Pickup Truck Bed Extension System

Abstract

A pickup truck bed extension system includes: a bed; a tailgate, the tailgate being configured to pivot to a lowered position via one or more first hinges, wherein the tailgate includes: an outer portion, the outer portion having a first lateral side and one or more second hinges; an inner portion, the inner portion having a second lateral side, the second lateral side being arranged to be adjacent to the first lateral side when the tailgate is in the lowered position, wherein the inner portion is configured to rotate to a vertical position via one or more second hinges, wherein the vertical position is approximately perpendicular to the lowered position; at least one first extension panel, at least the first extension panel being configured to move rearward and directly contact the inner portion when the inner portion is in the vertical position; and at least one second extension panel, at least the second extension panel being configured to move rearward and directly contact the inner portion when the inner portion is in the vertical position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to pickup trucks, and more particularly to pickup truck bed extension systems. Background Art

[0002] The information provided in this section is for the purpose of generally presenting the context of the present disclosure. To the extent described in this section, works by currently named inventors and aspects of the description that may not constitute prior art at the time of filing are neither explicitly nor implicitly admitted to be prior art against the present disclosure.

[0003] A variety of different types of vehicles are sold around the world. Examples of vehicles include coupes, sedans, utility vehicles, pickup trucks, and other types of vehicles.

[0004] Pickup trucks come in a variety of different models. For example, pickup trucks are available with two doors and four doors. Pickup trucks are also available with a variety of different models of passenger compartments.

[0005] Pickup trucks have a cargo bed. There are different types of cargo beds available, such as 60" long to 100" long, and various sizes between 60" and 100". Items can be placed in the cargo bed of a pickup truck and moved from one place to another. Summary of the invention

[0006] In one feature, a bed extension system for a pickup truck includes: a bed; and a tailgate defining a rearmost point of the bed, defining a portion of a topmost edge of the bed when the tailgate is in a closed position and configured to pivot to a lowered position via one or more first hinges, wherein the lowered position is approximately perpendicular to the closed position, wherein a first distance between a forward-most point of the bed and the tailgate when the tailgate is in the closed position is less than or equal to 6 feet. The tailgate includes: an outer portion having a first lateral side and one or more second hinges; and an inner portion having a second lateral side, disposed adjacent the first lateral side when the tailgate is in the lowered position, wherein the inner portion is configured to rotate to an upright position via the one or more second hinges, wherein the upright position is approximately parallel to the closed position and approximately perpendicular to the lowered position, and wherein a second distance between a forward-most point of the bed and the inner portion when the inner portion is in the upright position is at least 8 feet.

[0007] In further features, the first distance is 5 feet 10 inches.

[0008] In further features, the height of the outer portion is at least 20 inches.

[0009] In further features, at least one spring pin is configured to maintain the inner portion in a vertical position.

[0010] In further features, the inner portion is further configured to rotate via one or more second hinges to a second vertical position, wherein the second vertical position is approximately parallel to the closed position, approximately perpendicular to the lowered position, and approximately 180 degrees from the vertical position.

[0011] In further features, the inner portion includes one or more handles formed in an edge of the inner portion when the tailgate is in the closed position, the handles being disposed proximate the one or more first hinges.

[0012] In further features: the interior portion includes a first inner surface and a first outer surface; the exterior portion includes a second inner surface and a second outer surface; when the tailgate is in a closed position, the first inner surface faces the second inner surface; when the tailgate is in a closed position, the second outer surface faces rearward; and when the tailgate is in a closed position, the first outer surface forms an inner surface of the cargo compartment.

[0013] In further features, one or more storage compartments are formed in the second interior surface.

[0014] In further features: a left storage box is disposed within the cargo bed and behind a left rear wheel well; and a right storage box is disposed within the cargo bed and behind a right rear wheel well.

[0015] In further features: the left storage box includes at least one first extension panel, which is configured to move rearward from the right storage box and directly contact the inner portion when the inner portion is in a vertical position; and the right storage box includes at least one second extension panel, which is configured to move rearward from the right storage box and directly contact the inner portion when the inner portion is in a vertical position.

[0016] In a further feature, when the at least one first extension panel moves rearward, the left storage box opens, and when the at least one second extension panel moves rearward, the right storage box opens.

[0017] In further features, the at least one first extension panel and the at least one second extension panel have a height of at least three quarters of the height of the cargo bed.

[0018] In further features: the left storage bin includes a first slide; the at least one first extension panel is configured to move rearwardly along the first slide; the right storage bin includes a second slide; and the at least one second extension panel is configured to move rearwardly along the second slide.

[0019] In further features, the interior portion further includes a first latch configured to latch to a first catch of the at least one first extension panel and a second latch configured to latch to a second catch of the at least one second extension panel.

[0020] In further features: the first clip includes a first aperture through at least one first extension panel; and the second clip includes a second aperture through at least one second extension panel.

[0021] In further features: the first latch includes a first C-shaped portion configured to engage the first aperture; and the second latch includes a second C-shaped portion configured to engage the second aperture.

[0022] In further features: the first latch further includes a first extension extending away from the first C-shaped portion; and the second latch further includes a second extension extending away from the second C-shaped portion.

[0023] In further features: the first latch is configured to maintain at least one first extension panel in direct contact with the interior portion when latched to the first catch; and the second latch is configured to maintain at least one second extension panel in direct contact with the interior portion when latched to the second catch.

[0024] In one feature, a pickup truck bed extension system includes: a bed; a tailgate configured to pivot to a lowered position via one or more first hinges, wherein the tailgate includes: an outer portion having a first lateral side and one or more second hinges; an inner portion having a second lateral side, the second lateral side being disposed adjacent to the first lateral side when the tailgate is in the lowered position, wherein the inner portion is configured to rotate to a vertical position via one or more second hinges, wherein the vertical position is approximately perpendicular to the lowered position; at least one first extension panel, the at least one first extension panel configured to move rearwardly and directly contact the inner portion when the inner portion is in the vertical position; and at least one second extension panel, the at least one second extension panel configured to move rearwardly and directly contact the inner portion when the inner portion is in the vertical position.

[0025] In further features: the first latch is configured to latch to a first catch of at least one first extension panel; and the second latch is configured to latch to a second catch of at least one second extension panel.

[0026] The present invention may include the following solutions:

[0027] 1. A pickup truck cargo box extension system, the system comprising:

[0028] cargo compartment; and

[0029] a tailgate defining a rearmost point of the cargo bed, the tailgate defining a portion of a topmost edge of the cargo bed when the tailgate is in a closed position, and the tailgate being configured to pivot to a lowered position via one or more first hinges,

[0030] wherein the lowered position is approximately perpendicular to the closed position,

[0031] wherein when the tailgate is in the closed position, a first distance between the forward-most point of the cargo compartment and the tailgate is less than or equal to 6 feet, and

[0032] Wherein, the rear baffle comprises:

[0033] an outer portion having a first lateral side and one or more second hinges; and

[0034] an inner portion having a second lateral side disposed adjacent to the first lateral side when the tailgate is in the lowered position,

[0035] wherein the inner portion is configured to rotate to a vertical position via the one or more second hinges,

[0036] wherein the upright position is approximately parallel to the closed position and approximately perpendicular to the lowered position, and

[0037] Wherein, when the interior portion is in the vertical position, a second distance between the forward-most point of the cargo box and the interior portion is at least 8 feet.

[0038] 2. The system of claim 1 wherein the first distance is 5 feet 10 inches.

[0039] 3. A system according to Option 1, wherein the height of the outer portion is at least 20 inches.

[0040] 4. The system according to Option 1 also includes at least one spring pin configured to maintain the inner portion in a vertical position.

[0041] 5. A system according to Option 1, wherein the inner portion is further configured to rotate to a second vertical position via the one or more second hinges, wherein the second vertical position is approximately parallel to the closed position, approximately perpendicular to the lowered position, and approximately 180 degrees from the vertical position.

[0042] 6. A system according to Option 1, wherein the interior portion includes one or more handles formed in an edge of the interior portion, and when the tailgate is in the closed position, the one or more handles are arranged to be closest to the one or more first hinges.

[0043] 7. The system of claim 1, wherein:

[0044] The inner portion comprises a first inner surface and a first outer surface;

[0045] The outer portion includes a second inner surface and a second outer surface;

[0046] When the tailgate is in the closed position, the first inner surface faces the second inner surface;

[0047] When the tailgate is in the closed position, the second outer surface faces rearward; and

[0048] The first exterior surface forms an interior surface of the cargo bed when the tailgate is in the closed position.

[0049] 8. The system according to Option 7 also includes one or more storage compartments formed in the second inner surface.

[0050] 9. The system according to claim 1, further comprising:

[0051] a left storage box disposed within the cargo compartment and behind the left rear wheel well; and

[0052] A right storage box is disposed in the cargo box and behind the right rear wheel well.

[0053] 10. The system of claim 9, wherein:

[0054] the left storage box comprising at least one first extension panel configured to move rearwardly from the right storage box and directly contact the interior portion when the interior portion is in a vertical position; and

[0055] The right storage box includes at least one second extension panel configured to move rearwardly from the right storage box and directly contact the interior portion when the interior portion is in a vertical position.

[0056] 11. The system according to claim 10, wherein the left storage box is opened when the at least one first extension panel moves rearward, and the right storage box is opened when the at least one second extension panel moves rearward.

[0057] 12. The system according to claim 10, wherein a height of the at least one first extension panel and the at least one second extension panel is at least three quarters of a height of the cargo box.

[0058] 13. The system of claim 10, wherein:

[0059] The left storage box includes a first sliding member;

[0060] The at least one first extension panel is configured to move rearwardly along the first slide member;

[0061] The right storage box includes a second sliding member; and

[0062] The at least one second extension panel is configured to move rearwardly along the second glide.

[0063] 14. The system of claim 10, wherein the internal portion further comprises:

[0064] a first latch configured to latch to a first catch of the at least one first extension panel; and

[0065] A second latch is configured to latch to a second catch of the at least one second extension panel.

[0066] 15. The system of claim 14, wherein:

[0067] The first clip includes a first aperture through the at least one first extension panel; and

[0068] The second clip includes a second aperture through the at least one second extension panel.

[0069] 16. The system of claim 15, wherein:

[0070] the first latch comprising a first C-shaped portion configured to engage the first aperture; and

[0071] The second latch includes a second C-shaped portion configured to engage the second aperture.

[0072] 17. The system of claim 16, wherein:

[0073] The first latch further includes a first extension extending away from the first C-shaped portion; and

[0074] The second latch further includes a second extension extending away from the second C-shaped portion.

[0075] 18. The system of claim 14, wherein:

[0076] the first latch being configured to, when latched to the first catch, retain the at least one first extension panel in direct contact with the interior portion; and

[0077] The second latch is configured to retain the at least one second extension panel in direct contact with the interior portion when latched to the second catch.

[0078] 19. A pickup truck cargo bed extension system, the system comprising:

[0079] cargo compartment;

[0080] a tailgate configured to pivot to a lowered position via one or more first hinges,

[0081] The tailgate comprises:

[0082] an outer portion having a first lateral side and one or more second hinges;

[0083] an inner portion having a second lateral side disposed adjacent to the first lateral side when the tailgate is in the lowered position,

[0084] wherein the inner portion is configured to rotate to a vertical position via the one or more second hinges,

[0085] wherein the vertical position is approximately perpendicular to the lowered position;

[0086] at least one first extension panel configured to move rearwardly and directly contact the inner portion when the inner portion is in a vertical position; and

[0087] At least one second extension panel is configured to move rearwardly and directly contact the inner portion when the inner portion is in the vertical position.

[0088] 20. The system according to claim 19, further comprising:

[0089] a first latch configured to latch to a first catch of the at least one first extension panel; and

[0090] A second latch is configured to latch to a second catch of the at least one second extension panel.

[0091] Further areas of applicability of the present disclosure will become apparent from the detailed description, claims and drawings.The detailed description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0092] The present disclosure will be more fully understood from the detailed description and accompanying drawings, in which:

[0093] Figure 1 is a rear perspective view of the example truck;

[0094] Figure 2 is a side perspective view of the cargo bed with the tailgate in the lowered position;

[0095] Figure 3 including a side perspective view showing an example orientation of an interior portion of a tailgate in a vertical position;

[0096] Figure 4 including an example illustration of an interior portion of a tailgate in a stowed position;

[0097] Figure 5-Figure 6 a side perspective view including an interior portion of the tailgate in an upright position; and

[0098] Figure 7A-7D A perspective view of a latch and a catch, wherein Fig.7D Includes cutaway views of example latches and catches.

[0099] In the drawings, reference numerals may be repeated to identify similar and / or identical elements. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0100] Pickup trucks include a bed in which cargo can be stored during transportation from one location to another. Beds of varying lengths are available, such as 8 feet long and shorter lengths, such as 5 feet 10 inches long. However, beds shorter than 8 feet long may not be able to carry some longer items (e.g., 8-foot long sheets of drywall, lumber, etc.) on the bed's floor.

[0101] The present application relates to a two-piece tailgate. When the tailgate is folded down, the inner portion of the tailgate can be rotated into a vertical orientation to form a length of at least 8 feet between the frontmost portion of the cargo bed and the inner portion of the tailgate. The outer portion of the tailgate forms a floor and extends the length of the cargo bed.

[0102] The rearwardly extending panel can be moved rearwardly toward the vertically oriented inner portion of the tailgate and latched to the inner portion of the tailgate. The panel forms the side walls and surrounds the then longer cargo bed, making the cargo bed at least 8 feet long.

[0103] Figure 11 is a rear perspective view of an example (pickup) truck 10. The truck 10 includes a cab 12, and may include an instrument panel 14, an electronic display 16, and a steering wheel 18. Passengers sit within the cab 12. The cab 12 may also be referred to as a passenger compartment.

[0104] The truck 10 includes a cargo bed 22 and may include one or more trailer hitches, such as 26. The cargo bed 22 may be referred to as a bed. In various embodiments, the trailer hitch 26 may be omitted.

[0105] The cargo bed 22 has a front inner portion 30, a tailgate 32, a left inner portion 34, and a right inner portion 36. The front inner portion 30, the tailgate 32, the left inner portion 34, and the right inner portion 36 extend vertically from the upper edge of the cargo bed 22 to the floor. The length 38 of the cargo bed 22 from the front inner portion 30 to the tailgate 32 can be 5 feet 10 inches. The vertical height 39 of the tailgate 32 can be at least 22 inches to enable the cargo bed 22 to be extended to a length of at least 8 feet (including pivoting and clearance), as discussed further below.

[0106] The rear axle 40 transfers torque to and from the rear wheels of the truck 10. Wheel wells, such as 44, surround the rear wheels and may extend (horizontally and vertically) into the cargo bed 22. In other words, the wheel wells 44 may occupy the volume of the cargo bed 22. Portions of the left inner portion 34 and the right inner portion 36 are vertically disposed above the wheel wells 44. Various threaded bolt holes may be formed in at least one of the front inner portion 30, the rear inner portion 32, the left inner portion 34, and the right inner portion 36.

[0107] The present application is directed to a tailgate 32 that includes an outer portion 60 and an inner portion 64. The tailgate 32 can be folded downward (via a hinge) so that the outer portion 60 is approximately parallel to the road surface and the longitudinal axis of the truck (e.g., perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the truck). Figure 1 When the tailgate 32 is folded downward, the inner portion 64 can be pivoted so that the inner portion 64 is vertical and approximately parallel to the Figure 1 The orientation of the tailgate 32 shown is extended. The panel can extend rearward approximately parallel to the left inner portion 34 and the right inner portion 36 and latch to the vertically oriented inner portion 64. This can extend the cargo bed 22 to at least 8 feet in length.

[0108] Figure 2 2 is a side perspective view of the cargo bed 22 with the tailgate 32 in the lowered position. The tailgate 32 is hinged at the bottom of the tailgate 32 via hinge 202. A tailgate cable 204 is connected to the cargo bed 22 at a first end and to the outer portion 60 of the tailgate 32 at a second end. When connected, the tailgate cable 204 prevents the tailgate 32 from being lowered. Figure 2 The lowered position shown is rotated further.

[0109] One or more handles 208 are formed on the inner portion 64 of the tailgate 32. The inner portion 64 is hinged to the outer portion 60 via a hinge 212. When the tailgate 32 is closed, the inner portion 64 defines the interior of the cargo bed 22. The handles 208 enable the inner portion 64 to be moved and rotated via the hinge 212 to a vertical position in which the inner portion 64 is approximately perpendicular to the outer portion 60 and approximately parallel to the tailgate 32 when closed.

[0110] Figure 3 The diagram includes a side perspective view showing an example orientation of the inner portion 64 in a vertical position. The inner portion 64 includes an inner surface 304 and an outer surface 308. The outer portion 60 includes an inner surface 312 and an outer surface 316. When the inner portion 64 and the outer portion 60 are in Figure 2 In the illustrated position, the inner surface 312 of the outer portion 60 faces and may contact the inner surface 304. When the inner portion 64 is in the vertical position, the inner surface 312 may be approximately perpendicular to or perpendicular to the inner surface 304. Figure 2 In the illustrated position, the laterally outer edge 320 of the inner portion 64 faces and is disposed together with the laterally inner edge 324 of the outer portion 60 .

[0111] When the inner portion 64 is in the vertical position, the length 340 of the bed 22 from the front inner portion 30 to the inner portion 64 is at least 8 feet. Thus, 8-foot long cargo, such as drywall, lumber, and other types of cargo, can be stored flat on the floor of the bed 22 with the inner portion 64 in the vertical position.

[0112] like Figure 3 As shown, the latch 328 is formed on the lateral outer edge 320 of the inner portion 64. When the extension panel 336 is extended rearwardly to the inner portion 64, the latch 328 latches to the catch 332 formed on the extension panel 336, as discussed further below. In various embodiments, the catch 332 can be an aperture through one of the extension panels 336. The height of the extension panel 336 is at least three quarters of the height of the cargo bed 22 and can be approximately equal to the height of the cargo bed 22.

[0113] The spring pins 344 can extend through apertures in the lateral outer edge 320 of the inner portion 64 and lock the inner portion 64 in the vertical position. The spring pins 344 can be actuated (e.g., pushed laterally inward) to allow the inner portion 304 to rotate about the hinge 212 to the stowed position. Actuation of the handles 208 can actuate the spring pins 344. Actuation of one of the handles 208 can actuate both spring pins 344, or actuation of the handles 208 can actuate the spring pins 344 separately.

[0114] Figure 4An example illustration of the inner portion 64 is included in a stowed position. Figure 4 Also shown is an example of an 8-foot long cargo 404 stored flat on the floor of the cargo bed 22 .

[0115] When the inner portion 64 is in the stowed position, the inner portion 64 may be approximately perpendicular or perpendicular to the outer portion 60. The spring pin 344 may lock the inner portion 64 in the stowed position, requiring actuation of the spring pin 344 to actuate the inner portion 64 back to the vertical position.

[0116] Figure 5 Includes a side perspective view of the inner portion 64 returned to the vertical position. Figure 5 , the latch 328 is shown as a catch 332 latched to the extension panel 336. The extension panel 336 is shown in a rearwardly extended position. The extension panel 336 is actuated forward and backward along the extension slide 504. The extension slide 504 can be, for example, a ball bearing slide, a guide, a track or another type of slider. The extension panel is mounted to a storage box 508 extending laterally inward from the left inner portion 34 and the right inner portion 36 of the cargo compartment 22. As shown, the storage box 508 is located behind the wheel well 44. When the extension panel 336 is extended backward, the storage box 508 is opened, and items can be stored in the storage box 508. When the extension panel 336 is not extended backward, the storage box 508 is closed. Although an example of two extension panels 336 on each side of the left and right sides is provided, the present application is also applicable to one storage panel per side and more than two storage panels per side.

[0117] The extension panel 336 and tailgate 32 extend the cargo bed 22 to be at least 8 feet long.

[0118] Figure 6 Includes a side perspective view of the inner portion 64 returned to the vertical position. Figure 6 As shown, one or more storage compartments (eg, recesses) 604 may be formed in the inner surface 312 of the outer portion 60. When the inner portion 64 is in Figure 2 In the illustrated position, the storage compartment 604 can be closed by the inner portion 64. Although an example of three storage compartments is provided, the present application is also applicable to zero, one, two, and more than three storage compartments.

[0119] Figure 7A-7D Included is a perspective view of latch 328 and catch 332 . Fig.7D Includes a cross-sectional view of latch 328 and catch 336 .

[0120] like Fig. 7AAs shown, the extension panels 336 may extend rearwardly until at least one of the extension panels 336 contacts the inner surface 304 of the inner portion 64. When the extension panels 336 contact the inner surface 304, the latch 328 may be actuated (eg, manually) to latch the extension panels 336 to the inner portion 64.

[0121] Figure 7B and Figure 7C An example illustration of latching the extension panel to the interior portion 64 using the latch 328 is included. The latch 328 may include a first portion 704 and a second portion 708. One or more biasing devices (eg, springs) may bias the first portion 704 and the second portion 708 toward each other. Fig. 7A The first portion 704 is biased to the position shown and keeps the latch 328 engaged when the latch 328 is latched to the buckle 332. The first portion 704 can include a C-shaped portion 712 that is configured to engage the buckle 332 (e.g., a notch 716 in the buckle) and secure the extension panel 336 to the inner portion 64. In various embodiments, the first portion 704 includes an extension 720 that extends away from the C-shaped portion 712. The extension 720 can help a user release the latch 328 by reaching through the buckle 332 and pulling the extension 720 forward.

[0122] The previous description is merely illustrative in nature and is in no way intended to limit the present disclosure, its application or use. The broad teachings of the present disclosure can be implemented in a variety of forms. Therefore, although the present disclosure includes specific examples, the true scope of the present disclosure should not be so limited, because after studying the drawings, the specification and the appended claims, other modifications will become apparent. It should be understood that one or more steps in the method can be performed in different orders (or simultaneously) without changing the principles of the present disclosure. In addition, although each of the embodiments in these embodiments is described above as having certain features, any one or more of those features described in any embodiment of the present disclosure can be implemented in any embodiment of the other embodiments and / or combined with the features of any embodiment in the other embodiments, even if the combination is not explicitly described. In other words, the described embodiments are not mutually exclusive, and the replacement of one or more embodiments with each other is still within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0123] Spatial and functional relationships between elements (e.g., between modules, circuit elements, semiconductor layers, etc.) are described using various terms, including "connected," "engaged," "coupled," "adjacent," "immediately adjacent," "on top of," "above," "below," and "disposed on." Unless explicitly described as "directly," when describing a relationship between a first element and a second element in the above disclosure, the relationship may be a direct relationship in which no other intermediate elements exist between the first element and the second element, but may also be an indirect relationship in which one or more intermediate elements (spatially or functionally) exist between the first element and the second element. As used herein, the phrase "at least one of A, B, and C" should be interpreted as representing a logical (A or B or C) using a non-exclusive logical "or," and should not be interpreted as representing "at least one of A, at least one of B, and at least one of C."

[0124] As used herein, forward, backward, right, and left may be directions relative to the normal orientation of a vehicle. For example, forward may mean in the normal forward direction of a vehicle, and backward may mean the normal reverse direction of a vehicle. Right may mean the normal right direction of a vehicle (relative to forward), and left may mean the normal left direction of a vehicle (relative to forward). As used herein, "approximately" may mean + / - 10% as it relates to measurements or within 10 degrees of an angle.

Claims

1. A pickup truck cargo compartment extension system, the system comprising: cargo compartment; as well as a tailgate defining a rearmost point of the cargo bed, the tailgate defining a portion of a topmost edge of the cargo bed when the tailgate is in a closed position, and the tailgate being configured to pivot to a lowered position via one or more first hinges, wherein the lowered position is approximately perpendicular to the closed position, wherein when the tailgate is in the closed position, a first distance between the forward-most point of the cargo compartment and the tailgate is less than or equal to 6 feet, and Wherein, the rear baffle comprises: an outer portion having a first lateral side and one or more second hinges; and an inner portion having a second lateral side disposed adjacent to the first lateral side when the tailgate is in the lowered position, wherein the inner portion is configured to rotate to a vertical position via the one or more second hinges, wherein the upright position is approximately parallel to the closed position and approximately perpendicular to the lowered position, and wherein a second distance between a forward-most point of the cargo box and the interior portion is at least 8 feet when the interior portion is in the upright position; a left storage box disposed within the cargo compartment and behind the left rear wheel well; and a right storage box disposed in the cargo compartment and disposed behind the right rear wheel well; in, the left storage box including at least one first extension panel configured to move rearwardly from the right storage box and directly contact the interior portion when the interior portion is in a vertical position; the right storage box comprising at least one second extension panel configured to move rearwardly from the right storage box and directly contact the interior portion when the interior portion is in a vertical position; and When the at least one first extension panel moves rearward, the left storage box opens, and when the at least one second extension panel moves rearward, the right storage box opens.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein: The first distance is 5 feet 10 inches.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein: The height of the outer portion is at least 20 inches.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising at least one spring pin configured to maintain the inner portion in a vertical position.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein: The inner portion is further configured to rotate via the one or more second hinges to a second vertical position, wherein the second vertical position is approximately parallel to the closed position, approximately perpendicular to the lowered position, and approximately 180 degrees from the vertical position.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein: The inner portion includes one or more handles formed in an edge of the inner portion, the one or more handles being disposed proximate the one or more first hinges when the tailgate is in the closed position.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein: The interior portion includes a first inner surface and a first outer surface; The outer portion includes a second inner surface and a second outer surface; When the tailgate is in the closed position, the first inner surface faces the second inner surface; When the tailgate is in the closed position, the second outer surface faces rearward; as well as The first exterior surface forms an interior surface of the cargo bed when the tailgate is in the closed position.

8. The system of claim 7, further comprising one or more storage compartments formed in the second interior surface.

9. The system according to claim 1, wherein: The height of the at least one first extension panel and the at least one second extension panel is at least three quarters of the height of the cargo box.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein: The left storage box includes a first sliding member; The at least one first extension panel is configured to move rearwardly along the first slide member; The right storage box includes a second sliding member; and The at least one second extension panel is configured to move rearwardly along the second glide.

11. The system according to claim 1, wherein: The inner part also includes: a first latch configured to latch to a first catch of the at least one first extension panel; and A second latch is configured to latch to a second catch of the at least one second extension panel.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein: The first clip includes a first aperture through the at least one first extension panel; and The second clip includes a second aperture through the at least one second extension panel.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein: the first latch comprising a first C-shaped portion configured to engage the first aperture; and The second latch includes a second C-shaped portion configured to engage the second aperture.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein: The first latch further includes a first extension extending away from the first C-shaped portion; and The second latch further includes a second extension extending away from the second C-shaped portion.

15. The system of claim 11, wherein: the first latch being configured to, when latched to the first catch, retain the at least one first extension panel in direct contact with the interior portion; as well as The second latch is configured to retain the at least one second extension panel in direct contact with the interior portion when latched to the second catch.

16. A pickup truck cargo bed extension system, the system comprising: cargo compartment; a tailgate configured to pivot to a lowered position via one or more first hinges, The tailgate comprises: an outer portion having a first lateral side and one or more second hinges; an inner portion having a second lateral side disposed adjacent to the first lateral side when the tailgate is in the lowered position, wherein the inner portion is configured to rotate to a vertical position via the one or more second hinges, wherein the vertical position is approximately perpendicular to the lowered position; at least one first extension panel configured to move rearwardly and directly contact the inner portion when the inner portion is in a vertical position; and at least one second extension panel configured to move rearwardly and directly contact the interior portion when the interior portion is in the vertical position; Wherein, the internal part also includes: a first latch configured to latch to a first catch of the at least one first extension panel; and a second latch configured to latch to a second catch of the at least one second extension panel; in, The first clip includes a first aperture through the at least one first extension panel; and The second clip includes a second aperture through the at least one second extension panel; and in, the first latch comprising a first C-shaped portion configured to engage the first aperture; and The second latch includes a second C-shaped portion configured to engage the second aperture.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein: The first latch further includes a first extension extending away from the first C-shaped portion; and The second latch further includes a second extension extending away from the second C-shaped portion.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein: the first latch being configured to, when latched to the first catch, retain the at least one first extension panel in direct contact with the interior portion; as well as The second latch is configured to retain the at least one second extension panel in direct contact with the interior portion when latched to the second catch.

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