Patent ID: 6893203
Filing Date: 2005-05-17
Classification: B60P

Abstract:
1. A liftgate/tailgate assembly for a vehicle having a chassis and a cargo area, such cargo area comprising a bed and one or more vertical sidewalls mounted to the vehicle chassis, such liftgate/tailgate assembly comprising (a) a tailgate which, when rotated into an open tailgate position, forms a liftgate/tailgate platform to support a load to be lifted; (b) one or more linkage assemblies pivotably mounted to the tailgate which permit the liftgate/tailgate platform to be translated both vertically and horizontally relative to the cargo area of the vehicle; (c) rear impact protection mounted on the vehicle or on one or more of the liftgate/tailgate linkage assemblies, such that the rear impact protection is directly adjacent to the tailgate when the tailgate is in a closed position wherein the rear impact protection is attached directly to one or more of the linkage assemblies, and to no other portion of the vehicle.