Patent ID: 7547055
Filing Date: 2009-06-16
Classification: B62D,E05F,E05Y

Abstract:
1. A vehicle tailgate movement assist mechanism comprising: a manually actuated tailgate configured to rotate substantially 90 degrees between opened and closed positions; a tailgate lever arm fixedly connected to a bottom area of the tailgate; a drive lever pivotally connected at one end thereof to said tailgate lever arm and pivotally connected at an opposite end thereof to a bell crank, said bell crank pivotally anchored at one end thereof to a vehicle body; and a strut pivotally anchored at one end thereof to the vehicle body and pivotally connected at an opposite end thereof to said bell crank, wherein said bell crank and strut are pivotally connected generally within a vehicle rear sill, and wherein rotation of the tailgate from a closed to an opened position simultaneously rotates said tailgate lever arm to impart movement to said drive lever and said bell crank to thereby actuate said strut to reduce an opening speed of the tailgate.