Sliding Closures On Opposite Sides Of Body Patents (Class 296/155)
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Patent number: 8469441Abstract: An improved sliding door for a vehicle comprises a guide rail (5) and a sliding carriage (6) which is mounted on the guide rail (5) in a longitudinally movable manner. The sliding door furthermore comprises a hinge stirrup (7), which is rotatably (8, 9) mounted on the sliding carriage (6) and on a body flange (4), a control lever (11) which is rotatably (12, 13) mounted on the sliding carriage (6) and on a body flange (4), a first intermediate lever (10) which is rotatably (17) mounted on the control lever (11), and a second intermediate lever (18) which is rotatably (19, 20) mounted on the first intermediate lever (10) and on the sliding carriage (6).Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2009Date of Patent: June 25, 2013Assignee: Dura Automotive Body & Glass Systems GmbHInventors: Gerhard Heuel, Michael Krehmke, Ralf Rottmann
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Patent number: 8468748Abstract: A sliding door system having a sliding door for being moved between a closed position and an open position, and an energy guide chain connected on one end to the sliding door and on the other end to a chassis of the vehicle. Electrical lines are disposed in and guided by the energy guide chain for transmitting electricity to components arranged in the sliding door. A curved region is formed between the ends of the energy guide chain, which moves with the sliding door and changes its radii of curvature depending on the position of the sliding door.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2004Date of Patent: June 25, 2013Assignee: Tsubaki Kabelschlepp GmbHInventor: Herbert Wehler
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Publication number: 20130154305Abstract: An upper roller assembly for a sliding vehicle closure system includes a first bracket secured to a sliding vehicle closure. A ball-type roller is secured to the first bracket at a location spaced apart from the sliding vehicle closure for engaging and moving along an upper guide rail during opening and closing of the sliding vehicle closure. The ball-type roller is fixed in position relative to the sliding vehicle closure during opening and closing thereof. A second bracket is connected to first bracket. The second bracket is moveable relative to the sliding vehicle closure during opening and closing thereof. Guide rollers guide movement of the sliding vehicle closure during opening and closing thereof. The guide rollers are rotatably connected to the second bracket for engaging and moving along the upper guide rail during opening and closing of the sliding vehicle closure.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2011Publication date: June 20, 2013Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventor: Steven R. Thiele
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Patent number: 8464469Abstract: A power drive system for a sliding door on a motor vehicle includes a guide track fixedly secured to the vehicle. A motor fixedly secured to the track is adapted to receive power. The motor converts the power into a rotational force. A set of pulleys and wheels are fixedly secured to the track to direct the path of a belt. The belt extends between first and second ends which are operatively coupled to the door and move relative to each other as the motor drives the belt to move the door between open and close positions. Upon manual movement of the door, relative movement between the first and second ends of the belt is sensed by sensors. The sensors create a feedback signal received by an electronic controller which operates the motor to overcome a motor back-driving force and belt friction forces created during manual movement of the door.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2008Date of Patent: June 18, 2013Assignee: Magna Closures Inc.Inventor: G. Clarke Oberheide
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Patent number: 8459592Abstract: The present invention relates to a fuselage nose door for sealing an opening in the hull of an aircraft. In order to make loading and unloading as efficient as possible, a door shell is proposed that is movably held between a closed setting and an open setting by a bearing device, wherein the door shell can be pivoted and shifted in relation to the bearing device. The invention also relates to an aircraft with such fuselage nose door. In addition, the invention also relates to a method for opening and closing an opening in the hull of an aircraft with a fuselage nose door, which has a door shell that is movably held by a bearing device between the closed setting and open setting, wherein the door shell is pivoted and shifted in relation to the bearing device in the opening and closing process.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2010Date of Patent: June 11, 2013Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbHInventor: Günter Pahl
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Patent number: 8454081Abstract: A sliding door safety device for heavy construction equipment is provided, which includes an outer side wall having a doorway formed thereon, an upper rail and a lower rail formed on an upper part and a lower part of the outer side wall, respectively, a sliding door sliding to move to a front or rear side of a cab by an upper roller and a lower roller engaged with the upper rail and the lower rail, respectively, to open or close the doorway, and first and second door position sensing switches mounted on one side of the outer side wall to sense a door position when the door is in its open position where the door is fully opened or in its closed position where the door is fully closed.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2009Date of Patent: June 4, 2013Assignee: Volvo Construction Equipment Holding Sweden ABInventor: Kang Tae Kim
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Patent number: 8448689Abstract: A roll-up door has a plurality of panels and a plurality of roller assemblies mounted to ends of the panels for mounting the panels in channels. At least some of the panels are formed of blow-molded thermoplastic material and have a relatively flat outside face and an inside face including ribs that extend longitudinally and transversely on the panel. A reinforced panel of thermoplastic material is made by blow molding a panel with a thermoplastic material to form a relatively flat outside face and a ribbed inside face, and with elongated channels along upper and lower walls thereof. The panel is trimmed while it is still warm to open the channels at one end. While the panel is still warm, reinforcing members are inserted into the elongated channels. The panels are cooled to shrink the channels onto the reinforcing members.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2009Date of Patent: May 28, 2013Assignee: Fleet Engineers, Inc.Inventors: Gary Roberts, Tom Gerst
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Patent number: 8442755Abstract: Systems and methods for preventing a motor vehicle side door from coming into contact with an obstacle are provided. One system includes an outside rear view mirror, a camera coupled to the outside rear view mirror, and a controller coupled to the camera. The camera is configured to detect the obstacle and determine the distance between the side door and the obstacle, and the controller is configured to disable the side door if the obstacle is within a threshold distance of the side door. Another system replaces the camera with an ultrasonic sensor to detect the obstacle and determine the distance between the side door and the obstacle. A method includes determining the distance between a plurality of motor vehicle side doors and the obstacle, and automatically disabling each motor vehicle side door that is within a threshold distance of the obstacle.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2008Date of Patent: May 14, 2013Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Craig A. Kollar, Thomas A. Wilson, Nigel G. Jones
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Patent number: 8439425Abstract: A sensor housing which may be used to house a pinch sensor may include: a first portion having a sensor attaching surface and a first connecting member; a second portion that at least partially covers the sensor attaching surface and that has a second connecting member; and, an installation surface that can be used to install the sensor housing onto a vehicle. The second portion may be adjustable with respect to the first portion between: (1) a first condition where the second portion at least partially uncovers the sensor attaching surface and where a sensor can be attached to the sensor attaching surface; and, (2) a second condition where the second portion at least partially covers the sensor and where the second connecting member can be connected to the first connecting member.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2010Date of Patent: May 14, 2013Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Steven Ray Thiele, Jeremy Brandon Josefovsky
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Patent number: 8424955Abstract: A sliding door for a vehicle comprises a guide rail and a sliding carriage which is longitudinally movably mounted on the guide rail and which is connected with the vehicle body by a multiple joint. The sliding door furthermore comprises a centering element at its end facing away from the multiple joint. To improve such sliding door, the centering element includes a centering surface which rests against the counter surface integral with the body, when the sliding door is closed.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2010Date of Patent: April 23, 2013Assignee: Dura Automotive Body & Glass Systems GmbHInventors: Gerhard Heuel, Michael Krehmke, Ralf Rottmann
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Patent number: 8413379Abstract: A step unit includes: a step member which is provided with a pair of lower rails extending in an opening and closing direction of a slide door of the vehicle; and a rail plate member which is provided to a cutout formed in a part of either of the lower rails and which continuously connects the lower rails in the opening and closing direction. The step member is molded using a resin material and is provided with an insertion hole which vertically penetrates through the step member at a position corresponding to the cutout; and a support extension section which is extended from a side end of the cutout of the lower rail. The rail plate member is mounted to the step member by being inserted so as to penetrate through the insertion hole from above the step member.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2010Date of Patent: April 9, 2013Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Toshihiko Ishida, Tsutomu Takeuchi
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Patent number: 8403398Abstract: A motor vehicle is provided with a sliding door, which has an inner side facing the vehicle interior, on which a protruding armrest is disposed. The sliding door can be displaced from a closed position in which the entry opening is closed by the sliding door, within the scope of an opening process via an intermediate position in which the sliding door is outwardly offset with respect to an adjoining vehicle wall, into an open position in which the inner side of the sliding door is disposed opposite to the outer side of the vehicle wall. Within the scope of the opening process the protruding armrest can be moved automatically from a usage position into a non-usage position in which the protruding armrest is set back with respect to the usage position in the direction of the inner side of the sliding door.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2009Date of Patent: March 26, 2013Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventor: Harald Schulz
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Patent number: 8398026Abstract: A method and apparatus comprising a frame and a door. The door may be moveably connected to the frame. The door may be capable of being rotated in the frame between a closed position and an open position to provide access to an opening of a vehicle body without moving the door outside of a mold line of the vehicle body.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2008Date of Patent: March 19, 2013Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Jennifer Marie Walton, Timothy Mark Garrett, James Vincent Eveker
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Patent number: 8387310Abstract: A sliding door carriage for a vehicle includes a first point for fixing a first cable strand for driving in a first direction, and a second point for fixing a second cable strand for driving in a second direction. Each fixing point is offset toward a rear of the sliding door carriage relative to a direction of driving by the respective cable strand. The sliding door carriage can be included in a sliding door driving system, and the sliding door driving system can be included in a vehicle. The bulk of the sliding door driving system in a body of a vehicle can be reduced.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2009Date of Patent: March 5, 2013Assignee: Inteva Products France SASInventors: Jean-Louis Robalo, Michel Mounie, Francois-Paul Meurou, Franck Rivoiret
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Patent number: 8373550Abstract: A controller for a door system and an associated method of operation for actuating a door. The controller may be electrically coupled with a motor, an outer door switch and an inner door switch. The controller, activates a motor assist and may maintain a desirable current supply to the motor assist. Determining a relative position of the door and determining whether movement of the door is obstructed is performed. The controller actuates the door to an appropriate position and determines whether door operation exceeds a maximum time threshold. The controller may be configured to deactivate the motor assist once the door reaches an appropriate position or the door operation exceeds the maximum time threshold.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2008Date of Patent: February 12, 2013Assignee: Control Solutions LLCInventors: Michael McKee, Nick Scholtes, John Hayden
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Patent number: 8366175Abstract: A door checker drive mechanism for use in automatically opening a door may include: a door checker that limits the motion of the associated door; a power source that rotates a shaft; and, a drive train that interconnects the power source to the door. The door checker drive mechanism may be adjustable between: a first condition where the power source causes the door to open or close with respect to the body; and, a second condition where the power source cannot cause the door to open or close and the door may be manually opened or closed.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2010Date of Patent: February 5, 2013Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Matthew Weyand Schmitt
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Patent number: 8360505Abstract: A door is open and held by engaging a latch with a striker of a vehicle body. The door has a release actuator connected to the latch. The vehicle body includes a power drive and a control module. An operating unit instructs the control module to close the door. The control module instructs the release actuator to disengage the latch from the striker. After the control module instructs the power drive to start closing of the door, releasing of the release actuator is stopped by the control module at a door position determined by actual voltage of a power source.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2009Date of Patent: January 29, 2013Assignee: Mitsui Kinzoku Act CorporationInventor: Kenichi Iijima
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Patent number: 8356855Abstract: Golf cart weather enclosures have roll-up doors, which coil on spools for storage. The roll-up doors are configured of panels joined by hinges or are configured from sheets of transparent plastic. Each roll-up door has side edges which are received in a pair of spaced vertical tracks extending from the floor to the roof of the golf cart to stabilize the roll-up doors. The spools are rotated either by electric motors and/or springs in a first direction to close the roll-up doors and rotated in the opposite direction to open and store the roll-up doors in the roof.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2011Date of Patent: January 22, 2013Inventor: Matthew Sams
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Patent number: 8353555Abstract: A vehicle sliding door mechanism is arranged to move a door from a door opening provided in a vehicle side body structure from a closed position to an open position. The sliding door mechanism comprises an upper slide rail and a lower slide rail fixed to the vehicle side body structure. An upper slider is associated with the upper rail and is movable along the upper rail, and a lower slider is associated with the lower rail and is movable along the lower rail. An upper link assembly operatively connected to the vehicle door and the upper slider, and a lower link assembly is operatively connected to the vehicle door and the lower slider. At least one link assembly of the upper link assembly and lower link assembly is configured to control a moment of force about a pivot axis while moving the vehicle door between the closed position and the open position.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2010Date of Patent: January 15, 2013Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Eric J. Boettcher
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Patent number: 8336949Abstract: A sliding door mechanism includes an upper slide rail and a lower slide rail fixed to a vehicle side body structure. An upper slider is associated with the upper rail, and a lower slider is associated with the lower rail. An upper link includes a control arm pivotally connected to both the upper slider and a vehicle door. A lower link includes a control arm pivotally connected to both the lower slider and the vehicle door. A control mechanism is operatively associated with a selected one of the upper link and the lower link. The control mechanism includes a first control fixed to the vehicle side body structure and a second control fixed to the control arm of the selected link. Movement of the second control is based on predetermined structural constraints associated with the first control. The control mechanism controls rotation and translation of the upper and lower links.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2010Date of Patent: December 25, 2012Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Eric J. Boettcher
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Patent number: 8328270Abstract: A vehicle closure assembly includes a vehicle body defining an opening, a latch assembly mounted to the vehicle body, a track mounted to the vehicle body, a slidable closure movable with respect to the vehicle body for selectively covering the opening, and a roller and striker assembly connected with the slidable closure for movement with the slidable closure. The roller and striker assembly includes a roller riding on the track and a striker for cooperating with the latch assembly. The roller moves with respect to the track to allow the slidable closure to move with respect to the vehicle body. The striker engages with the latch assembly to preclude movement of the slidable closure with respect to the vehicle body.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2010Date of Patent: December 11, 2012Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kenichi Kitayama, Matthew Weyand Schmitt, Michael A. Schrader
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Patent number: 8322074Abstract: A power unit 16 includes an armature 38 rotated always in unison with a cable drum 17 and movable in an axial direction of a drum shaft 25, a flange 39 always connected to a motor 28 side, and a magnetic coil portion 37 bringing the armature 38 into abutment against the flange 39. The armature is disposed adjacent to a side of the drum rim body 23 of the cable drum 17, the magnetic coil portion 37 is disposed on the other side of the armature 38, and the flange 39 is disposed between the magnetic coil portion 37 and the armature 38.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2006Date of Patent: December 4, 2012Assignee: Mitsui Kinzoku Act CorporationInventors: Shinichiro Kita, Naoki Hanaki, Ryoji Shimura
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Patent number: 8324501Abstract: An arm structure includes a first arm pivotally supported on a body, and a second arm pivotally supported on the first arm at an axis portion formed on a distal end side of the first arm. A wire harness fixing portion for fixing a wire harness is provided at a distal end side of the second arm. A guide portion having a curved face for guiding the wire harness is provided at an end portion at an end side of the second arm, the end side being opposite to the distal end side. A width of the guide portion is larger than a width of a portion of the second arm corresponding to the axis portion, in a width direction perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the second arm.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2010Date of Patent: December 4, 2012Assignees: Yazaki Corporation, Aisin Seiki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Tomoyasu Terada, Tsukasa Sekino, Mitsunobu Katou, Hiroshi Yamashita, Daisuke Okamoto, Tomoaki Nishimura, Motonari Inagaki
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Patent number: 8308221Abstract: A roller assembly for a sliding vehicle closure includes a bracket secured to an associated sliding vehicle closure and a ball-type roller secured to the bracket at a location spaced apart from the associated sliding vehicle closure. The ball-type roller is fixed in position relative to the associated sliding vehicle closure during opening and closing thereof.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2009Date of Patent: November 13, 2012Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Kenichi Kitayama
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Patent number: 8303028Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of vehicles and vehicle body assemblies incorporating slide rail reinforcements. One embodiment of a vehicle body assembly comprises an inner body panel and an outer body panel spaced a distance from the inner body panel in an outboard direction of a vehicle. The outer body panel has an outer surface and an opposing inner surface. An elongated slide track is mounted on the outer surface of the outer body panel. A force distribution member has a support surface fixed to the inner surface of the outer body panel directly opposite a portion of the elongated slide track and first and second distribution legs extending from the support surface and fixed to the inner body panel.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2011Date of Patent: November 6, 2012Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.Inventors: Thomas Jonathan Domlovil, Naga Ananthachandra Narayana
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Patent number: 8292349Abstract: A longitudinal-slide door controlling mechanism is provided to improve door controlling for large vehicles, such as buses. The door controlling mechanism is designed to longitudinal-slide to save space-occupied by the door and enhance safety. The mechanism includes a track, a slider group, a flexible transmission group, and a drive element. The flexible transmission group is used to drive the slider group to move along the track. And the track is attached to the bus body. Therefore the bus door is driven to longitudinal-slide along the bus body. The space-occupied caused by the conventional rotary door is saved. Also, the passerby struck by the door during opening would be eliminated.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2011Date of Patent: October 23, 2012Inventor: Chih-Hung Li
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Patent number: 8282156Abstract: A stop device is provided for a vehicle slide door for an opening of a vehicle side body structure. The slide door is guided in a front-to-rear direction by a sliding door mechanism which moves the slide door on a rail fixed to the side body structure. The stop device comprises a bracket for securing to the side body structure near a rear end of the lower rail. The bracket includes a base having a forward end portion and a rear end portion. A full stopper is mounted to the rear end portion of the bracket, and a mid-stopper is mounted to the forward end portion of the bracket. A strengthening member is connected to and extends at least partially outwardly from the base. The strengthening member is provided at least partially below the full stopper. The strengthening member has a generally stepped configuration.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2011Date of Patent: October 9, 2012Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Steven R. Thiele, Myriam Lepire
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Patent number: 8256831Abstract: A vehicle body front structure is disclosed, wherein a large engine can be installed even if the entire vehicle body length is kept compact, and an impact load can be efficiently absorbed. In a vehicle body front structure (10), internal and external extension members (41, 42) protruding forward are provided to the front ends of left and right front side frames (11, 12) and the front ends of left and right upper members (13, 14) via a mounting plate (35). In the mounting plate, internal mounting parts (51) and front walls (68) of the internal extension members are inclined farther toward the front of the vehicle body nearer the center of the vehicle width direction.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2009Date of Patent: September 4, 2012Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Ryota Abe, Kojiro Okabe, Shinichi Yoshikawa
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Patent number: 8235453Abstract: A system for aligning a slide door of a vehicle. A pair of locating features, each having a male part and a female part, are attached to a surface of a pillar of the vehicle and to a surface of the door. A rail is attached to the body, the rail having a non-flared portion and a flared portion. A wheel attached to the door is movable along the rail. The wheel is laterally constrained in the non-flared portion of the rail when the door is in an open condition and are laterally movable in the flared portions of the rail when the door is proximate a closed condition. A projecting portion of the male part mates with a receptacle of the female part when the slide door is closed, laterally adjusting and aligning the door with respect to the outer body panel.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2009Date of Patent: August 7, 2012Assignee: Honda Motor Co., LtdInventor: James Allen Hull, Jr.
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Patent number: 8235454Abstract: A vehicle comprises a body, a sliding door, which comprises a guide rail and a sliding carriage which is longitudinally movably mounted on the guide rail and which is connected with the body by a multiple joint, and a centering element which is releasably connectable with a counter bearing. To improve such vehicle, a counter bearing and/or a centering element are provided in the roof region and in the floor region of the body.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2010Date of Patent: August 7, 2012Assignee: Dura Automotive Body & Glass Systems GmbHInventors: Gerhard Heuel, Michael Krehmke, Ralf Rottmann
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Publication number: 20120187716Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of vehicles and vehicle body assemblies incorporating slide rail reinforcements. One embodiment of a vehicle body assembly comprises an inner body panel and an outer body panel spaced a distance from the inner body panel in an outboard direction of a vehicle. The outer body panel has an outer surface and an opposing inner surface. An elongated slide track is mounted on the outer surface of the outer body panel. A force distribution member has a support surface fixed to the inner surface of the outer body panel directly opposite a portion of the elongated slide track and first and second distribution legs extending from the support surface and fixed to the inner body panel.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 21, 2011Publication date: July 26, 2012Applicant: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.Inventors: Thomas Jonathan Domlovil, Naga Ananthachandra Narayana
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Patent number: 8225552Abstract: A sliding door slides along the side of a vehicle. An electric drive unit is disposed on a floor of the vehicle and a lower guide rail is disposed under the floor. A lower roller bracket coupled to the sliding door moves along the lower guide rail back and forth. A door-opening outer tube mounted to the sliding door extends from the electric drive unit to a rear wire guide at the rear end of the lower guide rail. A door-closing outer tube extends from the electric drive unit to a front wire guide at the front end of the lower guide rail. A door-opening wire extends through the door-opening outer tube from the electric drive unit to the lower roller bracket. A door-closing wire extends through the door-closing outer tube from the electric drive unit to the lower roller bracket.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2008Date of Patent: July 24, 2012Assignee: Mitsui Kinzoku Act CorporationInventors: Kazuhito Yokomori, Tomoya Yamaguchi
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Patent number: 8220203Abstract: A cover assembly for an opening in a sliding vehicle door system including a linkage arm operably associated with the vehicle door and a vehicle body. Also included is a tambour door panel associated with the linkage arm. Further included is a channel located proximate a door trim panel having at least one slot, the channel including an opening capable of allowing the linkage arm to pass through at least a portion of the channel, where at least a portion of the tambour door panel slidably travels within the channel, wherein a sliding motion of the vehicle door imparts movement on the linkage arm, the linkage arm sliding within the at least one slot and the channel, and wherein the linkage arm simultaneously imparts movement on the tambour door panel.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2009Date of Patent: July 17, 2012Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Brian Gase, Todd William Dishman, Adrian Nicholas Alexander Elliott, Craig Blust, Dave Michael Lechkun
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Patent number: 8215466Abstract: A power feeding apparatus for a slidable structural body includes a link arm which is provided on one of the slidable structural body and a fixed structural body so as to be pivotally moved in a harness surplus length-absorbing direction of a wire harness, a harness holding portion provided on a distal end side of the link arm, and a harness fixing portion provided on the other of the slidable structural body and the fixed structural body. The link arm is formed so as to be expanded and contracted in a longitudinal direction of the link arm. The wire harness is installed to extend from the harness holding portion to the harness fixing portion.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2007Date of Patent: July 10, 2012Assignee: Yazaki CorporationInventors: Tohru Aoki, Hiroshi Yamashita, Kazuhiro Tsuchida, Mitsunori Tsunoda
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Patent number: 8201871Abstract: The disclosure includes a cargo vehicle. The cargo vehicle includes a cargo compartment, which in turn is defined by a floor, a plurality of adjoining walls extending upwardly from the floor, and a ceiling attached to an upper end of the plurality of adjoining walls, wherein the walls, floor and ceiling cooperate to form the cargo compartment and a first vertical opening having a width defined by first and second sides for accessing the interior of the cargo compartment. The vehicle further includes a first segmented retractable door proximate the first vertical opening of the cargo compartment. The first door is displaceable from a first vertically-oriented closed position in which the door covers the first vertical opening to a second open position in which the door is substantially disposed below the first vertical opening.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2011Date of Patent: June 19, 2012Inventor: James D. Rydberg
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Patent number: 8186742Abstract: A vehicle sliding door structure includes an inner door panel, an outer door panel, a reinforcing bracket and a first bulkhead. The inner door panel has a vertically oriented sash section extending along an outboard facing surface thereof adjacent to a rearward side of an outer peripheral edge thereof. The sash section has a latch mechanism supporting part proximate a mid-region of the rearward side of the outer peripheral edge. The outer door panel is fixed to the outer peripheral edge of the inner door panel. The reinforcing bracket is fixedly attached to the outboard facing surface of the inner door panel along a region of the sash section that extends from below the latch mechanism supporting part to above the latch mechanism supporting part. The first bulkhead is fixedly attached to the reinforcing bracket and extends from the reinforcing bracket toward the outer door panel.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2009Date of Patent: May 29, 2012Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.Inventors: Naga A. Narayana, Erik Anderson, Micah P. Woolace, Tadashi Masuda
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Patent number: 8186743Abstract: A vehicle sliding door structure includes an inner door panel, an outer door panel, a reinforcing bracket and a first bulkhead. The inner door panel has a vertically oriented reinforced section extending along an outboard facing surface thereof adjacent to a rearward side of an outer peripheral edge thereof. The reinforced section has a latch mechanism supporting part proximate a mid-region of the rearward side of the outer peripheral edge. The outer door panel is fixed to the outer peripheral edge of the inner door panel. The reinforcing bracket is fixedly attached to the outboard facing surface of the inner door panel along a region of the reinforced section that extends from below the latch mechanism supporting part to above the latch mechanism supporting part. The first bulkhead is fixedly attached to the reinforcing bracket and extends from the reinforcing bracket toward the outer door panel.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2009Date of Patent: May 29, 2012Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.Inventors: Erik Anderson, Micah P. Woolace, Naga A. Narayana, Tadashi Masuda
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Patent number: 8182022Abstract: A power supply apparatus for sliding door, comprising a body-side fixing unit fixed to a vehicle body, a door-side fixing unit fixed to a sliding door, and a flat cable having a connector on both ends thereof respectively, arranged to run from the vehicle body through the body-side fixing unit and the door-side fixing unit to the sliding door, wherein the flat cable is used in such a manner that a longitudinal direction in a cross sectional area in at least a bent portion of the flat cable is in accordance with a height direction of the vehicle body.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2008Date of Patent: May 22, 2012Assignee: The Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Noritsugu Enomoto, Masatoshi Ushiyama, Yasuhiko Mukai
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Patent number: 8152222Abstract: A routing structure of an operating cable of a vehicle comprising a power slide door, comprises: a retractor of a seatbelt device placed between a vehicle body panel and an interior material covering an inner side of a vehicle body panel facing an interior of a vehicle chamber; a webbing pulled out from the retractor, the webbing being passed through an opening of the interior material, and pulled out from a back part of the interior material towards an inner side of the vehicle chamber; the operating cable for the power slide door routed between the vehicle body panel and the interior material by crossing over a back part of the webbing, wherein a restricting piece, restricting a displacement of the operating cable towards a direction approaching the webbing, is provided on the interior material.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2010Date of Patent: April 10, 2012Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shirena Takai, Masafumi Ishikawa
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Patent number: 8152221Abstract: Vehicle slide door structure includes a lower slide rail (42) provided on a slide door (21), and a link mechanism (81) provided between a vehicle body (11) and the slide rail (42). The link mechanism (81) is pivotably connected at one end portion to the vehicle body (11) and pivotably and slidably connected at the other end portion to the slide rail (42). The link mechanism (81) includes a plurality of linkages or link members (84, 85) and connection sections (96, 98, 101) where the linkages or link members are pivotably connected with each other between the one end portion and the other end portion of the link mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: December 25, 2008Date of Patent: April 10, 2012Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Junichi Yoshioka
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Patent number: 8141935Abstract: A sliding door panel for covering an opening in a trim panel of a sliding door includes a bracket having a first guiding member. The sliding door panel includes is a sliding appliqué having a second guiding member capable of associating with the first guiding member, and wherein the sliding appliqué includes a first end having a protruding configuration extending away from the trim panel.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2009Date of Patent: March 27, 2012Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Bhavani Thota, Kenneth S. Laird, Chris Richardson, Gary D. Mullen, Kevin Murphy, Adrian Nicholas Alexander Elliott
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Patent number: 8127497Abstract: A drive assembly for a sliding door is disclosed, the drive assembly having a power drive unit for providing a rotational force to rotate a cable drum of the drive assembly, the power drive unit being mounted within the sliding door; a cable having one end secured a guide track of the drive assembly and another end secured to the guide track; a roller assembly configured to slidably engage the guide track; an arm fixedly secured to the sliding door and pivotally mounted to the roller assembly at a pivot point; a pulley rotationally mounted to the roller assembly, the axis of rotation of the pulley being aligned with the pivot point and the cable engages the pulley in opposite directions as the cable drum rotates and the roller assembly slides along the guide track as the cable drum rotates, wherein movement of the roller assembly causes movement of the sliding door.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2007Date of Patent: March 6, 2012Assignee: Strattec Power Access LLCInventors: Lloyd W. Rogers, David W. Whitehead, Lawrence Easton
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Patent number: 8118344Abstract: There is provided a slide door structure of a vehicle which has a slide door to slide in a vehicle longitudinal direction at a side of a vehicle body, comprising a center rail which extends in the vehicle longitudinal direction at the side of the vehicle body so as to guide a roller provided at the slide door, and an expansion preventing bracket which is provided at a front end portion of the center rail so as to connect a pair of guide-face portions which face to each other for preventing an expansion of a center-rail end. Accordingly, the expansion of guide-rail end can be prevented in case the outward load acts on the slide door when the slide door is in the closed state.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2009Date of Patent: February 21, 2012Assignee: Mazda Motor CorporationInventors: Hirotaka Takaya, Motoki Yoshida, Katsunori Monden, Takahiro Shinoda
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Patent number: 8104825Abstract: A vehicle bumper assembly includes a bracket for mounting to an interior of a vehicle, the bracket defining a protrusion portion to engage with one end of a bumper cover and an elastic clip coupled to the bracket, wherein the elastic clip is adapted to contact the bumper cover of the vehicle. A finger protection assembly for a vehicle is provided wherein the assembly includes a bracket for mounting to an interior of a vehicle, the bracket defining a protrusion portion to engage with one end of a bumper cover and an elastic clip coupled to the bracket, the clip adapted to contact the bumper cover of the vehicle, wherein the elastic clip is capable of deforming to prevent injury to the finger inserted between a rear door and the bumper cover.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2008Date of Patent: January 31, 2012Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventor: Jason Edward Stadtherr
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Patent number: 8096606Abstract: A sliding door in a vehicle includes a motor unit, a guide positioned rail along the sliding door, a slider that slides along the guide rail, a cable coupled to the motor unit, a hinge unit in which the outer thereof end is pivotally mounted to a body of the vehicle and the inner thereof is pivotally mounted to the slider, and a control lever pivotally mounted to the slider and coupled to the hinge unit. The cable is pulled by in the motor unit to turn the control lever, which turns the hinge unit and moves the sliding door from a closed position to a projecting position for opening.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2008Date of Patent: January 17, 2012Assignee: Mitsui Kinzoku Act CorporationInventors: Naoki Hanaki, Andrew Baranowski, Bryan Farris
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Patent number: 8096605Abstract: A sliding door for a vehicle such as a motor vehicle, on its inside has a guide rail which is mounted longitudinally displaceable in a slide. A hinge shackle is swivel mounted between the door and the vehicle. A state quantity of the vehicle is provided and the travel of the sliding door is established based on the state quantity.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2008Date of Patent: January 17, 2012Assignee: Dura Automotive Body & Glass Systems GmbHInventors: Gerhard Heuel, Reiner Schmidt
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Patent number: 8087336Abstract: A system and method for actuating a hatch door. One embodiment includes a vertical launcher system that has a hatch door disposed in a plane at the top of a hold. The hatch door includes a leading edge and a trailing edge at opposite ends of the hatch door. When an actuator arm for maneuvering the hatch door is extended, the leading edge is lifted away from the plane by the actuator arm while the trailing edge remains in the plane and slides across the top of the plane toward the point where the leading edge was first lifted away. Such a sliding hatch mechanism allows for quick opening and closing of a hatch door while providing more efficient use of mechanical energy for breaking ice build up or prevent intrusion.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2008Date of Patent: January 3, 2012Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Corey A. Fleischer, Bruce S. Chiu, Kristopher Heick
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Patent number: 8070212Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 9, 2007Date of Patent: December 6, 2011Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.Inventors: Kazuya Shima, Yoshinao Kobayashi, Shigeki Murayama
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Patent number: 8047141Abstract: A step drive for a movable step, the step drive being arranged below a swinging-sliding door. The step drive includes an opening-out mechanism located in a lower region of a secondary closing edge of the swinging-sliding door. The opening-out mechanism is connected to and actuated by a door drive and the opening-out mechanism interacts with the movable step.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2006Date of Patent: November 1, 2011Assignee: Knorr-Bremse Gesellschaft mit beschrankter HaftungInventor: Johann Bramauer
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Patent number: 8028510Abstract: A link for a chain, which is used in a linear actuator, comprises a base member and a plate pivotably mounted on the base member. An arm extends from the plate. A first connecting means is disposed on a distal end of the arm to connect the link with a first adjacent link. The plate has a protrusion for releasably engaging a second adjacent link. A second connecting means is disposed on the base member to connect the link with the second adjacent link.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2009Date of Patent: October 4, 2011Assignee: Teleflex Canada Inc.Inventors: Jon Scott, Eric Fetchko