US 12,110,722 B2
Counterbalance mechanism with optional watershield, kicker spring, friction bearing, and fail safe spring retention mechanism
Joseph Scheuring, Richmond Hill (CA); and Wieslaw Nowicki, Mississauga (CA)
Assigned to MAGNA CLOSURES INC., Newmarket (CA)
Filed by MAGNA CLOSURES INC., Newmarket (CA)
Filed on Dec. 17, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/554,969.
Application 17/554,969 is a continuation of application No. PCT/CA2020/050905, filed on Jun. 29, 2020.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/870,278, filed on Jul. 3, 2019.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/868,199, filed on Jun. 28, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2022/0136294 A1, May 5, 2022
Int. Cl. E05F 1/10 (2006.01); E05C 17/30 (2006.01)
CPC E05F 1/1058 (2013.01) [E05C 17/30 (2013.01); E05Y 2201/218 (2013.01); E05Y 2201/264 (2013.01); E05Y 2201/474 (2013.01); E05Y 2900/546 (2013.01)] 12 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A counterbalance mechanism for coupling with a closure panel to assist in opening and closing of the closure panel between a closed position and an open position of the closure panel, the counterbalance mechanism including:
a housing coupled at a first end to one of the closure panel and a body of a vehicle by a first connector and at a second end by a second connector to the other of the body and the closure panel, the housing containing an extension member and a spring positioned along a longitudinal axis, the spring positioned adjacent to the first connector;
the first connector having a first connector body with a connection portion coupled by a connection to the first end of the housing; and
a spring retention mechanism positioned between the spring and the first end for inhibiting extension of the spring out of the first end of the housing upon decoupling of the connection portion with the first end.