초록 ▼

A tailgate assembly for use with a motor vehicle of the type including a cab and a cargo body positioned rearwardly of the cab and including side walls and a floor coacting at the rear of the cargo body to define a tailgate opening into which the tailgate is fitted. The tailgate assembly includes an

A tailgate assembly for use with a motor vehicle of the type including a cab and a cargo body positioned rearwardly of the cab and including side walls and a floor coacting at the rear of the cargo body to define a tailgate opening into which the tailgate is fitted. The tailgate assembly includes an extender assembly including a bar positioned proximate an upper edge of the tailgate and a pair of post assemblies extending downwardly from the bar into the tailgate proximate respective side edges of the tailgate. Each post assembly includes a lower post member articulated to an upper post member which in turn is connected to the bar. The bar may be raised to a position above the upper edge of the tailgate by sliding the post assemblies upwardly within guide tubes provided in the tailgate whereby to provide further vertical restraint for loads carried by the vehicle. If the bar is moved upwardly to a position wherein the axis of articulation between the upper and lower post members is positioned above the upper edge of the tailgate, the bar together with the upper post members may be rotated about the axis of articulation to move the extender assembly to positions at right angles to the plane of the tailgate where it may provide further load restraint with the tailgate lowered or may provide a step to facilitate entry into the cargo body of the vehicle.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A tailgate assembly for use with a motor vehicle of the type including a cab and a cargo body positioned rearwardly of the cab and including side walls and a floor coacting at the rear of the cargo body to define a tailgate opening, the tailgate assembly comprising:a generally planar tailgate hav

1. A tailgate assembly for use with a motor vehicle of the type including a cab and a cargo body positioned rearwardly of the cab and including side walls and a floor coacting at the rear of the cargo body to define a tailgate opening, the tailgate assembly comprising:a generally planar tailgate having a width approximating the width of the tailgate opening whereby to fit in and close the tailgate opening; means for mounting the tailgate on the cargo body for pivotal movement between a raised position in which the tailgate closes the opening and a lowered position in which the tailgate extends rearwardly of the cargo body as an extension of the cargo body floor; latch means for coaction with latch means on the cargo body to maintain the tailgate in its raised position; an extender assembly including a bar having a length approximating the width of the tailgate, the bar being movable between a stowed position proximate and substantially coextensive with an upper edge of the tailgate, an extended position positioned above the upper edge of the tailgate and in the general plane of the tailgate, and a displaced position in which it is removed from the plane of the tailgate; multiple operating catch means selectively operable to fixedly but releasably secure the bar in its stowed position, in its extended position, and in its displaced position; the movement of the bar from the stowed position to the extended position comprising a sliding movement in the plane of the tailgate; the movement of the bar from the extended position to the displaced position comprising a rotary movement; the extender assembly further including a pair of vertical post assemblies connected at their upper ends to spaced points on the bar proximate respective ends of the bar and mounted for vertical sliding movement in the tailgate to move the bar from its stowed to its extended position; each post assembly including a lower post member articulated to an upper post member connected to the bar; and the axis of articulation being positioned above the upper edge of the tailgate with the bar in its extended position, whereby to allow the bar to be moved from its extended position to its displaced position by pivotal movement of the upper post member and the bar about the axis of articulation.