US 12,071,102 B2
Systems for accessing cargo spaces on vehicles equipped with a tailgate assembly that includes a door subassembly
David Brian Glickman, Southfield, MI (US); Stuart C. Salter, White Lake, MI (US); Nadia Preston, Tecumseh (CA); Dennis Yee, Milford, MI (US); and Joshua Robert Hemphill, White Lake, MI (US)
Assigned to FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC, Dearborn, MI (US)
Filed by FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC, Dearborn, MI (US)
Filed on Apr. 6, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/223,488.
Prior Publication US 2022/0314889 A1, Oct. 6, 2022
Int. Cl. B60R 3/02 (2006.01); B62D 33/027 (2006.01); G01L 1/22 (2006.01)
CPC B60R 3/02 (2013.01) [B62D 33/0273 (2013.01); G01L 1/225 (2013.01)] 13 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A deployable step system for a vehicle, comprising:
a hitch tube; and
a deployable step mounted to the hitch tube and movable between a stowed position and a deployed position,
wherein, in the stowed position, at least a portion of a step surface of the deployable step system is located vertically beneath the hitch tube,
wherein the deployable step includes a first leg mounted to the hitch tube, a second leg mounted to the hitch tube, and a planar member extending between the first leg and the second leg, and further wherein the planar member provides the step surface when positioned in the deployed position,
wherein the planar member is pivotably connected to each of the first leg and the second leg.