Adjustable hinge assembly
AssigneeGeneral Motors Corporation
InventorIon Nastasoiu
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An adjustable hinge assembly for swingably attaching a closure panel over a trunk space of an automotive vehicle. The hinge assembly includes a hinge strap which has a first end portion and a second end portion, wherein the first end portion is adjustably attached to two brackets that are attached to the trunk lid and the second end is rotatably attached to the vehicle body using a ball and socket joint. The brackets include rounded surfaces that are rotated and translated relative to attachment surfaces of the hinge strap, and the brackets operate in conjunction with the ball and socket joint to allow the trunk lid to be precisely fit over the trunk space opening.
Claims7
A hinge assembly that adjustably and rotatably attaches a closure panel to an automotive vehicle, said assembly comprising:
- a first bracket for attaching to said closure panel, said first bracket including a first rounded surface;
- a second bracket for attaching to said closure panel, said second bracket including a second rounded surface disposed substantially orthogonal to said first rounded surface;
- a generally elongated hinge strap having a first end portion and a second end portion, said second end portion adapted for rotatably attaching to said vehicle using a ball and socket joint and said first end portion having a first flat attachment surface and a second flat attachment surface disposed orthogonally relative to said first flat attachment surface, said first end portion attached to both of said first and second brackets such that said first and second rounded surfaces can be selectively rotated relative to said first and second attachment surfaces.
A hinge assembly for adjustably attaching a closure panel of an automotive vehicle to a body of said vehicle for precisely fitting said closure panel over a compartment within said vehicle, said assembly comprising:
- a) a metal insert welded to said closure panel, said insert including
- i) a first bracket for attaching to said closure panel, said first bracket having a first rounded surface and a first opening extending through said rounded surface;
- ii) a second bracket for attaching to said closure panel, said second bracket having a second rounded surface and a second opening, said second bracket generally extending substantially orthogonal to said first bracket;
- and
- b) a hinge strap having a first end portion and a second end portion, said first end portion including a first flat attachment surface having an elongated slot and a second flat attachment surface having a second elongated slot, said first attachment surface generally orthogonal to said second attachment surface, said first attachment surface attached to said first bracket with a first fastening assembly extending through said first enlarged opening and said first slot, said second attachment surface attached to said second bracket with a second fastening assembly extending through said second enlarged opening and said second slot, said first rounded surface being selectively rotatable relative to said first attachment surface, said second rounded surface being selectively rotatable relative to said second attachment surface, said second end portion including a socket portion rotatably attached to a ball portion that is secured relative to a hinge box, said hinge box being attached to said vehicle.
A hinge assembly for adjustably attaching a closure panel of an automotive vehicle to a body of said vehicle for precisely fitting said closure panel over a compartment within said vehicle, said assembly comprising:
- a) a metal insert welded to said closure panel, said insert including
- i) a first bracket for attaching to said closure panel, said first bracket having a first rounded surface and a first enlarged opening extending through said rounded surface;
- ii) a second bracket for attaching to said closure panel, said second bracket having a second rounded surface and a second enlarged opening, said second bracket generally extending substantially orthogonal to said first bracket;
- and
- b) a hinge strap having a first end portion and a second end portion, said first end portion including a first flat attachment surface having an elongated slot and a second flat attachment surface having a second elongated slot, said first attachment surface generally orthogonal to said second attachment surface, said first attachment surface attached to said first bracket with a first adjustable fastening assembly extending through said first enlarged opening and said first slot, said second attachment surface attached to said second bracket with a second adjustable fastening assembly extending through said second enlarged opening and said second slot, said first rounded surface being selectively rotatable relative to said first attachment surface, said second rounded surface being selectively rotatable relative to said second attachment surface, said second end portion including a socket portion rotatably attached to a ball portion that is secured relative to a hinge box, said hinge box attached to said vehicle;
- wherein prior to tightening said first and second adjustable assemblies for securing said closure panel in its final position, said hinge assembly permits fore-aft translation, cross-vehicle rotation, cross-vehicle translation, up/down rotation, and up/down translation of said closure panel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.