Vehicle tailgate having supplemental tailgate assembly
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A tailgate assembly for use with a motor vehicle having a first generally vertical side wall and a second generally vertical side wall, spaced from the first side wall, and a generally horizontal bed extending therebetween, the tailgate assembly comprising:
- a tailgate frame defining a generally hollow cavity therein and adapted to pivotally mount generally between the first and second side walls and being operable in a generally horizontal open position and a generally vertical closed position; and
a supplemental tailgate assembly including;
a tailgate extender having a guide system secured generally within the hollow cavity; and
a movable frame assembly having a telescoping support extendable from, pivotable relative to, and retained by the guide system, and a cross member connected to the telescoping support and extending generally normal thereto, said support being pivotable into an upwardly extending position and a downwardly extending position when the tailgate frame is in the horizontal open position; and
a first gate assembly including a first gate, adapted to pivotally couple to the first vertical side wall, and a second gate, pivotally coupled to the first gate, and with the first and second gates adapted to be pivotable to extend toward the movable frame assembly such that the second gate is positioned in engagement with said telescopic support to restrain rearward movement of said second gate off said tailgate frame when said support is pivoted into the upwardly extending position with the tailgate frame being in the horizontal open position.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A vehicle includes a supplemental tailgate assembly, which includes a tailgate extender that retracts within the tailgate and is extendable therefrom and right and left hand gate assemblies. The supplemental tailgate assembly is able to provide bed extender, box extender, step assist, roof rack, cargo storage area, and box divider functions. The supplemental tailgate assembly is stowable to minimize interference in cargo space when not in use.
70 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A tailgate assembly for use with a motor vehicle having a first generally vertical side wall and a second generally vertical side wall, spaced from the first side wall, and a generally horizontal bed extending therebetween, the tailgate assembly comprising:
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a tailgate frame defining a generally hollow cavity therein and adapted to pivotally mount generally between the first and second side walls and being operable in a generally horizontal open position and a generally vertical closed position; and a supplemental tailgate assembly including; a tailgate extender having a guide system secured generally within the hollow cavity; and
a movable frame assembly having a telescoping support extendable from, pivotable relative to, and retained by the guide system, and a cross member connected to the telescoping support and extending generally normal thereto, said support being pivotable into an upwardly extending position and a downwardly extending position when the tailgate frame is in the horizontal open position; anda first gate assembly including a first gate, adapted to pivotally couple to the first vertical side wall, and a second gate, pivotally coupled to the first gate, and with the first and second gates adapted to be pivotable to extend toward the movable frame assembly such that the second gate is positioned in engagement with said telescopic support to restrain rearward movement of said second gate off said tailgate frame when said support is pivoted into the upwardly extending position with the tailgate frame being in the horizontal open position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A tailgate assembly for use with a motor vehicle having a first generally vertical side wall and a second generally vertical side wall, spaced from the first side wall, and a generally horizontal bed extending therebetween, the tailgate assembly comprising:
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a tailgate frame defining a generally hollow cavity therein and adapted to pivotally mount generally between the first and second side walls and being operable in a generally horizontal open position and generally vertical closed position; a tailgate extender having a guide system secured generally within the hollow cavity, and a movable frame assembly having a support member extendable from, pivotable relative to, and retained by the guide system, and a cross member connected to the support member and extending generally normal thereto, the support member being pivotable into an upwardly extending position and a downwardly extending position when the tailgate frame is in the horizontal open position; and the guide system including a pivot support apparatus cooperable with pivot pins carried on the support member to permit pivotal movement of the support member relative to the guide system, said pivot pins being positioned at a distal end of the support member spaced from the cross member and extending outwardly from opposing sides of said support member, the pivot support apparatus including a pivot bracket mounted on opposing sides of the guide system so that the outwardly extending pivot pins can pivotally engage each respective pivot bracket. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A tailgate assembly for use with a motor vehicle having a first generally vertical side wall and a second generally vertical side wall, spaced from the first side wall, and a generally horizontal bed extending therebetween, the tailgate assembly comprising:
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a tailgate frame defining a generally hollow cavity therein and adapted to pivotally mount generally between the first and second side walls and being operable in a generally horizontal open position and generally vertical closed position; a tailgate extender having a guide system secured generally within the hollow cavity, and a movable frame assembly having a support member extendable from, and pivotable relative to the guide system, and a cross member connected to the support member and extending generally normal thereto; and a stop surface carried by the tailgate frame to abut the movable frame assembly when the movable frame assembly is deployed outward and pivoted downward relative to the tailgate frame. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23)
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24. A tailgate assembly for use with a motor vehicle having a first generally vertical side wall and a second generally vertical side wall, spaced from the first side wall, and a generally horizontal bed extending therebetween, the tailgate assembly comprising:
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a tailgate frame defining a generally hollow cavity therein and adapted to pivotally mount generally between the first and second side walls and being operable in a generally horizontal open position and generally vertical closed position; a tailgate extender having a guide system secured generally within the hollow cavity, and a movable frame assembly having a support member extendable from, and pivotable relative to the guide system, and a cross member connected to the support member and extending generally normal thereto; a stop surface carried by the tailgate frame to abut the movable frame assembly when the movable frame assembly is deployed outward and pivoted downward relative to the tailgate frame; and a gate assembly mounted on at least one of the side walls and being configurable into an orientation that extends from the first and second side walls and on top of the tailgate frame when lowered into the horizontal open position, the frame assembly when pivoted into an upwardly extending position being positioned adjacent the gate assembly to provide support thereto against rearward movement of the gate assembly.
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Specification