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Vehicle endgate counterbalance

a technology for endgates and vehicles, applied in the field of counterbalances, can solve the problems of inability to provide damping effect, inability to remove endgates from open positions in order to close, and inability to provide damping, so as to reduce the amount of effort, reduce the possibility of squeak and rattle, and facilitate removal.

Inactive Publication Date: 2009-04-30
GM GLOBAL TECH OPERATIONS LLC
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes an endgate counter balance for vehicles that helps to lift and close the endgate with less effort and reduces potential squeak and rattle issues. It includes a hinge arm, energy storage device, and crank mechanism. The counter balance provides a cross-over position when partially opened, making it easier to remove and re-install the endgate. The technical effects of the invention are improved efficiency and ease of use for vehicle endgates.

Problems solved by technology

For some people, however, the amount of effort required to lift the endgate from its open position in order to close it is undesirably high.
While the torsion rod provides assist with lift effort, it does not provide any damping effect, which may be desirable when moving the endgate between its open and closed positions.
The gas cylinder also has drawbacks in that it may interfere with the tail lamp housing, creating a packaging problem within the vehicle.
Moreover, neither of these designs assists with maintaining the endgate (and hinge) in a position desirable for removal of the endgate from (and reassembly of the endgate to) the vehicle.

Method used

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  • Vehicle endgate counterbalance
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Examples

Experimental program
Comparison scheme
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Embodiment Construction

[0020]Referring to FIG. 1, a portion of a vehicle (pickup truck) body, indicated generally at 20, is shown. The body 20 includes a box 22 having a box bed 24 (i.e., the floor of the box 22), which can be seen located inboard of a wheel well opening 26 in a rear quarter panel 28. The rear quarter panel 28 also includes a brake light opening 30 and a recess 32 within which a bumper (not shown) extends. The pickup body 20 has an endgate 34 mounted at the rearmost portion of the box 22.

[0021]Referring now to FIGS. 1-5, the endgate 34 is shown in both a vertical, closed position (FIGS. 1-4) and a horizontal, fully open position (FIG. 5). The endgate 34 has an aft (outer) surface 36 and a forward (inner) surface 38. A conventional latch assembly (not shown) may be employed to hold the endgate 34 in its closed position, and a conventional cable assembly (not shown) may be employed to hold the endgate 34 in its fully open position. The endgate 34 also includes a pair of hinges 40 (only one ...

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PUM

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Abstract

A vehicle having an endgate counter balance for use with an endgate of the vehicle, and a method of operating, is disclosed. The endgate counterbalance may include a hinge arm extending from the hinge, an energy storage device and a crank mechanism connected between the hinge arm and the energy storage device. The endgate counterbalance is configured to create a cross-over position for the endgate between closed and fully open where the endgate counterbalance does not exert a rotational bias on the endgate.

Description

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates generally to vehicle endgates, and more particularly to a counterbalance for a vehicle endgate.[0002]Conventional pickup trucks have an endgate that pivots from a vertical closed position rearward and downward to a horizontal open position for ease in loading and unloading cargo from the bed of the pickup. For some people, however, the amount of effort required to lift the endgate from its open position in order to close it is undesirably high. Thus, some pickup manufacturers have added mechanisms to assist in lifting the tailgate from its open position while one is closing the endgate.[0003]For example, some have added torsion rods or vertically extending gas cylinders connected to the endgate hinge assembly. These devices store energy as the endgate is moved from its closed position to its fully open position, with the energy being used to assist a person when closing the endgate. While the torsion rod provides assist with...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Applications(United States)
IPC IPC(8): B62D33/03
CPCB62D33/0273E05F1/1238E05F1/1292E05Y2900/546E05Y2900/516E05Y2900/544E05Y2201/626
Inventor KRAJENKE, GARY W.
Owner GM GLOBAL TECH OPERATIONS LLC