Tailgate stabilizer
AssigneeBarnes Group Inc.
InventorsPhilip G. Costello, Jason M. Sicotte, Lauren Akey, Raymond C. Brunet
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A counterbalance for use in a motor vehicle that is connected to a tailgate to at least partially control the movement of the tailgate. The counterbalance is made of a spring that counters the load applied to the tailgate, a flexible material strap that provides a stop for the counterbalance, a protective housing that covers the spring, and a flexible material strap. The counterbalance has a fully extended length that is greater than twice the length of the counterbalance when non-extended.
Claims31
A counterbalance for use with a tailgate of a motor vehicle, said counterbalance comprising a protective housing having a first and a second end, said first end being attached to said tailgate, and said second end being attached to said motor vehicle, said counterbalance at least partially controls a load applied to the counterbalance by the tailgate comprising an elastic element that at least partially counters the load, and a flexible extension limiter that provides a stop which defines a fully extended position of counterbalance and which counters loads applied by the tailgate to the counterbalance after said counterbalance is in said fully extended position;
- wherein said counterbalance pivots from an angled position to a substantially vertical position as the tailgate is moved from an opened to a closed position, wherein said protective housing comprises a first tube and a second tube, said second tube being received within an opening of said first tube, said second tube having at least one longitudinally extending rib extending on an outer surface of said second tube to form a gap between said first and second tubes, wherein said protective housing at least partially covers said elastic element and said flexible extension limiter.
In combination:
- a tailgate of a motor vehicle;
- and
- a counterbalance assembly comprising:
- a housing having a first end attached to said tailgate and a second end attached to said motor vehicle, said housing rotates between an angled orientation and a vertical orientation with respect to said motor vehicle as said tailgate is moved between a fully opened position and a fully closed position;
- said housing comprises a protective housing having a first tube and a second tube telescopically received within an opening of said first tube, wherein said second tube comprises a plurality of ribs formed on an outer circumference of said second tube to form a gap between said second tube and said first tube;
- an elastic element that at least partially counters a load applied by the tailgate to the counterbalance assembly during movement of the tailgate to said fully opened position;
- and
- a flexible extension limiter which provides a stop which defines a fully extended position of the counterbalance assembly and which counters loads applied by the tailgate after the tailgate is in said fully opened position;
- wherein said elastic element and said flexible extension limiter are positioned within said protective housing.
A counterbalance for use with a tailgate of a motor vehicle, said counterbalance comprising a protective housing having a first end and a second end, said first end being attached to said tailgate, and said second end being attached to said motor vehicle, said counterbalance at least partially controls a load applied to the counterbalance by the tailgate comprising an elastic element that at least partially counters the load, and a flexible extension limiter that provides a stop which defines a fully extended position of counterbalance and which counters loads applied by the tailgate to the counterbalance after said counterbalance is in said fully extended position;
- wherein said counterbalance pivots from an angled position to a substantially vertical position as the tailgate is moved from an opened to a closed position, wherein said protective housing includes a first and second tube, said first tube having an opening that telescopically receives at least a portion of said second tube, wherein said second tube comprises a plurality of ribs symmetrically extending at positions approximately 90° apart from an outer surface of said second tube.
In combination:
- a tailgate of a motor vehicle;
- and
- a counterbalance assembly comprising:
- a housing having a first end attached to said tailgate and a second end attached to said motor vehicle, said housing rotates between an angled orientation and a vertical orientation with respect to said motor vehicle as said tailgate is moved between a fully opened position and a fully closed position, said housing comprises a first tube and a second tube;
- said first tube having an opening that telescopically receives said second tube;
- wherein said second tube comprises a plurality of ribs spaced approximately 90° apart extending from an outer surface of said second tube;
- an elastic element that at least partially counters a load applied by the tailgate to the counterbalance during movement of the tailgate to said fully opened position;
- and
- a flexible extension limiter which provides a stop which defines a fully extended position of counterbalance and which counters loads applied by the tailgate after the tailgate is in said fully opened position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.