×

Tailgate position indicator

  • US 7,000,563 B2
  • Filed: 05/16/2003
  • Issued: 02/21/2006
  • Est. Priority Date: 01/27/1998
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
Patent Images

1. In combination:

  • a vehicle having a tailgate movable between a substantially vertical closed position and a substantially horizontal open position;

    the tailgate having a top surface and a pair of side surfaces;

    a tailgate position indicator carried by the tailgate and moving with the tailgate between the open and closed positions;

    the tailgate position indicator carried by the tailgate in a secure manner that allows the indicator to remain on the tailgate while the vehicle is driven in normal use;

    the tailgate position indicator extending substantially horizontally away from one of the sides of the tailgate;

    the vehicle including a cab, a bed disposed behind the cab, and a side view mirror;

    at least a portion of the tailgate position indicator being visible from the cab when the tailgate is in the open position and the closed position whereby a driver in the cab of the vehicle can see at least a portion of the tailgate position indicator in the side view mirror when the bed of the vehicle is loaded or covered to block the driver'"'"'s view of the tailgate; and

    the tailgate position indicator including an indicator rod and a plurality of spaced indicator bodies carried by the indicator rod;

    each of the indicator bodies having a thickness larger than the thickness of the rod.

View all claims
  • 0 Assignments
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×