# US 2020/0399943 A1 · Vehicle having hinge assembly > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2020/0399943 A1 - Document ID: US20200399943A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/444,046 - Filed: 2019-06-18 - Published: 2020-12-24 - Earliest claimed: 2019-06-18 - Assignees: Fca US LLC - Inventors: James S Ulewicz; Wayne Reed - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20200399943A1 ## CPC - E05D 7/1072: {the pin having a non-circular cross-section} - B62D 33/0273: {Movable tailboards for vehicles comprising non-movable sideboards, e.g. pick-up trucks (B62D33/037 takes precedence)} - B62D 33/03: by swinging down {(B62D33/0273 takes precedence)} - B62D 33/033: removable {(B62D33/0273 takes precedence)} - E05D 3/02: with one pin - E05D 7/1055: {with snap-fitted pins} - E05Y 2900/544: Tailboards, tailgates or sideboards opening downwards - E05Y 2900/546: Tailboards, tailgates or sideboards opening upwards - E05D: HINGES OR SUSPENSION DEVICES FOR DOORS, WINDOWS OR WINGS (pivotal connections in general F16C11/00) - B62D: MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A01B69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B60B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B60C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B60D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B60F; suspension arrangements B60G; heating, cooling, ventilating or other air treating devices B60H; windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors or similar devices, protective coverings for vehicles not in use B60J; propulsion plant arrangements, auxiliary drives, transmissions, controls, instrumentation or dashboards B60K; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L; power supply for electrically-propelled vehicles B60M; passenger accommodation not otherwise provided for B60N; adaptations for load transportation or to carry special loads or objects B60P; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; vehicles, vehicle fittings or vehicle parts not otherwise provided for B60R; servicing, cleaning, repairing, supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring, not otherwise provided for, B60S; brake arrangements, brake control systems or parts thereof B60T; air-cushion vehicles B60V; motor-cycles, accessories therefor B62J, B62K; testing of vehicles G01M) - E05Y: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES E05D AND E05F, RELATING TO CONSTRUCTION ELEMENTS, ELECTRIC CONTROL, POWER SUPPLY, POWER SIGNAL OR TRANSMISSION, USER INTERFACES, MOUNTING OR COUPLING, DETAILS, ACCESSORIES, AUXILIARY OPERATIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, APPLICATION THEREOF ## Abstract A vehicle includes a vehicle body, a tailgate and a hinge assembly. The tailgate is rotatable relative to the vehicle body between a closed position and an open position. The hinge assembly rotatably coupling the tailgate to the vehicle body. The hinge assembly includes a bracket, a hinge pin and a retention ring. The bracket is attached to a respective one of a plurality of side walls of the vehicle body. The hinge pin is rotatably fixed to a respective end of the tailgate and is removably connected to the bracket. The retention ring is rotatably coupled to the bracket between a locked state in which the hinge pin is prevented from being disconnected from the bracket and an unlocked state in which the hinge pin is permitted to be disconnected from the bracket. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A vehicle comprising: a vehicle body; a tailgate rotatable relative to the vehicle body between a closed position and an open position; and a hinge assembly rotatably coupling the tailgate to the vehicle body, the hinge assembly including a bracket, a hinge pin and a retention ring, the bracket attached to a respective one of a plurality of side walls of the vehicle body, the hinge pin rotatably fixed to a respective end of the tailgate and removably connected to the bracket, the retention ring rotatably coupled to the bracket between a locked state in which the hinge pin is prevented from being disconnected from the bracket and an unlocked state in which the hinge pin is permitted to be disconnected from the bracket. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the bracket includes a mounting portion and a hinge-pin housing, and wherein the mounting portion is attached to the respective one of the plurality of side walls and the hinge pin is disposed within the hinge-pin housing. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The vehicle of claim 2, further comprising a bushing disposed within the hinge-pin housing, and wherein the hinge pin is received in a slot formed in the bushing. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The vehicle of claim 3, wherein the bushing and the hinge pin rotate relative to the bracket and the retention ring when the retention ring is in the locked state and the tailgate is rotated between the open position and the closed position. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The vehicle of claim 4, wherein the hinge-pin housing is positioned between the bushing and the retention ring. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The vehicle of claim 2, wherein the retention ring is at least partially wrapped around the hinge-pin housing. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The vehicle of claim 6, wherein the retention ring includes a body and a protrusion, and wherein the protrusion extends radially inwardly from an inner surface of the body. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The vehicle of claim 7, wherein the protrusion contacts an outer surface of the hinge-pin housing when the retention ring is in the unlocked state. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The vehicle of claim 8, wherein the hinge-pin housing includes a housing opening formed therein, and wherein the protrusion is disposed in the housing opening when the retention ring is in the locked state to prevent the hinge pin from being removed from the hinge-pin housing. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The vehicle of claim 9, wherein the body of the retention ring defines a retention-ring opening, and wherein the hinge pin is permitted to be removed from the hinge-pin housing via the housing opening and the retention-ring opening when the retention ring is in the unlocked state and the tailgate is in the open position. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The vehicle of claim 10, wherein a width of the retention-ring opening is wider than a width of the housing opening. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The vehicle of claim 10, wherein the retention ring includes at least one gripping member extending radially outwardly from an outer surface of the body. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the retention ring is made of a polymeric material. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the retention ring is resiliently flexible. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the retention ring is C-shaped.