1
FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
[See section 10, rule 13]
TITLE: “TAILGATE ASSEMBLY”
NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE APPLICANT:
TATA MOTORS LIMITED, an Indian company having its registered office at Bombay house,
24 Homi Mody Street, Hutatma Chowk, Mumbai 400 001, Maharashtra, INDIA.
Nationality: Indian
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which
it is to be performed.
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TECHNICAL FIELD
The present disclosure generally relates to automotive vehicles, and more particularly, to
a tailgate assembly of an automotive vehicle.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
Vehicles include a tailgate hingdly connected to a rear side of the vehicles. Typically, the
tailgate is adapted to move about the hinged connection to enable access to rear space,
e.g. boot space of the vehicle. The conventional tailgates are mounted on at least two
mounting location on the rear side of the vehicles, with the help of two spaced apart
hinges. Further, two gas struts are used for assisting the opening and closing of the
tailgate. Obviously, there is some cost associated with the two gas struts.
The conventional tailgate also suffers from the disadvantages of the requirements of
additional spaces behind the car body, for its operation. Such requirement of having
additional operating space for opening the tailgate becomes a major inconvenience when
the vehicle is in cramped spaces, such as a compact queue. This problem may be partially
addressed by splitting the tailgate into two parts and allowing it to open in both the sides,
like wings. However, such configuration of tailgate requires extra operating space on
both the sides of the vehicle, and also increases cost thereof.
OBJECTS OF THE DISCLOSURE
The objective of disclosure is to provide a reliable and simple tailgate assembly.
Another objective of the disclosure is to provide an improved tailgate assembly that
enables opening and closing of tailgate even in less operational space.
Yet another objective of the disclosure is to provide a tailgate assembly which utilizes
lesser number of components.
Further objects and features of the disclosure will become apparent from the following
detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.
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SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
The various embodiments of the preset disclosure relate to a tailgate assembly for
regulating access to a space in a vehicle. The tailgate assembly comprising: a hinge
connecting the tailgate with the vehicle, the hinge operable to move the tailgate from a
closed position to a displaced position; and a swivel mechanism connecting the tailgate
with the hinge, the swivel member enables the movement of the tailgate from the
displaced position to an open position, thereby providing access to a space in the vehicle
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 illustrates a partial cut-away and cross-sectioned rear view of a vehicle with a
tailgate assembly in a closed position thereof.
FIG. 2 illustrates another partial cut-away and cross-sectioned rear view of the vehicle
with the tailgate assembly of FIG. 1 in an open position thereof, according to an
embodiment of the disclosure.
FIG. 3 illustrates a bottom perspective view of a hinge of tailgate assembly FIG. 1,
according to an embodiment of the disclosure.
FIG. 4 illustrates a partially cut-away and cross-sectioned side view of a portion of a
vehicle with the tailgate assembly FIG. 1 in an open position thereof, according to an
embodiment of the disclosure.
FIG. 5 illustrates a partially cut-away and cross-sectioned side view of a portion of a
vehicle with the tailgate assembly in a displaced position thereof, according to an
embodiment of the disclosure.
FIG. 6A illustrates a view of the hinge of tailgate assembly in the closed position thereof,
according to an embodiment of the disclosure.
FIG. 6B illustrates a view of the hinge of tailgate assembly in the open position thereof,
according to an embodiment of the disclosure.
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FIG. 7 illustrates an exploded view of the hinge of tailgate assembly, according to an
embodiment of the disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE
Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for the purpose of illustrating a
preferred embodiment of the disclosure only, and not for the purpose of limiting the
same.
FIG. 1 illustrates a partially cut-away and cross-sectioned view of a vehicle 100 from
behind. The vehicle 100 may be a passenger car, a commercial vehicle, an SUV (Sports
Utility Vehicle), a station wagon, or any other automobile without deviating from the
spirit of the disclosure. The vehicle 100 includes a front side (not illustrated), a rear side
102 (from where the vehicle 100 is viewed in FIG. 1), a right side and a left side, defining
a body structure. As would be apparent to those skilled in the art, the body structure of
the vehicle carries a set of wheels, an engine adapted to drive the wheels through a
transmission system for moving the vehicle on a surface, such as a road, in a known
manner.
The rear side 102 of the vehicle 100 includes an opening, such as a rectangular opening
104 (numbered in FIG. 2). A tailgate assembly 106, dimensioned according to the
dimensions of the opening 104, is connected to the rear side 102 of the vehicle and is
adapted to cover the opening to regulate access to rear space, e.g. boot space 108 (best
shown in FIG. 2) within the body structure of the vehicle 100. The tailgate assembly 106
is connected to the vehicle 100 by means of a hinge 200 (best shown in FIG. 3) of the
present disclosure.
Referring now to FIG. 3 through FIG. 7, the hinge 200 includes a fixed bracket 202 (also
referred to “mounting bracket”). The fixed bracket 202 is fixedly connected to an inner
side 201 (numbered in FIG. 4) of the rear portion 102 of the vehicle 100, which is also
referred to as the Body In White (BIW). As per the present embodiment, the fixed
bracket 202 is rigidly mounted with vehicle 100 by means of two bolts, not numbered. In
alternative embodiments of the present disclosure, fewer or more bolts may be utilized.
Moreover, any other means/technique of joining, such as welding, may be employed for
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joining the fixed bracket 202 to the vehicle 100, without deviating from the scope of the
present disclosure.
The fixed bracket 202 includes a set of hinge connection tabs (also refereed to as
“mounting pins,” numbered in FIG. 3), such as a first connection tab 204 and a second
connection tab 206 (numbered in FIG. 7). More specifically as best shown in FIG. 6A-
6B, an integral projection 207 on the fixed bracket 202 carries the first connection tab
204 and the second connection tab 206, such that the first connection tab 204 is
positioned at a distance from the second connection tab 206.
As shown in FIGS. 3 through 7, the hinge 200 further includes a set of linkages. Each
linkage of the set of linkages having a first end portion pivotably connected to the rear
portion 102 of the vehicle 100. In accordance to an embodiment of the present disclosure,
the set of linkages include a first C-shaped link 208 and a second C-shaped link 210. It
may herein be noted that the set of linkages may include fewer or more number of links,
without deviating from the spirit of the present disclosure. A first end portion of the first
C-shaped link 208 is pivotally connected to the fixed bracket 202, and similarly a first
end portion of the second C-shaped link 210 is also pivotally connected to the fixed
bracket 202.
More specifically, the first end portion of the first C-shaped link 208 is pivotally
connected to the first connection tab 204 of the fixed bracket 202, and similarly a first
end portion of the second C-shaped link 210 is pivotally connected to the second
connection tab 206 of the fixed bracket 202, such that the first C-shaped link 208 is
positioned parallel to the second C-shaped link 210.
Such connection of the fixed bracket 202 with the first C-shaped link and the second Cshaped
link 210, enables pivotal movement of thereof. A resilient member 212 my be
provided at pivotal connection point of the first end portion of a linkage of the set of
linkages, such as the first C-shaped link 208, and the fixed bracket 202, such that the
resilient member 212, as shown in figures, connected to the first C-shaped link 208, and
the fixed bracket 202. The resilient member 212 generates a force pushing the tailgate
assembly 106 towards the vehicle 100.
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A connecting member 221 pivotably connected to opposite end portion of each linkage of
the set of linkages. More specifically, a second end portion (opposite end portion) of the
first C-shaped link 208 is pivotally connected to the connecting member 221. Similarly, a
second end portion of the second C-shaped link 210 is also pivotally connected to the
connecting member 221. As shown in figures, the connection point 222 of the second end
portion of the first C-shaped link 208 with the connecting member 221 is spaced apart
from the connecting point 224 of the second end portion of the second C-shaped link 210
with the member 221. The first C-shaped link 208, the second C-shaped link 210 and the
hinge connections form a parallel linkage mechanism.
A pin (not shown), is provided in an aperture of the first C-shaped link 208, and a slot is
provided at a side of the fixed bracket 202. The pin precludes angular movement of the
first C-shaped link 208 with respect to the fixed bracket 202, beyond a predetermined
point.
In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the resilient member 212 may be a torsional
spring. However, it may be herein be note that the resilient member 212 may, in
alternative embodiments, be any other spring, without deviating from the scope of the
present disclosure.
Referring now to FIG. 3 in particular, the tailgate assembly 106 further includes a swivel
mechanism 214. The swivel mechanism 214 comprises a swivel member 216, a tube
member 219 and a telescopic member 215 (best shown in FIG. 4). The tube member 219
is mounted on the connecting member 221 deciding the parallelogram. A swivel member
216 is rotatably located in the tube member 219 connected to the connecting member 211
of the hinge mechanism. The swivel member 216 extends from a plate 217 bolted to the
tailgate assembly 106. The swivel member 216 (or tailgate assembly 106) is adapted to
be rotated with respect to the tube member 219. A pin 218 (best shown in FIG. 7) is
provided on the tube member 219, which is received in a slot on the plate 217, for
precluding swiveling moment of the plate member 217, beyond a predetermined angular
displacement.
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The connecting member 221 has an extension 220. The telescopic member 215 is
pivotably connected to the extension 220. In alternative embodiments, the telescopic
member 215 may be pivotably connected to the vehicle body. In an embodiment of the
present disclosure, the telescopic member 215 is a conventional gas strut, and thus has all
the conventional structural and functional features thereof.
During application of the tailgate assembly 106, the first C-shaped link 208 and the
second C-shaped link 210 enable the movement of the tailgate assembly 106 from a
closed position (best shown in FIG. 1) to a displaced position (best shown in FIG. 5). As
illustrated, in the closed position, the tailgate assembly 106 completely encloses the
opening on the rear side of the vehicle 100. Further as illustrated, in the (intermediate)
displaced position, the tailgate assembly 106 is moved from the closed position, on the
first C-shaped link 208 and the second C-shaped link 210. Since the hinge connection
form a parallel linkage mechanism, the tailgate assembly 106 in the displaced position
remains parallel with respect to the tailgate assembly 106 in the closed position.
Once the tailgate assembly 106 has reached the displaced position, the telescopic member
215 and rotatable connection of swivel mechanism 214 with the tailgate assembly 106
enable the movement of the tailgate assembly 106 through the displaced position and an
open position (best shown in FIG. 2 and 4), thereof. Again, during such rotation, the
tailgate assembly 106 remains parallel with respect to the positioning of tailgate assembly
106 in the closed position thereof.
In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the tailgate assembly 106 moves 90 degree
in anti-clockwise direction in order to be fully open, i.e. for moving from displaced
position to an open position. In both the open and displaced positions, the tailgate
assembly 106, though open but remains close to the rear side of the vehicle 100, thus the
present disclosure, facilitates opening of the tailgate assembly 106 in close operating
spaces. The tailgate assembly 106 uses only one telescopic member 215 and thus saves
on the cost associated with having more telescopic members.
The foregoing description provides specific embodiments of the present disclosure. It
should be appreciated that these embodiment are described for purpose of illustration
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only, and that numerous other alterations and modifications may be practiced by those
skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. It is
intended that all such modifications and alterations be included insofar as they come
within the scope of the disclosure as claimed or the equivalents thereof.
Referral Numerals:
Reference Number Description
100 Vehicles
102 Rear side/portion
104 Opening
106 Tailgate assembly
108 Boot Space
200 Hinge
202 Fixed bracket
204 First connection tab
206 Second connection tab
208 First c-shaped link
210 Second c-shaped link
212 Resilient member
214 Swivel mechanism.
215 Telescopic member
216 Swivel member
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217 Plate
218 Pin
220 Extension
221 Connecting member
219 Tube member
222 Connection point
224 Connection point
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We claim:
1. A tailgate assembly for regulating access to a space in a vehicle comprising: a
hinge connecting the tailgate with the vehicle, the hinge operable to move the
tailgate from a closed position to a displaced position; and a swivel mechanism
connecting the tailgate with the hinge, the swivel member enables the movement
of the tailgate from the displaced position to an open position, thereby providing
access to a space in the vehicle.
2. The tailgate assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hinge includes a set of
linkages, each linkage of the set of linkages having a first end portion pivotably
connected to the rear portion of the vehicle; and an opposite end portion
connected to the tailgate through the swivel mechanism.
3. The tailgate assembly as claimed in claim 2 further includes a fixed bracket
connected to a rear portion of the vehicle, wherein the first end portions of the set
of linkages are pivotally connected to the fixed bracket at spaced apart locations,
thereon.
4. The tailgate assembly as claimed in claim 3, wherein a pin is provided in an
aperture of the first link, and a slot is provided at a side of the fixed bracket to
preclude angular movement of the link with respect to the fixed bracket, beyond a
predetermined point.
5. The tailgate assembly as claimed in claim 3, wherein a resilient member is
provided at pivotal connection point of the first end portion of a linkage of the set
of linkages and the fixed bracket.
6. The tailgate assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein the resilient member is a
torsion spring.
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7. The tailgate assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the
set of linkages include a first C-shaped link and a second C-shaped link
positioned parallel to the first C-shaped link.
8. The tailgate assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the second end portions of
the set of linkages being pivotally connected to a connecting member for
maintaining the parallogram.
9. The tailgate assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the swivel mechanism
includes a swivel member rotatably located in a tube member mounted on the
connecting member and a telescopic member pivotably connected with the
tailgate.
10. The tailgate assembly as claimed claim 9, wherein a plate mounted on the swivel
member for connecting the tailgate.
11. The tailgate assembly as claimed claim 10, wherein a pin is provided on the tube
member, which is received in a slot on the plate, for precluding swiveling moment
of the plate, beyond a predetermined angular displacement.
12. The tailgate assembly as claimed in claim 9, wherein an end portion of the
telescopic member is connected to an extension on the connecting member.
13. The tailgate assembly as claimed in claim 9, wherein the telescopic member is a
gas strut.