Granted Patent B2

US 6,974,177 · App. 10/732,500 · Granted Dec 13, 2005

Abstract

Claims (32)

1. A door assembly for a vehicle comprising:

a front side door having a rear end and a forward end for pivotal connection to a front pillar of a vehicle body to open and close a front portion of a door opening;

a rear side door having a forward end and a rear end;

at least one dual-axis door hinge connected to said rear end of said rear side door and for connection to a rear pillar of the vehicle body and having a dual pivot to allow said rear side door to pivot independently of said front side door between an open position and a closed position relative to a rear portion of the door opening; and

wherein said at least one dual-axis door hinge comprises a door side strap mounted to said rear side door, a body side strap mounted to the rear pillar, and an intermediate link pivotally connected to said body side strap to form a first pivot axis and pivotally connected to said door side strap to form a second pivot axis, said intermediate link includes a base portion and an intermediate portion pivotally connected to said base portion;

a catch connected to said body side strap and cooperating with said intermediate portion to lock and unlock said first pivot axis.

2. A door assembly as set forth in claim 1 including a spring cooperating with said intermediate portion to urge said intermediate portion into contact with said catch.

3. A door assembly as set forth in claim 1 including a lower track for connection to the vehicle body.

4. A door assembly as set forth in claim 3 including a lower pin connected to a forward end of said rear side door and cooperating with said lower track.

5. A door assembly for a vehicle comprising:

a front side door having a rear end and a forward end for pivotal connection to a front pillar of a vehicle body to open and close a front portion of a door opening;

a rear side door having a forward end and a rear end;

at least one dual-axis door hinge assembly connected to said rear end of said rear side door and for connection to a rear pillar of the vehicle body and having a dual pivot to allow said rear side door to pivot independently of said front side door between an open position and a closed position relative to a rear portion of said door opening; and

an upper track for connection to the vehicle body.

6. A door assembly as set forth in claim 5 including an upper pin connected to a forward end of said rear side door and cooperating with said upper track.

7. A vehicle comprising:

a vehicle body having a front end, a rear end, opposed sides, and a continuous door opening in at least one of said sides;

a front side door having a rear end and a forward end pivotally connected to said vehicle body at a front end of said door opening to open and close a front portion of said door opening;

a rear side door having a forward end and a rear end;

a dual-axis door hinge assembly connected to said rear end of said rear side door and connected to said vehicle body at a rear end of said door opening and having a dual pivot to allow said rear side door to pivot independently of said front side door between an open position and a closed position relative to a rear portion of said door opening; and

wherein said dual-axis door hinge assembly comprises a door side strap mounted to said rear side door, a body side strap mounted to said vehicle body, and an intermediate link pivotally connected to said body side strap to form a first pivot axis and pivotally connected to said door side strap to form a second pivot axis, said intermediate link includes a base portion and an intermediate portion pivotally connected to said base portion; and

a catch connected to said body side strap and cooperating with said intermediate portion to lock and unlock said first pivot axis.

8. A vehicle as set forth in claim 7 including a spring cooperating with said intermediate portion to urge said intermediate portion into contact with said catch.

9. A vehicle as set forth in claim 7 including a lower track connected to said vehicle body.

10. A vehicle as set forth in claim 9 including a lower pin connected to a forward end of said rear side door and cooperating with said lower track.

11. A vehicle comprising:

a vehicle body having a front end, a rear end, opposed sides, and a continuous door opening in at least one of said sides;

a front side door having a rear end and a forward end pivotally connected to said vehicle body at a front end of said door opening to open and close a front portion of said door opening;

a rear side door having a forward end and a rear end;

a dual-axis door hinge assembly connected to said rear end of said rear side door and connected to said vehicle body at a rear end of said door opening and having a dual pivot to allow said rear side door to pivot independently of said front side door between an open position and a closed position relative to a rear portion of said door opening; and

an upper track connected to said vehicle body.

12. A vehicle as set forth in claim 11 including an upper pin connected to a forward end of said rear side door and cooperating with said upper track.

Assignments (12)