VEHICLE CARGO BED SYSTEMS INCLUDING A STAIR ASSEMBLY, A LOAD STOP, OR BOTH

A cargo bed system includes a stair assembly that is movable between a stowed position and a staircase position relative to a vehicle structure. The stair assembly includes first and second support arm assemblies and first and a second steps. The first and second steps are configured to pivot together.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to a cargo bed of a vehicle, and more particularly, to a stair assembly that can be used to access the cargo bed.

BACKGROUND

Some vehicles, pickup trucks, include a cargo bed. Users can utilize cargo beds to carry various types of cargo. The cargo bed can be located behind a passenger compartment of a vehicle. A tailgate can enclose an aft end of the cargo bed. Some cargo beds can transition back-and-forth between a standard bed position and an extended bed position.

SUMMARY

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a cargo bed system, including a stair assembly movable between a stowed position and a staircase position relative to a vehicle structure; first and second support arm assemblies of the stair assembly; and first and a second steps of the stair assembly, the first and second steps configured to pivot together.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a system, wherein the stair assembly is stowed within the vehicle structure when in the stowed position, wherein the stair assembly is extended from the vehicle structure and pivoted downward from the vehicle structure when in the staircase position.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a system, wherein, when moved from the stowed position to the staircase position, the stair assembly is configured to translate horizontally from the stowed position to an extended position where the stair assembly is extended relative to the vehicle structure, and then pivot relative to the vehicle structure from the extended position to the staircase position.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a system, wherein the first step and the second steps pivot together relative to the first and second support arm assemblies when the stair assembly pivots relative to the vehicle structure from the extended position to the staircase position.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a system, wherein the first and second steps are pivotably coupled together.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a system, wherein the first and second support arm assemblies each include two bars of a four-bar linkage that pivotably couples together the first and second steps.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a system, wherein the four-bar linkage telescopes relative to respective fixed rails of the support arm assemblies when the stair assembly is transition from the stowed position to an extended position, wherein the four-bar linkage pivots relative to the respective fixed rails when the stair assembly is pivoted from the extended position to the staircase position.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a system, wherein the support arm assemblies each include a fixed rail that slidably receives a plurality of bars of a four-bar linkage assembly.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a system, wherein the vehicle structure is a tailgate of a vehicle.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a system, wherein the stair assembly extends rearward relative to an orientation of the vehicle when moving from the stowed position within the tailgate.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a system, wherein the stair assembly moves laterally outward relative to an orientation of the vehicle when moving from the stowed position within the tailgate.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a system, wherein the first and second steps each include a stepping surface, the first and second steps pivoting to keep the respective stepping surfaces facing vertically upward when the stair assembly is transitioned between the stowed position and the stepping position.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a system, wherein the first step is spaced vertically from the second step when the stepping assembly is in the staircase position.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a system, further including at least one lift assist that damps movement of the stair assembly from the staircase position to the extended position, assists movement of the stair assembly from the staircase position to an extended position, or both.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a method of transitioning a stair assembly of a vehicle, including: extending a stair assembly from a stowed position within a vehicle structure to an extended position relative to the vehicle structure; lowering the stair assembly from the extended position to a staircase position by pivoting rail assemblies of the stair assembly relative to the vehicle structure; and during the lowering, rotating the rail assemblies relative to at least one step of the stair assembly.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a method, wherein the at least one step includes an upper step and a lower step.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a method, wherein the upper step and the lower step are rotatably coupled together.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a method, wherein the vehicle structure is a vehicle tailgate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A vehicle, such as pickup truck, can include a cargo bed. Some cargo beds are extendable. This disclosure is directed toward systems that can be used in connection with the cargo bed. Some of the disclosed systems are cargo bed access systems that include step assemblies used to assist a user entering and exiting the cargo bed. Some of the disclosed systems instead or additionally include load stops that can help to hold cargo in the cargo bed.

With reference toFIGS.1-4, in an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a vehicle10, here a pickup truck, includes a cargo bed14between opposing side walls18. A tailgate22of the vehicle10can pivot back-and-forth from a closed position (not shown) to an open position. When the tailgate22is in the closed position, the tailgate22encloses an aft end of the cargo bed14.

The vehicle10includes a cargo bed access system26, which, in this example, includes a stair assembly30. The stair assembly30is coupled to a vehicle structure—here the tailgate22.

The stair assembly30is movable back-and-forth between a stowed position and a staircase position relative to the vehicle structure. When the stair assembly30is in the staircase position ofFIG.1, a user can use the stair assembly30to enter or exit the cargo bed14. The stair assembly30, when in the stowed position, is stowed within the tailgate22as shown inFIG.2.

When access to the cargo bed14is not required, the tailgate22can be in the closed position and the stair assembly30in the stowed position. When accessing the cargo bed14is desired, the tailgate22is pivoted to the open position ofFIG.2. With the tailgate22in the open position, the stair assembly30is transitioned from the stowed position to an extended position shown inFIG.3. After reaching the extended position, the stair assembly30can be pivoted vertically downward as shown inFIG.4until reaching the staircase position ofFIG.1. Vertical and horizontal, for purposes of this disclosure, are with reference to ground and a general orientation of the vehicle10during ordinary operation.

When access is no longer required, the stair assembly30is pivoted upward from the staircase position to the extended position ofFIG.3and then slid back within the tailgate22until reaching the stowed position ofFIG.2. The tailgate22can then be pivoted from the open position to the closed position to enclose the aft end of the cargo bed14.

With reference now toFIGS.5-7and continued reference toFIGS.1-4, the stair assembly30includes a first support arm assembly34, a second support arm assembly38, a first step42, and a second step46. The first support arm assembly34and the second support arm assembly38are spaced apart and oriented parallel to each other. The first step42and the second step46each span from the first support arm assembly34to the second support arm assembly38.

The first step42and the second step46each include a step surface50. As the stair assembly30transitions from the extended position ofFIG.3to the staircase position ofFIG.1, the first step42and the second step46pivot together relative to the support arm assemblies34and38. In this example, pivoting the first step42and the second step46together maintains the respective step surfaces50facing vertically upward.

The first support arm assembly34and the second support arm assembly38, in this example, each include a fixed rail54, a movable shield58, two inner bars60, and two outer bars62. The inner bars60are telescopically received within respective outer bars62. The two outer bars62of the first support arm assembly34and the two outer bars62of the second support arm assembly38provide a four-bar linkage66. The outer bars62can extend and retract relative to the inner bars60of the first support arm assembly34and the second support arm assembly38. Braces span between the two outer bars62of the first support arm assembly34and the two outer bars62of the second support arm assembly38.

The outer bars62of the first support arm assembly34are received within the movable shield58when the stair assembly30is in the stowed position ofFIG.2. The movable shield58, inner bars60, and outer bars62are slidably received within the fixed rail54when the stair assembly30is in the stowed position ofFIG.2.

The outer bars62of the first support arm assembly34telescopically extend relative to the inner bars60and the movable shield58of the first support arm assembly34as the stair assembly30transitions from the stowed position to the extended position ofFIG.3. The outer bars62, the inner bars60, and the movable shield58of the first support arm assembly34telescopically extend relative to the fixed rail54of the first support arm assembly34when the stair assembly30transitions from the stowed position to the extended position ofFIG.3.

The second support arm assembly38telescopically extends similarly to the first support arm assembly34with the outer bars62of the second support arm assembly34telescopically extending from the movable shield58and the inner bars60.

The first step42is an upper step in this example. One side of the first step42is pivotably coupled to the two outer bars62of the first support arm assembly34at upper step pivot points74. The other side of the first step42is pivotably coupled to the two outer bars62of the second support arm assembly38at other upper step pivot points74.

The second step46is a lower step in this example. One side of the second step46is pivotably coupled to the two outer bars62of the first support arm assembly34at lower step pivot points78. The other side of the second step46is pivotably coupled to the two outer bars62of the second support arm assembly38at other lower step pivot points78.

Coupling the first step42and the second step46together using the four-bar linkage66causes the first step42and the second step46to pivot together relative to the first support are assembly34and the second support arm assembly38when the stair assembly30transitions from the extended position ofFIG.3to the staircase position ofFIG.1.

The inner bars60of the first support arm assembly34and the inner bars60of the second support arm assembly38are each pivotably coupled to a respective slider bracket82. The slider brackets82slide with the inner bars60within the fixed rails54when the stair assembly30transitions from the stowed position to the extended position. The slider brackets82are not withdrawn from the fixed rails54and remain within the fixed rails54as the stair assembly30is transitioned from the extended position to the staircase position. The slider brackets82can prevent the outer bars62, inner bars60, and the movable shields58from disengaging from the respective fixed rails54. The movable shield58can block a user's fingers from moving in between the outer bars62or in between the inner bars60as the stair assembly30is lowered to the staircase position.

The movable shields58, inner bars60, and outer bars62are blocked from pivoting relative to the respective slider brackets82until the slider brackets82have reached aft ends of the respective fixed rails54. Contact between the inner bars60and the fixed rails54, or between the outer bars62and the fixed rails54can block such downward pivoting. As shown inFIGS.6and7, when stair assembly30is in the extended position, the movable shields58, inner bars60, and the outer bars62are free to pivot downward relative to the slider brackets82without the movable shields58, inner bars60, or outer bars62contacting the fixed rails54.

In some examples, the stair assembly30can be locked in the extended position. A locking assembly, for example, could be used to lock the stair assembly30. When locked in the extended position, the stair assembly30can, in some examples, support a load and effectively extend a length of the cargo bed14.

In some examples, the stair assembly30can be moved and locked in a position that is in between the stowed position ofFIG.2and the extended position ofFIG.3. This position, shown inFIG.7A, and be considered a partially extended position. When in the partially extended position, the slider brackets82, portions of the inner bars60, and portions of the outer bars62are retracted within the tailgate22. This acts as a lever overlapped with the fixed rails54to support the stair assembly30cantilevered in the partially extended position. The stair assembly30, when partially extended, is blocked from rotating downward to the staircase position. In this example, contact between the inner bars60and the fixed rails54, or contact between the outer bars66and the fixed rails54, blocks such rotation. The stair assembly30can be locked in the partially extended position in some examples. The lock is then released to permit the stair assembly30to move to the extend position ofFIG.3.

The lock can be plunger lock having a release handle beneath one of the steps50. A plunger of the plunger lock could secure one of the slider brackets82relative to one of the fixed rails54. A plunger lock could also be used to restrict movement (e.g., play) of the steps50when the stair assembly30is in the staircase position ofFIG.1. A release handle for this plunger lock could also be positioned beneath one of the steps50.

In this example, the stair assembly30includes at least one lift assist88. The movement of the stair assembly30from the extended position ofFIG.2to the staircase position ofFIG.4is damped by the at least one lift assist88. That is, the at least one lift assist88slows the speed at which the stair assembly30transitions from the extended position ofFIG.3to the staircase position ofFIG.1. The lift assist88can also assists the user lifting the stair assembly30from the staircase position to the extended position.

The stair assembly30can, in some examples, be used in connection with a handle that can be stowed within the tailgate22alongside the stair assembly30in the stowed position. The user can grasp the handle when using the stair assembly30to entering and exit the cargo bed14.

In this example, the stair assembly30translates horizontally rearward from the tailgate22when transitioning from the stowed position to the extended position. While the example stair assembly30is shown as extending rearward from the stowed position, the stair assembly30could extend from a vehicle structure in another direction. For example, the stair assembly30could extend and retract from a laterally outboard side92of the tailgate22. In such an example, the stair assembly30moves laterally outward relative to an orientation of the vehicle10when moving from the stowed position within the laterally outboard side92of the tailgate22.

With reference now toFIGS.8A-8C, a stair assembly100according to another exemplary embodiment of the present can extend and retract relative to a structure, such as a tailgate. The steps of the example stair assembly100are not configured to pivot together. As shown inFIG.8B, a step108of the stair assembly100can be pivoted upward while the other step112of the stair assembly100is not pivoted upward.

The step108that is pivoted upward can provide a load stop when the stair assembly100is in a partially extended or a fully extended position relative to the tailgate. Cargo, such as a sheet of material, can be stowed within the cargo bed area. The step108providing the load stop can help to block movement of material from the cargo bed area. The stair assembly100can, in some examples, include a locking system that can lock the stair assembly100in a partially extended or fully extended position. This can permit positioning, and locking, of the step108providing the load stop at a plurality of horizontal positions, which can help to adjust the load stop to a particular load.

With reference now toFIGS.9A and9B, a stair assembly200according to yet another exemplary embodiment includes two independently pivotable steps204and208. A user can utilize the stair assembly200to access a cargo bed of a vehicle when the stair assembly200is in the staircase position ofFIG.9B.

With reference now toFIGS.10A-10D, an example vehicle300can include a cargo bed304that is extendible. The cargo bed304is movable between a standard position and an extended position.FIGS.10A-10Dshow the cargo bed304in the extended position. The example step assemblies ofFIGS.1-9Bcan be used with a cargo bed that is extendable or a cargo bed that is not extendable.

A tailgate308of the vehicle300includes a flip-up work surface system312. The flip-up work surface system312includes, in this example, a central section316, a passenger side section320, and a driver side section324, which are each pivotably coupled to the tailgate308.

With the tailgate308open as shown inFIGS.10A-10B, the sections can be pivoted from a horizontal position shown inFIG.10Ato a vertical position shown inFIG.10B. The central section316, the passenger side section320, and the driver side section324, can each be locked in the vertical position to provide a load stop.

The central section316, the passenger side section320, and the driver side section324, are independently pivotable. For example, as shown inFIG.10C, the central section316can remain in the horizontal position while the passenger side section320and the driver side section324are pivoted to the vertical position. This positioning may be useful to provide access to areas of a cargo bed304of the vehicle300.

In this example, the central section316, the passenger side section320, and the driver side section324, can each pivot past the vertical position to a ramp or loading position shown inFIG.10D. Placing one or more of the central section316, the passenger side section320, and the driver side section324, in the loading position can provide a ramp to help a user load cargo into the cargo bed304.

With reference now toFIGS.11A-11C, a vehicle400having a cargo bed404includes one or more stowable barriers408. In this example, when not in use, the stowable barriers408are stored within a pocket412in the cargo bed404as shown inFIG.11A. The stowable barriers408are foldable in this example.

The stowable barriers408can be removed from the pockets412, unfolded, and then secured to an aft end of the cargo bed404to provide a load stop as shown inFIGS.11B and11C. A support post416can extend from a position within a tailgate420of the vehicle400to help stabilize the stowable barriers408when providing the load stop. Instead of, or in addition to the pockets412within the cargo bed404, the stowable barriers408could be stowed within a frunk of the vehicle400, or within a passenger compartment of the vehicle400.

With reference now toFIGS.12A-12D, a vehicle500having a cargo bed504includes one or more pivotable barriers508. In this example, a pivotable barrier508is coupled to each cargo bed sidewall512of the vehicle500.

The cargo bed504is extendable in this example. When the cargo bed504is not in an extended position, the pivotable barriers508are held within the cargo bed sidewalls512of the vehicle500. When the cargo bed504is transitioned to the extended position as shown, the pivotable barriers are withdrawn from within the sidewalls.

Once withdrawn, the pivotable barriers508can be pivoted and unfolded as shown inFIGS.12B and12Cto provide a load stop at the aft end of the cargo bed504as shown inFIG.12D.

With reference now toFIGS.13A-13D, an example vehicle600includes one or more roller load stops604. The roller load stops604includes a barrier608that can be rolled about a shaft within a housing612. The barrier608can be unrolled from the shaft, and the housing612secured to a tailgate616as shown inFIGS.13B-13D. The barrier608can extend from the housing612to a sidewall620of the vehicle600. The barrier608spans between the housing612and the sidewall620to provide a load stop. Support posts624can be coupled to the vehicle600to help support the barrier608when spanning between the housing612and the sidewall620. The support posts624can be withdrawn from a stowed position within a tailgate628of the vehicle600.

When the load stop is no longer required, the barrier608can be rerolled about the shaft and contained within the housing612for storing within the vehicle600. In some examples, the barrier608can be screen printed with graphics, which may aesthetically enhance the appearance of the load stop when in the unrolled position. The roller load stops604can be removable to enable a quick swap of one roller load stop604with another. This can facilitate changing roller load stops604to change graphics, for example, to allow a user to customize a vehicle with a desired appearance.

With reference now toFIGS.14A and14B, another example vehicle700includes a slide-out load stop704that can be unfolded to provide a load stop enclosing an aft end of a cargo bed708. When folded, the slide-out load stop704can be stowed within a tailgate712of the vehicle700, or elsewhere within the vehicle700.