Integrated motor vehicle door and chassis
US5806917A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 22, 1995 |
| Grant date | Sep 15, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 22, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60J5/0458
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A motor vehicle chassis is disclosed wherein a conventionally hinged door is integrated with and becomes a structural part of the main chassis when the door is closed. Wedge-shaped structural keys located on the forward and rearward edges of the door engage mating receptacles on the door jamb to transmit compressive, tensile, and torsional forces across the door opening when the door is closed. Preferably, the door hinges are separated when the door is closed so that all forces are transmitted through the keys and receptacles without interference from the hinges. The inventive technology can also be used with other vehicle door panels such as sliding side van doors, hoods, trunks, liftgates and tailgates to form a stronger, stiffer vehicle chassis that is less susceptible to deformation during impact.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.