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US 12,233,955 B2Granted
Systems and methods for accessing motor vehicle cargo spaces
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorsStuart C. Salter, David Brian Glickman, Michael John Harmon, Dennis Yee
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Various vehicle systems are proposed for facilitating access to and utilization of motor vehicle cargo spaces. The vehicle systems may include deployable stairgate systems, deployable step systems, cargo bed swing door systems, etc. The vehicle systems allow the cargo spaces to be accessed from a variety of positions relative to the cargo space.
Claims19
A vehicle, comprising:
- a cargo bed including a first side wall, a second side wall, a floor, a front wall, and a tailgate structure;
- and
- a deployable step system mounted to at least one of the first side wall or the second side wall at a location between a rear wheel and a rear bumper of the vehicle, wherein the deployable step system is movable between a stowed position and a first deployed position,
- wherein, in the stowed position, a drop step of the deployable step system establishes a portion of the first side wall or the second side wall,
- wherein, in the first deployed position, the drop step provides a first box-side step surface for accessing the cargo bed.
2 more elements
A vehicle, comprising:
- a cargo bed including a first side wall, a second side wall, a floor, a front wall, and a tailgate structure;
- and
- a deployable step system mounted to the first side wall and configured to move between a stowed position and a first deployed position,
- wherein, in the stowed position, a bottom surface of a drop step of the deployable step system establishes part of an outer panel of the first side wall,
- wherein, in the first deployed position, the drop step provides a box-side step surface for accessing the cargo bed,
- wherein the drop step of the deployable step system is located completely outside of the cargo bed in both the stowed position and the first deployed position.
3 more elements
A vehicle, comprising:
- a cargo bed including a first side wall, a second side wall, a floor, a front wall, and a tailgate structure;
- and
- a deployable step system mounted to the first side wall and including a drop step and a light pipe arranged for illuminating at least a portion of the drop step,
- wherein, in a stowed position of the deployable step system, the drop step provides part of an outer panel of the first side wall,
- wherein, in a first deployed position of the deployable step system, the drop step provides a box-side step surface for accessing the cargo bed,
- wherein the light pipe is connected to a side marker portion of a tail lamp assembly of the vehicle and is configured to pipe a light beam from the side marker portion onto the drop step.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.