U.S. patent application number 09/767294 was filed with the patent office on 2002-07-25 for dual position endgate cable post assembly.
Invention is credited to Renke, David Thomas.
Application Number | 20020096903 09/767294 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25079050 |
Filed Date | 2002-07-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020096903 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Renke, David Thomas |
July 25, 2002 |
DUAL POSITION ENDGATE CABLE POST ASSEMBLY
Abstract
A dual position endgate cable post assembly for positioning a
tailgate of an automotive vehicle at any height between the fully
open and closed positions, which includes a first cable attachment
member supported by the body of an automotive vehicle, a second
cable attachment member coupled to the tailgate of the automotive
vehicle, and a third cable attachment member supported by the body
of the vehicle, wherein the third cable attachment member is
located below the first cable attachment member. The dual position
endgate cable post assembly further includes a cable having a first
end supported by the first cable attachment member and a second end
supported by the second cable attachment member, wherein the cable
can be wound one or more times around the third cable attachment
member to adjust the length of the cable extending between the
first cable attachment member and the second cable attachment
member.
Inventors: |
Renke, David Thomas;
(Macomb, MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JEFFREY A. SEDLAR
General Motors Corporation
Leagal Staff
Mail Code 482-C23-B21, P.O. Box 300
Detroit
MI
48265-3000
US
|
Family ID: |
25079050 |
Appl. No.: |
09/767294 |
Filed: |
January 22, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
296/50 ;
296/57.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60P 7/08 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
296/50 ;
296/57.1 |
International
Class: |
B60P 001/267 |
Claims
1. A dual position endgate cable post assembly, comprising: a first
cable attachment member supported by the body of an automotive
vehicle; a second cable attachment member coupled to the tailgate
of the automotive vehicle; a third cable attachment member
supported by the body of the vehicle, wherein the third cable
attachment member is located below the first cable attachment
member on the vehicle body; and a cable having a first end that can
be supported by the first cable attachment member and a second end
that can be supported by the second cable attachment member,
wherein the cable can be wound one or more times around the third
cable attachment member to adjust the length of the cable extending
between the first cable attachment member and the second cable
attachment member.
2. The dual position endgate cable post assembly as defined in
claim 1, wherein the first cable attachment member and second cable
attachment are lugs.
3. The dual position endgate cable post assembly as defined in
claim 1, wherein the third cable attachment member is a circular
disk having a sidewall surface defining a channel therein for
receiving the cable.
4. The dual position endgate cable post assembly as defined in
claim 1, wherein the third attachment member is held in position
using a mechanical fastener.
5. The dual position endgate cable post assembly as defined in
claim 1, wherein the third attachment member is reinforced using a
body reinforcement panel positioned adjacent the vehicle body.
6. The dual position endgate cable post assembly as defined in
claim 1, wherein the third cable attachment member is metal.
7. The dual position endgate cable post assembly as defined in
claim 1, wherein the metal is coated with a polymer coating.
8. The dual position endgate cable post assembly as defined in
claim 1, wherein the first cable attachment member and the third
cable attachment member are supported by an inner panel supported
by the body of the automotive vehicle.
9. A dual position endgate cable post, comprising: a circular disk
having an elongated body portion, the body porting including a
sidewall surface defining a channel in the outer periphery thereof
for receiving a cable, the circular disk being adapted for
attachment to an automotive vehicle.
10. The dual position endgate cable post as defined in claim 9,
wherein the circular disk is metal.
11. The dual position endgate cable post as defined in claim 10,
wherein the metal is coated with a polymer coating.
12. A method of adjusting a tailgate to an intermediate position
between fully open and fully closed, the method comprising the
steps of: providing a first cable attachment member supported by
the body of an automotive vehicle; providing a second cable
attachment member for attachment to the tailgate of an automotive
vehicle; providing a third cable attachment member supported by the
body of the automotive vehicle at a position below the first cable
attachment member; and extending a cable between the first cable
attachment member and the second cable attachment member, wherein a
portion of the cable can be wound one or more times around the
third cable attachment member to vary the length of the cable that
extends between the first cable attachment member and the second
cable attachment member.
13. The method as defined in claim 12, wherein the third cable
attachment member is a circular disk having a sidewall surface
defining a channel therein for receiving the cable.
14. The method as defined in claim 12, the first cable attachment
member and the second cable attachment member are lugs.
15. The method as defined in claim 12, wherein the first cable
attachment member and the third cable attachment member are
supported by an inner panel supported by the automotive vehicle.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This invention relates to a cable attachment assembly for
use with an automotive vehicle having a cargo or storage
compartment closed by a tailgate. More particularly, the invention
relates to a cable attachment assembly and method for adjusting the
height of the tailgate to an intermediate position between fully
open and closed.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Automotive vehicles having a cargo or storage compartment
closed by a tailgate have been known for many years. The cargo box
or storage compartment typically includes a standard length, which
allows the accommodation of a load having a length equal to or less
than the length of the cargo box. Devices for adjusting the
tailgate height to allow the cargo space to accommodate loads
having a length longer than the cargo bed have been known for many
years. U.S. Pat. No. 622,049, issued to Kissinger in 1899,
describes a device for adjustably supporting and locking the end
gate of a wagon. The disclosed device uses a bracket having a
plurality of angular teeth or hooks adapted to engage a pin or bolt
supported by the bracket. U.S. Pat. No. 773,776, issued to Barber
in 1904, discloses a mechanical device having a pair of guide wings
that are fitted with a guideway for adjustably positioning the end
gate of a wagon at a position between fully open and closed.
[0003] U.S. Pat. No. 5,645,310 (hereinafter "the '310 patent"),
issued to McLaughlin, discloses an apparatus for holding a tailgate
in a partially open position by using a connector of a
predetermined length having first and second attachment means
connected to its first and second ends, respectively. The first
attachment means can be coupled to a vehicle body and the second
attachment means can be coupled to the tailgate. The degree of
openness of the tailgate can be determined by the length of the
connector, the location of the first attachment means on the
vehicle body and the location of the second attachment means on the
tailgate.
[0004] The '310 patent further describes several additional
embodiments of devices that can be used to vary the height of the
tailgate, each requiring the use of one or more cables or
connectors in conjunction with one or more attachment points
located on the vehicle body and at least one attachment point
located on the tailgate.
[0005] Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 5,934,727 (hereinafter "the '727
patent") owned by the assignee of the present invention, discloses
a tailgate for a pick up truck that can be folded downward and held
open in an intermediate position by adjustable side straps. The
adjustable side straps include an intermediate link which can be
attached to a mating attachment feature, such as a disk, mounted on
the respective side edges of the cargo box. Adjustment of the strap
can be accomplished manually, simply by detaching any other link on
the strap and attaching the intermediate link to the attachment
feature. The '727 patent further states that the tailgate could be
held in the intermediate position by straps having numerous
additional links, by cables having adjustable keyhole fittings, by
chains with adjustable links that snap onto any mating feature on
the cargo box or by another mating feature on the cargo box, or by
any other adjustable rack and pinion or winching devices which can
adjust the tailgate to numerous desired partially open positions,
including the intermediate position.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention is directed to a dual position endgate
cable post assembly and a dual position cable post that allows
positioning the tailgate of an automotive vehicle at any height
between the fully open and closed positions. The dual position
endgate cable post assembly includes a first cable attachment
member supported by the body of an automotive vehicle, and a second
cable attachment member coupled to the tailgate of the automotive
vehicle. The dual position endgate cable post assembly also
includes a third cable attachment member supported by the body of
the vehicle, wherein the third cable attachment member is located
below the first cable attachment member.
[0007] The dual position endgate cable post assembly further
includes a cable having a first end that can be supported by the
first cable attachment member and a second end that can be
supported by the second cable attachment member, wherein the cable
can be wound one or more times around the third cable attachment
member to adjust the length of the cable extending between the
first cable attachment member and the second cable attachment
member. This arrangement allows the height of the tailgate to be
varied when the second end of the cable is coupled to the second
cable attachment member.
[0008] The first cable attachment member and second cable
attachment are preferably lugs, each of which can include an
elongated body fabricated of a metal, plastic or composite
material. The lugs include a free end and one end supported by the
body of the automotive vehicle.
[0009] The third cable attachment member is preferably a circular
disk having a sidewall surface defining a channel therein for
receiving the cable. The third cable attachment member is made of
metal, wherein the metal is covered with a polymer coating.
[0010] In the disclosed embodiment, the third attachment member can
be secured in position as supported by the vehicle body using a
mechanical fastener such as a bolt. Additionally, the third
attachment member can be reinforced using a body reinforcement
panel positioned adjacent the vehicle body and the third attachment
member.
[0011] The dual position endgate cable post assembly can be used in
conjunction with a dual position cable post including a circular
disk having an elongated body portion, the body porting including a
sidewall surface defining a channel in the outer periphery thereof
for receiving a cable, the circular disk being adapted for
attachment to an automotive vehicle.
[0012] In an alternative embodiment, the dual position endgate
cable post assembly can be installed on a vehicle body such that
the first cable attachment member and the third cable attachment
member are supported by an inner panel supported by the body of the
automotive vehicle.
[0013] The present invention also relates to a method of adjusting
a tailgate to an intermediate position between fully open and fully
closed including the steps of: (1) providing a first cable
attachment member supported by the body of an automotive vehicle;
(2) providing a second cable attachment member for attachment to
the tailgate of an automotive vehicle; (3) providing a third cable
attachment member supported by the body of an automotive vehicle at
a position below the first cable attachment member; and (4)
extending a cable between the first cable attachment member and the
second cable attachment member, wherein a portion of the cable can
be wound one or more times around the third cable attachment member
to vary the length of the cable that extends between the first
cable attachment member and the second cable attachment member.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] The features and inventive aspects of the present invention
will become more apparent upon reading the following detailed
description, claims, and drawings, of which the following is a
brief description:
[0015] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a dual position
cable post formed in accordance with the teachings of this
invention.
[0016] FIG. 2 is an elevation view of a cable attachment assembly
attached to an automotive vehicle, wherein the cable attachment
assembly utilizes the dual position endgate cable post assembly
shown in FIG. 1.
[0017] FIG. 3 is an elevation of the cable attachment assembly
shown in FIG. 2 shown in the stored position.
[0018] FIG. 4 is a section view of the dual position cable post
shown in FIG. 1, wherein the dual position cable post is shown
supporting a portion of a cable.
[0019] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a cargo box for a pick up
truck.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0020] The present invention is directed to an apparatus 100 and
method for retaining a closure for an automotive vehicle storage
compartment in the partially open position. Specifically, an
automotive vehicle such as a pick up truck, sport utility vehicle
or any other automotive vehicle having a cargo box or storage area
can be used in conjunction with the dual position endgate cable
post assembly 100.
[0021] For illustration purposes only, the present invention will
be described with reference to a pick up truck 12 including a cargo
box 14 having an inner panel 28 welded or otherwise coupled to an
outer panel (not shown). The inner panel 28 comprises four sides
including a front wall 16, first and second sidewalls 18a, 18b and
a rear wall 20, as illustrated in FIG. 5. The inner panel 28 can
also include a beam 29 extending vertically between the sidewall
surfaces 18a, 18b, and having a front surface 30 defining an
opening 40 and sidewall surfaces 32 surrounding an open center (not
shown).
[0022] At the rear wall 20, the tailgate 22 is pivotally mounted at
a second tailgate edge 24 adjacent the sidewalls 18a, 18b for
normal movement between a fully open condition and a fully closed
condition. A hinge 26 is typically used to couple the tailgate 22
to the tailgate edge 24.
[0023] Turing now to a discussion of the dual position endgate
cable post assembly 100, one of skill in the art will appreciate
that a pair of identically constructed dual position endgate cable
post assemblies 100 could be used to position the tailgate 22 in a
partially open position: one positioned at the sidewall 18a and
another positioned at the sidewall 18b. For purposes of
illustration only, a single dual position endgate cable post will
be described herein.
[0024] The dual position endgate cable post assembly 100 includes a
first cable attachment 102, a second cable attachment 104, a
tailgate dual position cable post 106 and a tailgate cable assembly
108. The first cable attachment 102 and the second cable attachment
104 are identical in construction and configuration. The first and
second cable attachments 102, 104 can take on a variety of forms.
However, in the disclosed embodiment, the first and second cable
attachments 102, 104 are lugs, each including an elongated body.
One of skill in the art will appreciate that the first and second
cable attachments could be an eyebolt or other similar device.
[0025] The first and second cable attachments 102, 104 can be made
of a metal, composite or plastic material. In the disclosed
embodiment, the first and second cable attachments are made of a
lightweight metal such as aluminum or steel.
[0026] The tailgate dual position cable post 106 can include a
circular disk 110 having a first surface 112 coupled to a second
substantially parallel surface 114 by an intermediate arcuate
surface 116. The intermediate arcuate surface 116 defines a channel
118 that extends around the entire perimeter of the arcuate surface
116. The disk 110 also defines a central opening therethrough for
receiving a mechanical fastener.
[0027] The disk 110 could be made of a metal, composite or plastic
material. In the disclosed embodiment, the disk 110 is made of a
metal coated with a polymer coating for reducing the friction
between the disk and a mating part. In addition, rather than being
the preferred disk shape, any shape having arcuate surface shapes
to receive cable 122 will suffice.
[0028] The tailgate cable assembly 108 includes a cable or strap
122. One of skill in the art will appreciate that the cable 122 can
include a variety of structures having the flexibility to be wound
one or more times around a support structure. For instance, the
cable 122 could include a standard rope or chain. The channel 118
of disk 110 is sized to mate with the outer surface of cable 122,
the radius of channel 118 being slightly larger than the radius of
cable 122.
[0029] The cable 122 supports a fitting 124 at one end thereof, and
a fitting 126 at the other end. In the disclosed embodiment, each
fitting 124, 126 includes a ring shaped head 128, and each ring
shaped head 128 supports a leg 132 that extends outwardly
therefrom. One of skill in the art will appreciate that the exact
configuration and size of the fittings 124, 126 will depend on the
size and configuration of the structure intended to be engaged by
the fittings 124, 126. For instance, the fittings 124, 126 could
include hooks, snaps or any other similar device adapted to engage
the attachment members 102, 104. The support leg 132 for each
fitting 124, 126 is crimped onto the respective end of the cable
122 so as to form an integral structure.
Assembly
[0030] The dual position post assembly 100 can be assembled by
coupling the first cable attachment 102 to the inside portion of
the cargo box 14 at the inner panel 28. As illustrated in FIG. 2,
the first cable attachment 102 is coupled to the cargo box 14 at an
upper end of the beam 29 defined by the sidewall surface 18a of the
inner panel 28. One of skill in the art will appreciate that the
first cable attachment 102 can be coupled to the inner panel 28
using mechanical fasteners such as bolts, screws or other similar
devices. One of skill in the art will appreciate that the first
cable attachment 102 could be attached to the inner panel 28 using
other similar devices or known techniques such as welding.
[0031] The second cable attachment 104 can be coupled to the
tailgate 22 at an upper end thereof as illustrated in FIG. 2. The
second cable attachment 104 can be coupled to the upper end of the
tailgate 22 using mechanical fasteners such as bolts, screws or
other similar devices.
[0032] In the disclosed embodiment, the dual position post 106 is
shown attached to the beam 29 defined by the inner panel 28 at a
position below the first cable attachment 102. The dual position
cable post 106 is coupled to the inner panel 28 via a mechanical
fastener such as a bolt screw received in the opening 40 at a
height below the height "H" of the top of the vehicle's wheelhouse.
This places the upper inside edge of tailgate 22 at approximately
the same height to cooperate in supporting a long load.
[0033] The mechanical fastener can be used in conjunction with a
washer or gasket 130 as shown in FIG. 1. One of skill in the art
will appreciate that the dual position cable post 106 could be
welded to the beam 29 or coupled thereto using other known
techniques. The mechanical fastener can also be used in conjunction
with a reinforcement plate 134 positioned between the inner panel
28 and the disk 110. The reinforcement plate 134 can extend
parallel to the front surface 30 of the beam 29 defined by the
inner panel 28, and can include an opening for receiving the
mechanical fastener as best seen in FIG. 4.
[0034] The dual position endgate cable post assembly 100 could be
installed onto inner panel 28 of the cargo box 14 during the
original manufacturing process or after manufacturing as after
market adjustment, provided that proper structural integrity of the
vehicle exists for the desired attachment location.
Operation
[0035] As shown in FIG. 2, the full length of the tailgate cable
assembly 108 can extend between the first and second cable
attachment 102, 104 when the tailgate 22 is in the fully open
position. To position the tailgate 22 in a partially open position,
the tailgate cable assembly 108 can be coupled to the first cable
attachment 102 and then wound one or more times around the outer
periphery of the disk 110. As best illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4,
the cable 122 is received in the channel 118 of the disk 110 and
wrapped one or more times around the channel 118. The second end of
the cable 122 is then attached to the second cable attachment
104.
[0036] Connecting one end of the cable assembly 108 to the first
cable attachment member 102 and wrapping the tailgate cable
assembly 108 around the disk 110 permits the tailgate cable
assembly 108 to be adjusted to different lengths. This arrangement
allows the tailgate 22 to be adjusted to different heights when the
other end of the cable assembly is coupled to the second cable
attachment 104. One of skill in the art will appreciate that the
number of times that the tailgate cable assembly 108 is wound
around the dual cable post 108 will depend on the desired height to
which the tailgate 22 is to be positioned.
[0037] The present invention allows the tailgate 22 to be adjusted
to different heights using a single cable 122, wherein the length
of the tailgate cable assembly 108 supporting the tailgate 22 can
be adjusted by wrapping the cable 122 around the dual position
cable post 106 one or more times. The use of the dual position post
106 eliminates the need to have various sizes of cables readily
available for use or the use of cables having adjustable links or
segments. Furthermore, the present invention eliminates the need
for complex winching or mechanical systems for holding the tailgate
22 in a partially open position.
[0038] Additionally, when the tailgate cable assembly 108 is not in
use, the tailgate cable assembly 108 can be conveniently stored by
coupling both fittings 124, 126 to the first cable attachment 102.
In the disclosed embodiment, the head 128 of the fittings 124, 126
frictionally engage the first cable attachment 102, and are held
securely in place by the frictional force between the two
components.
[0039] In an alternative embodiment, the beam 29 defined by the
inner panel 28 could be eliminated and the dual position endgate
cable post assembly 100 coupled directly to the sidewall 18a of the
cargo box 14. Thus, the reinforcement member 134 would be
positioned between the disk 110 and the sidewall 18a of the cargo
box 14.
[0040] The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been
disclosed. A person of ordinary skill in the art would realize,
however, that certain modifications would come within the teachings
of this invention. Therefore, the following claims should be
studied to determine the true scope and content of the
invention.
* * * * *