Swings On Coplanar Pivotal Link Arm Patents (Class 49/232)
  • Publication number: 20130160369
    Abstract: A sliding door system can include a tiltable sealing mechanism such that, when a door panel is slid to a closed configuration, one or more seal elements form a seal between the door panel and its surroundings at the top, bottom, and/or sides of the door to reduce or prevent infiltration or communication of gases or liquids such as air or water. Manual or motor driven movement of the panel can move an actuation mechanism to extend the seals around the door. The sealing member can include weather stripping, brush or another seal element for sealing contact with a header, floor, door, frame, or other surface. Multiple door panels can be arranged to form a door panel system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2013
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: John B. Higman and Valorie J. Higman; Trustees of the Higman Family Trust u/d/t as amended & restate
    Inventor: John B. Higman and Valorie J. Higman; Trustees of the Higman Family Trust u/d/t/ as amended and restated
  • Patent number: 8225460
    Abstract: A vehicle door hinge assembly includes a first hinge supported to pivot about a first axis, a guide surface, a door located at a side of the vehicle, a bracket to which the door is secured, supported to pivot about the first axis and a second axis and including a follower engaged with the guild surface, and a strut secured to the bracket that extends as the bracket pivots toward an open position and retracts as the bracket pivots toward a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Joel S. Hooton, Armand J. Ybarra, Raymond L Wojdacki, Jr., Douglas J Amick, Samer J Mona
  • Patent number: 8181392
    Abstract: An automatic gate arm damage prevention system includes a lift arm that is coupled to a lifting apparatus. The lift arm has an outer end, an upper side, a lower side, a first lateral side and a second lateral side. A channel extends into the outer end and the upper side so that the channel is bounded by the first and second lateral sides and the lower side. An elongated member has a first end and a second end. The first end is positioned in the channel. A pivot pin extends through the channel and through the elongated member and the lift arm to pivotally couple the elongated member to the lift arm. The second end is pivotable upwardly with respect to the lift arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Inventor: Raymond E. Farber
  • Patent number: 7503618
    Abstract: A wheeled automotive vehicle including a body structure, including a driver compartment and including an opening into the compartment. A door is cooperatively dimensioned and configured to close the opening, the opening being formed by portions of the body structure at the front and rear side of the opening. A hinge is pivotably holding the door, in a first position, at one of the front and rear side of the opening. A guide system is provided along a lower portion of the door on the same side of the opening as the hinge. During opening, the door is maneuverable upwardly along the guide system until it reaches the first position. From the first position, the door is pivotally movable around an axis, propagating in the transverse direction of the vehicle, and in a direction away from the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations Inc.
    Inventors: Mattias Geyrhofer, Patrick Verhée, Alex Daniel
  • Patent number: 7048322
    Abstract: A retrofit vehicle door lift conversion kit adapted for lifting a vehicle door vertically that fits as a conversion kit replacing factory door hinges on a variety of different types of existing vehicles. A door attaching arm is mounted to a fixed chassis plate by a double axis connector for horizontal and vertical motion. A lift assisting actuator, which may be a vehicle specific pressure adjustable gas pressure spring, pivotally mounted between the plate and the arm, assists in lifting the door vertically. Replaceable vehicle specific plates mount to the fixed chassis plate. A replaceable vehicle specific arm and door attaching brackets mount to the door attaching arm. A horizontal limiter, a mechanical vertical height limit adjustment device, a vertical lift adjustment, and a safety lock for maintaining the door in the up position are adjustable for specific vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Inventor: Joseph M. DeBono
  • Patent number: 7000673
    Abstract: A gate apparatus comprising a first frame, a second frame and a plurality of rails, wherein each of the first and second frames comprises a vertical post and a plurality of cross-bars, and wherein the cross-bars of the first frame increase in length from the top cross-bar to the bottom cross-bar, and the difference in length between each cross-bar and the one below it is at least equal to the width of each rail, and wherein the cross-bars of the second frame increase in length from the bottom cross-bar to the top cross-bar, and the difference in length between each cross-bar and the one above it is at least equal to the width of each rail. The gate apparatus includes a means of attaching the rails to the cross-bars that allows the rails to pivot vertically. A wheel is attached to the vertical post of the second frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: EC Ranch
    Inventor: Edmond A. Cook
  • Patent number: 6935000
    Abstract: The disclosed device is directed toward a lifting gate. The lifting gate comprises a barrier member having a top and a bottom opposite thereof. A top bracket assembly is coupled to the top of the barrier member. The top bracket assembly includes a top bearing coupled to a top bracket and a top hinge support coupled to the top bearing. A bottom bracket is coupled to the bottom of the barrier member. The bottom bracket has a body defined by a first bracket end and a second bracket end and a central bracket portion between said first and second bracket ends. The bottom bracket is coupled to the bottom of the barrier member proximate to the first bracket end. A bottom bearing is coupled to the bottom bracket proximate to the central bracket portion. A bottom hinge support has a first support end and a second support end opposite thereof and has a central support portion between the first and second support ends. The bottom hinge support is coupled to the bottom bearing proximate the central support portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Inventor: Roger R. Arnaud
  • Patent number: 6932141
    Abstract: A gate apparatus comprising a first frame, a second frame and a plurality of rails, wherein each of the first and second frames comprises a vertical post and a plurality of cross-bars, and wherein the cross-bars of the first frame increase in length from the top cross-bar to the bottom cross-bar, and the difference in length between each cross-bar and the one below it is at least equal to the width of each rail, and wherein the cross-bars of the second frame increase in length from the bottom cross-bar to the top cross-bar, and the difference in length between each cross-bar and the one above it is at least equal to the width of each rail. The gate apparatus includes a means of attaching the rails to the cross-bars that allows the rails to pivot vertically. A wheel is attached to the vertical post of the second frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: EC Ranch
    Inventor: Edmond A. Cook
  • Patent number: 6820918
    Abstract: A retrofit vehicle door lift conversion kit adapted for lifting a vehicle door vertically that fits as a conversion kit replacing factory door hinges on a variety of different types of existing vehicles. A door attaching arm is mounted to a fixed chassis plate by a double axis connector for horizontal and vertical motion. A lift assisting actuator, which may be a vehicle specific pressure adjustable gas pressure spring, pivotally mounted between the plate and the arm, assists in lifting the door vertically. Replaceable vehicle specific plates mount to the fixed chassis plate. A replaceable vehicle specific arm and door attaching brackets mount to the door attaching arm. A horizontal limiter, a mechanical vertical height limit adjustment device, a vertical lift adjustment, and a safety lock for maintaining the door in the up position are adjustable for specific vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Inventor: Joseph M. DeBono
  • Patent number: 6611992
    Abstract: The disclosed device is directed toward a lifting gate. The lifting gate comprises a barrier member having a top and a bottom opposite thereof. A top bracket assembly is coupled to the top of the barrier member. The top bracket assembly includes a top bearing coupled to a top bracket and a top hinge support coupled to the top bearing. A bottom bracket is coupled to the bottom of the barrier member, having a body defined by a first bracket end and a second bracket end and a central bracket portion between the first and second bracket ends. The bottom bracket is coupled to the bottom of the barrier member proximate to the first bracket end. A bottom bearing is coupled to the bottom bracket proximate to the central bracket portion. A bottom hinge support has a first support end and a second support end opposite thereof, and a central support portion between the first and second support ends. The bottom hinge support is coupled to the bottom bearing proximate to the central support portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Inventor: Roger Regan Arnaud