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Two arms of an articulated linkage are pivotally connected together. The distal end of one arm is connected at a pivot point to the side of the vehicle body, and the distal end of the other arm is connected to a tailgate pivot screw located on a linkage plate attached to the tailgate. When the arms

Two arms of an articulated linkage are pivotally connected together. The distal end of one arm is connected at a pivot point to the side of the vehicle body, and the distal end of the other arm is connected to a tailgate pivot screw located on a linkage plate attached to the tailgate. When the arms are extended, the tailgate is held in a horizontal open position. As the tailgate is raised to the closed position, the connecting pivot point of the arms is moved downward, and a projecting guide tab on the linkage plate gathers the articulated linkage. A lock lever pivoted on the side of the vehicle has a slot to snap over the tailgate pivot screw of the tailgate, and is locked with a wing nut on the screw.

대표청구항 ▼

A linkage used in combination with a vehicle body having an end opening and a hinged tailgate for opening and closing said end opening; said linkage comprising an articulated linkage including first and second link arms; a linkage plate attached to said tailgate; a tailgate pivot screw mounted to sa

A linkage used in combination with a vehicle body having an end opening and a hinged tailgate for opening and closing said end opening; said linkage comprising an articulated linkage including first and second link arms; a linkage plate attached to said tailgate; a tailgate pivot screw mounted to said linkage plate; a projecting guide tab on said plate extending laterally outwardly of the tailgate, said projecting tab being located between the tailgate pivot screw and the hinged lower edge of the tailgate; folding pivot means connecting together said first and second link arms, at least one of said link arms having a longitudinal slot receiving the folding pivot means, the distal end of said first arm defining a hole through which the tailgate pivot screw extends to form a tailgate pivot point; pivot means fixed on the vehicle body connecting the distal end of said second link arm to said vehicle body whereby said first and second link arms extended in line with the tailgate are held by said articulated linkage in a generally horizontal position in which said vehicle end opening is open, and operative by depressing said articulated linkage downward at said folding pivot means and raising the tailgate for said guide tab to gather the linkage and the tailgate to close said end opening; a lock lever pivotally connected to said vehicle body and having a slot to engage said tailgate pivot screw; and a wing nut on said tailgate pivot screw to lock the lock levEr in place when said tailgate is closed.