Land vehicles: bodies and tops – Bodies – Door or window with specified vehicle feature
Reexamination Certificate
2001-04-09
2002-05-07
Patel, Ken (Department: 3612)
Land vehicles: bodies and tops
Bodies
Door or window with specified vehicle feature
C296S076000, C296S107080, C016S298000, C016S364000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06382704
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The invention relates to a hinge assembly for precision mounting a rear closure panel to a body of a vehicle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is known that automotive vehicles typically include a rear closure panel hingedly attached to the body of the vehicle. For aesthetics and to assure proper sealing of the rear closure panel, the rear closure panel requires a precise fit, both as to gap spacing and flushness of the panel relative to adjacent panels. It is known to design rear closure panels having adjustable hinges with adjustability in a single direction, selected from fore-aft, cross-vehicle, or up-down. However, there is a need for an improved hinge assembly that has multiple degrees of freedom for adjustment and which will facilitate assembly and adjustment of rear closure panels on vehicles.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention provides a hinge assembly that adjustably attaches a closure panel to a body of an automotive vehicle. The assembly includes a first bracket having a first rounded surface and a second bracket having a second rounded surface. The first surface is generally orthogonal to the second surface. The first surface includes a first opening, and the second surface includes a second opening. A generally elongated hinge strap extends between a first end portion and a second end portion of the hinge strap wherein the second end is attached to the vehicle using a ball and socket joint. The first end portion includes a first generally flat attachment surface generally orthogonal to a second generally flat attachment surface and the hinge strap is attached to the first and second brackets in a manner which allows the rounded surfaces to be selectively rotated relative to the attachment surfaces.
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Bargitt Laura C.
General Motors Corporation
Patel Ken
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