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. 16, 2007
Filed:
Sep. 01, 2005
Donald Mossom Austin, Perkinsfield, CA;
Donald Mossom Austin, Perkinsfield, CA;
M&C Corporation, Sterling Heights, MI (US);
Abstract
A torque rod-based counterbalancing hinge assembly includes a first assembly for securing the torque rod to one side of vehicle's body and supporting the tailgate to the same side of the vehicle's body, and a second assembly for supporting the other end of the tailgate to the other side of the vehicle's body. The first assembly includes a body bracket with an elongated key slot that receives an elongated key of a pivot coupling having an opening for receiving a first end of the torque rod. A retainer assembly including a one-piece construction retainer block receives and secures to the tailgate a second end of the torque rod, so that it twists as the tailgate is rotated. The retainer block has the structural strength necessary to restrain without failing the torque rod as it is twisted and subjected to a torsional force in response to the rotation of the tailgate.