Patent ID: 11932313
Assignee: BOMBARDIER RECREATIONAL PRODUCTS INC.
Field: Transport (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC B | IPC B

Claim 13:
14. A cargo box extension assembly for a cargo box of a vehicle, the assembly comprising:
a center panel configured and arranged for pivotally connecting to a front surface of a tailgate of the cargo box;
a left panel pivotally connected to a left end portion of the center panel at a first end of the left panel, a second end of the left panel being configured to selectively connect to a left, rear portion of the cargo box; and
a right panel pivotally connected to a right end portion of the center panel at a first end of the right panel, a second end of the right panel being configured to selectively connect to a right, rear portion of the cargo box,
each of the left panel and the right panel being rotatable between at least an open position and a closed position,
in the open position, the second end of each of the left panel and the right panel being rotated outward away from the center panel,
in the closed position, the second end of each of the left panel and the right panel being rotated inward toward the center panel, each of the left panel and the right panel being arranged generally parallel to the center panel and aligned with each other,
when the cargo box extension assembly is installed on the tailgate of the vehicle and the center panel is pivotally connected to the front surface of the tailgate:
the cargo box extension assembly being selectively movable between at least a collapsed position and an extended position;
in the collapsed position:
each of the left panel and the right panel being arranged in the closed position,
the center panel being arranged generally parallel to the front surface of the tailgate, and
the cargo box extension assembly being at least partially received in a recess of the front surface of the tailgate,

in the extended position:
the center panel is arranged generally perpendicular to the front surface of the tailgate,
each of the left panel and the right panel are arranged in the open position,

the cargo box extension assembly being selectively movable to a storage position with the center panel remaining pivotally connected to the front surface of the tailgate; and

at least one male hinge portion connected to the center panel, the at least one male hinge portion being configured to pivotally connect to at least one female hinge portion connected to the tailgate, the at least one female hinge portion defining an aperture therein for receiving the at least one male portion,
the at least one male hinge portion including:
a cylindrical member, and
a non-cylindrical distal end portion disposed at a distal end of the cylindrical member, the distal end portion having a maximum outer diameter greater than an outer diameter of the cylindrical member;

the aperture of the at least one female hinge portion being non-circular, the aperture being sized and arranged to receive the distal end portion of the at least one male hinge portion therethrough at least one pre-determined relative orientation between the at least one male hinge portion and the at least one female hinge portion;
the aperture is sized and arranged to impede the distal end portion from passing therethrough when the at least one male hinge portion and the at least one female hinge portion are not arranged at the at least one pre-determined relative orientation; and
the aperture is sized and arranged to allow rotation of the cylinder member therein when the cylinder member is disposed in the aperture.