Patent ID: 8282335
Filing Date: 2012-10-09
Classification: B60P,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method of installing a liftgate under a vehicle bed, the liftgate comprising a platform coupled to a support frame via a lift linkage, the platform capable of being moved by an actuator via the lift linkage between a raised position and a lowered position, the method comprising: attaching a liftgate mounting device under the vehicle bed, wherein the liftgate mounting device comprises an elongate bracket having a group of elongate slots spaced relative to one another along a width of the bracket so as to be at different distances to the vehicle bed when the bracket is lengthwise installed under the vehicle bed, such that the slots are vertically stacked on the bracket relative to one another essentially parallel to the vehicle bed when the bracket is installed under the vehicle bed to accommodate different vehicle bed heights so as to maintain the liftgate within a desired vertical ground clearance when mounted on a slot on said bracket under the vehicle bed; selecting a slot from said group of elongate slots based on the vehicle bed height from ground and desired liftgate ground clearance range; and slidably mounting the liftgate on the selected slot under the vehicle bed.