Patent ID: 8905465

Claim:
A hinge and support member arrangement for providing a hinged connection between a bonnet and a body structure of a vehicle, the hinge and support member arrangement comprising: a hinge mechanism for providing the hinged connection for opening and closing of the bonnet; and a support member adapted to be attached to the body structure of the vehicle such that the support member extends longitudinally along a side of the body structure, the support member further being adapted to carry a fender, wherein the hinge mechanism is attachable directly to the support member such that the hinge mechanism is connectable to the body structure via the support member; wherein the support member is adapted to be attached to the body structure at a first attachment site, and the hinge mechanism is attachable to the support member at a second attachment site that is laterally and/or vertically displaced in relation to the first attachment site, wherein the support member further comprises a reinforcement member configured to take up a force at least in a longitudinal direction applied to the support member at the second attachment site when the support member is mounted in the vehicle, the reinforcement member comprising a wire arranged to extend at least from a first position at, or adjacent to, the second attachment site to a second position located at the body structure and being longitudinally forward of the first position when the support member is mounted in the vehicle, wherein the support member includes a portion made of a polymer, the portion having a first opening at the first attachment site for receiving a first attachment member, and a second opening at the second attachment site for receiving a second attachment member, and wherein the wire is disposed within the portion, the wire having one end aligned with the first opening, and another end aligned with the second opening.