GB2436818A - Vehicle tailgate hinged below bumper level - Google Patents
Vehicle tailgate hinged below bumper level Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2436818A GB2436818A GB0704938A GB0704938A GB2436818A GB 2436818 A GB2436818 A GB 2436818A GB 0704938 A GB0704938 A GB 0704938A GB 0704938 A GB0704938 A GB 0704938A GB 2436818 A GB2436818 A GB 2436818A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- tailgate
- vehicle
- pick
- arrangement
- truck
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 claims description 22
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
- B62D33/00—Superstructures for load-carrying vehicles
- B62D33/02—Platforms; Open load compartments
- B62D33/023—Sideboard or tailgate structures
- B62D33/027—Sideboard or tailgate structures movable
- B62D33/0273—Movable tailboards for vehicles comprising non-movable sideboards, e.g. pick-up trucks
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
- E05D—HINGES OR SUSPENSION DEVICES FOR DOORS, WINDOWS OR WINGS
- E05D5/00—Construction of single parts, e.g. the parts for attachment
- E05D5/02—Parts for attachment, e.g. flaps
- E05D5/06—Bent flaps
- E05D5/062—Bent flaps specially adapted for vehicles
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
- E05Y—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES E05D AND E05F, RELATING TO CONSTRUCTION ELEMENTS, ELECTRIC CONTROL, POWER SUPPLY, POWER SIGNAL OR TRANSMISSION, USER INTERFACES, MOUNTING OR COUPLING, DETAILS, ACCESSORIES, AUXILIARY OPERATIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, APPLICATION THEREOF
- E05Y2900/00—Application of doors, windows, wings or fittings thereof
- E05Y2900/50—Application of doors, windows, wings or fittings thereof for vehicles
- E05Y2900/516—Application of doors, windows, wings or fittings thereof for vehicles for trucks or trailers
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
- E05Y—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES E05D AND E05F, RELATING TO CONSTRUCTION ELEMENTS, ELECTRIC CONTROL, POWER SUPPLY, POWER SIGNAL OR TRANSMISSION, USER INTERFACES, MOUNTING OR COUPLING, DETAILS, ACCESSORIES, AUXILIARY OPERATIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, APPLICATION THEREOF
- E05Y2900/00—Application of doors, windows, wings or fittings thereof
- E05Y2900/50—Application of doors, windows, wings or fittings thereof for vehicles
- E05Y2900/53—Type of wing
- E05Y2900/544—Tailboards, tailgates or sideboards opening downwards
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
- E05Y—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES E05D AND E05F, RELATING TO CONSTRUCTION ELEMENTS, ELECTRIC CONTROL, POWER SUPPLY, POWER SIGNAL OR TRANSMISSION, USER INTERFACES, MOUNTING OR COUPLING, DETAILS, ACCESSORIES, AUXILIARY OPERATIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, APPLICATION THEREOF
- E05Y2900/00—Application of doors, windows, wings or fittings thereof
- E05Y2900/50—Application of doors, windows, wings or fittings thereof for vehicles
- E05Y2900/53—Type of wing
- E05Y2900/546—Tailboards, tailgates or sideboards opening upwards
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Transportation (AREA)
- Body Structure For Vehicles (AREA)
Abstract
An arrangement is provided for pivotably attaching a tailgate to the rear of a pick-up truck luggage compartment where the pick-up truck has a rear bumper with an uppermost surface above the lowermost edge of the tailgate when the tailgate is in the closed position. The means for pivotably attaching a tailgate to the rear of a pick-up truck is provided by at least one hinge 1 configured to lift the tailgate when the tailgate is pivoted from the closed to the open position, about a substantially horizontal pivoting axis so as to prevent contact between the tailgate and the upper face of the bumper prior to the tailgate opening to define a substantially horizontal loading platform level with the base of the luggage compartment.
Description
2436818
VEHICLES
The present invention relates to vehicles, and in particular to vehicles having an open compartment at the rear for transportation of goods, such as pick-up trucks.
5
In such vehicles access to the open luggage compartment is normally provided by means of a door, referred to as a "tailgate", which is hinged at its base so as to allow the tailgate to pivot about a horizontal axis between a near-horizontal configuration, in which the tailgate defines a loading platform onto which goods may be loaded prior to their being moved into position within 10 the open compartment, and a near-vertical configuration, in which the tailgate provides a rear closure to the compartment.
In such an arrangement, the loading surface of the tailgate in its open configuration is conventionally arranged to be at the same height as the base of the open compartment in order 15 that goods can be conveniently moved between the loading surface of the tailgate, when open, and the base of the open compartment.
However, bumpers are provided on vehicles at a standard level, and it is often desired that the base of the luggage compartment is at a height which would cause the pivoting of the tailgate to 20 foul the rear bumper of the vehicle.
As a result, when it is desired to provide a luggage compartment at such a height, it has not been possible for the vehicle to be provided with a bumper.
25 It would therefore be desirable to provide arrangements in which the above problem is overcome or at least mitigated.
According to the present invention there is provided an arrangement for pivotably attaching a tailgate to the rear of a pick-up truck luggage compartment wherein the pick-up truck has a rear 30 bumper with an uppermost surface above the lowermost edge of the tailgate when the tailgate is in the closed position and the means for pivotably attaching a tailgate to the rear of a pick-up truck is provided by at least one hinge configured to lift the tailgate when the tailgate is pivoted from the closed to the open position, about a substantially horizontal pivoting axis so as to prevent contact between the tailgate and the upper face of the bumper prior to the tailgate 35 opening to define a substantially horizontal loading platform level with the base of the luggage compartment.
2
With such a pivoting arrangement, it becomes possible to attach a bumper to a vehicle provided with an open luggage compartment.
5 The pivot axis is preferably at a distance from the surface of the rearward-facing surface of the tailgate, such that the base of the tailgate is caused to lift when the tailgate is pivoted from its closed to its open configuration. This enables the tailgate to provide an effective closure for the vehicle at a desired height, while still maintaining the necessary clearance for the rear bumper.
10 The tailgate is preferably arranged to pivot with respect to the compartment by means of at least one hinge mechanism which extends in a rearward direction from the tailgate. A hinge mechanism provides a convenient means by which the desired pivoting arrangement can be achieved.
15 The hinge mechanism may comprise a base, by which it is fixed to the vehicle in use and which is stationary relative to the main body of the vehicle, and an arm arranged to pivot with respect to the base, the arm comprising a first portion which extends from the pivot axis to an elbow and a second portion attached to the elbow and to which the tailgate is fixed in use. In this case, the second portion of the arm is preferably generally planar. This enables the tailgate to be
20 effectively attached to the second portion.
The invention extends to such a hinge mechanism.
The compartment may be provided with a base, and the loading surface is preferably at
25 substantially the same height at the base. The loading surface is advantageously substantially horizontal.
The invention further extends to a vehicle provided with an arrangement of the above type.
30 Preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figures 1 to 6 are different views of the hinge mechanism for use in preferred embodiments of the present invention;
Figures 7 and 8 illustrate the hinge mechanism when attached to a tailgate frame;
35 Figures 9 to 11 illustrate the hinge mechanism when attached to both a tailgate frame and a vehicle body when the tailgate is in the closed configuration;
3
Figures 12 to 14 illustrate the hinge mechanism when attached to both a tailgate and a vehicle body when the tailgate is in the open configuration; and
Figures 15 to 18 illustrate the hinge mechanism when attached to both a tailgate and a vehicle body when the tailgate is in the closed configuration.
5
Referring to Figures 1 to 6, a hinge mechanism 1 comprises a base 2 for attachment to the rear surface of a pick-up truck which is attached to an arm 3 so as to permit a relative pivoting movement about an axis 4 between a closed configuration (as shown in Figures 1 to 3 and in solid lines in Figure 4) and an open configuration (shown in phantom in Figure 4). The arm 3
10 comprises first and second generally planar portions 5, 6 which meet at an elbow 7. The second portion 6 is arranged for attachment to the frame of a tailgate of the pick-up truck. The first portion 5 serves to connect the second portion 6 to the base 2 in such a way that the pivoting axis 4 is at a distance from the plane of the second portion 6.
15 Figure 4 shows the hinge mechanism 1 in both its open 8 and closed 9 configurations, and it is apparent that the lowermost part of the second portion 6 is raised considerably when moved from the closed 9 to the open 8 configurations. The action of raising the second portion 6 during the operation of the hinge mechanism 1 has the advantage of lifting the lower edge of the tailgate 11 over adjacent obstacles such as raised profiles of the rear bumper 13. The illustrated
20 configuration of the hinge mechanism 1 permits the vehicle designer far more flexibility in styling around the tailgate area and minimises the intrusion of the hinges on the tailgate styling. The lower edge of the tailgate 11 can be positioned as close as possible to the underlying structure of the vehicle body 12 on which the tailgate hinges are mounted, which greatly enhances tailgate rigidity.
25
The pick-up truck is provided with a compartment for containing goods, and the frame 10 of a tailgate 11, when in its open configuration, defines a substantially horizontal loading surface which permits goods to be moved into and out of the compartment by moving them along the loading surface.
30
As shown in Figure 4, the level of the loading surface is at substantially the same level L as that of the base of the compartment. The length of the first portion 5 of the hinge mechanism 1 is selected so as to ensure that this is the case.
35 Figures 5 and 6 are engineering drawings of the hinge mechanism 1.
4
Figures 7 and 8 illustrate how the second portion 6 of the arm 3 of two respective hinge mechanisms 1 is attached to the frame 10 of a tailgate. Figure 7 illustrates the open configuration and Figure 8 the closed configuration.
5 Figures 9 to 11 illustrate how two hinge mechanisms 1 are attached to both the frame 10 of a tailgate 11 and also the vehicle body 12, when the tailgate 11 is in its closed configuration. The bumper 13 of the vehicle can be seen below the tailgate frame 10.
Figures 12 to 14 illustrate how two hinge mechanisms 1 are attached to both the frame 10 of a 10 tailgate 11 and a vehicle body 12 when the tailgate is in the open configuration. It can be seen that the tailgate frame 10 provides the means by which the complete tailgate 11 is attached to the hinge mechanism 1. Figures 13 and 14 clearly show how the hinge arrangements 1 cause the tailgate 11, when in its open configuration, to be positioned at a height sufficient to allow a bumper 13 to be provided on the rear of the vehicle.
15
Figures 15 to 18 illustrate how the hinge mechanism 1 is attached to both a tailgate 11 and a vehicle body 12 when the tailgate 11 is in the closed configuration.
5
Claims (1)
1. An arrangement for pivotably attaching a tailgate to the rear of a pick-up truck luggage compartment wherein the pick-up truck has a rear bumper with an uppermost surface
5 above the lowermost edge of the tailgate when the tailgate is in the closed position and the means for pivotably attaching a tailgate to the rear of a pick-up truck is provided by at least one hinge configured to lift the tailgate when the tailgate is pivoted from the closed to the open position, about a substantially horizontal pivoting axis so as to prevent contact between the tailgate and the upper face of the bumper prior to the
10 tailgate opening to define a substantially horizontal loading platform level with the base of the luggage compartment.
2. An arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tailgate is so arranged to pivot with respect to the compartment by means of at least one hinge mechanism which extends in
15 a rearward direction from the tailgate.
3. A vehicle provided with an arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim, and to which is attached a said bumper.
20 4. An arrangement as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the hinge mechanism comprises a base, by which it is fixed to the vehicle in use and which is stationary relative to the main body of the vehicle, and an arm arranged to pivot with respect to the base, the arm comprising a first portion which extends from the pivot axis to an elbow and a second portion attached to the elbow and to which the tailgate is fixed
25 in use.
5. An arrangement for pivotally attaching a tailgate at the rear of a vehicle substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
30 6. A vehicle substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GBGB0607064.3A GB0607064D0 (en) | 2006-04-07 | 2006-04-07 | Improvements relating to vehicles and vehicle features |
GBGB0609069.0A GB0609069D0 (en) | 2006-04-07 | 2006-05-09 | Vehicle |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
GB0704938D0 GB0704938D0 (en) | 2007-04-25 |
GB2436818A true GB2436818A (en) | 2007-10-10 |
Family
ID=38008434
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
GB0704938A Withdrawn GB2436818A (en) | 2006-04-07 | 2007-03-15 | Vehicle tailgate hinged below bumper level |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
GB (1) | GB2436818A (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
FR2928399A3 (en) * | 2008-03-05 | 2009-09-11 | Renault Sas | Hinge for articulating rear door leaf on loading floor of pick-up, has hinge elements including bent parts provided between fixation parts and axles, respectively, where one of parts is solid and other part has hollow at its center |
Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JPS55119571A (en) * | 1979-03-06 | 1980-09-13 | Shin Meiwa Ind Co Ltd | Door hinge for load box of truck |
US6179361B1 (en) * | 1999-09-28 | 2001-01-30 | Lyle Sailors | Pick-up truck with multi-position tailgate |
AU2004100407A4 (en) * | 2004-05-27 | 2004-07-01 | Triple M Holdings Pty Ltd | Hinge assembly |
-
2007
- 2007-03-15 GB GB0704938A patent/GB2436818A/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JPS55119571A (en) * | 1979-03-06 | 1980-09-13 | Shin Meiwa Ind Co Ltd | Door hinge for load box of truck |
US6179361B1 (en) * | 1999-09-28 | 2001-01-30 | Lyle Sailors | Pick-up truck with multi-position tailgate |
AU2004100407A4 (en) * | 2004-05-27 | 2004-07-01 | Triple M Holdings Pty Ltd | Hinge assembly |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
FR2928399A3 (en) * | 2008-03-05 | 2009-09-11 | Renault Sas | Hinge for articulating rear door leaf on loading floor of pick-up, has hinge elements including bent parts provided between fixation parts and axles, respectively, where one of parts is solid and other part has hollow at its center |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
GB0704938D0 (en) | 2007-04-25 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |