Vehicle body with powered lift type tailgate

• US RE36,267 E
• Filed: 09/11/1997
• Issued: 08/17/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 08/18/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC (Stellantis NV)
• Original Assignee: Chrysler Corporation (Stellantis NV)
• Inventors: Moore, Thomas S., Kowall, David J., DeRees, Delbert D.
• Primary Examiner(s): REDMAN, JERRY E
• Application Number:
  US08/927,759
• Time in Patent Office: 705 Days
• Field of Search: 49/339, 49/340, 49/341, 49/26, 49/28, 49/324, 49/139, 49/140, 49/245, 49/246, 49/247
• US Class Current: 49/340
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 1/1091 with a gas spring E05F1/1292 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/40 Safety devices, e.g. detection of obstructions or end positions
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/41 Detection by monitoring transmitted force or torque E05F15/48 takes precedence; Safety couplings with activation dependent upon torque or force, e.g. slip couplings
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/611 for swinging wings
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/63 operated by swinging arms
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/236 using force or torque
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2800/11 Manual wing operation
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/546 Tailgates

Abstract

A tailgate is hinged to a passenger van type vehicle body above a substantially vertical rear access opening for swinging movement about a horizontal hinge axis. The tailgate is counterbalanced through its range of movement by spring devices and is opened and closed by a powered actuator mounted on a rear vehicle body pillar. The actuator includes a reversible electric motor driving a worm shaft that drives a worm gear to pivot a crankarm about an axis parallel to the hinge axis. A roller mounted on the crankarm is received in a guide channel that is fixed to the tailgate and extends at right angles to the hinge axis with the pivoting movement of the crankarm thereby translated into swinging tailgate opening and closing movement. The motor is connected with torque sensing circuitry that detects an excessive motor torque demand when the tailgate encounters an obstacle and stops the motor. A normally engaged clutch maintains drive connection between the worm gear and the crankarm to effect normal tailgate opening and closing by the motor and slips to allow manually applied force on the tailgate to open and close same when the motor is not operating.

Claims