Technical Field

The present invention relates to accessories or fittings for vehicles. More particularly, the present invention relates to a retractable door edge protector for preventing damage to the door edge of vehicles when parked in close proximity to other vehicles or other solid objects.

Background of the Invention

When vehicles are parked in close proximity to one another or close to other solid objects such as pillars or posts etc. substantial damage to paintwork can occur from careless opening of doors. This usually results ^' from the opening edge of the door impacting an adjacent vehicle or other object. The paintwork on the edge of the door becomes chipped or scratched as does the finish on the vehicle being impacted. While it is known to fit strips or channels along the door edge such devices rarely stay in place for more than a short time. As they protrude out from the bodywork of the vehicle they also detract from the appearance of said vehicle and can cause wind noise when driving at speed.

Object of the Invention

It is the object of the present invention to substantially overcome or ameliorate one or more of the above disadvantages, or at least provide a useful alternative.

Summary of the Invention

In a first aspect, the present invention provides a retractable edge protector for a vehicle door, said edge protector comprising:

an elongate bumper strip adapted to be mounted adjacent to an opening edge of the door, said bumper strip being displaceable in use between a deployed position when the door is in an open position and a withdrawn position when the door is in a closed position, wherein:

in said deployed position, said bumper strip is extended around the opening edge of the door; and

in said withdrawn position, said bumper strip is concealed behind the door. Preferably, said bumper strip is pivotally displaceable between said deployed position and said withdrawn position. Preferably, said bumper strip includes a distal flange, a proximal flange and a web extending between said distal and proximal flanges so as to define a generally U- shaped cross section, such that, when said bumper strip is in said deployed position: said web extends across the opening edge of the door; and

said distal flange extends generally along an outer face of the door adjacent to the opening edge of the door.

Preferably, the retractable edge protector further comprises an actuation mechanism for displacing said bumper strip between said deployed position and said withdrawn position.

Preferably, said actuation mechanism includes a spring means for biasing said bumper strip towards said deployed position.

Typically, the actuation mechanism includes a sensing means for sensing proximity of the door to adjacent structure of the vehicle as the door approaches the closed position; and said actuation mechanism is adapted to displace said bumper strip from said deployed position toward said withdrawn position in response to said sensing means sensing proximity of the door to the adjacent structure of the vehicle.

In one or more embodiments, said sensing means comprises a mechanical sensor adapted to be mounted to the door, said mechanical sensor being displaceable between an extended position and a retracted position, further wherein:

said mechanical sensor is biased towards said extended position; and

said mechanical sensor is adapted to engage the adjacent structure of the vehicle as the door approaches the closed position, driving said mechanical sensor from said extended position towards said retracted position as the door further approaches said closed position.

In one form, said mechanical sensor comprises a strike pin that is linearly displaceable between said extended position and said retracted position.

In another form, said mechanical sensor is pivotally displaceable between said extended position and said retracted position.

In an alternative embodiment, the actuation mechanism includes a spring means for biasing said bumper strip towards said withdrawn position.

In such an embodiment:

said actuation mechanism includes a sensing means for sensing proximity of the door to adjacent structure of the vehicle as the door approaches and departs from the closed position; and

said actuation mechanism is adapted to displace said bumper strip from said withdrawn position toward said deployed position in response to said sensing means sensing departure of the door from the closed position. ·

In such an embodiment the sensing means may comprise an electrical sensor. The actuation mechanism may include a solenoid actuator adapted to receive a first signal from said electrical sensor when said electrical sensor senses departure of the door from the closed position and consequently energise to displace said bumper strip from said withdrawn position to said deployed position and to receive a second signal from said electrical sensor when said electrical sensor senses the door approaching the closed position and consequently de-energise.

In one or more embodiments, said actuation mechanism includes a displacement conversion means for converting linear displacement associated with displacement of said sensing means, into pivotal displacement of said bumper strip between said deployed position and said withdrawn position.

In one form, said displacement conversion means comprises a rack and pinion arrangement.

In another form, wherein said displacement conversion means comprises:

a linearly displaceable element; and

a rotatably displaceable element having a helical thread enagaging said linearly displaceable element in a manner such that linear displacement of said linear displaceable element rotates said rotatably displaceable element.

In one or more embodiments, said actuation mechanism includes a Bowden cable arrangement that is operatively associated with said sensing means and said displacement conversion means.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a retractable edge protector for a vehicle door according to a first embodiment;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the edge protector of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 is a plan view of the edge protector of Figure 1 mounted on a vehicle door, with the door in the open position and the bumper strip of the edge protector in the deployed position;

Figure 4 is a plan view of the edge protector of Figure 1 mounted on the door, with the door in the closed position and the bumper strip of the edge protector in the withdrawn position; Figure 5 is a perspective view of a retractable edge protector for a vehicle door according to a second embodiment mounted on a vehicle door, with the door in the open position and _. the bumper strip of the edge protector in the deployed position;

Figure 6 is a detailed schematic perspective view of the actuation mechanism of the edge protector of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a plan view of the edge protector of Figure 5 mounted on the door, with the door in the open position and the bumper strip of the edge protector in the deployed position;

Figure 8 is a plan view of the edge protector of Figure 5 mounted on the door, with the door in the closed position and the bumper strip of the edge protector in the withdrawn position;

Figure 9 is a rear elevation view of an edge protector for a vehicle door according to a third embodiment mounted on a vehicle door, with the door in the open position and the bumper strip of the edge protector in the deployed position;

Figure 10 is a schematic rear elevation view of the edge protector of Figure 9 with the bumper strip of the edge protector in the deployed position;

Figure 1 1 is a schematic rear elevation view of the edge protector of Figure 9 with the bumper strip of the edge protector in the withdrawn position;

Figure 12 is a schematic plan view of the edge protector of Figure 9 mounted on the door, with the door in the closed position and the bumper strip of the edge protector in the deployed position;

Figure 13 is a schematic plan view of the edge protector of Figure 9 mounted on the door, with the door in the closed position and the bumper strip of the edge protector in the withdrawn position;

Figure 14 is a detailed schematic rear elevation view of part of the actuation mechanism of the edge protector of Figure 9, with the bumper strip of the edge protector in the deployed position;

Figure 15 is a detailed schematic rear elevation view of part of the actuation mechanism of the edge protector of Figure 9, with the bumper strip of the edge protector in the withdrawn position;

Figure 16 is a perspective view of an edge protector for a vehicle door according to a fourth embodiment mounted on a vehicle door, with the door in the open position and the bumper strip of the edge protector in the closed position; Figure 17 is a pian view of the edge protector of Figure 16 mounted on the door, with the door in the open position and the bumper strip of the edge protector in the deployed position;

Figure 18 is a plan view of the edge protector of Figure 16 mounted on the door, with the door in the closed position and the bumper strip of the edge protector in the withdrawn position;

Figure 19 is a detailed schematic rear view of the bumper strip and part of the actuation mechanism of the edge protector of Figure 16 with the bumper strip of the edge protector in the deployed position; and

Figure 20 is a is a detailed schematic rear view of the bumper .strip and part of the actuation mechanism of the edge protector of Figure 16 with the bumper strip of the edge protector in the withdrawn position.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

A door edge protector 100 according to a first embodiment is depicted in Figures 1 through 4 of the accompanying drawings. The edge protector 100 comprises an elongate bumper strip 101 that is adapted to be mounted to a vehicle door 1 (as depicted in Figures 3 and 4), adjacent a trailing opening edge 2 of the door 1 , by way of a base 102 of the edge protector 100. The bumper strip 101 is pivotally displaceable relative to the base 102 by way of a hinge mechanism 103. The hinge mechanism 103 comprises a first hinge element 104 fixed to and upstanding from the base 102, a second hinge element 105 that is fixed to the bumper strip 101 and a spindle 106 hingedly connecting the first and second hinge elements 104, 105. The bumper strip 101 here includes a distal ^' flange 107, a proximal flange 108, and a web 109 extending between the distal and proximal flanges 105, 106 so as to define a generally U-shaped cross-section, as best depicted in Figure 2. The second hinge element 105 is fixed to, and extends along, an outer face of the proximal flange 108 whilst the edge. 107a of the distal flange 107 defines a distal free edge of the bumper strip 101.

The bumper strip 101 will typically be formed of flexible foam, elastbmeric or plastics material, able to absorb light impacts in use.

Referring to Figure 3, the edge protector 100 may be mounted to the vehicle door

1 on the inner face of a trailing lip 3 of the door 1 which defines the opening edge 2 of the door 1. The edge protector 100 may conveniently be mounted on the lip 3 by way of adhesive tape 1 10 applied to the base 102, Alternatively, the edge protector 100 could be mounted to the lip 3 by any other sutiable form of adhesive or fasteners. The edge protector will typically be mounted at a vertical position of the l ip 3 corresponding to the trailing extremity of the door 1 where the opening edge 2 of the door 1 is most likely to impact an object when the door 1 is opened.

The pivotal mounting of the bumper strip 101 to the base 102 enables it to be displaced between a deployed position, as depicted in Figure 3, and a withdrawn position, as depicted in Figure 4. In the deployed position, the bumper strip 101 extends around the opening edge 2 of the door 1. In particular, the web 109 extends generally across the opening edge 2 of the door 1 and the distal flange 107 extends along the outer face 4 of the door 1 , particularly the outer face of the lip 3 of the door 1. With the bumper strip 101 in the extended position when the door 1 is in an open position, the bumper strip 101 provides protection against the opening edge 2 of the door 1 impacting an adjacent vehicle or other object such as a pillar or post.

In the withdrawn position, as depicted in Figure 4, the bumper strip 101 is concealed behind the door 1 , and in particular behind the lip 3 of the door 1 . As shown in Figure 4, the distal flange 107 may engage a projecting door seal 5 or other trailing adjacent structure 6 of the vehicle as the door 1 is closed. When the door 1 is a front door, the trailing structure 6 will generally be a rear door whereas when the door I is a rear door, the trailing structure 6 will generally be part of the body of the vehicle.

Whilst the specific bumper strip 101 depicted is pivotally displaceable between the deployed and withdrawn positions, it is also envisaged that the edge protector may be reconfigured to provide for alternate forms of displacement between the deployed and withdrawn positions.

It is envisaged that the bumper strip 101 may be displaced between the deployed position and withdrawn position manually by an occupant of the vehicle as he/she opens and closes the door 1 , although an actuation mechanism will typically be provided for ^" displacing the bumper strip 101 between the deployed and withdrawn positions.

A door edge protector 200 according to a second embodiment, embodying such an actuation mechanism, is depicted in Figures 5 through 8. The door edge protector 200 is comprised of the door edge protector 100 of the first embodiment described above, with the addition of an actuation mechanism 220 for displacing the bumper strip 101 between the deployed and withdrawn positions. The actuation mechanism 220 is depicted in Figure 5 with a cover 221 enclosing its internal components, with the actuation mechanism 220 being depicted with the cover 221 removed in Figures 6 through 8.

The actuation mechanism 220 is mounted to the trailing face 7 of the body of the door 1 , as best depicted in Figure 6, by way of a base plate 222 which, together with the cover 221 , forms a housing. The base plate 222 may be fixed to the trailing face 7 of the body of the door 1 by way of adhesive tape, other adhesive or fasteners as desired.

The actuation mechanism 220 includes a sensing means, here in the form of a mechanical sensor, particularly a strike pin 230, that senses proximity of the door 1 to an adjacent inner structure 8 of the vehicle as the door 1 approaches the closed position, as depicted in Figure 7, by contacting the inner structure 8. The strike pin 230 is linearly displaceable between an extended position, as depicted in Figure 7, and a retracted position, depicted in Figure 8. As the door 1 approaches the closed position, the extended strike pin 230 engages the adjacent inner structure 8 of the vehicle, which will typically comprise a recessed face of a structure defining the door opening. As the door further approaches the closed position, the strike pin 230 is driven from the extended position towards the retracted position as depicted in Figure 8 by contact with the inner structure 8.

The actuation mechanism 220 further comprises a spring means in the form of a compression coil spring 240 that biases the strike pin 230 towards the extended position as depicted in Figure 7. Accordingly, as the door 1 is opened, the biasing of the spring 240 drives the strike pin 230 to the extended position depicted in Figure 7, ready for subsequent sensing of proximity of the adjacent inner structure 8 as the door is reclosed. The spring 240 is mounted between a spring stop 241 (best depicted in Figure 6, although the spring 240 has been omitted from this view for clarity) that is fixed to the base plate 222 and the trailing face of the strike pin 230.

The actuation mechanism 220 further includes a displacement conversion means for converting linear displacement associated with displacement of the sensing means, here linear displacement of the strike pin 230, into pivotal displacement of the bumper strip 101 between the deployed and withdrawn positions. In the second embodiment, the displacement conversion means comprises a rack-and-pinion arrangement 250.

Specifically, the rack-and-pinion arrangement 250 includes a linearly extending rack 251 that is fixed to the strike pin 230 and is guided for linear displacement along the base plate 222 by way of the spring stop 241 and a rack guide 252 that is also fixed to the base plate 222. The rack 251 is provided with a series of laterally extending teeth 253 on its outer surface. The rack-and-pinion arrangement 250 further comprises a primary pinion gear 254 that is rotatably mounted in relation to the base plate 222 and the teeth of which are driven by the teeth 253 of the rack 251. The rack-and-pinion arrangement 250 further comprises a secondary pinion gear 255 that is rotatably mounted relative to the base plate 222 and a tertiary pinion gear 256 that is fixed to the second hinge element 105 of the hinge mechanism 103 associated with the bumper strip 101. A teethed drive belt 257 (depicted in Figures 7 and 8, but omitted from Figure 6 for clarity) extends about the primary, secondary and tertiary pinion gears 254, 255, 256. The path of the drive belt 257 is constricted by the cover 251 and a guide rail 258 that divides the primary pinion gear 254 into opposing halves, one of which engages with the teeth 253 of the rack 251 and the other of which engages the drive belt 257.

Linear displacement of the rack 251 , resulting from displacement of the strike pin 230, is converted into rotational displacement of the primary pinion gear 254 which, in turn, provides rotational displacement of the secondary and tertiary pinion gears 255, 256 by way of the drive belt 257. Displacement of the tertiary pinion gear 256 results in pivotal displacement of the bumper strip 101 by virtue of displacement of the second hinge element 105 of the hinge mechanism 103. The specific configuration of the secondary and tertiary pinion gears 255, 256 enables the rack-and-pinion arrangement 250 to maintain a low profile projecting from the trailing face 7 of the body of the door 1 along the majority of its length to avoid impinging on the door.surround as the door 1 closes.

In use, when the door 1 is in the open position, the spring 240 biases the strike pin 230 to the extended position, as depicted in Figures 6 and 7, which in turn biases the bumper strip 101 to the deployed position by way of the rack-and-pinion arrangement 250. As the door 1 is moved towards the closed position, proximity of the adjacent inner structure 8 of the vehicle is sensed by engagement of the strike pin 230 with the adjacent inner structure 8, driving the strike pin 230 towards the withdrawn position depicted in Figure 8 as the door further moves towards the closed position, resulting in pivotal displacement of the bumper strip 101 towards the retracted position, as depicted in Figure 8, by way of the rack-and-pinion arrangement 250. ₀

A door edge protector 300 according to a third embodiment is depicted in Figures 9 through 15, The door edge protector 300 is again comprised of the door edge protector 100 of the first embodiment described above, but here with the addition of an alternate actuation mechanism 320 for displacing the bumper strip 101 between the deployed and withdrawn positions.

The actuation mechanism 320 includes a sensing means, here in the form of a mechanical sensor, particularly a lever 330, that senses proximity of the door 1 to an adjacent inner structure 8 of the vehicle as the door 1 approaches the closed position, as depicted in Figure 12, by contacting the inner structure 8. The lever 330 is pivotally displaceable between an extended position as depicted in Figures 9, 10 and 12 and a retracted position as depicted in Figures 1 1 and 13. As the door 1 approaches the closed position, the extended lever 330 engages the adjacent inner structure 8 of the vehicle. As the door further approaches the closed position, the lever 330 is pivotally driven from the extended position towards the retracted position, as depicted in Figure 13, by contact with the inner structure 8.

The lever 330 will typically be mounted to an inner face of the lip 3 of the door 1 towards the lower end thereof, as particularly depicted in Figure 9, such that it will engage the adjacent inner structure 8 of the vehicle about the lower rear edge of the door opening. In Figures 12 and 13, however, the lever 330 is schematically depicted at right- angles to its usual orientation, and adjacent the rear face of the body of the door, for clarity purposes in explaining operation of the actuation mechanism 320 only. The lever 330 is pivotally mounted to a lever support 331 about a pivot point 332. The lever support 331 is fixed to the inner face of the lip 3, again by adhesive tape or any other suitable form of adhesive or fastener.

The actuation mechanism 320 further comprises a Bowden cable arrangement

360 (not depicted in Figures 12 and 13 for clarity purposes). The Bowden cable arrangement 360 comprises a cable 361 slidably received within a sheath 362. A lower end 361 a of the cable 361 is attached to the lever 330 a distance from the pivot point 332 such that pivotal displacement of the lever 330 results in sliding displacement of the cable 361 through the sheath 362. The lower end 362a of the sheath abuts (and may be fixed to) an upper etid of the lever support 331 , such that the sheath 362 does not move with the cable 361. The sheath 362 extends along the inner face of the lip 3 of the door 1 up towards the bumper strip 101. The sheath 362 is fixed to the inner face of the lip 3 intermittently along its length by way of clips 363, as depicted in Figure 9, which are adhesively mounted to the inner face of the lip 3.

The upper end 362b of the sheath is restrained within a bracket 364 fixed to the inner face of the lip 3 of the door 1. The upper end 361b of the cable 361 a is provided with an enlarged head 364 that is attached to a displacement conversion means 350, which is depicted in greater detail in Figures 14 and 15. The displacement conversion means 350 comprises a linearly displaceable element 351 that is attached to the cable head 364, a linear guide element 352 that is fixed to the inner face of the lip 3 of the door 1 and a rotatably displaceable element 353 that is fixed to the second hinge element 105 of the hinge mechanism 103 associated with the bumper strip 101. The linear guide element 352 is configured to restrain the linearly displaceable element 351 from rotational motion,. whilst allowing linear displacment of the linearly displaceable element such that displacement of the cable head 364 results in linear displacement of the linearly displaceable elment 351. The linearly displaceable element 351 is here in the form of a linear rail, but could alternatively be in the form of a sleeve. The rotatably displaceable element 353 is provided with a helical thread 354 extending along its length and which engages a projection (not depicted) of the linearly displaceable element 351 such that linear displacement of the linearly displaceable element 351 relative to the rotatably displaceable element 353 results in rotary motion of the rotatably displaceable element 353. Accordingly, displacement of the cable head 364 is converted into linear motion of the linearly displaceable element 351 which is in turn converted to rotational motion of the rotatably displaceable element 353 which acts to pivot the bumper strip 101 by way of the pivotal motion of the second hinge element 105.

The actuation mechanism 320 is further provided with a coil compression spring 340 mounted on the cable 361 between the rotatably displaceable element 353 and the cable head 364, biasing the cable head 364 away from the rotatably displaceable element 353. This in turn tensions the cable 361 , such that it acts to pivotally bias the lever 330 towards the extended position 330 as depicted in Figures 9, 10 and 12. The biasing provided by the spring 340 also acts, through the displacement conversion means 350, to bias the bumper strip 101 to the deployed position, as depicted in Figures 9, 10, 12 and 14.

In use, as the door approaches the closed position, proximity of the adj acent inner structure 8 of the vehicle is sensed by engagement of the lever 330, as depicted in Figure 12. As the door is moved further towards the closed position, the lever 330 is driven towards the retracted position depicted in Figure 13, resulting in displacement of the cable 361 in a downward direction against the bias of the spring 340, pivotally displacing the bumper strip 101 towards the withdrawn position as depicted in Figures 1 1 and 13 by way of the displacement conversion means 360. When the door is re-opened, the bias of the spring 340 acts to pivotally displace the bumper strip 101 back to the deployed position and the lever 330 back to the extended position, as depicted in Figures 9, 10 and 12.

A door edge protector 400 according to a fourth embodiment is depicted in Figures 16 through 20. The edge protector 400 is again comprised of the door edge protector 100 of the first embodiment described above, with the addition of a further alternate actuation mechanism 420 for displacing the bumper strip 101 between the deployed and withdrawn positions. The actuation mechanism 420 includes a sensing means, that is here in the form of a control box including an electrical sensor 430. The electrical sensor 430 senses proximity of the door 1 to an adjacent inner structure 8 of the vehicle as the door 1 approaches and departs from the closed position, as depicted in Figure 17. The electric sensor 430 emits a signal that reflects from the adjacent inner structure 8 of the vehicle and which is subsequently received by the sensor 430. The signal is processed by the control box to determine the distance between the sensor 430 and the adjacent inner structure 8 to thereby assess when the adjacent inner structure 8 approaches and departs from the closed position. The control box embodying the sensor 430 will typically be mounted to the inner face of the lip 3 of the door 1 , towards its lower edge, by adhesive tape or other suitable form of adhesive or fasteners.

The actuation mechanism 420 further comprises a solenoid valve 460 that electrically communicates with the sensor 430 by way of an electrical wire 431. The sensor 430 also communicates with the vehicle's electrical system by way of a further electrical wire 432 which provides power both to a rechargeable power source associated with the control box for powering both the control box and the solenoid val ve 460. The solenoid valve 460 is of a "pull" configuration, having a linearly displaceable actuator 461 that retracts upon energisation of the solenoid valve 460.

The actuator 4 1 is attached to a displacement conversion means 450 that acts to convert linear displacement of the actuator 461 into pivotal displacement of the bumper strip 101. The displacement conversion means 450 is of a similar configuration to the displacement conversion means 350 of the third embodiment discussed above, comprising a linearly displaceable element 451 , here in the form of a sleeve and a rotatably displaceable element 453 provided with a helical thread 454. The linearly displaceable element 451 is fixed to the actuator 461 , such that displacement of the actuator 461 results in linear displacement of the linearly displaceable element 451. The rotatably displaceable element 453 is fixed to the second hinge element 105 of the hinge mechanism 103 associated with the bumper strip 101. The helical thread 454 of the rotatably displaceable element 453 engages a projection (not depicted) of the linearly displaceable element 451 such that linear displacement of the linearly displaceable element 451 relative to the rotatably displaceable element 353 results in rotary motion of the rotatably displaceable element 453. Accordingly, displacement of the actuator 461 is converted into linear motion of the linearly displaceable element 451 which is in turn converted to rotational motion of the rotatably displaceable element 453 which acts to pivot the bumper strip 101 by way of the pivotal motion of the second hinge element 105. The actuation mechanism 420 is further provided with a coil compression spring 440 mounted between the body of the solenoid valve 460 and the rear end of the linearly displaceable element 451 , biasing the linearly displaceable element 451 (and the actuator 461) away from the body of the solenoid valve 460. This in turn acts, through the ( displacement conversion means 450, to pivotally bias the bumper strip 101 to the

withdrawn position, as depicted in Figures 18 and 20. This can be contrasted to the springs 220, 320 of the second and third embodiments described above that bias the bumper strip 101 to the deployed position. Rather than being mounted externally of the solenoid valve 460, it is also envisaged that the spring 440 may actually be mounted within the body of the solenoid valve 450.

In use, as the door is opened, departure of the door 1 from the closed position is is sensed by the sensor 430, as depicted in Figure 17, prompting the control box to send a first signal to energise the solenoid valve 460, resulting in retraction of the actuator 461 against the bias of the spring 440, pivotally displacing the bumper strip 101 towards the deployed position as depicted in Figures 17 and 19 by way of the displacement conversion means 360. As the door is re-closed, approach of the door 1 to the closed position is again sensed by the sensor 430, prompting the control box to send a second signal to de-energise the solenoid valve 460, allowing the biasing action of the spring 440 to pivotally displace the bumper strip lOl back to the withdrawn position before the door 1 closes, as depicted in Figures 18 and 20.