Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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DISCLOSURE
This invention relates to an adjustable width tailgate
for a pickup truck, and more particularly to a combination
tailgate capable of being placed in several positions. The
tailgate acts as a replacement part and will fit the boxes of the
major North American truck makers.
Background of the Invention
Production pickup trucks have been equipped with
standard tailgates for many years. The tailgate generally
comprises a rectangular single panel with a locking means. The
gate is placed either in a closed vertical position across the
rear opening of a truck box or in a lowered open horizontal
position, extending beyond the truck box.
Such tailgates, although universally accepted, have a
number of drawbacks. Firstly, it is difficult to store small
items in the rear of the box of the truck because one must extend
oneself over the open tailgate to put such items in. Secondly, it
is difficult to climb into the box. Thirdly, the tailgate, in the
horizontal position, can become damaged when heavy loads are
lifted thereon, such as ATV's or other heavy objects. In
addition, it is difficult to place a ramp on the rear of the
truck box for mounting a snowmobile. Finally, the operator cannot
load such items as 10 foot 2 X 4s or other materials on one side
of the truck box while placing tool boxes, etc. on other side of
the box without leaving the complete tailgate open. With the
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tailgate left open to accommodate the longer items, chances of
losing smaller items from the truck box during travel is
increased.
Thus, there appears to be a need to have a combination
tailgate split in two yet able to function as a normal tailgate
when conditions require. Split tailgates are not new. Such a
tailgate is found in USP 5,029,927, However, that tailgate is not
designed for a normal pickup truck as it requires complex
hydraulics and other parts, and is rather expensive to
manufacture and maintain.
Similarly, in USP 2,806,735, a split tailgate is shown.
The problem with this device is complex fittings. Thus, the
tailgate is not adapted to fit on the standard fittings of a
pickup truck. Moreover, the gate panels are not capable of moving
inwardly which is desirable in some cases where the operator does
not wish any portion of the tailgate to extend beyond the limit
of the truck box.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to
provide a combination split. tailgate which can be inexpensively
produced and is adapted to fit immediately on the standard
fittings already provided for a conventional tailgate of a pickup
truck. Furthermore, the inventor has fund that by making the
width of the tailgate adjustable for several box widths, great
savings in inventory can be made.
Therefore, this invention seeks to provide a width
adjustable combination tailgate adapted to be mounted on standard
tailgate fittings of a pickup truck box comprising: a three-sided
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rectangular outer frame; said outer frame adapted for pivotal
movement about said standard fittings at its lowermost outer
ends, from a vertical locked position to a horizontal extended
open position; said tailgate further comprising a pair of
substantially rectangular gate panels pivotally mounted within
said outer frame for movement independent of one another; said
gate panels being equipped with locking means to releasably lock
said panels into said outer frame in an aligned position
transverse to the longitudinal axis of said truck box; wherein in
operation, when said outer frame is in the vertical locked
position, access to said truck box can be gained by opening one
or both of said gate panels inwardly or outwardly; said gate
panels being adapted to open inwardly 90° within said box
parallel to the sides of said box or outwardly 90°, extending
rearwardly of said box; and when said gate panels are in the
aligned locked position, and said outer frame is moved to the
horizontal extended open position, conventional access to said
truck box is permitted.
In a preferred embodiment the gate panels are comprised
of substantially rectangular frames covered with a rigid mesh
such that in travel operation, when said outer frame is in the
vertical locked position, and said gate panels are in the aligned
position, air within the truck box can pass freely through the
tailgate, thereby reducing wind resistance on the pickup truck.
The tailgate of the present invention is easily
constructed using an outer, three-sided, rectangular frame which
is equipped with fittings on its outer vertical side edges. These
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are adapted to engage the circular fitting affixed to the lower
rear ends of a truck box. The outer frame can be locked by means
of a bolt inserted behind the inwardly extending horizontal
conventional locking projection mounted on the inner sides of the
5 tailgate opening of a standard pickup truck.
Pivotally mounted within the frame are a pair of gate
panels which are preferably covered with a mesh to reduce wind
resistance. These gate panels can be locked in place in the
vertical upright position by means of spring loaded rods
connected to handles. If one desires to open one gate only, the
gate can be moved outwardly o:r inwardly to permit easy access to
the truck box. When the gate panels are in the vertical aligned
locked position, the tailgate assumes the normal vertical locked
position of a standard tailgate. When the outer frame is released
from the truck box and moved downwardly and rearwardly to the
horizontal open position the tailgate assumes the conventional
open position.
The gates are lockable onto a lower mounting track by
means of Alan Head Locking Nuts. Thus the inner sides of the
gates will vary in the closed positions depending on the box
width.
The various combinations of the present invention offer
an inexpensive and sturdy tailgate with great versatility.
The details of the invention will be more clearly
understood in connection with the following drawings wherein:
Figure I is a rear view of the tailgate of the present
invention in the vertical closed position;
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Figure la is a detailed rear view of tailgate panel 16
in the closed vertical position;
Figure 2 is a top view of the tailgate of the present
invention in an open horizontal, rearwardly extending position;
Figure 3 is a detailed perspective view of the driver's
side of the tailgate of the present invention when the complete
tailgate is in the horizontal open position;
Figure 4 is a rear view of the tailgate of the present
invention with the outer frame in the vertical closed position,
the driver's side gate panel in an open forward position, and the
passenger is side gate panel in a closed position;
Figure 5 is a perspective view of the tailgate of the
present invention with the outer frame in the vertical closed
position, the driver's side gate open rearwardly, and the
passenger's side gate closed in the vertical locked position;
Figure 6 is a rear view of the tailgate of the present
invention with the outer frame in the closed vertical position
with both the driver's side gate and passenger's side gate in an
open forwardly extending position; and
Figures 7A to 7F show the adjustable feature of the
gates to fit different widths of truck boxes.
Considering Figures l, la, 2 and 3 where similar
numerals represent similar parts, a pickup truck I is equipped
with a standard conventional truck box 2, the truck box having
typically rearwardly extending sides 3a and 3b, and a floor or
bed 4. The construction of the box is such that the rear end of
box is open, making a place for a standard tailgate or a
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replacement tailgate of the present invention. The tailgate of
the present invention, like a conventional tailgate, is designed
to fit within the right angled rear corners of the box generally
shown as 6,6, as seen in Figures 2 and 3.
The standard pickup truck box rear angled sides 6,6 are
equipped with a lower inwardly projecting round hinge means 7,
shown in dotted lines in Figure la. There is also an upper
inwardly projecting horizontal locking means $. Typically, a
standard tailgate is adapted to pivot about hinge means 7 and
with a locking mechanism, lock the tailgate in place on upper
locking means 8.
As shown in Figures I and 2, the tailgate of the
present invention is generally shown as 9. It has an outer three-
sided rectangular frame comprising a driver's side upstanding
frame member 10 and a passenger's side upstanding frame member
II. These are fixedly connected at right angles to a lower
horizontal outer frame member 12. At each end of lower horizontal
outer frame member 12 is a conventional circular hinge fitting
13, as seen in Figure la. These fittings are adapted to rotate
about projections 7 fixedly attached to truck box rear angled
members 6. In this manner the outer frame of the tailgate is
adapted to pivot about projection 7 from an upright vertical
position to a horizontal rearwardly extending open position as
shown in Figure 2.
At the top of each of vertical outer frame members 10
and 11 is a horizontally inwardly directed flange 14, as seen in
Figures la and 2. This is equipped with an aperture or recess.
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Similarly, on the bottom of each outer side of lower horizontal
frame member 12 is a similar type of flange 15. Flanges 15 are
directly in line with flanges 14, and flanges 15 are also
equipped with an aperture or recess (shown in dotted lines).
Pivotally mounted within the outer frame at either
side, between flanges 14 and 15, are two rectangular gate panels,
shown generally in Figures 1 and 2 as 16,17. These rectangular
gate panels consist of an outer frame covered with a heavy duty
mesh 19. The frames of gate panels 16 and 1'J include vertical
frame members 20, which lie parallel to outer frame side members
10 and 11, respectively. Located within each member 20,
throughout its length, is a pivot rod 21, as shown in dotted
lines in Figure la, which is adapted to pivot within the recesses
located in brackets 14,15. In order to ensure long life for the
pivot rod 21, two grease fittings 22,22 are located on the and
bottom of vertical frame members 20.
Gate panels 16 and 17 further include a lower
horizontal frame member 23, which is at right angles to and
fixedly attached to vertical frame member 20. The opposite end of
the lower horizontal frame member 23 is fixedly attached at right
angles to inner vertical member 24 which is shorter than frame
member 20, in a preferred embodiment.
Finally, gate panels 16,17 are equipped with a top
frame member 25 which is inclined downwardly at point 26 to
fixedly join inner vertical frame member 24 at point 18. Inner
vertical frame members 24,24, similar to outer frame members
20,20, are equipped with a channel extending throughout their
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length and marked as 24a. Within channel 24a is a locking rod 27,
as shown in dotted lines in Figure la, which is resiliently
biassed by means of spring 27a. The upper portion of locking rod
27 is fixedly attached to a handle 28. As shown in Figure la,
handles 28 can be moved upwardly or downwardly the vertical
distance of slots 29 located in inner frame members 24,24.
When handle 28 is released to the lower position
locking rod 27 locks within an aperture 30 of locking bracket 31.
Locking brackets 31,31 are in line with channels 24a,24a of
tailgate panels 16,17 and are fixedly mounted on the upper
surface of lower horizontal outer frame member 12. When handles
28 are raised and locking rods 27 are raised and released from
apertures 30, the panels 16 and 17 can be pivoted between flanges
14 and 15 inwardly or outwardly within or without the truck box.
Tailgate 9 can open downwardly and rearwardly to the
lower horizontal open position. A standard cable 32 is attached
to bracket 33 located on outer frame side members 10 and 11 at
one end and at its opposite end it is attached to bracket 34,
fixedly mounted on the rear angled sides 6 of box 2. Cable 32 is
used to limit the downward and rearward movement of the tailgate
9 to keep the tailgate in an open horizontal position.
To lock tailgate 9 in the vertical upward position,
each of outer frame side members 10 and 11 are equipped with a
pair of fixedly attached U-shaped brackets 35,36 as shown in both
Figures la and 3.
When the tailgate outer frame is lifted forwardly and
upwardly to the vertical position, U-shaped bracket 35 is adapted
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to lie below and forwardly of projection 8, as shown in Figure
la; similarly upper U-shaped bracket 36 is adapted to lie above
and forwardly of projection 8.
U-shaped brackets 35 and 36 are adapted to engage a
5 locking pin 37 which is attached to a safety chain 38. When
locking pin 37 is inserted through U-shaped brackets 35,36 when
the tailgate is in the closed vertical position, pin 37 is wedged
forwardly of projection 8, thus locking the tailgate in the
vertical closed position.
10 As is normally found on the right angled rear portions
6,6 of the rear opening of a standard pickup truck, a pair of
bumpers 39 and 40 are fixedly attached to the box so that when
tailgate 9 is placed in the vertical closed locked position,
tailgate 9-does not rattle against the truck box 2, as seen in
Figure la.
Figures 7a to 7f relate to the essence of the present
invention and are the true inventive embodiment of the invention
over the inventor's prior art.
Figure 7a is a top view that shows that lower
horizontal main frame 12 of the tailgate has been severed and now
consists of left-sided main frame 12a and right-side main frame
12b. 12a is fixedly connected to vertical left side main frame
10, and 12b is fixedly connected to vertical right side main
frame 11 .
Main frames 12a and 12b are adapted to slide inwardly
or outwarly within sleeve 41, This is to adapt the outer ends of
main frames 12a and 12b to attach to rounded hinges 7 of truck
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boxes of different widths, in other words, this embodiment of the
invention can be used to install the tailgate in all normal truck
boxes of major North American pickups. Sleeve 41 is equipped
with two raised elongated projections, 44, on its top side,
forming a channel. These replace former aperture 31 and are
adapted to receive rods 30 which can move outwardly or inwardly,
depending on the lateral movements of the two gates. Apertures
are adapted, as usual, to receive pivotal vertical rods 21.
Figures 7b and 7c are side and bottom views
10 respectively of sleeve 44 and main frames 12a and 2b. As shown
more clearly in figures 7d, 7e and 7f, sleeve 41 is equipped with
aperture 42 which are adapted to receive alan head locking set
screws 13.
In operation, beginning with Figure 1, the tailgate 9
15 of the present invention can be maintained in a vertical closed
position with gates 16 and 17 aligned with one, another in a line
transverse to the longitudinal axis of truck box 2.
When pins 37 are removed from U-shaped brackets 35,36,
the entire outer frame, along with gates 16 and 17, can be
lowered to the horizontal open position, as shown in Figures 2
and 3. When it is desired to open one or both of the individual
gate panel members 16,17, outer frame member is returned to the
vertical closed position and pins 37 are reinserted into their
respective U-shaped brackets 35,36. In order to have access to
the box on the driver's side, handle 28 of gate panel 16 is
raised upwardly, releasing locking rod 27 from aperture 30 and
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gate panel 16 can be swung inwardly within truck box 2 to be
parallel with truck box side 3a, as shown in Figure 4.
As shown in Figure 5, gate panel 16 is also capable of
being moved outwardly and rearwardly such that it is extending
parallel to truck box side 3a and rearwardly thereof.
As shown in Figure 6, handles 28 of both side members
16,17 are raised, releasing locking rods 27 from apertures 30 of
brackets 31,31, and both gate panels can be moved inwardly to
respectively lie parallel to sides 3a and 3b of truck box 2.
Although not shown in the drawings it is understood that both
gate members 16 and 17 can be rearwardly extended as gate panel
member 16 is shown in Figure 5.
In operation, as shown in figures 7a to 7f, the
tailgate is placed in a box of a pickup truck and lower main
frames are extended outwardly or retracted inwardly in order to
secure the circular hinges '7 of the truck box. Once the proper
width is obtained, set screws 43 are tightened in aperture 42 to
secure 12a and 12b in sleeve 41 at the correct distance.
Thus, it can be seen that the tailgate of the present
invention is extremely versats_1e and adapted to be used in
various configurations, in a manner never heretofore disclosed,
to accommodate many loading requirements.
