Vehicle with upwardly pivoting door

• US 6,676,193 B1
• Filed: 01/13/2003
• Issued: 01/13/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/13/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Corbin Pacific, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Corbin Pacific, Inc.
• Inventors: Hanagan, Michael W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pape, Joseph D.
• Application Number:
  US10/341,301
• Time in Patent Office: 365 Days
• Field of Search: 296/146.1, 296/146.11, 296/202, 296/190.11
• US Class Current: 296/146.11
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 5/0472 the door having a hinge axis in horizontal direction transverse to vehicle longitudinal axis
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 15/00 Suspension arrangements for wings arrangements of wings not characterised by the construction of the supporting means E06B3/32
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 1/1091 with a gas spring E05F1/1292 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 1/1215 with a canted-coil torsion spring
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/531 Doors

Abstract

A vehicle has a chassis providing a drier compartment and includes a door frame about an opening into the driver compartment. A door is cooperatively dimensioned and configured to close the opening, and is pivotably mounted on the door on the forward portion of the door frame by a hinge. The hinge includes a pivot pin having a pivot axis angled rearwardly and outwardly. The door pivots upwardly and forwardly about the pivot pin during opening movement. Upward opening of the door is facilitated by the inclusion of a spring arragement biasing the door into an open position.

Claims

1. In a vehicle, the combination comprising:

(a) a chassis providing a driver compartment and including a door frame about an opening into said driver compartment;

(b) a door cooperatively dimensioned and configured to close said opening;

(c) a hinge pivotably mounting said door on the forward portion of said door frame, said hinge including a pivot pin having a pivot axis angled rearwardly and outwardly; and

(d) first biasing means biasing said door upwardly, said door pivoting upwardly and forwardly about said pivot pin during opening movement.

2. The vehicle in accordance with claim 1 wherein said first biasing means includes a torsion spring means about said pivot pin biasing said door into an open position.

3. The vehicle in accordance with claim 2 wherein there is also included second biasing means connected between said door frame and said door rearwardly of said pivot pin, said second biasing means augmenting said spring means.

4. The vehicle in accordance with claim 3 wherein said second biasing means is a gas spring.

5. The vehicle in accordance with claim 1 wherein said door includes a frame member therein extending over substantially the span of the door and said pivot pin and second biasing means are connected to said frame member.

6. The vehicle in accordance with claim 1 wherein said door frame and opening are angled rearwardly and inwardly.

7. The vehicle in accordance with claim 1 wherein, upon initial opening movement of said door, the upper rear edge portion of said door moves outwardly from said frame.

8. The vehicle in accordance with claim 7 wherein said door thereafter moves substantially in a vertical plane.

9. The vehicle in accordance with claim 1 wherein said pivot axis of said pivot pin is angled downwardly in the outward direction.

10. The vehicle in accordance with claim 1 wherein said hinge is mounted on the upper end of said forward portion of said door frame.

11. In a vehicle, the combination comprising:

(a) a chassis providing a driver compartment and including a door frame about an opening into said driver compartment;

(b) a door cooperatively dimensioned and configured to close said opening, said door frame and opening being angled rearwardly and inwardly;

(c) a hinge pivotably mounting said door on the upper end of said forward portion of said door frame, said hinge including a pivot pin having a pivot axis angled rearwardly and outwardly, said pivot pin also being angled downwardly in the outward direction; and

(d) first biasing means biasing said door upwardly, said door pivoting upwardly and forwardly about said pin during opening movement.

12. The vehicle in accordance with claim 11 wherein said first biasing means includes a torsion spring means about said pivot pin biasing said door into an open position.

13. The vehicle in accordance with claim 11 wherein there is also included second biasing means connected between said door frame and said door rearwardly of said pivot pin, said second biasing means augmenting said spring means.

14. The vehicle in accordance with claim 13 wherein said second biasing means is a gas spring.

15. The vehicle in accordance with claim 11 wherein said door includes a frame member therein extending over substantially the span of the door and wherein said pivot pin and second biasing means are connected to said frame member.

16. The vehicle in accordance with claim 11 wherein, upon initial opening movement of said door, the upper rear edge portion of said door moves outwardly from said frame and the door thereafter moves substantially in a vertical plane.