Patent ID: 6264267
Filing Date: 2001-07-24
Classification: E05F,E05Y

Abstract:
An improved vehicle door operator for use on a vehicle with a driver area on one side and a dash in a forward area of the vehicle, a door with at least two sections, the door being on a side of the vehicle opposite the driver area, the door sections in a line when the door is closed and folded when the door is open, and operation of one door section causing the other section to reposition, comprising:a slide mechanism engaged to a structural component of the vehicle;said slide mechanism having a slide arm which may be moved in linear fashion back and forth along the length of the slide mechanism;said slide arm engaged to a piston operable by a driver in the driver area;said piston capable of driving said slide arm inwards and outwards along said slide mechanism;a forward portion of said slide arm has an engagement pawl;a rotatable pivot arm rotatably engaged to a structural component of the vehicle;said rotatable pivot arm having engagement pawl directive means between which said engagement pawl rides when said slide arm is moved back and forth along the length of the slide mechanism;a door linkage arm engaged at one end to one of the door sections;said door linkage arm rotatably engaged at another end to said rotatable pivot arm;said door linkage arm aligned such that when said slide arm is moved linearly backwards on said slide mechanism, causing said engagement pawl to move between said engagement pawl directive means, causing said rotatable pivot arm to rotate, causing said end of said door linkage arm engaged to said rotatable pivot arm to move along an arc, and causing the door section engaged to said door linkage arm to open; andsaid door linkage arm aligned such that when said slide arm is moved linearly inwards on said slide mechanism, causing said engagement pawl to move between said engagement pawl directive means, causing said rotatable pivot arm to rotate, causing said end of said door linkage arm engaged to said rotatable pivot arm to move along an arc, and causing the door section engaged to said door linkage arm to close.