The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 14, 2010
Filed:
Nov. 28, 2007
Ian Brewster Hall, Ann Arbor, MI (US);
Brian Robert Spahn, Plymouth, MI (US);
John Pinkerton, Canton, MI (US);
Mangala M. Jayasuriya, Bloomfield Hills, MI (US);
Ian Brewster Hall, Ann Arbor, MI (US);
Brian Robert Spahn, Plymouth, MI (US);
John Pinkerton, Canton, MI (US);
Mangala M. Jayasuriya, Bloomfield Hills, MI (US);
Ford Global Technologies, L.L.C., Dearborn, MI (US);
Abstract
A collapsible door support structure includes a pre-defined bend or local stiffening feature. The collapsible structure is either be incorporated into the door handle or is incorporated into a bracket that is either attached to the door handle or to the door pull cup. If in the form of a bracket, at least one end of the bracket is attached to the door inner sheet metal. The other end of the bracket may be attached to the door handle or to the door trim panel. If used as a door pull cup support bracket a portion of the bracket is fixed to the bracket. In the event of an impact upon the vehicle door, the door inner sheet metal panel is pushed horizontally in a direction that is vehicle inward. The collapsible feature of the structure formed between the door inner sheet metal and the door trim panel causes the horizontal movement to be translated into vertical or upward movement and transmitting the energy away from the vehicle occupant, thus avoiding the door trim panel from being pushed inward into the passenger area of the vehicle.