Ford’s New Patents Aim To Make Its SUVs And Trucks Easier To Use

Ford has filed patents for a number of innovations that ought to make their vehicles even more convenient to use – but not when they’re moving. Instead, they focus on how the Blue Oval’s vehicles could be used when parked.

Given Dearborn’s increased emphasis on light trucks, it should come as little surprise that the patents, discovered by AutoGuide, relate more to SUVs and pickups than passenger cars.

One of the patents applied for with federal authorities is for a tilting suspension system designed to enable easier access to the roof rack. Filed under the “methods and apparatus to control vehicle tilt” label, the system would lean the vehicle to one side – not unlike a kneeling bus – to bring the roof of the crossover or van closer to accessible height.

Another patent is for a foldable steering wheel, which is something that automakers have been toying with for autonomous vehicles. The idea here, though, would not be to fold the steering wheel out of the way, but to collapse part of the rim and turn it into a laptop stand of sorts. That could be particularly useful in work trucks, where the cab often has to double as a mobile office when parked.

Ford also recently filed patents for airbags to inflate behind the front wheels to prevent them from intruding into the passenger compartment in the event of a crash. Another application seeks to patent a curtain to drop down from the vertically opening liftgate to provide shade and privacy when parked.