By Changing Length Patents (Class 296/26.08)
  • Patent number: 11312285
    Abstract: A tailgate system for a vehicle having a body defining a rear cargo area and an opening, the tailgate system comprising: (a) a tailgate door adapted to pivotally engage the rear cargo area in a first direction between a closed position and an open position; (b) a bed extension pivotally engaged to the tailgate door; and (c) one or more ramps, wherein the bed extension is pivotally engaged to the tailgate door and adapted to pivot from a closed position to one or more open positions; and wherein the one or more ramps removably attach to the bed extension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Inventor: Steve DeSimone
  • Patent number: 11097790
    Abstract: A method of extending a truck cab includes removing the cab rear panel, providing a cab rear opening with an upper margin and two side margins. An extender joins the truck cab, the extender having a forward opening with an upper margin and side margins that are recessed. A top fillet and two side fillets join the margins of the extender opening and have curvatures that match curvatures of top and side corners of the cab. The extender is placed against the truck cab with the extender opening margins in abutment with the cab opening margins. The fillets are in flush contact with the upper corner and side corners of the cab. Bolts secure the extender opening margins to the cab opening margins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Inventor: Dennis Schwalbe
  • Patent number: 10889230
    Abstract: An extendable trailer assembly configured to be towed by a vehicle. The extendable trailer assembly includes a first compartment including a floor, a pair of opposing sidewalls, and a ceiling. The first compartment is configured to be coupled to a trailer hitch of the vehicle. The extendable trailer assembly also includes a second compartment including a floor, a pair of opposing sidewalls, and a ceiling. The extendable trailer assembly also includes a slide assembly slidably coupling the second compartment to the first compartment such that the second compartment is slidable relative to the first compartment between a fully extended position and a fully retracted position in which the first compartment is at least partially housed inside of the first compartment. The extendable trailer assembly is free of road-capable wheels for transport by the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: HITCH HOTEL INC.
    Inventors: Geoff Patterson, Grant Nelson
  • Patent number: 10703303
    Abstract: A tailgate accessory mounting system includes a first track, a first anchoring bolt slidably received within a slot of the first track, and a mounting plate secured to the first track by the first anchoring bolt. The tailgate accessory mounting system may be secured to a tailgate of a vehicle, such as a pickup truck, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Joshua Robert Hemphill, Craig Angelo Moccio, Brian Kenneth Sullivan
  • Patent number: 10525870
    Abstract: The vehicle includes a cab, a plurality of side walls, a tailgate and an extension assembly. The plurality of side walls extend from an aft end of the cab. The tailgate is coupled to the side walls and pivotable about a horizontal axis between a closed position and an open position. The tailgate includes a plurality of panels that cooperate to define a cavity. The extension assembly includes a support member and an arm. The support member is disposed within the cavity and coupled to the tailgate. The arm has a longitudinal axis and extends through the support member and the tailgate. The arm is slidable along the longitudinal axis between a stowed state and a deployed state when the tailgate is in the open position and the closed position. The arm is also permitted to rotate about the longitudinal axis when in the unlocked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: FCA US LLC
    Inventors: Kyle Neighbors, Jereme A Berube
  • Patent number: 10472003
    Abstract: An integrated extend bed assembly for a vehicle is provided. The extended bed assembly includes a bed assembly that is mounted at a rear of the vehicle and a bed extension that is slidably fitted into the bed assembly. The bed extension is extendable rearward of the bed assembly in a linear motion. Additionally, sliding members are mounted to the bed assembly and the bed extension to support the bed extension in an extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignees: Hyundai America Technical Center, Inc., Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Santhosh Karumuri, Jonathan Green, Adrien Wang, Shawn Slovesko
  • Patent number: 10457337
    Abstract: A vehicle bed extender adapted for simultaneous adjustment of both length and width. The extender includes a first side wall, a second side wall, and a connecting wall. The first and second side walls can attach to the vehicle storage bed, while the connecting wall attaches to the side walls in a sliding configuration along a direction nonparallel to the length and width of the bed extender. The connecting wall can also be composed of multiple cross members with middle portions of varying length such that the middle portions of the cross members are not vertically oriented. The vehicle bed extender can also be supported by a mount at the front end of the vehicle bed that supports the connecting wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Lund Motion Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Anthony Smith
  • Patent number: 10041623
    Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a system comprising a hitch member. The hitch member is constructed to be releasably coupled to a towing hitch port of a vehicle. The system can comprise a cross-member. The cross-member can be operatively coupled to the hitch member. When uncoupled from the vehicle, the hitch member can be constructed to rotate around a longitudinal axis of the cross-member. The system can comprise a first adjustable leg and a second adjustable leg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Inventor: Steven Craig Alderman
  • Patent number: 9630463
    Abstract: A hitch accessory retaining device includes a pair of opposed engagement pins and a biasing device. When positioned within a shank body, the engagement pins are slidable within shank pinning apertures and are normally urged in outward, extended positions by the biasing device. When biased outwardly, a portion of each engagement pin extends outwardly from and projects beyond a shank sidewall while an additional portion of each engagement pin is retained within the shank body. A portion of the biasing device contacts, is attached to, or is part of, the engagement pins. The normally outwardly biased engagement pins are biasable inwardly to a retracted position within the shank pinning apertures to a position wherein the outward ends of the engagement pins are flush with the outward sides of shank sidewalls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Inventor: John R. Columbia
  • Patent number: 9162602
    Abstract: A first barrier and a second barrier that, in a C-shape configuration, lay one on top of the other and engage each other and that, in an arched configuration, lay separate and disengaged from each other. In the C-shape configuration, the barriers can close off the bed of a pickup truck such as when the tailgate of the pickup truck is laid out and open. In the arched configuration, the barriers can serve as a four wheel vehicle ramp that extends from the ground up to the open, horizontally extending tailgate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Inventor: Nicholas A. Gargaro, III
  • Patent number: 9156507
    Abstract: A truck bed extender which is universally mountable to a plurality of original equipment latching pins and latches for different configured or brand vehicles. Each sidewall is connectable to original equipment tailgate latches on a truck bed body. The mounting interface allows connection for a number of heights relative to truck bed for those original equipment pins. Adjustable simulated mounting pins along lower margins of each sidewall of the bed extender allow for compensation for different placement of original equipment latches on the folded down tailgate. One example is sliders that allow such adjustability. Optionally, stability members of plural configurations are automatically positioned in the gap between tailgate and truck bed body to cooperate with different existing structures on the tailgate of different vehicles to add further stability to the bed extender.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
  • Patent number: 9108687
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for extending a bed of a truck is provided. The apparatus can include a load platform extending substantially outwards from a bed of the truck when the load platform is in position, the load platform having a proximal end and a distal end; and a hitch assembly having a connection arm for insertion into a hitch receiver on the truck and a support arm extending upwards to support at least some of the weight of the load platform. To install the bed extender, a tailgate of the truck can be removed, the hitch assembly inserted into a hitch receiver on the truck the load platform connected to the hitch assembly and positioned to extend from the bed of the truck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Inventor: Dean Lepage
  • Patent number: 9039060
    Abstract: A utility vehicle is equipped with a riding space and a cargo bed disposed behind the riding space. A screen is disposed between the riding space and the cargo bed, and screen support members extended rear-downward are supported by pivot portions on the screen. Engaging portions engageable with the screen support members are provided on the cargo bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Teruaki Yamamoto, Yoshiyuki Kuroyanagi
  • Patent number: 8979157
    Abstract: The removable enclosure for the rear of a vehicle provides additional storage space or cover for the open rear end of a vehicle, such as an open tailgate of a pickup truck or the open hatch of an SUV. The removable enclosure includes a housing having at least one sidewall and an upper wall defining an open lower end and an open front end. An internal frame is disposed within and supports the housing. The internal frame includes at least one elastic cord extending laterally across the housing. A pair of laterally opposed diagonal supports each extend from an upper edge of the front end of the housing to a lower edge of a rear face of the at least one sidewall. The at least one elastic cord is secured to, and extends between, the pair of laterally opposed diagonal supports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Inventor: Charles R. Nelson
  • Patent number: 8960776
    Abstract: A vehicle frame assembly, system and method includes a vehicle frame assembly having a variable length longitudinal frame component. The longitudinal frame component is formed at a first length when used on a first vehicle type and formed at a second length when used on a second vehicle type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eric Boettcher, Ceby Philip
  • Patent number: 8903605
    Abstract: A pickup truck includes a tailgate that is movable between open and closed positions. A powered latch provides for remote release of the latches of the tailgate. The tailgate is biased from the closed position towards the open position such that release of the latch causes the tailgate to shift automatically from the closed position to the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Charles Gregory Bambenek, Bhupendra A. Patel, David Manuel Rogers, Thomas M. Herline
  • Patent number: 8764088
    Abstract: The invention relates to a combination ramp and gate that is releasably securable to a truck bed using a three point adjustable attachment system with carabineers, with two of the three carabineers being partially concealed. The combination ramp and gate is lightweight and when collapsed into a closed position, the sections of the combination ramp and gate are coplanar for easy storage and portability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Inventor: Tracy Hutch Jobe
  • Patent number: 8757694
    Abstract: A truck bed extension includes two portions of a base pivotally attached to each other and a side wall pivotally attached to one of each base portion. An attachment combines the base portions to truck bed and a tailgate attachment pivotally combines the tail gate to the base portions. I this manner, a removable truck bed extension is provided that can be collapsed and stored in the truck bed for selective use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Inventor: Kevin Arlyn Kuhnle
  • Patent number: 8752878
    Abstract: A utility vehicle according to the present invention includes a front seat, a rear seat, and a cargo bed in order from the front side, wherein the cargo bed is changeable between an expanded state in which the cargo bed is expanded forward into a rear riding space on the front side of the cargo bed and a non-expanded state in which the cargo bed is not expanded in the rear riding space, a pair of left and right rear doors partitioning the rear riding space and left and right exteriors of a vehicle body in the non-expanded state is provided, and the rear doors serve as expansion side walls partitioning an expanded part of the cargo bed and the left and right exteriors of the vehicle body in the expanded state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Teruaki Yamamoto, Itsuo Takegami
  • Patent number: 8727426
    Abstract: An expandable vehicle system includes a drivable vehicle having a first propulsion system, a first set of wheels, and a first body supported by the first set of wheels. The first body at least substantially encloses and defines a first interior compartment. An extension unit has a second body and at least one wheel supporting the second body. The second body at least partially defines a second interior compartment. The first body is configured with a first attachment interface and the second body is configured with a second attachment interface. The first and second attachment interfaces are cooperatively configured to attach to one another such that the drivable vehicle is mechanically-coupled to the extension unit to form an expanded vehicle drivable by the drivable vehicle and with the first interior compartment contiguous with the second interior compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Robert L. Vitale, Christopher E. Borroni-Bird, Roland J. Menassa
  • Patent number: 8727415
    Abstract: A vehicle bed extender adapted for simultaneous adjustment of both length and width. The extender includes a first side wall, a second side wall, and a connecting wall. The first and second side walls can attach to the vehicle storage bed, while the connecting wall attaches to the side walls in a sliding configuration along a direction nonparallel to the length and width of the bed extender. The connecting wall can also be composed of multiple cross members with middle portions of varying length such that the middle portions of the cross members are not vertically oriented. The vehicle bed extender can also be supported by a mount at the front end of the vehicle bed that supports the connecting wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Lund Motion Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Anthony Smith
  • Patent number: 8708389
    Abstract: The present invention is an extendable support device utilized with a pick-up truck that includes a cargo bed with a back that includes a trailer hitch, an adjustable horizontal member, an adjustable vertical member and an adjustable width member. There is also a pair of brake lights disposed on a pair of vertical members of the adjustable width member and a pair of signal lights disposed on a pair of vertical members of the adjustable width member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Inventor: Terrence Flanigan
  • Patent number: 8684453
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosed technology comprise a device for transporting picnic tables. A transporting apparatus that connects to a hitch of a vehicle that is specifically designed to hold a foldable picnic table. The picnic table further comprising condiment shelves, wheels and side tables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Inventor: Eric Alexander Furst
  • Patent number: 8632119
    Abstract: Disclosed is a fold out camping trailer which is generally in a tear drop shape, and which expands from a towing or storage configuration into a sleeping or camping configuration. The camping trailer is split into two sections, and the two sections pull apart to extend and provide sleeping space. The frame to which the two sections are attached has a telescoping portion which allows the two body sections to expand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Inventor: Timothy Mazac
  • Publication number: 20130241236
    Abstract: An expandable vehicle system includes a drivable vehicle having a first propulsion system, a first set of wheels, and a first body supported by the first set of wheels. The first body at least substantially encloses and defines a first interior compartment. An extension unit has a second body and at least one wheel supporting the second body. The second body at least partially defines a second interior compartment. The first body is configured with a first attachment interface and the second body is configured with a second attachment interface. The first and second attachment interfaces are cooperatively configured to attach to one another such that the drivable vehicle is mechanically-coupled to the extension unit to form an expanded vehicle drivable by the drivable vehicle and with the first interior compartment contiguous with the second interior compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Robert L. Vitale, Christopher E. Borroni-Bird, Roland J. Menassa
  • Publication number: 20130241228
    Abstract: A work vehicle includes a vehicle body, a seat section including a forward driver's seat and a rear seat, a rear seat posture changing mechanism for changing the rear seat in its position between a first posture where the rear seat is in a non-use condition and a second posture where the rear seat is in a use condition, a load-carrying platform disposed rearwardly of the seat section, and a partitioning member for partitioning the seat section from a space behind the seat section. The load-carrying platform includes a forward platform and a rearward platform and is switchable in its state between an extended state where a fore/aft length of the load-carrying platform is increased after the forward platform is moved forward, and a contracted state where the fore/aft length of the load-carrying platform is decreased after the forward platform is moved rearward.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Norimi Nakamura, Teruo Shimamura, Taro Nakamura, Mitsugu Kobayashi, Ryouzou Imanishi, Yoshimi Hirooka, Koji Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 8534735
    Abstract: A passenger vehicle including a body having a longitudinal axis and an expansion portion connected to the body. The expansion portion is configured to move substantially along the longitudinal axis between a retracted position wherein the body and the expansion portion define a first volume of interior space, and an extended position wherein the body and the expansion portion define a second volume of interior space, the second volume being larger than the first volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: The Riverbank, LLC
    Inventors: Patrick W. McManus, Martin P. McManus
  • Patent number: 8532873
    Abstract: A pickup truck includes a tailgate that is movable between open and closed positions. A powered latch provides for remote release of the latches of the tailgate. The tailgate is biased from the closed position towards the open position such that release of the latch causes the tailgate to shift automatically from the closed position to the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LL
    Inventors: Charles Gregory Bambenek, Bhupendra A. Patel, David Manuel Rogers, Thomas M. Herline
  • Publication number: 20130223963
    Abstract: The current invention discloses a light and easy to use support ramp assembly to be attached on a pick up truck to extend the cargo bed area. The assembly has preferably two retractable ramps, each having a horizontal ramp table/housing unit and a loading ramp. The ramp table housing unit is partially supported by cargo bed and by an open tail gate and further support is provided by a support arm and optionally by an adjustable loading support. The assembly is adjustable for any pickup truck.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2013
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Inventor: Matthew Kramlick
  • Patent number: 8511732
    Abstract: A pick-up type utility vehicle with an expandable cargo bed. The pick-up type utility vehicle includes a front seat, a rear seat; a cargo bed, and a screen separating the rear seat and the cargo bed. The pick-up type utility vehicle further includes an operating part for moving the screen, and a movement mechanism moving the screen in the front and back direction by operation of the operating part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masafumi Inoue, Kiyohito Takano, Mike Boyle, Scott Gordon
  • Publication number: 20130175820
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for extending a bed of a truck is provided. The apparatus can include a load platform extending substantially outwards from a bed of the truck when the load platform is in position, the load platform having a proximal end and a distal end; and a hitch assembly having a connection arm for insertion into a hitch receiver on the truck and a support arm extending upwards to support at least some of the weight of the load platform. To install the bed extender, a tailgate of the truck can be removed, the hitch assembly inserted into a hitch receiver on the truck the load platform connected to the hitch assembly and positioned to extend from the bed of the truck.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 4, 2011
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Inventor: Dean Lepage
  • Patent number: 8480149
    Abstract: A hitch attached extension for over sized cargo has a longitudinally extending frame member adapted to be removably attached to a trailer hitch of a motor vehicle. The longitudinally extending frame member including a draw bar located at a distal end adapted to be connected with the trailer hitch, a pivot member adjacent the draw bar forming a pivot axis adapted to allow the longitudinally extending frame member to be pivoted between a horizontal position and a vertical stowing position with respect to the trailer hitch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: 9269-1096 Quebec Inc.
    Inventor: Denis Durand
  • Publication number: 20130168988
    Abstract: A utility vehicle according to the present invention includes a front seat, a rear seat, and a cargo bed in order from the front side, wherein the cargo bed is changeable between an expanded state in which the cargo bed is expanded forward into a rear riding space on the front side of the cargo bed and a non-expanded state in which the cargo bed is not expanded in the rear riding space, a pair of left and right rear doors partitioning the rear riding space and left and right exteriors of a vehicle body in the non-expanded state is provided, and the rear doors serve as expansion side walls partitioning an expanded part of the cargo bed and the left and right exteriors of the vehicle body in the expanded state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2011
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Inventors: Teruaki Yamamoto, Itsuo Takegami
  • Patent number: 8414050
    Abstract: A pick-up style utility vehicle according to the present invention has a front seat, a rear seat, a cargo bed expandable in a front direction, and a screen shield arranged at a front end of the cargo bed. The cargo bed has at least a stationary bottom plate, right and left stationary side panels, a front panel, expandable side panels, and an expandable bottom plate and can be changed between an expanded state in which the cargo bed is expanded in a front direction to a rear portion riding space and a non-expanded state not occupying the space. Each of the expandable side panels and the screen shield are supported by a vehicle body configuring portion so as to be integrally shifted between an expanded position and a non-expanded position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideyoshi Kosuge, Tokishin Nishinaka, Geoffrey Ewing, Yoji Onishi, Takao Hamano, Naohisa Masuda, Kenji Oda, Takeshi Orio, Michael John Boyle, Tatsunori Shimizu, Eiji Sakurada, Mitsuhiro Yazaki, Yui Nishizaki, Hiroyuki Kishi, Naoto Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 8408623
    Abstract: A vehicle body with multiple elevation hard top has storage underneath and is capable of driving with the hardtop present or removed. A front passenger compartment has a front rooftop and a pair of rear quarter panel sides enclosing a rear of the vehicle body. A pair of removable side sections is disposed on and above respective of the two rear quarter panel sides and further enclosing the rear of the vehicle body. A hard rooftop is capable of setting upon and connecting to either one of said pair of removable side sections or the pair of rear quarter panel sides. A storage compartment is created underneath the hard rooftop and between the pair of rear quarter panel sides. The storage compartment is capable of holding at least said pair of removable side sections and also roof tops and the rear glass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Inventor: Patrick Albert McAuliff
  • Patent number: 8408626
    Abstract: An aerodynamic stowable bed extender for pickup trucks meant to be mounted upon the lowered tailgate of the truck bed and utilized in conjunction with either an aerodynamic truck bed cap or tonneau cover. The aerodynamic bed extender is positioned in either a deployed configuration, upon the lowered tailgate, or a stowed configuration within the bed of the pickup truck. Deployed, the bed extender increases the fuel efficiency of the truck while also increasing usable cargo space within the truck bed. The aerodynamic bed extender comprises a cover and two side panels. The cover can be raised to an open position allowing access to the truck bed or detached from the side panels and stowed within the truck bed. The side panels can be repositioned from a deployed position to a stowed position within the bed of the pickup truck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Inventor: Brett Stuart Herndon
  • Publication number: 20120313393
    Abstract: A tailgate accessory drill-less adapter for connecting a tailgate accessory to a tailgate portion of a pick-up truck includes an elongated body having a first side, a bottom edge, a first side edge, and a second side edge, the first side edge having a tailgate latch bolt slot transverse to the first side edge and through the elongated body, the slot positioned a predefined distance from the bottom edge, and an offset hook anchor having a hook portion and a hook body portion, the offset hook anchor connected to the first side adjacent to but spaced from the second side edge where the hook portion is adjustably extendable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2011
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: LOCK N LOAD SYSTEMS LLC
    Inventors: Thomas A. Tardif, Douglas J. Lambert
  • Patent number: 8317251
    Abstract: The removable enclosure for the rear of a vehicle provides additional storage space or cover for the open rear end of a vehicle, such as an open tailgate of a pickup truck or the open hatch of an SUV. The removable enclosure includes a housing having at least one sidewall and an upper wall defining an open lower end and an open front end. An internal frame is disposed within and supports the housing. The internal frame includes at least one elastic cord extending laterally across the housing. A pair of laterally opposed diagonal supports each extend from an upper edge of the front end of the housing to a lower edge of a rear face of the at least one sidewall. The at least one elastic cord is secured to, and extends between, the pair of laterally opposed diagonal supports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Inventor: Charles R. Nelson
  • Patent number: 8303013
    Abstract: A pick-up style utility vehicle with an expandable cargo bed. The vehicle includes a chassis supporting a front seat, a rear seat, a screen formation, and a bottom plate of the cargo bed. The pick-up style utility vehicle is capable of being changed between a normal state in which the rear seat is situated on the bottom plate and an expanded state in which the rear seat is moved from the top of the bottom plate. A screen formation is positioned between the cargo bed in the normal state and the rear seat, and includes two screen formation divisions as a double door, and each of the screen formation divisions is supported rotatably around a vertical shaft by the chassis. In the normal state, the two screen formation divisions close the front of the cargo bed. In the expanded state, the two screen formation divisions open the front of the cargo bed and form side plates in the cargo bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yuji Horiuchi, Yuichi Kawamoto, Masahiro Kawahara, Teruaki Yamamoto, Yoshiya Takehara, Steave Leach
  • Patent number: 8292345
    Abstract: A rear hatch assembly of a vehicle includes a hatch frame pivotally connected to a vehicle body at a first pivot axis such that the hatch frame is capable of movement relative to the vehicle body about the first pivot axis. A tailgate is pivotally connected to the hatch frame at a second pivot axis such that the tailgate is capable of movement relative to the hatch frame about the second pivot axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Craig Paul Voyer
  • Patent number: 8256807
    Abstract: For conveniently storing items aboard an automotive vehicle, a storage tray is movable between a stowed position housed within a bumper and an access position wherein it extends through an opening in a rear surface of the bumper. A door is attached to the bumper by a hinge connected to a lower edge of the door and is movable relative to the bumper between a closed position closing off the opening when the tray is in the stowed position and an open position permitting movement of the tray to the extended position. The door includes a guide feature that engages the tray when the tray is moved toward the extended position to stabilize movement of the tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Marc Jonathon Lucas
  • Patent number: 8256818
    Abstract: An embodiment of a vehicle mounted table system comprises hardware adapted to attach to a cargo area of a vehicle by way of one or more coupling mechanisms. The embodiment has a slider assembly adapted to slide relative to the hardware whereby the slider assembly can be slid at least partially out of a tailgate of the vehicle while the hardware remains attached to the vehicle. Operatively coupled to the slider assembly is one or more platforms, the platforms folding out of the vehicle through a hinge-turntable assembly. The embodiment also includes a canopy assembly having a flexible covering and one or more associated canopy supports, the one or more canopy supports adapted for attachment to the table structure when the tailgating assembly is fully deployed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Inventor: Ernest Peter Tovani
  • Publication number: 20120217766
    Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus, system and method for adjustable support of an extension of a vehicle cargo bed. The apparatus provides a range of horizontal, vertical, diagonal and angular adjustment of a vehicle cargo bed extension deck so as to accommodate a wide variety of differently designed and dimensioned vehicles and provides other features promoting reliability and safety while minimizing unwanted vibration during use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2012
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Inventor: Barry Whiteford
  • Patent number: 8226144
    Abstract: A motor vehicle includes a body having an enclosed passenger cell which is accessible by a door and forms a component of a front body part and a rear body part. The front and rear parts are movable in length direction of the motor vehicle relative to one another to change a length dimension of the motor vehicle. A covering module covers a gap in the passenger cell between the front and rear body parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Benteler Automobiltechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Mohammad Hossein Sheikhha, Gerald Lackner, Frank Seifert
  • Patent number: 8215692
    Abstract: A vehicle is constructed of three modules including a front end module having a monocoque one piece body, a tail module having a monocoque one piece body and a power train module adapted for installation under at least one of the front end module and the tail module. The front end module has a trailing edge and the tail module has a leading edge along which the tail module and front end module may be temporarily connected for service use. A power train module is provided adapted for installation under at least one of the front end module and the tail module. An expansion band formed in a monocoque one piece section and having a leading edge and a trailing edge is provided allowing temporary installation between the front end module and the tail module to adjust the length of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Navistar Canada, Inc.
    Inventors: Leo P. Oriet, Andre Bocancea, Jules Cazabon
  • Publication number: 20120126562
    Abstract: The present invention provides a modular extension device and method for mounting the modular extension device on a vehicle, such as a truck. The modular extension plate device comprises an extension plate, a left extender bracket, and potentially a right extender bracket, that when coupled together form an extension assembly. The extension plate further comprises an elongated rectangular plate having an essentially L-shaped profile, a left substantially triangle-shaped support member, a right substantially triangle-shaped support member, a left essentially L-shaped support member and a right essentially L-shaped support member. The modular extension assembly can be coupled adjacent to the rear edge of a vehicle bed for extending the depth of the vehicle bed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2010
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: RS DRAWINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Karapet Ablabutyan, Akop Gasparian
  • Patent number: 8177276
    Abstract: A bed extender assembly for a vehicle bed includes at least one bed extender device having a longitudinal length greater than a length of the vehicle bed. The at least one bed extender device has a first end disposed in the vehicle bed and a second end spaced apart from the first end to define the longitudinal length. The second end is spaced rearwardly apart from a rearward end of the vehicle bed. A locking bar extends transversely across the vehicle bed adjacent the first end to lock the first end of the at least one bed extender device against the bed floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: David Edwards
  • Patent number: 8141304
    Abstract: A prefabricated container house includes a container type main frame member when on a chassis capable of being pulled by a trailer truck; and dwelling forming members which can be housed in the main frame member, and which can be drawn out of the main frame member at an installation site, and assembled into a house.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Inventors: Kangna Nelson Shen, Coen Germeraad
  • Publication number: 20120032465
    Abstract: A pick-up style utility vehicle includes a front seat, a rear seat, a screen shield, a cargo bed, and a cabin frame housing at least the front seat and the rear seat and forming a riding space. The cargo bed is state changeable between the expanded state in which the cargo bed expands forward and the unexpanded state not occupying the riding space. The cabin frame includes a pair of left and right front side frame bodies, a pair of left and right rear side frame bodies, and cross frame members coupling the front and rear side frame bodies. The front side frame bodies are fixed to the vehicle body and the rear side frame bodies and the cross frame members are changeable with respect to the vehicle body according to the state change of the cargo bed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2010
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Inventors: Hirokazu MORITA, Shigeru Yamashita, Takao Kawabata
  • Patent number: 8087709
    Abstract: A truck bed extender is described for use with a pickup truck having a bed with a bed floor, opposed side walls along each side of the bed floor and a tailgate hinged at the rear of the bed floor. Spaced, parallel, telescoping arms are pivotally attached at their inner ends to hinge assemblies secured to the floor of the bed adjacent the rear of the bed. A horizontal crossbar providing support for elongated articles is attached to the outer ends of the arms with crossbar connectors. Each hinge assembly includes an eyebolt with a shank inserted into a bore in the bed floor and a yoke attached to the inner end of an arm, with the ears of the yoke attached by a coupling bolt or pin that extends through bores in the yoke ears and the eye of the eyebolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Inventor: Jesse Van Jackson, Sr.