Counterbalance mechanism for a removable tailgate

Details Counterbalance mechanism for a removable tailgate Counterbalance mechanism for a removable tailgate

1993-11-22

1994-10-25

Pedder, Dennis H.

Land vehicles: bodies and tops

Bodies

Door or window with specified vehicle feature

296 59, 16 75, 16308, 49386, 49389, B62D 33033

Patent

active

053583019

ABSTRACT:
According to the invention, a closure panel, such as a tailgate, is removably connected to a vehicle body for pivotal movement about a hinge axis. The panel may be removably lifted from the vehicle body when the panel is pivoted to a panel removal position. A torque rod counterbalance spring is carried by the panel and includes an elongated portion extending between a crank end anchored to the panel for pivotal movement therewith and a stationary end. A support device is anchored to the vehicle body and captures the stationary end of the torque rod to restrain its pivotal movement so that the torque rod is torsionally wound when the panel is pivoted away from the panel removal position to provide a counterbalance force for continuously urging the panel towards the panel removal position. The torque rod is completely unwound when the panel is pivoted to the panel removal position. The support device captures the stationary end by a releasable slip-fitted connection therewith so that the stationary end is released from the support means when the panel is removably lifted from the vehicle body. The torque rod and support device cooperatively provide a counterbalance effort to assist with pivotal movement of the panel and to permit facile removal of the panel and the torque rod from the vehicle body.

REFERENCES:
patent: 2984517 (1961-05-01), Farrow et al.
patent: 3490175 (1970-01-01), Romberg
patent: 4143904 (1979-03-01), Cooper et al.
patent: 4701977 (1987-10-01), Hori et al.
patent: 5039154 (1991-08-01), Lewis
Research Disclosure Publication, Oct. 1992, p. 797, No. 342101, entitled "Counter Balance Mechanism for a Removable Tailgate".

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