# US 12,179,846 B2 · Cargo bed extension system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,179,846 B2 - Document ID: US12179846B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/740,464 - Filed: 2022-05-10 - Published: 2023-11-16 - Granted: 2024-12-31 - Earliest claimed: 2022-05-10 - Assignees: Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Applicants: Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Inventors: Jack Marchlewski; Vincent Anthony Chimento; Shawn Michael Morgans; Dragan B. Stojkovic - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12179846B2 ## CPC - B62D 33/027: movable - B62D 33/0273: {Movable tailboards for vehicles comprising non-movable sideboards, e.g. pick-up trucks (B62D33/037 takes precedence)} - B60R 5/041: {extensible externally of the vehicle body, e.g. to create an open luggage compartment of increased capacity (devices for anchoring the boot lid while carrying oversize objects E05C17/042)} - B62D 33/03: by swinging down {(B62D33/0273 takes precedence)} - B62D 33/08: comprising adjustable means (B62D33/10 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) - B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR ## Abstract A cargo bed extension system includes a tub of a cargo bed. The tub is configured to transition back-and-forth between a standard position and an extended position. The tub is closer to a cab of a vehicle when the tub is in the standard position than when the tub is in the extended position. A panel is oriented vertically when the tub is in the standard position and is oriented horizontally when the tub is in the extended position. The panel provides a floor section between the cab and the tub when the tub is in the extended position. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A cargo bed extension system, comprising: a tub of a cargo bed, the tub configured to transition back-and-forth between a standard position and an extended position, the tub closer to a cab of a vehicle when the tub is in the standard position than when the tub is in the extended position; a panel that is oriented vertically when the tub is in the standard position and is oriented horizontally when the tub is in the extended position, the panel providing a floor section between the cab and the tub when the tub is in the extended position, wherein the tub includes a tub floor, a first tub sidewall, and a second tub sidewall, the first and second tub sidewalls extending vertically upward from opposite sides of the tub floor; and a driver side upper rail assembly and a passenger side upper rail assembly, the first tub sidewall including a lip coupled to the driver side upper rail assembly, the second tub sidewall including a lip coupled to the passenger side upper rail assembly, wherein the tub is an inner tub, and further comprising an outer tub having an outer tub floor, an outer tub passenger sidewall, and an outer tub driver sidewall, wherein the inner tub is nested within the outer tub, wherein the driver side upper rail assembly slidably couples the lip of the first tub sidewall to the outer tub driver sidewall, wherein the passenger side upper rail assembly slidably couples the lip of the second tub sidewall to the outer tub passenger sidewall, wherein the driver side upper rail assembly is disposed vertically between the lip of the first tub sidewall and a ledge of the outer tub driver sidewall, wherein the passenger side upper rail assembly is disposed vertically between the lip of the second tub sidewall and a ledge of the outer tub passenger sidewall. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The cargo bed extension system of claim 1, wherein the panel faces rearward when the tub is in the standard position, wherein the panel faces upward when the tub is in the extended position. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The cargo bed extension system of claim 1, wherein the panel is pivotably coupled to a forward end of the tub. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The cargo bed extension system of claim 3, further comprising a tailgate pivotably coupled to an aft end of the tub, the tailgate moving with the tub between the standard position and the extended position. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The cargo bed extension system of claim 1, wherein the lip of the first tub sidewall and the lip of the second tub sidewall each extend laterally outward away from a centerline of the vehicle. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The cargo bed extension system of claim 1, wherein the tub is an inner tub, and further comprising an outer tub having an outer tub floor, an outer tub passenger sidewall, and an outer tub driver sidewall, wherein the inner tub is nested within the outer tub. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The cargo bed extension system of claim 6, wherein the driver side upper rail assembly slidably couples the lip of the first tub sidewall to the outer tub driver sidewall, wherein the passenger side upper rail assembly slidably couples the lip of the second tub sidewall to the outer tub passenger sidewall. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The cargo bed extension system of claim 7, further comprising at least one lower rail assembly that couples the tub floor of the inner tub to the outer tub floor of the outer tub. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The cargo bed extension system of claim 1, wherein the panel is received within a recessed area when the panel is vertically and the tub is in the standard position. ### Claim 10 A cargo bed extension method, comprising: extending an inner tub relative to an outer tub to extend a cargo bed of a vehicle, the inner tub nested within the outer tub, the inner tub including inner tub sidewalls that are slidably coupled directly to respective outer tub sidewalls of the outer tub through an upper rail assembly, wherein each upper rail assembly slidably couples a lip of a first tub sidewall to a respective one of the outer tub driver sidewalls, wherein each upper rail assembly is disposed vertically between the respective lip of the first tub sidewall and a ledge of the outer tub driver sidewall. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The cargo bed extension method of claim 10, further comprising lowering a panel to provide a floor section between a floor of the inner tub and a cab of the vehicle. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The cargo bed extension method of claim 11, wherein the lowering is during the extending. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The cargo bed extension method of claim 12, wherein the panel is pivotably coupled to the inner tub. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The cargo bed extension method of claim 11, wherein the panel is received within a recessed area provided in a front wall of the outer tub when the inner tub is not extended relative to the outer tub.