# US 8,540,305 B2 · Hollow torque rod for a closure panel

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- Number: US 8,540,305 B2
- Document ID: US8540305B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 13/069,459
- Filed: 2011-03-23
- Published: 2012-09-27
- Granted: 2013-09-24
- Earliest claimed: 2011-03-23
- Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
- Applicants: Edward L. Schulte; Balakrishna Chinta
- Inventors: Edward L. Schulte; Balakrishna Chinta
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8540305B2

## CPC

- E05F 1/1238: {specially adapted for vehicles}
- E05Y 2900/536: Hoods
- E05Y 2900/544: Tailboards, tailgates or sideboards opening downwards
- E05Y 2900/546: Tailboards, tailgates or sideboards opening upwards
- E05F: DEVICES FOR MOVING WINGS INTO OPEN OR CLOSED POSITION; CHECKS FOR WINGS; WING FITTINGS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, CONCERNED WITH THE FUNCTIONING OF THE WING
- E05Y: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES E05D AND E05F, RELATING TO CONSTRUCTION ELEMENTS, ELECTRIC CONTROL, POWER SUPPLY, POWER SIGNAL OR TRANSMISSION, USER INTERFACES, MOUNTING OR COUPLING, DETAILS, ACCESSORIES, AUXILIARY OPERATIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, APPLICATION THEREOF

## Abstract

A compartment includes a plurality of side walls and a floor configured to define a storage area. The compartment also includes a panel operatively connected to the floor or to at least one of the plurality of side walls. The panel is configured to selectively expand and restrict access to the storage area. The compartment additionally include a torque rod having a wall thickness, a hollow interior, a first end fixed relative to the storage area and a second end fixed relative to the panel. The torque rod is configured to store energy by being twisted when the panel is pivoted in a first direction relative to the storage area and release the stored energy when the panel is pivoted in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction to thereby assist operation of the panel. A vehicle employing such an enclosure is also provided.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A compartment comprising:
a plurality of side walls and a floor configured to define a storage area;
a panel operatively connected to one of the floor and at least one of the plurality of side walls, and configured to selectively expand and restrict access to the storage area; and
a torque rod having a wall thickness, a hollow interior, a first end fixed relative to the storage area and a second end fixed relative to the panel;
wherein the torque rod is configured to store energy by being twisted when the panel is pivoted in a first direction relative to the storage area and release the stored energy when the panel is pivoted in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction to thereby assist operation of the panel; and
wherein at least one of the first and second ends of the torque rod includes a compressed, substantially flat portion.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The compartment of claim 1, wherein the compartment is a bed of a pick-up truck and the panel is a tailgate configured to selectively open and close access to the bed.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The compartment of claim 1, wherein the compartment is a trunk area of a vehicle and the panel is a trunk lid configured to selectively open and close access to the trunk area.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The compartment of claim 1, wherein the substantially flat section is fixed relative to one of the storage area and the panel.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The compartment of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second ends of the torque rod includes a solid segment, wherein the solid segment is at least one of pressed and welded into the hollow interior, and wherein the solid segment includes a keyed section fixed relative to the storage area or to the panel, respectively.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The compartment of claim 1, wherein the second end of the torque rod includes a formed loop which is secured to the panel.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The compartment of claim 1, further comprising a bracket fixed to at least one of the plurality of side walls and the floor, wherein the first end of the torque rod is inserted into and is fixedly engaged by the bracket.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The compartment of claim 1, wherein the first end of the torque rod includes a flange which is fastened to at least one of the plurality of side walls and the floor.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The compartment of claim 1, further comprising a hinge mechanism configured to pivotably connect the panel to one of the plurality of side walls and the floor.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The compartment of claim 9, wherein the second end of the torque rod is fixed to the hinge mechanism.

### Claim 11

A vehicle comprising:
a passenger compartment; and
a storage compartment having:
a plurality of side walls and a floor configured to define a storage area;
a panel operatively connected to at least one of the floor and at least one of the plurality of side walls, and configured to selectively expand and restrict access to the storage area; and
a torque rod having a wall thickness, a hollow interior, a first end fixed relative to the storage area and a second end fixed relative to the panel;
wherein the torque rod is configured to store energy by being twisted when the panel is pivoted in a first direction relative to the storage area and release the stored energy when the panel is pivoted in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction to thereby assist operation of the panel; and
wherein at least one of the first and second ends of the torque rod includes a compressed, substantially flat portion.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The vehicle of claim 11, wherein the storage compartment is a bed of a pick-up truck and the panel is a tailgate configured to selectively open and close access to the bed.

### Claim 13 (depends on 11)

The vehicle of claim 11, wherein the storage compartment is a trunk area of a vehicle and the panel is a trunk lid configured to selectively open and close access to the trunk area.

### Claim 14 (depends on 11)

The vehicle of claim 11, wherein the substantially flat section is fixed relative to one of the storage area and the panel.

### Claim 15 (depends on 11)

The vehicle of claim 11, wherein at least one of the first and second ends of the torque rod includes a solid segment, wherein the solid segment is at least one of pressed and welded into the hollow interior, and wherein the solid segment includes a keyed section fixed relative to the storage area or to the panel, respectively.

### Claim 16 (depends on 11)

The vehicle of claim 11, wherein the second end of the torque rod includes a formed loop which is secured to the panel.

### Claim 17 (depends on 11)

The vehicle of claim 11, further comprising a bracket fixed to at least one of the plurality of side walls and the floor, wherein the first end of the torque rod is inserted into and is fixedly engaged by the bracket.

### Claim 18 (depends on 11)

The vehicle of claim 11, wherein the first end of the torque rod includes a flange, which is fastened to at least one of the plurality of side walls and the floor.

### Claim 19 (depends on 11)

The vehicle of claim 11, wherein the storage compartment additionally includes a hinge mechanism configured to pivotably connect the panel to one of the plurality of side walls and the floor.

### Claim 20 (depends on 19)

The vehicle of claim 19, wherein the second end of the torque rod is fixed to the hinge mechanism.