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:
Apr. 07, 2026
Filed:
May. 25, 2023
Ford Global Technologies, Llc, Dearborn, MI (US);
Joseph Prior, Detroit, MI (US);
Joshua Robert Hemphill, White Lake, MI (US);
Raul Ezequiel Alvarez Ruiz, Estado de Mexico, MX;
Michael Shawn Watterworth, Brighton, MI (US);
Ford Global Technologies, LLC, Dearborn, MI (US);
Abstract
A tailgate assembly, includes a frame subassembly having a cargo bed access opening between a driver side section and a passenger side section, and a door subassembly that is pivotably coupled to the frame subassembly. The door subassembly is pivotable relative to the frame subassembly back-and-forth between a door open position and a door closed position. The door subassembly closes the cargo bed access opening when the door subassembly is in the door closed position. A latching system has a latch that engages a striker to hold the door subassembly in the door closed position. The tailgate assembly further includes an alignment system separate from the latching system. The alignment system includes an alignment post that is received within an alignment slot as the door subassembly is pivoted to the door closed position. The alignment post is configured to be received within the alignment slot to align the door subassembly relative to the frame subassembly prior to the latch contacting the striker.