# US 12,005,968 B2 · Articulating tailgate

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- Number: US 12,005,968 B2
- Document ID: US12005968B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 17/535,041
- Filed: 2021-11-24
- Published: 2022-05-26
- Granted: 2024-06-11
- Earliest claimed: 2020-11-25
- Assignees: Magna Exteriors Inc.
- Applicants: Magna Exteriors Inc.
- Inventors: Robert M. Horner; Larry R. Erickson; Robert A. Selle; Peter G. DeMarois; Michael S. Spagnuolo; Andrew E. Sicherman; Brian Staley
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12005968B2

## CPC

- B62D 33/0273: {Movable tailboards for vehicles comprising non-movable sideboards, e.g. pick-up trucks (B62D33/037 takes precedence)}
- B60J 5/108: {for load transporting vehicles or public transport, e.g. lorries, trucks, buses}
- B60Q 1/307: {mounted on loading platforms}
- B60Q 1/323: {on or for doors (illuminated exterior door handles B60Q1/2669; illuminated door locks E05B17/10)}
- B60Q 1/44: for indicating braking action {or preparation for braking, e.g. by detection of the foot approaching the brake pedal}
- B60R 3/02: Retractable steps {or ladders, e.g. movable under shock (B60R3/005 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)
- 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)
- B60Q: ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR

## Abstract

A tailgate assembly including at least two tailgate panels that both move between a closed position, a plurality of intermediate open positions, and a fully open position, where the tailgate panels selectively separate and articulate from the back of the cargo bed to the sides of the cargo bed. The tailgate panels move out of the way to provide direct access to the cargo area floor. The tailgate panels articulate in a small envelope of space, improving access to the rear in a confined space at the rear of the vehicle and reducing the risk of contacting objects that may be behind the vehicle.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An articulating tailgate assembly operably adapted for a vehicle, comprising:
at least two panels operably adapted to selectively close off a rear opening of a cargo bed of the vehicle and operably adapted to selectively move independently of each other to a plurality of open positions;
a plurality of features for articulating the at least two panels between a closed position and the plurality of open positions, said plurality of features adapted to operably connect to the vehicle at the rear opening area, and operably coupled to the at least two panels, respectively, wherein said plurality of features includes at least two laterally spaced apart pivotal links connected to at least one of an additional pivotal linkage arrangement and a track;
wherein said at least two panels selectively operably move from a back of the cargo bed where they close off the opening of the cargo bed area to sides of the vehicle to open up access into the cargo bed;
wherein said at least two panels selectively operably move independently to a plurality of intermediate open positions and to a fully open position at the sides of the vehicle: and
wherein the at least two panels are tailgate panels, each with a vertical edge that meet in the closed position, the vertical edges face rearward of the vehicle in the fully open position.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The articulating tailgate assembly of claim 1, wherein said at least two panels in the closed position meet in a middle of the rear opening and the plurality of features selectively swing the at least two panels outward in opposite directions to the sides of the vehicle to a fully open position.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The articulating tailgate assembly of claim 1, wherein said plurality of features are selected from the group consisting of: hinges, tracks, guides, rollers, cargo door track mechanisms, multi-bar slider mechanisms, 6-bar mechanism, linkage assemblies, rotatable links, door hinges, sliders, lead screws, linear sliders and tracks, round linear sliders, door hinges with sliders, cargo door slider rollers, linear rails, and any combinations thereof.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The articulating tailgate assembly of claim 1, wherein the [at least two panels are tailgate panels with a] vertical edges [that meet and] are operably secure together in the closed position.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The articulating tailgate assembly of claim 1, further comprising at least one selectively operably deployable step with a stepping surface.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The articulating tailgate assembly of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of drop down steps adapted to operably rotatably connect in the rear of the vehicle to assist in the ingress and egress in/out of the cargo bed when at least one of the panels is in an open position.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The articulating tailgate assembly of claim 1, further comprising at least one lighting device to illuminate at least one predetermined surface or direct light to at least one predetermined direction.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The articulating tailgate assembly of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of integrated lights to illuminate the cargo bed interior, a ground surface, and the sides of the vehicle.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The articulating tailgate assembly of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of integrated tail lamps into ends of the at least two panels to act as stop lamps when the at least two panels are in open positions.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The articulating tailgate assembly of claim 1, wherein both of the at least two panels have an extended width adapted to substantially overlap an end of a respective sidewall of the cargo bed when the panel is in the closed position.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The articulating tailgate assembly of claim 1, wherein said at least two panels are selectively operably articulated by the plurality of features in a predetermined small envelope of space that effectively improves access to the cargo bed in a confined space at the rear of the vehicle and reduces the risk of contacting objects behind the vehicle.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The articulating tailgate assembly of claim 1, wherein said plurality of features includes at least one cargo door track mechanism for each of said at least two panels.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The articulating tailgate assembly of claim 1, wherein said plurality of features includes at least one guide and track arrangement.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

The articulating tailgate assembly of claim 1, wherein said plurality of features includes at least one rotatable link or hinge and at least one linkage assembly.

### Claim 15

An articulating tailgate assembly operably adapted to be operably coupled to a cargo bed area of a vehicle, comprising:
at least two tailgate panels operably adapted to move between a closed position closing off a rear opening of the cargo bed area and a plurality of open positions;
a plurality of mechanisms adapted to operably connect to the vehicle at the rear opening of the cargo bed area, and operably coupled to and/or incorporated with the at least two tailgate panels, to selectively operably move said at least two tailgate panels wherein said plurality of mechanisms includes at least two laterally spaced apart pivotal links connected to at least one of an additional pivotal linkage arrangement and a track;
wherein said at least two tailgate panels operably separate and articulate from a back of the cargo bed where they close off the opening of the cargo bed area to outer sides of the cargo bed area to open up access into the cargo bed in a fully open position; and
wherein the at least two tailgate panels have vertical edges that meet in the closed position, the vertical edges face rearward of the vehicle when in the fully open position.

### Claim 16

An articulating tailgate adapted for a pickup truck vehicle having a rear tailgate opening, comprising:
a plurality of tailgate panels adapted to operably couple to the vehicle at the opening,
a plurality of features includes at least two laterally spaced apart pivotal links connected to at least one of an additional pivotal linkage arrangement and a track; said plurality of tailgate panels operably selectively separate and articulate from a back of the vehicle closed position to respective sides of the vehicle in a fully open position, wherein said tailgate panels move out of the way of the opening to provide direct access to a vehicle cargo bed interior through the opening, wherein access distance into the vehicle is thereby reduced at a rear of the vehicle and eliminates any confined access path to the vehicle cargo bed interior, [and] wherein said plurality of tailgate panels articulate in a predetermined confined amount of space to reduce the risk of contacting objects behind the vehicle, wherein the tailgate panels have vertical edges that meet in the closed position, the vertical edges face rearward of the vehicle when in the fully open position.

### Claim 17 (depends on 15)

The articulating tailgate assembly of claim 15, wherein said plurality of mechanisms includes at least one multi-bar mechanism and at least one track or rail arrangement.

### Claim 18 (depends on 17)

The articulating tailgate assembly of claim 17, wherein said multi-bar mechanism is a 4-bar slider mechanism.

### Claim 19 (depends on 17)

The articulating tailgate assembly of claim 17, wherein said multi-bar mechanism is a 6-bar linkage mechanism.

### Claim 20 (depends on 17)

The articulating tailgate assembly of claim 17, wherein said multi-bar mechanism is slidable and/or rotatable.

### Claim 21 (depends on 17)

The articulating tailgate assembly of claim 17, wherein said multi-bar mechanism operably incorporates at least one rotatable link or hinge and at least one linkage assembly.