US-20260124998-A1 - CONVERTIBLE TAILGATE STORAGE PAD

US20260124998A1US 20260124998 A1US20260124998 A1US 20260124998A1US-20260124998-A1

Abstract

The vehicle padding system is designed to protect a vehicle's tailgate while securely transporting an object, such as a bicycle. It includes a connection pad with a connector, such as MOLLE webbing or a strap, configured to hold objects. A tailgate pad attaches to the vehicle's exterior, and a joint links the connection pad and tailgate pad, allowing the connection pad to flip over the tailgate. The joint may include an anchor for securing to an object's frame, particularly a bicycle. The system may feature two portions of the connection pad that flip over the tailgate independently, providing flexibility and added security. A strap can further secure the padding system to the tailgate, and various configurations of connectors and anchors enhance the system's adaptability and durability. The design allows the joint to cover the tailgate's top, enhancing protection and stability during transport.

Inventors

Ananda Wickramasekera

Assignees

OUTLIER CAMPERS LLC

Dates

Publication Date: 20260507
Application Date: 20250408

Claims (20)

1 . A vehicle padding system comprising: a connection pad comprising a connector that is configured to secure an object to the vehicle padding system; a tailgate pad configured to be attached to an exterior side of a tailgate of a vehicle; and a joint between the connection pad and the tailgate pad, wherein the connection pad is configured to flip via the joint over the tailgate.
2 . The vehicle padding system of claim 1 , wherein the connector comprises: a MOLLE webbing, a strap with a fastener; or a combination thereof.
3 . The vehicle padding system of claim 1 , wherein the joint comprises an anchor that is configured to attach to a frame of an object.
4 . The vehicle padding system of claim 3 , wherein the anchor is configured to surround a portion of the frame of a bicycle.
5 . The vehicle padding system of claim 1 , wherein the connection pad comprises a first portion that is flippable over the tailgate via a first portion of the joint; and a second portion that is flippable over the tailgate via a second portion of the joint.
6 . The vehicle padding system of claim 5 , wherein the joint comprises an anchor configured to attach to a frame of an object.
7 . The vehicle padding system of claim 1 , further comprising a strap to attach the vehicle padding system to the tailgate.
8 . The vehicle padding system of claim 1 , wherein when the connection pad flips over the tailgate via the joint, the joint covers a top of the tailgate.
9 . A vehicle padding system comprising: a connection pad configured to connect to a connector that is configured to secure an object to the vehicle padding system; a tailgate pad configured to be attached to a tailgate of a vehicle; and a joint between the connection pad and the tailgate pad, the joint comprising an anchor that is configured to attach to a frame of a bicycle, wherein the connection pad is configured to flip over the tailgate via the joint, allowing the joint to cover a top of the tailgate.
10 . The vehicle padding system of claim 9 , wherein the anchor is configured to surround a portion of the frame of the bicycle.
11 . The vehicle padding system of claim 10 , wherein the connection interface comprises a hook and loop connection.
12 . The vehicle padding system of claim 9 , wherein the connector comprises: a MOLLE webbing, a strap with a fastener; or a combination thereof.
13 . The vehicle padding system of claim 9 , wherein the connection pad comprises a first portion that is flippable over the tailgate via a first portion of the joint; and a second portion that is flippable over the tailgate via a second portion of the joint.
14 . The vehicle padding system of claim 9 , further comprising a strap to attach the vehicle padding system to the tailgate.
15 . A vehicle padding system comprising: a connection pad comprising: a connector that is configured to secure an object to the vehicle padding system, a first portion and a second portion; a tailgate pad configured to be attached to a tailgate of a vehicle; and a joint between the connection pad and the tailgate pad, wherein the connection pad comprises a first portion that is flippable over the tailgate via a first portion of the joint; and a second portion that is flippable over the tailgate via a second portion of the joint.
16 . The vehicle padding system of claim 15 , wherein the joint comprises an anchor that is configured to attach to a frame of an object.
17 . The vehicle padding system of claim 16 , wherein the anchor is configured to surround a portion of the frame of a bicycle.
18 . The vehicle padding system of claim 15 , wherein the connector comprises: a MOLLE webbing, a strap with a fastener; or a combination thereof.
19 . The vehicle padding system of claim 15 , further comprising a strap to attach the vehicle padding system to the tailgate.
20 . The vehicle padding system of claim 15 , wherein when the first portion of the connection pad flips over the tailgate via the first portion of the joint, or the second portion of the connection pad flips over the tailgate via the second portion of the joint, the first portion of the joint or the second portion of the joint covers the top of the tailgate.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims under 35 U.S.C. § 119 (e) the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/715,702 filed Nov. 4, 2024, and titled “CONVERTIBLE TAILGATE STORAGE PAD,” the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD The present disclosure relates to vehicle accessory systems, specifically padding systems for vehicle tailgates designed to protect the vehicle and secure objects, such as bicycles, during transport. The disclosure encompasses mechanisms and structures for affixing and stabilizing items on the tailgate, including connectors, joints, and anchors to ensure secure attachment and protection against movement or damage during transit. BACKGROUND Existing tailgate bike pads (i.e., those that are detachably connected to pickup truck tailgates by use of straps or other attachment mechanisms) are specifically designed to secure one or more bicycles to a pickup's tailgate. They may contain small pockets on an interior side (e.g., a side facing the pickup bed) for storage of bicycle tools or other small items however, these storage pockets do not typically offer a significant amount of storage. Existing tailgate bike pads are typically thickly padded in the portions that rest against the exterior side, on top of, and on the interior side of pickup tailgates. The padded portion that is on top of a tailgate may prevent the closing of truck cap doors or tonneau covers, including when no bike is attached, because that portion may prevent the truck cap door or tonneau cover end from fitting tightly against the tailgate when closed, which may be necessary for proper closure and/or to make the enclosed bed weather tight. The padded portion on the interior surface of the tailgate which also contains buckles may also make it difficult to load or unload large or heavy items into or from, respectively, the tailgate by creating a surface that is not level with the rest of the pickup tailgate and bed and/or may create an obstruction (e.g., with buckles, etc.) that may cause damage to cargo or to the bike pad itself. Existing tailgate storage bags (i.e., those that are detachably connected to pickup truck tailgates by use of straps and buckles) are specifically designed to store items that fit inside the bag. They too may contain small exterior pockets but those do not typically offer a significant amount of storage. And they too may contain padding, thick straps, and/or buckles that may interfere with truck cap doors, tonneau cover ends or may obstruct proper loading or unloading of large or heavy objects. Both tailgate bike pads and tailgate storage bags also have a cumbersome installation method that typically requires a person to push the installation straps up through a small gap at the bottom, exterior side of a tailgate (e.g., between the tailgate bottom and the bumper) with one hand, while holding the tailgate open at about a 45 degree angle with the other hand, then somehow grabbing the straps from above the gap, on the interior side of the pickup bed, before they fall back through-a challenging task with most tailgates, but especially so for large and heavy ones. For frequent removal and installation of most tailgate bike pads and tailgate storage bags this will get tiresome. The convertible tailgate storage pad disclosure described herein combines the carrying capacity of tailgate bike pads with the exterior storage capacity of tailgate storage bags (by allowing attachment of a bag to the pad); adds additional storage capacity by allowing attachment of multiple bags; adds even more storage capacity beyond both types of existing products by use of standard, MOLLE-style webbing compatible with commonly available MOLLE storage bags, cases, and accessories, or some non-MOLLE-compatible bags, cases and items may be secured directly to the MOLLE straps with other attachment mechanisms, allowing more than just tailgate trash bags to be carried on the back of a tailgate; has an attachment method that may not interfere with most truck cap doors and tonneau covers and may not cause an obstruction or create an uneven surface for loading/unloading of large or heavy cargo; installs easily and quickly; and can be configured to carry only bicycles partially inside the pickup bed, configured to only store items on the exterior side of the tailgate, or half or a portion can be configured to carry bicycles while the other half or portion can be configured for exterior storage. The convertible tailgate storage pad consists of a pad (e.g., a foam pad, foam batting, or loose foam enclosed by vinyl or other waterproof or water-resistant fabric) which is foldable into two, three, or more sections with: straps that go around a pickup's tailgate that are detachably connected by buckles on a first padded section (e.g., on the exterior side of the tailgate) to attach the pad to the tailgate; openable loops (e.g., straps with hook a