Patent ID: 7533922
Filing Date: 2009-05-19
Classification: B62D,E05F,E05Y

Abstract:
1. A vehicle comprising: vehicle structure having an endgate with a hinge pivotally mounted thereto and movable between a closed position and a fully open position; and an endgate counterbalance including a hinge arm extending from the hinge and pivotally fixed relative to the endgate; an energy storage device having a first end and a second end configured to mount to vehicle structure, the energy storage device configured to store and dissipate potential energy as the first end is moved relative to the second end; and a crank mechanism pivotally connected between the hinge arm and the energy storage device; the endgate counterbalance configured to provide no rotational bias to the endgate when the endgate is in a cross-over position between the closed position and the fully open position and to provide a rotational bias to the endgate when the endgate is not in the cross-over position.