US cu») United States 2022 TIOS2AL 2) Patent Application Publication co) Pub. No.: US 2022/0177052 Al Harmon et al. (54) PIVOTABLE CAB BACK ASSEMBLY FOR A. VEHICLE AND CAB BACK ASSEMBLY PIVOTING METHOD. (1) Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC Dearbom, MI (US) (72) Inventors: Westland, MI (US); lons, Northville, Ml (US) (21) Appl. Now 17/110,937 (22) Filed: Dee. 3, 2020 Publication Classification (1) Inc B62 3302 BaD 3306 (2006.01) (2006.01) (43) Pub. Date: Jun. 9, 2022 (62) US.CL CPC ‘B62D 33/0207 (2013.01), EOSP 15700 (2013.01); B62D 2/06 (2013.01) on ABSTRACT A.chicle assembly includes, among other things, a cab back assembly having a first panel and a second panel. The fst pan! is pivotably coupled to « eab ofa vehicle. The second panel is pivotably coupled to the first pane. A method of ‘configuring a cab back includes selectively pivoting a frst panel of a eab back assembly relative to a eab ofa vehicle The first panel is pivotably coupled to a cab of the vehicle and is configured to pivot relative tothe cab about a fist ‘axis. The method furher includes selectively pivoting a second panel of the cab back assembly relative fo the fist panel. The second pane! is pivotably coupled to the frst panel and is configired to pivot relative to the fist panel bout a second axis that is spaced fom the frst axis,Patent Application Publication Jun. 9, 2022 Sheet 1 of SUS 2022/0177082 Al e 2% Vertical re Actuator —- -_p op Ay 2 — _—p Apt 4Patent Application Publication Jun. 9, 2022 Sheet Sof 5 US 2022/0177082 Al 0m ae F = Fig-5US 2022/0177052 Al PIVOTABLE CAB BACK ASSEMBLY FOR A ‘VEHICLE AND CAB BACK ASSEMBLY. PIVOTING METHOD. TECHNICAL FIELD. 10001] This disclosure relates generally to a eab back assembly fora vehicle and, more panicle, 10 a cab back. ‘assembly that can pivot into a plurality of configurations BACKGROUND [0002] A typical pickup truck has @ cab providing a passenger compartment and a eargo bed providing a cargo area, A cab back can separate the passenger compartment trom the eargo area. In some pickup trucks, such as unibody pickup trucks, the eab back can provide a front wall of the ‘cargo bed. SUMMARY, [0003] A vehicle assembly acconting to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a cab back assembly having. fist panel anda second panel. The frst panel is pivotbly coupled to a cab of @ Ychicle, The seeond panel is pivotably coupled tothe fst panel. [0004] In snother example ofthe foregoing assembly, the first panel isan upper panel, and the second panel isa lower panel The upper pan! is vertically above the lower panel when the cab back assembly i ina closed position {0005} "In another example of any ofthe foregoing assem- blies, the vehicle is # unibody vehicle having @ unibody ‘configuration, 0006] "In another example of any ofthe foregoing assem- blies, an upper region of the fist panel is pivotably coupled tw a roof ofa cab of the vehicle. [0007] In another example of any ofthe foregoing assem- blies, the socond panels pivotably coupled a lower region of the first panel 0008) In another example of any ofthe foregoing assem- blics, the frst panel is configured to pivot relative to the rool about a first axis, and the second panel is configured to pivot relative tothe frst panel about a second axis that is vertially beneath the first axis when the eab bock assembly is in @ ‘losed position [0009] In another example of any ofthe foregoing assem- blies, the first panel i configured fo pivot relative tthe cab about dhe first axis without pivoting the second panel relative to first panel about the second axis: [0010] | Another example of any of the foregoing assem- blies includes a support configured to selectively interface ‘witha sidewall ofa cargo bed ofthe vehicle to support the second panel when the eab back assembly is in an open position [0011] In another example of any ofthe foregoing assem- blies, the support is configured to move ack ind forth between a retracted positon and an extended position. [0012] In another example of any ofthe forepoing assem blics, the support extends fom a laterally facing side of the ‘cab back assembly to interface with the sidewall of the cargo bes [0013] Another example of any of the foregoing assem- blies, includes at least one ley configured to interface with 8 sidewall of» cargo bed of the vehicle to support the eab back assembly in an open position Jun. 9, 2022 [0014] In nother example of any ofthe forepoing assem bles, the legis pivotably connected tothe cab back aster bs. The ley configured to pivot Back and forth between & stowed positon and a deployed position, The leg in the deployed position suppon the ead back assembly in the jpn position, {0015} In another example of any of the foreaoing assem iis, the cab back assembly separate a passenger compar rent ofthe wshile fom cargo are ofthe vehicle when the cal hock assembly is in a coved positon, The passenger compartment opens 10 the cago bed when the eb back sssembly i a an open positon {0016} Iaancther example of any ofthe foregoing assem bles, the vehicle isan elecsified Vehicle {0017] A method of configuring a cab back assembly aeconling to another exerplary aspect of the prseat dite elosure includes selectively pivoting a fist panel ofa ab back assembly eatve toa ca ofa vehicle. The first panel Js pivotably coupled toa cab ofthe vehicle sad is configured to pivot relative to the cab about a fist axis. The method Turther includes seletvely pivoting a second pane ofthe cal back assembly relative to the fst pane. The second panels pivotably coupled othe rst pane and is conan fo pivot eave tothe ist pane about a second ais that is Speced fom the fist axis {0018} In another example of the foregoing method, the Jt pant i an upper panel andthe second pane isa ower panel. The upper pane s vertically above the lower panel ‘when the eab hock assembly is in closed position, {0019} In another example of any ofthe foregoing meth- ods, the second pane is pivotably coupled toa lower eesion ofthe fst pane. (0020) In another example of any ofthe freaoing mete tsb, the cab bockspsmbly separates a passenger compar ‘ent ofthe viele fom a cago area ofthe vehicle wien the cab back assembly isin a ehoved poston. The passenger compartment opens (0 the eargo bed when the ea back ‘sembly isin. an open position [002] Another example of any ofthe foregoing methods includes extending. feast one suppoet lea from a reovacted position oan extended position where thea east ‘ne suppor interfaces with sidewall of cargo bed ofthe ‘chile To support the cab ack assembly in aa open po tion [0022] ‘Theembodtimens, examples and altematives ofthe preceding parsarephs, the claims o he following deserp- tion and drawings, ineluding any oftheir various aspect Or respective individual features, may be taken independently or in any combination. Features described in connection ‘with one embodiment are aplicable to all embodiments, nls such features are incompatible DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES [0023] The various features und advantages of the di closed examples will Become apparent to those skilled in the ar from the detailed description. The figures that accompany the detailed description can be breil described as follows: [024] FIG. 1 illustrates « vehicle including @ cab back assembly in a closed pesition according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, [0025] FG. 2 illustrates. perspet assembly of FIG. 1 feview of the ab backUS 2022/0177052 Al [0026] FIG. 3 illustrates the Vehile of FIG. 1 after the cab back assembly has been moved frm the closed postion into a first open position, 10027] "FIG. 34 illustrates a close-up view of the eab back assembly in FIG. 3 10028] FIG. 32 illustrates a woo! assembly attached to the ‘cab back assembly inthe fist open position of FIG. 3, 10029] FIG. 3C illustrates the cab back assembly of FIG. 3B moved to a closed position with the tool of FIG. 3B remaining attached to the eab back assembly 0030] FIG. 4 ilstrates the vehile of FIG. 1 after the cab back assembly has been moved from the closed position into 1 second open postion. [0031] FIG. 44 illustrates a canopy supported, at least in part, by the cab hack assembly inthe second open positon OFF. 4. 0032] FIG. 5 ilostrates the vehicle of FIG. 1 after the cab back assembly las been moved from the closed postion into authird open position, 10033] FIG. 6ilustraes a cab back assembly acoording to nother exemplary aspect ofthe present disclosure, DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0034] This disclosure relates yenerally a eab back assem- bly fora vehicle, The vehicle ean hea unibody pickup truck. The vehicle ean be an electrified vehicle having a traction buttery that provides power to one or more motors used drive wheels of the vehile 10035] "The cab back assembly can be moved between ‘closed position and one of several possible open positions “Moving the cab back assembly to an open position opens & passenger compartment ofthe vehicle t a cargo ates of the vehicle. 10036] | With reference FIGS, 1 and 2, a vehicle 10 Jnchides @ cab back assembly 14, a passenger compartment ‘within a cab 22, and a cargo area 26 within a cargo bed 30, 10037] The eab back assembly 14 is shown in a closed positon in FIG. 1. When the cab back assembly Id is in the ‘losed position, the cab back assembly 14 closes off the passenger compartment 18 from the cargo area 26. 10038] The exemplary vehicle 10 is a unibody’ pickup tnuck. As the vehicle 10 has a unibody configuration, the cab 22 and the cargo bed 30 are not supported ona vehicle frame Separate from the cab 22 and the cargo bed 30. In the vehicle 10, the eab back assembly 14 provides both the back wall of the cab 22 and front wall of the eango be 30 when the cab back assembly 14 isin the closed position, 10029] A conventional body-on-frame vehicle is different than a unibody vehicle. In & conventional body-on-frame vehicle a ack wall of the cab is spaced a distance from @ fot wall ofa cargo bed to provide an open gap between the ‘cab and the cargo bed. The back wall of the cab is 201 drcely connected to the font wall of the cargo bed in a ‘conventional body-on-rame vehicle [0040] The cab back assembly 14 includes, in the exem- plary embodiment » frst panel 34 and a second panel 38 The frst panel 34 is a vertically upper panel. The second pane] 38 Is a vertically lower panel. When in the closed positon, the fist panel 34 is vertically above the second pane] 38. Vertical, for purposes of this disclosure, is in reference to ground inthe general orientation of the vehicle during operation, [W041] "As upper region ofthe fist panel 34 is pivotably ‘connected to the cab 22 of the vebiele. The pivotable Jun. 9, 2022 onnetion permit the ist panel 34 fo pivot relative to the abd about a fist ans A.A root 40 of the vehicle 10 i ‘erty cigned withthe int ans A inthis example, A eon faving sll in thie at and the bene of this {scone co understand howto pivotably coupe spans toa cab ofa veils [a2] Anspperrepono the sccond pons Wis pivotably Coupled toa lower rion ofthe fist panel 34 The piveable Connection betwccn the ceo pel 38 and the fst pans 534 pemits pivoting ofthe second panel 38 relative 1 the fist pn! about the sscond pivot atis AA peron having slilin this ar andthe benoit of this dislosure cou Srnestand ow to iva couple a pane to another pan [a3] The pivotable connection erwoen the second ronal 38 ad the fist panel 34 permits the second panel {Spot about the as A om te closed positon shown in FIGS. fand2 othe fist open positon shown in FIGS, 3nd 34 Into exemplary embodiment, an aetator 42 tin the ‘ehicle 10 drives the pivoting ofthe second panel 38 from the closed position of FIGS. 1 and 2 to he fst open Position. In moter example, user could mamaly pivot {he second pane! 8 about the axis Ay [0044] Inthe exemplary embeviment afer pivoting the second panel 38 relative othe fist panel 34 ote fist open Droit of FIGS. 3 and 3A, supports 44 of the ab back Essombly Mare extended trl outward om a retracted prniion shown in IG. 2 tothe extended postion shown in Fios. tant 38 [0045] When in the extended position, the supports 44 rest on sidewall 46 of the cago be 30 10 belp spor the Second panel Sines open positon of FIGS, and 3A ‘The mpports 44 cn, in some examples, rest within sess arco ofthe sidewalls 46 when nthe extended poston. This an poevent the suport 4 fom being vercaly pou af the sidewalls 46 where the supports 48 wonld be less aerodynamic [W046] The suppors 44 are shown as planar anges. In other examples, the supports 44 could be peg-shaped struc tures that extend into slots or recessed areas within the sidewalls 46 [0047] In this frst open position, the cab back assembly 14 ‘no longer closes olf the passenger compartment 18 from the cargo bed 30. Cargo C, particularly oversized, long cary that would not fit in the cargo area 26, can then be tran ported within the vehicle 19, Pariculariy lengthy cargo could extend from the cago area 26, through the passenger compartment 18, into a frank of the vehicle 10. Fleefied Yhicles in paticular can inclide franks. [048] Tae cargo Ccun extend through an opening O such that a portion of the cargo C resides in the passenger ‘compartment 18, and another portion of the cargo C resides in the cargo bed 30, The opening © substantially provides the clearance required forthe vehicle 10 to transport over sized and irepular types of eargo C. [0049] Positioning a cab bock assembly 14 inthe fist open position of FIGS. 3 and 3A also provides a work surfoce 50 fn the second pane! 38, The work surface $0 is horizontally aligned. The user may utilize the work surface 50 to support 4 tool S4 as shown in FIGS. 32 and 3C. [0050] In some examples, A hase $8 of the tool $4 is diretly attached w the second pancl 38. In such examples, the tool §4 pivots with the second panel 38 when the second ancl 38 is transitioned from the fist open postion of FIG. ‘8B the closed positon of FIG. 3C. The cab back assemblyUS 2022/0177052 Al 14 thus helps to stabilize the tool $4 asthe voile driven and to secre the tol 84. When usr desires owe the ool 4, te user can reconfigure the seond panel 38 fom the position of FIG. 3C sao the poston of FIG. 3B, The base 8 can help to protet the seeand pane 38 from damage as the user ulizes the work surlace 80. The base 88 can be 8 -woadon base for example {0081} The second panel 38, or another postion ofthe ead Back assembly 14, could include an electrical outlet 60 lized o power the ool $4. Ia this example, the elecical ‘utlet 60s disposed it side 62 of te second panel 38 hat faces downward and is hidden wea the eab back assembly 14 is inthe closed position. This can help to shield the lectical outlet 60 from tampering and environmental ele- tents when the electrical outlet 60 i not hein sed 10082] In the fst open position of FIGS. 338, the int pane! 34 js not rotated about the pivot axis A irom the Position of FIG. 1. Other open positions are possible when the first pane! is rota about the piven axis, {W0s3] With erence FIG. 4th eab hack assembly 14 4s shown in another configuration where the ft panel 34 thas been rotate about the axis Ay from the position of 1G, 1 The second pane 38 has also hoon rotated about the is ‘A rom the position oF FIG. 1, When the cab bockassemB iy 1M isin the position of FIG. 4, the cab back assembly 1 is ina second open positon 0084} inthe second open position. the cab back essemby 1h been rated enough to increase 8 size of the opening (© between the passenger compartment 18 and the earso area. Users can then move back and for. between the pstenger compartment 18 andthe cargo ates 26 through the ‘opening. The tier may open a tailgate 64 ofthe vehicle 0 Felt acces to and frm te earg bed 30. The usee may reconfigure sats 66 within the voile 10 to positions tt allow the wero look toward tear ofthe vehicle 10 through the opening. The wser may reconfigure seats 66 of the ‘hile to increase areas available for storing cago. {0085} Insome examples, thocabback assembly 4 canbe used 1 support a tent 70 when the ca back assembly 14 is invan open postion. Ax shown in 1G. 48, the tot 70 is supported at least in part by the eb back assembly 14 inthe second open poston, The passenger compartment 18, the ‘aruo bed 30, ofboth could then be utlzed by users for Slesping and sexing while the wees are covered bythe tnt 70, The seats, in some examples, ean be turned sti user seated in the wot feces rearward [0086] With efereace nw to FIG. 8, he cab back assem bly 14s shown ina thi open postion where the ist panel {4 ls bon parally coated sbout the fst ais-A, an the Secon pan! 38 snot rotated about the scond axis. fom the closed position of FIG. 1. Th cab back assembly 14 ia the third open postion does not extend veically upward past the oot a Significant amount {0087}. The exb back assembly 14, in the exemplary ‘embodiments, include legs 74 tha ip down to eagngs ith Ioeatorson te sidewalls 46, Te leas 74 ean help to spor the cab hack asconbly 14 when the cab ck stem fin the third open poston of FIG. 8. The les 74 can be ‘considered prop-rads 10088] In the third open position, oversized cargo ean be Placed within the cargo area 26 and shin the Passenger ‘ompariment 18. The til open positon of FIG. provides ‘nore vertical eight to accommodate cargo than the ist ‘open position OF FIGS. 3 and 3A. hn the third open positon, Jun. 9, 2022 the eab back assembly 14 covers more ofthe eango area 26 than the cab back assembly 14 in the ist open postion or the second open position. Covering more ofthe cargo area 26 with the cab back assembly 14 muy be desirable 10 provide shado, for example, [0089] “The cab bock assembly 14 can be moved manually ‘between the closed position and the various open positions of FIGS. 348, The eth hack assembly 14 can instead be ‘moved automatically by the actuator 42 between the closed position and the various open positions {0060} ‘The movement of the cab back assembly 14 between the closed positon and the various open positions can be movement that clears a trailer coupled tothe vehicle 10 via a gooseneck or filh wheel type of ataclment [0061] The cab back assembly 14 can be moved to open positions other than the ist, second, and thied open pos ‘ions shown. Further, the features described in connection ‘ith one ofthe exemplary open positions can be used, where appropriate, with other open postions. For example, the tent ‘TW could be supported By the cab back assembly 14 in the third open position rather than the second open position [0062] FIG. 6 shows a cab back panel 114 according to father exemplary embodiment, The cab back panel 114 includes a frst panel 134 pivotably coupled toa roof panel 140 that provides part ofa eab ofthe veicle. The roof pane 140 s pivotably coupled to other portions ofthe cab and ean pivot relative to other portions ofthe cab about a pivot axis As, [0063] ‘The pivoting of the of panel 140 about the axis ‘Ay may help the fst panel 134 and and the second panel 138 ‘maintain clearance to other structures when pivoting, sch fas a tmiler attached tothe vehicle via « gooseneck or ith ‘wheel type of attachment [064] The proveding description is exemplary rather than limiting in nature, Variations and modifications to the di closed examples may hecome apparent to those skilled inthe far that do not necessarily depart from the essence of this isclosure. Thus, the scope of legal protection given to this slisclosure can only be determined by studying the following claims, ‘What is claimed is 1. A vehicle assembly, comprising: ‘cab back assembly having a first panel and a second ‘panel, the fist panel is pivotably coupled to cab of vehicle, the second panel is pivotably coupled t0 the first panel 2. The eab back assembly of claim 1, wherein the first panel is an upper panel, and the second pane! is a lower panel, the upper panel vertically above the lower panel when the cab back assembly is ina closed position, 3. The cab back assembly of claim 1, whersn the veicle isa unibody vehiele having a unibody configuration. 4. The cab back assembly of ela’ 1, wherein an upper region of the first panel is pivotably coupled to a roof of a cab of the vehicle 5. The cab back assembly of elim 4, wherein the second panel is pivotably coupled to a lower region of the first panel 6. The cab back assembly of claim 4, whervin the first ‘panel is eonfignred to pivot relative to the roof about a frst axis, and the socond panel i configured to pivot relative to the first panel about a second axis that is vertically beneath the frst axis when the eab back assembly is in a closed positon,US 2022/0177052 Al 7. The cab back assembly of elaim 6, wherein the fist panel is configured t pivot relative tothe cab about the frst ‘axis without pivoting the second panel relative first panel ‘bout the second a 8, The cab back assembly of claim 1, further comprising ‘atleast one support, the at least one support configured 10 sectively interlace with a sidewall of a cargo bed of the Vehicle t0 support the second panel when the eab back assembly isin an open position 9. The cab back assembly of claim 8, wherein the atleast ‘one support is configured 9 move back and forth between 3 retracted postion and an extended position, 10. Theeab back assembly of claim 8, wherein theat least ‘one support extends from a laterally Tacing side of the cab back assembly to interface with the sidewall of the eargo bea 1 The eab back assembly of claim 1, further comprising ‘a least one leg confignred to interface with a sidewall of 3 ‘cargo bed of the vehicle to support the cab back assembly in ‘an open position 12, The cab back assembly of claim 11, wherein the at least one leg is pivotably connected to the cab back assem- bly, the atleast one prop-rod configured to pivot hack and ‘rth between a stowed position anda deployed position, the Teast one leg inthe deployed position supporting the cab back assembly in the open position 13. The cab back assembly of claim 1, wherein the exb back assembly separates a passenger compartment of the vehicle from a eargo are ofthe vehicle when the cab back assembly is in a closed position, wherein the passenger ‘compartinent opens to the cargo bed when the eab back assembly isin an open position, Jun. 9, 2022 14, The eab back assembly of claim 1, wherein the vehicle isan electrified vebicle. 18. A method of configuring a ea back assembly; com- rising: selectively pivoting a first panel of a cab back assembly relative toa cab of a vehicle, the fist panel pivotably ‘coupled ta eab oF the vehiele and configured to pivot relative t the cab about a fist axis; and selectively pivoting a second panel of the cab back assembly relative 10 the fist panel, the second pane! pivotably coupled to the fist pane! and configured t© pivot relative tothe frst panel sbout a second axis that fs spaced from the fist axis 16, The method of claims 15, wherein the fist panel is an ‘upper panel, and the second panel ia lower pane, dhe upper panel Vertically above the lower panel when the cab back assembly isin a closed position, 17. The method of claim 15, wherein the second panel is pivotably coupled to a lower region of the first panel 18, The method of claim 18, wherein the cab back assembly separates a passenger compartment of the vehicle Toma cargo area ofthe vehicle whea the cab back assembly is ina elosed position, wherein the passenger compartment ‘opens tothe cargo area when the eal hack assembly isin an ‘pen position 19, The method of claim 18, further comprising extending at least one support laterally rom a retraced position to an fextended position where the atleast one support interfaces ‘ith a sidewall ofa ego bed ofthe vehicle t support the cab ack assembly in an open position,