Future Ford Pickups May Get Extendable Rail Assembly

Ford Motor Company has filed a patent for an extendable rail assembly that could be used in future Ford trucks, Ford Authority has learned.

The patent was filed on October 19^th, 2021, published on April 20^th, 2023, and assigned serial number 0118953.

The Ford Authority Take

Ford has filed a large number of truck-related patents in recent months, including one for a cargo area tool carrier system, a magnetic bed, a multi-panel bed, a modular storage system, a new type of cargo management system, crossbars with lift assists, cargo modules, a sliding crossbar for cargo beds, and a movable step, to name just a few. Now, the automaker has filed yet another patent that could preview a feature present on future Ford pickups – an extendable rail assembly.

As is the case with some of the aforementioned patents, this new filing outlines a new way to increase the cargo carrying capabilities of future Ford pickups, this time by using a rail assembly that actually retracts into the bed of a pickup, storing it out of the way when it’s not needed. When users need the rails to store or secure cargo, they can easily extend from that retracted position, as we can see in these patent drawings.

The rails would be controlled via an actuator system that users could control in a number of ways, and it could even adjust the rails to an optimum position based on the type of cargo secured to them, as well as the vehicle’s speed. This is a far more convenient solution when compared to traditional bed-mounted cargo rails, which are mounted in a semi-permanent manner, and can’t easily be removed and reinstalled, making this a pretty viable idea that could wind up being used on future Ford pickups.

We’ll have more on this and all Ford patents soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for the latest Ford patent news, Ford business news, and continuous Ford news coverage.