Multi-functional vehicle tailgate
AssigneeGM Global Technology Operations LLC
InventorAndrew J. Hanzel
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A deployable multi-functional tailgate apparatus forms a ramp platform and bulkhead piece, and is stowable against and deployable from an inner surface of a dual-action tailgate door which is usable as a swinging or a drop-style tailgate door. A damping mechanism controls the rate of descent of the platform. The bulkhead piece seals against the vehicle body when deployed to form a barrier, and secures a piece of cargo. A door assembly has a dual-action tailgate door and a multi-functional tailgate apparatus, with the apparatus being deployable as a ramp platform for accessing the rear cargo area when the tailgate door is used as a swinging-style tailgate door, and to form a bulkhead piece for transporting a piece of cargo external to the rear cargo area when the tailgate door is used as a drop-style tailgate door.
Claims14
A vehicle comprising:
- a body having a plurality of sidewalls defining a rear cargo area, said rear cargo area having a floor;
- a dual-action tailgate door positioned adjacently to said rear cargo area and adapted to selectively pivot in a first direction with respect to one of said plurality of sidewalls as a swinging-style tailgate door, and in a second direction with respect to said floor as a drop-style tailgate door;
- and
- a deployable multi-functional tailgate apparatus that is selectively adjustable to alternately form a plurality of different tailgate devices, wherein said plurality of different tailgate devices includes a ramp platform for accessing said rear cargo area when said dual-action tailgate door is pivoted in said first direction as said swinging-style tailgate door, and a bulkhead piece adapted for transporting a piece of cargo external to said rear cargo area when said dual-action tailgate door is pivoted in said second direction as said drop-style tailgate door;
- wherein said multi-functional apparatus is adapted for stowage adjacent to an inner surface of said dual-action tailgate door and is deployable therefrom.
A door assembly for a vehicle having a body defining a rear cargo area and a floor, the door assembly comprising:
- a dual-action tailgate door adapted to selectively pivot in a first direction with respect to said rear cargo area to form a swinging-style tailgate door, and in a second direction with respect to said rear cargo area to form a drop-style tailgate door;
- and
- a multi-functional tailgate apparatus operatively connected to an inner surface of said dual-action tailgate door;
- wherein said multi-functional apparatus is deployable in one manner to form a ramp platform for accessing the rear cargo area when said dual-action tailgate door is used as said swinging-style tailgate door, and in another manner to form a bulkhead piece for transporting a piece of cargo external to the rear cargo area when said dual-action tailgate door is used as said drop-style tailgate door.
A multi-functional tailgate door assembly for a vehicle having a rear cargo area, the assembly comprising:
- a deployable portion;
- a fixable portion adapted for continuous connection to a dual-action tailgate door, said dual-action tailgate door being moveable in one direction as a swinging-style tailgate door, and in another direction as a drop-style tailgate door;
- wherein said deployable portion is deployable from said dual-action tailgate door to deploy a ramp platform for accessing the rear cargo area when said dual-action tailgate door is used as said swinging-style tailgate door, wherein said deployable portion is deployable from said dual-action tailgate door to deploy a bulkhead piece for facilitating transport of a piece of cargo external to the rear cargo area when said dual-action tailgate door is used as said drop-style tailgate door, and wherein said deployable portion is stowable adjacent to a surface of said dual-action tailgate door.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.