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A convertible cargo bed for a utility vehicle can be easily converted, without tools, between passenger-seating, cargo-storage, and cargo-loading configurations. The hinged cargo bed floor and tailgate convert to a folding seat assembly that can be latched and carry passengers when not hauling cargo

A convertible cargo bed for a utility vehicle can be easily converted, without tools, between passenger-seating, cargo-storage, and cargo-loading configurations. The hinged cargo bed floor and tailgate convert to a folding seat assembly that can be latched and carry passengers when not hauling cargo. A seat cushion is secured to the seating surface of the hinged floor panel and is not cargo-facing when the bed is storing cargo. The fully-functioning tailgate secures cargo in the interior of the cargo bed and can be unlatched to provide an open-bed. The convertible cargo bed can be tilted to dump cargo.

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1. A convertible cargo bed comprising: a frame;a base panel fixed to the frame;a first folding panel having a first edge, a second edge opposite the first edge, a top surface, and a bottom surface opposite the top surface;a first pivot joint connecting the base panel and the first folding panel at t

1. A convertible cargo bed comprising: a frame;a base panel fixed to the frame;a first folding panel having a first edge, a second edge opposite the first edge, a top surface, and a bottom surface opposite the top surface;a first pivot joint connecting the base panel and the first folding panel at the first edge;a second folding panel including an inner surface and an outer surface opposite the inner surface; anda second pivot joint connecting the first folding panel and the second folding panel at the second edge of the first folding panel;wherein the convertible cargo bed is selectively positionable in a closed-bed position in which the convertible cargo bed has an interior for storing cargo;wherein in the closed-bed position the first folding panel is substantially coplanar with the base panel in a first plane and the second folding panel lies in a second plane transverse to the first plane; andwherein in the closed-bed position both the top surface of the first folding panel and the inner surface of the second folding panel face the interior of the convertible cargo bed, the second folding panel forming a tailgate at a rear of the convertible cargo bed,wherein the convertible cargo bed is configured to be attached to a utility vehicle such that the rear of the convertible cargo bed is at a rear of the utility vehicle. 2. A convertible cargo bed comprising: a frame;a base panel fixed to the frame;a first folding panel having a first edge, a second edge opposite the first edge, a top surface, and a bottom surface opposite the top surface;a first pivot joint connecting the base panel and the first folding panel at the first edge;a second folding panel including an inner surface and an outer surface opposite the inner surface; anda second pivot joint connecting the first folding panel and the second folding panel at the second edge of the first folding panel;wherein the convertible cargo bed is selectively positionable in a closed-bed position in which the convertible cargo bed has an interior for storing cargo;wherein in the closed-bed position the first folding panel is substantially coplanar with the base panel in a first plane and the second folding panel lies in a second plane transverse to the first plane;wherein in the closed-bed position both the top surface of the first folding panel and the inner surface of the second folding panel face the interior of the convertible cargo bed;wherein the convertible cargo bed is selectively alternatively positionable in a passenger-seating position;wherein in the passenger-seating position the top surface of the first folding panel faces the base panel and the second folding panel is transverse to both the first folding panel and the base panel; andwherein in the passenger-seating position the bottom surface of the first folding panel forms a seat bottom and the outer surface of the second folding panel forms a seat back. 3. The convertible cargo bed of claim 1, wherein the convertible cargo bed is selectively alternatively positionable in an open-bed position; and wherein in the open-bed position the first folding panel is substantially coplanar with the base panel in the first plane and the second folding panel is positioned about 90 degrees or more from its closed-bed position, pivoted away from the interior of the cargo bed. 4. The convertible cargo bed of claim 1, wherein the frame comprises at least one side wall. 5. The convertible cargo bed of claim 1, further comprising at least one first latch for securing the second folding panel when the convertible cargo bed is positioned in the closed-bed position. 6. The convertible cargo bed of claim 1, further comprising at least one tailgate stop that inhibits movement of the second folding panel towards the interior of the cargo bed past the frame. 7. The convertible cargo bed of claim 1, wherein the outer surface of the second folding panel includes a tailgate cover. 8. The convertible cargo bed of claim 1, wherein the outer surface of the second folding panel includes a tailgate handle. 9. The convertible cargo bed of claim 1, further comprising a mounting bracket fixed to the frame, the base panel, or a combination thereof. 10. The convertible cargo bed of claim 2, further comprising at least one second latch for securing the second folding panel when the convertible cargo bed is positioned in the passenger-seating position. 11. The convertible cargo bed of claim 2, wherein the bottom surface of the first folding panel includes a cushion. 12. The convertible cargo bed of claim 4, further comprising at least one side wall handle on the at least one side wall. 13. The convertible cargo bed of claim 5, wherein the at least one first latch is mechanized. 14. The convertible cargo bed of claim 10, wherein the at least one second latch is mechanized. 15. A utility vehicle comprising: a utility vehicle chassis;a convertible cargo bed attachment device attached to the chassis;a convertible cargo bed comprising: a frame;a base panel fixed to the frame;a mounting bracket;a first folding panel including a first edge, a second edge opposite the first edge, a top surface, and a bottom surface opposite the top surface;a first pivot joint connecting the base panel and the first folding panel at the first edge;a second folding panel including an inner surface and an outer surface opposite the inner surface; anda second pivot joint connecting the first folding panel and the second folding panel at the second edge of the first folding panel;wherein the mounting bracket is fixed to the frame, the base panel, or a combination thereof;wherein the convertible cargo bed is selectively positionable in a closed-bed position in which the convertible cargo bed has an interior for storing cargo;wherein in the closed-bed position the first folding panel is substantially coplanar with the base panel in a first plane and the second folding panel lies in a second plane transverse to the first plane;wherein in the closed-bed position both the top surface of the first folding panel and the inner surface of the second folding panel face the interior of the convertible cargo bed, the second folding panel forming a tailgate at a rear of the convertible cargo bed; andwherein the mounting bracket is attached to the convertible cargo bed attachment device. 16. The utility vehicle of claim 15, wherein the utility vehicle chassis comprises: a front end;a rear end; anda driver's seat facing the front end;wherein the convertible cargo bed is attached between the driver's seat and the rear end. 17. The utility vehicle of claim 15, further comprising at least one hinge connecting the convertible cargo bed to the utility vehicle chassis; wherein the convertible cargo bed includes a tailgate end and an opposite end; andwherein the at least one hinge allows the opposite end of the convertible cargo bed to be pivotally raised relative to the tailgate end of the convertible cargo bed. 18. The utility vehicle of claim 17, further comprising an actuating device for raising the opposite end of the convertible cargo bed relative to the tailgate end of the convertible bed. 19. The utility vehicle of claim 18, wherein the actuating device comprises a linear actuator. 20. A utility vehicle comprising: a utility vehicle chassis;a convertible cargo bed attachment device attached to the chassis;a convertible cargo bed comprising: a frame;a base panel fixed to the frame;a mounting bracket;a first folding panel including a first edge, a second edge opposite the first edge, a top surface, and a bottom surface opposite the top surface;a first pivot joint connecting the base panel and the first folding panel at the first edge;a second folding panel including an inner surface and an outer surface opposite the inner surface; anda second pivot joint connecting the first folding panel and the second folding panel at the second edge of the first folding panel;wherein the mounting bracket is fixed to the frame, the base panel, or a combination thereof;wherein the convertible cargo bed is selectively positionable in a closed-bed position in which the convertible cargo bed has an interior for storing cargo;wherein in the closed-bed position the first folding panel is substantially coplanar with the base panel in a first plane and the second folding panel lies in a second plane transverse to the first plane;wherein in the closed-bed position both the top surface of the first folding panel and the inner surface of the second folding panel face the interior of the convertible cargo bed, the second folding panel forming a tailgate;wherein the mounting bracket is attached to the convertible cargo bed attachment devicewherein the convertible cargo bed is selectively alternatively positionable in a passenger-seating position;wherein in the passenger-seating position the top surface of the first folding panel faces the base panel and the second folding panel is transverse to both the first folding panel and the base panel; andwherein in the passenger-seating position the bottom surface of the first folding panel forms a seat bottom and the outer surface of the second folding panel forms a seat back. 21. The convertible cargo bed of claim 15, wherein the convertible cargo bed is selectively alternatively positionable in an open-bed position; and wherein in the open-bed position the first folding panel is substantially coplanar with the base panel in the first plane and the second folding panel is positioned about 90 degrees or more from its closed-bed position, pivoted away from the interior of the cargo bed.