Patent ID: 7520028
Filing Date: 2009-04-21
Classification: E05D,E05Y,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A hinge device for mounting a vehicle door for movement between an open position and a closed flush position in a door opening having a front post at the front of the door and a rear post at the rear of the door; said hinge device comprising: an arm having a front end and a rear end, a rear head piece fixedly attached to the rear post and pivotally mounted on a rear pivot axis at the rear end of the arm, a front head piece fixedly attached to the door and pivotally mounted on a front pivot axis at the front end of the arm, a rear pulley fixed on the rear head piece and having a circumference extending about the rear pivot axis, a front pulley fixed on the front end of the arm and having a circumference extending about the front pivot axis, a traction belt extending between and circumscribing the front and rear pulleys so that upon outward swinging movement of the door outwardly from a closed position flush with the door posts the traction belt is effective to couple the front head piece with the rear head piece and establish the angle of the door in relation to the door opening; and at least one of the front and rear pulleys being non-circular whereby upon the outward swinging movement of the door the door from the closed flush position, the door is angled in relation to the door opening by initially moving the rear of the door away from the rear post at a rate faster than the moving of the front of the door away from the front post and then subsequently the rear of the door is moved away from the rear post a rate slower rate than the moving of the front of door from the front post until the door reaches an open position in which the door is parallel with the door opening.