Tailgate extension

• US 4,023,850 A
• Filed: 04/02/1975
• Issued: 05/17/1977
• Est. Priority Date: 04/02/1975
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: James M. Tillery
• Original Assignee: James M. Tillery
• Inventors: Tillery, James M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Spar, Robert J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Douglas, Winston H.
• Application Number:
  US05/564,323
• Time in Patent Office: 776 Days
• Field of Search: 296/26, 296/50, 296/57 R, 296/58-61, 224/42.32, 224/42.42 R, 224/42.43, 224/42.44, 224/42.03 R, 224/42.06, 224/42.07, 224/29 R, 108/44, 108/65, 108/90, 214/450
• US Class Current: 296/26.08
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 33/0273 Movable tailboards for vehicles comprising non-movable sideboards, e.g. pick-up trucks B62D33/037 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 33/033 removable B62D33/0273 takes precedence

Abstract

A horizontal extension panel is provided for disposition immediately outwardly of the free end of the open tailgate of a pickup truck with the extension panel structure substantially coextensive with the tailgate and the opposing marginal edges of the extension panel structure and tailgate disposed in abutted relation. A pair of support arms extend across the upper surface of the extension panel structure along the opposite side marginal edges thereof and the support arms extend over the opposite side marginal edges of the tailgate and include terminal ends which overlap the opposite side marginal portions of the rear end of the floor of the pickup truck. A pair of rearwardly and downwardly inclined brace arms or members are secured at their rear lower ends to the outer portions of the support arms secured to the extension panel structure and the upper forward ends of the brace arms are secured to the upper rear marginal edge portions of the side walls of the pickup truck. In addition, upstanding braces are secured at their upper ends to the upper ends of the brace arms and at their lower ends to those portions of the support arms disposed immediately therebelow and overlying the opposite side marginal portions of the tailgate. Finally, the forward end portions of the support arms include downwardly directed flanges which are telescoped downwardly into the slot defined between the rear end edge of the flooring of the pickup truck load bed and the adjacent marginal edge of the tailgate.

Claims

1. In combination with a vehicle load bed of the type including a floor having a rear marginal edge portion extending between corresponding rear ends of upstanding side walls of said load bed between which said floor extends and having a horizontal tailgate pivotally supported therefrom, extending along and projecting outwardly from said floor rear marginal edge portion substantially coextensive with said floor and including generally parallel pivoted inner and free swinging outer marginal edges with said inner marginal edge closely spaced from and generally paralleling said floor rear marginal edge portion, an elongated extension panel structure disposed outwardly of said tailgate outer free swinging marginal edge substantially coextensive with said tailgate, said panel structure including opposite inner and outer marginal edges and opposite longitudinal side edges, said inner marginal edge of said panel extending along and including portions thereof abutted against said outer free swinging marginal edge of said tailgate, a pair of longitudinal support arms supported from said extension panel structure and extending laterally outwardly from opposite ends of said inner marginal edge of said panel structure and fully across said tailgate between the free swinging and pivoted marginal edges thereof and overlying said tailgate in contact therewith, inclined bracing arms anchored at their lower ends to rear ends of said side edges of said panel structure and releasably secured at their upper ends to upper portions of the rear ends of said side walls spaced above said floor, and an upstanding rigid brace extending and connected between the upper end of each bracing arm and that portion of the corresponding support arm overlying the pivoted edge of said tailgate, the adjacent marginal edges of said floor and tailgate defining a slot therebetween, the ends of said support arms remote from said panel structure including depending abutments received downwardly in said slot and horizontally abutted against the rear marginal edge portion of said floor.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said support arms include free terminal ends at least partially overlying the opposite end portions of said rear marginal edge portion of said floor.

3. The combination of claim 2 including means releasably connecting the free ends of said support arms to lower portions of the adjacent ends of the corresponding side walls of said load bed.

4. The combination of claim 1 wherein said extension panel structure includes a generally rectangular frame having a pair of front-to-rear extending opposite side members interconnected by means of a plurality of transverse braces extending and secured therebetween.

5. The combination of claim 4 wherein said transverse braces include means operative to adjust the effective lengths thereof and thereby vary the spacing between said opposite side members.