Vehicle tailgate with supplemental tailgate having a flip out step
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorsScott Miller, Stephen Bruford, Kian-Huat Tan, Herbert Gruber
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A tailgate for a vehicle has a supplemental tailgate that retracts within the tailgate and is extendable therefrom in order to provide multiple assist functions. The supplemental tailgate includes a pivotable molding, which mounts on a movable frame portion, and a latching assembly. When pivoted, the pivotable molding releases the latching assembly, allowing the supplemental tailgate to be moved to various extended positions. When the movable frame portion is in an essentially fully extended position, it can be rotated downward relative to the tailgate and a flip step pivoted to a use position in order to provide an assist step function.
Claims20
A tailgate assembly for use with a motor vehicle having a pair of spaced, generally vertical side walls and a generally horizontal bed extending therebetween, the tailgate assembly comprising:
- a tailgate frame defining a generally hollow cavity therein adapted to pivotally mount generally between the side walls and being operable in a generally horizontal open position;
- and
- a supplemental tailgate including a guide system secured generally within the hollow cavity, a movable frame assembly having two telescoping supports extendable from, pivotable relative to, and retained by the guide system, a cross member connected to the two telescoping supports and extending therebetween, and a flip step pivotally connected to the cross member, with the flip step pivotable between a first position resting against the cross member and a second position extending outward from the cross member.
A supplemental tailgate assembly for use with a vehicle tailgate having a tailgate frame defining a generally hollow cavity therein, the supplemental tailgate assembly comprising:
- a guide system including two hollow guide tubes adapted to be secured generally within the hollow cavity;
- and
- a movable frame assembly having two telescoping supports, with each telescoping support extendable from, pivotable relative to, and retained by a respective one of the guide tubes;
- a cross member connected to the two telescoping supports and extending therebetween;
- and a flip step pivotally connected to the cross member, with the flip step pivotable between a first position resting against the cross member and a second position extending outward from the cross member.
A supplemental tailgate assembly for use with a vehicle tailgate having a tailgate frame defining a generally hollow cavity therein, the supplemental tailgate assembly comprising:
- a guide system adapted to be secured generally within the hollow cavity;
- and
- a movable frame assembly having two telescoping supports extendable from, pivotable relative to, and retained by the guide system;
- a cross member connected to the two telescoping supports and extending therebetween;
- a flip step pivotally connected to the cross member, with the flip step pivotable between a first position resting against the cross member and a second position extending outward from and generally coplanar with the cross member;
- and at least one spring connected between the cross member and the flip step such that the flip step is biased by the at least one spring into at least one of the first position and the second position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.