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US 2012/0068492 A1Published application
Automotive Vehicle Body Closure with Storage Compartment
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorsMarc Jonathon Lucas, Kip Alan Ewing, Julie D'Annunzio
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A storage compartment within an automotive vehicle rear body closure, such as a hatch or trunk, is accessed through a door that serves as a license plate attachment panel. The door may be part of a tub hinged along its lower edge and that occupies the storage compartment when the door is closed.
Claims20
Storage apparatus for an automotive vehicle comprising:
- a movable body closure comprising an inner panel and an outer panel defining a storage compartment there between, the outer panel having an opening to the compartment;
- and
- a door movable between a closed position closing off the opening and an open position offering access to the compartment thorough the opening, the door comprising a license plate attachment panel on its outer surface.
Apparatus for storing an item aboard an automotive vehicle comprising:
- a vehicle body closure movable between a lowered/closed position and a raised/open, the body closure having inner and outer panels;
- a storage compartment disposed within the body closure between the inner panel and the outer panel and having an opening through the outer panel;
- and
- a door movable between a closed position and an open position wherein the item may be inserted into and removed from the compartment thorough the opening, the door comprising a license plate attachment panel on its outer surface.
1 more element
An automotive vehicle comprising:
- a rear hatch movable between a lowered position and a raised position to alternatively close and open a rear cargo area of the vehicle, the hatch having inner and outer panels;
- a storage compartment disposed between the inner panel and the outer panel of the hatch;
- and
- a door movable relative to the rear panel between a closed position and an open position to alternatively deny and allow access to the storage compartment thorough an opening in the outer panel, the door comprising a license plate attachment panel on its outer surface.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.