# US 10,500,933 B2 · Apparatus and method for loading and deploying cargo from a motor vehicle

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- Number: US 10,500,933 B2
- Document ID: US10500933B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/591,970
- Filed: 2017-05-10
- Published: 2018-11-15
- Granted: 2019-12-10
- Earliest claimed: 2017-05-10
- Assignees: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
- Applicants: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
- Inventors: Matthew Scott Newman
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10500933B2

## CPC

- B60J 5/101: {for non-load transporting vehicles, i.e. family cars including vans}
- B60P 1/54: using cranes for self-loading or self-unloading (vehicles for transporting cranes B60P3/28, mobile or traveling cranes B66C)
- B60R 11/00: Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for
- E05F 15/00: Power-operated mechanisms for wings (motor-operated accessories in locks for completing closing or initiating opening of a wing E05B17/00)
- 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)
- B60P: VEHICLES ADAPTED FOR LOAD TRANSPORTATION OR TO TRANSPORT, TO CARRY, OR TO COMPRISE SPECIAL LOADS OR OBJECTS (vehicles with special provisions for transporting patients or disabled persons, or their personal conveyances A61G3/00)
- B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- E05F: DEVICES FOR MOVING WINGS INTO OPEN OR CLOSED POSITION; CHECKS FOR WINGS; WING FITTINGS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, CONCERNED WITH THE FUNCTIONING OF THE WING

## Abstract

An apparatus for loading and deploying cargo from a motor vehicle includes a liftgate, a liftgate drive module to displace the liftgate between a closed position and an opened position, a cargo receiver carried on the liftgate and an actuator to raise and lower cargo with respect to the cargo receiver. Related methods of deploying cargo and loading cargo are also provided.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An apparatus, comprising:
a liftgate;
a liftgate drive module to displace said liftgate between a closed position and an opened position;
a cargo receiver carried on said liftgate, said cargo receiver having a hollow body; and
an actuator to raise and lower cargo with respect to said cargo receiver, said actuator including a winch having a line, a line reel, a first drive motor and a hook connected to said line wherein said cargo receiver is connected to said liftgate by a pivot and said cargo receiver is displaceable between a cargo storing position and a cargo deploying position and wherein said line extends through said cargo receiver.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said pivot is a pivot pin and said liftgate includes a guide, said pivot pin displaceable along said guide as said cargo receiver is displaced between said cargo storing position and said cargo deploying position.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, further including a receiver drive module to displace said cargo receiver between said cargo storing position and said cargo deploying position.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said liftgate drive module includes a second drive motor and a first controller.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said receiver drive module includes a third drive motor and a second controller.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, further including an extendable support connecting said actuator to said liftgate whereby said actuator may be displaced between a home position and a deployed position.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said extendable support comprises a telescoping rail system.