Specific Door Or Door Opening Edge Feature Patents (Class 296/146.9)
  • Patent number: 8070212
    Abstract: An arranging structure spans a wire harness for a motor vehicle between a vehicle body and a slide member. The structure includes a corrugated tube for sheathing the wire harness; a protector made of a resin material, the protector holding opposite ends of the corrugated tube in a longitudinal direction and threading the wire harness; and a rotary member integrated with the protector or coupled to the protector as a different element from the protector, the rotary member being rotatably supported on supporting members provided on the vehicle body and the slide member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuya Shima, Yoshinao Kobayashi, Shigeki Murayama
  • Patent number: 8068959
    Abstract: An apparatus for vehicle door deflection and movement control. The apparatus includes a primary electromagnetic device disposed generally in a vehicle door frame or generally in an area of a vehicle body adjacent the vehicle door frame, and a controller for activating the primary electromagnetic device to push or pull the vehicle door frame. The apparatus may further include a sensor for measuring vehicle door deflection during vehicle movement. The controller may activate the primary electromagnetic device based on deflection measurements by the sensor to pull the vehicle door frame to generally cancel the vehicle door deflection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Bijan K. Shahidi, XianLi Huang, Zhen Steven Zhang, Jason C. S. Tien
  • Publication number: 20110282555
    Abstract: Added openings are provided for sport utility vehicles (SUV), pick-up trucks, two and four door vehicles, vans, minivans, sedans, station wagons, or other vehicles. The opening(s) may utilize doors, gates, windows, sunroofs, or lids that provide more physical and/or visual access to the interior space, cargo, and/or seating within the vehicles that currently are not easily accessible, viewed, seen-by, or displayed-on conventional opening means. These openings may also provide the ability to place cargo within the space of the vehicle that current vehicles prohibit from being carried therein, or they may provide decorative, descriptive, or electronic displays for such vehicles, for example, advertising on taxi cabs. Among the embodiments, this invention results in a new 2 door or a 4 door SUV vehicle having added rear side doors, and a new 2 door or 4 door sedan that in effect functions likes a pick-up.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Inventor: Stephen G. Kimmet
  • Publication number: 20110260496
    Abstract: A practical long door, particularly for a four-passenger cope vehicle, is realized to allow passengers in the back seat to get in or out while the passengers in the front seat remain seated. It is also an object that the door solves a difficulty caused by Patent Reference 4, which difficult is that when passengers in the front and back seats are required to get in or out, the passengers in one of the front and back seats cannot get in or out unless the passengers in the other of the front and back seats first get in or out and the door is opened one time and then reopened after the passengers have gotten in or out. There are intermediate member standing between a door and a car body, first connection means in which the door and the intermediate member are connected to enable rotational or horizontal motion, and second connection means in which the intermediate member and the car body are detachably connected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2009
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Inventor: Takashi Yano
  • Patent number: 8028375
    Abstract: A slide door is provided to be movable between a closed position to cover a side opening formed at a vehicle-body side face and an open position. The slide door is configured to move outward and subsequently slide rearward along a rear vehicle-body outer face when the slide door moves from the closed position to the open position. There is provided a detection sensor to detect a foreign matter in coming into a gap from a vehicle-compartment inside. A drive of the slide door is stopped in case the detection sensor detects the foreign matter in coming into the gap when the slide door moves toward the open position. Thereby, any foreign matter can be prevented from being pinched in the gap formed between the slide door and the rear edge portion of the side opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Masaki Nakaura, Kazuhiro Tanaka, Yuzo JP Sato, Hirotaka Kusu
  • Patent number: 8002359
    Abstract: A seal for a dump bed door provides a resiliently deformable elongate sealing member having a planar portion and a resiliently deformable cylindrically enlarged bulbous portion defining a medial channel at one elongate edge. An anchoring strap communicating with the planar portion and fasteners extending through spacedly arrayed holes defined therein fasten the sealing member to an edge portion of the dump bed door with a portion of the bulbous portion overhanging the edge of the dump bed door. Closing the dump bed door causes the overhanging bulbous portion to frictionally engage with and “pop” up onto the adjoining dump bed surface. Weight of material carried within the dump bed deforms the elongate sealing member and bulbous portion providing a seal between the dump bed door and the adjoining dump bed surface of a closed dump bed door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Inventor: Rusty Dormaier
  • Patent number: 8002339
    Abstract: A side sill of a body of a motor vehicle of sheet metal shell construction is composed of a sheet metal outer shell and a sheet metal inner shell which are welded to one another. A rolled profile for stiffening can be inserted into the side sill from an open end side and can be fastened to the side sill. In this way, a side sill can be stiffened by assembling the rolled profile after the basic construction of the body of the motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AG
    Inventors: Roland Rill, Oliver Meyer, Horst Schuster, Paul Blowing
  • Patent number: 8002328
    Abstract: A door assist system for use in a motor vehicle, to aid the user in opening doors by providing a power assist and operative controls. The door assist system can be retrofitted to existing vehicles such as armored motor vehicles used in military operations, to aid the user in opening heavy armored doors. The door assist system includes a programmable central controller coupled to internal and external open and close switches and sensors for activating door movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Control Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Michael McKee, Nick Scholtes, John Hayden
  • Patent number: 7997638
    Abstract: A door structure of a vehicle, in which between the outer surfaces of a first garnish at a first door and a second garnish at a second door, a garnish gap, which joins a door gap between the door, is provided; the first door has a first garnish attachment part, and at an end of this part, the end facing the second door, an expanded part is provided, which protrudes toward the second door; the second door has a second garnish attachment part, and at an end of this part, the end facing the first door, a recessed part is provided, which is recessed in a direction away from the first door; and with respect to the garnish gap, a door joint between the first garnish attachment part and the second garnish attachment part is offset toward the second door in a direction in which the doors are arranged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Inami, Masatoshi Mori
  • Patent number: 7988210
    Abstract: A cabin door device having a cabin frame, comprises: a door mounted to a side part of the cabin frame so as to be moveable between a fully closed position and a fully open position; and a main striker supported by the cabin frame, wherein the door has a lock device, and the door is held in the fully closed position by the lock device engaging the striker; and an auxiliary striker that is supported by the cabin frame and whose position can be changed between a held posture, in which the door is held at an intermediate position between the fully closed position and the fully open position by coupling with the lock device, and a retracted position in which the lock device of the door is allowed to engage with the striker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Shibata, Yoshifumi Horiuchi, Yoshihiro Kawahara, Mitsugu Kobayashi
  • Publication number: 20110175392
    Abstract: There is provided a feeder apparatus for a slide panel so as to reduce the thickness of a panel of a car body the slide panel is attached to. The feeder apparatus 1 includes a wire harness 14 routed between a roof portion 2 and a sunroof 3, and a protector 15. The protector 15 includes a first protector 18 that is attached to rails 5a provided in the roof portion 2 and formed in the long-length shape parallel to the sliding direction of the sunroof 3 and accommodates one end portion 17a of the wire harness 14, and a second protector 2 that includes a protector body 26 slidably provided in the first protector 18 along the sliding direction of the sunroof 3 and a hook portion 27 the other end portion 17b of the wire harness 14 is attached to being attached to the sunroof 3.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2011
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Applicant: Yazaki corporation
    Inventors: Masataka Yamamoto, Keiji Mori, Takehiko Uehara
  • Patent number: 7972204
    Abstract: A vehicle door seal venting system is provided for venting air trapped in the seal gap between two or more spaced environmental seals. As the vehicle door transitions to a closed position, the seals engage between the vehicle door and vehicle body door opening, acting to closeout the seal gap. The compression of the seal gap as the door further closes results in pressurization of the trapped air, which then acts to resist closure of the vehicle door, therefore requiring that additional closure force be applied to fully close the door. The vehicle door seal venting system relieves the pressurized air from between the seals without compromising the integrity of the seals or overall noise and sealing performance of the door system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Dominic S. Pupillo, James J. Karlavage, Paul R. Meernik, Yih-Chyun Sheu
  • Publication number: 20110127797
    Abstract: A vehicle side door structure includes a door and a rocker panel providing a show surface beneath the door. The rocker panel includes a trim portion providing the show surface and a connecting portion moveably connected to the trim portion by a region of weakness such that the connecting portion is movable relative to the trim portion while connected thereto between an unlatched position and a latched position. The trim portion includes a lowest point and an upwardly extending section that locates a lowermost point of the region of weakness above the lowest point of the trim portion with the connecting portion in the latched position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Christopher Garnett, Mingher F. Shen
  • Patent number: 7950704
    Abstract: A door assembly for a vehicle body including a portal having a first end and a second end. A first door and a second door are pivotably coupled to the first end and the second end, respectively, of the portal. The first door includes an end panel opposite the first end of the portal, and a pivot is fixed to the end panel. A cancel lever is rotatably coupled to the pivot, and the cancel lever is arranged to be contacted by the second door at any location within a zone of contact determined by the relative positions of the first and second doors such that a force applied to the cancel lever by the second door includes a component perpendicular to a radius of the cancel lever at the point of contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventor: David Kovie
  • Publication number: 20110121605
    Abstract: An anti-extremity pinch garnish for preventing pinching of extremities between a hinged edge portion of a vehicle closure and an adjacent portion of a vehicle body to which the vehicle closure is pivotally mounted includes a first portion secured to the vehicle body adjacent an opening defined therein and a second portion integral with said first portion and configured to obstruct entry of an extremity between the hinged edge portion of the closure and the adjacent portion of the vehicle body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2009
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Joseph P. Ruby, III, Michael E. Franz
  • Publication number: 20110062748
    Abstract: Provide a door device of a small-sized vehicle that can secure space for occupants. An openable door 70 is provided to a side of a vehicle body to cover an opening and a convex portion 75 that gets on a footboard 62 when the door 70 is closed is provided to an inside lower part of the door 70.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2009
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR., LTD.
    Inventors: Kihoko Kaita, Masahiro Inoue, Yukinori Kawaguchi, Yoshiyuki Sato, Kazunori Kuroda
  • Patent number: 7905538
    Abstract: A device for concealing a seam between a first surface and a second surface includes a moveable body fixedly attached to a selected one of the first surface and the second surface, wherein the moveable body is configured to transition between a first position and a second position to conceal and expose the seam, and an active material in operative communication with the moveable body, wherein the active material is configured to undergo a change in at least one property upon receipt of an activation signal, wherein the change in at least one property is effective to transition the moveable body from the first position to the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Ukpai I. Ukpai, Alan L. Browne, Mark A. Kramarczyk, Nancy L. Johnson, John C. Ulicny, Gary L. Jones
  • Publication number: 20110012388
    Abstract: A lower structure of a vehicle door includes a door body, a garnish, and an elastic seal. The door body is attached to a door opening of a vehicle body so as to be openable. The garnish covers an outer lower portion of the door body. The elastic seal includes a holding portion that clamps a flange portion at a lower end of the door body. The elastic seal is joined to the garnish. The garnish is supported by the door body via the elastic seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2010
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshimitsu IIDA, Yoshimi Hasegawa, Akihito Noro
  • Patent number: 7871120
    Abstract: A four-door motor vehicle having a door sealing system for frameless doors, the body of which motor vehicle has a front (9) and a rear (11) door cutout, with an associated front door (7) and rear door, and a B pillar (4) between the door cutouts (9, 11), which B pillar (4) ends at the level of the sill (6), wherein the door cutouts (9, 11) are bordered by a primary seal (15, 17, 18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Magna Steyr Fahrzeugtechnik AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Dietz, Gernot Bindar
  • Patent number: 7866727
    Abstract: A sealing strip for side windows on motor vehicles, which is arranged between a retractable, frameless, front side window and a retractable, frameless, rear side window. The sealing strip reaches from the door line as far as a roof frame of the motor vehicle. A movable locking member is fitted to the sealing strip and, in a closed state, engages with a locking counterpart arranged on the roof frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventor: Michael Fuetterer
  • Patent number: 7850229
    Abstract: A vehicle assembly includes a vehicle body frame, a closure connected to the vehicle body frame, a garnish connected to the vehicle body frame, and a closure stopper seat body disposed between the garnish and the vehicle body frame. The closure is movable between an open position and a closed position. The stopper seat body is configured to absorb an impact from the movable closure when the movable closure moves toward the closed position. The closure stopper seat body can be used with a number of different closures including a door, a tailgate, a trunk lid, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshitomo Ihashi, Wesley A. Johnson
  • Patent number: 7845707
    Abstract: A closure assembly with a shape memory polymer seal is provided for use with a vehicle. The closure assembly includes a frame member configured for attachment to the vehicle body to selectively transition from a closed position to an open position. The seal structure includes a base portion elongated along and attached to a peripheral edge of the frame member or the vehicle body, and a flexible contact portion extending integrally from the base portion and configured for sealing communication with an opposing surface. A thermally-activated smart material (TASM), namely a shape memory polymer member, is disposed inside a cavity within the contact portion. A thermoelectric device is in thermal communication with the TASM, and is characterized by a thermal differential when current flows therethrough. The TASM is activated in response to the thermal differential of the thermoelectric device, thereby altering at least one physical property of the TASM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Yueh-Se J. Huang, Houng Yue Chang, Phillip M. Turner, Pei-Chung Wang
  • Patent number: 7837252
    Abstract: An opening, through which a connection section between a drive arm and a rod of a power back door enters and exits, is covered with cover members to improve external appearance, and interference between the connection section and the cover members is eliminated when the connection section passes through the opening to prevent abnormal noise and damage to the cover members during the passage of the connection section. A pair of cover members 6a and 6b are provided along right and left vertical edges of a vertically long opening 50 that is formed in a side edge defining a door opening 1, through which a connection section S between a drive arm 3 and a rod 4 of a power back door for automatically driving a back door 2 adapted to close and open the door opening 1 can enter and exit, such that lip-shaped end edges thereof face and contact each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Shatai Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinsuke Etou, Ryuji Fukui, Takayuki Fukuda, Kunihiko Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 7832788
    Abstract: An improved door design for soft-sided golf cart covers increases the ease of entry and exit. This product features a horizontal swing out design that removes the need for snaps or zippers and significantly increases size of the door opening. This improved door design features a magnetic door that eliminates zipper failure, simplifies entry and exit and improves the overall golf cart cover experience and longevity of the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Inventors: Donald Lee Marsh, Robert Spencer Sappington
  • Publication number: 20100283288
    Abstract: In an arrangement structure for a door wire harness, the door wire harness is arranged in a door of a vehicle body and is spanned in a space between the door and the vehicle body inside a vehicle room beyond a weather strip. The door wire harness is drawn out of a space between a door inner panel and a door trim at a door side and is fixed on the door at a wire harness drawing-out position. A door side fixing position of the door wire harness is shifted from a vehicle body side fixing position of the door wire harness in a vertical direction. A spanning section of the door wire harness between the door side fixing position and the vehicle body side fixing position is sheathed by a grommet having a flexible bellows-like tube portion and made of rubber or resin. The spanning section of the door wire harness is bent in an S-shaped configuration in a space between opposed surfaces of the door and the vehicle body when the door is closed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2008
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Applicant: SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Morihiro Toyozumi, Takashi Suzuki, Tetsuya Fujita, Isao TsujiI, Tsutomu Sakata, Daiki Nagayasu
  • Publication number: 20100283287
    Abstract: A wire harness for a door is spanned between a door inner panel of a motor vehicle and a vehicle body and is arranged near an indoor side over a weather strip. An outer protective assembly includes a flange outward fitting portion that is mounted on an outer surface of a flange projecting from a door facing surface of the vehicle body and that defines a wire harness threading space for passing the wire harness. The wire harness that passes through the wire harness threading space in the flange outward fitting portion can be arranged in a vehicle body inner panel. The outer protective assembly includes an inner cover and an outer cover. The inner and outer covers are coupled to each other to define a flat space for juxtaposing electrical wires of the wire harness. The inner and outer covers are bent in a U-shaped configuration around the flange to define the flange outward fitting portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Applicant: SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Morihiko Toyozumi, Isao Tsuji, Daiki Nagayasu, Tsutomu Sakata, Tetsuya Fujita, Sung- Jin Kim
  • Publication number: 20100264689
    Abstract: A passenger vehicle is provided with a body having an interior with a passenger compartment and a rear cargo region accessed through a rear opening. A liftgate and tailgate are pivotally coupled to the body at an upper and lower periphery of the opening respectively, and engage one another to enclose the opening. The liftgate and tailgate each enclose a portion of the opening in a closed position and provide access to the rear cargo area in an open position. A passenger vehicle is provided with a vehicle body having an interior and a rear opening with a first and second region facing generally upwards and rearwards respectively, both regions providing access to the rear cargo area. A rear closure assembly encloses the opening, provides access to the rear cargo area, and has first and second members pivotally connected to the body to enclose the first and second regions respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2009
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Daniel William Lounds
  • Patent number: 7810865
    Abstract: A locking rod flange and a vertical locking rod for a vehicle door, and method of assembling a vehicle door. The locking rod flange may be integral with a glass run channel or an integrated channel and regulator, and may include a locking rod carrier with a rod pass through hole through which the vertical locking rod extends. A rod pass through seal may be mounted on the locking rod carrier, and the locking rod carrier may include a bridge portion over which a water deflector seal is applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Terrence P. Costigan
  • Patent number: 7789022
    Abstract: The invention relates to a railway vehicle including a body defining a wall in which an access passage is embodied, at least one closing sliding door, a sealing joint carried by the door and applicable to the wall when said door in a closed position. Said wall includes a panel provided with a generally cylindrical envelop and a seat which is protruded with respect to said panel and defines a bearing surface for supporting the joint only when the door is in the closed position, wherein said bearing surface of a supporting element extends along a profile substantially identical to the joint profile and said joint profile extends transversely with respect to the door displacement direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Alstom Transport SA
    Inventors: Claude Pujol, Jérôme Jung
  • Patent number: 7784841
    Abstract: A vehicle has a door release apparatus for a first door supporting a door latch for a second door. A first door latch connects the first door with respect to a frame defining a vehicle body opening. A handle member has at least an inboard portion and is mounted to the first door for movement about an axis. A force transmission assembly is operably engaged between the handle member and the first door latch for movement between a latch-engaged position and a latch-released position. A door release lock-out is defined by a portion of the second door directly obstructing movement of the handle member, when the second door is in the at least partially latched position. The door release lock-out prevents movement of the handle member a sufficient distance to release the first door latch from the frame when the second door is in the at least partially latched position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Nissan Technical Center North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Watson, David Kovie, Adam Tacey
  • Patent number: 7784852
    Abstract: A sealing device is provided for a vehicle having a door movable between a closed and an opened position. The door defines a fishmouth aperture. A striker pin is configured to enter the fishmouth aperture when the door closes and exit the fishmouth aperture when the door opens. The sealing device is configured to at least partially seal the fishmouth aperture while allowing the striker pin to enter and exit the fishmouth aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph P. Fannon, Richard K. Mette, Khristopher S. Lee
  • Publication number: 20100194140
    Abstract: An assembly for a vehicle includes a garnish including a base section, an outer wall projecting away from the base section, and a tab projecting away from at least one of the base section and the outer wall. The tab includes a seal attachment section spaced from the outer wall. The assembly further includes a seal including a base portion, having an interior section, an exterior section and an interconnecting section connecting the interior section and the exterior section. The seal mounts to the garnish by receiving the seal attachment section between the interior section and the exterior section of the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2009
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Inventors: Sarah Jennifer Huth, Shinichi Yamase
  • Publication number: 20100187863
    Abstract: For the reinforcement of a body structure of a motor vehicle which extends adjacent to a front side door of the vehicle, a hollow member structure formed by channel reinforcements is arranged in the body structure. The hollow member structure extends approximately in a horizontal plane from the B pillar into a rear region of the body structure. The channel reinforcements are intended to absorb, in a stable fashion, the forces which enter into the side part via the door in the event of a frontal crash.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2010
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Applicant: DR. ING. H.C. F. PORSCHE AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: Peter Baumann
  • Publication number: 20100156140
    Abstract: A door system includes a vehicle frame defining a door opening. A forward opening door is disposed in the door opening and has a forward edge hingedly connected to a forward support pillar and a rearward edge securely engageable with an intermediate support pillar. A rearward opening door is disposed in the door opening and has a rearward edge hingedly connected to a rearward support pillar and a forward edge securely engageable with the intermediate support pillar. A latching system has frame latches that removably attach the intermediate support pillar to the vehicle frame and door latches that removably connect the intermediate support pillar to one of the forward opening door and rearward opening door, such that the intermediate support pillar is connected to one or more of the vehicle frame, forward opening door, and rearward opening door at all times.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Inventors: Adrian Nicholas Alexander Elliott, Jason Falenski
  • Patent number: 7681281
    Abstract: A vehicle door wedge assembly has an elastomeric wedge connected to a first member, and a second member. A wedge perimeter wall has exterior facing and engagement portions, and an interior wall equidistantly spaced from the engagement portion. The interior and engagement walls define an interior cavity. The exterior facing wall deflects into the interior cavity during engagement of the first and second members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Newfrey LLC
    Inventors: Gary L Schubring, Girishsingh A Mokashi
  • Publication number: 20100038931
    Abstract: A vehicle assembly includes a vehicle body frame, a closure connected to the vehicle body frame, a garnish connected to the vehicle body frame, and a closure stopper seat body disposed between the garnish and the vehicle body frame. The closure is movable between an open position and a closed position. The stopper seat body is configured to absorb an impact from the movable closure when the movable closure moves toward the closed position. The closure stopper seat body can be used with a number of different closures including a door, a tailgate, a trunk lid, and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2008
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Inventors: Yoshitomo Ihashi, Wesley A. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20100026043
    Abstract: An arranging structure spans a wire harness for a motor vehicle between a vehicle body and a slide member. The structure comprises: a corrugated tube for sheathing the wire harness; a protector made of a resin material, the protector holding opposite ends of the corrugated tube in a longitudinal direction and threading the wire harness; and a rotary member integrated with the protector or coupled to the protector as a different element from the protector, the rotary member being rotatably supported on supporting members provided on the vehicle body and the slide member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2007
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Applicant: SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuya Shima, Yoshinao Kobayashi, Shigeki Murayama
  • Patent number: 7654610
    Abstract: A mounting apparatus for an article astride fixed and movable body components in bridging relation to the cut-line therebetween. The article is automatically pivoted with respect to the fixed body component in concert with movement of the movable body component, whereby the pivoting of the article ensures that the movement of the movable body component with respect to the fixed body component avoids contact and interference with the article. For example, an article astride a fender and a door of a motor vehicle, the article transversely pivots out of the way of the door whenever the door is opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Bob Thomas, Jack E. Brown, Robin Krieg
  • Publication number: 20090322119
    Abstract: A sealing device is provided for a vehicle having a door movable between a closed and an opened position. The door defines a fishmouth aperture. A striker pin is configured to enter the fishmouth aperture when the door closes and exit the fishmouth aperture when the door opens. The sealing device is configured to at least partially seal the fishmouth aperture while allowing the striker pin to enter and exit the fishmouth aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2008
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Joseph P. Fannon, Richard K. Mette, Khristopher S. Lee
  • Publication number: 20090302635
    Abstract: A vehicle door, such as a tailgate (1), having a pull pocket (P) on which a hand is put when the door is manipulated includes a door panel (2), a lining (3), and a pull pocket member (4). The lining (3) is provided over an inside of the door panel (2) facing toward a vehicle cabin when the door is mounted to a vehicle body. The pull pocket member (4) is a member formed independently of the lining (3) and mounted to the lining (3). The pull pocket member (4) includes a recessed portion (41) which is recessed toward the door panel (2) and configured to form an undercut at a face (3a) of the lining (3) facing toward the vehicle cabin when the pull pocket member (4) is mounted to the lining (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2007
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Inventor: Mitsuyoshi Nakamura
  • Patent number: 7607719
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for increasing the crash resistance of a motor vehicle in the vicinity of the front bodywork pillar (A-pillar), especially as regards forces which act in conjunction with an offset front impact (offset crash) on the bodywork. The invention also refers to a blocking element, as is used in such a method, and to a motor vehicle fitted with such a blocking element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Wilhelm Karmann GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Abraham, Stefan Klumpe
  • Publication number: 20090260188
    Abstract: A door return device for a vehicle door has a travel path including an easy-reach position and a fully open position. A housing is coupled to one of the vehicle door or the door frame and has a chamber containing a working fluid. A link is coupled to the other one of the vehicle door or the door frame and is movable into and out of the housing in response to travel of the vehicle door. An end-damping piston is slidable in the chamber and includes a fluid passage between opposite sides. A return spring is disposed between the end-damping piston and one longitudinal end of the chamber. When the return spring is substantially unloaded then the end-damping piston is positioned relative to the one longitudinal end such that the vehicle door is away from the fully open position at least as far as the easy-reach position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2008
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Richard J. Lange
  • Publication number: 20090261617
    Abstract: A seal is provided for a hole in a sheet. The clamped hole surface has an articulated line, which divides the hole surface into a first partial surface and a second partial surface inclined relative thereto, exhibiting the following features: a sealing surface for the hole, the geometry of which corresponds to the hole geometry; an elastic element secured to the sealing surface; and the elastic element is incorporated into the hole abuts on one side (e.g., interior) of the sheet, pressing the sealing surface against a second side (e.g.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2009
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Michael Horneck
  • Publication number: 20090250968
    Abstract: An overlay component (such as a seal) is provided for mounting to an elongated vehicle structure (such as a door check link) without passing the overlay over the end of the structure. The overlay component has a first body section and a second body section comprised of resilient material. The first body section has a first structure receiving portion and a first interlocking portion. The second body section has a second interlocking portion complementary with the first interlocking portion. The first and second interlocking portions resiliently deform as they are interlocked while the elongated vehicle structure is being received by the first structure receiving portion, thereby retaining the overlay component on the elongated vehicle structure without adhesives or fasteners.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2008
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventor: David R. Fischer
  • Publication number: 20090230722
    Abstract: A sliding door for a vehicle has a door bracket. A track is mounted along the vehicle and extends to a remote end. A roller bracket is movable between a first position proximate the opening and a second position at the end of the track. The roller bracket includes an articulating arm retained by the roller bracket by a first pivot and pivotally retained at a second end by the door bracket. The articulating arm has a first orientation for rotationally positioning the sliding door toward the closed position and a second orientation for rotationally positioning the sliding door into the open position. Movement of the roller bearing into the second position results in the articulating arm moving from the first to the second orientation. An over-center spring mechanism may maintain the positioning of the roller bracket relative to the sliding door throughout the travel of the bracket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2008
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Gary W. Krajenke, Richard J. Lange
  • Publication number: 20090230723
    Abstract: A closure assembly with a shape memory polymer seal is provided for use with a vehicle. The closure assembly includes a frame member configured for attachment to the vehicle body to selectively transition from a closed position to an open position. The seal structure includes a base portion elongated along and attached to a peripheral edge of the frame member or the vehicle body, and a flexible contact portion extending integrally from the base portion and configured for sealing communication with an opposing surface. A thermally-activated smart material (TASM), namely a shape memory polymer member, is disposed inside a cavity within the contact portion. A thermoelectric device is in thermal communication with the TASM, and is characterized by a thermal differential when current flows therethrough. The TASM is activated in response to the thermal differential of the thermoelectric device, thereby altering at least one physical property of the TASM.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2008
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Yueh-Se J. Huang, Houng Yue Chang, Phillip M. Turner, Pei-Chung Wang
  • Publication number: 20090230724
    Abstract: A door bracket is mounted to a vehicle sliding door. A primary track is mounted along a side and extends to a remote end. A roller bracket having rollers received by the primary track is movable between a first position proximate the opening and a second position at the remote end. A link is pivotally joined to the roller bracket by a first pivot and pivotally joined to the door bracket by a second pivot. The link is rotatable around the first pivot between a first orientation and a second orientation. The link comprises an extension arm extending from the link toward the primary track. A shift mechanism contacts the extension arm when the roller bracket is at an intermediate trip point so that the link shifts from its first orientation to its second orientation when the sliding door is being opened.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2008
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: David R. Fischer, Teru Tseng, Edward M. Sanocki, JR., James A. Rochon, Eric A. Watterworth
  • Publication number: 20090230721
    Abstract: A sliding door moves between a closed position and an open position over a vehicle opening. A track is mounted along the vehicle and extends to a remote end. The length of the track is less than the distance traveled by the sliding door. A door bracket mounted to the sliding door has a slot extending parallel to the track with first and second ends. A roller bracket has rollers received by the track and is movable between a first position proximate the opening and a second position at the remote end of the track. The roller bracket includes a pin slidably received in the slot to shift between the first and second ends of the slot. The pin is pivotally retained at the first end of the slot when the sliding door is closed. The pin is retained at the second end when the sliding door is open.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2008
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Stephen D. Rusnak
  • Publication number: 20090218846
    Abstract: A trapping detection seal for opening leaves, for example motor vehicle opening leaves, of elongate shape with an elastically deformable cross section including a first cut-out region arranged between a first conducting region and a second conduction region so as to enable the two conducting regions to come into contact with one another during deformation of the seal in a first direction. A second cut-out region is arranged between the first conducting region and a third conducting region, the cross section of the seal being deformable in at least a second direction, which is different from the first direction, to enable the first conducting region to come into contact with the third conduction region during deformation of the seal in the second direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2007
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Applicant: RENAULT S. A. S
    Inventors: Hoang-Giang Nguyen, Chaene Seyranian, Jerome Jost
  • Patent number: RE41143
    Abstract: A door hinge assembly is mounted between a door mounting pillar of the vehicle body and a door to swingably mount the door to the door mounting pillar. The door hinge assembly includes an upper hinge and a lower hinge with a double pivot pin arrangement, and a torsion bar extending substantially vertically between the upper and lower hinges. The upper and lower hinges are fastened at interior fastening points on an inner side wall of the door mounting pillar and at exterior fastening points on an exterior wall portion of the door mounting pillar with longitudinal fastening axes that extend in a substantially orthogonal direction to the inner side wall and the exterior wall portion of the door mounting pillar. The interior fastening points are disposed rearwardly of the torsion bar and the exterior fastening points are disposed forwardly of the torsion bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nandkumar Rangnekar, William Bowes, Gary Nylander, William Spencer Evans, Takehito Ichino