With Means To Accommodate Window Accessory; E.g., Automobile-type Door Patents (Class 49/502)
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Patent number: 6766618Abstract: 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 a drive. The front rail is rigidly connected to the slideway in order to ensure parallelism between these two elements.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2001Date of Patent: July 27, 2004Assignee: Meritor Light Vehicle Systems (France)Inventors: Patrice Cardine, Denis Chevy
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Publication number: 20040128917Abstract: A method for assembling a motor vehicle door includes the steps of affixing a plurality of hardware components to a secondary trim component to form a door module assembly. The door module assembly is attached to the structural door body. A trim panel is secured to the structural door body overlaying the door module assembly. The secondary trim component has a map pocket wall and the trim panel has a map pocket opening. When the trim panel overlays the secondary trim component, the trim panel cooperates with the secondary trim component to define a map pocket.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 3, 2003Publication date: July 8, 2004Inventors: Jin Cheng Lin, Dennis John Buening, Radoslav Bokun, Manfred Fritsch, David J. Krysiak, Daniel E. Wenglinski, Juliusz Kirejczyk, Luc R. Regnier, David Legault, Douglas G. Broadhead
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Publication number: 20040123526Abstract: A profiled frame, as a window frame and/or door frame of a motor vehicle door or lid, is manufactured as a roll formed profile from flat strip material, in particular from flat steel, with a preferably closed hollow profile and with preferably at least one flange following the progression of the hollow profile, and with at least one contact surface (15) and/or one attachment formation (16) on the hollow profile and/or the flange. At least one contact surface (15) and/or attachment formation (16) is fashioned into an additional profile which is separate from a hollow profile, and that the additional profile is permanently and rigidly connected with said hollow profile, in particular welded to it.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 24, 2003Publication date: July 1, 2004Inventors: Michael Hock, Juergen Hock, Thomas Krebs, Thomas Krimm, Thomas Ueberreiter, Klaus Vath
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Patent number: 6754991Abstract: A door module for an automobile door with a main body having a housing portion disposed adjacent to a window opening. The door module is housed in the housing portion and attached to the main body. The door module includes a windowpane, door equipment including at least a regulator, and a module frame on which the door equipment is integrally held. The module frame has an annular shape. The regulator is provided with a rail for guiding the windowpane when the windowpane is moved by the motor. The motor is disposed in the annular shape of the module frame, and at least one end of the rail is projects from the annular shape of the module frame and is fixed to the door main body.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2002Date of Patent: June 29, 2004Assignees: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Asahi Glass Company, LimitedInventors: Takeshi Tokui, Kenichi Ishikawa, Fumio Noguchi, Mitsuo Hasunuma, Hideyuki Hashimoto
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Publication number: 20040098922Abstract: A door for a vehicle includes an outer panel and an inner panel provided with an opening in a vehicle longitudinal-direction central portion thereof. A base plate to which at least a window regulator module is assembled is attached to the inner panel so as to wholly cover the central opening of the inner panel.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 24, 2003Publication date: May 27, 2004Inventor: Hayami Nakagawa
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Publication number: 20040098921Abstract: This invention relates to a safety guard designed and adapted for use on the corners of vehicle doors to protect passengers from accidental contact with the sharp corner of a vehicle door. The door guard is particularly well suited to cars with a “bubble-wrap” design, which results in the tops of the vehicle doors having sharp corners that may be less than ninety degrees. At least two plates, preferably triangular in shape and made of plastic or some other suitable material, are joined together on at least one side thereof and installed on a vehicle door to cover potentially hazardous sharp metallic corners of the vehicle door. The door guard may be affixed to the door using glue, or the plates of the door guard may have pre-drilled openings for screws to attach the door guard to the door. Variations in the thickness and shape of the plates may be necessary to conform to different vehicle types without interfering with the operation of the door.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2002Publication date: May 27, 2004Inventor: Peter Francis Ward
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Patent number: 6732474Abstract: A motor vehicle door in framework construction and method of making same is provided which includes a lower door element and a supporting doorframe made of profiles. The supporting doorframe essentially includes an upper window frame, an approximately horizontally aligned frame section running at the height of the window sill, and a lower frame. In order to combine numerous functional elements with the supporting doorframe into a prefabricated modular unit while increasing the stiffness of the motor vehicle door, particularly below the window sill, the region of the supporting doorframe lying below the window sill is provided with a large surface mounting support metal sheet which accommodates functional elements. The support metal sheet which is attached on one side at least with the approximately horizontally aligned frame section of the supporting doorframe and is attached on the other side overlapping with the lower door element to the lower frame and/or the lower door element.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2000Date of Patent: May 11, 2004Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche AktiengesellschaftInventors: Helmut Eck, Harald Gerber
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Patent number: 6729674Abstract: A window assembly for a vehicle provides at least one fixed panel or window and a movable panel or window. The window assembly includes a frame which includes a perimeter portion and a dividing portion. The fixed window panel is secured to the dividing portion and a portion of the perimeter portion, while the movable window panel slidably engages the dividing portion. The window assembly includes a resilient seal secured to the frame. The resilient seal is secured to the frame via integral molding of the resilient seal to the frame. The resilient seal may have different cross sectional forms at different portions of the frame.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2003Date of Patent: May 4, 2004Assignee: Donnelly CorporationInventors: Timothy A. Davis, Loren B. Renkema
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Patent number: 6725606Abstract: A vehicle door comprises an outer door panel, an inner door panel formed with an aperture, a plastic mounting panel to which functional devices of the vehicle door are installed. The plastic mounting panel is installed to the inner door panel to close up the aperture. A door lock/unlock mechanism is attached to the inner door panel and a linking member is connected to the lock/unlock mechanism through which the lock/unlock mechanism is operated to lock and unlock the vehicle door. The linking member extends along an inner side of the plastic mounting panel, passes through a guide hole formed in the plastic mounting panel and extends along an exterior side of the plastic mounting panel. A cover member covers the lock/unlock mechanism and the part of the linking member on the exterior side of the plastic mounting panel to prevent unauthorized access.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2001Date of Patent: April 27, 2004Assignee: Mazda Motor CorporationInventors: Ikuo Nishikawa, Chikashi Kawamoto, Kenichi Ogawa, Noboru Shouno
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Publication number: 20040074149Abstract: A window regulator comprises a front guide rail installed in a front portion of a door and extending upward and downward; a rear guide rail installed in a rear portion of the door and extending upward and downward; a front carrier unit fixed to a lower front portion of the window pane and slidably engaged with the front guide rail through a first mechanism; and a rear carrier unit fixed to a lower rear portion of the window pane and slidably engaged with the rear guide rail through a second mechanism. The first mechanism is constructed to permit a pivotal movement of the front carrier unit about an imaginary axis that extends along the front guide rail. The second mechanism includes a channel construction possessed by the rear guide rail and a slider possessed by the rear carrier unit and slidably received in the channel construction. The construction has a generally C-shaped cross section with its open side facing in a direction of a thickness of the door.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2003Publication date: April 22, 2004Applicants: OHI SEISAKUSHO CO., LTD., NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Hisato Tatsumi, Yasuo Ohtsuki, Syunsuke Tamura, Kazuyuki Sasaki, Kenichi Hirooka
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Patent number: 6722725Abstract: Door trim for vehicles, applicable to assembled units consisting of at least a door and a trim (1) fitted on to it, according to which the trim (1) features a concave area (8) which forms a dry area that is accessible mainly from the visible side of the trim and in which are housed, at the very least, the most important parts of the motor both during the assembly phase and throughout its useful life.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2002Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Grupo Antolin-Ingenieria, S.A.Inventors: Francisco Javier Martinez Moral, Yolanda Gonzalez Gil, César Marcos Gonzalez, Michel Guerreau
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Patent number: 6719355Abstract: A motor vehicle door having a door inside part (19), a door outside part (20) and a supporting panel (3) which is connected in a tight-fitting manner to the door inside part (19).Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2002Date of Patent: April 13, 2004Assignee: Magna Steyr Fahrzeugtechnik AG & Co. KGInventors: Adolf Ornig, Gernot Bindar, Martin Graupp, Wolfgang Dietz, Gabriela Paier
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Publication number: 20040060240Abstract: The invention relates to a curved vehicle door having a correspondingly curved windowpane and a correspondingly curved function carrier on which all of the add-on parts and door coverings are held and which can be used as protection for the occupant in the [lacuna] or in a militant assault, the function carrier being provided in each case along lines at least in two parallel planes with intersecting stiffening sections and advantageously being constructed in a sandwich-like manner from at least two shell bodies with longitudinal and transverse stiffening sections within a continuously closed frame, the outer shell body of which has at least two parallel grooves for accommodating a window lifting and lowering device which is matched to the curvature of the vehicle door.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 5, 2003Publication date: April 1, 2004Inventor: Gerald Fellner
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Publication number: 20040049989Abstract: The invention relates to a motor vehicle door with a door inner shell and a door outer shell joined thereto. A large-area opening in the door inner shell can be covered in a sealed manner by a supporting plate by means of a sealing area, and with a channel seal, which forms the upper termination of the inner parapet area. The motor vehicle door is characterized in that the upper edge of the supporting plate supports the channel seal. The ends of the channel seal are connected to lateral sealing areas of the supporting plate.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2003Publication date: March 18, 2004Inventors: Thierry Florentin, Ralph Gerstlauer
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Publication number: 20040049988Abstract: The invention relates to a door module support, for fixing to a door body, between the damp space and the dry space of a motor vehicle, comprising a support plate for the location of functional elements of a vehicle door, for example, a window winder, a doorlock, a door handle and/or a door internal cladding, first fixing points for the support plate which serve for the fixing of the support plate to the door body. In the mounted state thereof, one surface of the support plate is facing the damp space and the other surface is facing the dry space with a sealing contour around the edge thereof, along which the support plate lies against the door body in a sealed manner when in the mounted state. The support plate further comprises second fixing points, for the fixing of at least one functional element to the support plate.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 16, 2003Publication date: March 18, 2004Inventors: Dennis Reul, Thierry Florentin, Bertrand Stelandre, Herve Leconte
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Patent number: 6698140Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 30, 2001Date of Patent: March 2, 2004Assignee: Ohi Seisakusho Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hisato Tatsumi, Yasuo Otsuki, Eiji Ono
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Publication number: 20040025441Abstract: A door panel assembly includes a panel with a window lifting mechanism mounted on one side and a power mechanism mounted on an opposite side. The panel has a first alignment feature for aligning the window lifting mechanism 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: ApplicationFiled: August 6, 2003Publication date: February 12, 2004Inventors: Klaus B.W. Blume, Damien Cabanne, Pascal DeVries, Simon Dobson, Charles B. Hopson, Herve Laurandel, Mark G. Lawrie, Yan le Gallo
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Patent number: 6688043Abstract: A device for connecting component parts, such as entrainment members, to a support element of a motor vehicle door, wherein the support element has at least one protrusion therein for the positive-locking hold of the entrainment members. In one embodiment two protrusions are provided forming guide rails for entrainment members of a window pane of a cable or Bowden cable window lifter. The two protrusions are imprinted in a support plate whereby the guide rails and the support plate are preferably a one-piece structural unit of a motor vehicle door.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2000Date of Patent: February 10, 2004Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Roland Feder, Uwe Waltz, Horst Weber, Gerhard Hofmann
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Patent number: 6684568Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 8, 2001Date of Patent: February 3, 2004Assignee: Meritor Light Vehicle Systems—FranceInventors: Klaus B. W. Blume, Damien Cabanne, Pascal DeVries, Simon Dobson, Charles B. Hopson, Herve Laurandel, Mark G. Lawrie, Yaun le Gallo
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Publication number: 20040006923Abstract: A clip for a sash molding comprises an elongated end cap adapted to be inserted into an end portion of the sash molding, a fastener adapted to be fixed to a door pillar, and a lip for filling a gap between the sash molding and the door pillar. The fastener and the end cap are made of hard plastic material, and are integrally molded to one another. The lip is made of soft plastic material, and is integrally connected to the end cap in a predetermined configuration, by pouring the soft plastic material in its molten state onto a predetermined region of the end cap and solidifying the soft plastic material thereon. The clip may also include a cover portion, made of a soft plastic material, that continuously extends from the lip and is integrally connected to an end of the end cap.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2003Publication date: January 15, 2004Applicant: Newfrey LLCInventors: Hideaki Nakanishi, Takashi Yamanaka, Hideaki Sugimoto
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Patent number: 6668490Abstract: A lightweight door for vehicles comprises a door box having a top portion delimited by inner and outer window gutter profiles. A lightweight window frame is coupled to the door box and is formed of light metal or light metal alloy. The window frame is formed from an extruded bent profile that has a closed hollow chamber and at least one mounting formation. The mounting formation may include a mounting groove or a clip-on strip. The mounting formation continuously follows a length of the profile and is for receiving at least one add-on component. A plastic molded panel module is coupled to the frame. The module has a support surface and outer panels formed as a single piece along the frame adjacent a roof rail and a B-pillar of the motor vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2001Date of Patent: December 30, 2003Assignee: Wagon Automotive GmbHInventors: Michael Hock, Stefan Marutschke, Jürgen Hock, Vuong Huy
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Patent number: 6659538Abstract: A hatchback for an automobile has an essentially peripheral supporting frame (1) designed as a hollow metal section, with a windshield area and a wall area, with a connecting section (2) arranged transversely in the supporting frame (1) at the transition of the windshield area and wall area, with a windshield (3) mounted on the supporting frame (1) in the windshield area and with an outside door panel (4) mounted on the supporting frame (1) in the wall area, whereby hinge brackets (5) that are movable with the supporting frame (1) are mounted on the upper edge of the supporting frame (1) in the windshield area and are pivotably connectable by at least one hinge element (8) each to stationary hinge blocks (7) mounted on a stationary body part (6) when the automobile hatchback is installed.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2002Date of Patent: December 9, 2003Assignee: Wagon Automotive GmbHInventor: Frank Scheid
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Patent number: 6655092Abstract: A method of fabricating a vehicle door includes providing a lower door structure, providing an upper door structure having a pair of spaced apart frame rails, installing a window member between the frame rails, installing a window regulator to the window member and the upper door structure, and coupling the lower and upper door structures to one another. The window regulator may include a powered lead screw regulator, a rack and pinion regulator or a cable and drum regulator.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2001Date of Patent: December 2, 2003Assignee: ThyssenKrupp Budd CompanyInventors: John P. Pacella, Joseph E. Mrozowski, Earl E. Kansier
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Patent number: 6640500Abstract: A door module employs the window lift structure as a frame or skeleton for providing structural support directly to a relatively thin trim panel. In one embodiment of the invention, the window lift structure includes a Π-shaped skeleton made of a pair of spaced legs extending downwardly from an upper horizontally extending reinforcement member to which the relatively thin trim panel is secured. The module is then attached to a vehicle metal door frame and skin in a conventional manner. In another embodiment, the window lift structure has a single arm which extends downwardly from a horizontally extending reinforcement member and a supplemental spaced leg. is provided and coupled to the trim panel to complete the construction.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 1997Date of Patent: November 4, 2003Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology CompanyInventor: Jeffrey T. Stout
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Patent number: 6640497Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 10, 2002Date of Patent: November 4, 2003Assignees: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Ansei CorporationInventors: Masatoshi Sakaguchi, Toshiaki Uchikata, Koji Ishii
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Patent number: 6634142Abstract: A door assembly includes a simple and compact mount for attaching a power or manual window drive mechanism within a door module. The drive mechanism can be removed from a door panel without having to remove the driven mechanism that lowers and raises the window. The drive mechanism is positioned on one side of the panel and the driven mechanism is positioned on an opposite side of the panel from the drive mechanism. A retaining assembly retains the driven and drive mechanisms to the panel such that the drive mechanism can be selectively detached from the panel without detaching the driven mechanism from the panel.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2001Date of Patent: October 21, 2003Assignee: Meritor Light Vehicle Systems-FranceInventors: Simon Dobson, Arnd Herwig
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Publication number: 20030188492Abstract: A lightweight automotive vehicle door assembly incorporates a modular concept having an outer door panel, an inner door panel, a reinforcement beam, and a hardware mounting module. The outer panel is preferably formed from aluminum, polypropylene or steel, while the inner door panel is preferably cast from magnesium with the hardware mounting module formed of thermoplastic. The magnesium inner panel is mounted to the outer panel by a hemming process while hardware is mounted to the inner panel through the use of two-piece thermoplastic inserts creating a dielectric barrier between the fasteners and the magnesium inner panel. The reinforcement beam is formed of a composite material consisting of a glass and carbon fiber reinforced outer skin with an interior core of polyurethane.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 8, 2003Publication date: October 9, 2003Applicant: FORD GLOABL TECHNOLOGIES, L.L.C.Inventors: Roy Eugene Bonnett, Gregory T. Bretz, Patrick Blanchard, Saravanan Subramanian
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Publication number: 20030177702Abstract: A door shell for a motor vehicle door with a one-piece or multi-piece profile frame of metal. The profile frame has a profile cross-section changing over the length of the profile frame at least in sections, in particular in the region of an edge of the door shell running essentially vertically. Preferably the profile frame has a hollow chamber and in particular this hollow chamber has a profile cross-section that changes over the length of the profile frame. Further preferably the profile frame is designed as an extruded profile of a light metal or light metal compound, in particular aluminium or an aluminium compound, as a tube of a light metal or light metal compound, in particular aluminium or an aluminium compound welded on a longitudinal seam, as a tube of steel welded on a longitudinal seam or as a tube of steel produced seamless. The profile cross-section of the profile frame is adapted to and follows the form of the inside door panel.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 11, 2003Publication date: September 25, 2003Inventors: Michael Hock, Stefan Marutschke
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Patent number: 6619724Abstract: Motor-vehicle door (1) comprising an outer wall (2) and an inner wall (3), a cladding part (4) mounted on the inner wall (3), and an insulation element (5) disposed between the inner wall (3) and the cladding part (4), the insulation element (5) being formed as a foam layer and being clamped in at its edge between the cladding part (4) and the inner wall (3) in a clamping region (K), wherein the insulation element (5) is secured in an adhesive-free manner between the cladding part (4) and the inner wall (3) in the clamping region (K), forming a positively locking profiling.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2002Date of Patent: September 16, 2003Assignee: Carcoustics Tech Center GmbHInventors: Heinz Blömeling, Christian Gnädig, Martin Jenny
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Patent number: 6619005Abstract: An improved molded door having provisions for glass insert comprising at least 50% of said door's exterior surface includes a quadrilateral frame formed of a top rail, a bottom rail, a right stile and a left stile joined together, two sheets of molded door skins, each skin having a large central opening with an inwardly directed flange extending normal to its planer surface and around its respective opening, which flanges interlock when assembled on frame and form secondary frame for receiving a glass insert, means operable to join the skins to the quadrilateral frame, means operable to join the integral flanges of the skins in an interlocked relationship around their respective openings thereby forming an interlocked secondary frame for receiving a glass insert, a secondary left stile located between the joined flanges and the left stile with this stile joined to the skins and a secondary right stile located between the joined flanges and the right stile with this stile joined to said skins whereby theType: GrantFiled: April 16, 2002Date of Patent: September 16, 2003Inventor: Kuei Yung Wang Chen
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Patent number: 6616216Abstract: An automotive door construction is configured so that a door trim 13 is divided into an upper trim 131 and a lower trim 132; a glass elevating mechanism 5 is installed on the inside surface of the lower trim 132 so that the upper end of a guide rail 7 projects upward from the upper edge of the lower trim 132; and the glass elevating mechanism 5 is inserted from the upper end of the guide rail 7 of the glass elevating mechanism 5 through a mount hole 2a in an inner panel 2, and is housed in a door bag portion 1b, and then the lower trim 132 is lowered along the inner panel 2, by which the glass elevating mechanism 5 and lower trim 132 are installed to the inner panel 2. By forming the relatively small mount hole 2a, which is shorter than the total length of the guide rail 7, in the inner panel 2, the modularized glass elevating mechanism 5 is incorporated in the door bag portion 1b.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2001Date of Patent: September 9, 2003Assignees: Kasai Kogyo Co. Ltd., Ohi Seisakusho Co. Ltd.Inventors: Junichi Furuyama, Masayuki Saito, Hirotaka Nishijima, Hiromitsu Nishikawa
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Patent number: 6616312Abstract: A lighting apparatus for a vehicle includes a light source attached inside the vehicle, such as to an “A” pillar adjacent a front of a side window of the vehicle, where the light source is oriented to direct light toward a ground area adjacent the vehicle for security and convenience. Variations include also reflecting a portion of the light from the light source off an outside rearview mirror onto the ground area, and also directing a portion of the light toward an area inside the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2001Date of Patent: September 9, 2003Assignee: Gentex CorporationInventor: John W. Carter
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Patent number: 6615546Abstract: A door trim 50 is made up of two divided trims of an upper trim 51 and a lower trim 52. A door elevating mechanism 27 composed of a guide rail 28, a motor 30, a step lamp 57, a speaker grille 56, are subassembled to the lower trim 52. In particular, the motor 30 is mounted on an extended attachment element 67 formed by extending the upper part of a pocket back cover 6 constituting a pocket 47 of the lower trim 52. The lower trim 52 configured in this manner is mounted to an inner panel 21. After a door glass 26 is installed to the door elevating mechanism 27, the upper trim 51 is mounted to the inner panel 21. Therefore, even if the area of an opening in the inner panel is not increased so much, the installation work of the door glass can be done easily, and a demand for increased size of the door glass can be met.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2001Date of Patent: September 9, 2003Assignee: Kasai Kogyo Co., Ltd.Inventors: Junichi Furuyama, Masayuki Saito
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Patent number: 6612639Abstract: A side door structure for a vehicle is composed of a main body and a rear side reinforcement member provided in the main body. The main body is formed by an inner panel and an outer panel connected to the inner panel. The rear side reinforcement member connects the inner panel and the outer panel in the main body, and the rear side reinforcement member forms a rigid part with a closed hollow cross section at a rear part of the main body by cooperation with the inner panel and the outer panel.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2002Date of Patent: September 2, 2003Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Mamoru Ishikawa
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Publication number: 20030159359Abstract: A vehicle door or flap, in particular for motor vehicles, has a frame which is provided as supporting structure. The frame is composed in a modular manner from profile parts or profile blanks and connectors. At least one connector is designed as a fitting, an element for securing a fitting, and/or as an add-on or built-in part of the door.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 10, 2003Publication date: August 28, 2003Inventors: Hans Elsner, Karl-Heinz Fueller, Tilman Haug
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Publication number: 20030159360Abstract: An adapter received in an opening of a partition wall of a vehicle door connects a cable plug of a cable harness to a module plug of a door control module. The adapter includes a mount for the module plug, a mount for the cable plug, and an abutment face providing a seal at the partition wall. The adapter further includes a skirt that extends from the abutment face having a latching tab. When the adapter is inserted into the opening, the latching tab flexes outwardly, securing the adapter to the partition wall. The module plug and the cable plug can be inserted into or removed from the adapter without affecting the sealing between the wet area and the dry area of the vehicle door.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2003Publication date: August 28, 2003Inventors: Gerhard Mersch, Jurgen Moser
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Publication number: 20030140566Abstract: The invention relates to a motor vehicle door provided with a box-type door body (1), which is constructed of a door outer skin (1a) and of a door inner skin (1b), and provided with a large-surface cutout (10), which is located in the door inner skin (1b) and which can be covered by a wet-dry space partition (2) having a sealing element. The inventive motor vehicle door is also provided with a frame structure (3), which contains the window frame (30) and which is joined to the door body (1) via at least one binding part (31, 31′, 32), and is provided with a preferably encircling outer seal located between the vehicle door and the vehicle body. Said motor vehicle door is characterized by the provision of a wet-dry space partition (2) that at least partially overlaps the door rail (33) and the binding area (11b, 11ba, 11bb, 11bc, 12b), which is situated on the body, whereby the sealing element (20) of the wet-dry space partition (2) passes through the overlapping area.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 25, 2002Publication date: July 31, 2003Inventors: Uwe Sommer, Thomas Flecke, Markus Schultz
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Patent number: 6594955Abstract: Door (1) for a vehicle, in the interior face of which there is a lateral opening (4) comprising a door module (5) fitted with equipment including a lock (30) and a window lifter (6) with at least one rail (7, 8) for guiding cables (9, 11), this module comprising an interior trim panel (20) on which the said equipment items are mounted, characterized in that in the upper part of the panel (20) there is an opening (31), against the periphery of which there may be removably fitted an additional insert (32) which forms a constituent part of the said panel and to which a support (24) for the lock (30) is fixed. This arrangement allows the lock (30) to be removed, if necessary, from the door (1) after the module (5) has been assembled therewith, without having first of all to remove the entire trim panel (20); this extraction of the lock (30) can be achieved simply by removing the insert (32) to which it is secured.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 1999Date of Patent: July 22, 2003Assignee: ArvinMeritor Light Vehicle Systems-FranceInventors: Philippe Delire, Bruno Laurent
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Patent number: 6588828Abstract: A drive system (10) operable to drive vehicle door functions comprises a drive member (20) mounted for rotation about a drive axis by a drive motor (12), a rocker (24) operable by the drive member (20), and translation means (16), (18), (22) operable to move the drive member (20) to a predetermined position on the drive axis.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2001Date of Patent: July 8, 2003Assignee: Meritor Light Vehicle Systems (UK) LimitedInventor: Sidney Edward Fisher
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Patent number: 6578446Abstract: A bell crank assembly is mounted on an automotive door module of a vehicle that includes a panel. The panel supports a door latch assembly that includes a lock mechanism that is operated by a sill button and rod inside the vehicle that is located on the inner or dry side of the panel and moveable vertically with respect to the panel. The lock mechanism is operated by the sill button and rod via a generally horizontal rod that is located on the exterior or wet side of panel. The bell crank assembly connects the sill button rod to the exterior rod through an extruded hole in the panel. The bell crank assembly includes an inboard lever and an outboard lever. The inboard lever has an input end that is attached to the sill button rod and an output end. The output end has a round boss that fits in the extruded hole of the panel with a running fit to provide an axle for pivoting bell crank assembly with respect to panel.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2002Date of Patent: June 17, 2003Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Brian H. Staser, Mark A. Vickery
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Publication number: 20030101656Abstract: A sliding door for vehicles including a space frame formed from 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: ApplicationFiled: January 16, 2003Publication date: June 5, 2003Inventors: Dinesh C. Seksaria, John W. Cobes
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Patent number: 6571516Abstract: A locking device for a vehicle door in which a handle unit fixed to a door outer panel and a door latch unit fixed to a door inner panel are prevented from making a substantial shift in their relative positions for the sake of normal operation even under sideways minor impacts or the like. A door latch reinforcement for fixing the door latch unit is fixed to the door inner panel. Handle stations, to which threaded portions of the handle unit are fastened, are formed by being bent in a handle mount opening formed in the door outer panel. The door latch reinforcement and the handle stations are connected to each other with a handle bracket. Since the door latch unit and the handle unit are connected to each other via the handle bracket, the two units make no substantial shift in their relative positions even under sideways minor impacts or the like, thereby allowing the normal operation of the door lock device even after the minor impacts.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2001Date of Patent: June 3, 2003Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yoshinori Nakamoto, Daisuke Nakazato
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Patent number: 6571515Abstract: A double walled vehicle door having an inside door panel and an outside door panel forming a space therebetween. The inside door panel having at least one cutout therein. A module carrier is attached to the inside door panel such that the module carrier covers and peripherally seals the at least one cutout. A dual cable window lift having guide bars each having a lower end with an associated pulley mounted thereon and an upper end with an associated pulley mounted thereon. The dual cable window lift being mounted on the module carrier such that the lower ends of the guide bars extend beyond a periphery of the module carrier and the upper ends of the guide bars are positioned within the periphery of the module carrier. The upper ends of the guide bars are mounted on a side of the inside door panel adapted to face an interior of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 1999Date of Patent: June 3, 2003Assignee: Sommer Allibert-Lignotock GmbHInventors: Dave Samways, Dirk Hasse, Peter Rahmstorf
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Publication number: 20030097797Abstract: The invention relates to a door module comprising a plate which can be placed onto an opening, in particular of a sheet metal door panel of a motor vehicle door, and at which a window regulation device is held.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2002Publication date: May 29, 2003Inventors: Salvatore Cucchiara, Thomas Dreis, Ludger B. Meyenbrock, Klaus Freitag
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Publication number: 20030097798Abstract: An automotive door module has a plastic support panel and a plurality of door hardware components mounted thereon as a preassembled unit. The plastic support panel has forward and rearward pairs of integrally molded stand-offs that secure forward and rearward rolled section guide rails of a cable operated window regulator without any intervening brackets. The plastic support panel also has an integrally molded handle bracket that rotatably supports a handle that operates a push-pull cable integrated wire harness routing features, and an integrated bumper stop support that is integrally connected to stand-off and extends through a hole in the guide rail to support an annular bumper.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 25, 2002Publication date: May 29, 2003Inventor: Brian Hale Staser
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Publication number: 20030097796Abstract: A vehicle door with a door casing includes an inside door panel (1) of a shell-like design. The inside door panel (1) is closed by a replaceable outside door shell (2) toward the outside of the vehicle door. To achieve that moisture is prevented in a simple manner from entering the interior space of the vehicle from the door casing, the inside door panel (1) is connected from its side facing the outer shell (2) to a plastic support part. The plastic part is provided with fastening elements (13), which carry the door components to be arranged in the door casing. The structural elements (9, 10, 10′) of the vehicle door, which protrude into the interior space of the vehicle, are fastened to the inside door panel (1). The openings (5, 6) necessary in the inside door panel (1) for the structural elements (9, 10, 10′) protruding into the interior space of the vehicle are sealed, e.g., by the plastic support part (8).Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2001Publication date: May 29, 2003Inventors: Stephan Schutt, Nick Morbach, Sven Ludwig, Steffen Karl
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Publication number: 20030093954Abstract: Apparatus for storing energy provided when a door is displaced so as to subsequently enable the energy thereby stored to be released to assist in the release of a pawl from a latch bolt of a latch mechanism, the apparatus comprising energy storage means and release means to selectively release the energy once stored.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2002Publication date: May 22, 2003Inventors: Robin Willats, John Emson, Sidney Fisher, Gurbinder Kalsi, Nigel Spurr, Jean Didier, Alan Dixon, Stephen Drysdale
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Patent number: 6553721Abstract: In a vehicle door with a door body (10) and a support panel (20) for electrical components, a plug-in connector (22) is provided for electrically connecting said components to an external electrical line. The support panel (20) can be inserted into or can be mounted to cover an opening (18) of the door body (10) in a way which allows that the plug-in connector (22) is accessible from an outer surface of the door body (10) for a plug-in connection to said external electrical line. In order to simplify assembling of the door body and the support panel, the plug-in connector (22) is fastened permanently to the support panel (20) on its inward-facing side and its insertion port or mouth (22A) is oriented toward the outer side of the door body and, therein, toward an entry opening (24) for the plug-in end of the external electrical line.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2000Date of Patent: April 29, 2003Assignee: Meritor Automotive GmbHInventor: Harald Kollner
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Patent number: 6550846Abstract: An automotive door assembly (10) includes an inner door (30) having an inner panel (40). The inner panel (40) has a first seat (44) and a second seat (46) integrally formed therein. The first seat (44) has a first side member (50) fixedly attached thereto for separating an exterior of the door assembly (10) from a door cavity thereof. The first side member (50) also reinforces the automotive door assembly (10). Likewise, the second seat (46) a second side member (90) has fixedly attached thereto for separating the exterior of the door assembly (10) from the door cavity thereof. The second side member (90) also reinforces the automotive door assembly (10). The inner panel (40), the first side member (50), and the second side member (90) have an outer door (18) attached thereto for enclosing the door cavity.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2002Date of Patent: April 22, 2003Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Laurent Bernard Chappuis, Michael William Danyo
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Patent number: 6546674Abstract: A door assembly for a motor vehicle comprises a molded door panel having a first side and a second side. The first side of the door panel is adapted to face towards a passenger compartment of the motor vehicle. The second side of the door panel supports a belt line reinforcement, a lock and catch assembly, and a window lift assembly. The door assembly is adapted for joining with a door exterior.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 1999Date of Patent: April 15, 2003Assignee: Lear CorporationInventors: David M. Emerling, Steven J. Dimig, Gerald O. Morrison, Carter S. Cannon, Kimberly C. Leshan