Tailgate and ramp for pickup truck

Abstract

This invention is a tailgate for a pickup truck having a unibody frame that is pivotally secured at its lower end proximal the rear end of the truck bed. The frame includes a pair of linear risers that fit into the rear vertical recesses of the sidewalls of the truck when the tailgate is in a closed position. The risers support a plurality of bowed lateral beams that extend outwardly from the rear of the truck to extend the length of its cargo bay when the tailgate is in its closed. The bowed beams support a set of flat angled ramps that are aligned with the truck bed. The tailgate is swung to an open position so that the ramps extend down from the truck bed and are joined by a detachable ramp to form one or more low incline ramps for loading and unloading items into the cargo bay.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]This invention relates to a tailgate for a pickup truck with a bowed construction to extend the cargo bay when closed and form a less steep incline ramp when opened.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]The cargo bay of a pickup truck is generally formed by its truck bed, sidewalls and tailgate. The truck bed generally supports the weight of the items, and the sidewalls and tailgate protect these items and keep them from falling out of the bay during transport. While the sidewalls are rigidly fixed, the tailgate moves between open and closed positions to gain access to the cargo bay and its truck bed. Tailgates are typically latched or locked shut during transport, and unlatched and swung open to load and unload items in the cargo bay. When closed, the tailgate defines the length of the truck bed and its cargo bay. Many mid size or short bed pickups have a bed length of about 76 inches. Full size pickups typically have a bed length of about 97 inches...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0013]One advantage of the present tailgate invention is that it extends the cargo bay of the truck when the tailgate is secured in its closed position. The bowed lateral beams of the tailgate extend the length of the cargo bay about eight inches. This is particularly useful for items such as many motorcycles, dirt bikes and four wheel recreational vehicles that have a length that is slightly longer than the truck bed of many conventional pickup trucks. This tailgate is also useful when a tool chest or other item is secured or placed toward the front end of an otherwise longer cargo bay. The bowed tailgate is secured or locked shut while transporting these types of longer items. The tailgate is not left open to help support the weight of the item or to bounce around during transport. The closed tailgate only extends 3.5 inches beyond the bumper of a typical pickup truck, and thus does not obstruct the rear bumper. The tailgate does provide added safety to help prevent the motorcycle, dirt bike or recreational vehicle from falling off the rear end of the truck.

[0014]Another advantage of the present tailgate is that its partially detachable ramp is easy and uncomplicated to use and provides a relatively low incline slope that is safer for loading and unloading items such as wheeled vehicles into and out of a pickup truck cargo bay. The bowed shape of the tailgate forms a fixed portion of the ramp. The fixed ramp portion brings the effective height of the truck bed down about eight inches or 25%, and has a slope of about 15°. As a result, the detachable ramp portion can be shorter to achieve the same degree of incline. The shorter detachable ramp is thus stiffer and more stable during use. This shorter detachable ramp portion is easier to handle, and readily stored in the truck bed. The combined length of the fixed and detachable ramp portions provide a lower incline ramp that improves the stability and safety of the ramp for moving vehicles such as a dirt bike and four wheel vehicle into and out of the pickup truck cargo bay. The lower incline of the detachable ramp helps minimize the forces of the vehicle acting on the ramp that could cause the ramp to slide along the direction of travel, or laterally to the direction of travel. The shorter detachable ramp is also less likely to bounce and shift during use. The detachable ramp can also include a mounting bracket to further improve stability and safety.

[0015]A further advantage of the present tailgate is its strong, yet light unibody construction. The tailgate frame and ramp plates are robustly designed and welded or otherwise integrally attached to form a strong platform to support the weight of a conventional motorcycle, dirt bike or all terrain recreational vehicle. The frame is made of tubular steel components to provide a construction that is both strong and lightweight. The detachable ramp portion is also a single continuous piece that is easily installed for safe use. The detachable ramp does not need to be unfolded or telescoped out for use, and does not need to be folded or retracted to store in the truck bed. The detachable ramp can be a shorter and thus sufficiently stiff but less expensive wooden board. The detachable ramp can also be a lighter weight piece of webbed metal or a molded or extruded piece of plastic. The overall frame and ramp construction provides a sturdy and stable platform during the loading and unloading of the heavy items or wheeled vehicles.

[0016]A still further advantage of the present combined tailgate and ramp is their simplicity of use. The tailgate and ramp are used in a straightforward manner. The tailgate opens just like a conventional tailgate. The ramp is easily used by simply setting the single piece, light weight, detachable ramp in place. No tools or complicated unfolding or telescoping is required. No heavy ramps need to be lifted. The simple two step, set up and take down process of using the ramp avoids the hassles and frustrations associated with jamming parts, stripped fasteners, or constant assembling and disassembling the ramp.

[0017]A still further advantage of the present tailgate is its attractive appearance. When closed, the side rails and bottom beam are received by the existing frame of the pickup truck. The more visibly dominant lateral beams are made of tube steel and have an attractive bowed configuration that is generally pleasing to the eye. The ramps are evenly spaced and relatively attractive in design. As a result, the attractive and symmetrical appearance of the bowed tailgate allows it to be left in place throughout the outdoor season or even all year round. The time and hassle of removing and replacing the original tailgate is minimized or eliminated. Moreover, damage to the original tailgate is avoided.

Problems solved by technology

A source of frustration with pickup trucks is that some items are just a little too long to fit in the cargo bay and close the tailgate.

Although the tailgate can be left open to accommodate these longer items, this is not generally desired for several reasons.

First, the tailgate can bounce around during transport and be damaged.

Second, resting the vehicle on the tailgate can overload and break the tailgate, particularly when traveling on a bumpy road.

Third, leaving the tailgate down inhibits the proper use of the rear bumper and poses a safety risk.

Fourth, although items are often secured in the cargo bay by a rope, cord, chain or some other means, leaving the tailgate down increases the possibility of items falling out the rear end of the truck during transport.

Another problem with conventional pick up trucks is getting heavy items in and out of the cargo bay.

This can be difficult or impossible for a single person when a heavy item is involved.

Items can be dropped and damaged, and the person can be seriously injured.

The weight of a heavy item can also overload and damage the tailgate.

Heavy items can buckle the sheet metal or otherwise damage the tailgate.

Although ramps are frequently used to help load and unload items in the cargo bay, conventional tailgates do not readily accommodate these ramps.

Noticeable shifting, bending or breakage of the ramp or tailgate can cause the vehicle to fall off the ramp or tailgate, which can damage the vehicle or injure people on or near the vehicle.

A problem with detachable ramps is providing both ease of use and safety.

Yet, longer ramps are typically heavier to lift and more likely to bow or bend when a vehicle moves across them.

In certain situations, bowing can lead to a dangerous bouncing effect and slipping.

Although longer, single-piece detachable ramps are desirable because they do not require assembly, they can also be more unwieldy.

Although thicker boards typically provide better stiffness and safety during use, they are also typically heavier, more expensive and may not be available as scrap material.

Yet, short ramps can compromise safety.

Yet, an excessively steep ramp incline is not particularly desirable as it can be dangerous for a person riding a recreational vehicle such as a dirt bike up or down a pickup truck ramp.

When driving down a steep ramp, the bike striking the ground at a steep angle and can throw the rider or cause him or her to lose control of the bike.

When driving up a steep ramp, the force of the vehicle when it first engages the ramp can push or cause the ramp to slide in the direction of travel, or cause the ramp to slide laterally or the front wheel to turn so that the vehicle drives off the ramp.

Such occurrences are dangerous as they can cause the vehicle or rider to fall awkwardly against the ramp, truck or ground, and result in damage to the truck or recreational vehicle or even injure the rider or other nearby person.

Unfortunately, these designs suffer from a variety of drawbacks.

This type of extension is time consuming to use because it must be continuously attached, removed and reattached.

Parts can also jam, fasteners can strip, and the proper tools have to be readily available.

The device can also lead to overloading and damage to the tailgate for the above noted reasons.

There are several problems with this telescoping design.

Only the support lines supporting the tailgate extension obstruct these large openings.

Another problem is that the many telescoping sections can be bent and jam given the rugged environment of a pickup truck cargo bay and the fact that the device is exposed to the weather.

A further problem is the heavy weight and significant cost of providing dual telescoping ramps to form a tailgate.

Finally, the unsightly appearance of this design, particularly regarding the telescoping ramps, dissuades or precludes the owner from leaving this contraption in place when not in use.

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