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:
Dec. 23, 2003
Filed:
Feb. 11, 2002
Christina R. Hyslop, Fort Wayne, IN (US);
Charles M. Bivens, Fort Wayne, IN (US);
International Truck Intellectual Property Company, LLC, Warrenville, IL (US);
Abstract
A hood latch, hood and vehicle-mounting component that provide improved durability and aerodynamic properties as well as access to an under hood area. The latch is a two-part component. The latch is mounted under the hood and is only exposed where it latches to the latch catch on the vehicle-mounting component. The vehicle-mounting component can be engaged to the body of the vehicle or to the chassis of the vehicle. One vehicle-mounting component may be a fender extension. The latch is mounted to an underside of the hood and hence there is overlap of the hood over a portion of the latch. The latch catch may be mounted in a channel formed in the vehicle mounting-component. This design protects the latch from road debris and prevents snow and mud buildup in the latch area. This makes it less difficult for the operator or maintainer to access to open the hood. The mounting of the strap under the hood reduces corrosion to the latch hardware that allows for improved serviceability and longer lasting hardware.