Telescopic trunk lid support device

One general aspect includes a trunk lid support device, including: a gooseneck member with a first end and a second end, where the first end is configured to couple to an interior sidewall of an automotive trunk and the second end is configured to couple to an automotive trunk lid; where the gooseneck member includes: a base assembly of a hollow construction located at the first end and configured to couple to the interior sidewall, an intermediate segment of a hollow construction, and a connection segment located at the second end.

INTRODUCTION

Trunk lids (decklids) that cover vehicle trunks are generally connected by a pair of laterally spaced hinges. One such hinge that may be used is of the gooseneck member variety because they allow full range of motion from an open position to a closed position and for counter-balancing the trunk lid weight. However, these goose-neck members can require significant space within the trunk compartment that may be better suited for other vehicle components such as, for example, electronic modules. It is therefore desirable to provide a gooseneck member which requires less space in the trunk compartment to allow more room for other vehicle components.

SUMMARY

One general aspect includes a trunk lid support device, including: a gooseneck member with a first end and a second end, where the first end is configured to couple to a body and the second end is configured to couple to a trunk lid; and where the gooseneck member includes a plurality of segments having a telescoping construction.

Implementations may include one or more of the following features. The support device where the body is an interior sidewall of an automotive trunk. The support device where the plurality of segments include: a base assembly located at the first end of the gooseneck member and configured to couple to the body, an intermediate segment, a connection segment located at the second end of the gooseneck member. The support device where each of the plurality of segments is of a hollow construction. The support device where: the base assembly has a first diameter; the intermediate segment has a second diameter, the intermediate segment is configured to slidably move in the first diameter of the base assembly; and the connection segment has a third diameter, the connection segment configured to slidably move in the second diameter of the intermediate segment. The support device where the gooseneck member is constructed of metal, plastic, or fiberglass.

One general aspect includes a trunk lid support device, including: a gooseneck member with a first end and a second end, where the first end is configured to couple to an interior sidewall of an automotive trunk and the second end is configured to couple to an automotive trunk lid; where the gooseneck member includes: a base assembly of a hollow construction located at the first end and configured to couple to the interior sidewall, an intermediate segment of a hollow construction, and a connection segment located at the second end.

Implementations may include one or more of the following features. The support device where: the base assembly has a first diameter; the intermediate segment has a second diameter, the intermediate segment configured to move telescopically in the first diameter of the base assembly; and the connection segment has a third diameter, the connection segment configured to move telescopically in the second diameter of the intermediate segment. The support device where the gooseneck member is constructed of metal, plastic, or fiberglass.

One general aspect includes a method of installing a gooseneck member to an interior sidewall of an automotive trunk, the method including: providing a gooseneck member with a first end and a second end, where the gooseneck member includes: a base assembly of a hollow construction located at the first end, an intermediate segment of a hollow construction, and a connection segment located at the second end; coupling the base assembly to the interior sidewall of the automotive trunk; allowing the intermediate segment to move telescopically in a first diameter of the base assembly; allowing the connection segment to move telescopically in a second diameter of the intermediate segment.

Implementations may include one or more of the following features. The method further including coupling the connection segment to a trunk lid. The method where the gooseneck member is constructed of metal, plastic, or fiberglass.

The above features and advantages and other features and advantages of the present teachings are readily apparent from the following detailed description for carrying out the teachings when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As shown inFIG. 1, a vehicle10that may be an automobile has a trunk lid12that is coupled to the vehicle10via a gooseneck member14. As a result, gooseneck14acts as a hinge that enables one end of the trunk lid12to rotatably lift away from the body of vehicle10while the other end remains in proximity to the vehicle10. To accomplish this effect and support the trunk lid's weight, gooseneck14is required to be manufactured from a rigid material such as, but not limited to, metal, plastic, or fiberglass.

As shown inFIGS. 2 and 3, the gooseneck14is coupled at one end to an interior sidewall16of the trunk of vehicle10. Whereas, the opposite end of the gooseneck14is coupled to the trunk lid12. In between the first and second ends, the gooseneck14includes three segments—a base assembly18, intermediate segment20, and connection segment22—which work in collaboration to create a telescoping construction. As such, the base assembly18is located at the first end of gooseneck14and is coupled to the interior sidewall16(side trim) which may be through the implementation of joining mechanisms24(FIG. 4). The connection segment22is located at the second end of gooseneck14and is coupled to trunk lid12through rotatable arm joint23. Intermediate segment20is thus interposed in between base assembly18and connection segment22. It should be understood the gooseneck member14may include more segments than the three as shown herein.

As shown inFIGS. 4 and 5, each of the segments18,20,22have a hollow construction. In this embodiment, the base assembly18includes a first diameter26that is wide enough to allow the intermediate segment20to slidably move throughout the hollow space (in the substantially vertical direction) so as to create telescopic movement of this segment20. The bottom end of the intermediate segment20may also include an external lip30, which is wider than the first diameter26, in order to restrict the intermediate segment20from sliding out of base assembly18. In addition, the top end of intermediate segment20may include a second external lip36to prevent the segment from falling through base assembly18and into the confines of a cavity behind interior sidewall16. Moreover, the intermediate segment20includes a second diameter28that is wide enough to allow the connection segment22to slidably move throughout the hollow space (in the substantially vertical direction) so as to create telescopic movement of this segment22. The bottom end of the connection segment22may also include an external lip32, which is wider than an internal lip34of intermediate segment20, in order to restrict the connection segment22from sliding out of intermediate segment20. The top end of the connection segment22may also include a lip on the opposite, external, side (not shown). It should be understood the connection segment22does not necessarily require a hollow construction. In certain embodiments, not shown, the telescoping segments18,20,22can be provided with a tongue and groove arrangement to prevent rotation.

As shown inFIG. 6, a method of installing an embodiment of a gooseneck member14onto an interior sidewall16is generally represented by reference numeral100. Method100begins with101in which a manufacturer is provided a gooseneck member14having a normal construction as well as vehicle10and general access to the trunk interior side wall16. In step110, the manufacturer attaches base assembly18to the interior sidewall16which may be through the implementation of joining mechanisms24(e.g., bolts, screws, rivets, etc.). In step120, the manufacture allows the segments18,20,22to freely move in their normal telescopic manner—as discussed above. In this step, the manufacturer should ensure that nothing restricts the movement of the gooseneck member14while it is being operatively extended or retracted. In an optional step130, the manufacture couples the trunk lid12to the opposite end of gooseneck member14. When gooseneck member14is adequately installed onto the interior sidewall16method100moves to completion131.

None of the elements recited in the claims are intended to be a means-plus-function element within the meaning of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) unless an element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for” in the claim.