GM has filed a patent application for a system of “Reconfigurable Pickup Bed Sides And Endgate,” which includes inflatable bedside panels that protect and secure whatever the user is transporting in the beds of GM trucks.
The GM patent filing has been assigned application number US 2022/0135146 A1 with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and was published on May 5th, 2022. The patent was originally filed on October 29th, 2020, and lists several Michigan-based engineers as the inventors, including Louis D. Thole, Karan Moorjani, Paul W. Alexander, and Wonhee M. Kim.
The patent describes a pickup truck cargo area (or bed) that includes the usual square shape, with a forward end, rearward end, and two side edges. A pair of inflatable GM trucks bedside panels is located along the side edges, while a pair of bed side rails is found above the cargo floor to support the inflatable panels. The panels can be retracted into a hollow chamber in the bedside rails, and are deployed via an air pump connected to the inflatable bedside panels, plus an inflatable end gate panel.
Essentially, this invention appears to provide added cushioning and support for whatever is in the GM trucks pickup bed. With the inflatable panels deployed, cargo is more secure and less likely to slide around and bump into the sides of the bed – for example, one of the diagrams shows a pair of motorcycles secured in the bed with the inflatable panel in back deployed around the rear wheels.
General Motors has been eager to develop the traditional pickup bed to include new and innovative features unique to GM’s brands. One good example is the GMC MultiPro tailgate, a feature that demonstrated a good deal of success among customers and resulted in a similar innovation for the Chevrolet brand dubbed the Multi-Flex tailgate. Essentially, the GMC MultiPro tailgate and Chevy Multi-Flex tailgate offer multiple configurations and positions to better accommodate whatever cargo users may be hauling in their GM trucks, in addition to providing easier access to the bed, and even providing a workbench, among other uses.
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Comments
Ugh, let me get this out first. I don’t like the flex style tailgate and I sure don’t like this. I would rather have nice tie downs built into the bed bottom and sides. The ones there now are good but not enough if you have bulky / irregular cargo. Nice that the bikes have pillows in the back for cushioning but I would still put tie downs on them. Been driving Chevy trucks since I learned on my dad’s 65 C10, 6cyl, three on a tree ( and have had Chevy trucks as my primary vehicle ever since). At least on that bed you could screw your own tie downs anywhere. If folks like them let them pay for the options. I prefer mone the old fashion way. Hopefully that will still be available in the future. Take care all.
Luckily gm7407MAY, GM is pushing to lead the future and it takes guts to make a change when dinosaurs like yourself are complacent and have the mentality of “if it ain broke don’t fix it.” which doesn’t do society any good.
Wow, As a long time stockholder of General Motors I want them to make $$$$ and in my comments said go for it but leave an option for those that dont want it. To pay for a flexgate that will only get used in 1 of its 6 configurations no sense. Gessh, why can’t we have conversations without denigrating others?
*The inflatable system covers many areas of storage manipulation and security.It also has many other useful functions.Even down to the allocation of a camping bed feature.”Air Mattress”.
Long time stock holder? So 2008 when they took the bailout? Do you think it’s economic to offer a million options? Also who’s to say this will be on regular vehicles.
Anything inflatable can be punctured. Just another system that can fail. No thanks.
So can tires
Man that Xolo fella is a little butt hurt, oh to be 14 without a license again, this is a terrible addition to a truck and I would pay to watch somone try to rip one of those out and replace and reseal it, ya can’t let model 3 drivers suggest changes on a LD pickup truck
So am I a model 3 driver or 14? Ah, to be a good ol boy, hating change and butt hurt the confederacy lost.
Uhhg wrong direction GM