Patent · US Active

Tailgate dampening system

US8226146B2 · kind B2 · utility

7Cited by
14References
21Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMay 22, 2008
Grant dateJul 24, 2012
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 30, 2029

Classification

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

Abstract

A tailgate dampening system for a vehicle including a tailgate lift assist system including a torque rod rotationally grounded between the tailgate at a first end and a first side of the vehicle's frame at a second end is disclosed. The dampening system includes a coupling shaft attached to one end of the torque rod, a bell crank arm attached to the coupling shaft, and a dampening strut attached between the vehicle's frame and the bell crank arm. The crank arm compresses the dampening strut as the crank arm is rotated by the torque rod through the coupling shaft as the torque rod is twisted in response to the tailgate being opened, so as to reduce the rate at which the tailgate falls.

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