Power liftgate in a vehicle
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorsDavid Michael Lechkun, Murat Gueler
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A vehicle includes a liftgate that opens and closes to provide access to a rear storage compartment of the vehicle. A rotatable crossbar is attached to an upper portion of the vehicle and is connected to the liftgate via a bracket. A lever extends from an outer end of the crossbar. A retractable arm has a first end and a second end. The first end is attached to the vehicle body, and the second end is pivotally connected to the lever. Retraction of the arm pivots the lever, which rotates the crossbar and opens the liftgate. The arm and the lever are substantially concealed by a rear pillar of the vehicle so as to not be visible when operating to open and close the liftgate.
Claims20
A vehicle comprising:
- a liftgate;
- a rotatable crossbar attached to the liftgate;
- a lever extending from the crossbar;
- and
- a retractable arm having a first end attached to a vehicle body and a second end pivotally connected to the lever;
- wherein the retractable arm and the lever are at least partially disposed within a rear pillar of the vehicle, and wherein retraction of the arm from an extended position to a retracted position pivots the lever to rotate the crossbar and open the liftgate.
(canceled)
A mechanism for actuating a liftgate of a vehicle, comprising:
- a crossbar attached to the liftgate;
- a lever extending from the crossbar and at least partially disposed within a rearward pillar of the vehicle;
- and
- a retractable arm connected to and offset from the crossbar via the lever;
- wherein retraction of the arm rotates the lever and the crossbar to open the liftgate.
(canceled)
A subassembly for opening and closing a liftgate of a vehicle, comprising:
- a rotatable crossbar attached to both a vehicle body and the liftgate;
- and
- a retractable arm at least partially concealed by a rearward pillar of the vehicle, the arm attached to and offset from the crossbar via a lever, wherein the arm is extendable such that extension of the arm pivots the lever to rotate the crossbar and close the liftgate.
(canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.