Ford Motor Company has filed a patent for a movable step that could be used on Ford pickups, Ford Authority has learned.
The patent was filed on May 6th, 2021, published on November 10th, 2022, and assigned serial number 0355737.
The Ford Authority Take
Ford has filed a large number of pickup-related patents over the past several months, including one for a summer venting window that could be utilized as a rear window screen, unique cargo modules, a modular storage system, a multi-panel bed, a pivotable sill assembly, a new type of cargo management system, and a bed to cab pass through system. Now, this new Ford patent continues that trend by outlining an idea for a movable step for pickups.
While some of the patent drawings depict a step that looks just like the ones that have been present in Ford pickups for years now, there are some notable differences worth pointing out. The biggest is the fact that this step can be moved between one of two positions depending on what’s most convenient for owners, whether that be from the traditional location inside the tailgate or the side of the bed, as we can see in these patent drawings.
In this case, the step would be installed in the tailgate, as is currently the case, but it would also be removable, unlike today’s tailgate steps. Owners could move the step to the front side of the bed, where there’s a door that covers another area where the step can be attached. Users can then keep the step stored in that location, or just use it to retrieve items that are more toward the front of the bed versus climbing all the way into it.
As Ford points out in the patent, such a feature could be quite useful, particularly for those that are towing a trailer – especially one that uses a gooseneck of fifth wheel hitch – but still need to retrieve items from the bed. Given how innovative features routinely launch in the highly competitive truck market on an annual basis, it wouldn’t be surprising to see this one come to light, too.
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