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:
Aug. 08, 2000
Filed:
Sep. 20, 1999
Zlatko B Stojkovic, Brownstown, MI (US);
Larry M Storinsky, Rochester Hills, MI (US);
Jim Neubacher, Howell, MI (US);
Daryl L Rothamer, Livonia, MI (US);
Thomas Weber, Birmingham, MI (US);
Don Johnson, Monroe, MI (US);
John D Dredge, Livonia, MI (US);
Brad DiTomaso, Windsor, CA;
Chrysler Corporation, Auburn Hills, MI (US);
Abstract
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.