US5069498A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pickup truck retractable endgate air foil
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1990-08-22
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Granted: 1991-12-03
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Expires: 2010-08-22
Abstract
Abstract The present invention, an extendable, retractable endgate air foil, is a device for deflecting the flow of air through the bed (7) of a pickup truck or car up and over the endgate (1). The device includes rigid, overlapping panels (5) (10), which direct the air flow from the lower floor of the bed (7) over the inclined panels stretching from the wheelwells (9) to the top of the endgate (1) in order to reduce air drag on the otherwise upright, closed endgate. The air foil panels (5) (10) will also retract upwardly and rearwardly for pinning onto the bottom of the vehicle's endgate (1) in order to maximize load capacity in keeping with the intended purpose of the conventional truck bed and rear-end tailgate.
Inventors
- 👤 Larry J. Benchoff
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 16:36
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D35/00; B62D35/001; B62D35/007; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T10/00; Y02T10/80; Y02T10/82
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
108 words
A combined extendable and retractable air foil for a pickup truck or car having an upper edge of an upper panel hingedly connected to the upper edge portion of an endgate, a lower panel telescopically slidably connected to the upper panel, the lower panel being extended from the upper panel with the lower edges of the lower panel resting against the rear portions of the wheelwells in this operative use position, the lower panel being retracted into the upper panel and resting against the inner surface of the endgate when not used as an air foil, means for maintaining the air foil in its use and non-use position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
108 words
A combined extendable and retractable air foil for a pickup truck or car having an upper edge of an upper panel hingedly connected to the upper edge portion of an endgate, a lower panel telescopically slidably connected to the upper panel, the lower panel being extended from the upper panel with the lower edges of the lower panel resting against the rear portions of the wheelwells in this operative use position, the lower panel being retracted into the upper panel and resting against the inner surface of the endgate when not used as an air foil, means for maintaining the air foil in its use and non-use position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
79 words
The structure as defined in claim 1 wherein said maintaining means comprising at least one pin insertable through an aperture formed in a portion adjacent said lower edge and corresponding apertures formed in the truck bed and the tailgate to direct air flowing through the bed up and over the endgate to reduce air drag, increase the fuel mileage, and to create a downward force on the rear wheels for improved stability of the vehicle in its extended position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
The structure as defined in claim 1 wherein when said air foil is in its use position, a storage area is fully enclosed by said air foil and the side walls, the bed and the end gate of the pickup truck.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
The structure as defined in claim 1 wherein said telescopic panels retracted and pinned at the base of the endgate to place the vehicle back to its original pickup/car bed contour for its normal hauling capability.
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) | 1994-12-02 | 1995-06-03 | 1995-12-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-12-02 | 1999-06-03 | 1999-12-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-12-02 | 2003-06-03 | 2003-12-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |