Enclosure for an extended tailgate

• US 5,997,066 A
• Filed: 03/09/1998
• Issued: 12/07/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 03/09/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kevin Duane Scott
• Original Assignee: Kevin Duane Scott
• Inventors: Scott, Kevin D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pedder, Dennis H.
• Application Number:
  US09/036,730
• Time in Patent Office: 638 Days
• Field of Search: 296/26.08, 296/26.11, 296/57.1, 224/403-405
• 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

Abstract

A central panel has two ends. Two side panels are connected to the central panel such that each of the ends of the central panel is pivotally attached to an edge of one of the side panels. Each of the side panels includes a latch attachment member attached thereto. The side panels are rotatable toward a folded position against the central panel. The enclosure is adapted to be fixed to a tailgate when the tailgate is extended horizontally outward from a truck bed, such that the central panel extends along a long edge of the tailgate, the side panels extend along opposite short edges of the tailgate, and each of the latch attachment members engages a latch of the tailgate.

Claims

1. An enclosure for an extended tailgate comprising:

a. a rectangular central panel comprising;

i. two elongated central panel side frame members;

ii. an elongated first central panel end frame member;

iii. an elongated second central panel end frame member;

iv. a screen connected to and extending between the central panel side frame members, the first central panel end frame member, and the second central panel end frame member;

v. a V-shaped support member centrally disposed on the central panel, the support member having two legs and forming an apex and an open end, the apex of the support member connected to the second central panel end frame member, and the open end of the support member connected to the first central panel end frame member;

vi. each of the legs of the support member having a support member handle connected thereto;

vii. a pair of hanging slots disposed proximate the first central panel end frame member, each of the central panel side frame members having one of the hanging slots disposed proximate thereto;

iii. a first central panel end frame handle disposed centrally on the first central panel end frame member; and

ix. a pair of L-shaped latch members, each latch member having a short leg and a long leg, the long leg disposed parallel to the central panel and the short leg connected to and disposed perpendicular to the first central panel end frame member, the long leg being pivotal about a longitudinal axis of the short leg;

b. two rectangular side panels, each of the side panels comprising;

i. an elongated first side panel side frame member;

ii. an elongated second side panel side frame member;

iii. an elongated first side panel end frame member;

iv. an elongated second side panel end frame member; and

v. a latch attachment member disposed proximate the first side panel side frame member and the second side panel end frame member;

c. each of the side panels connected to the central panel such that each of the central panel side frame members is pivotally attached to one of the first side panel side frame members;

d. the side panels being rotatable toward a folded position against the central panel, and the latch members configured to secure the side panels in the folded position; and

e. the enclosure adapted to be fixed to a tailgate when the tailgate is extended horizontally outward from a truck bed, such that the second central panel end frame member rests against the tailgate along a long edge of the tailgate, the second side panel end frame members of the side panels rest against the tailgate along opposite short edges of the tailgate, and each of the latch attachment members engages a latch member of the tailgate.