Integrated vehicle tailgate

• US 6,454,338 B1
• Filed: 07/28/2000
• Issued: 09/24/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Tuck, David Benjamin, Glickman, David Brian
• Primary Examiner(s): Dayoan, D. Glenn
• Assistant Examiner(s): GUTMAN, HILARY L
• Application Number:
  US09/627,856
• Time in Patent Office: 788 Days
• Field of Search: 296/26.08, 296/26.09, 296/26.1, 296/26.11, 296/57.1, 296/61, 296/62
• US Class Current: 296/57.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 1/435 the ramp being attached to or making part of the side- or tailboards of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 3/40 for carrying long loads, e.g. with separate wheeled load supporting elements E04G21/14 takes precedence; signal devices to be attached to overhanging load B60Q7/02
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 33/0273 Movable tailboards for vehicles comprising non-movable sideboards, e.g. pick-up trucks B62D33/037 takes precedence

Abstract

The present invention provides an integrated tailgate for a vehicle having a planar cargo bed, the tailgate operable between a closed vertical position and an open horizontal position, and a structure slideably received by the tailgate extendable to a substantially horizontal position when the tailgate is in the open position, whereat the structure is rotateably operable between the horizontal position, an upwardly rotated substantially vertical position perpendicular to the open tailgate, and a downwardly rotated position a predetermined degree between zero and ninety degrees.

Claims

1. An integrated tailgate for a vehicle having a planar cargo bed comprising:

a tailgate, having a substantially planar inner surface, operable between a closed vertical position and an open horizontal position;

a unitary structure slideably received entirely within the tailgate, extendable to a substantially horizontal position when the tailgate is in the open position;

wherein the unitary structure is pivotally operable between the horizontal position, an upwardly rotated substantially vertical position perpendicular to the open tailgate, and a downwardly rotated position a predetermined degree between zero and ninety degrees; and

wherein the unitary structure has at least one open space between longitudinal rails and a horizontal bar perpendicular to the rails adapted to be a step.

2. The integrated tailgate as defined in claim 1, wherein the tailgate inner surface is substantially flush and coplanar with the cargo bed when in the open horizontal position.

3. The integrated tailgate as defined in claim 1, wherein the unitary structure has an upper surface that is substantially flush and coplanar with the tailgate inner surface when in the open horizontal position.

4. The integrated tailgate as defined in claim 1, wherein the predetermined degree between zero and ninety degrees is forty-five degrees.

5. The integrated tailgate as defined in claim 1, wherein the structure is substantially the same width and length of the open tailgate.

6. An integrated tailgate for a vehicle having a planar cargo bed comprising:

a tailgate, having a substantially planar inner surface, operable between a closed vertical position and an open horizontal position;

a unitary structure slideably received entirely within the tailgate, extendable to a substantially horizontal position when the tailgate is in the open position, the unitary structure having at least one open space between longitudinal rails and a horizontal bar perpendicular to the rails adapted to be a step;

whereon the structure is pivotally operable between the horizontal position, an upwardly rotated substantially vertical position perpendicular to the open tailgate, and a downwardly rotated position a predetermined degree between zero and ninety degrees; and

wherein the unitary structure has an upper surface that is substantially flush and coplanar with the tailgate inner surface when in the open horizontal position.

7. The integrated tailgate as defined in claim 6, wherein the tailgate inner surface is substantially flush and coplanar with the cargo bed when in the open horizontal position.

8. The integrated tailgate as defined in claim 6, wherein the predetermined degree between zero and ninety degrees is forty-five degrees.

9. The integrated tailgate as defined in claim 6, wherein the structure is substantially the same width and length of the open tailgate.

10. An integrated tailgate for a vehicle having a planar cargo bed comprising:

a tailgate, having a substantially planar inner surface, operable between a closed vertical position and an open horizontal position;

a unitary structure slideably received entirely within the tailgate, extendable to a substantially horizontal position when the tailgate is in the open position, the unitary structure having a plurality of longitudinal rails with a plurality of open spaces therebetween and a horizontal bar perpendicular to the rails adapted to be a step;

wherein the structure is pivotally operable between the horizontal position, an upwardly rotated substantially vertical position perpendicular to the open tailgate, and a downwardly rotated position a predetermined degree between zero and ninety degrees.

11. The integrated tailgate as defined in claim 10, wherein the tailgate inner surface is substantially flush and coplanar with the cargo bed when in the open horizontal position.

12. The integrated tailgate as defined in claim 10, wherein the predetermined degree between zero and ninety degrees is forty-five degrees.

13. The integrated tailgate as defined in claim 10, wherein the structure is substantially the same width and length of the open tailgate.