Stowable load support structure for tailgate
AssigneeToyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
InventorChristopher M. Higgins
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A load support structure is provided for a vehicle tailgate. The structure includes a base incorporated into the tailgate, a first retaining member positionable in either of a stowed configuration and a raised configuration within a cavity formed in the base, and a second retaining member positionable in either of a stowed configuration and a raised configuration within a cavity formed in the base.
Claims21
A load support structure for a vehicle tailgate, the structure comprising:
- a base incorporated into the tailgate;
- a first retaining member positionable in either of a stowed configuration and a raised configuration within a cavity formed in the base;
- and
- a second retaining member separate from the first retaining member and positionable in either of a stowed configuration and a raised configuration within a cavity formed in the base,
- wherein the load support structure is structured such that each of the first and second retaining members has a first end secured to the base, and a second, free end opposite the first end and spaced apart from the base when the retaining member is in the raised configuration,
- wherein the cavity in which the first retaining member is positionable in either of the stowed configuration and the raised configuration is a first cavity, and wherein the cavity in which the second retaining member is positionable in either of the stowed configuration and the raised configuration is a second cavity separate and spaced apart from the first cavity,
- and wherein the first cavity and the second cavity are formed in a portion of the tailgate structured to form a rear edge of the tailgate when the tailgate is in a lowered position.
The structure of claim 11 wherein each of the first and second cavities extends along a longitudinal axis extending substantially parallel to a fore-aft axis of the vehicle, wherein the structure further comprises a third cavity formed in the base, and a third retaining member positionable in either of a stowed configuration and a raised configuration within the third cavity, wherein the third cavity extends substantially parallel to a fore-aft axis of the vehicle, and wherein at least a portion of the third cavity extends between the between the first and second cavities.
(canceled)
(canceled)
The structure of claim 16 wherein the first retaining member is completely removable from the at least a first cavity and detachable from the base, to enable movement of the end of the first retaining member from the associated first depth of the at least a first cavity to the associated second depth of the at least a first cavity to secure the first retaining member in the raised configuration within the at least a first cavity.
The structure of claim 11 wherein the first cavity and the second cavity are spaced apart from a rear edge of the tailgate.
The structure of claim 11 wherein each of the first and second cavities extends along a longitudinal axis extending substantially perpendicular to a fore-aft axis of the vehicle, wherein the structure further comprises a third cavity formed in the base, and a third retaining member positionable in either of a stowed configuration and a raised configuration within the third cavity, wherein the third cavity extends substantially parallel to a fore-aft axis of the vehicle, and wherein a portion of the third cavity extends between the between the first and second cavities.
The structure of claim 16 further comprising a second cavity formed in the base, a second retaining member positionable in either of a stowed configuration and a raised configuration within the second cavity, the second cavity having a first cavity portion with an associated first depth and a second cavity portion with an associated second depth, the associated second depth being greater than the associated first depth, wherein an end of the second retaining member is movable from the associated first depth of the second cavity to the associated second depth of the second cavity to secure the second retaining member in the raised configuration within the second cavity.
(canceled)
The structure of claim 14 further comprising a barrier extending between the first and second retaining members when the first and second retaining members are in a raised configuration.
A load support structure for a vehicle tailgate, the structure comprising:
- a base incorporated into the tailgate;
- a first retaining member positionable in either of a stowed configuration and a raised configuration within a first cavity formed in the base;
- a second retaining member separate from the first retaining member and positionable in either of a stowed configuration and a raised configuration within a second cavity formed in the base, the second cavity being separate and spaced apart from the first cavity;
- a third cavity formed in the base;
- a third retaining member positionable in either of a stowed configuration and a raised configuration within the third cavity;
- a fourth cavity and a fifth cavity formed in the base a fourth retaining member positionable in either of a stowed configuration and a raised configuration within the fourth cavity;
- and
- a fifth retaining member positionable in either of a stowed configuration and a raised configuration within the fifth cavity.
A load support structure for a vehicle tailgate, the structure comprising:
- a base incorporated into the tailgate;
- at least a first cavity formed in the base;
- and
- a first retaining member positionable in either of a stowed configuration and a raised configuration within the at least a first cavity;
- the at least a first cavity having a first cavity portion with an associated first depth and a second cavity portion with an associated second depth, the associated second depth being greater than the associated first depth,
- wherein an end of the first retaining member is movable from the associated first depth of the at least a first cavity to the associated second depth of the at least a first cavity to secure the first retaining member in the raised configuration within the at least a first cavity.
A load support structure for a vehicle tailgate, the structure comprising:
- a bracket formed separately from the tailgate and attached to the tailgate so as to extend from a portion of the tailgate structured to form a rear edge of the tailgate when the tailgate is in a lowered position;
- a first retaining member rotatably coupled to the bracket so as to be movable between a stowed configuration and a raised configuration;
- and
- a second retaining member rotatably coupled to the bracket so as to be movable between a stowed configuration and a raised configuration.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.