Systems for accessing cargo spaces on vehicles equipped with a tailgate assembly

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11780373-B2
Application number	US-202117367756-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 6, 2021
Priority date	Jul 6, 2021
Publication date	Oct 10, 2023
Grant date	Oct 10, 2023

Abstract

Various vehicle systems are proposed for accessing and utilizing vehicle cargo spaces on vehicles equipped with a tailgate assembly. The vehicle systems may include deployable and/or rotatable stairgate systems, deployable step systems, etc. designed for the accessing the vehicle cargo spaces. The proposed systems may include various deployment mechanisms that enable the stairgate/step systems to slide, pivot, rotate, swing, and/or otherwise adjust for providing ease of access and increased flexibility when stepping up to access the vehicle cargo space.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A vehicle system, comprising;
a tailgate structure;
a deployable ladder integrated as part of the tailgate structure,
wherein the deployable ladder includes a main stair section and an adjustable stair section that is pivotable between a first position and a second position relative to the main stair section,
wherein, a base section of the adjustable stair section is received in abutting contact with the main stair section in the first position and is displaced from the main stair section in the second position,
wherein the second position is displaced from the first position by about 180 degrees.

2. A vehicle system, comprising:
a tailgate structure;
a deployable ladder integrated as part of the tailgate structure,
wherein the deployable ladder includes a main stair section and an adjustable stair section that is pivotable between a first position and a second position relative to the main stair section,
wherein, a base section of the adjustable stair section is received in abutting contact with the main stair section in the first position and is displaced from the main stair section in the second position; and
a strain gauge and a control module operably connected to the strain gauge, wherein the control module is programmed to command an alert in response to a signal from the strain gauge indicating that an amount of stress on the deployable ladder exceeds a predefined threshold.

3. The vehicle system as recited in claim 1 , comprising a light module mounted within an internal cavity of the tailgate structure and configured for illuminating a step of the deployable ladder.

4. The vehicle system as recited in claim 3 , wherein the step includes a long persistence phosphor coating.

5. The vehicle system as recited in claim 1 , comprising a sensor system and a control module operably connected to the sensor system, wherein the control module is programmed to command an audible alert in response to a signal from the sensor system indicating that a user is approaching the deployable ladder.

6. The vehicle system as recited in claim 1 , comprising a pivoting carrier plate assembly adapted for rotating the deployable ladder in a multitude of angular positions relative to the tailgate structure.

7. A vehicle system, comprising:
a tailgate structure;
a deployable step system integrated as part of the tailgate structure and movable between a stowed position and a deployed position relative to an inner cavity of the tailgate structure,
wherein, in the stowed position, a step pad of the deployable step system establishes a cover molding section of the tailgate structure,
wherein, in the deployed position, the step pad is rearward and vertically lower than the tailgate structure,
wherein the deployable step system includes the step pad, a support tube, an extension tube, and a deployment tube,
wherein the support tube is mounted to the tailgate structure and the extension tube is movably received within a passageway established by the support tube, and
wherein the deployment tube is pivotably connected to the extension tube.

8. The vehicle system as recited in claim 7 , wherein an extension of the extension tube outside of the passageway positions the step pad rearward of the tailgate structure, and further wherein a pivoting of the deployment tube relative to the extension tube positions the step pad vertically lower than the tailgate structure.

9. The vehicle system as recited in claim 7 , wherein a lower outer surface of the step pad establishes the cover molding section and an upper outer surface of the step pad establishes a step surface of the step pad.

10. The vehicle system as recited in claim 7 , wherein the tailgate structure includes a frame subassembly and a door subassembly movably mounted to the frame subassembly.

11. The vehicle system as recited in claim 10 , wherein the deployable step system is integrated into a driver side section or a passenger side section of the frame subassembly.

12. The vehicle system as recited in claim 1 , comprising a cover molding section mounted to the main stair section and configured to conceal an internal cavity of the tailgate structure.

13. The vehicle system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the adjustable stair section includes a pivoting section, the base section, and a frame section that extends between the pivoting section and the base section.

14. The vehicle system as recited in claim 13 , wherein the base section extends at an angle relative to the frame section.

15. The vehicle system as recited in claim 13 , wherein the pivoting section is pivotally connected to outer frame sections of the main stair section.

16. The vehicle system as recited in claim 13 , wherein the adjustable stair section excludes any steps between the base section and the pivoting section.

17. The vehicle system as recited in claim 1 , comprising a strain gauge and a control module operably connected to the strain gauge, wherein the control module is programmed to command an alert in response to a signal from the strain gauge indicating that an amount of stress on the deployable ladder exceeds a predefined threshold.

18. The vehicle system as recited in claim 2 , comprising a sensor system operably connected to the control module, wherein the control module is programmed to command an audible alert in response to a signal from the sensor system indicating that a user is approaching the deployable ladder.

Assignees

• Ford Global Tech Llc

Inventors

• Salter Stuart C
• Glickman David Brian
• Piechocki Dawn
• Yee Dennis
• Nayak Darshan Arun

Classifications

• B60R3/02 Primary

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

• B62D33/03

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

• B60R3/007 Primary

  Removable steps or ladders, e.g. foldable (as access means for vehicle tops B60R3/005) · CPC title

• B62D33/0273

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

• B60Q1/0035

  relative to the vehicle · CPC title