US 12,005,968 B2
Articulating tailgate
Robert M. Horner, Ferndale, MI (US); Larry R. Erickson, Birmingham, MI (US); Robert A. Selle, Rochester, MI (US); Peter G. DeMarois, Troy, MI (US); Michael S. Spagnuolo, Shelby Township, MI (US); Andrew E. Sicherman, Royal Oak, MI (US); and Brian Staley, Bloomfield, MI (US)
Assigned to Magna Exteriors Inc., Aurora (CA)
Filed by Magna Exteriors Inc., Concord (CA)
Filed on Nov. 24, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/535,041.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/118,454, filed on Nov. 25, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2022/0161870 A1, May 26, 2022
Int. Cl. B62D 33/027 (2006.01); B60J 5/10 (2006.01); B60Q 1/30 (2006.01); B60Q 1/32 (2006.01); B60Q 1/44 (2006.01); B60R 3/02 (2006.01); B62D 33/037 (2006.01)
CPC B62D 33/0273 (2013.01) [B60J 5/108 (2013.01); B60Q 1/307 (2013.01); B60Q 1/323 (2013.01); B60Q 1/44 (2013.01); B60R 3/02 (2013.01)] 21 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An articulating tailgate assembly operably adapted for a vehicle, comprising:
at least two panels operably adapted to selectively close off a rear opening of a cargo bed of the vehicle and operably adapted to selectively move independently of each other to a plurality of open positions;
a plurality of features for articulating the at least two panels between a closed position and the plurality of open positions, said plurality of features adapted to operably connect to the vehicle at the rear opening area, and operably coupled to the at least two panels, respectively, wherein said plurality of features includes at least two laterally spaced apart pivotal links connected to at least one of an additional pivotal linkage arrangement and a track;
wherein said at least two panels selectively operably move from a back of the cargo bed where they close off the opening of the cargo bed area to sides of the vehicle to open up access into the cargo bed;
wherein said at least two panels selectively operably move independently to a plurality of intermediate open positions and to a fully open position at the sides of the vehicle: and
wherein the at least two panels are tailgate panels, each with a vertical edge that meet in the closed position, the vertical edges face rearward of the vehicle in the fully open position.