Land vehicles: bodies and tops – Bodies – Door or window with specified vehicle feature
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-16
2001-09-18
Dayoan, D. Glenn (Department: 3612)
Land vehicles: bodies and tops
Bodies
Door or window with specified vehicle feature
C296S151000, C296S202000, C049S213000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06290283
ABSTRACT:
This application is based on and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 with respect to Japanese Application No. 10(1998)-364665 filed on Dec. 22, 1998, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is generally directed to a vehicle slide door. More particularly, the present invention pertains to an electricity feeding device which establishes an electric coupling between components in a vehicle slide door and a vehicle body.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. Hei.10-936, published on Jan. 6, 1998 without examination, discloses an electricity feeding device for a vehicle slide door that includes a flexible conductive portion which establishes an electric coupling between components in the slide door and the vehicle body, respectively. The flexible conductive portion is configured to have a curved or U-shaped portion which is displaced with movement of the slide door for opening or closing the opening area formed in the side wall of a vehicle body.
In this known electricity feeding device, due to the fact that the flexible conductive portion possesses a thin rectangular shaped cross-section, the formation of the U-shaped portion in the flexible conductive portion causes an elastic restoring force which expands the curved portion of the flexible conductive portion in the outward direction. To prevent such an outward expansion, the curved portion of the flexible conductive portion is slidably fitted in a guide groove.
However, when the slide door is in its fully opened condition and one or more individuals enter into or exit out of the vehicle through the opening area in the laterals side wall of the vehicle, foreign substances adhered to the individuals' shoes such as small stones and snow may fall into the groove. Thereafter, when the slide door is moved to close the opening area, the foreign substances are held between the wall of the groove and the flexible conductive portion whose curved portion is displaced together with the moving slide door. This may disturb smooth movement of the curved portion of the flexible portion of the electricity feeding device.
Accordingly, a need exists for an electricity feeding device drive that is not as susceptible to the same disadvantages and drawbacks.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In light of the foregoing, the present invention provides an electricity feeding device for a vehicle slide door that includes a flexible conductive portion for electrically coupling components in the slide door and the vehicle body. The flexible conductive portion has a curved portion which is fitted in a groove of the vehicle body in such manner that at least one portion of the flexible conductive portion is spaced a distance from a wall of the groove. The curved portion moves in conjunction with movement of the slide door for opening or closing an opening area formed in the side wall of the vehicle body.
According to another aspect of the invention, a slide door supporting mechanism provided on a vehicle having a slide door slidably mounted on a vehicle body for movement between an open position and a closed position includes a guide rail secured to the vehicle body and having an open-faced groove, a roller secured to the slide door and fitted in the groove to slide along the groove as the slide door moves between the open position and the closed position, and an electricity feeding device having a flexible conductive portion providing an electrical coupling between components in the slide door and the vehicle body. The flexible conductive portion has a curved portion fitted in the guide rail in such a manner that at least one portion of the flexible conductive portion is spaced a distance from a wall of the guide rail. The curved portion is displaced in the guide rail in association with movement of the slide door between the open position and the closed position.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a vehicle slide door apparatus includes a guide rail secured to the vehicle body and having an open-faced groove, a slide door provided with a roller fitted in the groove to slide along the groove as the slide door moves between an open position and a closed position, and an electricity feeding device including a flexible conductive portion providing an electrical coupling between components in the slide door and the vehicle body. The flexible conductive portion has a curved portion fitted in the guide rail that moves in the guide rail in conjunction with movement of the slide door between the open position and the closed position. One end of the flexible conductive portion is connected to a first bracket that is mounted on the slide door and an opposite end of the flexible conductive portion is connected to a second bracket that passes through an opening in a wall portion of the guide rail and is secured to the vehicle body.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5140316 (1992-08-01), Deland et al.
patent: 5178435 (1993-01-01), Anderson
patent: 5836639 (1998-11-01), Kleefeldt et al.
patent: 5896704 (1999-04-01), Neag et al.
patent: 5967595 (1999-10-01), Heya et al.
patent: 6079767 (2000-06-01), Faubert et al.
patent: 6089649 (2000-07-01), Hamada et al.
patent: 0014520 (1994-01-01), None
patent: 10-936 (1998-09-01), None
Fukumoto Ryoichi
Kobashi Kenji
Ohhashi Masao
Shibata Kenichi
Shoudou Shingo
Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
Burns Doane , Swecker, Mathis LLP
Coletta Lori L.
Dayoan D. Glenn
LandOfFree
Drive device for vehicular slide doors does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Drive device for vehicular slide doors, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Drive device for vehicular slide doors will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2521754