CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/925,424, filed January 9, 2014.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an integrated tailgate that unfolds from a hatch or liftgate in order to form a liftgate cargo module.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In order to haul larger or longer items that extend beyond the cargo area of a vehicle, typically a hatch or liftgate must be kept open or tied shut while the longer item extends beyond the cargo area of the vehicle. Different systems have been developed that extend or allow longer items to be hauled. For example, roof racks for hauling longer items such as kayaks, bicycles, snow skis or luggage have been developed. Additionally, racks that connect to trunks and trailer hitches have also been developed for carrying larger or longer items. However, these different structures are typically add-on structures that are connected or mounted to the vehicle and are not necessarily part of or integral with the vehicle. It is therefore desirable to develop a modified hatch or liftgate that allows items to be loaded through a pass-through door and are loaded or secured on an integrated tailgate style door that eliminates the need for add-on items and also allow for longer items to be passed through the interior cargo space and extend through a hatch to the exterior of the vehicle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a liftgate cargo module having an integrated tailgate that unfolds from a hatch or liftgate of a vehicle. The integrated tailgate adds additional storage and provides a cargo load floor. When the integrated hatch is unfolded there is an integrated pass through door formed in the hatch or liftgate that permits longer items to be hauled, while keeping the hatch or liftgate completely closed. The integrated tailgate also includes an integrated tailgate taillight that indicates when the vehicle is braking or backing up. The integrated tailgate taillight also helps to show that the integrated tailgate is folded down from and extending from the hatch or liftgate of the vehicle. Additionally, the integrated tailgate also includes integrated anchor points formed on the cargo load floor of the integrated tailgate that allow for items to be tied down and secured. In an optional embodiment of the invention, an all-weather enclosure is connectable to the cargo load floor for enclosing contents that are being hauled on the integrated tailgate.

Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a rear perspective view of a vehicle liftgate having a liftgate cargo module installed wherein the integrated tailgate is in the deployed position;

Fig. 2 is a rear perspective view of a vehicle tailgate having the integrated tailgate in an un-deployed position;

Fig. 3 is a side perspective view of a vehicle having a deployed tailgate with an item attached;

Fig. 4 is a rear perspective view of a vehicle having a deployed tailgate with an item attached;

Fig. 5 is a rear perspective view of a vehicle having a deployed tailgate with the pass through door open; Fig. 6 is a side perspective view of a vehicle having a deployed tailgate with the pass through door open and oversized items extending through the pass through door;

Fig. 7 is a rear perspective view of a vehicle having a deployed tailgate with the pass through door open and oversized items extending through the pass through door;

Fig. 8 is a rear perspective view of a vehicle tailgate with the integrated tailgate in the deployed position and a soft enclosure for enclosing items on the cargo load floor of the integrated tailgate;

Fig. 9 is a rear perspective view of a vehicle tailgate with the integrated tailgate in the deployed position and a hard enclosure with a moveable door for enclosing items on the cargo load floor of the integrated tailgate; and

Fig. 10 is a rear perspective view of a vehicle tailgate with the integrated tailgate in the deployed position and a hard enclosure with a locking door for enclosing items on the cargo load floor of the integrated tailgate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.

Referring now to all of the drawings generally, a liftgate cargo module arrangement 10 is shown being connected to a vehicle 12 having an outside panel 14. The outside panel 14 has an integrated tailgate 16 connected which serves as a cargo holder for the liftgate cargo module arrangement 10 depicted in the present embodiment of the present invention. The integrated tailgate 16 connects to the outside panel 14 and pivots between a deployed position 18 and an un-deployed position 20. The outside panel 14 has exterior surface 22 that is continuous with an exterior surface 24 of the integrated tailgate 16 when the integrated tailgate 16 is in the un-deployed position 20. This allows for the integrated tailgate 16 to be hidden or appear to be part of the vehicle 12 outside panel 14 when in the un-deployed position since the exterior surface 22 of the outside panel 14 will be smooth and continuous with the exterior surface 24 of the integrated tailgate 16.

When the integrated tailgate 16 is in the deployed position 18, a cargo load floor 24 of the integrated tailgate 16 is accessible and can be used for holding items 26 that are to be stowed using the integrated tailgate 16. The item(s) 26 can rest on the cargo load floor 24 and can be connected or tied down using a rope, chain, cable or bungee cord 27 connected between anchor points 28 formed on the surface of the cargo load floor 24 and vehicle 12.

In certain embodiments, items 26 may be long or too large to be stowed only on the cargo load floor 24. In another aspect of the invention, the outside panel 14 has a pass through door 30 that is adjacent the cargo load floor 24 for allowing an item(s) 26 to extend from the cargo load floor 24 on the outside of the vehicle 12 through the pass through door 30, into the interior of the vehicle 12. This is suitable for longer items such as skis, pieces of wood or any other larger item that cannot be stowed in the interior of the vehicle 12, without extending past the vehicle interior to the outside of the vehicle 12.

In another aspect of the invention, the integrated tailgate 16 has an integrated taillight 32 that can be illuminated when the vehicle is driving at night, turning, braking or backing up in order to signal other vehicles and persons in the area. In another aspect of the invention, the integrated tailgate 16 has a license plate holder 34 that is connected to the integrated tailgate 6 or pivotally connected to the exterior surface 22 of the integrated tailgate 16 so that the license plate holder 34 moves or pivots relative to the exterior surface 22 and be seen when the integrated tailgate 16 is in the deployed position 18.

Referring now to Fig. 8, an additional aspect of the invention is shown which includes a soft all-weather enclosure 36 that is configured to connect to the integrated tailgate 16 and cover the cargo load floor 24 for protecting items 26 from being exposed to the outside elements. The all-weather enclosure 36 in the present embodiment of the invention is a soft material that connects to the outside panel 14 of the vehicle using a fastener 38 such as a zipper, buttons or Velcro® in order to cover or enclose the area of the pass through door 30. Additionally, the all-weather enclosure 36 includes an aperture 40 that has a zipper, Velcro® or other fastener that allows for accessing the items 26 inside of the all-weather closure 36 from the outside of the vehicle. Figs. 9 and 10 show an alternate embodiment of an all-weather enclosure 42 that is a hard enclosure 42 having a fastener 44 for connecting the hard enclosure 42 to the outside panel 14 of the vehicle 12. The hard enclosure 42 has a door 46 that can be moved between an open and closed position allowing access to the items 26 within the hard enclosure 42. Additionally, the door 46 of the hard enclosure 42 has a lock 48 for locking the door in place and has seals 50 for preventing moisture from getting inside of the hard enclosure 42.

The description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the invention are intended to be within the scope of the invention. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention.