Patent ID: 11926370
Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
Field: Transport (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC B | IPC B

Claim 0:
1. A cargo bed extension system of a pickup truck, the system comprising:
a cargo bed;
a tailgate that defines a rearward most point of the cargo bed, the tailgate defining a portion of a top most edge of the cargo bed when the tailgate is in a closed position and configured to pivot to a down position via one or more first hinges,
wherein the down position is approximately perpendicular to the closed position,
wherein a first distance between a forward most point of the cargo bed and the tailgate when the tailgate is in the closed position is less than or equal to 6 feet, and
wherein the tailgate includes:
an outer portion having first lateral sides and one or more second hinges; and
an inner portion having second lateral sides that are disposed adjacent to the first lateral sides when the tailgate is in the down position,
wherein the inner portion is configured to rotate to a vertical position via the one or more second hinges,
wherein the vertical position is approximately parallel to the closed position and approximately perpendicular to the down position, and
wherein a second distance between the forward most point of the cargo bed and the inner portion when the inner portion is in the vertical position is at least 8 feet;

a left storage box disposed within the cargo bed and rearwardly of a left rear wheel well; and
a right storage box disposed within the cargo bed and rearwardly of a right rear wheel well:
wherein:
the left storage box includes at least one first extension panel configured to move rearwardly from the right storage box and directly contact the inner portion when the inner portion is in the vertical position;
the right storage box includes at least one second extension panel configured to move rearwardly from the right storage box and to directly contact the inner portion when the inner portion is in the vertical position; and
the left storage box is open when the at least one first extension panel is moved rearwardly, and the right storage box is open when the at least one second extension panel is moved rearwardly.