Patent · US Expired

Lift assist mechanism for vehicle tailgates

US6773047B2 · kind B2 · utility

28Cited by
6References
12Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateSep 29, 2003
Grant dateAug 10, 2004
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 29, 2023

Classification

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

Abstract

A vehicle tailgate lift system comprises an energy storage device located within a vehicle body and adapted to be pivotally anchored to the vehicle body at one end, a bellcrank arm that is pivotally attached to the energy storage device and rigidly attached to an actuation shaft that is coaxially aligned with a tailgate pivot axis, a pivot bracket assembly that incorporates a pivot bearing arrangement to facilitate a robust rotary joint about the tailgate pivot axis, and comprising a coupling arrangement between the tailgate and the actuation shaft, such that relative rotary motion of the tailgate and vehicle body results in linear movement of the energy storage device and maximum energy storage at the tailgate fully open position.

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