Adjustable and removable rear vehicle panel
Systems and methods are presented herein for a hinge assembly for adjusting, removing, and reinstalling a panel on a vehicle. The hinge assembly comprises a mount fixedly attached to a surface. A hinge body is affixed to the mount by a first hinge. A bracket is fixedly attached to a panel coupled to the hinge body by a second hinge. A release lever is configured to release the bracket from the hinge body.
1 . A hinge assembly comprising:
a mount fixedly attached to a vehicle pillar surface;
a hinge body affixed to the mount by a first hinge;
a bracket fixedly attached to a panel, the bracket coupled to the hinge body by a second hinge; and
a release lever configured to release the bracket from the hinge body, wherein:
the release lever is spring loaded;
the release lever releases the bracket when a force is applied to a surface of the release lever, and
the release lever returns to an original position when the force applied to the surface of the release lever is removed.
2 . The hinge assembly of claim 1 , wherein the hinge body comprises a handle configured to rotate about the first hinge.
3 . The hinge assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a releasable coupling interface between the hinge body and the mount or the surface.
4 . The hinge assembly of claim 3 , wherein the releasable coupling interface comprises a magnetic interface.
5 . The hinge assembly of claim 1 , wherein the surface comprises a vehicle pillar.
6 . The hinge assembly of claim 1 , wherein the bracket is coupled to the hinge body by the second hinge.
7 . The hinge assembly of claim 1 , wherein the release lever is configured to release a hook that interfaces with the a rod of the bracket when the release lever is actuated.
8 . The hinge assembly of claim 1 , wherein:
the hinge body is comprised of plastic; and
the mount comprises a metal plate that is fixedly attached to a vehicle pillar.
9 . A vehicle window assembly comprising:
a glass panel fixedly attached to a hinge assembly, the hinge assembly comprising:
a mount fixedly attached to a vehicle pillar surface,
a hinge body affixed to the mount by a first hinge,
a bracket fixedly attached to a first end of the glass panel, the bracket coupled to the hinge body by a second hinge, and
a release lever configured to release the bracket from the hinge body; and
a ball lock pin assembly fixedly attached to the glass panel at a second end.
10 . The vehicle window assembly of claim 9 , further comprising a handle configured to rotate about the hinge assembly.
11 . The vehicle window assembly of claim 9 , further comprising a releasable coupling interface between the hinge body and the mount or the vehicle pillar surface.
12 . The vehicle window assembly of claim 9 , wherein the ball lock pin assembly is configured to release the second end of the glass panel when actuated.
13 . The vehicle window assembly of claim 10 , wherein:
the release lever is spring loaded;
the release lever releases the bracket when a force is applied to a surface of the release lever; and
the release lever returns to an original position when the force applied to the surface of the release lever is removed.
14 . The vehicle window assembly of claim 9 , further comprising a padded gasket arranged around a perimeter of the glass panel.
15 . The vehicle window assembly of claim 9 , wherein:
the hinge assembly comprises the first hinge and the second hinge;
the first hinge corresponds to an axis of rotation for the release lever and the hinge body; and
the second hinge corresponds to an axis of rotation for the glass panel.
16 . The vehicle window assembly of claim 9 , wherein the glass panel is comprised of tempered glass.
17 . The vehicle window assembly of claim 9 , wherein the release lever is configured to release a hook that interfaces with the bracket when the release lever is actuated.
18 . A vehicle pillar assembly comprising:
a pillar surface facing an interior of a vehicle and comprising a recess; and
a hinge assembly for actuating a panel, the hinge assembly comprising:
a handle arranged within the recess,
a mount fixedly attached to the pillar surface,
a hinge body affixed to the mount by a first hinge,
a bracket fixedly attached to the panel, the bracket coupled to the hinge body by a second hinge, and
a release lever configured to release the bracket from the hinge body, wherein:
the release lever is spring loaded;
the release lever releases the bracket when a force is applied to a surface of the release lever;
the release lever returns to an original position when the force applied to the surface of the release lever is removed;
a mount surface of the hinge assembly is flush with the pillar surface;
a gap is arranged between the handle and the recess; and
the panel is removably coupled to the hinge assembly.
19 . The vehicle pillar assembly of claim 18 , further comprising a releasable coupling interface between the hinge body and the mount or the surface.