Method of attaching and aligning a closure panel
AssigneeARC Kinetics Limited
InventorRussell Vernon Hughes
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method of aligning and duplicating alignment includes welding a washer over a larger opening in a hinge once in an aligned position relative to a vehicle door. The door is mounted into an alignment fixture and the hinges are installed over threaded studs extending from the door. The washer is placed onto the threaded stud and tightened against the hinge, covering the larger opening in the hinge. The larger opening in the hinge allows movement of the hinge relative to the door for alignment. The washer defines an opening with a smaller opening sized to provide relatively little clearance for the threaded stud, and thereby maintain alignment between the door and hinge. The washer is permanently attached by a welding operation to allow duplication of door hinge alignment during reassembly.
Claims26
A method of mounting a vehicle door to a vehicle body comprising the steps of;
- a. installing a hinge onto a threaded member disposed on the vehicle door;
- b. installing a washer onto the threaded member over an opening defined by the hinge;
- c. aligning the hinge relative to the door;
- d. installing a nut onto the threaded member for holding the washer and the hinge to the door in a desired aligned position;
- and
- e. welding the washer to the hinge to set said desired aligned position.
A method of aligning a hinge to a closure panel comprising the steps of:
- a. mounting the closure panel to an alignment fixture;
- b. installing a hinge onto a threaded member extending from the closure panel;
- c. installing a washer onto the threaded member over a hinge opening defined by the hinge;
- d. supporting the hinge in a desired alignment relative to the closure panel;
- e. installing a nut onto the threaded member to secure the washer and the hinge to the closure panel in the desired alignment relative to the closure panel;
- and
- f. welding the washer to the hinge to set the desired alignment of the closure panel.
A method of aligning a closure panel to a body structure comprising the steps of:
- a. supporting the closure panel on an alignment fixture;
- b. installing a hinge onto a fastening member extending from the closure panel;
- c. installing a washer onto the fastening member and over a hinge opening within the hinge;
- d. securing the washer and the hinge to the closure panel;
- and
- f. welding the washer to the hinge to set a desired alignment of the closure panel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.