Patent · US Expired

Vehicle body panel with clip latch

US6371534B1 · kind B1 · utility

2Cited by
3References
6Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJun 15, 2000
Grant dateApr 16, 2002
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 15, 2020

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T292/0902
  • WIPO fieldOther special machines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A vehicle body panel is rotatable about a lower horizontal axis and has a clip latch at the upper portion of the panel that catches the edge portion of an adjacent stationary panel to trap the edge portion of an adjacent panel between the clip latch and the movable panel. The clip latch has a ramp surface engagable with the adjacent stationary panel to slightly deflect the movable panel away from the stationary panel until the ramp portion has cleared the edge of the stationary panel. The clip latch only locks the movable panel in the closed position, not the open position, so that the panel can be moved from the open to the closed position when standing in a position in which the clip latch can not be reached.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.