MULTI-FUNCTIONAL VEHICLE TAILGATE

TECHNICAL HELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a multi-functional vehicle tailgate apparatus for use with a dual-action tailgate door, i.e. a tailgate door that is useable alternately as a swinging-style or drop-style tailgate door, with the multi-functional tailgate apparatus deployable as a ramp platform or a bulkhead piece as desired.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles (SUVs) provide greater utility for some purposes in relation to smaller passenger cars, due in part to advantages provided by their greater relative size and weight. These advantages broaden the range of cargo that may be towed by or transported by the vehicle. For example, pickup trucks and SUVs are typically designed to carry relatively heavy machinery, construction materials, and/or recreational vehicles such as three-wheel or four-wheel all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), motorcycles, or snowmobiles.

[0003] To accommodate the loading and unloading of such items, as well as to assist vehicle occupants in entering and exiting the elevated rear cargo area or bed of the vehicle, pickup trucks and SUVs often utilize one or more entry-assist mechanisms. For example, ingress to and egress from a rear cargo area, and the loading and unloading thereof, may be facilitated by using a ramp positioned between a stationary ground surface and the floor of the cargo area. Ramp devices may be transported within the cargo area, and then securely clamped or bolted to the floor when needed. However, such ramp devices may be less than optimal for certain purposes. For example, transportable ramp devices are generally limited to such a ramp function, and usually consume as least a portion of the available space within the cargo area. Also, separate detachable ramp platforms may have limited functionality.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] Accordingly, a vehicle is provided having a rear cargo area with a dual- action tailgate door. The dual-action of the tailgate door is provided by selectively

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pivoting the tailgate door in one direction to form a swinging-style tailgate door, and in another direction to form a drop-style tailgate door. A deployable multi-functional apparatus is deployable from and stowable adjacent to an inner surface of the tailgate door, with the apparatus being selectively adjustable to alternately form a plurality of different tailgate devices.

[0005] In one aspect of the invention, the different tailgate devices include a ramp platform for accessing the rear cargo area when the tailgate door is pivoted to form a swinging-style tailgate door, and a bulkhead piece for transporting a piece of cargo external to the rear cargo area when the tailgate door is pivoted to form the drop-style tailgate door.

[0006] In another aspect of the invention, the ramp platform has a feature for securing the ramp platform to the vehicle when deployed.

[0007] In another aspect of the invention, the ramp platform has a damping mechanism operable for controlling a rate of descent of the ramp platform as one end of the ramp platform descends toward a stationary surface external to the vehicle. [0008] In another aspect of the invention, the damping mechanism includes a pulley device operatively connecting the ramp platform with the tailgate door. [0009] In another aspect of the invention, the bulkhead piece seals against a pair of sidewalls of the rear cargo area when deployed and when the tailgate door is used as a drop-style tailgate door, to thereby form a weather-resistant barrier to the rear cargo area, and is configured for securing a piece of cargo positioned adjacent to the tailgate door and the bulkhead piece.

[0010] In another aspect of the invention, a tailgate door assembly is provided for a vehicle having a body defining a rear cargo area and a floor. The tailgate door assembly includes a tailgate door adapted to form a swinging-style tailgate door when pivoted in one direction, and a drop-style tailgate door when pivoted in another direction. A multi-functional tailgate apparatus is connected to an inner surface of the tailgate door, and is deployable in one direction to form a ramp platform for accessing the rear cargo area when said tailgate door is used as said swinging-style tailgate door. The apparatus is deployable in another manner to form a bulkhead piece for facilitating the transport of a

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piece of cargo external to the rear cargo area when the tailgate door is used as a drop- style tailgate door.

[0011] In another aspect of the invention, a multi-functional tailgate apparatus is provided for a vehicle having a rear cargo area. The assembly has a deployable portion and a fixable portion adapted for continuous connection to a dual-action tailgate door forming either a swinging-style tailgate door or a drop-style tailgate door. [0012] In another aspect of the invention, the deployable portion forms a ramp platform for accessing the rear cargo area when the dual-action tailgate door is used as a swinging-style tailgate door, forms a bulkhead piece for facilitating transport of a piece of cargo external to the rear cargo area when the dual-action tailgate door is used as a drop- style tailgate door.

[0013] In another aspect of the invention, the deployable portion has a slip- resistant surface on one side and an appearance surface on another side. The slip- resistant surface is presented when the ramp platform and bulkhead portion are deployed, and the appearance surface is presented when the deployable portion is stowed, with the slip-resistant surface securing a piece of cargo transported on the drop-style tailgate door. [0014] The above features and advantages and other features and advantages of the present invention are readily apparent from the following detailed description of the best modes for carrying out the invention when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] FIGURE 1 is a schematic perspective illustration of a vehicle having a dual-action tailgate door and a multi-functional tailgate apparatus according to the invention;

[0016] FIGURE 2 is a schematic perspective illustration of the multi-functional apparatus attached to the vehicle of Figure 1 to form a ramp platform;

[0017] FIGURE 3 is a schematic perspective illustration of the multi-functional apparatus attached to the vehicle of Figure 1 to form a bulkhead piece;

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[0018] FIGURE 3 A is a schematic perspective illustration of the multi-functional apparatus of Figure 3 deployed as a bulkhead piece, and a piece of cargo being transported on tailgate door adjacent to the bulkhead piece;

[0019] FIGURE 4A is a schematic perspective illustration of the multi-functional apparatus and dual-action tailgate door in a closed position;

[0020] FIGURE 4B is a schematic perspective illustration of the dual-action tailgate door when used as a drop-style tailgate door, with the tailgate door in an open position and the multi-functional tailgate apparatus in a stowed position;

[0021] FIGURE 4C is a schematic perspective illustration of the tailgate door and apparatus of Figure 4B with the multi-functional tailgate apparatus deployed as a bulkhead piece;

[0022] FIGURE 5 A is a perspective illustration of the tailgate door used as a swinging-style tailgate door, with the multi-functional tailgate apparatus in a stowed position;

[0023] FIGURE 5B is a perspective illustration of the tailgate door of Figure 5 A with the multi-functional tailgate apparatus in a partially deployed position as a ramp platform;

[0024] FIGURE 5C is a perspective illustration of the multi-functional tailgate apparatus of Figure 5B showing a connection of the apparatus to the floor of the vehicle of Figure 1;

[0025] FIGURE 6 is a perspective illustration of the ramp platform of Figures 2 and 5B and a damping mechanism usable with the ramp platform; and

[0026] FIGURE 7 is a perspective illustration of the damping mechanism of

Figure 6.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0027] Referring to the drawings wherein like reference numbers correspond to like or similar components throughout the several figures, in Figure 1 a vehicle 10 is represented as a pickup truck, but the vehicle 10 may also take the form of a sport utility vehicle (SUV), crossover vehicle, station wagon, or other vehicle having a rear cargo area 20. Vehicle 10 has a plurality of wheels 15 and a passenger compartment 13 having a set

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of passenger doors 11 suitable for accessing the passenger compartment 13. Rear cargo area 20 has a floor 23 that is bounded by side walls 21 extending rearward from the passenger compartment 13 toward a vehicle bumper 22, with the rear cargo area 20 suitably configured and/or constructed to carry or transport a predetermined load in accordance with the particular design and intended purpose of vehicle 10. [0028] The rear cargo area 20 is operatively attached to a dual-action tailgate door

14 of the type known in the art. As used herein, the term "dual-action" refers to the capability of the tailgate door 14 to swing, move, or pivot in more than one direction. For example, the tailgate door 14 is configured to selectively swing or pivot outwardly in the direction of arrow A to form a side-swinging tailgate door, and is also configured to selectively swing or pivot downwardly in the direction of arrow B to form a drop-style tailgate door, depending on how a user of vehicle 10 unlatches and moves tailgate door 14. To enable the tailgate door 14 to operate or pivot in both directions, the tailgate door 14 is adapted to include a first set of latches, pivots, and/or or hinges 24A (see Figure 2) positioned with respect to the tailgate door 14 at least one sidewall 21, and a second set of substantially identical latches, pivots, and/or hinges 24B (see Figure 3) positioned with respect to the floor 23. The tailgate door 14 has an inner surface 25, i.e. a major surface oriented toward the rear cargo area 20, and is connected to a multi-functional tailgate device 26, as will be described in detail later hereinbelow.

[0029] Referring to Figure 2, the tailgate door 14 is shown as fully opened in the direction of arrow A as a swinging-style tailgate door, described above, and with multifunctional tailgate device 26 (see Figure 1) unlatched from tailgate door 14 using a suitable latch mechanism 29, and fully deployed as a ramp platform 26A, as will be described later herein. In one embodiment, a series of ramp hinges 31A are operatively connected to ramp platform 26A and a main hinge portion 28, with the main hinge portion 28 operatively connected to the tailgate door 14 using another set of substantially identical ramp hinges 3 IB.

[0030] One end 34A of ramp platform 26A, which alternately may be a hinged end portion 226A of the ramp platform 26A connected to the rest of ramp platform 26A via a hinge 53 or similar device, is secured to the floor 23 of the vehicle 10 (see Figure 1) using a mounting feature 36, such as the mating hooks 72 and bars 70 shown in Figure

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5C. The other end 34B of ramp platform 26A rests on the ground or another stationary surface (not shown). Alternately, ramp platform 26A may be configured with an extendable ramp portion 126A having an end 34C, as shown in phantom, with the extendable ramp portion 126A being extendable from the ramp platform 26 A in the direction of arrow H and end 34C being configured substantially identically to end 34B, and likewise resting on the ground or another stationary surface (not shown). The ramp portion 126A is also retractable in the opposite direction, i.e. back toward and into the ramp platform 26A, for example into an internal cavity thereof (not shown). Using the extendable ramp portion 126A, one may extend the ramp portion 26A and thereby lower the angle the ramp platform 26A forms with respect to the floor 23. [0031] Ramp platform 26A is constructed of rugged, light-weight material providing sufficient traction, and includes a series of alternating ribs 37A and a textured surface or friction surface 37B, such as to assist climbing and resist sliding with respect to ramp platform 26A. Slip resistance and traction may alternately be provided using waffle patterns, studs, bumps, and/or other suitable friction-enhancing surface features. [0032] Referring to Figures 3 and 3A, the tailgate door 14 is shown in an open position as a drop-style tailgate door, described above, and with multi-functional device 26 (see Figure 1) deployed as a bulkhead piece 26B. Tailgate door 14 may be operatively attached to an adjustable license plate 52, such that when the tailgate door 14 forms a drop-style tailgate door as shown in Figures 3 and 3A, the license plate 52 may be adjusted as needed, as represented by arrows E, thus making the license plate 52 clearly visible while tailgate door 14 forms a drop-style tailgate door as shown. [0033] Tailgate door 14 and/or bulkhead piece 26B are configured to include a variety of devices for facilitating transport of a piece of cargo 61 positioned external to vehicle 10 (see Figure 1) at a position adjacent to the tailgate door 14 and bulkhead piece 26B. Such devices include a pair of locking brackets 43 or other similarly functioning devices adapted to prevent the tailgate door 14 from closing, as well as a plurality of anchors 41 positioned at convenient locations on the periphery of the tailgate door 14. Anchors 41 are adapted to facilitate the connecting of a cord, rope, or strap 58 thereto as needed to secure a piece of cargo 61. It will be understood that the number and/or

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placement of anchors 41 may be reversed or modified, or other suitable anchoring or connecting devices substituted therewith, within the scope of the invention. [0034] When the vehicle 10 (see Figure 1) is configured with a rear cargo bed roof 30 and a rear window or lift glass 27, such as a permanent roof structure or a removable cap, a seal 60 is provided between bulkhead piece 26B and the lift glass 27 and any portion of vehicle 10 (see Figure 1) against which the bulkhead piece 26B may adjacently seal when deployed. Seal 60 is shaped and formed from a sufficient weather- resistant material such as rubber or expanded polymer foam, to form a weather-resistant barrier to rear cargo area 20 (see Figure 1) when the bulkhead piece 26B is deployed. [0035] Referring to Figures 4A through 4C, a series of schematic perspective views are shown of tailgate door 14 with multi-functional tailgate device 26 in its various stages of opening and deployment, respectively, to form a bulkhead portion 26B (see Figure 3) once deployed. In each of Figures 4A through 4C, tailgate door 14 and tailgate device 26 (and bulkhead piece 26B) are shown detached from the vehicle 10 for clarity. [0036] Beginning with Figure 4A, the tailgate door 14 is shown in a fully closed position, with the tailgate device 26 stowed as described above. Next, Figure 4B shows tailgate door 14 opened in the direction of arrow B to form a drop-style tailgate door. Tailgate device 26 remains stowed against the tailgate door 14 and presenting an appearance surface 42. Appearance surface 42 as used herein refers to a non-work surface, i.e. a surface that may be configured and/or finished consistent with the intended design of the vehicle 10 (see Figure 1).

[0037] In Figure 4C, the tailgate device 26 of Figures 4A and 4B is fully deployed to form a bulkhead piece 26B as described above, and is locked into place using a sufficient locking mechanism or latch assembly (not shown) within or in proximity to hinges 24A. In the position shown in Figure 4C, i.e. with the bulkhead piece 26B deployed in the direction of arrow C, a slip-resistant surface 44 is presented, i.e. a surface sufficiently configured to form the ramp platform 26A (see Figure 2) and bulkhead piece 26B (see Figures 3 and 3A) described above. Bulkhead piece 26B may work in conjunction with the open tailgate door 14 to transport or secure a piece of cargo 61 (see Figure 3) external to the vehicle 10 (see Figure 1), as described previously hereinabove.

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In such a configuration, additional cargo-carrying capacity may be gained, and/or internal space may be freed up, without resorting to use of a roof -rack. [0038] Referring to Figures 5A through 5C, a schematic perspective view is shown of tailgate door 14 with multi-functional tailgate device 26 in its various stages of opening and deployment as a ramp platform 26A. In each of Figures 5A through 5C, only tailgate door 14 and tailgate device 26 (and ramp platform 26A) are shown for clarity, unless otherwise indicated.

[0039] Beginning with Figure 5A, the tailgate door 14 is shown in a fully open position in the direction of arrow A to form a swinging-style tailgate door, with appearance surface 42 presented. Tailgate device 26 remains stowed against tailgate door 14 as described above with reference to Figure 4B.

[0040] Next, Figure 5B shows tailgate device 26 of Figure 5A opened in the direction of arrow D to expose inner surface 25 of tailgate door 14 and slip-resistance surface 44, and to form a ramp platform 26A. Ramp platform 26A is secured at an end 34A, which is shown in more detail in Figure 5C.

[0041] In Figure 5C, ramp platform 26A as described above is secured to the floor 23 at end 34A. To secure ramp platform 26A, ramp platform 26A is configured to include a plurality of hooks 72 that are integrally formed with ramp platform 26A at end 34A, which are each adapted to engage a different one of a plurality of bars 70 that are operatively connected to or formed with the floor 23. Hooks 72 and bars 70 are preferably circular in cross section to permit hooks 72 to rotate with respect to each of the captive bars 70 as the other end 34B (see Figure 2) of ramp platform 26A is lowered. [0042] Referring to Figure 6, a preferred alternative to main hinge portion 28 of

Figure 2 is shown. Ramp platform 26A, and in particular the hinged end portion 226A (see Figure 6) thereof, is operatively connected to a ramp bracket 90 using a plurality of hinges 88. Hinges 88 are adapted to allow the ramp platform 26 A to rotate with respect to hinges 88 and ramp bracket 90. Ramp bracket 90 is supported by a bracket mount 94 that is bolted, welded, or otherwise rigidly connected to tailgate door 14, and that is configured with a slot 92. The slot 92 is adapted to contain a captive roller guide 95 or other suitable locating means that is allowed to move freely within slot 92 as the ramp platform 26A is lifted into a position even with floor 23.

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[0043] A damping mechanism 82 includes an upper bracket 86, a plurality of pulley wheels 84, and a length of cable 80, with upper bracket 86 being bolted, welded, or otherwise rigidly attached to the tailgate door 14 as shown. Tension on cable 80 therefore slows a rate of descent of one end of the ramp platform 26A as ramp platform 26A is lowered, as will now be described with reference to Figure 7. [0044] Referring to Figure 7, damping mechanism 82 is shown from the opposite side of the perspective of Figure 6, i.e. presenting the opposite surface of upper bracket 86. Upper bracket 86 is operatively connected to or formed with a stationary guide rail or track 87 that is adapted to mate with a moveable shuttle car portion 96, which is operable for rolling or sliding in the direction of arrow F in response to an applied force to cable 80 in the direction of arrow G. Pulley wheels 84 are engaged with cable 80 and positioned with respect to a cylinder 91 having an internal piston 97. Piston 97 and cylinder 91 are configured to apply a sufficient return force (arrow R) for slowing the rate of descent of ramp platform 26A (see Figure 6) as cable 80 moves in the direction of arrow G, i.e. in response to the weight of ramp platform 26A. Likewise, when ramp platform 26A is lifted to its initial position, i.e. parallel to floor 23 (see Figure 6), the required upward force exerted on ramp platform 26 A is reduced by the return force (arrow R) provided by piston 97, thereby facilitating both the stowing and deployment of ramp platform 26A.

[0045] While the best modes for carrying out the invention have been described in detail, those familiar with the art to which this invention relates will recognize various alternative designs and embodiments for practicing the invention within the scope of the appended claims.