Patent ID: 8500185

Claim:
A hinge assembly for a vehicle, the hinge assembly comprising: a first hinge box and a second hinge box spaced from the first hinge box, wherein each of the first hinge box and the second hinge box are configured for attachment to the vehicle; a first support member rotatably attached to the first hinge box, and a second support member rotatably attached to the second hinge box, wherein the first support member and the second support member are configured for simultaneous rotation about a rotation axis between a closed position and an open position; a torque mechanism including: a torque rod extending between and rotatably supported by the first hinge box and the second hinge box, wherein the torque rod includes a first axial end and a second axial end pre-loaded with a twisting moment relative to the first axial end to generate a twisting torque; a lever attached to and rotatable with the first axial end of the torque rod and secured in a position relative to the first hinge box; a linkage system interconnecting the second axial end of the torque rod and the second support member, and configured for transferring the torque from the torque rod to the second support member to assist the simultaneous movement of the first support member and second support member from the closed position into the open position; and a clamping block fixedly attached to one of the lever and the linkage system and configured for positionally securing the torque rod to the one of the lever and the linkage system at any relative rotational position therebetween.