Transversely Movable Track Patents (Class 49/212)
  • Patent number: 11186345
    Abstract: A marine vessel door system implemented within or on a marine vessel gunwale, wherein the door can be easily opened to allow easy loading or unloading of passengers and cargo and closed in order to prevent passengers and cargo from entering or exiting the vessel. The marine vessel door system includes a door body and a door-moving mechanism which translates the door body frontward and rearward aligned to the marine vessel gunwale. The door-moving mechanism can include an articulated parallelogram attached to a fixed structure of the marine vessel and carrying the door body such that the door body translates forward and rearward jointly with a movable part of the articulated parallelogram.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Inventor: Joel Svendsen
  • Patent number: 11105132
    Abstract: A sliding door system for inline closure of an opening in the wall of a structure, which may be a building or an item of furniture, for example, that includes a door panel, a guiderail assembly, and a guiderail coupled to the wall mount via a plurality of doubled-hinge assemblies that together serve to allow the guiderail to pivot towards and away from the wall, and includes a stop on the guiderail that serves as a catch, or cam, that causes a closing force on the door panel to be transferred to the double-hinge assemblies and to cause the door panel to be pulled into inline closure in the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: Inlay Door Systems LLC
    Inventor: Scott Frankel
  • Patent number: 11041334
    Abstract: A door closure assembly and a method of moving a door is disclosed. The door closure assembly includes a cabinet attachment member attachable to a cabinet, a door attachment member attachable to a door, and first and second arms hingedly attached to the cabinet attachment member and the door attachment member. In some embodiments, the cabinet attachment member is attached to a central portion of the door and the door attachment member is attached to an end portion of the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: Art Design Works LLC
    Inventor: Henry Fox
  • Patent number: 11002518
    Abstract: A ballistic resistant panel can be configured to be quickly and easily installed in a vehicle door. The ballistic resistant panel can include a plurality of ballistic sheets arranged in a stack. The stack can have an outer perimeter sized to fit within a cavity of the vehicle door. The panel can include a cover disposed over the stack, and the cover can be sealed around a perimeter of the stack to form a waterproof barrier that prevents moisture from reaching and altering the performance of the ballistic sheets. At least one anti-wear strip can be adhered to an outer surface of the cover. The anti-wear strip can provide a low friction surface that protects the panel from damage caused by moving internal door components, such as moving window components that repeatedly rub against the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Angel Armor, LLC
    Inventors: Adam L. Wibby, Alan V. Morine, Eric B. Strauss
  • Patent number: 10883295
    Abstract: A door system (1) includes a door leaf (3) for closing off an entrance opening (4) and a suspension rod (10) having two opposite ends (11, 12) supported by a support structure (13). A suspension member (14) connects the door leaf (3) to the suspension rod (10) and can slide together with the door leaf (3) along the suspension rod (10) from an initial position corresponding to a closed position of the door leaf (3), to a final position corresponding to an open position of the door leaf (3). The two opposite ends (11, 12) of the suspension rod (10) are slidable in a horizontal direction transverse to the entrance opening (4). The suspension member (14) is slidably coupled to and guided by a non-linear upper guide (17) positioned above the suspension rod (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: ISAF BUS COMPONENTS S.R.L.
    Inventors: Gianni Turcatti, Massimo Sessa
  • Patent number: 10781619
    Abstract: A door closure assembly and a method of moving a door is disclosed. The door closure assembly includes a cabinet attachment member attachable to a cabinet, a door attachment member attachable to a door, and first and second arms hingedly attached to the cabinet attachment member and the door attachment member. In some embodiments, the cabinet attachment member is attached to a central portion of the door and the door attachment member is attached to an end portion of the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Art Design Works LLC
    Inventor: Henry Fox
  • Patent number: 10632724
    Abstract: A process for manufacturing a base board of a high-speed rail equipment cabin using a composite material is disclosed. The composite material includes: aramid honeycomb, PET foam, 3K twill carbon fiber flame retardant prepreg, unidirectional carbon fiber flame retardant prepreg, glass fiber flame retardant prepreg, aramid flame retardant prepreg, and 300 g/cm2 single component medium temperature curing blue epoxy adhesive. The process includes manufacturing a base-board main plate (1), a base-board handle (2) and two base-board sliders (3). While installation, the base-board handle (2) is stuck to one side of the base-board main plate (1), and the two base-board sliders (3) are respectively stuck to another two opposite sides of the base-board main plate (1). The weight of the base board made from the composite material is 35%-40% lower than the base board made from the aluminum alloy material, which leads to a good prospect of application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: SHANGHAI CEDAR COMPOSITES TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jiaqiang Zhu, Bin Wang, Sishun Zhang, Ming Wang, Changzhi Xie, Jianlan Luo
  • Patent number: 10458166
    Abstract: One object is to provide a plug door device that can make a contribution to a size reduction thereof, while suppressing a decrease in airtightness of a door. A plug door device is provided with an electric motor, a plug operation portion that moves a door in a width direction of a vehicle, a front-back operation portion that moves the door in a front-back direction of the vehicle, a movement suppressing portion that can suppress movement of the door in the front-back direction, and a planetary gear mechanism that distributes a drive force of the electric motor to the plug operation portion when movement of the door in the front-back direction is suppressed by the movement suppressing portion, and distributes a drive force of the electric motor to the front-back operation portion when movement of the door in the front-back direction is not suppressed by the movement suppressing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: NABTESCO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Atsuhito Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 10407961
    Abstract: A door closure assembly and a method of moving a door is disclosed. The door closure assembly includes a cabinet attachment member attachable to a cabinet, a door attachment member attachable to a door, and first and second arms hingedly attached to the cabinet attachment member and the door attachment member. In some embodiments, the cabinet attachment member is attached to a central portion of the door and the door attachment member is attached to an end portion of the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: Art Design Works LLC
    Inventor: Henry Fox
  • Patent number: 10286761
    Abstract: A passenger vehicle includes a body, a powertrain, a first door, and a second door. The body defines a passenger compartment having an opening. The powertrain propels the passenger vehicle on a public roadway. The first door is movably coupled to the vehicle body to at least partially close the opening. The first door includes a door structure, which defines a cavity, and a first window that is movable between a lowered position in the cavity and a raised position in which a forward edge thereof is substantially coextensive with a forward end of the cavity. The second door is movably coupled to the vehicle body to at least partially close the opening. The second door includes a second window having a second forward edge. The rearward edge of the first window at least one of engages the second forward edge or compresses a seal with the second forward edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: John Raff, Donald R. Monroe
  • Patent number: 10100569
    Abstract: An operation input detection device includes: a side-surface proximity sensor that is provided at a lower side surface portion of a vehicle; and an operation input detection portion that detects an operation input based on a sensor output of the side-surface proximity sensor, wherein the operation input detection portion determines that the operation input is performed in a case where when a change in the sensor output indicating proximity of a detection object is detected, after a first peak is detected in an acceleration of the sensor output, a second peak is detected in the same direction as that of the first peak at a first predetermined interval that is set in advance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takehiko Sugiura
  • Patent number: 10024084
    Abstract: A sliding door latch for a vehicle may include a striker mounted on inner surfaces of a front sliding door and a rear sliding door opening a vehicle body opening formed in a vehicle body by moving forward and backward in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle, which faces a vehicle compartment, a latch device suspending the striker to fix or release the striker, and a release operating device configured to release the latch device by operating door handles installed in the front sliding door and the rear sliding door, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Jae Hong Choi
  • Patent number: 9777811
    Abstract: A sliding door device for a vehicle may include a sliding door opening/closing a door opening formed in a vehicle body, a door rail mounted on the sliding door, a vehicle body rail mounted on the vehicle body, a central support structure for movably supporting the sliding door, a hook releasably locking the central support structure to the door rail, and a lower support structure for movably supporting a lower portion of the sliding door. The central support structure includes a central slider. The lower support structure includes a lower slider, a gear device, a link mechanism, a chain, and a chain tensioner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kwangjin Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae Hong Choi, YoungBae Gong
  • Patent number: 9545834
    Abstract: A locking device for a vehicle sliding door comprises a rail mounted on the vehicle sliding door; a central support structure coupled to the rail and mounted on the vehicle body and configured to connect the vehicle sliding door to the vehicle body and to allow the vehicle sliding door to pivot and slide; and a hook disposed on the central support structure and configured to lock the central support structure with respect to the rail according to a movement of the vehicle sliding door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, Kwangjin Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae Hong Choi, YoungBae Gong
  • Patent number: 9211841
    Abstract: A step apparatus for a vehicle includes a step panel facing an opening formed at a body of a vehicle and fixed to a step support portion which is provided at the body, the step panel made of resin and securing a moving path of an opening and closing member, the moving path being secured at a void defined between the step panel and the step support portion in a height direction of the vehicle, and a leg member connected to the step panel and configured to extend between the step panel and the step support portion at a predetermined position on the moving path in an open state of the opening and closing member, the leg member moving away from the moving path for clearing the moving path before the opening and closing member reaches the leg member during a closing operation of the opening and closing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Seiichi Suzuki, Shin Sakai, Eisuke Nakanishi
  • Patent number: 9108578
    Abstract: An invisible sliding door trim structure includes a luggage trim provided at one side of a vehicle body opening part opened or closed by a door and including a reception space extended in a horizontal direction, a sliding trim provided at an inner side of the door and slid along the reception space of the luggage trim according to an opening or closing operation of the door, and a rotating trim provided to be rotatable with respect to the sliding trim according to the opening or closing operation of the door. Therefore, an invisible sliding door trim is capable of improving an appearance and overcoming a design restriction problem of a sliding door according to the prior art.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Jae Hong Choi, Young Bae Gong
  • Patent number: 9097062
    Abstract: The invention relates to a lifting door comprising a movable door leaf formed by slats pivotally connected to each other and building-mounted frames. On the latter lateral guides for the door leaf having a vertical section and a lintel section, as well as a frame seal, which in the closed condition of the lifting door closes a gap between the door leaf and a section of the frames facing the door opening. The vertical sections of the guides are mounted on the frames so as to be displaceable perpendicularly to the plane of the door leaf and fixed in the direction of movement of the door leaf. The invention further relates to a frame and a guide as well as a corresponding method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: Efaflex Inzeniring D.O.O. Ljubljana
    Inventors: Jure Letonje, Andrej Mazej, Janez Küzmic
  • Patent number: 8950115
    Abstract: A method and mechanism for moving an element, such as a sliding door (1), is disclosed. In the movement a first end of the element is first turned outwards, a second opposite end is then turned out placing the element in parallel with the original location of the element. The element is then displaced by extending a pull-out guide (4). The mechanism comprises a housing (2), the pull-out guide rail (4), a lock-and-release mechanism (19) and at least two lever arms (8, 11, 14, 16, 27, 30, 33, 39, 42). One end of a first lever arm (8, 27, 39) is received in a pivoting point (10, 29, 41) at the pull-out guide rail (4) and the opposite end of said lever arm (8, 27, 39) is received in a pivoting point (9, 28, 40) at the housing (2). The pivoting point (10, 29, 41) at the pull-out guide rail (4) is placed at a first end of the pull-out guide rail (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Inter IKEA Systems B.V.
    Inventors: Benny Andersson, Hakan Persson
  • Patent number: 8646209
    Abstract: The invention relates to the adjusting and locking of the position of a guide rail for a movable window pane in a vehicle door. A device, a vehicle door equipped therewith and a tool provided for the adjusting and locking are disclosed. In the vehicle door, a first mounting plate mounted on the rail side and a second mounting plate mounted on the door side are provided, which are connected to one another by screw-fastenable mounting means. One of the mounting plates comprises an engaging element for an eccentric lever, which on rotation brings about a mutual translational displacement of the mounting plates in an adjusting (Y) direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignees: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. KG, Bayrische Motoren Werke AG
    Inventors: Klaus Hampel, Jürgen Knorr, Detlev Mathes, Michael Pangerl
  • Patent number: 8561350
    Abstract: A vehicle window regulator includes a fixing lug including a first part for fixing to a window guide rail having a window-guiding direction and a second part for fixing to a vehicle body. The second part defines a plane, and a normal line perpendicular to the plane that is inclined relative to the window-guiding direction. The normal line is preferably inclined at an angle of approximately 45° relative to the window-guiding direction. The lug can be fixed in the vehicle body without the lug turning on itself during fixing by screwing, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Inteva Products France SAS
    Inventors: Patrice Cardine, Denis Chevy
  • Patent number: 8528259
    Abstract: A method for adjusting the position of side door windows, in a cross car direction is provided. The method including the steps of providing one or more guide rails positioned within a side door of a vehicle, the guide rails are configured to guide the movement and position of the side door windows, each guide rail has a guide rail bracket configured for seating against a door bracket, attaching the door brackets to portions of the side door, positioning a locator fixture such as to extend through the door bracket, seating the guide rail bracket over the door bracket and over the locator fixture such that the guide rail bracket and the locator fixture mate in a desired fore and aft position relative to the side door and also in a desired cross-car location relative to the side door and fastening the guide rail bracket to the door bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Paul L. Heirtzler, Donald P. Iacovoni
  • Patent number: 8127493
    Abstract: A window regulator having a rail (20) with a mounting hole (24). A bracket (30) is mountable to a vehicle door. The bracket (30) has a cam guiding feature (38) and a surface (34) for seating the rail (20). The seating surface (34) has an elongate slot (36) therein. A cam (40) having a keyhole (42) and a cam surface (44) engages the cam guiding feature (38) of the bracket (30). A fastener (50) has a shaft fitted through the rail mounting hole (24), cam keyhole (42) and elongate slot (36) and connects the rail (20), cam (40) and bracket (30). The fastener has a key (54) mating with the cam keyhole (42). Thus, rotation of the shaft causes rotation of the cam and a coincident translation of the rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Magna Closures S.p.A.
    Inventors: Mario Cappelli, Paolo Tempestini
  • Patent number: 8069610
    Abstract: A device and method for adjusting a mounting position of a window lifter guide rail of a motor vehicle window, particularly in a frameless motor vehicle door. The device comprises a locking member which includes a lower member, an upper member, and a screw that extends through the locking member. The screw is in engagement with a nut that may be rotated to adjust the mounting position of the guide rail in a vertical direction. The upper and lower members may also be moved relative to one another to adjust the mounting position of the guide rail in a horizontal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Lisa Draexlmaier GmbH
    Inventors: Friedrich Graf, Martin Feineis, Franz Sturm
  • Publication number: 20110131883
    Abstract: A sliding door for a motor vehicle includes a guide rail and a sliding carriage which is longitudinally displaceably journaled at the guide rail and which is connected to the vehicle body by a multijoint. The sliding door furthermore includes a centering (42) at its end remote from the multijoint which is releasably connectable to a counter-bearing (48) at the body side. To improve such a sliding door, a damper (63) is provided for damping the movement of the sliding door (41) on the connection of the centering (42) to the counter-bearing (48).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: DURA Automotive Body & Glass Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Gerhard Heuel, Michael Krehmke, Ralf Rottmann
  • Patent number: 7849633
    Abstract: A plurality of sliding doors 3 arranged side by side to close an opening of a frame 1. The sliding doors 3 are flush with each other. A rotatable link 50 is disposed in an upper edge portion of an opening section 2x. The rotatable link 50 has a short rail portion 51 formed at a distal end thereof. A roller 15 is disposed in an upper edge portion of the sliding door 3. The roller 15 rides on the rail portion 51. When the sliding door 3 moves from a closed position to an opening preparation position in a front or rear direction, the rotatable link 50 rotates from a first rotation position to a second rotation position, thereby positioning the rail portion 51 coaxial with a fixed rail 39. The sliding door 3 is provided with a rail member 11. The rail member 11 of the sliding door 3 in the closed position is coaxial with the fixed rail 39. The roller 15 of the sliding door 3 moving to an open position runs on the rail member 11 of the sliding door 3 in the closed position and the fixed rail 39.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Sugatsune Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuyoshi Oshima, Hiroyuki Masuda
  • Publication number: 20100289298
    Abstract: A sliding door comprises a door structure and a guide rail. The door structure comprises a first surface, a second surface and at least one attachment assembly and defines at least one door aperture extending from the first surface to the second surface. The at least one attachment assembly comprises a first attachment member and a second attachment member. The second attachment member engages the first attachment member and extends through the at least one door aperture having at least a portion of the second attachment member extending beyond the second surface. The guide rail comprises a first contact surface and a second contact surface and defines at least one rail aperture configured to align with the at least one door aperture of the door structure. The second attachment member abuts the second contact surface of the guide rail. Methods of attaching a guide rail to a door structure are also provided herein. Vehicles are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2009
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Inventors: Steven R. Thiele, James Allen Hull, JR., Matthew W. Schmitt
  • Publication number: 20100289299
    Abstract: A sliding mechanism is configured for attaching a sliding door to a body structure of a vehicle such that the sliding door is movable with respect to the body structure between closed and opened positions. The sliding mechanism includes a guide track and a roller member. The guide track is configured for attachment to the body structure of the vehicle. The roller member is configured for attachment to the sliding door. The roller member is movably engaged with the guide track. Vehicles are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2009
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Inventor: Kenichi Kitayama
  • Patent number: 7624537
    Abstract: Door of a motor vehicle comprising a body shell and at least one movable glass panel, likely to slide at least partially on the inside of the shell between a sealing position and at least one open position, characterized in that it comprises at least one strut bearing a watertight joint against which the side of the movable glass panel turned towards the inside of the vehicle leans, in the sealing position, and in that each of the struts bears at least one guide track allowing to slightly distance the movable glass panel from the watertight joint, in a sliding position in which the movable panel can slide without damaging the watertight joint, and to return the movable glass panel and the watertight joint to lean against each other, in the sealing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Wagon Automotive SNC
    Inventor: Stephane Moreau
  • Publication number: 20090199480
    Abstract: A sliding door of a motor vehicle is provided as well as a cover device for such a sliding door, that includes, but not limited to at least one guide rail assigned to the inner side of a sliding door leaf that engages with a sliding element. The sliding element is connected to the supporting structure of the vehicle by means of a pivotably mounted pivoted lever. The cover device is configured to substantially separate the guide rail with respect to the vehicle interior, at least in the closed position of the door leaf.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2009
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Winfried EHRHARD
  • Patent number: 7552561
    Abstract: The drive for a sliding door or a swinging-sliding door of a rail vehicle, comprising a guide rail which is fixed inside the rail vehicle and on which a carriage carrying a door leave is arranged in a longitudinally displaceable and optionally rotatable manner, and a spindle drive provided with a spindle which extends parallel to the guide rail and a spindle nut which is connected to the carriage in a fixed manner in the direction of the axis of the spindle. The spindle nut and the carriage are connected by means of a rotative sliding joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Knorr-Bremse GmbH
    Inventor: Alfred Schneckenleitner
  • Patent number: 7467494
    Abstract: A device for adjusting a window regulator in a vehicle door, having a profiled base element (110) positionable on a lower section of the vehicle door and provided with a first elongate hole (111b) in its lower side and a second elongate hole (111a) in its upper side. A slider (112) slidingly moves within the base element (110) and includes a hole (113) aligned with the first elongate hole (111b). A screw extends through the hole (113) in the slider and the first elongate hole (111b) aligned therewith. A bolt (116) is fixedly attachable to the window regulator extending through the second elongate hole (111a) and includes a threaded rod engaging the threading of screw (114). The screw (114) can be turned from a first position, in which it does not engage the slider (112), to a second position, in which it engages the slider (112) with the first screw end (114b). The device provides for simple compensation of tolerances in connection with the vehicle door and for the window regulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Assignee: Intier Automotive Closures Inc.
    Inventor: Christoph Buchta
  • Publication number: 20080231083
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a door system having at least one door leaf wherein the door leaf has a first side and a second side; a displacement system for the door leaf. According to the invention there are two suspension points, wherein the door leaf is connected to an organ that is moveable between the two suspension points, wherein the first suspension point is situated at a greater distance from the plane of the entrance opening than the second suspension point; a rotation axis is provided situated at a distance from the second side, the door leaf being rotatable around said rotation axis; a track system is provided, for moving the door leaf in two phases, wherein the track system in the first phase, by rotating around the rotation axis, moves in particular the second side outward, and in the second phase determines a displacement of the door leaf by a displacement of the organ from the first suspension point in the direction of the second suspension point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2006
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Applicant: DE NOOIJER BEHEER B.V.
    Inventor: Pieter Smink
  • Patent number: 7393044
    Abstract: A slider is provided on a rear door so as to be able to freely reciprocated, and the slider is connected to a vehicle body through a control arm and a driven arm. A linear cam groove and a curved cam groove continuous to the linear cam groove are formed in a guide plate fixed to the rear door. A control arm that controls an operation of the rear door includes a proximal portion rotatably attached to the slider and a pair of arm portions continuous to the proximal portion. The longer arm portion is attached to the vehicle body whereas the shorter arm portion is guided by the cam grooves. A projection amount of the rear door can be thereby set larger than a curve amount of the curved cam groove. In addition, a width of the guide plate can be thereby reduced. Therefore, the guide plate can be attached not to the vehicle body but to the rear door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Mitsuba Corporation
    Inventor: Takashi Enomoto
  • Patent number: 7246464
    Abstract: The device includes a screw which turn allows adjusting the distance between the rail of a power window device and the inner portion of motor vehicle door and it is surrounded, at an end thereof, by a first adjusting through block formed integral to the door of the motor vehicle, and a second adjusting block for roughly adjusting or tightening the thread inwardly which is fixed to the power window device, the opposed end of said screw being threadingly received to the rail of the power window device. The device permits adjusting of the window pane in a very simple manner, with a highly reduced cost of production and with a considerably strong mechanism which, in turn, allows a fine adjustment of the lateral distance of the assembly of the power window device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Inventor: Melchor D. Castellon
  • Patent number: 7043878
    Abstract: A window regulator and method for assembling a vehicle door incorporating it are provided. The method comprises inserting the screw thread of a screw with two heads into the screw thread of a plate secured to an outer panel of the door. The screw passes through an oblong hole in a lug substantially perpendicular to a slider guide of a window regulator rail. The transverse position of the rail with respect to the screw is adjusted. The screw is tightened using its upper head. The screw is loosened later using the lower screw head. The adjustment of the transverse position of the rail is then tweaked and the screw is tightened again using the lower screw head. This makes assembling and adjusting the transverse position of a window in a vehicle door easier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Meritor Light Vehicle Systems-France
    Inventors: Patrice Cardine, Denis Chevy
  • Patent number: 6807773
    Abstract: A window lifter includes at least one panel, a rail for guiding a slider, and a lower attachment of the lower end of the rail to the panel able selectively to cause the rail to slide transversely with respect to the panel, and a one-piece upper attachment of the upper end of the rail to the panel able to cause the upper end of the rail to pivot with respect to the panel about a longitudinal axis. The window lifter makes it possible to reduce the number of parts in a window lifter and makes it easier to assemble.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: ArvinMeritor Light Vehicle Systems - France
    Inventors: Patrice Cardine, Denis Chevy
  • Publication number: 20030131534
    Abstract: A window lifter comprises at least one panel, a rail for guiding a slider, an attachment of the lower end of the rail to the panel, able selectively to cause the rail to slide transversely with respect to the panel, and a one-piece attachment of the upper end of the rail to the panel, able to cause the upper end of the rail to pivot with respect to the panel about a longitudinal axis. This window lifter makes it possible to reduce the number of parts in a window lifter and makes it easier to assemble.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2003
    Publication date: July 17, 2003
    Inventors: Patrice Cardine, Denis Chevy
  • Publication number: 20030066243
    Abstract: A window regulator and method for assembling a vehicle door incorporating it are provided. The method comprises inserting the screw thread of a screw with two heads into the screw thread of a plate secured to an outer panel of the door. The screw passes through an oblong hole in a lug substantially perpendicular to a slider guide of a window regulator rail. The transverse position of the rail with respect to the screw is adjusted. The screw is tightened using its upper head. The screw is loosened later using the lower screw head. The adjustment of the transverse position of the rail is then tweaked and the screw is tightened again using the lower screw head. This makes assembling and adjusting the transverse position of a window in a vehicle door easier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2002
    Publication date: April 10, 2003
    Inventors: Patrice Cardine, Denis Chevy
  • Patent number: 6325135
    Abstract: A collapsible door assembly includes first and second jambs secured to two opposite walls. A fixing strip is secured to the first jamb. A first track-fixing member is mounted on an end of the first jamb. A second track-fixing member is mounted on an end of the second jamb. A track is securely mounted between the first track-fixing member and the second track-fixing member. A number of door leaves are mounted between the fixing strip and the second jamb. Each two adjacent door leaves are pivotable one relative to the other. Each door leaf includes a first end section and a second end section, the first end section including a swirl portion, the second end section of each door leaf being configured to be pivotally coupled with the swirl portion of an adjacent door leaf. The first end section of one of two outermost door leaves is pivotally connected with the fixing strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Inventor: Chen Hsiang Lee
  • Patent number: 6216393
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device provided with a driving unit (1) which performs the shift and has a linear drive (8,12) provided with an electric motor (5), and a guide device (9,11). The driven member, formed to be linear, of the linear drive (12) and a member of the guide device (9) are fastened on one hand to the door (3), and the driving member of the linear drive (5,7,8) and the other member of the guide device (11) are fastened on the other hand to a mounting (6) which is supported by way of a support arrangement (22, 23, 24, 25, 26) connected to the wall(4). Said support arrangement converts a movement of the mounting substantially perpendicular to the wall into a swinging movement. A locking unit driven by an electric motor is also provided which locks and unlocks the sliding door by performing a movement perpendicular to the wall when it is positioned to close the opening. Control means which has position switches controls the driving and locking unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Assignee: Apprich Secur 2000 GmbH
    Inventor: Harry Apprich
  • Patent number: 6052944
    Abstract: An object with a forward and subsequent lateral displacement of forward movable surfaces includes surfaces which travel forward and then laterally to overlap adjacent surfaces. The object may be a display box, case, furniture, or other object. The object includes mutually forward movable surfaces and at least one load-bearing frame. A part of the frame is a linear compact assembly, which is parallel with the plane of the forward movable surfaces. The linear compact assembly includes a principal structural section with a constant cross-section on its whole length. At least two identical action elements having a constant cross-section along their length are movably seated inside of the principal structural section in a seat. At least two identical forward movable bearing sections, having a constant cross-section along their whole length are firmly connected with forward movable surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: Heinrich Hahn
    Inventor: Jan Louda
  • Patent number: 6017105
    Abstract: A guidance assembly (28) guides a door (22) to a cabinet (10) while it is moved between an open position, in which access to an interior chamber is provided through an opening (16) in the cabinet, and a closed position, in which the door covers the opening. The guidance system includes four pairs of rollers (32, 34) which are mounted to upper and lower horizontal sides of the door. The rollers roll along upper and lower horizontal tracks (38, 42) which are mounted to an exterior wall (18) of the cabinet, adjacent upper and lower ends of the opening. Leading and trailing recesses (56, 62) are defined in the tracks to receive the rollers when the door is in the closed position. Leading pairs (32) of the rollers have shorter shafts (52) than corresponding trailing pairs (34) of the rollers. The trailing recesses (62) are further from the door than the leading recesses (56), leaving a narrow strip of land (64) between the trailing recesses and the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Assignee: Steris Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Goughnour, Gary L. Anderson
  • Patent number: 5960588
    Abstract: Apparatus for adjusting a frameless window pane moved by a cable window lifter in an automobile. The apparatus includes a first guide rail which has an unlocked and a locked state, and a second guide rail. The first guide rail is freely movable to a limited degree in the unlocked state and fixed in the locked state. A window pane is connected between the first guide rail and the second guide rail such that movement of the second guide rail causes the first guide rail to move when in its unlocked state. A bolt is provided for moving the second guide rail and for locking the first guide rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Georg Wurm, David Clements
  • Patent number: 5927021
    Abstract: A vehicle door has a door housing and a door cassette that may be assembled off the manufacturing line and tested prior to assembling on the door housing. The door cassette has a cross member onto which a door frame is connected. The cross member and door frame assembly is pivotally connected to the door housing. The door frame has a lower door frame that is inserted into the door housing. A connection adjustably fastens the lower door frame in relation to the housing so that the frame may be easily adjusted to fit to the vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: Trim Trends, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel J. Kowalski, Ben Kowalski
  • Patent number: 5921613
    Abstract: An arrangement guides a swing-out sliding door of a vehicle body without a center guide rail which is visibly disposed on the outside on the vehicle body side wall. One linearly constructed guide rail respectively is fixed within the door opening on its upper and lower edge on the vehicle body side. A roller carriage to which the sliding door is linked by way of a control arm parallelogram travels in each guide rail. One closing roller respectively guided in each guide rail travels at the end of the door closing sliding movement into a circular closing groove branching off the guide rail in the direction of the sliding door. The closing roller is fixed to one of the control arms of the control arm parallelogram. The closing groove is constructed such that its curvature center in the door closing position of the roller carriage coincides with the roller-carriage-side hinge axis of the control arm carrying the closing rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: Daimler-Benz Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Steffen Breunig, Oliver Hasenoehrl, Berthold Klein
  • Patent number: 5867942
    Abstract: A removable door cassette has a cross member having a lower door frame fixed thereto. The lower door frame has a first frame member fixed to the cross member and a second frame member defining a channel to receive the first frame member. The first frame member is separable from the second frame member. A pivot connection pivotally connects the second frame member to a door housing. A fastener fixedly secures the second frame member in relation to the door housing. A deformable button is preferably used to provide a mechanism to hold the lower door frame into the lower door frame channel and provide a release and locking mechanism between the first and second frame members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Assignee: Trim Trends, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel J. Kowalski
  • Patent number: 5832667
    Abstract: A self-aligning window regulator for raising and lowering a windowpane in a motor vehicle door, having a mounting assembly fixed to the door comprising at least a mounting bracket, and a self-aligning assembly slidably attached to the mounting assembly at the mounting bracket. In certain preferred embodiments the self-aligning assembly includes a rail, a glider slidable over the rail, and attachment for connecting the glider to the windowpane. Connection element positioned between the rail and the mounting bracket allows the rail and the rest of the self-aligning assembly to float relative the mounting bracket. Preferably the connection element comprises a rivet extending from either the mounting bracket or the rail into a slot. The rivet can slide relative the slot and allow the self-aligning assembly to move relative the mounting bracket to accommodate stack-up tolerances or misalignments of the regulator componentry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: Excel Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis J. Buening, David A. Hill, Kevin A. McKenna
  • Patent number: 5263280
    Abstract: A device for moving a swinging and sliding door in a mass-transit car, especially a car that travels along a track. Each panel of the door slides lengthwise along a guide element. The guide element moves as part of a four-point articulation across the plane of the panel. The lengthwise motion of the leaf is coordinated with its transverse motion by a rail. The rail is fastened to the doorframe. Guide means are fastened to the panel and engage the rail. A drive mechanism on the panel directs force toward the guide element. As the drive mechanism (20-22, 30 & 31, or 40 & 4n1) reacts it exerts torque on an expansion element (25, 35, or 45) between the guide element (3) and a supporting component (25.2, 35.2, or 45.2) attached to the doorframe (16). The torque produces a force substantially normal to the guide element. The force generates the transverse motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1993
    Assignee: Firma Gebr. Bode & Co. GmbH
    Inventor: Dietmar Dilcher
  • Patent number: 5253452
    Abstract: Swivel-sliding door system for a vehicle, having a door leaf situated in the vehicle wall in the closed state, and situated on the outside in front of the vehicle wall in the open state, and having drive means, transverse guide means and longitudinal guide means which make possible a swivel-sliding movement of the door leaf. The longitudinal guide means comprise a bearing rail which extends over the width of the door opening and which is coupled to drive members which can cause the bearing wheel to execute a movement transversely to the vehicle wall (3). The bearing rail is provided with a first set of rollers (62,63) which run in the bearing rail and which are mounted on a coupling member (65) which is provided with a second set of rollers (66,67) which are situated in a lower position and which interact with a door rail (6) attached to the top of a door leaf (1,2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1993
    Assignee: T.B.L. Beheer B.V.
    Inventor: Horst Goldbach
  • Patent number: 4956942
    Abstract: A window adjustment apparatus is provided for use with an automotive vehicle type of window assembly of the type having an elongate guide channel defining a longitudinal axis and which mounts a window for reciprocal motion relative to a vehicle body panel such as a vehicle door, and a pivot arrangement which mounts the guide channel for pivotal movement generally about one end thereof and within the vehicle body panel in which the guide channel is located. The window adjustment apparatus includes a housing and an adjustment member having a channel-coupling portion or coupling thereof to the guide channel at a location thereon generally remotely located from the end about which the guide channel is mounted for pivotal motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 18, 1990
    Assignee: Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen P. Lisak, Harold L. Purdy