Itw Limited

Jaguar Land Rover Limited

Illinois Tool Works Inc.

Jonathan Paul Anthony Cheal

Andrew Proffitt

Andrew Warburton

Bharat Jina

A power split tailgate system is provided that allows each of an upper and a lower tailgate door to be simultaneously or independently driven between open and closed positions. The tailgate system may be operated in a chauffer mode where the lower tailgate door is opened to allow for the storage of luggage and other materials and in a manner that limits exposure of the passenger compartment.

Power split tailgate system and method

A power, split tailgate system is provided that allows each of an upper and a lower tailgate door to be simultaneously or independently driven between open and closed positions. The tailgate system may be operated in a chauffer mode where the lower tailgate door is opened to allow for the storage of luggage and other materials and in a manner that limits exposure of the passenger compartment.

A hinge for a vehicle lid includes a main biasing element operable to urge the hinge into an open position, and a mechanism for assisting the initial opening of the hinge from a closed position. The mechanism includes a rotary cam engagable with another portion of the hinge to provide assistance, and a further biasing element which acts on the cam to rotate it relative to the other portion of the hinge. A lifting aid includes a main biasing element for attachment between a lid and a body, which lid is pivotally moveable towards and away from the body. The main biasing element is operable to urge the lid from a closed position relative to the body to an open position. The lifting aid further has a cam attachable to the body for relative rotation thereto and a further biasing element for attachment between the body and the cam and operable to rotate the cam relative to the body and lid. The cam is operable to assist the initial opening of the lid.

Cam-assisted lid hinge

A fastening element is adapted to cooperate with a tie member to exert a compressive force on first and second components. The fastening element has an inner portion ( ) resiliently joined to an outer portion ( ), such that when a tensile reaction force is applied to the tie member as a result of the compressive force, the reaction force causes the outer portion ( ) to be displaced relative to the inner portion ( ). The fastening element may further include a washer ( ) rotatably attached to the outer portion ( ) by a cage ( ). An indicator element for use with such a fastening element is also provided, together with a method of securing a first component to a second component by means of such a fastening element.

Fastening element

A hinge for a vehicle lid comprises a main spring means ( ) operable to urge the hinge into an open position, and a device ( ) for assisting the initial opening of the hinge, the device comprising an elongate body in which a plunger ( ) is sliceable, the plunger being engageable with the hinge, and spring means disposed in the body and acting on the plunger to urge it into an extended position. The plunger is cylindrical and is retained in a cylindrical cavity in the body by an annular fastening, the fastening being formed with one or more radially projecting ribs which engage with an annular recess at the opening of the cylindrical cavity to attach the fastening means to the body. The plunger is formed such that in the extended position disengagement of the one or more ribs from the annular recess is inhibited, preventing the plunger from forcing the fastening out of the body. A bracket extends from a wall of the body to define a slot between the member and the wall, enabling the device to be mounted upon a link of the hinge.

Vehicle lid hinge

A hinge and linkage system comprises a four-link system wherein first and second links are respectively connected to vehicle body and closure members, and an additional pair of links interconnect the first and second links. An expansible gas strut also interconnects the first and second links. In accordance with the invention, an expansible spring-biased plunger mechanism is mounted upon one of the additional links so as to operatively engage and be axially compressed by the second link and the closure member when the closure member is disposed at its latched position. When the closure member is unlatched, the spring-biased plunger mechanism initially partially elevates the closure member toward its open position whereupon the expansible gas strut can continue the elevational movement of the closure toward its open position.

Growing community of inventors

Staffordshire, United Kingdom

Jonathan Paul Anthony Cheal