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:
Aug. 07, 2012
Filed:
Nov. 16, 2009
Nathaniel P. Jordan, Ann Arbor, MI (US);
Christopher M. Higgins, Ypsilanti, MI (US);
Jessica A. Riffe, Pickney, MI (US);
Nathaniel P. Jordan, Ann Arbor, MI (US);
Christopher M. Higgins, Ypsilanti, MI (US);
Jessica A. Riffe, Pickney, MI (US);
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Erlanger, KY (US);
Abstract
A method and system for deforming a drive rod in a door after an impact to the door. An automobile having a door with a door handle, a drive rod, a latching system, a striker, and a drive rod deformation member. The drive rod deformation member can be positioned adjacent to the drive rod. Upon impact to the door, the drive rod deformation member impacts and deforms the drive rod. The deformation of the drive rod can correspond to a compression of the door and the door can be opened by actuating the door handle. However, the deformation of the drive rod prevents the drive rod from controlling the latching system to disengage from the striker through compression of the door.