US5653012A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicle latch striker centering device
Assignee: Old Carco LLC
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Filing: 1996-04-02
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Granted: 1997-08-05
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Expires: 2016-04-02
Abstract
Abstract A device for locating a striker on a vehicle body in position for engagement with a latch on a closure mounted on the vehicle body for swinging movement from an open position to a closed and latched position comprises a central frame, and a pair of elongated, rigid support bars. The inner ends of the bars are pivoted to the frame for swinging movement between a retracted position and an operative position in which the bars extend in opposite directions laterally outwardly from the frame in substantial alignment with one another. A spring mounted foot on the outer end of each bar is adapted to support the device on the vehicle body when the bars are in their operative positions. A striker locator is attached to the frame.
Inventors
- 👤 Larry Pasternak
- 👤 Francis C. Whittle
- 👤 Thomas N. Seel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 14:14
CPC Classifications
B; B25; B25B; B25B27/00; B25B27/0035; E; E05; E05B; E05B85/00; E05B85/04; E05B85/045; E05B15/00; E05B15/02; E05B15/0205; E05B15/024; E05B2015/0275; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S269/00; Y10S269/901; Y10S269/904; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/53; Y10T29/53909; Y10T29/53913; Y10T29/53961; Y10T29/53974
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
143 words
A device for locating a striker on a vehicle body in position for engagement with a latch on a closure mounted on the vehicle body for swinging movement from an open position to a closed and latched position, said device comprising: a central frame, a pair of elongated, rigid support bars each having an inner end and an outer end, means pivotally mounting the inner ends of said bars on said frame for swinging movement of each of said bars between a retracted position and an operative position in which said bars extend in opposite directions laterally outwardly from said frame in substantial alignment with one another, a foot on the outer end of each of said bars adapted to support said device on the vehicle body when said bars are in the operative positions thereof, and a striker locator on said frame.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
143 words
A device for locating a striker on a vehicle body in position for engagement with a latch on a closure mounted on the vehicle body for swinging movement from an open position to a closed and latched position, said device comprising: a central frame, a pair of elongated, rigid support bars each having an inner end and an outer end, means pivotally mounting the inner ends of said bars on said frame for swinging movement of each of said bars between a retracted position and an operative position in which said bars extend in opposite directions laterally outwardly from said frame in substantial alignment with one another, a foot on the outer end of each of said bars adapted to support said device on the vehicle body when said bars are in the operative positions thereof, and a striker locator on said frame.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
A device according to claim 1, and further including abutments on said frame to locate said bars in the operative positions thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein said bars are of equal length.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein said striker locator comprises means defining a slot adapted to receive the striker.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
59 words
A device according to claim 1, and further including means mounting each said foot on the outer end of the associated bar for longitudinal sliding movement, spring means comprising a compression spring for each said foot urging the latter longitudinally outwardly, and a stop for each said foot limiting the longitudinally outward movement thereof relative to the associated bar.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
215 words
A device for centering a striker in a vehicle body compartment in position for engagement with a latch on a lid mounted on the vehicle body for swinging movement from an open position to a closed and latched position relative to the compartment, said device comprising: a central frame, a pair of elongated, rigid support bars of equal length each having an inner end and an outer end, means pivotally mounting the inner ends of said bars to said frame for swinging movement of each of said bars between a retracted position and an operative position in which said bars extend in opposite directions laterally outwardly from said frame in substantial alignment with one another, abutments on said frame to locate said bars in the operative positions thereof, a foot on the outer end of each of said bars adapted to support said device in the compartment when said bars are in the operative positions thereof, means mounting each said foot on the outer end of the associated bar for rotation and longitudinal sliding movement, spring means comprising a compression coil spring for each said foot urging the latter longitudinally outwardly, a stop for each said foot limiting the longitudinally outward movement thereof relative to the associated bar, and a striker locator on said frame.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
215 words
A device for centering a striker in a vehicle body compartment in position for engagement with a latch on a lid mounted on the vehicle body for swinging movement from an open position to a closed and latched position relative to the compartment, said device comprising: a central frame, a pair of elongated, rigid support bars of equal length each having an inner end and an outer end, means pivotally mounting the inner ends of said bars to said frame for swinging movement of each of said bars between a retracted position and an operative position in which said bars extend in opposite directions laterally outwardly from said frame in substantial alignment with one another, abutments on said frame to locate said bars in the operative positions thereof, a foot on the outer end of each of said bars adapted to support said device in the compartment when said bars are in the operative positions thereof, means mounting each said foot on the outer end of the associated bar for rotation and longitudinal sliding movement, spring means comprising a compression coil spring for each said foot urging the latter longitudinally outwardly, a stop for each said foot limiting the longitudinally outward movement thereof relative to the associated bar, and a striker locator on said frame.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
40 words
A device according to claim 6, wherein said striker locator comprises means defining an elongated slot adapted to receive the striker, and said slot occupies a plane perpendicular to said bars when said bars are in the operative positions thereof.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
A device according to claim 7, wherein said slot is closed at least at one end to further locate the striker when the striker is received in said slot.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
39 words
A device according to claim 8, wherein the feet are spaced equal distances from said frame when said bars are in their operative positions and said feet are at their limit of longitudinally outward movement established by said stops.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
A device according to claim 9, and further including means for releasably locking said bars in the operative positions thereof.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-08-04 | 2001-02-03 | 2001-08-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-08-04 | 2005-02-03 | 2005-08-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-08-04 | 2009-02-03 | 2009-08-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |