IP Library Granted Patent US 8,511,734
Granted Patent B2
US 8,511,734 · App. 11/428,172 · Granted Aug 20, 2013

Deployable tailgate ramp

Inventors: F Peter Hutchins, Jr. (St. Clair Shores, MI); Michael S. McComas (Metamora, MI)
Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,511,734
App. No.
11/428,172
Granted
Aug 20, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

A ramp or staircase that may be stowed within a hollow interior of a tailgate. The ramp may be deployed from the tailgate in a telescoping or folding manner. Alternatively, the ramp may be deployed from the tailgate in the form of a staircase.

Claims (8)

1. A device comprising:

a tailgate defining a hollow interior;

a movable lid enclosing said hollow interior; and

at least a first panel and a second panel contained within said hollow interior of said tailgate, said first panel including a side-arm portion including a sliding device and a spring-loaded member, said sliding device of said first panel slidable along a track formed in a side-arm portion of said second panel such that said first panel telescopes outward from said second panel to form a planar inclined ramp; and

said spring-loaded member is engageable with a through hole formed in said side-arm portion of said second panel such that when paid first panel telescopes outward from said second panel, said spring-loaded member engages said through hole of said second panel to lock said panels.

2. The device of claim 1 , wherein said plurality of panels are extendable from said hollow interior in a folding manner.

3. The device of claim 1 , wherein each of said panels is formed of a mesh material.

4. The device of claim 1 , wherein each of said panels is formed of a solid material.

Assignments (20)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jan 24, 2019
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
To: FCA US LLC (FORMERLY KNOWN AS CHRYSLER GROUP LLC)
Reel/Frame 048177/0356 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 30, 2017
From: CITIBANK, N.A.
To: FCA US LLC (FORMERLY KNOWN AS CHRYSLER GROUP LLC)
Reel/Frame 042885/0255 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST RELEASING SECOND-LIEN SECURITY INTEREST PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL 026426 AND FRAME 0644, REEL 026435 AND FRAME 0652, AND REEL 032384 AND FRAME 0591 Recorded Feb 11, 2016
From: CITIBANK, N.A.
To: FCA US LLC, FORMERLY KNOWN AS CHRYSLER GROUP LLC
Reel/Frame 037784/0001 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Apr 30, 2015
From: CHRYSLER GROUP LLC
To: FCA US LLC
Reel/Frame 035553/0356 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Mar 4, 2014
From: CHRYSLER GROUP LLC
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 032384/0640 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 10, 2011
From: CHRYSLER GROUP LLC
To: CITIBANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 026426/0644 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 6, 2011
From: CHRYSLER GROUP LLC
To: CITIBANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 026396/0780 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 25, 2011
From: THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
To: CHRYSLER GROUP LLC; CHRYSLER GROUP GLOBAL ELECTRIC MOTORCARS LLC
Reel/Frame 026335/0001 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jul 7, 2009
From: NEW CARCO ACQUISITION LLC
To: CHRYSLER GROUP LLC
Reel/Frame 022919/0126 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jul 6, 2009
From: NEW CARCO ACQUISITION LLC
To: THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Reel/Frame 022915/0489 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT RIGHTS - FIRST PRIORITY Recorded Jul 6, 2009
From: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
To: CHRYSLER LLC
Reel/Frame 022910/0498 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT RIGHTS - SECOND PRIORITY Recorded Jul 6, 2009
From: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
To: CHRYSLER LLC
Reel/Frame 022910/0740 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 6, 2009
From: CHRYSLER LLC
To: NEW CARCO ACQUISITION LLC
Reel/Frame 022915/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 1, 2009
From: US DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
To: CHRYSLER LLC
Reel/Frame 022902/0164 →
GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT RIGHTS - THIR Recorded Jan 14, 2009
From: CHRYSLER LLC
To: US DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Reel/Frame 022259/0188 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Dec 3, 2008
From: DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION
To: DAIMLERCHRYSLER COMPANY LLC
Reel/Frame 021915/0760 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Dec 3, 2008
From: DAIMLERCHRYSLER COMPANY LLC
To: CHRYSLER LLC
Reel/Frame 021915/0772 →
GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT RIGHTS - SECOND PRIORITY Recorded Aug 30, 2007
From: CHRYSLER LLC
To: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
Reel/Frame 019767/0810 →
GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT RIGHTS - FIRST PRIORITY Recorded Aug 29, 2007
From: CHRYSLER LLC
To: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
Reel/Frame 019773/0001 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 8, 2006
From: HUTCHINS, JR., F. PETER; MCCOMAS, MICHAEL S.
To: DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 018084/0051 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20080042464A1 · Feb 21, 2008