U.S. patent application number 10/807779 was filed with the patent office on 2005-09-29 for insert for a tailgate cable assembly and a tailgate cable assembly incorporating the same.
Invention is credited to Ousley, Claude D., Steuernagel, Werner H., Stocker, James H..
Application Number | 20050212320 10/807779 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34988920 |
Filed Date | 2005-09-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050212320 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ousley, Claude D. ; et
al. |
September 29, 2005 |
INSERT FOR A TAILGATE CABLE ASSEMBLY AND A TAILGATE CABLE ASSEMBLY
INCORPORATING THE SAME
Abstract
An insert and a tailgate cable assembly incorporating the same.
The tailgate cable assembly is a cable having eyelet connectors at
each end and which is used to secure the sidewall of a vehicle to a
rotatable tailgate. Fasteners extending from the sidewall and
tailgate are received through apertures in the eyelets. At least
one of the eyelets incorporates a removable insert that is
rotatable between a first position, where the fastener may be
either inserted or withdrawn from the eyelet, and a second position
where the insert locks the fastener within the aperture in the
eyelet. The insert is a "C" -shaped member that interlocks with the
eyelet's interior peripheral surface surrounding a portion of the
aperture.
Inventors: |
Ousley, Claude D.; (Bolivar,
OH) ; Stocker, James H.; (Mineral City, OH) ;
Steuernagel, Werner H.; (New Philadelphia, OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SAND & SEBOLT
AEGIS TOWER, SUITE 1100
4940 MUNSON STREET, NW
CANTON
OH
44718-3615
US
|
Family ID: |
34988920 |
Appl. No.: |
10/807779 |
Filed: |
March 23, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
296/57.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 24/1498 20150115;
B62D 33/0273 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
296/057.1 |
International
Class: |
B62D 033/03 |
Claims
1. A tailgate cable assembly for connecting a vehicle tailgate to a
sidewall of a vehicle, wherein the cable assembly comprises: an
elongated cable having a first end and a second end; a
gate-connector eyelet mounted on the first end of the cable and
adapted to secure the cable to a first fastener extending outwardly
from the tailgate; a side-connector eyelet mounted on the second
end of the cable and adapted to secure the cable to a second
fastener extending outwardly from the sidewall; a removable locking
member engageable with one of the side-connector eyelet and
gate-connector eyelet; the locking member being rotatable between a
first position, where one of the first and second fasteners may be
selectively engaged with or disengaged from the one of the
side-connector eyelet and gate-connector eyelet; and a second
position where the one of the first and second fasteners is secured
to the one of the side-connector eyelet and gate-connector
eyelet.
2. The tailgate cable assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein the
removable locking member is engageable with the side-connector
eyelet and wherein the locking member is rotatable between a first
position, where the second fastener may be selectively engaged with
or disengaged from the side-connector eyelet; and a second position
where the second fastener is secured to the side-connector
eyelet.
3. The tailgate cable assembly as defined in claim 2, wherein the
side-connector eyelet has an aperture through which the locking
member is received and the aperture has an open side; and wherein
the locking member covers the open side of the aperture when the
locking member is in the second position.
4. The tailgate cable assembly as defined in claim 3, wherein the
aperture is substantially C-shaped and the locking member is
substantially C-shaped and defines a C-shaped hole therein; and
wherein the aperture and the C-shaped hole of the locking member
are aligned when the locking member is in the first position.
5. The tailgate cable assembly as defined in claim 2, wherein the
side-connector eyelet has a first surface with an aperture formed
therein and a peripheral surface surrounding the aperture; and
wherein the locking member is a substantially C-shaped member
having: a fastener-engaging surface adapted to engage a head of the
second fastener; a rear surface adapted to abut the first surface
of the side-connector eyelet; a flange extending outwardly from and
normal to the rear surface; whereby the flange engages the
peripheral surface of the eyelet.
6. The tailgate cable assembly as defined in claim 5, wherein the
locking member further comprises: a peripheral lip formed on the
flange; whereby a channel is formed between the rear surface of the
C-shaped member and the lip; and wherein the C-shaped member is
adapted to be inserted into the aperture in the side-connector
eyelet and to engage a portion of the peripheral surface of the
side-connector eyelet within the channel.
7. The tailgate cable assembly as defined in claim 5, wherein the
flange and side-connector eyelet frictionally engage to retain the
C-shaped member on the side-connector eyelet.
8. The tailgate cable assembly as defined in claim 2, wherein part
of the first surface of the side-connector eyelet is substantially
flat and the locking member engages with that flat part of the
first surface and rotates about an axis disposed substantially at
right angles to the flat part of the first surface.
9. The tailgate cable assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein the
locking member has an outer peripheral wall and the one of the
gate-connector and side-connector eyelets has an outer peripheral
wall; and the outer peripheral wall of the locking member extends
beyond the outer peripheral wall of the one of the gate-connector
and side-connector eyelets when the locking member is in the first
position.
10. The tailgate cable assembly as defined in claim 5, wherein the
locking member has a diameter and the flange has a diameter, and
the diameter of the locking member is greater than the diameter of
the flange.
11. The tailgate cable assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein the
locking member has a diameter and the diameter of the locking
member is substantially the same size as the diameter of one of the
first and second fastener it is adapted to secure to the one of the
gate-connector and side connector eyelets.
12. The tailgate cable assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein only
the one of the gate-connector and side-connector eyelets touches
the one of the first and second fasteners when the cable is in
tension.
13. The tailgate cable assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein the
locking member includes a fastener-engaging surface which lies
substantially parallel to a portion of a front surface of the one
of the gate-connector and side-connector eyelets when the locking
member is in the second position; and wherein the one of the first
and second fasteners has a head which is supported on the
fastener-engaging surface of the locking member and does not come
into contact with said portion of said front surface.
14. The tailgate cable assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein the
locking member and the one of the gate-connector and side-connector
eyelets each have a radius of curvature; and wherein the radius of
curvature of the locking member and the radius of curvature of the
one of the gate-connector and side-connector eyelets are
substantially the same.
15. The tailgate cable assembly as defined in claim 2, wherein the
aperture in the side-connector eyelet is substantially keyhole
shaped having a wider portion and a narrower portion; and wherein
the locking member engages the first surface of the eyelet
surrounding the narrower portion of the aperture.
16. The tailgate cable assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein the
locking member is manufactured from one of the group consisting of
acetal, polyester, nylon and filled nylon plastics.
17. The tailgate cable assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein the
locking plate includes a ribbed outer wall.
18. In combination, a cable assembly and fasteners for rotatably
securing a tailgate to a sidewall of a vehicle, the combination
comprising: a first fastener extending outwardly from the tailgate;
a second fastener extending outwardly from the sidewall of the
vehicle; an elongated cable having a first end and a second end; a
gate-connector eyelet mounted on the first end of the cable; a
side-connector eyelet mounted on the second end of the cable; a
removable locking member; and wherein the locking member is
selectively engageable with one of the side-connector and
gate-connector eyelets to lock one of the first and second fastener
within the one of the side-connector and gate-connector eyelets;
and wherein the locking member is rotatable between a first
position, where the one of the first and second fasteners may be
selectively engaged with or disengaged from the one of the
side-connector and gate-connector eyelets; and a second position
where the one of the first and second fasteners is locked into the
one of the side-connector and gate-connector eyelets.
19. The combination as defined in claim 18, wherein the removable
locking member is engageable with the side-connector eyelet and the
second fastener; and wherein the locking member is rotatable
between a first position, where the second fastener may be
selectively engaged with or disengaged from the side-connector
eyelet; and a second position where the second fastener is secured
to the side-connector eyelet.
20. The combination as defined in claim 19, wherein the
side-connector eyelet has an aperture through which the locking
member is received and the aperture has an open side; and wherein
the locking member covers the open side of the aperture when the
locking member is in the second position.
21. The combination as defined in claim 19, wherein the
side-connector eyelet has a first surface with an aperture formed
therein and a peripheral surface surrounding the aperture; and the
second fastener has a head; and the locking member is a
substantially C-shaped member having: a fastener-engaging surface
adapted to engage the head of the second fastener; a rear surface
adapted to abut the first surface of the side-connector eyelet; a
flange extending outwardly from and normal to the rear surface;
whereby the flange engages the peripheral surface of the eyelet;
and a peripheral lip formed on the flange; whereby a channel is
formed between the rear surface of the C-shaped member and the lip;
and wherein the C-shaped member is adapted to be inserted into the
aperture in the side-connector eyelet and to engage a portion of
the peripheral surface of the side-connector eyelet within the
channel.
22. The combination as defined in claim 21, wherein the locking
member has a diameter and the flange has a diameter, and the
diameter of the locking member is greater than the diameter of the
flange.
23. The combination as defined in claim 18, wherein only the one of
the gate-connector and side-connector eyelets touches the one of
the first and second fasteners when the cable is in tension.
24. The combination as defined in claim 18, wherein the locking
member and the one of the gate-connector and side-connector eyelets
each have a radius of curvature; and wherein the radius of
curvature of the locking member and the radius of curvature of the
one of the gate-connector and side-connector eyelets are
substantially the same.
25. The combination as defined in claim 18, wherein the locking
member is manufactured
26. An insert for securing a tailgate cable assembly to a support
in a vehicle; wherein the cable assembly includes a cable with a
connector at one end; wherein the connector has a first surface
with an aperture formed therein and an interior peripheral surface
surrounding the aperture; and wherein the aperture receives a
fastener that extends outwardly from and normal to the support; the
insert comprising: a substantially C-shaped member having: a
fastener-engaging surface adapted to engage a head of the fastener;
a rear surface adapted to abut the first surface of the connector;
a flange extending outwardly from and normal to the rear surface;
and a peripheral lip formed on the flange; whereby a channel is
formed between the rear surface and the lip; and wherein the
C-shaped member is adapted to be inserted into the aperture in the
connector and to receive a portion of the interior peripheral
surface within the channel.
27. The insert as defined in claim 26, wherein the channel of the
C-shaped member has a width and the connector interior peripheral
surface has a width and the width of the channel is substantially
equal to the width of the interior peripheral surface of the
connector.
28. The insert as defined in claim 26, wherein the C-shaped member
defines a C-shaped opening and the fastener-engaging surface of the
C-shaped member has leading edges proximate the opening; and
wherein the leading edges are angled and are adapted to guide the
fastener into the opening.
29. The insert as defined in claim 26, wherein the C-shaped member
further comprises: a front surface disposed a distance outwardly
from the fastener engaging surface; an outer peripheral wall
connecting the front surface of the C-shaped member to the rear
surface of the C-shaped member; and wherein the C-shaped member is
rotatable between a first position, where the fastener may be
inserted or withdrawn from the aperture, and a second position
where the C-shaped member substantially prevents withdrawal of the
fastener from the connector.
30. The insert as defined in claim 29, wherein the outer peripheral
wall is ribbed.
31. The insert as defined in claim 26, wherein the C-shaped member
is manufactured from one of the group consisting of acetal,
polyester, nylon and filled nylon plastics.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Technical Field
[0002] This invention generally relates to mechanisms for
supporting vehicle tailgates. More particularly, the invention
relates to an insert and cable assembly for supporting a tailgate
when in a substantially horizontal open position. Specifically, the
invention relates to an insert that interlocks with an eyelet
disposed at one end of a cable, the insert being selectively
rotatable within the eyelet to secure the eyelet to a fastener
extending from the vehicle sidewall or tailgate.
[0003] 2. Background Information
[0004] Many vehicles, such as pickup trucks, are provided with
tailgates that may be swung between open and closed positions. When
the tailgate is in the closed position, it is substantially
vertically oriented with respect to the vehicle bed floor and a
load held on the bed is prevented from sliding off the vehicle and
into the road. When the user wishes to unload goods carried on the
vehicle, the tailgate is lowered into a substantially horizontal
open position, thereby providing easier access to the load.
[0005] Tailgates are typically supported in the open position by a
pair of coated, flexible steel cables that are each connected at a
first end to the vehicle sidewall and at a second end to one side
of the tailgate. The cables are connected to the sidewall and
tailgate by way of fasteners which are inserted through eyelets
extending outwardly from the first and second ends of the cable. It
is common for the two eyelet connectors to be dissimilar in shape.
The tailgate eyelet connector typically is generally "O" -shaped
with a centrally located circular hole formed therein. The sidewall
eyelet connector may be generally elliptical in shape with a
keyhole-shaped aperture formed therein. A spring-biased,
substantially rectangular plate is clamped around the base of the
sidewall eyelet and extends partially into the aperture. The
fasteners for securing the eyelets to the vehicle may be bolts,
rivets, pins and screws or any other suitable connector device. The
shaft of the fastener received through the tailgate eyelet
connector is of substantially the same size as the
centrally-located hole. Consequently, very little rattling noise is
produced by that connection when the vehicle is moving. A rattle
is, however, frequently generated at the connection between the
sidewall and the sidewall eyelet connector. The fastener used for
this connection has a head portion with a diameter that is smaller
than the wider portion of the keyhole-shaped aperture but is larger
than the narrower portion of the aperture. The spring-biased plate
extends into the wider portion of the aperture and toward the
narrower portion of the aperture. The fastener is inserted into the
wider portion of the aperture by pushing the plate out of the way
either with the head of the fastener or with a screwdriver or
similar device. The eyelet is then moved relative to the fastener
so that the shaft of the fastener slides into the narrower portion
of the aperture. The plate springs back into its initial position,
thereby clamping the fastener and eyelet together. The diameter of
the shaft of the fastener is typically less than the diameter of
the narrower portion of the aperture. Consequently, when the
vehicle is moving, there is movement between the eyelet and the
fastener shaft and a rattling noise is generated. In addition to
this problem, the plate tends to contribute to the corrosion of the
eyelets because it is usually made from a dissimilar metal and
tends to set up a galvanic corrosion cell. Additionally, it is
common for users to remove the tailgate altogether so that they can
either load or unload a particularly heavy item from the vehicle
bed or carry a heavy item on the bed floor. The above-described
sidewall eyelet connector is not particularly easy to release and
frequently requires that a screwdriver or similar tool be used to
force the plate out of engagement with the fastener. This can make
the removal of the tailgate more difficult.
[0006] There is therefore a need in the art for a cable assembly
that may be connected to both the sidewall and tailgate quickly and
easily. There is furthermore a need for a cable assembly that does
not rattle when the vehicle is moving and has a decreased tendency
to rust.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention is directed to an insert that may be
used in tailgate cable assemblies and to a tailgate cable assembly
incorporating the same. The tailgate cable assembly is an
elongated, flexible cable that has eyelet connectors at each end
and which is used to secure a rotatable tailgate to the sidewall of
a vehicle. Fasteners extending from the sidewall and tailgate are
received through apertures in the eyelets. At least one of the
eyelets incorporates a removable insert that is rotatable between a
first position, where the fastener may be either inserted or
withdrawn from the eyelet, and a second position where the insert
locks the fastener within the aperture in the eyelet. The insert is
a "C" -shaped member that has a channel formed in a flange
extending from its rear wall and a portion of the eyelet's interior
peripheral surface surrounding the aperture is received within the
channel and locks the C-shaped member and eyelet together.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] The preferred embodiment of the invention, illustrative of
the best mode in which applicant has contemplated applying the
principles, is set forth in the following description and is shown
in the drawings and is particularly and distinctly pointed out and
set forth in the appended claims.
[0009] FIG. 1 is a side view of a vehicle with the tailgate in an
open position showing the tailgate being supported by the cable
assembly in accordance with the present invention;
[0010] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the sidewall
eyelet connector end of the tailgate cable assembly;
[0011] FIG. 2A is a rear elevational view of the sidewall connector
with an insert received within a wider portion of the aperture;
[0012] FIG. 2B is a rear elevational view of the sidewall connector
with the insert being moved into the narrower portion of the
aperture;
[0013] FIG. 2C is a rear elevational view of the sidewall connector
with the insert engaged with the base;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the sidewall connector in an
open position;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the sidewall connector with
the wider portion of the hole positioned over a fastener extending
from the vehicle sidewall;
[0016] FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of the sidewall connector
of FIG. 4;
[0017] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional side view of the sidewall
connector through line 6-6 of FIG. 5; FIG. 7 is a front elevational
view of the sidewall connector with the fastener engaged in the
narrower portion of the hole;
[0018] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional side view of the sidewall
connector through line 8-8- of FIG. 7;
[0019] FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional rear view of the
sidewall connector through line 9-9 of FIG. 8;
[0020] FIG. 10 is a front elevational view of the sidewall
connector with the insert rotated into the locked position around
the fastener;
[0021] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional side view of the sidewall
connector through line 11-11 of FIG. 10;
[0022] FIG. 12 is a rear elevational view of the sidewall connector
through line 12-12 of FIG. 11; and
[0023] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional left side view of the sidewall
connector through line 13-13 of FIG. 10.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0024] Referring to FIGS. 1-3, there is shown a vehicle 10 of the
type having a bed with a floor 12, sidewalls 14, 16 and a tailgate
18. Tailgate 18 is mounted to vehicle 10 by way of rod ends 20 and
is rotatable about rod ends 20 between a vertical position (not
shown) and a horizontal position (FIG. 1). Tailgate 20 and supports
22 on sidewalls 14, 16 are connected together by a pair of cable
assemblies 24 that assist in supporting tailgate 20 when it is in
the horizontal, open position. Only one of the cable assemblies 24
is illustrated in FIG. 1 and described below for the sake of
clarity. It will be understood, however, that the two cable
assemblies are substantially identical.
[0025] Cable assembly 24 comprises an elongated, flexible steel
cable 26 having a tailgate connector 28 secured to a first end
thereof and a sidewall connector 30 secured to a second end
thereof. Tailgate connector 28 is of the type commonly used in the
industry, being a substantially circular eyelet with a central hole
therein and is secured to the tailgate by a suitable fastener
inserted through the central hole. Sidewall connector 30 (FIGS.
2&3) comprises a base 32 having a shaft 34 extending outwardly
therefrom. Shaft 34 includes a pair of flanges 36 that are crimped
around cable 26 to secure connector 30 thereto. Base 32 has a
substantially keyhole-shaped aperture 38 formed therein and
aperture 38 has a wider portion 38a and a narrower portion 38b. The
maximum width "R" of portion 38a is greater than the maximum width
"S" of portion 38b. A lip portion 40 separates wider portion 38a
from narrower portion 38b. Base 32 has a thickness "T". When viewed
from the front, narrower portion 38b of base 32 is substantially
C-shaped and has an arcuate interior peripheral surface 42.
[0026] Referring to FIGS. 2-6, an insert 44, in accordance with the
present invention, is provided for engagement with base 32. Insert
44 is manufactured from a rigid material preferably plastics such
as acetal, polyester, nylon and filled nylon materials or metals
compatible with those from which base 32 is manufactured. Insert 44
comprises a substantially C-shaped member with a front wall 46, a
rear wall 48, an outer peripheral wall 50 and an interior opening
57. Outer peripheral wall 50 of insert 44 preferably is ridged so
as to provide a gripping surface for the fingers of a user. Front
wall 46 of insert 44 includes a C-shaped groove 52 and a recessed
fastener-engaging surface 54. As may be seen from FIGS. 2&3,
both narrower portion 38b of aperture 38 and insert 44 are
substantially C-shaped and have a substantially identical radius of
curvature. A flange 56 extends outwardly from and normal to rear
wall 48. Flange 56 is generally C-shaped when viewed from the rear,
has an interior surface 58, an exterior surface 60 and a chamfered
lip 62. Interior surface 58 of flange 56 defines an interior
opening 57 within insert 44. An U-shaped channel 64 (FIG. 6) is
formed between lip 62 and rear wall 48 of insert 44. The width of
channel 64 is substantially equal to the width "T" of base 32. As
may be most easily seen in FIG. 5, the leading edges 66 of groove
52 and surface 54 are angled to guide a fastener 68 toward the
interior surface 58 of flange 56.
[0027] Referring to FIGS. 2 through 2C, insert 44 is engaged with
sidewall connector 30 in the following manner. Flange 56 of insert
44 is inserted into the wider portion 38a of aperture 38 in base 32
and is moved in the direction of arrow "A" (FIG. 2) until the rear
wall 48 of insert 44 rests on the front surface 32a of base 32. The
initial orientation of insert 44 relative to base 32 is not
critical because the component is twisted slightly as it is slid
along base 32 and into narrower portion 38b of aperture 38. So, for
example, insert 44 may be oriented as shown in FIG. 2 or as it is
shown in FIG. 2A or in any other orientation that will bring rear
surface 48 into contact with front surface 32a of base 32. Insert
44 is then moved in the direction of arrow "B" (FIG. 2B) until
flange 56 is received in narrower portion 38b of aperture 38.
Insert 44 is twisted to cause chamfered lip 62 on flange 56 to ride
over rear surface 32bof base 32. Insert 44 is simultaneously
twisted and moved in the direction of arrow "B" until the interior
surface 42 of base 32 is received within the channel 64 of insert
44 and abuts exterior surface 60 of flange 56 (FIGS. 2& 6).
Flange 56 frictionally engages base 32 to retain insert 44 on base
32. Once insert 44 is retained on base 32, cable assembly 24 is
ready to be connected to support 22 and insert 44 is in a first
position where it is able to receive a fastener 68 therein. The
portion of base 32 that surrounds narrower portion 38a of aperture
38 and onto which insert 44 is engaged, is substantially flat (see
FIG. 6) and insert 44 is rotatable on this substantially flat
portion of base 32 as will be hereinafter described.
[0028] Fastener 68 comprises a head 68a, a body 68b and a shaft
68c. Fastener 68 is mounted to support 22 via washers 70, 71 and
nut 72 to support 22. Body 68b of fastener 68 has a height "V"
which is substantially the same as the width "W" of flange 56 of
insert 44 (FIG. 6). The diameter "X" of body 68b of fastener
68(FIG. 5) is substantially the same as the width "Y" of opening 57
formed by interior surface 58 of flange 56. Head 68a of fastener 68
has a diameter "X'" that is greater than the diameter "Y" of
interior surface 58 of insert 44, but is less than the diameter "Z"
of groove 52 of insert 44. The height "J" of head 68a of fastener
68 may be less than, equal to or greater than the depth "K" of
groove 52. When fastener 68 is mounted to support 22, it extends
outwardly from a front surface 22a of support and is disposed
substantially at right angles thereto.
[0029] Referring to FIGS. 4-13, cable assembly 24 may be secured to
fastener 68 in the following manner. Sidewall connector 30 of cable
assembly 24 is brought into the proximity of fastener 68 and is
moved in the direction of arrow "C" (FIG. 4) so that fastener 68
enters wider portion 38a of aperture 38. The user grasps cable 26
and pulls the same in the direction of arrow "D" (FIG. 5) so that
base 32 slides laterally with respect to washer 70. This lateral
movement causes base 32 to slide past fastener 68 so that body 68b
of fastener 68 enters narrower portion 32b of base 32. Continued
movement of cable 26 in the direction of arrow "D" causes body 68b
to slide between leading edges 66 of insert 44 and toward interior
surface 58 of flange 56. The lateral movement causes the lower
surface 74 of head 68a to ride over fastener engaging surface 54 of
insert 44. Ultimately, the outer surface 76 of body 68b abuts the
interior surface 58 of flange 56 (FIGS. 7&8). The relative
sizes of the body 68b and insert 44 causes the sidewall connector
30 to be wedged between lower surface 74 of head and washer 70.
However, fastener 68 is not locked within sidewall connector 30 and
the two components may be disengaged from each other by pushing
cable 26 in the opposite direction to arrow "D". In order to lock
fastener 68 and sidewall connector 30 together, insert 44 must be
rotated in the direction of either arrow "E" or arrow "F" (FIG. 7)
until insert 44 is disposed in the position indicated in FIGS.
10-13. Insert 44 rotates about an axis Q-Q' (FIG. 8) that lies
substantially at ninety degrees to the flat portion of base 32
surrounding narrower portion 38b of aperture 38. In this position,
insert 44 prevents fastener 68 from being removed from aperture 38.
Furthermore sidewall connector 30 is prevented from moving
laterally in the direction of arrow "D" or in the opposite
direction thereto, but is free to rotate around fastener 68 as is
indicated by the arrow in FIG. 10.
[0030] Insert 44 may be provided as a retrofit component for cable
assemblies known in the prior art that are presently manufactured
with a spring-biased plate (not shown) extending into the wider
portion the aperture in the base. In order to retrofit such known
cable assemblies with insert 44, the spring-biased plate would be
removed from the base and the insert 44 could then be connected
into the base 32 in the manner described above with respect to the
cable assembly in accordance with the present invention.
Alternatively, a cable assembly in accordance with the present
invention may be manufactured and then sold with the insert 44
engaged with the base 32.
[0031] The tailgate connector 28 of the cable assembly 24 may be
substantially identical to the tailgate connector of cable
assemblies known in the prior art and may furthermore be connected
to the tailgate of a vehicle in the same manner as previously known
tailgate connectors. However, it will be understood that the
tailgate connector 28 of the present invention may be of
substantially identical structure and function as the sidewall
connector 30 as herein disclosed.
[0032] When cable assembly 24 is connected between tailgate 18 and
support 22 and tailgate 18 is in the open position, cable 26 is in
tension and interior peripheral surface 42 of base 32 lies in
direction contact with fastener 68. Insert 44 does not bear any
significant load when cable 26 is in tension. The only load borne
by insert 44 is equal to the column strength of cable 26 itself.
When tailgate 18 is in a closed position, cable 26 is no longer
under tension and insert 44 again does not bear any significant
load.
[0033] It will further be understood that while fastener engaging
surface 54 is disposed a distance inwardly of front wall 46 of
insert 44, surface 54 and front wall 46 may be coplanar with each
other. Front wall 46 is provided a distance outwardly from surface
54 so that outer peripheral wall 50 of insert 44 has some depth for
easy of rotating insert 44 between its open and closed positions.
Insert 44 is designed to be eccentric to the centerline of fastener
68. This provides minimal clearance between fastener 68 and the
rotated insert 44 to substantially prevent movement and subsequent
rattle of the installed assembly.
[0034] Furthermore, while insert 44 is shown in use on a sidewall
connector 30 having a keyhole-shaped aperture 38 therein, it will
be understood that insert 44 may be used on a sidewall connector
having a differently shaped aperture therein. Insert 44 would be
engaged with the base of the sidewall connector in the manner as
described above and would then be utilized to define a region
within that differently shaped aperture that would be substantially
the same diameter as the fastener body to which the sidewall
connector is to be secured.
[0035] In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used
for brevity, clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary
limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of
the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes
and are intended to be broadly construed.
[0036] Moreover, the description and illustration of the invention
is an example and the invention is not limited to the exact details
shown or described.
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