This invention generally relates to hinge devices. Specifically, it pertains to a vehicle door hinge that is mounted to the base of the A-pillar of a vehicle and causes a vehicle door to open simultaneously in an outward and upward manner. This type of vehicle door hinge is called a gull-wing hinge.
Vehicle door hinges are typically heavy-duty utilitarian hinges that allow the vehicle driver and passengers to enter or exit the vehicle in a routine manner. Vehicle doors are usually attached to the vehicle at the front edge of the vehicle door, and they swing outward from vehicle within a very limited horizontal range. Additionally, many vehicle doors are attached to the vehicle frame at two hinge connection points, which severely limits the doors range of motion.
Currently no vehicle door hinge is available that has: aerodynamic features; a pleasing aesthetic shape; hinging between the door and the A-pillar of the vehicle; a robust design despite a compact size; and an ability to open a door simultaneously outward and upward. Additionally, no vehicle door hinge is specifically designed to bear the weight of the vehicle door while pivoting from a singe point at the base of the A-pillar of the vehicle.
Thus, there remains a long felt need in the art for a vehicle door hinge that combines: aerodynamic features; a pleasing aesthetic shape; a hinge axis between the door and the A-pillar of the vehicle; an inexpensive price; off-the-shelf availability; and an ability to open a door simultaneously outward and upward.
To minimize the limitations in the prior art, and to minimize other limitations that will become apparent upon reading and understanding the present specification, the present invention discloses a vehicle door hinge that combines: aerodynamic features; a pleasing aesthetic shape; a hinge axis between the door and the A-pillar of the vehicle; an inexpensive price; off-the-shelf availability; and an ability to open a door simultaneously outward and upward.
One embodiment of this invention is a vehicle door hinge, comprising: a mounting base plate; an A-pillar hinge housing; a hinge pin; a hinge top leaf; a door reinforcement plate; a lift support; a chassis angle mount; a door angle mount; and one or more washers. The mounting base plate is attached to an A-pillar of a vehicle. The door reinforcement plate is attached to a vehicle door reinforcement structure. The hinge top leaf comprises a top leaf body and one or more top leaf hinge knuckles. The A-pillar hinge housing comprises an A-pillar hinge body and one or more A-pillar hinge housing knuckles. The hinge pin connects the one or more A-pillar hinge housing knuckles and the one or more top leaf hinge knuckles at a hinge pivot axis. The A-pillar hinge housing is attached to the mounting base plate. The hinge top leaf is attached to the door reinforcement plate. The hinge pivot axis is positioned just above a vehicle door so that when the vehicle door is opened a door skin clears a fender skin. The chassis angle mount is mounted to a chassis of the vehicle. The door angle mount is mounted to the vehicle door. The lift support comprises a chassis end and a door end. The lift support chassis end connects to the chassis angle mount and the lift support door end connects to the door angle mount. The lift support provides support in lifting the vehicle door when opening or closing the vehicle door. The door reinforcement structure is a side impact beam of the vehicle door. The A-pillar of the vehicle is a roll over reinforcement structure of the vehicle. The hinge top leaf has an aerodynamic shape that reduces wind resistance. The one or more washers are placed between the one or more A-pillar hinge housing knuckles and the one or more top leaf hinge knuckles such that a precise paint gap is maintained. The one or more A-pillar hinge housing knuckles have threaded end caps that secure the hinge pin. The mounting base plate has one or more chamfered surfaces that facilitate attachment to the A-pillar. The mounting base plate further comprises threaded holes that facilitate attachment to the A-pillar hinge housing.
An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle door that will overcome the deficiencies of the prior art.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle door hinge that allows the user to open the door simultaneously upward and outward.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle door hinge that is inexpensive, compact, and compatible with most vehicle doors.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle door hinge that is safe and easy to use, and allows for safe and easy entrance and exit from the vehicle.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a durable vehicle door hinge that may be used by a wide variety of people regardless of their body size or strength.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a compact inexpensive, easy to install, and off-the-shelf vehicle door hinge that can be installed on a vehicle door to convert the door into a gull wing type door.
Another object of the invention is to provide a vehicle door hinge a vehicle door hinge that combines: aerodynamic features; a pleasing aesthetic shape; a hinge axis between the door and the A-pillar of the vehicle; an inexpensive price; off-the-shelf availability; and an ability to open a door simultaneously outward and upward.
Other features and advantages are inherent in the vehicle door hinge claimed and disclosed will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description and its accompanying drawings.
In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown, by way of illustration, a specific embodiment in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.
In the following detailed description of various embodiments of the invention, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various aspects of one or more embodiments of the invention. However, one or more embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, and/or components have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of embodiments of the invention.
In the following description, certain terminology is used to describe certain features of one or more embodiments of the invention. For instance “lift support” refers to any device that can aid a person in moving a vehicle door in an upward or vertical direction. A “lift support” is preferably a cylindrical gas spring, known in the art of vehicle doors, but it can be a mechanical spring, a pump, a motorized linear actuator, hydraulic cylinder, an air cylinder, or a pneumatic pump. Further, a lift support may be any shape without deviating from the scope of the present invention. An “A-pillar” refers to the shaft of material that supports the windshield (windscreen) of a car on either of the windshield frame sides. Preferably an A-pillar is also a roll over reinforced beam. “Skin” refers to the visible outer shell of the vehicle or vehicle part. “Chamfered surfaces” refers to a surface that has been beveled, angled, or sloped to allow easier fitting or connection to another surface. Typically chamfered surfaces refers to a forty-five (45) degree straight beveled edge, but it can refer to any shape or slope given to a beveled surface.
Although
Although not shown, door reinforcement plate 40 may also have a chamfered surface.
Preferably, the parts of vehicle hinge 5 may connect to the vehicle door, the vehicle A-pillar and each other using such means as bolts or welding, but they may be connected using any means, including, but not limited to, nails, screws, friction, straps, zip-ties, chains, clips, binders, bungees, cords, ropes, strings, cables, fasteners, staples, hook and loop, bands, latches, stitches, snaps, wenches, glue, other natural or synthetic chemical adhesives, adhesive tape, heat bonding, chemical bonding, crimps, clamps, or ultrasonic welding.
Preferably, the parts of vehicle hinge 5 are made of metal alloy, but they can be made from any natural or synthetic material, including, but not limited to: metal; metal alloy; wood or other fibrous plant products; glass; composite materials such as graphite, fiberglass, boron, or Kevlar; admixtures of plastic resins combined with metal, metal alloy, wood or other fibrous plant product, glass, or composite materials; plastic; animal materials; or any combination of these materials, without departing from the scope of the present invention. In the best mode of the invention, vehicle hinge 5 will be made of materials that will support the weight of a vehicle door.
As shown in
To close or open vehicle door 410, the standard door latch mechanism 415 is used to release or secure the door to the chassis. Although not shown, a supplemental latch may be installed to overcome deficiencies of the original manufacture door latch mechanism.
Finally,
In summary, the present invention is a vehicle door hinge that combines: aerodynamic features; a pleasing aesthetic shape; a hinge axis between the door and the A-pillar of the vehicle; an inexpensive price; off-the-shelf availability; and an ability to open a door simultaneously outward and upward.
The foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other embodiments of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the above detailed description, which shows and describes illustrative embodiments of the invention. As will be realized, the invention is capable of modifications in various obvious aspects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the detailed description is to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive. Also, although not explicitly recited, one or more embodiments of the invention may be practiced in combination or conjunction with one another. Furthermore, the reference or non-reference to a particular embodiment of the invention shall not be interpreted to limit the scope the invention. It is intended that the scope of the invention not be limited by this detailed description, but by the claims and the equivalents to the claims that are appended hereto.
Priority is claimed to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/983,926, filed on Oct. 30, 2007, and titled “A-Pillar Mounted Automotive Hinge.” This priority application is incorporated by reference herein as though set forth herein in full.
Number | Date | Country | |
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60983926 | Oct 2007 | US |