Support tube for a tailgate assembly having a door subassembly

US11618509B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Ford Global Technologies, LLC · US

Inventors

• Joshua Robert Hemphill · White Lake, US
• Michael Shawn Watterworth · Riverview, US
• Dragan B. Stojkovic · Taylor, US
• Colleen Marie Hoffman · Canton, US
• John Comiez · Novi, US
• Donald Kreda · Peters, US

Key dates

• Filing date: May 24, 2021
• Grant date: Apr 4, 2023
• Expiry date: Sep 4, 2041

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B62D33/03
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A tailgate assembly includes a frame subassembly having a cargo bed access opening disposed between a driver side section and a passenger side section, and a door subassembly that is pivotably coupled to the frame subassembly and is pivotable relative to the frame subassembly back-and-forth between a door open position and a door closed position. The door subassembly closes the cargo bed access opening when the door subassembly is in the door closed position. The assembly further includes a tube of the frame subassembly. The tube extends along an inboard side of the driver side section, along an inboard side of the passenger side section, and along a bottom of the cargo bed access opening.