portion of the door inner panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ryoichi Fukumoto, Terutsugu Gotanda, Masaru Hoshina, Motohiro Kokubo, Masayuki Uchitsunemi, Keiichi Fukushima, Hiroshi Takai, Daiichi Shiraishi
  • Patent number: 6212851
    Abstract: A molded inner door panel for an automotive vehicle having a header extending above a beltline. The inner door panel has a notched metal frame insert, and a polymeric molded frame encasing the metal frame insert within the header. Advantageously, the notches provide precise inboard and outboard adjustability of the header of the inner door panel during assembly to the vehicle. The molded inner door panel has a resilient insert, e.g., elastomeric thermoplastic, disposed between the notches of the metal frame insert and the polymeric molded frame. Additionally, the polymeric material of the polymeric molded frame is substantially thinner in the area covering the notches than in the area bordering the notches. These features prevent the polymeric material from cracking upon adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl Henry Visconti, Edward Joseph Wenzel
  • Patent number: 6203096
    Abstract: An energy absorbing structure of a vehicular door has an energy absorbing member that is disposed on a compartment side of an inner panel, at such a position as to substantially face a hip of an occupant sitting on a seat. The energy absorbing member has a block or container shape. A generally rectangular protruded portion is formed together with the energy absorbing member. The protruded portion is protruded from a front-to-rear middle portion of an upper end portion of a bottom wall of the energy absorbing member that faces the inner panel when the energy absorbing member is mounted. The bottom wall has an increased wall thickness and therefore resists bending deformation. The protruded portion is designed so that the protruded portion is substantially prevented from undergoing compression deformation at the time of impact. In a door assembly, the protruded portion protrudes from a service hole formed in the inner panel toward to an outer panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shuji Noda, Sotaro Kumazawa
  • 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: 6186579
    Abstract: A body shell part for a motor vehicle body having a profile edge that is form-lockingly embedded in an elastic edge profile. The elastic edge profile has an elastically bendable detent nose profile arrangement which is form-lockingly locked onto an adjacent circumferential edge of the structural vehicle body part. A detachable securing arrangement is assigned to the detent nose profile arrangement for blocking the elastically bendable detent nose profile arrangement in its operating position reaching over the circumferential edge of the structural vehicle body part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Fussnegger, Volker Thoms
  • Patent number: 6176542
    Abstract: The door assembly has an inner door panel, an outer door panel and a window module opening. A window module includes a module frame with a side impact beam assembly; a belt reinforcement beam, a front glass guide channel and a rear glass guide channel. A window is slideably mounted in the glass channels. A window regulator assembly is mounted on the module frame and connected to the window. Pin and slot connectors connect the side impact beam assembly to the inner door panel. Mechanical fasteners secure the belt reinforcement beam to the inner door panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger Charles Gooding, Manhar Kantical Sheth
  • Patent number: 6170902
    Abstract: A resin trim body is mounted on an inner door panel of a vehicle door. A flange is provided at a peripheral edge portion of the trim body and extends toward the door inner panel. A rib or ribs which extend between and integrally interconnect the flange and the trim body, are each formed with a structure which focusses stress and defines a rupturable portion at a front end edge thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomonari Sakuma, Akira Kawai