U.S. patent application number 16/899076 was filed with the patent office on 2021-12-16 for automotive vehicle with folding tailgate.
The applicant listed for this patent is Rivian IP Holdings, LLC. Invention is credited to Larry Parker.
Application Number | 20210387680 16/899076 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000004913935 |
Filed Date | 2021-12-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20210387680 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Parker; Larry |
December 16, 2021 |
AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLE WITH FOLDING TAILGATE
Abstract
An illustrative folding tailgate for an automotive vehicle
includes a first wall portion and a second wall portion that are
rotatably connected to one another. A first latch may be attached
to the first wall portion and configured to engage with a
complementary latch part at a first portion of a vehicle to lock
the tailgate in a closed position. A guide member may be attached
to the first wall portion and configured to move along a rail
disposed at a rear of the automotive vehicle, the guide member
configured to move along the rail in a manner constrained by the
rail. A rotatable connection mechanism may be attached to the
second wall portion and configured to attach to a second portion of
a vehicle. The tailgate may be configured to open and close via
folding movement of the first and second wall portions relative to
one another.
Inventors: |
Parker; Larry; (Bloomfield
Hills, MI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Rivian IP Holdings, LLC |
Plymouth |
MI |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000004913935 |
Appl. No.: |
16/899076 |
Filed: |
June 11, 2020 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B62D 33/037 20130101;
B62D 33/0273 20130101; B60J 5/12 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B62D 33/027 20060101
B62D033/027; B62D 33/037 20060101 B62D033/037; B60J 5/12 20060101
B60J005/12 |
Claims
1. An automotive vehicle with a folding tailgate, the vehicle
comprising: a bed; a rail positioned along an edge of the bed; and
a folding tailgate at a back of the bed, the folding tailgate
including: a first wall portion and a second wall portion, the
first wall portion and the second wall portion being rotatably
connected to one another; a first latch attached to the first wall
portion; a guide member attached to the first wall portion and
configured to move along the rail in a manner that is constrained
by the rail; a rotatable latch attached to the second wall portion;
and a first hinge attached to the second wall portion and movably
attached to the vehicle.
2. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the tailgate is configurable in
any one of a plurality of positions including a closed position, a
folded open position, and a hinged open position.
3. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the first latch is configured to
be locked to the vehicle when the tailgate is in a closed position
and configured to not engage with the vehicle when the tailgate is
in a folded open position or in a hinged open position.
4. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the guide member includes a
sliding hinge that includes a stationary shaft having an axis, a
rotatable shaft having the same axis, a swivel joint, a slider
holder, and a slider.
5. The vehicle of claim 4, wherein the rotatable shaft is
configured to rotate around the axis to move the tailgate between a
closed position and a hinged open position.
6. The vehicle of claim 4, wherein the slider moves along the rail
to move the tailgate between a closed position and a folded open
position.
7. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the rotatable latch includes a
roller housing and a roller.
8. The vehicle of claim 7, wherein the rotatable latch is
configured to be locked to the vehicle when the tailgate is in a
closed position, configured to not engage with the vehicle when the
tailgate is in a hinged open position, and configured to rotatably
move about an axis of the roller when the tailgate is in a folded
open position.
9. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the first hinge is configured to
rotate about a first axis to move the tailgate between a closed
position and a folded open position and configured to rotate about
a second axis to move the tailgate between the closed position and
a hinged open position.
10. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the first latch is configured
to move toward the rotatable latch as the guide member moves toward
the first hinge when the tailgate moves from a closed position to a
folded open position.
11. A folding tailgate for an automotive vehicle, the folding
tailgate comprising: a first wall portion and a second wall
portion, the first wall portion and the second wall portion being
rotatably connected to one another; a first latch attached to the
first wall portion; a guide member attached to the first wall
portion and configured to move along a rail disposed at a rear of a
vehicle, the guide member configured to move along the rail in a
manner constrained by the rail; a rotatable latch fixedly attached
to the second wall portion; and a first hinge attached to the
second wall portion and movably attachable to the vehicle.
12. The tailgate of claim 11, wherein the tailgate is configurable
in any one of a plurality of positions including a closed position,
a folded open position, and a hinged open position.
13. The tailgate of claim 11, wherein the first latch is configured
to be locked to the vehicle when the tailgate is in a closed
position and configured to not engage with the vehicle when the
tailgate is in a folded open position or in a hinged open
position.
14. The tailgate of claim 11, wherein the guide member includes a
sliding hinge that includes a stationary shaft having an axis, a
rotatable shaft having the same axis, a swivel joint, a slider
holder, and a slider.
15. The tailgate of claim 14, wherein the rotatable shaft is
configured to rotate around the axis to move the tailgate between a
closed position and a hinged open position.
16. The tailgate of claim 14, wherein the slider moves along a rail
on the vehicle to move the tailgate between a closed position and a
folded open position.
17. The tailgate of claim 12, wherein the rotatable latch includes
a roller housing and a roller.
18. The tailgate of claim 17, wherein the rotatable latch is
configured to be locked to the vehicle when the tailgate is in a
closed position, configured to not engage the vehicle when the
tailgate is in a hinged open position, and configured to rotatably
move about an axis of the roller when the tailgate is in a folded
open position.
19. The tailgate of claim 12, wherein the first hinge is configured
to rotate about a first axis to move the tailgate between a closed
position and a folded open position and configured to rotate about
a second axis to move the tailgate between the closed position and
a hinged open position.
20. The tailgate of claim 12, wherein the first latch is configured
to move toward the rotatable latch as the guide member moves toward
the first hinge when the tailgate moves from a closed position to a
folded open position.
21. A folding tailgate for an automotive vehicle, the folding
tailgate comprising: a first wall portion and a second wall
portion, the first wall portion and the second wall portion being
rotatably connected to one another; a first latch attached to the
first wall portion and configured to engage with a complementary
latch part at a first portion of an automotive vehicle to lock the
tailgate in a closed position at the automotive vehicle; a guide
member attached to the first wall portion and configured to move
along a rail disposed at a rear of the automotive vehicle, the
guide member configured to move along the rail in a manner
constrained by the rail; and a rotatable connection mechanism
attached to the second wall portion and configured to attach to a
second portion of an automotive vehicle, the tailgate being
configured to open and close via folding movement of the first wall
portion and the second wall portion relative to one another.
Description
INTRODUCTION
[0001] The present disclosure relates to tailgates for automotive
vehicles.
[0002] The statements in this section merely provide background
information related to the present disclosure and may not
constitute prior art.
[0003] Automotive vehicles typically have a storage area, which may
be typically located in the rear of the vehicle. Some types of
automotive vehicles, including trucks such as without limitation
pickup trucks, may have an open storage area, referred to as a
storage bed, cargo bed, or simply a bed. In such vehicles, access
to the bed is provided via a tailgate located at a rear portion of
the bed, which opens by rotating backward and downward to rest in a
horizontal position. A tailgate is connected to the vehicle by
hinges at opposing sides of the base of the tailgate to allow for
opening and closing.
[0004] Referring to FIG. 1, a currently-known vehicle 101 includes
a conventional tailgate 105. The vehicle 101 includes a bed 103 and
the conventional tailgate 105. The conventional tailgate 105 has
one or more hinges 107. The hinges 107 allow the tailgate 105 to
rotate about 90 degrees or so from a closed position (shown in FIG.
1) out and away from the bed 103 to an open position where the
tailgate 105 is disposed horizontally. The tailgate 105 encloses an
area of the bed 103 when the tailgate 105 is in an upright (that
is, closed) position. When the conventional tailgate 105 is in a
down (that is, open) position, its then rear facing edge protrudes
rearward from the vehicle bed 103 by a distance--such as, for
example, 16-24 inches or so--thereby entailing a user to stand such
a distance away from the bed 103 at the rear in order to access
cargo in the bed 103.
[0005] That is, in currently-known tailgate designs, an open
tailgate 105 can help contribute to acting as an obstacle to
accessing the bed 103 because the open tailgate 105 can extend
outward in a rearward direction, thereby contributing to limiting
access to the bed 103.
SUMMARY
[0006] Disclosed embodiments include automotive vehicles with a
folding tailgate and folding tailgates for an automotive
vehicle.
[0007] In a non-limiting embodiment, an illustrative automotive
vehicle with a folding tailgate includes a bed, a rail positioned
along an edge of the bed, and a folding tailgate at a back of the
bed. The folding tailgate includes: a first wall portion and a
second wall portion, the first wall portion and the second wall
portion being rotatably connected to one another; a first latch
attached to the first wall portion; a guide member attached to the
first wall portion and configured to move along the rail in a
manner that is constrained by the rail; a rotatable latch attached
to the second wall portion; and a first hinge attached to the
second wall portion and movably attachable to the vehicle.
[0008] In another non-limiting embodiment, an illustrative folding
tailgate for an automotive vehicle includes a first wall portion
and a second wall portion, the first wall portion and the second
wall portion being rotatably connected to one another. A first
latch is attached to the first wall portion. A guide member is
attached to the first wall portion and is configured to move along
a rail disposed at a rear of a vehicle, the guide member being
configured to move along the rail in a manner constrained by the
rail. A rotatable latch is fixedly attached to the second wall
portion. A first hinge is attached to the second wall portion and
is movably attachable to the vehicle.
[0009] In another non-limiting embodiment, another illustrative
folding tailgate for an automotive vehicle includes a first wall
portion and a second wall portion, the first wall portion and the
second wall portion being rotatably connected to one another. A
first latch is attached to the first wall portion and is configured
to engage with a complementary latch part at a first portion of an
automotive vehicle to lock the tailgate in a closed position at the
automotive vehicle. A guide member is attached to the first wall
portion and is configured to move along a rail disposed at a rear
of the automotive vehicle, the guide member being configured to
move along the rail in a manner constrained by the rail. A
rotatable connection mechanism is attached to the second wall
portion and is configured to attach to a second portion of an
automotive vehicle, the tailgate being configured to open and close
via folding movement of the first wall portion and the second wall
portion relative to one another.
[0010] Further features, advantages, and areas of applicability
will become apparent from the description provided herein. It
should be understood that the description and specific examples are
intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to
limit the scope of the present disclosure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0011] The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes
only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present
disclosure in any way. The components in the figures are not
necessarily to scale, with emphasis instead being placed upon
illustrating the principles of the disclosed embodiments. In the
drawings:
[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle with a
conventional tailgate.
[0013] FIGS. 2A and 2B are perspective views of an illustrative
folding tailgate.
[0014] FIGS. 3A-3C are perspective views of another illustrative
folding tailgate.
[0015] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an illustrative rail for a
folding tailgate.
[0016] FIG. 5A is a plan view of another illustrative folding
tailgate.
[0017] FIG. 5B is a perspective view of the folding tailgate of
FIG. 5A.
[0018] FIG. 6A is a side plan view in partial perspective of an
illustrative sliding roller hinge for a folding tailgate.
[0019] FIG. 6B is a front plan view of the sliding roller hinge of
FIG. 6A.
[0020] FIG. 7A is a plan view of an illustrative rotatable latch
for a folding tailgate.
[0021] FIG. 7B is a perspective view of an illustrative holder for
the rotatable latch of FIG. 7A.
[0022] FIG. 7C is a perspective view of the rotatable latch of FIG.
7A being held by the holder of FIG. 7B.
[0023] FIG. 8A is a plan view of an illustrative rotatable latch
for a folding tailgate.
[0024] FIG. 8B is a perspective view of an illustrative holder for
the rotatable latch of FIG. 8A.
[0025] FIG. 8C is a perspective view of the rotatable latch of FIG.
8A being held by the holder of FIG. 8B.
[0026] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a vehicle with an
illustrative tailgate.
[0027] Like reference symbols in the various drawings generally
indicate like elements.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0028] The following description is merely illustrative in nature
and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, application,
or uses. It will be noted that the first digit of three-digit
reference numbers and the first two digits of four-digit reference
numbers correspond to the first digit of one-digit figure numbers
and the first two digits of two-digit figure numbers, respectively,
in which the element first appears.
[0029] FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate an illustrative folding tailgate
205 according to the disclosure. In this example, tailgate 205 may
have two parts--a first (e.g., sliding) wall portion 209 and a
second (e.g., rotating) wall portion 211. The first wall portion
209 and second wall portion 211 are movable relative to one another
and connected to one another, e.g., via a centrally located hinge
mechanism 214 (e.g., one or more hinges) that joins them, and their
movement may be constrained and guided by a guide member 225
connected to the first wall portion 209 at a bottom thereof, e.g.,
a translating hinge such as a sliding hinge or rolling hinge, e.g.,
with one or more bearings, for example, that rides in or along a
rail or track 217 positioned at a bottom rear edge of the bed 203.
The rail or track 217 is shown in dotted line in FIG. 2B since it
is hidden from the perspective of the bed 203.
[0030] A width W1 of first wall portion 209 in a horizontal
side-to-side direction may be the same as a width W2 of the second
wall portion 211 in such horizontal direction (left to right
direction). First wall portion 209 and second wall portion 211 may
also have a same thickness T1 in a front-to-rear direction and a
same height H1 in an upright direction (e.g., upright when the
tailgate 205 is closed). The dimensions of W1, W2, H1 and T1 may
depend on a height and a lateral width of the bed 203 and can be
suitably chosen accordingly. For example, for a bed 203 with a
width in a range of about 48-72 inches and a height of about 18-30
inches, W1 and W2 may each be in a range of about 24-36 inches, H1
may be in a range of about 18-30 inches, and T1 may be in a range
of about 3-6 inches. These dimensions are merely illustrative, and
other dimensions may be used. Second wall portion 211 may include
one or more brackets 216 that connect to a sidewall 203A of bed 203
via one or more side hinge mechanisms 218 (e.g., one or more
hinges). The tailgate 205 and sidewall of the bed 203 may also
include a latching mechanism for locking the tailgate 205 in a
closed position, e.g., comprising a latch 221 that mates with a
complementary latch part at a sidewall of the bed 203. The latch
221 may be controllable by a manual button or other release
mechanism at handle 213, or via any suitable powered mechanism,
such as an electromechanical actuator.
[0031] FIG. 2A shows tailgate 205 in a closed position. In a closed
position, first wall portion 209 and second wall portion 211 may
contact each other along a split line 212, the split line 212
illustrating a boundary between the first wall portion 209 and the
second wall portion 211 when the tailgate 205 is in a closed
position. FIG. 2B shows tailgate 205 in a partially open position,
as viewed from the bed 203. In an open position, first wall portion
209 and second wall portion 211 may rotate away from each other at
a split line 212 via one or more centrally located hinge mechanisms
214 that connect the first wall portion 209 and the second wall
portion 211. When open, tailgate 205 may provide access to bed 203.
In an open position of tailgate 205, first wall portion 209 may
slide along the edge of the bed 203 and rotate away from the bed
203, while the second wall portion 211 rotates away from the bed
203. The first wall portion 209 and second wall portion 211 may
fold toward one another in an opening movement such that
center-side portions thereof move outward (rearward) from the bed
203, in an accordion-like fashion, thereby opening the tailgate 205
and enabling access to the bed 203 such that the user may have
access while standing at a rear bumper 210 of the vehicle 201
instead of having to stand away from the bumper 210.
[0032] In the example illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B, first wall
portion 209 may slide toward the second wall portion 211, while
second wall portion 211 may rotate without undergoing sliding
motion. In this example, a handle 213 may be positioned on first
wall portion 209. In the example illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B,
first wall portion 209 may be on the left side of the vehicle 201,
while second wall portion 211 may be on the right side of the
vehicle 201. In another example, first wall portion 209 may be on
the right side of the vehicle 201, while second wall portion 211
may be on the left side of the vehicle 201. Two handles 213 may be
used--one handle 213 on first wall portion 209, and another handle
213 on second wall portion 211.
[0033] FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C illustrate an example of a folding
tailgate 305 according to the disclosure that is like the
illustrative tailgate 205 shown in the example of FIGS. 2A and 2B.
Similar to the example of FIGS. 2A and 2B, vehicle 301 may be
equipped with a bed 303 and a tailgate 305. Tailgate 305 may be a
folding tailgate like that described in the example of FIGS. 2A and
2B. Folding tailgate 305 may have a first wall portion 309 that
slides toward an opposing side of vehicle 301 via a rail or track
317, and a second wall portion 311 that rotates without undergoing
sliding motion. The first wall portion 309 and second wall portion
311 are movable relative to one another and connected to one
another, e.g., via a centrally located hinge mechanism 314 (e.g.,
one or more hinges) that joins them, and their movement may be
constrained and guided by a guide member (not shown), e.g., a
translating hinge such as a sliding hinge or rolling hinge with one
or more bearings, for example, that rides in or along a rail or
track 317 positioned at a bottom rear edge of the bed 303. Tailgate
305 may have a one or more handles 313 located at the center of
tailgate 305. FIG. 3A shows tailgate 305 in a closed position. FIG.
3B shows tailgate 305 in an open position in connection with a
lateral folding and sliding operation, as viewed from behind the
vehicle 301. In an example, to open tailgate 305, first wall
portion 309 may rotate from its closed position (position shown in
FIG. 3A) and slide laterally in a horizontal direction toward an
opposite side the vehicle 301. In this example, second wall portion
311 may rotate from its closed position (position shown in FIG. 3A)
but may not undergo sliding motion. In an open position shown in
FIG. 3B, access to bed 303 may be unobstructed. With tailgate 305
in an open position, a user may approach the vehicle 301 from the
back and have full access to bed 303 while standing at a bumper 310
of the vehicle 301 instead of having to stand away from the bumper
310. Additionally, with tailgate 305 in an open position, an open
tailgate may not obstruct a view of a license plate 315. The
tailgate 305 may be configured to open with lateral folding and
sliding motion as illustrated in FIG. 3B. In addition to opening
with the lateral folding and sliding motion as illustrated in FIG.
3B, the tailgate 305 may further open with a downward rotating
motion by virtue of hinge mechanisms such as described hereinbelow,
i.e., the same tailgate 305 may be configured to open in two
different ways depending on the choice of the user by virtue of
hinge mechanisms such as described hereinbelow.
[0034] FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a rail 417 for a folding
tailgate 405. Rail 417 may have a groove 419. In an example, a
first wall portion 409 may slide toward second wall portion 411.
Attached to a left side of the first wall portion 409 may be a
first latch 421, e.g., a non-rotatable latch and a guide member
425, e.g., a translating hinge such as a sliding hinge or a rolling
hinge. Non-rotatable latch 421 may include a claw 422 that engages
with a vertically oriented striker (not shown) located at inner
left side of the vehicle so that the tailgate 405 will lock onto
the vehicle when tailgate 405 is in a closed position. Claw 422 may
be a double claw or single-claw configuration, for example, that is
configured to close on striker from the side or the front,
depending on operation, and may be configured to close manually or
electrically with electromechanical actuation. Claw 422 may be
configured such that sufficient clearance is provided relative to a
complementary striker on which it latches so that the claw 422 and
striker do not jam in a manner that might preclude complete closure
of the tailgate 405 when closing laterally from left to right. The
latching of the claw 422 on the striker may be accomplished
electromechanically, or the latching may be provided mechanically,
e.g., via a plunger on the tailgate 405 near latch 421 that may
press against a mating surface at the side of the vehicle when the
tailgate 405 is closed laterally, the plunger being connected to a
linkage that closes the claw 422. Non-rotatable latch 421 may
unlock from the vehicle when tailgate 405 is in an open position,
e.g., via a connector rod of a locking mechanism that is operable
via a handle at the tailgate 405. When tailgate 405 is in a closed
position, guide member 425 may fit into a reinforced receptacle at
the left vehicle wall in order to secure the bottom left portion of
the tailgate 405. Guide member 425 may translate away from the left
wall of the vehicle when tailgate 405 folds open toward an open
position, e.g., by sliding or rolling along the rail 417 during
opening. Guide member 425 may have one or more portions 642, e.g.,
one or more sliding surfaces or one or more rollers, that engage
with the groove 419 of rail to enable translation of guide member
425 along the rail 417.
[0035] FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate another example of a folding
tailgate 505 according to the disclosure. In this example, tailgate
505 may have a first wall portion 509 and a second wall portion
511. A handle 513 may be allocated at a first wall portion 509.
Tailgate 505 may have four connections with a vehicle, which may
include a first latch 521, e.g., a non-rotatable latch, a second
latch 523, e.g., a rotatable latch, a guide member 525, e.g., a
translating hinge such as a sliding hinge or rolling hinge, and a
non-translating hinge 527.
[0036] Non-rotatable latch 521 may be located at the upper left
portion of the first wall portion 509, which is the translating
part of the tailgate 505. Non-rotatable latch 521 may lock onto the
vehicle to constrain or lock the tailgate 505 in a closed position.
To open the tailgate 505, non-rotatable latch 521 may be unlocked
from the vehicle by operating, e.g., depressing, a release lever
(not shown) at the handle 513 or by operating an electronic
control, e.g., a release button on an electronic vehicle key. When
tailgate 505 is in a closed position, non-rotatable latch 521 may
be in contact with a complementary locking portion at the vehicle.
During opening of the tailgate 505 as a folding tailgate,
non-rotatable latch 521 may release from the vehicle.
[0037] Rotatable latch 523 may be located at the upper portion of
the second wall portion 511, e.g., in a cut-out portion of the
tailgate that permits rotatable latch 523 to mate with a
complementary connecting portion at the vehicle wall as explained
further below. Rotatable latch 523 may lock onto the vehicle to
constrain or lock the tailgate 505 in a closed position. To open
the tailgate 505 as a folding tailgate, rotatable latch 523 may
provide for rotation of the second wall portion 511 with respect to
the vehicle and with respect to the first wall portion 509. When
tailgate 505 is in a closed position, rotatable latch 523 may be
secured to a complementary locking portion at the vehicle. When
tailgate 505 is opened laterally as a folding tailgate, rotatable
latch 523 may remain secured to the vehicle.
[0038] Guide member 525 may be located at the bottom portion of the
first wall portion 509. Guide member 525 may fit into a distal
portion of a rail or may fit into a reinforced receptacle at the
vehicle when tailgate 505 is in a closed position. When tailgate
505 is in an opened laterally as a folding tailgate, guide member
525 may disengage from a distal end of the rail in which it rides
or from a reinforced receptacle at the vehicle. When tailgate 505
opens laterally as a folding tailgate, guide member 525 may
translate along the edge of the bed of the vehicle, and guide
member 525 may maintain contact with the rail of the vehicle in
which it rides.
[0039] Non-sliding hinge 527 may be located at the bottom portion
of the second wall portion 511. Non-sliding hinge 527 may be
connected to the vehicle when tailgate 505 is closed. Non-sliding
hinge 527 may be rotatably connected to the vehicle when tailgate
505 is open as a folding tailgate. When tailgate 505 is open as a
folding tailgate, non-sliding hinge 527 may maintain contact with
the vehicle.
[0040] When tailgate 505 is operated to open and close laterally in
a folding manner as described above, sliding hinge 525 may move
along the rail toward non-sliding hinge 527, and non-rotatable
latch 521 may move toward rotatable latch 525. Second wall portion
511 may rotate about the axis connecting rotatable latch 523 and
non-sliding hinge 527. Sliding part 509 may rotate about the axis
connecting non-rotatable latch 521 and sliding hinge 525, while
maintaining connection to second wall portion 511, which may force
first wall portion 509 to move toward second wall portion 511.
[0041] Additionally, sliding hinge 525 and non-sliding hinge 527
may be configured to permit tailgate 505 to open as a hinged
tailgate in an up-and-down manner (e.g., similar to a conventional
tailgate shown in FIG. 1) in addition to opening as a laterally
folding tailgate as described above. When tailgate 505 opens
downward as a hinged tailgate, first wall portion 509 and second
wall portion 511 may move as an interconnected unit, their planes
remaining oriented in an upright direction. First wall portion 509
and second wall portion 511 may be configured to lock together at
the surfaces where they join when closed, e.g., via any suitable
releasable latching mechanism (e.g., which may be released by
handle 513 when operated in a laterally folding manner) in order to
further secure first and second wall portions 509 and 511 together
when operated as a downward opening rotating tailgate, if desired.
When tailgate 505 is opened downward as a hinged tailgate,
non-rotatable latch 521 and rotatable latch 523 may separate from
the vehicle. When tailgate 505 opens as a hinged tailgate, sliding
hinge 525 and non-sliding hinge 527 may maintain contact with the
vehicle. When tailgate 505 opens downward as a hinged tailgate,
sliding hinge 525 and non-sliding hinge 527 may allow for rotation
of tailgate 505 around the axis connecting sliding hinge 525 and
non-sliding hinge 527.
[0042] Therefore, the combination of non-rotatable latch 521,
rotatable latch 523, sliding hinge 525, and non-sliding hinge 527
may allow for tailgate 505 to operate both as a laterally folding
tailgate and as a hinged tailgate, such as illustrated in FIGS. 3B
and 3C. This design may help contribute to allowing for a
combination of benefits of each design. When tailgate 505 opens as
a folding tailgate, an unobstructed access to the bed of the
vehicle may be provided. Furthermore, an unobstructed view of the
license plate may be provided. When tailgate 505 opens as a hinged
tailgate, it may provide for additional seating area and for a
support surface for placement or removal of items to or from the
bed of the vehicle. Separate control buttons or releases may be
provided at the handle(s) 513 of the tailgate 505 so as to control
which mode of opening/closing--lateral folding or up-and-down
hinged motion--as desired.
[0043] FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate an example of a sliding hinge
625, made of a suitable metal alloy such as steel, for example, for
a folding tailgate, which may be located at position of sliding
hinge 525 of FIGS. 5A and 5B. Sliding hinge 625 may have a support
plate 631 that attaches to the tailgate with fasteners 655, such as
screws, bolts, rivets, welds, or any suitable fastener. There may
be one, or two, or three, or a larger number of fasteners 655. For
example, in some embodiments four fasteners may be used. Support
plate 631 may be connected to a stationary shaft 633 of the sliding
hinge 625. Sliding hinge 625 may have a rotatable shaft 635, which
may be connected to the stationary shaft 633 using a swivel joint
637. A distal portion 639 of rotatable shaft 635, e.g., which may
have a second diameter smaller than that of the rotatable shaft 635
closer to the swivel joint 637 and which may protrude
longitudinally along a rotation axis of the of the rotatable shaft
635, may carry a slider 641, e.g., which may protrude
perpendicularly from the longitudinal direction (rotational axis)
of rotating shaft 635.
[0044] When the tailgate is operated as a laterally folding
tailgate, slider 641 inserted into the rail of the tailgate may
slide along the groove of the rail. The slider 641 may have contact
surfaces 642 that ride along such groove. The slider 641 may also
carry rollers such as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B at 525.
[0045] When the tailgate is operated as a hinged tailgate that
rotates downward to open, rotatable shaft 635 may rotate in the
direction shown by the arrow in FIG. 6A with respect to the
stationary shaft 633 around the swivel joint 637.
[0046] FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C illustrate an example of a rotatable
latch 723, which may be positioned near an upper right corner of
folding tailgate 705. Rotatable latch 723 may be fixedly attached
to a second wall portion 711a, e.g., inset from an outer edge of
right side of tailgate 705. First wall portion 709 may be connected
to second wall portion 711 such as described previously herein.
Rotatable latch 723 may be engaged with a rotatable latch holder
743. Rotatable latch holder 743 may be fixedly attached to the
vehicle, e.g., with fasteners such as described elsewhere herein.
Rotatable latch holder 743 may have a roller housing 745 and a
roller 747 or striker to which rotatable latch 723 connect as
discussed further in connection with FIGS. 8A-8C. A non-sliding
hinge 727 may be provided below rotatable latch 723 at a same side
of the second wall portion 711 and adjacent to a bottom edge of the
second wall portion 711.
[0047] FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 8C illustrate an example of a rotatable
latch 823 for a folding tailgate. Rotatable latch 823 may engage
with a rotatable latch holder 843. Rotatable latch holder 843 may
have a roller housing 845 and a roller 847 or striker. Rotatable
latch holder 843 may have two or more bolts 849 for fastening to
the vehicle. Rotatable latch 823 may have a stud bolt 851 which
when extended (as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8C) permits the rotatable
latch 823 to be locked. When rotatable latch 823 is locked,
tailgate may open as a laterally folding tailgate, but may not open
downwardly as a hinged tailgate. When stud bolt 851 is retracted
(not shown), the rotatable latch 823 may be unlocked. When
rotatable latch 823 is unlocked, tailgate may open downwardly as a
hinged tailgate. Rotatable latch 823 may have a nose portion 857
and a bridge portion 859 attached to a base portion 861. Rotatable
latch 823 may have a latch housing 863 and a plunger 865 that
cooperates with a lock 867 to lock and release rotatable latch 823,
e.g., via a linkage operated by a handle such as handle 313/513, or
the latch may be operated electrically with electromechanical
actuation.
[0048] FIG. 9 illustrates another example of a folding tailgate
905. In an example, tailgate 905 for a vehicle 901 may have a
transverse first (e.g., sliding) wall portion 969 and a transverse
second (e.g., rotating) wall portion 971. In this example, a split
line 973 between the transverse sliding first wall portion 969 and
the transverse rotating second wall portion 971 may be horizontal.
In this example, when the tailgate 905 opens as a folding tailgate,
the tailgate 905 may open downward such that the top edge of the
transverse sliding part 969 may stay over the bottom edge of the
transverse rotating second wall portion 971.
[0049] Various disclosed tailgates may have a hinge at the midpoint
to allow the structure to fold in half and slide along a railing
along the plane perpendicular to the fold. It also can hinge along
the railing, like a traditional tailgate. Each of the four corner
hinges may have separate boundary conditions. One may release for
traditional tailgate drop and for sliding motion. Another may
release for traditional tailgate drop and rotate during sliding
motion. Another may hinge for traditional drop and release and
slide laterally. Another may hinge for traditional drop and rotate
during sliding motion. In addition, another example could have the
system slide up and down instead of left and right. The movement of
the tailgate in this manner may help contribute to increasing the
ease of access to the truck bed, but more specifically may help
contribute to preventing obstruction from the bed storage bin.
Because such a tailgate slides, it could easily be moved with one
hand, like the sliding door on a minivan.
[0050] The rolling mechanisms and hinges can be made from suitable
materials such as steel, aluminum alloy, composite materials,
plastics, and combinations thereof selected for their performance
related to various factors such as, without limitation, potential
wear and tear, forces to which they may be subjected, and the
like.
[0051] In the descriptions above and in the claims, phrases such as
"at least one of" or "one or more of" may occur followed by a
conjunctive list of elements or features. The term "and/or" may
also occur in a list of two or more elements or features. Unless
otherwise implicitly or explicitly contradicted by the context in
which it is used, such a phrase is intended to mean any of the
listed elements or features individually or any of the recited
elements or features in combination with any of the other recited
elements or features. It should also be understood that as used in
the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the
meaning of "a," "an," and "the" includes plural reference unless
the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the
description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the
meaning of "in" includes "in" and "on" unless the context clearly
dictates otherwise. Finally, as used in the description herein and
throughout the claims that follow, the meanings of "and" and "or"
include both the conjunctive and disjunctive and may be used
interchangeably unless the context expressly dictates otherwise;
the phrase "exclusive or" may be used to indicate situation where
only the disjunctive meaning may apply. In addition, as used in the
description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the
meaning of "about" and/or "approximately" refers to .+-.10% of the
quantity indicated, unless otherwise indicated. In addition, use of
the term "based on," above and in the claims is intended to mean,
"based at least in part on," such that an unrecited feature or
element is also permissible.
[0052] The subject matter described herein can be embodied in
systems, apparatus, methods, and/or articles depending on the
desired configuration. The implementations set forth in the
foregoing description do not represent all implementations
consistent with the subject matter described herein. Instead, they
are merely some examples consistent with aspects related to the
described subject matter. Although a few variations have been
described in detail above, other modifications or additions are
possible. Additional features and/or variations can be provided in
addition to those set forth herein. For example, the
implementations described above can be directed to various
combinations and subcombinations of the disclosed features and/or
combinations and subcombinations of several further features
disclosed above. Other implementations may be within the scope of
the following claims.
[0053] While the disclosed subject matter has been described in
terms of illustrative embodiments, it will be understood by those
skilled in the art that various modifications can be made thereto
without departing from the scope of the claimed subject matter as
set forth in the claims.
* * * * *