Cargo bed extension assembly including cover for a tailgate

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9956996-B2
Application number	US-201615203559-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 6, 2016
Priority date	Jul 6, 2016
Publication date	May 1, 2018
Grant date	May 1, 2018

Abstract

A cargo bed extension assembly includes a tailgate structured to be movable between a raised configuration and a lowered configuration. The tailgate includes a cavity formed therein. An extension mechanism is positioned within in the cavity. The extension mechanism includes an extension member coupled to the tailgate so as to be movable between a stowed configuration and an extended configuration, and so as to enable rotation of the extension member from the extended configuration to a raised configuration. The mechanism also includes a cover portion coupled to the extension member so as to be movable between a stowed configuration and a deployed configuration in which the cover portion covers at least a portion of the bed.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A cargo bed extension assembly comprising:
a tailgate structured to be movable between a raised configuration and a lowered configuration, the tailgate including a cavity formed therein; and
an extension mechanism positioned within in the cavity, the extension mechanism including:
an extension member coupled to the tailgate so as to be movable between a stowed configuration and an extended configuration, and so as to enable rotation of the extension member from the extended configuration to a raised configuration; and
a cover portion coupled to the extension member so as to be movable between a stowed configuration and a deployed configuration in which the cover portion covers at least a portion of a cargo bed, wherein the cover portion is an articulated structure formed from a plurality of connected panels.

2. A cargo bed extension assembly comprising:
a tailgate structured to be movable between a raised configuration and a lowered configuration, the tailgate including a cavity formed therein; and
an extension mechanism positioned within in the cavity, the extension mechanism including:
an extension member coupled to the tailgate so as to be movable between a stowed configuration and an extended configuration, and so as to enable rotation of the extension member from the extended configuration to a raised configuration, and a cover portion coupled to the extension member so as to be movable between a stowed configuration and a deployed configuration in which the cover portion covers at least a portion of a cargo bed,
wherein the cover portion is structured to enable the cover portion to cover at least a portion of the tailgate extending between the extension member and opposite side walls of the cargo bed when the tailgate is in the lowered configuration, the extension member is in the raised configuration, and the cover portion is in the deployed configuration.

3. A cargo bed extension assembly comprising:
a tailgate structured to be movable between a raised configuration and a lowered configuration, the tailgate including a cavity formed therein; and
an extension mechanism positioned within in the cavity, the extension mechanism including:
an extension member coupled to the tailgate so as to be movable between a stowed configuration and an extended configuration, and so as to enable rotation of the extension member from the extended configuration to a raised configuration, and a cover portion coupled to the extension member so as to be movable between a stowed configuration and a deployed configuration in which the cover portion covers at least a portion of a cargo bed,
wherein the cover portion is structured to enable the cover portion to cover an entire cargo bed when the tailgate is in the lowered configuration, the extension member is in the raised configuration, and the cover portion is in the deployed configuration.

4. A cargo bed extension assembly comprising:
a tailgate structured to be movable between a raised configuration and a lowered configuration, the tailgate including a cavity formed therein; and
an extension mechanism positioned within in the cavity, the extension mechanism including:
an extension member coupled to the tailgate so as to be movable between a stowed configuration and an extended configuration, and so as to enable rotation of the extension member from the extended configuration to a raised configuration, and a cover portion coupled to the extension member so as to be movable between a stowed configuration and a deployed configuration in which the cover portion covers at least a portion of a cargo bed,
wherein the cover portion is structured to enable the cover portion to cover an entire cargo bed when the tailgate is in the raised configuration, the extension member is in the stowed configuration, and the cover portion is in the deployed configuration.

5. A cargo bed extension assembly comprising:
a tailgate structured to be movable between a raised configuration and a lowered configuration, the tailgate including a cavity formed therein; and
an extension mechanism positioned within in the cavity, the extension mechanism including:
an extension member coupled to the tailgate so as to be movable between a stowed configuration and an extended configuration, and so as to enable rotation of the extension member from the extended configuration to a raised configuration, and a cover portion coupled to the extension member so as to be movable between a stowed configuration and a deployed configuration in which the cover portion covers at least a portion of a cargo bed, wherein the cover portion is a soft cover portion which is rollable and/or foldable into a configuration positionable within the cavity.

6. The cargo bed extension assembly of claim 1 wherein the cover portion is coupled to the extension member so as to be positionable along a side of the extension member facing in a direction away from the cargo bed when the tailgate is in a lowered configuration and the extension member is in a raised configuration.

7. A cargo bed extension assembly comprising:
a tailgate structured to be movable between a raised configuration and a lowered configuration, the tailgate including a cavity formed therein; and
an extension mechanism positioned within in the cavity, the extension mechanism including:
an extension member coupled to the tailgate so as to be movable between a stowed configuration and an extended configuration, and so as to enable rotation of the extension member from the extended configuration to a raised configuration, and a cover portion coupled to the extension member so as to be movable between a stowed configuration and a deployed configuration in which the cover portion covers at least a portion of a cargo bed, wherein a first section of the cover portion has a first width and a second section of the cover portion adjacent the first section has a second width greater than the first width.

8. The cargo bed extension assembly of claim 7 wherein the first section of the cover portion is attached to a side of the extension member which is structured to face in a direction away from the cargo bed when the tailgate is in a lowered configuration and the extension member is in the raised configuration.

9. The cargo bed extension assembly of claim 3 wherein the cover portion is rotatably coupled to the extension member.

10. A cargo bed extension assembly comprising:
a tailgate structured to be movable between a raised configuration and a lowered configuration, the tailgate including a cavity formed therein; and
an extension mechanism positioned within in the cavity, the extension mechanism including:
an extension member coupled to the tailgate so as to be movable between a stowed configuration and an extended configuration, and so as to enable rotation of the extension member from the extended configuration to a raised configuration;
a cover portion coupled to the extension member so as to be movable between a stowed configuration and a deployed configuration in which the cover portion covers at least a portion of a cargo bed;
a first side panel rotatably coupled to the extension member so as to be movable between a stowed configuration and a deployed configuration in which the first side panel extends between the extension member and a first cargo bed side wall when the extension member is in the raised configuration; and
a second side panel rotatably coupled to the extension member so as to be movable between a stowed configuration and a deployed configuration in which the second side panel extends between the extension member and a second cargo bed side wall opposite the first cargo bed side wall when the extension member is in the ra

Assignees

• Toyota Eng & Mfg North America

Inventors

• Astrike Logan R

Classifications

• B62D33/03

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

• B62D33/046 Primary

  built up with flat self-supporting panels; Fixed connections between panels (B62D29/045, B62D33/048 take precedence) · CPC title

• B62D33/0273 Primary

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

• B60P7/02

  Covering of load · CPC title

• B60R5/042

  to create an enclosed luggage compartment of increased capacity, e.g. with ventilation apertures for transporting dogs · CPC title