Metal working – Means to assemble or disassemble – Including means to relatively position plural work parts
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-13
2001-08-28
Cuda Rosenbaum, I (Department: 3726)
Metal working
Means to assemble or disassemble
Including means to relatively position plural work parts
C029S281400, C029S271000, C029S468000, C029S464000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06279218
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to automobile doors and, more particularly, to a method and apparatus for aligning a striker with a latch on an automobile door.
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An automobile typically includes one or more selectively operable closure panels (e.g., doors, hatches, lids, liftgates, hoods, and the like) that are swingingly or pivotally fastened to one or more frame members of the automobile. The selectively operable door allows operators and passengers convenient ingress into, and egress from, the interior or passenger compartment of the automobile. The door typically includes a closure assembly for preventing the inadvertent or unintended deployment of the door from a closed to an open position.
Typically, the closure assembly includes a panel having a selectively operable latch that engages a striker positioned on the vehicle body of the automobile. In one typical configuration, the latch includes an engaging member (e.g., a rod, hook, or the like), whereas the striker comprises a C-shaped (or post-shaped) member. To retain the door in a closed position, the door latch is positioned in such a manner so as to engage the striker, which is mounted on a door frame of the automobile body (e.g., the “B” pillar).
Motor automobile manufacturers, in response to increased consumer expectations, are continuously attempting to improve their automobiles in areas such as fit and finish (e.g., striker drag, seal effort, door flushness, and the like), and quietness issues (e.g., buzz, squeeks, rattles (“BSR”) and the like). For example, the fit of a door to a body panel, the effort needed to close the door, or the quietness of the door can all be enhanced by proper alignment of the door latch and striker. The door latch and striker alignment may be determined during the vehicle assembly process. In one example of an automobile assembly process, an assembler, using a trial and error process, initially positions the striker, so that the striker is engaged by the door latch when the door is closed. The assembler tightens a retaining fastener (e.g., a screw) for the striker, and shuts the door. If the door is difficult to close, or the door is not flush with the vehicle body panel, the assembler continues to adjust the position of the striker and test the door, until the striker alignment is improved.
Because the dimensional relationship between the striker and latch should be strictly maintained to minimize door closing efforts, striker drag, door flushness, and door related noises, the trial and error methodology is time-consuming and inaccurate. The problem of misaligned or poorly aligned automobile doors can lead to consumer dissatisfaction, poor trade group reviews, and increased warranty claims. Accordingly, the automotive industry recognized the need for improving the alignment of the striker with the latch.
Various methods and devices have been suggested as possible solutions to this problem. Of particular note is U.S. Pat. No. 4,989,313 issued to Dzurko et al. and entitled “Magnetic Alignment Fixture” which discloses a magnetic alignment fixture to temporarily hold a door latch striker in position relative to a door jamb while the alignment of the doors is adjusted. The magnetic alignment fixture includes a base plate of flexible material having an aperture for receiving and positioning the striker. The base plate magnetically holds the striker on the door jamb. The base plate may be moved by sufficient force applied against the striker in the plane parallel to the door jamb to overcome the magnetic force holding the base plate and thereby adjusts the position of the striker. The entire disclosure of U.S. Pat. No. 4,989,313 is incorporated herein by reference.
However, the magnetic alignment fixture disclosed in the U.S. Pat. No. 4,989,313 suffers from several drawbacks and deficiencies. First, the alignment fixture does not limit the amount of cross/car movement. As a result, there is no limit or control to prevent a door from going underflush to the pillar. This makes the striker alignment process much more assembler dependent, thus increasing the potential for misalignment.
Second, the alignment fixture employs either rubber or a flexible magnetic material as the means for temporarily retaining the fixture on the pillar. In practice, this configuration does not retain the striker effectively with the dynamics that occur during the striker installation process (i.e. torque effect and assembler handling). Thus, the alignment fixture can inadvertently rotate or otherwise move out of position when the striker is being screwed or otherwise fastened into place.
Third, the alignment fixture does not include a convenient method of quickly and easily removing the striker fixture from the pillar once the striker has been aligned and installed. Thus, the alignment fixture must be “peeled” away from the pillar. This is a difficult task if the assembler is wearing gloves or other protective hand gear.
Other examples of methods and devices relating generally to striker alignment technology include:
U.S. Pat. No. 4,451,071 issued to Striese et al. and entitled “Adjustable Strike” which discloses an adjustable strike. The strike incorporates a bracket defining a slide, a striker plate including a latch-engaging section and an integral slider slidably positioned in the slide, and an adjusting screw recessed in the bracket underneath the slide. The screw has a head accessible at an edge of the bracket and a thread threadedly engaging the slider. Projections are provided at the opposite sides of the slide which overhang the edge margins of the slider to slidably retain the slider in the slide. The parts can be assembled by placing the screw in the bracket recess and engaging an edge of the striker plate slider under the projections at one side of the slide and pressing the slider down into the slide whereupon its opposite side edge becomes engaged under the projections at the opposite side of the slide. The entire disclosure of U.S. Pat. No. 4,451,071 is incorporated herein by reference.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,999,599 issued to Spier and entitled “Magnetic Switch And Latch For Vehicle Accessories” which discloses a magnetic switch assembly for an electrical circuit which includes a switch housing with a cavity formed therein and at least one magnetically attractable electrical contact member exposed within the cavity. One or more electrically-conductive magnetic pole members are movably disposed within the cavity, with a magnet being secured to the pole members for movement therewith. The pole member or members and the magnet are movable in the cavity between a first position in electrical contact with the contact member in order to complete electrical continuity of the electrical circuit. A movable and magnetically attractable striker member is disposed for movement toward and away from the switch housing cavity, such that as on a pivotal or hinged accessory cover. The magnetic attraction between the magnet (and pole members) and the striker member moves the pole members and the magnet into the second, circuit-breaking position whenever the striker member is moved within a predetermined distance from the cavity. The entire disclosure of U.S. Pat. No. 4,999,599 is incorporated herein by reference.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,282,305 issued to Nutt et al. and entitled “Method Of Aligning A Striker Plate With A Latch Body Of A Door Latch Mechanism” which discloses a method for individually setting the position of a door striker plate relative to the latch body which has to engage with the striker plate. The tool comprises a plate which locates around the striker plate, and which can be clamped by means of vacuum to the door pillar at any position. The method provides that the striker plate is loosely secured to the door pillar, the door is closed so that the latch mounted on the door moves the striker plate to the correct position for that latch, the tool is operated to clamp the striker plate in that position, the door is op
Dickens Edward A.
Lezuch Lawrence J.
Ouellette Thomas P.
Owens, II James N.
Warren Lawrence A.
Compton Eric
Cuda Rosenbaum I
DaimlerChrysler Corporation
Fuller III Roland A
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