US 12,312,015 B2
Modular tailgate
Anthony J. Povinelli, Romeo, MI (US); Martin R. Matthews, Troy, MI (US); Mark P. Birka, Northville, MI (US); and Michael A. West, Howell, MI (US)
Assigned to Magna Exteriors Inc., Aurora (CA)
Filed by Magna Exteriors Inc., Concord (CA)
Filed on Feb. 24, 2020, as Appl. No. 16/799,246.
Application 16/799,246 is a continuation of application No. 15/505,215, granted, now 10,661,842, previously published as PCT/US2015/045877, filed on Aug. 19, 2015.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/039,172, filed on Aug. 19, 2014.
Prior Publication US 2021/0155296 A1, May 27, 2021
Int. Cl. B62D 33/02 (2006.01); B60P 1/26 (2006.01); B60Q 1/26 (2006.01); B60Q 1/30 (2006.01); B60R 3/02 (2006.01); B60R 7/00 (2006.01); B60R 11/00 (2006.01); B62D 33/027 (2006.01); B62D 33/03 (2006.01); F21Y 115/10 (2016.01)
CPC B62D 33/0273 (2013.01) [B60P 1/26 (2013.01); B60Q 1/2661 (2013.01); B60Q 1/304 (2022.05); B60R 3/02 (2013.01); B60R 7/005 (2013.01); B60R 11/00 (2013.01); B62D 33/03 (2013.01); B60Q 1/2696 (2013.01); B60R 2011/0021 (2013.01); B60R 2011/0075 (2013.01); F21Y 2115/10 (2016.08)] 17 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A modular tailgate system, comprising:
a tailgate portion operably connected to a cargo bed area of a vehicle and rotatable between a stowed position and at least one deployed position; and
a plurality of features incorporated with the tailgate portion and employable with existing vehicles without any hardware or mounting modifications to existing body sides and/or existing cargo beds, wherein the plurality of features are selected from the group consisting of a split door, a three-way opening door, at least one storage unit, at least one step, at least one lighting device, at least one bed extension system, at least one power source, at least one tie down, at least one retractable net, at least one cargo hold system, at least one sawhorse, at least one bench, at least one seat, and combinations thereof, wherein one of the plurality of features is said split door including at least a first door and a second door operably connected to said vehicle, wherein either of said first door and said second door is selectively rotatable downward only along a horizontal axis independent of the other of said first door or said second door to the at least one deployed position, and wherein one of said plurality of features includes said at least two cargo storage units incorporated with said first door and said second door, each cargo storage unit including a lid forming an interior side of said first door and said second door, respectively, when said first door or said second door are in a stowed position.