Tailgate deactivation system

Abstract

A tailgate deactivation system. A switch includes two terminals configured to be electrically coupled to a tailgate power circuit that supplies power to at least a portion of a tailgate of a vehicle, and an actuator configured to electrically couple the two terminals in an on state to allow power to flow in the tailgate power circuit, and to electrically decouple the two terminals in an off state to inhibit power from flowing in the tailgate power circuit.

Description

1 TAILGATE DEACTIVATION SYSTEM RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 896,878, filed on September 6, 2019, entitled 5 “TAILGATE DEACTIVATION SYSTEM,” and U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 935,231, filed on November 14, 2019, entitled “MANUAL TAILGATE DEACTIVATION SYSTEM”. BACKGROUND 10

[0002] Tailgates of vehicles that are capable of pivoting below the bed of the vehicle may impact towing apparatus, and damage the tailgate and / or the towing apparatus. SUMMARY 15

[0003] The embodiments disclosed herein include a tailgate deactivation system that deactivates the inner gate panel of a multi-panel tailgate to inhibit movement of the inner gate panel with respect to the primary gate panel, and thus prevent the inner gate panel from being inadvertently pivoted downward into a towing apparatus that is coupled to the vehicle. 20

[0004] In a first embodiment a tailgate deactivation system is provided. The tailgate deactivation system includes a switch, which includes two terminals configured to be electrically coupled to a tailgate power circuit that supplies power to at least a portion of a tailgate of a vehicle, and an actuator configured to electrically couple the two terminals in an on state to allow power to flow in the 25 tailgate power circuit, and to electrically decouple the two terminals in an off state to inhibit power from flowing in the tailgate power circuit.

[0005] In another embodiment, a tailgate deactivation system is provided which includes a switch, the switch including two terminals configured to be electrically coupled to a tailgate power circuit that supplies power to an inner gate CA 3091742 Date reçue / Received date 2024-11-18 2 panel of a multi-panel tailgate that includes a primary gate panel and the inner gate panel, and an actuator configured to electrically couple the two terminals in an on state to allow power to flow in the tailgate power circuit to facilitate movement of the inner gate panel with respect to the primary gate panel, and to electrically decouple the two terminals in an off state to inhibit 5 power from flowing in the tailgate power circuit to inhibit movement of the inner gate panel with respect to the primary gate panel. [0005a] In another embodiment, there is provided a method, comprising: by a vehicle having a hitch receiver apparatus configured to be coupled to 10 a towing apparatus and that includes a multi-functional tailgate having a primary gate panel with an inner gate panel, wherein the inner gate panel is rotatable about a first horizontal axis extending through the primary gate panel a certain distance above a second horizontal axis about which the primary gate panel is rotatable, with the primary gate panel being configured to pivot between an 15 upward vertical position and a horizontal position relative to the vehicle and with the inner gate panel being configured to independently pivot relative to the primary gate panel, with the inner gate panel being further configured to be pivoted to a downward vertical position while the primary gate panel is in the horizontal position relative to the vehicle such that a portion of the inner gate 20 panel is proximate the hitch receiver apparatus of the vehicle, with the vehicle also including first circuitry operable to deliver power to the inner gate panel to enable the inner gate panel to be downwards pivoted relative to the primary gate panel and including second circuitry electrically coupled to the first circuitry and operable to selectively enable or disable power delivery to the inner gate panel 25 by the first circuitry so that the inner gate panel can be respectively enabled to be downwards pivoted or prevented from being downwards pivoted relative to the primary gate panel, transitioning, by the second circuitry, from being configured to enable the power delivery to the inner gate panel by the first circuitry to being configured to disable the power delivery to the inner gate panel responsive to 30 receiving, by the second circuitry, a first input signal associated with the inner CA 3091742 Date reçue / Received date 2024-08-29 3 gate panel being prevented from being downwards pivoted relative to the primary gate panel towards the hitch receiver apparatus. [0005b] In another embodiment, there is provided a vehicle, comprising: a hitch receiver apparatus configured to be coupled to a towing apparatus; a multi-functional tailgate having a primary gate panel with an 5 inner gate panel, wherein the inner gate panel is rotatable about a first horizontal axis extending through the primary gate panel a certain distance above a second horizontal axis about which the primary gate panel is rotatable, with the primary gate panel being configured to pivot between an upward vertical position and a horizontal 10 position relative to the vehicle and with the inner gate panel being configured to independently pivot relative to the primary gate panel, with the inner gate panel further being configured to be downwards pivoted to a downward vertical position while the primary gate panel is in the horizontal position relative to the vehicle such that a portion of the inner gate panel is proximate the hitch receiver 15 apparatus; first circuitry operable to deliver power to the inner gate panel to enable the inner gate panel to be downwards pivoted relative to the primary gate panel; and second circuitry electrically coupled to the first circuitry and operable to 20 selectively enable or disable power delivery to the inner gate panel by the first circuitry so that the inner gate panel can be respectively enabled to be downwards pivoted or prevented from being downwards pivoted relative to the primary gate panel; and wherein the second circuitry is further operable to transition from being 25 configured to enable the power delivery to the inner gate panel by the first circuitry to being configured to disable the power delivery to the inner gate panel responsive to receiving, by the second circuitry, a first input signal associated with the inner gate panel being prevented from being downwards pivoted relative to the primary gate panel towards the hitch receiver apparatus. 30 [0005c] In another embodiment, there is provided a tailgate deactivation system comprising: CA 3091742 Date reçue / Received date 2024-08-29 4 first circuitry configured to be electrically coupled to second circuitry that supplies power to at least a portion of a multi-functional tailgate of a vehicle, the multi-functional tailgate having a primary gate panel with an inner gate panel, wherein the inner gate panel is rotatable about a first horizontal axis extending through the primary gate panel a certain distance a 5 bove a second horizontal axis about which the primary gate panel is rotatable, with the primary gate panel being configured to pivot between an upward vertical position and a horizontal position relative to the vehicle and the inner gate panel being configured to independently pivot relative to the primary gate panel, with the inner gate panel 10 being further configured to be downwardly pivoted to a downward vertical position while the primary gate panel is in the horizontal position relative to the vehicle such that a portion of the inner gate panel is proximate a hitch receiver apparatus of the vehicle, the first circuitry operable to deliver power to the inner gate panel to enable the inner gate panel to be downwards pivoted relative to the 15 primary gate panel and the second circuitry electrically coupled to the first circuitry and operable to selectively enable or disable power delivery to the inner gate panel by the first circuitry so that the inner gate panel can be respectively enabled to be downwards pivoted or prevented from being downwards pivoted relative to the primary gate panel, transitioning, by the second circuitry, from 20 being configured to enable the power delivery to the inner gate panel by the first circuitry to being configured to disable the power delivery to the inner gate panel responsive to receiving, by the second circuitry, a first input signal associated with the inner gate panel being prevented from being downwards pivoted relative to the primary gate panel towards the hitch receiver apparatus. 25 [0005d] In accordance with another aspect, there is a method, comprising: by a vehicle having a hitch receiver apparatus and a multi-functional tailgate having a primary gate panel with an inner gate panel, with the inner gate panel being rotatable about a first horizontal axis extending through the primary gate panel a certain distance above a second horizontal axis about which the 30 primary gate panel is rotatable, with the primary gate panel being configured to pivot between an upward vertical position and a horizontal position relative to a CA 3091742 Date reçue / Received date 2024-11-18 4a vehicle bed of the vehicle and with the inner gate panel being configured to independently pivot relative to the primary gate panel, with the inner gate panel being further configured to be pivoted to a downward vertical position while the primary gate panel is in the horizontal position relative to the vehicle bed such that a portion of the inner gate panel is proximate t 5 he hitch receiver apparatus; controlling a circuitry operable to enable or disable power delivery to the inner gate panel to configure the multi-functional tailgate in one of a set of multifunctional tailgate configurations, including: a first configuration with the primary gate panel in the horizontal 10 position and enabled to be pivoted and the inner gate panel inhibited from being downwards pivoted; a second configuration with the primary gate panel in the horizontal position and enabled to be pivoted and the inner gate panel enabled to be downwards pivoted; 15 a third configuration with the primary gate panel in the upward vertical position and enabled to be pivoted and the inner gate panel inhibited from being downwards pivoted; and a fourth configuration with the primary gate panel in the upward vertical position and enabled to be pivoted and the inner gate panel 20 enabled to be downwards pivoted. [0005e] In accordance with a further aspect, there is a vehicle, comprising: a hitch receiver apparatus; a vehicle bed; a multi-functional tailgate having a primary gate panel with an inner gate 25 panel, with the inner gate panel being rotatable about a first horizontal axis extending through the primary gate panel a certain distance above a second horizontal axis about which the primary gate panel is rotatable, with the primary gate panel being configured to pivot between an upward vertical position and a horizontal position relative to the vehicle bed and with the inner gate panel being 30 configured to independently pivot relative to the primary gate panel, with the inner gate panel being further configured to be pivoted to a downward vertical CA 3091742 Date reçue / Received date 2024-11-18 4b position while the primary gate panel is in the horizontal position relative to the vehicle bed such that a portion of the inner gate panel is proximate the hitch receiver apparatus; a circuitry operable to enable or disable power delivery to the inner gate 5 panel; and wherein the vehicle is operable to control the circuitry to configure the multi-functional tailgate in one of a set of multi-functional tailgate configurations, including: a first configuration with the primary gate panel in the horizontal 10 position and enabled to be pivoted and the inner gate panel inhibited from being downwards pivoted; a second configuration with the primary gate panel in the horizontal position and enabled to be pivoted and the inner gate panel enabled to be downwards pivoted; 15 a third configuration with the primary gate panel in the upward vertical position and enabled to be pivoted and the inner gate panel inhibited from being downwards pivoted; and a fourth configuration with the primary gate panel in the upward vertical position and enabled to be pivoted and the inner gate panel enabled to be downwards 20 pivoted. [0005f] In accordance with another aspect, there is a method, comprising: by a vehicle having a hitch receiver apparatus and a multi-functional tailgate having a primary gate panel with an inner gate panel, wherein the inner gate panel is rotatable about a first horizontal axis extending through the primary gate 25 panel a certain distance above a second horizontal axis about which the primary gate panel is rotatable, with the primary gate panel being configured to pivot between an upward vertical position and a horizontal position relative to the vehicle and with the inner gate panel being configured to independently pivot relative to the primary gate panel, with the inner gate panel being further 30 configured to be pivoted to a downward vertical position while the primary gate panel is in the horizontal position relative to the vehicle such that a portion of the CA 3091742 Date reçue / Received date 2024-11-18 4c inner gate panel is proximate the hitch receiver apparatus of the vehicle, with the vehicle also including a power source operable to deliver power to the inner gate panel to enable the inner gate panel to be downwards pivoted relative to the primary gate panel and including a circuitry electrically coupled between the power source and the inner gate panel 5 and operable to enable or disable power delivery to the inner gate panel by the power source so that the inner gate panel can be respectively enabled to be downwards pivoted or inhibited from being downwards pivoted relative to the primary gate panel; and controlling the circuitry to enable or disable the power delivery to the inner gate 10 panel based on an input signal associated with the inner gate panel being enabled or inhibited from being downwards pivoted relative to the primary gate panel. [0005g] In accordance with a further aspect, there is a vehicle, comprising: a hitch receiver apparatus; 15 a vehicle bed; a multi-functional tailgate having a primary gate panel with an inner gate panel, with the inner gate panel being rotatable about a first horizontal axis extending through the primary gate panel a certain distance above a second horizontal axis about which the primary gate panel is rotatable, the primary gate 20 panel being configured to pivot between an upward vertical position and a horizontal position relative to the vehicle bed and with the inner gate panel being configured to independently pivot relative to the primary gate panel; a power source operable to deliver power to the inner gate panel to enable the inner gate panel to be pivoted relative to the primary gate panel; and 25 a circuitry electrically coupled between the power source and the inner gate panel and operable to enable or disable power delivery to the inner gate panel by the power source; and wherein the vehicle is operable to control the circuitry to enable or disable the power delivery to the inner gate panel based on an input signal associated 30 with the inner gate panel being enabled or inhibited from being downwards pivoted relative to the primary gate panel. CA 3091742 Date reçue / Received date 2024-11-18 4d [0005h] In accordance with another aspect, there is a method, comprising: by a vehicle having a hitch receiver apparatus and a multi-functional tailgate having a primary gate panel with an inner gate panel, wherein the inner gate panel is rotatable about a first horizontal axis extending through the primary gate panel a certain distance above a second hor 5 izontal axis about which the primary gate panel is rotatable, with the primary gate panel being configured to pivot between an upward vertical position and a horizontal position relative to the vehicle and with the inner gate panel being configured to independently pivot relative to the primary gate panel, with the inner gate panel being further 10 configured to be pivoted to a downward vertical position while the primary gate panel is in the horizontal position relative to the vehicle such that a portion of the inner gate panel is proximate the hitch receiver apparatus of the vehicle, with the vehicle also including a switch circuitry configured to have an on state and an off state, wherein, in the on state, the switch circuitry is configured to enable power 15 delivery to the inner gate panel, and wherein, in the off state, the switch circuitry is configured to inhibit the power delivery to the inner gate panel; and controlling the switch circuitry to enable or disable the power delivery to the inner gate panel. [0005i] In accordance with a further aspect, there is a vehicle, comprising: 20 a hitch receiver apparatus; a vehicle bed; a multi-functional tailgate having a primary gate panel with an inner gate panel, with the inner gate panel being rotatable about a first horizontal axis extending through the primary gate panel a certain distance above a second 25 horizontal axis about which the primary gate panel is rotatable, the primary gate panel being configured to pivot between an upward vertical position and a horizontal position relative to the vehicle bed and with the inner gate panel being configured to independently pivot relative to the primary gate panel, with the inner gate panel being further configured to be pivoted to a downward vertical 30 position while the primary gate panel is in the horizontal position relative to the vehicle bed such that a portion of the inner gate panel is proximate the hitch CA 3091742 Date reçue / Received date 2024-11-18 4e receiver apparatus; a switch circuitry configured to be electrically coupled to a tailgate power circuitry that supplies power to the inner gate panel, with the switch circuitry having an on state and an off state, wherein, in the on state, the switch circuitry is configured to enable power delivery to the tailgate 5 power circuitry, and wherein, in the off state, the switch circuitry is configured to inhibit the power delivery to the tailgate power circuitry. [0005j] In accordance with another aspect, there is a tailgate deactivation system comprising: 10 a switch comprising: two terminals configured to be electrically coupled to a tailgate power circuit that supplies power to at least a portion of a tailgate of a vehicle; and an actuator comprising an actuation surface, wherein the 15 actuator is configured to electrically couple the two terminals in an on state to allow power to flow in the tailgate power circuit, and to electrically decouple the two terminals in an off state to inhibit power from flowing in the tailgate power circuit, and wherein the actuation surface is configured to transition the switch from the on 20 state to the off state in response to a hitch pin being installed into a hitch pin opening of a hitch receiver tube of the vehicle. [0005k] In accordance with another aspect, there is a tailgate deactivation system comprising: a switch comprising: 25 two terminals configured to be electrically coupled to a tailgate power circuit that supplies power to an inner gate panel of a multi-panel tailgate that includes a primary gate panel and the inner gate panel; and an actuator comprising an actuation surface, wherein the 30 actuator is configured to electrically couple the two terminals in an on state to allow power to flow in the tailgate power circuit to CA 3091742 Date reçue / Received date 2024-11-18 4f facilitate movement of the inner gate panel with respect to the primary gate panel, and to electrically decouple the two terminals in an off state to inhibit power from flowing in the tailgate power circuit to inhibit movement of the inner gate panel with respect to the primary gate panel, and wherein the ac 5 tuation surface is configured to transition the switch from the on state to the off state in response to a hitch pin being installed into a hitch pin opening of a hitch receiver tube of the vehicle. [0005l] In accordance with another aspect, there is a tailgate deactivation 10 system comprising: a switch comprising: two terminals configured to be electrically coupled to a tailgate power circuit that supplies power to at least a portion of a tailgate of a vehicle; and 15 an actuator configured to electrically couple the two terminals in an on state to allow power to flow in the tailgate power circuit, and to electrically decouple the two terminals in an off state to inhibit power from flowing in the tailgate power circuit; and a hitch receiver tube mount coupled to the switch, the hitch receiver tube 20 mount being configured to be mounted to a hitch receiver tube of the vehicle and to be coupled to the hitch receiver tube at a location on the hitch receiver tube to place the actuator in a path of a hitch pin used to couple a towing apparatus to the hitch receiver tube. 25 [0005m] In accordance with another aspect, there is a tailgate deactivation system comprising: a switch comprising: two terminals configured to be electrically coupled to a tailgate power circuit that supplies power to at least a portion of a 30 tailgate of a vehicle; and CA 3091742 Date reçue / Received date 2024-11-18 4g an actuator configured to electrically couple the two terminals in an on state to allow power to flow in the tailgate power circuit, and to electrically decouple the two terminals in an off state to inhibit power from flowing in the tailgate power circuit; and a hitch receiver tube mount coupled to t 5 he switch, the hitch receiver tube mount comprising an adhesive configured to be mounted to a hitch receiver tube of the vehicle. [0005n] In accordance with another aspect, there is a tailgate deactivation 10 system comprising: a switch comprising: two terminals configured to be electrically coupled to a tailgate power circuit that supplies power to at least a portion of a tailgate of a vehicle; and 15 an actuator configured to electrically couple the two terminals in an on state to allow power to flow in the tailgate power circuit, and to electrically decouple the two terminals in an off state to inhibit power from flowing in the tailgate power circuit; and a hitch receiver tube mount coupled to the switch, the hitch receiver tube 20 mount comprising a bracket configured to be mounted to a hitch receiver tube of the vehicle. [0005o] In accordance with another aspect, there is a tailgate deactivation system comprising: a switch comprising: 25 two terminals configured to be electrically coupled to a tailgate power circuit that supplies power to at least a portion of a tailgate of a vehicle; and an actuator comprising an actuation surface, the actuator being configured to electrically couple the two terminals in an on 30 state to allow power to flow in the tailgate power circuit, and to CA 3091742 Date reçue / Received date 2024-11-18 4h electrically decouple the two terminals in an off state to inhibit power from flowing in the tailgate power circuit; and a hitch receiver tube mount coupled to the switch, wherein the hitch receiver tube mount is configured to be mounted to a hitch receiver tube of the vehicle, and wherein the hitch receiver tube 5 mount is further configured to couple the actuation surface with respect to a hitch pin opening of the hitch receiver tube, such that installation of the hitch pin to couple the towing apparatus to the hitch receiver tube causes the switch to be placed into the off state. [0005p] In accordance with another aspect, there is a tailgate deactivation 10 system comprising: a switch comprising: two terminals configured to be electrically coupled to a tailgate power circuit that supplies power to at least a portion of a tailgate of a vehicle; and 15 an actuator comprising a push-button configured to be manually activated or deactivated and further configured to electrically couple the two terminals in an on state to allow power to flow in the tailgate power circuit, and to electrically decouple the two terminals in an off state to inhibit power from flowing in the 20 tailgate power circuit. [0005q] In accordance with another aspect, there is a tailgate deactivation system comprising: a switch comprising: two terminals configured to be electrically coupled to a 25 tailgate power circuit that supplies power to at least a portion of a tailgate of a vehicle; and an actuator comprising an actuation surface, wherein the actuator is configured to electrically couple the two terminals in an on state to allow power to flow in the tailgate power circuit, and to 30 electrically decouple the two terminals in an off state to inhibit power from flowing in the tailgate power circuit, and wherein the CA 3091742 Date reçue / Received date 2024-11-18 4i actuation surface is configured to transition the switch from the on state to the off state by coupling a ball mount system to a hitch receiver tube of the vehicle. [0005r] In accordance with another aspect, there is a tailgate deactivation 5 system comprising: a switch comprising: two terminals configured to be electrically coupled to a tailgate power circuit that supplies power to at least a portion of a tailgate of a vehicle; and 10 an actuator comprising a push-button configured to electrically couple the two terminals in an on state to allow power to flow in the tailgate power circuit, and to electrically decouple the two terminals in an off state to inhibit power from flowing in the tailgate power circuit, wherein installation of a hitch pin of a ball 15 mount system urges the push-button to cause the switch to be placed into the off state. [0005s] In accordance with another aspect, there is a tailgate deactivation system comprising: a switch comprising: 20 two terminals configured to be electrically coupled to a tailgate power circuit that supplies power to at least a portion of a tailgate of a vehicle and that controls power to an inner gate panel of the tailgate; and an actuator configured to electrically couple the two 25 terminals in an on state to allow power to flow in the tailgate power circuit, and to electrically decouple the two terminals in an off state to inhibit power from flowing in the tailgate power circuit. [0005t] In accordance with another aspect, there is a tailgate deactivation system comprising: 30 a switch comprising: CA 3091742 Date reçue / Received date 2024-11-18 4j two terminals configured to be electrically coupled to a tailgate power circuit that supplies power to an inner gate panel of a multi-panel tailgate of a vehicle, the multi-panel tailgate comprising a primary gate panel and the inner gate panel; and an actuator configured 5 to electrically couple the two terminals in an on state to allow power to flow in the tailgate power circuit, and to electrically decouple the two terminals in an off state to inhibit power from flowing in the tailgate power circuit and to prevent the inner gate panel from pivoting with respect to the 10 primary gate panel and thereby drop below a plane in which the primary gate panel and the inner gate panel are located. [0005u] In accordance with another aspect, there is a tailgate deactivation system comprising: a switch comprising: 15 two terminals configured to be electrically coupled to a tailgate power circuit that supplies power to an inner gate panel of a multi-panel tailgate that includes a primary gate panel and the inner gate panel; and an actuator comprising an actuation surface, wherein the 20 actuator is configured to electrically couple the two terminals in an on state to allow power to flow in the tailgate power circuit to facilitate movement of the inner gate panel with respect to the primary gate panel, and to electrically decouple the two terminals in an off state to inhibit power from flowing in the tailgate power circuit 25 to inhibit movement of the inner gate panel with respect to the primary gate panel, and wherein the actuation surface is configured to transition the switch from the on state to the off state by coupling a ball mount system to a hitch receiver tube of the vehicle. [0005v] In accordance with another aspect, there is a tailgate deactivation 30 system comprising: CA 3091742 Date reçue / Received date 2024-11-18 4k a switch configured to be electrically coupled to a tailgate power circuit that supplies power to at least a portion of a tailgate of a vehicle, wherein the switch comprises a proximity switch; and an actuator configured to cause the switch to transition from an on state to an off state, in the on state the switch b 5 eing configured to allow power to flow in the tailgate power circuit, and in the off state the switch being configured to inhibit power from flowing in the tailgate power circuit. [0005w] In accordance with another aspect, there is a tailgate deactivation system comprising: 10 a switch configured to be electrically coupled to a tailgate power circuit that supplies power to an inner gate panel of a multi-panel tailgate of a vehicle that includes a primary gate panel and the inner gate panel; and an actuator configured to cause the switch to transition from an on state to an off state, in the on state the switch configured to allow power to flow in the 15 tailgate power circuit to facilitate movement of the inner gate panel with respect to the primary gate panel, and in the off state the switch configured to inhibit power from flowing in the tailgate power circuit to inhibit movement of the inner gate panel with respect to the primary gate panel. [0005x] In accordance with another aspect, there is a tailgate deactivation 20 system comprising: a switch configured to be electrically coupled to a tailgate power circuit that supplies power to at least a portion of a tailgate of a vehicle, the switch having an on state and an off state, in the on state the switch configured to allow power to flow in the tailgate power circuit, and in the off state the switch 25 configured to inhibit power from flowing in the tailgate power circuit, wherein in the off state the switch is configured to prevent an inner gate panel of the tailgate from pivoting with respect to a primary gate panel of the tailgate. [0005y] In accordance with another aspect, there is a tailgate deactivation system comprising: 30 a switch configured to be electrically coupled to a tailgate power circuit that supplies power to at least a portion of a tailgate of a vehicle; and CA 3091742 Date reçue / Received date 2024-11-18 4l an actuator configured to cause the switch to transition from an on state to an off state, in the on state the switch being configured to allow power to flow in the tailgate power circuit, and in the off state the switch being configured to inhibit power from flowing in the tailgate power circuit, wherein the actuator comprises an actuation surface that, when activated, causes 5 the switch to transition from either the on state to the off state, or from the off state to the on state. [0005z] In accordance with another aspect, there is a tailgate deactivation system comprising: a switch configured to be electrically coupled to a tailgate power circuit 10 that supplies power to at least a portion of a tailgate of a vehicle; and an actuator configured to cause the switch to transition from an on state to an off state, in the on state the switch being configured to allow power to flow in the tailgate power circuit, and in the off state the switch being configured to inhibit power from flowing in the tailgate power circuit, wherein in the off state the switch 15 is configured to inhibit power to a portion of the tailgate power circuit that supplies power to an inner gate panel of the tailgate. [0005aa] In accordance with another aspect, there is a tailgate deactivation system comprising: a switch configured to be electrically coupled to a tailgate power circuit 20 that supplies power to at least a portion of a tailgate of a vehicle; and an actuator configured to cause the switch to transition from an on state to an off state, in the on state the switch being configured to allow power to flow in the tailgate power circuit, and in the off state the switch being configured to inhibit power from flowing in the tailgate power circuit, wherein in the off state the switch 25 is configured to prevent an inner gate panel of the tailgate from pivoting with respect to a primary gate panel of the tailgate. [0005bb] In accordance with another aspect, there is a tailgate deactivation system comprising: a switch configured to be electrically coupled to a tailgate power circuit 30 that supplies power to at least a portion of a tailgate of a vehicle; and CA 3091742 Date reçue / Received date 2024-11-18 4m an actuator configured to cause the switch to transition from an on state to an off state, in the on state the switch being configured to allow power to flow in the tailgate power circuit, and in the off state the switch being configured to inhibit power from flowing in the tailgate power circuit, wherein the actuator comprises an actuation surface, the actuation surface configured t 5 o transition the switch from the on state to the off state in response to a hitch pin being installed into a hitch pin opening of a hitch receiver tube of the vehicle. [0005cc] In accordance with another aspect, there is a tailgate deactivation system comprising: 10 a switch configured to be electrically coupled to a tailgate power circuit that supplies power to at least a portion of a tailgate of a vehicle; and an actuator configured to cause the switch to transition from an on state to an off state, in the on state the switch being configured to allow power to flow in the tailgate power circuit, and in the off state the switch being configured to inhibit 15 power from flowing in the tailgate power circuit, wherein the actuator is configured to transition the switch from the on state to the off state in response to a coupling of a ball mount system to a hitch receiver tube of the vehicle. [0005dd] In accordance with another aspect, there is a tailgate deactivation system comprising: 20 a switch configured to be electrically coupled to a tailgate power circuit that supplies power to at least a portion of a tailgate of a vehicle, the switch having an on state and an off state, in the on state the switch configured to allow power to flow in the tailgate power circuit, and in the off state the switch configured to inhibit power from flowing in the tailgate power circuit, wherein in 25 the off state the switch is configured to inhibit power to a portion of the tailgate power circuit that supplies power to an inner gate panel of the tailgate.

[0006] Those skilled in the art will appreciate the scope of the disclosure and realize additional aspects thereof after reading the following detailed description of the embodiments in association with the accompanying drawing figures. CA 3091742 Date reçue / Received date 2024-11-18 5 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] The accompanying drawing figures incorporated in and forming a part of this specification illustrate several aspects of the disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure.

[0008] Figure 1 is a schematic block diagram of a vehicle 5 with a multi-panel tailgate;

[0009] Figure 2 illustrates a schematic of a tailgate deactivation system according to one embodiment;

[0010] Figures 3A – 3C illustrate various example actuation surfaces 10 according to different embodiments;

[0011] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the tailgate deactivation system illustrated in Figure 2;

[0012] Figure 5 illustrates a schematic of a hitch pin installation according to one embodiment; 15

[0013] Figure 6 illustrates a schematic of a tailgate deactivation system according to another embodiment;

[0014] Figure 7 is a perspective view of the tailgate deactivation system illustrated in Figure 6; and

[0015] Figure 8 illustrates a schematic of a hitch pin installation according to 20 another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] The embodiments set forth below represent the information to enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments and illustrate the best mode 25 of practicing the embodiments. Upon reading the following description in light of the accompanying drawing figures, those skilled in the art will understand the concepts of the disclosure and will recognize applications of these concepts not particularly addressed herein. It should be understood that these concepts and applications fall within the scope of the disclosure and the accompanying claims. 30

[0017] Any flowcharts discussed herein are necessarily discussed in some sequence for purposes of illustration, but unless otherwise explicitly indicated, CA 3091742 Date reçue / Received date 2024-08-29 6 the embodiments are not limited to any particular sequence of steps. The use herein of ordinals in conjunction with an element is solely for distinguishing what might otherwise be similar or identical labels, such as “first message” and “second message,” and does not imply a priority, a type, an importance, or other attribute, unless otherwise stated herein. The term “about” 5 used herein in conjunction with a numeric value means any value that is within a range of ten percent greater than or ten percent less than the numeric value.

[0018] As used herein and in the claims, the articles “a” and “an” in reference to an element refers to “one or more” of the element unless otherwise explicitly 10 specified. The word “or” as used herein and in the claims is inclusive unless contextually impossible. As an example, the recitation of A or B means A, or B, or both A and B.

[0019] Certain vehicles, including pickup trucks, utilize multi-panel tailgates that include a primary gate panel and an inner gate panel, which allow operators 15 to quickly configure the tailgate into any of several different tailgate configurations. In certain configurations, when the primary gate panel is positioned in a substantially horizontal plane (e.g., the tailgate is open), the inner gate panel is capable of pivoting below the horizontal plane to a nearly vertical plane. If a towing apparatus, such as a ball mount system, has been installed on 20 the vehicle, the inner gate panel is capable of impacting the towing apparatus and damaging the inner gate panel.

[0020] The embodiments disclosed herein include a tailgate deactivation system that deactivates the inner gate panel of a multi-panel tailgate to inhibit movement of the inner gate panel with respect to the primary gate panel, and 25 thus prevent the inner gate panel from being inadvertently pivoted downward into a towing apparatus that is coupled to the vehicle.

[0021] Figure 1 is a schematic block diagram of a vehicle 10 with a multipanel tailgate 12. The multi-panel tailgate 12 includes a primary gate panel 12-A and an inner gate panel 12-B, each of which may open (i.e., pivot) independently 30 of one another. While for purposes of illustration the multi-panel tailgate 12 has only two panels, the embodiments herein apply to multi-panel tailgates that have CA 3091742 Date reçue / Received date 2024-08-29 7 more than two panels. The vehicle 10 may comprise any vehicle having a multipanel tailgate in which at least one panel of the multi-panel tailgate, when opened, is capable of pivoting below the bed of the vehicle 10. By way of nonlimiting example, the multi-panel tailgate 12 may comprise a GMC® Sierra® brand pickup truck, such as Models 1500, 2500, and 3500, 5 model years 2019, 2020, or the like, although the embodiments are not limited to any particular vehicle or to any particular multi-panel tailgate.

[0022] The vehicle 10 includes a hitch receiver tube 14. A ball mount system 16 is mounted within the hitch receiver tube 14. The ball mount system 16 10 includes a shaft 18 that has two opposing shaft openings 20 (only one shaft opening 20 seen in Figure 1), and a trailer hitch ball 19. To couple the ball mount system 16 to the hitch receiver tube 14, the operator inserts the shaft 18 into the hitch receiver tube 14 until the shaft openings 20 align with two hitch pin openings 22 (only one hitch pin opening 22 seen in Figure 1). A hitch pin (not 15 illustrated) may then be installed into the hitch pin openings 22 and shaft openings 20 to lock the ball mount system 16 with respect to the hitch receiver tube 14. The embodiments disclosed herein prevent the inner gate panel 12-B of the multi-panel tailgate 12 from opening when a towing apparatus, such as the ball mount system 16, is coupled to the hitch receiver tube 14 to prevent the 20 inner gate panel 12-B from impacting the ball mount system 16 and damaging the inner gate panel 12-B.

[0023] Figure 2 illustrates a schematic of a tailgate deactivation system 24-1 according to one embodiment. The tailgate deactivation system 24-1 includes a switch 26 coupled to a hitch receiver tube mount 28. The hitch receiver tube 25 mount 28 is configured to fix the switch 26 to the hitch receiver tube 14 of the vehicle 10 (Figure 1). In this embodiment, the hitch receiver tube mount 28 comprises an L-bracket 30 that includes an adhesive (on the underside of the Lbracket 30) for coupling the L-bracket 30 to the hitch receiver tube 14. In other embodiments, the hitch receiver tube mount 28 may comprise a band that 30 completely encircles the hitch receiver tube 14, or may comprise any other mechanism suitable for fixing the switch 26 with respect to the hitch receiver tube CA 3091742 Date reçue / Received date 2024-08-29 8 14, such as simply an adhesive strip, or the like. The L-bracket 30 may comprise any suitably rigid material, such as metal, plastic, or the like.

[0024] The switch 26 includes two terminals 32 configured to be electrically coupled to a tailgate power circuit 34 that supplies power to at least a portion of the multi-panel tailgate 12 (Figure 1). The tailgate deactivation 5 system 24-1 may include wires 36 coupled to the terminals 32 that terminate in a plug 38 that can be press-connected with a plug 40 of the tailgate power circuit 34. In other embodiments, where the tailgate power circuit 34 does not include a suitable plug, or where a plug is not desired, the wires 36 may be electrically connected 10 to corresponding wires of the tailgate power circuit 34 via any suitable mechanism, such as soldering, twist-on wire connectors, or the like. In some embodiments, where only the inner gate panel 12-B is capable of impacting the ball mount system 16 (Figure 1), the tailgate power circuit 34 supplies power to the inner gate panel 12-B. 15

[0025] The switch 26 includes an actuator 42 configured to electrically couple the two terminals 32 in an on state to allow power to flow in the tailgate power circuit 34, and thereby facilitate movement of the inner gate panel 12-B with respect to the primary gate panel 12-A. In an off state, the actuator 42 decouples the two terminals 32 to inhibit power from flowing in the tailgate power circuit 34 20 and to inhibit movement of the inner gate panel 12-B with respect to the primary gate panel 12-A.

[0026] The actuator 42 comprises an actuation surface 44 that is configured to cause the switch 26 to transition from the on state to the off state by the coupling of the ball mount system 16 to the hitch receiver tube 14. Thus, an 25 operator need only perform their normal process for coupling the ball mount system 16 to the hitch receiver tube 14 to transition the switch 26 to the off state, and thereby disable the ability for the inner gate panel 12-B to pivot below the primary gate panel 12-A and accidentally contact the ball mount system 16.

[0027] The actuation surface 44, in this embodiment, is configured to 30 transition the switch 26 from the on state to the off state in response to a hitch pin (sometimes referred to as a lock pin) being inserted through the hitch pin CA 3091742 Date reçue / Received date 2024-08-29 9 openings 22 of the hitch receiver tube 14 as the ball mount system 16 is coupled to the hitch receiver tube 14. As illustrated, the hitch receiver tube mount 28 is positioned on the hitch receiver tube 14 to couple the actuation surface 44 with respect to the hitch pin opening 22, such that installation of a hitch pin during the process of coupling the ball mount system 16 to the 5 hitch receiver tube 14 causes the switch 26 to be placed in the off state.

[0028] In this particular embodiment, the actuation surface 44 is placed in a path of a shaft portion of a hitch pin, so that installation of the hitch pin causes the shaft portion of the hitch pin to contact the actuation surface 44. In this 10 embodiment, the tailgate deactivation system 24-1 includes a tab 46 that forms an opening 48, which can be positioned during installation to be co-linear with one of the hitch pin openings 22 of the hitch receiver tube 14 to facilitate positioning the actuation surface 44 and the hitch receiver tube mount 28 at a proper location with respect to the hitch pin opening 22. It will be apparent that 15 the actuation surface 44 could be located at other locations on the hitch receiver tube 14 to cause the switch 26 to be activated during the coupling of the ball mount system 16 to the hitch receiver tube 14. It will also be apparent that the actuation surface 44 could be activated by the installation of a hitch pin even if not located to be co-linear with the hitch pin openings 22 depending on the shape 20 and configuration of the hitch pin. For example, the actuation surface 44 may be placed at a location to be contacted by a stop collar of a hitch pin, or placed at a location where a hitch pin accessory, such as a hitch pin lock, makes contact with the actuation surface 44. It will also be appreciated that the switch 26 may comprise any suitable type of switch, such as a proximity switch or the like, that 25 can be activated by the coupling of the ball mount system 16 to the hitch receiver tube 14.

[0029] Figures 3A – 3C illustrate various example actuation surfaces 44, 44-1, 44-2 that may be suitable for actuating the switch 26 during installation of a hitch pin, according to different embodiments. 30

[0030] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the tailgate deactivation system 24-1 coupled to the hitch receiver tube 14 according to one embodiment. CA 3091742 Date reçue / Received date 2024-08-29 10

[0031] Figure 5 is a schematic illustrating a hitch pin installation according to one embodiment. In this embodiment, the tailgate deactivation system 24-1 is configured such that the actuation surface 44 is placed in a path 50 of a hitch pin 52 during installation of the hitch pin 52 in the hitch pin openings 22 of the hitch receiver tube 14 and the shaft openings 20 of the shaft 18 5 of the ball mount system 16. As the hitch pin 52 is installed, a portion of the hitch pin 52, in this example a shaft portion of the hitch pin 52, contacts the actuation surface 44 and thereby causes the switch 26 to be placed into the off state, thereby inhibiting power from flowing to the tailgate power circuit 34 of the multi-panel tailgate 12. 10 It will be apparent that, in this embodiment, the hitch pin 52 may also be inserted into the hitch pin openings 22 from the opposite direction of that shown in Figure 5 to thereby contact the actuation surface 44.

[0032] Figure 6 illustrates a schematic of a tailgate deactivation system 24-2 according to another embodiment. The tailgate deactivation system 24-2 is 15 substantially similar to the tailgate deactivation system 24-1, except as otherwise discussed herein. The tailgate deactivation system 24-2 includes the hitch receiver tube mount 28 which is configured to fix a switch 26-1 to the hitch receiver tube 14 of the vehicle 10 (Figure 1). In this embodiment, the hitch receiver tube mount 28 comprises the L-bracket 30 that includes an adhesive (on 20 the underside of the L-bracket) for coupling the L-bracket 30 to the hitch receiver tube 14. In other embodiments, the hitch receiver tube mount 28 may comprise a band that completely encircles the hitch receiver tube 14, or any other mechanism suitable to fixing the switch 26-1 with respect to the hitch receiver tube 14, such as simply an adhesive strip, or the like. 25

[0033] The switch 26-1 includes the two terminals 32 configured to be electrically coupled to the tailgate power circuit 34 that supplies power to at least a portion of the multi-panel tailgate 12 (Figure 1). The tailgate deactivation system 24-2 may include the wires 36 coupled to the terminals 32 that terminate in the plug 38 that can be press-connected with the plug 40 of the tailgate power 30 circuit 34. In other embodiments, where the tailgate power circuit 34 does not include a suitable plug, the wires 36 may be electrically connected to CA 3091742 Date reçue / Received date 2024-08-29 11 corresponding wires of the tailgate power circuit 34 via any suitable mechanism, such as soldering, twist-on wire connectors, or the like. In some embodiments, where only the inner gate panel 12-B is capable of impacting the ball mount system 16 (Figure 1), the tailgate power circuit 34 supplies power to the inner 5 gate panel 12-B.

[0034] The switch 26-1 includes an actuator 42-1 configured to, in an on state, electrically couple the two terminals 32 to allow power to flow in the tailgate power circuit 34, and thereby facilitate movement of the inner gate panel 12-B with respect to the primary gate panel 12-A. In an off state, the actuator 42-1 10 decouples the two terminals 32 to inhibit power from flowing in the tailgate power circuit 34, and thereby inhibit movement of the inner gate panel 12-B with respect to the primary gate panel 12-A. In this embodiment, the actuator 42-1 is configured to be actuated by the exertion of physical force by an operator or other individual against the actuator 42-1 to manually depress the actuator 42-1. 15 In this example, the actuator 42-1 includes an actuation surface in the form of a manual push-button 54, and the operator urges the manual push-button 54 to cause the switch 26-1 to be in the on state to allow power to flow in the tailgate power circuit 34. Pressing the manual push-button 54 a second time causes the switch 26-1 to be in the off state to inhibit power from flowing in the tailgate 20 power circuit 34. Note that the L-bracket 30, in this example, positions the pushbutton 54 to face in a direction behind the vehicle.

[0035] Figure 7 is a perspective view of the tailgate deactivation system 24-2 illustrated in Figure 6. The tailgate deactivation system 24-2 may include an adhesive strip 56 coupled to the underside of the L-bracket 30 to facilitate 25 attachment of the L-bracket 30 to the hitch receiver tube 14.

[0036] Figure 8 illustrates a schematic of a hitch pin installation according to another embodiment. In this embodiment, the tailgate deactivation system 24-2 is configured such that the push-button 54 faces a direction behind the vehicle to facilitate easy actuation by an operator. 30

[0037] Those skilled in the art will recognize improvements and modifications to the preferred embodiments of the disclosure. All such improvements and CA 3091742 Date reçue / Received date 2024-08-29 12 modifications are considered within the scope of the concepts disclosed herein and the claims that follow. CA 3091742 Date reçue / Received date 2024-08-29

Claims

13 What is claimed is:

1. A method, comprising: by a vehicle having a hitch receiver apparatus and a multi-functional tailgate having a primary gate panel with an inner gate panel, 5 with the inner gate panel being rotatable about a first horizontal axis extending through the primary gate panel a certain distance above a second horizontal axis about which the primary gate panel is rotatable, with the primary gate panel being configured to pivot between an upward vertical position and a horizontal position relative to a vehicle bed of the vehicle and with 10 the inner gate panel being configured to independently pivot relative to the primary gate panel, with the inner gate panel being further configured to be pivoted to a downward vertical position while the primary gate panel is in the horizontal position relative to the vehicle bed such that a portion of the inner gate panel is proximate the hitch receiver apparatus; 15 controlling a circuitry operable to enable or disable power delivery to the inner gate panel to configure the multi-functional tailgate in one of a set of multi-functional tailgate configurations, including: a first configuration with the primary gate panel in the horizontal position and enabled to be pivoted and the inner gate panel inhibited from being 20 downwards pivoted; a second configuration with the primary gate panel in the horizontal position and enabled to be pivoted and the inner gate panel enabled to be downwards pivoted; a third configuration with the primary gate panel in the upward vertical 25 position and enabled to be pivoted and the inner gate panel inhibited from being downwards pivoted; and a fourth configuration with the primary gate panel in the upward vertical position and enabled to be pivoted and the inner gate panel enabled to be downwards pivoted. 30 CA 3091742 Date reçue / Received date 2024-11-18 14 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the circuitry includes: a switch circuitry configured to have an on state and an off state, wherein, in the on state, the switch circuitry is configured to enable the power delivery to the inner gate panel, and wherein, in the off state, the switch circuitry is configured to inhibit the power 5 delivery to the inner gate panel.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the circuitry includes: a switch circuitry configured to be electrically coupled to a tailgate power circuitry that supplies power to the inner gate panel, with the switch circuitry having an on state 10 and an off state, wherein, in the on state, the switch circuitry is configured to enable power delivery to the tailgate power circuitry, and wherein, in the off state, the switch circuitry is configured to inhibit the power delivery to the tailgate power circuitry.

4. The method of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the controlling step is based on 15 an input signal associated with the inner gate panel being enabled or inhibited from being downwards pivoted relative to the primary gate panel.

5. A vehicle, comprising: a hitch receiver apparatus; 20 a vehicle bed; a multi-functional tailgate having a primary gate panel with an inner gate panel, with the inner gate panel being rotatable about a first horizontal axis extending through the primary gate panel a certain distance above a second horizontal axis about which the primary gate panel is rotatable, with the primary gate panel being configured to pivot 25 between an upward vertical position and a horizontal position relative to the vehicle bed and with the inner gate panel being configured to independently pivot relative to the primary gate panel, with the inner gate panel being further configured to be pivoted to a downward vertical position while the primary gate panel is in the horizontal position relative to the vehicle bed such that a portion of the inner gate panel is proximate the 30 hitch receiver apparatus; a circuitry operable to enable or disable power delivery to the inner gate panel; CA 3091742 Date reçue / Received date 2024-11-18 15 and wherein the vehicle is operable to control the circuitry to configure the multifunctional tailgate in one of a set of multi-functional tailgate configurations, including: a first configuration with the primary gate panel in the horizontal position and enabled to be pivoted and the inner 5 gate panel inhibited from being downwards pivoted; a second configuration with the primary gate panel in the horizontal position and enabled to be pivoted and the inner gate panel enabled to be downwards pivoted; 10 a third configuration with the primary gate panel in the upward vertical position and enabled to be pivoted and the inner gate panel inhibited from being downwards pivoted; and a fourth configuration with the primary gate panel in the upward vertical position and enabled to be pivoted and the inner gate panel enabled to be 15 downwards pivoted.

6. The vehicle of claim 5, wherein the circuitry includes: a switch circuitry configured to have an on state and an off state, wherein, in the on state, the switch circuitry is configured to enable the power delivery to the inner gate 20 panel, and wherein, in the off state, the switch circuitry is configured to inhibit the power delivery to the inner gate panel.

7. The vehicle of claim 5, wherein the circuitry includes: a switch circuitry configured to be electrically coupled to a tailgate power circuitry 25 that supplies power to the inner gate panel, with the switch circuitry having an on state and an off state, wherein, in the on state, the switch circuitry is configured to enable power delivery to the tailgate power circuitry, and wherein, in the off state, the switch circuitry is configured to inhibit the power delivery to the tailgate power circuitry. 30 8. The vehicle of any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the vehicle is further operable to CA 3091742 Date reçue / Received date 2024-11-18 16 control the circuitry based on an input signal associated with the inner gate panel being enabled or inhibited from being downwards pivoted relative to the primary gate panel.

9. A method, comprising: by a vehicle having a hitch receiver apparatus 5 and a multi-functional tailgate having a primary gate panel with an inner gate panel, wherein the inner gate panel is rotatable about a first horizontal axis extending through the primary gate panel a certain distance above a second horizontal axis about which the primary gate panel is rotatable, with the primary gate panel being configured to pivot between an upward 10 vertical position and a horizontal position relative to the vehicle and with the inner gate panel being configured to independently pivot relative to the primary gate panel, with the inner gate panel being further configured to be pivoted to a downward vertical position while the primary gate panel is in the horizontal position relative to the vehicle such that a portion of the inner gate panel is proximate the hitch receiver apparatus of the vehicle, 15 with the vehicle also including a power source operable to deliver power to the inner gate panel to enable the inner gate panel to be downwards pivoted relative to the primary gate panel and including a circuitry electrically coupled between the power source and the inner gate panel and operable to enable or disable power delivery to the inner gate panel by the power source so that the inner gate panel can be respectively 20 enabled to be downwards pivoted or inhibited from being downwards pivoted relative to the primary gate panel; and controlling the circuitry to enable or disable the power delivery to the inner gate panel based on an input signal associated with the inner gate panel being enabled or inhibited from being downwards pivoted relative to the primary gate panel. 25 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the circuitry includes: a switch circuitry configured to have an on state and an off state, wherein, in the off state, the switch circuitry is configured to enable the power delivery to the inner gate panel, and wherein, in the off state, the switch circuitry is configured to inhibit the power 30 delivery to the inner gate panel. CA 3091742 Date reçue / Received date 2024-11-18 17 11. The method of claim 9, wherein the circuitry includes: a switch circuitry configured to be electrically coupled to a tailgate power circuitry that supplies power to the inner gate panel, with the switch circuitry having an on state and an off state, wherein, in the on state, the switch c 5 ircuitry is configured to enable power delivery to the tailgate power circuitry, and wherein, in the off state, the switch circuitry is configured to inhibit the power delivery to the tailgate power circuitry.

12. The method of any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the vehicle is operable to 10 control the circuitry to configure the multi-functional tailgate in one of a set of multifunctional tailgate configurations, including: a first configuration with the primary gate panel in the horizontal position and enabled to be pivoted and the inner gate panel inhibited from being downwards pivoted; a second configuration with the primary gate panel in the horizontal position and 15 enabled to be pivoted and inner gate panel enabled to be downwards pivoted; a third configuration with the primary gate panel in the upward vertical position and enabled to be pivoted and the inner gate panel inhibited from being downwards pivoted; and a fourth configuration with the primary gate panel in the upward vertical position 20 and enabled to be pivoted and the inner gate panel enabled to be downwards pivoted.

13. The method of any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein the power source is a battery.

14. A vehicle, comprising: 25 a hitch receiver apparatus; a vehicle bed; a multi-functional tailgate having a primary gate panel with an inner gate panel, with the inner gate panel being rotatable about a first horizontal axis extending through the primary gate panel a certain distance above a second horizontal axis about which 30 the primary gate panel is rotatable, the primary gate panel being configured to pivot CA 3091742 Date reçue / Received date 2024-11-18 18 between an upward vertical position and a horizontal position relative to the vehicle bed and with the inner gate panel being configured to independently pivot relative to the primary gate panel; a power source operable to deliver power to the inner gate panel to enable the inner gate panel to be pivoted relative 5 to the primary gate panel; and a circuitry electrically coupled between the power source and the inner gate panel and operable to enable or disable power delivery to the inner gate panel by the power source; and wherein the vehicle is operable to control the circuitry to enable or disable the 10 power delivery to the inner gate panel based on an input signal associated with the inner gate panel being enabled or inhibited from being downwards pivoted relative to the primary gate panel.

15. The vehicle of claim 14, wherein the circuitry includes: 15 a switch circuitry configured to have an on state and an off state, wherein, in the on state, the switch circuitry is configured to enable the power delivery to the inner gate panel, and wherein, in the off state, the switch circuitry is configured to inhibit the power delivery to the inner gate panel. 20 16. The vehicle of claim 14, wherein the circuitry includes: a switch circuitry configured to be electrically coupled to a tailgate power circuitry that supplies power to the inner gate panel, with the switch circuitry having an on state and an off state, wherein, in the on state, the switch circuitry is configured to enable power delivery to the tailgate power circuitry, and wherein, in the off state, the switch 25 circuitry is configured to inhibit the power delivery to the tailgate power circuitry.

17. The vehicle of any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein the vehicle is operable to control the circuitry to configure the multi-functional tailgate in one of a set of multifunctional tailgate configurations, including: 30 a first configuration with the primary gate panel in the horizontal position and enabled to be pivoted and the inner gate panel inhibited from being downwards pivoted; CA 3091742 Date reçue / Received date 2024-11-18 19 a second configuration with the primary gate panel in the horizontal position and enabled to be pivoted and the inner gate panel enabled to be downwards pivoted; a third configuration with the primary gate panel in the upward vertical position and enabled to be pivoted and the inner gate panel inhibited from being downwards 5 pivoted; and a fourth configuration with the primary gate panel in the upward vertical position and enabled to be pivoted and the inner gate panel enabled to be downwards pivoted.

18. The vehicle of any one of claims 14 to 17, wherein the power source is a battery. 10 19. A method, comprising: by a vehicle having a hitch receiver apparatus and a multi-functional tailgate having a primary gate panel with an inner gate panel, wherein the inner gate panel is rotatable about a first horizontal axis extending through the primary gate panel a certain 15 distance above a second horizontal axis about which the primary gate panel is rotatable, with the primary gate panel being configured to pivot between an upward vertical position and a horizontal position relative to the vehicle and with the inner gate panel being configured to independently pivot relative to the primary gate panel, with the inner gate panel being further configured to be pivoted to a downward vertical position 20 while the primary gate panel is in the horizontal position relative to the vehicle such that a portion of the inner gate panel is proximate the hitch receiver apparatus of the vehicle, with the vehicle also including a switch circuitry configured to have an on state and an off state, wherein, in the on state, the switch circuitry is configured to enable power delivery to the inner gate panel, and wherein, in the off state, the switch circuitry is 25 configured to inhibit the power delivery to the inner gate panel; and controlling the switch circuitry to enable or disable the power delivery to the inner gate panel.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the switch circuitry is further configured to be 30 electrically coupled to a tailgate power circuitry that supplies power to the inner gate panel, wherein, in the on state, the switch circuitry is configured to enable power CA 3091742 Date reçue / Received date 2024-11-18 20 delivery to the tailgate power circuitry, and wherein, in the off state, the switch circuitry is configured to inhibit the power delivery to the tailgate power circuitry.

21. The method of claim 19 or 20, wherein the vehicle is operable to control the switch circuitry to configure the multi-functional tailgate i 5 n one of a set of multi-functional tailgate configurations, including: a first configuration with the primary gate panel in the horizontal position and enabled to be pivoted and the inner gate panel inhibited from being downwards pivoted; a second configuration with the primary gate panel in the horizontal position and 10 enabled to be pivoted and the inner gate panel enabled to be downwards pivoted; a third configuration with the primary gate panel in the upward vertical position and enabled to be pivoted and the inner gate panel inhibited from being downwards pivoted; and a fourth configuration with the primary gate panel in the upward vertical position 15 and enabled to be pivoted and the inner gate panel enabled to be downwards pivoted.

22. A vehicle, comprising: a hitch receiver apparatus; a vehicle bed; 20 a multi-functional tailgate having a primary gate panel with an inner gate panel, with the inner gate panel being rotatable about a first horizontal axis extending through the primary gate panel a certain distance above a second horizontal axis about which the primary gate panel is rotatable, the primary gate panel being configured to pivot between an upward vertical position and a horizontal position relative to the vehicle bed 25 and with the inner gate panel being configured to independently pivot relative to the primary gate panel, with the inner gate panel being further configured to be pivoted to a downward vertical position while the primary gate panel is in the horizontal position relative to the vehicle bed such that a portion of the inner gate panel is proximate the hitch receiver apparatus; 30 a switch circuitry configured to be electrically coupled to a tailgate power circuitry CA 3091742 Date reçue / Received date 2024-11-18 21 that supplies power to the inner gate panel, with the switch circuitry having an on state and an off state, wherein, in the on state, the switch circuitry is configured to enable power delivery to the tailgate power circuitry, and wherein, in the off state, the switch circuitry is configured to inhibit the power delivery to the tailgate power circuitry. 5 23. The vehicle of claim 22, wherein the vehicle is operable to control the switch circuitry to configure the multi-functional tailgate in one of a set of multi-functional tailgate configurations, including: a first configuration with the primary gate panel in the horizontal position and 10 enabled to be pivoted and the inner gate panel inhibited from being downwards pivoted; a second configuration with the primary gate panel in the horizontal position and enabled to be pivoted and the inner gate panel enabled to be downwards pivoted; a third configuration with the primary gate panel in the upward vertical position and enabled to be pivoted and the inner gate panel inhibited from being downwards 15 pivoted; and a fourth configuration with the primary gate panel in the upward vertical position and enabled to be pivoted and the inner gate panel enabled to be downwards pivoted.

24. A tailgate deactivation system comprising: 20 a switch comprising: two terminals configured to be electrically coupled to a tailgate power circuit that supplies power to at least a portion of a tailgate of a vehicle; and an actuator comprising an actuation surface, wherein the actuator 25 is configured to electrically couple the two terminals in an on state to allow power to flow in the tailgate power circuit, and to electrically decouple the two terminals in an off state to inhibit power from flowing in the tailgate power circuit, and wherein the actuation surface is configured to transition the switch from the on state to the off state in response to a hitch pin being 30 installed into a hitch pin opening of a hitch receiver tube of the vehicle. CA 3091742 Date reçue / Received date 2024-11-18 22 25. The tailgate deactivation system of claim 24 further comprising: a hitch receiver tube mount coupled to the switch, the hitch receiver tube mount being configured to be mounted to the hitch receiver tube of the vehicle. 5 26. The tailgate deactivation system of claim 25 wherein the hitch receiver tube mount is configured to be coupled to the hitch receiver tube at a location on the hitch receiver tube to place the actuator in a path of the hitch pin used to couple a towing apparatus to the hitch receiver tube. 10 27. The tailgate deactivation system of claim 25 wherein the hitch receiver tube mount comprises an adhesive.

28. The tailgate deactivation system of claim 25 wherein the hitch receiver tube 15 mount comprises a bracket.

29. The tailgate deactivation system of claim 25 wherein the hitch receiver tube mount is configured to couple the actuation surface with respect to the hitch pin opening of the hitch receiver tube, such that installation of the hitch pin to couple a towing 20 apparatus to the hitch receiver tube causes the switch to be placed into the off state.

30. The tailgate deactivation system of any one of claims 24 to 29 wherein the tailgate power circuit that supplies power to at least the portion of the tailgate of the vehicle controls power to an inner gate panel of the tailgate. 25 31. The tailgate deactivation system of any one of claims 24 to 29 wherein the tailgate power circuit supplies power to an inner gate panel of a multi-panel tailgate that comprises a primary gate panel and the inner gate panel, and wherein the actuator is configured to decouple the two terminals in the off state to prevent the inner gate panel CA 3091742 Date reçue / Received date 2024-11-18 23 from pivoting with respect to the primary gate panel and thereby drop below a plane in which the primary gate panel and the inner gate panel are located.

32. A tailgate deactivation system comprising: 5 a switch comprising: two terminals configured to be electrically coupled to a tailgate power circuit that supplies power to an inner gate panel of a multi-panel tailgate that includes a primary gate panel and the inner gate panel; and an actuator comprising an actuation surface, wherein the actuator 10 is configured to electrically couple the two terminals in an on state to allow power to flow in the tailgate power circuit to facilitate movement of the inner gate panel with respect to the primary gate panel, and to electrically decouple the two terminals in an off state to inhibit power from flowing in the tailgate power circuit to inhibit movement of the inner gate panel with 15 respect to the primary gate panel, and wherein the actuation surface is configured to transition the switch from the on state to the off state in response to a hitch pin being installed into a hitch pin opening of a hitch receiver tube of the vehicle. 20 33. A tailgate deactivation system comprising: a switch comprising: two terminals configured to be electrically coupled to a tailgate power circuit that supplies power to at least a portion of a tailgate of a vehicle; and 25 an actuator configured to electrically couple the two terminals in an on state to allow power to flow in the tailgate power circuit, and to electrically decouple the two terminals in an off state to inhibit power from flowing in the tailgate power circuit; and a hitch receiver tube mount coupled to the switch, the hitch receiver tube mount CA 3091742 Date reçue / Received date 2024-11-18 24 being configured to be mounted to a hitch receiver tube of the vehicle and to be coupled to the hitch receiver tube at a location on the hitch receiver tube to place the actuator in a path of a hitch pin used to couple a towing apparatus to the hitch receiver tube.

34. A tailgate deactivation s 5 ystem comprising: a switch comprising: two terminals configured to be electrically coupled to a tailgate power circuit that supplies power to at least a portion of a tailgate of a vehicle; and 10 an actuator configured to electrically couple the two terminals in an on state to allow power to flow in the tailgate power circuit, and to electrically decouple the two terminals in an off state to inhibit power from flowing in the tailgate power circuit; and a hitch receiver tube mount coupled to the switch, the hitch receiver tube mount 15 comprising an adhesive configured to be mounted to a hitch receiver tube of the vehicle.

35. A tailgate deactivation system comprising: a switch comprising: two terminals configured to be electrically coupled to a tailgate 20 power circuit that supplies power to at least a portion of a tailgate of a vehicle; and an actuator configured to electrically couple the two terminals in an on state to allow power to flow in the tailgate power circuit, and to electrically decouple the two terminals in an off state to inhibit power from 25 flowing in the tailgate power circuit; and a hitch receiver tube mount coupled to the switch, the hitch receiver tube mount comprising a bracket configured to be mounted to a hitch receiver tube of the vehicle.

36. A tailgate deactivation system comprising: 30 a switch comprising: CA 3091742 Date reçue / Received date 2024-11-18 25 two terminals configured to be electrically coupled to a tailgate power circuit that supplies power to at least a portion of a tailgate of a vehicle; and an actuator comprising an actuation surface, the actuator being configured to electrically couple the two 5 terminals in an on state to allow power to flow in the tailgate power circuit, and to electrically decouple the two terminals in an off state to inhibit power from flowing in the tailgate power circuit; and a hitch receiver tube mount coupled to the switch, wherein the hitch receiver tube 10 mount is configured to be mounted to a hitch receiver tube of the vehicle, and wherein the hitch receiver tube mount is further configured to couple the actuation surface with respect to a hitch pin opening of the hitch receiver tube, such that installation of the hitch pin to couple the towing apparatus to the hitch receiver tube causes the switch to be placed into the off state. 15 37. A tailgate deactivation system comprising: a switch comprising: two terminals configured to be electrically coupled to a tailgate power circuit that supplies power to at least a portion of a tailgate of a 20 vehicle; and an actuator comprising a push-button configured to be manually activated or deactivated and further configured to electrically couple the two terminals in an on state to allow power to flow in the tailgate power circuit, and to electrically decouple the two terminals in an off state to 25 inhibit power from flowing in the tailgate power circuit.

38. A tailgate deactivation system comprising: a switch comprising: CA 3091742 Date reçue / Received date 2024-11-18 26 two terminals configured to be electrically coupled to a tailgate power circuit that supplies power to at least a portion of a tailgate of a vehicle; and an actuator comprising an actuation surface, wherein the actuator is configured to electrically couple the two 5 terminals in an on state to allow power to flow in the tailgate power circuit, and to electrically decouple the two terminals in an off state to inhibit power from flowing in the tailgate power circuit, and wherein the actuation surface is configured to transition the switch from the on state to the off state by coupling a ball mount 10 system to a hitch receiver tube of the vehicle.

39. A tailgate deactivation system comprising: a switch comprising: two terminals configured to be electrically coupled to a tailgate 15 power circuit that supplies power to at least a portion of a tailgate of a vehicle; and an actuator comprising a push-button configured to electrically couple the two terminals in an on state to allow power to flow in the tailgate power circuit, and to electrically decouple the two terminals in an 20 off state to inhibit power from flowing in the tailgate power circuit, wherein installation of a hitch pin of a ball mount system urges the push-button to cause the switch to be placed into the off state.

40. A tailgate deactivation system comprising: 25 a switch comprising: two terminals configured to be electrically coupled to a tailgate power circuit that supplies power to at least a portion of a tailgate of a vehicle and that controls power to an inner gate panel of the tailgate; and an actuator configured to electrically couple the two terminals in an 30 on state to allow power to flow in the tailgate power circuit, and to CA 3091742 Date reçue / Received date 2024-11-18 27 electrically decouple the two terminals in an off state to inhibit power from flowing in the tailgate power circuit.

41. A tailgate deactivation system comprising: 5 a switch comprising: two terminals configured to be electrically coupled to a tailgate power circuit that supplies power to an inner gate panel of a multi-panel tailgate of a vehicle, the multi-panel tailgate comprising a primary gate panel and the inner gate panel; and 10 an actuator configured to electrically couple the two terminals in an on state to allow power to flow in the tailgate power circuit, and to electrically decouple the two terminals in an off state to inhibit power from flowing in the tailgate power circuit and to prevent the inner gate panel from pivoting with respect to the primary gate panel and thereby drop 15 below a plane in which the primary gate panel and the inner gate panel are located.

42. A tailgate deactivation system comprising: a switch comprising: 20 two terminals configured to be electrically coupled to a tailgate power circuit that supplies power to an inner gate panel of a multi-panel tailgate that includes a primary gate panel and the inner gate panel; and an actuator comprising an actuation surface, wherein the actuator is configured to electrically couple the two terminals in an on state to allow 25 power to flow in the tailgate power circuit to facilitate movement of the inner gate panel with respect to the primary gate panel, and to electrically decouple the two terminals in an off state to inhibit power from flowing in the tailgate power circuit to inhibit movement of the inner gate panel with respect to the primary gate panel, and wherein the actuation surface is CA 3091742 Date reçue / Received date 2024-11-18 28 configured to transition the switch from the on state to the off state by coupling a ball mount system to a hitch receiver tube of the vehicle.

43. A tailgate deactivation system comprising: a switch configured to be electrically coupled to a 5 tailgate power circuit that supplies power to at least a portion of a tailgate of a vehicle, wherein the switch comprises a proximity switch; and an actuator configured to cause the switch to transition from an on state to an off state, in the on state the switch being configured to allow power to flow in the tailgate 10 power circuit, and in the off state the switch being configured to inhibit power from flowing in the tailgate power circuit.

44. The tailgate deactivation system of claim 43 wherein in the off state the switch is configured to prevent an inner gate panel of the tailgate from pivoting with respect to a 15 primary gate panel of the tailgate.

45. The tailgate deactivation system of claim 43 or 44 wherein the actuator is configured to transition the switch from the on state to the off state in response to a coupling of a ball mount system to a hitch receiver tube of the vehicle. 20 46. A tailgate deactivation system comprising: a switch configured to be electrically coupled to a tailgate power circuit that supplies power to an inner gate panel of a multi-panel tailgate of a vehicle that includes a primary gate panel and the inner gate panel; and 25 an actuator configured to cause the switch to transition from an on state to an off state, in the on state the switch configured to allow power to flow in the tailgate power circuit to facilitate movement of the inner gate panel with respect to the primary gate panel, and in the off state the switch configured to inhibit power from flowing in the tailgate power circuit to inhibit movement of the inner gate panel with respect to the 30 primary gate panel. CA 3091742 Date reçue / Received date 2024-11-18 29 47. The tailgate deactivation system of claim 46 wherein the actuator comprises an actuation surface, the actuation surface configured to transition the switch from the on state to the off state in response to a hitch pin contacting the actuation surface. 5 48. The tailgate deactivation system of claim 47 wherein the actuation surface is configured to be contacted by a towing apparatus.

49. The tailgate deactivation system of claim 46 wherein the actuator is configured to 10 transition the switch from the on state to the off state in response to a coupling of a ball mount system to a hitch receiver tube of the vehicle.

50. A tailgate deactivation system comprising: a switch configured to be electrically coupled to a tailgate power circuit that 15 supplies power to at least a portion of a tailgate of a vehicle, the switch having an on state and an off state, in the on state the switch configured to allow power to flow in the tailgate power circuit, and in the off state the switch configured to inhibit power from flowing in the tailgate power circuit, wherein in the off state the switch is configured to prevent an inner gate panel of the tailgate from pivoting with respect to a primary gate 20 panel of the tailgate.

51. A tailgate deactivation system comprising: a switch configured to be electrically coupled to a tailgate power circuit that supplies power to at least a portion of a tailgate of a vehicle; and 25 an actuator configured to cause the switch to transition from an on state to an off state, in the on state the switch being configured to allow power to flow in the tailgate power circuit, and in the off state the switch being configured to inhibit power from flowing in the tailgate power circuit, wherein the actuator comprises an actuation surface that, when activated, causes the switch to transition from either the on state to the off 30 state, or from the off state to the on state. CA 3091742 Date reçue / Received date 2024-11-18 30 52. The tailgate deactivation system of claim 51 wherein the actuation surface is configured to be contacted by a towing apparatus.

53. The tailgate deactivation system of claim 51 or 5 52 wherein the actuation surface comprises a push button that is configured to be manually contacted by a digit of a user.

54. A tailgate deactivation system comprising: a switch configured to be electrically coupled to a tailgate power circuit that 10 supplies power to at least a portion of a tailgate of a vehicle; and an actuator configured to cause the switch to transition from an on state to an off state, in the on state the switch being configured to allow power to flow in the tailgate power circuit, and in the off state the switch being configured to inhibit power from flowing in the tailgate power circuit, wherein in the off state the switch is configured to 15 inhibit power to a portion of the tailgate power circuit that supplies power to an inner gate panel of the tailgate.

55. A tailgate deactivation system comprising: a switch configured to be electrically coupled to a tailgate power circuit that 20 supplies power to at least a portion of a tailgate of a vehicle; and an actuator configured to cause the switch to transition from an on state to an off state, in the on state the switch being configured to allow power to flow in the tailgate power circuit, and in the off state the switch being configured to inhibit power from flowing in the tailgate power circuit, wherein in the off state the switch is configured to 25 prevent an inner gate panel of the tailgate from pivoting with respect to a primary gate panel of the tailgate.

56. A tailgate deactivation system comprising: a switch configured to be electrically coupled to a tailgate power circuit that 30 supplies power to at least a portion of a tailgate of a vehicle; and CA 3091742 Date reçue / Received date 2024-11-18 31 an actuator configured to cause the switch to transition from an on state to an off state, in the on state the switch being configured to allow power to flow in the tailgate power circuit, and in the off state the switch being configured to inhibit power from flowing in the tailgate power circuit, wherein the actuator comprises an actuation surface, the actuation surface configured to transition 5 the switch from the on state to the off state in response to a hitch pin being installed into a hitch pin opening of a hitch receiver tube of the vehicle.

57. A tailgate deactivation system comprising: 10 a switch configured to be electrically coupled to a tailgate power circuit that supplies power to at least a portion of a tailgate of a vehicle; and an actuator configured to cause the switch to transition from an on state to an off state, in the on state the switch being configured to allow power to flow in the tailgate power circuit, and in the off state the switch being configured to inhibit power from 15 flowing in the tailgate power circuit, wherein the actuator is configured to transition the switch from the on state to the off state in response to a coupling of a ball mount system to a hitch receiver tube of the vehicle.

58. A tailgate deactivation system comprising: 20 a switch configured to be electrically coupled to a tailgate power circuit that supplies power to at least a portion of a tailgate of a vehicle, the switch having an on state and an off state, in the on state the switch configured to allow power to flow in the tailgate power circuit, and in the off state the switch configured to inhibit power from flowing in the tailgate power circuit, wherein in the off state the switch is configured to 25 inhibit power to a portion of the tailgate power circuit that supplies power to an inner gate panel of the tailgate. CA 3091742 Date reçue / Received date 2024-11-18