Ramp king with folding tailgate

Claim 2

A foldable vehicle tailgate ramp assembly comprising-(a) a plurality of rectangular ramp panels each having top and bottom surfaces and longitudinal and lateral sides; wherein a first of these ramp panels is pivotably mountable to a vehicle to form a tailgate adapted when in position on the vehicle to swing about an axis adjacent a lower longitudinal side of the first panel between a closed, vertical first position to a second, open ramp position; (b) means to pivotably connect the ramp panels along adjacent longitudinal aides so as to unfold into an operable ramp position with the panels held in coplanar relationship when the first of the ramp panels is in open position, and fold into a storage position with the first of the ramp panels in closed position; and (c) means to releasably secure the ramp panels in first position.

Claim 3

The foldable vehicle tailgate ramp assembly of claim 1 wherein the corresponding longitudinal sides of adjacent panels are pivotably connected by means of a hinge assemblies each having means to limit the relative pivoting of corresponding panels in one direction to a position wherein the top surfaces are substantially coplanar.

Claim 4

The foldable vehicle tailgate ramp assembly of claim 2 wherein the hinge assembly comprises: (a) a pair of spaced, aligned hinge sleeves respectively secured to different ones of corresponding longitudinal sides of adjacent panels and a rod rotatably secured within; and (b) a stop block secured to one of these longitudinal sides so as to abut against a surface bearing bar affixed to the other longitudinal side to retain the panels in a coplanar relationship when in ramp position.

Claim 5

The foldable vehicle tailgate ramp assembly of claim 1 wherein latches are secured to the panels to releasably secure the panels in closed position.

Claim 6

The foldable vehicle tailgate ramp assembly of claim 4 wherein the latches comprise a pair of conventional latches secured to lateral sides of first panel to releasably secure the first of the ramp panels to the vehicle in vertical orientation when in closed position and a pair of spring-loaded latches secured to the lateral sides of another of the panels to releasably hold the ramp panels in storage position.

Claim 7

The foldable vehicle tailgate ramp assembly of claim 5 wherein each of the spring-loaded latches comprise a panel-gripping finger, moveable against the bias of the spring to releasably grip lateral sides of the other ramp panels to hold them in folded positions.

Claim 8

The foldable vehicle tailgate ramp assembly of claim 1 wherein a pair of telescopically adjustable vertical support members are affixed to the lateral sides of a central ramp panel to supportably engage a ground surface when the panels are into ramp position.

Claim 9

The foldable vehicle tailgate ramp assembly comprising: (a) a plurality of rectangular ramp panels each having top and bottom surfaces and longitudinal and lateral sides; a first of said panels being pivotably mounted to the vehicle to form a tailgate and the others of said panels being pivotably connected to each other along adjacent longitudinal sides; (b) a pair of hinge assemblies pivotably connecting the panels at adjacent longitudinal sides so that in operation the panels will unfold and fold between a first folded position wherein the top surfaces of consecutive panels opposedly face one another and a second open, ramp position wherein the top surfaces form a continuous planar ramp surface; (c) a pair of adjustable legs hingedly connected to longitudinal sides of a central panel to provide support to the panels when in ramp position; and (d) latching means to releasably lock respectively the first panel to the vehicle as a tailgate and the other panels to the first panel when the panels are in folded position.

Claim 10

The foldable vehicle tailgate ramp assembly comprising: (a) a plurality of rectangular ramp panels each having top and bottom surfaces and longitudinal and lateral sides; a first of said panels being pivotably mounted to the vehicle to form a tailgate and the others of said panels being pivotably connected to each other along adjacent longitudinal sides; (b) a pair of hinge assemblies pivotably connecting the panels at adjacent longitudinal sides so that in operation the panels will unfold and fold between a first folded position wherein the top surfaces of consecutive panels opposedly face one another and a second open, ramp position wherein the top surfaces form a continuous planar ramp surface; (c) a pair of adjustable legs hingedly connected to longitudinal sides of a central panel to provide support to the panels when in ramp position; and (d) latching means to releasably lock respectively the first panel to the vehicle as a tailgate and the other panels to the first panel when the panels are in folded position.