US5211437A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Combination tailgate and ramp assembly
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1992-07-08
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Granted: 1993-05-18
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Expires: 2012-07-08
Abstract
Abstract A combination tailgate and ramp assembly 10 formed of a pair of ramps 14 and 20, which when fastened together with fastener brackets 32 and 72 form a conventional tailgate hinged and rotatable about a transverse sliderail 30. Swing pin hinge 68 supports the lower left corner of ramp 14 and swing pin hinge 70 supports the lower right hand corner of right ramp 22 and provides three dimensional rotational ability. When unfastened, ramps 14 and 22 can be rotated down, out and over to form a loading ramp.
Inventors
- 👤 Dennis R. Gerulf
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 20:59
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60P; B60P1/00; B60P1/43; B60P1/435
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
340 words
A combination tailgate and ramp assembly for use with a vehicle having a truck bed, side walls, a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis, which comprises: a slide rail for serving as a pivot axis for movement of the tailgate assembly from a substantially vertical position to a substantially horizontal position attached to the end of the truck bed parallel to the transverse axis; a first ramp and a second ramp, each having a longitudinal axis, and each adapted for attachment, at one corner to a first and second swing pin hinge, respectively, and each further configured in size and shape to serve, in a orientation with its longitudinal axis parallel to the transverse axis of the truck bed, as a tailgate closure panel; said first swing pin hinge for rotatable attachment to said first ramp at a corner of said ramp, said first swing pin hinge configured for rotation about the axis of the slide rail, for transverse displacement along the slide rail, for angular rotation of the first ramp from a transverse orientation of its longitudinal axis to an orientation parallel to the longitudinal axis of the truck bed, and for axial rotation of the first ramp panel normal to the axis of the slide rail; said second swing pin hinge for rotatable attachment to said second ramp at a corner of said ramp, said second swing pin hinge configured for rotation about the axis of the slide rail, for angular rotation of the second ramp from a transverse orientation of its longitudinal axis to an orientation parallel to the longitudinal axis of the truck bed, and for axial rotation of the second ramp panel normal to the axis of the slide rail; means for rotatably and slidably attaching the first swing pin hinge to the slide rail; means for rotatably attaching the second swing pin hinge to the slide rail; means for rotatably attaching the first swing pin hinge to the first ramp; and means for rotatably attaching the second swing pin hinge to the second ramp.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
340 words
A combination tailgate and ramp assembly for use with a vehicle having a truck bed, side walls, a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis, which comprises: a slide rail for serving as a pivot axis for movement of the tailgate assembly from a substantially vertical position to a substantially horizontal position attached to the end of the truck bed parallel to the transverse axis; a first ramp and a second ramp, each having a longitudinal axis, and each adapted for attachment, at one corner to a first and second swing pin hinge, respectively, and each further configured in size and shape to serve, in a orientation with its longitudinal axis parallel to the transverse axis of the truck bed, as a tailgate closure panel; said first swing pin hinge for rotatable attachment to said first ramp at a corner of said ramp, said first swing pin hinge configured for rotation about the axis of the slide rail, for transverse displacement along the slide rail, for angular rotation of the first ramp from a transverse orientation of its longitudinal axis to an orientation parallel to the longitudinal axis of the truck bed, and for axial rotation of the first ramp panel normal to the axis of the slide rail; said second swing pin hinge for rotatable attachment to said second ramp at a corner of said ramp, said second swing pin hinge configured for rotation about the axis of the slide rail, for angular rotation of the second ramp from a transverse orientation of its longitudinal axis to an orientation parallel to the longitudinal axis of the truck bed, and for axial rotation of the second ramp panel normal to the axis of the slide rail; means for rotatably and slidably attaching the first swing pin hinge to the slide rail; means for rotatably attaching the second swing pin hinge to the slide rail; means for rotatably attaching the first swing pin hinge to the first ramp; and means for rotatably attaching the second swing pin hinge to the second ramp.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
The combination tailgate and ramp assembly of claim 1 which further comprises: means for fastening the pair of ramps together in transverse orientation; and means for latching the fastened pair of ramps to the side walls of the truck bed in a vertical, and transverse orientation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
The combination tailgate and ramp assembly of claim 2 wherein the means for fastening the pair of ramps together further comprises a pair of fastening brackets each rotatably attached to the slide rail transversely outward of swing pin hinge.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
65 words
The combination tailgate and ramp assembly of claim 2 wherein the means for latching the pair of ramps to the side walls of the truck bed further comprises a pair of latches, each having a downwardly extendable latch pin slidably attached to a truck bed side wall and a latch pin receiving bracket attached to a ramp for removably holding a downwardly extended latch pin.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
209 words
A combination tailgate and ramp assembly for use with a vehicle having a truck bed, side walls, a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis, which comprises: a slide rail for serving as a pivot axis for movement of the tailgate assembly from a substantially vertical position to a substantially horizontal position attached to the end of the truck bed parallel to the transverse axis; a ramp having a longitudinal axis, adapted for attachment, at one corner to a swing pin hinge, and further configured in size and shape to serve, in a transverse orientation of its longitudinal axis, as a tailgate closure panel; said swing pin hinge for rotatable attachment to the ramp at said corner of said ramp, said swing pin hinge configured for rotation about the axis of the slide rail, for transverse displacement along the slide rail, for angular rotation of t he ramp from a transverse orientation of its longitudinal axis to an orientation parallel to the longitudinal axis of the truck bed, and for axial rotation of the ramp panel normal to the axis of the slide rail; means for rotatably and slidably attaching the swing pin hinge to the slide rail; and means for rotatably attaching the swing pin hinge to the ramp.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
209 words
A combination tailgate and ramp assembly for use with a vehicle having a truck bed, side walls, a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis, which comprises: a slide rail for serving as a pivot axis for movement of the tailgate assembly from a substantially vertical position to a substantially horizontal position attached to the end of the truck bed parallel to the transverse axis; a ramp having a longitudinal axis, adapted for attachment, at one corner to a swing pin hinge, and further configured in size and shape to serve, in a transverse orientation of its longitudinal axis, as a tailgate closure panel; said swing pin hinge for rotatable attachment to the ramp at said corner of said ramp, said swing pin hinge configured for rotation about the axis of the slide rail, for transverse displacement along the slide rail, for angular rotation of t he ramp from a transverse orientation of its longitudinal axis to an orientation parallel to the longitudinal axis of the truck bed, and for axial rotation of the ramp panel normal to the axis of the slide rail; means for rotatably and slidably attaching the swing pin hinge to the slide rail; and means for rotatably attaching the swing pin hinge to the ramp.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The combination tailgate and ramp assembly of claim 5 which further comprises means for latching the ramp to the side walls of the truck bed in a vertical, and transverse orientation.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
65 words
The combination tailgate and ramp assembly of claim 6 wherein the means for latching the pair of ramps to the side walls of the truck bed further comprises a pair of latches, each having a downwardly extendable latch pin slidably attached to a truck bed side wall and a latch pin receiving bracket attached to a ramp for removably holding a downwardly extended latch pin.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
45 words
The combination tailgate and ramp assembly of claim 5 which further comprises: a pair of fastening brackets each rotatably attached to the slide rail transversely outward of the swing pin hinge; and means for removably attaching the fastening brackets to the ends of the ramp.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
The combination tailgate and ramp assembly of claim 5 which further comprises: a supplemental ramp configured in size and shape to fold over unto the ramp hingedly attached to said ramp parallel to its transverse axis.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-05-17 | 1996-11-16 | 1997-05-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-05-17 | 2000-11-16 | 2001-05-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-05-17 | 2004-11-16 | 2005-05-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |