CLIAMS:We claim:
1. A stopper assembly (100) for supporting a closure (2) of a vehicle in closed position, wherein one end of the closure (2) is hinged to a vehicle body, the assembly (100) comprising:
at least one bracket (3) connectable to a substantial central portion of at least one sidewall (4) of the closure (2); and
at least one stopper (5) provisioned in the at least one bracket (3), wherein the at least one stopper (5) is adapted to contact at least one resting pad (6) provisioned on the vehicle body, to support the closure (2) when the closure (2) is in the closed position.
2. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one bracket (3) comprises at least one provision (3b) to receive the at least one stopper (5).

3. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one stopper (5) comprises a first portion (5a) and a second portion (5b).

4. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the second portion (5b) of the at least one stopper (5) is configured with threads (5c), and is adapted to reside in the at least one provision (3b) provided in the at least one bracket (3).

5. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first portion (5a) of the at least one stopper (5) rests on the at least resting pad (6), when the closure (2) is in the closed position.

6. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one stopper (5) and the at least resting pad (6) are made of polymer material.

7. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the at least one stopper (5) and the at least resting pad (6) are adapted to facilitate damping between the closure (2) and the vehicle body.

8. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the closure (2) is a tailgate.

9. A vehicle comprising a stopper assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1.
,TagSPECI:TECHNICAL FIELD
The present disclosure generally relates to automobiles. Particularly but not exclusively the present disclosure discloses a stopper assembly for supporting closures in the automobiles. Further, embodiments of the disclosure disclose the stopper assembly for supporting the closure of the automobile in closed position.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
In vehicles such as but not limiting to passenger vehicles passenger cars, small utility vehicles, sport utility vehicles, multi utility vehicles, and tempo travellers, there is a provision of one or more closures to enclose various components. In general, such closures are used to enclose boot space, luggage space, sunroof and the like.

As an example, one such use of closures which is found in almost all of the abovementioned vehicles is a tailgate used for enclosing boot space/luggage space. The tailgate sometimes is also referred as hatch door, and is usually provided at rear end of the vehicle. In such tailgates, top end is hinged to a top wall of end pillars of the vehicle body i.e. either ‘C-pillar’ or ‘D-pillar’, and is allowed to move from a closed position to an open position. Further, at least one latch is provisioned at bottom end of the tailgate, to lock the tailgate with the vehicle body, when the tailgate is in closed position. Since, the tailgate enclosed boot/luggage space in vehicle user needs to frequently open and close the tailgate for accessing the boot space. Also, in some vehicles engine is provided at rear end of the vehicle, and hence user or mechanic needs to open the tailgate frequently for checking oil level, air filter cleaning, coolant level checking etc. To open the tailgate the user needs to bottom portion of the tailgate form the latch and lift up manually. Further, the tailgate is supported by one more actuators such as but not liming to hydraulic actuators to facilitate movement of tailgate from closed position to open position with less effort.

In the conventional vehicles the tailgates are accompanied by buzz, squeak and rattle sounds due to forced excitations induced on the vehicle. The forced excitation can be due to associated power train vibrations or due to external forces acting on the vehicle body during vehicle movement. Due to the forced excitation acting on the vehicle body, there are chances that the mating surfaces of the tailgate and the vehicle body might undergo stick-slip mechanism, thereby inducing squeaks. Also, due to the forced excitation, there are chances that there might be short loss of contact between contact surfaces of the tailgate and the vehicle body, thereby inducing impact induced noise or rattle noise. This buzz, squeak and rattle noise makes travel in the vehicle, inconvenient for the passengers.

To mitigate the above mentioned problems, stoppers are provided at the lower end of the tailgate and, between the contact surfaces of tailgate and vehicle body. These stoppers support the tailgate, and at the same time help to dampen the forced excitations. This to an extent tries to eliminate the buzz, squeak and rattling problems associated with the forced excitations.

However, in vehicles whose tailgates are configured with relatively large overhang between the hinge and the stopper the problem persist. In conventional vehicles the stopper are unable to provide adequate support to the tailgate due to the large overhang, and hence the problem of buzz, squeak and rattling still exists.

In view of the foregoing discussion, there is a need to develop a stopper assembly for supporting closure of the vehicle to overcome one or more limitations stated above.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
The one or more limitations of the prior art are overcome by assembly of the present disclosure, and additional advantages are provided through the present disclosure. Additional features and advantages are realized through the assembly of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed disclosure.

In one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure there is provided a stopper assembly for supporting a closure of a vehicle in closed position, wherein one end of the closure is hinged to a vehicle body. The stopper assembly comprises at least one bracket connectable to a substantial central portion of at least one sidewall of the closure and at least one stopper provisioned in the at least one bracket. The at least one stopper is adapted to contact at least one resting pad provisioned on the vehicle body, to support the closure when the closure is in the closed position.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least one bracket comprises at least one provision to receive the at least one stopper.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least one stopper comprises a first portion and a second portion. The first portion of the at least one stopper rests on the at least resting pad, when the closure is in the closed position. Also, the second portion of the at least one stopper is configured with threads, and is adapted to reside in the at least one provision provided in the at least one bracket. Further, the at least one stopper and the at least resting pad are made of polymer material.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least one stopper and the at least resting pad are adapted to facilitate damping between the closure and the vehicle body.

It is to be understood that the aspects and embodiments of the disclosure described above may be used in any combination with each other. Several of the aspects and embodiments may be combined together to form a further embodiment of the disclosure.

The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
The features of the present disclosure will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only several embodiments in accordance with the disclosure and are therefore, not to be considered limiting of its scope. The disclosure will be described with additional specificity and detail through use of the accompanying drawings.

FIGURE 1 illustrates perspective view of the stopper assembly, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIGURE 2 illustrates perspective view of the bracket used in stopper assembly of FIGURE 1 according to some embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIGURE 3 illustrates perspective view of the stopper used in stopper assembly of FIGURE 1 according to some embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIGURE 4 illustrates perspective view of the resting pad used in stopper assembly of FIGURE 1 according to some embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIGURE 5 illustrates a tailgate provided with the stopper assembly of FIGURE 1 according to some embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIGURE 6 illustrates magnified view of section A as shown in FIGURE 5.

The figures depict embodiments of the disclosure for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE
In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings, similar symbols typically identify similar components, unless context dictates otherwise. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made, without departing from the scope of the subject matter presented herein. It will be readily understood that the aspects of the present disclosure, as generally described herein, and illustrated in the figures, can be arranged, substituted, combined, and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are explicitly contemplated and make part of this disclosure.

To overcome one or more problems stated in the background, the present disclosure provides a stopper assembly for a closure of a vehicle. The stopper assembly is configured to support the closure of the vehicle and at the same time act as a damper for dampening the forced excitations induced on the vehicle body during vehicle movement and thereby mitigate buzz, squeak and rattle problems associated with forced vibrations. The stopper assembly comprises at least one bracket, connectable to a substantial central portion of the at least one sidewall of the closure. The term substantial central portion used herein above and below refers to a portion in sidewall of the closure, which includes area extending on either sides from the centre of the sidewall. The area extends from the mid-point between one of the ends of the sidewall and the centre of the sidewall to the corresponding mid-point between other end of the sidewall and centre of the sidewall. Hence, the substantial central portion is the area enclosed between mid-points of both ends of the sidewall and centre of the sidewall. Further, the at least one bracket comprises at least one provision to receive at least one stopper. The at least one stopper is adapted to contact at least one resting pad provisioned on the vehicle body to support the closure, when the closure is in closed position. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least one stopper is made of material including but not limiting to polymer material. Also, the at least one stopper comprises a first portion and a second portion. The first portion of the at least one stopper, is configured to contact the at least one resting pad, when the closure is operated to closed position. The contact of the first portion of the at least one stopper with the at least one resting pad, provides adequate support to the closure at the same time attenuate or dampen any forced excitations acting on the closure, when the vehicle is moving. Also, the second end of the at least one stopper is configured with threads, to regulate the protruding length of the at least one stopper from the at least one bracket. This provision on the second portion of the at least one stopper, facilitates appropriate contact between the at least one stopper and the at least one resting pad, thereby ensuring support to the closure in closed position. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first portion is the head portion and the second portion is a cylindrical portion. On the second portion of the at least one stopper, threads are configured so that the length of protrusion of the at least one stopper from the at least one bracket can be adjusted based on tolerance provisioned between the closure and the vehicle body.

The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that an assembly, device or method that comprises a list of components or steps does not include only those components or steps but may include other components or steps not expressly listed or inherent to such setup or device or method. In other words, one or more elements in a system or apparatus proceeded by “comprises… a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or apparatus.

Henceforth, the present disclosure is explained with the help of drawings of the stopper assembly which is used for supporting tailgate of the vehicle, which is one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. However, such exemplary embodiment should not be construed as limitations of the present disclosure. A person skilled in the art can envisage various such embodiments without deviating from scope of the present disclosure.

Figure 1 is an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure which illustrates perspective view of the stopper assembly (100) for supporting a closure (2) including but not limiting to tailgate of the vehicle (shown in Figure 5) when the closure (2) is in closed position. The stopper assembly (100) comprises at least one bracket (3) [best shown in figure 2] configured as base of the stopper assembly (100) and is connectable to the at least one sidewall (4) of a closure (2), which is hinged at one end to the vehicle body [as shown in Figure 5]. The bracket (3) is fixed to the sidewall (4) of the closure (2) either permanently or removably. In an embodiment, the bracket (3) is fixed to sidewall (4) of the closure (2) through fasteners via at least one hole (3a) provisioned on the bracket (3). In an alternative embodiment of the present disclosure, the bracket (3) is fixed to the sidewall (4) by methods such as but not limiting to welding [as shown in figure 6]. The bracket (3) comprises, at least one provision (3b) to receive at least one stopper (5) [shown in figure 3]. The provision (3b) is oriented such that, the stopper (5) can contact at least one resting pad (6) [shown in figure 4] configured on the vehicle body, when the closure (2) is in closed position. Therefore, the position of fixing the bracket (3) and the orientation of the provision (3b) are associated with the position/orientation of the resting pad (6). Also, based on the profile of the sidewall (4) and the vehicle body, the position or orientation of fixing the bracket (3) and the provision (3b) varies. Further, the bracket (3) is made of stiffer material or a rigid material such as but not limiting to metals, alloys and the like. Additionally, the cross-section of the bracket (3) is selected such that it is capable of accommodating the stopper (5). In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the cross section of the bracket (3) is selected from group comprising but not limited to rectangular, circular and the like.

Further, the stopper (5) [as shown in figure 3] is accommodated in the provision (3b) provided in the bracket (3), such that a portion of the stopper (5) protrudes from the bracket (3). The stopper (5) is provided to support the closure (2), and at the same time the stopper (5) is adapted to attenuate or dampen any forced excitations acting on the closure (2), when the closure (2) is in closed position. As shown in figure 3 the stopper (5) comprises a first portion (5a) and a second portion (5b). The first portion (5a) of the stopper (5) is configured to contact the resting pad (6) [shown in figure 4] to support the closure (2), when the closure (2) is in closed position. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the first portion (5a) is the head portion of the stopper (5), and is configured in hexagonal shape to facilitate adjustment of protruding length from the bracket (3). In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the shape of the first portion (5a) is selected from group such as but not limiting to hexagonal, rectangular, square, circular and the like which serves the purpose of adjusting the protruding length from the bracket (3). Further, the second portion (5b) of the stopper (5) is configured to be accommodated in the provision (3b) provided in the bracket (3). In an embodiment of the disclosure, the second portion (5b) of the stopper (5) is configured with a plurality of threads (5c), such that protruding length of the stopper (5) can be adjusted based on assembly requirement. Also, the threads (5c) facilitate inclusion of the stopper (5) in the provision (3b) by way of a tapered end (5d). Hence, the shape of the second portion (5b) is selected such that, it includes an arrangement for adjusting the protruding length. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the shape of the second portion (5b) is selected from group such as but not limiting to cylinder. Further, the stopper (5) is made of material such that it can provide adequate support to the closure (2), upon contact with the resting pad (6). At the same time, the stopper (5) is configured to attenuate or dampen forced excitations induced on the closure (2) in closed position, when there is vehicle movement. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the stopper (5) is made of material including but not limiting to polymer material such as rubber, EPDM, and the like.

The stopper assembly (100) also comprises at least one resting pad (6) provisioned on the vehicle body. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the resting pad (6) is provisioned at substantial central portion on either sidewalls of the vehicle at rear end. The resting pad (6) comprises a head portion (6a) which is adapted to reside in a provision [not shown] provided in the sidewall of the vehicle body at rear end. In an embodiment of the disclosure, for mounting the resting pad (6), head portion is pressed into the provision. Further, the resting pad (6) is made of material such that, it is cohesive to the material of the stopper (5), thereby ensuring maximum support and dampening of forced excitations to the closure (2) in closed position. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the resting pad (6) is made of material including but not limiting to metals, polymers and the like which serves the purpose.

Figures 5 and 6 is an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, illustrates stopper assembly (100) in use on a vehicle tailgate. Initially, the bracket (3) is connected on the sidewall (4) of the closure (2) at substantially central portion, by methods such as but not limiting to fastening, welding and the like [clearly shown in figure 6]. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the bracket (3) is connected at the centre of the sidewall (4) of the closure (2). The term substantial central portion used herein above and below refers to a portion in sidewall (4) of the closure (2), which includes area extending on either sides from the centre of the sidewall (4). The area extends from the mid-point between one of the ends of the sidewall (4) and the centre of the sidewall (4) to the corresponding mid-point between other end of the sidewall (4) and the centre of the sidewall (4). Hence, the substantial central portion is the area enclosed is between mid-points of both ends of the sidewall (4) and centre of the sidewall (4). Further, the stopper (5) is accommodated in a provision (3b) provided in the bracket (3), such that portion of stopper (5) protrudes from the bracket (3). The bracket (3) while connecting to the sidewall (4) is oriented, such that the provision (3b) directs or orients the accommodated stopper (5) towards the resting pad (6) provisioned on the vehicle body [as shown in figure 5 and 6]. This arrangement facilitates contact of the stopper (5) on the resting pad (6), when the closure (2) is operated to the closed position, and also when the closure (2) is in closed position. Further, based on the tolerance provided between the profile of the closure (2) and the vehicle body the protruding length of the stopper (5) is adjusted, for proper assembly. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the adjustment of the protruding length of the stopper (5) is made by rotating the stopper (5), thereby varying the threads (5c) engaged with the bracket (3). Upon, proper adjustment of the stopper (5), when the closure (2) is closed, the first portion (5a) of the stopper (5) contacts the at least one resting pad (6), thereby attaining a proper assembly of closure (2) with the vehicle body. This contact provides adequate support to the large overhang of the closure (2), thereby mitigating the load associated problems of the closure (2). At the same time, the stopper (5) acts as a damper for attenuating or dampening the forced excitations induced on the closure (2), during vehicle movement. Therefore, eliminating buzz, squeak and rattle noise of the closure (2), during vehicle movement.

As various changes could be made in the above without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Advantages:
The present disclosure provides a stopper assembly for supporting closure of a vehicle, when the closure is in closed position. This assembly mitigates buzz, squeak and rattle noise associated with forced excitations when there is movement of the vehicle.

The present disclosure provides a stopper assembly for supporting closure of the vehicle, which is robust, retro-fitted and simple in construction.

Equivalents

With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.

It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”

In addition, where features or aspects of the disclosure are described in terms of Markush groups, those skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosure is also thereby described in terms of any individual member or subgroup of members of the Markush group.

While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.

REFERRAL NUMERALS

Referral Numerals Description
100 Stopper assembly
2 Closure of the vehicle
3 Bracket
3a Holes on bracket
3b Provision in bracket
4 Sidewall
5 Stopper
5a First portion of the stopper
5b Second portion of the stopper
5c Threads on the second portion
5d Tapered end of stopper
6 Resting pad
6a Head portion of resting pad
A Section of Figure 5