IP Library Granted Patent US 12,427,906
Granted Patent B2
US 12,427,906 · App. 17/673,915 · Granted Sep 30, 2025

Vehicle including convertible work station

Inventors: Michael John Harmon (Northville, MI); Ryan Mathew Sandor (North Wales, PA); Dale F. Jordan, III (Royal Oak, MI)
Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
B60P3/14B60R9/02B60R13/01B60R2013/016
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,427,906
App. No.
17/673,915
Granted
Sep 30, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

This disclosure relates to a motor vehicle including a convertible work station. In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a motor vehicle, including a bedside panel including a door. The door is rotatable relative to a remainder of the bedside panel between a closed position, in which the door is substantially flush with the remainder of the bedside panel, and an open position. When the door is in the open position, the door provides a worktop and a compartment located interiorly of the bedside panel is accessible.

Claims (31)

1. A motor vehicle, comprising:

a bedside panel including a door, wherein the door is rotatable about a first axis relative to a remainder of the bedside panel between a closed position, in which the door is substantially flush with the remainder of the bedside panel, and an open position,

wherein, when the door is in the open position, the door provides a worktop and a compartment located interiorly of the bedside panel is accessible,

wherein the compartment is between the bedside panel and a cargo bed side wall,

wherein the cargo bed side wall includes a cutout,

wherein a body including a power outlet is arranged within the cutout, and

wherein the body is configured to rotate about a second axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis between a first position in which the power outlet faces the compartment and a second position in which the power outlet faces a cargo bed of the motor vehicle.

2. The motor vehicle as recited in claim 1 , wherein the worktop is provided by a surface removably attachable to the door.

3. The motor vehicle as recited in claim 1 , wherein the door is configured to rotate substantially 90° between the closed position and the open position.

4. The motor vehicle as recited in claim 3 , wherein the door is rotatable about an axis adjacent a bottom edge of the door.

5. The motor vehicle as recited in claim 1 , wherein the cargo bed side wall includes a section including perforated hardboard.

6. The motor vehicle as recited in claim 1 , wherein the body is configured to rotate substantially 180° between the first position and the second position.

7. The motor vehicle as recited in claim 6 , wherein:

the body is configured to rotate to a third position substantially 90° from the first position and the second position, and

when the body is in the third position, the power outlet is accessible from both the compartment and the cargo bed.

8. The motor vehicle as recited in claim 6 , wherein the power outlet is one of a plurality of power outlets on a first face of the body.

9. The motor vehicle as recited in claim 1 , wherein the motor vehicle is a pickup truck.

10. The motor vehicle as recited in claim 1 , wherein the first axis is substantially parallel to a ground surface adjacent the motor vehicle and the second axis is substantially perpendicular to the ground surface.

11. A motor vehicle, comprising:

a panel including a door;

a compartment accessible when the door is open; and

a body including a power outlet, wherein the body is rotatable between a first position in which the power outlet faces the compartment and a second position in which the power outlet faces a cargo bed of the motor vehicle, wherein the body is configured to rotate substantially 180° between the first position and the second position.

12. The motor vehicle as recited in claim 11 , further comprising:

a cargo bed side wall including a cutout;

wherein the body is arranged in the cutout.

13. The motor vehicle as recited in claim 12 , wherein the body is rotatably mounted to the cargo bed side wall.

14. The motor vehicle as recited in claim 12 , wherein the cargo bed side wall includes perforated hardboard adjacent the cutout.

15. The motor vehicle as recited in claim 11 , wherein the panel is a bedside panel.

16. The motor vehicle as recited in claim 15 , wherein compartment is between the bedside panel and a cargo bed side wall.

17. The motor vehicle as recited in claim 11 , wherein, when the door is open, the door provides a worktop.

18. The motor vehicle as recited in claim 11 , wherein the body is rotatable about an axis substantially perpendicular to a ground surface adjacent the motor vehicle.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 17, 2022
From: HARMON, MICHAEL JOHN; SANDOR, RYAN MATHEW; JORDAN, DALE F., III
To: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
Reel/Frame 059030/0420 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20230256887A1 · Aug 17, 2023
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