Abstract: A tailgate assembly according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a primary tailgate having a cargo bed access opening. The primary tailgate moveable between a closed position and a fully open position relative to a cargo bed of a vehicle. The tailgate assembly further including a secondary tailgate that can move between a blocking position where the secondary tailgate extends into the cargo bed access opening and an accessing position where the secondary tailgate is retracted away from the cargo bed access opening. The secondary tailgate in the accessing position at least partially retracted into a portion of the primary tailgate that is vertically beneath the cargo bed access opening when the primary tailgate is in the closed position.

Abstract: A roll-up door has a plurality of panels and a plurality of roller assemblies mounted to ends of the panels for mounting the panels in channels. At least some of the panels are formed of blow-molded thermoplastic material and have a relatively flat outside face and an inside face including open channels that extend longitudinally and transversely on the panel. A reinforced panel of thermoplastic material is made by blow molding a panel with a thermoplastic material to form a relatively flat outside face and a ribbed inside face, and with elongated channels along upper and lower portions thereof. The panel may be trimmed while it is still warm to open the channels at one end. While the panel is still warm, reinforcing members may be inserted into the elongated channels. The panels may be cooled to shrink the channels onto the reinforcing members.

Abstract: A roll-up door has a plurality of panels and a plurality of roller assemblies mounted to ends of the panels for mounting the panels in channels. At least some of the panels are formed of blow-molded thermoplastic material and have a relatively flat outside face and an inside face including ribs that extend longitudinally and transversely on the panel. A reinforced panel of thermoplastic material is made by blow molding a panel with a thermoplastic material to form a relatively flat outside face and a ribbed inside face, and with elongated channels along upper and lower walls thereof. The panel is trimmed while it is still warm to open the channels at one end. While the panel is still warm, reinforcing members are inserted into the elongated channels. The panels are cooled to shrink the channels onto the reinforcing members.

Abstract: A header assembly useful with a columnar lift gate is provided. In one embodiment, the header assembly includes an elongated header element having a top wall with distal ends, the top wall having an upwardly protruding edge portion extending between the distal ends. The header element is configured for horizontal coupling to an upper edge of a vehicle opening. The header assembly further comprises a pair of columnar sleeves, each columnar sleeve configured for transverse connection proximate a distal end of the header element. The columnar sleeves are configured for coupling along side edges of the vehicle opening in parallel to one another and perpendicular to the header element. Each columnar sleeve is configured for receiving an upper portion of a lifting column of a columnar lift gate mounted at said vehicle opening, each lifting column mounted to a side edge of the vehicle opening under a respective columnar sleeve.

Abstract: A vehicle speaker mounting system. The vehicle speaker mounting system comprises a parcel shelf having at least one stiffener extending substantially longitudinally along the length of the parcel shelf. The system further includes at least one aperture extending through a generally planar portion of the parcel shelf. The aperture is configured to receive a speaker.

Abstract: A vehicle has a body with a body opening and a reconfigurable body exterior panel that is mountable over the opening in first and second panel positions. The panel is pivotable about a panel pivot axis and is mounted on a pair of swing arms that are pivotable relative to the body about a bodyside pivot axis. The swing arms are Z-shaped and interact with stops to orient the panel in the first and second panel positions.

Abstract: An aerodynamic cargo container with rounded rear doors is disclosed. The aerodynamic cargo container includes an angled rear area that reduces base drag when the container is transported. The rear sliding door allows for partial opening of the door and allows for operation of the door when the rear of the container is in close proximity to another object. The crash attenuating skirt deflects vehicles away from the cargo container. A pair of cargo doors may define the curved contour of the trailer rear section. These doors may have a plurality of pivoted and segmented sections that assume the curved contour of a stationary edge when the doors are moved to a closed position.

Abstract: A truck, trailer or other type of vehicle with a pair of swinging door panels for providing access to a rear cargo bay includes a hinge seal that closes an air gap between the door panels and the side body panels of the vehicle when the door is open. The seal is particularly useful when used in conjunction with a dock shelter at a loading dock. The hinge seal can be mounted to each of the vehicle's rear door panels and sealingly engage the side body panels as the door opens, or the seal can be mounted to the side body panel and sealing engage the rear door panel. In either case, the seal provides substantially no resistance to the operation of the door hinge until just before the door is fully open.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a body defining a vehicle interior and a cargo bed, and a reversible bulkhead assembly that is positioned between the interior and the cargo bed. The bulkhead rotates with respect to the vehicle body to alternately provide a first cargo bed configuration and a different second cargo bed configuration. A concave side of the bulkhead is rotated adjacently to the vehicle interior to decrease the length of the cargo bed and increase the size of the vehicle interior in one configuration, and adjacently to the cargo bed to increase the length of the cargo bed while decreasing the size of the vehicle interior in another configuration. An optional pivoting mechanism can slow the rotation of the bulkhead, and can also or alternately prevent rotation of the bulkhead in one direction to facilitate repositioning of the bulkhead between the two positions.

Abstract: A tailgate arrangement which is located in the region of the rear opening (12) of a vehicle and in the closed position borders a cargo space (16), has an upper tailgate part (18) which is coupled in the region of the upper edge (20) of the rear opening (12) and a lower tailgate part (22) which is coupled in the region of the lower edge (24) of the rear opening (12) of the vehicle and is aligned essentially horizontally in the open position. An expansion element (28) is detachably fixed on the inside of the lower tailgate part (22) and in the open position of the lower tailgate part (22) expands the cargo space (16) and closes it relative to the exterior of the vehicle.

Abstract: A flip door or plate member for use with a trailer having pivotable doors is disclosed. The plate member is pivotable about a bed extension. The plate member pivots from an initial position where the doors may be closed and locked to a second position that where the doors may be opened. After the doors are opened, the plate member may be pivoted back to its initial position allowing a continuous bed extension.

Abstract: There is provided a vehicle with a tailgate, which can be provided in a variety of vehicles without being restricted by e.g., the sizes of the vehicles, thus considerably improving usability. The tailgate is comprised of a first tailgate having one end thereof mounted on the rear end of a bed, and a second tailgate extending from the other end of the first tailgate. A tailgate telescoping device drives the second tailgate to move in a direction toward the one end of the first tailgate.

Abstract: A tailgate assembly for a dump body is provided. The dump body has a pair of opposing sidewalls and an open rear end. The dump body is movable relative between a lowered transport position and a raised dump position. The tailgate assembly including a pair of opposing sidearms each of which is pivotally connected to a respective sidewall of the dump body and a center-rear portion supported between the sidearms. The sidearms and center-rear portion are movable between a closed position wherein the center-rear portion spans substantially between the opposing sidewalls of the dump body and encloses the open rear end of the dump body and an open position wherein the center-rear portion is positioned away from the open rear end of the dump body. Each of the sidearms includes an extended portion at an end thereof. The extended portions are curved inwardly toward each other in overlapping relation to at least a portion of the center-rear portion. The extended portions are connected to the center-rear portion.

Abstract: A cam-type door latch assembly comprises a handle and an arm assembly terminating in a finger-like cam and pivotal to bring the cam into engagement with a conventional locking pin assembly. The arm assembly is selectively adjustable for lengthening or shortening the arm assembly, thereby adjusting the contact force between the cam and the locking pin and, consequently, the door closing force. The arm assembly comprises a sleeve enclosing a wedge nut and a cam arm having offsetting inclined faces which are tightened against each other with a threaded connector to lock the wedge nut and cam arm in position in the sleeve when the cam has been properly adjusted relative to the locking pin.

Abstract: An aluminum rear case assembly (12) for a trailer body (10) includes a rectangular frame assembly (16). The frame assembly (16) includes an extruded aluminum top rail (22), an extruded aluminum bottom rail (24), and a pair of extruded aluminum side rails (26) connecting the top and bottom rails (22, 24). The top, bottom, and side rails (22, 24, 26) are joined to define the rectangular shape. The frame assembly (16) has an exposed side (18) facing outward from the trailer body (10) and an internal side (20) facing inward toward the cargo area defined by the trailer body (10) and attached to the rear end of the trailer body (10).