Numb legs and gluteus discomfort may become a thing of the tailgating past.General Motors may be brewing up an innovative pickup truck feature for tailgating fans. A new patent filing recently surfaced via the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.It clearly depicts a very unique pickup truck bed tailgate design, specifically engineered for one of America's favorite pastimes. Originally unearthed by GM enthusiast site, GMAuthority, the patent shows a unique tailgate door design that's divided up in sections.AdvertisementAdvertisementSaid sections can apparently open up and break down into bench seating. If put into production, it'd be an industry first.A new, potential tailgate seating solutionGM is developing a new, innovative pickup truck tailgate design that could morph into a bench seat. - Credit: USPTOIf you've ever gone tailgating during a sporting event, you'll know seating options can be limited. It's why people tend to carry portable fold-out chairs and other accommodations.After all, no one's using the beer cooler for a seat. Well, not without the risk of someone telling you to get out of the way.The patented design includes collapsible arm-, back- and footrests. - Credit: USPTOBut with GM's new patent, tailgate fans may not have to keep lugging extra gear. Instead, they'd be able to expedite their ability to sit back, relax and crack open a cold one.AdvertisementAdvertisementAccording to the patent, the design builds on GM's already clever multi-part tailgate design. Not too long ago, GM introduced new tailgate doors on its full-size pickups. They're sectioned to allow more flexibility when hauling long or oddly shaped cargo in the bed.GMC's MultiPro tailgate feature on the Sierra has become a fan-favorite. - Credit: GMCThe system is called MultiFlex on Chevrolet pickups, while GMC calls its version MultiPro. Rather than just being a versatile solution for haulers, the new patent design can convert the tailgate door into a bench seating arrangement, complete with a backrest, armrests, and even footrests.A new way to pop a squatThe new design builds upon GM's already preexisting and clever MultiPro/MultiFlex tailgate already found on the GMC Sierra and Chevrolet Silverado. - Credit: USPTOThe patent filing goes into deeper detail, complete with technical schematics and drawings. The drawings even include integrated cup holders.But what's also clever about the apparent design is that it doesn't alter or inhibit the bed's normal function. When deployed, users can supposedly still access the truck's cargo area with ease.AdvertisementAdvertisementGeneral Motors' engineers reportedly filed the patent back in January. It was finally published last month.This will certainly make camping and tailgating out of the back of GM's pickups more comfortable. - Credit: USPTOThe filing didn't disclose any launch dates. Of course, patent filings aren't always hard evidence of production-ready features or designs.But they can still give clues as to what engineers are coming up with in terms of future product innovations and technology. Ultimately, we hope this one makes it into production, since its applications could very well extend beyond tailgating into the camping world.About the Author: Chris Chin is an associate editor at Gear Patrol, covering cars, trucks and anything else with four wheels. He has over a decade of experience writing news and reviews but considers himself an enthusiast first, with a passion for classics and European cars. His daily driver is a 1987 Mercedes-Benz 560SEL with nearly 250,000 miles (87,000 are his).AdvertisementAdvertisementWant to stay up to date on the latest product news and releases? Add Gear Patrol as a preferred source to ensure our independent journalism makes it to the top of your Google search results.