Exterior accessory module for vehicular modular door
First Claim
1. A vehicular modular door system comprising:
- a vehicular door assembly comprising a vehicular door frame;
an exterior mirror mount mountable at an exterior portion of said door assembly, said exterior mirror mount mounted at said exterior portion of said door assembly at a first assembly station at an assembly facility, said exterior mirror mount comprising a first connecting portion;
an exterior mirror body mountable to said exterior mirror mount, said exterior mirror body mounted at said exterior mirror mount at a second assembly station at the assembly facility after said first assembly station, said exterior mirror body comprising a second connecting portion configured to mate with said first connecting portion when said exterior mirror mount is mounted at said exterior portion of said door assembly and when said exterior mirror body is mounted to said exterior mirror mount; and
wherein said first connecting portion is mechanically connectable to said second connecting portion to secure said exterior mirror body to said exterior mirror mount at said exterior portion of said door assembly from the exterior of said door assembly; and
wherein said first connecting portion at said exterior mirror mount and said second connecting portion at said exterior mirror body establish a pivot joint when said first connecting portion is mechanically connected to said second connecting portion, said exterior mirror body being pivotable about said pivot joint relative to said exterior mirror mount at said exterior portion of said door assembly.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An exterior accessory assembly or module for a vehicle door assembly comprises an exterior rearview mirror and/or door cap assembly, which may further include a cover member, a door handle, window frame, window seal and/or an exterior rearview mirror assembly. The exterior rearview mirror and/or the cap assembly may mount to the modular door and provide an exterior rearview mirror, a window frame and/or door handle. The latch and/or mirror connectors provide for connection to the handle and/or mirror assembly, respectively, of the accessory module as the accessory module is affixed to the door frame. Preferably, the exterior mirror and/or cap assembly and door frame include corresponding electrical connectors for connecting electrical accessories of the accessory module to a door wiring or harness.
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Citations
9 Claims
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1. A vehicular modular door system comprising:
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a vehicular door assembly comprising a vehicular door frame; an exterior mirror mount mountable at an exterior portion of said door assembly, said exterior mirror mount mounted at said exterior portion of said door assembly at a first assembly station at an assembly facility, said exterior mirror mount comprising a first connecting portion; an exterior mirror body mountable to said exterior mirror mount, said exterior mirror body mounted at said exterior mirror mount at a second assembly station at the assembly facility after said first assembly station, said exterior mirror body comprising a second connecting portion configured to mate with said first connecting portion when said exterior mirror mount is mounted at said exterior portion of said door assembly and when said exterior mirror body is mounted to said exterior mirror mount; and wherein said first connecting portion is mechanically connectable to said second connecting portion to secure said exterior mirror body to said exterior mirror mount at said exterior portion of said door assembly from the exterior of said door assembly; and wherein said first connecting portion at said exterior mirror mount and said second connecting portion at said exterior mirror body establish a pivot joint when said first connecting portion is mechanically connected to said second connecting portion, said exterior mirror body being pivotable about said pivot joint relative to said exterior mirror mount at said exterior portion of said door assembly. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A method of assembling a modular door for a vehicle, said method comprising:
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providing a door assembly to a vehicle assembly line, said door assembly including a door frame, at least one hinge member and a mounting portion at said door frame; providing an exterior mirror mount and mounting said exterior mirror mount at said mounting portion of said door assembly; providing an exterior assembly comprising an exterior rearview mirror assembly and mounting said exterior assembly at said exterior mirror mount after said exterior mirror mount is mounted at said mounting portion of said door assembly; and wherein mounting said exterior assembly includes connecting a connector of said exterior assembly to a connector of said exterior mirror mount at said mounting portion of said door assembly, wherein when said exterior assembly and said exterior mirror mount are assembled to said door assembly, said exterior mirror mount extends substantially along at least an upper portion of said door assembly, and wherein said exterior rearview mirror assembly is pivotally mounted to said exterior mirror mount and pivotable about a pivot joint that mechanically connects said exterior rearview mirror assembly to said exterior mirror mount. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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Specification