Fca US LLC

Vinaya Sridhar

Robert J Gibbs

Christopher J Duke

Christopher J Sytek

Clifford L Eberle, Jr

David R Parks

Eric Ghoukasian

Richard R Sukhdeo

Paul A Steffes

Vivek V Kirtane

Vinayak D Gadre

A vehicle tailgate () has a frame () with a cross beam () and a pair of side beams (). One side beam () extends from each end of the cross beam (). A first metal tapping plate () is secured with the cross beam (). At least one elongated tang () is positioned between the body () and each tab (). A clevis bracket () is positioned on the side beams (). An overmolded () material is on the shaft () and the two heads () of the striker (). The wedges (), on the clevis bracket (), aligns the clevis bracket () with the striker (). A second tapping plate () is secured to the sheet metal.

Vehicle tailgate

A pivot bracket assembly having a pivot bracket configured to be fixed between a tailgate and a vehicle body. A pivot pin extends through the through-hole of the pivot bracket, and includes a first end configured to be attached to the tailgate and a second end. A pivot arm includes an aperture configured for receipt of the second end of the pivot pin, and a portion configured to be coupled to the vehicle body. A bushing assembly including a sleeve and at least one bushing positioned within the sleeve is positioned within the through-hole of the pivot bracket and the pivot pin extends through the sleeve and the bushing, wherein a debris mitigation cover is positioned between the pivot arm and the pivot bracket that is configured to minimize dust and/or debris from entering the bushing assembly.

Pivot bracket debris mitigation cover

Growing community of inventors

Auburn Hills, MI, United States of America

Vinaya Sridhar