Auxiliary support system for armored trunk covers

Description

"AUXILIARY SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR ARMORED TRUNK LIDS." TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[001] The present invention relates to an auxiliary support system for the trunk lids of motor vehicles that have received additional armor, being particularly applicable in vehicles where the added weight from the armor compromises the original functioning of the lid's opening and support mechanism. The invention comprises a modular kit of structural supports and gas shock absorbers, designed to be installed reversibly and without the need to alter the vehicle's original components. HISTORY OF THE INVENTION

[002] The growing demand for armored vehicles, especially in urban centers, has led to the adoption of armor plating in various models of passenger cars, utility vehicles, and SUVs. The armor plating process generally consists of applying ballistic materials, such as steel, aramid, and special glass, to critical areas of the vehicle, including doors, roof, pillars, and often the trunk lid.

[003] The addition of these materials, while significantly increasing the level of occupant protection, entails a substantial increase in the weight of the components, especially the trunk lid, which may receive metal reinforcements, thick glass and ballistic blankets.

[004] The original trunk lid support systems, usually composed of gas struts sized for the factory weight of the lid, begin to operate under overload conditions after armoring. As a result, it is common to observe difficulty opening, abrupt closing, or even complete failure of the support mechanism, presenting risks of Petition 870250099332, dated 10 / 30 / 2025, page 5 / 22 / 9 safety and discomfort to the user.

[005] The usual solution adopted by specialized workshops involves replacing the original shock absorbers with higher-capacity models or installing improvised reinforcements, such as metal bars or additional springs. These solutions, however, often require permanent modifications to the vehicle's structure, such as drilling, cutting, or welding, which can compromise structural integrity, make reversing the armor difficult, and affect the vehicle's factory warranty.

[006] Furthermore, replacing the original shock absorbers may not be sufficient, as the anchor point and geometry of the original mounts were not designed for high loads, resulting in premature failure, bending or breakage of the mounts.

[007] The technical literature and known patents in the automotive sector contemplate support systems for trunk lids, mainly aimed at cargo vehicles, utility vehicles or industrial applications, where the lid is inherently heavy. These systems, however, do not consider the need for modularity, reversibility and compatibility with the aesthetics and functionality of armored passenger vehicles.

[008] The difficulty in finding standardized and reversible solutions for the problem of supporting armored trunk lids often results in improvised adaptations with low technical standards, compromising the safety, durability and appearance of the vehicle.

[009] As an example, some automotive component manufacturers have developed high-pressure gas shock absorbers, specially calibrated for trunk lids with the added weight resulting from armor plating. These models feature reinforced rods and nitrogen-filled cylinders. Petition 870250099332, dated 10 / 30 / 2025, page 6 / 22 / 9 superior to that of conventional shock absorbers. However, although they offer greater support force, the increase in internal pressure can reduce the lifespan of the seals and cause premature leaks, in addition to requiring excessive effort for manual closure of the lid, compromising operational comfort.

[010] Another alternative found on the market is the use of hybrid systems, which combine gas shock absorbers with external or internal coil springs, coupled to the support body. This configuration allows for greater load-bearing capacity without excessively increasing gas pressure, better distributing the applied forces. However, such systems usually require complex adaptations to the mounting points and increase the volume occupied in the side compartment of the trunk, affecting the interior finish and the original aesthetics of the vehicle.

[011] Some specialized workshops have also started using articulated supports with electric assistance, equipped with linear actuators or compact motors to assist in opening the trunk lid. Although technically effective, these systems require the installation of additional electronic modules, position sensors and integration with the vehicle's electrical network, which increases the cost, energy consumption and the risk of electrical failures. In addition, in case of battery failure or discharge, manual operation of the trunk lid may be compromised, causing inconvenience to the user. State of the Art Analysis

[012] Research conducted in specialized databases found documents relating to auxiliary support systems for armored trunk lids.

[013] Document no. BR 20.2014.007373-1 deals with an electric actuator for operating the trunk lid of armored vehicles, designed to withstand the load provided by the high weight of the armored rear lid of Petition 870250099332, dated 10 / 30 / 2025, page 7 / 22 / 9 vehicles, comprising an internal compression spring, housed inside a second external compression spring, both compression springs surrounding said shaft and their ends being in contact with a metal contact washer that protects a bearing mounted on a second metal washer that faces the other bearing housings of the electric motor. The compression springs are housed inside the inner tube, externally to which said electric actuator has an external stainless steel tube, capable of moving telescopically along the inner tube by the action of the threaded spindle in the guide, said guide and shaft being integrally mounted on the outer tube cover, by means of a threaded locking terminal, fixed to a closing tip, said inner and outer telescopic tubes being separated by a nylon sleeve.

[014] Document no. WO2020115536 ​​reveals a reinforced piston that facilitates, with greater telescopic force, the lifting of the rear hatch in the trunk of armored vehicles. For this, the electric piston receives two sleeves. The first is fixed to the cylindrical end of the telescopic body of the electric piston, which, through the end of the fixed body, receives a second sleeve. Once the telescopic and fixed parts are fixed and assembled, the electric piston is adapted with two threaded couplings of their respective sleeves, perfectly aligned to receive headless Allen screws, correspondingly fixed to the fixed and telescopic bodies of a gas piston.

[015] Thus, it is a fact that the documents cited in the paragraphs above, despite belonging to the same field of application, do not present any of the characteristics of the object now improved, thus guaranteeing that it meets the legal requirements for patentability. OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION

[016] The main objective of the present invention is to provide a Petition 870250099332, dated 10 / 30 / 2025, page 8 / 22 / 9: an efficient technical solution for supporting vehicle trunk lids that have been armored, restoring or improving the opening and closing functionality without requiring permanent modifications to the vehicle's original structure.

[017] Another relevant objective is to offer a modular kit that is easy to install and remove, allowing for complete reversibility, making it possible to remove the auxiliary system if the armor is removed or the owner wishes to return to the vehicle's original configuration.

[018] Additionally, the invention seeks to ensure high mechanical and corrosion resistance of the components, ensuring durability, safety and maintenance of automotive aesthetics, even under exposure to aggressive agents and climatic variations.

[019] The aim is for the system to be compatible with multiple vehicle models, allowing the gas shock absorber to be customized according to the specific weight of the applied armor, without the need to reinforce or replace the original shock absorbers.

[020] One advantage lies in the fact that the modularity of the system allows it to be adapted to different vehicle models and brands, simply by selecting supports and shock absorbers compatible with the dimensions and weight of the armored cover. The design can provide specific kits for different manufacturers, with variations in the dimensions of the supports, the length of the shock absorbers and the fixing points, while maintaining the construction principle described.

[021] In situations where the weight of the armor applied to the trunk lid is particularly high, the system can be configured with higher load shock absorbers or with the installation of two shock absorbers in parallel, always respecting the structural limits of the body and the lid.

[022] Another advantage lies in the use of stainless steel in the supports Petition 870250099332, dated 10 / 30 / 2025, page 9 / 22 / 9 structural guarantees corrosion resistance even under prolonged exposure to moisture, salt, cleaning agents and temperature variations, extending the system's lifespan and preventing oxidation that could compromise the safety and appearance of the baggage compartment.

[023] Another advantage is the semi-gloss black electrostatic paint finish, which, in addition to protecting against corrosion, provides a discreet appearance, does not interfere with the interior design of the trunk and avoids unwanted reflections. DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[024] To complement the present description in order to obtain a better understanding of the characteristics of the present invention and in accordance with a preferred practical embodiment thereof, a set of drawings is attached to the description, where, in an exemplary, though not limiting, manner, its operation is represented:

[025] Figure 1 represents a perspective view of the elements that make up the auxiliary support system for armored trunk lids in question;

[026] Figure 2A shows a perspective view of the pair of supports that make up the system installed on the car body;

[027] Figure 2B shows a front view of the pair of supports installed on the car body;

[028] Figure 2C illustrates a side view of the pair of supports installed on the car body;

[029] Figure 3A represents a perspective view of the pair of supports that make up the system installed on the trunk lid;

[030] Figure 3B shows a front view of the pair of supports installed on the trunk lid; Petition 870250099332, dated 10 / 30 / 2025, page 10 / 22 / 9

[031] Figure 3C illustrates a side view of the pair of supports installed on the lid of; and

[032] Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the set of supports installed on the body and trunk with respective gas shock absorber. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[033] The present invention patent refers to “AUXILIARY SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR ARMORED TRUNK LIDS”, an auxiliary system (100) for supporting the lids (TP) of armored trunks (PM) of various vehicles.

[034] According to the present invention, said auxiliary system (100) comprises a modular kit composed of four structural supports (110) / (120) made of stainless steel, one pair of supports (110) configured to be fixed to the vehicle body (CR), and one pair of supports (120) configured to be coupled to the lid (TP) of the armored trunk (PM), both receiving gas shock absorbers (130).

[035] Each structural support (110) and (120) comprises a plate (111) / (121) provided with a spherical pin (112) / (122) compatible with the quick-release ends of the gas shock absorbers (130) used in trunk lids (TP). Preferably, the plate (111) of the support (110) for fixing to the body (CR) has an oblong portion (111A) that develops into a rectangular extension (111B), both provided with cutouts, one oblique cutout (111C) made in the oblong portion (111A) and another rectangular cutout (111D) made in the rectangular extension (111B) for the passage of fixing screws (not illustrated).

[036] The plates (121) that make up the pair of supports (120) configured to be coupled to the cover (TP) have a rectangular shape with a slight extreme angle (121A) and a pair of holes (121B) made close to the Petition 870250099332, dated 10 / 30 / 2025, page 11 / 22 / 9 ends of the plate (121) and where fixing screws are attached (not illustrated).

[037] The four supports (110) / (120) together form two pairs of anchor points (PA1) and (PA2) for the gas shock absorbers (130) selected and sized according to the vehicle model and the additional weight of the armor installed on the trunk lid (PM), which are complementary to the vehicle's original shock absorbers (AM). The gas shock absorber (130) may have a variable load, which is defined based on a calculation of the total weight of the armored lid (TP), the desired opening angle and the force required to keep the lid open safely.

[038] The attachment of the brackets (110) / (120) to the body (CR) is preferably carried out using existing screws (PF) or original vehicle attachment points, avoiding the need for additional drilling or welding. The brackets (120) are attached to the trunk lid (TP) using, similarly, existing attachment points or specific adapters for each vehicle model, ensuring structural integrity and reversibility of the installation.

[039] The gas shock absorber (130) used in the system is of the conventional type, consisting of a cylinder pressurized with nitrogen and oil, a steel rod and quick-release terminals compatible with the ball pins (112) / (122) of the supports (130). The selection of the shock absorber (130) is carried out in order to complement the force of the original shock absorbers, without the need for replacement, structural reinforcement or alteration of the vehicle's factory parts.

[040] All metal components of the kit, including brackets (110) / (120), ball pins (112) / (122) and any screws or washers, are surface prepared (degreasing, phosphating or sandblasting) and finished with semi-gloss black electrostatic paint. This finish Petition 870250099332, dated 10 / 30 / 2025, page 12 / 22 / 9, provides not only additional corrosion resistance, but also a discreet appearance compatible with the aesthetic standard of automotive luggage compartments.

[041] The system installation (100) is carried out without the need for special tools, and can be performed by a qualified professional in armor plating or automotive maintenance workshops. The process consists of fixing the supports (110) at the appropriate points on the body (CR), attaching the supports (1120) to the trunk lid (TP), fitting the gas shock absorbers (130) onto the ball pins (112) / (122) and performing opening and closing tests to verify proper operation.

[042] It is understood that when the present invention is put into practice, modifications may be introduced with regard to certain details of construction and form, without departing from the fundamental principles that are clearly substantiated in the claims, it being understood that the terminology used was not intended to be limiting.

Claims

1) “AUXILIARY SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR ARMORED TRUNK LIDS”, an auxiliary system (100) for supporting the lids (TP) of armored trunks (PM) of various vehicles; characterized by comprising a modular kit composed of four structural supports (110) / (120) made of stainless steel, each support (110) / (120) having a spherical pin (112) / (122) compatible with the quick-release ends of the gas shock absorbers (130), with one pair of supports (110) fixed to the vehicle body (CR), and one pair of supports (120) attached to the lid (TP) of the armored trunk (PM); the four supports (110) / (120) together form two pairs of anchor points (PA1) and (PA2) for the gas shock absorbers (130) whose dimensions and load are selected according to the vehicle model and the weight of the armor, which are complementary to the vehicle's original shock absorbers (AM);All metal components undergo surface preparation and finishing with semi-gloss black electrostatic paint. 2) “AUXILIARY SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR ARMORED TRUNK LIDS”, according to claim 1, characterized in that each structural support (110) comprises a plate (111) provided with a spherical pin (112) formed by an oblong portion (111A) that develops into a rectangular extension (111B), both provided with cutouts, one oblique cutout (111C) made in the oblong portion (111A) and another rectangular cutout (111D) made in the rectangular extension (111B). 3) “AUXILIARY SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR ARMORED TRUNK LIDS”, according to claim 1, characterized in that each support (120) comprises a plate (121) provided with a spherical pin (122), the plate (121) having a rectangular shape and a slight extreme angle (121A) provided with a pair of holes (121B) made near the ends. Petition 870250099332, dated 10 / 30 / 2025, page 14 / 22 2 / 2 4) “AUXILIARY SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR ARMORED TRUNK LIDS”, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that all metal components receive surface treatment for additional resistance to corrosion and wear.

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