Nissan has patented a new midgate design aimed at making pickup trucks more versatile by combining longer cargo capacity with flexible seating, storage and workspace options. The patent, filed with the US Patent Office last year as patent No. 20260274351, surfaced online last week.
Nissan’s Midgate Design Extends the Cargo Area
Pickup trucks are designed to haul cargo, but the length of the bed can limit what owners can carry. Longer items such as lumber, pipes, surfboards and camping gear can require leaving the tailgate down or using roof racks and bed extenders.
Nissan’s patented system approaches the problem by using the rear cabin area. According to the patent, the rear seats can fold upward and disappear into the back of the cabin, creating a pass-through between the passenger area and the bed.
The setup would allow long cargo to extend into the cabin rather than stopping at the rear glass. While the basic midgate concept has appeared on other pickups, Nissan’s design adds several additional functions.
Rear Seats Transform Into a Cargo Platform
The patent describes rear seat bottoms and backrests that use hinges and pivots to transform into a flat platform directly behind the front seats. The arrangement creates a shelf for longer cargo without requiring the entire cabin to be cleared.
Nissan also includes a support panel that can fold and rotate into different positions. It can serve as a vertical divider, a horizontal shelf or an angled brace for awkward loads.
The design also includes provisions intended to help prevent cargo from sliding into the cabin when the vehicle brakes.
More Than a Cargo Extender
Nissan’s patented system is designed to provide additional uses beyond carrying long objects. Depending on how the rear seat is positioned, it can become a bench facing the open tailgate, creating a space for tailgating or relaxing.
The seat can also be configured as a workbench or shelf for tools, camping gear and other items. Meanwhile, the adjustable support panel can divide the bed into separate compartments to help keep cargo organized.
Unlike a conventional midgate that primarily creates an opening for longer cargo, Nissan’s design combines cargo space, seating, storage and workspace functions in the rear portion of the truck.
Nissan Midgate Patent Is Not Yet a Production Plan
The patent does not mention the Nissan Frontier, although the Frontier is Nissan’s sole truck in America right now. Nissan has not said that the midgate system will be added to the Frontier or any other truck.
For now, the design remains a patent and offers a look at a system Nissan’s engineers are exploring to expand the ways a pickup truck’s rear cabin and bed can be used.
