Abstract:
A work surface apparatus for a vehicle includes a tailgate having at least two panel-supporting posts adapted for translating between a stowed position and a substantially horizontal deployed position. A panel is included, configured to be supported in a substantially horizontal orientation by the deployed at least two panel-supporting posts. The panel may be a cargo area divider defined by hingedly connected sections.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    This document relates generally to the motor vehicle field and, more particularly, to a cargo area divider configurable as a work surface attached to a vehicle cargo area. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Users often require work surfaces for performing various tasks, and it is highly convenient to the user to have such work surfaces associated with or carried in the vehicle cargo area for use, for example associated with a truck bed. However, storing work surfaces such as tables, sawhorses, etc. in a vehicle cargo area reduces the amount of space usable for carrying other items. 
         [0003]    Thus, a need is identified for a vehicle cargo area work surface that can be easily stowed when not in use so as not to occupy otherwise usable cargo area storage space, but which can be rapidly and easily deployed from the stowed configuration for use. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    In accordance with the purposes and benefits described herein, in one aspect, a work surface apparatus for a vehicle is described, comprising a tailgate or liftgate including at least two panel-supporting posts adapted for translating between a stowed position and a substantially horizontal deployed position. A panel is provided, configured to be supported in a substantially horizontal orientation by the deployed at least two panel-supporting posts. In embodiments, the panel is a cargo area divider. 
         [0005]    In embodiments, the panel-supporting posts stowed position is within a tailgate interior. In embodiments, the cargo area divider comprises a plurality of hingedly connected sections. The hinges may be lockable to hold the plurality of hingedly connected sections in a folded and/or an unfolded configuration. In embodiments, the panel includes one or more pins or tongues for inserting into one or more cooperating apertures or slots defined in the at least two panel-supporting posts. 
         [0006]    In another aspect, a work surface apparatus for a vehicle is described, comprising a tailgate including at least two support posts adapted for translating between a stowed position and a substantially horizontal deployed position and a cargo area divider adapted to define a work surface for holding in a substantially horizontal orientation by the deployed at least two support posts. 
         [0007]    In yet another aspect, a vehicle including a work surface apparatus is described, comprising a tailgate comprising at least two support posts adapted for translating between a recessed stowed position and a substantially horizontal deployed position and a folding cargo area divider adapted to be unfolded and locked into a work surface supported in a substantially horizontal orientation by the deployed at least two support posts. 
         [0008]    In the following description, there are shown and described several preferred embodiments of the work surface apparatus. As it should be realized, the arrangement is capable of other, different embodiments and its several details are capable of modification in various, obvious aspects all without departing from the truck cargo area extender as set forth and described in the following claims. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions should be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
         [0009]    The accompanying drawing figures incorporated herein and forming a part of the specification, illustrate several aspects of the work surface apparatus and together with the description serve to explain certain principles thereof. In the drawing figures: 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  is a rear view of a vehicle including a hingedly connected tailgate or liftgate; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2A  shows a pair of posts deployed from the lowered tailgate of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2B  shows a retracting post mechanism according to the present disclosure. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  shows a cargo area divider deployed in a cargo area of the vehicle of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  shows the cargo area divider of  FIG. 3  configured for use as a work surface; 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  shows an alternative stowing configuration for the cargo area divider of  FIG. 3 ; and 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  shows a vehicle including a cargo area divider deployed for use as a work surface according to the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
       [0017]    Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiments of the work surface apparatus, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawing figures. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0018]    Reference is now made to  FIG. 1 , which illustrates a vehicle  100  including a cargo area or bed  120  and a hingedly attached tailgate  140  configured for translating (see arrow A) between a raised, generally vertical closed position and the lowered, generally horizontal open position shown in the drawing. While the illustrated vehicle  100  is a pickup truck, it will be appreciated that other vehicle types include such a tailgate or liftgate, for example sport-utility vehicles, station wagons, and others, and so the vehicle type will not be construed as limiting. The tailgate  140  and cargo area  120  may include a variety of hinged, support, and latching devices which are well known in the art and which do not require extensive discussion herein. 
         [0019]    The tailgate  140  is provided with posts which may be translated between a stowed position and one or more deployed positions. In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 2A , the tailgate  140  is provided with a pair of posts  160 ,  180  configured for deploying to extend from the lowered tailgate in a generally horizontal orientation, and for retracting back into the stowed position (see arrows B). Of course, additional posts may be added in accordance with the dimensions and/or weight which the posts are required to support. In one possible embodiment (see  FIG. 2B ), each post  160 ,  180  (only post  160  is shown for clarity) may include an extendable portion  160   a ,  180   a  that telescopes into another member, such as a tubular receiver  160   b ,  180   b , associated with and fixed to the tailgate  140  (not shown in this view). A suitable locking pin  162  may also be provided for locking the posts  160 ,  180  in the deployed and stowed positions. 
         [0020]    In an alternative embodiment, the posts  160 ,  180  may be configured to be raised into a generally vertical position, and then to be lowered into the generally horizontal position, substantially along a same plane as the lowered tailgate. This may be accomplished by brackets including pivots (embodiment not shown) for securing the posts  160 ,  180  to the tailgate. One suitable embodiment of such posts is disclosed in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 9,302,719 to Ford Global Technologies, Ltd, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
         [0021]    Alternatively, the posts  160 ,  180  may be configured to be stowed in one or more receivers (embodiment not shown) molded or otherwise formed in an inner panel  200  of the tailgate  140 , and to be raised to the generally vertical orientation and then to be lowered to the generally horizontal orientation. An exemplary configuration of posts configured to be so stowed/deployed is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 7,090,276, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The raising/lowering of the posts  160 ,  180  may be accomplished by use of brackets including pivots. An example of such brackets is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 9,302,719. Any number of retainer mechanisms may be used to secure the posts  160 ,  180  in the desired orientation, including without intending any limitation pins, clips, dogs, and other retainers. 
         [0022]    The posts  160 ,  180  may be held in the suitably configured and dimensioned receivers by a number of mechanisms. The receivers may be dimensioned to hold the posts  160 ,  180  by a friction or interference fit. Alternatively or in addition, various clips (not shown) may be provided to hold or assist in holding the various components in the receivers. Still further, the posts  160 ,  180  may be configured for removal from the tailgate  140  and insertion into dedicated brackets or sleeves provided in the tailgate body and/or the tailgate inner panel  200  to respectively hold the posts in one or both of the described generally vertical and generally horizontal orientations, with pins, clips, etc. provided to secure the posts in the brackets or sleeves. All such mechanisms are contemplated for use herein. 
         [0023]    Continuing, with reference to  FIG. 3  a cargo area divider  220  is provided, which may be configured in any of a number of suitable configurations. The cargo area divider  220  may be a unitary panel (embodiment not shown). In another embodiment as shown in  FIG. 3 , a folding cargo area divider  220  is provided. The cargo area divider  220  may include a central panel  240  and a pair of side panels  260 ,  280  connected to the central panel by suitable hinge structures. The central panel  240  may be divided to allow folding the cargo area divider  220  to a stowed configuration substantially parallel with the inner cargo area sides  300 ,  320 . Alternatively, the cargo area divider  220  may be configured to be stowed in a suitably configured/dimensioned cavity C defined in the tailgate inner panel  200  as shown in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0024]    In use as a cargo area divider, the side panels  260 ,  280  connect to the inner cargo area sides  300 ,  320  as shown in  FIG. 3 . In use as a work surface, as shown in  FIG. 6  the cargo area divider  220  may be removed from its stowed position, unfolded and locked to form a substantially flat panel, and placed in a substantially transverse and horizontal orientation across the posts  160 ,  180 , thereby providing a convenient work surface. In an embodiment hinges  340  are provided that are 180 degree hinges which provide only a sufficient range of motion (arrows C) to open the folding cargo area divider out to define a flat panel as shown in  FIG. 4 . The hinges  340  may be lockable to retain the folding cargo area divider  220  respectively in the folded and unfolded configurations. Such hinge mechanisms are well known in the art and do not require substantial discussion herein. 
         [0025]    Optionally, the central panel  240  may include tongues or pins  360  which are received in cooperating slots or apertures  380  provided in posts  160 ,  180  to provide a more secure connection therebetween. Of course, alternative fastening mechanisms are contemplated, including conventional fasteners such as bolts or screws, pin/clip arrangements, and others. 
         [0026]    The foregoing has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally and equitably entitled.