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. 05, 2008
Filed:
Oct. 31, 2007
Richard Eschebach, Grosse Pointe Shores, MI (US);
William Bowes, Macomb, MI (US);
Nandkumar Rangnekar, Stering Heights, MI (US);
Rahul Joshi, Farmington Hills, MI (US);
Robert Gaines, Waterford, MI (US);
Richard Eschebach, Grosse Pointe Shores, MI (US);
William Bowes, Macomb, MI (US);
Nandkumar Rangnekar, Stering Heights, MI (US);
Rahul Joshi, Farmington Hills, MI (US);
Robert Gaines, Waterford, MI (US);
Nissan Technical Center North America, Inc., , MI (US);
Abstract
A vehicle tailgate lift assist support structure is provided with a rear end structure, a tailgate pivotally coupled to the rear end structure, and a lift assist device connected between the rear end structure and the tailgate. The rear end structure includes a first wall, a hinge plate having a plate portion disposed on an inboard side of the first wall portion and a pivot bearing sleeve extending from the plate portion through an opening of the first wall, and a nut plate disposed on an outboard side of the first wall and coupled to the hinge plate. A bellcrank arm is provided that has a first end attached to the tailgate and a second end offset from a tailgate pivot axis. The first end extends through the pivot bearing sleeve. The lift assist device dampens the tailgate during opening and applies a closing torque to the tailgate during closing.