Patent Publication Number: US-2020298917-A1

Title: Wheel Carrier Bracket Assembly

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims benefit to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/822,941, filed on Mar. 24, 2019, entitled Wheel Carrier Bracket Assembly. The entire disclosure of the above application is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The subject application relates to a hinge assembly, and particularly to a hinge assembly that may incorporate a wheel carrier. 
     BACKGROUND 
     This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art. 
     A vehicle may include a wheeled vehicle. The wheeled vehicle may be powered by an engine, such as an internal combustion engine. The engine may drive the wheels through a transmission system that may be operated by a user. 
     Generally, the wheels may be formed of a material that is substantially rugged. During various uses, a portion of the wheel, such as a rubber covering, may become damaged and/or a wheel rim may be damaged. After damaging of the wheel, or a portion thereof, a replacement or spare wheel may be used to replace the broken or damaged wheel. The spare wheel may be carried by the vehicle. 
     SUMMARY 
     This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features. 
     Various vehicles, such as wheeled vehicles, may carry a spare wheel. The wheel may include a rim that is surrounded by a traction enhancing material, such as a rubber or rubber compound tire. In various embodiments, the spare wheel may be carried externally to the vehicle, such as in or on a mount connected to a body on a panel of the vehicle. 
     For example, a spare wheel may be carried on a tailgate, door, or other appropriate rear portion of a vehicle. The tailgate may be connected to various other portions, such as a frame or outer body portions, of the vehicle with a hinge assembly. The hinge assembly may be provided with a selected configuration and a construct to carry the spare wheel of a selected mass. The hinge assembly allows the tailgate to be moved relative to a body of the vehicle. The spare wheel (which may include a rim and a tire) may have a mass or weight of about 40 pounds to about 100 pounds (about 18 kilograms to about 45 kilograms), including a mass or weight of greater than about 50 pounds (22 kilograms). 
     In various embodiments, a hinge assembly may connect the tailgate to additional portions of the vehicle, such as a frame or side panel, and also include or be connected to a wheel carrier. Accordingly, the mass of the tailgate and/or the spare wheel may be carried by the hinge assembly. The hinge assembly, therefore, may include a strength and toughness to carry the mass of the spare wheel and the tailgate assembly. Additionally, various components may be used to provide additional rigidity and strength to the assembly, including to the vehicle body itself. 
     Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. 
    
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
       The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 1  is a front elevation view of a wheel carrier bracket assembly; 
         FIG. 2  is a rear elevation view of the wheel carrier bracket assembly; 
         FIG. 3  is a top plan view of the wheel carrier bracket assembly; 
         FIG. 4  is a bottom plan view wheel carrier bracket assembly; 
         FIG. 5  is a first side elevation view of wheel carrier bracket assembly; 
         FIG. 6  is a second side elevation view of wheel carrier bracket assembly; 
         FIG. 7  is a bottom rear perspective view from the first side of wheel carrier bracket assembly; 
         FIG. 8  is a top rear perspective view from the first side of wheel carrier bracket assembly; 
         FIG. 9  is an exploded view of  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a detail front perspective view of a hinge portion of the wheel carrier bracket assembly; 
         FIG. 11  is a detail rear perspective view of a hinge portion of the wheel carrier bracket assembly; 
         FIG. 12  is a detailed environmental view of a bracket and hinge assembly connected to a tailgate; 
         FIG. 13  is an environmental view of a wheel carrier and bracket and hinge assembly connected to a vehicle; 
         FIG. 14  is a partial exploded detail view of a tail lamp and reinforcement member; 
         FIG. 15  is a detailed view of a mounted spare wheel on a wheel holder assembly; 
         FIG. 16  is a detailed view of a wheel holder in an angled position; 
         FIG. 17  is an assembled view of a wheel holder in an angled position; 
         FIG. 18  is a detailed environmental view of an angled position of a wheel relative to a mounted bracket assembly; 
         FIG. 19  is a perspective view of a stop member; 
         FIG. 20  is a detailed exterior view of a door travel arm and stop portion; and 
         FIG. 21  is a detailed interior view of a door travel arm and stop portion. 
     
    
    
     Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     With reference to the Figures an assembly and various environmental views are illustrated. In  FIG. 1  through  FIG. 9 , a hinge and wheel carrier assembly  100  is illustrated that includes various portions, as discussed herein.  FIGS. 10 and 11  illustrate a bracket  112  and a hinge member or portion  108  of a hinge assembly portion  104  of the hinge and wheel carrier assembly  100 .  FIG. 12  through  FIG. 18  illustrate various portions and environmental views of the hinge and wheel carrier assembly  100 .  FIG. 19  through  FIG. 21  illustrate a door stop and/or holding member that may be associated with the hinge and wheel carrier assembly  100 . 
     The wheel carrier and hinge assembly  100  may include various components such as the hinge assembly portion  104  including the hinge portion (also referred as a side body or frame connecting member)  108  and the bracket (also referred to as a tailgate or rear wheel panel connection portion)  112 . With continuing reference to  FIG. 1  and additional reference to  FIG. 12 , the hinge assembly  104  includes the main bracket  112  that connects to a rear body panel or tailgate  120 . The side panel or frame connection portion  108  of the hinge assembly  104  may include a first or top connector  124  and a second or bottom connector  128 . The hinge assembly  100  can further include a panel or connection reinforcement member  132 , as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , which extends between the top connector  124  and the bottom connector  128 . It is understood that reference to top and bottom is merely for the clarity of the current disclosure, and not intended to limit the scope thereof. 
     With continuing reference to  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 12  and additional reference to  FIG. 3 , the bracket  112  may be fixed to the tailgate  120  in an appropriate manner. For example, one or more fasteners  140 , such as bolts, screws, rivets, or the like may extend through the bracket member  112  and into the tailgate assembly  120 . It is understood that any appropriate number of the fasteners  140  may be used to fix the main bracket  112  to the tailgate  120 , and the illustration of the number in  FIG. 2  and in various figures, is merely exemplary. 
     The main bracket member  112  may be fixed to the tailgate  120  in an appropriate manner to fix the bracket assembly  100  to the tailgate  120 . The main bracket  112  may be provided to carry the mass of the spare wheel  162  ( FIG. 13 ) relative to the tailgate  120 . Thus, the main bracket  112  may be formed of a selected material, such as aluminum, titanium, or metal allow to carry the mass of the spare wheel  162 . The fasteners  140  may be provided in an appropriate much to ensure that the main bracket and the spare wheel  162  are appropriately fixed to the tailgate  120  and to be held relative to the hinge portion  108 . 
     With continuing reference to  FIGS. 1-9 , and additional reference to  FIGS. 10 and 11 , the main bracket  112  may include various portions to assist in mounting and reinforcing the assembly  100  relative to the tailgate  120  and/or for reinforcing the tailgate  120 . As discussed above, the spare wheel  162  may include a mass to be carried substantially by the main bracket  112  relative to the hinge portion  108  that are mounted to the vehicle body, as discussed further herein. Accordingly, the main bracket  112  may extend from a hinge connection  113  to a wheel carrier portion or section  114 . The main bracket  112 , therefore, may include a body portion  198  that may include various structures or portions. The main bracket body  198  may include various bore holes to allow the fasteners  140  to pass there through and connect to the tailgate  120  and/or other stability portions, such as projections or fingers to engage the tailgate  120 . Further, the main body  198  may include a depression or lowered area or region wall  116  that may extend from the upper or top surface of the body  198  to a plate or panel  117  that engages or holds the wheel carrier assembly  260 , as discussed further herein. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 12 , the tailgate  120  may be substantially held with the hinge assembly  100  relative to the vehicle, as also illustrated in  FIG. 13 . As illustrated in  FIG. 13  the hinge assembly  100  is fixed to a vehicle  150  having the tailgate  120  that is movable relative to one or more side panels including a side panel or rear fender portion  154 . The side panel  154  may include a light fixture, such as a rear light fixture  158  that may be fixed to the side panel  154  and/or removable therefrom ( FIG. 14 ), as discussed further herein. As further illustrated in  FIG. 13 , the wheel assembly (also referred to as the spare wheel)  162  may be connected to the hinge and wheel carrier bracket assembly  100 . The wheel carrier and bracket assembly  100  may include the main bracket portion  112  that may be connected to the tailgate  120  and the hinge portion (also referred to as a side panel connection portion)  108  connected to the side panel and/or relative to the side panel  154 . The hinge and wheel carrier bracket assembly  100  may, therefore, allow the tailgate  120  to swing or open (i.e. hingedly) move relative to the side panel  154  when assembled, as discussed herein. 
     With continuing reference to  FIG. 1 , the hinge and wheel carrier bracket assembly  100 , therefore, may define one or more hinge portions or regions, such as a first hinge portion  170  and a second hinge portion  174 . The two hinge portions  170 ,  174  may be formed between the hinge portion  108  and the main bracket member  112 . Generally, the hinge portions  170 ,  174  may include portions that extend or are formed at the bracket end  113 . Moreover the hinge portion  108  may extend between the two connector portions  124 ,  128  with a connection portion or a member  178 . 
     The connection member  178  may be formed integrally, for example as a single piece, with the connector portions  124 ,  128 . It is understood, however, that the connection member  178  may also be formed separately from the connection members  124 ,  128  and fixed thereto such as with fasteners or connection mechanisms or processes (e.g. welding, brazing, etc.). Accordingly the hinge portion  108  may be formed as a single piece and fixed to the vehicle side panel  154  with appropriate connection portions, such as one or more fasteners  182 , as illustrated in  FIG. 8 ,  FIG. 9 , and  FIG. 10 . The fasteners  182  may be any appropriate type of fasteners, such as bolts, nuts, or the like that may be used to fix the hinge portion  108  to the vehicle side panel  154 , or a selected portion thereof. In various embodiments, the fasteners  182  may include a nut  182   a  and a bolt  182   b.  The bolt  182   b  may pass or extend through the bores  189  and through a bore in the reinforcement portion  132  and engage the nut  182   a.  A threaded engagement may be used to engage the nut  182   a  and the bolt  182   b.  It is understood, however, that other appropriate engagements maybe used. 
     The fasteners  182  pass through one or more projections or fingers of the hinge portion  108 . For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 8  and  FIG. 9 , the hinge portion  108  includes the top projection  124  at a first end of the hinge portion  108  and the bottom projection  128  at a second end of the hinge portion  108 . Each of the first and second projections  124 ,  128  define bores  189  through which the fasteners  182  pass. The fasteners  182  may then engage the panel  154  and/or the reinforcement  132  to fix the hinge portion  108  relative thereto. 
     In addition to the hinge portion  108 , the reinforcement member  132  may also be used to assist in reinforcing or connecting the bracket assembly  100  to the vehicle  150 . The reinforcement member  132 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 2, 8 , and  10 , may extend between the connection portions  124 ,  128 . The reinforcement member  132  may be an integrally formed or provided member, such as formed as one piece or formed as a plurality of pieces that are fixed together. For example, the reinforcement member  132  may be formed as a plurality of members and fixed together with selected fasteners and/or fixation processes (e.g. welding, brazing, etc.). The reinforcement member  132 , as discussed herein, may be provided to reinforce or support connection areas or bores for the hinge portion  108 . 
     During an install of the hinge and bracket assembly  100 , such as during an original manufacturing or as an after-market install, the reinforcement member  132  may be connected or positioned near or adjacent the side panel  154 . In various embodiments, for example, the side panel  154  may include a selected fabrication or design, as illustrated in  FIG. 14 , having a portion of material, such as sheet metal, or the like, forming a portion of the side panel  154   a.  In various embodiments, as illustrated in  FIG. 14 , the rear tail light or tail light assembly  158 , may be removed from the rear side panel  154 . The reinforcement member  132  may then be positioned through an opening, such as on left by the taillight removal, to side panel  154  of the vehicle  150  to engage a first side of the side panel portion  154   a.    
     The extension or connection portions  124 ,  128  may extend along a second side of the side panel portion  154   a,  such as opposite the side panel  154   a.  The connectors  182  may then pass through the reinforcement member  132 , the side panel portion  154   a,  and the connection portions  124 ,  128  to fix the hinge portion  108  to the side panel  154 . The main bracket  112  may be fixed to the tailgate  120  with the connection members  140 , as discussed above. As discussed herein, the bracket  112  may be hingedly connected to the hinge portion  108  to allow the bracket  112  (and the connected tailgate  120 ) to hingedly move relative to the hinge member  108  (and the side panel  154 ). Thus, the reinforcement member  132  may be used to reinforce the connection of the wheel carrier and hinge assembly  100  to the vehicle  150 , such as to the side panel  154 . 
     In various embodiments, the reinforcement member  132  may be formed of a selected material including steel or steel alloys (e.g. stainless steel alloys), titanium, or other appropriate metal portions. The reinforcement member  132  may also be formed by forging, welding, or the like. The hinge portion  108  may also be formed of selected materials, such as steel, steel alloys, aluminum or aluminum alloys, or other appropriate metals or materials. The hinge portion  108  may be formed by various selected techniques, such as forging, machining, or casting of selected materials as discussed above. The main bracket  112  may also be formed of selected processes such as casting, machining, or forging of selected materials such as aluminum, steel, titanium, or other appropriate materials. Nevertheless, the main bracket  112  and the hinge portion  108  may form the hinge portions or hinge areas  170 ,  174 . 
     The two hinge portions  170 ,  174 , therefore, may allow or form a hinged connection between the main bracket  112  and the hinge member  108 . The main bracket  112  may include a first projection or ear  190  and a second projection or ear  194  that extend from a main portion or body portion  198  of the main bracket  112 . The ears  190 ,  194  may be received in gaps or openings, including a first opening  202  and a second opening or passage  206  in the hinge portion  108 . The openings  202 ,  206  may receive or allow the ears  190 ,  194  to be received therein to allow for movement of the main body  198  relative to the side panel  154 . Passages or connection portions may be formed in the hinge portion  108  to receive one or more hinge pins  210 . It is understood that an appropriate hinge pin or assembly may be used to interconnect the hinge portion  108  and the main bracket  112 . For example, one or more bushings or bearing members  212  may surround the hinge pin  210  to assist in smooth and efficient movement of the tailgate  120 , to which the main bracket  112 , is connected, relative to the hinge portion  108 . In various embodiments, one extended hinge pin  210  may extend between both hinge portions  170 ,  174  or each hinge portion  170 ,  174  may have a separate hinge pin  210  spanning the opening  202 ,  206  and engaging the ears  190 ,  194 . 
     The main bracket  112  may also carry or hold various auxiliary or additional portions or assemblies. The additional portions may be releasably connected to the main bracket in a selected manner. The additional portions may assist or hold other appropriate members relative to the vehicle  150 . For example, a jack bracket or jack holding member  220  may be fixed to the main bracket  112 . The jack bracket  220  may hold a jack  224  relative to the vehicle and the hinge and bracket assembly  100 , as illustrated in  FIG. 13 . The jack  224  may be used for various purposes, as is understood by one skilled in the art. The jack  224  may also be mounted directly to the bracket  112  in an appropriate manner prior to a selected use. Other portions may also be connected, such as fuel containers, water containers, etc. 
     With continuing reference to  FIGS. 1-8  and addition reference to  FIGS. 13-18 , the hinge and bracket assembly  100  may further include a wheel holder or carrier assembly  260 . The wheel carrier assembly  260  may include various portions, such as a first bracket connection side or portion  264  and a second tailgate connection portion  268 . The two portions  264 ,  268  may be interconnected with a connection or bracket portion  272  that has or defines one or more connection portions, such as one or more throughbores  273 . 
     The wheel carrier bracket  260  may be formed as a single piece and/or connected or formed together of a plurality of pieces such as by welding, or the like. Nevertheless, the bracket connection portion  264  may be integrally formed into a single piece or formed as a single piece with the bracket portion  272  in the tailgate connection portion  268 . In various embodiments, the tailgate connection portion  268  is a single piece configured to be connected to the tailgate  120  and the bracket connection portion  264  is a single piece connected to the main bracket  112  and the bracket portion  272  is fixed between the two pieces during installation. In various embodiments, all of the tailgate connection portion  268 , the bracket connection portion  264 , and the bracket portion  272  is one piece that is mounted to the main bracket  112  and the tailgate  120  as a single unit during installation. 
     Extending from the bracket connection portion  264  may be a wheel mounting bracket assembly  278 . The wheel mounting bracket assembly  278  may be movable relative to the central bracket portion  272 , as discussed further herein. Also the wheel mounting bracket  278  may include a light or accessory mounting portion  282  that may be movable relative to the central bracket portion  272  separate or independent of the wheel mounting portion  278 . Additionally, an auxiliary or camera portion  288  may extend from the wheel mounting bracket portion  278 . In various embodiments, a camera lens or portion may be mounted through an opening  290  formed in the bracket portion  288  for various accessories such as a backup or rear view camera. 
     In various embodiments the wheel mounting bracket portion  260  may be mounted independent of or affixed to the main bracket portion  112 . Various fasteners or connectors  300 , such as bolts, nuts, or screws may connect the wheel mounting portion  260  to the bracket  112  and additional or similar fasteners  304  may be used to fix the bracket portion  260  to the tailgate  120 . 
     The wheel carrier assembly portion  278  allows for adjustability or a change of an angle of the spare wheel  162  relative to the tailgate  120 . As illustrated in  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 16 , the wheel carrier assembly  278  may include a first or outer wheel carrier portion or bracket  320  that includes a side bracket or member  324 . Formed through the side bracket member  324  a plurality of through bores  326 . Formed on a second side or opposite to the through bores  326  may be a through groove or elongated hole  330 . The outer bracket  320  may be connected to an inner bracket  336 , such as with one or more fasteners  340 . The inner bracket  336  may be fixed to the central bracket or portion  272  with one or more fasteners  344  passing through throughbores in the inner bracket  336  to interconnect with one or more fasteners or throughbores in the bracket portion  272 . The elongated slot  330 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 16 , may allow the wheel carrier portion  278  to rotate relative to the bracket portion  112 , as discussed further herein. 
     Further, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the wheel carrier portion  278  may move up or down relative to the main bracket portion  112 , such as generally in the direction of the double headed arrow  350 . The carrier portion  278  may be moved relative to the bracket portion  272  by engaging different levels of the holes or bores  273 . Selected fasteners  344  may be used to releasably fix the wheel carrier portion  278 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 15 , the wheel  162  may be held in a vertical position. When the carrier portion  320  has or is assembled such that an upper fastener  340  is substantially vertically aligned with a lower fastener  342  (e.g. within about 0.001 millimeters (mm) to about 1 mm from a common axis), the wheel  164  is substantially vertical. When vertical an axis  354 , as illustrated in phantom in  FIG. 16 , defined by or parallel to the bracket  320 ′ (illustrated in phantom) may be substantially normal to a ground surface or may be substantially parallel to a plane of the bracket member  112 . 
     In various embodiments, however, the wheel carrier bracket  320  ( FIG. 5 ) may be moved or tilted along a tilted axis  354 ′ ( FIG. 18 ) that is tilted or angled from the vertical axis  354 , as illustrated in solid line in  FIG. 16 . To move or orient the bracket  320  to an angle relative to the vertical axis  354  the upper fastener  340  may be moved closer to the main bracket  112  and/or the tailgate  120  with an inner throughbore (i.e. a throughbore near the bracket portion  272 )  360 . The lower fastener  342 , therefore, is positioned or moves within and/or relative to the elongated hole or bore  330 , as illustrated in solid lines in  FIG. 16  and in  FIG. 17 . It is understood that other positions may be used using the plurality of through bores in the bracket portion  336  to achieve the angle or tilt. Generally, the tilt is achieved when the upper fastener  340  is not aligned with the lower fastener  342 , such as by an amount of greater than 1 mm from a common axis. In various embodiments, the distance may be greater than about 1 centimeter (cm), including about 1 cm to about 10 cm. 
     In this configuration a front or face plane of the wheel carrier  320  may be angled and is non-parallel to a face or plane of the plate bracket  112 . Accordingly, as illustrated in  FIG. 18 , the axis  354  of the wheel  162  may be positioned at an angle relative to the plate  112  which is substantially non-parallel. Further, the axis  354  is substantially non-normal to a flat ground surface below the vehicle  150 . The wheel carrier assembly  100 , therefore, may allow for change in an angle of the wheel  162  relative to the vehicle  150  due to movement of at least one of the fasteners, such as the upper fastener  340 , relative to the bracket portion such as an inner bracket portion  336 . 
     With continuing reference to  FIGS. 1-8 and 13-14  and additional reference to  FIGS. 19-21 , the tailgate  120  may move relative to the side panel  154 , such as due to the hinge assembly  100 . In various embodiments, therefore, the tailgate  120  may move around the hinge pin(s)  210  such that the tailgate  120  may swing relative to the side panel  154 . Swinging motion of the tailgate  120  may apply a force relative to the side panel  154 , including the side panel member  154   a  as illustrated in  FIG. 14 . The tailgate  120  may be moved between a closed position, as illustrated in  FIG. 18  and  FIG. 20 , and an open position, as illustrated in  FIG. 21 , and vice versa. To open the tailgate  120 , the tailgate  120  may move generally in the direction of arrow  395  around an axis  397  via the pins  210  due to the hinge assembly  104 . 
     The side panel  154  may include or define an opening or a void  400 . Extending or movable through the void  400  may be a door arm or control arm  404 . The door arm  404  may extend or pass through a passage, such as the void  400  and/or other passages during movement of the tailgate  120 . 
     During a selected movement, such as a maximum opening or travel of the tailgate  120 , an end or stop portion  410  of the arm  404  may move relative to a passage of the vehicle  150 , including a stop block or panel  414 . As the arm  404  is connected to the tailgate  120 , when the arm  404  stops the tailgate  120  also stops. A stop member  420 , therefore, may be connected or incorporated with the arm  404  to assist in stopping or limiting travel of the tailgate  120 . 
     In various embodiments, the stop or bumper portion  420  may be connected to the arm  404 . The bumper or stop member  420  may include one or more bumper or engagement regions or portions, such as a first bumper  424  and a second bumper  428 . The bumpers  424 ,  428  may be formed of a selected resilient or flexible material, such as rubber, silicone, polymer, or other appropriate materials. Further, the bumpers  424 ,  428  may define or form a selected surface area to engage a portion of the vehicle  150 , such as the stop block  414  in a selected manner to disperse a force applied to the stop member  420 . 
     The stop member  420  may be fixed to the arm  404  such as with a central connection or rod portion  432 . The rod portion  432  may interconnect the two bumpers  424 ,  428  and allow for connection to the arm  404 . For example, the arm  404  may define a slot or passage  438  through which the connection member  432  may pass or connected to assist in engaging or holding the stop member  420  to the arm  404 . Accordingly, the stop member  420  may move with the arm  404  during movement of the tailgate  120 . The stop member  420  may then engage a selected portion of the vehicle  150  to assist in stopping movement of the tailgate  120  by stopping movement or travel of the arm  404 . 
     In various embodiments, for example with reference to  FIG. 20  and  FIG. 21 , the stop member  420  may engage the stop block  414  in the open position of the tailgate  120 , as illustrated in  FIG. 21 . In particular, as discussed above, the bracket assembly  110  may be used to carry a large and/or massive portion, such as the spare wheel  162 . Thus, when opening the tailgate  120 , a large force may exist due to the movement of the tailgate  120 . The stop portion  420  may engage the stop block  414  to assist in holding or stopping the tailgate  120  from passing a selected position relative to the vehicle  150 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 20 , the control bar  404  may extend into an internal forward area of the vehicle, such as near or adjacent to the taillight, and pass through the hole or bore  400  in the vehicle panel  154   a.  The control bar  404  may move with the tailgate  120  when it is attached to the tailgate  120 . Generally, the control bar  404  is fixed to the tailgate  120  in a generally known manner. The control bar  404  may move through the stop block  414  and engage various portions thereon to provide detents or stops of the door  120  or to hold the door  120  relative to the vehicle. However, at a maximum travel of the bar  404 , such as relating to a maximum selected travel of the tailgate  120 , the end  410  of the bar  404  may move near or adjacent to the stop block  414  by passing through the stop block  414 . The stop member  420  may engage the stop block  414 . Thus, the stop block  420  may be engaged to the stop block  414  to stop movement of the door  120  in a selected direction, such as in an open direction, and may also include the various force absorbing ends or bumpers  424 ,  428 , as discussed above, to dampen stopping the door member  120 . 
     Accordingly, as discussed above, the bracket assembly  120  may be connected to the tailgate  120  of the vehicle  150  for various purposes. The main bracket  112  may be connected to the tailgate  120  and the hinge portion  108  may be fixed to the panel  154   a.  Additionally, the support bracket  132  may be mounted opposite of the panel  154   a  to reinforce the mounting bores or positions of the hinge portion  108 . The main bracket in combination with the hinge portion  108  may provide a hinge assembly for the tailgate  120  relative to the vehicle  150 . This allows the tailgate  120  to swing relative to other portions of the vehicle and carry the selected load. 
     Further, items may be mounted to the main bracket  112 , such as the spare wheel  162 , of a selected mass to the main bracket  112 , through the wheel carrier bracket assembly, as discussed above. Due to the mounting, the force is carried on the hinge portion  108  due to the ears or hinge portions  190 ,  194  of the main bracket  112  connecting to the hinge portion  108 . Further, the stop portion  420  connected to the control bar  404  may assist in controlling or dampening a selected motion of the door  120  in a selected direction, such as stopping of the tailgate  120  past a maximum selected open position. 
     Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope to those who are skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not be employed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many different forms and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are not described in detail. 
     The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.