IP Library Granted Patent US 10,399,486
Granted Patent B2
US 10,399,486 · App. 15/591,172 · Granted Sep 3, 2019

Vehicle door removal and storage

Inventors: Stuart C. Salter (White Lake, MI); Pietro Buttolo (Dearborn Heights, MI); Paul Kenneth Dellock (Northville, MI); Cornel Lewis Gardner (Romulus, MI)
Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
B60Q3/217B60Q3/30B60Q3/76B60Q3/80B60R5/04
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 10,399,486
App. No.
15/591,172
Granted
Sep 3, 2019
Kind
B2
Abstract

A vehicle includes a hinge assembly rotatably coupling a vehicle door to a frame of the vehicle. A first light assembly is positioned proximate the door and configured to illuminate the hinge assembly. A door retention system having a housing defining a slot is configured to accept the insertion of the vehicle door. A second light assembly is configured to illuminate the slot.

Claims (42)

1. A vehicle, comprising:

a hinge assembly rotatably coupling a vehicle door to a frame of the vehicle;

a first light assembly positioned proximate the door and configured to illuminate the hinge assembly, wherein the first light assembly is configured to independently illuminate the hinge assembly and an electrical connection;

a door retention system having a housing defining a slot configured to accept an insertion of the vehicle door; and

a second light assembly configured to illuminate the slot.

2. The vehicle of claim 1 , further comprising:

a cushion positioned within the slot.

3. The vehicle of claim 1 , further comprising:

a cargo area positioned within an interior of the vehicle, wherein the door retention system is positioned within the cargo area.

4. The vehicle of claim 1 , further comprising:

a roller and a cushion positioned within the slot, wherein the roller and the cushion are configured to engage the door.

5. The vehicle of claim 1 , further comprising:

a sensor positioned within the slot and configured to detect the presence of the door within the housing.

6. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the electrical connection is positioned proximate the hinge assembly.

7. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the first light assembly is coupled with a headliner of the vehicle.

8. The vehicle of claim 1 , further comprising:

a luminescent structure positioned on a connector of the electrical connection.

9. The vehicle of claim 1 , further comprising:

a luminescent structure positioned on the hinge assembly.

10. The vehicle of claim 9 , wherein the luminescent structure is positioned on a hinge pin of the hinge assembly.

11. A vehicle, comprising:

a hinge assembly rotatably coupling a vehicle door to a frame of the vehicle;

a first photoluminescent structure positioned on the hinge assembly;

a door retention system having a housing defining a slot configured to accept an insertion of the vehicle door; and

a light assembly configured to illuminate the slot.

12. The vehicle of claim 11 , further comprising:

a sensor positioned within the slot and configured to detect the presence of the door within the housing.

13. The vehicle of claim 11 , further comprising:

a roller positioned at a bottom of the slot.

14. The vehicle of claim 11 , wherein the housing defines a plurality of slots, each of the slots having a cross-sectional shape substantially similar to that of a different vehicle door.

15. The vehicle of claim 11 , further comprising:

a retention strap coupled to the housing and extending across the slot.

16. A method of removing and storing a door of a vehicle, comprising the steps of:

activating a first light assembly to illuminate a hinge assembly coupling the door to the vehicle;

activating the first light assembly to excite a photoluminescent structure positioned on the hinge assembly;

disassembling the hinge assembly;

activating a second light assembly to illuminate a slot of a door retention system; and

inserting the door into the slot.

17. The method of claim 16 , further comprising the step of:

activating the first light assembly to illuminate an electrical connection extending between the door and the frame.

18. The method of claim 16 , further comprising the step of:

activating the first light assembly to excite a photoluminescent structure positioned on the electrical connection.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 10, 2017
From: SALTER, STUART C.; BUTTOLO, PIETRO; DELLOCK, PAUL KENNETH; GARDNER, CORNEL LEWIS
To: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
Reel/Frame 042318/0826 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20180326897A1 · Nov 15, 2018