Two part boot hinge cover

Abstract

A hinge cover assembly (10) for a hinge having an elongate hinge arm has first and second cover members (20, 22) mountable about the hinge arm so as to completely encircle the hinge arm over at least part of its length. The first cover member (20) has a channel portion (24) which surrounds the arm on three sides and the second cover member (22) is mountable to the first enclose the arm on the other side. The first cover member (20) has locking projections (46) on the inner surface of a side wall that engage in apertures in the hinge arm. The cover assembly (10) is particularly suited for use with a swan neck hinged used to mount a boot lid to a vehicle body. A housing portion (32) of the first cover member encapsulates a mounting structure of the hinge and may have a clip formation for clamping an edge region of a trim panel mounted to the boot lid.

Claims

1. A hinge cover assembly for a hinge having an elongate hinge arm, the hinge cover assembly comprising first and second cover members mountable about the hinge arm and configured so as to completely encircle the hinge arm over at least part of its length in use; the first cover member comprising an elongate channel shaped portion for receiving the hinge arm, the elongate channel shaped portion defining a pair of spaced side walls interconnected at one end by a base region, the elongate channel shaped portion being resiliently deformable such that the side walls configured to be biased apart from a rest position, the second cover member comprising an elongate portion mountable to the first cover member so as to extend between the side walls; wherein a plurality of locating ribs are spaced apart along an inner surface of the elongate channel shaped portion for engagement with an outer surface of the hinge arm; and wherein the plurality of locating ribs comprise locating ribs on an inner surface of one of the side walls for engagement with a first side of the hinge arm, the first cover member having a plurality of clamping formations arranged in spaced relation to said one of the side walls, the clamping formations configured to engage a second side of the hinge arm opposite the first side such that in use, the hinge arm is clamped between the clamping formations and the locating ribs on said one side wall of the elongate channel shaped portion.

2. A hinge cover assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and second cover members are initially separate components having co-operating formations for attaching the cover members together.

3. A hinge cover assembly as claimed in claim 1, the first cover member being attachable to the hinge arm, the first and second cover members having co-operating formations for attaching the second cover member to the first cover member.

4. A hinge cover as claimed in claim 1, wherein the side walls of the elongate channel shaped portion are configured to grip outer edges of the elongate portion of the second cover member in the rest position so as to mount the second cover member to the first cover member.

5. A hinge cover assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein a plurality of locking projections are provided on an inner surface of the elongate channel shaped portion for engagement with corresponding locking formations on the hinge arm to secure the first cover member to the hinge arm.

6. A hinge cover assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein said plurality of locking projections are provided on the inner surface of at least one of the side walls.

7. A hinge cover assembly as claimed in claim 6, wherein the side walls of the elongate channel shaped portion are configured to be biased apart from the rest position to allow the first cover member to be mounted to the hinge arm in use.

8. A hinge cover assembly as claimed in claim 1, the hinge cover assembly being configured for use with a swan neck shaped hinge for attaching a closure to a vehicle body, the hinge having a mounting structure at one end of the hinge arm for attaching the hinge arm to the closure.

9. A hinge cover assembly as claimed in claim 8, wherein the first cover has a housing portion at one end of the elongate channel shaped portion, the housing portion configured to overlie part of a surface of the closure about the mounting structure in use.

10. A hinge cover assembly as claimed in claim 9, wherein the housing portion defines at least one clip formation for gripping an edge of a trim panel mounted to the closure.

11. A hinge cover assembly as claimed in claim 10, the clip formation defining a slot along at least part of an edge of the housing portion into which an edge region of the trim panel is inserted in use.

12. A vehicle having a body and a closure mounted to the body by a hinge having an elongate hinge arm attached to the closure at one end by a mounting structure, wherein a hinge cover assembly as claimed in claim 1 is mounted to the hinge arm to completely encircle the hinge arm over at least part of its length.

13. A vehicle as claimed in claim 12, wherein a plurality of locking projections are provided on the inner surface of the elongate channel shaped portion which engage corresponding locking apertures on the hinge arm to secure the first cover member to the hinge arm.

14. A vehicle as claimed in claim 13, wherein the locking apertures are defined on a side region of the hinge arm.

15. A vehicle as claimed in claim 8, wherein the spacing between the side walls of the channel shaped portion of the first cover member is greater than a width of the hinge arm.

16. A vehicle as claimed in claim 12, wherein the first cover member comprises a housing portion at one end of the elongate channel shaped portion, the housing portion overlying part of a surface of the closure about the mounting structure, the housing portion defining at least one clip formation which engages an edge of a trim panel mounted to the closure.

17. A vehicle as claimed in claim 16, wherein a position of the closure is adjustable relative to the hinge, the trim panel having a live hinge proximal said edge, the arrangement being such that an edge region of the trim panel is constrained move with the hinge cover if the position of the closure is adjusted relative to the hinge.

18. A vehicle as claimed in claim 12, wherein the closure is a boot lid.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(1) In order that the invention may be more clearly understood one or more embodiments thereof will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

(2) FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of an embodiment of a hinge cover assembly in accordance with aspects of the invention;

(3) FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the hinge cover assembly of FIG. 1 in an assembled configuration;

(4) FIG. 3 shows a side view of a swan neck type hinge with the hinge cover assembly of FIGS. 1 and 2 mounted to an arm of the hinge;

(5) FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view through the hinge arm and hinge cover assembly of FIG. 3 taken at the line A-A;

(6) FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view through the hinge arm and hinge cover assembly of FIG. 3 taken at the line B-B;

(7) FIG. 4 shows an exploded view of part of the hinge cover assembly and swan neck type hinge of FIG. 3 in a pre-assembled configuration;

(8) FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of part of a boot lid showing the hinge cover assembly of FIGS. 1 and 2 mounted to an arm of a swan neck hinge attached to the boot lid;

(9) FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view through part of the boot lid of FIG. 5 showing a second mounting structure of the hinge of FIG. 3 adjustably attached to the boot lid;

(10) FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view through the hinge cover assembly and trim panel of FIG. 5 taken at the line C-C;

(11) FIG. 8 is a further cross sectional view through the hinge cover assembly and trim panel of FIG. 5 taken along the line of C-C but viewed from the opposite side from that taken in FIG. 7 and also showing details of the boot lid.

(12) With reference initially to FIGS. 1 to 4, a first embodiment of a hinge cover assembly 10, in accordance with aspects of the invention will be described. The hinge cover assembly 10 is adapted for use with a swan neck hinge 12 as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. Hinges of this type are commonly used for mounting a movable closure to a vehicle body. In the embodiment described, the hinge is used to mount a boot lid 13 to the body of a vehicle. However, it should be appreciated that the invention is not limited to use with hinges for mounting boot lids but can be adapted for use with hinges for mounting other types of closure to a vehicle or indeed non-vehicular applications.

(13) The hinge 12 has an elongate hinge arm 14 and includes a first mounting structure 16 at one end for attaching the hinge arm 14 to the body of a vehicle (not shown) and a second mounting structure 18 at the other end for attaching the hinge arm 14 to the boot lid 13. The hinge arm is pivotally connected to each of the mounting structures 16, 18 in a known manner and may be adjustably connected to at least the first mounting structure 16.

(14) The hinge cover assembly 10 includes a first cover member 20 and a second cover member 22. The first and second cover members 20 and 22 are initially separate from one another but are mountable together about the hinge arm 14.

(15) The first cover member 20 has an elongate channel shaped portion 24 having a pair of opposed side walls 26, 28 interconnected at one end by a base region or wall 30. The channel shaped portion 24 is mounted over the elongate arm 14 of the swan neck hinge 12 to encapsulate the arm about three sides over part of its length. The hinge arm 14 is curved in the longitudinal direction and the elongate channel shaped portion 24 is correspondingly curved to form a close fit over the hinge arm 12. At one end of the channel shaped portion 24 is a housing portion or flange 32. In use, the housing portion 32 overlies part of the boot lid 13 so as to encase at least part of the second mounting structure.

(16) The second cover member 22 is releasably attachable to the channel shaped portion 24 of the first cover member so as to extend between the free ends of the side walls 26, 28 in opposed relation to the base region 30. The second cover member 22 is an elongate U shaped member having a base 22A and a pair of depending flanges 22B. The base 22A is substantially planar in the lateral direction but curves in the longitudinal direction to conform to the curvature of the channel shaped portion 24. The flanges 22B are a close fit between side walls 26, 28 of the first cover member 20. At least the channel shaped portion 24 of the first cover member 20 is resiliently flexible so that the side walls 26, 28 can be moved apart from a rest position to enable fitment over the hinge arm 14 and for mounting of the second cover member 22. The arrangement is such that the second cover member 22 is a tight fit between the side walls 26, 28 of the first cover member when they are in the rest position. Male engagement members 34 are spaced apart along the inner surface of each side wall 26, 28 of first cover member proximal their free ends and corresponding female engagement members or apertures 36 are provided in each of the flanges 22B of the second cover member. The male engagement members 34 are received in the apertures 36 to lock the second cover member 22 to the first cover member 20 when assembled.

(17) In use, the channel shaped portion 24 of first cover member 20 is mounted to the hinge arm 14 as illustrated in FIGS. 3, 3A and 3B so that it extends about the hinge arm on the three most exposed sides of the arm. The second cover member 22 is then mounted to the first cover member 22, as can be seen best in FIGS. 2 and 3A, to cover the remaining side of the hinge arm 14 so that the arm is fully enclosed or encircled over at least part of its length. In use, the hinge cover assembly 10 encircles the hinge arm 14 of that part of its length which is generally exposed to view when the boot lid is open.

(18) An embodiment for mounting of the first cover member 20 to the hinge arm 14 is best seen in FIGS. 1, 3A and 3B. The spacing between the side walls 26, 28 of the channel shaped portion 24 is larger than the width of the hinge arm 14. A number of locating ribs 40A, 40B project inwardly from the inner surface of a first one of the side walls 26. The ribs 40A, 40B extend from the base outwardly towards the free end of the first side wall 26 over part of its height and are spaced apart along the length of the channel shaped portion 24. The locating ribs 40A, 40B are arranged to contact the hinge arm 14 on one side. Some of the ribs 40A only extend up the first side wall whilst others 40B also extend laterally across the inner surface of the base region 30 and up part of the second side wall 28. The ribs 40A, 40B each define a slot 40C at their upper end or ends into which the corresponding flange 22B of the second cover member 22 is received. Also associated with each of the laterally extending ribs 40B is a clamping formation 40D which projects inwardly from the base region 30 in spaced relation to the first side wall 26. The clamping formations 40D define an abutment surface 42 which opposes the first side wall 26 and which in use contacts the hinge arm 14 on the opposite side from the ribs 40A, 40B so that the hinge arm is clamped between the ribs 40A, 40B on the first side wall 26 and the clamping formations 40D. This locates the first cover member 20 relative to the hinge arm 14. A longitudinal channel 44 is defined between the hinge arm 14 and the second side wall 28 through which cables or harnesses or other components can be routed.

(19) To affix the first cover member 20 to the hinge arm, a number of locking projections 46 extend inwardly (laterally) from the inner surface of the first side wall 26. The locking projections 46 in this embodiment are in the form of pegs or pins which extend inwardly by a greater distance then the locating ribs 40A, 40B. The pegs or pins 46 may be cylindrical or cross shaped in lateral cross-section. Each locking projection 46 is received in a corresponding locking aperture 48 defined in a side wall 50 of the hinge arm proximal the first side wall 26. To fit the first cover member 20 to the hinge arm 14, the first side wall 26 is flexed outwardly away from the second side wall 28 and the clamping formations 40D to enable the hinge arm to be located between the first side wall 26 and the clamping formations 40D and to enable the locking projections 46 to slide up the side 50 of the hinge arm 14 to engage in their respective locking apertures 48. The locking projections 46 have a chamfered upper edge 52 which engages the hinge arm to force the first side wall 26 outwardly when the first cover member is pressed on to the hinge arm. Once the locking projections 46 have engaged in their respective locking apertures 48, the natural resilience of the material biases the first side wall 26 back to its rest position in which the hinge arm 14 is clamped between the locating ribs 40A, 40B on the first side wall 26 and the clamping formations 40D and the locking projections 46 are firmly located in the locking apertures 48. The first hinge cover member 20 is arranged so that once fitted, it is a tight fit on the hinge arm 14. Any cables, harnesses or other components that are to be routed along the longitudinal channel 44 can be arranged in position and fixed using ties as required. The second cover member 22 is then pressed into position between the free ends of the first and second side walls 26, 28 of the first cover member. The first and second side walls 26, 28 may flex apart slightly to enable the second cover member 22 to be pressed into place. Once the second cover member 22 is in position, the hinge arm 14 is completely encircled by the hinge cover assembly on all sides so that no part of the hinge arm or any associated cables, harness or other components routed along the hinge are visible over at least part of the length of the hinge arm. This provides for a particularly neat appearance. Furthermore, since all the fittings for securing the first cover member 20 to hinge arm are located internally of the channel shaped portion 24, there no externally visible fixings which further provides for a neat and aesthetically pleasing finish.

(20) The first and second cover members 20, 22 can be made of any suitable material but are conveniently moulded from a polymeric material selected to provide the desired mechanical properties and aesthetic appearance.

(21) Other arrangements for attaching the second cover member 22 to the first cover member 20 can be adopted. For example, the first and second cover members may have corresponding male and female connectors which can be engaged, say with a snap fit, to fix the second cover member 22 to the first cover member 20. It is preferable though that any such connectors should not be visible from the outside once the cover members are assembled together.

(22) Whilst the use of two cover members 20, 22 to fully encircle the hinge arm is considered to be particularly desirable, a hinge cover comprising only a first cover member 20 may still be advantageous as it will enclose the hinge arm on the three most exposed sides but without any fixings that are visible once the cover member is mounted to the hinge arm. The first hinge cover member 20 if used on its own may be modified to omit the mounting slots 40C and may be modified so that the second side wall 28 is located closer to hinge arm 14. The second side wall 28 could be adapted to contact the hinge arm 14 on the opposite side from the first side wall or be provided with locating ribs similar to the ribs 40A, 40B on the first side wall omitting the clamping formations 40D.

(23) FIGS. 5 to 8 illustrate another aspect of the invention. The housing portion or flange 32 at the closure end of the elongate channel shaped portion 24 of the first cover member is arranged to overlie part of the inner face 54 of the boot lid 13 to which the hinge arm 14 is attached by the second hinge mounting structure 18. The housing portion 32 thus covers the second hinge mounting structure 18 where it locates on the boot lid so that the mounting structure is not visible. The housing portion is profiled to interface with a trim panel 56 mounted to the inner surface of the boot lid 13 and to conform to the shape of the boot lid to provide a neat finish. The trim panel 56 may comprise a section of carpet or other fabric, for example.

(24) Typically, the second mounting structure 18 is attached close to a lower edge 58 of the boot lid and close to one side edge 60. In order to conform to the shape of the boot lid, the housing portion 32 has a first section 62 which extends generally in a first plane overlying an inner face 54 of the boot lid 13 where the second mounting structure 18 is attached and a second section 64 which overlies part of the lower edge 58 of the boot lid and which extends generally in a second plane perpendicular to the first plane.

(25) As illustrated in FIG. 6, the position of the second mounting structure 18 relative to the boot lid 13 is adjustable, typically in a direction perpendicular to the first plane as indicated by arrows 66. Since the hinge cover assembly 10 is mounted to the hinge arm 14 and the trim panel 56 is mounted to the boot lid, adjusting the position of the second mounting structure 18 will result in relative movement between the housing portion 32 and the trim panel 56 which can affect the neatness of the finish. A particular issue is that relative movement between the second mounting structure 18 and the boot lid in a direction parallel to the first plane will result in the second section 64 of the housing portion 32 moving towards or away from the lower edge 58 of the boot lid which can result in a gap appearing between the housing portion 32 and the trim panel 56. To address this issue, at least along part of a side edge 68 of the second section 64 of the housing portion, the housing portion 32 defines a clip formation 70 which grips an edge region 72 of the trim panel 56 and the trim panel has a live hinge 74 which extends generally parallel to the respective side edge 68 of the second section. With this arrangement, the edge region 72 of the trim panel is constrained to move with the housing portion 32 if the position of the second mounting structure 18 on the boot lid 13 is adjusted, as is illustrated by the dashed lines at 76 in FIG. 8. This prevents gaps appearing between the housing portion 32 and the trim panel 56.

(26) In the present embodiment, the clip formation 70 comprises a C-section slot or recess in which the edge region 72 of the trim panel is inserted, the C-section being configured to clamp the edge region 72. However, other clip formations could be used an indeed other arrangements for securing the edge region 72 of the trim panel to the housing portion can be adopted. This aspect of the invention can be used where the hinge cover comprises a first cover member 20 only or where the hinge cover is an assembly comprising first and second cover members 20, 22 as described above.

(27) The above embodiments are described by way of example only. Many variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention.