Patent ID: 9090199
Filing Date: 2015-07-28
Classification: B60P

Abstract:
1. A liftgate apparatus for a vehicle, comprising: a track extending vertically down a side of the vehicle; a flexible connector moveably mounted in the track; a vertical bar connected to the flexible connector; a hinge connected to the vertical bar; a platform rotatably connected to the hinge; a first support connected to the platform and the vertical bar at a point above the hinge; a second support connected to the platform and an anchor point; wherein the liftgate apparatus has at least the following operational states: a closed state in which (a) the hinge is proximate to a lower deck of the vehicle, and (b) the platform is in a substantially vertical orientation; a partially deployed state in which (a) the hinge is at an intermediate height between the lower deck and a roof of the vehicle, (b) the platform is in a substantially horizontal orientation, and (c) the platform, part of the track and the second support define a generally overall triangular shape; a deployed state in which (a) the platform is in a substantially horizontal orientation, and (b) the platform, the vertical bar and the first support define a generally overall triangular shape, and (c) movement of the flexible connector up or down lifts the platform up and down while maintaining the platform in a substantially horizontal orientation; and a ramp position in which the platform is inclined with the hinge generally level with the lower deck of the vehicle, wherein the liftgate apparatus is configured to transition from the deployed state to the ramp position by lowering the platform to ground level, removing any support provided by the first support, and raising a hinge side of the platform to the lower deck level, and wherein the vertical bar including a plurality of attachment points above the hinge configured for connection to the first support.