Patent ID: 9387985
Filing Date: 2016-07-12
CPC Classification: B60P,B65F

Claim Text:
1. A body assembly for a vehicle, comprising: a storage body; a tailgate rotatably coupled to the storage body; an actuator including a cylinder tube having an outer tube end coupled to the tailgate and a rod having an outer rod end coupled to the storage body, wherein extension and retraction of the actuator moves the tailgate between an open position and a closed position; a prop including (a) a sidewall that defines an aperture at a first end of the prop and (b) an end wall positioned at an opposing second end of the prop, the end wall defining an interface surface configured to selectively engage the cylinder tube, wherein the outer rod end and the prop are rotatably coupled to a lower portion of the storage body such that an operator standing alongside the vehicle may support the tailgate in the open position by directly engaging the prop; and a prop retainer including a bracket coupled to the lower portion of the storage body, the bracket defining a first aperture positioned to align with the aperture in the sidewall of the prop when the prop is in an engaged position and a second aperture positioned to align with the aperture in the sidewall of the prop when the prop is in a disengaged position, wherein the prop retainer is configured to secure the position of the prop.