Patent Publication Number: US-6901630-B2

Title: Door check device

Description:
This application is a continuation-in-part of and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/733,955 filed on Dec. 12, 2000 U.S. Pat. No. 6,370,733, which is a continuation-in-part of and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/369,317 filed on Aug. 6, 1999 now abandon, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/095,693, filed on Aug. 7, 1998, the entirety of each of which is herein incorporated by reference. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to a door check device for installation between a motor vehicle body and a motor vehicle door. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Door check devices are well-known in the art for use in checking the swinging motion of automotive doors. These devices generally comprise a link member with one or more sets of detents and a housing that contains a pair of spring-biased rolling elements. The link member is inserted through the housing so that the rolling elements are engaged in rolling contact with the surfaces thereof under their respective spring biasing. Either the link member or the housing is secured to the door panel and the other is secured to the motor vehicle body. As the door panel is swung open, the link member moves relative to the housing. When the rolling elements are received within a set of detents on the link member, the detents and rolling elements cooperate to maintain the link member and housing against relative movement until a force sufficient to overcome the biasing on the rolling elements and disengage the rolling elements from the detents is applied to the door panel. As a result, the door check device functions to yieldingly maintain the door panel in position based on the cooperation between the rolling elements and the detents. 
   Alternatively, some prior art door check devices use non-rotatable structures that slidably engage opposing sides of the link member. One or both of these fixed structures may be spring-biased against the link member in a manner similar to the roller-type arrangement mentioned above. For an example of such a device, one may refer to U.S. Pat. No. 5,862,570. 
   A major drawback of these types of devices is that the link member may be allowed to pivot or otherwise shift or move relative to the housing in a yaw-type movement. As a result of such movement, the transverse detents can become misaligned with respect to the orientation of the rollers/sliders. This misalignment can lead to uneven wear on the rollers/sliders and/or the link arm. Also, if enough free play is permitted, this misalignment may cause the door check device to become inoperable because the rollers/sliders are unable to be received within the detents. 
   Consequently, it would be advantageous to provide an improved door check device that obviates the shortcomings associated with the prior art door check devices discussed above. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In accordance with the principles of the present invention, this objective is achieved by providing a door check device for installation between a motor vehicle body and a motor vehicle door that swings in opposing opening and closing directions relative to the vehicle body. The door check device includes a first link member engaging structure, a second link member engaging structure including a second link member engaging member mounted to a second carrier, and a housing having a connecting portion. The door check device further includes an elongated link member having a first opposing end that provides a connecting portion, a second opposing end, and an intermediate portion that extends between the first and second opposing ends thereof. The link member provides first and second opposing face surfaces, the intermediate portion having upper and lower detents that extend generally in a transverse direction of the link member on the first and second opposing face surfaces thereof, respectively. The elongated link member is positioned between the first and second engaging members of the first and second engaging structures with the first and second engaging structures extending generally in the transverse direction of the link member such that the first and second engaging members face the first and second face surfaces, respectively, of the intermediate portion. A biasing structure is constructed and arranged to bias the first and second engaging structures relatively towards one another to thereby urge the first and second engaging structures into engagement with the first and second opposing face surfaces of the intermediate link member portion, respectively. The connecting portion of the elongated link member and the connecting portion of the housing are constructed and arranged to enable installation of the door check device by operatively connecting one of the connecting portions to the vehicle door and operatively connecting the other of the connecting portions to the vehicle body. Opening and closing movements of the vehicle door relative to the vehicle body moves the link member relative to the housing with the first engaging structure travelling along the first face surface of the link member&#39;s intermediate portion and the second engaging structure travelling along the second face surface of the link member&#39;s intermediate portion. The first and second engaging members and the detent regions are configured with respect to one another such that, when the device is installed as aforesaid and the vehicle door is swung to a location with respect to the vehicle body wherein the first and second engaging members are received within the upper and lower detents, respectively, the first and second engaging structures cooperate with the upper and lower detents to maintain the vehicle door at that position until a force sufficient to cause the link member to move relative to the housing so as to urge the first and second engaging structures relatively apart from one another and out of cooperation with the upper and lower detents against the biasing of the biasing structure is applied to the vehicle door. The first engaging structure and the second engaging structure are each constructed and arranged such that, when the link member is caused to undergo a yaw movement relative to the housing generally along a yaw plane that extends in both the transverse direction and the longitudinal extent of the link member, the first and second engaging structures are allowed to rotate relative to the housing along with the link member such that the first and second engaging structures remain in transverse relation to the link member. 
   In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the link member inflicts a torque on the first and second engaging members to cause the first and second engaging members to rotate together with the link member as the link member undergoes yaw movement. Further, the first and second face surfaces are essentially flat and wherein friction between the first and second engaging members and the first and second face surfaces, respectively, of the link member due to the biasing force from the biasing structure is sufficient to cause the first and second engaging members to rotate together with the link member as the link member undergoes yaw movement. 
   In the parent application (Ser. No. 09/733,955), one embodiment of the door check device includes hour-glass shaped rollers that engage a complementary shaped link member with convex face surfaces. The complementary relationship tends to restrict relative transverse movement between the link member and the rollers during opening and closing movements of the vehicle door. However, manufacturing tolerances make it somewhat expensive to form the convex face surfaces with a consistent curvature, which is desirable for operational consistency of the door check devices. 
   The door check device of this aspect of the invention is easier to manufacture and more cost effective than this type of door check device in the parent application because creating the flat surfaces within appropriate tolerances is significantly less expensive than forming convex surfaces. It should be noted that although this aspect of the invention is believed to be advantageous over the embodiment mentioned above from the parent application, the broader aspects of the present invention are intended to cover the embodiment of the parent application and no admission of prior art should be construed from this discussion. 
   Preferably, the door check device of the present invention includes first and second carriers that rotate together relative to the housing along with the link member such that the first and second engaging members remain in transverse relation to the link member. 
   These and other objects, features, and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following detailed description when taken into conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are a part of this disclosure and which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of this invention. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The accompanying drawings facilitate an understanding of the various embodiments of this invention. In such drawings: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a door check device with a portion of the housing removed for clarity purposes; 
       FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the door check device of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the door check device of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a roller and a roller carrier; 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a roller contained in a roller carrier; 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a roller contained in a roller carrier; 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view illustrating the bottom of a roller carrier; and 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of first and second roller carriers engaged in interlocking relation with one another. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIGS. 1-3  show a door check device  10  for installation between a motor vehicle body and a motor vehicle door that swings in opposing opening and closing directions relative to the vehicle body. The construction of the motor vehicle and the door thereof are not considered to be part of the present invention and thus will not be detailed herein. Instead, the present invention is concerned in detail with the door check device  10 . 
   The door check device  10  includes a first mounting structure  12  constructed and arranged to be mounted to the vehicle door and a second mounting structure  14  constructed and arranged to be mounted on the vehicle body such that the first and second mounting structures  12 ,  14  move relative to one another as the door is swung in the opposing opening and closing directions thereof relative to the vehicle body. 
   The mounting structures  12 ,  14  are referred to as “first” and “second” mounting structures to reflect the fact that the door check device  10  may be installed either by mounting the first mounting structure  12  to the vehicle door and the second mounting structure  14  to the vehicle body or by mounting the first mounting structure  12  to the vehicle body and the second mounting structure  14  to the vehicle door. In the illustrated embodiment, the first mounting structure  12  constitutes a housing and is constructed and arranged to be mounted within the interior of the vehicle door and the second mounting structure  14  is constructed and arranged to be mounted to the vehicle body. 
   An elongated link member  16  has a first opposing end that provides a connecting portion  18  and a second opposing end that provides a stop portion  20 . An intermediate portion  22  of the link member extends between the first and second opposing ends and provides first and second opposing face surfaces  24 ,  26 . 
   The link member  16  further includes a first ramp portion  28  and a second ramp portion  30  that are formed adjacent each other. More specifically, the first and second ramp portions  28 ,  30  each have a larger cross-sectional size than the remainder of the link member&#39;s intermediate portion  22  and have upper and lower detents  32 ,  34  defined therebetween. In the illustrated embodiment, the first and second face surfaces  24 ,  26  are essentially flat. 
   The link member  16  extends through the housing  12  and the connecting portion  18  thereof, which has a bore  36  therethrough, is pivotally connected to the second mounting structure  14 . In the illustrated embodiment, the second mounting structure  14  has two arms  38 ,  40  with pivot pin receiving bores  42 ,  44 , used to pivotally connect with the connecting portion  18  via a stepped pivot pin  46 . Specifically, the second mounting structure  14  and the connecting portion  18  of the link member  16  are pivotally connected by aligning bores  36 ,  42 ,  44  with the connecting portion  18  between the two arms  38 ,  40  and inserting the pivot pin  46  therethrough. The second mounting structure  14  also has a bore  50 . The second mounting structure  14  is mounted to the vehicle body by use of a bolt inserted through bore  50 . Alternatively, the bore  50  may be omitted and the second mounting structure  14  may be mounted to the vehicle body by welding. 
   The link member  16  is received between a first link member engaging structure  52  and a second link member engaging structure  54  which are contained within the first mounting structure  12 . The first and second face surfaces  24 ,  26  of the link member  16  interface with and contact contacting surfaces of the first and second link member engaging structures  52 ,  54 , respectively. Thus, as the vehicle door is swung in the opposing opening and closing directions thereof relative to the vehicle body, the link member  16  moves relative to the housing  12  with the first engaging structure  52  travelling along the first face surface  24  of the link member&#39;s intermediate portion  22  and the second engaging structure  54  travelling along the second face surface  26  of the link member&#39;s intermediate portion  22 . 
   In the illustrated embodiment, the first and second link member engaging structures  52 ,  54  include first and second link member engaging members  56 ,  58  mounted to first and second cylindrical carriers  60 ,  62 , respectively. In the illustrated embodiment, the first and second engaging members  56 ,  58  are first and second cylindrical rollers rotatably mounted to the first and second carriers  60 ,  62 , respectively. The rollers  56 ,  58  are mounted to respective roller carriers  60 ,  62  for rotation about first and second rotational axes  64 ,  66 , respectively, which are generally parallel to the transverse direction of the link member  16 . Alternatively, the engaging members  56 ,  58  may be non-rolling sliding structures that frictionally slide along the opposing face surfaces  24 ,  26  of the link member  16 . Further, although in the illustrated embodiment the first and second rollers  56 ,  58  are generally cylindrical, it should be understood that the present invention is not specifically limited to such rollers. For example, the rollers  56 ,  58  may be spherical or ovoid rollers or any other structure suitable for cooperating with the link member  16 . 
   The rollers  56 ,  58  are biased to remain in rolling engagement with respective first and second face surfaces  24 ,  26  of the link member  16  with the use of a biasing structure that includes a pair of biasing elements in the form of coil springs  68 ,  70  contained within the housing  12 . The coil springs  68 ,  70  contact the roller carriers  60 ,  62  to affect the biasing of the rollers  56 ,  58 , respectively. As a result of this rolling engagement, the rollers  56 ,  58  rotate about the respective first and second rotational axes  64 ,  66  thereof as the link member  16  is moved relative to the first mounting structure  12 . 
   It is not necessary to use a pair of coil springs  68 ,  70  as the biasing structure to urge the rollers  56 ,  58  relatively towards one another and into engagement with the first and second face surfaces  24 ,  26  of the link member  16 . A single coil spring could be used to bias one roller relative to the other roller, which remains unbiased and may be fixed against movement toward and away from the link member  16 . However, any suitable arrangement for urging the rollers  56 ,  58  relatively towards one another is acceptable. 
   In the illustrated embodiment, the first and second link member engaging structures  52 ,  54  are identical to one another. Because the first and second engaging structures  52 ,  54  are similar, an understanding of the configuration of the first engaging structure  52  will suffice for an understanding of both. 
   Referring now more particularly to  FIGS. 4-7 , the roller carrier  60  of the first engaging structure  52  has a generally cylindrical exterior shape and this is generally circular in a cross-section taken perpendicular to its pivoting axis. The roller carrier  60  has a spring bearing portion  72  which contacts the coil spring  68  and thus serves as a platform for the coil spring  68  to sit on. The roller carrier  60  also has a roller mounting portion  74  for mounting its corresponding roller  56 . 
   As shown in  FIGS. 4-6 , the roller carrier  60  includes an annular wall  76  surrounding a spring receiving space. A first post member  78  and a second post member  80  extend generally in an axial direction from the wall  76 . The first and second post members  78 ,  80  are continuous with the annular wall  76  and are generally diametrically opposed to one another. The first post member  78  has a greater longitudinal extent than the second post member  80 . The first post member  78  provides a roller receiving opening  82  therethrough and the second post member  80  provides a roller receiving concave recess  84 . 
   The roller  56  has a stepped configuration with axles  86  formed at opposing ends thereof along the first rotational axis  64 . Specifically, the opposing ends of the roller  56  have a smaller cross sectional dimension than the intermediate portion  88  therebetween. The intermediate portion  88  of the roller  56  provides the contacting surfaces that interface with and contact the first and second face surfaces  24 ,  26  of the link member  16 . Further, the roller  56  has a stepped portion  87  between each of the axles  86  and the intermediate portion  88 . The stepped portion  87  includes a chamfer and a vertical face surface. 
   The roller  56  is rotatably mounted to the first roller carrier  60  by inserting one of the axles  86  within the roller receiving opening  82  provided in the first post member  78  and inserting the other axle  86  into the roller receiving concave recess  84  provided in the second post member  80 . Specifically, the second post member  80  includes opposing leg portions  90 ,  92  that define the recess  84  therebetween. During assembly, one of the axles  86  is inserted within the roller receiving opening  82  and the other axle  86  is moved into engagement with opposing chamfers  94 ,  96  provided on the leg portions  90 ,  92 . More specifically, the stepped portion  87 , adjacent the axle  86 , is moved into engagement with the opposing chamfers  94 ,  96 . As the roller  56  is moved into the recess  84 , the stepped portion  87  slides in a camming action along the chamfers  94 ,  96 , which in turn flexes the leg portions  90 ,  92  outwardly away from one another, thereby allowing the axle  86  of the roller  56  to move into the mounted position shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . Thereafter, the leg portions  90 ,  92  resiliently return inwardly toward one another with a snap-action to secure the roller  56  in the mounted position. The roller  56  may be removed by pulling in an opposite direction to flex out the leg portions  90 ,  92  so as to withdraw the roller  56  from the recess  84 . When mounted, the roller  56  rotates about the first rotational axis  64  relative to the carrier  60 , but does not otherwise move relative to the carrier  60 . The roller  56  is permitted to be snap fit into the carrier  60  due to the longer and shorter post configuration. The stepped configuration of the roller  56  also facilitates rotation of the roller about the first rotational axis  64 . 
   As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the spring bearing portion  72  includes a cylindrical base  98  received within the spring receiving space provided by the annular wall  76  and having peripheral edges connected to the interior surface of the annular wall  76 . The cylindrical base  98  includes an annular protrusion  100 , which is used to locate the corresponding coil spring  68 . The coil spring  68  is sized such that the exterior periphery of the coil spring  68  fits in close relation against the interior surface of the annular wall  76  and the interior periphery of the coil spring  68  fits in close relation to the exterior of the annular protrusion  100 . 
   The housing  12  has a connecting portion  102  and a case portion  104 . The connecting portion  102  is stamped from a piece of sheet metal and then folded or otherwise deformed in a conventional manner to provide the connecting portion  102  with a pair of generally parallel opposing walls  106  and a pair of opposing retaining portions  108 . The case portion  104  is in the form of an open-ended container that includes a cylindrical interior space  110  for containing the first and second engaging structures  52 ,  54  and the coil springs  68 ,  70 . The connecting portion  102  and the case portion  104  also include aligned openings  112 ,  114  through which the link member  16  is passed. 
   The connecting portion  102  has aligned and spaced apart generally circular holes  116 ,  118  that are bored or stamped therethrough. The housing  12  is mounted within the interior of the vehicle door by use of mounting bolts  120 ,  122  inserted through these bored holes  116 ,  118  in the connecting portion  102 . Alternatively, these holes  116 ,  118  may be omitted and the connecting portion  102  may be mounted by welding. 
   The case portion  104 , with the first and second engaging structures  52 ,  54  and the coil springs  68 ,  70  contained therein, is secured to the connecting portion  102  by positioning the case portion  104  between the opposing walls  106  and securing opposing edges of the case portion  104  to the retaining portions  108 . The retaining portions  108  clamp the case portion  104  to the connecting portion  102 . 
   The roller carriers  60 ,  62  are engaged with one another in interlocking relation (as shown in  FIG. 8 ) when they are mounted within the case portion  104 . Specifically, the first post member  78  of each carrier  60 ,  62  includes opposing chamfers  124 ,  126  adjacent the recess  84  and the second post member  80  of each carrier  60 ,  62  includes opposing protrusions  128 ,  130 . When the roller carriers  60 ,  62  are engaged with one another as illustrated in  FIG. 8 , the first post member  78  of each carrier  60 ,  62  engages the second post member  80  of the opposing carrier  60 ,  62  with the protrusions  128 ,  130  received between the chamfers  124 ,  126  in interlocking relation. As a result, the roller carriers  60 ,  62  will pivot together when the roller carriers  60 ,  62  are mounted within the case portion  104  with the coil springs  68 ,  70 . 
   Moreover, the annular wall  76  of each roller carrier  60 ,  62  includes diametrically opposed slots  132 ,  134  and protrusions  136 ,  138 . The slots  132 ,  134  and protrusions  136 ,  138  are positioned between the first and second post members  78 ,  80 . The slot and protrusion configuration enables the roller carriers  60 ,  62  to fit securely within the case portion  104  even when the tolerances are loose or the carriers  60 ,  62  have been worn. The slot and protrusion configuration permits the annular wall  76  to flex inwardly as the carriers  60 ,  62  are mounted within the case portion  104  in order to achieve sufficient interference with the interior surface of the case portion  104 . Specifically, the protrusions  136 ,  138  protrude outwardly from the annular wall  76  such that a diameter of each carrier  60 ,  62  is larger than a diameter defined by the interior surface of the case portion  104 . Thus, when the carriers  60 ,  62  are mounted within the case portion  104 , the protrusions  136 ,  138  of each carrier are in continuous engagement with the interior surface of the case portion  104 . 
   Because the carriers  60 ,  62  are identical to one another, assembly and manufacturing is made easier. The longer and shorter post configuration of the carriers  60 ,  62  also facilitates assembly. Moreover, the interlocking engagement of the carriers  60 ,  62  prevents any misalignment between the carriers  60 ,  62  when they are mounted within the case portion  104 . 
   The case portion  104  may include annular protrusions on opposing interior walls thereof in order to locate corresponding coil springs  68 ,  70 . 
   The link member  16  further includes a stopping assembly  140  provided at the stop portion  20  thereof. The stopping assembly  140  includes a rigid mounting structure  142  and a cushioning structure  144 . The mounting structure  142  and the cushioning structure  144  each have respective openings  146 ,  148  therethrough. The mounting structure  142  and the cushioning structure  144  are engaged with one another and the stop portion  20  of the link member  16  is inserted through the aligned openings  146 ,  148  thereof to secure the stopping assembly  140  to the stop portion  20 . The stopping assembly  140  prevents the link member  16  from being withdrawn from between the roller carriers  60 ,  62 . Also, when the door check device  10  is installed and the vehicle door is swung to its fully open position, the stopping assembly  140  will prevent the vehicle door from moving beyond the fully open position thereof. Specifically, the cushioning structure  144  of the stopping assembly  140  will engage the case portion  104  to prevent any further movement. Further, the cushioning structure  144  is formed from a polymeric material which will cushion the impact and prevent impact noise. Usually, the stopping assembly  140  is used in conjunction with a stop provided on the vehicle door&#39;s hinge. 
     FIG. 1  illustrates an assembled door check device  10 , which will check the closing position of the vehicle door in relation to the vehicle body. 
   As the link member  16  is moved in the longitudinal direction thereof due to vehicle door opening and closing movements, the rollers  56 ,  58  roll along the face surfaces  24 ,  26  of the link member  16  in generally perpendicular relation and will accommodate any relative yaw movement of the link member  16  by turning in corresponding yaw movements along with the link member  16 . 
   Specifically, because the carriers  60 ,  62  have a cylindrical exterior shape, the carriers  60 ,  62  are able to rotate relative to the first mounting structure  12  (within the case portion  104 ). This permits the rollers  56 ,  58  mounted to the carriers  60 ,  62  to be maintained in proper alignment with respective face surfaces  24 ,  26  of the link member  16  as the link member  16  causes the relative yaw position of the first mounting structure  12  to change with respect to the link member  16  that is passing through the first mounting structure  12 . Thus, the carriers  60 ,  62  pivot together relative to the first mounting structure  12  to permit the rollers  56 ,  58  to remain perpendicular to the link member  16  as it shifts in a yaw-type manner. 
   Specifically, as the link member  16  shifts in a yaw-type manner, the distribution of force transmitted to the rollers  56 ,  58  along a contact line (due to the frictional engagement between the rollers  56 ,  58  and the link member  16 ) becomes offset from the transverse axis of the rollers  56 ,  58  which causes the link arm  16  to inflict a torque on the rollers  56 ,  58  and hence the carriers  60 ,  62  to pivot the rollers  56 ,  58  and the carriers  60 ,  62  with the link member  16 . Further, the friction between the rollers  56 ,  58  and the link member  16  due to the load from the coil springs  68 ,  70  is sufficient to cause the rollers  56 ,  58  to rotate together with the link member  16  as it undergoes yaw movement. Specifically, the frictional characteristics (i.e., coefficient of friction) of the link member  16  and the rollers  56 ,  58  is selected in such a way that they will effectively remain engaged in perpendicular relation as the link member  16  undergoes yaw movement. 
   The term “yaw” in the context of the present subject matter is used to describe the movement that the link member  16  may undergo relative to the first mounting structure  12  generally along a yaw plane that is defined as extending along both the transverse direction and the longitudinal extent of the link member  16 . This yaw movement of the link member  16  can occur as a result of the path along which the vehicle door swings. Also, this movement can occur as a result of free play being permitted between the connection of the first mounting structure  12  and the second mounting structure  14  of the link member  16  to the vehicle body and the vehicle door. 
   By allowing the carriers  60 ,  62  to move along with the link member  16  in its yaw movement, the carriers  60 ,  62  and the rollers  56 ,  58  therein can remain in their respective movement restricting relationships with the face surfaces  24 ,  26 . Additionally, the upper and lower detents  32 ,  34  will not become misaligned with respect to the rollers  56 ,  58 . 
   Further, the rotating carriers  60 ,  62  allow the rollers  56 ,  58  mounted thereto to find a line of contact with the link member  16  that extends substantially perpendicular to the link member  16  as the link member  16  moves throughout the vehicle door swing. Thus, contact pressure is distributed evenly along the contact line so wearing between the link member  16  and the rollers  56 ,  58  is reduced. It should be noted that the contact line may actually be a surface due to the material deformation under load from the coil springs  68 ,  70 . 
   Continued movement of the link member  16  relative to the first mounting structure  12  causes the rollers  56 ,  58  to contact the first ramp portion  28  and then roll up the first ramp portion  28 . As the rollers  56 ,  58  roll up the first ramp portion  28 , the riding movement of the rollers  56 ,  58  in a direction away from the link member  16  deflects the coil springs  68 ,  70 . As the deflection of the coil springs  68 ,  70  increases, the resistance they provide to door movement likewise increases. As the rollers  56 ,  58  pass over the apexes of the first ramp portion  28  the increased biasing force in coil springs  68 ,  70  biases the rollers  56 ,  58  into engagement with the link member  16  in a cooperating relation with the upper and lower detents  32 ,  34 . This is the checked position. 
   The rollers  56 ,  58  are constructed and arranged such that when the vehicle door is swung to the checked position with respect to the vehicle body with the rollers  56 ,  58  received within the upper and lower detents  32 ,  34 , the rollers  56 ,  58  and the detents  32 ,  34  cooperate to maintain the vehicle door at this checked position until a force is applied to the door sufficient to cause the link member  16  to move relative to the rollers  56 ,  58  so as to urge the rollers  56 ,  58  generally apart from one another against the biasing of the coil springs  68 ,  70 , thus moving the rollers  56 ,  58  out of their respective detents  32 ,  34 . Specifically, the door check device  10  functions to maintain the checked position until the force applied to the vehicle door is sufficient to move the link member  16  relative to the rollers  56 ,  58  so as to cause the rollers  56 ,  58  to ride up one of the first and second ramp portions  28 ,  30  and over the apexes thereof against the resistance of the coil springs  68 ,  70 . The force required to cause the rollers  56 ,  58  to ride up one of the first and second ramp portions  28 ,  30  is determined by the spring constant and the heights and geometries of the first and second ramp portions  28 ,  30 . The link member  16  may include more than one pair of upper and lower detents to provide more than one checked position. 
   It should be noted that the carriers do not necessarily have to have a cylindrical shape. The carriers may have any shape that permits the carrier to rotate relative to the housing during yaw movement of the link member. For example, the carrier may be square-shaped and positioned within cylindrical housing such that it may rotate relative to the housing. Likewise, the spaces in the housing in which the carriers are received may have a square shape while the carriers have a cylindrical shape. Further, the carriers may have curved surfaces configured and positioned to allow the carriers to rotate during the yaw movement of the link member. However, it is preferred that both the carriers and the spaces in which they are received have a cylindrical shape. 
   It can thus be appreciated that the objectives of the present invention have been fully and effectively accomplished. The foregoing specific embodiments have been provided to illustrate the structural and functional principles of the present invention and is not intended to be limiting. To the contrary, the present invention is intended to encompass all modifications, alterations, and substitutions within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.