Chrysler Corporation

Philip E Payne

Robert J Janosko

Glen M Kondratek

Ernest F Willoughby

Kenneth McClatchey

Walter J Hojnowski

An improved door assembly for a motor vehicle, especially a pick-up truck having a rear window, whereby the outer panel of the of the rear door is fabricated to form parts of both the side and rear surfaces of the body portion of the vehicle. An operating clearance needed for opening and closing the rear door assembly is positioned on the rear of the vehicle so as to improve the appearance of the vehicle when the vehicle is viewed from the side. The operating clearance on the rear of the vehicle can be positioned to coincide with the frame of a window set into the body of the vehicle to partially obscure the operating clearance when viewing the vehicle from the rear. With specific reference to a pick-up truck, further obscuring of the operating clearance can be obtained by positioning the operating clearance below the window frame behind the bed of the pick-up truck. A plurality of hinges are used to attach the rear door to the body of the vehicle. The pivot axis of the hinges is positioned outward of the operating clearance and away from the aperture in the cab of the pick-up truck so as to improve ingress to and egress from the cab of the pick-up truck.

Growing community of inventors

Northville, MI, United States of America

Philip E Payne