Patent ID: 6857688

Claim:
A door assembly for use with a motor vehicle having a door outer structure and an interior occupant compartment, wherein the door outer structure has an opening for receiving the door assembly, the assembly comprising: a carrier panel adapted to be attached to the door outer structure such that the carrier panel substantially covers the opening, the carrier panel having a first side adapted to face toward the occupant compartment and a second side adapted to face the door outer structure, the carrier panel being configured to function as a water shield between the door outer structure and the occupant compartment for inhibiting water from passing from the second side to the first side, the carrier panel further including an upper portion and a lower portion, the lower portion defining a lower, finished appearance surface that is adapted to face the occupant compartment; a vehicle door hardware component mounted to and supported by the carrier panel; and an upper trim panel arrangement that is attachable to the carrier panel after the carrier panel has been attached to the door outer structure, the upper trim panel arrangement being configured to substantially cover the upper portion of the carrier panel and having an upper, finished appearance surface that is adapted to face the occupant compartment.