Abstract:
A trunk lid hinge in accordance with embodiments of the present invention provide the ability to operate a trunk of an automobile in a conventional manner as well as in an unconventional manner about two pivot axes. The trunk lid hinge comprises a hinge mount, a hinge bracket, and a locking element. The hinge mount is an elongated member having a mount first end and a mount second end opposite the mount first end. The hinge bracket is pivotally coupled to the mount second end and is adapted to be positioned at and between a first pivot position and a second pivot position about a pivot axis in addition to the stock pivot axis. Embodiment of the present invention permit the automobile enthusiast to retrofit the conventional trunk lid to operate as in an unconventional manner and allow the automobile manufacturers to incorporating trunk lids in automobiles with unconventional opening characteristics without requiring major redesign of the current trunk lids.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application is a continuation application claiming benefit of U.S. Non-Provisional Application No. 10/982,686, filed Nov. 4, 2004, and claiming benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 121 of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/518.130, filed Nov. 4, 2003, which are in their entireties incorporated herewith by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD  
       [0002]     This invention generally relates to motor vehicles, and more particularly, hinges for a boot or trunk lid of a motor vehicle.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0003]     The aggressively competitive automobile industry continuously strives to provide new and exciting features to the new model automobiles. A focus toward style, creature comforts and safety has been a major factor in differentiating one competitor&#39;s products from others and premium models from budget models.  
         [0004]     With many automobile owners not satisfied with the style, quality, and availability of the features provided by the automakers, owners have turned to aftermarket component manufacturers and even automobile kit manufacturers for satisfaction. The owners of hot rod, street rod, and classic automobiles are always looking for ways to customize and differentiate their cars from others, and styling, shape and form are high on the list of attributes that these owners wish to improve.  
         [0005]     One aspect of the automobile that has changed little is the flip-up trunk lid.  FIGS. 1A and 1B  are side views of an automobile  10  with a known flip-up trunk lid  12 , in a closed position and an open position, respectively.  FIG. 1C  is a side view of a known hinge mechanism  16  for the flip-up trunk lid  12 . The trunk lid  14  comprises a front edge  15  and an opposite rear edge  17 . The hinge mechanism  16  includes a pair of hinge brackets  18  and a pair of hinge arms  20 . Each hinge bracket  18  is coupled spaced-apart to a body panel  11  inside of the trunk  13 . Each of the hinge arms  20  include a trunk lid end  21  and a hinge end  22  opposite the trunk lid end  21 . The trunk lid ends  21  are coupled to the trunk lid  14  spaced-apart and adjacent the front edge  15  and the hinge ends  22  are pivotally coupled to respective hinge brackets  18  defining a common pivot axis A.  
         [0006]     The flip-up trunk lid  12  is suspended from the automobile  10  such that the trunk lid  14  pivots about the pivot axis A moving from a generally horizontal orientation in the closed position to a generally vertical position in the open position.  
         [0007]     The hinge arms  20  are formed into a preferred shape to provide an extension necessary to permit the hinge brackets  18  to be mounted inside the trunk  13  while allowing the trunk lid  14  to pivot and clear the trunk opening  19 . The preferred shape of the hinge arms  20  is adapted to extend the front edge  15  of the trunk lid  14  upward so as to clear the trunk opening  19  and other structures of the automobile  10 , such as the rear windscreen. The stock hinge arm  20  shape can also act as a counter-weight to preferentially balance the trunk lid  14  so as to make the operation of the trunk lid  14  easier.  
         [0008]     The hinge arms  20  are commonly manufactured from square or rectangular steel tubing that define a substantially square or rectangular bore cross-section, respectively.  
         [0009]     The common pivot axis A permits rotation of the trunk lid  14  only within one plane. As the trunk lid  14  is opened the rear trunk lid edge  17  swings up from the automobile  10  in a substantially vertical plane, whereby a space for access into the trunk  13  is formed like a clam shell with the trunk lid  14  pivoting up and toward the front of the automobile  10 .  
         [0010]     Many automobile enthusiasts consider it highly desirable to incorporate exotic features into their ordinary stock automobiles. Modifying the opening characteristics of the flip-up trunk lid  12  has for the most part, been out of reach of the aftermarket enthusiast.  
         [0011]     Accordingly, there is a need in the art to have components and assemblies that provide automobile manufacturers and aftermarket enthusiasts the ability to impart various opening characteristics to the flip-up trunk lid of currently designed automobiles without major modification to the automobile body or trunk lid structures.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0012]     A trunk lid hinge in accordance with embodiments of the present invention provide the ability to operate a trunk of an automobile in a conventional manner as well as in an unconventional manner about two pivot axes. The trunk lid hinge comprises a hinge mount, a hinge bracket and a locking element. The hinge mount is an elongated member having a mount first end and a mount second end opposite the mount first end. The hinge bracket is pivotally coupled to the mount second end and is adapted to be positioned at and between a first pivot position and a second pivot position about a pivot axis in addition to the stock pivot axis. Embodiment of the present invention permit the automobile enthusiast to retrofit the conventional trunk lid to operate as in an unconventional manner and allow the automobile manufacturers to incorporating trunk lids in automobiles with unconventional opening characteristics without requiring major redesign of the current trunk lids.  
         [0013]     These and other embodiments, aspects, advantages, and features of the present invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art by reference to the following description of the invention and referenced drawings or by practice of the invention. The aspects, advantages, and features of the invention are realized and attained by means of the instrumentality&#39;s, procedures and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
       [0014]      FIGS. 1A and 1B  are side views of an automobile with a known flip-up trunk lid in a closed position and an open position, respectively;  
         [0015]      FIG. 1C  is a side view of a known hinge mechanism for the flip-up trunk lid:  
         [0016]      FIGS. 2A-2D  are side views a truck lid in various positions in the opening of the trunk lid in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0017]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  are side views of a trunk lid a hinge mechanism, and a trunk lid hinge coupled to the stock trunk hinge mechanism, in a first open position and a second open position, respectively in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0018]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a trunk lid hinge in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0019]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  are side and front views of another embodiment of the hinge bracket wherein the hinge bracket forms a sleeve that surrounds the hinge mount second end on three sides;  
         [0020]      FIG. 6A  is a side view of a locking element comprising a pin and a biasing member, in accordance with and embodiment of the present invention:  
         [0021]      FIG. 6B  is a side view of a locking element comprising a solenoid including an actuator pin, in accordance with and embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0022]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  are perspective views of a trunk lid hinge in a first and second pivot position, respectively, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; and  
         [0023]      FIGS. 8A and 8B  are side views of a trunk lid, a hinge mechanism, and a trunk lid hinge coupled to the stock trunk hinge mechanism in a first open position and a second open position, respectively, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION  
       [0024]     In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof wherein like numerals designate like parts throughout. and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural or logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the following detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.  
         [0025]      FIGS. 2A-2D  are side views of a truck lid in various positions in the opening of the trunk lid  14  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 2A  shows the truck lid  14  in the closed position.  FIG. 2B  shows the trunk lid  14  in a first open position recognized as the known flip-up trunk lid  12  pivoting about a pivot axis A located within the trunk  13 , as shown in  FIG. 1C .  FIGS. 2C and 2D  show the trunk lid  14  pivoting to a second open position about a second pivot axis B located adjacent the trunk lid end  21  of the hinge arms  20 . The second open position provides the trunk lid  14  positioned generally horizontal providing a unique, aesthetically and functionally pleasing, orientation.  
         [0026]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  are side views of a trunk lid  14 , a hinge mechanism  16 , and a trunk lid hinge  30  coupled to the stock trunk hinge mechanism  16 , in a first open position and a second open position respectively, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The trunk lid  14  comprises a front edge  15  and an opposite rear edge  17 . The stock trunk hinge mechanism  16  includes a pair of hinge brackets  18  and a pair of hinge arms  20 , one of each is shown. The hinge bracket  18  is coupled to a body panel  11  inside of the trunk  13 . The stock hinge arm  20  includes a trunk lid end  21  and a hinge end  22  opposite the trunk lid end  21 . The trunk lid end  21  is coupled to a trunk lid hinge  30  which defines a second pivot axis B. The trunk lid hinge  30  is coupled to the trunk lid  14  adjacent the front edge  15 . The hinge end  22  is pivotally coupled to the hinge bracket  18  defining a pivot axis A.  
         [0027]     The trunk lid  14  is suspended from the automobile  10  such that the trunk lid  14  pivots about the pivot axis A moving from a generally horizontal orientation in the closed position to a generally vertical orientation in a first open position as shown in  FIG. 2A and 2B . The trunk lid hinge  30  is adapted to provide pivoting of the trunk lid  14  about the second pivot axis B to a second open position moving from a generally vertical orientation to a generally horizontal orientation as shown in  FIGS. 2C and 2D .  
         [0028]      FIG. 4  is a perspective exploded view of a trunk lid hinge  30  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The trunk lid hinge  30  comprises a hinge mount  32 , a hinge bracket  35 , and a locking element  46 . The hinge mount  32  is an elongated member having a mount first end  33  and a mount second end  34  opposite the mount first end  33 . The hinge bracket  35  is pivotally coupled to the mount second end  34  and is adapted to be positioned at and between a first pivot position and a second pivot position about second pivot axis B.  
         [0029]     The hinge bracket  35  comprises a flange  36  adapted to couple with the trunk lid  14 . The hinge bracket  35  comprises a plurality of through holes  37  adapted to receive a suitable fastener, such as, but not limited to bolts and screws. In other embodiments in accordance with the present invention, the hinge bracket  35  is coupled to the trunk lid  14  by any suitable means, such as, but not limited to, welding and brazing, negating the need for through holes  37 .  
         [0030]     The hinge bracket  35  further comprises a bracket hinge-pin bore  38 . The hinge mount second end  34  comprises a mount hinge-pin bore  39 . The hinge bracket  35  and the hinge mount second end  34  are adapted to engage pivotally coupled with axial alignment of the bracket hinge-pin bore  38  and the mount hinge-pin bore  39  with a hinge pin  31  therethrough. In an embodiment, the hinge bracket  35  provides a bore or sleeve  40  adapted to accept the hinge mount second end  34  therein.  
         [0031]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  are side views of another embodiment of the hinge bracket  41  wherein the hinge bracket  41  forms a sleeve  42  that surrounds the hinge mount second end  34  on three sides.  
         [0032]     In an embodiment, the hinge mount second end  34  is rounded to facilitate pivoting the hinge bracket  41  about the hinge pin  31  to a predetermined amount without being hindered by impacting the hinge mount second end  34 . It is understood that there are many suitable configurations wherein the hinge bracket  41  and hinge mount  32  may be pivotally coupled.  
         [0033]     The hinge mount  32  and the hinge bracket  41  pivot generally, from a first pivot position wherein the flange  36  is substantially parallel with the hinge mount  32 , to a second pivot position wherein the flange  36  is substantially perpendicular to the hinge mount  32 , as shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B . Wherein the flange  36  is substantially parallel with the hinge mount  32 , the trunk lid  14  is orientated in the standard flip-up position, as shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B . Wherein the flange  36  is substantially perpendicular with the hinge mount  32 , the trunk lid  14  is orientated in the horizontal position, second open position, as shown in  FIG. 2D .  
         [0034]     The mount first end  33  is adapted to be slidingly received into the bore  23  of the stock hinge arm  20  at the trunk lid end  22  and then coupled thereto such as, but not limited to, bolts and welding. Stock hinge arms  20  are commonly manufactured from square or rectangular steel tubing that define a substantially square or rectangular bore cross-section, respectively. In embodiments in accordance with the present invention, the mount first end  33  comprises a complimentary cross-section so as to be inserted into the bore  23  of the stock hinge arms  20 . In another embodiment, the hinge mount  32  comprises a stop  44  lip that is larger than the bore  23  and about the trunk lid end  22  to prevent over-insertion of the hinge mount  32  into the bore  23 .  
         [0035]     The trunk lid hinge  30  further comprises a locking element  46  adapted to control the pivoting of the hinge bracket  41 ; from freely pivoting to fixed. The locking element  46  is coupled to the hinge bracket  41  and is adapted to engage the hinge bracket  41  and the hinge mount  32  so as to prevent rotation about the hinge pivot  31  wherein the trunk lid  14  is orientated in the first open position as shown in  FIG. 2B . This facilitates the normal opening and closing of the trunk lid  14  shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B . The locking element  46  is adapted to disengage so as to permit the pivoting of the trunk lid hinge  30  from the first position to the second position such as shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B .  
         [0036]      FIG. 6A  is a side view of a locking element  46  comprising a pin  47  and a biasing member  48 , in accordance with and embodiment of the present invention. The pin  47  comprises a pin first end  49  and a pin second end  43  opposite the pin first end  49 . The biasing member  48  couples the pin  47  to the hinge bracket  35  and exerts biasing force on the pin  47  when the pin  47  is pulled into the disengaged position. In the engaged position the pin second end  43  extends a predetermined distance from the hinge bracket  35  and, when the flange  36  is generally parallel with the hinge mount  32 , the pin second end  43  is slidably received into a locking pin aperture  45  or bore in the hinge mount second end  34 .  
         [0037]     The locking pin first end  49  is adapted to provide a handle to allow the user to grab and pull the locking pin  46  out of engagement with the hinge mount  32  to permit pivoting of the trunk lid  14  as shown in  FIG. 3A and 3B . In an embodiment, the locking pin second end  43  is adapted to ride against the hinge mount second end  34  and be urged to the engaged position when the flange  36  is pivoted back towards parallel orientation with the hinge mount  32 , and is urged into the locking aperture  45  when returned to the first position.  
         [0038]      FIG. 6B  is a side view of a locking element  46  comprising a solenoid  50  including an actuator pin  52 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The actuator pin  52  has an engagement end  54 . The solenoid  50  is adapted, with the activation of an electrical switch, to release the actuator pin  52  from engagement with the hinge mount  32  when in the disengaged position and the engagement end  54  extends from the bracket  35  a predetermined distance when in the engaged position.  
         [0039]     In assembly, the trunk lid  14  is removed from the hinge arm  20 . The mounting bracket  35  is coupled to the trunk lid  14  with suitable fasteners coupling the flange  36  to the trunk lid  14 . The hinge mount  32  is slidably inserted into the stock hinge arm  20  at the trunk lid end  21  and coupled thereto.  
         [0040]     Referring again to FIGS.  2 A-D, the trunk lid  14  is operated in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 2A  shows the trunk lid  14  in the closed position wherein the locking element  46  is engaged with the hinge mount second end so as to prevent pivoting about the second axis B defined by the trunk lid hinge  30 . The trunk lid  14  is opened in the usual manor to pivoting about the stock hinge mechanism  16  about the first pivot axis A until the trunk lid  14  is substantially in the first open position. The locking element engagement end  54  is disengaged from the hinge mount second end  34  and the trunk lid  14  is pivoted about the second pivot axis B about the trunk lid hinge  30 . The trunk lid  14  is now free to be positioned in the horizontal orientation providing a unique, aesthetically and functionally pleasing orientation.  
         [0041]     The trunk lid  14  is closed by the reverse of the method above. The trunk lid  14  is pivoted about the trunk lid hinge  30  from the second open position to the first open position, wherein the locking element  46  becomes engaged with the hinge mount  32  to prevent further pivoting about the trunk lid hinge  30 . The trunk lid  14  is thereafter closed in the conventional way.  
         [0042]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  are perspective and top views respectively, of a trunk lid hinge  60  in a first and second pivot position, respectively, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. The trunk lid hinge  60  comprises a hinge mount  62 , a hinge bracket  70 , and a locking element  66 . The hinge mount  62  is an elongated member having a mount first end  61  and a mount second end  63  opposite the mount first end  61 . The hinge mount  62  further comprises a groove  65  along a mount first side  67  at least partially between the mount first end  61  and mount second end  63 . The groove  65  is adapted to receive the hinge bracket  70  therein.  
         [0043]      FIGS. 8A and 8B  are side views of a trunk lid  14 , a hinge mechanism  16 , and a trunk lid hinge  60  coupled to the stock trunk hinge mechanism  16  in a first open position and a second open position, respectively, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The trunk lid  14  comprises a front edge  15  and an opposite rear edge  17 . The stock trunk hinge mechanism  16  includes a pair of hinge brackets  18  and a pair of hinge arms  20 , one of each is shown. The hinge bracket  18  is coupled to a body panel  11  inside of the trunk  13 . The stock hinge arm  20  includes a trunk lid end  21  and a hinge end  22  opposite the trunk lid end  21 . The trunk lid end  21  is coupled to a trunk lid hinge  60  which defines a second pivot axis C. The trunk lid hinge  60  is coupled to the trunk lid  14  adjacent the front edge  15 . The hinge end  22  is pivotally coupled to the hinge bracket  70  defining a pivot axis A.  
         [0044]     The hinge mount  62  is adapted to couple with the stock hinge arm  20 . The hinge mount  62  comprises a plurality of through holes  74  adapted to receive a suitable fastener, such as but not limited to bolts and screws. In another embodiment in accordance with the present invention, the hinge mount  62  is coupled to the stock hinge arm  20  by any suitable means, such as, but not limited to, welding and brazing, negating the need for through holes.  
         [0045]     Referring again to  FIGS. 7A and 7B , the hinge bracket  70  comprises a hinge bracket first end  71  and a hinge bracket second end  72  opposite the hinge bracket first end  71 . The hinge bracket second end  72  is pivotally coupled to the hinge mount second end  63  within the groove  65  and is adapted to be positioned at and between a first position and a second position about second pivot axis C.  
         [0046]     The hinge bracket  70  is adapted to couple with the trunk lid  14 . The hinge bracket  70  comprises a plurality of through holes  74  adapted to receive a suitable fastener, such as, but not limited to, bolts and screws. In another embodiment in accordance with the present invention, the hinge bracket  70  is coupled to the trunk lid  14  by any suitable means such as but not limited to, welding and brazing, negating the need for through holes.  
         [0047]     The hinge bracket  70  further comprises a bracket hinge pin bore  76 . The hinge mount second end  63  comprises a mount hinge pin bore  68 . The hinge bracket  70  and the hinge mount second end  64  are adapted to engage pivotally coupled with axial alignment of the bracket hinge pin bore  76  and the mount hinge pin bore  68  with a hinge pin  31  therethrough. In an embodiment the hinge mount second end  63  is rounded to facilitate pivoting the hinge bracket  70  about the hinge pin  31  to a predetermined amount without being hindered by impacting the hinge mount second end  64 . It is understood that there are many suitable configurations wherein the hinge bracket and hinge mount may be pivotally coupled.  
         [0048]     The hinge mount  62  and the hinge bracket  70  pivot, generally, from a first pivot position wherein the hinge bracket  70  is substantially parallel with and nested within the groove  65  of the hinge mount  62 , to a second pivot position wherein the hinge bracket  70  is substantially perpendicular to the hinge mount  62 . Wherein the hinge bracket  70  is substantially parallel with the hinge mount  62  the trunk lid  14  is orientated in the standard flip-up position as shown in  FIG. 8B . Wherein the hinge bracket  62  is substantially perpendicular with the hinge mount, the trunk lid  14  is orientated in the horizontal position as shown in  FIG. 8B .  
         [0049]     The trunk lid hinge  60  further comprises a locking element  66  adapted to control the pivoting of the hinge bracket  70  from freely pivoting to fixed. The locking element  66  is adapted to engage the hinge bracket  70  and the hinge mount  62  so as to prevent rotation about the hinge pivot wherein the trunk lid  14  is orientated in the standard flip-up position as shown in  FIG. 8B . This facilitates the normal opening and closing of the trunk lid  14  shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B . The locking element  66  is adapted to disengage so as to permit the pivoting of the trunk lid hinge  60  from the first position to the second position such as shown in  FIGS. 2B and 2D .  
         [0050]     The locking pin first end  79  is adapted to provide a handle to allow the user to grab and pull the locking pin  78  out of engagement with the hinge mount  62  to permit pivoting of the trunk lid  14  as shown in  FIG. 2C and 2D .  
         [0051]     The trunk lid hinge  60  comprises a material suitable to its purpose, for example, but not limited to, steel, stainless steel, chromium steel, aluminum, brass, or plastic and may be fabricated, stamped, forged, cast, molded, or assembled from one or more sub-assemblies of suitable materials.  
         [0052]     Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein for purposes of description of the preferred embodiment it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that a wide variety of alternate and/or equivalent implementations calculated to achieve the same purposes may be substituted for the specific embodiment shown and described without departing from the scope of the present invention. Those with skill in the art will readily appreciate that the present invention may be implemented in a very wide variety of embodiments. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the embodiments discussed herein. Therefore, it is manifestly intended that this invention be limited only by the claims and the equivalents thereof.  
         [0053]     Persons skilled in the art will recognize that many modifications and variations are possible in the details, materials and arrangements of the parts and actions which have been described and illustrated in order to explain the nature of this invention and that such modifications and variations do not depart from the spirit and scope of the teachings and claims contained therein.