# US 11,999,414 B2 · Tailgate with integrated modular loading ramp > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,999,414 B2 - Document ID: US11999414B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/673,311 - Filed: 2022-02-16 - Published: 2022-06-02 - Granted: 2024-06-04 - Earliest claimed: 2019-04-12 - Applicants: Steve DeSimone - Inventors: Steve DeSimone - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11999414B2 ## CPC - B62D 33/03: by swinging down {(B62D33/0273 takes precedence)} - B60P 1/435: {the ramp being attached to or making part of the side- or tailboards of the vehicle} - B62D 27/06: readily releasable - B62D 29/008: {predominantly of light alloys, e.g. extruded} - B62D 33/0273: {Movable tailboards for vehicles comprising non-movable sideboards, e.g. pick-up trucks (B62D33/037 takes precedence)} - B62D: MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A01B69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B60B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B60C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B60D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B60F; suspension arrangements B60G; heating, cooling, ventilating or other air treating devices B60H; windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors or similar devices, protective coverings for vehicles not in use B60J; propulsion plant arrangements, auxiliary drives, transmissions, controls, instrumentation or dashboards B60K; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L; power supply for electrically-propelled vehicles B60M; passenger accommodation not otherwise provided for B60N; adaptations for load transportation or to carry special loads or objects B60P; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; vehicles, vehicle fittings or vehicle parts not otherwise provided for B60R; servicing, cleaning, repairing, supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring, not otherwise provided for, B60S; brake arrangements, brake control systems or parts thereof B60T; air-cushion vehicles B60V; motor-cycles, accessories therefor B62J, B62K; testing of vehicles G01M) - 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) ## Abstract A tailgate system, comprising: (i) a tailgate door configured to pivotally engage a rear cargo area of a body of a vehicle in between a closed position and an open position; and (ii) a bed extension pivotally engaged to the tailgate door and configured to pivot from a closed position to one or more open positions, wherein the bed extension includes a plurality of removable panels. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A tailgate system, comprising: a tailgate door configured to pivotally engage a rear cargo area of a body of a vehicle; and a bed extension pivotally engaged to the tailgate door, comprising: one or more frame members that form an outer periphery of the bed extension; one or more crossmembers extending from the one or more frame members to form cutouts; and removable panels configured to be mounted within respective ones of the cutouts, wherein the removable panels are interchangeable within the cutouts. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The tailgate system according to claim 1, wherein the removable panels are mounted to a mount positioned within each of the cutouts, the mount being secured to the one or more frame members, one or more crossmembers, or both. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The tailgate system according to claim 1, wherein the bed extension is pivotally engaged to the tailgate door via a lug portion extending from the one or more frame members, one or more crossmembers, or both. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The tailgate system according to claim 1, wherein the bed extension is configured to pivot to one or more open positions that includes a semi-open position that forms an angle of about 180 degrees between the bed extension and an inner surface of the tailgate door. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The tailgate system according to claim 4, wherein the one or more open positions includes a fully-open position that forms an angle of about 210 degrees between the bed extension and an inner surface of the tailgate door. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The tailgate system according to claim 5, wherein a lug portion of the bed extension is received by a notch of the tailgate door to extend to the fully-open position. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The tailgate system according to claim 1, wherein the removable panel includes a slot on a first surface and a channel on an opposing second surface. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The tailgate system according to claim 1, wherein the removable panels are interchangeable. ### Claim 9 (depends on 2) The tailgate system according to claim 2, wherein the removable panels each includes a flange that abuts the mount of the bed extension so that a hole of each of the removable panels aligns with a respective hole of the mount, and a fastener extends through the hole of each of the removable panels and the respective hole of the mount to secure the removable panels to the mount. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The tailgate system according to claim 1, wherein the removable panels are extruded aluminum. ### Claim 11 (depends on 5) The tailgate system according to claim 5, wherein the bed extension includes a slot configured to secure a ramp, and the ramp is stored within confines of the tailgate door when not secured to the bed extension. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The tailgate system according to claim 11, wherein the ramp is secured to the bed extension in the fully-open position. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The tailgate system according to claim 1, wherein when the bed extension is in a closed position, the bed extension abuts an inner surface of the tailgate door, and wherein the inner surface of the tailgate door includes a bore that allows a user to grasp the bed extension to move the bed extension. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The tailgate system according to claim 13, wherein an area of the bed extension is less than an area of the tailgate door so that the bed extension is stored within the confines of the tailgate door in the closed position. ### Claim 15 (depends on 3) The tailgate system according to claim 3, wherein the lug portion of the bed extension is received by a boss of the tailgate door, and the lug portion is pivotally engaged to the boss via a fastener. ### Claim 16 (depends on 4) The tailgate system according to claim 4, wherein the tailgate door further includes a block movably secured within a sleeve so that the block can be moved between an engaged position and a disengaged position, and when the block is in the engaged position, a lug portion of the bed extension rests on the block to maintain the bed extension in the semi-open position. ### Claim 17 A bed extension configured to pivotally engage a tailgate door, the bed extension comprising: frame members that form an outer periphery of the bed extension; crossmembers that extend between, or project from, the frame members to form a cutout; and a removable panel secured within the cutout along a mount positioned within the cutout, wherein a flange of the removable panel abuts the mount, and the removable panel is secured to the mount by a fastener extending through the flange into the mount. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The bed extension according to claim 17, wherein the frame members, the crossmembers, or both include a slot configured to secure a removable ramp. ### Claim 19 A tailgate system, comprising: a tailgate door configured to pivotally engage a rear cargo area of a body of a vehicle; and a bed extension pivotally engaged to the tailgate door, comprising: one or more frame members that form an outer periphery of the bed extension; one or more crossmembers extending from the one or more frame members to form a cutout; and a removable panel mounted within the cutout, wherein the removable panel includes a slot located on a first surface and a channel located on an opposing second surface. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The tailgate system of claim 19, wherein the tailgate door further includes a block movably secured within a sleeve so that the block can be moved between an engaged position and a disengaged position, and when the block is in the engaged position, a lug portion of the bed extension rests on the block to maintain the bed extension in a semi-open position.