US 11,780,373 B2
Systems for accessing cargo spaces on vehicles equipped with a tailgate assembly
Stuart C. Salter, White Lake, MI (US); David Brian Glickman, Southfield, MI (US); Dawn Piechocki, Grosse Pointe Park, MI (US); Dennis Yee, Milford, MI (US); and Darshan Arun Nayak, Northville, MI (US)
Assigned to FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC, Dearborn, MI (US)
Filed by FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC, Dearborn, MI (US)
Filed on Jul. 6, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/367,756.
Prior Publication US 2023/0008195 A1, Jan. 12, 2023
Int. Cl. B60R 3/02 (2006.01); B62D 33/03 (2006.01)
CPC B60R 3/02 (2013.01) [B62D 33/03 (2013.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A vehicle system, comprising;
a tailgate structure;
a deployable ladder integrated as part of the tailgate structure,
wherein the deployable ladder includes a main stair section and an adjustable stair section that is pivotable between a first position and a second position relative to the main stair section,
wherein, a base section of the adjustable stair section is received in abutting contact with the main stair section in the first position and is displaced from the main stair section in the second position,
wherein the second position is displaced from the first position by about 180 degrees.