Tri-fold tailgate work surface
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorAdrian Nania
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A work table is provided for a pickup truck tailgate. The work table is received in a pocket defined in a rear portion of the truck bed and is deployed to overlie an inner surface of the tailgate. Guide members and followers provided on a pivot connector guide the work table as it is lowered into and raised from the pocket. Right and left panels are provided on either side of the main panel to cover right and left portions of the tailgate. The pocket is disposed between the spare tire and bumper and between the right and left frame rails at the rear sill of the truck bed.
Claims15
A work table and truck bed comprising:
- a main panel;
- a rear portion of the truck bed defining a pocket, a pair of guides on opposite lateral sides of the pocket;
- and
- a pair of followers including pivot connectors on opposite lateral sides of the main panel received by the guides, wherein the main panel is vertically extended from the pocket and pivoted on the pivot connectors to overlie a tailgate in an open position.
A truck bed comprising:
- a floor having a rear portion defining a pocket;
- a tailgate pivoted between an open position and a closed position;
- and
- a main panel movable between a storage position in the pocket in a vertical direction to a position above the truck bed and is then pivoted to a work table position above the tailgate when the tailgate is in the open position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.