DECKLID HINGE FOR VEHICLE

• US 20030217436A1
• Filed: 05/21/2002
• Published: 11/27/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/21/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: General Motors Corporation (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Esch, Glenn J., Chamberlain, Carl E., Ajilore, Akin O., Hashim, Waqar
• Granted Patent: US 6,701,574 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 16/286
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 3/145 specially adapted for vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 1/1276 for counterbalancing
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/548 Trunk lids

Abstract

A decklid hinge is provided for a rear compartment of a vehicle. The decklid hinge includes a body side strap adapted to be connected to a vehicle body of the vehicle. The decklid hinge also includes a decklid side strap adapted to be connected to a decklid for closing a recess of the rear compartment. The decklid hinge includes a first link interconnecting the body side strap and the decklid strap for allowing rotation therebetween. The decklid hinge also includes a second link interconnecting the body side strap and the decklid strap for guiding pivoting action of the hinge along a predefined path. The decklid hinge further includes a counterbalance spring interconnecting the body side strap and the decklid strap to counterbalance a weight of the decklid in an open position.

Claims

1. A decklid hinge for a decklid on a rear compartment of a vehicle comprising:

a body side strap adapted to be connected to a vehicle body of the vehicle;

a decklid side strap adapted to be connected to the decklid for closing a recess of the rear compartment;

a first link interconnecting said body side strap and said decklid strap for allowing rotation therebetween;

a second link interconnecting said body side strap and said decklid strap for guiding pivoting action of the hinge along a predefined path; and

a counterbalance spring interconnecting said body side strap and said decklid strap to counterbalance a weight of the decklid in an open position.

2. A decklid hinge as set forth in claim 1 wherein said second link comprises a third link pivotally connected to said decklid strap.

3. A decklid hinge as set forth in claim 2 wherein said second link further comprises a fourth link pivotally connected to said third link and pivotally connected to said body side strap.

4. A decklid hinge as set forth in claim 3 including a fastener for removably fastening said third link and said fourth link together to rotate as a unit.

5. A decklid hinge as set forth in claim 1 including a pop and hang link pivotally connected to said first link.

6. A decklid hinge as set forth in claim 5 wherein said counterbalance spring has one end connected to said pop and hang link and another end connected to said body side strap.

7. A decklid hinge as set forth in claim 1 wherein said counterbalance spring is of a coil type.

8. A decklid hinge as set forth in claim 1 including a spring cover having a first end connected to said body side strap and a second end disposed about and connected to said counterbalance spring.

9. A decklid hinge as set forth in claim 1 including fasteners for fastening said body side strap to the vehicle body and said decklid side strap to the decklid.

10. A decklid hinge as set forth in claim 1 including fasteners for fastening said first link to a forward end of said body side strap and said decklid side strap.

11. A decklid hinge for a rear compartment of a vehicle comprising:

a body side strap adapted to be connected to a vehicle body of the vehicle;

a decklid side strap adapted to be connected to a decklid for closing a recess of the rear compartment;

a first link interconnecting said body side strap and said decklid strap for allowing rotation therebetween;

a second link interconnecting said body side strap and said decklid strap for guiding pivoting action of the hinge along a predefined path;

a pop and hang link pivotally connected to said first link; and

a counterbalance spring interconnecting said pop and hang link and said decklid strap to counterbalance a weight of the decklid in an open position.

12. A decklid hinge as set forth in claim 11 wherein said second link comprises a third link pivotally connected to said decklid strap.

13. A decklid hinge as set forth in claim 12 wherein said second link further comprises a fourth link pivotally connected to said third link and pivotally connected to said body side strap.

14. A decklid hinge as set forth in claim 13 including a fastener for removably fastening said third link and said fourth link together to rotate as a unit.

15. A decklid hinge as set forth in claim 11 wherein said counterbalance spring has one end connected to said pop and hang link and another end connected to said body side strap.

16. A decklid hinge as set forth in claim 11 wherein said counterbalance spring is of a coil type.

17. A decklid hinge as set forth in claim 11 including a spring cover having a first end connected to said body side strap and a second end disposed about and connected to said counterbalance spring.

18. A decklid hinge as set forth in claim 11 including fasteners for fastening said body side strap to the vehicle body and said decklid side strap to the decklid.

19. A decklid hinge as set forth in claim 11 including fasteners for fastening said first link to a forward end of said body side strap and said decklid side strap.

20. A rear compartment of a vehicle comprising:

a vehicle body having a recess formed therein;

a decklid for opening and closing said recess; and

at least one decklid hinge interconnecting said vehicle body and said decklid, said at least one decklid hinge comprising a body side strap connected to said vehicle body, a decklid side strap connected to said decklid, a first link interconnecting said body side strap and said decklid strap for allowing rotation therebetween, a second link interconnecting said body side strap and said decklid strap for guiding pivoting action of said hinge along a predefined path, and a counterbalance spring interconnecting said body side strap and said decklid strap to counterbalance a weight of said decklid in an open position.