| US 7,458,621 B2 | ||
| Door connector | ||
| Yoshihiko Fujihara, Yamanashi (Japan); and Mikio Ichinose, Yamanashi (Japan) | ||
| Assigned to Mitsui Mining & Smelting Co., Ltd., Tokyo (Japan) | ||
| Filed on Jun. 14, 2005, as Appl. No. 11/151,299. | ||
| Claims priority of application No. 2004-177448 (JP), filed on Jun. 15, 2004; and application No. 2004-177449 (JP), filed on Jun. 15, 2004. | ||
| Prior Publication US 2006/0006672 A1, Jan. 12, 2006 | ||
| Int. Cl. E05C 3/06 (2006.01) | ||
| U.S. Cl. 292—216 [292/201; 292/DIG. 23; 49/502; 49/503; 49/142; 49/143] | 16 Claims |
| 1. A door connector for connecting a first door and a second door that close an opening formed in the anteroposterior direction
of a car, comprising:
a striker provided on the first door;
a notch, a latch, and a ratchet that are provided on the second door, wherein the notch receives the striker, the latch engages
with the striker, and the ratchet engages with the latch;
a latch linking mechanism linked to the latch;
a ratchet linking mechanism linked to the ratchet; and
an actuator that selectively operates the latch linking mechanism and the ratchet linking mechanism, wherein the actuator
operates the latch linking mechanism causing the latch to engage with the striker to connect the first door and the second
door when both the first door and the second door are closed, and the actuator operates the ratchet linking mechanism causing
the latch and the striker to be disengaged to disconnect the first door and the second door when both the first door and the
second door are connected and either of the first door and the second is opened; and,
wherein when either the first door or the second door is opened, the ratchet disengages from the latch, the latch disengages
from the striker, and the latch completely moves away from the notch, and the latch crosses the notch when the latch is engaged
with the ratchet, and one of the first door and the second door is a slide door.
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