Activating mechanism for closures with four-link hinges
AssigneeGecom Corporation
InventorsLester Derbis, Darek Barczynski, Keith Julien
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An activating mechanism is provided for use with a four-link hinge of the type typically used for closure of a vehicle movable deck, such as a trunk lid or engine compartment hood. A lower link bracket is secured to the vehicle body and an upper link bracket is secured to the movable deck. Pivoting links may be connected between the upper and lower link brackets.
Claims19
For use with a four-link hinge of the type typically used for closure of a vehicle movable deck such as a trunk lid or engine compartment hood, the hinge comprising a lower link bracket to be secured to the vehicle body, an upper link bracket to be secured to the movable deck, and pivoting links connected between the upper and lower brackets, wherein each pivoting link has a first end pivotally connected to the upper link bracket and a second end pivotally connected to the lower link bracket, an activating mechanism comprising:
- (a) a driving arm having a proximal end and a distal end, the driving arm being pivotal about its proximal end,
- (b) a driver having an output shaft that moves about its axis, the output shaft of the driver being coupled to the proximal end of the driving arm,
- (c) a track to be carried by the movable deck, and
- (d) the distal end of the driving arm being coupled to the track, the distal end of the driving arm moves along the track as the driving arm is pivoted about its proximal end.
A vehicle trunk lid or engine compartment hood closure mechanism comprising:
- (a) a four-link hinge comprising a lower link bracket to be secured to the vehicle body, an upper link bracket to be secured to the vehicle lid or hood, and a pair of pivoting links connected between the upper and lower link brackets, each pivoting link having a first end pivotally connected to the upper link bracket and a second end pivotally connected to the lower link bracket,
- (b) a driving arm having a proximal end and a distal end, the driving arm being pivotal about its proximal end,
- (c) a driver having an output shaft that moves about its axis, the output shaft of the driver being coupled to the proximal end of the driving arm,
- (d) a track to be secured to the lid or hood, and
- (e) the distal end of the driving arm being coupled to the track, the distal end of the driving arm moves along the track as the driving arm is pivoted about its proximal end.
A closure mechanism for opening and closing a vehicle trunk lid comprising:
- (a) a four-link hinge comprising a lower link bracket to be secured to the vehicle body, an upper link bracket to be secured to the vehicle movable deck and at least one pivoting link having a first end pivotally connected to the upper link bracket and a second end pivotally connected to the lower link bracket,
- (b) a driving arm having a proximal end and a distal end, the driving arm being pivotal about its proximal end,
- (c) a driver having an output shaft that moves about its axis, the output shaft of the driver being coupled to the proximal end of the driving arm,
- (d) a track to be secured to the vehicle movable deck and extending generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, and
- (e) the distal end of the driving arm being coupled to the track, the distal end of the driving arm moves along the track as the driving arm is pivoted about its proximal end.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.