Chrysler Corporation

Daimlerchrysler Corporation

Trelleborg Ysh, Inc.

Thomas Weber

Zlatko B Stojkovic

Larry M Storinsky

Don Johnson

Brad DiTomaso

John D Dredge

Jim Neubacher

Daryl L Rothamer

Stephen John Lewis

Mark F Jacoby

Joseph J Savalle

Scott Featherston

An apparatus and method for positioning a latch assembly and a striker on a motor vehicle is disclosed. The apparatus is designed to improve the fit of the tailgate to the side walls or truck body. A good fit is defined as the outer surface of the tailgate and the outer surface of the side wall being coplanar when the tailgate is in the closed position. The apparatus, by way of a first formation and first locating element, determines the position of the latch assembly with respect to outer surface of the tailgate. The apparatus, by way of a second formation and second locating element, also determines the location of the striker with respect to the outer surface of the side walls. The apparatus, by way of a body member, also determines the position of the striker with respect to the latch assembly and vice versa. By setting the latch assembly and the striker by the above relations, build variances of the tailgate and of the truck body are eliminated as a possible cause for a poor fit.

Setting fixture

A tool for aligning a striker with a latch for a door on a motor vehicle includes a base member and a tool locating member positioned perpendicular to an end of the base member. The tool also includes a tool holding mechanism positioned on a front face of the tool locating member for holding the alignment tool onto the vehicle, and a striker locating arm extending outwardly from another end of the base member. The alignment tool further includes a striker lead-in at one end of the striker locating arm for positioning the striker relative to the latch, and a cross member extending between another end of the striker locating arm and the base member for receiving the latch.

Method and tool for aligning a striker with a latch

The present invention provides a device for attaching a first member to a second member which allows relative movement therebetween for positioning of the first member with respect to the second member. The present invention provides a cylindrical section having a first diameter at a first end expanding therefrom to a second diameter at a second end. A first elastic insulator surrounds the cylindrical section and laterally affixes it to the second member. The first elastic insulator is positioned between the bottom side of the first member and the top side of the second member for absorbing shock therebetween. A clip section inserted into and lockingly engaged to an internal bore of the cylindrical section. The clip section has a width to allow it to move laterally with respect to the first elastic insulator and the cylindrical section for aligning the first member and the second member. A second elastic insulator is positioned around and affixed to the clip section. The first side of the elastic insulator is positioned flush against the bottom side of the second member for absorbing shock in a direction opposite that of the first elastic insulator.

Body mounted isolator with locking feature

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Birmingham, MI, United States of America

Thomas Weber