Patent ID: 6609750
Filing Date: 2003-08-26
Classification: B60J

Abstract:
An assembly for mounting an outwardly opening hatch in a passenger vehicle opening, the opening surrounded by an outside marginal area and an inside marginal area, the assembly having a hatch, a sealant member, and a mounting frame assembly;the hatch comprising an exterior cover and an interior cover, the exterior cover having a greater surface area which overlaps that of the interior cover, the overlap of the exterior cover forming a sealing edge within the periphery of the exterior cover and further delineating a downwardly extending edge; the sealant member attached to the sealing edge of the exterior cover; the mounting frame assembly comprising an exterior frame and an interior frame, the exterior frame having a mounting flange portion extending laterally outwardly and overlaying the outside marginal area of the vehicle opening, an exterior wall extending upwardly from the mounting flange portion, an upper edge which forms a hatch sealing edge, and an interior flange portion which lines the vehicle opening; the interior frame having a mounting flange portion extending laterally outwardly and overlaying the inside marginal area of the vehicle opening, and an interior flange portion which lines the vehicle opening, wherein the interior flange portions of the exterior and interior frames are in an overlaying relationship; the assembly including a fixed hinge linkage and at least one separable hinge linkage to connect the hatch to the mounting frame assembly, and to allow for movement of the hatch-relative to the mounting frame assembly; wherein the exterior frame comprises a cavity formed at the juncture of the mounting flange portion and the exterior wall, the cavity located on the same side of the frame assembly as the fixed flange linkage, wherein, upon opening of the hatch to an extended position, the cavity is capable of receiving the downwardly extending edge of the exterior cover, whereby the hatch cover can be opened to an angle greater than 90 degrees without imposing stress upon the lid of the hatch.