# US 6,719,354 B2 · Pivotless automotive hinge > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 6,719,354 B2 - Document ID: US6719354B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 09/781,892 - Filed: 2001-02-09 - Published: 2001-08-16 - Granted: 2004-04-13 - Earliest claimed: 2000-02-11 - Assignees: Multimatic Inc. - Inventors: Laurence James Holt - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US6719354B2 ## CPC - E05D 1/02: made of one piece - E05D: HINGES OR SUSPENSION DEVICES FOR DOORS, WINDOWS OR WINGS (pivotal connections in general F16C11/00) ## 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. ## Claims ### Claim 1 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. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The automotive hinge assembly of claim 1, wherein the resilient member is configured to produce a torque that aids the system in overcoming operational resistance. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The automotive hinge assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one body component and the at least one closure panel component incorporate interlocking features that restrain the assembly from translational movement in the vehicular closure panel's closed condition. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The automotive hinge assembly of claim 3, wherein the interlocking feature incorporates at least one retention clip that provides a compliant interface between the at least one body component and the at least one closure panel component and generates modest interference so that build variations are compensated for and operational friction is reduced. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The automotive hinge assembly of claim 1, wherein the resilient member is manufactured from high strength spring steel. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The automotive hinge assembly of claim 1, wherein the resilient member is manufactured from high strength composite material. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The automotive hinge assembly of claim 1, wherein the assembly is configured to function as an automotive side door hinge. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The automotive hinge assembly of claim 1, wherein the assembly is configured to function as an automotive front hood hinge. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The automotive hinge assembly of claim 1, wherein the assembly is configured to function as an automotive rear decklid hinge. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The automotive hinge assembly of claim 1, wherein the assembly is configured to function as an automotive rear liftgate hinge. ### Claim 11 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. ### Claim 12 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. ### Claim 13 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. ### Claim 14 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. ### Claim 15 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. ### Claim 16 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.