The company has several ideas, including a tailgate step and a telescoping panel.
Multi-function tailgates have become a fad in the American pickup market. Chevrolet, Ford and Ram have already developed their own versions of this concept. Rivian has filed three patents suggesting that it plans to offer similar solutions in the R1T area. One patent describes a tailgate With a step that can make it easier to climb into your bed. There are many ways to make this panel expand, including bars, springs and scissor-links.
There’s also a patent for an telescoping tailgate that has a section in its middle that can move in and out depending on the owner. Rivian provides a few examples in its patent documents of the possible uses of this design.With the panel telescoped out of the way, the panel could make it easier to reach into the bed. If you need to haul larger items, the panel could be extended fully.
Rivian suggests an alternative design where the telescoping part could be positioned side-to-side, rather than going up and down. To keep the cargo in place, one could use the moving part to clamp on to the end of the back and put something long into the bed.
The third patent covers a cargo-holding device which would attach to the tailgate. Rivian shows the bike rack in the photos, but the documentation clearly states that this is only one example. It is possible for the company to configure the pieces to accommodate a wide range of gear. Multiple anchor points could be used to attach whatever the user needs.
Rivian applied for the step and cargo carrier on June 29, 2020. The telescoping panel was published on June 30. All three were published by the United States Patent and Trademark Office on December 30, 2021.
Rivian will not implement the R1T’s ideas, as with all patents. We can imagine Rivian working on these ideas for future vehicles, given how popular multi-function tailgates have been.