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Door check device for a vehicle door, movable from a closed position in a door frame to a plurality of different open positions and held in the open positions, includes a strip connected to the door or door frame and a braking mechanism connected to the other of the door or door frame to provide rel

Door check device for a vehicle door, movable from a closed position in a door frame to a plurality of different open positions and held in the open positions, includes a strip connected to the door or door frame and a braking mechanism connected to the other of the door or door frame to provide relative movement between the strip and braking mechanism when the door is moved relative to the door frame. The braking mechanism engages with the strip at several locations and prevents movement of the strip when the braking mechanism engages therewith. The braking mechanism is preferably biased against the strip. The vehicle also includes an electrical system, e.g., a motor or solenoid, coupled to the braking mechanism to disengage it from the strip to permit relative movement between the strip and braking mechanism and thus movement of the door relative to the door frame.

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1. A vehicle including a door movable from a closed position in a door frame to any one of a plurality of different open positions and field in the different open positions, comprising:a strip connected to one of the door or the door frame; a braking mechanism connected to the other of the door or t

1. A vehicle including a door movable from a closed position in a door frame to any one of a plurality of different open positions and field in the different open positions, comprising:a strip connected to one of the door or the door frame; a braking mechanism connected to the other of the door or the door frame to provide relative movement between said strip and said braking mechanism when the door is moved relative to the door frame, said braking mechanism being arranged to contact said strip at a plurality of locations and prevent movement of said strip when said braking mechanism is in contact with said strip, said braking mechanism being biased against said strip; and an electrical system coupled to said braking mechanism and arranged to remove said braking mechanism from contact with said strip to thereby permit relative movement between said strip and said braking mechanism and thus movement of the door relative to the door frame. 2. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein said strip is connected to the door and said braking mechanism is connected to the door frame whereby said strip moves relative to said braking mechanism.3. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein said strip is connected to the door frame and said braking mechanism is connected to the door whereby said braking mechanism moves relative to said strip.4. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein said electrical system comprises a motor or solenoid.5. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein said electrical system is arranged to remove said braking mechanism from contact with said strip by exerting a force on said braking mechanism in a direction opposite a biasing force which biases said braking mechanism against said strip.6. The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising a motor arranged to automatically move the door relative to the door frame.7. The vehicle of claim 6, further comprising a depressible switch coupled to said electrical system and said motor for initiating said electrical system to remove said braking mechanism from contact with said strip and for initiating said motor to automatically move the door relative to the door frame upon depression of said switch.8. The vehicle of claim 7, further comprising a steering wheel, said switch being arranged on said steering wheel.9. The vehicle of claim 6, further comprising a capacitive sensor defining a sensing area and coupled to said electrical system and said motor, said capacitive sensor being arranged to initiate said electrical system to remove said braking mechanism from contact with said strip and initiate said motor to automatically move the door relative to the door frame upon detection of the presence of a hand in the sensing area.10. The vehicle of claim 9, wherein said capacitive sensor is arranged such that when removal of the hand is detected, said electrical system is arranged to cease the removal of said braking mechanism from contact with said strip and said motor is arranged to cease movement of the door relative to the door frame.11. The vehicle of claim 9, wherein said capacitive sensor is arranged on the door.12. The vehicle of claim 6, further comprising:a first capacitive sensor defining a sensing area and coupled to said electrical system and said motor for initiating said electrical system to remove said braking mechanism from contact with said strip and for it initiating said motor to automatically move the door in a first direction relative to the door frame upon detection of the presence of a hand in the sensing area of said first capacitive sensor; and a second capacitive sensor defining a sensing area and coupled to said electrical system and said motor for initiating said electrical system to remove said braking mechanism from contact with said strip and far initiating said motor to automatically move the door in a second direction relative to the door frame, opposite to the first direction, upon detection of the presence of a hand in the sensing area of said second capacitive sensor. 13. The vehicle of claim 6, further comprising a voice activation module for processing verbal commands, said electrical system and said motor being coupled to said voice activation module and being controlled by said voice activation module to initiate said electrical system to remove said braking mechanism from contact with said strip or allow contact of said braking mechanism with said strip and to initiate said motor to move the door upon detection of specific commands.14. The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising biasing means for biasing said braking mechanism against said strip.15. The vehicle of claim 14, wherein said biasing means comprise a spring.16. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein said braking mechanism comprises a cam, first biasing means for biasing said cam into contact with said strip and a cam support bracket coupled to said first biasing means, said electrical system comprising a motor or solenoid and a rod coupled at a first end to said motor or solenoid and coupled at a second end to said cam support bracket, said rod being moved by said motor or solenoid to cause said cam support bracket to move away from said strip and thus said first biasing means to release a force biasing said cam against said strip.17. The vehicle of claim 16, wherein said braking mechanism further comprises second biasing means for biasing said cam support bracket toward said strip.18. A method for controlling movements of a door from a closed position in a door frame to any one of a plurality of different open positions, comprising the steps of:connecting a strip to one of the door or the door frame; arranging a braking mechanism in the other of the door or the door frame to enable relative movement between the strip and the braking mechanism when the door is moved relative to the door frame; engaging the braking mechanism into contact with the strip at one of a plurality of possible locations to prevent relative movement between the strip and the braking mechanism; biasing the braking mechanism against the strip; and providing an electrical system to selectively remove the braking mechanism from contact with the strip to thereby permit relative movement between the strip and the braking mechanism and thus movement of the door relative to the door frame. 19. The method of claim 18, further comprising the step of providing a motor to automatically move the door relative to the door frame.20. The method of claim 19, further comprising the steps of:coupling a depressible switch to the braking mechanism and motor for initiating the electrical system to remove the braking mechanism from contact with the strip and for initiating the motor to automatically move the door relative to the door frame; and depressing the switch when it is desired to move the door. 21. The method of claim 20, further comprising the step of placing the switch on a steering wheel of the vehicle.22. The method of claim 20, further comprising the steps of:monitoring motion of the vehicle and status of a parking gear of the vehicle; and enabling the motor to automatically move the door only when the vehicle is not in motion and the parking gear is engaged. 23. The method of claim 20, further comprising the step of coupling the switch to a door lock device such that upon depression of the switch, the door, if locked, is unlocked.24. The method of claim 19, further comprising the step of coupling a capacitive sensor defining a sensing area to the electrical system and the motor for initiating the electrical system to remove the braking mechanism from contact with the strip and for initiating the motor to automatically move the door relative to the door frame upon detection of the presence of a hand in the sensing area.25. The method of claim 24, further comprising the steps of:monitoring the capacitive sensor to detect removal of the hand from the sensing area after placement of the hand in the sensing area; and upon detecting removal of the hand, causing the electrical system to cease the removal of the braking mechanism from contact with the strip and causing the motor to cease movement of the door. 26. The method of claim 24, further comprising the step of placing the capacitive sensor on a door of the vehicle.27. The method of claim 19, further comprising the steps of:coupling a first capacitive sensor defining a sensing area to the electrical system and the motor for initiating the electrical system to remove the braking mechanism from contact with the strip and for initiating the motor to automatically move the door in a first direction relative to the door frame upon detection of the presence of a hand in the sensing area of the first capacitive sensor; and coupling a second capacitive sensor defining a sensing area to the electrical system and the motor for initiating the electrical system to remove the braking mechanism from contact with the strip and for initiating the motor to automatically move the door in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, relative to the door frame upon detection of the presence of a hand in the sensing area of the second capacitive sensor.