Mechanism for moving a door

[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application 10/456,254, filed Jun. 6, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,860,543 and a continuation-in-part of the U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/427,257 filed May 1, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,851,743, which claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/376,952 filed May 1, 2002.

[0002] The present invention relates generally to doors and mechanisms for moving doors relative to a door frame defining an access opening.

[0003] Most doors are mounted in door frames by two or more hinges along one side edge for swinging (pivotal) movement about a vertical axis between closed and open positions relative to an access opening in the door frame. For doors associated with buildings, the swing arc is only limited by the wall surface surrounding or adjacent to the door frame such that the door usually can be opened so as to expose the entire access opening. However, vehicle door assemblies typically have a swing arc that is limited to less than 90° such that the door access opening is not completely exposed when the door is “fully” open. This limited space makes it difficult for a person having less than complete mobility to ingress and egress the vehicle.

[0004] Instead of swinging movement, sometimes it is desirable to mount a door on tracks for sliding movement generally parallel to a plane of the door access opening. For example, many vehicles such as panel trucks and vans have at least one side door mounted for sliding movement along an outer side surface of the vehicle. Such a door is typically slidably connected to an upper track located at an upper edge of the door frame access opening near the vehicle roof, a lower track located at a lower edge of the door frame access opening near the sill area, and a center track located in the vehicle side wall near a rear edge of the door frame access opening. This sliding mechanism permits movement of the door a short distance outwardly from the door access opening and then generally parallel to the plane of the door access opening. Although such a configuration can be used with vehicles having generally planar sides such as panel trucks, conversion vans and mini vans, it is not well suited for passenger cars, station wagons and car-based SUV's.

[0005] The present invention relates to a mechanism for moving a door so as to expose an access opening to a greater extent will than a typical hinged swinging door. When used in a door system for a vehicle having a door frame defining a front access opening and an adjacent rear access opening, the door system includes: a center pillar attached to the door frame between the front access opening and the rear access opening; a door assembly covering the rear access opening and having a top edge, a bottom edge and a pair of opposed side edges extending between the top edge and the bottom edge; and a mechanism for moving the door relative to the door frame. The mechanism includes: a first link having one end pivotally attached at the door assembly top edge adjacent a first one of the door assembly side edges and having an opposite end pivotally attached to the door frame adjacent the door assembly top edge; a second link having one end pivotally attached at the door assembly bottom edge adjacent the first one of the door assembly side edges and having an opposite end pivotally attached to the door frame adjacent the door assembly bottom edge; and a third link having one end pivotally attached at the door assembly bottom edge and having an opposite end pivotally attached to the door frame whereby the first, second and third links define a path of movement of the door assembly relative to the door frame between a closed position covering the rear access opening and an open position exposing the rear access opening, the path of movement being outwardly from the door frame and past a side edge of the rear access opening. Thus, operation of the mechanism creates a single large access opening from the front and rear access openings unobstructed by the center pillar and the rear door.

[0019] The FIGS. 1–7 illustrate one embodiment of the present invention that shall be used for illustrative purposes, and is not intended in any way to limit the scope of the invention. FIG. 1 is a fragmentary top plan view of a portion of one side of a four-door vehicle V, such as an automobile having a door frame 10. The term door frame is used herein to describe that portion of a vehicle unibody surrounding a door opening generally formed in a side or rear surface of the vehicle. For vehicles having a separate body attached to a supporting frame, the door frame can include portions of the body and the frame. Installed within the door frame 10 are a standard swing door 1 for access to a front seat portion of the automobile and a slide door 4 for access to a rear seat portion of the automobile. In FIG. 1, the doors 1 and 4 are closed and in FIG. 2, the doors are partially open. As shown in FIG. 2, the swing door 1 includes a conventional swing handle 2. By pulling upwardly (or outwardly depending upon the construction) on the swing handle 2, the swing door 1 is unlatched at a rear edge thereof and can be opened in a standard fashion by rotating the door about a side hinge 11 attached between a front edge of the door and the door frame 10, as best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3. Similarly, the slide door 4 includes a swing handle 6. Again, by pulling upwardly, or outwardly, on the swing handle 6, the slide door 4 can be unlatched and opened in a standard fashion by rotating the slide door 4 about a center hinge 3 attached between a front edge of the door and the door frame 10. It will be appreciated that the swing handles 2 and 6 can be any type of known vehicle door handle.

[0020] FIG. 2 shows both of the doors 1 and 4 in a standard partially swung open position. It will be appreciated that the doors 1 and 4 can be opened and closed independently of one another between the closed positions shown in FIG. 1 and fully opened positions (not shown) which is a first or standard mode of operation of the doors. When either of the doors 1 and 4 is opened, an associated access opening defined by the door frame 10 is exposed which openings are approximately the sizes of the respective doors. Front and rear access openings 1a and 4a, associated with the doors 1 and 4 respectively, are separated by a structural member such as a center pillar 9, which in the disclosed embodiment is preferably the B-pillar in an automobile system. The pillar 9 extends vertically between a rear edge of the door 1 and a front edge of the door 4 and is part of the door frame 10 defining an edge of each of the openings 1a and 4a. The pillar 9 is releasably attached at upper and lower ends to the remainder of the door frame 10. As shown in FIG. 3, a slide mechanism C according to the present invention permits both the pillar 9 and the slide door 4 to be repositioned along the door frame 10 in a second mode of operation creating a larger side opening in the vehicle V including the access openings 1a and 4a and an area 9a normally occupied by the pillar 9.

[0021] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the slide mechanism C preferably includes a door carrier 5, a slide lever 8, a catch slide 25 and a pitch pole assembly 7. As best seen in FIG. 6, the door carrier 5 is coupled to the door frame 10 at the front end by a pivot door carrier 16 to pivot outwardly from the access opening 4a and provide a support surface along which the slide door 4 slides during the second mode of operation. Although not shown, the door carrier 5 may support a track or rail assembly of the type known and used in the industry. This arrangement permits the slide door 4 and pillar 9 to slide along the door carrier 5 to a final, fully open, extended position as shown in FIGS. 3 and 6. The sliding movement of the slide door 4 and pillar 9 is generally transverse, but at a slight angle, to a plane of the access opening 4a.

[0022] In FIG. 4, the slide lever 8 is shown as including a base 8a mounted on the door frame 10 and a handle 8b extending from the base. The slide lever 8 is coupled to the catch slide 25 by a conventional latching mechanism (not shown) for selectively holding the catch slide in a locked position (shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 5) and releasing the catch slide for movement to an unlocked position (FIGS. 3 and 6).

[0023] As shown in FIG. 6, the catch slide 25 includes an elongated body portion that extends along the door frame 10, and is also movably secured to the frame. At a front end of the elongated body portion, the catch slide 25 defines a notch 15, the center pillar catch, that abuts one end of the center pillar 9 to help secure and properly position the center pillar 9 within the door frame 10. Also, at a rear end of the catch slide 25 there is defined a hook-shaped notch 26, the catch pitch pole notch, that secures the pitch pole 7 as described in more detail below.

[0024] Within the body portion of the catch slide 25, there are formed elongated guide openings 22 and 23, as best seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, that extend along a longitudinal axis of the catch slide. Guide pins 19 and 24 are secured in and travel within the respective openings 22 and 23. A shorter guide opening 21 extends parallel and adjacent to the guide opening 22. A chuck pin 20 movably couples one end of the pitch pole 7 in the opening 21.

[0025] As best seen in FIG. 5, the pitch pole 7 is an elongated member having one end that is pivotally secured in the opening 21 by the chuck pin 20. An opposite end of the pitch pole 7 is pivotally coupled to the door carrier 5 by a pin connection 18. As best seen in FIG. 1, when the slide door 4 is closed, the opposite end of the pitch pole 7 with the pin 18 rests in the hook-shaped notch 26 defined by the catch slide 25.

[0026] Additionally, the slide mechanism C includes mechanisms that permit the center pillar 9 to be movably coupled to the catch slide 25. As best seen in FIG. 4, when the slide door 4 is in the closed position, a forward end 27 of the center pillar 9 abuts an auxiliary strike 17 positioned adjacent to the pivot door carrier 16, wherein the auxiliary strike 17 serves as a position locator for the center pillar 9.

[0027] Referring to FIG. 6, a rearward end 28 of the center pillar 9 supports a strike pin 14. When the center pillar 9 is in the normal position, i.e., acting as a load-bearing member, the strike pin 14 rests in the center pillar catch 15 defined in the catch slide 25.

[0028] As best seen in FIG. 4, the center pillar 9 is coupled to the slide door 4 via the center hinge 3. The center hinge 3 includes a center hinge mount 13 that is secured to the slide door 4 and a center hinge base 12 that is supported by the center pillar 9.

[0029] Cooperation among the slide lever 8, the catch slide 25 and the movable center pillar 9 allows the access openings 1a and 4a formed by the doors 1 and 4 respectively to be consolidated so as to create an access opening larger than that formed by either of the two access openings. The following description details the operation of the slide mechanism C.

[0030] To open the slide door 4 and move the center pillar 9 in the second mode of operation, the swing door 1 must be fully open. Once the swing door 1 is fully open and the slide door 4 is unlatched, the slide lever 8 can be actuated. Actuation of the slide lever 8 causes the catch slide 25 to slide in the direction of the rear of the vehicle V. This action causes the catch center pillar notch 15 to slide away from the center pillar 9, thus, releasing the strike pin 14 of the center pillar 9. This action also causes the pitch pole 7 to rotate up and out of the pitch pole catch 26.

[0031] As the pitch pole 7 rotates up, the door carrier 5 rotates about the pivot door carrier 16. When the pitch pole 7 has been rotated to its outermost position, the door carrier 5 will also have been rotated to a sliding position, a position that aligns the door carrier 5 at an angle to the side of the vehicle V. In this position, the door carrier 5 establishes a suitable clearance between the slide door 4 and the vehicle body to permit the slide door 4 to move back and forth along the vehicle body without hitting the vehicle body. Preferably, the pivot door carrier 16 is configured to permit control over how far the slide door 4 rotates out from the vehicle body. For example, if the slide door 4 is allowed to rotate out too far, the slide door may inadvertently strike persons or objects near the exterior of the slide door. Likewise, too small a rotation about the pivot door carrier 16 may result in the slide door 4 striking the body of the vehicle in which it is installed, thus preventing or at least interfering with the slide capability of the slide door. Once the door carrier 5 is in the slide position, the center pillar 9 and the slide door 4 can be pushed toward the rear of the vehicle to a fully extended position, thus creating a larger access opening in the frame 10.

[0032] There is shown in FIG. 7, the vehicle V having the swing door 1 fully open and the assembly of the slide door 4 with the center pillar 9 in the rearward position creating a maximum size access opening. The slide mechanism C described above is implemented as a lower slide mechanism CL attached at the bottom of the door frame 10 and a similar upper slide mechanism CU attached at the top of the door frame. While the slide mechanisms CL and CU have the same components as the slide mechanism C, the upper slide mechanism does not have to be as robust since it is not supporting the weight of the slide door 4 and the center pillar 9. As shown in FIG. 6, the door carrier 5 is coupled to the door frame 10 at the front end by a pivot door carrier 16. The pivot door carriers 16 of the slide mechanisms CL and CU provide two pivot points, one located at or near the roofline of the vehicle V and the other at or near the base of the door frame 10, about which the door carriers 5 rotate with the slide door 4 and the center pillar 9.

[0033] The slide mechanism C (CL, CU) has been described with reference to a four-door automobile with the door frame 10 having the center pillar 9. However, it will be appreciated that the slide mechanism C can be incorporated into any structure, including but not limited to, a building, an airplane, a boat, a ship or any other similar device. It will also be appreciated that the slide mechanism may be used in conjunction with a hatch type door as well as a pivot door of the type described herein.

[0034] For example, there is shown in FIG. 8 a vehicle V′ having a slide door/ramp assembly 30 supported in a door frame 31 defining an access opening 32. The assembly 30 is attached to a side slide mechanism CS similar to the slide mechanism C, but installed in a vertical orientation. The slide mechanism CS is representative of two such mechanisms, one connected at either side of the assembly 30. A hinge 33 rotatably connects a hatch door 34 to a structural member such as a header 37 extending horizontally across the rear of the vehicle V′. The hatch door 34 has a handle 36 for operation of the door in the first mode wherein the header 37 is positioned at the top of the opening 32 and the door pivots outwardly and upwardly about the hinge 33.

[0035] A door carrier 35 is pivotally attached to the door frame 31 by a pivot door carrier 38 and cooperates with a catch slide 39 through a pitch pole 40. After the header 37 is released from attachment to the door frame 31, in a manner similar to the operation of the slide mechanism C described above, the door carrier 35 swings to the position shown in FIG. 8 and the assembly of the header with the hatch door 34 slides downwardly to a ground surface G. The sliding movement is generally transverse, but at an angle, to a plane of the access opening 32. The hatch door can be pivoted on the hinge 33 to assume the position shown wherein a lower end of the hatch door rests on the ground G and the hatch door can function as a ramp. If desired, a cover (not shown) can be placed on the upwardly facing outer surface of the hatch door 34 to protect the finish and/or any window installed therein.

[0036] There is shown in FIG. 9a portion of a vehicle V″ having rear side door 50 attached at a first or leading edge 50a to a center or “B” pillar of the vehicle by a pair of hinges 52. The door 50 is in a closed position covering a rear access opening (not shown). The hinges 52 permit the door 50 to be swung open about a generally vertical axis in the normal manner pivoting about the attachment points at the pillar 51.

[0037] An upper or first link 53 has one end 53a pivotally attached to an upper end of the pillar 51 and an opposite end 53b pivotally attached to the frame of the vehicle V″. In a similar manner, a lower or second link 54 has one end 54a pivotally attached adjacent a lower end of the pillar 51 and an opposite end 54b pivotally attached to the frame of the vehicle V″. A supporting member 55 extends beneath the door 50 and is attached to the lower end of the pillar 51. The member 55 has the end 54b of the lower link 54 pivotally attached thereto. A rear or third link 56 has one end pivotally attached to the supporting member 55 and an opposite end pivotally attached to the frame of the vehicle V″. The rear link 56 is curved to accommodate the rear wheel of the vehicle V″ and could of any suitable shape. When the door 50 is swung on the hinge 52, the links 53, 54, 56 and the member 55 remain in place.

[0038] The links 53, 54 and 55 provide a second or “gliding” mode of operation for the door 50. As described above with respect to the center pillar 9, the center pillar 51 is releasably attached the frame of the vehicle V″. When the pillar 51 is unlatched from the vehicle frame and the supporting member 55 is latched to the door 50, the door 50, the pillar 51 and the supporting member 55 are free to move as a unitary door assembly on the pivoting links 53, 54 and 56. In FIGS. 10a through 10d, for the purpose of clarity of illustration, the door 50 is shown in phantom line and the upper link 53 has been omitted. The door 50 is shown in the closed position in FIG. 10a. In FIG. 10b, the door 50, the pillar 51 and the supporting member 55 are pivoted outwardly partially exposing an access opening 50b that was covered by the door in FIG. 10a. In FIG. 10c, the door 50, the pillar 51 and the supporting member 55 are pivoted outwardly as far from the vehicle V″ as the links 53 (not shown), 54 and 56 permit further exposing the access opening 50b. In FIG. 10d, the door 50, the pillar 51 and the supporting member 55 are pivoted rearwardly from the position shown in FIG. 10c further exposing the access opening 50b.

[0039] In a modification of the door 50 and movement mechanism shown in FIG. 9, the hinges 52 can be omitted so that the door does not swing open in the normal manner. Instead, the door 50, the pillar 51 and the supporting member 55 move only as a unit on the pivoting links 53, 54 and 56 in the “gliding” mode of operation. Either the supporting member 55 is fixedly attached to the door 50 or it can be eliminated. In a further modification, shown in FIG. 11, the “B” pillar 51 can be fixed to the vehicle and the hinges 52 eliminated. The door 50 then moves on the pivoting links 53, 54 and 56 in the “gliding” mode of operation only.

[0040] There is shown in FIG. 12 a control system for ensuring that the latching and unlatching of the pillar 51 and the supporting member 55 are coordinated with the desired mode of operation. A pillar latch 57 is provided for the pillar 51 and a supporting member latch 58 is provided for the member 55. A first sensor 59 has an input connected to the pillar latch 57 to generate a signal representing the state of the pillar latch 57.at an output connected to an input of a control 60. A second sensor 61 has an input connected to the member latch 58 to generate a signal representing the state of the member latch 58 at an output connected to an input of the control 60. The control 60 has a first output connected to the pillar latch 57 which can be used to signal an electric actuator to latch and unlatch the pillar latch. The control 60 also has a second output connected to the member latch 58 which can be used to signal an electric actuator to latch and unlatch the member latch. Furthermore, the control 60 is connected by one or more lines 62 to components of the vehicle such as a sensor (not shown) that provides an indication that the vehicle automatic transmission is in “park” before the control will unlatch the latches 57 and 58.

[0041] In summary, the embodiments shown in FIGS. 9 through 12 provide a mechanism for moving a door assembly which can be the door 50 and the center pillar 51 as a unit, or just the door to expose an access opening 50b defined by a door frame. The mechanism includes a first link 53 pivotally connected at opposite ends to a top edge of the door assembly and the frame, a second link 54 pivotally connected at opposite ends to a bottom edge of the door assembly and the frame, and a third link 56 pivotally connected at opposite ends to a bottom edge of the door assembly and the frame. The three links permit the door assembly to move outwardly and laterally relative to a vehicle frame.

[0042] In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, the present invention has been described in what is considered to represent its preferred embodiment. However, it should be noted that the invention can be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated and described without departing from its spirit or scope.