Tailgate for a pickup truck

Claim 1

A tailgate apparatus adapted to be positioned at the rearward extremity of a cargo compartment having a horizontal floor and vertical sidewalls, said apparatus comprising: (a) a rigid tailgate panel of generally rectangular configuration having upper and lower horizontal edges and opposed side edges, (b) a first bearing post extending horizontally outwardly from each side edge adjacent the lower horizontal edge, (c) brace means associated with each side edge of said tailgate panel and comprised of upper and lower elongated flat arms, one of said arms having an elongated slot, the other arm having a second bearing post adapted to slidably engage said slot, the proximal upper extremity of the upper arm being pivotably attached to a corresponding sidewall of said cargo compartment, the proximal lower extremity of the lower arm being pivotably attached to a corresponding side edge of the tailgate panel, the distal extremities of said arms being in facing juxtaposition and interengaged by said second bearing post, and (d) a storage compartment located in the floor of the cargo compartment, having a size adequate to accommodate said tailgate panel, and having paired horizontally oriented track means adapted to slideably retain the first bearing posts of said tailgate panel, whereby (e) said first bearing posts permit pivotal and sliding movement of the tailgate panel, and (f) said tailgate panel can be adjustably positioned between an upright closed position, a first open position extending horizontally rearwardly from the cargo compartment, and a second open position wherein said tailgate panel is stored beneath said cargo compartment in horizontal disposition.