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US 10,870,383 B2Granted
Tailgate tie down systems
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorsRobert Reiners, Jack Marchlewski, Joshua Robert Hemphill, Jeffrey Gray, Dragan B. Stojkovic
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A tailgate tie down system includes a first plate assembly and a second plate assembly. A strap is connected between each of the first plate assembly and the second plate assembly. In an exemplary method, the strap can be routed through at least one accessory tool before securing the first plate assembly and the second plate assembly within tailgate latch openings. Once the plate assemblies are locked within the latch openings, the accessory tool is also locked relative to the tailgate.
Claims13
A method, comprising:
- routing a strap of a tailgate tie down system through at least one accessory tool;
- securing a first plate assembly and a second plate assembly of the tailgate tie down system within opposing latch openings of a tailgate;
- and
- locking the first and second plate assemblies within the opposing latch openings, thereby locking the accessory tool relative to the tailgate,
- wherein each of the first and second plate assemblies includes a plate body and a striker barrel,
- wherein the plate body includes a vertical section and a horizontal section, and the strap is connected to the horizontal section,
- wherein the horizontal section includes a slot and the strap is positioned through the slot and is removably secured to an underside of the horizontal section by a fastener.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.