US 12,110,064 B2
Panel storage and two tier loading system
Blaine D. Christensen, Sterling Heights, MI (US); and William A. McDonald, Waterford, MI (US)
Assigned to GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC, Detroit, MI (US)
Filed by GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Detroit, MI (US)
Filed on Nov. 18, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/529,401.
Prior Publication US 2023/0150583 A1, May 18, 2023
Int. Cl. B62D 33/02 (2006.01); B60R 9/06 (2006.01)
CPC B62D 33/0207 (2013.01) [B60R 9/06 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A panel storage system for a vehicle that comprises a body including a passenger compartment portion and a bed portion, the bed portion including a first side wall and an opposing second side wall, the panel storage system configured to be mounted to one of the first side wall and the opposing second side wall, the panel storage system comprising:
a panel body including a first panel portion having a first plurality of mounting elements, a second panel portion having a second plurality of mounting elements, and a hinge joining the first panel portion to the second panel portion,
wherein the first panel portion is fixedly mountable to the one of the first side wall and the opposing second side wall and the second panel portion is pivotable about the hinge,
wherein the panel body includes a first panel body mountable to the first side wall and a second panel body mountable to the second side wall, the second panel portion of the first panel body including a first surface configured to face the first side wall and a second surface, a second panel portion of the second panel body including a first surface section configured to face the second side wall and a second surface section,
wherein the panel storage system further comprises a panel configured to extend between the first panel body and the second panel body along a third side wall of the bed connecting the first side wall and the second side wall, and
wherein the panel configured to extend between the first panel body and the second panel body along the third side wall includes a rib configured to support at least one of the second panel portion of the first panel body and the second panel portion of the second panel body.