Zac Quinn 
Browsing through auto manufacturer patents can be quite a fun pastime with some pretty exciting discoveries for potential future products. One such interesting discovery we at MC&T made is a patent filing by Jeep for what they’re calling a “Convertible Door.” It was filed back on October 13, 2020, and was granted and published by the USPTO on July 19, 2022.
Jeep Convertible Door Patent Details
Convertible vehicles are pretty straightforward and a popular option amongst people as it enables them to remove the roof and become more exposed to the elements. On sunny days, the driving experience is more enjoyable than simply rolling down the windows. But why does it just have to be the roof that can be a convertible? Patent US11390147B2 aims to expand upon the concept by making doors that can be converted into something a bit more breezy.
Jeep enthusiasts often equip their Wrangler and Gladiator with the popular tube doors as accessories. The tube doors allow for that extra sense of security while improving visibility and creating more of an open-air feel when off-roading. However, sometimes switching between the tube doors and the standard doors can be tedious, which is where this patent comes in. Jeep has demonstrated the idea of having a regular exterior door clipped to a sturdy looking brace that’s pinned to the door hinges. It kind of resembles a “donut” door that Ford was going to do with the Bronco, but has reportedly passed on that idea. Mind you, Jeep appears to have a donut door patent all its own, separate from this one.
When the customer wishes to switch to a more open experience, they unlock the latches and detach the regular door from the style frame door—making the switch between the two significantly more effortless for customers. How neat is that?
According to the patent, the high visibility off-road frame door is located on the exterior. Meanwhile, the full-sized door panel is connected to the frame’s interior. As for where to store the door panels, that seems to continue to be a mystery, but Jeep seems to have a few clever solutions in the works for that, as well.
