A multi-position endgate system includes a storage box wall and a storage box floor. A tailgate is mounted relative to the storage box floor and is pivotal about a tailgate axis. The tailgate is moveable between a fully-closed position proximal to the storage box wall and a fully-open position distal from the storage box wall. A cable mechanism has a first end pivotally attached to the tailgate and a second end pivotally attached to the storage box wall. A channel hook is attached to either the tailgate or the storage box wall at a connector. An arcuate ledge is spaced from the connector, by an arm, and defines a groove. The cable mechanism may be passed or routed through the groove of the arcuate ledge to selectively hold the tailgate in an intermediate position between the fully-closed and fully-open positions.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to doors and openings for cargo compartments, such as endgates or tailgates.

BACKGROUND

Vehicles with cargo compartments may use endgates or tailgates to allow access to an end or side of the cargo compartment. Endgates may be hinged closures or doors that are often found at the rear of the vehicle and can be lowered during loading and unloading.

SUMMARY

A multi-position endgate system, such as usable for the cargo compartment of vehicle, is provided. The endgate system includes at least one storage box wall and a storage box floor. The walls and floor generally define a cargo or storage volume.

An endgate or tailgate is mounted relative to the storage box floor and is pivotal about a tailgate axis. The tailgate is moveable between a fully-closed position proximal to the storage box wall and a fully-open position distal from the storage box wall.

A cable mechanism has a first end pivotally attached to the tailgate and a second end pivotally attached to the storage box wall. The cable mechanism limits travel of the tailgate beyond the fully-open position.

The endgate system includes a channel hook, which is attached or connected to either the tailgate or the storage box wall at a connector. An arcuate ledge is spaced from the connector and defines a groove. An arm joins the arcuate ledge to the connector. The cable mechanism may be passed or routed through the groove of the arcuate ledge to selectively hold the tailgate in an intermediate position, which holds the tailgate between the fully-closed and fully-open positions.

The above features and advantages, and other features and advantages, of the present disclosure are readily apparent from the following detailed description of some of the best modes and other embodiments for carrying out the disclosure, which is defined solely by the appended claims, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the drawings, like reference numbers correspond to like or similar components wherever possible throughout the several figures.FIG. 1shows a schematic side or plan view of a multi-position endgate system10for a vehicle (not numbered), generally from the right-hand side of the vehicle.

In the endgate system10, a storage box floor12, which may be referred to as the floor12, and one or more storage box walls14, which are generally perpendicular to the floor12, partially define a cargo area, storage volume, or cargo box of a vehicle (the remainder of which is not shown). An endgate or tailgate16is pivotally mounted relative to the floor12and the walls14.

The specific structure to which the tailgate16is attached may vary depending upon the configuration and type of vehicle—some may attach the tailgate16to the walls14and some to the floor12—such that the tailgate16may be referred to as being attached to the cargo box in general. The tailgate16generally pivots about a pair of attachment points or an endgate axis18. In some configurations, the tailgate16may move by translating or oscillating about complex axes or linkages. The walls14, the floor12, and the tailgate16generally define much of the storage volume. There may or may not be an upper barrier, such as a topper or cover.

The endgate system10is shown with the tailgate16in a fully-open or fully-deployed position in solid lines, and an intermediate or partially-deployed position in phantom lines. When the tailgate16is fully open, it may be substantially horizontal relative to the floor12(and, likely, the ground), and provides substantially-uninhibited access to the cargo box. In a fully-closed position, which would be hidden from view by the wall14, the tailgate16is substantially vertical and abuts the wall14to close off or limit access to the cargo box of the vehicle.

While the present disclosure may be illustrated with respect to particular industries or applications, those skilled in the art will recognize the broader applicability of the products and methods described herein. For example, similar structures, methods, or combinations thereof, may be used in other industries, including, without limitation: household items, electronic devices, farm or industrial equipment, and building materials.

Those having ordinary skill in the art will recognize that terms such as “above,” “below,” “upward,” “downward,” et cetera, are used descriptively of the figures, and do not represent limitations on the scope of the appended claims. Any numerical designations, such as “first” or “second” are illustrative only and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure in any way.

Features shown in one figure may be combined with, substituted for, or modified by, features shown in any of the figures. Unless stated otherwise, no features, elements, or limitations are mutually exclusive of any other features, elements, or limitations. Any specific configurations shown in the figures are illustrative only and the specific configurations shown are not limiting of the claims or the description.

The vehicle (partially shown) upon which the endgate system10is mounted may be, for example and without limitation: a pickup truck, a wagon, a cross-over, or a sport-utility vehicle (SUV). When used on wagons, cross-over vehicles, or sport utility vehicles, the tailgate16may cooperate with a door, hatch, or other structure that opens upward.

A cable mechanism20spans between the tailgate16and the wall14. The cable mechanism20has a first end22pivotally attached to the tailgate16and a second end24pivotally attached to the wall14. Note that the second end24of the cable mechanism20is hidden from view by the right-hand side wall14inFIG. 1. In many configurations, the left and right side of the endgate system10will each have cable mechanism20. The cable mechanism20is pivotally attached to the wall14by bosses extending from, or bolts attached to, the wall14. These attachment points may also act as a striker, which may also serve to lock the tailgate16to the wall14when closed.

A platform26, which is shown in phantom, may cooperate with the tailgate16in the intermediate position and with rail supports formed on, or attached to, the walls14to provide a stable surface for use as a table or cargo support. The platform26can also form a level surface for loading sheet cargo such as plywood or drywall, and may be formed from, for example, a plywood board or metal sheet.

Referring also toFIG. 2, and with continued reference toFIG. 1, there is shown an additional view of portions of the endgate system10. As illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2, the cable mechanism20cooperates with a channel hook30to place the tailgate16into the intermediate position.

The channel hook30varies the effective length of the cable mechanism20between the walls14and the tailgate16. As illustrated inFIG. 2, the intermediate position of the tailgate16is approximately 53-degrees. However, depending on the configuration, the intermediate position may be at other angles between the fully-closed and fully-open positions.

Referring also toFIG. 3andFIG. 4, and with continued reference toFIGS. 1-2, there are shown isolated views of the channel hook30.FIG. 3shows a plan or front view of the channel hook30andFIG. 4shows a side view of the channel hook30.

The channel hook30includes a connection point or connector32that may be attached to either the tailgate16, between the first end22of the cable mechanism20and the endgate axis18, or to the wall14, the second end24of the cable mechanism20and the endgate axis18. InFIGS. 1 and 2, the connector32is attached to the tailgate16. However, the channel hook30functions substantially the same if attached to the wall14.

An arm34extends away from the connector32. The arm34joins the connector32to an arcuate ledge36, which is spaced from the connector32. The arcuate ledge36bows away from the connector32, such that its center is closer to the connector32than its ends.

The arcuate ledge36defines a groove40. The cable mechanism20may be manually passed or routed through the groove40of the arcuate ledge36. When the cable mechanism20is within the groove40, the channel hook30is selectively holding the tailgate16in the intermediate position between the fully-closed position and the fully-open position. A flange38extends from the arcuate ledge36opposite the arm34, such that the flange38and the arm34may further define or extend the groove40in which the cable mechanism20sits.

In the configuration shown, the channel hook30is rotatably attached, such that the arcuate ledge36rotates about the connector32. Rotation allows the channel hook30to pivot the arcuate ledge36toward the cable mechanism20and may allow the cable mechanism20to better settle within the groove40. Additionally, the channel hook30may pivot out of the way to stow next to the tailgate16when not in use. However, in other configurations, the channel hook30may be movable within a translation slot33, shown in phantom, such that it extends toward the cable mechanism20when in use and then recesses when not in use. The channel hook30may also be removable for stowage apart from the endgate system10, when the channel hook30is not in use.

The ends of the arcuate ledge36define exit angles42for the cable mechanism20passing through the groove40. The exit angles42are at least tangent with the cable mechanism20. Therefore, the exit angles42may be greater than tangent, which would be larger than the angle shown inFIG. 3, such as by curling further from the cable mechanism20. If the exit angles42are lesser than tangent, there may be a pinch point or edge between the cable mechanism20and the ends of the arcuate ledge36, which may cause wear or fraying of the cable mechanism20.

Referring also toFIG. 5andFIG. 6, and with continued reference toFIGS. 1-4, there are shown additional views or configurations of the channel hook30. InFIG. 5the channel hook30has a cantilevered clip50, and inFIG. 6the channel hook30has a wire-style clip60, both of which may limit removal of the cable mechanism20from the groove40.

The cantilevered clip50selectively, or removably, restrains transfer of the cable mechanism20to and from the groove40of the channel hook30. The cantilevered clip50may be formed from, for example, spring steel and extends from the connector32to the flange38. In order to move the cable mechanism20to or from the groove40, the cantilevered clip50is depressed to create a gap between the flange38and the cantilevered clip50.

The spring clip or wire-style clip60is attached to the flange38at offset points, which create a spring force biasing the wire-style clip60into the connector32. Flexing the wire-style clip60away from the connector32creates a gap or passageway for movement of the cable mechanism20into, or out of, the groove40. Note that alternative clip styles, in addition to the cantilevered clip50and the wire-style clip60may be used to lock the cable mechanism20into the groove40.

Referring also toFIG. 7andFIG. 8, and with continued reference toFIGS. 1-6, there are shown additional views or configurations of the channel hook30.FIG. 7shows a front view andFIG. 8shows a side view of the channel hook30having a carabiner clip70. The carabiner clip70limits removal of the cable mechanism20from the groove40.

As shown inFIGS. 7 and 8, the carabiner clip70pivots about a point or axis adjacent the connector32. In an open position, with the carabiner clip70rotated clockwise (as viewed inFIG. 8) from the position shown, the carabiner clip70allows access to and from the groove40. In the closed position, as shown inFIG. 8, the carabiner clip70forms a closed section around the groove40and blocks movement of the cable mechanism20to and from the groove40.

The carabiner clip70cooperates with a clip window72formed in the flange38to form a closed section, which directly transfers loads between the flange38and the connector32. Contrarily, in the cantilevered clip50and the wire-style clip60shown inFIGS. 5 and 6, all loading transferred between the arcuate ledge36and the connector32passes through the arm34.

A protrusion74extends from the carabiner clip70into the clip window72. Alternatively, the flange38could have a boss or hook that cooperates with the upper portion of the carabiner clip70. The closed section (or closed loop) formed between the arcuate ledge36and the connector32may improve the overall strength of the channel hook30when cooperating with the cable mechanism20to hold the tailgate16in the intermediate position.

In the configuration shown, a biasing mechanism76is configured to bias the carabiner clip70counterclockwise (as viewed inFIG. 8) toward the flange38, such that the carabiner clip70tends toward closing the groove40. Alternatively, an internal leaf spring or other mechanism may bias the carabiner clip70closed, or a latch or lock may be configured to selectively prevent the carabiner clip70from moving away from the flange38.

Alternatively, although not shown, a carabiner-style clip may rotate about an axis parallel to the connector32, such that the clip stays substantially equidistant from the arm34. The clip may then lock or hook to the flange38. For example, the wire-style clip50could be reversed such that it attaches to the connector32and interfaces with a hook formed on the side of the flange38. In such a configuration, the clip and the flange38cooperate to form a closed section or loop.

The detailed description and the drawings or figures are supportive and descriptive of the disclosure. While some of the best modes and other embodiments for carrying out the disclosure have been described in detail, various alternative designs, configurations, and embodiments exist for practicing the appended claims.