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:
May. 24, 2005
Filed:
Nov. 08, 2002
Richard a Lenzen, Jr., White Lake Township, MI (US);
Sreedharan Venkataratnam, Troy, MI (US);
Forest Nine, Bloomfield Hills, MI (US);
Philip Kass, Taylor, MI (US);
Mark D Shafto, Commerce, MI (US);
Heinz Hentschel, Canton, MI (US);
Richard A Lenzen, Jr., White Lake Township, MI (US);
Sreedharan Venkataratnam, Troy, MI (US);
Forest Nine, Bloomfield Hills, MI (US);
Philip Kass, Taylor, MI (US);
Mark D Shafto, Commerce, MI (US);
Heinz Hentschel, Canton, MI (US);
DaimlerChrysler Corporation, Auburn Hills, MI (US);
Abstract
A tow hook mount is adapted to resist movement of the tow hook in a towing direction. The mount is also adapted to release the tow hook by allowing the tow hook to move in a direction opposite to the towing direction when contacted by a force in such direction. The tow hook is an elongated member having a towing end and a mounting end. The mounting end includes a front mount and a rear mount, each having a slot extending substantially opposite to the towing direction. In a low impact collision, the tow hook is arranged to move or break away from the automobile upon application of an impact force to the tow hook which is less than an activation force required to activate an airbag on the vehicle.