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:
Oct. 24, 2000
Filed:
Jul. 29, 1999
Frederick C Butler, Davisburg, MI (US);
Richard A Manning, Sterling Heights, MI (US);
DaimlerChrysler Corporation, Auburn Hills, MI (US);
Abstract
A drive arrangement for articulating a liftgate of a motor vehicle between an open position and a closed position under a source of power. The liftgate is mounted to a body of the motor vehicle for articulation about a horizontally extending pivot axis. The drive arrangement includes a mounting member for attachment to the body of the motor vehicle. A drive motor is attached to the mounting member. A first gear is ultimately driven by the drive motor. A crank arm is pivotally interconnected to the mounting member. The crank arm includes a second gear in meshing relationship with the first gear. The second gear is preferably a sector gear having a plurality of teeth formed on a concavely curved surface thereof. A linkage has a first end attached to the crank arm and a second end for attachment to the liftgate.