US 12,214,530 B2
One-piece molded linkage assembly with insert molded pins
Timothy Francis O'Brien, Milford, MI (US); Daniel Vern Beckley, Byron, MI (US); and Brendan James Heaphy, Auburn Hills, MI (US)
Assigned to Magna Exteriors Inc., Aurora (CA)
Appl. No. 17/271,695
Filed by Magna Exteriors Inc., Concord (CA); and Timothy Francis O'Brien, Milford, MI (US)
PCT Filed Aug. 29, 2019, PCT No. PCT/US2019/048765
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Feb. 26, 2021,
PCT Pub. No. WO2020/047226, PCT Pub. Date Mar. 5, 2020.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/724,316, filed on Aug. 29, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2021/0252753 A1, Aug. 19, 2021
Int. Cl. B29C 45/14 (2006.01); B29L 31/30 (2006.01); B62D 35/00 (2006.01); B62D 37/02 (2006.01)
CPC B29C 45/14467 (2013.01) [B62D 35/00 (2013.01); B62D 37/02 (2013.01); B29L 2031/3058 (2013.01)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A one-piece linkage assembly comprising:
a linkage base formed of a polymer material composition, the linkage base being configured to be secured to a structure, the linkage base has two sealed pin connection seats each for retaining one of two ends of a first metal pivot pin, wherein each of the two sealed pin connection seats prevents exposing the two ends of the first metal pivot pin to the outside environment by encasing each of the two ends in the polymer material composition;
a linkage coupler formed of the polymer material composition and movable between a stowed position, deployed position and one or more intermediate positions relative to the linkage base, the linkage coupler has two sealed pin connection seats each for retaining one of two ends of a second metal pivot pin, wherein each of the two sealed pin connection seats prevents exposing the two ends of the second metal pivot pin to the outside environment by encasing each of the two ends in the polymer material composition;
a linkage follower pivotally connected to the first metal pivot pin through a first bore in the linkage follower and pivotally connected to the second metal pivot pin through a second bore in the linkage follower;
a linkage drive formed of the polymer material composition and movable between a stowed position, deployed position and one or more intermediate positions relative to the linkage base, the linkage drive has two sealed pin connection seats each for retaining one of two ends of a third metal pivot pin, wherein each of the two sealed pin connection seats prevents exposing the two ends of the third metal pivot pin to the outside environment by encasing each of the two ends in the polymer material composition, the linkage drive is pivotally connected to the linkage coupler by the third metal pivot pin extending through a third bore that is formed through the linkage coupler, the linkage drive has a drive connection bore that is connectable with a drive shaft of the linkage base;
wherein the first metal pivot pin connects between the linkage base and the linkage follower without any bushings, the second metal pivot pin connects between the linkage follower and the linkage coupler without any bushings and the third metal pivot pin connects between the linkage coupler and the linkage drive without any bushings.