`
`
`Exhibit 1001
`Exhibit 1001
`
`U.S. Patent Application No. 14/209,123
`US. Patent Application No. 14/209,123
`
`
`
`
`
`

`

`(12) United States Patent
`US 9,067,525 B1
`(10) Patent N0.:
`Ninov et al.
`
`(45) Date of Patent: Jun. 30, 2015
`
`US009067525B1
`
`ADJUSTABLE LOADING RAMP SYSTEM
`FOR A VEHICLE
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`5,312,149 A
`6,837,669 B2
`7,059,648 B2 *
`7,533,923 B1*
`8,511,734 B2
`2003/0071476 A1*
`2013/0028693 A1
`2013/0294873 A1
`
`5/1994 Boone
`1/2005 Reed et al.
`6/2006 Livingston ...................... 296/62
`5/2009 Caldwell ......................... 296/61
`8/2013 Hutchins et al.
`4/2003 Schilling ......................... 296/61
`1/2013 Justak
`11/2013 Chastain, Jr.
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`Primary Examiner 7 Joseph D Pape
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm 7 Ralph E Smith
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A ramp system for a vehicle storage bed includes at least one
`longitudinal bed channel defining a longitudinal bed track. At
`least one longitudinal tailgate channel is recessed into an
`inner panel of the tailgate, aligned with the bed channel, and
`defines a longitudinal tailgate track. A lateral tailgate track is
`recessed into the inner panel and extends substantially trans-
`verse to and in communication with the bed/longitudinal
`tailgate tracks. At least one ramp member has a track member
`configured to be stowed in the bed channel in a stowed posi-
`tion and slidable in the bed/tailgate channels from the stowed
`position to a fully deployed position during which the track
`member moves along the respective bed/longitudinal tailgate
`tracks and into the lateral tailgate track without having to raise
`the track member out of the respective bed/longitudinal tail-
`gate tracks.
`
`18 Claims, 8 Drawing Sheets
`
`(54)
`
`(71)
`
`Applicants:Deyan Ninov, Royal Oak, MI (US);
`Joseph S Dehner, Bloomfield Hills, MI
`(US); Gregory A Howell, Farmington,
`MI (US)
`
`Inventors:
`
`(72)
`
`Deyan Ninov, Royal Oak, MI (US);
`Joseph S Dehner, Bloomfield Hills, MI
`(US); Gregory A Howell, Farmington,
`MI (US)
`
`(73)
`
`Assignee:
`
`FCA US LLC, Auburn Hills, MI (US)
`
`(*)
`
`Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`(21)
`
`Appl. N0.: 14/209,123
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Mar. 13, 2014
`
`Int. Cl.
`
`(51)
`
`(52)
`
`(58)
`
`B62D 25/00
`B60P 1/43
`B65G 69/30
`US. Cl.
`
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`
`CPC .. B60P 1/43 (2013.01); B65G 69/30 (2013.01)
`Field of Classification Search
`CPC ............ B60P 1/43; B60P 1/435; B65G 69/30
`USPC ............................................. 296/61; 414/537
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`
`
`

`

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`

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`184
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`738
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`FIG - 10A
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`116
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`162,166
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`152,156
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`US 9,067,525 B1
`
`1
`ADJUSTABLE LOADING RAMP SYSTEM
`FOR A VEHICLE
`
`FIELD
`
`The present disclosure relates generally to vehicles and,
`more particularly, to an adjustable loading ramp system for a
`vehicle.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`Vehicles having storage beds, e.g., pickup trucks, are
`capable of storing and transporting large objects. Examples of
`these large objects include recreational vehicles such as all-
`terrain vehicles (ATVs) and motorcycles. These large objects
`are typically very heavy and are unable to be lifted into the
`storage bed by a single person, e.g., a driver of the vehicle.
`Loading ramps provide for easier loading of these large
`objects into the storage bed. However, conventional telescop-
`ing loading ramps, such as those used in moving trucks, are
`not laterally adjustable. Other non-integrated ramp systems
`typically require a user to unload one or more loading ramps
`from the storage bed, attach and position the one or more
`ramps, and lock the one or more ramps into place. The user
`would then need to repeat this process to unlock, detach, and
`stow the one or more loading ramps. Thus, while such con-
`ventional loading ramps work for their intended purpose,
`there remains a need for improvement in the relevant art.
`
`SUMMARY
`
`In one form, a ramp system for a pickup truck having a bed
`and a tailgate is provided in accordance with an aspect of the
`teachings ofthe present disclosure. The ramp system includes
`a longitudinal bed channel recessed into a floor ofthe bed, the
`bed channel defining a bottom surface having a longitudinal
`bed track. The ramp system includes a longitudinal tailgate
`channel recessed into an inner panel of the tailgate, the tail-
`gate channel aligned with the bed channel and defining a
`bottom surface having a longitudinal tailgate track, the inner
`panel facing the floor ofthe bed when the tailgate is in a closed
`position. The ramp system includes a lateral tailgate track
`recessed into the inner panel and extending substantially
`transverse to and in communication with the bed and longi-
`tudinal tailgate tracks. The ramp system also includes a ramp
`member having a track member, the ramp member configured
`to be stowed in the bed channel in a stowed position and
`slidable in the bed and tailgate channels from the stowed
`position to a fully deployed position during which the track
`member moves along the respective bed and longitudinal
`tailgate tracks and into the lateral tailgate track without hav-
`ing to raise the track member out of the respective bed and
`longitudinal tailgate tracks. Upon the track member being
`received in the lateral tailgate track, the ramp member is
`laterally adjustable while coupled to the tailgate through
`movement of the track member in the lateral tailgate track.
`In some implementations, in the fully deployed position,
`the ramp member extends from the lateral tailgate track at the
`outer end of the tailgate at an incline to a ground surface.
`In some implementations, a top surface of the ramp mem-
`ber is flush with a surface of the floor in the stowed position
`and during movement through the bed and tailgate channels.
`In some implementations, the bed and longitudinal tailgate
`tracks are recessed relative to the bottom surface of the bed
`
`and tailgate channels, respectively, and the track members
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`extend below the bottom surface of the bed and tailgate chan-
`nels to slidably engage the bed and longitudinal tailgate
`tracks.
`
`In some implementations, the track member is lockable at
`least one of at a position along the bed, longitudinal tailgate,
`or lateral tailgate tracks, at the cab end side of the ramp
`member in the stowed position, and at any position along the
`lateral tailgate track.
`In another form, a vehicle is presented in accordance with
`an aspect of the teachings of the present disclosure. The
`vehicle includes a cargo area having a floor and a closure
`member moveable between an open position and a closed
`position, the closure member having an inner panel facing the
`cargo floor in the closed position. The vehicle also includes a
`ramp system. The ramp system includes a pair of longitudinal
`floor channels recessed into the floor of the cargo area and
`laterally spaced apart from each other, the floor channels each
`defining a bottom surface having a longitudinal floor track.
`The ramp system includes a pair oflongitudinal closure mem-
`ber channels recessed into the inner panel, the closure mem-
`ber channels aligned with the bed channels and each defining
`a bottom surface having a longitudinal closure member track.
`The ramp system includes a lateral closure member track
`recessed into the inner panel and extending substantially
`transverse to and in communication with the floor and longi-
`tudinal closure member tracks. The ramp system includes a
`pair oframp members each having a track member, the pair of
`ramp members configured to be stowed in the floor channels
`in a stowed position and slidable in the floor and closure
`member channels from the stowed position to a deployed
`position during which the track members move along the
`respective bed and longitudinal closure member tracks and
`into the lateral closure member track without having to raise
`the track members out of the respective bed and longitudinal
`closure member tracks. Upon the track members being
`received in the lateral closure member track, the ramp mem-
`bers are laterally adjustable relative to each other while
`coupled to the closure member through movement of one or
`more of the track members in the lateral closure member
`track.
`
`In some implementations, the vehicle is a pickup truck, the
`cargo area is a bed, and the closure member is a tailgate.
`Further areas ofapplicability ofthe teachings ofthe present
`disclosure will become apparent from the detailed descrip-
`tion, claims and the drawings provided hereinafter, wherein
`like reference numerals refer to like features throughout the
`several views ofthe drawings. It should be understood that the
`detailed description, including disclosed embodiments and
`drawings referenced therein, are merely exemplary in nature
`intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended
`to limit the scope of the present disclosure, its application or
`uses. Thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the
`present disclosure are intended to be within the scope of the
`present disclosure.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of a vehicle having a
`storage bed with a tailgate in a closed position and ramp
`members in a stowed position according to the principles of
`the present disclosure;
`FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the vehicle storage bed
`having the tailgate in an open position and the ramp members
`in the stowed position according to the principles of the
`present disclosure;
`
`

`

`US 9,067,525 B1
`
`3
`FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the vehicle storage bed
`having the tailgate in the open position and the ramp members
`in a partially deployed position according to the principles of
`the present disclosure;
`FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view of the bed/longitudinal
`tailgate channels/tracks with respect to the bed/inner panel
`surfaces according to the principles of the present disclosure;
`FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view of a lateral tailgate track
`with respect to the inner panel surface according to the prin-
`ciples of the present disclosure;
`FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of the vehicle storage bed
`having the tailgate in the open position and the ramp members
`in a fully deployed position with a channel based lateral offset
`according to the principles of the present disclosure;
`FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of the vehicle storage bed
`having the tailgate in the open position and the ramp members
`in the fully deployed position with a wide lateral offset
`according to the principles of the present disclosure;
`FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of the vehicle storage bed
`having the tailgate in the open position and the ramp members
`in the fully deployed position with a narrow lateral offset
`according to the principles of the present disclosure;
`FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view of the vehicle storage bed
`having the rear tailgate in the open position, one of the ramp
`members in the stowed position, and the other ramp member
`in the fully deployed position with a centered lateral offset
`according to the principles of the present disclosure;
`FIG. 9 is a side perspective view of a track member of one
`of the ramp members according to the principles of the
`present disclosure;
`FIG. 10A is an end perspective view of an exemplary
`configuration ofthe track member according to the principles
`of the present disclosure;
`FIG. 10B is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary con-
`figuration of the longitudinal bed track according to the prin-
`ciples of the present disclosure.
`
`DESCRIPTION
`
`According to the principles ofthe present disclosure, fully-
`adjustable vehicle loading ramp systems are presented. One
`exemplary application for these loading ramp systems is
`vehicles having storage beds with tailgates, e.g., pickup
`trucks. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the
`loading ramp systems include at least one longitudinal bed
`channel having a recessed longitudinal bed track. Each lon-
`gitudinal bed channel receives a ramp member such that the
`ramp member, in one exemplary implementation,
`is flush
`with a bottom surface of the bed. Each ramp member is
`coupled to a track member that is moveable along the bed
`track. An inner surface of the tailgate has at least one longi-
`tudinal tailgate channel having a recessed longitudinal tail-
`gate track, which is/are substantially aligned with the longi-
`tudinal bed channel(s)/track(s).
`Each ramp member is moveable through the longitudinal
`bed and tailgate channels when the tailgate is in an open
`position. The inner surface of the tailgate also includes a
`recessed lateral tailgate track. Each track member is move-
`able along the longitudinal and lateral tailgate tracks when the
`tailgate is in the open position. In this manner, the ramp
`member is operable to be fully deployed at an incline with
`respect to a ground surface, while still being laterally adjust-
`able via the track member along the lateral tailgate track.
`While the loading ramp systems are described with respect to
`pickup trucks, it will be appreciated that these loading ramp
`
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`systems could also be applicable to other vehicles having
`cargo areas with closure members, e.g., sport utility vehicles
`and/or station wagons.
`Referring now to FIG. 1, a rear perspective view of a
`vehicle 104 is illustrated. The vehicle 104 has a storage bed
`112 located above one or more rear wheels 108. In one exem-
`
`plary implementation, the vehicle 104 is a pickup truck as
`illustrated. In another exemplary implementation, the vehicle
`104 is a vehicle having a cargo area above the rear wheel(s)
`108 and a closure member, such as a sport utility vehicle with
`a rear cargo area and a rear hatch. The storage bed 112 has a
`floor 114 having a bottom surface 116 and a tailgate 120 that
`is in a closed position. The storage bed 112 includes ramp
`members 124a and 12419 (collectively “ramp members 124”)
`that are shown in a stowed position such that top surfaces
`126a and 12619 of the ramp members 124 (collectively “top
`surfaces 126”) are flush with the bottom surface 116 of the
`storage bed 112. In one exemplary implementation, the ramp
`members 124 are constructed from a lightweight metal, e. g.,
`aluminum, and have top surfaces made of a same material as
`a remainder of the bottom surface 116 ofthe storage bed 112.
`Referring now to FIG. 2, a rear perspective view of the
`vehicle 104 having the tailgate 120 in an open position is
`illustrated. The tailgate 120 has an inner panel or surface 128
`that faces the storage bed 112 when the tailgate 120 is in the
`closed position and that is horizontally or substantially hori-
`zontally aligned with the bottom surface 116 of the storage
`bed 112 when the tailgate 120 is in the open position. The
`ramp members 124 are shown in a stowed position in longi-
`tudinal bed channels 132a and 13219 (collectively “bed chan-
`nels 132”) such that the top surfaces 126 ofthe ramp members
`124 are flush with the bottom surface 116 of the storage bed
`112. The inner surface 128 of the tailgate 120 includes lon-
`gitudinal tailgate channels 136a and 13619 (collectively “tail-
`gate channels 136”) that are aligned or substantially aligned
`with the bed channels 132 across a gap 140 between the inner
`surface 128 of the tailgate 120 and the bottom surface 116 of
`the storage bed 112. The tailgate channels 136 extend from
`the gap 140 to an opposing edge 144 of the tailgate 120.
`In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, the
`ramp members 124 are coupled to track members 148a and
`14819 (collectively “track members 148”). When the ramp
`members 124 are in the stowed position, the track members
`148 are also flush with the bottom surface 116 of the storage
`bed 112. In one exemplary implementation, the track mem-
`bers 148 are stowed in extended portions 150a and 15019
`(collectively “extended portions 150”) of the bed channels
`132 as shown. In the stowed position, the track members 148
`are at a cab-side end 154 of the storage bed 112 that opposes
`a tailgate side-end 158 of the storage bed 112. The bed chan-
`nels 132 include recessed longitudinal bed tracks 152a and
`15219 (collectively “bed tracks 152”) and the tailgate channels
`136 include recessed longitudinal tailgate tracks 156a and
`15619 (collectively “longitudinal tailgate tracks 156”). The
`inner surface 128 of the tailgate 120 also includes a recessed
`lateral tailgate track 160 (“lateral tailgate track 160”) that is in
`communication with the longitudinal tailgate tracks 156. The
`track members 148 are slidably moveable through the bed
`tracks 152, the longitudinal tailgate tracks 156, and optionally
`the lateral tailgate track 160.
`Referring now to FIG. 3 and with continued reference to
`FIG. 2, a rear perspective view of the ramp members 124 in a
`partially deployed position is illustrated. The ramp members
`124 are slidably moveable through the bed channels 132 and
`the tailgate channels 136 without having to raise the ramp
`members 124 out of the bed channels 132 or the tailgate
`channels 136. In one exemplary implementation, the ramp
`
`

`

`US 9,067,525 B1
`
`5
`members 124 include devices at their ends adjacent to the gap
`140 that are graspable by a user, e.g., a driver of the vehicle
`104, to pull the ramp members 124 through the bed channels
`132 and the tailgate channels 136. Alternatively, the user
`could slidably move the ramp members 124 through the bed
`channels 132 and the tailgate channels 136 by applying a
`frictional force to a top surface of the ramp members 124. In
`this manner,
`lightweight ramp members 124 provide for
`easier movement by the user.
`Referring now to FIGS. 4A and 4B, cross-sectional views
`along lines 4A-4A and 4B-4B are illustrated. In the exem-
`plary implementation shown in FIG. 4A, the bed channels
`132 and the tailgate channels 136 are recessed into the bottom
`surface 116 of the storage bed 112. The depth of this recess
`corresponds to a height of the ramp members 124 such that
`the top surfaces 126 of the ramp members 124 are flush with
`the bottom surface 116 of the storage bed 112 when in the
`stowed position and during transition to the deployed posi-
`tion. The bed tracks 152 and the longitudinal tailgate tracks
`156 are recessed into bottom surfaces 162 ofthe bed channels
`
`132 and into bottom surfaces 166 ofthe tailgate channels 136,
`respectively. The depth of this recess corresponds to a height
`ofthe track members 148. In FIG. 4B, the lateral tailgate track
`160 is recessed into the inner surface 128 of the tailgate 120.
`For example, the lateral tailgate track 1 60 could be recessed at
`an equal or substantially similar depth as the bed tracks 152
`and the longitudinal tailgate tracks 156.
`Referring now to FIG. 5, a rear perspective view of the
`vehicle 104 having the ramp members 124 in a fully deployed
`position is illustrated. In the fully deployed position, the ramp
`members 124 are, in the exemplary implementation illus-
`trated, fully removed from the bed channels 132 and the
`tailgate channels 136, and are arranged at an incline with
`respect to a ground surface 164. This particular fully deployed
`position can also be referred to as the fully deployed position
`with a normal, default, or channel-based lateral offset. In
`other words, the ramp members 124 are laterally offset from
`each other by a distance corresponding to a distance between
`the bed channels 132 and the tailgate channels 136. As pre-
`viously mentioned,
`the ramp members 124 are laterally
`moveable via the track members 148 through the lateral tail-
`gate track 160 when in the fully deployed position.
`Referring now to FIG. 6, a rear perspective view of the
`vehicle 104 having the ramp members 124 in the fully
`deployed position with a wide lateral offset is illustrated. This
`fully deployed position could be particularly useful for load-
`ing objects with wheels having a wide lateral offset, e.g.,
`all-terrain vehicles having a wide wheelbase. Referring now
`to FIG. 7, a rearperspective view ofthe vehicle 104 having the
`ramp members 124 in the fully deployed position with a
`narrow lateral offset is illustrated. This fully deployed posi-
`tion could be particularly useful for loading objects with
`wheels having a narrow lateral offset, e. g., all-terrain vehicles
`having a narrow wheelbase.
`Referring again to FIG. 4B and with continued reference to
`FIGS. 6-7, the lateral tailgate track 160 could alternatively be
`recessed at a shallower depth to accommodate the ramp mem-
`bers 124 being in the fully deployed position with the wide or
`narrow offsets due to the lack of the tailgate channels 136 at
`the end 144 of the tailgate 120 for these positions. Referring
`now to FIG. 8, a rear perspective view 800 of the vehicle 104
`having only one of the ramp members 1241) in the fully
`deployed position is illustrated. The other ramp member 124a
`is in the stowed position. In one exemplary implementation,
`the ramp member 1241) could be positioned in a lateral center
`with respect to the storage bed 112 as shown. This fully
`deployed position could be particularly useful for loading
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`objects with a single wheel or with multiple inline wheels,
`e.g., a motorcycle. It will be appreciated that while vehicle
`104 is shown in FIG. 8 having two ramp members 124,
`vehicle 104 can alternatively include only one ramp member
`124 and only one corresponding bed channel 132, tailgate
`channel 136, bed track 152 and tailgate track 156 together
`with lateral track 160.
`
`The ramp members 124 are moveable along and through
`the bed channels 132 and across the gap 140 into, along, and
`through the longitudinal tailgate channels 136 without being
`lifted out of the channels 132, 136. Similarly, the track mem-
`bers 148 are moveable along and through the bed tracks 152
`and across the gap 140 into, along, and through the longitu-
`dinal tailgate tracks 156 without themselves or the ramp
`members 124 being lifted out of their respective tracks 152,
`156 or channels 132, 13 6, respectively. Additionally, the track
`members 148 are moveable from the longitudinal tailgate
`tracks 156 into, along, and through the lateral tailgate track
`160 without themselves or the ramp members 124 being lifted
`out of their respective tracks 152, 156 or channels 132, 136,
`respectively.
`In one exemplary implementation, the track members 148
`are lockable at any position along the bed tracks 152, the
`longitudinal tailgate tracks 156, and the lateral tailgate track
`160 (see FIG. 5). In another exemplary implementation, the
`track members 148 are lockable at any position along the
`lateral tailgate track 160. When the track members 148 are
`locked, the track members 148 are not slidably moveable in
`and along the corresponding tracks. The track members 148
`are lockable to prevent movement during loading via the ramp
`members 124. Any suitable locking mechanisms could be
`implemented to achieve locking of the track members 148.
`For example only, the track members 148 and the tracks 152,
`156, and 160 could all be constructed from metal and mag-
`netic locking of the track members 148 could be imple-
`mented.
`
`Referring now to FIG. 9, a side perspective view of an
`exemplary configuration of the track members 148 is illus-
`trated. The ramp members 124 are connected to an arm mem-
`ber 168. The arm member 168 is pivotably connected to a
`head member 172, such as by a pivot member 176. Thus, the
`ramp member 124 and arm member 168 are free to rotate via
`the pivot member 176 while the head member 172 remains
`stationary with respect to the various tracks 152, 156, and
`160. In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure,
`the track member 148 further includes an end member 180
`
`connected to the head member 172 at an opposite end of the
`track member 148 from the ramp member 124. The end
`member 180 is operable to slidably move in and along the
`various tracks 152, 156, and 160. It will be appreciated that
`other configurations could be utilized, such as having the
`head members 172 directly pivotably coupled to the ramp
`members 124.
`
`Referring now to FIGS. 10A-10B, exemplary configura-
`tions of the head member 172, the end member 180, the bed
`tracks 152, and the longitudinal tailgate tracks 156 are shown.
`FIG. 10A illustrates an end perspective view of the head
`member 172 and the end member 180.As illustrated, the head
`member 172 has a width 184 that is smaller than a width 188
`
`of the end member 180. This configuration is operable to
`slidably move in and along the bed tracks 152 and longitudi-
`nal tailgate tracks 156 illustrated by FIG. 10B. More specifi-
`cally, these tracks 152 and 156 include an upper lip 192 that
`defines an upper gap that is narrower than the width 188 ofthe
`end member 180. Thus, the end member 180 slidably moves
`in and along the bed tracks 152 and the longitudinal tailgate
`tracks 156 without being able to be lifted out of or removed
`
`

`

`US 9,067,525 B1
`
`7
`from the tracks 152 and 156. While this exemplary configu-
`ration is shown with respect to the bed tracks 152 and the
`longitudinal tailgate tracks 156, it should be appreciated that
`the lateral tailgate track 160 couldhave a similar upper lip 192
`and could slidably move in the lateral tailgate track 160
`without being able to be lifted out of or removed from the
`lateral tailgate track 160.
`It should be understood that the mixing and matching of
`features, elements, methodologies and/or functions between
`various examples may be expressly contemplated herein so
`that one skilled in the art would appreciate from the present
`teachings that features, elements and/or functions of one
`example may be incorporated into another example as appro-
`priate, unless described otherwise above.
`
`What is claimed is:
`
`1. A ramp system for a pickup truck having a bed and a
`tailgate, the ramp system comprising:
`a longitudinal bed channel recessed into a floor of the bed,
`the bed channel defining a bottom surface having a lon-
`gitudinal bed track;
`a longitudinal tailgate channel recessed into an inner panel
`of the tailgate, the tailgate channel aligned with the bed
`channel and defining a bottom surface having a longitu-
`dinal tailgate track, the inner panel facing the floor ofthe
`bed when the tailgate is in a closed position;
`a lateral tailgate track recessed into the inner panel and
`extending substantially transverse to and in communi-
`cation with the bed and longitudinal tailgate tracks; and
`a ramp member having a track member, the ramp member
`configured to be stowed in the bed channel in a stowed
`position and slidable in the bed and tailgate channels
`from the stowed position to a fully deployed position
`during which the track member moves along the respec-
`tive bed and longitudinal tailgate tracks and into the
`lateral tailgate track without having to raise the track
`member out of the respective bed and longitudinal tail-
`gate tracks;
`wherein upon the track member being received in the lat-
`eral tailgate track, the ramp member is laterally adjust-
`able while coupled to the tailgate through movement of
`the track member in the lateral tailgate track.
`2. The ramp system of claim 1, wherein the lateral tailgate
`track is at an outer end ofthe tailgate when the tailgate is in an
`open position, the outer end being opposed to an inner end of
`the tailgate that is adjacent to the floor.
`in the fully
`3. The ramp system of claim 2, wherein,
`deployed position, the ramp member extends from the lateral
`tailgate track at the outer end of the tailgate at an incline to a
`ground surface.
`4. The ramp system of claim 3, wherein the track member
`comprises a head member pivotably coupled thereto, and
`wherein the head member comprises an end member that is
`slidably movable in and along the bed track and the longitu-
`dinal and lateral tailgate tracks.
`5. The ramp system of claim 1, wherein the bed and lon-
`gitudinal
`tailgate channels are substantially horizontally
`aligned when the tailgate is in the open position.
`6. The ramp system of claim 1, wherein a top surface of the
`ramp member is flush with a surface ofthe floor in the stowed
`position and during movement through the bed and tailgate
`channels.
`
`7. The ramp system of claim 6, wherein the top surface of
`the ramp member is a same material as the surface ofthe floor.
`8. The ramp system of claim 1, wherein the bed and lon-
`gitudinal tailgate tracks are recessed relative to a bottom
`surface of the bed and tailgate channels, respectively, and
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`8
`wherein the track members extend below the bottom surface
`
`ofthe bed and tailgate channels to slidably engage the bed and
`longitudinal tailgate tracks.
`9. The ramp system of claim 1, wherein the track member
`is at a cab-side end of the ramp member when the ramp
`member is in the stowed position, the cab-side end opposed to
`a tailgate side end of the ramp member.
`10. The ramp system of claim 9, wherein the track member
`is lockable at a position along the bed, longitudinal tailgate, or
`lateral tailgate tracks.
`11. The ramp system of claim 10, wherein the track mem-
`ber is lockable at the cab-side end of the ramp member in the
`stowed position, and wherein the track member is lockable at
`any position along the lateral tailgate track.
`12. The ramp system of claim 1, wherein the longitudinal
`bed channel comprises a pair of longitudinal bed channels
`laterally spaced apart, wherein the longitudinal tailgate chan-
`nel comprises a pair of longitudinal tailgate channels spaced
`laterally apart, and wherein the ramp member comprises a
`pair of ramp members.
`13. The ramp system of claim 12, wherein the pairs of
`longitudinal bed and tailgate channels and tracks are substan-
`tially longitudinally aligned.
`14. A vehicle comprising:
`a cargo area having a floor and a closure member moveable
`between an open position and a closed position, the
`closure member having an inner panel facing the cargo
`floor when in the closed position; and
`a ramp system including:
`a pair of longitudinal floor channels recessed into the
`floor of the cargo area and laterally spaced apart from
`each other, the floor channels each defining a bottom
`surface having a longitudinal floor track;
`a pair of longitudinal closure member channels recessed
`into the inner panel, the closure member channels
`aligned with the bed channels and each defining a
`bottom surface having a longitudinal closure member
`track;
`a lateral closure member track recessed into the inner
`
`panel and extending substantially transverse to and in
`communication with the floor and longitudinal clo-
`sure member tracks;
`a pair of ramp members each having a track member, the
`pair of ramp members configured to be stowed in the
`floor channels in a stowed position and slidable in the
`floor and closure member channels from the stowed
`
`position to a fully deployed position during which the
`track members move along the respective bed and
`longitudinal closure member tracks and into the lat-
`eral closure member track without having to raise the
`track members out of the respective bed and longitu-
`dinal closure member tracks;
`wherein upon the track members being received in the
`lateral closure member track, the ramp members are
`laterally adjustable relative to each other while
`coupled to the closure member through movement of
`one or more ofthe track members in the lateral closure
`member track.
`
`15. The vehicle of claim 14, wherein the vehicle is a pickup
`truck, wherein the cargo area is a bed, and wherein the closure
`member is a tailgate.
`16. The vehicle of claim 14, wherein each track member
`comprises a head member pivotably coupled thereto, and
`wherein the head member comprises an end member that is
`slidably movable in and along its respective floor track, its
`respective longitudinal closure member track, and the lateral
`closure member track.
`
`

`

`US 9,067,525 B1
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`9
`17. The vehicle of claim 14, wherein the floor and longi-
`tudinal closure member channels are substantially horizon-
`tally aligned when the closure member is in the open position.
`18. The vehicle of claim 14, wherein a top surface of each
`ramp member is flush with a surface ofthe floor in the stowed 5
`position and during movement through the floor and closure
`member channels.
`
`10
`
`

`

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`
`
`Exhibit 1002
`Exhibit 1002
`
`U.S. Patent Application No. 14/834,548
`US. Patent Application No. 14/834,548
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