Vehicle having multifunctional tailgate

US11584451B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• FCA US LLC. · US

Inventors

• Robert J Gibbs · Novi, US
• Christopher J Sytek · Auburn Hills, US
• Clifford L Eberle, Jr. · Clarkston, US
• Eric Ghoukasian · Auburn Hills, US
• Piyush Agarwal · Noida, IN
• Sean E Whelan · Highland, US
• David R Parks · Waldenburg, US
• Michael C Gillam · Oxford, US
• Paul Van Norman · Fenton, US
• Christopher Duke · Gloucester, GB

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 26, 2021
• Grant date: Feb 21, 2023
• Expiry date: May 9, 2041

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B60P1/26
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A vehicle includes a vehicle body, a door and a handle assembly. A door is coupled to the vehicle body and is pivotable about a horizontal axis between a closed position and a horizontal open position. The door is also pivotable about a vertical axis between the closed position and a vertical open position. The handle assembly includes a housing, a first release switch and a second release switch. The housing extends at least partially into a cavity of the door and includes a lower wall and an upper wall that cooperate to define a pocket. The first release switch is disposed along the upper wall of the housing and is configured to be actuated to pivot the door about the horizontal axis. The second release switch is disposed along the lower wall of the housing and is configured to be actuated to pivot the door about the vertical axis.