Patent ID: 12187177

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Pickup trucks according to the present specification include a passenger cabin and a truck bed located rearward of the passenger cabin. The truck bed includes opposite sidewalls and a bed deck that extends between the sidewalls. A tailgate replacement extends across a rear opening to the truck bed and between the sidewalls. The tailgate replacement includes vertically-extending support rails, vertically spaced-apart, laterally-extending support rails that extend between the vertically-extending support rails, a slider that is connected to the laterally-extending support rails, and a releasable connector configured to releasably connect the slider to one or both of the laterally extending support rails such that the releasable connector having a release configuration that allows the slider to be slid along lengths of the laterally-extending support rails and a lock configuration that prevents the slider from being slid along the lengths of the laterally-extending support rails.

As used herein, the term “vehicle longitudinal direction” or “longitudinal” refer to the forward-rearward direction of the pickup truck (i.e., in the +/− vehicle Y direction depicted inFIG.1). The term “vehicle lateral direction” or “lateral” refer to the cross-pickup truck direction (i.e., in the +/− vehicle X direction depicted inFIG.1), and is transverse to the vehicle longitudinal direction. The term “vehicle vertical direction” or “vertical” refer to the upward-downward direction of the pickup truck (i.e., in the +/− vehicle Z-direction depicted inFIG.1). As used herein, “upper” and “above” are defined as the positive Z direction of the coordinate axis shown in the drawings. “Lower” and “below” are defined as the negative Z direction of the coordinate axis shown in the drawings.

The terms “outboard” or “outward” as used herein refers to the relative location of a component in a direction with respect to a pickup truck centerline. The term “inboard” or “inward” as used herein refers to the relative location of a component in a direction with respect to the pickup truck centerline. Because the pickup truck structures may be generally symmetrical about the pickup truck centerline, the direction to which use of terms “inboard,” “inward,” “outboard” and “outward” refer may be mirrored about the pickup truck centerline when evaluating components positioned along opposite sides of the pickup truck10.

Referring toFIG.1, a pickup truck is generally illustrated at10. The pickup truck10includes a passenger cabin12(represented by dashed lines) and a truck bed14. The truck bed14includes a bed deck18, a pair of spaced apart sidewalls20,22, a front wall24, and a tailgate replacement26. The bed deck18, the sidewalls20,22, the front wall24, and the tailgate replacement26define a storage area28of the truck bed14.

The sidewalls20,22extend parallel to the vehicle longitudinal direction. Each sidewall20,22includes a front end31and an opposite rear end33. The front wall24extends between the front ends31of the sidewalls20,22. The tailgate replacement26extends inboard of the sidewalls20and22, between the rear ends33of the sidewalls20,22.

The tailgate replacement26may be pivotally connected to the sidewalls20,22for movement between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position, the tailgate replacement26extends parallel to the vehicle vertical direction. In the open position, the tailgate replacement26extends parallel to the vehicle longitudinal direction.

The tailgate replacement26is illustrated in the closed position, extending across a rear opening29to the storage area28and between the sidewalls20,22. The tailgate replacement26includes vertically-extending support rails30and32that extend vertically upward from a base rail34at each sidewall20,22. The base rail34and the vertically-extending support rails30and32can provide a frame member36for the tailgate replacement26. Laterally-extending support rails38,40and42extend between the vertically-extending support rails30and32. While three laterally-extending support rails38,40and42are illustrated, there can be more or less than three laterally-extending support rails38,40and42. The pitch and heights of the laterally-extending support rails38,40,42may be selected based on operator needs. In some embodiments, the pitch and height of the laterally-extending support rails38,40,42may be adjustable. The laterally-extending support rails38,40and42are spaced-apart from each other in the vehicle vertical direction and are substantially parallel to each other.

Sliders50and52are connected to the laterally-extending support rails40and42. While two sliders50and52are illustrated, there may be more or less than two sliders. Referring also toFIG.2, each slider50,52includes a first connecting portion54connected to the first laterally-extending support rail40and a second connecting portion56connected to the second laterally-extending support rail42. In the illustrated example, the first and second connecting portions54and56are enlarged in width compared to a central portion58that spans a gap60(FIG.1) between the first and second laterally-extending support rails40and42. Each connecting portion54and56has an opening62that extends therethrough that is sized and shaped to receive one of the first and second laterally-extending support rails40and42. For example, the openings62may be rectangular, circular, ovular, etc. to match the cross-sectional shape of the first and second laterally-extending support rails40and42. The openings62are also sized to allow the sliders50and52to slide along the laterally-extending support rails40and42toward and away from each other, increasing and decreasing a distance between the two sliders50and52. In the illustrated embodiment, the connecting portions54and56are formed as closed loops such that their openings62are closed and extend entirely around their respective first and second laterally-extending support rail40and42. In some embodiments, the connecting portions54and56may be provided with slits (represented by dashed lines65) or gaps that are breaks in the connecting portions54and56. The slits65or breaks can be used to open the connecting portions54and56and place the connecting portions54and56about their respective laterally-extending support rails40,42. Hinges may be provided to allow a portion of the connecting portions to swing open. In some embodiments, the laterally-extending support rails40,42are removed from the frame member36so that the connecting portions54and56can be slid over ends of the laterally-extending support rails40,42and slid into desired positions.

The sliders50and52may be formed of any suitable material, such as plastic, metal, rubber, etc. Any suitable process may be used to form the sliders50and52, such as casting, machining, molding, etc.

A releasable connector may be used to lock the positions of the sliders50and52on the first and second laterally-extending support rails40and42. The releasable connector may be any suitable connector, such as clamps, spring-loaded pins, cam-type locks, etc. As an example,FIG.3illustrates a screw-type clamp70that can be used as a releasable connector to lock the position of the sliders50and52. The screw-type clamp70may include a clamp body72having a notch74that is sized to receive one of the connecting portions54and56and a groove76that is sized to receive one of the laterally-extending support rails40and42. The clamp body72may include flanges80that grip about portions of the laterally-extending support rails40and42. A screw member82may be provided such that turning the screw member relative to the clamp body72moves the screw-type clamp70from a release configuration that allows for sliding of the sliders50and52along lengths of the laterally-extending support rails40and42and a lock configuration that prevents the sliders50and52from being slid along the lengths of the laterally-extending support rails40and42.

FIG.1also shows a process of transporting cargo. In the example, cargo C, such as lumber, may be longer than the truck bed14, yet narrower than a width of the truck bed14. In order to constrain the cargo C in the vehicle vertical direction, the cargo C may be placed between the laterally-extending support rails40and42. In order to constrain the cargo C in the vehicle lateral direction, the cargo C may also be placed between the sliders50and52. The lateral position of the sliders50and52can be adjusted as needed and locked in place using the releasable connector70.

The above-described replacement tailgates provide laterally-extending support rails against which the cargo can rest and also be constrained in the vertical direction. The sliders are provided that can move laterally and constrain side-to-side movement of the cargo. Releasable connectors can be used to lock positions of the sliders at desired locations and distance between each other.

While particular embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it should be understood that various other changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed subject matter. Moreover, although various aspects of the claimed subject matter have been described herein, such aspects need not be utilized in combination. It is therefore intended that the appended claims cover all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of the claimed subject matter.