Pivotless automotive hinge
AssigneeMultimatic Inc.
InventorLaurence James Holt
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An automotive hinge facilitates substantially rotary motion of a closure panel relative to a fixed body structure by means of a single resilient member configured to carry all required structural and operational loadings.
Claims16
An automotive hinge assembly that facilitates substantially rotary motion of a closure panel relative to a fixed vehicular body comprising:
- at least one closure panel component adapted to be mounted to a vehicular closure panel;
- at least one body component adapted to be mounted to a vehicular body;
- and
- a resilient member separate from the components adapted to be attached to at least one of the panel and body components;
- wherein at least one component includes a contact surface that interfaces with the resilient member to guide and structurally support the resilient member through the closure panel's range of motion.
An automotive hinge assembly that facilitates substantially rotary motion of a closure panel relative to a fixed vehicular body comprising:
- at least one closure panel component adapted to be mounted to a vehicular closure panel;
- at least one body component adapted to be mounted to a vehicular body;
- and
- a resilient member adapted to be attached to at least one of the panel and body components;
- wherein the resilient member is manufactured from high strength composite material.
An automotive hinge assembly that facilitates substantially rotary motion of a closure panel relative to a fixed vehicular body comprising:
- at least one closure panel component adapted to be mounted to a vehicular closure panel;
- at least one body component adapted to be mounted to a vehicular body;
- and
- a resilient member adapted to be attached to at least one of the panel and body components;
- wherein at least one component includes a contact surface that interfaces with the resilient member to guide and structurally support the resilient member through the closure panel's range of motion;
- and
- wherein the resilient member is manufactured from high strength spring steel.
An automotive hinge assembly that facilitates substantially rotary motion of a closure panel relative to a fixed vehicular body comprising:
- at least one closure panel component adapted to be mounted to a vehicular closure panel;
- at least one body component adapted to be mounted to a vehicular body;
- and
- a resilient member adapted to be attached to at least one of the panel and body components;
- wherein at least one component includes a contact surface that interfaces with the resilient member to guide and structurally support the resilient member through the closure panel's range of motion;
- and
- wherein the assembly is configured to function as an automotive front hood hinge.
An automotive hinge assembly that facilitates substantially rotary motion of a closure panel relative to a fixed vehicular body comprising:
- at least one closure panel component adapted to be mounted to a vehicular closure panel;
- at least one body component adapted to be mounted to a vehicular body;
- and
- a resilient member adapted to be attached to at least one of the panel and body components;
- wherein at least one component includes a contact surface that interfaces with the resilient member to guide and structurally support the resilient member through the closure panel's range of motion;
- and
- wherein the assembly is configured to function as an automotive rear decklid hinge.
An automotive hinge assembly that facilitates substantially rotary motion of a closure panel relative to a fixed vehicular body comprising:
- at least one closure panel component adapted to be mounted to a vehicular closure panel;
- at least one body component adapted to be mounted to a vehicular body;
- and
- a resilient member adapted to be attached to at least one of the panel and body components;
- wherein at least one component includes a contact surface that interfaces with the resilient member to guide and structurally support the resilient member through the closure panel's range of motion;
- and
- wherein the assembly is configured to function as an automotive rear liftgate hinge.
An automotive hinge assembly that facilitates substantially rotary motion of a closure panel relative to a fixed vehicular body comprising:
- at least one closure panel component adapted to be mounted to a vehicular closure panel;
- at least one body component adapted to be mounted to a vehicular body;
- and
- a resilient member adapted to be attached to at least one of the panel and body components;
- wherein at least one component includes a contact surface that interfaces with the resilient member to guide and structurally support the resilient member through the closure panel's range of motion;
- and
- wherein the resilient member is manufactured from high strength composite material.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.