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Combination loading ramp and tailgate closure device

  • US 4,596,417 A
  • Filed: 07/23/1985
  • Issued: 06/24/1986
  • Est. Priority Date: 07/23/1985
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A combination loading ramp and tailgate closure device for extending the cargo bed of a gated truck, said bed including opposite side walls, a floor having a rearward edge portion and a tailgate pivotally mounted at the rearward edge portion of the floor of the truck bed such that when the tailgate is in an upright position, it closes the rearward portion of the truck bed, and when the tailgate is in an extended position, it forms a platform disposed in a substantially horizontal plane with the floor of the bed, said platform formed by said tailgate having a width substantially coextensive with the rearward edge portion of the floor and a length substantially equal to the heighth of the tailgate when it is in its upright position, said combination loading ramp and tailgate closure device being releasably connected to the tailgate and rearward portions of the side walls of the truck bed to alternately form, first an upright closure around the periphery of the extended tailgate, and further a ramp for loading said bed when said device is deployed as a ramp, said device including:

  • a mid section including a first end portion and a further end portion, an upper side portion and a lower side portion, said mid section having a length substantially coextensive with said tailgate width;

    a first end section, including a first end portion and a further end portion, a lower side portion and an upper side portion, said first and further end portions being connected by said lower and upper side portions and spaced by a distance such that the length of said first end section is substantially equal to the height of said tailgate, said first end portion being pivotally mounted on said first end portion of said mid section;

    a further end section including a first end portion and a further end portion and a lower side portion and an upper side portion, said first and further end portions being connected by said lower and upper side portions and spaced by distance such that the length of said further end section is substantially equal to the height of said tailgate, said first end portion being pivotally mounted on the further end portion of said mid section;

    securing means for releasably securing said device at selected locations on said truck whereby said device serves as a closure for said extended tailgate thereby effectively extending said bed by a length substantially equal to the height of said tailgate in its upright position; and

    stop means serving to stop the pivotal movement of at least one end portion of said further section with respect to its juxtaposed end portion of said mid section, whereby said mid section and said further end section are pivotally moved and fixed in a substantially coplanar relationship by said stop means such that the first end portion of said device can be positioned on the extended tailgate of said truck and supported thereby, and the mid section and further section of said device serves to form a ramp, as for rolling a wheeled vehicle onto the truck bed.

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