US 12,187,351 B2
Powered dual hinge tailgate
Mark E. Adams, Troy, MI (US); Theodore J. Lindsay, Shelby Township, MI (US); and Gregory J. Flood, Davisburg, MI (US)
Assigned to STRATTEC POWER ACCESS LLC, Auburn Hills, MI (US)
Filed by STRATTEC POWER ACCESS LLC, Auburn Hills, MI (US)
Filed on May 13, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/743,669.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/188,841, filed on May 14, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2022/0363321 A1, Nov. 17, 2022
Int. Cl. B62D 33/027 (2006.01); E05F 15/63 (2015.01)
CPC B62D 33/0273 (2013.01) [E05F 15/63 (2015.01); E05Y 2900/544 (2013.01)] 10 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
7. A power operated tailgate for a vehicle, the power operated tailgate comprising:
a major gate including a hinge about which the major gate is configured to be rotatably coupled to the vehicle, the major gate at least partially defining an outer profile of the power operated tailgate;
a minor gate disposed within the outer profile of the power operated tailgate, the minor gate at least partially defining the outer profile and coupled to the major gate, the minor gate rotatable relative to the major gate about a first axis;
a minor hinge coupled to the minor gate and to the major gate, the minor hinge configured to facilitate rotation of the minor gate about the first axis with respect to the major gate;
a minor gate drive unit offset from the first axis and configured to rotationally drive the minor gate about the first axis relative to the major gate;
a linkage assembly coupled to an output member of the minor gate drive unit and to the minor gate, the linkage assembly configured to transmit a drive force for moving the minor gate; and
a major gate drive unit configured to rotationally drive the major gate relative to the vehicle,
wherein a rotational axis of the major gate drive unit is co-axial with a rotational axis of the major gate.