Vehicle tailgate with supplemental tailgate pivot release
First Claim
1. A tailgate assembly for use with a motor vehicle having a pair of spaced, generally vertical side walls and a generally horizontal bed extending therebetween, the tailgate assembly comprising:
- a tailgate frame including a rear panel and a front panel adapted to pivotally mount generally between the side walls and being operable in a generally horizontal open position, and with the tailgate frame including a left top portion and a spaced right top portion that define a gap therebetween; and
a supplemental tailgate including a guide system secured generally between the rear panel and the front panel, a frame assembly having two telescoping supports extendable from and retained by the guide system, a cross member connected to the two telescoping supports and extending therebetween, and a pivotable molding mounted on and pivotable relative to the cross member and located in the gap between the right top portion and the left top portion, and a latch release operatively connected to the pivotable molding.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A tailgate for a vehicle has a supplemental tailgate that retracts within the tailgate and is extendable therefrom in order to provide bed extender, box extender and step assist functions. The supplemental tailgate includes a pivotable molding, which mounts on a movable frame portion, and a latching assembly. When pivoted, the pivotable molding releases the latching assembly, allowing the supplemental tailgate to be moved to various extended positions. When the supplemental tailgate is in its stowed position, the pivotable molding may be aligned with the top surface of the tailgate in order to provide an esthetically pleasing appearance and provide paint scratch resistance. When the movable frame portion is in an essentially fully extended position, it may be rotated relative to the tailgate in order to provide the box extender and assist step functions.
59 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A tailgate assembly for use with a motor vehicle having a pair of spaced, generally vertical side walls and a generally horizontal bed extending therebetween, the tailgate assembly comprising:
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a tailgate frame including a rear panel and a front panel adapted to pivotally mount generally between the side walls and being operable in a generally horizontal open position, and with the tailgate frame including a left top portion and a spaced right top portion that define a gap therebetween; and a supplemental tailgate including a guide system secured generally between the rear panel and the front panel, a frame assembly having two telescoping supports extendable from and retained by the guide system, a cross member connected to the two telescoping supports and extending therebetween, and a pivotable molding mounted on and pivotable relative to the cross member and located in the gap between the right top portion and the left top portion, and a latch release operatively connected to the pivotable molding. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A supplemental tailgate assembly for use with a vehicle tailgate having a left top portion and a spaced right top portion that define a gap therebetween, the supplemental tailgate assembly comprising:
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a guide system adapted to be secured generally within the tailgate; a frame assembly having two telescoping supports extendable from and retained by the guide system, a cross member connected to the two telescoping supports and extending therebetween and including two spaced pivot mounts thereon; a pivotable molding having two pivot flanges extending therefrom that operatively engage the two spaced pivot mounts such that the pivotable molding is mounted on and pivotable relative to the cross member and adapted to be located in the gap between the right top portion and the left top portion; and a latch release operatively connected to the pivotable molding. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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19. A tailgate assembly for use with a motor vehicle having a pair of spaced, generally vertical side walls and a generally horizontal bed extending therebetween, the tailgate assembly comprising:
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a tailgate frame including a rear panel and a front panel adapted to pivotally mount generally between the side walls and being operable in a generally horizontal open position, and with the tailgate frame including a left top portion and a spaced right top portion that define a gap therebetween; and a supplemental tailgate including a guide system secured generally between the rear panel and the front panel and including two pivot brackets, with each having a pivot slot, mounted thereon;
a frame assembly having two telescoping supports extendable from and retained by the guide system and including two pivot pins, one each secured to a respective one of the telescoping supports, whereby when the telescoping supports are essentially fully removed from the guide tubes, the pivot pins will engage with the pivot slots to secure each telescoping support to the respective guide tube while allowing the telescoping supports to pivot relative to the guide tubes;
a cross member connected to the two telescoping supports and extending therebetween;
a pivotable molding mounted on and pivotable relative to the cross member and located in the gap between the right top portion and the left top portion; and
a latch release operatively connected to the pivotable molding. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification