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:
Feb. 12, 2013
Filed:
Jul. 15, 2012
Len V. Peschansky, West Bloomfield, MI (US);
David L Von Knorring, Lapeer, MI (US);
Zhenkang LI, Rochester Hills, MI (US);
Len V. Peschansky, West Bloomfield, MI (US);
David L Von Knorring, Lapeer, MI (US);
Zhenkang Li, Rochester Hills, MI (US);
GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Detroit, MI (US);
Abstract
A collapsible tow hook for a motor vehicle includes a bracket attached to a vehicle structure and having laterally spaced side walls with first and second slots in each of the side walls. A tow loop has laterally spaced arms that straddle the spaced side walls of the bracket. First and second bolts extend through bolt holes in the laterally spaced arms and through the slots of the side walls. A retainer acts between the bracket and the first and second bolts to establish a normal upward position of the tow loop on the vehicle. The retainer yields to allow the first and second bolts to traverse the slots upon the imposition of a load on the tow loop in a direction opposite to the towing direction so that the tow loop is pivoted to a collapsed position relative to the vehicle structure.