Extendible tailgate system for vehicles

Abstract

An extendible tailgate system of a vehicle includes a tailgate, a pivoting member, and a pair of guiding members. The pivoting member facilitates rotation of the pair of guiding members and the tailgate connected thereto in relation to the vehicle body from a closed tailgate position to an open tailgate position. When the tailgate is in the open tailgate position, the tailgate translates in a longitudinal direction, away from or towards the vehicle body, in relation to the pair of guiding members to transition between a retracted tailgate position and an extended tailgate position. A locking mechanism locks the pair of guiding members and the tailgate connected thereto in both the retracted tailgate position and the extended tailgate position and is released to transition the pair of guiding members and the tailgate connected thereto between the retracted tailgate position and the extended tailgate position.

Description

EXTENDIBLE TAILGATE SYSTEM FOR VEHICLESFIELD OF THE INVENTION[1] This disclosure relates to cargo bays and tailgates of vehicles, and more particularly to extendible tailgate systems and vehicles incorporating such systems that facilitate safe transportation of cargo exceeding such cargo bay lengths.BACKGROUND[2] In general, automotive vehicles, such as pickup trucks, include a cargo bay with a fixed cargo capacity. For instance, the cargo capacity of a short box pickup truck is limited by a typical truck bed length of approximately six feet with the tailgate closed. Even with the tailgate opened to a horizontal position, the length of the cargo bay and the extension added by the lowered tailgate remains under eight feet. The extension of the cargo bay is limited by the longitudinal dimensions of the opened tailgate. Transportation of cargo, such as common eight feet long sheets of plywood or drywall construction material, with a length exceeding the length of the cargo bay and the extension added by the lowered tailgate, is challenging. Ropes, bands, or other restraining means are required to prevent the cargo from slipping rearwards and possibly out of the truck bed.[3] Some prior art truck bed extenders include a frame and / or a tray that extends rearwards or integrally from the truck bed of a pickup truck. In some prior art, the tray extends over a tailgate hinged to a truck body when the tailgate is opened to a horizontal position or folded down out of the way. Many prior art truck bed extenders require restraining means for safe transportation of cargo when the tailgate is opened to the horizontal position or folded down out of the way. Accordingly, a pickup truck capable of safely transporting cargo with a length exceeding the truck bed length of the pickup truck and without any additional restraining means would be beneficial.SUMMARY[4] An aspect of the invention includes an extendible tailgate system of a vehicle, comprising: a tailgate; a pivoting member attached to a rear portion of a vehicle body andpositioned between the vehicle body and the tailgate; and a pair of guiding members, wherein: an end of a first guiding member and an end of a second guiding member are rotatably connected to a first end of the pivoting member and a second end of the pivoting member, respectively; a first transverse side of the tailgate and a second transverse side of the tailgate are slidingly connected to the first guiding member and the second guiding member, respectively, wherein: the pivoting member facilitates rotation of the pair of guiding members and the tailgate connected thereto in relation to the vehicle body from a closed tailgate position to an open tailgate position; the tailgate translates in a longitudinal direction, away from the vehicle body, in relation to the pair of guiding members to transition from a retracted tailgate position to an extended tailgate position when the tailgate is in the open tailgate position; and the tailgate translates in the longitudinal direction, towards the vehicle body, in relation to the pair of guiding members from the extended tailgate position to the retracted tailgate position when the tailgate is in the open tailgate position; and a first locking mechanism configured to lock the pair of guiding members and the tailgate connected thereto in at least the retracted tailgate position and the extended tailgate position, wherein: the first locking mechanism is released to transition the pair of guiding members and the tailgate connected thereto from the retracted tailgate position to the extended tailgate position when the tailgate is in the open tailgate position; and the first locking mechanism is released to transition the pair of guiding members and the tailgate connected thereto from the extended tailgate position to the retracted tailgate position when the tailgate is in the open tailgate position.[5] In further aspects of the invention, the first guiding member and the second guiding member each comprise at least one slot; the tailgate further comprises: a first pin of at least two pins mounted to the first transverse side of the tailgate; and a second pin of the at least two pins mounted to the second transverse side of the tailgate; and the first pin and the second pin are slidingly connected with the at least one slot of the first guiding member and the at least one slot of the second guiding member, respectively. In further aspects of the invention, each guiding member comprises two slots; and the tailgate comprises two pins mounted to each transverse side of the tailgate slidingly connected with the two slots of the respective guiding member. In further aspects of the invention, at least some of the at least two pins are mounted respectively to the first and second transverse sides of the tailgate using a bracket.[6] In further aspects of the invention, the extendible tailgate system further comprises a cargo load-blocking member mounted on an inner side of the tailgate in proximity to a rearward edge of the tailgate distal from the pivoting member, wherein: the cargo load-blocking member is configured to transition from a stowed position to a deployed position; and the cargo loadblocking member is configured to prevent a cargo load from sliding out of the cargo bay of the vehicle when the tailgate is in the open tailgate position and the cargo load-blocking member is in the deployed position; and a second locking mechanism configured to lock the cargo loadblocking member in at least the deployed position.[7] In further aspects of the invention, the cargo load-blocking member comprises a panel; the panel is rotatably mounted to an inner side of the tailgate; the panel is planar or coplanar with the inner side of the tailgate when the panel is in the stowed position; and the panel is perpendicular to the inner side of the tailgate when the panel is in the deployed position. In further aspects of the invention, the panel is rotatable by 180 degrees from the stowed position to an open panel position, wherein the panel is planar or coplanar with the inner side of the tailgate in the open panel position.[8] In further aspects of the invention, the extendible tailgate system further comprises a first fixed-length cable connected on one end to a first transverse side of a cargo bay of the vehicle and connected on a second end to the first guiding member; and a second fixed-length cable connected on one end to a second transverse side of the cargo bay of the vehicle and connected on a second end to the second guiding member.[9] In further aspects of the invention, the extendible tailgate system further comprises a gap cover configured to cover a gap between the tailgate and the pivoting member when the tailgate is in both the open tailgate position and the extended tailgate position. In further aspects of the invention, the gap cover comprises a gap cover plate slidingly connected to and housed within the tailgate, wherein: the gap cover plate deploys by translating in the longitudinal direction, towards the vehicle body, in relation to the tailgate when the tailgate is in the open tailgate position; and the gap cover plate retracts within the tailgate by translating in the longitudinal direction, away from vehicle body, in relation to the tailgate when the tailgate is in the open tailgate position. In further aspects of the invention, the gap cover plate is configured to deployas the tailgate is extended to the extended tailgate position and retract as the tailgate is retracted to the retracted tailgate position. In further aspects of the invention, the gap cover overlaps and attaches to the pivoting member. In further aspects of the invention, the gap cover is attached to the pivoting member using at least one spring loaded pin.

[0010] In further aspects of the invention, the pivoting member comprises a tube-shaped hinge. In further aspects of the invention, the first locking mechanism comprises an integral latching system.

[0011] Another aspect of the invention includes a vehicle, comprising at least: a vehicle body; a set of wheels; and the above-described extendible tailgate system and further aspects thereof.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0012] FIGS. 1 A-1B illustrate an extendible tailgate of a vehicle, according to some embodiments.

[0013] FIGS. 2A-2C illustrate the extendible tailgate of the vehicle including a panel for blocking cargo, according to some embodiments.

[0014] FIGS. 3 A and 3B illustrate the extendible tailgate of the vehicle including a gap cover plate, according to some embodiments.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] A vehicle, typically a pickup truck, includes a vehicle body and an extendible tailgate system including a tailgate. The tailgate has an inner side which faces forward when the tailgate is closed. The term inner side is used herein to describe that side of the tailgate regardless of tailgate orientation. A pivoting member is attached to a rear portion of the vehicle body and is positioned between the vehicle body and the tailgate. In some embodiments, the pivoting member includes a tube-shaped hinge. An end of a first guiding member and an end of a second guiding member are rotatably connected to a first end of the pivoting member and a second end of the pivoting member, respectively. A first transverse side of the tailgate and a second transverse side of the tailgate are slidingly connected to the first guiding member and the second guiding member, respectively. In some embodiments, the first guiding member and the secondguiding member each include at least one slot. A first pin of at least two pins is mounted to the first transverse side of the tailgate and a second pin of the at least two pins is mounted to the second transverse side of the tailgate, wherein the first pin and the second pin are slidingly connected with the at least one slot of the first guiding member and the at least one slot of the second guiding member, respectively. In some embodiments, each guiding member includes two slots and two pins are mounted to each transverse side of the tailgate. The two pins mounted on each transverse side of the tailgate are slidingly connected with the two slots of the respective guiding member. In some embodiments, at least some pins are mounted to the transverse sides of the tailgate using a bracket, such as a metal L-bracket.

[0016] The pivoting member facilitates rotation of the pair of guiding members and the tailgate connected thereto in relation to the vehicle body, from a closed tailgate position to an open tailgate position. Initially, the tailgate is rotated to an essentially horizontal open position without any extension of the tailgate. When the tailgate is in the open tailgate position, the tailgate translates in a longitudinal direction, away from the vehicle body, in relation to the pair of guiding members to transition from a retracted tailgate position to an extended tailgate position. Conversely, when the tailgate is still in the open tailgate position, the tailgate translates in the longitudinal direction, towards the vehicle body, in relation to the pair of guiding members from the extended tailgate position to the retracted tailgate position. Motive force for this extension and retraction may be provided by a user pushing and pulling on the horizontal tailgate, or by means of a mechanical linkage powered by an electric motor effecting such actions. In order to facilitate opening and closing of the tailgate, a gas strut lift assist mechanism may be employed to control a speed at which the tailgate opens and reduce an effort required in closing the tailgate.

[0017] A first locking mechanism is configured to lock the pair of guiding members and the tailgate connected thereto in at least the retracted tailgate position and the extended tailgate position. In some embodiments, the first locking mechanism comprises an integral latching system or another locking mechanism. When the tailgate is in the open tailgate position, the first locking mechanism is released to transition the pair of guiding members and the tailgate connected thereto from the retracted tailgate position to the extended tailgate position.Conversely, when the tailgate is in the open tailgate position, the first locking mechanism is released to transition the pair of guiding members and the tailgate connected thereto from theextended tailgate position to the retracted tailgate position. In some embodiments, the tailgate is partially extended to, and locked in, one or more positions between the retracted tailgate position and the extended tailgate position. In some embodiments, the tailgate is extended up to four inches from a retracted tailgate position, although shorter or longer extensions may be provided.

[0018] In some embodiments, a cargo load-blocking member is mounted on the inner side of the tailgate in proximity to a rearward edge of the tailgate distal from the pivoting member. Said rearward edge of the tailgate faces rearwardly when the tailgate is in the open tailgate position; it is always distal from the pivoting member and referred to herein as the rearward edge, regardless of tailgate orientation. The cargo load-blocking member is configured to transition from a stowed position to a deployed position, wherein the cargo load-blocking member prevents a cargo load from sliding out of the cargo bay of the vehicle when the tailgate is in the open tailgate position and the cargo load-blocking member is in the deployed position. In some embodiments, the cargo load-blocking member includes a panel, the dimensions of which may vary in different embodiments. The panel may be rotatably mounted to the inner side of the tailgate. The panel may be planar or coplanar with the inner side of the tailgate when the panel is in the stowed position and perpendicular to the inner side of the tailgate when the panel is in the deployed position. In some embodiments, the panel is rotatable by 180 degrees from the stowed position to an open panel position which facilitates loading and unloading of cargo. The panel may be planar or coplanar with the inner side of the tailgate in the open panel position. In some embodiments, a second locking mechanism is configured to lock the cargo load-blocking member in at least the deployed position. The second locking mechanism may also lock the cargo load-bearing member in the stowed position and the open panel position. The second locking mechanism comprises a latch, links, springs, or another locking mechanism.

[0019] In some embodiments, a first fixed-length cable is connected on one end to a first transverse side of the cargo bay of the vehicle and connected on a second end to the first guiding member, and a second fixed-length cable is connected on one end to a second transverse side of the cargo bay of the vehicle and connected on a second end to the second guiding member.

[0020] In some embodiments, a gap cover covers a gap between the tailgate and the vehicle body, including the pivoting member, when the tailgate is in the extended tailgate position. Insome embodiments, the gap cover includes a gap cover plate slidingly connected to and housed within the tailgate. The gap cover plate deploys by translating in the longitudinal direction, towards the vehicle body, in relation to the tailgate when the tailgate is moving into the extended tailgate position and retracts within the tailgate by translating in the longitudinal direction, away from vehicle body, in relation to the tailgate when the tailgate is moving into the retracted tailgate position. Alternatively, the gap cover plate may be deployed and retracted after the tailgate has moved fully into the extended and retracted tailgate positions respectively. In some embodiments, the gap cover plate is attached to the tailgate, such as on the inner side or on an inward edge opposite the rearward edge, of the tailgate, or is mounted within the tailgate between the inner side and an outer side adjacent the pivoting member. In some embodiments, the gap cover plate deploys as the tailgate is extended to the extended tailgate position and retracts as the tailgate is retracted to the retracted tailgate position. In some embodiments, the gap cover overlaps and attaches to the pivoting member. In some embodiments, the gap cover is attached to the pivoting member using spring loaded pins, such as scrivets, or other suitable means.

[0021] In another aspect of the invention, a vehicle includes the extendible tailgate system and embodiments thereof described herein.

[0022] FIGS. 1 A-1C illustrate an embodiment of an extendible tailgate system of a vehicle. In FIGS. IB and 1C an interior of the tailgate (3) is exposed to better illustrate hidden components of the extendible tailgate system. A tube-shaped hinge (1) with two transverse ends is attached to a rear portion of a vehicle body (2) and is positioned between the vehicle body (2) and a tailgate (3). An end of a first guiding member (4) and an end of a second guiding member (5) are rotatably connected to a first end of the hinge (1) and a second end of the hinge (1), respectively. A first transverse side of the tailgate (3) and a second transverse side of the tailgate (3) are slidingly connected to the first guiding member (4) and the second guiding member (5), respectively. The first guiding member (4) and the second guiding member (5) each include two slots (6). Two pins (7) are mounted to each transverse side of the tailgate (3) and are slidingly connected with the two slots (6) of the respective guiding member (4) or (5). At least two pins of the pins (7) are mounted to the transverse sides of the tailgate (3) using L-brackets (8). A first fixed-length cable (9) is connected on one end to a first transverse side of a cargo bay (10) andconnected on a second end to the first guiding member (4), and a second fixed-length cable (11) is connected on one end to a second transverse side of the cargo bay (10) and connected on a second end to the second guiding member (5).

[0023] In FIG. 1 A, the tailgate (3) is in a closed tailgate position while in FIGS. IB and 1C the tailgate (3) is in an open tailgate position. The hinge (1) facilitates rotation of the pair of guiding members (4), (5) and the tailgate (3) connected thereto in relation to the vehicle body (2), from the closed tailgate position to the open tailgate position. In FIG. IB, the opened tailgate (3) is in a retracted tailgate position while in FIG. 1C, the opened tailgate (3) is in an extended tailgate position. When the tailgate (3) is in the open tailgate position, it may be extended or retracted. Under the mechanical control of a user pulling on the tailgate, or of a mechanical linkage controlled by an electric motor, the tailgate (3) translates in a longitudinal direction, away from the vehicle body (2), in relation to the pair of guiding members (4), (5) to transition from the retracted tailgate position to the extended tailgate position. Conversely, when pushed by a user or under the reverse mechanical control of the electric motor and linkage, the tailgate (3) translates in the longitudinal direction, towards the vehicle body (2), in relation to the pair of guiding members (4), (5) from the extended tailgate position to the retracted tailgate position. An integral latching system comprising latches (12a), (12b), a pin (12c) mounted to guiding member (4), and a release button (12d) locks the pair of guiding members (4), (5) and the tailgate (3) connected thereto in both the retracted tailgate position and the extended tailgate position. From the extended tailgate position, the tailgate (3) translates in the longitudinal direction, towards the vehicle body (2), until the latch (12a) latches onto pin (12c) to lock the pair of guiding members (4), (5), and the tailgate (3) connected thereto, in the retracted tailgate position. The release button (12d) is pressed to release latch (12a) or (12b) from the pin (12c) such that the pair of guiding members (4), (5), and the tailgate (3) connected thereto, is free to translate longitudinally towards or away from the vehicle body (2). From the retracted tailgate position, the tailgate (3) translates in the longitudinal direction, away from the vehicle body (2), until the latch (12b) latches onto pin (12c) to lock the pair of guiding members (4), (5), and the tailgate (3) connected thereto, in the extended tailgate position. The integral latching system is released to transition the pair of guiding members (4), (5), and the tailgate (3) connected thereto, from the retracted tailgate position to the extended tailgate position or vice versa, all while the tailgate (3) is in the open tailgate position.

[0024] FIGS. 2A-2C illustrate another embodiment of the extendible tailgate system described in FIGS. 1A-1C, wherein a panel (13) is rotatably mounted to an inner side of the tailgate (3). In FIG. 2A, the panel (13) is in a stowed position while in FIG. 2B, the panel (13) is in a deployed position. The panel (13) prevents a cargo load (14) from sliding out of the cargo bay (10) when the tailgate (3) is in the open tailgate position and the panel (13) is in the deployed position. The panel (13) is preferably coplanar with the inner side of the tailgate (3) when the panel (13) is in the stowed position and perpendicular to the inner side of the tailgate (3) when the panel (13) is in the deployed position. In FIG. 2C, the panel (13) is rotated 180 degrees from the stowed position to an open panel position, wherein the panel (13) is again preferably coplanar with the inner side of the tailgate (3). The panel (13) is hinged to cut-outs in the tailgate (3), however, the panel (13) may also be hinged to the tailgate (3) without any cut-outs in the tailgate (3) using gooseneck hinges or other means. A latch locks the panel (13) in at least the deployed position. A latch trigger (15) releases the latch to unlock the panel (13) from the deployed position to transition the panel (13) to the stowed position or the open panel position. The latch may also lock the panel (13) in the stowed position and the open panel position.

[0025] FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate another embodiment of the extendible tailgate system including a gap cover plate (16) covering a gap (17) between the tailgate (3) and the hinge (1) when the tailgate (3) is in the open and extended tailgate position. The gap cover plate (16) is slidingly connected to and housed within the tailgate (3). The gap cover plate (16) overlaps and is attached to the hinge (1) using scrivets (18), although other fasteners may be used. In FIG.3 A, the gap cover plate (16) is retracted within the tailgate (3) while in FIG. 3B the gap cover plate (16) is deployed. When the tailgate (3) is in the open tailgate position, the tailgate (3) may be in either the retracted tailgate position or the extended tailgate position. The gap cover plate (16) deploys as the tailgate (3) is extended from the retracted tailgate position to the extended tailgate position, wherein the gap cover plate (16) translates in the longitudinal direction, towards the vehicle body (2), in relation to the tailgate (3). Conversely, with the tailgate (3) starting in the extended tailgate position, the gap cover plate (16) retracts as the tailgate (3) is retracted to the retracted tailgate position, wherein the gap cover plate (16) retracts within the tailgate (3) by translating in the longitudinal direction, away from vehicle body (2), in relation to the tailgate (3). Alternatively, the gap cover plate (16) may be deployed after the tailgate is fully in the extended tailgate position.

[0026] It should be understood that although particular component arrangements are disclosed in the illustrated embodiments, other arrangements will benefit from this invention. Other means to create the same result within the context of this invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, the gap cover plate may rotate rather than translate longitudinally, and may be mounted to the vehicle body rather than the tailgate.

[0027] Although the different examples have specific components shown in the illustrations, embodiments of this invention are not limited to those particular combinations. It is possible to use some of the components or features from one of the examples in combination with features or components from another one of the examples. Although example embodiments have been disclosed, a worker of ordinary skill in this art would recognize that certain modifications would come within the scope of the claims. For that reason, the following claims should be studied to determine their true scope and content.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An extendible tailgate system of a vehicle, comprising: a tailgate; a pivoting member attached to a rear portion of a vehicle body and positioned between the vehicle body and the tailgate; a pair of guiding members, wherein: an end of a first guiding member and an end of a second guiding member are rotatably connected to a first end of the pivoting member and a second end of the pivoting member, respectively; a first transverse side of the tailgate and a second transverse side of the tailgate are slidingly connected to the first guiding member and the second guiding member, respectively, wherein: the pivoting member facilitates rotation of the pair of guiding members and the tailgate connected thereto in relation to the vehicle body from a closed tailgate position to an open tailgate position; the tailgate translates in a longitudinal direction, away from the vehicle body, in relation to the pair of guiding members to transition from a retracted tailgate position to an extended tailgate position when the tailgate is in the open tailgate position; and the tailgate translates in the longitudinal direction, towards the vehicle body, in relation to the pair of guiding members from the extended tailgate position to the retracted tailgate position when the tailgate is in the open tailgate position; and a first locking mechanism configured to lock the pair of guiding members and the tailgate connected thereto in at least the retracted tailgate position and the extended tailgate position, wherein:the first locking mechanism is released to transition the pair of guiding members and the tailgate connected thereto from the retracted tailgate position to the extended tailgate position; and the first locking mechanism is released to transition the pair of guiding members and the tailgate connected thereto from the extended tailgate position to the retracted tailgate position.

2. The extendible tailgate system of claim 1, wherein: the first guiding member and the second guiding member each comprise at least one slot; the tailgate comprises: a first pin of at least two pins mounted to the first transverse side of the tailgate; and a second pin of the at least two pins mounted to the second transverse side of the tailgate; wherein the first pin and the second pin are slidingly connected with the at least one slot of the first guiding member and the at least one slot of the second guiding member, respectively.

3. The extendible tailgate system of claim 2, wherein: each guiding member comprises two slots; and the tailgate comprises two pins mounted to each transverse side of the tailgate slidingly connected with the two slots of the respective guiding member.

4. The extendible tailgate system of claim 2, wherein at least some of the at least two pins are mounted respectively to the first and second transverse sides of the tailgate using a bracket.

5. The extendible tailgate system of claim 1, further comprising: a cargo load-blocking member mounted on an inner side of the tailgate in proximity to a rearward edge of the tailgate distal from the pivoting member, wherein:the cargo load-blocking member is configured to transition from a stowed position to a deployed position; and the cargo load-blocking member is configured to prevent a cargo load from sliding out of the cargo bay of the vehicle when the tailgate is in the open tailgate position and the cargo load-blocking member is in the deployed position; and a second locking mechanism configured to lock the cargo load-blocking member in at least the deployed position.

6. The extendible tailgate system of claim 5, wherein: the cargo load-blocking member comprises a panel; the panel is rotatably mounted to the inner side of the tailgate; the panel is planar or coplanar with the inner side of the tailgate when the panel is in the stowed position; and the panel is perpendicular to the inner side of the tailgate when the panel is in the deployed position.

7. The extendible tailgate system of claim 6, wherein: the panel is rotatable by 180 degrees from the stowed position to an open panel position, wherein the panel is planar or coplanar with the inner side of the tailgate in the open panel position.

8. The extendible tailgate system of claim 1, further comprising: a first fixed-length cable connected on one end to a first transverse side of a cargo bay of the vehicle and connected on a second end to the first guiding member; and a second fixed-length cable connected on one end to a second transverse side of the cargo bay of the vehicle and connected on a second end to the second guiding member.

9. The extendible tailgate system of claim 1, further comprising: a gap cover configured to cover a gap between the tailgate and the pivoting member when the tailgate is in both the open tailgate position and the extended tailgate position.

10. The extendible tailgate system of claim 9, wherein the gap cover comprises: a gap cover plate slidingly connected to and housed within the tailgate, wherein: the gap cover plate deploys by translating in the longitudinal direction, towards the vehicle body, in relation to the tailgate when the tailgate moves from the retracted tailgate position to the extended tailgate position; and the gap cover plate retracts within the tailgate by translating in the longitudinal direction, away from vehicle body, in relation to the tailgate when the tailgate moves from the extended tailgate position to the retracted tailgate position.

11. The extendible tailgate system of claim 9, wherein the gap cover overlaps and attaches to the pivoting member.

12. The extendible tailgate system of claim 11, wherein the gap cover is attached to the pivoting member using at least one spring loaded pin.

13. The extendible tailgate system of claim 1, wherein the pivoting member comprises a tube-shaped hinge.

14. The extendible tailgate system of claim 1, wherein the first locking mechanism comprises an integral latching system.

15. A vehicle, comprising at least: a vehicle body; a set of wheels; and an extendible tailgate system, comprising: a tailgate; a pivoting member attached to a rear portion of the vehicle body and positioned between the vehicle body and the tailgate; a pair of guiding members, wherein:an end of a first guiding member and an end of a second guiding member are rotatably connected to a first end of the pivoting member and a second end of the pivoting member, respectively; a first transverse side of the tailgate and a second transverse side of the tailgate are slidingly connected to the first guiding member and the second guiding member, respectively, wherein: the pivoting member facilitates rotation of the pair of guiding members and the tailgate connected thereto in relation to the vehicle body from a closed tailgate position to an open tailgate position; the tailgate translates in a longitudinal direction, away from the vehicle body, in relation to the pair of guiding members to transition from a retracted tailgate position to an extended tailgate position when the tailgate is in the open tailgate position; and the tailgate translates in the longitudinal direction, towards the vehicle body, in relation to the pair of guiding members from the extended tailgate position to the retracted tailgate position when the tailgate is in the open tailgate position; and a first locking mechanism configured to lock the pair of guiding members and the tailgate connected thereto in at least the retracted tailgate position and the extended tailgate position, wherein: the first locking mechanism is released to transition the pair of guiding members and the tailgate connected thereto from the retracted tailgate position to the extended tailgate position; and the first locking mechanism is released to transition the pair of guiding members and the tailgate connected thereto from the extended tailgate position to the retracted tailgate position.

16. The vehicle of claim 15, wherein: the first guiding member and the second guiding member each comprise at least one slot; the tailgate comprises: a first pin of at least two pins mounted to the first side of the tailgate; a second pin of the at least two pins mounted to the second side of the tailgate; wherein the first pin and the second pin are slidingly connected with the at least one slot of the first guiding member and the at least one slot of the second guiding member, respectively.

17. The vehicle of claim 15, further comprising: a cargo load-blocking member mounted on the tailgate in proximity to a rearward edge of the tailgate distal from the pivoting member, wherein: the cargo load-blocking member is configured to transition from a stowed position to a deployed position; and the cargo load-blocking member is configured to prevent a cargo load from sliding out of the cargo bay of the vehicle when the tailgate is in the open tailgate position and the cargo load-blocking member is in the deployed position; and a second locking mechanism configured to lock the cargo load-blocking member in at least the deployed position.

18. The vehicle of claim 17, wherein: the cargo load-blocking member comprises a panel; the panel is rotatably mounted to the inner side of the tailgate; the panel is planar or coplanar with the inner side of the tailgate when the panel is in the stowed position; and the panel is perpendicular to the inner side of the tailgate when the panel is in the deployed position.

19. The vehicle of claim 15, further comprising: a first fixed-length cable connected on one end to a first transverse side of a cargo bay of the vehicle and connected on a second end to the first guiding member; and a second fixed-length cable connected on one end to a second transverse side of the cargo bay of the vehicle and connected on a second end to the second guiding member.

20. The vehicle of claim 15, further comprising: a gap cover configured to cover a gap between the tailgate and the pivoting member when the tailgate is in the extended tailgate position.

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