Adjustable and flexible hood panel support

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11465271-B2
Application number	US-202016807988-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 3, 2020
Priority date	Dec 14, 2015
Publication date	Oct 11, 2022
Grant date	Oct 11, 2022

Abstract

An apparatus for holding a hood of a vehicle open during e-coat application and painting. The apparatus includes a support incorporating first and second pairs of legs attached to spaced locations on right and left sides of an engine compartment. The two pairs of legs are connected at an upper portion of the legs. A hood support bar is connected to the upper portion of both the first and second pairs of legs and extends transversely across the engine compartment. A hood striker receiving bracket may be provided on the hood support bar. The apparatus is adjustable to position the hood striker receiving bracket in a range of vertical, transverse and longitudinal locations. The adjustability of the apparatus provides a flexible hood support that reduces thermal distortion or sag due to thermal load.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A hood prop assembly comprising:
a support including first and second pairs of legs attached to spaced locations on right and left sides of an engine compartment and connected at upper portions of the legs;
a hood support bar connected to the upper portion of both the first and second pairs of legs extends transversely across the engine compartment, the support bar defining a hood striker receiving area and at least one hood support pad; and
the hood support bar is arch-shaped and is raised in a central portion thereof relative to locations where the hood support bar is connected to the upper portions of the legs, and wherein the at least one hood support pad further comprises a first hood support pad provided on a left side of the support bar and a second hood support pad provided on a right side of the support bar.

2. The hood prop assembly of claim 1 wherein the transverse support bar is adapted to be connected to the upper portion of the right and left side risers in a range of heights.

3. The hood prop assembly of claim 2 further comprising:
a leg connector attached to the upper portion of each of the right and left side risers that extend in a longitudinal direction away from the upper portion to a flange provided on the transverse support bar that extends in a vertical direction.

4. The hood prop assembly of claim 3 wherein a slot defined by the flange extends vertically and wherein a fastener secures the transverse support bar at a selected location within the slot.

5. A hood prop assembly for a vehicle comprising:
right and left side risers detachably secured to an edge of a hood opening defined by the vehicle;
right and left side adjustable connectors provided on upper portions of the risers;
a transverse support bar assembled to the right and left risers by the right and left side adjustable connectors to hold a hood panel spaced from the hood opening during e-coat and painting operations wherein the transverse support bar is arch-shaped and is raised in a central portion thereof relative to locations where the transverse support bar is connected to the upper portions of the risers; and
right and left hood support pads provided on the transverse support bar on right and left sides of the central portion.

6. A hood prop assembly for a vehicle comprising:
right and left side risers detachably secured to an edge of a hood opening defined by the vehicle;
right and left side adjustable connectors provided on upper portions of the risers;
a transverse support bar assembled to the right and left risers by the right and left side adjustable connectors to hold a hood panel spaced from the hood opening during e-coat and painting operations; and
a hood of a vehicle in combination with the assembly that includes a striker attached to the hood, wherein the striker is received in a recess formed in the transverse support bar.

Assignees

• Ford Global Tech Llc

Inventors

• Baskar Shunmugam
• Gardynik Michael J
• Pope Christopher
• Nguyen Christina Dung
• VELUCHAMY Venkatasamy

Classifications

• B05B13/0285

  Stands for supporting individual articles to be sprayed, e.g. doors, vehicle body parts · CPC title

• B05B13/0292 Primary

  devices for holding several workpieces to be sprayed in a spaced relationship, e.g. vehicle doors spacers · CPC title

• B25B11/00

  Work holders not covered by any preceding group in the subclass, e.g. magnetic work holders, vacuum work holders (for holding or positioning work for welding, soldering, or cutting by applying heat locally B23K37/04; specially adapted to machine tools B23Q3/00) · CPC title

• B25H1/00 Primary

  Work benches; Portable stands or supports for positioning portable tools or work to be operated on thereby · CPC title

• E05C21/005

  Provisional arrangements between door and frame for holding vehicle doors closed or partially open during manufacturing or maintenance · CPC title