Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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SWING GATE LATCH SYSTEM
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a latching device for a vehicle door. More
particularly, the present invention relates to a latching device which is used
as a
hinge along a first axis, but allowing free movement when rotating the door
between
a first position and a second position along a second axis.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Vehicles today typically have devices such as doors, hatches, or tailgates
that
open in a single direction. However, in some vehicles these devices are
capable of
opening in multiple directions. In regard to tailgates, it has become
increasingly
common to construct a tailgate having the ability to open in more than one
direction,
such as a drop down mode seen on many pickup trucks, as well as a swing open
mode where the tailgate can pivot about two hinges located on one side of the
tailgate. These multiple directional doors or tailgates typically require
complex hinge
systems which allow the door or tailgate to move in multiple directions.
Certain
hinges must be capable of performing a pivoting function, while at the same
time
having the ability to detach a portion of the tailgate from the vehicle. These
complex
hinge systems can be time consuming to install and manufacture.
Therefore, it is desirable to develop a less complex latch device that is
capable of allowing a vehicle door or tailgate to pivot in multiple
directions.
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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one embodiment, the present invention is a latch device having a latch and
a base portion, where the latch is selectively connected to the base portion,
and
pivotable about the base portion between a first position, a second position,
and any
position therebetween. The present invention also includes a cam mechanism for
securing the latch such that the latch is secured for rotation when the door
is rotated
about a first axis but allows free movement of the latch when the door is
actuated for
rotation about a second axis. The door is supported by the cam mechanism when
in
the open position so that the door will not drop down or disengage to the
side.
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:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a latch device in a first position, in
accordance with the present invention;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of a base portion used in a latch device, in
accordance with the present invention;
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Figure 3 is a second perspective view of a latch device in a first position,
in
accordance with the present invention;
Figure 4 is a perspective view of a latch device in a second position, in
accordance with the present invention;
Figure 5 is a second perspective view of a latch device in a second position,
in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 6 is a perspective view of a latch used in a latch device, in
accordance
with the present invention;
Figure 7a is a perspective view of a tailgate used in a drop down mode of
operation, in accordance with the present invention; and
Figure 7b is a perspective view of a tailgate used in a swing open mode of
operation, in accordance with 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 1-6, a latch device is generally shown at 10. The latch
device 10 has a latch, generally indicated at 12, and a base portion, or
striker,
generally indicated at 14. Preferably, the latch 12 and striker 14 are
operably
connected to one another so that the latch 12 acts similar to a hinge during
at least a
portion of the operation of the latch device 10, and moves with respect to the
striker
14, as described below.
In a preferred embodiment, the latch 12 has at least one cam or rail 16. Each
cam or rail 16 also includes at least one cam surface 18. The cam 16 is
defined by
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an opening in at least one side of the latch 12. Preferably there are two
latch slides
16 on opposite sides 20, 22 of the latch 12, where the shape of the latch
slides 16
are aligned with a slot, generally shown at 24, formed in the latch 12. It
should be
appreciated that additional predetermined features can be included in the
latch 12
which, for example but not limited to, effect the movement of the latch 12
with
respect to the striker 14.
In a preferred embodiment, the striker 14 has two extensions 26 that extend
from a base 28. Thus, the extensions 26 define a hollow interior in the
striker 14. A
striker pin 30 extends between the extensions 26, and is partially disposed
within an
aperture 32 formed in each of the extension 26. On each end of the striker pin
30 is
a cap 34, which holds the striker pin 30 in place. The striker 14 also has at
least one
striker roller, generally shown at 36. Preferably, the striker 14 has two
striker rollers
36 that extend from the extensions 26, substantially perpendicular to the
extensions
26 and are aligned with the striker pin 30. Thus, the striker rollers 36
extend
towards, and are aligned with, one another. The striker rollers 36 each have a
pin 38
partially disposed in an aperture 40, and a cam follower, which in this
embodiment is
a bushing 42 that is in contact with the cam surface 18 of each cam 16. The
cam
follower 42 could also be a bearing, or the like. The cam 16 and cam follower
36
form a cam mechanism, generally shown at 43.
The striker 14 is attached or imbedded into a vehicle body, which in this
embodiment the striker 14 is attached to a pillar 44 of a bed of a pickup
truck, shown
generally at 46. The latch 12 is attached or imbedded into a vehicle door,
hatch, or,
as in this embodiment, a tailgate 48. The striker 14 can be attached to the
pillar 44
by the use of a fastener, such as a screw, bolt, weld, rivet, or the like,
inserted
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through an aperture 50 in the striker 14, or by methods such as brazing or
welding.
The latch 12 can be attached to the tailgate 48 through the use of a flange 52
having
apertures 54. Again, a fastener such as a screw, bolt, weld, rivet, or the
like, could
be inserted through the apertures 54, or the flange could be attached to the
tailgate
48 by methods such as brazing or welding. Thus, the latch device 10 is located
at a
position relative to the tailgate 48 and bed 46 to allow the tailgate 48 to
pivot when
the tailgate 48 is opened in one direction, and to allow a portion of the
tailgate 48 to
detach from the bed 46 when the tailgate 48 is opened in a second direction.
Additionally, more than one latch device 10 can be used with a tailgate 48.
For example, in a preferred embodiment, one latch device 10 is located at a
first
location 56, and another latch device 10 is diagonally located in a second
location 58
for facilitating illustrated opening of the tailgate 48 in various directions.
The latch
device 10 located in the first location 56 is oriented differently relative to
the latch
device 10 located in the second location 58 such as to facilitate the tailgate
48 being
allowed to pivot in more than one direction. Additionally, a universal hinge
(not
shown) is provided at a third location 60, and is used for also facilitating
the tailgate
48 being allowed to pivot in more than one direction. Thus the latch device 10
at
second location 58 is positioned to effect rotation along a first axis 62, and
release
when the tailgate 48 is rotated along a second axis 64 in conjunction with the
universal hinge a the third location 60. Whereas latch device 10 at the first
location
56 provides release when the door is rotated along the first axis 62, and
provides for
rotation when the tailgate 48 is rotated along the second axis 64.
Also included in the latch device 10 is a rotating member (not shown) which is
used for receiving the striker pin 30 when the latch device 10 is in the
position shown
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in Figures 1 and 3. The rotating member rotates includes a recess which
receives the striker pin 30. This locks the striker pin 30 for securing the
tailgate
48 and can be unlatched for allowing the latch device 10 to operate as
described herein. A rotating member and a universal hinge used with the
present invention are set forth in U.S. Patent No. 7,547,056.
The latch devices 10 positioned as set forth above are suited for
allowing a tailgate 48 to operate in a "drop down" mode, or a "swing open"
mode. An example of a tailgate 48 operating in drop down mode is shown in
Figure 7a, and an example of a tailgate 48 opening in swing open mode is
shown in Figure 7b. When the tailgate 48 is closed, the latch device 10 is in
a
first position, as shown in Figure 1. When it is desired to operate the
tailgate
48 in the swing open mode, the tailgate 48 will pivot about the first axis 62
on
the opposite side of the latch device 10, and the striker pin 28 will slide
out of
the slot 24, releasing a portion of the tailgate 48 from the striker 14. When
the
latch device 10 is being used in the swing open mode, the tailgate 48 pivots
about the first axis 62 which is vertical in relation to the vehicle; thus,
the
tailgate 48 can swing open. As this occurs, the striker pin 30 slides out of
the
slot 24. Similarly, when the tailgate 48 is swung closed, the latch 12 and
striker
14 come into contact with one another by the striker pin 30 re-entering the
cam
16 through the slot 24. A liftgate latch mechanism (not shown) is used for
allowing one of the cables connected to the tailgate 48 to be released from
the
bed 46 when the tailgate 48 is being used in the swing open mode of operation.
A suitable liftgate latch mechanism for use in the present invention is
disclosed
in U.S. Patent No. 7,556,303.
When the tailgate 48 is used in the drop down mode, the latch 12 is
initially in the first position (Figure 1), and moves through a range of
motion to a
second drop down position, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, and the tailgate 48
will be in the position shown in Figure 7a. In this mode of operation, the
striker
pin 30 is located in the slot 24 and rests against the end of the slot 24.
When
the tailgate 48 opens in the drop down mode, the tailgate 48 will pivot about
the
striker pin 30, and the tailgate 48 shown in Figure 7a will rotate about the
second axis 64. As the tailgate 48 pivots, the bushing 42 of the striker
roller 32
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will translate along the cam surface 18. As the tailgate 48 and the latch 12
= pivot about the striker pin 30, the cam 16 is located between the striker
pin 30
and the bushing 38. The shape of the cam surface 18 dictates how the latch
12 pivots about the striker pin 30.
When the latch 12 is in the drop down position, the latch 12 is in the
position shown in Figures 4 and 5. The latch 12 is not allowed to separate
from
the striker 14 due to the latch slides 16. If the latch slides 16 were not
used,
the latch 12 would become disconnected from the striker 14 because the striker
pin 30 would slide out of the slot 24; gravity would cause the latch 12 and
the
tailgate 48 connected to the latch 12 to fall in a downward direction when
looking at Figures 4 and 5. The latch slides 16 maintain a pivoting connection
between the latch 12 and the striker 14. When the latch 12 is in the position
shown in Figures 4 and 5, the latch slides 16 are located between the bushing
42 and the striker pin 30, keeping the latch 12 connected to the striker 14.
Even if the rotating members used in the latch devices 10 in both the first
location 56 and the second location 58 are released, the latch slides 16 and
the
striker rollers 36 will maintain the rotation of the tailgate 48 about the
striker pin
30, regardless of whether the tailgate is being used in drop down mode or
swing open mode.
When the tailgate 48 is being closed from the drop down position, the
latch 12 moves with respect to the striker 14 due to the striker pin 30
extending
through the cam 16. When the tailgate 48 is in the closed position the
engagement of the tailgate 48 with the pillar 44 of the bed 46 restricts the
striker pin 30 from disengaging the slot 24.
When the latch 12 is pivoting and is connected to the striker 14, the
striker rollers 36 allow or assist the surfaces of the latch 12 to move about
the
striker 14. Thus, when the striker rollers 36 are not used then the friction
between the surfaces of the latch 12 and striker box 14 can prevent or
increase
the difficulty for the latch 12 to move with respect to the striker box 14,
when
compared to when the striker rollers 36 are used.
While the subject invention is illustrated as a tailgate 48, it should be
appreciated that the invention can be used on lift gates for SUV's, access
door
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panel boards, trunks, or other vehicle panels where opening along more than
= one axis is desirable.
The description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and, thus,
numerous other embodiments may be envisaged without departing from the
scope of the instant invention.
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