Patent ID: 8214971
Filing Date: 2012-07-10
Classification: E05F,E05Y,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A pneumatic door closing system, said system comprising: a door of a vehicle mounted to a doorframe of the vehicle; a pneumatically-powered actuator having a fully extended position and a retracted position, the extended position corresponding to an open door position and the refracted position corresponding to a closed door position, the actuator comprising: a support member having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the proximal portion being slidably coupled with an outside surface of the exterior chamber and the distal portion being pivotally coupled with the door, wherein the support member is disposed over the piston and slidably coupled with the outside surface of the exterior chamber throughout the range of motion of the actuator from the retracted position to the fully extended position so as to protect the piston when extended; and a first handle mounted to the support member such that forces applied to the handle are transferred to the support member so as to inhibit distortion of the piston, the handle being configured to facilitate ingress or egress to or from the vehicle, respectively, and to facilitate closing of the door by an occupant from the interior of the vehicle.