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US 12,692,737 B2Granted
Articulating hinge cover
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorsCameron C. Canady, Ian McLaughlin, Paul Johnston, Scott Milke, Enrique Emanuel Farias Delgado
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and assembly utilizes a hinge that couples a vehicle panel to a fixed vehicle structure. A hinge cover is supported by the fixed vehicle structure and extends over the hinge. The hinge cover includes a door that opens and closes in response to the hinge moving the vehicle panel between an open position and a closed position.
Claims20
An assembly comprising:
- a hinge that couples a vehicle panel to a fixed vehicle structure;
- and
- a hinge cover supported by the fixed vehicle structure and extending over the hinge, wherein the hinge cover includes a door that opens and closes in response to the hinge moving the vehicle panel between an open position and a closed position.
An assembly comprising:
- a hinge cover held fixed to a vehicle structure, wherein the hinge cover includes an opening that is open to an internal mount area;
- a hinge positioned in the internal mount area, wherein the hinge couples a vehicle panel to the vehicle structure;
- and
- a door pivotally coupled to the hinge cover at the opening and extending over the hinge, wherein the door opens and closes in response to the hinge moving the vehicle panel between an open position and a closed position.
1 more element
A method comprising:
- coupling a vehicle panel to a fixed vehicle structure with a hinge;
- mounting a hinge cover to the fixed vehicle structure and extending the hinge cover over the hinge;
- and
- opening and closing a door in the hinge cover in response to the hinge moving the vehicle panel between an open position and a closed position.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.