U.S. patent application number 15/862114 was filed with the patent office on 2018-05-10 for extended range sliding door hinge.
The applicant listed for this patent is Vantage Mobility International, LLC. Invention is credited to Michael L. Perez, Steven P. Ungetheim.
Application Number | 20180128031 15/862114 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 59559620 |
Filed Date | 2018-05-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180128031 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ungetheim; Steven P. ; et
al. |
May 10, 2018 |
EXTENDED RANGE SLIDING DOOR HINGE
Abstract
An extended range sliding door hinge may include a track bracket
assembly and an intermediate bracket. The track bracket assembly is
sized to be operatively received by a vehicle door track assembly.
A first end of the intermediate bracket is movably mounted to the
track bracket assembly so that the intermediate bracket may be
moved with respect to the track bracket assembly between a
retracted position and an extended position. A second end of the
intermediate bracket is sized to operatively engage a vehicle
sliding door. The extended range sliding door hinge allows the
vehicle sliding door to be moved between a standard position when
the intermediate bracket is in the retracted position and an
extended position when the intermediate bracket is in the extended
position.
Inventors: |
Ungetheim; Steven P.;
(Phoenix, AZ) ; Perez; Michael L.; (Phoenix,
AZ) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Vantage Mobility International, LLC |
Phoenix |
AZ |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
59559620 |
Appl. No.: |
15/862114 |
Filed: |
January 4, 2018 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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15432036 |
Feb 14, 2017 |
9896871 |
|
|
15862114 |
|
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62295847 |
Feb 16, 2016 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E05D 2015/1057 20130101;
E05D 15/30 20130101; E05D 3/18 20130101; E05Y 2201/64 20130101;
B23P 6/00 20130101; E05D 15/14 20130101; E05Y 2900/531 20130101;
E05D 15/1047 20130101; A61G 3/061 20130101; E05D 15/0604 20130101;
Y10T 29/4973 20150115; Y10T 29/49716 20150115; E05D 5/0207
20130101 |
International
Class: |
E05D 15/06 20060101
E05D015/06; E05D 15/30 20060101 E05D015/30; E05D 15/14 20060101
E05D015/14; E05D 3/18 20060101 E05D003/18; A61G 3/06 20060101
A61G003/06; B23P 6/00 20060101 B23P006/00; E05D 5/02 20060101
E05D005/02 |
Claims
1. An extended range sliding door hinge, comprising: a track
bracket assembly sized to be operatively received by a vehicle door
track assembly; and an intermediate bracket having a first end and
a second end, the first end of said intermediate bracket being
slidably mounted to said track bracket assembly so that said
intermediate bracket slides with respect to said track bracket
assembly between a retracted position and an extended position, the
second end of said intermediate bracket being sized to operatively
engage a vehicle sliding door, said extended range sliding door
hinge allowing the vehicle sliding door to be moved between a
standard position when said intermediate bracket is in the
retracted position and an extended position when said intermediate
bracket is in the extended position, wherein the vehicle sliding
door includes a vehicle door bracket mounted thereto and wherein
said intermediate bracket is sized to engage the vehicle door
bracket.
2. The extended range sliding door hinge of claim 1, wherein the
second end of said intermediate bracket comprises a pair of holes
provided in spaced-apart relation along a hinge axis, said pair of
holes being sized to be pivotally mounted to the vehicle door
bracket.
3. The extended range sliding door hinge of claim 1, further
comprising: a pair of guide rods mounted in generally parallel,
spaced-apart relation to said track bracket assembly; and a rod
follower mounted to said intermediate bracket, said rod follower
further comprising a pair of holes formed therein sized to be
slidably received by said pair of guide rods, said rod follower
sliding along said pair of guide rods to allow said intermediate
bracket to move between the retracted and extended positions.
4. The extended range sliding door hinge of claim 3, further
comprising travel stops mounted to respective ends of said pair of
guide rods, said travel stops preventing said rod follower from
moving beyond the retracted and extended positions.
5. The extended range sliding door hinge of claim 3, further
comprising first and second guide wheels mounted for rotation to
said track bracket assembly, said first and second guide wheels
being rotatable about respective first and second axes located in
generally parallel, spaced-apart relation, said first and second
guide wheels being sized to engage the vehicle door track
assembly.
6. The extended range sliding door hinge of claim 5, further
comprising a third guide wheel mounted for rotation to said track
bracket assembly, said third guide wheel being rotatable about a
third axis, the third axis being generally perpendicular to the
first and second axes, said third guide wheel being sized to engage
the vehicle door track assembly.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a divisional of co-pending U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 15/432,036, filed on Feb. 14, 2017, now
allowed, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 62/295,847, filed on Feb. 16, 2016, both of which
are hereby incorporated herein by reference for all that they
disclose.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to sliding door systems in
general and more specifically to systems of extending the range of
motion of sliding doors on motor vehicles.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Ramp systems for vehicles are known in the art and are
commonly provided as modifications to OEM vehicles, such as
minivans. The ramp systems allow persons requiring wheelchairs to
readily enter such vehicles, either to drive the vehicles
themselves or to ride along. Such ramp systems may be manually
operated or may be power-deployable. On such conversion vehicles,
it is common for the second row sliding door to not open wide
enough for a wheelchair user to pass through the opening. While
certain systems have been developed to allow the vehicle sliding
doors to open wider, newer vehicles having newer body and sliding
door designs pose additional challenges in modifying the sliding
doors so that they open wide enough to allow good access to the
vehicle interior.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] One embodiment of an extended range sliding door hinge
includes a track bracket assembly and an intermediate bracket. The
track bracket assembly is sized to be operatively received by a
vehicle door track assembly. A first end of the intermediate
bracket is movably mounted to the track bracket assembly so that
the intermediate bracket may be moved with respect to the track
bracket assembly between a retracted position and an extended
position. A second end of the intermediate bracket is sized to
operatively engage a vehicle sliding door. The extended range
sliding door hinge allows the vehicle sliding door to be moved
between a standard position when the intermediate bracket is in the
retracted position and an extended position when the intermediate
bracket is in the extended position.
[0005] Also disclosed is a method of increasing a width of an
opening created in a vehicle by moving a sliding door from a closed
position to an opened position that involves: Removing the sliding
door from the vehicle; removing at least one existing sliding door
hinge from the sliding door and from a vehicle door track assembly
provided on the vehicle; providing an extended range sliding door
hinge having a track bracket assembly sized to be operatively
received by the vehicle door track assembly and an intermediate
bracket having a first end and a second end, the first end of the
intermediate bracket being movably mounted to the track bracket
assembly so that the intermediate bracket may be moved with respect
to the track bracket assembly between a retracted position and an
extended position, the second end of the intermediate bracket being
sized to operatively engage the sliding door; and reinstalling the
sliding door on the vehicle by engaging the extended range sliding
door hinge with the vehicle door track assembly and the sliding
door, the extended range sliding door hinge allowing the sliding
door to be moved between a standard position when the intermediate
bracket of the extended range sliding door hinge is in the
retracted position and an extended position when the intermediate
bracket of the extended range sliding door hinge is in the extended
position.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] Illustrative and presently preferred exemplary embodiments
of the invention are shown in the drawings in which:
[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective top view of an extended range
sliding door hinge according to a first embodiment of the present
invention with the hinge shown in a retracted position;
[0008] FIG. 2 is a perspective side view of a vehicle having a
wheelchair ramp system, the perspective view showing the extended
opened position of the door assembly made possible by the extended
range sliding door hinge;
[0009] FIG. 3 is a perspective top view of the extended range
sliding door hinge of FIG. 1 with the hinge shown in an extended
position;
[0010] FIG. 4 is a perspective bottom view of the extended range
sliding door hinge of FIGS. 1 and 3 wherein the biasing member is a
coil spring;
[0011] FIG. 5 is a perspective top view of an extended range
sliding door hinge wherein the biasing member is a torsion
spring;
[0012] FIG. 6 is a top view of the extended range sliding door
hinge mounted to a center door track of the vehicle with the door
in the partially opened position;
[0013] FIG. 7 is a top view of the extended range sliding door
hinge illustrated in FIG. 6 with the door in the fully opened
position and with the extended range sliding door hinge in the
extended position;
[0014] FIG. 8 is perspective view of the extended range sliding
door hinge illustrated in FIG. 7 with the door in the fully opened
position and the extended range sliding door hinge in the extended
position;
[0015] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of an
extended range sliding door hinge with the hinge shown in the
retracted position; and
[0016] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the second embodiment of
the extended range sliding door hinge with the hinge shown in the
extended position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0017] One embodiment of an extended range sliding door hinge 10 is
illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 as it could be used in conjunction with a
passenger vehicle 12 to allow a sliding door assembly 14 thereof to
open further than otherwise would be the case if the door assembly
14 were not provided with the extended range sliding door hinge 10.
More specifically, and as illustrated in FIG. 2, when substituted
for an existing or OEM sliding door hinge (not shown), the extended
range sliding door hinge 10 allows the vehicle door assembly 14 to
be opened to an extended position 15 that is wider than a standard
position 17 possible with the standard or un-modified door mounting
arrangement. The wider opening provided by the extended range
sliding door hinge 10 may be advantageous in any of a wide range of
circumstances, including for example, in applications wherein the
vehicle 12 is provided with a ramp system 19 to accommodate
wheelchair use.
[0018] In a typical configuration, the sliding door assembly 14 is
mounted to vehicle 12 by means of three separate door tracks or
door track assemblies, referred to herein as a lower track (not
shown), a center or intermediate track 16, and an upper track (also
not shown). The lower, center, and upper door tracks allow the door
assembly 14 to move or slide generally longitudinally, i.e., in the
fore and aft directions indicated by arrows 21, between opened and
closed positions, as is well known. However, if the vehicle 12 is
to be provided with a wheelchair ramp system 19, it is usually
desirable, and in many cases, required, to modify the sliding door
assembly 14 so that it will open sufficiently wide to allow good
access via the wheelchair ramp system 19. While the upper and lower
tracks of most such vehicles 12 may be lengthened or extended to
provide the additional opening range for the door 14, the body and
door design of many vehicles 12, and in particular newer vehicles,
is such that the center or intermediate door track 16 cannot be
easily lengthened or extended, thereby making it difficult to
modify the door assembly 14 to provide a wider opening. The
extended range sliding door hinge 10 of the present invention
allows the door assembly 14 to provide a wider opening but without
the need to extend or otherwise modify the center track 16.
[0019] Having briefly described one embodiment of the extended
range sliding door hinge 10 of the present invention, as well as
some of its more significant features and advantages, various
embodiments and alternative configurations of the present invention
will now be described in detail. However, before proceeding with
the description, it should be noted that while various embodiments
are shown and described herein as they could be used in conjunction
with a passenger vehicle modified to include a ramp system 19 to
accommodate wheelchair use, the devices and methods of the present
invention could also be used in conjunction with any of a wide
range of vehicles configured for use in a wide range of
applications. Consequently, the present invention should not be
regarded as limited to the particular types of vehicles,
applications, and circumstances shown and described herein.
[0020] Referring now to FIGS. 1-4, one embodiment of the extended
range sliding door hinge 10 may comprise a sliding or track bracket
assembly 18 and an intermediate bracket 20. The sliding or track
bracket assembly 18 may be configured and sized to be received by
the center or intermediate door track assembly 16 provided on the
vehicle 12. See also FIG. 8. In one embodiment, the track bracket
assembly 18 may comprise first and second guide wheels or rollers
50 and 52 mounted so that they are free to rotate about respective
first and second axes 54 and 56, as best seen in FIGS. 1 and 3. A
third guide wheel or roller 58 may be mounted to the track bracket
assembly 18 so that third guide wheel 58 is free to rotate about a
third axis 60. In many embodiments, the third axis 60 will be
generally perpendicular to the first and second axes 54 and 56,
although the arrangement and orientation of the various wheels 50,
52, and 58 will depend primarily on the particular configuration of
the vehicle door track 16 that is to receive the track bracket
assembly 18. The first, second, and third guide wheels 50, 52, and
58 allow the track bracket assembly 18 to engage with and roll
along the middle door track assembly 16.
[0021] In this regard it should be noted that while some
embodiments of the sliding or track bracket assembly 18 may be
provided with a plurality of wheels or rollers 50, 52, and 58, as
shown and described herein, other embodiments of the track bracket
assembly instead may be provided with one or more sliding bearings
(not shown). In such embodiments, the track bracket assembly will
slide rather than roll on the door track assembly 16. Accordingly,
the terms `sliding` or `rolling` as used herein with respect to the
engagement of the track bracket assembly 18 with the door track
assembly 16 should be regarded as encompassing both rolling and
sliding engagement.
[0022] Track bracket assembly 18 may be fabricated from any of a
wide range of materials, such as metals, plastics, or composite
materials, that are now known in the art or that might be developed
in the future that are, or would be, suitable for the particular
application. Consequently, the track bracket 18 should not be
regarded as limited to any particular material. However, by way of
example, in one embodiment, track bracket 18 is fabricated from
mild steel.
[0023] With reference now primarily to FIGS. 1 and 3, the
intermediate bracket 20 of extended range sliding door hinge 10 may
comprise a first end 22 and a second end 28. The first end 22 of
the intermediate bracket 20 is moveably mounted to the track
bracket assembly 18 so that the intermediate bracket 20 may be
moved with respect to the track bracket assembly 18 between a
retracted position 24, illustrated in FIG. 1, and an extended
position 26, illustrated in FIG. 3. The second end 28 of
intermediate bracket 20 may be configured to engage with or mount
to the sliding door assembly 14 of vehicle 12. In many embodiments,
the sliding door assembly 14 will be provided with a separate door
bracket 30 (FIGS. 5-7) that is designed or configured to be
pivotally mounted to the OEM door hinge (not shown) to be replaced
by the extended range sliding door hinge 10. If so, the second end
28 of intermediate bracket 20 may be provided with a pair of holes
62, 64, therein to allow the second end 28 of intermediate bracket
20 to be pivotally mounted to door bracket 30, as best seen in
FIGS. 5-7. Of course other mounting arrangements are possible and
may depend in large measure on the particular mounting arrangement
of the sliding door assembly 14. Consequently, the present
invention should not be regarded as limited to any particular
arrangement or configuration for mounting the intermediate bracket
20 to the vehicle door assembly 14 and/or separate door bracket
30.
[0024] As was the case for the track bracket assembly 18,
intermediate bracket 20 may be fabricated from any of a wide range
of materials, such as metals, plastics, or composite materials
suitable for the intended application. Therefore, the present
invention should not be regarded as limited to any particular
material. However, by way of example, in one embodiment,
intermediate bracket 20 is fabricated from mild steel.
[0025] As mentioned earlier, the intermediate bracket 20 is
moveably mounted to the track bracket assembly 18 so that the
intermediate bracket may be moved between a retracted position 24
(e.g., illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 5) and an extended position 26
(e.g., illustrated in FIG. 3). In one embodiment 10, the
intermediate bracket 20 is pivotally mounted to the track bracket
assembly 18, although other arrangements are possible, some of
which are described herein. In an embodiment wherein the
intermediate bracket 20 is pivotally mounted to track bracket
assembly 18, the first end 22 of intermediate bracket 20 may be
provided with a bushing 32 thereon that is sized to receive a pivot
bolt 34 and nut 36 provided on the track bracket assembly 18. The
mounting arrangement allows the intermediate bracket 20 to pivot
about axis 38 between the retracted and extended positions 24 and
26, illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3, respectively.
[0026] In some embodiments, the extended range sliding door hinge
10 may also be provided with a travel stop 40. Travel stop 40
prevents the intermediate bracket 20 from being retracted beyond
the retracted position 24. In one embodiment, travel stop 40 may
comprise a pin 42 mounted to track bracket assembly 18. In the
embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, intermediate bracket 20 may be
provided with a slot 44 sized to receive pin 42 when the
intermediate bracket 20 is in the fully retracted position 24, as
best seen in FIG. 1. Alternatively, such a slot is not required, as
depicted in the configuration shown in FIG. 5. Still yet other
arrangements are possible. For example, in the configuration
illustrated in FIGS. 6-8, travel stop 40 may comprise a flange 42'
provided on track bracket assembly 18. Flange 42' may be positioned
on track bracket assembly 18 so that it abuts the intermediate
bracket 20 when the same is in the retracted position 24.
[0027] The extended range sliding door hinge 10 also may be
provided with a biasing member 46, as best seen in FIGS. 4 and 5.
Biasing member 46 biases the intermediate bracket 20 in the fully
retracted position 24. In the configuration illustrated in FIG. 4,
biasing member 46 may comprise a coil spring 48 mounted between the
track bracket assembly 18 and intermediate bracket 20. Other
arrangements are possible. For example, an alternative biasing
member 46' illustrated in FIG. 5 may comprise a torsion spring 48'
mounted around pivot bolt 34. A first tang end 49' of torsion
spring 48' may engage pin 42 provided on track bracket assembly 18.
A second tang end 51' may engage a bolt 53' provided on
intermediate bracket 20. Torsion spring 48' therefore biases the
intermediate bracket 20 in the fully retracted position 24.
[0028] With reference now to FIGS. 2 and 6-8, the extended range
sliding door hinge 10 operates as follows extend the opening range
of the vehicle sliding door assembly 14, i.e., to allow the door
assembly 14 to be opened to the extended position 15 that is beyond
the normal or standard position 17 possible with the stock door
assembly. More specifically, when the door 14 is located between
the closed position and the standard position 17, the extended
range sliding door hinge 10 will allow the door 14 to operate
normally, with the intermediate bracket 20 remaining in the
retracted position 24. Biasing member 46 or 46' may help to hold
the intermediate bracket 20 in the retracted position 24. This
position is illustrated in FIG. 6. However, the door 14 may be
further opened, i.e., to the extended position 15, by continuing to
move door assembly 14 in the rearward direction. As the door
assembly 14 is so moved, the intermediate bracket 20 will begin to
rotate with respect to the track bracket assembly 18 (as best seen
in FIGS. 7 and 8), thereby allowing the door assembly 14 to move to
the extended position 15, beyond the standard position 17.
Thereafter, the door assembly 14 may be returned to the closed
position in the normal manner. As the door assembly 14 is moved to
the closed position, the intermediate bracket 20 will eventually
return to the fully retracted position 24 by pivoting with respect
to the track bracket assembly 18. Biasing member 46 or 46' assists
in returning the intermediate bracket 20 to the fully retracted
position 24.
[0029] It should be noted that the foregoing description assumes
that the lower and upper tracks have been suitably lengthened or
otherwise modified to allow the door assembly 14 to move to the
extended position 15. Alternatively, it is possible that the
existing or OEM track design will permit the extended movement of
the door 14 without further modification. In still another
alternative, the door assembly 14 may be provided with additional
extended range sliding door hinges, but configured to engage the
upper and lower sliding door tracks, in order to allow the door
assembly 14 to move to the extended position 15.
[0030] Other embodiments of the extended range sliding door hinge
are possible. For example, and with reference now to FIGS. 9 and
10, a second embodiment 110 of the extended range sliding door
hinge is provided with an intermediate bracket 120 that is
slidably, rather than pivotally, mounted to the track bracket
assembly 118. The slidable mounting arrangement of the second
embodiment 110 allows the intermediate bracket 120 to be moved
along a longitudinal axis 138 between a retracted position 124
(illustrated in FIG. 9) and an extended position 126 (illustrated
in FIG. 10). In the particular embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 9
and 10, the sliding mounting arrangement is achieved by mounting a
pair of guide rods 134 and 136 to a guide rod bracket 137. Guide
rod bracket 137 may in turn be fixedly mounted to the track bracket
assembly 118. A rod follower 131 may be used to secure a first end
122 of intermediate bracket 120 to the guide rods 134 and 136. If
desired, rod follower 131 may be provided with a pair of bushings
132 and 133 sized to slidably receive the guide rods 134 and 136.
Of course, track bracket assembly 118 may be provided with guide
wheels 150, 152, and 158 sized and positioned to engage the middle
door track 16 provided on vehicle 12. Similarly, the second end 128
of intermediate bracket 120 may be provided with a pair of holes
(only upper hole 162 is shown in FIGS. 9 and 10) sized and spaced
to allow the second end 128 of intermediate bracket 120 to be
mounted to the door bracket 30 provided on sliding door assembly
14. See FIG. 6.
[0031] In operation, the second embodiment 110 of the extended
range sliding door hinge also permits the door assembly 14 to open
to the extended position 15, i.e., beyond the standard position 17,
except that in moving to the extended position 15, the intermediate
bracket 120 moves or slides with respect to track bracket assembly
118 (i.e., along longitudinal axis 138), rather than pivoting about
axis 38 as in the first embodiment 10.
[0032] As mentioned earlier, the extended range sliding door hinge
assembly of the present invention may be used to replace one or
more of the existing hinges on the sliding door assembly 14 of
vehicle 12. A first step may involve removing the sliding door
assembly 14 from the vehicle 12. Thereafter, one or more of the
existing or OEM sliding door hinges (not shown) may be removed from
the sliding door assembly 14 and from the vehicle door track
assemblies, e.g., center door track assembly 16. The extended range
sliding door hinge (e.g., 10 or 110) as described herein may then
be substituted for the original sliding door hinge. In one
embodiment this may be accomplished by mounting the extended range
sliding door hinge 10 to the vehicle door assembly 14 or to a
separate door bracket 30, if provided. The vehicle door assembly 14
may then be reinstalled by engaging the extended range sliding door
hinge 10 with the vehicle door track assembly 16. Thereafter, the
extended range sliding door hinge will allow the sliding door to be
moved between a standard position 17, i.e., when the intermediate
bracket 20 of the extended range sliding door hinge 10 is in the
retracted position 24 (illustrated in FIGS. 1, 5, and 6) and an
extended position 15, i.e., when the intermediate bracket 20 of the
extended range sliding door hinge 10 is in the extended position 26
(illustrated in FIGS. 3, 7, and 8).
[0033] If the sliding door assembly 14 of vehicle 12 is mounted to
vehicle 12 by respective lower, intermediate, and upper door track
assemblies, as is the common arrangement, then the extended range
sliding door hinge 10 may be engaged with the intermediate vehicle
door track assembly 16, as described herein. However, in some
embodiments it may be necessary to also extend the lengths of or
otherwise modify the upper and lower door track assemblies to
accommodate the increased movement provided by the extended range
sliding door hinge 10. Alternatively, additional extended range
sliding door hinges may be substituted for the existing lower and
upper track hinges in order to provide the desired increased
movement.
[0034] Having herein set forth preferred embodiments of the present
invention, it is anticipated that suitable modifications can be
made thereto which will nonetheless remain within the scope of the
invention. The invention shall therefore only be construed in
accordance with the following claims:
* * * * *