Vehicle tailgate

US11518448B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• FCA US LLC. · US

Inventors

• Eric Ghoukasian · Auburn Hills, US
• Richard SUKHDEO · Auburn Hills, US
• Clifford L Eberle, Jr. · Clarkston, US
• Vivek Kirtane · Troy, US
• Vinaya Sridhar · Auburn Hills, US
• David R Parks · Waldenburg, US
• Robert J Gibbs · Novi, US
• Paul A Steffes · Oxford, US
• Christopher J Sytek · Auburn Hills, US
• Vinayak D Gadre · Sterling Heights, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 3, 2021
• Grant date: Dec 6, 2022
• Expiry date: Jun 13, 2041

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B62D33/037
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A vehicle tailgate (30) has a frame (40) with a cross beam (42) and a pair of side beams (44, 46). One side beam (44, 46) extends from each end of the cross beam (42). A first metal tapping plate (50, 150) is secured with the cross beam (42). At least one elongated tang (56) is positioned between the body (52) and each tab (54). A clevis bracket (82) is positioned on the side beams (44, 46). An overmolded (108) material is on the shaft (100, 102) and the two heads (96, 98) of the striker (88). The wedges (92, 94), on the clevis bracket (82), aligns the clevis bracket (82) with the striker (84). A second tapping plate (70) is secured to the sheet metal.