The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 02, 2026
Filed:
May. 23, 2023
Ford Global Technologies, Llc, Dearborn, MI (US);
Joshua Robert Hemphill, White Lake, MI (US);
Joe Prior, Detroit, MI (US);
Raul Ezequiel Alvarez Ruiz, Estado de Mexico, MX;
Michael Shawn Watterworth, Brighton, MI (US);
Samuel Jacob Mccormick, South Lyon, MI (US);
Christopher R. Kutz, Tecumseh, MI (US);
FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC, Dearborn, MI (US);
Abstract
Hinge systems are provided for movably mounting a door subassembly to a tailgate assembly of a motor vehicle. An exemplary hinge system may include an upper hinge assembly and a lower hinge assembly. Each hinge assembly may include a gooseneck bracket that establishes a load path through the respective hinge assembly. The load path through the upper hinge assembly may be configured differently than the load path through the lower hinge assembly. The gooseneck brackets may be reinforced along the load paths in order to transfer stress loads through the stiffest portions of the gooseneck brackets during door loading events.