阅读说明：本技术 具有阶梯的后挡板总成 (Backplate assembly with ladder ) 是由 汤姆·坦·恩戈 于 2019-06-25 设计创作，主要内容包括：本公开提供了“具有阶梯的后挡板总成”。一种后挡板总成,尤其包括后挡板,所述后挡板联接到车身；以及阶梯,所述阶梯可从收起位置移动到阶梯位置,在所述收起位置中所述阶梯保持在所述后挡板的腔室内,在所述阶梯位置中所述阶梯为车辆载货货厢提供阶梯表面。一种方法尤其包括将阶梯从收起位置移动到阶梯位置,在所述收起位置中所述阶梯保持在后挡板的腔室内,在所述阶梯位置中所述阶梯为车辆载货货厢提供阶梯表面。(The present disclosure provides a "tailgate assembly with stairs. A tailgate assembly, comprising, inter alia, a tailgate coupled to a vehicle body; and a step movable from a stowed position in which the step is retained within the cavity of the tailgate to a step position in which the step provides a step surface for a vehicle cargo bed. A method includes, among other things, moving a step from a stowed position in which the step is retained within a cavity of a tailgate to a step position in which the step provides a step surface for a vehicle cargo bed.)

1. A tailgate assembly, comprising:

a tailgate coupled to a vehicle body; and

a step movable from a stowed position in which the step is retained within the cavity of the tailgate to a step position in which the step provides a step surface for a vehicle cargo bed.

2. The tailgate assembly according to claim 1 wherein each portion of tailgate is vertically displaced from each portion of said step when said step is in said step position.

3. The tailgate assembly according to claim 1 further comprising a cover covering said steps when said steps are in said stowed position and optionally wherein said cover is movable between a covered position wherein said cover covers said steps within said cavity and an open position wherein said cover provides a stepped surface for a vehicle cargo bed.

4. The tailgate assembly according to claim 1 further comprising a hinge assembly coupled to said step at a first pivot and to said tailgate at a second pivot, and optionally wherein said first pivot is vertically above said second pivot when said step is in said step position.

5. The tailgate assembly according to claim 4 wherein said hinge assembly is configured to pivot in a rotational direction relative to said tailgate about said first pivot and pivot in said rotational direction about said second pivot to place said step in said step position, and optionally further comprising at least one support strap coupling said first pivot to said step when said step is in said step position.

6. The tailgate assembly according to claim 1 wherein said step is a lower step wherein a floor of said chamber provides an upper step when said lower step is in said step position.

7. The tailgate assembly according to claim 1 wherein said tailgate is pivotable back and forth between a closed position relative to a vehicle cargo bed and an open position relative to said vehicle cargo bed.

8. A method, comprising:

moving the steps from a stowed position in which the steps are retained within the cavity of the tailgate to a step position in which the steps provide a step surface for the vehicle cargo bed.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the moving comprises sliding the steps away from the stowed position and then pivoting the steps downward to the step position, and optionally further comprising opening the tailgate prior to the moving.

10. The method of claim 8, further comprising covering the step with a cover when the step is in the stowed position within the chamber.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising moving the lid from a covered position to an open position to access the step prior to the moving, and providing a stepped surface with the lid in the open position.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein the step is a lower step, wherein a floor of the chamber provides an upper step when the lower step is in the stepped position.

13. The method of claim 8, further comprising linking the stairs to the tailgate by a hinge assembly configured to pivot about the first pivot in a rotational direction relative to the tailgate and configured to pivot about the second pivot in the rotational direction to place the stairs in the stair position.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the first pivot is located vertically above the second pivot when the step is in the step position.

15. The method of claim 8, comprising press fitting the step within the chamber.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a tailgate assembly that includes a step for facilitating movement into and out of a cargo bed.

Background

Vehicles such as pick-up trucks may include a cargo bed for transporting various types of items. Vehicles typically include a tailgate that closes one end of a cargo bed. The tailgate may be pivoted from a closed position to an open position to enable access to the cargo bed. When the tailgate is in the open position, cargo may be removed from or loaded into the cargo bed.

The cargo bed is elevated relative to ground level. Due to the height of the cargo bed, improved access and exit may be facilitated.

Disclosure of Invention

A tailgate assembly, according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, includes, inter alia, a tailgate coupled to a vehicle body; and a step movable from a stowed position in which the step is retained within the cavity of the tailgate to a step position in which the step provides a step surface for a vehicle cargo bed.

In another example of the aforementioned tailgate assembly, each portion of the tailgate is vertically displaced from each portion of the tailgate when the step is in the step position.

Another example of any of the foregoing tailgate assemblies includes a cover that covers the step when the step is in the stowed position.

In another example of any of the foregoing tailgate assemblies, the cover is movable between a covered position in which the cover covers the step within the cavity and an open position in which the cover provides a stepped surface for a vehicle cargo bed.

Another example of any of the foregoing tailgate assemblies includes an articulation assembly coupled to the step at a first pivot and coupled to the tailgate at a second pivot.

In another example of any of the foregoing tailgate assemblies, the first pivot is vertically above the second pivot when the step is in the step position.

In another example of any preceding tailgate assembly, the hinge assembly is configured to pivot about the first pivot axis in a rotational direction relative to the tailgate and pivot about the second pivot axis in the rotational direction to place the step in the step position.

In another example of any of the preceding tailgate assemblies, at least one support strap couples the first pivot to the step when the step is in the step position.

In another example of any of the foregoing tailgate assemblies, the step is a lower step. The floor of the chamber provides an upper step when the lower step is in the stepped position.

In another example of any of the foregoing tailgate assemblies, the tailgate may be pivotable back and forth between a closed position relative to a vehicle cargo bed and an open position relative to the vehicle cargo bed.

A method in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure includes, among other things, moving a step from a stowed position in which the step is retained within a cavity of a tailgate to a step position in which the step provides a step surface for a vehicle cargo bed.

In another example of the foregoing method, the moving includes sliding the step from the stowed position and then pivoting the step downward to the step position.

Another example of any of the foregoing methods includes opening the tailgate prior to the moving.

Another example of any of the foregoing methods includes covering the step with a lid when the step is in the stowed position within the chamber.

Another example of any of the foregoing methods includes moving the lid from a covered position to an open position to access the step prior to the moving, and providing a stepped surface with the lid in the open position.

In another example of any of the foregoing methods, the step is a lower step. The floor of the chamber provides an upper step when the lower step is in the stepped position.

Another example of any of the foregoing methods includes linking the step to the tailgate by a hinge assembly. The hinge assembly is configured to pivot about the first pivot axis in a rotational direction relative to the tailgate and configured to pivot about the second pivot axis in the rotational direction to place the step in the step position.

In another example of any of the foregoing methods, the first pivot is vertically above the second pivot when the step is in the step position.

Another example of any of the foregoing methods includes press fitting the step within the chamber.

Drawings

Various features and advantages of the disclosed examples will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the detailed description. The drawings that accompany the detailed description can be briefly described as follows:

fig. 1 shows a perspective view of the rear of a truck with the tailgate in a closed position.

Fig. 2 illustrates the tailgate of fig. 1 in an open position with the steps in a stowed position within the chamber and covered by the cover.

Fig. 3 illustrates the tailgate of fig. 2 with the lid open and the steps slid rearward from the stowed position of fig. 2.

Fig. 4 illustrates the step moving from the position of fig. 3 to a stepped position.

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of selected portions of the tailgate in the position of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of selected portions of the tailgate and the hinge assembly in the position of FIG. 3.

Fig. 7 illustrates a close-up view of a portion of the hinge assembly coupled to the tailgate and the step when the step is lifted from the position of fig. 3.

Fig. 8 illustrates a perspective view of a portion of the hinge assembly from fig. 7.

Fig. 9 shows the step sliding further back from the position of fig. 3.

Fig. 10 illustrates a close-up back view of a portion of the hinge assembly when the steps are in the position of fig. 9.

Fig. 11 shows the hinge assembly and the steps rotated downward from the position of fig. 10.

Detailed Description

The present disclosure details exemplary assemblies and methods for providing a step surface to a vehicle cargo bed. The steps may be moved to a position where the steps provide a step surface. The step may be received in a cavity of the tailgate when not in use. These and other features are discussed in more detail in the following paragraphs.

Fig. 1 and 2 illustrate the rear of a truck 10 having a cargo bed 14 defined between a pair of side walls 18, a front wall 22, and a tailgate assembly 26. The tailgate assembly 26 is pivotally coupled to a body, in this case the body of the truck 10. The tailgate assembly 26 is pivotable back and forth between the closed position of fig. 1 and the open position of fig. 2. Although described in connection with truck 10, tailgate assembly 26 may be used in connection with other types of vehicles that incorporate tailgate assemblies.

Referring now to fig. 3 and 4 and with continued reference to fig. 2, the tailgate assembly 26 includes a tailgate 30, a cavity 34, a step 38, a hinge assembly 40, a cover 42, and a trim panel 44. In this example, the tailgate 30 provides a chamber 34. When not in use, the steps 38 may be in a stowed position (fig. 2) in which the steps 38 are received within the cavity 34. In the stowed position, the cover 42 may cover the steps 38.

The steps 38 are movable from the stowed position of fig. 2 to the step position shown in fig. 4. When in the step position, the steps 38 provide a step surface 46 for the cargo load bed 14. In the step position, each portion of the tailgate 30 is vertically displaced from each portion of the step 38. For the purposes of this disclosure, the vertical direction is with reference to the ground and the normal orientation of the vehicle during operation or parking.

When in the step position of fig. 4, the steps 38 provide a lower step for the cargo bed 14. The tailgate 30, floor of the cavity 34, cover 42, or some combination of these may provide an upper step for the cargo bed 14.

To move the steps 38 from the stowed position of fig. 2 to the step position of fig. 4, the user may rotate the cover 42 in direction R. This moves the lid 42 from the covered position to an open position in which the steps 38 are accessible to a user.

Clips 50 or other types of restraining devices may be used to hold the cover 42 in the covering position. The user may need to disengage the clip 50 to allow the cap 42 to rotate to the open position of fig. 3 and 4. The cover 42 may include one or more stiffening or raised areas 54 or other features to stiffen the cover 42. When the cover 42 is in the open position, a user may step on the underside 58 of the cover 42 as he enters and leaves the cargo bed 14. The cover 42 thus provides a stepped surface for the cargo bed 14. The raised areas 54 may prevent the cover 42 from deflecting under load.

In this example, the cover 42 at least partially spans the gap 62 between the tailgate 30 and the cargo bed 14. This may help to avoid the gap 62 causing a tripping hazard to the user. Notably, the raised area 54 is sized to be received within the gap 62, which may ensure proper alignment and help maintain a consistent contact area between the cover 42 and the tailgate 30 and between the cover 42 and the cargo bed 14.

The cover 42 may be a polymer or polymer-based material. The cover 42 may be hingedly connected to a trim panel 44 that may be secured to the tailgate 30 with, for example, mechanical fasteners. In some examples, the trim panel 44, hinge, cover 42, and clip 50 are manufactured separately from one another. These components can then be joined together to provide a single assembly including the trim panel 44, hinge, cover 42 and clip 50. The single assembly may then be secured to the tailgate 30, for example, at a vehicle assembly plant.

After the cover 42 is in the open position, a user may grasp the handle 66 coupled to the step 38 and then pull the handle 66 rearward in the direction P (fig. 3) to slide the step 38 rearward relative to the cargo bed 14. In other examples, the user moves the step 38 to the position of fig. 3 without grasping and pulling the handle 66.

The cover 42 is pivotally coupled to the tailgate 30 by a hinge assembly 40, which in this example includes a slide rail 70 and a pivot arm 74 on each lateral side of the step 38. The hinge assembly 40 is pivotally connected to the step 38 and the tailgate 30.

Referring to fig. 5 and 6, the slide rail 70 includes an extension 78 (here, a pin) that is received within a slot 82 of the tailgate 30. When the user pulls the step 38 in the direction P, the slide rail 70 moves in the direction P until one of the extensions 78 contacts the rear edge of the slot 82. As shown in fig. 6, the slide rail 70 is moved such that a portion of the slide rail 70 protrudes from the rear of the tailgate 30.

As shown in fig. 7, the step 38 may then be pulled further in direction P to move the pivot arm 74 rearward relative to the slide rail 70 until the extended pin 84 of the pivot arm 74 aligns with the enlarged region 86 of the groove. The enlarged area 86 opens upwardly. In some examples, no further pulling of step 38 in direction P is required, and when extension 78 contacts the rear edge of slot 82, extension pin 84 aligns within enlarged region 86.

An exemplary extension pin 84 extends from the pivot arm 74 and a groove is located within the slide rail 70. In another example, the groove is located within the pivot arm 74 and the extension pin 84 extends from the pivot arm 74.

Pulling the step 38 rearward to align the extension pin 84 with the enlarged area 86 allows the step 38 to be lifted upward, as shown in fig. 8.

After the step 38 is tilted upward to remove the extension pin 84 from the groove, the step 38 may then be pulled further in the direction P until the position of fig. 9 and 10 is reached.

Notably, in this example, the extension pin 84 fits within the narrower, laterally facing region 90 of the groove of the slide rail 70 when the step 38 is in the stowed position. This laterally facing area 90 of the groove constrains movement of the extension pin 84 to inhibit movement of the step 38 relative to the tailgate 30 when the step 38 is in the stowed position. Such movement may cause undesirable noise or vibration.

When in the position of fig. 9 and 10, the pivot 94 of the pivot arm 74 is pulled into the front region of the recess in the slide rail 70 and is located within the rear protruding portion of the slide rail 70 at the rear of the tailgate 30.

Pivot arm 74 may then be oriented in direction D₁Pivoting about pivot 94 from the position of fig. 9 and 10 to the position of fig. 11. Next, step 38 may be in direction D₂Pivots about pivot 96 relative to pivot arm 74 until step 38 is in the step position of fig. 4. In this example, the direction D₁Is in the same direction as D₂Are identical to each otherThe direction of rotation of (c). The tab 98 prevents the step 38 from pivoting relative to the pivot arm 74 before the pivot arm 74 reaches the position of fig. 11.

In this example, pivot 94 acts as a first pivot to pivotally connect hinge assembly 40 to tailgate 30, and pivot 96 acts as a second pivot to pivotally connect hinge assembly 40 to step 38. When the step 38 is in the step position, the first pivot is vertically above the second pivot.

Support bands 100 may then be used to couple step 38 to another region of articulation assembly 40. In this example, each of the support bands 100 connects a pin 104 projecting laterally from the step 38 to the pivot 94. The support bands 100 and pivot arm 74 maintain the step 38 in the step position of fig. 4.

When the steps 38 are in the step position, a user may use the steps 38 as lower steps and enter the cargo bed 14 using the tailgate 30, the cover 42, or both as upper steps. When using the tailgate 30 as an upper step, the user may step on the floor of the cavity 34. When in the step position, the steps 38 are vertically displaced from all portions of the tailgate 30.

The grip handle 108 may be raised to assist a user entering or exiting the cargo bed 14 using the steps 38. When not needed, a grip handle 108 may be housed within the cavity 34.

By reversing the above steps, the steps 38 can be moved back to the stowed position.

The step 38 may comprise a frame or base of a first material such as a pressed metal or metal alloy. The step 38 may include a second layer of material, such as rubber, on the stepped surface. Other materials may be formed into the ridges 112. The second material and the geometry of the second material may help provide a non-slip (or low-slip) stepped surface for the user. The upwardly facing surface of the step 38 in the step position provides a stepped surface.

In some examples, the second material may be slightly compressed and oversized relative to chamber 34 when outside of chamber 34. When the step 38 is in the stowed position within the cavity 34, another material presses against the floor of the cavity 34 to help dampen vibration, noise, and the like. That is, the step 38 may be press fit within the cavity 34.

The preceding description is exemplary rather than limiting in nature. Variations and modifications to the disclosed examples may become apparent to those skilled in the art that do not necessarily depart from the essence of this disclosure. Accordingly, the scope of legal protection given to this disclosure can only be determined by studying the following claims.