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:
Mar. 10, 2009
Filed:
Mar. 16, 2007
Ryan T. Anderson, Grand Rapids, MI (US);
Glen R. Wilkinson, Iii, Paw Paw, MI (US);
Rainer Knapp, Oxford, MI (US);
Paul N. Wise, Novi, MI (US);
Ryan T. Anderson, Grand Rapids, MI (US);
Glen R. Wilkinson, III, Paw Paw, MI (US);
Rainer Knapp, Oxford, MI (US);
Paul N. Wise, Novi, MI (US);
Suspa Incorporated, Grand Rapids, MI (US);
Abstract
A spring assist raising assembly includes a pivot pin with a noncircular cross section which is mounted to either a pivoted panel, such as a tailgate, or a stationary member, such as a vehicle body adjacent the tailgate. A spring-loaded rotatable socket is rotatably mounted to the other of the panel or member section and is keyed to receive the pivot pin and rotate with the rotation of the tailgate by such interconnection. The socket is coupled to a spiral torsion spring, in one embodiment of the invention, such that, as the panel or tailgate is lowered, the spiral torsion spring is loaded to provide a restorative force for assisting in the raising of the panel or tailgate.