초록 ▼

A safety light system is incorporated into the tailgate of a pickup truck. The safety light is incorporated into the tailgate and is illuminated when the tailgate is in a lowered or horizontal position and when either the ignition switch is in the on position, the parking lights are turned on, or bo

A safety light system is incorporated into the tailgate of a pickup truck. The safety light is incorporated into the tailgate and is illuminated when the tailgate is in a lowered or horizontal position and when either the ignition switch is in the on position, the parking lights are turned on, or both. The safety light can be positioned either on the top edge-rail of the tailgate, as a slide-out unit placed in a pocket with the top edge-rail of the tailgate, or as a rotating assembly incorporated into the outer sheet metal of the tailgate. Additional safety lights can be incorporated into the sides of the tailgate assembly. An optional feature includes the ability to pull the safety light out from the tailgate and secure the safety light to an object that extends beyond the length of the pickup bed. Alternatively, the safety lights can be installed in or on a bed extension apparatus. The safety light can additionally include the features of a standard taillight, comprising brake lights and or turn signal indicators. Alternates include reflective tape and a pullout feature from other locations. A pullout section can also provide a step for accessing the bed.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A tailgate safety light assembly, said tailgate safety light assembly comprising: a pickup truck tailgate; and a tailgate safety light; wherein said tailgate safety light is selected from a group consisting of: incorporated into a top surface of said pickup truck tailgate as

What is claimed is: 1. A tailgate safety light assembly, said tailgate safety light assembly comprising: a pickup truck tailgate; and a tailgate safety light; wherein said tailgate safety light is selected from a group consisting of: incorporated into a top surface of said pickup truck tailgate as a slide-able assembly comprising a tailgate light frame, wherein said tailgate safety light is disposed upon a free end of the said tailgate light frame and slides outward via said tailgate light frame, wherein said tailgate light frame positions said tailgate safety light spacially from said top surface of said tailgate, wherein the light is positioned proximate an overhanging end of an overhanging cargo object extending outward from a cargo section of a pickup; wherein said tailgate safety light frame slides outward, and rotates downward into a generally vertical orientation and the light emits rearward when in a lowered position; and incorporated into an outer sheet metal surface of said pickup truck tailgate as a rotating assembly, wherein said tailgate safety light rotating downward and the light emits rearward when in a rotated position. 2. The tailgate safety light assembly of claim 1, said tailgate safety light assembly further comprising a latching mechanism for securing said tailgate safety light into a desired position, wherein said desired position is at least one of stowed and in use. 3. The tailgate safety light assembly of claim 1, wherein said tailgate safety light is illuminated when: said pickup truck tailgate is placed in said generally horizontal position; and at least one of: ignition switch is turned on, and parking lights are turned on. 4. The tailgate safety light assembly of claim 1, said tailgate safety light further comprising at least two intensity levels. 5. The tailgate safety light assembly of claim 4, said tailgate safety light further comprising at least two levels of intensity, wherein said tailgate safety lights are illuminated to a low light intensity level during normal use and at least one of a high light intensity level during braking and flashing in conjunction with a turn signal indicator. 6. The tailgate safety light assembly of claim 1, wherein said tailgate safety light is incorporated into said top surface of said pickup truck tailgate as a slide-able assembly, wherein said tailgate safety light slides outward, and rotates downward into a generally vertical orientation. 7. The tailgate safety light assembly of claim 6, wherein said slide-able assembly further comprising a step disposed upon a horizontally oriented member located proximate a lower end of said slide-able assembly when oriented in a generally vertical orientation. 8. A tailgate safety light assembly, said tailgate safety light assembly comprising: a pickup truck tailgate; a tailgate safety light; and a slide-able assembly comprising a tailgate light frame in slideable communication with said pickup truck tailgate, wherein said tailgate safety light is assembled to said slide-able assembly, wherein said tailgate safety light is disposed upon a free end of the said tailgate light frame and slides outward via said tailgate light frame, wherein said tailgate light frame positions said tailgate safety light spacially from said top surface of said tailgate, wherein the light is positioned proximate an overhanging end of an overhanging cargo object extending outward from a cargo section of a pickup, such that the tailgate safety light projects a warning light rearward when said tailgate is in a lowered orientation. 9. The tailgate safety light assembly of claim 8, said slide-able assembly further comprising a hinged section allowing said slide-able assembly to rotate downward into a generally vertical orientation. 10. The tailgate safety light assembly of claim 9, said slide-able assembly further comprising a step disposed upon a horizontally oriented step member disposed proximate a distal end of the slide-able assembly. 11. The tailgate safety light assembly of claim 10, wherein said tailgate safety light is disposed on said horizontally oriented step member. 12. The tailgate safety light assembly of claim 10, wherein said tailgate safety light is disposed on a horizontally oriented member located proximate said hinged section. 13. The tailgate safety light assembly of claim 10, said slide-able assembly further comprising a side frame warning indicator located along a side portion of said slide-able assembly. 14. The tailgate safety light assembly of claim 13, wherein said side frame warning indicator is fabricated of a reflective material. 15. A tailgate safety light assembly, said tailgate safety light assembly comprising: a pickup truck tailgate; and a tailgate safety light; said tailgate safety light being incorporated into said top surface of said pickup truck tailgate as a slide-able assembly comprising a tailgate light frame, said tailgate light frame comprising a hinged member, said safety light being disposed proximate a distal end of the tailgate light frame, wherein said tailgate safety light frame slides outward and when extended fully outward, a portion of said tailgate light frame rotates downward into a generally vertical orientation, wherein the tailgate safety light projects a warning light rearward when the tailgate is in at least one of an horizontal configuration and a lowered orientation. 16. The tailgate safety light assembly of claim 15, said tailgate safety light assembly further comprising a latching mechanism for securing said tailgate safety light into a desired position, wherein said desired position is at least one of stowed and in use. 17. The tailgate safety light assembly of claim 15, wherein said tailgate safety light is illuminated when: said pickup truck tailgate is placed in said generally horizontal position; and at least one of: ignition switch is turned on, and parking lights are turned on. 18. The tailgate safety light assembly of claim 15, said tailgate safety light further comprising at least two intensity levels. 19. The tailgate safety light assembly of claim 18, said tailgate safety light further comprising at least two levels of intensity, wherein said tailgate safety lights are illuminated to a low light intensity level during normal use and at least one of a high light intensity level during braking and flashing in conjunction with a turn signal indicator. 20. The tailgate safety light assembly of claim 15, said slide-able assembly further comprising a step disposed upon a horizontally oriented step member disposed proximate said distal end of the slide-able assembly.