Patent ID: 6055775
Filing Date: 2000-05-02
Classification: B60J,E05F,E05Y

Abstract:
A liftgate self-closing device for a liftgate of a vehicle, said device comprising:a power drive unit;a track drive member having a plurality of teeth drivingly interconnected with said power drive unit such that said power drive unit selectively drives said track drive member; anda pneumatic actuator adapted to be pivotally coupled at one end to the liftgate and pivotally coupled at the other end to said track drive member, said actuator exerting a force for opposing retraction of the liftgate,wherein said power drive unit drives said track drive member and said pneumatic actuator in a direction thereby decompressing said pneumatic actuator to enable the liftgate to close under the force of gravity, said power drive unit further drives said track drive member and said pneumatic actuator in an opposite direction thereby compressing said pneumatic actuator to enable the liftgate to be operated manually.