Service vehicle door system
AssigneeHalcore Group, Inc.
InventorEric Fisher
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A door system for a service vehicle. The door system comprises a door frame that includes a plurality of elongated frame members, an interior panel coupled to the door frame, and a plurality of connectors for coupling the interior panel to the door frame. Additionally, each of the frame members comprises an attachment flange having a longitudinal groove and a series of longitudinally spaced insert openings. The insert openings extend entirely through the attachment flange and open into the longitudinal groove. As such, the connectors extend through the insert openings to secure the interior panel to the door frame.
Claims20
A door system for a service vehicle, said door system comprising:
- a door frame comprising a plurality of elongated frame members;
- an interior panel coupled to the door frame;
- and
- a plurality of connectors for coupling said interior panel to said door frame,
- wherein each of said frame members comprises an attachment flange having a longitudinal groove and a series of longitudinally spaced insert openings, wherein said insert openings extend entirely through said attachment flange and open into said longitudinal groove,
- wherein said connectors extend through said insert openings to secure said interior panel to said door frame.
A vehicle with a door system for accessing a compartment within said vehicle, said vehicle comprising:
- a drivers cab;
- a body located behind said cab, wherein said door system is incorporated into said body;
- said door system including—
- a door frame comprising a plurality of elongated frame members;
- an interior panel coupled to the door frame;
- and
- a plurality of connectors for coupling said interior panel to said door frame,
- wherein each of said frame members comprises an attachment flange having a longitudinal groove and a series of longitudinally spaced insert openings, wherein said insert openings extend entirely through said attachment flange and open into said longitudinal groove,
- wherein said connectors extend through said insert openings to secure said interior panel to said door frame.
A process for forming a door system for a service vehicle, said process comprising:
- (a) providing a door frame comprised of a plurality of elongated frame members, with each frame member having an attachment flange that includes a longitudinal groove and a series of longitudinally spaced apart insert openings, and with the insert openings extending entirely through the attachment flange and opening into the longitudinal groove;
- (b) inserting a plurality of inserts into the insert openings, with the inserts comprising an insert head, an internally threaded sleeve, and a deformable portion;
- (c) positioning an interior panel flushly against the attachment flanges of the frame members;
- and
- (d) securing the interior panel to the door frame by inserting fasteners through the interior panel and into the inserts, with the fasteners each including a fastener head an exteriorly threaded shaft,
- wherein during said securing of step (d), the inserts are deformed so as to compress the interior panel between the attachment flanges and the heads of the fasteners.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.