GB2546566A

GB2546566A - Armoured vehicle door

Info

Publication number: GB2546566A
Application number: GB1608742.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Palmer Lee
Original assignee: Jankel Armouring Ltd
Current assignee: Jankel Armouring Ltd
Priority date: 2016-05-18
Filing date: 2016-05-18
Publication date: 2017-07-26
Anticipated expiration: 2036-05-18
Also published as: GB2546566B; GB201608742D0

Abstract

A tailgate assembly for a vehicle comprises an external tailgate and an armoured internal tailgate 2. The armoured internal tailgate 2 is offset from the external tailgate in the direction of the interior of the vehicle. The external tailgate and the armoured internal tailgate 2 are adapted to be selectively coupled and decoupled with respect to each other so that in one configuration the external tailgate is independently openable and closable with respect to the armoured internal tailgate 2, and in another configuration the armoured internal tailgate 2 is openable together with the external tailgate.

Description

ARMOURED VEHICLE DOOR Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to armoured access doors for a vehicle, in particular to a vehicle tailgate.

Background to the Invention

Currently, vehicles may be discreetly armoured by installing panels of ballistic protection material within the vehicle body and by adding transparent armour. For rear entry doors or tailgates, armour may be applied directly to the interior of the tailgate with transparent armour being installed behind, or in place of, the existing vehicle glass. Alternatively and more commonly, the existing tailgate is retained and an armoured bulkhead installed across the rear of the vehicle at a location behind the existing tailgate, the bulkhead comprising a hatch which can be opened when the existing tailgate has been opened. Because such a bulkhead is substantially offset from the tailgate and encroaches into the interior of the vehicle, there is an associated reduction in the available space within the vehicle’s cabin. Furthermore, as the hatch is framed on all sides by the surrounding bulkhead, the access area into the rear of the vehicle is greatly reduced. Furthermore still, speed of entry into, and exit from, the rear of the vehicle is greatly reduced.

It therefore is an object of the present invention to provided an armoured tailgate to mitigate one or more disadvantages of the prior art.

Summary of the Invention

In accordance with an aspect of the invention, there is provided a tailgate assembly for a vehicle, the tailgate assembly comprising: an external tailgate and an internal tailgate; wherein the internal tailgate is an armoured tailgate; wherein the internal tailgate is offset in use from the external tailgate in the direction of the interior of the vehicle; wherein the external tailgate and the internal tailgate are adapted to be selectively coupled and decoupled with respect to each other so that in one configuration the external tailgate is independently openable and closable with respect to the internal tailgate, and in another configuration the internal tailgate is openable together with the external tailgate.

Conveniently, the internal tailgate can be closed independently of the external tailgate.

In this way, the external tailgate and the armoured internal tailgate can be opened simultaneously or separately and can be closed independently of each other or simultaneously with each other.

Optionally, the internal and external tailgates each comprise a window, wherein the window of the armoured internal tailgate is an armoured window which is spaced apart from the window of the external tailgate when the respective tailgates are in the closed position.

Optionally, the armoured internal tailgate armoured window is in spaced apart alignment with the window of the external tailgate when the respective tailgates are in the closed position.

Advantageously, as the external tailgate and the armoured internal tailgate can be closed independently of each other, the interior surface of the external tailgate window and the exterior surface of the interior tailgate window are both accessible for cleaning and/or maintenance when the interior tailgate is in a closed position and the exterior tailgate is in an open position

Optionally, the armoured internal tailgate is separately hinged from the external tailgate.

Optionally, the armoured internal tailgate and the external tailgate are horizontally hinged.

Optionally, the armoured internal tailgate and the external tailgate are vertically hinged.

Optionally, the external tailgate is the original or “OEM” tailgate of the vehicle. Optionally, the external tailgate is armoured.

Optionally, the external tailgate is a horizontal-split tailgate comprising an upper tailgate portion and a lower tailgate portion.

Optionally, where the external tailgate is a horizontal-split tailgate, the armoured internal tailgate is selectively coupleable and decoupleable with respect to the upper tailgate portion.

Optionally, where the external tailgate is a horizontal-split tailgate, the lower tailgate portion is provided with armour plating on its interior side.

Optionally, coupling of the external tailgate and the armoured internal tailgate is effected by complementary releasable engagement means provided on said external and internal tailgates, respectively.

Optionally, the complementary releasable engagement means comprises one or more latches, bolts or catches.

Optionally, coupling of the external tailgate to the armoured internal tailgate may be automatic upon moving the external tailgate into its closed position.

Optionally, selective decoupling of the external tailgate from the armoured internal tailgate can be automatically or manually effected from within the vehicle.

Conveniently, the armoured internal tailgate is maintained in its closed position by the external tailgate which comprises an independent locking mechanism to lock the exterior and hence the interior tailgates in their respective closed positions.

Optionally, when the external tailgate and the armoured internal tailgate are coupled together, in one arrangement, operation of locking mechanism of the external tailgate to open said external tailgate can also release the locking mechanism of the armoured internal tailgate. In this way, the open and close functionality of the OEM external tailgate is retained with no additional operation required to open the armoured internal tailgate.

Optionally, operation of locking mechanism of the armoured internal tailgate to open said armoured internal tailgate can also release the locking mechanism of the external tailgate. In this way, the coupled armoured internal tailgate and the external tailgate can be opened simultaneously together.

An armoured tailgate for a vehicle, the armoured tailgate being adapted for installation at a location between the rear of the vehicle and an existing tailgate of the vehicle; wherein the armoured tailgate is adapted to be selectively coupled and decoupled with respect to the existing tailgate so that in one configuration the existing tailgate is independently openable with respect to the armoured tailgate and in another configuration the armoured tailgate is openable together with the external tailgate.

According to the present invention there is also provided a vehicle having a tailgate assembly comprising: an external tailgate and an internal tailgate; wherein the internal tailgate is an armoured tailgate; wherein the internal tailgate is offset in use from the external tailgate in the direction of the interior of the vehicle; wherein the external tailgate and the internal tailgate are adapted to be selectively coupled and decoupled with respect to each other so that in one configuration the external tailgate is independently openable and closable with respect to the internal tailgate and in another configuration the internal tailgate is openable together with the external tailgate.

The various aspects of the present invention can be practiced alone or in combination with one or more of the other aspects, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the relevant arts. The various aspects of the invention can optionally be provided in combination with one or more of the optional features of the other aspects of the invention. Also, optional features described in relation to one aspect can typically be combined alone or together with other features in different aspects of the invention. Any subject matter described in this specification can be combined with any other subject matter in the specification to form a novel combination.

Various aspects of the invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying figures. Still other aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention are readily apparent from the entire description thereof, including the figures, which illustrates a number of exemplary aspects and implementations. Any subject matter described in the specification can be combined with any other subject matter in the specification to form a novel combination. The invention is also capable of other and different examples and aspects, and its several details can be modified in various respects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive. Furthermore, the terminology and phraseology used herein is solely used for descriptive purposes and should not be construed as limiting in scope. Language such as "including", "comprising", "having", "containing" or "involving" and variations thereof, is intended to be broad and encompass the subject matter listed thereafter, equivalents, and additional subject matter not recited, and is not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps. Likewise, the term "comprising" is considered synonymous with the terms "including" or "containing" for applicable legal purposes. Thus, throughout the specification and claims unless the context requires otherwise, the word “comprise” or variations thereof such as “comprises” or “comprising” will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles and the like is included in the specification solely for the purpose of providing a context for the present invention. It is not suggested or represented that any or all of these matters formed part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present invention.

In this disclosure, whenever a composition, an element or a group of elements is preceded with the transitional phrase "comprising", it is understood that we also contemplate the same composition, element or group of elements with transitional phrases "consisting essentially of, "consisting", "selected from the group of consisting of, “including” or "is" preceding the recitation of the composition, element or group of elements and vice versa. In this disclosure, the words “typically” or “optionally” are to be understood as being intended to indicate optional or non-essential features of the invention which are present in certain examples but which can be omitted in others without departing from the scope of the invention.

All numerical values in this disclosure are understood as being modified by "about". All singular forms of elements, or any other components described herein are understood to include plural forms thereof and vice versa. References to directional and positional descriptions such as upper and lower and directions e.g. “up”, “down” etc. are to be interpreted by a skilled reader in the context of the examples described to refer to the orientation of features shown in the drawings, and are not to be interpreted as limiting the invention to the literal interpretation of the term, but instead should be as understood by the skilled addressee.

Brief Description of the Drawings

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a rear perspective view of an exemplary vehicle having a horizontal split tailgate comprising upper and lower tailgate portions;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a first configuration in which the upper tailgate portion is opened and an armoured internal tailgate is closed;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a second configuration door in which both the upper tailgate portion and internal armored tailgate are opened;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a third configuration in which upper and lower tailgate portions and the armored internal tailgate are opened.

Description of the Preferred Embodiments

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 shows the rear of an exemplary vehicle with an external tailgate 1 in a closed position. The exemplary vehicle is shown having a horizontal-split tailgate 1 comprising an upper tailgate portion 1A and a lower tailgate portion 1B. Such a tailgate is sometimes referred to as a lift-up clamshell tailgate. One example of a vehicle having such a tailgate is a Toyota LC200. It will be appreciated, however, that the invention is not limited to horizontal-split tailgates or any make and model of vehicle, but applies equally to conventional single member tailgates.

With reference to Figure 2, a first configuration is shown in which upper portion 1A of the external tailgate 1 is opened to reveal an armoured internal tailgate 2, which is shown in a closed position.

The armoured internal tailgate 2 is offset in use from the external tailgate 1 in the direction of the interior of the vehicle.

The external tailgate 1 and the armoured internal tailgate 2 are adapted to be selectively coupled and decoupled with respect to each other so that in one configuration (Figure 2) the external tailgate is independently openable with respect to the armoured internal tailgate. In a second configuration shown in Figures 3 and 4, the armoured internal tailgate 2 is openable together with the external tailgate 1. The external tailgate 1 shown in the illustrated embodiments is a horizontal-split tailgate such that the armoured internal tailgate 2 is able to be selectively coupled and decoupled with respect to the upper tailgate portion 1 A.

In either conventional or horizontal split tailgates, the external tailgate 1 and the armoured internal tailgate 2 can be opened simultaneously, but can be closed independently of each other.

The external 1 tailgate comprises a window 11. The armoured internal tailgate 2 comprises an armoured window 21. When the internal 2 and external 1 tailgates in their respective closed position as shown in Figure 1, their respective windows 21, 11 are in spaced apart alignment.

Because the external tailgate 1 and the armoured external tailgate 2 can be closed independently of each other as shown in Figure 2, the interior surface of the external tailgate window 11 and the exterior surface of the interior tailgate window 21 are both accessible for cleaning and maintenance.

The armoured internal tailgate 2 is separately hinged from the external tailgate 2. Hinges 22 of armoured internal tailgate 2 are shown in Figure 2.

The external tailgate 1 is supported by one or more telescopic struts or rams 14. The armoured internal tailgate is supported by one or more telescopic struts or rams 24. The respective struts or rams may be gas or hydraulically rams and are preferably power controlled.

Preferably, the armoured internal tailgate 2 and the external tailgate 1 are horizontally hinged. In an alternative embodiment not shown in the drawings, the armoured internal tailgate 2 and the external tailgate may be vertically hinged 1.

Preferably, the external tailgate 1 is the original or “OEM” tailgate of the vehicle. Optionally, the external tailgate may also be armoured.

Where the external tailgate 1 is a horizontal-split tailgate as shown in the illustrated embodiments, the lower tailgate portion 1B is provided with armour plating 13 on its interior side.

Coupling of the external tailgate 1 and the armoured internal tailgate 2 is effected by complementary releasable engagement means 31 provided on said external and armoured internal tailgates, respectively. The engagement means 31 provided on the armoured internal tailgate comprises one or more latches, bolts or catches. In Figure 2, the engagement means 31 are shown as latches. Buffers 32 located between the internal 2 and external 1 tailgates maintain the required separation between the two tailgates when coupled, and additionally serve to cushion the impact between the two tailgates as they close onto one another.

In an embodiment, coupling of the external tailgate 1 to the armoured internal tailgate 2 may be effected automatically upon moving the external tailgate 1 into its closed position.

In an embodiment, selective decoupling of the external tailgate from the armoured internal tailgate can be automatically or manually effected from within the vehicle by release activation means (not shown).

In an embodiment, the external tailgate 1 and the armoured internal tailgate 2 each comprise an independent locking mechanism (not shown) to lock said tailgates in their respective closed positions.

In an embodiment, when the external tailgate 1 and the armoured internal tailgate 2 are coupled together, in one arrangement, operation of locking mechanism of the external tailgate 1 to open said external tailgate also releases the locking mechanism of the armoured internal tailgate 2. In this way, the open and close functionality of the OEM external tailgate 1 is retained with no additional operation required to open the armoured internal tailgate 2.

Similarly, operation of locking mechanism of the armoured internal tailgate 2 to open said armoured internal tailgate also releases the locking mechanism of the external tailgate 1. In this way, the coupled armoured internal tailgate 2 and the external tailgate 1 can be opened simultaneously together as shown in Figures 3 and 4.

An armoured tailgate assembly in accordance with the present invention provides the following non-exhaustive list of advantages and features: - The ability to provide blast and ballistic protection to vehicle with a rear clamshell style tailgate door. - Allows an OEM external tailgate to be retained with little or no modification to base vehicle components.

Retains the open and close functionality of the upper tailgate, with no additional operation to open the armoured internal tailgate. - The OEM external tailgate and the armoured internal tailgate can be closed independently without the use of tooling to separate, thereby allowing easy access to clean inner glass surfaces. - The OEM external tailgate can be closed with the armoured internal tailgate in a closed position without any tooling or intervention from the user, and this re-engages the open-close functionality of the armoured internal and the external tailgate assembly. - The assembly can be closed from inside the vehicle with the use of a grab handle 12 affixed to the external tailgate as shown in the Figures 3 and 4. - The assembly includes a mechanical release to allow the external tailgate to be opened from within the vehicle for emergencies, which overrides any existing electrically operated tailgate opening mechanism. - Any loss in vehicle cargo area is mitigated through the obviation of a separate armoured bulkhead at the rear of the vehicle.

Claims

1. A tailgate assembly for a vehicle, the tailgate assembly comprising: an external tailgate and an internal tailgate; wherein the internal tailgate is an armoured tailgate; wherein the internal tailgate is offset in use from the external tailgate in the direction of the interior of the vehicle; wherein the external tailgate and the internal tailgate are adapted to be selectively coupled and decoupled with respect to each other so that in one configuration the external tailgate is independently openable and closable with respect to the internal tailgate, and in another configuration the internal tailgate is openable together with the external tailgate.

2. A tailgate assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the internal tailgate is closable independently of the external tailgate.

3. A tailgate assembly as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the internal and external tailgates each comprise a window, wherein the window of the armoured internal tailgate is an armoured window which is spaced apart from the window of the external tailgate when the respective tailgates are in a closed position.

4. A tailgate assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the armoured internal tailgate is separately hinged from the external tailgate.

5. A tailgate assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the armoured internal tailgate and the external tailgate are horizontally hinged.

6. A tailgate assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the armoured internal tailgate and the external tailgate are vertically hinged.

7. A tailgate assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the external tailgate is an original or OEM tailgate of a vehicle.

8. A tailgate assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the external tailgate is armoured.

9. A tailgate assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the external tailgate is a horizontal-split tailgate comprising an upper tailgate portion and a lower tailgate portion.

10. A tailgate assembly as claimed in claim 9, wherein, the armoured internal tailgate is selectively coupleable and decoupleable with respect to the upper tailgate portion.

11. A tailgate assembly as claimed in claim 9 or claim 10, wherein the lower tailgate portion is provided with armour plating on its interior side.

12. A tailgate assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein coupling of the external tailgate and the armoured internal tailgate is effected by complementary releasable engagement means provided on said external and internal tailgates, respectively.

13. A tailgate assembly as claimed in claim 12, wherein the complementary releasable engagement means comprises one or more latches, bolts or catches.

14. A tailgate assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein coupling of the external tailgate to the armoured internal tailgate is automatic upon moving the external tailgate into its closed position.

15. A tailgate assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein selective decoupling of the external tailgate from the armoured internal tailgate is automatically or manually effected from within the vehicle.

16. A tailgate assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the armoured internal tailgate is maintained in its closed position by the external tailgate, the external tailgate comprising a locking mechanism to lock the said exterior and hence the interior tailgates in their respective closed positions.

17. A tailgate assembly as claimed in claim 16, wherein operation of the locking mechanism of the external tailgate to open said external tailgate also releases a locking mechanism of the armoured internal tailgate.

18. A tailgate assembly as claimed in claim 17, wherein operation of the locking mechanism of the armoured internal tailgate to open said armoured internal tailgate releases the locking mechanism of the external tailgate.

19. An armoured tailgate for a vehicle, the armoured tailgate being adapted for installation at a location between the rear of the vehicle and an existing tailgate of the vehicle; wherein the armoured tailgate is adapted to be selectively coupled and decoupled with respect to the existing tailgate so that in one configuration the existing tailgate is independently openable with respect to the armoured tailgate and in another configuration the armoured tailgate is openable together with the external tailgate.

20. A vehicle comprising a tailgate assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 18.

21. A vehicle comprising an armoured tailgate as claimed in claim 19.

22. A tailgate assembly for a vehicle substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.