IP Library Granted Patent US 7,287,798
Granted Patent B2
US 7,287,798 · App. 11/084,489 · Granted Oct 30, 2007

Tailgate assembly and method of operating the same

Assignee: DaimlerChrysler Corporation
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,287,798
App. No.
11/084,489
Granted
Oct 30, 2007
Kind
B2
Abstract

A tailgate assembly and method of operating the same. The assembly includes a door portion movable between a closed position and an open position. An extendable spoiler is operably attached to the door portion. An extendable floorbed is operably attached to the door portion. The floorbed may be extended when the door portion is in the open position and the spoiler is extended. The method includes moving a door portion between a closed position and an open position. A spoiler operably attached to the door portion is extended. A floorbed operably attached to the door portion is extended when the door portion is in the open position and the spoiler is extended.

Claims (28)

1. A tailgate assembly comprising;

a door portion movable between a closed position and an open position;

an extendable spoiler operably attached to the door portion; by at least one extendable support stand and

an extendable floorbed operably attached to the door portion; wherein the floorbed may be extended to rest on the at least one support stand between an edge of the door portion and the spoiler when the door portion is in the open position and the spoiler is extended.

2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the extendable spoiler is operably attached to the door portion with a motor assembly.

3. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the extendable spoiler comprises a cargo lock when the spoiler is extended vertically when the door portion is in the closed position, cargo extends between the spoiler and a top surface of the tailgate assembly, and the spoiler is retracted to engage the cargo.

4. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the at least one support stand includes a ratchet portion.

5. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the extendable spoiler comprises an injection molded plastic.

6. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the floorbed is operably attached to the door portion with a hinge assembly.

7. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the floorbed is operably attached to the door portion with a sliding assembly.

8. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the floorbed is removably attached to the door portion.

9. The assembly of claim 1 further comprising a light assembly operably attached to the spoiler.

10. A method of operating a tailgate assembly, the method comprising:

moving a door portion between a closed position and an open position;

extending a spoiler operably attached to the door portion by at least one extendable support stand; and

extending a floorbed operably attached to the door portion, such that the floorbed rests on the at least one support stand between an edge of the door portion and the spoiler when the door portion is in the open position and the spoiler is extended.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein extending the spoiler comprises automatic extension.

12. The method of claim 10 wherein extending the spoiler comprises activating a ratcheting mechanism operably attached to the spoiler.

13. The method of claim 10 wherein the spoiler comprises an injection molded plastic.

14. The method of claim 10 wherein extending the floorbed comprises swinging the floorbed into the extended position.

15. The method of claim 10 wherein extending the floorbed comprises sliding the floorbed into the extended position.

16. The method of claim 10 further comprising removably attaching the floorbed to the door portion.

17. The method of claim 10 further comprising providing a light assembly operably attached to the spoiler.

18. A tailgate assembly comprising:

means for moving a door portion between a closed position and an open position;

means for extending a spoiler operably attached to the door portion; and

means for extending a floorbed operably attached to the door portion such that an extended portion of the floorbed rests on the means for extending between an edge of the door portion and the spoiler when the door portion is in the open position and the spoiler is extended.

19. The assembly of claim 18 further comprising a light assembly operably attached to the spoiler.

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 13, 2011
From: CHRYSLER GROUP LLC
To: CITIBANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 026435/0652 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 7, 2011
From: CHRYSLER GROUP LLC
To: CITIBANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 026404/0123 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 26, 2011
From: THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
To: CHRYSLER GROUP LLC; CHRYSLER GROUP GLOBAL ELECTRIC MOTORCARS LLC
Reel/Frame 026343/0298 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jul 7, 2009
From: NEW CARCO ACQUISITION LLC
To: CHRYSLER GROUP LLC
Reel/Frame 022919/0126 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT RIGHTS - FIRST PRIORITY Recorded Jul 6, 2009
From: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
To: CHRYSLER LLC
Reel/Frame 022910/0498 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jul 6, 2009
From: NEW CARCO ACQUISITION LLC
To: THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Reel/Frame 022915/0489 →
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 IN PATENT RIGHTS - SECOND PRIORITY Recorded Jul 6, 2009
From: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
To: CHRYSLER LLC
Reel/Frame 022910/0740 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 1, 2009
From: US DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
To: CHRYSLER LLC
Reel/Frame 022902/0310 →
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 Nov 13, 2008
From: DAIMLERCHRYSLER COMPANY LLC
To: CHRYSLER LLC
Reel/Frame 021826/0001 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Nov 4, 2008
From: DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION
To: DAIMLERCHRYSLER COMPANY LLC
Reel/Frame 021779/0793 →
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 Apr 22, 2005
From: KING, E. MACKEY
To: DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 016144/0022 →
Continuity (1)
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