Integrated tailgate bed extender with back-up camera
AssigneeToyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
InventorJohn J. Salvia, III
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A removable upper garnish member is provided for a tailgate of a vehicle. The upper garnish member may include a longitudinally extending top portion, an exterior facing side portion, and an interior facing side portion. A camera is positioned within a space defined by the exterior facing side portion. The camera is configured to provide an image depicting a point of view of from a direction behind the vehicle. The removable upper garnish member is configured to be selectively positioned as part of a vehicle tailgate that is movable between one of a closed position, an open position, and a bed extender position. The camera point of view is preferably the same in both the closed and bed extender positions.
Claims20
A removable upper garnish member for a tailgate of a vehicle, the upper garnish member comprising:
- a longitudinally extending top portion, an exterior facing side portion, and an interior facing side portion;
- and
- a camera positioned within a space defined by the upper garnish member, the camera being configured to provide an image depicting a point of view of from a direction behind the vehicle.
A vehicle tailgate assembly with an integrated bed extender, the vehicle tailgate assembly comprising:
- a tailgate configured to pivotally latch to a cargo bed of a vehicle and be operable between a closed position, an open position, and a bed extender position, the tailgate comprising:
- an attachment system;
- a slide system;
- a removable upper garnish member comprising a longitudinally extending top portion, an exterior facing side portion, and an interior facing side portion;
- and
- a camera positioned within a space defined by the exterior facing side portion of the upper garnish member, the camera being configured to operate in both the closed position and the bed extender position and to provide an image depicting a point of view of from a direction behind the vehicle.
A vehicle, comprising:
- a passenger compartment;
- a cargo bed;
- a tailgate configured to pivotally latch to the cargo bed and be operable between a closed position, an open position, and a bed extender position, the tailgate comprising:
- an attachment system;
- a slide system;
- a removable upper garnish member comprising a longitudinally extending top portion, an exterior facing side portion, and an interior facing side portion;
- and
- a camera positioned within a space defined by the exterior facing side portion of the upper garnish member, the camera being configured to operate in both the closed position and the bed extender position and to provide an image depicting a point of view of from a direction behind the vehicle;
- and
- a controller configured to receive and provide an image on a display that is positioned within the passenger compartment.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.