Patent ID: 7665796

Claim:
A functional device which is arranged on the outer side of a vehicle body, comprising: a base element and at least one pivoting element which is pivotable with respect to the base element between two end positions, characterized in that a multi-linkage mechanism is articulatedly connected to the base element, which multi-linkage mechanism comprises at least two linkages which are articulatedly connected with their ends remote from the base element to the pivoting element which is pivotable with respect to the base element, with one of the linkages being connected to a drive device and with a spring device acting on at least one of the linkages, which spring device is preloaded into end positions of the pivoting element and counteracts the mass force of the pivoting element; wherein the spring device is a leg spring whose windings are arranged concentrically with respect to a pivot axis of that linkage on which said leg spring acts; wherein a stop is provided which is rigidly connected to the base element and against which is supported, in two end positions of the pivoting element, in each case one leg of the leg spring, with the in each case other leg of the leg spring acting on a respective link; and wherein in a central position of the linkage on which the leg spring acts, both legs of the leg spring bear against the stop, and the leg spring is substantially free from preload.