Modular tailgate

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12319360-B2
Application number	US-202217871554-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 22, 2022
Priority date	Aug 19, 2014
Publication date	Jun 3, 2025
Grant date	Jun 3, 2025

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 integrated 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 the plurality of features are selected from the group consisting of a three-way opening door, split 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 source, at least one tie down, at least one net, 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, at least one handle, at least one rotatable door member, at least one track mechanism, and combinations thereof;
wherein one of said plurality of features is the at least one bed extension system, said tailgate portion operably selectively moveable rearward to a further deployed position that is a cargo-bed extended position, and wherein an intermediary extension portion is located between said tailgate portion and the cargo bed to elongate a cargo bed floor surface and is stowed below said cargo bed surface, and said tailgate portion operably selectively vertically rotatable when in said cargo-bed extended position, and wherein said bed extension system further comprises opposing solid paneled doors that are rotatable to close off an opening when the bed extension system is in a predetermined extended position.

2. The modular tailgate system of claim 1 , wherein the modular tailgate system includes the tailgate portion in combination with at least three of the plurality of features.

3. The modular tailgate system of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of features is selected from the group consisting of the at least one storage unit, multi-way opening tailgate portion that swings outward and/or pivots downward to the at least one deployed position, at least one integrated tie-down, at least one lighting device, and combinations thereof.

4. The modular tailgate system of claim 3 , wherein the at least one lighting device is a pivotable lighting source with light emitting diodes.

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

6. The modular tailgate system of claim 1 , wherein said bed extension system is deployable between at least a stowed position, deployed position, an extended position, and at least one additional extended position.

7. A modular tailgate system operably adapted for a pickup truck cargo bed, comprising:
a tailgate portion selectively operably rotatable between a stowed position and a deployed position, and selectively operably rotatable in an extended position; and
a plurality of features integrated 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 one of the plurality of features is a bed extension system including at least one slidable portion and a pair of rotatable doors operably connected to sides of said tailgate portion and selectively operably rotatable to close off a gap to sidewalls of the pickup truck, wherein said bed extension system is operably adapted to elongate a cargo bed floor surface, wherein said at least one slidable portion is stored below said cargo bed floor surface.

8. A modular tailgate system operably adapted for a vehicle, comprising:
a tailgate portion rotatable between at least a stowed position and a deployed position; and
at least two features integrated 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 one of the features is a tailgate extension system, said tailgate portion operably selectively moveable rearward to a further deployed position that is a cargo-bed extended position, and wherein an intermediary extension portion is located between said tailgate portion and the cargo bed to elongate a cargo bed floor surface and is stowed below said cargo bed surface, and said tailgate portion operably selectively vertically rotatable when in said cargo-bed extended position.

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

• B62D33/03

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

• B60P7/0807

  Attachment points · CPC title

• B60Q1/307

  mounted on loading platforms · CPC title