US3907357A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Van step well construction
Assignee: DAVIS WILLIAM F JR
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Filing: 1973-07-05
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Granted: 1975-09-23
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Expires: 1993-07-05
Abstract
Abstract A van-type vehicle having a roof with a downwardly extending side edge, a door in the side of the vehicle body, a step well means positioned behind the door which extends below the rocker panel of the vehicle, the vehicle roof including an opening formed in the lower portion of its side edge which forms a continuation of the body door opening to provide increased height therefor, the door having an upper section thereon filling the roof opening when the door is closed, the roof opening including roof rail continuation means positioned at the margins of the roof opening to reinforce the same.
Inventors
- 👤 Jr William F Davis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 14:59
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R3/00; B60Q; B60Q1/00; B60Q1/26; B60Q1/32; B60Q1/325
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
214 words
In a van-type vehicle having a roof with a downwardly extending side edge, a side door, a floor panel, and a rocker panel beneath the side door, a vehicle frame means, and a second side door, the improvement comprising: a step well means operatively engaging the vehicle frame means and positioned behind the second side door, said second side door extending below the rocker panel of the vehicle, means positioning said second side door for opening the same to expose said step well means, said vehicle frame means including a roof rail extending along the lower edge of said roof, said vehicle roof including an opening formed in the lower portion of its side edge at a vertically higher portion of the vehicle than the upper edge of said side door but which opening forms a continuation of the door opening for said second side door, said second side door having an upper section thereon filling the roof opening when the door is closed but exposing such opening when the door is opened, said roof opening including a roof rail continuation section positioned at the margins of said roof opening to reinforce the same and said roof rail continuation section being fixedly secured to said roof rail to form a continuous roof reinforcing member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
214 words
In a van-type vehicle having a roof with a downwardly extending side edge, a side door, a floor panel, and a rocker panel beneath the side door, a vehicle frame means, and a second side door, the improvement comprising: a step well means operatively engaging the vehicle frame means and positioned behind the second side door, said second side door extending below the rocker panel of the vehicle, means positioning said second side door for opening the same to expose said step well means, said vehicle frame means including a roof rail extending along the lower edge of said roof, said vehicle roof including an opening formed in the lower portion of its side edge at a vertically higher portion of the vehicle than the upper edge of said side door but which opening forms a continuation of the door opening for said second side door, said second side door having an upper section thereon filling the roof opening when the door is closed but exposing such opening when the door is opened, said roof opening including a roof rail continuation section positioned at the margins of said roof opening to reinforce the same and said roof rail continuation section being fixedly secured to said roof rail to form a continuous roof reinforcing member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
198 words
In a van-type vehicle having a body, including a rocker panel, a roof, a floor means, a vehicle frame means, and a door operatively position in a side of said body, the improvement comprising a step well means operatively engaging the vehicle frame and positioned behind said door, said door extending below the rocker panel of the vehicle, means positioning said door for opening the samE to expose said step well means, and the vehicle roof having an opening formed therein immediately above and forming an extension of an opening provided in said body for said door, said door having a top section thereon filling said roof opening when the door is closed whereby additional entry space is provided at both the bottom and top of said door when it is opened to expose said step well means and said roof opening; said vehicle roof having an edge section extending downwardly of the vehicle, said opening being formed only in the lower edge of said edge section; and reenforcing members for said edge section and said roof opening fixedly secured to the vehicle and forming a continuous unit at the margins of said opening and said edge section.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
198 words
In a van-type vehicle having a body, including a rocker panel, a roof, a floor means, a vehicle frame means, and a door operatively position in a side of said body, the improvement comprising a step well means operatively engaging the vehicle frame and positioned behind said door, said door extending below the rocker panel of the vehicle, means positioning said door for opening the samE to expose said step well means, and the vehicle roof having an opening formed therein immediately above and forming an extension of an opening provided in said body for said door, said door having a top section thereon filling said roof opening when the door is closed whereby additional entry space is provided at both the bottom and top of said door when it is opened to expose said step well means and said roof opening; said vehicle roof having an edge section extending downwardly of the vehicle, said opening being formed only in the lower edge of said edge section; and reenforcing members for said edge section and said roof opening fixedly secured to the vehicle and forming a continuous unit at the margins of said opening and said edge section.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
56 words
In a van-type vehicle as in claim 2, said reinforcing members include a roof rail operatively engaging the edge portions of said roof and a roof rail continuation section positioned at the margins of said roof opening and said roof rail and roof rail continuation section being fixedly secured together to establish a continuous reinforcing member.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-09-22 | 1979-03-24 | 1979-09-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-09-22 | 1983-03-24 | 1983-09-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-09-22 | 1987-03-24 | 1987-09-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |