Ford Global Technolgoies, LLC

Dave Spink

Daniel Trentin

Michael Neumann

An armrest console includes an armrest, a fixed gear coupled to a top of a storage compartment in the armrest console, an elevating gear coupled to the armrest; a dampener gear engaged with the elevating gear and the fixed gear, and a gear connector to receive the elevating gear and the dampener gear. When the armrest is rotated about an axis of the elevating gear in a counterclockwise direction to open, the elevating gear is rotated in the counterclockwise direction and the dampener gear is rotated in a clockwise direction and both the elevating gear and the dampener gear are rotated about an axis of the fixed gear, and wherein the elevating gear and the dampener gear are moved up at a height direction when the armrest is rotated to open.

Hinge mechanism and armrest console including hinge mechanism

A hinge to removably mount a tailgate to a vehicle is provided. The hinge comprises a tailgate leaf connected to a tailgate and a body leaf connected to the box of the vehicle. The tailgate leaf is attached to the slider through a hinge pivot. The body leaf has a first chamber in which a slider can be locked and unlocked through a locking mechanism in the second chamber. The locking mechanism comprises a locking wedge, a threaded shaft, and a cam lever to operate the locking wedge without the requirement of a tool.

Hinge for a removable tailgate

A hinge assembly comprises a link arm; a first pivot connected to a door leaf and the link arm; a second pivot parallel, distant to the first pivot, and connected to a body leaf and the link arm; a first gear attached to the first pivot; a second gear attached to the second pivot; and an idler gear engaging the first and second gears at a plane substantially perpendicular to the first pivot.

Dual pivot hinge assemblies

Dual pivoting laterally translating hinges that attach between a stationary first substrate such as a vehicle body, and a rotating second substrate such as a vehicle door, and extend laterally when the second substrate is rotated. In some examples, the hinges include a knuckle and leadscrew mechanism that changes the hinge geometry when the second substrate is rotated, causing the leadscrew to rotate by either a set of gears or a rack and pinion. In some further examples, the hinges include a jackscrew that changes length as the second substrate is rotated, causing the hinge to extent laterally.

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Jan Juc, Australia

Dave Spink