VEHICLE COMPARTMENT CLOSURE APPARATUS
A vehicle compartment closure apparatus is provided. The closure apparatus includes a frame member and a door. The frame member is configured to be operably coupled to the vehicle contiguous with the compartment. The frame member is further configured to be operably coupled to a plurality of single and dual door configurations. The door is coupled to the frame member. At a first operational mode, the door and the frame member are rotatable about a first axis between an open position and a closed position. At a second operational mode, the door is rotatable about a second axis between an open position and a closed position, and the frame member does not move with the door.
1 . A vehicle compartment closure apparatus comprising:
a first door coupled to the vehicle contiguous with the compartment;
a second door coupled to the vehicle contiguous with the compartment; and
a frame member configured to be operably coupled to the vehicle and the first and second doors, wherein
at a first operational mode, the first door and the second door are operably coupled together, the coupled first and second doors are rotatable about a first axis between an open position and a closed position, and the frame member moves with the coupled first and second doors, and
at a second operational mode, the first door is rotatable about a second axis and the second door is rotatable about a third axis, the first and second doors are capable of moving away and toward each other about their respective axis between an open position and a closed position, and the frame member does not move with the first and second doors.
2 . The closure apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first door length is 65% of the first and second door combined length.
3 . The closure apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a handle, wherein the handle is operably coupled to a latch configured so either the first or second door can be moved toward the opened position when the handle is moved at the first or second operational mode.
4 . The closure apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a handle, wherein the handle is operably coupled to a latch configured so the coupled first and second doors can be moved toward the opened position when the handle is moved at the first operational mode.
5 . The closure apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the frame member includes a latch portion and a pivot portion.
6 . The closure apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the frame member further comprises a torsion bar operable with the pivot portion at the first operational mode.
7 . The closure apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the frame member further comprises a hinge configured to be operably coupled with the first door or the second door.
8 . The closure apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the frame member further comprises a striker configured for engagement with a latch for securing the first door or the second door in the closed position.
9 . The closure apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the frame member has a U-shape.
10 . The closure apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first and second doors coupled to the frame member are configured to replace single door and split door configurations for the vehicle.
11 . The closure apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first and second doors each have a support member configured to support the respective door in their opened position.
12 . The closure apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising an alignment portion coupled to each of the first and second doors for aligning the first and second doors.
13 . The closure apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a locking portion configured for releasably securing the first and the second doors in the closed position at the first or second operational mode.
14 . The closure apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the locking portion is further configured for aligning the first and second doors.
15 . The closure apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the locking portion is an electronic locking mechanism.
16 . The closure apparatus of claim 1 , wherein a surface of the first and second doors is substantially aligned with a surface of the compartment when the first and second doors are at their opened position at the first operational mode
17 . The closure apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first and second doors are a tailgate for a truck.
18 . A vehicle compartment closure apparatus comprising:
a frame member configured to be operably coupled to the vehicle contiguous with the compartment, the frame member being further configured to be operably coupled to a plurality of single and dual door configurations; and
a door coupled to the frame member; wherein
at a first operational mode, the door and the frame member are rotatable about a first axis between an open position and a closed position, and
at a second operational mode, the door is rotatable about a second axis between an open position and a closed position, and the frame member does not move with the door.