US4531773A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicle tailgate extension assembly
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1983-12-23
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Granted: 1985-07-30
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Expires: 2003-12-23
Abstract
Abstract The assembly of the present invention comprises a foldable container slideably connected to a pair of slide guides adapted to be secured to opposite sides of a vehicle tailgate. The container in one operative position has an open top and front and closed bottom, rear and sides. The container comprises a bottom bed panel, a rear panel hinged thereto and moveable between a stacked position over the bed panel, a vertical operative position and a hangtail operative position hanging below and behind the bed panel. A pair of side panels are hinged to opposite sides of the rear panel and are moveable between a stored position overlying the rear panel and an operative position perpendicular thereto and forwardly thereof. Catches releasably latch the side panels to the rear panel and, in the operative position, to a vehicle frame, and similar catches releasably latch the bed panel and thus the container to the slide guides. The container may slide between a forward stored position and a rear operative position. Telescoping slide guides and/or bed and side panels may be provided to facilitate rearward extension of the container. The assembly is simple, inexpensive, easy to install, store and remove, and effectively increases the carrying capacity of an open bed truck, station wagon, etc.
Inventors
- 👤 Gareth J. Smith
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 23:44
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D33/00; B62D33/02; B62D33/023; B62D33/027; B62D33/0273
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
164 words
An improved vehicle tailgate extension assembly, said assembly comprising, in combination: (a) a container having in the hauling mode an open front and top, and closed sides, rear and bottom, said container comprising plurality of generally flat interconnected panels, including: i. a bottom bed panel, ii. a rear panel hinged to the rear end of said bed panel and moveable between a position overlying said bed panel, a vertical hauling position above said bed panel and a position hanging below and behind said bed panel, and iii. a pair of side panels hinged to opposite sides of said rear panel and moveable between a folded position abutting said rear panel and an operative position at about a right angle to said rear panel and extending forwardly thereof; and, (b) a pair of slide guides releasably secureable to opposite sides of the tailgate of a vehicle, said guides each having a recess within which a side of said bed panel slides and is releasably secured.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
164 words
An improved vehicle tailgate extension assembly, said assembly comprising, in combination: (a) a container having in the hauling mode an open front and top, and closed sides, rear and bottom, said container comprising plurality of generally flat interconnected panels, including: i. a bottom bed panel, ii. a rear panel hinged to the rear end of said bed panel and moveable between a position overlying said bed panel, a vertical hauling position above said bed panel and a position hanging below and behind said bed panel, and iii. a pair of side panels hinged to opposite sides of said rear panel and moveable between a folded position abutting said rear panel and an operative position at about a right angle to said rear panel and extending forwardly thereof; and, (b) a pair of slide guides releasably secureable to opposite sides of the tailgate of a vehicle, said guides each having a recess within which a side of said bed panel slides and is releasably secured.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The improved assembly of claim 1 wherein said guides include releasable stop means to facilitate securing said bed panel in an operative rear position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The improved assembly of claim 2 wherein said side panels include means for releasably locking said side panels against said rear panel and against the frame of a vehicle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The improved assembly of claim 3 wherein said real panel includes means for releasably locking said assembly in the folded stored position against the tailgate of a vehicle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The improved assembly of claim 4 wherein said side panel releasable locking means and said slide guide releasable stop means comprise spring-type bullet catches.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The improved assembly of claim 5 wherein said container is removable from said slide guides by releasing said slide guide stop means and sliding said bed panel from said slide guides.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The improved assembly of claim 1 wherein said slide guides telescope to extend said container rearwardly of the tailgate of a vehicle.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The improved assembly of claim 1 wherein said bed panel and side panels telescope to extend said container rearwardly of the tailgate of a vehicle.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The improved assembly of claim 1 wherein said rear panel includes light reflective safety means and wherein said panels catches, locks and slides are of metal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
112 words
An improved vehicle extension assembly comprising, in combination: (a) a vehicle having a predefined storage space, and (b) means for increasing said storage space, (c) wherein said vehicle is a flat bed vehicle, (d) wherein said means for increasing the storage space includes a collapsable container adapted to be secured to the rear end of said vehicle, (e) wherein said container includes a plurality of interconnecting panels, including: i. a bottom bed panel, ii. a rear panel hinged to said bed panel, and iii. a plurality of side panels hinged to said rear panel, and (f) wherein said vehicle has a tailgate and said bed panel is slideably connected to said tailgate.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
112 words
An improved vehicle extension assembly comprising, in combination: (a) a vehicle having a predefined storage space, and (b) means for increasing said storage space, (c) wherein said vehicle is a flat bed vehicle, (d) wherein said means for increasing the storage space includes a collapsable container adapted to be secured to the rear end of said vehicle, (e) wherein said container includes a plurality of interconnecting panels, including: i. a bottom bed panel, ii. a rear panel hinged to said bed panel, and iii. a plurality of side panels hinged to said rear panel, and (f) wherein said vehicle has a tailgate and said bed panel is slideably connected to said tailgate.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
The extension assembly of claim 10 wherein said side panels are telescoping panels.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
The extension assembly of claim 11 wherein said bed panel is a telescoping panel.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-07-29 | 1989-01-28 | 1989-07-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-07-29 | 1993-01-28 | 1993-07-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-07-29 | 1997-01-28 | 1997-07-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |