IP Library › Granted Patent US 12662209
Granted Patent B2
US 12662209 · App. 18/451,196 · Granted Jun 23, 2026

Vehicle tailgate system

Inventors: Vincent A. Chimento (Plymouth, MI); Shawn Michael Morgans (Chelsea, MI); Jack Marchlewski (Smithville, MO); David Alan Hamilton (Howell, MI); Michael M. Azzouz (Farmington, MI); Jay John Meyer (Howell, MI); Scott Nydam (Farmington Hills, MI)
Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
B62D65/024B62D27/026B62D33/0273B62D33/03B62D33/037
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12662209
App. No.
18/451,196
Granted
Jun 23, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method may secure a tailgate panel to a panel-carrying frame. A method may after securing the tailgate panel to the panel-carrying frame, secure a component-carrying frame to the panel-carrying frame. A method may after securing the component-carrying frame to the panel-carrying frame, secure one or more tailgate components to the component-carrying frame.

Claims (33)

1 . A tailgate system assembling method, comprising:

securing a first tailgate panel to a panel-carrying frame;

after securing the first tailgate panel to the panel-carrying frame, securing a component-carrying frame to the panel-carrying frame;

after securing the component-carrying frame to the panel-carrying frame, securing one or more tailgate components to the component-carrying frame; and

after securing the one or more tailgate components to the component-carrying frame, securing a second tailgate panel to the component-carrying frame such that the tailgate components are held by the component-carrying frame between the first tailgate panel and the second tailgate panel.

2 . The tailgate system assembling method of claim 1 , wherein securing the first tailgate panel to the panel-carrying frame comprises adhesively bonding the first tailgate panel to the panel-carrying frame.

3 . The tailgate system assembling method of claim 1 , further comprising painting the first tailgate panel, the panel-carrying frame, or both before securing the panel-carrying frame to the component-carrying frame.

4 . The tailgate system assembling method of claim 1 , further comprising securing the component-carrying frame to the panel-carrying frame using a plurality of fasteners.

5 . The tailgate system assembling method of claim 1 , further comprising securing the component-carrying frame to the panel-carrying frame without painting the component-carrying frame.

6 . The tailgate system assembling method of claim 1 , wherein the tailgate components are unpainted.

7 . The tailgate system assembling method of claim 1 , further comprising, when securing the tailgate components to the component-carrying frame, accessing the tailgate components through an access opening in the first tailgate panel, an access opening in the panel-carrying frame, an access opening in the component-carrying frame, and any combination thereof.

8 . The tailgate system assembling method of claim 1 , further comprising, applying paint to the second tailgate panel before securing the second tailgate panel to the component-carrying frame, and further comprising, after securing the second tailgate panel to the component-carrying frame, securing a trim panel to the component-carrying frame.

9 . The tailgate system assembling method of claim 1 , wherein the panel-carrying frame includes a first side and a second side, the first tailgate panel secured to the first side, the component-carrying frame secured to the second side.

10 . A tailgate system, comprising:

a first tailgate panel;

a component-carrying frame;

a panel-carrying frame having a first side and a second side that is opposite the first side, the first tailgate panel directly connected to the first side, the component-carrying frame directly connected to the second side;

a plurality of tailgate components supported on the component-carrying frame; and

a second tailgate panel directly connected to the component-carrying frame such that the tailgate components are held by the component-carrying frame between the first tailgate panel and the second tailgate panel.

11 . The tailgate system of claim 10 , wherein the first side interfaces directly with the first tailgate panel and the second side interfaces directly with the component-carrying frame.

12 . The tailgate system of claim 10 , wherein the first tailgate panel and the panel-carrier frame are painted, wherein the component-carrying frame is unpainted.

13 . The tailgate system of claim 10 , further comprising a plurality of tailgate components that are supported on the component-carrying frame.

14 . The tailgate system of claim 13 , wherein the plurality of tailgate components includes a tailgate motor, a torsion rod, a trailer tow module, a step ladder cartridge, a handle assembly, a camera, electrical wiring, sensors, latches, hinges, tailgate cables, and any combination thereof.

15 . A tailgate system, comprising:

a tailgate panel;

a component-carrying frame; and

a panel-carrying frame having a first side and a second side that is opposite the first side, the tailgate panel directly connected to the first side, the component-carrying frame directly connected to the second side,

wherein the component-carrying frame includes opposed sidewalls that extend between a top wall and a bottom wall, and a cross-member that extends laterally between the opposed sidewalls.

16 . The tailgate system of claim 15 , wherein each of the opposed sidewalls, the top wall, the bottom wall, and the cross-member include a generally U-shaped channel for receiving tailgate components.

17 . The tailgate system of claim 15 , wherein the top wall is secured to a trim panel.

18 . The tailgate system of claim 10 , wherein the panel-carrying frame is sandwiched between the first tailgate panel and the component-carrying frame.

19 . The tailgate system assembling method of claim 1 , wherein the component-carrying frame includes opposed sidewalls that extend between a top wall and a bottom wall, and a cross-member that extends laterally between the opposed sidewalls, and securing the tailgate components to the component-carrying frame includes securing the tailgate components to the top wall, the bottom wall, the sidewalls, the cross-member, and any combinations thereof.

20 . The tailgate system of claim 10 , further comprising a trim panel including a a first section secured over the first tailgate panel, a second section secured over the second tailgate panel, and a third section secured directly to the component-carrying frame.