Tailgate attachment for extending the cargo space of a vehicle

• US 6,340,190 B1
• Filed: 02/28/2000
• Issued: 01/22/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/04/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Robert Rosebrugh, Ward Olson
• Original Assignee: Robert Rosebrugh, Ward Olson
• Inventors: Rosebrugh, Robert, Olson, Ward
• Primary Examiner(s): Dayoan, D. Glenn
• Assistant Examiner(s): Coletta, Lori L.
• Application Number:
  US09/514,783
• Time in Patent Office: 694 Days
• Field of Search: 296/26.08, 296/26.11, 296/50, 296/57.1, 296/59, 163/66, 163/69, 163/68
• US Class Current: 296/26.11
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 3/40 for carrying long loads, e.g. with separate wheeled load supporting elements E04G21/14 takes precedence; signal devices to be attached to overhanging load B60Q7/02

Abstract

A tailgate attachment used in combination with a pivoting tailgate of a vehicle, includes a back panel and a pair of side panels having configurations adapted to form a rearward extension of the cargo space. Each of the side panels is pivotally coupled to the back panel. The back panel is attached to the tailgate with a pair of hinge members secured between an inside surface of the tailgate and the back panel. The pair of hinge members are each comprised of first and second securing elements and an intermediate rotating member. The intermediate rotating member rotatably secures the first and second securing elements to each other such that the first panel may be rotated around the pair of hinge members from a stowed position to a loading position, approximately 270 degrees away from the inside surface. The first securing element is preferably attached to the inside surface of the tailgate in proximity to a top edge of the tailgate. The pair of hinge members mount the tailgate attachment such that neither of the tailgate attachment nor the pair of hinge members extends above the top edge of the tailgate when the tailgate attachment is in the stowed position.

Claims

1. A tailgate attachment for a vehicle having a cargo space, the cargo space being defined by a bed, upright sidewalls and a tailgate, the tailgate having an inside surface which faces the cargo space when the tailgate is at a closed upright position and which extends substantially horizontally to the rear of the bed when the tailgate is at an open position, the tailgate further having a top edge which is uppermost when the tailgate is at the closed upright position, the tailgate attachment comprising:

a back panel and a pair of side panels having configurations adapted to form a rearward extension of the cargo space, each of the side panels being pivotally coupled to one of a pair of side members of the back panel enabling the side panels to be pivoted from a generally parallel relationship with the back panel to a generally perpendicular relationship with the back panel;

a first securing element adapted to be attached to the inside surface of the tailgate, the first securing element having a first securing element upper surface that is generally parallel to the inside surface of the tailgate when the first securing element is attached to the tailgate, the first securing element further including a first securing element pivot point that extends upwardly from the first securing element upper surface;

an intermediate rotating member that includes an elongate body portion that separates first and second pivot points of the intermediate rotating member;

a second securing element that is fixedly attached to the tailgate attachment, the second securing element having a second securing element pivot point;

a first pivot pin that rotatably engages the first securing element pivot point to the first pivot point such that the elongate body portion of the intermediate rotating member can rotate approximately 180 degrees about the first pivot pin, the rotation of the elongate body being constrained by the first securing element upper surface; and

a second pivot pin that rotatably engages the second securing element pivot point to the second pivot point such that the back panel may be rotated approximately 270 degrees from the inside surface of the tailgate.

2. A method for increasing the cargo space in a vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:

a) providing a tailgate attachment comprising;

a back panel having a top member, a bottom member, and a pair of tubular side members having a central open portion formed therebetween;

a pair of side panels mounted on the pair of tubular side members, each of the side panels being pivotally coupled to one of a pair of side members of the back panel; and

a pair of hinge members each having a first securing element, an intermediate rotating member, and a second securing element;

b) providing a vehicle having a cargo space defined by a bed, upright sidewalls and a tailgate pivotally attached to the vehicle at a bottom portion of the tailgate, the tailgate further having an inside surface which faces the cargo space when the tailgate is in a closed upright position and which extends substantially horizontally to the rear of the bed when the tailgate is in an open position, the tailgate further having a top edge which is uppermost when the tailgate is at the closed upright position;

c) rotatably attaching each of the pair of side panels to one of the tubular side members, thereby enabling the side panels to be pivoted from a generally parallel relationship with the back panel to a generally perpendicular relationship with the back panel;

d) attaching the first securing element of each of the pair of hinge members to the inside surface of the tailgate such that no portion of either of the first securing elements extends above the top edge of the tailgate;

e) attaching the second securing element of each of the pair of hinge members to the bottom member; and

f) rotatably attaching each of the first securing elements to one of the second securing elements, thereby allowing each of the pair of hinge members to rotate the back panel between a first position adjacent the inside surface and a second position, substantially perpendicular to the outside surface of the tailgate, approximately 270 degrees away from the inside surface.