With Means To Accommodate Window Accessory; E.g., Automobile-type Door Patents (Class 49/502)
  • Patent number: 6536835
    Abstract: A door module panel is initially mounted with a door harness and is provided with a panel hole at a position where a descending window glass does not interfere. The door harness is wired from a first surface facing a passenger compartment of the door module panel to a second surface facing a door frame through the panel hole. The door module panel has a side face, from a middle portion of which a protruding member is extended and bent towards the door frame. The protruding member includes a harness hole, through which is passed the door harness extending from the second surface of the door module panel. The door harness is then fitted into the harness hole with a grommet. The door frame is provided with a side panel notched with a groove. When the door module panel is incorporated into the door frame, the protruding member fits into the notched groove on the same plane. The door harness thus can be installed very easily.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Akio Murakami, Seiji Fukumoto
  • Patent number: 6536164
    Abstract: A vehicle door module has a hardware sub-module and a trim sub-module. The hardware sub-module includes a structural carrier plate containing hardware mounting surfaces. The carrier plate has an upper body panel and a bifurcated lower body portion comprising two legs extending from the upper body panel in opposite directions. The door hardware is mounted on the mounting surfaces. A window regulator assembly is mounted on the structural carrier plate. The trim sub-module is mounted to the hardware sub-module. The trim sub-module has a trim panel, a water barrier film and a wiring harness. The water barrier film is contoured to extend about and seal a periphery of the trim panel. A portion of the wire harness is sealed to the water barrier and connectors of the wiring harness extend from the trim sub-module at predetermined locations. The carrier plate is sized to be fitted in both a long low profile door and a short high profile door while the trim sub-module is customized to fit onto one of the door styles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Atoma International Corp.
    Inventor: Juliusz Kirejczyk
  • Patent number: 6536832
    Abstract: A motor vehicle door includes structural parts for providing the rigidness of the vehicle door and includes a structural element and a lining element. The door further includes function components for providing vehicle door functions like a window panel with a regulator. At least one of the structural parts serves as a support of the function components. In order to reduce the number of individual components, at least one of the structural parts forms a completely shaped composite or sandwich part having a plastic based matrix and further having several of the function components included to serve a rigidness providing bodies. The bodies are molded into the plastic based matrix by the plastic based matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Arvin Meritor GmbH
    Inventors: Rainer Grimm, Klaus-Dieter Strauss, Daniel Drewniok, Harald Kollner, Georg Wurm, Arnd G. Herwig, Patrick Hof, Simon Blair Dobson, Gregory Keyes, Kenneth W. Schang
  • Patent number: 6523882
    Abstract: An outer panel having a first panel portion is opposite to and joined to an inner panel having a second panel portion, whereby a door body having window openings is formed. An opening portion is formed in the first panel portion, positioned below the window opening, or the second panel portion, positioned below the window opening. A module panel, equipped with door-installed components including electrical equipment, is attached to the opening portion to construct the rear gate door for a vehicle. When the module panel is attached to the opening portion, the first connecting portion, attached to the module panel, is electrically connected to the second connecting portion, located the vicinity of the opening portion. Thus, the rear gate door for the vehicle enabling an assembling work and a door disassembling work easy is obtainable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: Asahi Glass Company, Limited.
    Inventors: Kenichi Ishikawa, Fumio Noguchi
  • Publication number: 20030019161
    Abstract: A door module for covering a surface cut-out recess in the inside panel of a vehicle door comprises a substantially rigid structural portion of long glass fiber reinforced plastic, and a substantially elastic functional portion of plastic substantially free of long glass fibers and formed integrally with the structural portion. A compression moulding set for manufacturing a door module for a vehicle door comprises a mould for receiving a long glass fiber enriched plastic material, and for shaping a structural portion of the door module during compression moulding; and a stamp for exerting pressure on the long glass fiber enriched plastic material received in the mould, the stamp comprising one or more cavities of such dimensions that during compression moulding, plastic material substantially free of long glass fibers is forced into at least part of the one or more cavities, thereby to shape a functional portion of the door module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2001
    Publication date: January 30, 2003
    Inventor: Timothy Dawson
  • Patent number: 6510657
    Abstract: A vehicle door module adapted to support mechanisms such as a window raiser (12) and to be applied in a sealed manner on the surround of two inner openings (7,9) of a box structure of the door includes two distinct panels (3,4) interconnected by a rigid structure (5,6). Each panel is adapted to support components (13,19) of the mechanisms and to be applied in a sealed manner on a respective one of the openings (7,8) of the box structure (9), which has a contour complementary to the contour of the each panel. The window raiser (12) may be of the “double lift” type having two guide rails (13,14) each mounted on a respective panel (3,4). This division into two parts (3,4) reduces the amount of plastics material required and reduces the manufacturing cost of the module (1) while a rigid structure (11) between the two openings (7,8) of the door increases the rigidity of the latter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Assignee: Meritor Light Vehicle Systems-France
    Inventors: Carlo Bertolini, Laurent Arquevaux
  • Patent number: 6508035
    Abstract: A sliding door for vehicles including a space frame comprising a U-shaped extruded aluminum tube and a crossbeam to which inner and outer aluminum door panels are attached. Hardware for operation of the door is mounted on the exposed inside surface of the door. The overall weight of the door is about 20 pounds and the door is about 35 mm thick.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventors: Dinesh C. Seksaria, John W. Cobes
  • Publication number: 20030009948
    Abstract: The present invention provides a vehicle door, wherein a drive unit for raising and lowering a glass plate is constructed so that a plurality of pulleys across which wires are laid are provided at upper and lower sides of a base panel, the glass plate is moved up and down by driving the wires, the glass plate is prevented from moving in a vehicle inward direction when the door is closed, wire fixing portions are prevented from being damaged by great upward and downward stroke movements of the glass plate, and furthermore, the wires are prevented from slackening when the wires are driven and stopped. This is realized by providing a supporting rod along an upward and downward movement locus of the glass plate and a contact member which has no contact with the supporting rod, by forming trumpet-shaped guide portions at hole edges of the wire fixing portions, and by V-shaping the circumferential surfaces of a tensioner for eliminating slack of the wires.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2002
    Publication date: January 16, 2003
    Inventors: Shinichi Nishikawa, Takashi Nishio, Yoshihiro Ando
  • Publication number: 20020170235
    Abstract: A sound-absorbing shield device for use in a vehicle door comprises a sheet of sound-absorbing material and a thin sheet of polymer film. A first face of the polymer film is attached to the sound absorbing material and a plurality of apertures extending through the polymer film from the first face thereof to a second face thereof opposite the first face. Each aperture is bounded by a hollow protrusion extending from the second film face, whereby the apertures and protrusions cooperate to form a barrier against moisture or other environmental contamination while admitting acoustic energy therethrough into the sound absorbing material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2002
    Publication date: November 21, 2002
    Inventors: John A. Petroski, Robert A. Isaksen, Wallace R. Jones
  • Patent number: 6478364
    Abstract: A motor vehicle door with a lower door element is provided into which an outer window channel reinforcement is integrated. This window channel reinforcement comprises a profiled section and is supported on the interior side on the outside door panel. Additional stiffenings of the profiling are formed by transversely extending indentations in the profilings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Harald Gerber
  • Patent number: 6467220
    Abstract: A device for fastening a lock module including at least one lock part, an actuating part, and a covering on a module support which is provided for a two-shelled vehicle door and supports the function modules of the vehicle door. A supporting arm which is elastic in a longitudinal direction, polydirectionally pliable, and thus capable of being readjusted, is fastened to the module support. The supporting arm fixes the lock module in the installation position in an unsupported and resilient manner via a supporting plate. The supporting arm is constructed with a tubular shape in order to accommodate a Bowden pull wire for the actuating part of the lock module and/or electric cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: Sommer Allibert-Lignotock GmbH
    Inventor: Dirk Hasse
  • Publication number: 20020148167
    Abstract: Inner actuation means for doors of automobiles comprising a lever-like handle adapted to be pivoted about an axis within a housing which is attached to the door, a linkage or an actuating cable which is led to a door lock and engages the handle, spring means which bias the handle into a rest position, a damper which is connected to a portion of the handle such that the movement of the handle into the rest position is damped, whereby a linear damper (30) is provided which is linked to the door with one end and to a portion of the handle with the other hand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2002
    Publication date: October 17, 2002
    Applicant: ITW Automotive Products GmbH & Co. KG.
    Inventor: Gunther Muller
  • Publication number: 20020134024
    Abstract: A door assembly for vehicle adapted to simplify a door assembly process thereby improving a door assembly efficiency, the door assembly for vehicle, comprising: a door trim assembly mounted with a window regulator assembly necessary for lifting a door window glass and a door lock assembly for opening and closing a door; and a door panel assembly coupled to the door trim assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2001
    Publication date: September 26, 2002
    Inventor: Suk-Hwan kim
  • Publication number: 20020134025
    Abstract: A door panel assembly including a door panel having a dry side and a wet side, a drive mechanism being secured to the door panel via at least a first mounting feature and a cable drum being secured to the door panel via at least a second mounting feature, in which the at least one first and at least one second mounting features are located on the same side of the door panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2002
    Publication date: September 26, 2002
    Inventors: Mark Graham Lawrie, Yann Le Gallo, Pascal De Vries, Klaus Bruno Wilhelm Blume, Charles Berry Hopson, Herve Laurandel, Simon Blair Dobson, Damien Cabanne
  • Patent number: 6453615
    Abstract: A vehicle door (10) and subassembly (16) thereof are made by mounting vehicle door hardware including a door latch actuator mechanism (32) and a window regulator mechanism (34) directly on a hidden surface (28) of a lower trim panel portion (20) of a two piece inner trim panel (18) that also includes an upper trim panel portion (22). A wire harness (50) is also mounted directly on the hidden surface (28) of the lower trim panel portion (20) of the inner trim panel (18). The window regulator mechanism (34) has a construction that permits pivoting thereof to facilitate assembly within a vehicle door outer structure (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Michael J. Berta, Klaus Witte, Holger Reusswig, Jeffery W. Kolar, Thomas J. Strickland
  • Patent number: 6449907
    Abstract: A vehicle door includes an outer door panel, an inner door panel formed with an aperture and a plastic mounting panel to which functional devices of the vehicle door and door parts are installed and which is installed to the inner door panel to enclose the aperture thereof, the mounting panel having a plastic panel, a plastic structural part appendant to the plastic panel, and a breakable joint connecting the plastic structural part to the plastic panel as one whole piece. The structural part is separated from the plastic panel by breaking away the joint from the plastic panel and installed to the plastic panel after having installed the plastic panel to the vehicle door in order to cover an access opening which provides access to the interior of the vehicle door for assembling for example an exterior door handle and window glass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Ikuo Nishikawa, Chikashi Kawamoto, Kenichi Ogawa, Noboru Shouno
  • Patent number: 6447047
    Abstract: Vehicle door comprising a covering and a structure having an outer wall and an inner wall in which at least one opening is provided. The covering has a panel attached to the structure and providing sealing relative to the inner wall, and a frame surrounding the panel. The panel is self-supporting. The door comprises fixing parts having a first part attached to the structure and a second part attached to the panel, the first part and the second part cooperating with one another in order to fix the panel directly to the structure, and the frame is supported by the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: SAI Automotive Allibert Industrie
    Inventors: Dominique Marcovecchio, Olivier Brianceau
  • Patent number: 6438899
    Abstract: A motor vehicle door having an outer door panel and an inner door panel provided with a large-surface cut-out section wherein the cut-out section is covered wholly or in part by a support plate and wherein the support plate supports mechanical and/or electrical components, such as a window lifter, lock, side airbag, electronics and electric cables, and having a door inside trim which closes the vehicle door from the interior of the vehicle. The support plate and at least one part of the door inside trim are formed as one structural unit which is made in one tool wherein the support plate and the part of the door inside trim are connected together so that they can be folded together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Roland Feder, Stefan Burger, Sabine Neuss, Eberhard Pleiss
  • Publication number: 20020112406
    Abstract: In order to reduce the weight of the automobile door without causing a reduction of the strength, the automobile door having the following construction is provided. A door module is formed by integrating to a module frame in an annular form in a side view, a windowpane and a door equipment including a regulator. A motor in the regulator is disposed in the annulus of the module frame and at least one end of a rail in the regulator is projected from the annulus of the module frame. The door receives the door module in its housing portion of the door main body. In receiving the door module in the door main body, the end of the rail projecting from the module frame is fixed to the door main body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2002
    Publication date: August 22, 2002
    Applicant: HONDA GIKEN KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takeshi Tokui, Kenichi Ishikawa, Fumio Noguchi, Mitsuo Hasunuma, Hideyuki Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 6428081
    Abstract: A door for a motor vehicle. The door comprises an outer panel, a trim panel and a water shield. The water shield includes, a rigid substrate and a wire harness. The wire harness has a first terminal communicating with at least one actuator of the outer panel a second terminal communicating with at least one switch of the trim panel, and a connecting portion. The connection portion electrically connects the first and second terminals, and is substantially encapsulated within the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: Cadillac Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Joseph Williams, Jr., Brian Matthew Stipes, Douglas Howard Turner
  • Publication number: 20020100220
    Abstract: An assembly including a first, second and third component having respectives first, second and third holes, the assembly further including a locating means assembled into the first, second and third holes, the locating means having at least a small diameter cylindrical portion which is concentric relative to a large diameter cylindrical portion to provide a shoulder, the locating means further including a fixing portion proximate the small diameter portion for securing the second component relative to the assembly and a fixing portion proximate the large diameter portion for securing the third component relative to the assembly, in which the small diameter cylindrical portion is located in the second hole in order to align the locating means relative to the second component, and a large diameter portion is located in the third hole in order to align the locating means relative to the third component, thereby aligning the second component relative to the third component, in which the first component is situate
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2001
    Publication date: August 1, 2002
    Inventors: Mark Graham Lawrie, Yann Le Gallo, Pascal De Vries, Klaus B. Wilhelm Blume, Charles Berry Hopson, Herve Laurandel, Simon Blair Dobson, Damien Cabanne
  • Patent number: 6425208
    Abstract: A guide track for the window of a vehicle door can be adjusted vertically to adjust the location of a window stop on the upper end of the track to ensure a water-tight fit of the window upper edge and a weather-strip carried by the vehicle roof structure. Adjustment of the stop involves vertical movement of the track, up or down, preferably by loosening and tightening a track clamping-structure located at the lower end of the track. Access to the track clamping structure can be had through a small access opening formed in a trim panel on the interior surface of the door. Track adjustment can be achieved without removing the trim panel from the door. In preferred practice of the invention, the track clamping structure includes a threaded rod disposed between the track and a window support panel to swing the lower end of the track for changing the movement path of the window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler Corporation
    Inventors: Herbert D Klueger, Martin J Bates, Allen G Hicks
  • Patent number: 6425209
    Abstract: A weather strip for supporting a door glass of an automobile adapted to allow a first and a second weather strip for respectively supporting a moving glass and a fixed glass on a division channel to be coupled face to face and to allow the strips to be secured to a lower tip end of door chassis, thereby eliminating use of a separate part and stepped portion thereamong or maintaining a good exterior appearance, the automobile having a door mounted with the first weather strip and the second weather strip for respectively supporting the moving glass and the fixing glass to a division channel, wherein each upper tip end of the first weather strip and the second weather strip is formed with a correspondingly facing stepped surface, stepped surfaces being correspondingly contacted therebetween and the second weather strip is integrally formed therebehind with a protruder having a upwardly open recess, where the recess of the protruder is inserted by a lower coupling part of an external door panel to allow the firs
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Hyeon-Jung Park
  • Publication number: 20020095870
    Abstract: A vehicle door trimming member has a rigid carrier member that supports a rail. The rail is part of a window guide, for guiding a window when it is being rolled up or down. The rail is in two parts, with a latch connector for the door latch connected to the two parts. The door latch has two positions, a first preassembly position and a second operating position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2002
    Publication date: July 25, 2002
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Praud, Philippe Delire
  • Publication number: 20020095869
    Abstract: A vehicle door including a window regulator motor and an inner panel, the window regulator motor including a connector housing, the connector housing including connector terminals, in which the connector housing is sealed against the inner panel via sealing means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2001
    Publication date: July 25, 2002
    Inventors: Mark Graham Lawrie, Yann Le Gallo, Pascal De Vries, Klaus B. Wllhelm Blume, Charles Berry Hopson, Herve Laurandel, Simon Blair Dobson, Damien Cabanne
  • Patent number: 6422640
    Abstract: A door trim panel assembly and method of making same for attachment to structure of a vehicle includes a door trim panel and a carrier formed from a plastic material attached to the door trim panel and for attachment to the structure of the vehicle. The door trim panel assembly also includes a seal integral with the carrier for contacting the structure to seal the carrier to the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David Wayne Whitehead, Arthur Carl Stein, Pamela Lane Codd, Stevie P Johnson
  • Patent number: 6422639
    Abstract: An elastomeric web cap (15) for securing to a web (14) of a frameless door (10), more particularly a motor vehicle door (10). The web cap (15) is secured to the web (14) by at least one anchoring element (24; 31; 41) arranged in the middle of the web cap (15) to thus make for a reliable anchoring of the web cap (15) whilst achieving an enhanced overall visual appeal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: Metzeler Automotive Profiles GmbH
    Inventor: Stephan Hemauer
  • Patent number: 6416113
    Abstract: An applique for a pillar (e.g., B-pillar) of a vehicle is disclosed, wherein the applique is a decorative member which is fastened to a vehicle surface (e.g., to a door frame structure adjacent a pillar) in order to add styling and/or to functionally cover unsightly portions of the vehicle. In certain embodiments of this invention, the applique includes a glass receiving channel defined in a portion thereof, as well as a hook-shaped retainer member extending from one wall of the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: Guardian Industries Corp.
    Inventor: Michael Page
  • Publication number: 20020078631
    Abstract: The invention relates to a lightweight door for motor vehicles, comprising a door box (1) which towards the top towards the window area is delimited by inner and outer window gutter profiles (3; 4); and comprising a window frame (5) made from light metal/light metal alloys, in particular aluminium/aluminium alloys; with said window frame (5) encompassing the window area, being permanently connected, in particular welded, to the door box (1), in particular to the inner window gutter profile (3), wherein said window frame (5) is made from an extruded and bent light metal profile, in particular a light metal profile bent by stretching and rolling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Publication date: June 27, 2002
    Inventors: Michael Hock, Stefan Marutschke, Jurgen Hock, Vuong Huy
  • Patent number: 6409250
    Abstract: A motor vehicle door has a door body separated by a separator into a wet area and a dry area, whereby the wet area is bounded on one side by an outer door panel and on the other side by the separator. The dry area bounds the separator in a direction towards the vehicle interior and the separator comprises an area-permeable pressure equalization element. The pressure equalization element is air-permeable at least from the side of the dry area in a direction towards the wet area and is water- and dust-impermeable in the opposite direction. The wet-area side of the pressure equalization element preferably has a low affinity for water and dust.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: BROSE Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. KG, Coburg
    Inventor: Wolfgang Schultheiss
  • Publication number: 20020073625
    Abstract: A closure assembly for a motor vehicle has a pre-painted outer panel and a pre-painted inner panel. A first of a plurality of peripheral edges of the outer panel is defined by a first flange extending along the first edge and folded back toward the inner surface of the outer panel. The flange defines a gap between itself and the inner surface. The inner panel has an inner surface disposed against the inner surface of the outer panel. The inner panel has a plurality of peripheral edges substantially corresponding to the plurality of peripheral edges of the outer panel. A first of the inner panel peripheral edges has a first flange extending therefrom received by the gap of the outer panel. A second of the inner panel peripheral edges has a second flange overlaying and joined to a second of the peripheral edges of the outer panel. A third of the inner panel peripheral edges has a flange disposed over and extending no further than a third of the peripheral edges of the outer panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2001
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Inventor: Daniel E. Jennings
  • Publication number: 20020073627
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a lightweight door for motor vehicles, using the hidden bar-element construction technique. It is characterised by the supporting frame being made in a single piece from a metal sheet of minimum thickness; said metal sheet being a pressed part or a deepdrawn part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Inventor: Michael Hock
  • Publication number: 20020073626
    Abstract: A vehicle window ventilation system of this invention contains vertical slots in forward portions of the window or frame. Air due to vehicle movement passes in the slots to the cavity between the windowpanes. There is a passage for airflow from the cavity rearward to the door handle where there is spacing for outward passage of air. The forward location of the vertical slots allows for the flow of air across a wide area of the windows and hence a minimum reduction of visibility due to moisture in the cavity. The air passageway rearward through the cavity between the windows and then through the door to the rearward located door handle allows for a dispersion pattern of air that covers a large amount of the surface area of the double pane window. While an external fan could be used to enhance the removal of flow of air the forward location of the vertical slots and the rearward location of the inner door passageway to the door handle alleviates the necessity of having a fan.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2001
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Inventor: Kurt A. Ringger
  • Publication number: 20020070583
    Abstract: A vehicle interior trim piece includes a plurality of layers sandwiched together. A primary layer is preferably a vacuum formed ABS plastic material which is formed to directly conform to an exposed surface portion of a vehicle closure member. An outer surface layer is sandwiched to the primary layer and is the surface which is exposed after installation and as such is preferably of a color identical to the vehicle interior. Most preferably, the outer surface layer is a PVC film which is textured to have an appearance indistinguishable from the vehicle interior trim. The surface opposite the outer surface layer is a pressure sensitive adhesive layer which coats the inner surface of the primary layer. Because the trim piece is preformed to the shape of the exposed portion of the vehicle closure member the trim piece can be rapidly oriented in the correct installation position in an assembly line environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2000
    Publication date: June 13, 2002
    Applicant: Kay Automotive Graphics
    Inventor: Karl Brocklehurst
  • Publication number: 20020066232
    Abstract: In a door structure for a vehicle provided with a door main body (4) having an opening (2) provided in an inner panel (3), a module base (7) in which a window regulator (6) for vertically moving a window panel (5) is assembled and a fastening portion (9a) provided near an outer periphery so as to be capable of closing the opening (2) is fixed to the inner panel (3) by a fastening member (10), and a handle (8a) provided in a room inside, the handle (8a) being fixed to the module base (7), reinforcing beads (19, 19a, 19b) are provided in the module base (7) along a line connecting a mounting portion (12) to which the handle (8a) is fixed and the fastening portion (9a) provided in a vertical direction of the mounting portion (12).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Publication date: June 6, 2002
    Inventors: Hisato Tatsumi, Yasuo Otsuki, Eiji Ono
  • Patent number: 6397524
    Abstract: A door glass raising and falling apparatus has a carrier plate 71 mounted onto a door glass 70. The door glass 70 is movable along sashes 41, 42 disposed on a door. The carrier plate 71 includes securing portions that are fixed to moving portions 67a, 67b of a wire-rope body 67. The carrier plate 71 also has a glass support portion 74 for supporting the door glass 70, and a pair of front and rear glass fixing portions 77, 78 each including a screw member 75. The door glass 70 has mounting holes supported by the glass fixing portions 77, 78, respectively. The dimension of the mounting holes is larger than the outside diameter of the shaft portion of each of the screw members 75 so that the door glass 70 is moveable with respect to the carrier plate 71. Also, a wire-rope body 150 extends over a plurality of pulleys. Some of the pulleys 142, 143 are rotatably mounted on frame members 136, 137 by pulley shafts 182 respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignees: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Ansei Corporation
    Inventors: Masatoshi Sakaguchi, Toshiaki Uchikata, Koji Ishii
  • Publication number: 20020062599
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for assembling and holding a mobile element of a system driving a mobile closure, in a housing made in a pre-formed plate. The mobile element is assembled and held in the housing by means of at least one pliable tongue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Publication date: May 30, 2002
    Inventors: Damien Cabanne, Mark Lawrie, Yann Le Gallo, Pascal De Vries, Klaus Blume, Charles Hopson, Herve Laurandel, Simon Dobson
  • Patent number: 6394529
    Abstract: A window assembly module for a vehicle comprises at least one fixed window panel having an inner surface and an outer surface, a movable window panel having an inner surface and an outer surface, and a frame configured to secure to the vehicle. The inner surface of the at least one fixed window panel is secured to the frame. The movable window panel is movable relative to the frame. The frame includes a portion separating the at least one fixed window panel and the movable window panel. The portion of the frame is adapted to maintain the outer surface of the movable window panel generally flush with the outer surface of the fixed window panel as the movable window panel is moved relative to the frame. The window assembly is suitable for use as either a side door window of a vehicle or a rear window of a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy A. Davis, Loren B. Renkema
  • Patent number: 6390534
    Abstract: An impact beam for car doors is reinforced at its central portion. In an embodiment, the impact beam consists of a longitudinal beam stepped at two positions to allow its central portion to be thicker than its opposite end portions. In another embodiment, the impact beam consists of a longitudinal base beam body, and a hollow reinforcing beam body having a length shorter than that of the base beam body and a sectional size larger than that of the base beam body, and fitted over a central portion of the base beam body. The impact beam further comprises a beam bracketing structure for fastening the opposite ends of the impact beam on a door panel. This beam bracketing structure consists of two support brackets fixedly mounted to the door panel, and a locking mechanism for locking each end of the beam to an associated one of the two support brackets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Dae Gil Lee, Jae Wook Kwon, Jung Do Suh, Chang Seop Lee, Seong Tae Lim
  • Patent number: 6381906
    Abstract: A door includes a door shell coupled to a door module. The door shell includes an outer panel secured to an inner panel, the inner panel having an opening therein. The door shell defines a hollow cavity. The door module includes a cassette and an interior trim panel coupled to the cassette. The door module further includes an attachment mechanism for securing the door module to the door shell. The attachment mechanism is visually hidden during operation of the door. The inner panel is cooperative with the door module to provide a positive rest position for the door module prior to securing the door module to the door shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: The Budd Company
    Inventors: John P. Pacella, Joseph E. Mrozowski, Larry A. Mercier, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20020050100
    Abstract: The invention provides a window panel supporting structure of a window regulator having a positioning means along a window panel surface in which a positioning projection (31c) protruded in any one of a panel holder (31) and a fastening and supporting portion (17) and a positioning groove (17b) formed in another thereof are engaged with each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2001
    Publication date: May 2, 2002
    Inventors: Hisato Tatsumi, Yasuo Ootsuki, Syunsuke Tamura
  • Publication number: 20020046502
    Abstract: A closure system including a closure moveable for substantially closing an aperture in use, and an actuator for at least closing the closure, the actuator being mounted by mounting means, the mounting means including one or more measurement cells for measuring, in use, parameters of the closure systems, in use the system being subjected to movement and being arranged such that it is possible to at least partially distinguish trap forces applied to the closure from acceleration forces applied to the closure as a result of the movement of the closure system by consideration of the measured parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2001
    Publication date: April 25, 2002
    Inventor: Simon Blair Dobson
  • Publication number: 20020046504
    Abstract: This invention relates to a system for fixing a window regulator on a frameless door of a vehicle equipped with a fixed front window pane and a mobile rear pane, the front edge of the mobile pane being guided by a slideway which extends between the panes and of which the lower part is fixed in the door. The window regulator comprises a front rail and a rear rail parallel to the slideway, on which slide sliders displaced by cables actuated by drive means. The front rail is rigidly connected to the slideway in order to ensure parallelism between these two elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2001
    Publication date: April 25, 2002
    Inventors: Patrice Cardine, Denis Chevy
  • Publication number: 20020046505
    Abstract: A sliding door for vehicles including a space frame formed from an extruded aluminum tube to which inner and outer aluminum door panels are attached. Hardware for operation of the door is mounted on the exposed inside surface of the door. The overall weight of the door is about 20 pounds and the door is about 35 mm thick.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2001
    Publication date: April 25, 2002
    Inventors: Dinesh C. Seksaria, John W. Cobes
  • Publication number: 20020046501
    Abstract: A door safety device comprises a cover (4) for the gap at the hinge side of a door (1) and door frame (3) combination. The cover (4) is a strip of a rigid material which is flexible about its major axis, the strip having attachment means at its long edges whereby each edge may be secured respectively to the door (1) and door frame (3). The attachment means being arranged such that one edge is firmly fixed to one of the door/door frame combination and the other edge is fixed to the other member of the combination in a way that allows some vertical movement of that edge. The cover (4) is formed with rigid portions and longitudinally-directed fold areas such that part of the cover may be supported against a vertical edge of the door when the door is in an open condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 1999
    Publication date: April 25, 2002
    Applicant: Banner & Witcoff, LTD
    Inventor: STEPHEN ROBERT WEBB
  • Publication number: 20020046503
    Abstract: A door module intended for fitting in motor vehicle doors has a system carrier, which is preferably molded in the shape of a plate from a plastics material and is formed for positioning a window lifter unit, preferably a cable window lifter. An electric drive unit of the window lifter unit bears a housing for the control electronics, which is partly fastened to the drive unit in a sealed manner and partly constituted by the system carrier. When the drive unit is positioned on the system carrier the housing is closed in one operation with a sealing action, with the drive unit being directly electrically connected at the same time by means of plug-in contacts and complementary mating contacts, which are engaged in an electrically conductive manner when the housing is closed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2001
    Publication date: April 25, 2002
    Inventor: Gerhard Mersch
  • Publication number: 20020040554
    Abstract: A door panel assembly includes a panel with a window regulator mounted on one side and a power mechanism mounted on an opposite side. The panel has a first alignment feature for aligning the window regulator relative to the panel and a second alignment feature for aligning the power mechanism relative to the panel. The first and second alignment features facilitate alignment of the window regulator and the power mechanism to each other. Further, the first and second alignment features allow initial assembly of one of the window regulator or power mechanism components to the panel with a subsequent assembly of the remaining component to the panel without having to hold the first component in place.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2001
    Publication date: April 11, 2002
    Inventors: Klaus B. W. Blume, Damien Cabanne, Pascal DeVries, Simon Dobson, Charles B. Hopson, Herve Laurandel, Mark G. Lawrie, Yan le Gallo
  • Patent number: 6367202
    Abstract: A door module for instillation into a door of an automotive vehicle, one embodiment of which comprises: a generally rigid hollow interior enclosure having an interior chamber opposed generally vertical inboard and outboard walls, opposed generally vertical forward and rearward walls, a generally horizontal bottom wall and a top wall. The enclosure is configured such that the top wall transitions from a generally horizontal portion thereof proximate the rearward wall to a generally inclined portion thereof proximate the forward wall. The inboard wall includes a hole defined therein for sealably receiving an audio assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel P Reed, Michele Ann Feath
  • Patent number: 6367863
    Abstract: The invention relates to a reinforcing member for a door hinge installed at the body of the automobile to improve strength of supporting the door hinge that rotates a door open or close not only by forming a box shape to improve strength to the gravitational direction, but also by eliminating a limitation in length of a reinforcing flange, the reinforcing member comprising: a flat plate formed with a bent portion at a predetermined portion thereof to be tightly attached to the internal side of an inner panel of a door for fixation; two pieces of first wing portions faced each other and extended at both edges of the flat plate in the vertical direction thereto; and a second wing portion extended at both edges of the flat plate to be in perpendicular to the first wing portions for fixation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Kyoung-Ho Cho
  • Patent number: 6364398
    Abstract: A door structure of a vehicle wherein installment inside the door of a pushing member contacting an outer panel at a position facing a side of an upper body of a passenger causes the passenger to be pushed beforehand inside the vehicle by an initial weak shock during a side collision of the vehicle and the strong shock of last stage not to be directly transmitted to the passenger, remarkably decreasing the injury of the passenger, the pushing member comprising: a main body unit; a bent side wall unit extended from a periphery of the main body unit to form a predetermined space; and a flange unit extended to the side wall unit, bent outwardly and directly contacting an inner side surface of the outer panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Jong-Chan Kim