US 12,344,082 B2
Rear door assembly
David Kovie, Livonia, MI (US); James Haupt, Livonia, MI (US); Christopher Herrala, Milford, MI (US); Edward Orcsik, LaSalle (CA); John Zakoff, Sterling Heights, MI (US); and James Filipowski, Brighton, MI (US)
Assigned to NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC., Franklin, TN (US)
Filed by NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC., Franklin, TN (US)
Filed on Apr. 15, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/636,194.
Application 18/636,194 is a continuation of application No. 17/965,704, filed on Oct. 13, 2022, granted, now 11,987,107.
Prior Publication US 2024/0253432 A1, Aug. 1, 2024
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. B60J 5/10 (2006.01); B62D 33/027 (2006.01)
CPC B60J 5/106 (2013.01) [B62D 33/027 (2013.01)] 15 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A rear door assembly, comprising:
a vehicle body structure having a roof structure, a side wall, a rear door opening and a gutter on a first side of the rear door opening;
a rear door movable between a door closed orientation covering the rear door opening and the gutter, and a door open orientation exposing the rear door opening and the gutter; and
a four-bar linkage assembly supporting the rear door for movement between the door open orientation and the door closed orientation, the four-bar linkage including at least a rearward member, a forward member and an extender,
the rearward member having a first end pivotally attached to the gutter, a second end attached to the rear door and a protrusion spaced apart from the first end and the second end,
the forward member having a first end attached to the roof structure and a second end attached to the rear door, and
the extender having a lower end pivotally attached to the side wall and an upper end attached to the protrusion of the rearward member.