LIFT GATE LATCH TRANSFER MECHANISM

MECANISME DE TRANSFERT DE VERROU DE HAYON

English Abstract

A latch transfer mechanism is provided, including a tailgate having a first handle and a second handle, a lifter connected to a housing, a striker for selectively receiving a cable transfer pin, with the cable transfer pin operably associated with the lifter, and a connector connected to the cable transfer pin, which is also connected to the tailgate. The present invention also includes an actuating rod for actuating the lifter such that when the first handle is actuated, the housing, lifter, and actuating rod, will separate from the striker, and the cable transfer pin will remain received by the striker, allowing the connector to support the tailgate. When the second handle is actuated, the actuating rod will cause the lifter to pivot in relation to the housing, lifting the cable transfer pin out of the striker, allowing the lifter, actuating rod, and cable transfer pin to separate from the striker.

French Abstract

Mécanisme de transfert de verrou comprenant un hayon arrière doté d'une première poignée et d'une deuxième poignée, un arbre de levage raccordé à un boîtier, une gâche servant à accueillir de façon sélective une tige de transfert, la tige de transfert de câble étant associée de façon fonctionnelle à l'arbre de levage, et un connecteur raccordé à la tige de transfert de câble, qui est également raccordé au hayon arrière. La présente invention comprend également une tige d'activation servant à actionner l'arbre de levage pour que, lorsque la première poignée est actionnée, le boîtier, l'arbre de levage et la tige d'activation se séparent de la gâche et que la tige de transfert de câble soit tout de même accueillie par la gâche, permettant ainsi au connecteur de soutenir le hayon arrière. Lorsque la deuxième poignée est actionnée, la tige d'activation fait pivoter l'arbre de levage par rapport au boîtier, soulevant ainsi la tige de transfert de câble pour l'éloigner de la gâche, puis permettant à l'arbre de levage, à la tige d'activation et à la tige de transfert de câble de s'éloigner de la gâche.

Claims

Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A latch transfer mechanism comprising:
a tailgate having a first handle and a second handle;
a lifter pivotally connected to a housing;
a striker for selectively receiving a pin mechanism, said pin mechanism
operably associated with said lifter;
a connector connected to said pin mechanism, and connected to said tailgate;
a spring member connected to said striker, operably associated with said pin
mechanism;
an actuation member for actuating said lifter;
when said first handle is actuated, said housing, said lifter, and said
actuation
member will separate from said striker, and said pin mechanism will remain
received
by said striker from force applied by said spring member, allowing said
connector to
support said tailgate; and
when said second handle is actuated, said actuating member will cause said
lifter to pivot in relation to said housing, overcoming the force of said
spring member,
lifting said pin mechanism out of said striker, allowing said lifter, said
actuating
member, said housing, and said pin mechanism to separate from said striker.
2. The latch transfer mechanism of claim 1, wherein said actuation member is
an
actuating rod.
3. The latch transfer mechanism of claim 1, said pin mechanism further
comprising
of a cable transfer pin having a large diameter portion and a small diameter
portion,
said large diameter portion selectively received by said striker.
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4. The latch transfer mechanism of claim 3, said lifter further comprising at
least one
extension, operably associated with said small diameter portion of said cable
transfer
pin such that when said actuation member causes said lifter to pivot in said
housing,
said at least one extension will apply a force to said small diameter portion
of said
cable transfer pin, separating said cable transfer pin from said striker.
5. The latch transfer mechanism of claim 3, said striker further comprising:
a first flange having a hook portion;
a second flange having a hook portion; and
when said cable transfer pin is received in said striker, said large diameter
portion is received in said hook portion of said first flange, and said hook
portion of
said second flange.
6. The latch transfer mechanism of claim 1, said connector further comprising:
a first pivot member;
a second pivot member pivotably connected to said first pivot member;
said first pivot member pivotably connected to said tailgate;
said second pivot member connected to said pin mechanism; and
when said first handle is actuated, said housing, said lifter, and said
actuation
member will separate from said striker, said pin mechanism will remain
received by
said striker from force applied by said spring member, allowing said first
pivot
member to pivot in relation to said tailgate and said second pivot member, and
said
second pivot member to pivot in relation to said striker and said first pivot
member.
7. The latch transfer mechanism of claim 1, said connector further comprising
a cable
connected to said pin mechanism and said tailgate.
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8. The latch transfer mechanism of claim 1, said housing further comprising:
an inner plate connected to an outer plate;
a middle aperture formed in said inner plate;
a middle aperture formed in said outer plate; and
at least two pins formed on said lifter, one of said at least two pins
received by
said middle aperture of said inner plate, and another of said at least two
pins received
by said middle aperture of said outer plate, allowing said lifter to pivot
relative to said
inner plate and said outer plate.
9. The latch transfer mechanism of claim 1, said connector further comprising:
a slot formed in said tailgate;
a sliding bar connected to said pin mechanism;
a slider pivotably connected to said sliding bar, said slider disposed within
said slot; and
when said first handle is actuated, said housing, said lifter, and said
actuation
member will separate from said striker, said pin mechanism will remain
received by
said striker because of force applied by said spring member, and said pin
mechanism
will pivot within said striker, allowing said sliding bar to pivot about said
striker, said
slider to slide in said slot.
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10. A latch transfer mechanism for a tailgate, comprising:
a pickup bed having a bed, at least one D-pillar, and a tailgate having a
first
handle and a second handle;
a lifter disposed within a housing;
a striker connected to said at least one D-pillar, said striker operably
associated
with said lifter;
a wave spring connected to said striker;
a cable transfer pin selectively received by said striker, said cable transfer
pin
connected to a connector and to said tailgate;
an actuating member connected to said lifter and said second handle;
when said first handle is actuated, said lifter will not apply force to said
cable
transfer pin, said wave spring will maintain the position of said cable
transfer pin in
said striker, and said housing, said lifter, and said actuating member will
detach from
said striker, allowing said cable transfer pin to be received by said striker,
and said
connector to support said tailgate; and
when said second handle is actuated, said actuating member will pivot said
lifter
in said housing causing said lifter to apply force to said cable transfer pin,
overcoming
the force of said wave spring and lifting said cable transfer pin away from
said striker,
separating said cable transfer pin from said striker, allowing said lifter,
said housing,
said actuating member and said cable transfer pin to separate from said
striker.
11. The latch transfer mechanism for a tailgate of claim 10, said actuation
member
further comprising an actuation rod.
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12. The latch transfer mechanism for a tailgate of claim 10, further
comprising:
a small diameter portion formed on said cable transfer pin;
a larger diameter portion formed on said cable transfer pin;
said lifter having at least one extension; and
when said lifter pivots in said housing, said at least one extension of said
lifter
will apply force to said small diameter portion of said cable transfer pin,
and when
said cable transfer pin is received by said striker, said striker will receive
said larger
diameter portion.
13. The latch transfer mechanism for a tailgate of claim 12, said striker
further
comprising a first flange having a hook portion, said first flange aligned
with a second
flange having a hook portion, and said hook portion of said first flange and
said hook
portion of said second flange selectively receive said large diameter portion
of said
cable transfer pin.
14. The latch transfer mechanism for a tailgate of claim 10, said connector
further
comprising a cable attached to said cable transfer pin and said tailgate.
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15. The latch transfer mechanism for a tailgate of claim 10, said connector
further
comprising:
a first pivot member pivotally connected to a second pivot member and said
tailgate;
said second pivot member connected to said cable transfer pin;
when said first handle is actuated, said wave spring will maintain the
position
of said cable transfer pin in said striker, and said housing, said lifter, and
actuation rod
will separate from said striker, allowing said first pivot member to pivot in
relation to
said second pivot member and said tailgate, and said second pivot member to
pivot in
relation to said first pivot member and said striker, and said tailgate is
placed in a
position parallel to said bed; and
when said second handle is actuated, said actuation rod will pivot said lifter
in
said housing, causing said lifter to apply force to said cable transfer pin,
overcoming
the force of said wave spring and lifting said cable transfer pin away from
said striker
such that said cable transfer pin, said lifter, said housing, and said
actuation rod
separate from said striker.
16. The latch transfer mechanism for a tailgate of claim 10, said connector
further
comprising:
a slot formed in said tailgate;
a sliding bar connected to said cable transfer pin, and pivotally connected to
a
slider, said slider slidably disposed within said slot;
when said first handle is actuated, said wave spring will maintain the
position
of said cable transfer pin in said striker, said sliding bar will pivot in
relation to said
striker and said slider, said slider will slide in said slot; and
when said second handle is actuated, said actuation rod will pivot said lifter
in
said housing, causing said lifter to apply force to said cable transfer pin,
overcoming
the force of said wave spring, and separating said cable transfer pin, said
housing, said
lifter, and said actuation rod from said striker.
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17. A latch transfer mechanism for a tailgate, comprising:
a pickup bed having a bed, at least one D-pillar, and a tailgate having a
first
handle and a second handle;
a striker connected to said at least on D-Pillar;
a housing having an inner plate and an outer plate;
a lifter positioned in said housing between said inner plate and said outer
plate;
an actuation rod connected to said lifter;
a cable transfer pin operably associated with said lifter and said striker,
said
cable transfer pin having a large diameter portion and a small diameter
portion;
a connector connected to said cable transfer pin and said tailgate;
a spring member connected to said striker for selectively applying force to
said
cable transfer pin;
when said first handle is actuated, said lifter will remain in a stationary
position relative to said housing, said spring member will maintain the
position of said
cable transfer pin in said striker, and said housing, said lifter, and said
actuation rod
will separate from said striker, allowing said cable transfer pin to be
received in said
striker, and said tailgate to be positioned parallel to said bed; and
when said second handle is actuated, said actuation rod will force said lifter
to
pivot in said housing, applying force to said cable transfer pin such that the
force
received from said spring member is overcome, causing said cable transfer pin,
said
housing, said lifter, and said actuation rod to separate from said striker.
18. The latch transfer mechanism for a tailgate of claim 17, said connector
further
comprising a cable connected to said cable transfer pin and said tailgate.
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19. The latch transfer mechanism for a tailgate of claim 17, further
comprising:
a middle aperture formed in said inner plate;
a middle aperture formed in said outer plate;
at least two pins connected to said lifter, one of said at least two pins
received
in said middle aperture of said inner plate, and another of said at least two
pins
received in said middle aperture of said outer plate; and
when said lifter pivots in said housing, said lifter will pivot out said at
least
two pins disposed within said middle aperture of inner plate, and said middle
aperture
of said outer plate.
20. The latch transfer mechanism for a tailgate of claim 17, said lifter
further
comprising at least one extension, such that when said lifter pivots in said
housing,
said at least one extension will apply force to said small diameter portion of
said cable
transfer pin.
21. The latch transfer mechanism of for a tailgate of claim 17, said striker
further
comprising:
a first flange having a hook portion;
a second flange having a hook portion; and
when said cable transfer pin is received by said striker, said larger diameter
portion of said cable transfer pin will be received in said hook portion of
said first
flange and said hook portion of said second flange.
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22. The latch transfer mechanism for a tailgate of claim 17, said connector
further
comprising:
a first pivot member pivotally connected to said tailgate;
a second pivot member pivotally connected to said first pivot member and said
cable transfer pin; and
when said first handle is actuated, said lifter will not pivot in said
housing,
said cable transfer pin will receive apply force from said spring to maintain
the
position of said cable transfer pin in relation to said striker, and said
housing, said
lifter, and said actuation rod will separate from said striker, allowing said
tailgate to
be moved to a position such that said tailgate is parallel to said bed; and
when said second handle is actuated, actuation rod will cause said lifter to
pivot relative to said housing, causing said lifter to apply force to said
cable transfer
pin such that said force from said spring member is overcome, and said cable
transfer
pin, said housing, said lifter, and said actuation rod are separated from said
striker.
23. The latch transfer mechanism for a tailgate of claim 17, said connector
further
comprising:
a slot formed in said tailgate;
a sliding bar connected to said cable transfer pin;
a slider pivotally connected to said sliding bar, disposed within said slot;
when said first handle is actuated, said cable transfer pin will remain
received
in said striker from force applied by said spring member, said sliding bar
will pivot
about said cable transfer pin, and said housing, said lifter and said
actuation rod will
separate from said striker; and
when said second handle is actuated, said actuation rod will cause said lifter
to
pivot in said housing, applying force to said large diameter portion of said
cable
transfer pin, overcoming the force of said spring member, separating said
cable
transfer pin, said housing, said lifter, and said actuation rod from said
striker.
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Description

CA 02584096 2007-04-05
Doc. No 705620 CA
Patent
LIFT GATE LATCH TRANSFER MECHANISM
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a latch transfer mechanism which is used for
a
tailgate. More particularly, the present invention is a latch transfer
mechanism which
allows for a tailgate to open in a drop down mode, as well as a swing mode.
Background of the Invention
Tailgates on motorized vehicles are known, whether for example on a pick-up
truck or
an SUV. However, depending on the model of the motorized vehicle, the tailgate
opens and closes in a certain direction. The tailgate can have a folding
motion, as
known with truck tailgates, or a swinging motion similar to that of a car
door. Both
opening motions have their benefits and drawbacks. For example, a folding
tailgate is
beneficial because it creates an extra surface or extension of the truck bed
and allows
an overhang beyond the frame of the vehicle which is useful during loading and
unloading. However, the fold down tailgate is troublesome when objects are
stored
on the far side of the truck bed and one must stretch across the additional
surface of
the tailgate to reach the object. Likewise, the tailgate that has a swinging
motion is
beneficial because it swings to the side of the vehicle which allows one to
reach
across the truck bed to reach an object without stretching across the
tailgate.
However, the swinging tailgate does not have the benefits of an overhang
beyond the
vehicle frame for loading and unloading.
Therefore, it is desirable to develop a system which would allow the tailgate
to open
and close in both a folding direction and a swinging direction. However, in
order to
develop such a system, difficulties with hinge systems, latches, and support
mechanisms to allow movement in multiple directions must be overcome. First,
the
tailgate must be connected to the motorized vehicle in multiple positions at
certain
times in order for the weight of the tailgate to be adequately supported.
However, the
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CA 02584096 2007-04-05
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Patent
tailgate cannot be attached to multiple positions on the motorized vehicle at
all times
because the connection of the tailgate at multiple places on the motorized
vehicle will
prevent the movement of the tailgate. Thus, a dual action latch system must be
developed in which the tailgate and the motorized vehicle are connected in
different
ways depending on the operation or movement of the tailgate.
Summary of the Invention
The present invention is a latch transfer mechanism including a tailgate
having a first
handle and a second handle, a lifter pivotably connected to a housing, a
striker for
selectively receiving a cable transfer pin, with the cable transfer pin
operably
associated with the lifter, and a connector connected to the cable transfer
pin, which is
also connected to the tailgate. The present invention also includes an
actuating rod
for actuating the lifter such that when the first handle is actuated, the
housing, lifter,
and actuating rod, will separate from the striker, and the cable transfer pin
will remain
received by the striker, allowing the connector to support the tailgate. When
the
second handle is actuated, the actuating rod will cause the lifter to pivot in
relation to
the housing, lifting the cable transfer pin out of the striker, allowing the
lifter,
actuating rod, and cable transfer pin to separate from the striker.
Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent
from the
detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the
detailed
description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment
of the
invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended
to limit
the scope of the invention.
Brief Description of the Drawings
The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed
description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:
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CA 02584096 2007-04-05
Doc. No 705620 CA
Patent
Figure la is a perspective view of a pick up bed with a tailgate having a
latch transfer
mechanism in a drop-down mode, according to the present invention;
Figure lb is a pick-up bed with a tailgate having a latch transfer mechanism
in a
swing open mode, according to the present invention;
Figure 2a is a perspective view of a latch transfer mechanism in a closed
position,
according to the present invention;
Figure 2b is a latch transfer mechanism used in a drop down mode, according to
the
present invention;
Figure 2c is a latch transfer mechanism in a swing-open mode, according to the
present invention;
Figure 3 is an exploded view of a latch transfer mechanism used in a tailgate,
according to the present invention;
Figure 4a is a sectional side view of a tailgate with an alternate embodiment
of a latch
transfer mechanism, according to the present invention;
Figure 4b is a second sectional side view of a tailgate with an alternate
embodiment of
a latch transfer mechanism, according to the present invention;
Figure 4c is a third sectional side view of a tailgate with an alternate
embodiment of a
latch transfer mechanism, according to the present invention;
Figure 5a is a sectional view of a tailgate with another alternate embodiment
of a latch
transfer mechanism, according to the present invention;
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CA 02584096 2007-04-05
Doc. No 705620 CA
Patent
Figure 5b is a second sectional side view of a tailgate with another alternate
embodiment of a latch transfer mechanism, according to the present invention;
and
Figure 5c is a third sectional side view of a tailgate with another alternate
embodiment
of a latch transfer mechanism, according to the present invention.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments
The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary
in
nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or
uses.
Referring to Figures 1 a and lb, a pickup bed having a tailgate with a dual
action latch
transfer mechanism according to the present invention, is generally shown at
10. The
bed 10 has a tailgate 12 which has a first handle 14 and a second handle 16.
The first
handle 14 is used to open the tailgate 12 in a "drop-down mode," shown in
Figure la,
and the second handle 16 is used to open the tailgate in a "swing mode," shown
in
Figure lb. In order for the bed 10 to be used in both drop-down mode and swing
mode, a latch transfer mechanism, generally shown at 18, according to the
present
invention is connected to the D-pillar 20.
Referring to Figures 2a, 2b, 2c, and 3, the latch transfer mechanism 18
includes a
striker 22 attached to the D-pillar 20. The latch transfer mechanism 18 also
has a
housing 24, the housing 24 having an inner plate 26 and an outer plate 28. The
inner
plate 26 has a first upper aperture 30 which aligns with a second upper
aperture 32 of
the outer plate 28. The inner plate 26 also has a first lower aperture 34
which aligns
with a second lower aperture 36 on the outer plate 28. A suitable fastener is
inserted
through the upper apertures 30,32, and through the lower apertures 34,36 to
connect
the inner plate 26 and upper plate 26. The fastener could be a rivet, nut and
bolt,
screw, or the like.
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CA 02584096 2007-04-05
Doc. No 705620 CA
Patent
Located in between the inner plate 26 and the outer plate 28 is a pivotable
member,
which in this embodiment is a lifter 38. The lifter 38 has a pair of
protrusions or pins
40 which are received in a middle aperture 42 in the inner plate 26, and a
middle
aperture 44 in the outer plate 28. The lifter 38 is able to pivot about the
pins 40. The
lifter 38 also includes an aperture 46 for receiving a pin 48 on the end of an
actuation
member, which in this embodiment is an actuation rod 50. The actuation rod 50
is
connected to the second handle 16, the function of which will be described
later.
The striker 22 includes a first flange 52 and a second flange 54, the flanges
53,54
have hook portions 56 which are used for selectively receiving a large
diameter
portion 58 of a pin mechanism, which in this embodiment is a cable transfer
pin 60.
The cable transfer pin 60 is located on the end of a cable bracket 62, which
is
connected to a connector. The connector, which in this embodiment is a cable
64, is
connected to the tailgate 12. Also attached to the striker 22 is a spring
member, which
in this embodiment is a wave spring 66. The wave spring 66 applies a force to
the
cable bracket 62. To lift the cable transfer pin 60 out of the hook portions
56, the
lifter 38 has extensions 68 which a positioned next to the large diameter
portion 58 of
the cable transfer pin 60, and, when actuated, apply a force to a small
diameter portion
70 of the cable transfer pin 60.
In operation, when the tailgate 12 is in the closed position, the latch
transfer
mechanism 18 will be in the position shown in Figure 2a. When it is desired to
open
the tailgate 12 in drop-down mode, the first handle 14 is actuated, and the
latch
transfer mechanism 18 will be in the position shown in Figure 2b. Since the
actuating
rod 50 is connected to the second handle 16, the lifter 38 will not pivot
about the pins
40. The wave spring 64 applies a force to the cable bracket 62, which
maintains the
position of the cable transfer pin 60 in the hook portions 56, while allowing
the
housing 24, the lifter 38, and the actuation rod 50 to be separated from the
striker 52,
and the tailgate 12 to be placed in the position shown in Figure la. The
weight of the
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CA 02584096 2007-04-05
Doc. No 705620 CA
Patent
tailgate 12 is partially supported by the cable 64. The cable transfer pin 60
is
supported by the hook portions 56 in the striker 22.
When it is desired for the tailgate 12 to be opened in swing mode, the second
handle
16 is actuated, which causes the actuation rod 50 to rotate the lifter 38
about the pins
40. As this occurs, the extensions 68 will apply force to the small diameter
portions
70, lifting the cable transfer pin 60 out of the hook portions 56, and the
latch transfer
mechanism 18 will be in the position shown in Figure 2c. In this position, the
housing
24, lifter 38, cable 64, and cable latch transfer pin 50 will all be separated
from the
striker 22, and the tailgate 12 can be placed in the position shown in Figure
lb.
Another embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figures 4a-4c, with
like
numbers referring to like elements. In this embodiment, the latch transfer
mechanism
18 is similar to the first embodiment, with the difference being that the
cable 64 has
been replaced with a first link 72 connected to a second link 74 by a pivot
point 76.
The first link 72 is connected to the tailgate 12 in a similar manner as the
cable 64,
and the second link 74 also includes cable transfer pin 60, which attaches to
the striker
22 in a similar manner in the first embodiment.
Another embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figures 5a-5c. In this
embodiment, the cable 64 has been replaced with a sliding bar 78. The sliding
bar 78
also has a cable transfer pin 60, similar to the first embodiment, but is also
pivotally
connected to a slider 80 which can slide in a slot 82. The slot 82 is formed
into the
tailgate 12. Once again, the cable transfer pin 60 can be selectively received
by the
striker 22 for allowing the tailgate 12 to operate in drop-down mode, or swing
mode.
When the tailgate 12 is moving in drop-down mode, the cable transfer pin 60
will
pivot in the hook portions 56 of the striker 22, while the slider 80 slides in
the slot 82.
The cable transfer pin 60 can be detached from the striker 22 in a similar
manner as
the first embodiment. However, the length of the slot 82 is such that when the
lifter
38 lifts the cable transfer pin 60 in an upward direction, the slider 80 will
have the
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. CA 02584096 2013-04-10
=
proper amount of space to also move in an upward direction when looking at
Figures
5a. The slider 80 moves upward in the slot 82 because the slider 80 is rigidly
connected to the cable transfer pin 60 through the sliding bar 78. The slot 82
and the
sliding bar 78 are also long enough such that the tailgate 10 will only be
allowed to
open to the position shown in Figure I a.
The description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and numerous
other
embodiments may be envisaged without departing from the scope of the instant
invention.
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Representative Drawing