US5385212A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicle bonnets
Assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Ltd
•
Filing: 1993-08-18
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Granted: 1995-01-31
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Expires: 2013-08-18
Abstract
Abstract A vehicle bonnet assembly includes a bonnet hinged to the vehicle body adjacent one edge and having releasable catch means adjacent an opposite edge, the bonnet being hinged to the vehicle body in a manner which will permit rearward movement of the bonnet when an impact is applied to the leading edge thereof, a lifting mechanism being provided to lift the trailing edge of the bonnet in response to rearward movement of the bonnet.
Inventors
- 👤 John B. Cady
- 👤 Mark S. Howard
- 👤 Stephen A. Fisher
- 👤 Robert C. W. Lloyd
- 👤 Alan V. Thomas
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 05:38
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R21/00; B60R21/34; B60R21/38; B60R19/00; B60R2021/343
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
151 words
A vehicle including a bonnet and a modular front end assembly on which are mounted components located adjacent the front of the vehicle within the width of the bonnet, the bonnet being hinged adjacent its leading edge to an upper edge of the modular front end assembly for pivotal movement about a first transverse axis of the vehicle, the front end assembly being hinged along a lower edge to the vehicle for pivotal movement about a second transverse axis of the vehicle, so that the front end assembly is capable of pivoting rearwardly in response to an impact load being applied to the front end assembly or leading edge of the bonnet, pivoting of the front end assembly causing the bonnet to move rearwardly, means being provided adjacent the trailing edge of the bonnet to cause the trailing edge of the bonnet to move upwardly upon rearward movement of the bonnet.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
151 words
A vehicle including a bonnet and a modular front end assembly on which are mounted components located adjacent the front of the vehicle within the width of the bonnet, the bonnet being hinged adjacent its leading edge to an upper edge of the modular front end assembly for pivotal movement about a first transverse axis of the vehicle, the front end assembly being hinged along a lower edge to the vehicle for pivotal movement about a second transverse axis of the vehicle, so that the front end assembly is capable of pivoting rearwardly in response to an impact load being applied to the front end assembly or leading edge of the bonnet, pivoting of the front end assembly causing the bonnet to move rearwardly, means being provided adjacent the trailing edge of the bonnet to cause the trailing edge of the bonnet to move upwardly upon rearward movement of the bonnet.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
A vehicle according to claim 1 in which shear pins are provided between the front end assembly and a structural element of the vehicle to prevent rearward pivoting of the front end assembly until the impact load applied to the leading edge of the bonnet exceeds a predetermined value.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
50 words
A vehicle according to claim 1 in which torque limiting means are provided on the hinge connection between the front end assembly and the vehicle, to prevent rearward pivoting of the front end assembly until the impact load applied to the leading edge of the bonnet exceeds a predetermined value.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
54 words
A vehicle according to claim 1 in which a pair of rollers are provided one on either side of the bonnet adjacent the trailing edge of the bonnet, tracks being provided on the vehicle body for engagement by the rollers, the tracks being inclined upwardly from the leading end to the trailing end thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
52 words
A vehicle according to claim 4 in which catch mechanisms are provided adjacent the leading ends of the tracks for engagement of the rollers, when the bonnet is in its normally closed position, means being provided to release the catch mechanisms to permit the bonnet to be pivoted to an open position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
A vehicle according to claim 1 in which the means adjacent the trailing edge of the bonnet permits the bonnet to be pivoted between an open and a closed position during normal operation.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
FR1065436A
Cited
US3643755A
Cited
DE2313949A1
Cited
US4093290A
Cited
US4125170A
Cited
DE2711339A1
Cited
JPS576174A
Cited
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Cited
US5263546A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-01-30 | 1998-08-01 | 1999-01-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-01-30 | 2002-08-01 | 2003-01-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-01-30 | 2006-08-01 | 2007-01-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |