Patent ID: 7731165
Filing Date: 2010-06-08
Classification: E05C,E05F,E05Y,F16F

Abstract:
1. A hood support for a vehicle having a hood moveable between open and closed positions, the hood support comprising: (a) a spring assembly disposable between a vehicle hood and another portion of the vehicle, wherein the spring assembly is moveable into an extended position to accommodate movement of the hood into the open position, and wherein the spring assembly is moveable into a compressed position to accommodate movement of the hood into the closed position; (b) a lock tube surrounding a portion of the spring assembly and pivotally mountable to one of the spring assembly and the vehicle such that the lock tube is rotatable about a pivot point relative to the spring assembly, the lock tube being selectively actuatable between a locked position, wherein the lock tube secures the spring assembly in the extended position, and an unlocked position, wherein the spring assembly is permitted to be displaced into the compressed position; and (c) a handle secured to the lock tube and configured to secure the lock tube in the unlocked position said handle includes a magnet adapted to engage a portion of the spring assembly to secure the lock tube in the unlocked position and said handle includes a cam portion adapted to separate the spring assembly from the magnet and urge the spring assembly into the lock tube as the spring assembly compresses.