Trunk Lids Patents (Class 296/76)
  • Patent number: 8500185
    Abstract: A counterbalanced decklid hinge assembly for rotatably supporting a decklid relative to a vehicle includes a torque rod extending between a first hinge box and a second hinge box. A support member is rotatably supported by each of the first and second hinge boxes. A linkage system interconnects one axial end of the torque rod to one of the support members. A lever is attached to and rotatable with the other axial end of the torque rod. A clamping block attaches the torque rod to one of the lever and the linkage system, and is configured to provide an infinite degree of rotational adjustment therebetween to infinitely adjust the pre-loaded torque rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Gary W. Krajenke, Himanshu H. Mehta, Alvin N. Standard
  • Patent number: 8469433
    Abstract: A counterbalanced decklid hinge assembly for rotatably supporting a decklid relative to a vehicle includes a torque rod extending between a first hinge box and a second hinge box. A support member is rotatably supported by each of the first and second hinge boxes. A linkage system interconnects one axial end of the torque rod to one of the support members, and is attached to the axial end of the torque rod in a manner that allows for a straight axial end of the torque rod, i.e., requires no bends. A lever is attached to and rotatable with the other axial end of the torque rod, and is attached in a manner that allows for a straight axial end of the torque rod, i.e., requires no bends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Gary W. Krajenke, Alvin N. Standard
  • Patent number: 8459717
    Abstract: A hinge assembly for a door lid of a vehicle includes a hinge arm support bracket that mounts within a luggage compartment of the vehicle. A hinge arm is connected to the support bracket at a proximal portion and including a distal portion that is mountable to the door lid, the hinge arm being pivotable relative to the support bracket. A force adjustment member is pivotally connected to the hinge arm. The force adjustment member includes a torsion bar mount portion extending outwardly from the hinge arm having an opening therethrough to receive an end of a torsion bar and a tool receiving portion that engages a torque adjustment tool to pivot the force adjustment member to apply a torque to the torsion bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Laverle Cain, Patrick F. Showalter
  • Patent number: 8441346
    Abstract: A vehicle user is notified of a rear gate ajar condition so that the user can take corrective action by opening and then re-closing the rear gate. The method includes the steps of determining that the rear gate latch has engaged a latch striker but has not reached a fully latched position; operating a vehicle mounted signaling device that is cognizable by a user while still standing at the rear gate so that the user will receive immediate notification that the rear gate latch has not reached the fully latched position, thereby enabling the user to take immediate corrective action by opening and then re-closing the gate to attempt a fully latched position of the rear gate latch; and then, if the vehicle is started without the lift gate operator having taken corrective action to obtain full latching of the rear gate latch, energizing a lift gate ajar light on the instrument panel so that the vehicle driver is notified to take corrective action before driving away.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Altaf S. Imam
  • Patent number: 8424948
    Abstract: In accordance with exemplary embodiments, a magnetic decklid hold-open system is provided for a vehicle. The system comprises a decklid for a vehicle coupled to a body of the vehicle via a hinge strap. The hinge strap facilitates the decklid moving between a closed position and an open position, and a magnetic element coupled to the hinge strap magnetically retains the decklid in the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Gary W. Krajenke, Alvin N. Standard, Edward L Schulte
  • Patent number: 8419106
    Abstract: A four-bar linkage is provided with an opened position holding mechanism. The opened position holding mechanism includes: an engagement pin which protrudes in a rear end portion of a second hinge arm; a support pin which protrudes in a base end portion of an extending portion of a link bracket; a hook bracket having a central portion which is turnably supported by the support pin; and an urging spring which pulls the hook bracket in one direction with respect to the support pin as the center. The hook bracket includes: a guide surface; and an engagement concave portion to be engaged with the engagement pin. The guide surface hits against the engagement pin in accordance with a lid opening operation, and a hit position therebetween relatively moves in a central direction in accordance with a turn with respect to the support pin as the center performed against the pulling force of the urging spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Johnan Manufacturing Inc.
    Inventors: Naoki Baba, Junichi Yamamaru
  • Publication number: 20130088046
    Abstract: In the case of a motor vehicle, in particular a passenger motorcar, with a body in which at least one opening, such as a door opening, a trunk opening or the like is provided, which can be closed off by a pivotably articulated covering element, such as a door, a tail gate, a trunk lid or the like, which has an outer skin and a support structure and at least one function element arranged in between, which is connected to the outer skin, the function element is provided to stiffening structures and directly connected to the support structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2012
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
  • Patent number: 8414059
    Abstract: A vehicle rear windshield structure includes a first rear windshield, a second rear windshield, and a light shielding wall. The first rear windshield is to secure rearward visibility from an inside of a vehicle body. The second rear windshield is provided below the first rear windshield to secure rearward visibility from the inside of the vehicle body. The light shielding wall is provided between the first rear windshield and the second rear windshield to reduce light coming from an outside of the vehicle body through the second rear windshield to the first rear windshield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yutaka Ohki, Syotaro Fujikawa
  • Patent number: 8414058
    Abstract: A vehicle hinge set for supporting and operating decklid closures on a vehicle include at least one primary unit, at least one secondary drive unit slidably receivable against a primary unit, and a mount for supporting the aligned primary and secondary units. The primary unit combines a decklid strap pivotably connected to the primary unit, and may include a biasing mechanism. The secondary unit is mechanically and electrically coupled for motorized displacement of the strap of the primary unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: M&C Corporation
    Inventor: Michael John Duffy
  • Publication number: 20130048398
    Abstract: In accordance with exemplary embodiments, a magnetic decklid hold-open system is provided for a vehicle. The system comprises a decklid for a vehicle coupled to a body of the vehicle via a hinge strap. The hinge strap facilitates the decklid moving between a closed position and an open position, and a magnetic element coupled to the hinge strap magnetically retains the decklid in the open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: GARY W. KRAJENKE, ALVIN N. STANDARD, EDWARD L. SCHULTE
  • Publication number: 20130048399
    Abstract: In accordance with exemplary embodiments, a magnetic decklid damper system is provided for a vehicle. The system comprises a decklid coupled to a body of the vehicle via a hinge strap facilitating the decklid moving between a closed position and an open position. The hinge strap includes a first magnetic element coupled to the hinge strap, and a second magnetic element coupled to a body member of the vehicle. The first and second magnetic elements have a common polarity to magnetically repel each other as the decklid moves toward the open position to provide a damping effect for the decklid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: GARY W. KRAJENKE, ALVIN N. STANDARD, EDWARD L. SCHULTE
  • Publication number: 20130020826
    Abstract: A counterbalanced decklid hinge assembly for rotatably supporting a decklid relative to a vehicle includes a torque rod extending between a first hinge box and a second hinge box. A support member is rotatably supported by each of the first and second hinge boxes. A linkage system interconnects one axial end of the torque rod to one of the support members, and is attached to the axial end of the torque rod in a manner that allows for a straight axial end of the torque rod, i.e., requires no bends. A lever is attached to and rotatable with the other axial end of the torque rod, and is attached in a manner that allows for a straight axial end of the torque rod, i.e., requires no bends.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2011
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Gary W. Krajenke, Alvin N. Standard
  • Patent number: 8342593
    Abstract: An anti-extremity pinch garnish for preventing pinching of extremities between a hinged edge portion of a vehicle closure and an adjacent portion of a vehicle body to which the vehicle closure is pivotally mounted includes a first portion secured to the vehicle body adjacent an opening defined therein and a second portion integral with said first portion and configured to obstruct entry of an extremity between the hinged edge portion of the closure and the adjacent portion of the vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Joseph P. Ruby, III, Michael E. Franz
  • Publication number: 20120306231
    Abstract: The invention relates to a motor vehicle trunk lid (1) that includes: a structural reinforcement (18), an inner lining (42), and a rear window. The structural reinforcement (18) is made up of an upper portion, defining a rear window opening, and a lower portion that extends the upper portion toward the bottom of the trunk lid (1). According to the invention, the structural reinforcement (18) is produced from a single polymer material part. Said structural reinforcement is covered, on the outside thereof, by at least the rear window and by an outer decor panel placed under the rear window so as to completely cover the structural reinforcement (18), and said structural reinforcement is completely covered, on the inside thereof, by the inner lining (42).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2010
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: Renault S.A.S
    Inventors: Thierry Ginestet, Olivier Glaumot, Francois Regnault
  • Patent number: 8317252
    Abstract: Added openings are provided for sport utility vehicles (SUV), pick-up trucks, two and four door vehicles, vans, minivans, sedans, station wagons, or other vehicles. The opening(s) may utilize doors, gates, windows, sunroofs, or lids that provide more physical and/or visual access to the interior space, cargo, and/or seating within the vehicles that currently are not easily accessible, viewed, seen-by, or displayed-on conventional opening means. These openings may also provide the ability to place cargo within the space of the vehicle that current vehicles prohibit from being carried therein, or they may provide decorative, descriptive, or electronic displays for such vehicles, for example, advertising on taxi cabs. Among the embodiments, this invention results in a new 2 door or a 4 door SUV vehicle having added rear side doors, and a new 2 door or 4 door sedan that in effect functions likes a pick-up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Inventor: Stephen G. Kimmet
  • Publication number: 20120248811
    Abstract: An inner body panel for a vehicle, e.g., an inner panel for a trunk lid assembly, is manufactured from a magnesium alloy, and includes an abrasively rounded edge surface along an edge of the panel. The rounded edge surface includes a radius that is equal to one half the thickness of the inner panel. The rounded edge surface allows for a uniform deposition of a corrosion resistant coating along the edge of the panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Guangling Song, Jon T. Carter
  • Patent number: 8251431
    Abstract: An opening and closing device for an automobile trunk lid is capable of producing an optimum pop-up amount by mounting an elastic spring, which is used to hold a trunk lid in a popped-up state in cooperation with torsion bars when the trunk lid is unlocked, in a link mechanism part that transmits the torsional torque of the torsion bars to the hinge arm of the trunk lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventor: Kouji Nakazato
  • Publication number: 20120205937
    Abstract: A vehicle has a deck lid for closing a vehicle luggage compartment. The deck lid is mounted on a hinge assembly including a hinge lever pivoted on a vehicle body and a hinge arm attached to the deck lid. A trim panel lines the luggage compartment and has an oversize aperture creating a gap through which the hinge arm travels freely without interference with the trim panel during the opening and closing movement of the deck lid. A closeout panel is mounted on the hinge assembly to travel therewith. The closeout panel is sized larger than the size of the oversize aperture and upon the deck lid reaching the open position, the closeout panel will have moved with the hinge assembly to a position closely adjacent the backside of the trim panel so that the closeout panel closes the gap and prevents an observer from seeing through the gap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2011
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Gary W. Krajenke, Edward L. Schulte, Alvin N. Standard
  • Patent number: 8240742
    Abstract: A device for fixing the position of a lid of a motor vehicle in the closed position, the lid being moveable between an open position and a closed position, in particular the position of the cover of a convertible top compartment, having a component attached to the body of the vehicle, and a component which is attached to the lid and which, when the component attached to the body assumes the closed position, is guided at least in one direction. The component attached to the lid or the component attached to the body has a base plate for connection to the lid or the body and an insertion element connected to the base plate. The base plate can be moved by means of a cam pivoted on the plate relative to the lid or the body. The movement of the cam is limited by two stop elements which are attached to the base plate and which are essentially opposite one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Audi, AG
    Inventor: Heiko Lowak
  • Patent number: 8240006
    Abstract: A trunk hinge apparatus having a pop-up function includes a hinge bracket mounted to an inner panel, a trunk hinge arm hinged to the hinge bracket, an elastic spring secured to the hinge bracket, a pop-up lever hinged at a first end thereof to the hinge bracket, and elastically biased at a second end thereof by the elastic spring, and a pressure unit mounted to the trunk hinge arm to come into close contact with the pop-up lever. When the spring moves the pop-up lever, the additional arm slides along the pop-up lever, moving the trunk hinge arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Dae Hee Lee
  • Patent number: 8172307
    Abstract: A motor vehicle (2) has a roof (3) with two laterally spaced longitudinal roof members (4, 5) and side windows (9) under the longitudinal roof members (4, 5). Fins (4, 5) extend rearward from the longitudinal roof members (4, 5) and an outer skin (16) of a rear deck lid (17) is arranged between the fins (12, 13). Air inlet openings (20, 21) are formed on outer sides (14) of the fins (12, 13) adjacent the side windows (9). An air duct (23, 24) extends from the air inlet opening (20, 21) to an air outlet opening (25, 26) on the inner side (15) of the fin (12, 13). The outer skin (16) has at least one supply air inlet (28, 29) for an assembly of the motor vehicle (2) and a rear air deflection device (32) is arranged behind the supply air inlet (28, 29).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Mathias Froeschle, Grant Larson
  • Patent number: 8146976
    Abstract: Slide-out tray systems for a vehicle comprise: a pair of tracks provided inside the trunk of the vehicle in a vehicle length direction; a tray mounted on the tracks; a bar pivotally connected to a connector part connecting the trunk lid to a vehicle body panel; and a cable connected to the tray and the bar and having a length such that when the trunk lid is open, the tray can be pulled out of the trunk in a rearward direction without interference by tension applied to the cable. With the systems, inconveniences associated with loading and unloading items can be eliminated or reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation, Hyundai America Technical Center, Inc.
    Inventor: Jason Oliver
  • Publication number: 20110282555
    Abstract: Added openings are provided for sport utility vehicles (SUV), pick-up trucks, two and four door vehicles, vans, minivans, sedans, station wagons, or other vehicles. The opening(s) may utilize doors, gates, windows, sunroofs, or lids that provide more physical and/or visual access to the interior space, cargo, and/or seating within the vehicles that currently are not easily accessible, viewed, seen-by, or displayed-on conventional opening means. These openings may also provide the ability to place cargo within the space of the vehicle that current vehicles prohibit from being carried therein, or they may provide decorative, descriptive, or electronic displays for such vehicles, for example, advertising on taxi cabs. Among the embodiments, this invention results in a new 2 door or a 4 door SUV vehicle having added rear side doors, and a new 2 door or 4 door sedan that in effect functions likes a pick-up.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Inventor: Stephen G. Kimmet
  • Patent number: 8047594
    Abstract: A detachable body for a motorcycle trike has a rigid trunk section with an interior volume, the body being configured for location between rear wheel assemblies of the trike. A door adjacent the volume is operable to allow access to the volume. At least two attachment features provide for releasably attaching the body to a frame of the trike, the attachment features being operable without the use of tools for attaching and detaching the body from the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Inventor: Lawayne L. Matthies
  • Patent number: 8042857
    Abstract: A roof opening and closing apparatus for a vehicle includes a cover member opening and closing mechanism including a front side opening and closing mechanical unit, a rear side opening and closing mechanical unit, and an intermediate support unit connecting the front side opening and closing mechanical unit and the rear side opening and closing mechanical unit, a panel moving mechanism including a panel member and a panel movement mechanical unit, the panel member covering a portion of a vehicle body in a case where a roof is in a stored state, the portion of the vehicle body being positioned at a lower end of a rear corner portion of the roof when the roof is in a developed state, and the panel movement mechanical unit supporting the panel member to be moved to the storage compartment in a case where the roof is in the deployed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Noda, Katsura Inoue
  • Patent number: 8020912
    Abstract: A passenger vehicle is provided with a body having an interior with a passenger compartment and a rear cargo region accessed through a rear opening. A liftgate and tailgate are pivotally coupled to the body at an upper and lower periphery of the opening respectively, and engage one another to enclose the opening. The liftgate and tailgate each enclose a portion of the opening in a closed position and provide access to the rear cargo area in an open position. A passenger vehicle is provided with a vehicle body having an interior and a rear opening with a first and second region facing generally upwards and rearwards respectively, both regions providing access to the rear cargo area. A rear closure assembly encloses the opening, provides access to the rear cargo area, and has first and second members pivotally connected to the body to enclose the first and second regions respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Daniel William Lounds
  • Patent number: 7992916
    Abstract: Added openings are provided for sport utility vehicles (SUV), pick-up trucks, two and four door vehicles, vans, minivans, station wagons, or other vehicles. The opening(s) may utilize doors, gates, windows, sunroofs, or lids that provide more physical and/or visual access to the interior space, cargo, and/or seating within the vehicles that currently are not easily accessible, viewed, seen-by, or displayed-on conventional opening means. These openings may also provide the ability to place cargo within the space of the vehicle that current vehicles prohibit from being carried therein, or they may provide decorative, descriptive, or electronic displays for such vehicles, for example, advertising on taxi cabs. Among the embodiments, this invention results in a new 2 door or a 4 door SUV vehicle having added rear side doors, and a new 2 door or 4 door automobile that in effect functions likes a pick-up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Inventor: Stephen G. Kimmet
  • Patent number: 7988217
    Abstract: A water management bracket includes a first angled portion with first interior surface, a second angled portion with second interior surface and a body portion with body interior surface. The first angled portion may be disposed between the body and second angled portions and oriented at an angle with respect to the body portion such that a normal to the first interior surface may be co-planar with a normal to the body interior surface. The second angled portion may be oriented at an angle with respect to the first angled portion and rotated away from the first angled portion such that a normal to the second interior surface is non-coplanar with the normals of the first and third interior surfaces, wherein, when the hatchback door assembly is open, the body interior surface may receive water flowing along the hatchback door assembly, and divert it away from a vehicle interior vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven B. Vantrease
  • Patent number: 7987554
    Abstract: A hinge structure for a vehicle open/close body, in which a long hinge member supporting the open/close body is rotatably disposed in an opening portion of a vehicle body and the hinge member rotates according to an opening and closing motion of the open/close body, wherein a cover member for covering the hinge member is disposed in the hinge member; and wherein a shape of an outer periphery surface of the cover member facing a corner portion of the opening portion is formed in a shape following a shape of the corner portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koki Hakamata, Eita Yamaki
  • Publication number: 20110127758
    Abstract: The invention relates to a motor vehicle with a roof, comprising a moving flexible roof region, provided with a cover, embodied such that the roof comprises a further roof region separate from the flexible region and divided into rigid roof sections, whereby in the fully open roof position the flexible roof region lies below a rigid roof section extending over the same in the form of a cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2006
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Applicant: Wilhelm Karmann GmbH
    Inventor: Nils Kreiling
  • Patent number: 7926863
    Abstract: A powered deck lid assembly includes a deck lid connected to a hinge mechanism for pivotal movement between open and closed positions relative to a trunk opening. A cable is associated with the deck lid and is lineally actuable pivotally moving the deck lid between the open and closed positions. The cable may be a push-pull cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Dura Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ronald J. Hanna, Kevin J. Hopp, James Allen
  • Publication number: 20110031771
    Abstract: A storage trunk for a vehicle. In one embodiment, the storage trunk comprises a floor and two side lids, one located at the driver side and the other located at the passenger side of the vehicle, respectively, enclosing a storage space in the front of the vehicle. Each of the two side lids is attached to a frame via a pivoting mechanism adapted for allowing said side lid to rotate about the pivoting mechanism when said side lid is being opened or closed. The pivoting mechanism is positioned such that the storage trunk can be accessed from either the driver side or the passenger side of the vehicle when one or both side lids are open.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2010
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Inventor: Yi Ding
  • Patent number: 7871118
    Abstract: A body-side tie-up point for a drive of a lid for a body aperture of a vehicle. The tie-up point has an inner reinforcing plate which is fastened on the outside to a sealing duct laterally adjacent to the body aperture, and an outer reinforcing plate which is fastened to the inner reinforcing plate on a side facing away from the sealing duct. A strengthening element is provided which bears against the sealing duct and the inner reinforcing plate in a contact zone on a side facing away from the inner reinforcing plate. The outer reinforcing plate directly or indirectly supports the strengthening element in a region spaced apart from the contact zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG
    Inventor: Rainer Stahl
  • Publication number: 20110001329
    Abstract: A motor vehicle (2) has a roof (3) with two laterally spaced longitudinal roof members (4, 5) and side windows (9) under the longitudinal roof members (4, 5). Fins (4, 5) extend rearward from the longitudinal roof members (4, 5) and an outer skin (16) of a rear deck lid (17) is arranged between the fins (12, 13). Air inlet openings (20, 21) are formed on outer sides (14) of the fins (12, 13) adjacent the side windows (9). An air duct (23, 24) extends from the air inlet opening (20, 21) to an air outlet opening (25, 26) on the inner side (15) of the fin (12, 13). The outer skin (16) has at least one supply air inlet (28, 29) for an assembly of the motor vehicle (2) and a rear air deflection device (32) is arranged behind the supply air inlet (28, 29).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Applicant: DR. ING. H.C.F. PORSCHE AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Mathias Froeschle, Grant Larson
  • Patent number: 7815241
    Abstract: A gooseneck hinge assembly for a closure of a vehicle includes a body side strap adapted to be connected to a vehicle body of the vehicle and a closure side strap having a gooseneck shape adapted to be connected to a closure for closing an opening in the vehicle body. The gooseneck hinge assembly also includes a pivot pin pivotally connecting the closure side strap and the body side strap to allow rotational movement therebetween. The gooseneck hinge assembly further includes a wedge bumper interconnecting the body side strap and the closure side strap to allow the decklid to free rise to a fully open position and to dampen an impact of the closure side strap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: David T. Renke, Jeffrey D. Heath, Martin R. Manley, Andrew R. McIntyre, Robert A. Woods
  • Patent number: 7806458
    Abstract: The invention relates to a motor vehicle with a roof or roof section which may be placed below a cover piece in the rear section of the vehicle, whereby the cover piece can be opened to provide a loading opening for luggage or a through opening for the roof. The cover piece is retained by at least one displacement mechanism in the vehicle, embodied such that the displacement mechanism, on at least one vehicle side, comprises a movement with only one degree of freedom for both opening directions of the cover piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Wilhelm Karmann GmbH
    Inventor: Stefan Meinert
  • Publication number: 20100230985
    Abstract: A cargo lid assembly for a vehicle is provided and includes a cargo lid, at least one lid-engaging member and at least one hinge member that is integral with a respective one of the at least one lid-engaging member and is configured for hinged connection to a body structure of a vehicle. The cargo lid includes an inner member and an outer member that cooperate to define a cavity. The assembly further includes at least one stiffener positioned within the cavity between the inner and outer members of the cargo lid. At least one lid-engaging member is secured to at least one stiffener.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2009
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Inventor: David Michael Edwards
  • Publication number: 20100201151
    Abstract: An improved access and retention system for sedans includes a protective cover for safeguarding a lower peripheral region of a rear cargo region while loading, unloading, and transporting cargo. The protective cover can conveniently and remotely stow within the cargo region. An integral tie-down assembly, exposed by deploying the protective cover, secures cargo loaded in the rear cargo region and cargo placed along the protective cover. The system also includes a double hinging rear closure member which has a rear facing portion which can be locked in open and closed positions. Arranging the rear facing portion in the open position is particularly advantageous for hauling oversized cargo articles which may extend from the rear of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2010
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Kip Alan Ewing
  • Patent number: 7762608
    Abstract: A motor vehicle includes a trunk, in which the trunk has a body cutout opening which can be closed off by a two-part trunk lid which is composed of an upper trunk lid and a lower trunk lid. The upper trunk lid can be pivoted downward by an angle from, in each case, one closed position into, in each case, one open position. The lower trunk lid has at least one pivot lever, which is arranged such that it can be pivoted by way of a pivot axle formed on a lower body section. In the open position of the lower trunk lid, the pivot lever is in engagement with the lower body section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Klaus Gersmann, Andreas Clausen-Schaumann, David Evans
  • Patent number: 7762607
    Abstract: A decklid linkage mechanism allows movement of a decklid relative to a body of an automotive vehicle. The decklid linkage mechanism includes a frame, an actuator and a linkage mechanism. The frame supports at least a portion of the decklid. The frame is pivotally coupled to the body for movement of the frame and decklid together between a closed position concealing a storage space in the vehicle and a first open position allowing access to the storage space from a first end of the storage space. The decklid is coupled to the frame for movement of the decklid between the closed position and a second open position allowing access to the storage space from a second end of the storage space opposite the first end. The actuator drives the decklid between the closed position and the first open position. The linkage mechanism includes an overcenter arrangement that locks the decklid in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Wilhelm Karmann GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Neubrand, Matthew Ferraiuolo
  • Patent number: 7758097
    Abstract: An improved method and apparatus relating to vehicle storage compartments is disclosed. Specifically, the apparatus relates to the concealment of vehicle storage compartment strikers and the method of manufacturing the apparatus. The improvement relates to the elimination of some metal components while maintaining durability of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jason Dilley, Ryan Larcom
  • Patent number: 7731262
    Abstract: A closure assembly for a vehicle pivotable between a closed position and a full open position, and a method of controlling its movement includes a closure, a hinge mechanism attached to the closure, and a damper assembly. The damper assembly includes a damper actuator and a pneumatic closure damper, with the closure damper including a hollow bellows extending from a support base, an orifice and an end opposite the support base. The damper actuator is attached to the hinge mechanism and the support base is attached to the body structure such that the damper actuator is spaced from the end when the closure is in the closed position and the damper actuator is in contact with the end and compresses the bellows when the closure is in the full open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: James H. Shoemaker, Paul R. Meernik, Scott W. Thorpe
  • Publication number: 20100127527
    Abstract: A water management bracket includes a first angled portion with first interior surface, a second angled portion with second interior surface and a body portion with body interior surface. The first angled portion may be disposed between the body and second angled portions and oriented at an angle with respect to the body portion such that a normal to the first interior surface may be co-planar with a normal to the body interior surface. The second angled portion may be oriented at an angle with respect to the first angled portion and rotated away from the first angled portion such that a normal to the second interior surface is non-coplanar with the normals of the first and third interior surfaces, wherein, when the hatchback door assembly is open, the body interior surface may receive water flowing along the hatchback door assembly, and divert it away from a vehicle interior vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven Brode Vantrease
  • Publication number: 20100109371
    Abstract: A closure assembly for a vehicle pivotable between a closed position and a full open position, and a method of controlling its movement, is disclosed. The closure assembly includes a closure, a hinge mechanism attached to the closure, and a damper assembly. The damper assembly includes a damper actuator and a pneumatic closure damper, with the closure damper including a hollow bellows extending from a support base, an orifice and an end opposite the support base. The damper actuator is attached to the hinge mechanism and the support base is attached to the body structure such that the damper actuator is spaced from the end when the closure is in the closed position and the damper actuator is in contact with the end and compresses the bellows when the closure is in the full open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2008
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: James H. Shoemaker, Paul R. Meernik, Scott W. Thorpe
  • Publication number: 20100065298
    Abstract: A grommet is attached between a body panel and a trunk lid at a location spaced from a hinge that movably supports the trunk lid. The grommet is located inboard of the hinge and is attached only to the body panel and trunk lid and free from connection to the hinge. The grommet includes a body mounting end attached to the body panel, a trunk lid mounting end, a first flexible section extending from the body mounting end, a second flexible section extending from the trunk lid mounting end and a middle section extending between the first and second flexible sections. The first flexible section and the second flexible section are configured and arranged to bend as the trunk lid moves between the open position and the closed position to prevent contact of the grommet to the hinge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Applicant: Nissan Technical Center North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Aleksandr BIKHLEYZER
  • Patent number: 7658434
    Abstract: A structure of a rear part in a vehicle body. A rear glass window is provided at a rear end part of a roof of the vehicle, and the rear glass window is inclined downward toward the back of the vehicle. A trunk compartment is formed from a part below an attachment part of the rear glass window to a rear end part of the vehicle body. A trunk lid is attached to a lower edge of the attachment part of the rear glass window in a manner such that the trunk lid can be opened and closed freely. A visual window for observing a field on the back side of the vehicle body is provided in a wall of the trunk lid, the wall being positioned on the back side of the vehicle body. A partition wall having an interior window may be provided below the rear glass window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideto Sakane, Kazuhiko Sato, Tohru Ono, Shinichi Ibato, Tetsuya Higurashi
  • Patent number: 7651148
    Abstract: A passenger vehicle trunk structure is provided with a trunk lid, a vehicle body, a hinge arrangement and a tool free hinge release mechanism. The vehicle body defines an interior cargo area with an exterior trunk access opening. The hinge arrangement is pivotally coupling the trunk lid to the vehicle body with the trunk lid being movable between a closed position that covers the exterior trunk access opening and an open position that exposes the exterior trunk access opening to provide access to the interior cargo area through the exterior trunk access opening. The tool free hinge release mechanism is operatively coupled to the hinge arrangement to release the trunk lid from the vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Nissan Technical Center North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Dan Hustyi, Andy Christensen, Heather S. Konet
  • Patent number: 7628446
    Abstract: A rear frame assembly is provided for use in an automotive vehicle extending between upright side walls to define a trunk opening. The rear frame assembly includes a cross car beam extending laterally between the side walls of the vehicle. A sail panel is fixedly secured to the cross car beam. The sail panel includes symmetrically opposite flanges adapted to conform to the side walls of the vehicle to define a path for diverting a flow of water around the trunk opening. The sail panel includes a conically shaped concavity for engaging a conical protrusion on the vehicle for locating the rear frame assembly within the vehicle during installation of the rear frame assembly to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Intier Automotive Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Harney, Pierre-Xavier Roy
  • Publication number: 20090282648
    Abstract: A trunk hinge apparatus having a pop-up function includes a hinge bracket mounted to an inner panel, a trunk hinge arm hinged to the hinge bracket, an elastic spring secured to the hinge bracket, a pop-up lever hinged at a first end thereof to the hinge bracket, and elastically biased at a second end thereof by the elastic spring, and a pressure unit mounted to the trunk hinge arm to come into close contact with the pop-up lever. When the spring moves the pop-up lever, the additional arm slides along the pop-up lever, moving the trunk hinge arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2009
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Applicant: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Dae Hee Lee
  • Patent number: 7597378
    Abstract: In the present frame structure of a trunk lid: the trunk lid has an outer panel and an inner panel, and is formed such that its cross-section is approximately L-shaped, with a top face part and a rear face part; left and right hinge installation sections are provided, and a lock installation section is provided in the left to right center of the rear face part; left and right beading parts are provided on the inner panel; and fastening parts of hinge arms are arranged diagonally along the lengthwise direction of the left and right beading parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomofumi Ichinose, Shintaro Ichimura