Abstract:
A safety apparatus for a sliding door of a vehicle, including a lower rail including a mid stopper bracket; and an arm affixed at an external extremity to the sliding door and connected at an internal extremity to the lower rail, the arm including a mid stopper lever that is rotatable. In an open position, the mid stopper lever contacts the mid stopper bracket and contacts a tongue of the internal extremity of the arm to prevent the sliding door from exceeding a mid open position.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    Field of the Disclosure 
         [0002]    The present disclosure relates to a safety apparatus for a sliding door for a vehicle. 
         [0003]    Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    The operation of a sliding door for a vehicle can be inconvenient for its user. For example, an object of the user, e.g. a bag, may be caught between the sliding door and the vehicle body. Such kinds of inconveniences are prone to happen when the sliding door has an open window through which the object of the user can be passed. Furthermore when the door is vigorously opened, the object caught between the open window and the body of the vehicle can be severely damaged. 
         [0005]    In order to prevent such kinds of inconveniences from occurring safety apparatuses that are actuated by the opening of the window have been available. 
         [0006]    Such available apparatuses are based on complex designs relying on open and large mechanisms operating long and protruding parts that can interfere with each other. 
         [0007]    Though such apparatuses have achieved some success in preventing such kinds of inconveniences, they have numerous shortcomings. 
         [0008]    Unfortunately, due to their complex and cumbersome designs, these apparatuses are prone to fail. Notably, these apparatuses may be easily deformed and rendered inoperative by stepping on them or slamming the sliding door too vigorously. The main elements of these apparatuses may not be well protected and exposed to external elements such as grease or dust and ends up not working properly. In addition, such apparatuses may be bulky and difficult to hide resulting in unpleasing appearance for the vehicle. 
         [0009]    Thus, a safety apparatus for opening a sliding door of a vehicle solving the aforementioned problems of design complexity, reliability, compactness and aesthetic is desired. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0010]    Accordingly, the object of the present disclosure is to provide a safety apparatus for a sliding door of a vehicle which overcomes the above-mentioned limitations. 
         [0011]    The safety apparatus of the present disclosure ensures reliability, compactness and aesthetic due to a more integrated and directly operated mechanism. The apparatus of the present disclosure directly utilizes the support structure of the sliding door as a way to protect the main elements and functionalities of the apparatus. In addition, the apparatus of the present disclosure relies on a direct connection and a positioning between its main elements avoiding interferences and complexity. 
         [0012]    In one non-limiting illustrative example, a safety apparatus for a sliding door of a vehicle includes a lower rail including a mid stopper bracket; and an arm affixed at an external extremity to the sliding door and connected at an internal extremity to the lower rail, the arm including a mid stopper lever that is rotatable. In an open position, the mid stopper lever contacts the mid stopper bracket and contacts a tongue of the internal extremity of the arm to prevent the sliding door from exceeding a mid open position.. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    A more complete appreciation of the disclosure and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein: 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a sliding door assembly mounted within a side of a vehicle, according to certain aspects of the disclosure; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of a lower roller assembly and a lower rail in a mid open position, according to certain aspects of the disclosure. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2B  is a perspective view of a lower roller assembly and a lower rail in a fully open position, according to certain aspects of the disclosure; 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of the lower roller assembly, according to certain aspects of the disclosure; 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a D-shaped pin, according to certain aspects of the disclosure; and 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view of a roller sub assembly, according to certain aspects of the disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0020]    In the drawings, like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views. Further, as used herein, the words “a”, “an” and the like generally carry a meaning of “one or more”, unless stated otherwise. The drawings are generally drawn to scale unless specified otherwise or illustrating schematic structures or flowcharts. 
         [0021]    Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views. 
         [0022]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a sliding door assembly  1000  mounted within a side  2002  of a vehicle  2000 , according to certain aspects of the disclosure. 
         [0023]    The side  2002  of the vehicle  2000  includes a floor  2014 , a roof  2016  and an opening  2004  with a front edge  2006  opposite to a rear edge  2008  and a top edge  2010  opposite to bottom edge  2012 . As used herein, the term “front” refers to the region of the vehicle  2000  closest to the front edge  2006 , the term “rear” refers to the region of the vehicle  2000  closest to the rear edge  2008 , the term “top” refers to the region of the vehicle  2000  closest to the top edge  2010 , and the term “bottom” refers to the region of the vehicle  2000  closest to the bottom edge  2012 . 
         [0024]    The opening  2004  may be placed in the rear region of the side  2002 , as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , or anywhere on the vehicle  2000  and have any size. 
         [0025]    The sliding door assembly  1000  includes a sliding door  1002 , a center rail assembly  3000  mounted on the side  2002  of the vehicle  2000  and affixed to the sliding door  1002  by the interior, and a lower roller assembly  4000  linking the bottom part of the sliding door  1002  to a lower rail  4200  mounted on the floor  2014  of the vehicle  2000 . 
         [0026]    The sliding door  1002  has a door front edge  1002   a  opposite to a door rear edge  1002   b  and a door top edge  1002   c  opposite to a door bottom edge  1002   d.  The sliding door  1002  includes a frame  1004 , a door window  1006  with a door glass panel  1008  inserted into a door opening  1010 . The door opening  1010  is characterized by front window edge  1010   a  opposite to rear window edge  1010   b  and a top window edge  1010   c  opposite to a bottom window edge  1010   d.  The door window  1006  is moveable from a closed position, where the glass panel  1008  is adjacent to the top window edge  1010   c,  to an open position, where the glass panel  1008  is separated from the top window edge  1010   c.    
         [0027]    The center rail assembly  3000  includes a center rail  3002  extending longitudinally along the side  2002  of the vehicle  2000  and from the rear edge  2008  of the opening  2004  as well as a center guide  3004  affixed to the rear of the sliding door  1002  on one end and inserted into the center rail  3002  on another end. 
         [0028]    The lower roller assembly  4000  includes an arm  4020  with an external extremity  4022  affixed to the sliding door  1002  and an internal extremity  4024  ended by a roller sub assembly  4100  with a roller guide  4110 , see  FIG. 3 , inserted into the lower rail  4200 . 
         [0029]    The lower rail  4200  has an S-shape extending longitudinally on the floor  2014  of the vehicle  2000  between the front edge  2006  and the rear edge  2008  of the opening  2004 . The rear part of the lower rail  4200  is delimited by a full stopper bracket  4202  ending the lower rail  4200 , see  FIG. 2A . 
         [0030]    In addition, an upper floor  2014   a  may cover the internal extremity  4024  of the arm  4020  with the roller sub assembly  4100  and the lower rail  4200  to provide protection against the external elements, e.g., tar, grease, gravel, and hazards, e.g. unintentional stepping or hitting. 
         [0031]    The center rail assembly  3000 , the lower roller assembly  4000  and the lower rail  4200  enable the displacement of the sliding door  1002  along the side  2002  of the vehicle  2000 . The center guide  3004  slides in the center rail  3002  while the roller sub assembly  4100  rolls in the lower rail  4200 . The sliding motion of the sliding door  1002  may be performed by manual actions of a user or via motorized mechanical actions using electrical motors or hydraulic systems or by any other technique known by a person having ordinary skill in the art. 
         [0032]    The sliding door  1002  may be displaced from a fully closed position, where the front window edge  1010   a  of the sliding door  1002  is affixed to the front edge  2006  of the vehicle  2000 , to a fully open position, where the front window edge  1010   a  of the sliding door  1002  is placed adjacent to the rear edge  2008  of the vehicle  2000 . The sliding door  1002  is maintained in the fully open position through a latch lever  4172  displaced by the latch mechanism  4170 , see  FIGS. 3A-3C , and hooked onto an anchor point of the side  2002 . 
         [0033]    When the door window  1006  is placed in the open position, the roller sub assembly  4100  is actuated to disable the fully open position of the sliding door  1002  and to block the sliding door  1002  in a mid open position, where a spacing between the rear edge  2008  of the opening  2004  and the front window edge  1010   a  of the side opening  1010  is maintained. 
         [0034]    Blocking the sliding door  1002  in the mid open position prevents objects or body parts protruding through the door window  1006  from being caught between the rear edge  2008  of the opening  2004  and the front window edge  1010   a z of the door window  1006 . 
         [0035]      FIGS. 2A-2B  are perspective views of the lower roller assembly  4000  and the lower rail  4200  in the mid open position and in the fully open position, respectively, according to certain aspects of the disclosure. 
         [0036]    The lower roller assembly  4000  includes a mid stopper lever  4144  and a mid stopper bracket  4142  mounted on the lower rail  4200 . 
         [0037]    The mid stopper bracket  4142  is mounted on the lower rail  4200  or on the upper floor  2014   a  with a predetermined distance d from the full stopper bracket  4202 , see  FIG. 2A . The mid stopper bracket  4142  includes a body  4046  with half tubular shapes surmounted by a flat head  4048 . The full stopper bracket  4202  may be molded or machined in one or several pieces assembled together and fastened onto the lower rail  4200  or onto the floor  2014  using fastening devices such as bolts, adhesives or the combination thereof. 
         [0038]    The mid stopper lever  4144  may be formed by a plate having a crescent shape with a raised part  4145  and a lowered part  4144   b.  The raised part  4145  is characterized by a main flat part  4145   a  opposite to a minor flat part  4145   b,  and a curved part  4145   c  joining the major flat part  4145   a  and the minor flat part  4145   c.    
         [0039]    When the door window  1006  is moved from the closed position to the open position the mid stopper lever  4144  is rotated to an open position and when the door window  1006  is moved from the open position to the closed position the mid stopper lever  4144  is rotated back to a closed position. 
         [0040]    The connection between the mid stopper lever  4144  and the door window  1006  may be electrical, mechanical or the combination thereof. For example, the rotation of the mid stopper lever  4144  may be actuated by a cable  4026  inserted into a cable housing  4026   a  actioned by a window regulator, wherein the window regulator controls the opening or closing of the door window  1006 . The cable  4026  and the cable housing  4026   a  may be lodged into a groove of the arm  4020  for space saving purposes. 
         [0041]    When the mid stopper lever  4144  is rotated in the open position, as illustrated in  FIG. 2A , the raised part  4145  of the mid stopper lever  4144  protrudes over the internal extremity  4024  of the arm  4020  while the lowered part  4144   b  lies on a bumper  4148 , e.g. a fixed pin circled with a rubber washer. 
         [0042]    In addition, the minor flat part  4145   b  rests of the raised part  4145  of the mid stopper lever  4144  slightly touches a tongue  4030  formed by the internal extremity  4024  of the arm  4020 . The raised part  4145  of the mid stopper lever  4144  protrudes such that the main flat part  4145   a  hits the flat head  4048  of the mid stopper bracket  4142  and prevents the arm  4020  from contacting the full open stopper bracket  4202 . When the mid stopper lever  4144  hits the mid stopper bracket  4142 , the sliding door  1002  is blocked in the mid open position and cannot be forced into the full open position. When the user tries to place the sliding door  1002  in the full open position the lowered part  4144   b  of the lever  4144  compresses the bumper  4148  and the raised part  4145  is pushed against the tongue  4030 . 
         [0043]    Since the arm  4020  is a strong and rigid structure, the tongue  4030  represents a robust blockage preventing the sliding door  1002  from being placed into the fully open position. 
         [0044]    The predetermined distance d, see  FIG. 2A , between the full stopper bracket  4202  and the mid stopper bracket  4142  is chosen such that a spacing between the rear edge  2008  of the opening  2004  and the front window edge  1010   a  of the window door  1006  is large enough to prevent an accident from occurring. 
         [0045]    When the mid stopper lever  4144  is rotated back into the closed position, as illustrated in  FIG. 2B , the main flat part  4145   a  of the raised part of the  4145  of the mid stopper lever  4144  is folded against the internal extremity  4024  of the arm  4020  and position on top of the bumper  4148 . In the closed position, the mid stopper lever  4144  is no longer able to contact the mid stopper bracket  4142  and to prevent the arm  4020  from contacting the full open stopper bracket  4202 . The arm  4020  passes over the mid stopper bracket  4142  and contact the full open stopper bracket  4202  to have the sliding door  1002  placed in the fully open position. In addition, the curved part  4145   c  of the raised part  4145  facilitates the passage of the arm  4020  over the mid stopper bracket  4142 . 
         [0046]      FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of the lower roller assembly  4000 , according to certain aspects of the disclosure. 
         [0047]    The lower roller assembly  4000  includes the arm  4020 , the roller sub assembly  4100 , and the roller guide  4110 . The roller guide  4110  and the roller sub assembly  4100  are supported by a support plate  4120  affixed below the internal extremity  4024  of the arm  4020  through a plurality of bolts. 
         [0048]    The mid stopper lever  4144  is affixed on top of the support plate  4120  via a D-shaped pin  4180 , see detailed descriptions in the following paragraphs, while the latch mechanism  4170  is affixed below the support plate  4120 . By not having the stopper lever  4144  and the latch lever  4172  in the vicinity of each other, interferences between the stopper lever  4144  and the latch lever  4172  are avoided, resulting in a more robust mechanism. 
         [0049]    The mid stopper lever  4144  is covered in part by an embossment  4028  formed by the internal extremity  4024  of the arm  4020 . The embossment  4028  protects the mid stopper lever  4144  and the D-shaped pin  4180 . Since the arm  4020  is a strong and rigid structure, the embossment  4028  represents a robust protection for the mid stopper lever  4144  and the D-shaped pin  4180  against external stress loads such as stepping. 
         [0050]    The spacing between the mid stopper lever  4144  and the latch mechanism  4170 , as well as the embossment  4028 , minimizes the thickness of the lower roller assembly  4000  and consequently minimizes the necessary distance between the floor  2014  and the upper floor  2014   a.  Minimizing the distance between the floor  2014  and the upper floor  2014   a  reduces the exposure of the internal extremity  4024  of the arm  4020 , the roller sub assembly  4100 , and the lower rail  4200  to external elements as well as to improve the aesthetics of the vehicle  2000 . 
         [0051]      FIGS. 4-5  are a perspective view of the D-shaped pin  4180  and an exploded perspective view of the roller sub assembly  4100 , respectively, according to certain aspects of the disclosure. 
         [0052]    The roller sub assembly  4100  includes the D-shaped pin  4180 , an intermediate lever  4152  placed bellow the support plate  4120  and an trigger  4162  placed on a lower support plate  4164  localized below the support plate  4120 . 
         [0053]    The D-shaped pin  4180 , the intermediate lever  4152  and the trigger  4162  are used to affix the mid stopper lever  4144  to the support plate  4120  and to articulate the mid stopper lever  4144  via the cable  4026 , controlled by a window regulator. 
         [0054]    The D-shaped pin  4180  enables to link the mid stopper lever  4144  with the intermediate lever  4152  in a direct fashion such that the intermediate lever  4152  rotates with the mid stopper lever  4144  around an axis z perpendicular to the support plate  4120 . In other words, the D-shaped pin  4180  prevents the mid stopper lever  4144  and the intermediate lever  4152  from rotating independently. 
         [0055]    The D-shaped pin  4180  may include a male body  4182   b  that can be inserted, e.g. by screwing, into a female body  4182   a.  The female body  4182   a  may include a waist  4184   a  with a circular cross section, a female D-shaped shoulder  4186   a,  e.g. a larger circular cross section that has been cut to form a flat part, or any non-circular cross section, and a head  4188   a.  The male body  4182   b  may include a male D-shaped shoulder  4186   b,  similar to the female D-shaped shoulder  4186   a,  surmounted by a male head  4188   b.    
         [0056]    The female waist  4184   a  may be inserted through a circular hole  4190  of the support plate  4120  while the female D-shaped shoulder  4186   a  may be inserted through a first D-shaped hole  4192  of the mid stopper lever  4144  with the female head  4188   a  resting on top of the mid stopper lever  4144 . The first D-shaped hole  4192  has a shape and dimensions to tightly fit the female D-shaped shoulder  4186   a.    
         [0057]    The male D-shaped shoulder  4186   b  may be inserted through a second D-shape hole  4152   a  of the intermediate lever  4152  with the male head  4188   b  resting on the bottom of the intermediate lever  4152  while the male body  4182   b  may be inserted into the female waist  4184   a.  The second D-shaped hole  4152   a  has a shape and dimensions to fit tightly the male D-shaped shoulder  4186   b.    
         [0058]    Alternatively, the D-shaped pin  4180  may be any kind fastening devices preventing the mid stopper lever  4144  and the intermediate lever  4152  from rotating independently, such as a keyed joint, a flanged bolt with a lock nut, or any other devices known by someone having ordinary skills in the art. 
         [0059]    By affixing the mid stopper lever  4144  and the intermediate lever  4152  to the support plate  4120  and by directly linking the mid stopper lever  4144  and the intermediate lever  4152  together, the D-shaped pin  4180  minimizes the number of elements, e.g. springs, holes, used to actuate the mid stopper lever  4144  and increase the robustness as well as compactness of the roller sub assembly  4100 . 
         [0060]    When the intermediate lever  4152  is rotated, the second D-shaped hole  4152  holds onto the male D-shaped shoulder  4186   b  and rotates the female waist  4184   a  inside the circular hole  4190  of the support plate  4120 . The rotation of the female waist  4184   a  results in a rotation of the mid stopper lever  4144  via the connection between the female-shaped shoulder  4186   a  and the first D-shaped hole  4192 . 
         [0061]    When the door window  1006  is moved by the user from the closed position to the open position, the cable  4026  actuates the trigger  4162 , the trigger  4162  engages the intermediate lever  4152  and forces the D-shaped pin  4180  to rotate and move the mid stopper lever  4144  from the closed position to the open position. 
         [0062]    When the stopper lever  4144  is placed in the open position, the raised part  4145  of the mid stopper lever  4144  protrudes over the arm  4020  and leans on the tongue  4030  while the lowered part  4144   b  leans on the bumper  4148 . The open position of the mid stopper lever  4144  prevents the sliding door  1002  from being placed into the fully open position by having the raised part  4145  of the mid stopper lever  4144  hitting the mid stopper bracket  4142  and blocking the sliding door  1002  into the mid open position. 
         [0063]    When the door window  1006  is moved by the user from the open position to the closed position, the cable  4026  releases the trigger  4162 , the trigger  4162  disengages the intermediate lever  4152  and forces, the D-shaped pin  4180  to rotate back the mid stopper lever  4144  from the open position to the closed position, under a bias force that may be generated by at least one spring. 
         [0064]    When the stopper lever  4144  is placed in the closed position, the raised part  4144  is folded back against the internal extremity  4024  of the arm  4020  and is no longer able to hit the mid stopper bracket  4142  and to prevent the sliding door  1002  from being placed into the fully open position. 
         [0065]    The foregoing discussion discloses and describes merely exemplary embodiments of an object of the present disclosure. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, an object of the present disclosure may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. Accordingly, the present disclosure is intended to be illustrative, but not limiting of the scope of an object of the present disclosure as well as the claims. 
         [0066]    Numerous modifications and variations on the present disclosure are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the disclosure may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.