US4378658A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Mounting for a vehicle door
Assignee: Delorean Research LP
•
Filing: 1981-02-04
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Granted: 1983-04-05
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Expires: 2001-02-04
Abstract
Abstract A door is mounted to hinge about a horizontal axis between a closed position and an open position. A torsion bar is mounted in pretensioned manner to bias the door from the closed position to the open position and to hold the door in the open position in a tensioned manner. The vehicle body is made of molded reinforced plastic while the hinges and mounting plates are metal.
Inventors
- 👤 John Z. DeLorean
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 06:26
CPC Classifications
E; E05; E05F; E05F1/00; E05F1/08; E05F1/10; E05F1/12; E05F1/123; E05F1/1238; E05Y; E05Y2900/00; E05Y2900/10; E05Y2900/13; E05Y2900/132
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
131 words
In combination: a vehicle body; a door; a pair of hinges disposed on a common hinge axis, for mounting said door on said vehicle body for movement between a closed position and an open position, each hinge having a mounting plate, a hinge plate and a pin mounted on said axis and in said mounting plate with said hinge plate pivoted thereon; means securing said mounting plate to said vehicle body; at least one bolt securing each respective hinge plate to said door frame, said bolt having a projecting head for abutting said vehicle in a recessed manner in a closed position of said door; and a torsion bar having one end secured to said door and another end secured to said vehicle body biasing said door toward said open position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
131 words
In combination: a vehicle body; a door; a pair of hinges disposed on a common hinge axis, for mounting said door on said vehicle body for movement between a closed position and an open position, each hinge having a mounting plate, a hinge plate and a pin mounted on said axis and in said mounting plate with said hinge plate pivoted thereon; means securing said mounting plate to said vehicle body; at least one bolt securing each respective hinge plate to said door frame, said bolt having a projecting head for abutting said vehicle in a recessed manner in a closed position of said door; and a torsion bar having one end secured to said door and another end secured to said vehicle body biasing said door toward said open position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said hinge plate of one of said hinges includes a socket receiving one end of said torsion bar in non-rotatable manner whereby upon movement of said door towards said closed position said torsion bar is twisted.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The combination as set forth in claim 2 wherein said torsion bar is coaxial with said hinge axis at said one end and offset from said axis at an opposite end.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The combination as set forth in claim 2 wherein said torsion bar is fixedly secured at an end opposite said one end.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said torsion bar is a cryogenic torsion bar.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said body is made of glass fiber reinforced plastic.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said hinge axis is horizontal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said torsion bar is pre-tensioned to hold said door in said open position.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-04-04 | 1986-10-04 | 1987-04-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-04-04 | 1990-10-04 | 1991-04-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-04-04 | 1994-10-04 | 1995-04-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |