Land vehicles: bodies and tops – Bodies – Door or window with specified vehicle feature
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-16
2001-04-24
Pape, Joseph D. (Department: 3612)
Land vehicles: bodies and tops
Bodies
Door or window with specified vehicle feature
C296S146800, C296S051000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06220649
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field
The present invention generally pertains to motor vehicles. More particular, the present invention pertains to a closure panel assembly for a motor vehicle. More specifically, but without restriction to the particular embodiment and/or use which is shown and described for purposes of illustration, the present invention relates to a closure panel assembly for a motor vehicle having an upper member and a lower member. In a first mode of closure panel assembly operation, the upper and lower members are rigidly interconnected and the closure panel assembly is permitted to pivot about an upper pivot axis adjacent an upper edge of the upper member. In a second mode, the upper and lower members are free to move relative to one another. The upper member is permitted to independently pivot about the upper pivot axis. The lower member is permitted to independently pivot about a lower pivot axis adjacent a lower edge of the lower member.
2. Discussion
Motor vehicles such as minivans, sport utility vehicle, station wagons and the like define a rear opening which is accessible through a closure panel. In minivans, for example, the closure panel is typically a liftgate mounted to the vehicle body for articulation about an upper pivot axis. With sport utility vehicles and station wagons, the closure panel is typically a tailgate mounted to the body of the vehicle for articulation about a lower pivot axis. Such vehicles frequently incorporate a glass panel which cooperates with the tailgate to close the rear opening and which may be independently articulated about an upper pivot axis.
A need exists in the relevant art for a closure panel which may selectively function in a manner similar to a conventional liftgate or in a manner similar to a conventional tailgate.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is a general object of the present invention to provide a closure panel assembly for a motor vehicle which functions in various modes depending on user preference.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a closure panel assembly for a motor vehicle including an upper member and a lower member operative in a first mode in which the lower member may be rigidly coupled to the upper member for common rotation about upper hinges and operative in a second mode in which the lower member may be independently rotated about lower hinges.
In one form, the present invention provides a closure panel assembly for providing access through an opening in a body of a motor vehicle. The closure panel assembly includes an upper member and a lower member. The upper member is adapted to be coupled to a body of the motor vehicle adjacent an upper edge of the opening for articulation about an upper pivot axis. The lower member is adapted to be removably, rotatably coupled to the upper member and rotatably coupled to the body of the motor vehicle adjacent a lower edge of the opening for articulation about a lower pivot axis. Additionally, the lower member is rigidly coupled to the upper member allowing for rotation of both upper and lower member components about an upper pivot axis.
In another form, the present invention provides additional benefits and advantages which will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which this invention relates from a reading of the subsequent description of the preferred embodiment and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
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DaimlerChrysler Corporation
Fuller III Roland A.
Pape Joseph D.
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