Automotive door assembly
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A door assembly for an automotive vehicle comprising:
- a door operably connected to an automotive vehicle for permitting access into the vehicle in an open orientation of the door, and for limiting access into the vehicle in a closed orientation of the door;
a latching mechanism mounted to the door for latching the door to the vehicle in the closed orientation;
a door release lever operatively connected to the latching mechanism so that actuation of the door release lever unlatches the latching mechanism for opening the door, the door release lever being pivotally connected to the door for rotation about an axis that is generally perpendicular to the door; and
an armrest mounted to an interior side of the door, the armrest having a forward portion facing a forward direction of the vehicle, wherein the door release lever is mounted to the armrest forward portion.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A door assembly is provided having an ergonomic egress handle. The egress handle includes a door release lever that is pivotally connected to an automotive vehicle door about an axis that is generally perpendicular to the door for unlatching the door so that the door may be opened relative to the vehicle. A method is also provided for operation of the door assembly.
41 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A door assembly for an automotive vehicle comprising:
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a door operably connected to an automotive vehicle for permitting access into the vehicle in an open orientation of the door, and for limiting access into the vehicle in a closed orientation of the door; a latching mechanism mounted to the door for latching the door to the vehicle in the closed orientation; a door release lever operatively connected to the latching mechanism so that actuation of the door release lever unlatches the latching mechanism for opening the door, the door release lever being pivotally connected to the door for rotation about an axis that is generally perpendicular to the door; and an armrest mounted to an interior side of the door, the armrest having a forward portion facing a forward direction of the vehicle, wherein the door release lever is mounted to the armrest forward portion. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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2. A door assembly for an automotive vehicle comprising:
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a door operably connected to an automotive vehicle for permitting access into the vehicle in an open orientation of the door, and for limiting access into the vehicle in a closed orientation of the door; a latching mechanism mounted to the door for latching the door to the vehicle in the closed orientation; a door release lever operatively connected to the latching mechanism so that actuation of the door release lever unlatches the latching mechanism for opening the door, the door release lever being pivotally connected to the door for rotation about an axis that is generally perpendicular to the door; and an armrest mounted to an interior side of the door, the armrest having a generally arcuate forward portion facing a forward direction of the vehicle, wherein the door release lever is generally arcuate and is mounted to the armrest forward portion.
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3. A door assembly for an automotive vehicle comprising:
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a door operably connected to an automotive vehicle for permitting access into the vehicle in an open orientation of the door, and for limiting access into the vehicle in a closed orientation of the door; a latching mechanism mounted to the door for latching the door to the vehicle in the closed orientation; and a door release lever operatively connected to the latching mechanism so that actuation of the door release lever unlatches the latching mechanism for opening the door, the door release lever being pivotally connected to the door for rotation about an axis that is generally perpendicular to the door; wherein the door is pivotally connected to the vehicle, and a passenger opens the door assembly from inside the vehicle by applying a force to the door release lever in a direction that is generally parallel to the door, and by subsequently applying a force to the door that is not parallel to the pivotal connection of the door.
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Specification