Multi-access tailgate

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a tailgate system with multiple storage and access features integrated.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Sport utility type vehicles with liftgate doors have become predominant in the vehicle market today. Liftgate doors typically open the entire rear compartment of an SUV vehicle which has proven very convenient to users of passenger vehicles.

[0003] In manufacturing, fitting and designing liftgates is complex because the doors are large and require robust hinging and locking mechanisms. The doors are also hard to fit during production. Thus, such doors are heavy and slow to open and close. Powered liftgates are also used in recent years which are also slow to open and close.

[0004] Therefore it is a goal in the art to provide access to the rear compartment in an SUV vehicle with a liftgate, which is limited, and is rapid for providing access to the rear compartment when it is not necessary to have the entire liftgate open.

[0005] Accordingly, there also exists a need for multi-way liftgate assembly incorporating dividing the rear cargo area of a passenger vehicle (e.g., SUV, Hatchbacks and Wagons) into a plurality of secure areas (e.g., at least three secure areas), using the liftgate to provide controlled access to one or more of those compartments.

[0006] US 5,598,962 discloses a motor vehicle with a rear cargo compartment with access through a liftgate. The liftgate comprises a three-part door with a conventional hinged upper lift glass portion and opposed lower "dutch doors" opening sideways. For access to the entire rear cargo compartment, all three doors must be opened.

[0007] US 2010 / 264689 A1 discloses a rear closure assembly for a passenger vehicle consisting of a liftgate and tailgate that are pivotally coupled to the body at an upper and lower periphery of the opening respectively, and engage one another to enclose a rear opening of the vehicle. The two gates can be opened independently of each other and give access to a rear cargo compartment.

[0008] US 2021 / 00684921 A1 discloses a rear body closure with a storage compartment arranged in the rear body closure, the storage compartment being accessible independently of the rear body closure being opened or closed through a flap that also serves as license plate attachment panel. DE 196 15 540 A1 discloses a liftgate assembly with a rigid frame for the entire liftgate and two sub-doors hinged to an upper cross strut and a lower cross strut of the frame, respectively, for selective upward and downward opening of the respective sub-doors in addition to an opening of the entire liftgate.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] In accordance with the present invention there is provided a liftgate access door which allows access to the rear compartment of an SUV type vehicle without requiring opening the entire liftgate comprising the features of claim 1.

[0010] According to further aspects of the present invention, dividing the rear cargo area of a passenger vehicle (SUV, Hatchbacks and Wagons, etc) into a plurality of secure areas (e.g., at least three secure areas) using the liftgate to provide controlled access to one or more of those multiple compartments.

[0011] The present invention provides liftgate access to multiple compartments. There is also provided a multi-way liftgate assembly providing a plurality of dividers dividing the rear cargo area of a passenger vehicle into a plurality of secure areas assessable from a plurality of panels forming a liftgate to provide controlled access to one or more of those compartments, in accordance with aspects of the present invention. The vehicle opperator has secure control of which portions of the cargo area his fellow vehicle occupants can place and remove cargo from.

[0012] The vehicle opporator has secure control of which portions of the cargo area his fellow vehicle occupants can place and remove cargo from.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1, is a perspective view of a non-claimed multi-way liftgate assembly in a completely open position; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the multi-way liftgate assembly in a completely open position with cargo trays deployed; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the multi-way liftgate assembly with a left side open only; Figure 4 is a perspective view of the multi-way liftgate assembly with a right side open only; Figure 5 is a perspective view of the multi-way liftgate assembly with an upper window open only; Figure 6, is a perspective view of the multi-way liftgate assembly in a completely closed position; Figure 7 is a rear perspective view of an SUV vehicle having a liftgate access door in accordance with the teachings of the present invention; Figure 8 is a perspective view of the SUV vehicle showing the liftgate access door of the present invention in an open configuration; Figure 9 is a rear perspective view of an SUV vehicle showing the liftgate access door open with a cargo tray feature deployed; and, Figure 10 is rear perspective view similar to Figure 9 showing a package being placed ready for storage in the cargo compartment of the SUV vehicle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.

[0015] Referring to Figures 1-10 generally, there is illustrated a multi-way liftgate assembly shown generally at 10 of a vehicle 12. SUV type vehicles 12 typically have a liftgate 15 which includes the entire back end of the vehicle having both an upper portion with a window and a lower portion which lift on hinges in an upward direction to reveal the entire rear end compartment. The liftgate assembly 10 provides at least one liftgate access door which allows access to the rear compartment of an SUV type vehicle without requiring opening the entire liftgate. The liftgate assembly 10 also provides access to storage solutions in the rear compartment, including sliding and / or divided features. The assembly 10 provides at least one divider dividing the rear cargo area of the vehicle, in accordance with aspects of the present invention. Preferably, a plurality of dividers dividing the rear cargo area of the vehicle into a plurality of secure areas accessible from a plurality of panels forming a liftgate to provide controlled access to one or more of those compartments. The vehicle opperator has secure control of which portions of the cargo area can be selecively accessed. The multi-way liftgate assembly provides multiple secure openings to the cargo area of a vehicle that typically has only one secure opening to the cargo area.

[0016] Referring more particularly to Figures 1-6, there is illustrated a multi-way liftgate assembly 10 of the vehicle 12. There is provided the liftgate assembly 10 with at least one liftgate access door which allows access to the rear compartment 20 of the SUV type vehicle 12 without requiring opening the entire liftgate 15.

[0017] There are a plurality of liftgate access doors that are sub-rear end compartment sized (i.e., dividing the width between lateral sides of the liftgate 15 or dividing the height of the liftgate 15 or both). A first liftgate access door 26 and second liftgate access door 28 split the width about in half (i.e., the left side door being a mirror-image to the right-side door). The actual doors 26,28 are each operably actuated to open / close. The first and second doors 26,28 are operably hinged 10a for opening to the sides of the vehicle 12. Alternatively, a suitable linkage mechanism for opening to the sides of the vehicle 12. Alternatively, or additionally, a suitable robust track system is provided for allowing the liftgate access doors to move out of the way of the rear end compartment 20. This allows the access doors to be opened and cargo to be inserted into the storage compartment 20 of the vehicle 12. The liftgate access doors 26,28 are openable automatically as is known to those skilled in the art or it is a manual opening door. Preferably, the liftgate access doors 26,28 are opened automatically, independently or simultaneously, by a remote or sensor which allows hands free operation. The remote signal is a remote control, motion sensor, touch sensor, key fob or keypad. In either manual or automatic configurations, the liftgate access doors 26,28 are of a smaller size and can be opened and closed rapidly with much less time and effort than the entire liftgate 15.

[0018] At least one cargo tray, preferably, a plurality of cargo trays is provided to assist in loading of cargo 50. A first and a second cargo tray 32 and 34 are either manually or automatically operably slid in and out of the rear end cargo compartment as illustrated in the drawings. A suitable robust extendable track system is provided for allowing the cargo trays 32,34 to support a cargo load 50 when extended (e.g., incorporating track system 16 / 38 and 40 / 41, respectively)

[0019] Thus, in operation either or both of the doors 26 and / or 28 are opened quickly and either or both of the cargo trays 32 and / or 34 are deployed, a carry-on bag or other luggage or other cargo 50 is placed on either of the cargo trays 32,34 and then the trays 32,34 slides into the cargo compartment 20. Thereafter the doors 26,28 are closed and the vehicle 12 is ready for transport. It is understood that the trays 32,34 do not always need to be extended to place the cargo 50 unless desired.

[0020] A third liftgate access door 27 is provided (e.g. less than the overall height of the liftgate 15). The actual door 27 is operably actuated to open / close. The third liftgate access door 27 is operably hinged 10c, 10c for folding upward. This allows for the third liftgate access door 27 to be opened and cargo to be inserted into the storage compartment 20 or into an additional rear storage compartment 24 of the vehicle 12 (e.g., at least one upper compartment). The liftgate access door 27 is openable automatically as is known to those skilled in the art or it is a manual opening door. Preferably, the liftgate access door 27 is opened automatically by a remote or sensor which allows hands free operation. The remote signal is a remote control, motion sensor, touch sensor or keypad. In either manual or automatic configurations, the liftgate access door 27 is of a smaller size and can be opened and closed rapidly with much less time and effort than the entire liftgate 15. The additional compartment 24 includes no tray, however, it is contemplated that the compartment 24 could be adapted to house at least one slidable tray similar to previously described without departure from the scope of the present invention.

[0021] It is understood that more or less trays 32,34 are contemplated depending on the particular applications without departure from the scope of the present invention.

[0022] At least one divider divides the rear end storage compartment 20. At least one first divider 14 (e.g., substantially vertical divider(s), horizontal divider(s), angled divider(s), central divider, more than one divider, any combination of dividers, etc) divides the compartment area into a first and second compartment 16 and 18 (e.g., left and right compartments, side-by-side left / right, up / down, row, line, etc).

[0023] At least one second divider 22 (e.g., substantially horizontal divider(s), horizontal divider(s), angled divider(s), central divider, more than one divider, any combination of dividers, etc) divides the compartment area 20 into at least a third compartment 24 (e.g., at least one top compartment, at least one lower compartment, etc), according to aspects of the present invention.

[0024] The liftgate assembly 10 includes the at least one liftgate access without having to lift the entire liftgate 15. Figure 1 depicts all three liftgate access doors 26,28,27 in an exemplary fully open position allow access into the first, second and third 16,18,24 compartments. Figure 2 depicts the first and second trays 32,34 extended out to receive cargo. Figure 3 depicts exemplary access to the first compartment 16 when the first liftgate access door 26 is articulated to the side to an open position and the second door 28 remains closed. Figure 4 depicts exemplary access to the second compartment 18 when the second liftgate access door 28 is articulated to the other side to an open position and the first door 26 remains closed. Figure 5 depicts the third liftgate access door 27 opened upward to load cargo into the third compartment 24. Figure 6 depicts the liftgate system 10 in a fully closed position.

[0025] Preferably, the first and second access doors 26,28 are a liftgate composite material and the third access door 27 includes a window 30. It is understood that any suitable materials are contemplated depending on the application (e.g., aluminum, plastics, glass, reinforced fiber filled material, lightweight molded material, etc and combinations thereof).

[0026] The vehicle opporator has secure control of which portions of the cargo area passengars can place and remove cargo from. The present invention gives the ability to provide multiple secure openings to the cargo area of a vehicle that typically has only one secure opening to the cargo area. By separating the exterior surface into three distinct access portions and remotely controlling access to those doors, the vehicle operator has greater control of allowing access to cargo in the rear storage areas and can even provide remote access using smart phone, smart watch technology or any other smart device, application and platform

[0027] Preferably, the assembly 10 includes suitable robust hinging systems operably adapted for the two lower access doors (e.g., 26 and 28) to be opened in dense parking situations.

[0028] Preferably, the assembly 10 includes at least one vertical divider (e.g., 14) and, most preferably, at least one horizontal divider (e.g., 22) to separate the rear end storage compartment area 20 of a SUV, hatchback or wagon or any other type of vehicle into at least three distinct compartments (e.g., 16,18,24). It is understood that any other divider configuration and orientation is contemplated depending on the application (e.g., angled, zig-zag, square, rectangular, triangular, honeycomb, a plurality of vertical dividers, a plurality of horizontal dividers and any other suitable divider and combinations thereof.

[0029] The dividers are preferably plastic. It is understood that any other divider material is contemplated depending on the application (e.g., netting, mat, rubber, sailcloth, fabric, cardboard reinforced wrapped fabric panel, canvas, tote, aluminum, metal, and any other suitable divider and combinations thereof. Optionally, the dividers are removable by a user, when desired. Optionally, the dividers can be selectively reconfigured by a user, when desired.

[0030] While a 3-way liftgate is shown and described, it is understood that more or less than three liftgate access doors are contemplated depending on the particular applications. The assembly 10 is at least a 2-way liftgate. Most preferably, a 3-way liftgate.

[0031] Referring to Figures 7-10, in accordance with aspects of the present invention there is provided the liftgate assembly indicated generally at 10 with at least one liftgate access door 29 which allows access to the rear compartment 20 of the SUV type vehicle 12 without requiring opening the entire liftgate 15.

[0032] SUV type vehicles 12 are known which typically have a liftgate 15 which includes the entire back end of the vehicle having both the window portion 30 and a lower portion 31 and has edges 35 and 37 on lateral sides. The window 30 and lower portion 31 lift on hinges in an upward direction to reveal the entire rear end compartment 20.

[0033] In the present invention the liftgate access door 29 is sub-rear end compartment sized (i.e. less than the width between gate edges 35 and 37). Preferably, the liftgate access door 29 is about the size of at least a carry-on luggage bag as defined by airplane carry on standard sized luggage. As shown in the drawings the actual door 29 has a plurality of hinges 10b for folding upward. This allows for the liftgate access door 29 to be opened and carry-on luggage bag 50 to be inserted into the storage compartment 20 of the vehicle 12. The liftgate access door 29 is openable automatically as is known to those skilled in the art or it is a manual opening door. Preferably, the liftgate access door 29 is opened automatically by a remote or sensor which allows hands free operation. The remote signal is a remote control, motion sensor, touch sensor or keypad. In either manual or automatic configurations, the liftgate access door 29 is of a smaller size and can be opened and closed rapidly with much less time and effort than the entire liftgate 15.

[0034] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention a cargo tray 33 is provided to assist in loading of cargo 50. Cargo tray 33 either manually or automatically operably slides in and out of the cargo compartment as illustrated in the drawings. A suitable robust extendable track system is provided for allowing the cargo tray 33 to support a carry load 50 when extended (e.g., incorporating system 40.41).

[0035] Thus, in operation the door 29 is opened quickly and the cargo tray 33 deployed, the carry-on bag or other luggage 50 is placed on the cargo tray 33 and then slides into the cargo compartment 20. Thereafter the door 29 is closed and the vehicle 12 is ready for transport.

Claims

1. A multiple-access liftgate assembly (10) for a vehicle (12), comprising: a liftgate (15) which includes an entire back end of the vehicle (12) having both a window portion (30) and a lower portion (31) and having gate edges (35, 37) on lateral sides, and at least one liftgate access door (29) adapted to allow sub-liftgate sized access to a rear compartment (20) of the vehicle, characterized in that the liftgate access door (29) is sub-rear end compartment sized with a width less than the width between the gate edges (35, 37) and having a plurality of hinges (10b) for being folded upward, wherein the rear compartment can be accessed either by the entire liftgate (15) or by the sub-rear end compartment sized door (29) without requiring opening the entire liftgate (15).

2. The multiple-access liftgate assembly (10) of claim 1, wherein the liftgate access door (29) is sized to accommodate a carry-on bag (50).

3. The multiple-access liftgate assembly (10) of claim 1, wherein a cargo shelf (33) is mounted at the base of the rear compartment (20) for sliding out for receiving cargo.

4. The multiple-access liftgate assembly (10) of claim 3, wherein the cargo shelf (33) is slidably operably mounted to a track mechanism.

5. The multiple-access liftgate assembly (10) of claim 1, wherein the liftgate access door (29) automatically opens in response to a remote signal.

6. The multiple-access liftgate assembly (10) of claim 5, wherein the remote signal is a remote control, motion sensor, touch sensor, key fob, keypad or smart device.

7. The multiple-access liftgate assembly (10) of claim 1, further comprising at least one additional liftgate access door (27).

8. The multiple-access liftgate assembly (10) of claim 1, further comprising at least one upper liftgate access door (27) operably hinged (10c) to the vehicle adapted to allow access to a compartment (24) of the vehicle without requiring opening the entire liftgate (15).

9. The multiple-access liftgate assembly (10) of claim 1, further comprising at least one divider (14) separating the rear compartment (20) into a plurality of secure areas10. The multiple-access liftgate assembly (10) of claim 1, further comprising at least one additional liftgate access door (27), wherein a plurality of secure areas are accessible from the respective liftgate access door (27, 29).

11. The multiple-access liftgate assembly (10) of claim 7, wherein the at least one additional liftgate access door (29) allowing access to a secure area of the rear compartment (20).

12. The multiple-access liftgate assembly (10) of claim 9, further comprising: a plurality of liftgate access doors (27, 29 ) formed in a liftgate exterior to allow access into respective secure compartment areas without requiring opening the entire liftgate (15).

13. The multiple-access liftgate assembly (10) of claim 12, wherein the liftgate access door (27, 29) automatically opens in response to a signal.

14. The multiple-access liftgate assembly (10) of claim 12, further comprising at least one tray (33) operably mounted to slide in / out for loading / unloading cargo.