Two-Piece Tailgate Extension for 8-Foot Pickup Bed Cargo

Solution Overview

Problem

Shorter cargo beds in pickup trucks cannot accommodate longer items such as 8-foot sheets of drywall or lumber, as they do not provide sufficient length for flat storage.

Innovation Solution

A two-piece tailgate system where the inner portion can pivot vertically to extend the cargo bed length to at least 8 feet, with rearwardly extending panels that can be latched to create additional sidewalls, allowing for the storage of longer items.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of moving object

If a shorter cargo bed is used, then the pickup truck is more maneuverable and easier to park, but it cannot accommodate longer items such as 8-foot sheets of drywall or lumber

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecargo bed lengthVSAvoidaccommodation of longer items

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The tailgate is designed with a two-piece construction where the inner portion can pivot vertically relative to the outer portion. This dynamic configuration allows the cargo bed length to change from a standard closed position to an extended position of at least 8 feet, enabling the same vehicle to accommodate both short and long items without requiring different vehicle models.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The tailgate is divided into two separate portions: an outer portion that forms the base structure and an inner portion that can rotate vertically. This segmentation allows independent movement of the inner portion to extend the cargo bed length while the outer portion remains stationary, resolving the contradiction between fixed short length and variable extended length.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Length of moving object

If the inner portion of the tailgate is rotated to a vertical position to extend cargo bed length, then longer items can be accommodated, but the structural complexity of the tailgate increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveextended cargo bed lengthVSAvoidtwo-piece tailgate structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The tailgate is divided into two separate portions: an outer portion that forms the base structure and an inner portion that can rotate vertically. This segmentation allows independent movement of the inner portion to extend the cargo bed length while the outer portion remains stationary, resolving the contradiction between fixed short length and variable extended length.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The tailgate is designed with a two-piece construction where the inner portion can pivot vertically relative to the outer portion. This dynamic configuration allows the cargo bed length to change from a standard closed position to an extended position of at least 8 feet, enabling the same vehicle to accommodate both short and long items without requiring different vehicle models.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If rearwardly extending panels are added to create additional sidewalls, then the cargo bed can be properly enclosed when extended, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenclosed cargo space when extendedVSAvoidpanel extension mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cargo bed extension system is divided into multiple components: the two-piece tailgate, rearwardly extending panels, and a latching mechanism. Each component performs a specific function - the tailgate portions create vertical support, the panels extend the sidewalls, and the latches secure the configuration. This segmentation allows the system to achieve full enclosure capability while keeping each individual component relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The rearwardly extending panels are pre-positioned within the cargo bed structure, ready to be deployed when needed. The latching mechanism is pre-configured to engage with the panels and tailgate portions, allowing for quick assembly of the extended cargo configuration without requiring complex real-time adjustments or multiple manual steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11926370B2Pickup truck cargo bed extension systems

Publication Date: 2024.03.12 GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

AI summary

A cargo bed extension system includes: a cargo bed; a tailgate configured to pivot to a down position via one or more first hinges, where the tailgate includes: an outer portion having first lateral sides and one or more second hinges; an inner portion having second lateral sides that are disposed adjacent to the first lateral sides when the tailgate is in the down position, where the inner portion is configured to rotate to a vertical position via the one or more second hinges, where the vertical position is approximately perpendicular to the down position; at least one first extension panel configured to move rearwardly and directly contact the inner portion when the inner portion is in the vertical position; and at least one second extension panel configured to move rearwardly and to directly contact the inner portion when the inner portion is in the vertical position.