Door Check

• US 20080066260A1
• Filed: 08/26/2005
• Published: 03/20/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/30/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: M.T.M. Pty., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: M.T.M. Pty., Ltd.
• Inventors: Clark, Stuart
• Granted Patent: US 7,793,387 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 16/86A
• CPC Class Codes: E05C 17/203 concealed, e.g. for vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: E05C 17/206 with elastomeric springs to hold wing open
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/28 Extension link

Abstract

A door check (10) check including an arm (12), the arm (12) including an arm mount (22) provided at one end thereof for mounting the arm (12) to one of a vehicle door or vehicle frame. The arm (12) also includes a generally longitudinally extending first surface (28) and an oppositely disposed longitudinally extending second surface (30). The door check (10) further includes an arm guide (16). The arm guide (16) includes a housing (42), the housing (42) including a guide mount (56), (58) for mounting the housing (42) to the other of the vehicle door or vehicle frame, and a guideway (14) for receiving the arm (12) therein. The arm guide (16) also includes first and second generally facing arm engaging structures (64), (66) & (72) mounted to or within the housing (42) for receiving the arm (12) therebetween. The first arm engaging structure (64), (66) is mounted to the housing (42) and faces the first arm surface (28). The second arm engaging structure (72) faces the second arm surface (30). The arm guide (16) further includes biasing means (76) mounted between an inner surface of the housing (42) and the second arm engaging structure (72). The biasing means (76) is configured to bias the second arm engaging structure (72) towards the first arm engaging structure (64), (66), to urge the arm engaging structures (64), (66) & (72) into contact with the respective arm surfaces (28), (30) and thereby restrict longitudinal movement of the arm (12) through the guideway (14).

Claims

1. A door check, including;

an arm, the arm including;

an arm mount provided at one end thereof for mounting the arm to one of a vehicle door or vehicle frame; and

a generally longitudinally extending first surface and an oppositely disposed longitudinally extending second surface;

an arm guide, the arm guide including;

a housing, the housing including;

a guide mount for mounting the housing to the other of the vehicle door or vehicle frame;

a guideway for receiving the arm therein; and

first and second generally facing arm engaging structures for receiving the arm there between;

the first arm engaging structure being mounted to the housing and facing the first arm surface; and

the second arm engaging structure slidably mounted within the housing and facing the second arm surface;

biasing means mounted between an inner surface of the housing and the second arm engaging structure;

the biasing means being configured to bias the second arm engaging structure towards the first arm engaging structure, to urge the arm engaging structures into contact with the respective arm surfaces and thereby restrict longitudinal movement of the arm through the guideway.

2. A door check according to claim 1, wherein housing includes an open end.

3. A door check according claim 1 or 2, wherein the arm mount is configured for mounting to an inner surface of a vehicle door pillar and the guide mount is configured for mounting to an inner surface of a vehicle door structure.

4. A door check according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the arm mount is pivotally connected to the arm, and the guide mount is rigidly connected to the arm guide.

5. A door check according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the second arm surface includes at least one position locator for locating the second arm engaging structure at a discrete position longitudinally along the arm.

6. A door check according to claim 5, wherein the second arm surface includes at least two position locators spaced longitudinally along the arm for locating the second arm engaging structure at any one of at least two discrete positions longitudinally along the arm.

7. A door check according to claim 6, wherein the second arm engaging structure is locatable at three discrete positions longitudinally along the arm, with one of these positions corresponding to the vehicle door being closed.

8. A door check according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein each position locator corresponds to a depression or detent in the second arm surface for receiving the second arm engaging structure.

9. A door check according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein each position locator is defined between two proximate raised portions longitudinally spaced along the second arm surface.

10. A door check according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein each position locator is at least partially defined by a friction force existing between second arm surface and the second arm engaging structure.

11. A door check according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the arm engaging structures include at least one of friction blocks, friction pads, rollers and ball bearings.

12. A door check according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the arm includes an end stop for limiting longitudinal movement of the arm through the guideway.

13. A door check according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the biasing means includes at least one of a compression spring and a rubber block.

14. A door check according any one of the preceding claims, wherein the biasing means is pre-stressed.

15. A door check according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the biasing means and the second arm engaging structure are integrated.

16. A door check according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first surface of the arm is generally flat, and the second surface of the arm includes three longitudinally spaced raised portions defining two locators in the form of detents between the spaced raised portions.

17. A door check according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first arm engaging structure includes a pair of slider pads, with each slider pad mounted to an opposing housing sidewall adjacent the guideway opening.

18. A door check according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first arm engaging structure includes a single slider pad mounted between opposing housing sidewalls adjacent the guideway opening

19. A door check according to claim 17 or 18, wherein, each slider pad includes an arm contact surface facing and in contact with the first surface of the arm.

20. A door check according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second arm engaging structure includes a slider having an arm contact surface facing and in contact with the second arm surface.

21. A door check, including;

an arm, the arm including;

an arm mount provided at one end thereof for mounting the arm to one of a vehicle door or vehicle frame; and

a generally longitudinally extending first surface and an oppositely disposed longitudinally extending second surface;

an arm guide, the arm guide including;

a housing, the housing including;

a guide mount for mounting the housing to the other of the vehicle door or vehicle frame;

a guideway for receiving the arm therein; and

an open end

first and second generally facing arm engaging structures for receiving the arm there between;

the first arm engaging structure including at least one slider pad mounted to the housing adjacent the guideway opening and including an arm contact surface facing and in contact with the first surface of the arm; and

the second arm engaging structure including a slider slidably mounted within the housing and facing the second arm surface, the slider having an arm contact surface facing and in contact with the second arm surface;

biasing means mounted between an inner surface of the housing and the second arm engaging structure;

the biasing means being configured to bias the second arm engaging structure towards the first arm engaging structure, to urge the arm engaging structures into contact with the respective arm surfaces and thereby restrict longitudinal movement of the arm through the guideway.