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. 08, 2012
Filed:
Sep. 16, 2009
Christopher John Kuntze, Clarkston, MI (US);
Steve Giles, Troy, MI (US);
Daniel V. Beckley, Byron, MI (US);
Jason Fulcher, Royal Oak, MI (US);
Ben Reginella, Bradford, CA;
Timothy F. O'brien, White Lake, MI (US);
Christopher John Kuntze, Clarkston, MI (US);
Steve Giles, Troy, MI (US);
Daniel V. Beckley, Byron, MI (US);
Jason Fulcher, Royal Oak, MI (US);
Ben Reginella, Bradford, CA;
Timothy F. O'Brien, White Lake, MI (US);
Magna International Inc., Aurora, Ontario, CA;
Abstract
A THIXOMOLDING™ process and a die are utilized to fabricate a hinge assembly for moving a step on a motor vehicle between a stowed position and a deployed position. The hinge assembly includes a rail bracket fixedly secured to the vehicle and including inner and outer bushings insert molded therein. A step bracket includes inner and outer bushings insert molded therein. The step is fixedly secured to the step bracket. An inner arm includes upper and lower pivot shafts insert molded therein. The upper and lower pivot shafts protrude from the inner arm and are pivotally disposed in the inner bushings of the rail and step brackets, respectively. An outer arm includes upper and lower pivot shafts insert molded therein. The upper and lower pivot shafts protrude from the outer arm and are pivotally disposed in the outer bushings of the rail and step brackets, respectively.