Illinois Tool Works Inc.

Thunderline Corporation

Paul J Dunbar

Lawrence W Johnson

Richard K Mitts

John Michael Kosidlo

Norbert A Markl

Robert J Gignac

John M Kosidlo, Iv

A hinge assembly includes a door hinge housing configured to be mounted to a door, a body hinge housing configured to be mounted to a stationary object, and a check assembly including a spring. The body hinge housing is pivotally secured to the door hinge housing. The check assembly is covered by at least one of the door hinge housing and the body hinge housing.

Hinge assembly

A door check mechanism for regulating pivotal movement of a vehicle door between a closed position and one or more open positions, which mechanism is sometimes incorporated in a hinge, includes an elongated track member having a track surface with at least one detent receptacle in that track surface; a detent roller engages the track surface in rolling pressure contact at least part of the time whenever the door moves between its open and closed positions. Either the roller or the track has a resilient elastomer core, preferably an elastomer material (e.g., a silicone polymer) that retains its elastic properties over a temperature range that extends much higher than any temperature usually endurable by humans; the core is covered by a hard, relatively non-elastic but flexible sheath. The engaging portions of the roller and track surfaces are preferably dissimilar materials, usually a metal and a resin.

Vehicle door check mechanism

Growing community of inventors

Brighton, MI, United States of America

Paul J Dunbar