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US 12,722,554 B2Granted
Hinge structure for a vehicle
AssigneeHonda Motor Co., Ltd.
InventorClayton R Habegger
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A hinge structure is configured to pivotably couple a utility bed to a vehicular frame, and includes a frame portion adapted to be removably coupled to the vehicular frame. The frame portion includes a base adapted to contact the vehicular frame and defining a hole to receive a fastener to enable the removably coupling of the frame portion with the vehicular frame. The hinge structure further includes a barrel portion supported on the frame portion and adapted to pivotally engage with the utility bed.
Claims9
A hinge structure for a vehicle having a vehicular frame and a utility bed, the hinge structure being configured to pivotably couple the utility bed to the vehicular frame, the hinge structure comprising:
- a frame portion adapted to be removably coupled to the vehicular frame and including a base adapted to contact the vehicular frame and defining a hole to receive a fastener to enable the removable coupling of the frame portion with the vehicular frame, wherein the frame portion includes an inverted U-shaped structure extending vertically from the base and defining a first end opening to provide access to an inside of the frame portion to facilitate coupling and decoupling of the frame portion with the vehicular frame via the fastener, wherein the inverted U-shaped structure includes a pair of sidewalls arranged spaced apart and parallel to each other, the pair of sidewalls extending perpendicularly to the base, and a roof plate arranged opposite to and facing the base and supported on the pair of sidewalls;
- a barrel portion supported on the frame portion and adapted to pivotally engage with the utility bed, wherein the barrel portion is fixedly attached to and supported on the roof plate;
- and
- a stopper structure coupled to the frame portion and disposed opposite to and facing the first end opening, wherein the stopper structure is configured to abut the utility bed to prevent tilting of the utility bed beyond a predefined angle, wherein the stopper structure includes a wall extending obliquely and outwardly from the roof plate in a vertically downward direction, and a stopper attached to the wall and extending substantially perpendicularly to the wall, wherein the stopper is configured to abut the utility bed.
1 more element
A vehicle, comprising:
- a vehicular frame defining an opening;
- a utility bed pivotally coupled to the vehicular frame and pivotable between a hauling position and a dumping position;
- a hinge structure pivotally coupling the utility bed to the vehicular frame, the hinge structure including:
- a frame portion removably coupled to the vehicular frame and including a base arranged contacting the vehicular frame and defining a hole arranged aligned with the opening, wherein the frame portion includes an inverted U-shaped structure extending vertically from the base and defining a first end opening to provide access to an inside of the frame portion to facilitate coupling and decoupling of the frame portion with the vehicular frame via the fastener, wherein the inverted U-shaped structure includes a pair of sidewalls arranged spaced apart and parallel to each other, the pair of sidewalls extending perpendicularly to the base, and a roof plate arranged opposite to and facing the base and supported on the pair of sidewalls;
- a barrel portion supported on the frame portion and pivotally coupled with the utility bed, wherein the utility bed pivots about a central axis of the barrel portion, wherein the barrel portion is fixedly attached to and supported on the roof plate;
- and
- a stopper structure coupled to the frame portion and disposed opposite to and facing the first end opening, wherein the stopper structure is configured to abut the utility bed in the dumping position, wherein the stopper structure includes a wall extending obliquely and outwardly from the roof plate in a vertically downward direction, and a stopper attached to the wall and extending substantially perpendicularly to the wall, wherein the stopper abuts the utility bed in the dumping position;
- and
- a fastener extending through the aligned hole and the opening and removably coupling the hinge structure to the vehicular frame.
6 more elements
A vehicle, comprising:
- a vehicular frame defining an opening;
- a utility bed pivotally coupled to the vehicular frame and pivotable between a hauling position and a dumping position;
- a hinge structure pivotally coupling the utility bed to the vehicular frame, the hinge structure including:
- a frame portion removably coupled to the vehicular frame and including a base arranged contacting the vehicular frame and defining a hole arranged aligned with the opening, wherein the frame portion includes an inverted U-shaped structure extending vertically from the base and defining a first end opening to provide access to an inside of the frame portion to facilitate coupling and decoupling of the fastener to the frame portion and the vehicular frame, wherein the inverted U-shaped structure includes a pair of sidewalls arranged spaced apart and parallel to each other, the pair of sidewalls extending perpendicularly to the base, and a roof plate arranged opposite to and facing the base and supported on the pair of sidewalls;
- a barrel portion supported on the frame portion and integrally attached to the frame portion, wherein the utility bed is pivotally coupled to the barrel portion and pivots about a central axis of the barrel portion, wherein the barrel portion is fixedly attached to and supported on the roof plate;
- and
- a stopper structure integrally attached to the frame portion and configured to abut the utility bed in the dumping position, wherein the stopper structure includes a wall extending obliquely and outwardly from the roof plate in a vertically downward direction, and a stopper attached to the wall and extending substantially perpendicularly to the wall, wherein the stopper abuts the utility bed in the dumping position;
- and
- a fastener extending through the aligned hole and the opening and removably coupling the hinge structure to the vehicular frame.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.