US 12,077,220 B2
Tailgate adapter assembly
David Smolik, Windsor (CA)
Assigned to Nissan North America, Inc., Franklin, TN (US)
Filed by NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC., Franklin, TN (US)
Filed on Jun. 25, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/358,651.
Prior Publication US 2022/0410984 A1, Dec. 29, 2022
Int. Cl. B62D 33/02 (2006.01); B62D 33/023 (2006.01)
CPC B62D 33/0207 (2013.01) [B62D 33/023 (2013.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A vehicle tailgate adapter assembly comprising:
a vehicle tailgate module having a plurality of openings;
a plurality of first fasteners, each of the first fasteners having a tool engagement portion and a threaded portion;
an adapter plate having a plurality of first openings that correspond to the openings of the tailgate, the first openings and the openings of the tailgate receiving the threaded portions of the first fasteners therethrough when the adapter plate is installed to the tailgate such that the adapter plate is disposed between the tool engagement portions of the first fasteners and the vehicle tailgate module, the adapter plate having a plurality of second openings arranged to be offset of the first openings, the first openings of the adapter plate being arranged closer to a perimeter of the adapter plate than the second openings are arranged to the perimeter; and
a plurality of second fasteners for supporting a power tool to the adapter plate, the second openings of the adapter plate receiving the second fasteners therethrough when the power tool is installed to the adapter plate.