Cable-less end gate for a vehicle

1 . A cargo box for a pickup truck comprising:

a base portion including a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion defining the cargo box;

a first side wall extending from the first end towards the second end on a first side of the cargo box, the first side wall including a first end portion;

a second side wall extending from the first end towards the second end on a second side of the cargo box, the second side wall including a second end portion; and

an end gate having a first side portion, a second side portion, a surface extending between the first and second side portions, and an end portion, the end gate being pivotally mounted at the second end of the base portion by a pair of adjustable hinges, the end gate being disposed in one of a closed position wherein the end gate is linked to the first and second side walls, a first intermediate position wherein the end gate is arranged at a first angle relative to the base portion, and a fully open position wherein the end gate is arranged at a second angle, greater than the first angle, relative to the base portion,

wherein the pair of adjustable hinges are configured to selectively retain the end gate in one of the first intermediate position and the fully open position,

wherein each of the pair of adjustable hinges includes a hinge body having an opening that is configured to receive a positioning cam affixed to a hinge pin, a pawl disposed within the opening of the hinge body, and a control disc disposed in the opening and configured to rotate about the hinge pin,

wherein the positioning cam includes one or more recesses that each correspond to an intermediate location of the hinge body and includes a protrusion that is configured to extend through a slot of the control disc,

wherein the protrusion and the slot are configured to control the position of the control disc through the cycling of the hinge, and the control disc engages a pin on the pawl that prevents the pawl from engaging with the recesses of the positioning cam when the hinge body transitions from a closed position to a fully open position, and

wherein, as the positioning cam rotates within the hinge body, the pawl selectively engages the recesses to secure the relative positions of the hinge body and the hinge pin and thereby retain the end gate in the first intermediate position and the fully open position.

2 . The cargo box of claim 1 , wherein the end gate is further capable of being disposed in a second intermediate position wherein the end gate is arranged at a third angle, greater than the first angle and less than the second angle, relative to the base portion.

3 . The cargo box of claim 2 , further comprising a release activation configured to permit the end gate to transition from the closed position directly to the fully open position.

4 . The cargo box of claim 3 , wherein the release activation is further configured to permit the end gate to transition from the first intermediate position to either the closed position or the fully open position.

5 . The cargo box of claim 3 , wherein the release activation is an end gate handle disposed on a second surface of the end gate.

6 . The cargo box of claim 3 , wherein the release activation is a button disposed on one of the first side wall and the second side wall.

7 . The cargo box of claim 3 , wherein in the fully open position an angle between the base portion of the cargo box and the first surface of the end gate is approximately one hundred and seventy-seven degrees, in the closed position the angle between the base portion of the cargo box and the first surface of the end gate is approximately ninety degrees, in the first intermediate position the angle between the base portion of the cargo box and the first surface of the end gate is approximately one hundred and fifty degrees, and in the second intermediate position the angle between the base portion of the cargo box and the first surface of the end gate is approximately one hundred and twenty degrees.

8 . The cargo box of claim 1 , wherein each of the pair of adjustable hinges includes a hinge pin that is affixed to one of the first side wall and the second side wall.

9 . The cargo box of claim 1 , further comprising a release activation configured to selectively engage the pawl with the positioning cam.

10 . The cargo box of claim 1 , wherein each of the pair of adjustable hinges further includes a cover configured to enclose the hinge body and allow only the hinge pin to protrude.

11 . A vehicle comprising:

a body; and

a cargo box mechanically connected to the body, the cargo box comprising:

a base portion including a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion defining the cargo box;

a first side wall extending from the first end towards the second end on a first side of the cargo box, the first side wall including a first end portion;

a second side wall extending from the first end towards the second end on a second side of the cargo box, the second side wall including a second end portion;

an end gate having a first side portion, a second side portion, a surface extending between the first and second side portions, and an end portion, the end gate being pivotally mounted at the second end of the base portion by a pair of adjustable hinges, the end gate being disposed in one of a closed position wherein the end gate is linked to the first and second side walls, a first intermediate position wherein the end gate is arranged at a first angle relative to the base portion, and a fully open position wherein the end gate is arranged at a second angle, greater than the first angle, relative to the base portion,

wherein the pair of adjustable hinges are configured to selectively retain the end gate in one of the first intermediate position and the fully open position,

wherein each of the pair of adjustable hinges includes a hinge body having an opening that is configured to receive a positioning cam affixed to a hinge pin, a pawl disposed within the opening of the hinge body, and a control disc disposed in the opening and configured to rotate about the hinge pin,

wherein the positioning cam includes one or more recesses that each correspond to an intermediate location of the hinge body and includes a protrusion that is configured to extend through a slot of the control disc,

wherein the protrusion and the slot are configured to control the position of the control disc through the cycling of the hinge, and the control disc engages a pin on the pawl that prevents the pawl from engaging with the recesses of the positioning cam when the hinge body transitions from a closed position to a fully open position, and

wherein, as the positioning cam rotates within the hinge body, the pawl selectively engages the recesses to secure the relative positions of the hinge body and the hinge pin and thereby retain the end gate in the first intermediate position and the fully open position.

12 . The vehicle of claim 11 , wherein the end gate is further capable of being disposed in a second intermediate position wherein the end gate is arranged at a third angle, greater than the first angle and less than the second angle, relative to the base portion.

13 . The vehicle of claim 12 , further comprising a release activation configured such that the end gate can be raised from the closed position directly to the fully open position without activating the release activation.

14 . The vehicle of claim 13 , wherein, in order to transition the end gate from either the first intermediate position or the second intermediate position to a lower position, the release activation must be activated.

15 . The vehicle of claim 13 , wherein the release activation is an end gate handle disposed on second surface of the end gate.

16 . The vehicle of claim 13 , wherein the release activation is a button disposed on one of the first side wall and the second side wall.

17 . The vehicle of claim 13 , wherein in the fully open position an angle between the base portion of the cargo box and the first surface of the end gate is approximately one hundred and seventy-seven degrees, in the closed position the angle between the base portion of the cargo box and the first surface of the end gate is approximately ninety degrees, in the first intermediate position the angle between the base portion of the cargo box and the first surface of the end gate is approximately one hundred and fifty degrees, and in the second intermediate position the angle between the base portion of the cargo box and the first surface of the end gate is approximately one hundred and twenty degrees.

18 . The vehicle of claim 11 , wherein each of the pair of adjustable hinges includes a hinge pin that is affixed to one of the first side wall and the second side wall.

19 . The vehicle of claim 11 , wherein the release activation is partially enclosed within the end gate and includes an actuator that extends through the first side portion and the second side portion.

20 . A vehicle comprising:

a body; and

a cargo box mechanically connected to the body, the cargo box comprising:

a base portion including a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion;

a first side wall and a second side wall extending between the first end and the second end; and

an end gate pivotally mounted at the second end of the base portion by a pair of adjustable hinges, wherein each adjustable hinge comprises:

a hinge body having an opening and an inner surface with a stop;

a positioning cam affixed to a hinge pin, the positioning cam disposed within the opening and including one or more recesses corresponding to intermediate positions and a protrusion;

a control disc disposed within the opening and configured to rotate about the hinge pin, the control disc including a slot that receives the protrusion; and

a pawl disposed within the opening and having a pin,

wherein, during a transition from a closed position to a fully open position, the control disc engages the pin on the pawl to prevent the pawl from engaging the recesses, and as the end gate approaches the fully open position the protrusion reaches an end of the slot and the control disc stops rotating, allowing the pawl pin to slide off the control disc and engage the positioning cam,

wherein, in the fully open position, an end portion of the positioning cam contacts the stop on the hinge body to retain the end gate in the fully open position and as the positioning cam rotates within the opening, the pawl selectively engages the recesses to secure intermediate positions,

wherein each adjustable hinge further includes a cover that encloses the hinge body and allows only the hinge pin to protrude,

wherein the hinge pin includes an aperture configured to receive a pin or bolt to secure the hinge pin to one of the first side wall and the second side wall, and

wherein the cargo box further comprises a release mechanism partially enclosed within the end gate and including an actuator that extends through the first side portion and the second side portion, such that the end gate can be raised from the closed position directly to the fully open position without activating the release mechanism, and to transition the end gate from either a first intermediate position or a second intermediate position to a lower position the release mechanism must be activated.