Patent ID: 6257656
Filing Date: 2001-07-10
Classification: B62D,Y10T

Abstract:
A hinge mechanism for mounting a body panel on a vehicle, comprising:a hinge bar adapted to attach to a chassis of said vehicle, at least a portion of said hinge bar having a generally cylindrical cross-section with two round outer sides and two flat outer sides, said two round outer sides lying at a common outer diameter about a common center point, said two flat outer sides being generally parallel to one another, said hinge bar cross-section further having a first width between said two flat outer sides, said hinge bar cross-section having a second width equal to said outer diameter, wherein said outer diameter is greater than said first width; andat least one hinge bracket adapted to removably interlock with said cross-section portion of said hinge bar, said hinge bracket being adapted to retain said body panel, said hinge bracket having a generally C-shaped slot formed therein where said hinge bracket can interlock with said hinge bar cross-section, said C-shaped slot having one rounded inner side of an inner diameter and an opening of an opening width, said inner diameter being greater than said outer diameter such that said hinge bracket can pivot about said portion of said hinge bar, said inner diameter being greater than said opening width, said opening width being greater than said first width such that said hinge bar cross-section can slide into and out of said C-shaped slot of said hinge bracket along said two flat outer sides of said hinge bar cross-section, said opening width being less than said outer diameter such that said portion of said hinge bar can interlock within said hinge bracket over a pivotal range about said hinge bar.