Ford pivoting liftgate patent

[oljackfrost]

Check out this article. 2025?
https://fordauthority.com/2022/08/p...rd-pickups-could-get-pivotable-sill-assembly/

Patent Filings Suggest Ford Pickups Could Get Pivotable Sill Assembly

Ford Motor Company has filed a patent for a pivotable sill assembly for pickups, Ford Authority has learned.

The patent was filed on February 24th, 2021, published on August 25th, 2022, and assigned serial number 0266915.

Ford has filed a number of pickup bed-related patents over the past few months as automakers continue to innovate in that particular area, including filings for a new type of cargo management system, a modular storage system, a pickup truck bed to cab pass through system, and a multi-panel bed. Now, this new Ford patent presents an idea for a pivotable sill assembly that’s actually coupled to the cab/rear glass of a pickup, giving owners yet another way to haul things.

The sill assembly depicted in this new Ford patent would be able to pivot from its closed position to make room for larger items, moving back and forth, as well as into a stowed position when it’s not in use. Additionally, this panel would allow access between the cab and the bed, which not only gives occupants easier access to that area, but also makes room for larger objects to fit.

As Ford points out in the patent, this type of system may be limited to unibody pickups like the Ford Maverick, as the cab and bed are not supported on a vehicle frame separate from the cab. Traditional body-on-frame pickups like the Ford F-150, on the other hand, feature a gap between the cab and bed and may not be suitable for such a feature.

Trucks that could take advantage of this kind of feature figure to benefit from it greatly, at least, particularly something like the Maverick, which has a small bed. This opening would allow owners to haul things like lumber or drywall more easily, without having to worry about them sticking far beyond the tailgate. In that case, it could prove rather useful for owners if it ever makes it to production.

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[Maverickman74]

Could be cool if the whole thing lifted and supported like a lift gate and maybe locked in the flat and out position to cover the bed. Add some side curtain accessories and boom got yourself a pickup/suv/convertible.

 

[Scupking]

I would rather just have the rear window roll down all the way..

 

[JBL14]

Hmmm...
It is just another door, like a trunk or hatchback.
Wonder why a patent is necessary for this?

I really like the idea. Less red flags on something sticking out the back end.

 

[Darnon]

It is just another door, like a trunk or hatchback.
Wonder why a patent is necessary for this?

When you pay engineers the big bucks to develop something new (or at least different enough to another manufacturer's) then covering your ass and patenting it is small enough insurance to keep your feature semi-unique. Depending on the design space others may need to end up licensing your design for that sweet passive return on investment.

 

[OXHB619]

Don't care as much about being able to haul bigger stuff, as it is cool to have more open air, like a Bronco or Jeep. I guess we will see if it ever materializes.

 

[Maverickman74]

Don't care as much about being able to haul bigger stuff, as it is cool to have more open air, like a Bronco or Jeep. I guess we will see if it ever materializes.

That was part of my thoughts.

 

[gte105u]

I wouldn't pay for it. Seems silly.

 

[Yardtruck]

Maybe they can patent their own "Multiflex" tailgate.

Honda"s GM's and Ram's are quite cool. Great on full size trucks, but even Maverick could benefit from a tailgate that allows less bending to load/unload the bed.

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