Liftgate frame

A liftgate frame for a liftgate of a motor vehicle, the frame assembly comprising:

• an upper frame member having an inner header panel fixedly secured to an outer header panel and adapted to be pivotally secured to the motor vehicle;
• a generally U-shaped, integrally formed lower frame member fixedly secured to the upper frame member, the lower frame member including spaced apart vertical segments and a horizontal segment extending between the vertical segments for supporting the liftgate as the liftgate opens and closes;
• and
• a reinforcement member having a first portion fixedly secured to and overlapping one of the inner header panel and the outer header panel, the reinforcement member having a second portion fixedly secured to one of the vertical segments for reinforcing the attachment between the upper and lower frame members.

A liftgate frame for a motor vehicle liftgate, the liftgate including a window and a tailgate pivotally coupled to the liftgate frame, the window and tailgate each being moveable between open and closed positions, the liftgate frame comprising:

• an upper frame member adapted to be pivotally coupled to the motor vehicle;
• a separate substantially U-shaped, one piece, tubular lower frame member having terminal ends fixed to the upper frame member forming an uninterrupted ring surrounding an opening, the ring being moveable between open and closed positions;
• a window hinge coupled to the liftgate frame and adapted to rotatably couple the window to the liftgate frame;
• a tailgate hinge coupled to the liftgate frame and adapted to rotatably couple the tailgate to the liftgate frame, wherein the opening is adapted to be unobstructed when the window and the tailgate are each in the open position.

A liftgate frame for a motor vehicle liftgate having a window and a tailgate moveable relative to the liftgate frame between open and closed positions, the liftgate frame comprising:

• an upper frame member having an inner header panel with a substantially constant thickness fixedly secured to an outer header panel with a substantially constant thickness, the upper frame member being adapted to be pivotally secured to the motor vehicle;
• a separate generally U-shaped, one-piece lower frame member fixedly secured to the upper frame member, the lower frame member including spaced apart vertical segments and a horizontal segment extending between the vertical segments for supporting the liftgate as the liftgate opens and closes;
• and
• a tailgate hinge coupled to the horizontal segment of the lower frame member and adapted to pivotally interconnect the tailgate and the lower frame member.