Setting fixture

US6006635A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Chrysler Group LLC · US

Inventors

• Zlatko B. Stojkovic · Berlin Township, US
• Larry M. Storinsky · Rochester Hills, US
• Jim Neubacher · Howell, US
• Daryl L. Rothamer · Livonia, US
• Thomas Weber · Ludwigshafen, DE
• Don R. Johnson · Lubbock, US
• John D. Dredge · Livonia, US
• Brad DiTomaso · Windsor, CA

Key dates

• Filing date: May 22, 1998
• Grant date: Dec 28, 1999
• Expiry date: May 22, 2018

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T29/53978
• WIPO field: Civil engineering
• WIPO sector: Other fields

Abstract

An apparatus and method for positioning a latch assembly and a striker on a motor vehicle is disclosed. The apparatus is designed to improve the fit of the tailgate to the side walls or truck body. A good fit is defined as the outer surface of the tailgate and the outer surface of the side wall being coplanar when the tailgate is in the closed position. The apparatus, by way of a first formation and first locating element, determines the position of the latch assembly with respect to outer surface of the tailgate. The apparatus, by way of a second formation and second locating element, also determines the location of the striker with respect to the outer surface of the side walls. The apparatus, by way of a body member, also determines the position of the striker with respect to the latch assembly and vice versa. By setting the latch assembly and the striker by the above relations, build variances of the tailgate and of the truck body are eliminated as a possible cause for a poor fit.