# US 10,245,926 B2 · Deployable tailgate storage bag for SUV > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,245,926 B2 - Document ID: US10245926B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/508,653 - Filed: 2015-09-03 - Published: 2017-09-28 - Granted: 2019-04-02 - Earliest claimed: 2014-09-03 - Assignees: Bestop, Inc. - Applicants: Bestop, Inc. - Inventors: Stephen J. Lewis; Duane C. Junkin; Charles C. Turney - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10245926B2 ## CPC - B60J 5/105: {comprising door or part of door being pivotable about vertical axis} - B60R 5/04: arranged at rear of vehicle {(B60R5/003, B60R5/006 take precedence; external trunks arranged at rear of vehicle B60R9/065)} - B60R 7/005: {Nets or elastic pockets tensioned against walls or backrests} - B60R 7/02: in separate luggage compartment {(B60R7/005 takes precedence)} - B60J 5/10: arranged at the vehicle rear (B60J5/04 takes precedence {; bonnets or lids B62D25/10; tail gates for pick-up trucks B62D33/0273; counterbalancing E05F; springs, e.g. pneumatic F16F}) - B60J: WINDOWS, WINDSCREENS, NON-FIXED ROOFS, DOORS, OR SIMILAR DEVICES FOR VEHICLES; REMOVABLE EXTERNAL PROTECTIVE COVERINGS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES (fastening, suspending, closing, or opening of such devices E05) - B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR ## Abstract A deployable storage assembly (10) having a mounting portion (12) and at least one base (14) hinged to the mounting portion (12) for deploying between an open position for storage and a closed position. At least one frame arrangement (22) is connected to the mounting portion (12) to allow the base (14) to rotate to the open position and hold the base (14) when opened to provide a storage compartment. The frame arrangement (22) provides the sides and front of the storage compartment, while the mounting portion (12) fixed to the vehicle provides the rear surface and the base (14) provides the bottom surface. A retaining device (26) coupled to the frame arrangement (22) and base (14) contains items within the storage compartment. At least one fastener (28) is connected to the mounting portion (12) for selectively holding the at least one base (14) in a closed/stowed position. Undoing the at least one fastener (28) allows the base (14) to fold down to the open position providing storage space. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A deployable storage assembly for a vehicle, comprising: at least one mounting portion; at least one base operably connected to the mounting portion and rotatable between an open position and a closed position; at least one frame arrangement supporting a storage compartment when the at least one base is in the open position, wherein the frame arrangement is operably pivotably connected to the mounting portion for pivotable movement as the base is moved between the open and closed positions; a pair of brackets, wherein the brackets provide the pivotable connection between the frame arrangement and the mounting portion; at least one fastener operably connected to the at least one mounting portion and the at least one base to selectively hold the at least one base in the closed position; and said frame arrangement further comprising a top rail that is curved and pivotably connected at both ends to the respective bracket; a pair of vertical members operably connected to the top rail and operably pivotably connected to the base; a first side portion operably connected to the mounting portion and operably connected to the base; a second side portion operably connected to the mounting portion and operably connected to the base; and a retaining device operably connected to the top rail, pair of vertical members, first side portion, second side portion, and/or the base, wherein the retaining device and frame arrangement are foldable with the base between the open position and closed position. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The deployable storage assembly of claim 1, wherein the mounting portion is operably connected to a tailgate of a vehicle. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The deployable storage assembly of claim 2, wherein the deployable storage assembly when in the closed position maintains cargo area storage volume. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The deployable storage assembly of claim 3, wherein the deployable storage assembly when in the open position allows the tailgate to maintain full function and close completely. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The deployable storage assembly of claim 4, further comprising a pair of hinges rotatably connecting the base to the mounting portion. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The deployable storage assembly of claim 5, further comprising at least one retaining device operably coupled to the at least one frame arrangement to contain items within the storage compartment. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The deployable storage assembly of claim 6, wherein the retaining device is selected from the group consisting of netting, canvas, vinyl, and fabric. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The deployable storage assembly of claim 7, wherein the retaining device is netting operably coupled to the frame arrangement. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The deployable storage assembly of claim 8, wherein the retaining device is operably coupled to the base and moves with the base as the base is moved between the open and closed positions. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The deployable storage assembly of claim 9, wherein the retaining device is operably coupled to the mounting device by a plurality of fasteners. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The deployable storage assembly of claim 1, wherein the pair of vertical members are operably connected to freely rotate relative to the base and top rail. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The deployable storage assembly of claim 11, further comprising bosses provided on the base for the pivotable connection between the pair of vertical members and the base, and second bosses on the top rail operable to pivotably connect the pair of vertical members to the top rail. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The deployable storage assembly of claim 1, wherein the mounting portion and base are lightweight molded plastic to minimize weight to a tailgate to which the deployable storage assembly is operably attached. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The deployable storage assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one fastener is a strap fixedly connected to the mounting portion and releasably snapped to the base. ### Claim 15 A deployable storage assembly for a tailgate of a vehicle, comprising: at least one mounting portion operably connected to a tailgate; a base connected to the mounting portion by at least two hinges and rotatable between an open position and a closed position; at least one frame arrangement having netting coupled to at least a top rail forming a storage compartment when the base is in the open position; and at least two fasteners operably connected to the at least one mounting portion and to the base to selectively hold the base in the closed position; wherein when in the closed position the deployable storage assembly maximizes cargo area storage volume, and when in the open position allows the vehicle tailgate to close. ### Claim 16 A deployable storage assembly for a vehicle, comprising: at least one mounting portion; at least one base operably connected to the mounting portion and rotatable between an open position and a closed position; at least one frame arrangement supporting a storage compartment when the at least one base is in the open position; and at least one fastener operably connected to the at least one mounting portion and the at least one base to selectively hold the at least one base in the closed position, wherein the at least one fastener is a strap fixedly connected to the mounting portion and releasably snapped to the base. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The deployable storage assembly of claim 16, further comprising at least one retaining device operably coupled to the at least one frame arrangement to contain items within the storage compartment. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The deployable storage assembly of claim 17, wherein the retaining device is selected from the group consisting of netting, canvas, vinyl, and fabric. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The deployable storage assembly of claim 18, wherein the retaining device is netting operably coupled to the frame arrangement. ### Claim 20 (depends on 16) The deployable storage assembly of claim 16, wherein the mounting portion and base are lightweight molded plastic to minimize weight to a tailgate to which the deployable storage assembly is operably attached.