Patent ID: 7677626
Filing Date: 2010-03-16
Classification: B60P,B62D

Abstract:
1. A vehicle comprising: a body having a plurality of sidewalls defining a rear cargo area, said rear cargo area having a floor; a dual-action tailgate door positioned adjacently to said rear cargo area and adapted to selectively pivot in a first direction with respect to one of said plurality of sidewalls as a swinging-style tailgate door, and in a second direction with respect to said floor as a drop-style tailgate door; and a deployable multi-functional tailgate apparatus that is selectively adjustable to alternately form a plurality of different tailgate devices, wherein said plurality of different tailgate devices includes a ramp platform for accessing said rear cargo area when said dual-action tailgate door is pivoted in said first direction as said swinging-style tailgate door, and a bulkhead piece adapted for transporting a piece of cargo external to said rear cargo area when said dual-action tailgate door is pivoted in said second direction as said drop-style tailgate door; wherein said multi-functional apparatus is adapted for stowage adjacent to an inner surface of said dual-action tailgate door and is deployable therefrom.