Patent · US Expired

Truck rear door opening mechanism

US6386613B1 · kind B1 · utility

21Cited by
15References
11Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateSep 26, 2000
Grant dateMay 14, 2002
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 26, 2020

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
  • CPC primaryE05Y2900/544
  • WIPO fieldCivil engineering
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

A four bar link is provided between a walled cargo area of a truck and a rigid rear cargo door. The effective length of the lower link of the four bar linkage is longer than that of the upper link such that the motion of the door is generally up and over the top of the truck body. An eccentric cam is joined to the upper link with a tensioned spring extending around the cam such that the spring slackens as the door opens. The cam is configured so that, as the door is opened, the spring slackens more slowly initially then more quickly. This allows the door to be moved initially mostly outwardly before moving significantly upwardly and still be effectively counterbalanced throughout its motion.

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