Vehicle interlocking tailgate utility bar

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11518290-B2
Application number	US-202016999324-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 21, 2020
Priority date	Aug 22, 2019
Publication date	Dec 6, 2022
Grant date	Dec 6, 2022

Abstract

An interlocking tailgate utility bar for a vehicle having a tailgate at least partially defining a cargo area includes a top surface, a bottom surface opposite the top surface and configured to be disposed against an inner wall of the tailgate when the tailgate is in an open position, opposed front and rear side surfaces, and opposed ends. A striker assembly is disposed at each end of the opposed ends and includes a striker configured to be releasably coupled to tailgate latches located on opposed sides of the tailgate to thereby selectively releasably secure the interlocking tailgate utility bar to the tailgate. A rail channel is configured to receive an attachment device of a vehicle accessory to thereby removably couple the vehicle accessory to the interlocking tailgate utility bar and thus the vehicle.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An interlocking tailgate utility bar for a vehicle having a tailgate at least partially defining a cargo area, the interlocking tailgate utility bar comprising:
a top surface;
a bottom surface opposite the top surface and configured to be disposed against an inner wall of the tailgate when the tailgate is in an open position;
opposed front and rear side surfaces, and opposed ends;
a striker assembly disposed at each end of the opposed ends and including a striker configured to be releasably coupled to tailgate latches located on opposed sides of the tailgate to thereby selectively releasably secure the interlocking tailgate utility bar to the tailgate; and
a rail channel configured to receive an attachment device of a vehicle accessory to thereby removably couple the vehicle accessory to the interlocking tailgate utility bar and thus the vehicle.

2. The interlocking tailgate utility bar of claim 1 , wherein the rail channel is defined by a generally circular wall that includes an upper lip and a lower lip.

3. The interlocking tailgate utility bar of claim 2 , wherein a gap is defined between the upper lip and the lower lip that allows the attachment device to be inserted into the rail channel when the accessory is oriented at an angle within an installation zone.

4. The interlocking tailgate utility bar of claim 3 , wherein at least one of the upper lip and the lower lip are configured to engage the attachment device and prevent removal of the attachment device from the rail channel when the accessory is oriented at an angle within a locking zone.

5. The interlocking tailgate utility bar of claim 1 , wherein the rail channel is formed at least partially within an intersection between the top surface and the rear side surface.

6. The interlocking tailgate utility bar of claim 1 , wherein the striker assembly further comprises a support plate coupled to the striker.

7. The interlocking tailgate utility bar of claim 6 , wherein the support plate comprises an attachment flange and an extension plate, wherein the attachment flange is coupled to the bottom surface and the extension plate extends outwardly from the attachment flange.

8. The interlocking tailgate utility bar of claim 7 , wherein:
the striker is coupled to a distal end of the extension plate;
the striker is oriented parallel to the bottom surface;
the extension plate is oriented perpendicular to the striker; and
the attachment flange is oriented perpendicular to the extension plate.

9. The interlocking tailgate utility bar of claim 1 , wherein the striker assembly is rotatably coupled to the bottom surface and configured to fold into a receiving cavity formed in the bottom surface such that the striker assembly is moved to a concealed position therein.

10. The interlocking tailgate utility bar of claim 1 , further comprising a first section hingedly coupled to a second section,
wherein the first section is hingedly coupled to the second section by a locking hinge to enable selective movement between a rigid locked position, and an unlocked position allowing relative movement between the first and second section.

11. The interlocking tailgate utility bar of claim 10 , wherein the locking hinge comprises:
a first leaf coupled to the first section and including a first knuckle;
a second leaf coupled to the second section and including a second knuckle; and
a hinge pin received within the first and second knuckles.

12. The interlocking tailgate utility bar of claim 11 , further comprising a locking handle operably coupled to the hinge pin, wherein the locking handle is configured to be actuated to move the locking hinge between the locked position and the unlocked position.

13. The interlocking tailgate utility bar of claim 1 , further comprising a first section coupled to a second section, wherein the first section includes a sliding plunger system having an engagement member configured to selectively move outwardly away from the first section to contact a sidewall of the cargo area for securing the interlocking tailgate utility bar therein.

14. A vehicle comprising:
a tailgate at least partially defining a cargo area and movable between an open position and a closed position; and
an interlocking tailgate utility bar movable between a stowed position within the cargo area, and a deployed position removably coupled to the tailgate when in the open position, the interlocking tailgate utility bar comprising:
a top surface;
a bottom surface opposite the top surface and configured to be disposed against an inner wall of the tailgate when the tailgate is in the open position;
opposed front and rear side surfaces, and opposed ends; and
a rail channel configured to receive an attachment device of a vehicle accessory to thereby removably couple the vehicle accessory to the interlocking tailgate utility bar and thus the vehicle.

15. The vehicle of claim 14 , wherein the interlocking tailgate utility bar further includes a striker assembly disposed at each end of the opposed ends and including a striker configured to be releasably coupled to tailgate latches located on opposed sides of the tailgate to thereby selectively releasably secure the interlocking tailgate utility bar to the tailgate.

16. The vehicle of claim 15 , wherein the interlocking tailgate utility bar further comprises a first section hingedly coupled to a second section, and
wherein the striker assembly is rotatably coupled to the bottom surface and configured to fold into a receiving cavity formed in the bottom surface such that the striker assembly is moved to a concealed position therein.

17. The vehicle of claim 14 , further comprising:
the accessory, wherein the accessory is a load ramp; and
a utility rail assembly coupled to a sidewall at least partially defining the cargo area, wherein the utility rail is configured to removably receive the load ramp to stow the cargo ramp within a cargo area of the vehicle.

18. The vehicle of claim 17 , wherein the attachment device comprises a flat upper surface, a rounded forward surface, a flat lower surface, and a rear stop.

19. The vehicle of claim 14 wherein the rail channel is defined by a generally circular wall that includes an upper lip and a lower lip,
wherein a gap is defined between the upper lip and the lower lip that allows the attachment device to be inserted into the rail channel when the accessory is oriented at an angle within an installation zone, and
wherein at least one of the upper lip and the lower lip prevent are configured to engage the attachment device and prevent removal of the attachment device from the rail channel when the accessory is oriented at an angle within a locking zone.

Assignees

• May Carl D
• Macek Bryan J
• Peoples Douglas E
• Fca Us Llc

Inventors

• May Carl D
• Macek Bryan J
• Peoples Douglas E

Classifications

• B60P1/435 Primary

  the ramp being attached to or making part of the side- or tailboards of the vehicle · CPC title

• B62D63/04

  Component parts or accessories · CPC title

• B60P7/0815

  Attachment rails or trellis · CPC title

• B62D33/0273

  Movable tailboards for vehicles comprising non-movable sideboards, e.g. pick-up trucks (B62D33/037 takes precedence) · CPC title