Abstract: A row of docking stations to stow containers or trolleys is provided along at least one side of a van cargo storage area and a corridor for loading and unloading containers or trolleys individually or in groups from the rear of the van is provided. Preferably, the docking stations are automated. Interference with the storage and removal of containers or trolleys by the wheel wells of the vans or other vehicles is eliminated. Motorized mechanisms capture and lift the containers or trolleys above the level of the wheel wells for stowage in the docking stations to maximize the available storage area beyond that available on the floor of the cargo area. Individual containers or trolleys may be maintained in docking stations until needed.

Abstract: An automotive door hinge comprises first and second brackets mountable selectively to one of the door and the body. A cam element, non-rotationally mounted to the second bracket, comprises a cam surface adapted to engage with a cam follower non-rotationally housed within a first housing of the first bracket. An energy storage means respectively stores and releases energy when the cam follower longitudinally translates within the first housing in a first direction and then in a second direction opposite the first direction. Relative rotation of the first bracket in relation to the second bracket within a predetermined angular range causes longitudinal translation of the cam follower, wherein as the door is closed, the cam follower engages the cam surface and translates longitudinally in the second direction whereby the energy stored by the energy storage means is released to assist door closure.

Abstract: A row of docking stations to stow containers or trolleys is provided along at least one side of a van cargo storage area and a corridor for loading and unloading containers or trolleys individually or in groups from the rear of the van is provided. Preferably, the docking stations are automated. Interference with the storage and removal of containers or trolleys by the wheel wells of the vans or other vehicles is eliminated. Motorized mechanisms capture and lift the containers or trolleys above the level of the wheel wells for stowage in the docking stations to maximize the available storage area beyond that available on the floor of the cargo area. Individual containers or trolleys may be maintained in docking stations until needed.

Abstract: A cargo van door system comprises a cargo van with a cargo compartment, first pivoting means to permit one or more doors releasably to pivot laterally and perpendicularly in relation to one of three outward facing side walls of the cargo compartment to act as a door, second pivoting means to permit the door releasably to pivot perpendicularly in relation to a floor of the cargo compartment to act as a ramp, and means to coordinate engagement and disengagement of the first pivoting means and the second pivoting means. When the first pivoting means is engaged to permit the door to swing laterally and perpendicularly in relation to one of the outward facing side walls to continue to function as a door, the second pivoting means is disengaged, and when the second pivoting means is engaged to permit the door to swing perpendicularly in relation to the floor to act as a ramp, the first pivoting means is disengaged.

Abstract: An automotive door hinge comprises first and second brackets mountable selectively to one of the door and the body. A cam element. non-rotationally mounted to the second bracket. comprises a cam surface adapted to engage with a cam follower non-rotationally housed within a first housing of the first bracket. An energy storage means respectively stores and releases energy when the cam follower longitudinally translates within the first housing in a first direction and then in a second direction opposite the first direction. Relative rotation of the first bracket in relation to the second bracket within a predetermined angular range causes longitudinal translation of the cam follower, wherein as the door is closed. the cam follower engages the cam surface and translates longitudinally in the second direction whereby the energy stored by the energy storage means is released to assist door closure.

Abstract: A vehicle tailgate assembly primarily for pick-up trucks comprises a frame with a transverse base and support arms extending perpendicularly therefrom adjacent distal ends of the base. A tailgate door is rotationally mounted to the frame between the support arms. The door comprises a transverse upper section rotationally joined to a transverse lower section at a rotational joint, preferably a hinge. A releasable locking mechanism is located adjacent the rotational joint to releasably hold the upper section in relation to the lower section at selected orientations. An additional locking mechanism may selectively hold the lower section and/or the upper section to the support arms. The tailgate may also be provided with an extendible tailgate which may be rotated interiorly and exteriorly of the plane of the upper section. An extendible handle may also be provided to support user entry and exit from a cargo hold of the truck.

Abstract: A vehicle tailgate assembly primarily for pick-up trucks comprises a frame with a transverse base and support arms extending perpendicularly therefrom adjacent distal ends of the base. A tailgate door is rotationally mounted to the frame between the support arms. The door comprises a transverse upper section rotationally joined to a transverse lower section at a rotational joint, preferably a hinge. A releasable locking mechanism, typically a latch or multiple latches, is located adjacent the rotational joint to releasably hold the upper section in relation to the lower section at selected orientations. An additional locking mechanism, also typically a latch or multiple latches, may selectively hold the lower section or both the lower section and the upper section to the support arms. The tailgate may also be provided with an extendible tailgate which may be rotated interiorly and exteriorly of the plane of the upper section.

Abstract: A vehicle tailgate with an integrated collapsible door comprises a tailgate having an outer wall, an inner wall and a cavity there between, a door section located in an upper portion of the tailgate having an inboard wall and an outboard wall and being moveable between a closed position and an open position substantially within an envelope of the tailgate, the door section comprising means to vary the spacing between the inboard wall and the outboard wall, the means to vary the spacing between the inboard wall and the outboard wall comprising at least one rotatable cam element located within the door section, such that when the door section is in the closed position the inboard wall is flush with the inner wall and the outboard wall is flush with the outer wall and when the door section is in the open position the spacing between the inboard wall and the outboard wall is reduced to allow a portion of the door section to be received in the cavity.

Abstract: A vehicle tailgate with an integrated collapsible door comprises a tailgate having an outer wall, an inner wall and a cavity there between, a door section located in an upper portion of the tailgate having an inboard wall and an outboard wall and being moveable between a closed position and an open position substantially within an envelope of the tailgate, the door section comprising means to vary the spacing between the inboard wall and the outboard wall, the means to vary the spacing between the inboard wall and the outboard wall comprising at least one rotatable cam element located within the door section, such that when the door section is in the closed position the inboard wall is flush with the inner wall and the outboard wall is flush with the outer wall and when the door section is in the open position the spacing between the inboard wall and the outboard wall is reduced to allow a portion of the door section to be received in the cavity.