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

• Current Assignee: Raymond L. Hensel
• Original Assignee: Raymond L. Hensel
• Inventors: Hensel, Raymond L.
• Primary Examiner(s): SMITH, RICHARD A
• Application Number:
  US10/439,430
• Publication Number:
  US 20030196583A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,012 Days
• Field of Search: 332/64, 180/271, 296/56, 296/57.1, 280/477, 280/479.2, 280/479.3, 280/727, 280/761, 280/762, 116/200, 116/202, 116/30, 116/209, 116/307, 116/DIG.5, 116/28.R, 116/35.R
• US Class Current: 116/35.00R
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/307 mounted on loading platforms
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/484 for showing outline of vehicle

Abstract

An indicator device for alerting the driver of a pickup truck to the orientation of the tailgate includes a housing assembly and an indicator assembly carried by and extending from the housing assembly. The housing assembly is attached to the tailgate of the pickup truck in a position that causes at least a portion of the indicator assembly to extend from the side of the truck so that the driver can see the extending portion in the side view mirror of the truck. Viewing the position of the indicator assembly allows the driver of the truck to ascertain the position of the tailgate.

Claims

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.

2. The combination of claim 1, wherein the tailgate position indicator includes a resilient clip that attaches the tailgate position indicator to the tailgate.

3. The combination of claim 2, wherein the indicator rod is integrally fabricated with the resilient clip.

4. The combination of claim 3, wherein the indicator bodies are integrally fabricated with the indicator rod.

5. The combination of claim 1, wherein the indicator rod defines a notch adjacent at last one of the indicator bodies;

the notch being adapted to assist the user in severing the indicator rod to adjust the length of the rod.

6. The combination of claim 1, wherein at least two spaced indicator bodies are carried by the indicator rod.

7. The combination of claim 6, wherein at least three spaced indicator bodies are carried by the indicator rod.

8. The combination of claim 7, wherein at least four spaced indicator bodies are carried by the indicator rod.

9. A tailgate position indicator for use with 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;

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

the tailgate position indicator comprising;

a customizable indicator rod adapted to be carried by the tailgate and moving with the tailgate between the open and closed positions in a secure manner that allows the indicator to remain on the tailgate while the vehicle is driven in normal use;

the indicator rod adapted to extend substantially horizontally away from one of the sides of the tailgate;

a plurality of spaced indicator bodies carried by the indicator rod; and

the indicator rod defining a notch adjacent at last one of the indicator bodies;

the notch being adapted to assist the user in customizing the indicator rod by severing the indicator rod to adjust the length of the rod.

10. The combination of claim 9, wherein the tailgate position indicator includes a resilient clip that attaches the tailgate position indicator to the tailgate.

11. The combination of claim 9, wherein at least three spaced indicator bodies are carried by the indicator rod.