Patent Publication Number: US-6711856-B1

Title: Door opener assist device

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to automobile doors, and more particularly, to door opening assist devices for use on automobile doors, hoods and trunks. 
     BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
     The aggressively competitive automobile industry continuously strives to provide new and exciting features to the new model automobiles. A focus toward style, creature comforts and safety has been a major factor in differentiating one competitor&#39;s products from others and premium models from budget models. 
     With many automobile owners not satisfied with the style, quality, and availability of the features provided by the automakers, owners have turned to aftermarket component manufacturers and even automobile kit manufacturers for satisfaction. The owners of hot rod, street rod, and classic automobiles are always looking for ways to customize and differentiate their cars from others, and styling, shape and form are high on the list of attributes that these owners wish to improve. 
     A growing trend for customizers is to present their automobiles with a sleek, sculpted body. Body trim components and other embellishments are giving way to smooth body panels, hoods and grills. One component of the automobile that intrudes on the sleek look of the side body panels is the door handle. 
     The aftermarket component manufacturers are providing the automobile owner with an ever-increasing selection of components to add to, replace, or modify the standard automobile features. A popular aftermarket component is what is known as a shaved door handle system. The shaved door handle system allows for the complete removal of exterior door handles providing a continuous smooth appearance across the side body panels. Without an exterior door handle, the shaved door handle system provides a remotely controlled, electrically powered door lock and latch actuator. Once the door is unlocked and unlatched, there is still a need to open the door as there is no handle to pull the door open. An internal door opening assist device is needed to push open the door to allow entry. 
     Door opening assist devices come in a variety of forms. Electrically operated solenoids and linear actuators have been used with some success. These systems, though, require electrical power to operate and rather complex timing logic to control activation with respect to the unlock and unlatch mechanisms. 
     Another type of door opening assist device that has been used is a spring-biased piston, such as the one in U.S. Pat. No. 5,369,911, Fortunato. This device is a spring-biased piston that is mounted in the door frame. When the door is closed, the piston is pushed against a spring by a door surface which compresses the spring. The door latch holds the door in a closed position against the potential energy of the spring-loaded piston. Upon the unlatching of the door, the spring-biased piston extends, pushing against the door surface opening the door. This solution provides a door opening device that requires no power to operate, and requires no timing logic to activate. The shortcomings of the &#39;911 device includes, but is not limited to, that the spring is exposed, which can be a safety hazard as well as a reliability hazard due to dirt and debris infiltration. 
     Additionally, the current spring-biased piston devices do not have provisions to adjust the tension and throw of the piston. It is desirable for the user to be able to adjust the throw of the door to account for the weight and balance of the door as well as personal preference. 
     Accordingly, there is a need for a door opener assist device that is simple in operation, requires no electrical power, is easily installed by the consumer, and easily adjustable both in tension and door opening characteristics. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a door opening assist device that provides benefits currently lacking in the art. For example, but not limited to, the device has an adjustment feature that controls the extent to which it opens the door. The device has various mounting features adaptable to particular mounting applications. And the device contains the compression spring in the housing, protecting the spring from dirt and the like, while protecting the user from physical injury. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the door opening assist device comprises a spring-biased piston having a threaded bore mounted in a cylindrical housing by a threaded bolt. The piston retains a spring within the housing at a first end of the housing. The threaded bolt engages the piston from a second end of the housing. The piston is retained within the housing by the cooperative engagement between the spring urging the piston out of the first end and the head of the bolt in abutment with the second end. 
     In another embodiment in accordance with the invention, the door opening assist device further comprises a flange extending from the first end of the housing. The flange comprises apertures adapted to accept appropriate fasteners to couple the housing to a structure, such as, but not limited to, a doorjamb. 
     In another embodiment in accordance with the invention, the door opening assist device further comprises a circular flange extending from the first end of the housing and a mounting nut. The first end further comprises threads extending at least a portion of the length of the housing proximate the flange and adapted for threaded engagement with the mounting nut. In application, the second end of the door opening assist device is passed through an aperture in the structure and the mounting nut is advanced onto the threads to engage the structure between the flange and the nut. 
     In another embodiment in accordance with the invention, the door opening assist device further comprises a circular flange extending from the first end of the housing and a mounting plate comprising an aperture. The first end further comprises a capture ring adapted to slidably engage the aperture of the mounting plate to couple the mounting plate to the housing. The capture ring comprises an enlargement of the diameter of the housing spaced a predetermined distance from the flange corresponding to the thickness of the mounting plate defining a seat. The capture ring provides a rearward facing sloping surface having a diameter proximate the flange that is greater than the diameter of the aperture of the mounting plate to a diameter smaller than the aperture of the mounting plate distal from the flange. In application, the aperture of the mounting plate is passed over the second end of the door opening assist device. The mounting plate is forcefully advanced over the capture ring to snap into the seat between the capture ring and the flange. The mounting plate further comprises apertures adapted to accept appropriate fasteners to couple the housing to a structure, such as, but not limited to, a doorjamb. 
     In another embodiment in accordance with the invention, the door opening assist device further comprises a circular flange extending from the first end of the housing, a mounting plate having an aperture, and a mounting nut. The first end further comprises threads extending at least a portion of the length of the housing proximate the flange and adapted for threaded engagement with the mounting nut. In application, the aperture of the mounting plate is passed over the second end of the door opening assist device and advanced over the threads to the flange and the mounting nut is advanced onto the threads to engage the mounting plate between the flange and the nut. The mounting plate further comprises apertures adapted to accept appropriate fasteners to couple the housing to a structure, such as, but not limited to, a doorjamb. 
     In another embodiment in accordance with the invention, the door opening assist device further comprises a circular flange extending from the first end of the housing, a mounting plate having an aperture, and a mounting nut. The first end further comprises a capture ring adapted to slidably engage the aperture of the mounting plate to couple the mounting plate to the housing. The capture ring comprises an enlargement of the diameter of the housing spaced a predetermined distance from the flange corresponding to the thickness of the mounting plate defining a seat. The capture ring provides a rearward facing sloping surface having a diameter proximate the flange that is greater than the diameter of the aperture of the mounting plate to a diameter smaller than the aperture of the mounting plate distal from the flange. The first end further comprises threads extending at least a portion of the length of the housing proximate the capture ring and adapted for threaded engagement with the mounting nut. 
     In application, the user has the option of discarding the mounting plate and mounting the door opening assist device by passing the second end of the housing through an aperture in the structure and advancing the mounting nut onto the threads to engage a structure between the flange and the nut. 
     The user also has the option of discarding the mounting nut and, from the second end of the housing, forcefully advancing the aperture of the mounting plate over the capture ring to snap the mounting plate into the seat between the capture ring and the flange. The mounting plate further comprises apertures adapted to accept appropriate fasteners to couple the housing to a structure, such as, but not limited to, a doorjamb. 
    
    
     These and other embodiments, aspects, advantages, and features of the present invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art by reference to the following description of the invention and referenced drawings or by practice of the invention. The aspects, advantages, and features of the invention are realized and attained by means of the instrumentality&#39;s, procedures, and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
     FIGS. 1,  2  and  3  are perspective, exploded and cross-sectional views, respectively, of a door opening assist device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a door opening assist device in an automobile application, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a door opening assist device in accordance with another embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a door opening assist device in accordance with another embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a door opening assist device in accordance with another embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a door opening assist device in accordance with another embodiment of the invention; and 
     FIGS. 9 and 10 are perspective and top views, respectively, of a door opening assist device as mounted in a building doorjamb in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
     In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof wherein like numerals designate like parts throughout, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural or logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the following detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. 
     FIGS. 1,  2  and  3  are perspective, exploded and cross-sectional views, respectively, of a door opening assist device  1  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The door opening assist device  1  comprises a cylindrical housing  20 , a piston  40 , a retention bolt  50 , and a helical spring  60 . 
     The cylindrical housing  20  comprises a first housing end  21  and a second housing end  22 . The housing  20  comprises an axial housing through bore  23  comprising a first internal diameter substantially the length of the housing  20  and an second diameter, smaller than the first diameter, defining an inward-facing bore flange  8  at the second housing end  22 . 
     The piston  40  comprises an elongated cylindrical body  41  having a first end  42  and a second end  43 , and an outer diameter adapted to be slidingly received in the housing through bore  23  at the first end  21 . The piston  40  further comprises an axial piston bore  44  that extends a predetermined distance into the piston second end  43 . The axial piston bore  44  is threaded to accept the threaded retention bolt  50 . 
     The helical spring  60  is formed from stiff wire appropriate for the particular purpose. The length of the spring  60  is predetermined for a particular purpose. In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the spring  60  has a length substantially the same as that of the housing bore  23 . The diameter of the spring  60  is approximately the same size as the inner diameter of the housing bore  23  at the first end  21 , and is adapted to be freely slidingly received by the housing bore  23  at the first end  21 , and retained from passing through the second end  22  by the bore flange  8 . The internal diameter of the spring  60  is adapted to freely slidingly receive the retention bolt  50 . 
     The retention bolt  50  comprises a shaft  51  having a threaded end  52  and a head  53  opposite the threaded end  52 . The shaft  51  has an outer diameter adapted to pass through the housing bore  23  at the second end  22 . The head  53  is adapted to not pass through the housing bore  23  at the second end  22 . The length of the threaded end  52  is predetermined for a particular purpose. In an embodiment wherein the threaded end  52  extends to the head  53 , wherein the entire length of the shaft  51  is threaded, the shaft  51  may be cut to a desired length by the user. 
     The door opening assist device  1  is assembled by inserting the spring  60  into the housing bore  23  at the first end  21  in abutment with the bore flange  8 . The retention bolt  50  is inserted such that the threaded end  52  is advanced through the housing bore  23  at the second end  22  and through the inner diameter of the spring  60 . The second end  43  of the piston  40  is inserted into the housing first end  21  and threadably coupled to the retention bolt  50 . The piston  40  is retained within the housing  20  by the cooperative engagement between the spring  60  urging the piston  40  out of the first end  21  and the head  53  of the bolt  50  in abutment with the bore flange  8  of the second end  22 . 
     The piston  40  extends out of the first end  21  of the housing  20  a predetermined distance which is adjustable to suit the intended application. The adjustment feature is provided by, among other things, the extent of the threaded engagement between the bolt  50  and the piston  40  from the point wherein the spring  60  begins to be compressed by the piston  40 . Increasing the threaded engagement between the piston  40  and the bolt  50  further compresses the spring  60  and decreases the distance that the piston  40  extends from the first end  21  of the housing  20 . Decreasing the distance that the piston  40  extends from the first end  21  of the housing  20 , limits the full extension of the spring  60 , and decreases the contact time between the piston  40  and the door, and thus, reduces the potential spring energy imparted on the door. Decreasing the extension of the piston  40 , and thus the excursion of the piston  40  from a retracted position to an extended position, decreases the distance that the door is opened. The adjustment feature provides the ability to change the opening characteristics of the door opening assist device  1  to accommodate, among other things, the weight of the door and the desired door opening distance. 
     The length of the threaded bore  44  of the piston  40  determines, in part, the length of the piston  40  extending out of the housing  20  and therefore the amount of excursion from a retracted position to an extended position. A longer threaded bore  44  provides a greater degree of adjustment by providing a longer engagement between the threaded end  52  and the piston  40 . 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a door opening assist device  1  in an automobile application, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In a typical application, the door opening assist device  1  is installed in a door frame  15  of an automobile  10  to push the door  11  open a predetermined distance. Upon closing the door, the door  11  abuts and retracts the piston  40  into the housing  20  compressing the spring  60 . Upon unlatching the door  11 , the piston  40  extends under spring bias in such a direction and with sufficient force to push the door  11  to an open position a predetermined distance. The piston  40  will impart enough kinetic energy that the inertia of the door  11  will carry the door  11  open to a predetermined distance after contact between the piston  40  and the door  11  is broken. The adjustment feature is used to tailor the opening characteristics of the door opening assist device  1  to control the opening of the door  11 . 
     To effect the adjustment of the extent of the threaded engagement between the bolt  50  and the piston  40 , the piston  40  can be rotated with respect to the bolt  50  while the door opening assist device  1  remains mounted in the structure  13 . Frictional engagement between the bolt head  53  and the second end  22  is adapted to be sufficient to restrain the bolt  50  from rotating as the piston  40  is advanced onto the threads  54  of the bolt  50 . Alternatively, the door opening assist device  1  can be removed from the structure  13  and adjusted by turning the bolt head  53  while restraining the piston  40  from rotating. 
     In an embodiment in accordance with the present invention, the door opener assist device  1  further comprises a strike plate  64 . The strike plate  64  is provided on the portion of the door  11  that is engaged by the piston  40 , the door contact area  19 . The strike plate  64  protects the surface upon which it is coupled by structurally reinforcing the surface as well as protecting the surface from abrasion by the first end  42  of the piston  40 . The strike plate  64  may be coupled to the door contact area  19  with, but not limited to, fasteners and adhesive. 
     In another embodiment, the piston  40  further comprises a tip  62  of resilient material, such as but not limited to, plastic and rubber, on the piston first end  42 . The tip  62  provides protection for the door contact area  19  when in contact with the piston  40 . The attachment of the tip  62  is made with well known methods including, but not limited to, adhesive end fasteners. In one embodiment, the threaded bore  44  extends through the piston  40  providing a threaded bore  44  onto which a threaded tip  62  is attached. The resilient tip  62  is useful for, but not limited to, reducing the need for a strike plate  64 , to protected the finish of the contact area  19 , such as a door panel, and to reduce any contact noise between the contact area  19  and the piston  40 . 
     The door opening assist device  1  is mounted to a structure  13  either on the door  11  or on the door frame  15  wherein the piston  40  can push open the door  11 . A satisfactory mounting location is in the doorjamb  12  of the automobile chassis  18  in a position distal from the door hinge  16 . The door opening assist device  1  is mounted such that the piston  40  extends in an outward direction and the housing  20  extends into the automobile frame  15 . 
     There are a number of methods to mount the door opening assist device  1  to a frame  15  or structure  13  of the car  10 . In most applications, the mounting structure  13  will comprise sheet metal having a rigid, but relatively thin thickness. 
     In another embodiment in accordance with the invention, the first end  21  of the housing  20  comprises a mounting flange  24  that is perpendicular to the axis of the housing  20 . The mounting flange  24  extends collinearly in opposite directions from the first end  21 . The flange  24  comprises at least one mounting aperture  30 . The mounting apertures  30  are adapted to accept mounting fasteners  25 . Examples of acceptable fasteners  25  include, are not limited to, rivets, sheet metal screws, self-tapping screws, bolts and nuts. The mounting flange  24  may be recessed flush to the structure  13  or mounted against and raised from the surface of the structure  13 . This mounting method is referred to as front fastening. 
     FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a door opening assist device  2  in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. The first end  21  comprises a circular flange  26  extending from the first end  21  of the housing  220  and a mounting nut  27 . The first end  21  further comprises threads  29  extending at least a portion of the length of the housing  220  proximate the flange  26  and adapted for threaded engagement with the mounting nut  27 . In application, the second end  22  of the door opening assist device  2  is passed through an aperture  9  in the structure  13  and the mounting nut  27  is advanced over the housing second end  22  and threadably engaged and advanced onto the threads  29  to engage the structure  13  between the mounting flange  26  and the mounting nut  27 . This mounting is referred to as back fastening. 
     FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a door opening assist device  3  in another embodiment in accordance with the invention. The door opening assist device  3  further comprises a circular flange  26  extending from the first end  21  of the housing  320  and a mounting plate  74  comprising an aperture  75 . The first end  21  further comprises a capture ring  70  adapted to slidably engage the aperture  75  of the mounting plate  74  to couple the mounting plate  74  to the housing  320 . The capture ring  70  comprises an enlargement of the diameter of the housing  320  spaced a predetermined distance from the flange  26  corresponding to the thickness of the mounting plate  74  defining a seat  72 . The capture ring  70  provides a rearward facing sloping surface  76  having a diameter proximate the flange  26  that is greater than the diameter of the aperture  75  of the mounting plate  74  to a diameter smaller than the aperture  75  of the mounting plate  74  distal from the flange  26 . 
     In application, the aperture  75  of the mounting plate  74  is passed over the second end  22  of the door opening assist device  3 . The mounting plate  74  is forcefully advanced over the capture ring  70  to snap into the seat  72  between the capture ring  70  and the flange  26 . The mounting plate  74  further comprises apertures  30  adapted to accept appropriate fasteners to couple the housing  320  to a structure  13 , such as, but not limited to, a doorjamb. 
     FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a door opening assist device  4  in another embodiment in accordance with the invention. The door opening assist device  4  further comprises a circular flange  26  extending from the first end  21  of the housing  420 , a mounting plate  77  having an aperture  78 , and a mounting nut  27 . The first end  21  further comprises threads  29  extending at least a portion of the length of the housing  420  proximate the flange  26  and adapted for threaded engagement with the mounting nut  27 . In application, the aperture  78  of the mounting plate  77  is passed over the second end  22  of the door opening assist device  4  and advanced over the threads  29  to the flange  26  followed by the mounting nut  27  advanced onto the threads  29  to engage the mounting plate  77  between the flange  26  and the nut  27 . The mounting plate  77  further comprises apertures  30  through which appropriate fasteners are used to couple the housing  420  to a structure  13 , such as, but not limited to, a doorjamb. 
     FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a door opening assist device  5  in another embodiment in accordance with the invention. The door opening assist device  5  further comprises a circular flange  26  extending from the first end  21  of the housing  520 , a mounting plate  74  having an aperture  75 , and a mounting nut  27 . The first end  21  further comprises a capture ring  70  adapted to slidably engage the aperture  75  of the mounting plate  74  to couple the mounting plate  74  to the housing  520 . The capture ring  70  comprises an enlargement of the diameter of the housing  520  spaced a predetermined distance from the flange  26  corresponding to the thickness of the mounting plate  74 . The capture ring  70  provides a rearward facing sloping surface  76  having a diameter proximate the flange  26  that is greater than the diameter of the aperture  75  of the mounting plate  74  to a diameter smaller than the aperture  75  of the mounting plate  74  distal from the flange  26 . The first end  21  further comprises threads  29  extending at least a portion of the length of the housing  520  proximate the capture ring  70  and adapted for threaded engagement with the mounting nut  27 . 
     In application, the user has the option of discarding the mounting plate  74  and mounting the door opening assist device  5  by passing the second end  22  of the housing  520  through an aperture  9  in the structure  13  and advancing the mounting nut  27  onto the threads  29  to engage the structure  13  between the flange  26  and the nut  27 . 
     The user also has the option of discarding the mounting nut  27  and, from the second end  21  of the housing  520 , forcefully advancing the aperture  75  of the mounting plate  74  over the capture ring  70  to snap the mounting plate  74  into the seat  72  between the capture ring  70  and the flange  26 . The mounting plate  74  further comprises apertures  30  adapted to accept appropriate fasteners to couple the housing  520  to the structure  13 , such as, but not limited to, a doorjamb. 
     As previously discussed, advancing the piston  40  onto the bolt shaft  51  subsequently reduces the excursion of the piston  40 , and therefore the door  11  will open less as the piston  40  is advanced upon the shaft  51 . A longer excursion would be beneficial in circumstances wherein the door  11  is relatively heavy and needs the added push of the piston  40  to open the door  11  the desired amount. A longer excursion is also beneficial to the physically challenged individual to aid in opening the door  11  wide without manual assistance. A shorter excursion would be useful for relatively light doors  11  to limit the opening distance. A shorter excursion would also be useful where it would be desired to limit the door travel to a few inches to prevent collision with nearby structures, such as in the case of tight parking lots and the like. 
     The door opening assist device can be made from a variety of materials suitable for the particular purpose. For example, but not limited thereto, the housing, including any flange, capture ring and/or threads, is machined from a single block of aluminum. In another example, but not limited thereto, the housing, including any flange and/or capture ring, is steel and the flange and/or capture ring is welded to the housing. In yet another example, but not limited thereto, the housing, including any flange, capture ring and/or threads, is molded as a single unit out of reinforced plastic. It is recognized that there are many processes and materials known in the art that can be used in the production of the door opening assist device. 
     It is recognized that there are other means for coupling the mounting flange to the housing besides the use of a mounting nut or a capture ring. Other means for coupling the mounting flange to the housing include, but are not limited to, a C-ring snapped into a groove proximate the circular flange engaging the mounting flange between the circular flange and the C-ring, fasteners passing through apertures in the circular flange and into the mounting flange, adhesives, welding, and the like. 
     It is recognized that the door opening assist device  1  has many more benefits beyond opening a door  11  having no external handle to pull open the door  11 . For example, the door opening assist device  1  would be particularly useful in combination with standard manual door handles and latch releases for automobile passengers that lack the strength or would benefit from the opening assistance that the door opening assist device  1  would provide, such as the elderly or disabled. 
     The door opening assist device  1  would also be advantageously used wherein a remotely operated door is useful. One such application is in law enforcement wherein the rear door of a K-9 patrol car is remotely unlatched and pushed open by the door opening assist device  1  to release the K-9 officer. 
     It is appreciated that a door opening assist device  1  can be used in many applications. For example, for automobiles  10 , the door opening assist device  1  can be used not only to assist in opening passenger doors  11 , but may also be used to assist in the opening of trunk lids, hoods, and back hatches. 
     Other applications include, but are not limited to, the use of a door opening assist device  1  for building doors  90 . FIGS. 9 and 10 are perspective and top views, respectively, of the application of the door opening assist device  1  as mounted in a building doorjamb in another embodiment in accordance with the invention. The door opening assist device  1  can be mounted in the doorjamb  92 , either to push the free-end  94  of the door  90  such as in the case of an automobile  10 , or to push the hinged edge  96  of the door  90  as shown in FIG.  10 . 
     Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein for purposes of description of the preferred embodiment, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that a wide variety of alternate and/or equivalent implementations calculated to achieve the same purposes may be substituted for the specific embodiment shown and described without departing from the scope of the present invention. Those with skill in the art will readily appreciate that the present invention may be implemented in a very wide variety of embodiments. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the embodiments discussed herein. Therefore, it is manifestly intended that this invention be limited only by the claims and the equivalents thereof.