Modular tailgate

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11427265-B2
Application number	US-202016880663-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 21, 2020
Priority date	Aug 19, 2014
Publication date	Aug 30, 2022
Grant date	Aug 30, 2022

Abstract

A modular gate combined with multiple functions which can be easily employed with existing tailgates without any hardware or mounting modifications to existing truck beds. There is provided a modular tailgate system having a tailgate portion in combination with a plurality of functions. The modular tailgate system integrates any combinations of at least two of the plurality of features without affecting existing body sides and/or existing truck beds. Integrated features include a multi-functional gate (e.g., swing, drop, etc), storage (e.g., normal, sealed, refrigerated, heated, etc), step(s), lighting (e.g., ingress/egress, bed interior, removable, trailer hitch, parking, etc), bed extension(s), power (e.g., 12 v and/or 110 v), tie downs (e.g., ratchets, anchors, etc), sawhorse, magnet(s), table(s), bench(es), seat(s), net(s), any other predetermined desired function, etc., and combinations thereof.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A modular tailgate system, comprising:
a tailgate portion operably connected to a cargo bed area and rotatable between a stowed position and at least one deployed position; and
a plurality of features incorporated with the tailgate portion and employable with existing vehicles without any hardware or mounting modifications to existing body sides and/or existing cargo beds, wherein at least one of the features is a handle that operably moves into at least one position of use and operably locks into place to allow user assistance onto the modular tailgate system, and wherein the tailgate portion includes a split tailgate door having a length that is divided into at least a first portion and a second portion that are selectively rotatable independently or in unison.

2. The modular tailgate system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of features are selected from the group consisting of a split door, a three-way opening door, at least one storage unit, at least one step, at least one lighting device, at least one bed extension system, at least one power outlet, at least one tie down, at least one net, at least one tie down, at least one cargo hold system, at least one sawhorse, at least one bench, at least one seat, at least one drop down step, at least one storage location within the tailgate portion for the handle and combinations thereof.

3. The modular tailgate system of claim 2 , wherein the modular tailgate system includes the tailgate portion in combination with at least three of the plurality of features for providing at least three predetermined desired functions.

4. The modular tailgate system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of features further comprise:
at least one integrated step that is slidably, telescoping and/or rotatably extendable to provide a stepping surface;
and/or
at least one storage unit;
and/or
at least one lighting device;
and/or
at least one power source;
and/or
at least one net;
and/or
at least one lighting device is a ground illumination light emitting diode;
and/or
at least one power source is a multi-outlet strip;
and/or
at least one storage unit is a weather sealed cooler;
and/or
at least one storage compartment;
and/or
at least one integrated step.

5. The modular tailgate system of claim 4 , wherein the integrated step has an upper portion operably connected to a lower depending step portion and provides a stepping surface into the cargo bed.

6. The modular tailgate system of claim 4 , wherein the at least one integrated step is hinged in at least one location to move the step between a stowed and an extended position.

7. The modular tailgate system of claim 1 , further comprising a drop-down step with an electrical release.

8. The modular tailgate system of claim 1 , further comprising an inner storage structure in the tailgate portion, wherein the handle is stowable in the inner structure out of the way until use of the handle is desired.

9. The modular tailgate system of claim 1 , wherein the handle is operably rotated up into position and operably locked into position for use as a stabilizing handle for a user.

10. The modular tailgate system of claim 1 , wherein the tailgate is a split tailgate with a first tailgate half and a second tailgate half, and wherein another of the plurality of features is a drop down step integrated with the first or second tailgate half, and wherein the other of the first or second tailgate half stows the handle within when not in use.

11. A modular tailgate system for a pickup truck cargo bed, comprising:
a tailgate portion rotatable between a stowed position and a deployed position; and
a plurality of features incorporated with the tailgate portion and employable with existing pickup trucks, wherein the plurality of features are selected from the group consisting of a multi-functional gate, at least one storage unit, at least one step, at least one lighting device, at least one bed extension system, at least one power outlet, at least one tie down, at least one net, at least one tie down, at least one cargo hold frame/bar system, at least one sawhorse, at least one bench, at least one seat, and combinations thereof, wherein the tailgate portion includes a split tailgate door having a length that is divided into at least a first portion and a second portion that are selectively rotatable independently or in unison, and wherein one of the plurality of features is a drop-down step.

12. A modular tailgate system for a vehicle, comprising:
a tailgate portion rotatable between at least a stowed position and a deployed position; and
at least two features incorporated with the tailgate portion, wherein the at least two features are selected from the group consisting of a multi-functional gate, at least one storage unit, at least one step, at least one lighting device, at least one bed extension system, at least one power outlet, at least one tie down, at least one net, at least one tie down, at least one cargo hold frame/bar system, at least one sawhorse, at least one bench, at least one seat, and combinations thereof, wherein the at least two features are different from one another, wherein the tailgate portion includes a split tailgate door having a length that is divided into at least a first portion and a second portion that are selectively rotatable independently or in unison, and wherein one of the features is a handle stowable in the tailgate portion when not in use.

Assignees

• Magna Exteriors Inc

Inventors

• Williamson Chris
• Horner Robert M
• Cogswell Marc
• Erickson Larry R
• Staley Brian

Classifications

• B60Q1/304

  Adaptations of signalling devices having a part on the vehicle body and another on the boot door · CPC title

• B60R3/02

  Retractable steps {or ladders, e.g. movable under shock (B60R3/005 takes precedence)} · CPC title

• B60Q1/307

  mounted on loading platforms · CPC title

• B60P3/40

  for carrying long loads, e.g. with separate wheeled load supporting elements ({E04G21/14 takes precedence}; signal devices to be attached to overhanging load B60Q7/02) · CPC title

• B62D33/03

  by swinging down {(B62D33/0273 takes precedence)} · CPC title