US6722721B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pickup truck foldable ramp tailgate
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 2002-06-06
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Granted: 2004-04-20
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Expires: 2022-06-06
Abstract
Abstract A fold up ramp assists the loading and unloading of equipment and people onto and off of the bed of a pickup truck. Four individual panels are configured with a unique folding pattern that allows two of the panels to fold into two of the other panels, or nest, to form the tailgate on a pickup truck. The folded and nested panel tailgate is exactly the same size as a standard pickup truck tailgate, varying according to vehicle make and model, and utilizes the same latching mechanism. The ramp panels are fabricated of rectangular metal tubing frames having a metal meshing topside. The panels are interconnected by piano hinges fastened to the underside shared edges between the panels and running the full length of the edge to increase stability and strength.
Inventors
- 👤 Earl W. Sherrer
- 👤 Patrick T. Doherty
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 18:46
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D33/00; B62D33/02; B62D33/023; B62D33/027; B62D33/0273; B60; B60P; B60P1/00; B60P1/43; B60P1/435
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
306 words
A foldable pickup truck tailgate and ramp device comprising: a series of rigid panels interconnected by hinge means, the panels capable of folding out into a ramp configuration interconnecting a pickup truck bed to an adjacent ground surface and capable of folding up into a pickup tailgate assembly configuration having a conventional latch and hinge assembly for attaching to a pickup truck to replace a conventional tailgate, at least one of the panels comprising a nestable panel capable of fitting within at least one other of the panels so that in the pickup tailgate assembly configuration, the device is the same size as a conventional pickup truck tailgate, each of the panels comprising a rigid metal frame having an attached layer of metal along a top side of each of the panels in the ramp configuration, the at least one nestable panel configured in the size and shape of an interior of a frame of the at least one other panel so that the nestable panel fits nestably within the frame of the at least one other panel below the layer of metal attached to the top side of the at least one other panel; wherein the device comprises a first panel hingedly attached to the pickup truck, a second panel hingedly attached to the first panel, a third panel hingedly attached to the second panel, and a fourth panel hingedly attached to the third panel, the third and fourth panels being configured in the size and shape of the interior of the frames of the first and second panels, so that in the pickup truck tailgate assembly configuration, the third panel fits nestably within the first panel and the fourth panel fits nestably within the second panel so that the thickness of the device is equal to the thickness of a standard pickup truck tailgate.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
306 words
A foldable pickup truck tailgate and ramp device comprising: a series of rigid panels interconnected by hinge means, the panels capable of folding out into a ramp configuration interconnecting a pickup truck bed to an adjacent ground surface and capable of folding up into a pickup tailgate assembly configuration having a conventional latch and hinge assembly for attaching to a pickup truck to replace a conventional tailgate, at least one of the panels comprising a nestable panel capable of fitting within at least one other of the panels so that in the pickup tailgate assembly configuration, the device is the same size as a conventional pickup truck tailgate, each of the panels comprising a rigid metal frame having an attached layer of metal along a top side of each of the panels in the ramp configuration, the at least one nestable panel configured in the size and shape of an interior of a frame of the at least one other panel so that the nestable panel fits nestably within the frame of the at least one other panel below the layer of metal attached to the top side of the at least one other panel; wherein the device comprises a first panel hingedly attached to the pickup truck, a second panel hingedly attached to the first panel, a third panel hingedly attached to the second panel, and a fourth panel hingedly attached to the third panel, the third and fourth panels being configured in the size and shape of the interior of the frames of the first and second panels, so that in the pickup truck tailgate assembly configuration, the third panel fits nestably within the first panel and the fourth panel fits nestably within the second panel so that the thickness of the device is equal to the thickness of a standard pickup truck tailgate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the hinge means comprises a piano-type hinge extending along the entire interconnecting edge of each of the panels.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the frame is fabricated of rectangular metal tubing with an expanded metal mesh attached to a top surface of the frame.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 2007-04-20 | 2007-10-20 | 2008-04-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-04-20 | 2011-10-20 | 2012-04-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-04-20 | 2015-10-20 | 2016-04-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |