Patent ID: 7380873
Filing Date: 2008-06-03
Classification: B60J,B62D

Abstract:
1. A door assembly for providing access to a cargo storage space within a vehicle, the door assembly comprising: a door frame defined by a pair of first and second, spaced apart vertically extending door jambs, and a pair of upper and lower, spaced apart, horizontally extending door frame members extending between the first and second door jambs; and at least one door mounted within the door frame, the at least one door being defined by a bottom edge, a top edge and a pair of spaced apart, first and second side edges; at least one pair of upper and lower hinge assemblies pivotally connecting the at least one door to the door frame, the at least one pair of upper and lower hinge assemblies being operable to allow the at least one door to be selectively deployed in one of a swing door configuration and a ramp-forming configuration; when in the swing door configuration, the at least one door is pivotally connected to the first door jamb adjacent the first side edge thereof for rotation about a vertical axis and is moveable between a closed position and an open position; when in the ramp-forming configuration, the at least one door is pivotally connected to the lower door frame member adjacent the bottom edge thereof for rotation about a horizontal axis and is moveable between the closed position and a ramp-deployed position; the lower hinge assembly including: a generally horizontally extending tubular member carried by the at least one door below the bottom edge thereof, the tubular member having a passageway defined therein, the passageway receiving the horizontally extending portion of the hinge member therein, the tubular section being rotatable about the horizontal axis when the at least one door is deployed in the ramp-forming configuration; and at least one retaining member attached to the lower door frame member for supporting a part of the horizontally extending portion of the hinge member.