Support arm
DCFirst Claim
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1. A support arm comprising:
- a first link comprising a first pivotable mounting element having a first pivot axis, the first link being pivotable about the first pivot axis;
a second link comprising a second pivotable mounting element having a second pivot axis;
a pivot interconnecting the first and second links, the pivot having a third pivot axis, the first and third pivot axes being substantially parallel, the first and third pivot axes being spaced apart;
a biasing element secured to the first link at a first joint and to the second link at a second joint;
said first and second joints disposed on opposite sides of a plane extending between the third pivot axis and the second pivot axis, the second and third axes lying in the planewherein a longitudinal central axis of at least one segment of each of the first link, second link and a substantial portion of the biasing element are aligned with respective first, second and third planes, wherein the first, second and third planes are parallel to one another, non-intersecting, and perpendicular to the third pivot axis, and wherein the substantial portion of the biasing element is disposed intermediate the first and second planes.
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Abstract
A support arm includes first and second links that are interconnected at a pivot. A gas spring is mounted to the first and second links such that the gas spring is disposed between the links and it biases the links to an extended position. The support arm can be used to support the hinged lid for a pickup truck bed.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. A support arm comprising:
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a first link comprising a first pivotable mounting element having a first pivot axis, the first link being pivotable about the first pivot axis; a second link comprising a second pivotable mounting element having a second pivot axis; a pivot interconnecting the first and second links, the pivot having a third pivot axis, the first and third pivot axes being substantially parallel, the first and third pivot axes being spaced apart; a biasing element secured to the first link at a first joint and to the second link at a second joint; said first and second joints disposed on opposite sides of a plane extending between the third pivot axis and the second pivot axis, the second and third axes lying in the plane wherein a longitudinal central axis of at least one segment of each of the first link, second link and a substantial portion of the biasing element are aligned with respective first, second and third planes, wherein the first, second and third planes are parallel to one another, non-intersecting, and perpendicular to the third pivot axis, and wherein the substantial portion of the biasing element is disposed intermediate the first and second planes. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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2. A support arm comprising:
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a first link comprising a first pivotable mounting element having a first pivot axis, the first link being pivotable about the first pivot axis; a second link comprising a second pivotable mounting element having a second pivot axis; a pivot interconnecting the first and second links, the pivot having a third pivot axis, the first and third pivot axes being substantially parallel, the first and third pivot axes being spaced apart; a biasing element secured to the first link at the first pivotable mounting element and to the second link at a second joint; said second joint disposed on the second link intermediate the pivot and the second pivotable mounting element wherein a longitudinal central axis of at least one segment of each of the first link, second link and a substantial portion of the biasing element are aligned with respective first, second and third planes, wherein the first, second and third planes are parallel to one another, non-intersecting, and perpendicular to the third pivot axis, and wherein the substantial portion of the biasing element is disposed intermediate the first and second planes.
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Specification