Error proof anti-chucking wedge assembly

• US 7,014,258 B2
• Filed: 09/08/2004
• Issued: 03/21/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/18/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Newfrey Llc (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Newfrey Llc (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Inventors: Schubring, Gary L., Mokashi, Girishsingh A., Miller, Rex A., Meyers, Jason A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel, Kiran B.
• Application Number:
  US10/935,999
• Publication Number:
  US 20050060867A1
• Time in Patent Office: 559 Days
• Field of Search: 296/207
• US Class Current: 296/207
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 5/10 arranged at the vehicle rear B60J5/04 takes precedence ; bonnets or lids B62D25/10; tail gates for pick-up trucks B62D33/0273; counterbalancing E05F; springs, e.g. pneumatic F16F
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 7/04 Arrangements affording protection against rattling with buffering action E05F5/00
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/546 Tailboards, tailgates or sideboards opening upwards
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49963 Threaded fastener
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/1047 Closure
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/68 Keepers

Abstract

A vehicle error proof anti-chucking wedge assembly includes members having at least a first and optionally a second pin extending from an engagement side. The pins are positioned to limit installation of a right handed component to a first mating surface and a left handed component to a second mating surface of vehicle structure.

Claims

1. A vehicle door wedge device, comprising:

a plurality of wedge device components individually defined as one of a support plate and a striker body and further distinguishable as one of a left handed type and a right handed type, each of the components having a support rib operable to contact a vehicle and an opposed wedge engagement surface, the wedge engagement surface being angularly oriented with respect to the support rib; and

at least a first pin extendable beyond each support rib;

wherein the first pin is selectively positionable to limit installation of the left handed type to one of a left support post and a first mounting area and to limit installation of the right handed type to one of a right handed post and a second mounting area of the vehicle.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein each support plate further includes a wedge retained in slidable contact with the wedge engagement surface.

3. The device of claim 2, further comprising a biasing element connected to the wedge and operable to bias the wedge.

4. The device of claim 2, wherein the wedge further comprises a dampened wedge having opposing first and second deflectable portions.

5. The device of claim 2, wherein the wedge contact surface of each striker body includes a substantially continuous planar surface.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the left handed type of the striker body is fastened to the left support post and the right handed type of the striker body is fastened to the right support post of the vehicle.

7. The device of claim 6, further comprising:

an assembly having the support plate and the striker body frictionally connected by the wedge between one of the support posts and one of the mounting areas proximate to the support post;

wherein the wedge is slidably engaged between corresponding ones of the wedge engagement surfaces.

8. The device of claim 1, further comprising:

at least one fastener aperture created in each device component;

wherein the first pin defines an anti-rotation device when a fastener inserted through the fastener aperture is engaged with the vehicle.

9. A vehicle door wedge and striker assembly for an automobile vehicle, comprising:

at least two wedge assemblies formed as each of a left handed wedge assembly and a right handed wedge assembly;

a slide slidably connected to each wedge assembly;

a biasing device operably joining the slide to each wedge assembly;

at least two striker bodies distinguished as one of a left handed striker body and a right handed striker body; and

each of the wedge assemblies and striker bodies including at least one projection selectively positioned to differentiate the left handed wedge assembly from the right handed wedge assembly, and the left handed striker body from the right handed striker body.

10. The assembly of claim 9, wherein one each of the left handed wedge assembly and the left handed striker body operably form a left handed wedge and striker assembly, and one each of the right handed wedge assembly and the right handed striker body operably form a right handed wedge and striker assembly.

11. The assembly of claim 10, comprising one left handed wedge and striker assembly and one right handed wedge and striker assembly adapted for connection between each of a pair of opposed sides of the vehicle.

12. The assembly of claim 9, wherein a cross sectional shape of the projection of each of the wedge assemblies is substantially circular.

13. The assembly of claim 12, wherein a size of the projection of each of the wedge assemblies is adaptable to matingly engage within a circular aperture provided in a striker mating region of a door of the vehicle.

14. The assembly of claim 9, wherein a cross sectional shape of the projection of each striker body is substantially rectangular.

15. The assembly of claim 14, wherein a size of the projection of each striker body is adaptable to matingly engage within a rectangular aperture provided in a striker mating region of the vehicle.

16. The assembly of claim 15, wherein the projection of each striker body mates with an inside corner of the corresponding rectangular aperture to operably limit striker body rotation.