The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 20, 2018
Filed:
Sep. 26, 2016
Ford Global Technologies, Llc, Dearborn, MI (US);
Travis Justin Raines, Grosse Ile, MI (US);
Pattrick Loew, Dearborn, MI (US);
Ford Global Technologies, LLC, Dearborn, MI (US);
Abstract
An apparatus is for extending a vehicle bed. A tailgate is provided for lowering to provide a tailgate opening for providing access to the vehicle bed. The tailgate includes a retractable member adapted for extending vertically from the tailgate when lowered. A retractable webbing is provided for associating with the retractable member and adapted for moving to a deployed position to at least partially span the tailgate opening in a lowered condition. A ladder for use in climbing into the vehicle bed may form the retractable member, or may be provided in addition to it. Plural webbings may also be provided for spanning multiple retractable members associated with the tailgate.