Check Link Assembly
AssigneeGM Global Technology Operations LLC
InventorsRoberto Cruz, Luis Miguel Del Pozo Gonzalez, Jose Carlos Murillo Marquez, Richard J. Lange
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A check link assembly is operatively connectable to a door to provide resistance to the rotation of the door. The amount of resistance varies with the position of the door to provide at least one detent position. The check link assembly stores energy when the door is latched in its closed position, and is configured to release the energy when the door is unlatched so that the door moves toward its open position.
Claims12
A check link assembly for a door rotatably mounted to a vehicle body for movement between a closed position and an open position, the check link assembly comprising:
- a link having at least one contoured surface;
- at least one member contacting said at least one contoured surface;
- at least one spring biasing said at least one member into contact with said at least one contoured surface;
- wherein said at least one contoured surface is configured such that, when the link is operatively connected to one of the body and the door and the member is operatively connected to the other of the body and the door, and the door is in the closed position, said at least one spring urges the door toward the open position.
A vehicle body comprising:
- vehicle body structure;
- a vehicle door being operatively connected to the vehicle body structure and being selectively rotatable between a closed position and an open position;
- a check link assembly operatively interconnecting the door and the vehicle body structure, the check link including at least one spring and a link characterized by at least one contoured surface operatively engaging the spring;
- said at least one contoured surface being configured such that compression of said at least one spring varies with the position of the door so that resistance to movement of the door between the closed position and the open position varies with the position of the door;
- and
- wherein said at least one contoured surface is configured such that the spring is decompressed during movement of the door from the closed position to a partially open position.
A check link assembly for a door rotatably mounted to a vehicle body for movement between a closed position and an open position, the check link assembly comprising:
- a link having at least one contoured surface;
- a housing;
- and
- at least one spring located within the housing and in operative engagement with said at least one contoured surface;
- wherein said at least one contoured surface is configured such that, when the link is operatively connected to one of the body and the door and the member is operatively connected to the other of the body and the door, and the door is in the closed position, said at least one spring urges the door toward the open position
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.