FORM 2
THE PATENT ACT, 1970,
(39 OF 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULE, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(SEE SECTION 10; RULE 13)
"HINGE STRUCTURE FOR AN OPENING-CLOSING MEMBER OF
AUTOMOBILE"
MAHINDRA & MAHINDRA LIMITED
AN INDIAN COMPANY,
R&D CENTER, AUTOMOTIVE SECTOR,
89, M.I.D.C, SATPUR,
NASHIK-422 007,
MAHARASHTRA, INDIA.
THE FOLLOWING SPECIFICATION PARTICULARLY DESCRIBES AND ASCERTAINS THE NATURE OF THIS INVENTION AND THE MANNER IN WHICH IT IS TO BE PERFORMED

FIELD OF THE INVENTION:
The present invention relates to hinge structure for mounting an opening-dosing member to the outer body panel, more particularly, the present invention relates to the hinge structure for an opening-closing member of the automobile to negate the effect of drop-off or sagging of opening-closing member at the time of mounting. This invention also relates to mounting process/steps for mounting the hinge structure to avoid sagging.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:
The vehicle door is adapted to rotate about the hinge(s) for passenger/material ingress and egress from the vehicle passenger compartment. Generally, the door of an automotive vehicle is attached to the vehicle body with conventional hinge(s) comprising first hinge leaf member hingendly connected to a second hinge leaf member for movement about a hinge axis, wherein, one of the hinge leaf members is fixed to the door member and other hinge leaf member is fixed to the vehicle body. In many of the vehicles such hinge leaf member which is intended to be fixed on the vehicle body is fixed on the side face (1000) of the body pillar (3000). During mounting the door member (2000) to the side face (1000) of the body pillar (3000), in assembly line or otherwise, the door member is held in open position with respect to the vehicle body as illustrated in Figure X using suitable support fixture () and then the hinge leaf member, and thereby the door member, is secured to the vehicle body. In this mounting process all the bolt positions are easily accessible to be mounted, using suitable tooling. Here, when door member is mounted in open position, the door member needs to be held in correct position using appropriate support fixture making assembly process cumbersome and comparatively difficult; also it is very difficult to maintain close values of flushing of door member with vehicle body and to ensure the no door drop-off.
The EP 0990759 relates to a hinge for motor vehicles opening and specially aimed at a hinge comprising a mounting plate provided with a pilot pin

inserted through a bore of a structural element for reference positioning the hinge.
The hinge comprises a first knuckle fixed to the door and a second knuckle fixed to the vehicle structure. The two knuckles are fixed by an articulation spindle . The second knuckle comprises a fixing plate provided with a pilot peg which is inserted through a bore in the structure and acts as a positioning reference for the hinge. The peg can move axially on the plate so as to occupy an adjustment position in which the body of the peg allows a modification of the position of the second knuckle. There is no provision for fixing in door close position. The sagging of door cannot be prevented as there are fixing features hinge plate to vehicle closer and vehicle body structure.
To obviate this problem, it is always preferred to mount the door member on vehicle body in closed position as shown in the Figure Y. Typically, in this manner of assembly, initially, few, preferably one-two, bolt(s) on one of the hinge, more preferably upper hinge, is tightened and then support fixture is removed for easy assembly and then the door member which is now supported on one-two bolt(s) is opened and then rest of the bolts on upper and lower hinge are tightened using proper tolling.
Here, bolts are need to be secured from inside of the vehicle body, as the hinge, bolts and bolting positions become inaccessible from outside hence, assembly process become more time consuming and difficult, practically making it highly undesirable. Furthermore, when the door member is opened after fixing one-two bolt(s), the door member which is in opened position tends to sag due to its own weight and weight of auxiliary elements, if any, mounted thereon, as the strength of hinge structure mounted with one-two bolt(s) become insufficient to withstand such heavy loads.
Such hinge and mounting process lacks structural rigidity in the final product and does not provide the qualities that present day consumer are accustomed to.

Hence, need has been felt in the view to negate the abovementioned shortcomings and inconveniences to provide a modified hinge structure, in particular but not exclusive to automobile opening-closing member, that avoid any possible sagging at the time of mounting and ensures structural rigidity to the best satisfaction level of present day consumer.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION:
An object of the present invention is to mount an opening-closing member to outer body panel to ensure higher structural rigidity.
Another object of the present invention is to mount an opening-closing member such that there is no sagging or drop-off of opening-closing member at the time of mounting.
Still another object of the present invention is to mount an opening-closing member ensuring close values of flushness and reduced gap between opening-closing member and outer body panel.
Yet another object of the present invention is to mount an opening-closing member to outer body panel in closed position.
Yet another object of the present invention is to mount an opening-closing member to outer body panel by securing the the hinge structure to the outer body panel from the outside of automobile body.
Yet another object of the present invention is to mount an opening-closing member to outer body panel in easy assembly steps and convenient manner.
STATEMENT OF INVENTION:
Accordingly invention provides a hinge structure adapted to be fixed at upper / lower of an opening-closing member of automobile comprises a first hinge leaf member intended to be secured to the vertical rear facing face of the

right/left of front/ middle/ rear pillar of the automobile body and second hinge leaf member intended to be secured to the fitting face of front /middle/rear opening-closing member having an external cut out for a tool holding bolts for fixing nut in door closed position , when hingedly connected to each other using hinge pin for movement about a hinge axis to form a hinge structure; the said second hinge leaf member has flat fitting seating face which is provided with two or more separate fitting holes for secu ranee thereof with the fitting face of opening-closing member; the first hinge leaf member also has a flat fitting seating face , provided with four separate fitting holes, arranged in such manner that no three fitting holes are in straight line, for securance thereof, these four fitting holes are this pattern facilitates towards better structural rigidity; the said first hinge leaf member includes spaced apart two first journal arms running substantially perpendicular to the said flat fitting seating face between which is received a second journal arm running substantially perpendicular to flat fitting seating face of the second hinge leaf member; a bore is provided in the said first and second journal arms which extends throughout the entire axial length therin,; the said first journal arm of the first hinge leaf member is hingedly connected with the second journal arm of the second hinge leaf member to define turnable mobility about hinge axis , the hinge leaves are hinged with each other such that there is no axial movement about hinge axis .
Accordingly the invention also provides a step by step method of mounting of opening -closing member to automobile vehicle comprises :
a. the said hinge structure is secured to the opening-closing member by using securing means such as bolts passing through fitting holes on the second hinge leaf member and corresponding fitting holes on the fitting face of the rear opening-closing member ; the said opening-closing member along with secured thereon the said hinge structure is then located on the right/left of front/middle/ rear pillar of the automobile body in closed condition such that protruded pin member is received by hollow sleeve member disposed on the vertical rear facing face of the right/left of front/middle/ rear

pillar ; the opening-closing member located to right/left of front/middle/ rear part of the automobile body manually or specially designed supporting fixture ();
b. a tightening tool is then pass through the cut out on the rear
opening-closing member and the securing means such as bolts
are pass through the fitting holes (33b) on the first hinge leaf
member) and the fitting holes on vertical rear facing face of the
right/left of front/middle/ rear pillar there after bolts tightened
such that the protruding pin member seats properly in the
hollow sleeve member and tightening tool removed;
c. next, the front/middle /rear opening-closing member so hinged
to the right/left of front/middle/ rear pillar is opened and
remaining securing means such as bolts are inserted through
the fitting holes on the first leaf member and fitting holes on
the vertical rear facing face on the right/left of front/middle/ rear
pillar and tightened;
the said cut out so provided on the opening-closing member (12) is then covered with some label, badge or such similar the methods.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS:
Figure X illustrates the automobile of prior art wherein door member is fixed on the side face of body pillar of the automobile;
Figure Y Illustrates the automobile of prior art wherein door member is fixed in closed condition;
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the automobile employing hinge structure according to the present invention;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of rear part of the automobile employing hinge structure according to the present invention;

Figure 3 is exploded perspective view of hinge structure according to the present invention;
Figure 4 illustrates a rear opening-closing member employing hinge structure according to the present invention;
Figure 4a illustrates side view of rear opening-closing member employing hinge structure according to the present invention;
Figure 4b illustrates a right rear pillar of the automobile employing hinge structure according to the present invention;
Figure 5 is a plan view of second leaf member of the hinge structure;
Figure 6 is a isometric view of first leaf member of the hinge structure;
Figure 7 side view of rear opening-closing member with second leaf member mounted thereon;
Figure 8 illustrates the right rear pillar with first leaf member mounted thereon;
Figure 9 is a sectional view along line 9-9 as shown in Figure 8;
Figure 10 illustrates the assembly operation making use of cut out on the opening-closing member;
Figure X is a Scorpio Tail Gate mounting on Y (side) face of D Pillar. Door is mounted in Open condition in Body Shop.
Figure Y1 & Y2 is a Xylo Tail Gate mounting on X (front) face of D Pillar. Door is mounted in Closed condition in Body Shop, but tool access is there for top & bottom hinges in Body Shop.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS AND THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT:
In accordance with the present invention the drawback as stated hereinabove have been overcome by providing a hinge structure for an opening-closing member with a protruded pin member that ensures better structural rigidity and no sagging or drop-off of the opening-closing member.
For the better understanding of this invention, reference would now be made to the embodiment illustrated in grater depth in the accompanying figures and description herebelow, further, in the following figures, the same reference numerals are used to identify the same components in various views.
The terms "front", "rear", "left", "right" used therein represents the directions as seen from an automobile driver and these directions are referred by arrows Fr, Rr, L, R in the drawing Figures:
As shown in Figure 1, an automobile is a SUV (10) employing the present invention includes, inter-alia, an automobile body (11) having rear part (11a), rear part of the automobile body (11) has rear compartment (11b) formed therein. Automobile body (11) has roof structure (21) formed in the top region and bonnet member (23) forming frontal part of the automobile (10), engine (not shown) mounted on the automobile chassis (not shown) inside the bonnet member (23).Two front pillars (18,18) [only one can be seen in Figure 1] running vertically upward and mounted rearward to the bonnet member (23) forming front vertical supporting members of the automobile body (11); two middle pillars (19, 19) [only one can be seen in Figure 1] running vertically upward and forming middle vertical supporting members of the automobile body (11); two front side opening-closing members (13) [only one can be seen in Figure 1] hinged each on the front pillar (18) using and openable about hinges (18a, 18b); two rear side opening-closing member (14) [only one can be seen in Figure 1] hinged each on the middle pillar (19) using and openable about hinges (19a, 19b); front wheels (15) and rear wheels (16). As shown in Figure 2, left rear pillar (25) running vertically upward and

mounted on the rear part thereof of the automobile body (11) forming left rear vertical supporting member; and right rear pillar (26) running vertically upward mounted on rear part thereof of the automobile body (11) forming right rear supporting member. The rear pillars (25, 26) also form left and right rear vertical edges of the automobile body (11). There is provided upper hinge structure (31) in the upper region thereof of the right rear pillar (26) and lower hinge structure (32) in the lower region thereof of the right rear pillar (26), a rear opening-closing member (12) is hingedly connected to the rear part (11a) of the automobile body (11) using hinge structures (31, 32) to open and close the rear compartment (11 b).
Figure 4b illustrates the right rear pillar (26) having two vertical faces (50, 51) substantially perpendicular to each other. The rear facing face (50) has fitting holes (50a, 50a, 50b, 50b) formed therein adapted to receive the securing means such as bolts to secure the first hinge leaf member (33) (explained in details in subsequent paragraphs) and fitting holes (50aa, 50aa, 50bb, 50bb) in lower region thereof for securing the corresponding leaf member of the lower hinge structure (32). Further, there is provided a hollow sleeve member (60) substantially perpendicular to the vertical rear facing face (50) of the right rear pillar (26) and extending towards front direction of the automobile (10) adapted to receive the the protruding pin member (30).
Figure 4 illustrates a rear opening-closing member (12), the rear opening-closing member (12) is provided with a cutout (125) formed rightwards thereof on the rear face (12a) and close to upper hinge structure (31). The cutout (125) configured in such size and location that in closed condition of rear opening-closing member (12) the fitting holes (50a, 50a) on the rear facing face (50) of the right rear pillar (26) are accessible for tightening tool (200) to operate the tightening processes thereon.
The side view of rear opening-closing member (12) as illustrated in the Figure 4a depict the side face of the rear opening-closing member (12) forming a fitting face (12c) provided with the fitting holes (12a, 12a) in upper region thereof for securing the second hinge leaf member (34) thereon and fitting

holes (12b, 12b) provided in lower region thereof for securing the corresponding leaf member of the lower hinge structure (32).
The hinge structures (31, 32) have the upper hinge having different construction with additional stud and are mounted & configured on the right rear pillar (26) to form a rear opening-closing member vertical axis (09) about which rear opening-closing member (12) is openable. Description will now be made as to the upper hinge structure (31) alone.
Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of upper hinge structure (31) showing a first hinge leaf member (33) intended to be secured to the vertical rear facing face (50) of the right rear pillar (26) of the automobile body (11) and second hinge leaf member (34) intended to be secured to the fitting face (12c) of rear opening-closing member (12), when hingedly connected to each other using hinge pin (35) for movement about a hinge axis (35c), form a hinge structure (31).
In the embodiment, the hinge structure explained is useful to mount a rear opening-closing member (12) to automobile body (11), however, person skilled in the art shall appreciate that same hinge structure can also be used to mount any opening-closing member of automobile or elsewhere to avoid sagging and to ensure structural rigidity.
As shown in the Figure 5 and Figure 6, the second hinge leaf member (34) has flat fitting seating face (34a) which is provided with two separate fitting holes (34b, 34c) for securance thereof with the fitting face (12c) of rear opening-closing member (12). As illustrates in the Figure 6, the first hinge leaf member (33) also has a flat fitting seating face (33a), the flat fitting seating face (33a) is provided with four separate fitting holes (33b, 33b, 33c, 33c) for securance thereof, these four fitting holes (33b, 33b, 33c, 33c) are arranged in such manner that no three fitting holes are in straight line, this pattern facilitates towards better structural rigidity. The first hinge leaf member (33) includes spaced apart two journal arms (33d, 33e) running substantially perpendicular to flat fitting seating face (33a) between which is received a

journal arm (34d) running substantially perpendicular to flat fitting seating face (34a) of the second hinge leaf member (34). A bore (34e) is provided in the journal arm (34d) which extends throughout the entire axial length therin, similarly, journal arm (33d, 33d) are provided with axially aligned bores (33e, 33e) which extends the entire axial lengths of each respective arms (33d, 33d).
As illustrated in the Figure 6, the upper portion of the flat fitting face (33a) of the first hinge leaf member (33) is inclined rightwoards, this structure facilitates to maintain the triangular configuration of the fitting holes (33b, 33b, 33c, 33c).
The journal arm (33d) of the first hinge leaf member (33) is hingedly connected with the journal arm (34d) of the second hinge leaf member (34) to define turnable mobility about hinge axis (35c), the hinge leaves are hinged with each other such that there is no axial movement about hinge axis (35c).
Furthermore, first hinge leaf member (33) is provided with at least one protruding pin member (30) extending substantially perpendicular to the flat fitting seating face (33a) and the vertical rear facing face (50) of the right rear pillar (26) of the automobile body (11) is provided with hollow sleeve member (60) which is adapted to receive this protruding pin member (30). In the preferred embodiment the protruding pin member (30) and hollow sleeve member (60) are secured to the rear opening-closing member (12) and right rear pillar (26) respectively using projection welding.
Now the process of mounting the rear opening-closing member (12) on the automobile body (11), in particular on right rear pillar (26) is explained.
As illustrated, in the Figure 7, Figure 8, Figure 9 and Figure 10, the hinge structure (31) is secured to the rear opening-closing member (12) by using securing means such as bolts passing through fitting holes (34b, 34c) on the second hinge leaf member (34) and corresponding fitting holes (12a, 12a) on the fitting face (12c) of the rear opening-closing member (12). The rear

opening-closing member (12) along with secured thereon a hinge structure (31) is then located on the right rear pillar (26) of the automobile body (11) in closed condition such that protruded pin member (30) is received by hollow sleeve member (60) disposed on the vertical rear facing face (50) of the right rear pillar (26). The opening-closing member (12) can be located to rear part (11a) of the automobile body (11) manually or specially designed supporting fixture ().
The tightening tool (200) is then pass through the cut out (125) on the rear opening-closing member (12) as shown in the Figure 10 and the securing means such as bolts are pass through the fitting holes (33b) on the first hinge leaf member (33) and the fitting holes (50a, 50a) on vertical rear facing face (50) of the right rear pillar (26). During this process of tightening, the protruding pin member (30) seats properly in the hollow sleeve member (60). Once the tightening of the bolts is done, then the tightening tool (200) is removed.
Next, the rear opening-closing member (12) so hinged to the right rear pillar (26) is opened and remaining securing means such as bolts are inserted through the fitting holes (33c) on the first leaf member (33) and fitting holes (50b, 50b) on the vertical rear facing face (50) on the right rear pillar (26) and tightened.
If the rear opening-closing member (12) is opened and protruding pin member (30) is not provided then the opening-closing member (12) have tendency to drop down in the direction as pointed by the arrows P1 & P2 in the Figure 1 by virtue of its own weight and weight of auxiliary elements, if any, mounted thereon. The protruding pin member (30) and hollow sleeve member (60) are designed such that it is capable to counter act the dropping or sagging in X AND Z direction of the rear opening-closing member (12).
The cut out (125) so provided on the opening-closing member (12) is then covered with some label, badge or such similar the methods.

Inventors have undertaken the study of flushness of opening-closing member (12) with automobile body (11) and sag values with and without protruding pin (30). The comparative data reflecting the benefit in flushness and benefit in the sag.
Person skilled in the art shall appreciate that, so far the strength criteria are satisfied; the invention should not be limited to the material of the hinge, sleeve or protruding pin; or any joining process thereof.
Also, the protruding pin can be formed as integral part to the hinge structure or as separate part which then joined fixedly or removably by suitable process, such as projection welding or threading or similar, to the hinge structure.
Furtheralso, the hinge structure (31) as explained as above can be adopted for one or all the hinges used to mount an opening-closing member to outer body panel, for example in the present embodiment hinge structure (31) can be used only for upper or lower hinge or both the hinges.
While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the particular features of this invention, it will be appreciated that various modifications can be made, and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the invention. These and other modifications in the nature of the invention or the preferred embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the invention and not as a limitation.

WE CLAIM:-
1. A hinge structure adapted to be fixed at upper / lower of an opening-closing member of automobile comprises a first hinge leaf member intended to be secured to the vertical rear facing face of the right/left of front/ middle/ rear pillar of the automobile body and second hinge leaf member intended to be secured to the fitting face of front /middle/rear opening-closing member having an external cut out for a tool holding bolts for fixing nut in door closed position , when hingedly connected to each other using hinge pin for movement about a hinge axis to form a hinge structure; the said second hinge leaf member has flat fitting seating face which is provided with two or more separate fitting holes for securance thereof with the fitting face of opening-closing member; the first hinge leaf member also has a flat fitting seating face , provided with four separate fitting holes, arranged in such manner that no three fitting holes are in straight line, for securance thereof, these four fitting holes are this pattern facilitates towards better structural rigidity; the said first hinge leaf member includes spaced apart two first journal arms running substantially perpendicular to the said flat fitting seating face between which is received a second journal arm running substantially perpendicular to flat fitting seating face of the second hinge leaf member; a bore is provided in the said first and second journal arms which extends throughout the entire axial length therin,; the said first journal arm of the first hinge leaf member is hingedly connected with the second journal arm of the second hinge leaf member to define turnable mobility about hinge axis , the hinge leaves are hinged with each other such that there is no axial movement about hinge axis .
2. A hinge structure for an opening-closing member of automobile as claimed in claim 1 wherein the said first hinge; leaf member is provided with at least one protruding pin member extending substantially perpendicular to the flat fitting seating face and the vertical rear facing face of the right/left of front/ middle/ rear pillar of the automobile body provided with hollow sleeve member which is adapted to receive this protruding pin member.
3. A hinge structure as claimed in claim 2 where in said protruding pin member extending substantially perpendicular to the flat fitting seating

face and the vertical rear facing face of the right/left of front/ middle/ rear pillar of the automobile body provided with hollow sleeve member which is adapted to receive this protruding pin member meant for upper hinge structure to be provided to the opening -closure member of vehicle.
4. A hinge structure as claimed in claim 2 wherein the said the protruding pin member and hollow sleeve member are secured to the rear opening-closing member and right rear pillar respectively using projection welding.
5. A hinge structure as claimed in claim 2 wherein the said protruding pin formed as integral part to the hinge structure or as separate part which then joined fixedly or removably by suitable process, such as projection welding or threading or similar, to the hinge structure.
6. A step by step method of mounting of opening -closing member to automobile vehicle comprises :
a. the said hinge structure is secured to the opening-closing
member by using securing means such as bolts passing
through fitting holes on the second hinge leaf member and
corresponding fitting holes on the fitting face of the rear
opening-closing member ; the said opening-closing member
along with secured thereon the said hinge structure is then
located on the right/left of front/middle/ rear pillar of the
automobile body in closed condition such that protruded pin
member is received by hollow sleeve member disposed on the
vertical rear facing face of the right/left of front/middle/ rear
pillar ; the opening-closing member located to right/left of
front/middle/ rear part of the automobile body manually or
specially designed supporting fixture ;
b. a tightening tool is then pass through the cut out on the rear
opening-closing member and the securing means such as bolts
are pass through the fitting holes (33b) on the first hinge leaf
member) and the fitting holes on vertical rear facing face of the
right/left of front/middle/ rear pillar there after bolts tightened
such that the protruding pin member seats properly in the
hollow sleeve member and tightening tool removed;

c. next, the front/middle /rear opening-closing member so hinged
to the right/left of front/middle/ rear pillar is opened and
remaining securing means such as bolts are inserted through
the fitting holes on the first leaf member and fitting holes on
the vertical rear facing face on the right/left of front/middle/ rear
pillar and tightened;
d. the said cut out so provided on the opening-closing member
(12) is then covered with some label, badge or such similar the
methods.
7. A motor vehicle having opening -closure members provided with a pair hinge structures as claimed in claims 1 to 4 wherein the said top hinge structure having the said first hinge leaf member provided with at least one protruding pin member extending substantially perpendicular to the flat fitting seating face ) and the vertical rear facing face of the right rear pillar of the automobile body is provided with hollow sleeve member which is adapted to receive this protruding pin member.