RETRACTABLE HINGE STRUCTURE FOR A TRUCK TAILGATE

• US 3,734,560 A
• Filed: 05/20/1971
• Issued: 05/22/1973
• Est. Priority Date: 05/20/1971
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Charles D. Cramblet
• Original Assignee: Charles D. Cramblet
• Inventors: Cramblet, Charles D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Betts, Kenneth H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Pekar, John A.
• Application Number:
  US05/145,427
• Time in Patent Office: 733 Days
• Field of Search: 296/50,51,57R 49/194,195,196 16/176 292/254,175
• US Class Current: 296/50
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 33/0273 Movable tailboards for vehicles comprising non-movable sideboards, e.g. pick-up trucks B62D33/037 takes precedence

Abstract

Hinge structure carried by a truck engageable with the truck tailgate and retractable into the truck for disengagement from the tailgate permitting convenient tailgate removal and reinstallation. A hinge pin is spring biased outwardly into tailgate engagement with manual release means permitting opposite hinge pin movement during tailgate disengagement. A housing carries the hinge pin in a captive manner.

Claims

1. Retractable hinge structure carried by a truck side wall for swingably mounting a truck tailgate in a detachable manner, said structure comprising, a housing mounted upon the side wall structure of a truck adjacent the tailgate opening and extending interiorly of said side wall, a hinge pin assembly mounted for axial movement within said housing and extending outwardly therefrom and thereat terminating in an enlarged head portion, said head portion axially engageable with a cup-shaped receptacle carried by the tailgate, spring means axially biasing said hinge pin into tailgate engagement, and release means carried by said head portion of the hinge pin and extending radially therefrom for engagement with said cup shaped receptacle whereby the tailgate and hinge pin are coupled for rotational movement, said release means permitting manually urged movement of said hinge pin opposite to the action of spring means for axial disengagement of the hinge pin from the tailgate during tailgate removal.

2. The retractable hinge structure as claimed in claim 1 wherein the cup-shaped receptacle of the tailgate is recessed from the tailgate edge, said head portion of the release means being inwardly disposed from the tailgate edge when engaged with said receptacle and thereby concealed from view.

3. The retractable hinge structure as claimed in claim 2 wherein a limit stop limiting outward axial movement of said pin is centrally disposed within said housing.