Specific Door Or Door Opening Edge Feature Patents (Class 296/146.9)
  • Publication number: 20090206634
    Abstract: According to the invention, a side sill of a vehicle body of a motor vehicle comprises an outer shell and an inner shell connected to each other via flanges. A reinforcement is removably attached to the outside of the outer shell, which reinforcement extends essentially over the entire length of the side sill in the vehicle longitudinal direction. By means of this reinforcement, a load introduced onto a point of the side sill is absorbed and distributed. This is especially relevant to achieving better crash characteristics in a side pole crash.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2009
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Inventor: Peter Stoeckl
  • Patent number: 7556324
    Abstract: A refrigerator including a door that is fastened to the heat-insulating housing thereof and a swell chamber as a door-opening aid. The chamber can be impinged upon by a pressure medium and is disposed between the rear side of the door and a face of the housing. A reservoir feeding the swell chamber with a pressure fluid is disposed on a face of the door and can be compressed by pulling a door handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Benz
  • Publication number: 20090167052
    Abstract: Door assemblies having magnetized bumpers for use with vehicles are disclosed. The door assemblies comprise a bumper assembly for use in a vehicle having a door that when fully opens contacts an adjacent body panel. The bumper assembly includes a bumper having a base and a distal end opposite the base. The base is configured for fixed attachment to the first exterior surface of a vehicle. The bumper is made of an elastomer and/or plastic and is configured for removable engagement with a second exterior surface. A magnet is provided with at least a portion of the magnet embedded in the body between the distal end and the base. The magnet is located within the bumper sufficiently close to the distal end to exert an attractive magnetic force sufficient to retain a door in contact with the bumper but without the magnet directly touching the door.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Applicant: NISSAN TECHNICAL CENTER NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Charles Cutting
  • Publication number: 20090152894
    Abstract: A garnish to be mounted to a door frame of a vehicle, and a mounting structure thereof. The garnish has a mounting boss, a first end, and a second end. The mounting structure includes a door frame with a space for the mounting boss of the garnish to be inserted therein and secured by a fastener. The mounting structure also includes a glass run channel with an edge that contacts an outer end of the door frame. The first end of the garnish is shaped to be fitted into an edge of the glass run channel. The second end of the garnish has a protrusion shaped to cover an end of the door frame. The glass run channel may have a clearance groove to prevent interference with the fastener. The fastener may be a screw. Double-sided tape may be provided for further securing the garnish to the door frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2008
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicants: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Bumsuk Kang
  • Patent number: 7547059
    Abstract: A system for passing cables between a body and door of a motor vehicle. The system includes a flexible sheath containing electrical cables, ends of the sheath being connected to an edge wall of the door and a fixed wall of the body respectively. The flexible sheath includes an axially-extensible part having one end fixed to the body and another end connected to the edge wall of the door at the edge of a cable passage hole disposed in the edge wall, such that the extensible part lengthens when the door is opened. Moreover, the cables include a free length inside the door such that they can slide in the sheath to absorb variations in the length of the sheath as the door pivots. The sheath extends beyond the end of the axially-deformable part fixed to the body, by a flexibly-deformable part with an end connected to the body at the cable passage in the wall of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: Renault S.A.S.
    Inventor: Christophe Delaine
  • Patent number: 7543881
    Abstract: An opening trim weather strip includes a trim portion, a seal portion, and a cover lip integrally formed to the trim portion and extended to a vehicle interior side thereof. The cover lip is formed with a cover lip main body by a sponge member and formed with a cover lip skin layer formed by a solid member at a surface of the cover lip main body. A modulus of the cover lip skin layer is made to be equal to or smaller than a modulus of the cover lip main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kurato Okajima, Satoshi Toki, Masanori Aritake
  • Publication number: 20090134661
    Abstract: A molding for a vehicle includes a molding body provided at a door of the vehicle, at least one light-emitting body provided inside an end portion of the molding body for notifying an occupant of a state of the door, and a light-transmitting portion provided at the molding body for transmitting light emitted by the light-emitting body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2008
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Inventors: Izuru Sugiura, Akiyosi Mori, Daisuke Kudoh
  • Patent number: 7533925
    Abstract: A body structure of a passenger car, and especially of a convertible, features at least one side door on each longitudinal side of the vehicle. The side door, when closed, connects to adjoining fixed pillars via hinges at one end and via a lock assembly at the other end. For improved crash resistance of the body structure of a passenger car, and especially of a convertible, with a rear engine in the event of a head-on collision, a buttress assembly is installed between the rearward rim of the side door and the adjoining lock-side pillar. The buttress assembly effectively holds the side door in its closed position in the event of a head-on collision, while at approximately the level of the buttress assembly, the side door is braced by a hollow strut that extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Joachim Klatt, Gerd Luening
  • Patent number: 7530623
    Abstract: A cab for a vehicle, such as an all terrain vehicle, a tractor, or small construction vehicle, is constructed of twin-sheet plastic panels that can be easily assembled, preferably with snap-together interlocking features. One of the panels can be a door panel having a door hinged to a door frame to control passage through a doorway. Both the door and the door frame have spaced apart hinge knuckles that interleave along a hinge axis to allow the door to pivot about a hinge pin. The door and door frame can be molded in a single twin-sheet panel. The two walls of the panel are fused together along the outer periphery of the panel door portion and the inner periphery of the panel door frame portion. The door is separated from the door frame by cutting the each of the walls along a door perimeter between the door and door frame portions of the molded panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Inventor: Lance T. Hampel
  • Patent number: 7527321
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle door system with two vehicle doors, with a vehicle body which encloses a passenger compartment and has a common vehicle door opening for the two vehicle doors, wherein, for closing the door opening, the vehicle doors being movable in a manner such that they move from an open position into a closed position and relative to each other and, in the closed position, each are adjacent to the other in a connecting region via a connecting end side, and with impact protection which has stiffening elements for stiffening the vehicle doors in the vehicle opening, and wherein at least one first stiffening element is arranged in the connecting region of the one vehicle door and at least one stiffening element is arranged in the connecting region of the other vehicle door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Benderoth, Gerhard Klein, Joergen Hilmann, Elvir Vukovic, Armando Lopes Dos Santos, Michael Bickenbach, Brad Staines, Issa Pooloo
  • Publication number: 20090072581
    Abstract: A seal assembly for an automotive vehicle is provided that includes a seal and a molding whereby the seal is attached to the molding and the molding is attached to a rear-quarter window. The seal includes a pair of perpendicular bases and a resilient arc portion joining the perpendicular bases. The molding includes a U-shaped base, which receives the rear-quarter window and a support member. The support member is attached to the seal in such a manner to prevent excessive deformation of the seal when the door is in a closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD
    Inventors: Stewart Rich, Brock Stull, Akihiko Kuribayashi
  • Publication number: 20090072582
    Abstract: A vehicle rear door unsequenced articulating mechanism including one or more articulating hinge assemblies having one or more hinge arms pivotally mounted to a vehicle C-pillar at one end thereof via a C-pillar hinge mount and pivotally mounted to a vehicle rear door at another end thereof via a door hinge mount. The hinge arm may include a generally J-shaped profile between the ends thereof for permitting unsequenced articulation of the rear door up to approximately 180° from a rear door closed position. The door hinge mount may include a door stop engageable with a stop surface on the hinge arm for limiting pivotal movement of the vehicle rear door.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Inventors: Adrian N. A. Elliott, Justin T. Johnson, Jason Falenski, Craig Blust, Dave M. Lechkun
  • Publication number: 20090064591
    Abstract: A motor vehicle door and to a motor vehicle door lock and a method for mounting the motor vehicle door lock in a motor vehicle door, the motor vehicle door lock having an inside locking lever, and when installed, being located in a hollow space of the door and coupled to an inside safety element via a connecting rod that extends through a passage opening in an inside wall segment of the door body. To facilitate installation, the connecting rod is formed of two segments, a lower connecting rod segment extending through the passage opening and being connected to a an upper connecting rod segment at a location that is outside of the hollow space in proximity to the passage opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Applicant: BROSE SCHLIESSSYSTEME GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Peter Oliver Keller, Warren Huisman
  • Publication number: 20090058143
    Abstract: A vehicle scoff plate assembly may have an outer closure panel, an inner closure panel fastened to the outer closure panel, a first striker mounting bracket fastenable to the inner closure panel, a first striker mounted to the first striker mounting bracket, and a scuff plate fastened to the outer closure panel that surrounds the first striker. A second striker mounting bracket is fastenable to the inner closure panel and a second striker is mountable to the second striker mounting bracket. The second striker mounting bracket is configured in a different angular position to orient the second striker in a different position than the first striker. The inner closure panel and outer closure panel both mount to the vehicle underbody. With different striker mounting brackets mountable to the inner closure panel, a standard vehicle underbody may be utilized and result in fewer or no vehicle underbody production line changes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2007
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventors: Richard A. Manning, William G. Yadon, Robert J. Faubert, Phillip J. Lewis
  • Publication number: 20090058130
    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: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2007
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Ukpai I. Ukpai, Alan L. Browne, Mark A. Kramarczyk, Nancy L. Johnson, John C. Ulicny, Gary L. Jones
  • Patent number: 7478863
    Abstract: A sealing profile (10a, 10b) for sealing a powered window pane (11a, 11b) in a door (12a, 12b) of a motor vehicle. The sealing profile (10a, 10b) includes a base body (18) made of an elastomeric material on which at least one sealing portion (19a, 19b) and at least one fastening portion (20) for attaching the sealing profile (10a, 10b) to a door flange (21) are provided. The sealing profile (10a, 10b) also includes at least one trim strip (22) that has a finishing portion (23) and a fastener (24), which protrudes therefrom and which can be fixed to the base body (18) in a positive manner. The trim strip (22) is curved in the longitudinal direction thereof. The fastener (24) is provided in the form of an elongated insertion limb, which is oriented essentially perpendicular to the finishing portion (23). The fastener (24) is additionally provided with at least one appendage (25a, 25b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: Metzeler Automotive Profile Systems GmbH
    Inventor: Fritz Krause
  • Publication number: 20090001754
    Abstract: A roof side weather strip has an upper side portion, a vertical side portion and a corner portion. The vertical side portion has a mounting base portion which is to be mounted on a pillar, a hollow seal portion which is formed on a vehicle-interior inner surface of the mounting base portion and is adapted to be brought into abutment with a door glass, and a seal lip portion which is formed on a vehicle-exterior inner surface of the mounting base portion adjacent to a vehicle-interior side of the hollow seal portion and is adapted to be brought into abutment with a vehicle-interior side surface of the door glass. A groove portion is formed between the hollow seal portion and the seal lip portion, and a water stopping rib is formed in a portion in the groove portion which constitutes a portion on the corner portion which lies in the vicinity of the vertical portion or a portion on the vertical side portion which lies in the vicinity of the corner portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2008
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Applicants: TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD., NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kiyotaka Tamaoki, Hidenori Kameoka, Hiroshi Nagaishi
  • Publication number: 20080309119
    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: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2007
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Dominic S. Pupillo, James J. Karlavage, Paul R. Meernik, Yih-Chyun Sheu
  • Publication number: 20080296924
    Abstract: Embodiments of a vehicle door structure are provided, wherein the door structure comprises a door panel configured to couple to a vehicle frame. The door panel comprises at least one clip receptacle disposed on a lower portion of the door panel. The vehicle door structure comprise a molding component comprising at least one clip, wherein the molding component is flush mounted to the lower portion of the door panel, wherein the at least one clip engages the least one clip receptacle of the door panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2007
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventors: Aaron William Joseph Atkinson, George Holmes
  • Publication number: 20080296929
    Abstract: A door opening and closing apparatus for a vehicle for opening and closing a rear hatch including a rear hatch main body and a movable panel, the door opening and closing apparatus includes a lock portion provided between the rear hatch main body and the movable panel, an actuating mechanism provided between the rear hatch main body and the movable panel and causing the movable panel to move between a retracted position and an extended position, a controller connected to the lock portion and the actuating mechanism and controlling the lock portion and the actuating mechanism so that the lock portion is unlocked and the movable panel moves towards the retracted position, and a switch connected to the controller and serving as a trigger for controlling the lock portion and the actuating mechanism by means of the controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shigeyuki Suzuki, Yukio Isomura
  • Publication number: 20080277965
    Abstract: A locking rod flange and a vertical locking rod for a vehicle door, and method of assembling a vehicle door, are disclosed. The locking rod flange may be integral with a glass run channel or an integrated channel/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: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2007
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Terrence P. Costigan
  • Patent number: 7448668
    Abstract: A security screen door (1) for vehicles comprises a frame (2) forming an opening, at least one sliding section (10, 12) within the frame and a quick action lever (21) on an inside of the door for locking and unlocking the door via a first lock (20). The sliding section comprises a second lock (14) for securing the sliding section in a closed position, the second lock being unlocked from an outside using a key to allow the sliding section to be moved from a closed position to an open position to allow access from the outside to the quick action lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Crimsape Security Systems Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Steven John Brabeck, Peter Bouma, John Russell Watts, David Greenbury
  • Publication number: 20080265616
    Abstract: A door weather strip includes a base attached along the outer periphery of a door frame and a hollow seal, and a clip attached to the base. The clip includes an engaging part fit in and enagageable with an attaching hole in the door frame and a retained part retained to the base. The retained part includes a retaining piece and a coupling portion coupling the center area of the retaining piece in the longitudinal direction and the engaging part. Using an inserting means equipped with an insertion pin which is nearly cylindrical and sharp-pointed, the insertion pin is pierced into the base so that the retaining piece is fed through the inner peripheral side of the insertion pin to the inner face side of the base, thereby attaching the clip to the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Applicant: TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshihisa Kubo, Hideaki Minoura, Tomonori Inoue
  • Publication number: 20080252098
    Abstract: A rail system of a mounting and guide device for a sliding door of a motor vehicle is provided with a drawn-in rear part, by which the sliding door is displaceable between a closed position in which the sliding door closes a door opening and an open position in which the door is located laterally adjacent to the door opening. The rail system has a guide rail connected to the vehicle body, which is provided with an arc section, which is curved toward the vehicle middle following the drawn-in rear part and a first assembly assigned to the guide rail having a mounting unit engaging in the guide rail, which is displaceable along the guide rail with the aid of a least one displacement means. The rail system also has a support element rigidly connected to the mounting unit and projecting from the mounting unit in front of the displacement means, to which the sliding door is attached so it is pivotably movable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Marcus LANGE
  • Patent number: 7434867
    Abstract: A U-shaped sealing strip arranged for mounting on a frame structure of a vehicle surrounds a space which is intended to receive a pane and which has a lengthwise changing depth dimension. The U-shaped structure comprises two L-shaped shaped parts of which at least one has a generally L-shaped configuration and comprises a base part intended for fixing on the frame structure and a side part extending perpendicular thereto. At least one of the two shaped parts is adjustably fixed on the frame structure for adjustment in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the pane in such a way that the contact pressure of the sealing lip is adjustable. The contact pressure of the sealing lips on the pane can be adjusted in a simple manner in accordance with specific requirements in order to secure a reliable sealing effect as well as to reduce wear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Meteor Gummiwerke K.H. Badje GmbH & Co.
    Inventor: Ingolf Matthies
  • Publication number: 20080246304
    Abstract: A weatherstrip intended for positioning on the flange of the edge of the opening of a vehicle consists of a side-by-side arrangement of a tubular sealing section (1), a U-shaped fastening section (2) and a strip (3) laterally formed on the fastening section (2), which together with a limb (2?) of the fastening section (2) circumscribes a cavity (9?) which is open toward the underside (1?) of the weatherstrip. The cross-sectional profile of the sealing section (1) is partially formed by the limb (2??) of the fastening section (2) facing said sealing section, ventilation holes (18) located on the underside of the weatherstrip facing the aforementioned edge, forming a region of the sealing section (1) of greatest wall thickness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2005
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: Meteor Gummiwerke K. H. Badje GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jens Huttebraucker, Paavo Zelazo
  • Publication number: 20080238137
    Abstract: The weather strip of the invention has an attachment base and a sealing part to be integrally attached to the attachment base for sealing a gap between a vehicle body opening open/close member and a vehicle body opening part. The attachment base has a substantially U-shaped section or a substantially J-shaped section that is formed of a vehicle exterior side wall, a vehicle interior side wall, and a bottom wall, and a sealant member formed from an adhesive material is attached to an inner surface of the attachment base having the substantially U-shaped section or the substantially J-shaped section. The tip of the flange is inserted into an inner part of the sealant member, and the attachment base is attached by an adhesion force of the sealant member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kenji Kobayashi, Noriyoshi Kawashima, Mitsuhiro Takahara, Masanori Aritake
  • Patent number: 7419204
    Abstract: The powered ramp door lift is used in cargo trailers and other ramp door applications and includes a powered winch assembly, a pair of wire cables or nylon straps connecting the winch assembly to the ramp door, and a “pusher” mechanism. The winch assembly mounted to the trailer header winds and unwinds the cables onto a pair of spools mounted to a drive shaft, which is driven by an electric motor. The “pusher” mechanism prevents the “unspooling” problems that effect the operation of winches in automated ramp door applications. The pusher mechanism engages the ramp door in the closed position and applies an outward force to the ramp door over a small portion of its travel to assist in the initial lowering of the ramp door from the closed position. The winch assembly also includes a cable tension winch shut off mechanism, which deactivates the winch motor in the absence of any tension on cables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Inventors: John R. Coble, Dallis A. Lindley, William B. Leftwich
  • Publication number: 20080203760
    Abstract: An adjustable closure hinge assembly, includes a first hinge portion having a first aperture, a second hinge portion having a second aperture coaxially aligned with the first aperture, a hinge member disposed in the first and second apertures for joining the first and second hinge portions, wherein the hinge member further comprises a spacer intermediate walls defining the first and second apertures and the hinge member, wherein the spacer comprises an active material, and an activation device in operative communication with the active material, wherein the activation device is operable to selectively apply an activation signal to the active material and effect a reversible change in at least one property of the active material, wherein the change in the at least one property is effective to provide up to six degrees of freedom to the hinge member and less than or equal to two degrees of freedom in the absence of the activation signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2007
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Cafeo, Alan L. Browne, Gary L. Jones, Nancy L. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20080191514
    Abstract: A construction vehicle door assembly includes a frame member having an inside surface and an outside surface, a window pane is positioned proximate one of the inside surface and outside surface, and a first resilient member substantially vibrationally isolates the frame member and the window pane. A fastener extends through the frame member, window pane and first resilient member to couple the window pane to the frame member. A second resilient member substantially vibrationally isolates the window pane and the fastener. A pair of hinges are coupled to the frame member, a pair of hinge pins are selectively extended into the respective one of the pair of hinges, and a lever is coupled to the pair of hinge pins for moving the pair of hinge pins relative to the pair on hinges upon movement of the lever, to detach the door assembly from the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2008
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Applicant: CLARK EQUIPMENT COMPANY
    Inventors: John Liebl, Jeff Percival, Mike Vought, Amardeep Chauhan, Anthony Miller
  • Publication number: 20080169666
    Abstract: A vehicle having a vehicle body component and a body panel. The vehicle body component has a body mating feature. The body panel has a body panel mating feature that engages the body mating feature to secure the body panel to the vehicle body component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2007
    Publication date: July 17, 2008
    Applicant: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventor: Gregory Thomas Hedderly
  • Publication number: 20080150311
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a closure panel movable between an open position and a closed position and a fascia disposed adjacent to the closure panel and movable between a closed position and an open position. The fascia is articulated into the open position prior to the closure panel being moved from the closed position to the open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventors: Douglas J. Quigley, Robert Smyczynski, Michael A. Kornilov, Todd McKinzie, Scott M. Krugger
  • Publication number: 20080129080
    Abstract: A vehicle weather strip flange configured to eliminate corrosion for a predetermined time period. The flange may include at least one indented area disposable against a vehicle body and an opening for insertion of a fastener for attaching the flange to the vehicle body. The indented area may include a predetermined depth for maintaining an un-indented area of the flange at a predetermined distance from the vehicle body. The un-indented area of the flange may include exposed inner areas facing toward the vehicle body and exposed outer areas facing away from the vehicle body. The predetermined distance may permit the exposed inner and outer areas to be coated by a corrosion protection liquid for thereby eliminating corrosion from the un-indented area for the predetermined time period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2006
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Inventor: Erik Kilian
  • Patent number: 7380857
    Abstract: A multi-panel door comprises a plurality of side-by-side door panels and a water-resistant shield. Each one of the door panels is pivotably attached at an edge thereof to an adjacent one of the door panels thereby defining an edge interface between the adjacent ones of the door panels. Each one of the door panels has a cargo space facing major surface and an exterior facing major surface generally opposite and spaced apart from the cargo space facing major surface. The water-resistant shield extends over at least a portion of the cargo space facing major surface of all of the door panels. The water-resistant shield covers each edge interface defined by the door panels and wraps at least partially around a bottom longitudinal edge of a lower-most one of the door panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Inventor: Dustin Jake Wilds
  • Publication number: 20080122250
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle door for closing a door opening provided in a vehicle frame, and to a vehicle door system with the vehicle door according to the invention. The vehicle door has body panels, an inner panel which, in the fitted position, faces the vehicle interior, and an outer panel which, in the fitted position, faces away from the vehicle interior, said panels being connected fixedly to each other and delimiting a cavity. With the proviso of providing a vehicle door of the type mentioned at the beginning, which can be produced in a less complicated manner, it is proposed that an end panel for delimiting the cavity is provided as a further body panel at least on one narrow side of the vehicle door, and that the end panel is connected fixedly laterally to the outer panel and the inner panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2007
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Inventors: Martin Lichter, Thomas Benderoth
  • Publication number: 20080122251
    Abstract: An opening trim weather strip includes a trim portion, a seal portion, and a cover lip integrally formed to the trim portion and extended to a vehicle interior side thereof. The cover lip is formed with a cover lip main body by a sponge member and formed with a cover lip skin layer formed by a solid member at a surface of the cover lip main body. A modulus of the cover lip skin layer is made to be equal to or smaller than a modulus of the cover lip main body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2007
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Applicant: TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kurato Okajima, Satoshi Toki, Masanori Aritake
  • Patent number: 7374227
    Abstract: A vehicle weather strip flange configured to eliminate corrosion for a predetermined time period. The flange may include at least one indented area disposable against a vehicle body and an opening for insertion of a fastener for attaching the flange to the vehicle body. The indented area may include a predetermined depth for maintaining an un-indented area of the flange at a predetermined distance from the vehicle body. The un-indented area of the flange may include exposed inner areas facing toward the vehicle body and exposed outer areas facing away from the vehicle body. The predetermined distance may permit the exposed inner and outer areas to be coated by a corrosion protection liquid for thereby eliminating corrosion from the un-indented area for the predetermined time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Erik Kilian
  • Publication number: 20080093883
    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: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2007
    Publication date: April 24, 2008
    Applicant: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Shibata, Yoshifumi Horiuchi, Yoshihiro Kawahara, Mitsugu Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 7350849
    Abstract: A one-piece retainer is preferably an injection molded that receives and retains a weatherseal therein. The retainer assembly includes first and second portions that are bonded together to form the one-piece retainer. Fasteners further aid in securing the portions together and also securing the assembly to the associated vehicle. An outer show surface portion overlies a door body side of the vehicle. The show surface covers a cavity that serves as a water management channel around the perimeter of the window opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Cooper-Standard Automotive Inc.
    Inventors: Greg Roush, Paul Jabra, Len Marshick, Don Wallace, Greg Tarpinian, Rick Rufenacht
  • Publication number: 20080073934
    Abstract: A closure system for a door opening includes a striker having a support plate and a striker wire, and a lock having a bolt actuated by a detent pawl and adapted to retain the striker wire in the door opening. The lock and the striker each have at least one attachment feature that is complementary and separate from the bolt and the striker wire. The striker is thus secured to the lock during the installation of the closure system on the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2007
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Inventors: Jerome Roussel, Michel Noel
  • Patent number: 7347476
    Abstract: A ramp door suited to pivot about an axis that extends substantially horizontally along the bottom of a cargo compartment opening has features of lightweight construction that may be used separately or in combination with features of a frame assembly having an upright configured to extend substantially vertically along one side of the opening to provide an interior space that may be used to house components of a ramp door lift assist system and/or components of a ramp door latching system. In some embodiments, the extent to which a lift assist cable is exposed when the ramp door is open is minimized by connecting the cable to the ramp door, and by guiding the cable into the interior space of the upright, at locations relatively near to the pivot axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: The Eastern Company
    Inventors: Richard E. Luehr, Ron W. Phillips, Peter T. Watson
  • Patent number: 7344181
    Abstract: A structure for attaching a weather strip for vehicle door sashes comprises a molded part having a sealing portion making elastic contact with a door opening edge of a body of a vehicle and providing sealing between the door and the body when the door is closed, and a base integrally molded with the sealing portion by attaching the molded part to the door panel using a locking screw screwed in a nut secured in the outside molding through the door panel. The base has an integrally molded eyelet-shaped resin insert having a low frictional coefficient for inserting a locking screw, and the resin insert has an annular groove at the flange that makes contact with the locking screw head in a smaller area, reducing frictional drag. The structure prevents the base from being twisted while the locking screw is screwed in, which otherwise impairs the appearance of the molded part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Nishikawa Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masaru Koshimichi
  • Patent number: 7325859
    Abstract: A door sash header for an automotive vehicle includes a glazing seal retainer, an external trim retention portion, and a multi-channel weatherstrip retention structure which utilizes upwardly and downwardly opening channels cooperating with the door sash to retain a weatherstrip upon the header without the need for additional fastening devices such as mechanical fasteners or adhesives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Brancaleone, Ronald Machin, Greg Dobieralski, Michael Kozak
  • Patent number: 7320496
    Abstract: A sealing arrangement for a door of a transit vehicle with an angularly disposed floor portion incorporates a rotatably disposed driving member in combination with a driven member attached to the sealing arrangement to enable vertical movement thereof for providing a weather seal when the door is closed and accommodating the angularly disposed floor portion when the door is open and the door is disposed within the transit vehicle and above the floor portion. An inner and outer cover may be provided at the bottom edge of the door for esthetic purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: David C. Griffis, Wieslaw W. Tomczyk, Fotios Golemis
  • 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: 7293820
    Abstract: A weather strip for a motor vehicle, which is capable of being attached to a flange provided in an opening portion of a vehicle body or a closing member for closing the opening portion irrespective of a configuration of the flange. The weather strip includes a base portion in which the flange provided in the opening portion or the closing member is adapted to be inserted, and a seal portion integrally formed with the base portion for sealing between the opening portion and the closing member. An extension wall extends from an end of an outer side wall of the base portion by way of a bending part. The extension wall is bonded to a body panel defining the opening portion or the closing member, which is adjacent to the flange, with a double-sided adhesive tape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Hashimoto, Masahiro Nozaki
  • Patent number: 7275782
    Abstract: There is provided a weather strip for a folding top of an open car installed in a divided manner both sides thereof in the proximity of divided rails. Each divided member comprises a hollow seal portion and a seal lip portion comprised for resilient contacts with a door glass. Each divided member comprises a die mold part in a front and a rear end portion. The seal lip portion of each divided member comprises a thick part. The thick part is formed thicker than a thin part. The thick part is provided with a thickness for a front end surface and a rear end surface of adjoining seal lip portions that are located next to each other to make a resilient contact with each other even if the seal lip portion is deformed in the folding top when the folding top is in a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Nishikawa Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Morihara
  • Publication number: 20070187988
    Abstract: In a structure for attaching a weather strip for vehicle door sashes comprising a molded part having a sealing portion making elastic contact with a door opening edge of the body and providing sealing between the door and the body when the door is closed and a base integrally molded with the sealing portion by attaching the molded part to the door panel using a locking screw screwed in a nut secured in the outside molding through the door panel, the base has an integrally molded eyelet-shaped resin insert having a low frictional coefficient for inserting a locking screw and the resin insert has an annular groove at the flange that makes contact with the locking screw head in a smaller area, reducing frictional drag. The structure prevents the base from being twisted while the locking screw is screwed in, which otherwise impairs the appearance of the molded part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2006
    Publication date: August 16, 2007
    Inventor: Masaru Koshimichi
  • Patent number: 7234765
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to vehicles and door sills for vehicles. In one aspect, the disclosure relates to door sills having an interior channel configured to receive a retractable panel installed within a vehicle door. In another aspect, the disclosure relates to impact-absorbing door sills for motor vehicles, for example, an automobile. The disclosure also provides methods for forming a shaped composite article from a metal foam and attaching the shaped composite article to a side frame of a vehicle chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Nissan Design America, Inc.
    Inventors: Anke Mazzei, Richard Plavetich, John Cupit