Tailgate extension assembly
First Claim
1. A tailgate extension apparatus for mounting on vehicle tailgates of the type positionable between an open, horizontal position and a vertical, closed position, said tailgate extension comprisinga) an extender frame hingedly attached along one edge to the upper end of the vehicle tailgate and being selectively positionable between a storage position in which the vehicle tailgate is in a substantially vertical position and said extender frame is folded adjacent to the vehicle tailgate and a first operable position in which the vehicle tailgate and said extender frame are both substantially horizontally positioned, a second operable position in which the vehicle tailgate is substantially horizontally positioned and said extender frame is substantially vertically positioned, and a third operable position in which the vehicle tailgate is vertically positioned and said extender frame is substantially vertically positioned;
- b) support members attached to said extender frame and extending between said extender frame and the vehicle for supporting said extender frame in each of said operable positions; and
c) connectors attached to the side walls of the vehicle for selectively receiving said support members to support said extender frame in each of said positions.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An extension mechanism for mounting on a tailgate of a vehicle that is selectively positionable between a variety of orientations. The extension mechanism includes a tailgate protector mounted onto the vehicle tailgate, an extender frame movably attached to the tailgate protector allowing for separate movement of the extender frame relative to the tailgate protector. Support arms extend between the vehicle and the extender frame for selectively positioning said extender frame relative to the vehicle tailgate and also supporting the extender frame. The extension mechanism is positionable in a variety of orientations including a first position in which the vehicle tailgate and said extender frame are both horizontally positioned, a second position in which the vehicle tailgate is horizontally positioned and said extender frame is vertically positioned, a third position in which the vehicle tailgate is vertically positioned and said extender frame is vertically positioned, and a fourth storage position in which the vehicle tailgate is in a vertical position and said extender frame is folded adjacent the vehicle tailgate.
107 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A tailgate extension apparatus for mounting on vehicle tailgates of the type positionable between an open, horizontal position and a vertical, closed position, said tailgate extension comprising
a) an extender frame hingedly attached along one edge to the upper end of the vehicle tailgate and being selectively positionable between a storage position in which the vehicle tailgate is in a substantially vertical position and said extender frame is folded adjacent to the vehicle tailgate and a first operable position in which the vehicle tailgate and said extender frame are both substantially horizontally positioned, a second operable position in which the vehicle tailgate is substantially horizontally positioned and said extender frame is substantially vertically positioned, and a third operable position in which the vehicle tailgate is vertically positioned and said extender frame is substantially vertically positioned; -
b) support members attached to said extender frame and extending between said extender frame and the vehicle for supporting said extender frame in each of said operable positions; and c) connectors attached to the side walls of the vehicle for selectively receiving said support members to support said extender frame in each of said positions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A tailgate extension for mounting on a tailgate on a cargo vehicle, the vehicle tailgate being positionable between an open, horizontal position and a vertical, closed position, said extension mechanism comprising:
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a tailgate protector mounted onto the vehicle tailgate; an extender frame hingedly attached to said tailgate protector for providing movement of said extender frame relative to said tailgate protector; and support arms extending between said vehicle and said extender frame for selectively positioning and supporting said extender frame, wherein said tailgate extension mechanism has a first operable position in which the vehicle tailgate and said extender frame are both horizontally positioned, a second position in which the vehicle tailgate is horizontally positioned and said extender frame is vertically positioned, a third position in which the vehicle tailgate is vertically positioned and said extender frame is vertically positioned, and a fourth storage position in which the vehicle tailgate is in a vertical position and said extender frame is folded adjacent the vehicle tailgate.
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Specification