IP Library › Granted Patent US 12668196
Granted Patent B2
US 12668196 · App. 18/152,800 · Granted Jun 30, 2026

Vehicle rack assembly and method of configuring a vehicle rack

Inventors: Ulises Jacobo (Naucalpan de Juarez, MX); Edvair Cruz (Ocoyoacac, MX); Pablo Trejo (Toluca, MX)
Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
B60R9/045
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12668196
App. No.
18/152,800
Granted
Jun 30, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A rack assembly for a vehicle, includes a deployable rack that connects to a vehicle; and a pivotable section of the deployable rack. The pivotable section is configured to pivot back-and-forth between a stowed position and a deployed position. The pivotable section in the stowed position is disposed over a window of a cab. The pivotable section in the deployed position is disposed over a roof of the cab.

Claims (27)

1 . A rack assembly for a vehicle, comprising:

a deployable rack that connects to a vehicle;

a pivotable section of the deployable rack, the pivotable section configured to pivot back-and-forth between a stowed position and a deployed position, the pivotable section in the stowed position disposed over a window of a cab, the pivotable section in the deployed position disposed over a roof of the cab; and

a stationary section of the deployable rack, the stationary section configured to connect to the vehicle, the pivotable section pivotably coupled to the stationary section, the stationary section disposed over the window of the cab when the pivotable section is in the deployed position and when the pivotable section is in the stowed position, wherein the pivotable section is configured to pivot relative to the stationary section about an axis that is vertically above the roof of the cab.

2 . The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the cab is a pickup truck cab.

3 . The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the window is a rear window of the cab.

4 . The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the deployable rack connects to a cargo bed of the vehicle.

5 . The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the pivotable section is vertically aligned when in the stowed position and is horizontally aligned when in the deployed position.

6 . The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the pivotable section is configured to extend and retract.

7 . The assembly of claim 6 , wherein, when the pivotable section is in the deployed position, the pivotable section can telescopically extend forward such that a portion of the pivotable section extends forward past a portion of a windshield of the vehicle.

8 . The assembly of claim 1 , wherein a vertically lower side of the stationary section is configured to connect to a cargo bed front wall, a cargo bed side wall, or both.

9 . The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the stationary section is vertically above a cargo bed of the vehicle when the stationary section is connected directly to the vehicle.

10 . A rack assembly for a vehicle, comprising:

a deployable rack that connects to a vehicle;

a pivotable section of the deployable rack, the pivotable section configured to pivot back-and-forth between a stowed position and a deployed position, the pivotable section in the stowed position disposed over a window of a cab, the pivotable section in the deployed position disposed over a roof of the cab; and

a stationary section of the deployable rack, the stationary section configured to connect to the vehicle, wherein the stationary section and the pivotable section are folded against each other and span over the window of the cab when the pivotable section is in the stowed position, wherein the pivotable section spans over the roof of the cab and is unfolded from the stationary section when in the deployed position.

11 . The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the pivotable section and the stationary section are folded against each other when the pivotable section is in the stowed position.

12 . The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the stationary section and the pivotable section overlap with each other when the pivotable section is in the stowed position.

13 . The assembly of claim 1 , further comprising one or more suction cup assemblies that hold the pivotable section in the deployed position, the suction cup assemblies mounted to the roof of the cab.

14 . The assembly of claim 13 , wherein the suction cup assemblies each include a strap that holds the pivotable section in the deployed position.

15 . A rack assembly for a vehicle, comprising:

a deployable rack that connects to a vehicle;

a pivotable section of the deployable rack, the pivotable section configured to pivot back-and-forth between a stowed position and a deployed position, the pivotable section in the stowed position disposed over a window of a cab, the pivotable section in the deployed position disposed over a roof of the cab; and

a stationary section of the deployable rack, the stationary section configured to connect to the vehicle, the pivotable section folded against the stationary section when the pivotable section is in the stowed position.

16 . The assembly of claim 15 , wherein the stationary section and the pivotable section are both disposed over the window of the cab when the pivotable section is in the stowed position.

17 . The assembly of claim 15 , wherein the stationary section and the pivotable section overlap with each other when the pivotable section is in the stowed position.

18 . The assembly of claim 15 , wherein the stationary section and the pivotable section overlap with each other when the pivotable section is in the stowed position, the stationary section and the pivotable section overlapping with each other at a position directly aft the window of the cab.