IP Library Granted Patent US 11,958,344
Granted Patent B2
US 11,958,344 · App. 17/738,881 · Granted Apr 16, 2024

Vehicle door assembly

Inventors: Ronald B. Morrow, Jr. (Novi, MI); David Kovie (Livonia, MI); Robert Russell (Livonia, MI)
Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
B60J5/12B60J5/103
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,958,344
App. No.
17/738,881
Granted
Apr 16, 2024
Kind
B2
Abstract

A vehicle door assembly includes a vehicle body structure defining a door opening, a first door movably connected to the vehicle body structure, and a second door movably connected to the vehicle body structure. The first door is configured to move between closed and open positions. The first door is configured to move in a first direction from the closed position to the open position. The second door is configured to move between closed and open positions. The second door is configured to move in a second direction from the closed position to the open position. The second direction being different from the first direction.

Claims (51)

1. A vehicle door assembly, comprising:

a vehicle body structure defining a door opening;

a first door movably connected to the vehicle body structure, the first door being configured to move between closed and open positions, the first door being configured to move in a first direction from the closed position to the open position; and

a second door movably connected to the vehicle body structure, the second door being configured to move between closed and open positions, the second door being configured to move in a second direction from the closed position to the open position, the second direction being different from the first direction, the second door being configured to be received between a cargo floor and a floor panel of the vehicle when the second door is disposed in the open position,

the second door including an inwardly extending lip, the lip being configured to contact a rear end of the cargo floor when the second door is in the open position.

2. The vehicle door assembly according to claim 1 , wherein

the first door is configured to be received between a headliner and a roof panel of the vehicle when the first door is disposed in the open position.

3. The vehicle door assembly according to claim 1 , wherein

the first door and the second door are independently movable.

4. The vehicle door assembly according to claim 1 , wherein

the first door is made of a transparent material.

5. The vehicle door assembly according to claim 1 , wherein

the second door includes a plurality of panels.

6. The vehicle door assembly according to claim 1 , wherein

the first door travels along a first travel path between the closed and open positions, the first travel path having a substantially arcuate shape.

7. The vehicle door assembly according to claim 6 , wherein

the second door travels along a second path between the closed and open positions, the second travel path having an angle of approximately 90 degrees.

8. The vehicle door assembly according to claim 7 , wherein

the shape of the second travel path is different from the shape of the first travel path.

9. The vehicle door assembly according to claim 1 , wherein

the lip extends from the rear end of the cargo floor to the vehicle body structure in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle when the second door is in the open position.

10. The vehicle door assembly according to claim 1 , wherein

a lower end of the first door contacts an upper end of the second door when the first and second doors are in the closed positions.

11. The vehicle door assembly according to claim 1 , wherein

a height of the vehicle is not increased when the first and second doors are disposed in the open positions.

12. The vehicle door assembly according to claim 1 , wherein

a length of the vehicle is not increased when the first and second doors are disposed in the open positions.

13. A vehicle door assembly, comprising:

a vehicle body structure defining a door opening;

a first door movably connected to the vehicle body structure, the first door being configured to move between closed and open positions, the first door being configured to be received between a headliner and a roof panel of the vehicle when the first door is in the open position;

a second door movably connected to the vehicle body structure, the second door being configured to move between closed and open positions, the second door being configured to be received between a cargo floor and a floor panel of the vehicle when the second door is in the open position;

a first motor configured to move the first door between the closed and open positions; and

a second motor configured to move the second door between the closed and open positions, the first and second motors being independently controllable.

14. The vehicle door assembly according to claim 13 , wherein

the first door travels along a first travel path between the closed and open positions, the first travel path having a substantially arcuate shape.

15. The vehicle door assembly according to claim 14 , wherein

the second door travels along a second path between the closed and open positions, the second travel path having an angle of approximately 90 degrees.

16. The vehicle door assembly according to claim 15 , wherein

the shape of the second travel path is different from the shape of the first travel path.

17. The vehicle door assembly according to claim 13 , wherein

the second door includes an inwardly extending lip, the lip being configured to contact a rear end of the cargo floor when the second door is in the open position.

18. The vehicle door assembly according to claim 17 , wherein

the lip extends from the rear end of the floor liner to the vehicle body structure in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle when the second door is in the open position.

19. A vehicle door assembly, comprising:

a vehicle body structure defining a door opening;

a first door movably connected to the vehicle body structure, the first door being configured to move between closed and open positions, the first door being configured to move in a first direction from the closed position to the open position; and

a second door movably connected to the vehicle body structure, the second door being configured to move between closed and open positions, the second door being configured to move in a second direction from the closed position to the open position, the second direction being different from the first direction,

the second door including a plurality of panels, each of the plurality of panels being movably connected to an adjacent panel, and

a length of the vehicle not being increased when the first and second doors are disposed in the open positions.

20. The vehicle door assembly according to claim 19 , wherein

each of the plurality of panels is connected to the adjacent panel by a hinge member.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 26, 2024
From: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
To: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 069678/0718 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 6, 2022
From: MORROW, RONALD B., JR.; KOVIE, DAVID; RUSSELL, ROBERT
To: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Reel/Frame 059863/0885 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20230356574A1 · Nov 9, 2023