Rear spoiler mounting structure for an automatic vehicle and vehicle so equipped

• US 5,356,195 A
• Filed: 03/18/1993
• Issued: 10/18/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 03/18/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
• Original Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
• Inventors: Kanda, Kazunori
• Primary Examiner(s): Pedder, Dennis H.
• Application Number:
  US08/033,792
• Time in Patent Office: 579 Days
• Field of Search: 296/76, 296/180.1, 296/180.2, 296/189, 296/146.8, 180/903
• US Class Current: 296/180.1
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 35/007 Rear spoilers B62D35/001 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/82 Elements for improving aerodynamics

Abstract

A rear spoiler mounting structure of an automotive vehicle has a supporting frame of a back door forming a tail lift gate. A rear window glass is mounted and fixed on the supporting frame and has a pair of indented portions or cutouts provided on the right and left peripheries of the rear window glass. A rear spoiler, having a pair of mounting bases, connects with the vehicle body with the mounting bases located so as to overlay the respective indented portions or cutouts to cover them fully and completely. The mounting bases of the rear spoiler are connected to the supporting frame on opposite sides of the rear window glass.

Claims

1. A rear structure for an automotive vehicle comprising:

a back door including a lifting gate having an outer surface,

a rear window glass mounted and fixed on said outer surface,

said rear window glass in including an indentation defining on each of right and left peripheries of said rear window glass, and

a rear spoiler having a pair of mounting legs, connected with the lifting gate, and a cross bar extending between and interconnecting said mounting legs, each of said mounting legs having a mounting base formed thereon and attached directly to the lifting gate within one of said indentations, each said mounting base overlaying and covering an edge of one of said indentations.

2. A rear structure for an automotive vehicle as defined in claim 1, wherein each said mounting base comprises a portion extending inwardly of the edge and overlaying the rear window glass and a portion attached directly to said lifting gate.

3. A rear structure for an automotive vehicle as defined in claim 2, and further comprising a cushioning pad interposed between said rear window glass and one of the portions of said mounting base.

4. A rear structure for an automotive vehicle as defined in claim 2, wherein a cushioning sealing member is interposed between said rear window glass and said outer surface.

5. A rear structure for an automotive vehicle as defined in claim 2, wherein the portion attached to said lifting gate juts downwardly beyond the portion overlaying said rear window glass.

6. A rear structure for an automotive vehicle as defined in claim 2, and further comprising a tack pin fixed to each said mounting base for attachment of said portion attached to said lifting gate to said lifting gate.

7. A rear structure for an automotive vehicle as defined in claim 6, wherein said tack pin penetrates a portion of the lifting gate having a closed cross section.

8. A rear structure for an automotive vehicle as defined in claim 7, and further comprising a rear fender panel disposed adjacent the rear spoiler and extending higher than said portion of said lifting gate having said closed cross section when said back door is closed.

9. A rear structure for an automotive vehicle as defined in claim 2, and further comprising a bolt formed together with each said portion attached to said lifting gate.

10. A rear structure for an automotive vehicle as defined in claim 9, and further comprising a flange, formed on said lifting gate and extending toward outer sides of said vehicle in a transverse direction, to which each said bolt is fixed.