US 12,466,336 B2
Tailgate protector structure with modular accessory attachments
Ryan C. Harris, Saline, MI (US); and Scott L. Frederick, Brighton, MI (US)
Assigned to TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC., Plano, TX (US); and TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, Toyota (JP)
Filed by TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC., Plano, TX (US)
Filed on May 13, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/744,195.
Prior Publication US 2023/0365075 A1, Nov. 16, 2023
Int. Cl. B60R 13/01 (2006.01); B62D 33/027 (2006.01)
CPC B60R 13/01 (2013.01) [B60R 2013/016 (2013.01); B62D 33/0273 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An apparatus comprising:
a base disposed atop a first portion of a tailgate of a vehicle, the base comprising a first surface adjacent to the first portion of the tailgate and a second surface opposite the first surface of the base;
a support arm extending from a first edge of the base downward along an inner surface of the tailgate and coupled to the inner surface of the tailgate;
a plurality of mounting elements extending below the first surface in a first direction past a top surface of the first portion of the tailgate, wherein each of the plurality of mounting elements comprises an opening at the second surface and a hollow region extending from the second surface toward the first surface; and
an attachment, comprising an attachment body portion configured to accept an item to be attached to the base and a plurality of attachment elements of a geometry to be inserted into a corresponding plurality of mounting elements;
wherein each of the plurality of attachment elements and mounting elements are configured to removably couple the attachment to the second surface of the base via insertion of the attachment elements of the attachment, through the opening and into the hollow regions of corresponding ones of the plurality of mounting elements.