Ford Motor Company has filed a patent for base plates with power outlets that may be used in future Ford pickups, Ford Authority has learned.
The patent was filed on February 8th, 2023, published on August 8th, 2024, and assigned serial number 0262304.
The Ford Authority Take
Ford has filed a number of patents aimed at improving its future pickups’ cargo carrying capacities, as well as their general usefulness, over the past several months. That list includes ideas for things such as an accessory attachment system, an adjustable base plate system, and an integrated truck bed for power outlets, to name just a few. Now, this newly published patent presents us with an idea for base plates with power outlets that may be used in future Ford pickups, too.
In the case of this patent, a base plate that covers the entire floor of a pickup’s bed would not only double as a way to secure accessories, but also, route power to those accessories, too. This would be possible via a power box that’s mounted to the side of the base plate, containing at least one power outlet. From there, power would be routed across the base plate, making it easy to charge or power tools on the job site, in particular, or any other number of similar applications.
This is certainly an interesting and potentially useful idea, particularly for those that need mobile power on the go and tend to use a lot of accessories or tools in remote areas, where power may not otherwise be available. It’s also a nifty way to extend the usefulness of features like Pro Power Onboard, which has already become incredibly poplar among users since its launch a few years ago.
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.
Comment
Obvious things are not supposed to be patentable. With the fixed holes in the base plate, contractors would have to build themselves a home-made adapter base to handle a radial arm saw since their feet are not a ‘standardized’ distance away from each other.
Im sure contractors already have an ‘adapter base’ they already use on the plain pickup.
So this is another non-patentable, and basically useless idea from FORD… I guess their engineers engage in these wet dreams rather than working on engine or transmission failures since those aren’t as fun.