Vertical door conversion kit

• US 6,845,547 B2
• Filed: 11/26/2002
• Issued: 01/25/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/20/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Vertical Doors Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Decah, LLC
• Inventors: Ham, Demetrius Calvin
• Primary Examiner(s): Mah, Chuck Y.
• Application Number:
  US10/305,522
• Publication Number:
  US 20030213102A1
• Time in Patent Office: 791 Days
• Field of Search: 163/74, 162/42, 16235-239, 162/41, 162/46, 162/48, 163/67, 491/39, 491/92, 492/36, 492/32, 492/40, 492/45, 492/26, 492/80, 296/146.11, 296/146.12, 296/76, 296/96, 296/146.8
• US Class Current: 16/374
• 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: E05D 3/10 with non-parallel pins
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 3/127 for vehicle doors
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 5/062 specially adapted for vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/531 Doors

Abstract

A vehicular door hinge mechanism provides for a motion in two different directions at two different portions of the door'"'"'s motion cycle. The present invention provides a hinge which allows the door of the vehicle to move outwards in a substantially horizontal plane for a predetermined arc, then move vertically upwards on another predetermined arc thereafter. The invention comprises a hinge mechanism having a chassis mounting plate and a swingarm. Between them is either a pivotal bearing or a hinge designed to allow the staged two dimensional motion of the invention. A spring or cylinder is connected at its ends to the chassis mounting plate and the swingarm. A horizontal pressure bearing surface and a cam adjuster cooperate to provide strength and precise fit of the door with the vehicle.

Claims

1. A vehicle door hinge for a vehicle door and frame, the hinge comprising:

a chassis mounting plate securely fastened to such vehicle frame;

a swingarm securely fastened to such vehicle door;

the swingarm further comprising a horizontal bearing surface;

the chassis mounting plate further comprises a strong bearing surface having a length;

the horizontal bearing surface and the strong bearing surface being located so that the horizontal surface rotates along the length of the strong bearing surface during motion of the door in a first horizontal plane;

whereby the strong bearing surface and the horizontal bearing surface cooperate together to take the stress of the door opening and further thereby allowing motion of the door in the first horizontal plane and a second vertical plane.

2. The hinge of claim 1, wherein motion of the door in the first horizontal plane and motion of the door in the second vertical plane occurs sequentially.

3. The hinge of claim 1, wherein the strong bearing surface and the horizontal bearing surface further comprises one member selected from the group consisting of:

a bi-directional hinge, a spherical bearing, and combinations thereof.

4. The hinge of claim 1, wherein the strong bearing surface further comprises a cam adjuster having a barrel with an off-center axis of rotation and a post, the barrel being able to rotate about the post.

5. The hinge of claim 4, wherein the cam adjuster further comprises a set screw having a first position in which rotation of the barrel about the post is enabled and a second position in which rotation about the post is prevented.

6. A vehicle door hinge for a vehicle door and frame, the hinge comprising:

a chassis mounting plate securely fastened to such vehicle frame;

a swingarm securely fastened to such vehicle door;

a bi-directional rotation mechanism allowing motion of the door in a first horizontal plane and a second vertical plane, wherein the bi-directional rotation mechanism comprises;

a bi-directional hinge having a first position corresponding to such door being closed, a second position corresponding to such door having opened through the horizontal plane, a vertical shaft having at least one steel ball disposed within, and a groove;

the groove being located beneath the vertical shaft when the bi-directional hinge is in the first position, the ball sitting partially in the groove and blocking rotation the bi-directional hinge when the bi-directional hinge is in the first position, the ball being forced out of the groove when the bi-directional hinge is in the second position thereby enabling rotation of the bi-directional hinge in the vertical plane.

7. A vehicle door hinge for a vehicle door and frame, the hinge comprising;

a chassis mounting plate securely fastened to such vehicle frame;

a swingarm securely fastened to such vehicle door;

a bi-directional rotation mechanism allowing motion of the door in a first horizontal plane and a second vertical plane comprising a bi-directional hinge, at least one hinge support, a hinge bin passing through the bi-directional hinge and hinge support, whereby the horizontal rotation in the first plane is enabled;

further comprising;

an externally threaded locking pin;

an internally threaded sleeve connecting to the swingarm, the locking pin engaged with the sleeve;

the bi-directional rotation device having a first position corresponding to such door being closed and a second position corresponding to such door having opened through the horizontal plane,

the hinge support being dimensioned and configured such that when the bi-directional rotation device is in the first position the locking pin may not enter the hinge support, whereby the internally threaded sleeve prevents rotation in the vertical plane.

8. A vehicle door hinge for a vehicle door and frame, the hinge comprising:

a chassis mounting plate securely fastened to such vehicle frame;

a swingarm securely fastened to such vehicle door;

a bi-directional rotation mechanism allowing motion of the door in a first horizontal plane and a second vertical plane;

a sag adjuster screw guide mechanism rotationally connected in the first horizontal plane to the bi-directional rotation mechanism; and

a sag adjuster screw bearing against the sag adjuster screw guide when the vehicle door is rotated through the first horizontal plane.

9. The hinge of claim 8, wherein motion of the door in the first horizontal plane and motion of the door in the second vertical plane occurs sequentially.

10. The hinge of claim 8, wherein the bi-directional rotation mechanism further comprises one member selected from tho group consisting of:

a bi-directional hinge, a spherical bearing, and combinations thereof.