Door check for vehicle sliding door

Abstract

A vehicle door check is provided including an arm connected with the door along a first end and with the vehicle along a second end, the arm adjacent the second end having a slot with first and second ends; a track of the vehicle for receiving the arm second end having a striker plate and an entrapment section; a rotary detent plate slidably mounted in the arm slot having its own first and second arms and a locking member; a spring for biasing rotation of the detent plate in a first angular direction and toward the slot first end; a contact surface fixed upon the arm interacting with the detent plate second arm whereby motion of the door from a closed position to a checked open position causes the detent plate locking member to contact the striker and pivot the detent plate in a second angular direction opposite the first angular direction and to move the detent plate toward the slot second end and wherein further movement of the door toward a checked open position causes the detent plate to pivot again in the first angular direction to place the locking member in the track entrapment section of the track with a low threshold of force on the door in the opening direction; and wherein the door is thereafter checked open even when the vehicle is on a declining surface toward the first end of the slot.