Articulated Door Hinge

Abstract

A door hinging system for supporting a door on a vehicle body for movement between closed and opened positions or opened and closed positions, movement in either opening or closing direction including in sequence a partially opened position at which a transfer of movement from one hinge axis to another occurs. For example, the sequence of movements in opening direction comprises a first movement about a longitudinal axis so that the door attains a partially opened outwardly tilted position relative to the vehicle body opening, the degree of outward tilt being determined by an extensible control element. Upon the proper outwardly tilted attitude being reached, upper and lower hinge pintles become axially aligned and provide a hinge axis about which the door is swingable in a conventional manner, as about a substantially vertical hinge axis, to an opened position permitting ingress to or egress from the vehicle interior. Movement from opened to closed position of the door occurs in reverse sequence.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As was noted in U.S. Pat. No. 3,150,408, issued to Charles Belsky on Sept. 29, 1964, vehicle body stylists long have indicated interest in a vehicle body configuration in which the roof panel is relatively narrow and the door and its contained door glass are tilted or curved inwardly at the top at an extreme angle. An extreme angle or tumblehome of the door and door window creates a problem in hinging the door so that there is no diminution of the entrance room into the vehicle body over that obtainable with substantially flat vehicle doors and conventional hinging systems.

If a vehicle door having extreme curvature and accompanying curved or tilted door glass is hinged in a conventional manner, movement of the door to an opened position with the window in a fully raised position creates an awkward tunnellike entrance to the passenger compartment. It is an object of the present invention to provide a door hinging system operative to substantially diminish the tunnel effect and thereby provide additional head clearance for a person entering or leaving the vehicle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A door hinging system constructed in accordance with this invention is adapted to support a door on a vehicle body for sequential opening movement from a closed position to a partially opened outwardly tilted position and then to a substantially vertical fully opened position, closing movement of the door occurring in reverse sequence. The hinging system comprises vertically spaced lower and upper hinge devices, the lower hinge device being a double-leaf hinge having one leaf secured to the door and the other leaf supported on a longitudinally extending pivot means mounted on the vehicle body. This double-leaf hinge has a pintle the pivot axis of which lies in a plane vertically intersecting the pivot axis of the longitudinally extending pivot means.

The upper hinge device also comprises in part a double-leaf hinge having its first leaf supported at one end on a pivot member mounted on and extending longitudinally of the door and its other end coupled by a pintle to one end of its second leaf. The other end of the second leaf is pivotally connected by a pivot means to one end of an elongated member the other end of which is pivotally supported on a longitudinally extending pivot means mounted on the vehicle body. The second leaf and the elongated member are foldable about the pivot means common thereto to form a foldable link adapted to be in folded condition when the vehicle door is in closed position.

When the vehicle door is in closed position and movement to an opened position is first initiated, the door is restricted by the foldable link, as the latter unfolds, to movement about the pivot axis of the longitudinally extending pivot means on which the lower hinge device is supported. Upon the foldable link reaching a predetermined extended condition, it controls or positions the door in a partially opened forwardly tilted attitude. In the partially opened outwardly tilted attitude of the door, the respective pintles of the lower and upper hinge devices obtain substantially axial alignment and provide a hinge axis about which the door is swingable in a conventional manner to a fully opened position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will be made more apparent as this description proceeds, particularly when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a semidiagrammatic view showing the hinge system embodying the present invention related to a door and door framing structure of a vehicle body;

FIG. 2 is a view in part similar to FIG. 1 illustrating the hinge system as the components appear when the door is in partially opened position;

FIG. 3 is a section view on the line 3--3 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is a section view on the line 4--4 of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now in detail to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a portion of a vehicle body floor pan 11 terminating in a box section sill 12 and a roof panel 13. The floor pan 11 and roof panel 13 are joined at the side of the vehicle body by a body pillar 14 having a relatively thick lower cross section 15 from the belt line of the body down to the box section of the sill 12 and a relatively thin upper frame section 16 from the belt line up to the roof panel 13. As will be readily understood, the pillar 14 is the hinge pillar or the pillar to which the vehicle door 17, shown primarily in dot and dash outline in FIGS. 1 and 2, is hinged to act as a closure or door for a body opening through which ingress to or egress from the vehicle body interior or passenger compartment area is achieved.

It will be noted that the side edge 18 of the roof panel 13 is located a substantial distance inboard of the outer side edge 19 of floor pan 11. The vehicle door outer panel 21 and the vehicle door window are pictured as having a radical degree of curvature or tumblehome so that the upper edge 23 of the window will meet the narrow roof panel edge 18. If the door 17 was hinged for swinging movement about a substantially vertical or upright hinge axis, movement of the door to an opened position with the window raised would create a tunnel effect. That is, any one attempting to enter or leave the vehicle body would have to duck under the upper edge 23 of the window. It therefor is considered desirable to move the upper edge of the window outwardly away from the vehicle body before the door is swung in a conventional manner about an upright hinge axis.

As shown in FIG. 2, the upper edge 23 of the window preferably should move to a point at least slightly outboard of the edge 24 of the vehicle door so that when the door is swung open the person avoiding interference with the lower edge of the door would also clear the upper edge of the window. A hinging system according to the present invention providing the desired movements of the vehicle door 17 relative to the body opening comprises vertically spaced lower and upper hinge devices, generally designated 25 and 26, respectively.

The lower hinge device 25 is a double-leaf hinge device having one leaf 27 secured to the door and the other leaf 28 supported on a longitudinally extending pivot stud or rivet 29. The leaf 28 is an elongated member extending from a point adjacent the lower part of the pillar 14 upwardly toward the leaf 27 of the lower hinge device 25, the leaf 27 being secured to the door 17 and located upwardly and outwardly of the lower edge 24 of the door. The hinge leaf 27 is coupled to the hinge leaf 28 by a conventional hinge pintle 31, the pivot axis of which lies in a plane vertically intersecting the pivot axis of the pivot stud 29.

For purposes of definition, the pivot axis defined by the pivot stud 29 is considered as extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle body and also as being substantially horizontal to the base plane on which the vehicle rests, i.e., the ground surface.

The upper hinge device 26 also is basically a double-leaf hinge having a first leaf 32 supported at one end on a pivot member 33 mounted on and extending longitudinally of the door and at its other end coupled by a hinge pintle 34 to one end 35 of its second leaf 36. The other end 37 of the second leaf 36 is pivotally connected by a pivot or shoulder stud 38 to one end 39 of an elongated member 41. The other end 42 of the member 41 is pivotally supported on a longitudinally extending pivot stud 43 mounted on a vehicle body pillar 14 proximate the upper end of the latter. As best seen in FIG. 2, the leaf 36 and the elongated member 41 of the upper hinge device form a foldable link which functions as an extensible control link, as will be explained.

The relationship of the various pivot axes defined by the pivot studs and pintles may be summarized as follows: The pivot axis of the pivot stud 29 supporting the lower hinge 25 on the vehicle body, the pivot axis of the pivot member 33 supporting or coupling the upper hinge device 26 on the vehicle door, the pivot axis of the pivot or shoulder stud 38 connecting the upper hinge device 26 to the elongated member 41, and the pivot axis of the pivot stud 43 supporting the elongated member 41 on the vehicle body are parallel to each other in fully closed position of the vehicle door and remain in this relationship during movement of the door to a partially opened outwardly tilted position (see FIGS. 1 and 2).

It has been noted that the pivot axis of the hinge pintle 31 of the lower hinge device 25 lies in a plane vertically intersecting the pivot axis of the stud 29. Similarly, the pivot axis of the hinge pintle 34 of the upper hinge device 26 lies in a plane vertically intersecting the pivot axis of the pivot stud 43. The pivot axis of the pintles 31 and 34, therefore lie in parallel planes and these planes are coincident. As best seen in FIG. 1, the hinge pintles 31 and 34, although lying in coincident planes, are in axially skewed relationship to each other in door closed position (see FIG. 1). Stated in another way, the hinge pintles 31 and 34 are in axially skewed relationship when the link formed by the hinge leaf 36 and the elongated member 41 is in folded condition. The pintles remain in this skewed relationship until the lower and upper hinge devices reach the position shown in FIG. 2 upon opening movement of the door. In the FIG. 2 relationship the pintles are axially aligned and the door may be swung about the hinge axis 46 in a conventional manner.

A counterbalance spring 44 is coupled to the hinge leaf 36 and the elongated member 41 forming the foldable link which is considered a part of the upper hinge device assembly.

OPERATION

Referring now to FIG. 1, the vehicle door 17 having a window 22 of extreme curvature or tumblehome is shown in closed position. Suitable latch mechanisms, one of which is diagrammatically illustrated at 46, are located at front and rear edge walls of the door to hold the door in latched position. Upon release of the latch mechanisms the door may be pulled outwardly of the vehicle body.

Upon the door being pulled outwardly, the leaf or link 28 of the lower hinge device swings downwardly about the pivot stud 24 axis. At the same time the foldable link consisting of the hinge leaf 36 and the elongated member 41 begins to unfold against the resistance of the counterbalance spring 44. The skewed pintles 31 and 34 prevent any swinging movement of the door occurring during this initial opening movement.

The hinge leaf 36 and the elongated member 41 thus may be considered an extensible control member which functions to limit the degree of outward tilt of the vehicle door. The outward tilt movement is permitted to continue until the FIG. 2 position of the door is reached. In this position the two pintles are aligned to form a hinge axis 45 about which the door is swingable in a conventional manner to permit ready access to the vehicle body interior.

As soon as swinging movement about the hinge axis 45 begins, the door cannot be pivoted inward at the top since such inward movement of the door can only occur when the pivot axes of the pivot studs or members 33, 38, 43 and 29 are aligned. Pivot 33 in any position of door swing about the hinge axis 45 will be skewed thus preventing inward pivotal movement.

During closing movement of the door the reverse sequence of movements occurs. That is, as soon as pivot 33 comes into alignment with pivots 38, 43 and 29, the door may be pushed bodily inwardly about pivot 29. The hinge leaf 36 and elongated member 41 begin to fold over or overlap. The pintles 31 and 34 move to a skewed relationship relative to one another and the door cannot be swung about the pintles.

Suitable stops, not shown, may be provided on the hinge members and adjacent body members to control the extent of movement of the various hinge device components.

It will be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the exact construction shown and described, but that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

I claim:

1. A door hinging system for supporting a door on a vehicle body for sequential opening movement from a closed position to a partially opened outwardly tilted position and then to a substantially vertical fully opened position, closing movement of the door occurring in reverse sequence,

the hinging system comprising vertically spaced lower and upper hinge devices:

the lower hinge device being a double-leaf hinge having one leaf secured to the door and the other leaf supported on a longitudinally extending pivot means mounted on the vehicle body,

the double-leaf hinge having a pintle the pivot axis of which lies in a plane vertically intersecting the pivot axis of the longitudinally extending pivot means;

the upper hinge device being a double-leaf hinge having a first leaf supported at one end on a pivot member mounted on and extending longitudinally of the door and its other end coupled by a pintle to one end of its second leaf,

the other end of the second leaf being pivotally connected by a pivot means to one end of an elongated member the other end of which is pivotally supported on a longitudinally extending pivot means mounted on the vehicle body,

the second leaf and elongated member being foldable about the pivot means common thereto and forming a link adapted to be in folded condition when the vehicle door is in closed position,

the door upon first being moved from closed position being restricted by the foldable link, as the latter unfolds, to movement about the pivot axis of the longitudinally extending pivot means on which the lower hinge device is supported,

the link in extended condition positioning the door in a partially opened outwardly tilted attitude,

the respective pintles of the lower and upper hinge devices attaining in the partially opened outwardly tilted attitude of the door substantially axial alignment thereby providing a hinge axis about which the door is swingable to opened position.

2. A door hinging system according to claim 1 in which:

the pivot axes of the upper and lower hinge device pintles lie in parallel planes.

3. A door hinging system according to claim 2 in which:

the upper and lower hinge device pintles lie in axially skewed relationship to each other in any condition of the foldable link other than in extended condition,

the skewed relationship of the pintles preventing swinging movement of the door about the pintles in any attitude other than the partially opened outwardly tilted attitude corresponding to fully extended condition of the foldable link.

4. A door hinging system according to claim 3, in which:

a counterbalance spring is coupled to the hinge leaf and elongated member forming the foldable link,

the counterbalance spring urging the foldable link toward folded condition and the door from partially opened outwardly tilted attitude toward closed position.

5. A door hinging system according to claim 3, in which:

the pivot axes of the pivot means supporting the lower hinge device on the vehicle body, the pivot member supporting the upper hinge device on the vehicle door, the pivot means connecting the upper hinge device to the elongated member, and the pivot means supporting the elongated member on the vehicle body are parallel to each other in fully closed position of the door and remain in this relationship during movement of the door to its partially opened outwardly tilted position.

6. A door hinging system according to claim 1, in which:

the pivot axes of the pivot means supporting the other leaf of the lower hinge device on the vehicle body, the pivot member supporting the upper hinge device on the vehicle door, the pivot means connecting the upper hinge device to the elongated member, and the pivot means supporting the elongated member on the vehicle body are parallel to each other in fully closed position of the door and remain in this relationship during movement of the door to its partially opened outwardly tilted position.

7. A door hinging system according to claim 1, in which:

a counterbalance spring is coupled to the hinge leaf and elongated member forming the foldable link,

the counterbalance spring urging the foldable link toward folded condition and counterbalancing the weight of the door as the latter is moved from closed to partially opened outwardly tilted attitude.

8. Door hinge mechanism supporting a door for movement into and out of a substantially vertical side opening in a vehicle body,

the hinge mechanism comprising:

a lower hinge device supporting the lower end of the door on the body for mutually exclusive swinging movement either about a horizontal pivot axis or about a pivot axis lying in a plane vertically intersecting the horizontal pivot axis;

an upper hinge device having a plurality of hinge members,

a first one of the hinge members being pivotally coupled at one of its ends to the vehicle body and at its other end to one end of a second one of the hinge members with both pivot axes substantially paralleling the horizontal pivot axis of the lower hinge device,

the other end of said second hinge member being pivotally coupled to one end of a third hinge member with the pivot axis lying in a plane vertically intersecting the horizontal pivot axes of the first and second hinge members,

the third hinge member being pivotally coupled at its other end to the door with the pivot axis being substantially horizontal,

the first and second hinge members forming a link foldable in door closed position and extendable to a position constraining movement of the upper portion of the door out of the body opening upon the door being swung about the horizontal pivot axis of the lower hinge device,

the pivot axis of the second and third members in constrained open position of the upper portion of the door being vertically aligned with the second mentioned pivot axis of the lower hinge device to provide a hinge axis for conventional swinging door movement relative to the body opening.

9. A door hinging system according to claim 8, in which:

the horizontal pivot axis of the lower hinge device, the horizontal pivot axis of the upper hinge device on the vehicle door, the pivot axis of the upper hinge device first and second hinge members, and the pivot axis of the first hinge member on the vehicle body maintain parallel relationship to each other during movement of the door from fully closed position to its partially opened outwardly tilted position.

10. A door hinging system according to claim 9 in which:

the pivot axes of the upper and lower hinge devices that lie in the planes vertically intersecting the horizontal pivot axes are defined by pintles that lie in axially skewed relationship to each other in any condition of the foldable link other than in extended condition,

the skewed relationship of the pintles preventing vertical swinging movement of the door in any attitude other than partially opened outwardly tilted attitude corresponding to fully extended condition of the foldable link.

11. A door hinging system according to claim 10, in which:

a counterbalance spring is coupled to the upper hinge device first and second hinge members forming the foldable link,

the counterbalance spring urging the foldable link toward folded condition and counterbalancing the weight of the door as the latter is moved from closed to partially opened outwardly tilted attitude.

12. Door hinging system for supporting a door on a vehicle body for sequential movement from a closed position to a partially opened outwardly tilted position and then to a substantially vertically opened position permitting ingress to or egress from the vehicle body interior,

the hinging system comprising:

a lower hinge device comprising a pair of hinge members one of which is pivotally supported on the vehicle body for swinging movement about a horizontal pivot axis and the other of which is fixed to the door,

the hinge members being pivotally connected to each other by a pintle providing a pivot axis lying in a plane vertically intersecting the horizontal pivot axis of the one hinge member;

an upper hinge device having a plurality of hinge members articulated for movement in a plurality of directions,

a first pair of the articulated hinge members being pivotally connected to form an extensible control element supported at one end on the vehicle body on a pivot means the axis of which substantially parallels the horizontal pivot axis of the lower hinge device,

a third of the articulated hinge members being pivotally coupled at one end to the door on pivot means the axis which extends in a substantially horizontal direction,

the third hinge member being pivotally connected by a pintle to the other end of the control element,

the pintle providing a pivot axis lying in a plane vertically intersecting the horizontal pivot axis of the lower hinge device;

the door upon initially being moved from closed position being constrained by the control element of the upper hinge device to swinging movement about the horizontal pivot axis of the lower hinge device to a position in which the door is partially opened in an outwardly tilted attitude to the extent permitted by the extension of the control element,

the respective pintles of the lower and upper hinge devices being transported as the door swings into the partially opened tilted attitude from a skewed position relative to one another into substantial axial alignment to provide a hinge axis about which the door is swingable to opened position.

13. A door hinging system according to claim 12, in which:

the horizontal pivot axis of the lower hinge device, the horizontal pivot axis of the pivot means coupling the upper hinge device third hinge member to the vehicle door, the pivot axis of the pivot means connecting the upper hinge device first pair of hinge members, and the pivot axis of the pivot means supporting the extensible control element on the vehicle body maintain parallel relationship to each other during movement of the door from fully closed position to its partially opened outwardly tilted position.

14. A door hinging system according to claim 13 in which:

the upper and lower hinge device pintles lie in axially skewed relationship to each other in any condition of the extensible control element other than extended condition of the latter,

the skewed relationship of the pintles preventing vertical swinging movement of the door in any attitude other than partially opened outwardly tilted attitude corresponding to fully extended condition of the extensible control element.

15. A door hinging system according to claim 12, in which:

the upper and lower hinge device pintles lie in axially skewed relationship to each other in any condition of the extensible control element other than extended condition of the latter,

the skewed relationship of the pintles preventing vertical swinging movement of the door in any attitude other than partially opened outwardly tilted attitude corresponding to fully extended condition of the extensible control element.