Patent ID: 7322630
Filing Date: 2008-01-29
Classification: B62D,E05F,E05Y

Abstract:
1. A vehicle tailgate lift assist support structure comprising: a vehicle rear end structure including a tailgate support structure with a pivot bearing sleeve extending in a lateral vehicle direction and a rearwardly facing surface having a first attachment pin extending in a rearward vehicle direction; a vehicle tailgate pivotally coupled to the tailgate support structure to open and close by rotation about a tailgate pivot axis; a bellcrank arm including a first end attached to the vehicle tailgate and a second end offset from the tailgate pivot axis with the first end of the bellcrank arm extending through the pivot bearing sleeve of the vehicle rear end structure and the second end of the bellcrank arm having a second attachment pin being located on a rearward side of the rearwardly facing surface, the first and second attachment pins being perpendicularly oriented with respect to each other and the second attachment pin extending parallel with and offset from the tailgate pivot axis; and a lift assist device including a first connection coupled to the second attachment pin of the bellcrank arm and a second connection coupled to the first attachment pin of the vehicle rear end structure to dampen opening movement of the vehicle tailgate relative to the vehicle rear end structure and to apply a closing torque to the vehicle tailgate during closing movement of the vehicle tailgate relative to the vehicle rear end structure.