Patent Application
20180195332
Exemplary embodiments relate to the art of vehicles and, more particularly, to an integrated step assembly for a pickup truck box.
Vehicles, such as pickup trucks, may include a cargo box that is utilized to transport various goods, tools, materials, and the like. Access to a front portion of the box can be difficult. To provide access to a front box zone, many users or dealers install assist steps that may take the form of a wheel-to-wheel running board or fold down, frame mounted steps. Options such as running boards and fold down steps are not available on all models, and are typically low to the ground thereby providing only limited access to the cargo box.
Other solutions to providing access include integrating steps or step side trucks. More specifically, steps are integrated into outer body panels of the cargo box. Integrated steps are typically tied into or partially supported by braces extending from box cross sills. Step side trucks required a specific shape and material for the cargo box that is not desired by all consumers. Further, step side trucks provide only limited access to front portions of the cargo box. Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a step that does not impact body styles and yet is positioned to provide expanded access to front portions of a cargo box.
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a cargo box for a pickup truck includes a base portion having a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion defining the cargo box. A first side wall extends from the first end towards the second end on a first side of the cargo box. The first side wall includes a first end portion. A second side wall extends from the first end towards the second end on a second side of the cargo box. The second side wall includes a second end portion. An end gate is pivotally mounted at the second end of the base portion. The end gate includes a selectively releasable support member. The end gate is shiftable between a first position wherein the end gate is linked to the first and second side walls, a second position wherein the end gate is arranged at a first angle relative to the base portion, and upon release of the support member a third position wherein the end gate is arranged at a second angle, greater than the first angle, relative to the base portion.
In addition to one or more of the features described above or below, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include at least one selectively releasable pulley mounted to the end gate, the selectively releasable support member extending from the at least one selectively releasable pulley to one of the first and second side walls.
In addition to one or more of the features described above or below, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include wherein the end gate includes a first side portion and an opposing second side portion, the at least one selectively releasable pulley being mounted to one of the first and second side portions.
In addition to one or more of the features described above or below, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include a release mechanism mounted to the end gate and selectively linked with the at least one selectively releasable pulley, the release mechanism being operable to release the selectively releasable pulley allowing the end gate to transition between the second position and the third position.
In addition to one or more of the features described above or below, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include an end gate handle mounted to the end gate, the end gate handle being operatively coupled to the release mechanism.
In addition to one or more of the features described above or below, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include wherein the end gate handle is mounted to the end gate substantially centrally between the first and second side portions.
In addition to one or more of the features described above or below, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include wherein the release mechanism includes a spring element and a release element, the spring element biasing the release element into the at least one selectively releasable pulley.
In addition to one or more of the features described above or below, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include wherein the end gate handle is mechanically linked to the spring element through an actuator element.
In addition to one or more of the features described above or below, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include wherein the selectively releasable support member comprises a flexible cable having a first end coupled to the at least one selectively releasable pulley and a second end coupled to the cargo box.
In addition to one or more of the features described above or below, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include an anchor member mounted to one of the first and second side walls, the second end of the flexible cable being connected to the anchor member.
In accordance with another aspect of an exemplary embodiment, a vehicle includes a body, and a cargo box mechanically connected to the body. The cargo box includes a base portion having a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion defining the cargo box. A first side wall extends from the first end towards the second end on a first side of the cargo box. The first side wall includes a first end portion. A second side wall extends from the first end towards the second end on a second side of the cargo box. The second side wall includes a second end portion. An end gate is pivotally mounted at the second end of the base portion. The end gate includes a selectively releasable support member. The end gate is shiftable between a first position wherein the end gate is linked to the first and second side walls, a second position wherein the end gate is arranged at a first angle relative to the base portion, and upon release of the support member a third position wherein the end gate is arranged at a second angle, greater than the first angle, relative to the base portion.
In addition to one or more of the features described above or below, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include at least one selectively releasable pulley mounted to the end gate, the selectively releasable support member extending from the at least one selectively releasable pulley to one of the first and second side walls.
In addition to one or more of the features described above or below, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include wherein the end gate includes a first side portion and an opposing second side portion, the at least one selectively releasable pulley being mounted to one of the first and second side portions.
In addition to one or more of the features described above or below, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include a release mechanism mounted to the end gate and selectively linked with the at least one selectively releasable pulley, the release mechanism being operable to release the selectively releasable pulley allowing the end gate to transition between the second position and the third position.
In addition to one or more of the features described above or below, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include an end gate handle mounted to the end gate, the end gate handle being operatively coupled to the release mechanism.
In addition to one or more of the features described above or below, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include wherein the end gate handle is mounted to the end gate substantially centrally between the first and second side portions.
In addition to one or more of the features described above or below, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include wherein the release mechanism includes a spring element and a release element, the spring element biasing the release element into the at least one selectively releasable pulley.
In addition to one or more of the features described above or below, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include wherein the end gate handle is mechanically linked to the spring element through an actuator element.
In addition to one or more of the features described above or below, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include wherein the selectively releasable support member comprises a flexible cable having a first end coupled to the at least one selectively releasable pulley and a second end coupled to the cargo box.
In addition to one or more of the features described above or below, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include an anchor member mounted to one of the first and second side walls, the second end of the flexible cable being connected to the anchor member.
The above features and advantages and other features and advantages of the exemplary embodiments are readily apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.
Other features, advantages and details appear, by way of example only, in the following detailed description of embodiments, the detailed description referring to the drawings in which:
The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, its application or uses. It should be understood that throughout the drawings, corresponding reference numerals indicate like or corresponding parts and features.
Referring to
Cargo box 12 includes an end gate 30 pivotally mounted between first and second side walls 22 and 23 at second end 17. End gate 30 includes a body 36 having a first surface 38 an opposing second surface 40 and an end portion 42. End gate 30 further includes a first side portion 44 and a second side portion 46. End portion 42 extends between first and second side portions 44 and 46. A step 48 may be formed in first surface 38. As will become more fully evident herein, step 48 may be used to assist individuals in entering cargo box 12. End gate 30 is also shown to include an end gate handle 50 (
Referring to
In accordance with an aspect of an exemplary embodiment, each selectively releasable support member 54 and 56 may take the form of a flexible cable such as that indicated at 70. First selectively releasable support member 54 includes a first end 72, a second end 73 and an intermediate section 74 extending therebetween. First end 72 is coupled to first side wall 22 through a first anchor member 77. Second end 73 is coupled to selectively releasable pulley 60,
In accordance with another aspect of an exemplary embodiment, illustrated in
Release element 93 is laterally outwardly biased by a spring mechanism 104. Spring mechanism 104 maintains release element 93 in a locked position, such as that shown in
When returning to the second position, a user may simply raise end gate 30. A return spring element 112, shown in
While the above disclosure has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from its scope. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the disclosure without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the application.
