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:
Nov. 21, 2017
Filed:
Sep. 25, 2015
Hi-lex Controls, Inc., Rochester Hills, MI (US);
John M. Heiberger, Grand Blanc, MI (US);
Kevin Koneval, Macomb Township, MI (US);
Fred Eberle, Lake Orion, MI (US);
Eric Thomas, Clinton Township, MI (US);
Stephen J. Brinck, Rochester Hills, MI (US);
HI-LEX CONTROLS INC., Rochester Hills, MI (US);
Abstract
An actuator for opening and closing a hinged device is provided. In particular, the actuator is a power tailgate actuator. The actuator comprises a motor with a rotor, and an output shaft that rotates on an axis which is substantially parallel to the axis on which lies the rotor of the motor. The actuator has a rotary position sensor such as a rotary potentiometer which positively identifies the position of the tailgate. The tailgate also comprises a clutch which can engage and disengage depending on the mode of operation.