Tilt mechanism and method for pivoting a vehicle body panel relative to a vehicle chassis
US6454035B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 25, 2000 |
| Grant date | Sep 24, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 25, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB62D25/10
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A tilt mechanism for pivoting a vehicle body panel relative to a vehicle chassis includes a pivot pin having a pivot pin axis. The pivot pin provides a single-point pivot attachment of the body panel to the chassis such that the body panel can articulate about the pivot pin axis relative to the chassis. A support member pivotably connects to the chassis about the pivot pin axis by the pivot pin. The support member has a tilt axis along a longitudinal extent of the support member. The tilt axis is perpendicular to the pivot pin axis. The support member supports the vehicle body panel weight through a pivotal connection between a support member end and the body panel. The pivotal connection allows the body panel to pivot relative to the chassis about the tilt axis via a bearing. A torsion bar is within the support member. One portion of the torsion bar is secured to the support member and another portion is secured to the body panel by a slot that receives a torsion bar end. The torsion bar biases the body panel relative to the chassis along at least an angular portion of a pivotal range about the tilt axis. The slot is hour-glass-shaped such that the body panel can pivot about the t…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.