Multiposition hood hinge mechanism

Claim 2

A multiposition hinge mechanism for mounting an alligator-type hood to a vehicle for movement between closed and multiple open positions with respect to a vehicle compartment, comprising, a lower vehicle mounted hinge member, an upper hinge member, means interconnecting the lower and upper members for relative movement between a closed position and a first open position, a third hinge member, means pivotably mounting the third hinge member to the upper hinge member for movement relative thereto, means mounting the third hinge member to the vehicle hood, releasable means directly securing the third hinge member to the upper hinge member for concurrent movement of the upper hinge member, third hinge member, and hood as a unit relative to the lower hinge member and compartment between a closed position and a first open position wherein the hood partially blocks the vehicle compartment, removal of the releasable securing means allowing the third hinge member and hood to move relative to the upper hinge member to a plurality of additional open positions with respect to the vehicle to obtain full access to the vehicle compartment.

Claim 3

A multiposition hinge mechanism for mounting an alligator-type hood to a vehicle for movement of the hood between closed and multiple open positions with respect to a vehicle compartment, comprising, a lower vehicle mounted hinge member, an upper elongated hinge member, means interconnecting the lower and upper members for relative movement between a closed position and a first open position, a third elongated hinge member generally laterally aligned to the upper hinge member, means pivotally mounting respective ends of the third hinge member and the upper hinge member to each other, removable fastener means extending through alignable lateral openings in the upper hinge member and third hinge member to secure such hinge members to each other for concurrent movement relative to the lower hinge member, means mounting the third hinge member to the vehicle hood, the upper hinge member, the third hinge member and the hood being movable as a unit relative to the lower hinge member to move the hood from a closed position to a first open position relative to the vehicle compartment wherein the hood partially blocks the vehicle compartment, removal of the removable fastener means allowing the third hinge member and hood to pivot as a unit relative to the upper hinge member to a plurality of additional open positions with respect to the vehicle compartment to obtain full access thereto.

Claim 4

A multiposition hinge mechanism for mounting an alligator-type hood to a vehicle for movement of the hood between closed and multiple open positions with respect to a vehicle compartment, comprising, a lower vehicle mounted hinge member, an upper elongated hinge member, means interconnecting the lower and upper members for relative movement between a closed position and a first open position, a third elongated hinge member generally laterally aligned to the upper hinge member, means pivotally mounting respective ends of the third hinge member and the upper hinge member to each other, removable fastener means extending through alignable lateral openings in the upper hinge member and third hinge member to secure such hinge members to each other for concurrent movement relative to the lower hinge member, means mounting the third hinge member to the vehicle hood, the upper hinge member, the third hinge member and the hood being movable as a unit relative to the lower hinge member to move the hood from a closed position to a first open position relative to the vehicle compartment wherein the hood partially blocks the vehicle compartment, removal of the removable fastener means allowing the third hinge member and hood to pivot as a unit relative to the upper hinge member to a plurality of additional open positions with respect to the vehicle compartment to obtain full access thereto.