Tailgate assembly and method for accessing a cargo box of a pickup truck hitched to a trailer
US9988103B1 · kind B1 · utility
14Cited by
21References
3Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 14, 2017 |
| Grant date | Jun 5, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 14, 2037 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB62D33/0273
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A method is provided for lowering a tailgate of a motor vehicle when that motor vehicle is hitched to a trailer having a component that interferes with the lowering of the tailgate. The method comprises the steps of displacing a section of the tailgate to form a clearance opening in the tailgate, folding the tailgate into a lowered position and accommodating the component of the trailer in the clearance opening when the tailgate is folded and lowered. Various tailgate assemblies for performing the method are also disclosed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.