# US 6,293,602 B1 · Sliding tailgate panel > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 6,293,602 B1 - Document ID: US6293602B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 09/612,666 - Filed: 2000-07-10 - Granted: 2001-09-25 - Earliest claimed: 2000-01-03 - Assignees: DaimlerChrysler AG - Inventors: William T. Presley - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US6293602B1 ## CPC - B62D 33/0276: {by vertical translation (B62D33/0273 takes precedence)} - B62D 33/0273: {Movable tailboards for vehicles comprising non-movable sideboards, e.g. pick-up trucks (B62D33/037 takes precedence)} - B62D 33/03: by swinging down {(B62D33/0273 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) ## Abstract A tailgate assembly for a vehicle having a tailgate structure, a hinge structure, a guide track and a panel structure. The hinge structure couples the tailgate structure to the vehicle body and is operable for rotating the tailgate structure between a generally vertical raised position and a generally horizontal lowered position. The guide track is coupled to at least one of the hinge structure and the tailgate structure. The panel structure is in sliding engagement with the guide track such that the panel structure is movable along the guide track between a retracted position wherein the panel structure is at least partially disposed between the inner member and the outer member and an extended position adapted to substantially close a horizontal gap between the tailgate structure and the body of the vehicle. Placement of the tailgate structure in the raised position causes the panel structure to move along the guide track to the retracted position. Placement of the tailgate structure in the lowered position causes the panel structure to move along the guide track to the extended position. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A tailgate assembly for a vehicle having a vehicle body, the tailgate assembly comprising: a tailgate structure having a plurality of frame members, an inner member coupled to a first side of the frame members and a outer member coupled to a second side of the frame member, the frame members, inner member and outer member cooperating to define a panel cavity, the tailgate structure adapted to be pivotably coupled to the vehicle body and positionable between a generally vertical raised position and a generally horizontal lowered position; and a panel structure slidably disposed within the panel cavity and movable between a retracted position wherein the panel structure is at least partially disposed between the inner member and the outer member and an extended position adapted to substantially close a horizontal gap between the tailgate structure and the vehicle body; wherein placement of the tailgate structure in the raised position causes the panel structure to move into the panel cavity to the retracted position and placement of the tailgate structure in the lowered position causes the panel structure to move out of the panel cavity into the extended position. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The tailgate assembly of claim 1, wherein the panel structure includes a plurality of rollers which engage a guide track that is coupled to at least one of the hinge structure and the tailgate structure, the guide track guiding the pluraltiy of rollers when the panel structure is moved between the retracted and extended positions. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The tailgate assembly of claim 2, wherein the guide track includes a first channel for guiding a first one of the pluraltiy of rollers and a second channel for guiding a second one of the plurality of rollers, the second channel being generally parallel the first channel. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The tailgate assembly of claim 3, wherein the first and second channels each include a dog-leg portion that is configured to guide the panel structure out of the panel cavity and parallel to an inner panel of the tailgate structure. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The tailgate assembly of claim 4, further comprising an assist mechanism coupled to the tailgate structure and the panel structure, the assist mechanism exerting a force on the panel structure to drive the pluarlity of rollers into their respective dog-leg portions when the tailgate structure is placed in the lowered position. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The tailgate assembly of claim 5, wherein the assist mechanism includes a gas strut. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The tailgate assembly of claim 1, further comprising a hinge mechanism that is coupled to the tailgate structure and the vehicle body, the hinge mechanism having a hinge pin, a first hinge arm and a second hinge arm, a proximal end of the first hinge arm being pivotably coupled to the hinge pin, a distal end of the first hinge arm being fixedly coupled to a proximal end of the second hinge arm and a distal end of the second hinge arm being fixedly coupled to the tailgate structure. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The tailgate assembly of claim 7, wherein the first and second hinge arms are arranged in a generally V-shape when the tailgate structure is in the lowered position. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The tailgate assembly of claim 8, wherein the first and second hinge arms cooperate to space the tailgate structure apart from the vehicle body when the tailgate strucutre is placed in the lowered position. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The tailgate assembly of claim 1, wherein the panel structure moves vertically upward as it moves out of the panel cavity. ### Claim 11 A tailgate assembly for a vehicle having a body, the tailgate assembly comprising: a tailgate structure having an inner member and an outer member; a hinge structure coupled to the tailgate structure and operable for rotating the tailgate structure between a generally vertical raised position and a generally horizontal lowered position; a guide track coupled to at least one of the hinge structure and the tailgate structure; a panel structure in sliding engagement with the guide track, the panel structure movable along the guide track between a retracted position wherein the panel structure is at least partially disposed between the inner member and the outer member and an extended position adapted to substantially close a horizontal gap between the tailgate structure and the body of the vehicle; wherein placement of the tailgate structure in the raised position causes the panel structure to move along the guide track to the retracted position and placement of the tailgate structure in the lowered position causes the panel structure to move along the guide track to the extended position.