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:
Jul. 19, 2005
Filed:
Oct. 20, 2004
Scott Miller, Canton, MI (US);
Stephen Bruford, West Bloomfield, MI (US);
Kian-huat Tan, Westland, MI (US);
Herbert Gruber, Rochester Hills, MI (US);
Scott Miller, Canton, MI (US);
Stephen Bruford, West Bloomfield, MI (US);
Kian-Huat Tan, Westland, MI (US);
Herbert Gruber, Rochester Hills, MI (US);
Ford Global Technologies, LLC, Dearborn, MI (US);
Abstract
A tailgate for a vehicle has a supplemental tailgate that retracts within the tailgate and is extendable therefrom in order to provide multiple assist functions. The supplemental tailgate includes a pivotable molding, which mounts on a movable frame portion, and a latching assembly. When pivoted, the pivotable molding releases the latching assembly, allowing the supplemental tailgate to be moved to various extended positions. When the movable frame portion is in an essentially fully extended position, it can be rotated downward relative to the tailgate and a flip step pivoted to a use position in order to provide an assist step function.