Door check mechanism providing an infinite number of stable positions
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A vehicle door checkstrap assembly, comprising:
- a channel including first and second sides at a distance from each other, said channel adapted to be fixedly attached to one of an automobile frame member and a closure member;
an arm having a first and a second end where the first end is disposed in said channel, said second end of said arm being pivotally mounted to a mounting bracket, said mounting bracket adapted to be fixedly attached to the other of said frame member and said closure member;
a spring device biasing said arm toward one of the first and second sides of the channel;
a roller attached to said first end of said arm; and
a wedging assembly disposed in said channel between the roller and the one of the first and second sides of the channel.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A checkstrap assembly is provided for a door of a vehicle. The checkstrap assembly includes an arm passing inside a channel. The arm has a first end rotatably mounted to the vehicle frame such that the door may be selectively moved relative to the arm. A roller is rotatably mounted on a second end of the arm and is received in the channel. A wedging device is disposed in the channel in association with the roller. The wedging device and roller engage one another under low boards to provide a locked condition at an infinite number of positions within the channel, and which can be overcome by application of a larger load.
72 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A vehicle door checkstrap assembly, comprising:
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a channel including first and second sides at a distance from each other, said channel adapted to be fixedly attached to one of an automobile frame member and a closure member;
an arm having a first and a second end where the first end is disposed in said channel, said second end of said arm being pivotally mounted to a mounting bracket, said mounting bracket adapted to be fixedly attached to the other of said frame member and said closure member;
a spring device biasing said arm toward one of the first and second sides of the channel;
a roller attached to said first end of said arm; and
a wedging assembly disposed in said channel between the roller and the one of the first and second sides of the channel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
a first roller rotatably attached to a connector and a second roller rotatably attached to said connector spaced apart from said first roller.
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4. The vehicle door checkstrap assembly of claim 3, wherein said roller is disposed between said first and second rollers of said wedging device.
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5. The vehicle door checkstrap assembly of claim 4, wherein a force applied to said arm displaces said roller from a first position disposed against said first side of said channel to a second position wherein said roller is in contact with said second side of said channel.
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6. A vehicle comprising:
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a body frame member defining a door opening and a door pivotally mounted to said body frame member;
a channel including first and second sides at a distance from each other, said channel fixedly attached to one of said body frame member and said door;
an arm having a first and second end wherein said first end is disposed in said channel, said second end of said arm being pivotally mounted to a mounting bracket, said mounting bracket fixedly attached to the other of said body frame member and said door;
a roller attached to said first end of said arm;
a spring device biasing said arm such that said roller is biased toward said first side of said channel; and
a wedging assembly disposed in said channel between the roller and the first side of the channel. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9)
a first roller rotatably attached to a connector and a second roller rotatably attached to said connector spaced apart from said first roller.
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8. The vehicle of claim 7, wherein said roller is disposed between said first and second rollers of said wedging assembly.
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9. The vehicle of claim 6, wherein a force applied to said arm displaces said roller from a first position disposed against said wedging assembly to a second position wherein said roller is in contact with said second side of said channel.
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10. A door check assembly, comprising:
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a guide structure including a surface attached to one of frame member and a closure member;
an arm having a first and second end, said second end of said arm being pivotally mounted to a mounting bracket, said mounting bracket adapted to be fixedly attached to the other of said frame member and said closure member;
a biasing device for biasing said arm toward said surface;
a roller attached to said first end of said arm;
a wedging assembly disposed between said roller and said surface of said guide structure; and
means for preventing said roller from disengaging from said wedging assembly. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
a first wedge roller rotatably attached to a connector and a second wedge roller rotatably attached to said connector spaced apart from said first roller.
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12. The vehicle door checkstrap assembly of claim 11, wherein said roller is disposed between said first and second wedge rollers of said wedging device.
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13. The vehicle door checkstrap assembly of claim 12, wherein a force applied to said arm displaces said roller from a first position disposed against said connector to a second position wherein said roller is in contact with one of said first and second wedge rollers.
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14. A vehicle door checkstrap comprising:
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a channel including first and second sides at a distance from each other, said channel adapted to be fixedly attached to one of an automobile frame member and a closure member;
an arm having a first and second end where the first end is disposed in said channel, said second end of said arm being pivotally mounted to a mounting bracket, said mounting bracket adapted to be fixedly attached to the other of said frame member and said closure member;
a spring device biasing said arm toward said first side of said channel;
a roller attached to said first end of said arm; and
a wedging assembly disposed in said channel in association with said roller, the wedging assembly comprising a first wedge roller rotatably attached to a connector and a second wedge roller rotatably attached to said connector spaced apart from said first wedge roller, said roller disposed between said first and second wedge rollers. - View Dependent Claims (15)
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16. A vehicle comprising:
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a body frame member defining a door opening and a door pivotally mounted to said body frame member;
a channel including first and second sides at a distance from each other, said channel fixedly attached to one of said body frame member and said door;
an arm having a first and second end wherein said first end is disposed in said channel, said second end of said arm being pivotally mounted to a mounting bracket, said mounting bracket fixedly attached to the other of said body frame member and said door;
a roller attached to said first end of said arm;
a spring device biasing said arm such that said roller is biased toward said first side of said channel; and
a wedging assembly disposed in said channel in association with said roller, the wedging assembly comprising a first wedge roller rotatably attached to a connector and a second wedge roller rotatably attached to said connector spaced apart from said first wedge roller, said roller disposed between said first and second wedge rollers. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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18. A vehicle door checkstrap assembly comprising:
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a support surface adapted to be coupled to one of an automobile frame member and a closure member;
an arm having a first end coupled to a roller and a second end pivotally mounted to the other of the frame member and the closure member;
a wedging assembly disposed between the roller and the support surface; and
a biasing device urging the arm and the roller toward the support surface with a predetermined force, whereby the wedging device prevents the roller from moving along the support surface until a force sufficient to overcome the predetermined force is applied to the arm.
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Specification