Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090271947 | Adjustable Deck Lid Hinge - An adjustable hinge assembly for a vehicle deck lid includes an adjustment pin received in a hinge pin that is adjustable to cause the deck lid to become flush with adjacent vehicle body structure. The adjustment pin includes a tool engagement feature that allows for adjustment of the hinge assembly from within the trunk. A second tool engagement feature allows for adjustment of the hinge from outside of the trunk. | 11-05-2009 |
20120084942 | HOOD HINGE ASSEMBLY FOR VEHICLE - A hood hinge assembly is provided for operatively attaching a hood to a vehicle. The assembly includes a base link configured to be coupled to the vehicle; a deploy link coupled to the base link; and a hood link coupled to the deploy link and configured to be coupled to the hood. In a first transition from a first position into a second position, the base link and the deploy link pivot with one another relative to the base link, and, in a second transition from the first position into a third position, the hood link pivots relative to the deploy link. | 04-12-2012 |
20120205937 | CLOSEOUT PANEL FOR VEHICLE DECK LID HINGE - A vehicle has a deck lid for closing a vehicle luggage compartment. The deck lid is mounted on a hinge assembly including a hinge lever pivoted on a vehicle body and a hinge arm attached to the deck lid. A trim panel lines the luggage compartment and has an oversize aperture creating a gap through which the hinge arm travels freely without interference with the trim panel during the opening and closing movement of the deck lid. A closeout panel is mounted on the hinge assembly to travel therewith. The closeout panel is sized larger than the size of the oversize aperture and upon the deck lid reaching the open position, the closeout panel will have moved with the hinge assembly to a position closely adjacent the backside of the trim panel so that the closeout panel closes the gap and prevents an observer from seeing through the gap. | 08-16-2012 |
20120324795 | HINGE ASSEMBLY HAVING AN UP STOP DAMPING MECHANISM FOR ROTATABLY SUPPORTING A DECKLID OF A VEHICLE - A hinge assembly for rotatably supporting a decklid relative to a body of a vehicle includes a damping mechanism for damping movement of the decklid relative to the body. The damping mechanism includes a damping clip attached to a bracket of the hinge assembly, and a damping bumper attached to a hinge box of the hinge assembly. Movement of the bracket from a closed position into an open position brings the damping bumper into engagement with the damping clip. The damping bumper spreads and/or elastically deforms the damping clip to absorb energy and dampen the movement of the bracket and/or the decklid. | 12-27-2012 |
20130020826 | DECKLID HINGE COUNTERBALANCE ASSEMBLY HAVING A STRAIGHT-END TORQUE ROD - A counterbalanced decklid hinge assembly for rotatably supporting a decklid relative to a vehicle includes a torque rod extending between a first hinge box and a second hinge box. A support member is rotatably supported by each of the first and second hinge boxes. A linkage system interconnects one axial end of the torque rod to one of the support members, and is attached to the axial end of the torque rod in a manner that allows for a straight axial end of the torque rod, i.e., requires no bends. A lever is attached to and rotatable with the other axial end of the torque rod, and is attached in a manner that allows for a straight axial end of the torque rod, i.e., requires no bends. | 01-24-2013 |
20130048398 | VEHICLE WITH DECKLID HOLD-OPEN ASSIST - In accordance with exemplary embodiments, a magnetic decklid hold-open system is provided for a vehicle. The system comprises a decklid for a vehicle coupled to a body of the vehicle via a hinge strap. The hinge strap facilitates the decklid moving between a closed position and an open position, and a magnetic element coupled to the hinge strap magnetically retains the decklid in the open position. | 02-28-2013 |
20130086792 | Decklid Hinge Spring Installation Mechanism - A mechanism for installing a spring in a vehicle decklid includes a bracket supported on the decklid to rotate about an axis, including a leg extending radially from the axis, a spring secured to the bracket, a stop, and an attachment engaged with the bracket for rotating the bracket about the axis and extending the spring to an installed position where a force applied by the spring to the leg forces the bracket into contact with the stop, said contact preventing rotation of the bracket in a direction that extends the spring. | 04-11-2013 |
20130087956 | Extension Spring Installation Mechanism - A spring installation mechanism includes a bracket fixed against displacement, a spring that extends along an axis and includes first and second ends, the second end being fixed against displacement, a retainer secured to the first end and including helical threads, and a screw including a shank having helical threads engaged with the threads of the retainer, axial displacement of the screw toward the retainer limited by contact with the bracket, said contact permitting rotary displacement of the screw relative to the retainer and the spring. | 04-11-2013 |
20130088021 | Vehicle Door Mechanism - A mechanism for controlling a vehicle door includes upper and lower striker pins secured to a door opening, an upper latch assembly pivotably connectable to the door, including inboard and outboard latches, and a slotted hole extending between the latches and into which the upper striker pin is fitted, and a lower latch assembly pivotably connectable to the door, including inboard and outboard latches, a second slotted hole extending between the latches and into which the lower striker pin is fitted, and a second hinge pin secured to the lower latch assembly. | 04-11-2013 |
20130252448 | CHARGE CORD LOCK FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLE - A charge cord assembly for a vehicle having a charging receptacle for engaging the charge cord during battery recharging. The charge cord assembly includes an electric cord extending between a source of electric current and the charging receptacle; a cord end connector engaging the electric cord and having a electrical socket engaging the charging receptacle, a latch hook that selectively secures the cord end connector to the charging receptacle, a release handle, a release linkage assembly engaged between the release handle and the latch hook to release the latch hook from the charging receptacle when the release handle is actuated; and a lock assembly having a locked position that prevents the release linkage assembly from releasing the latch hook from the charging receptacle and an unlocked position that allows the release linkage assembly to release the latch hook from the charging receptacle when the release handle is actuated. | 09-26-2013 |
20130263407 | DECKLID HINGE COUNTERBALANCE SYSTEM WITH A COMBINATION TORQUE ROD AND TORQUE TUBE ASSEMBLY - A decklid hinge assembly for a vehicle includes a counterbalance torque system having a torque storing assembly. The torque storing assembly includes a torque rod having a first axial end and a second axial end, and a torque tube having a first axial end and a second axial end. The first axial end of the torque rod is attached to a linkage system in torque transmitting engagement for transmitting torque therebetween, the second axial end of the torque rod is attached to the second axial end of the torque tube in torque transmitting engagement for transmitting torque therebetween, and the first axial end of the torque tube is attached to a hinge box in torque transmitting engagement for transmitting torque therebetween. The torque storing assembly is pre-loaded with a moment to generate a torque for assisting movement of the support member from a closed position into an open position. | 10-10-2013 |
20130305915 | GAS STRUT ASSEMBLY WITH AN INTERNAL DETENT MODULE - A gas strut assembly includes a housing defining an interior space. A rod is coupled to the housing, and is slideably moveable between an extended position and a retracted position. A flexible member is secured in position relative to the housing. A rigid member is coupled to and moveable with the rod. The flexible member includes at least one displaceable portion that moves radially away from the central axis in response to a first radial force component of an opening force when engaged by the rigid member moving from the refracted position into the extended position. The displaceable portion moves radially away from the central axis in response to a second radial force component of a closing force when engaged by the rigid member moving from the extended position into the retracted position. The second radial force component is greater than the first radial force component. | 11-21-2013 |
20130307203 | GAS STRUT ASSEMBLY WITH AN INTERNAL DETENT MODULE - A gas strut assembly includes a housing defining an interior space. A rod is coupled to the housing, and is slideably moveable between an extended position and a retracted position. A flexible member is secured in position relative to the housing. A rigid member is coupled to and moveable with the rod. The flexible member includes at least one displaceable member that moves radially away from the central axis in response to a second radial force component of a closing force when engaged by the rigid member moving from the extended position into the retracted position. The flexible member includes a multi-layered structure that changes shape in response to a change in temperature to affect the magnitude of the second radial force component required to move the displaceable member. | 11-21-2013 |
20130318745 | DIRECT ACTING CLOCK SPRING COUNTERBALANCED HINGE ASSEMBLY - A counterbalanced hinge assembly for rotatably supporting a decklid of a vehicle includes a hinge box and a support member rotatably attached to the hinge box. A linkage system interconnects the hinge box and the support member, and includes a wind-up link rotatably attached to the hinge box for rotation about a spring axis, and a driven link interconnecting the wind-up link and the support member. A planar coil spring is coiled about the spring axis and is coupled to both the hinge box and the wind-up link. The planar coil spring applies a torque to the wind-up link to rotate the wind-up link about the spring axis to assist movement of the support member from the closed position into the open position. | 12-05-2013 |