US 12,233,955 B2
Systems and methods for accessing motor vehicle cargo spaces
Stuart C. Salter, White Lake, MI (US); David Brian Glickman, Southfield, MI (US); Michael John Harmon, Northville, MI (US); and Dennis Yee, Milford, MI (US)
Assigned to FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC, Dearborn, MI (US)
Filed by FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC, Dearborn, MI (US)
Filed on May 9, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/739,483.
Prior Publication US 2023/0356787 A1, Nov. 9, 2023
Int. Cl. B60R 3/02 (2006.01); B60Q 1/24 (2006.01); B60Q 1/30 (2006.01); B62D 33/027 (2006.01); B62D 33/03 (2006.01)
CPC B62D 33/0273 (2013.01) [B60Q 1/307 (2013.01); B60R 3/02 (2013.01); B62D 33/0276 (2013.01); B62D 33/03 (2013.01); B60Q 1/247 (2022.05)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A vehicle, comprising:
a cargo bed including a first side wall, a second side wall, a floor, a front wall, and a tailgate structure; and
a deployable step system mounted to at least one of the first side wall or the second side wall at a location between a rear wheel and a rear bumper of the vehicle, wherein the deployable step system is movable between a stowed position and a first deployed position,
wherein, in the stowed position, a drop step of the deployable step system establishes a portion of the first side wall or the second side wall,
wherein, in the first deployed position, the drop step provides a first box-side step surface for accessing the cargo bed.