Swing and slide door

• US 20050116496A1
• Filed: 01/16/2003
• Published: 06/02/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/17/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ultra Global Limited
• Original Assignee: Advanced Transport Systems Limited
• Inventors: Lowson, Martin V, Bailey, Paul, Cook, Christopher V.
• Granted Patent: US 7,364,219 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 296/146.110
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 5/062 for utility vehicles or public transport B60J5/08 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 15/0647 on sliding blocks
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 15/30 with pivoted arms and sliding guides
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/63 operated by swinging arms
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/531 Doors

Abstract

A door (6), for example in a vehicle, is mounted at one edge (8) for acurate movement about the axis of a shaft (16), and at the other edge (10) for displacement substantially in the plane of the door opening along rails (26, 28). Thus, on opening, the edge (8) swings outwards from the door opening before moving longitudinally away from the door opening, with the edge (10) being guided along the rails (26 and 28).

Claims

1-20. -20. (canceled)

21. A door mounted on a structure for displacement between an open position and a closed position with respect to a door aperture in the structure, the door being connected to the structure by first guide means, which constrains a leading edge of the door, with respect to movement towards the open position, to execute an arcuate movement about an axis which is fixed to the structure, and by second guide means, which constrains a trailing edge of the door to execute a linear movement substantially parallel to the plane of the door aperture.

22. A door as claimed in claim 21, in which the first guide means comprises a door control lever which is mounted at one end for pivoting movement about an axis fixed to the structure, and is connected at the other end for pivotable movement relative to the door.

23. A door as claimed in claim 21, in which the axis of arcuate movement extends upwardly.

24. A door as claimed in claim 22, in which drive means is provided for pivoting the door control lever relative to the structure.

25. A door as claimed in claim 24, in which the drive means acts on a drive element which is rigidly connected to the door control lever.

26. A door as claimed in claim 22, in which the door control lever is one of two door control levers which are rigidly mounted on a common shaft which is rotatable about the axis.

27. A door as claimed in claim 26, in which the door control levers are connected to the door at the same perpendicular distance as each other from the axis.

28. A door as claimed in claim 21, in which the second guide means comprises a guide element mounted adjacent the trailing edge of the door, the guide element engaging a guide track which is fixed to the structure.

29. A door as claimed in claim 28, in which the guide track extends parallel to the door opening.

30. A door as claimed in claim 28, in which the guide track lies generally in a plane which is perpendicular to the axis of arcuate movement.

31. A door as claimed in claim 28, in which the guide track is one of two parallel, or almost parallel, guide tracks which are spaced apart in the direction of the axis of arcuate movement.

32. A door as claimed in claim 31, in which the guide tracks lie in or close to a common plane which is inclined to the axis of arcuate movement.

33. A door as claimed in claim 21, in which the door is curved about a generally horizontal axis.

34. A door as claimed in claim 21, in which the structure is a vehicle body having inner and outer skins.

35. A door as claimed in claim 34, in which the axis of arcuate movement extends between the skins.

36. A door as claimed in claim 34, in which the first guide means comprises a door control lever which is mounted at one end for pivoting movement about an axis fixed to the structure, and is connected at the other end for pivotable movement relative to the door;

and

a drive means is provided for pivoting the door control lever relative to the structure, wherein said drive means is disposed between the skins.

37. A door as claimed in claim 36, in which the door control lever projects through the outer skin of the vehicle body when the door is in the open position.

38. A door as claimed in claim 28, in which said structure is a vehicle body having inner and outer skins;

and

the guide track is disposed in a channel formed in the outer skin.

39. A door as claimed in claim 21, in which said structure is a vehicle body having inner and outer skins;

and

the guide track is disposed below a floor panel which is secured to the vehicle structure.

40. A vehicle having a door in accordance with claim 21.